We All Bleed The Same Color... :) 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. If every one would chip in $25 or more, we'd be good for the whole year! So Please - I need your help today! "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 ABUNDANTLY FOR YOUR GIFT! ================ >-->2 HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) Our latest piping hot new page is from our friend Linda. It is a fun artistic one using submissions for a Photoshop contest. Be sure to check out this hilarious page here... _ _{Ss //\\_/_/\Ss _/_| \_/ \_ pb Animal Pinups http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/pinup.html --- ...LOL! So funny! Thanks Linda! My fav is the last one - which is yours? This smoking hot new page is from our friends Linda and Geniann. It is full of interesting information if you are considering adding a pet to your children's lives or already have one. It'll also give you your awws quota for the day. Be sure to check this one out here... __ /\/'-, ,--''''' /" ____,'. ) \___ '"""""------'"""`-----' pb Why Dogs Are Good For Kids http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dogsandkids.html --- ...So adorable and sweet! Thanks Ladies! -<>- *~* Last Month We Had A Tremendous Month Of Caring And Sharing! .--. .---. /:. '. .' .. '._.---. /:::-. \.-"""-;` .-:::. .::\ /::'| \/ _ _ \' `\:' ::::| __.' | / (o|o) \ `'. ':/ / .:. / | ___ | '---' | ::::' /: (._.) .:\ \ .=' |:' :::| `""` \ .-. ':/ jgs '---`|I|`---' '-' >Be sure to View and Share all our newest pages: Carnival Paper Sculptures! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/paperart4.html Beautiful Flower People! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/flowerpeople.html Love Caught On Camera! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lovecamera.html Beautiful Kea Parrots! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/keaparrots.html Humor In Politics 18! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/politics18.html When Sandman Attacks 3! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/sandman3.html Flower Art 3! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/flowerart4.html _. ,-.,-"`""-./ \ / \ `-.| .:::.:::. \ / `-._ ::::::::: | "=\ ':::::' | .==" |o_|_ ':' | _o. ` (_) ,;;;,;;;, ; \\ ;;;;;;;;; \ _. /|-. ';;;;;' \ ` `'---'/ \ ';' \ .--._ /-' | ,-`. / `-._( / `-._`-._\ `\ '\ ( ` `'._ _, | \ / ~-. `| | | / `;-.| | | .' \ /| | / .'-. '. | \ | .' `-._ '. | /"` `\ jgs / `"--.,_'-._\-.___.'_ ; / `""";--' `. | / .'` \ /""-. ; / \""-, \ | / | \ | \ | '. |/ '. \ .'`-. / '._ '.,___,.;' '-.___.' `"""----------'` *~* BIG HUGS, GOD'S BLESSINGS, And THANKS To All Our Contributors! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: There's no other love like the love for a brother. There's no other love like the love from a brother. -- Terri Guillemets .'''. ' ' '. .' '.' ' ' ' /")\ / /\ \ / ()""() |=( . .) | '(o)| /______| | | _ / ____ \ _ ( ) / \ ( ) |_|/ \|_| tre >A NEW BROTHER -- AT 77 by Carol Clarke Today I am going to tell you a wonderful story about a man named David who was born in 1927. He was born to a couple who were not married and consequently put up for adoption. He was born in Berkeley, California. (He now lives in a small town which is not too far from Berkeley.) The couple who adopted him raised a wonderful son who joined the Army in the mid forties and was an MP. But he always wondered about his parents. He eventually married a very nice woman and had two daughters who grew up to be good and intelligent women. He started hunting for his father but due to a mistake on the birth certificate they could not locate him. The birth certificate showed his dad being born in the same town as his birth mom. The parents probably never discussed where they were born and when asked, the mother probably just say the father was born in the same town she was -- Butte, Montana. David went to Butte and after much searching could not locate anything on his dad. His daughter, June, finally started her research and located a couple of men who said they were related to his dad. However, DNA tests indicated it was a very distant relationship. Meanwhile, June contacted my cousin's daughter Glynda who I am very close to. Glynda sent the email to me stating this might be something I would want to look into. I contacted June and she had some information that we knew was true. When I was 2 years old, my father was killed on February 20, 1937, working as a mechanic for the gas company. I even have the newspaper article. I always felt a bond to him as I was growing up. As I grew older, I started meeting and visiting my dad’s family and I was able to piece together a story of his life -- where he was, what he did and where he lived. So I was ready to answer questions and invited David, his wife, and June to my place in San Jose, about three hours from where they live. When he walked in, I thought to myself, he had the Booth’s nose and paunch. We exchanged birth certificates, and I saw the mistake on his. It should have shown that his father was born in Illinois, and not Montana. I really liked David's family. Unlike my family, who had so many traumas growing up, David's family was stable and close. I wanted his family to be a part of mine. We decided to do a DNA test and I got the news back today. David is my older brother by 7 years. I am 77 and he is 84. Now how sweet is that! It’s going to be a super happy ending. David has skin cancer, and I have lung cancer, but we are both doing well and hopefully will be able to enjoy being a family. You cannot believe the joy I feel knowing this man’s search has finally came to an end and he became part of our family. I have my cousin’s daughter and his daughter putting the word out on the Ancestry.com site. So welcome to my dysfunctional family David, you will add a bit of class to it. -- Carol Clarke --- ...This one from our friend Fran - AKA Carol Clarke reminds me... ,________________ / \ \ |.-| | .-', | ,_______ | / | """""| | | O\__.--| '-' | ,=` _|______________| ',,,==` `~~~~|||~~~~~~~` ` ||| ||| ||| ||| ||| ||| ||| ||| \\ |||, // jgs . ..::::\\\||////::::.... '' ' "" ' '"" "" "" '' ""' "'' >We All Bleed The Same Color I thought of something yesterday. You may think of me as racist or whatever, but where I live, it is mainly a white city. I don't get too much exposure to the black community. My daughter is the same way. She just got back from a trip with a healthcare provider driver to a large predominant black city. She found it odd that when they went places and to a drive through restaurant that black people who saw her black male driver would give them big smiles and greet him with big hellos and warm hand gestures etc. She asked him if he knew these people. He told her no - they were his 'Brothers'! So here because of the color of his skin, he was friendly and felt close with others who shared his skin color. I immediately thought of how great it would be if we Christians, who had a deeper relationship with fellow Christens. could be so inclined to see them as our brothers and sisters in Christ and greet them with such warmth and friendliness. But too often we get into the devil's game of division on our beliefs and look down on our own Christian family because of a different Christian faith or church. She also had an unexpected blessing from him. When he had brought her back home, he asked her about her work. She didn't want to mention it but he pressed her so she told him she had been a Sheriff Deputy and in law enforcement for 16 years. She found his response quite confusing. He got a huge smile on his face and literally was beaming like she was some sort of celebrity or someth8ing and put his hand out to shake hers. She told me she was so surprised by this reaction that she just stared at his hand until he had to ask her to shake his hand. She humbly did. She never got such recognition for her service before so he had overwhelmed and blessed her. With all the media and Obama riling up blacks to disrespect the police, this black man's reaction was quite refreshing and heartening. It means we are on the right path. We are all in this together and our outward skin color shouldn't be a factor to how we feel about each other. I love how President Trump put it - 'We all bleed the same color!' It doesn't matter to God what your skin color is. We will all have our new bodies when we stand before Him. 1 Cor.15: [49] And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. [50] Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. [51] Behold, I shew you a mystery (secret); We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, [52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. [53] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. .0. / \ ; \_/ ; | | | | | | _______; ;_______ `======='\ /`=======` \ / _ | | _ _( \____|=|____/ )_ ( .---. .---. ) `-' / \ '-' / HUG \ ; ; | .---.|__, jgs : / :--' .--\ \ | `" `"".-' < =""` `"== `""""""` =""` `"""===="""` =""` `""==="""` God will only be concerned with our heart. Thank God! :) =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Fran :) .----. _.'__ `. .--(#)(##)---/#\ .' @ /###\ : , ##### `-..__.-' _.-\###/ jgs `;_: `"' .'"""""`. /, JOE ,\ // COOL! \\ `-._______.-' ___`. | .'___ (______|______) >Quotes: "When you look at yourself from a universal standpoint, something inside always reminds or informs you that there are bigger and better things to worry about." - Albert Einstein "A barking dog is often more useful than a sleeping lion." - Washington Irving "Envy is the art of counting the other fellow's blessings instead of your own." ~ Harold Coffin -<>- __,=,__ .~`` .` `.``~. | . . |____ `-;=============;""""` ( (. _).) \ | | \ `-.___.' / '._ _.' /`''''\ / \ | |/\/\/\/|.-. |-|/\/\/\/|;' ) (__/_______| _) #########'._) jgs |==|=|__ ,,,(______)_),,,, ,,,;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;,,,, ,,,;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;,,, ,;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;, >THE CHEER There was not one empty pew in the cathedral. An honor guard of soldiers, firemen and policemen surrounded the flag-draped coffin. A bishop, archbishop and cardinal led the requiem mass. A tall, graying priest rose to deliver the eulogy. nn"I'm here to talk about Cliff. Cliff Thompson," Father John F. X. O'Toole said. "I knew him very well. We went to high school together, played on the same football team. "Cliff was a solid tight end. He was about six feet tall. Weighed about 180 pounds then. He blocked like a steamroller and was a magnet for my passes. He ran like a swift, single-minded deer with cleats. "In our first varsity game, Cliff and I ran onto the field with the offensive team. After Eddie Newsome's two short runs loosened up the defense, I called a pass play. Cliff was my prime receiver. "Cliff blocked a linebacker, then quickly cut in toward the center of the field where my first pass was waiting for him. He caught his first varsity pass and was immediately hit, knocked to the ground and fallen upon. "He heard the loud crack over the cheers of the crowd. As he tried to get to his feet, the pain smacked him down again. "Our trainers rushed out, gave him their supporting shoulders and carried him to the sidelines, where they put his leg in a splint. "Cliff never heard their full diagnosis or their instructions for caring for his broken leg. He just knew the leg required some surgery, pins and a cast. And that he'd be sidelined for most of the year. "However, what he did hear and see, were the cheerleaders, in their letter sweaters, egging on the crowd to cheer their wounded warrior: "'Yea, Cliff! Yea, Thompson! Yea, yea, Cliff Thompson!'" "Cliff was out for about eight weeks but he made the most of his time and his cast. All the big jocks signed it. And so did the giggly girls. The cast and his crutches gave Cliff greater visibility. And Cliff played it for all it was worth. "When he finally returned, Cliff did so well in the final games -- and the championship game -- that he earned a football scholarship. He studied business with the Wolverines at the University of Michigan. I studied God and man with the Jesuits at Boston College. On TV, we saw Cliff run out on the field in the Rose Bowl game. We saw his picture with the offense squad graphics. And we saw his five catches, two for touchdowns, in replays and on all the late night sport shows. He was even interviewed on ESPN's Sportscenter. "But somehow, all that glory never equaled the thrill of hearing those high school cheerleaders praise him by name. He replayed that memory over and over in his mind's ear: 'Yea, Cliff! Yea, Thompson! Yea, yea, Cliff Thompson! "After College, he got a good job in sales management and became 'Sales Manager of the Year'. He graciously accepted his personal trophy and large bonus check and the polite applause. But, again, there were no cheerleaders. "Cliff enlisted in the Army, graduated from Officers Candidate School and fought with valor in Vietnam. The Secretary of the Army pinned the Silver Star on his chest and Cliff returned the salutes of generals. "He told me how honored he felt but, 'you know, it's not like hearing those cheerleaders'. "On September 11, 2001, he arrived very early at New York City's Twin Towers. He was there to celebrate his promotion to Major at a brunch at The Windows on the World Restaurant. Cliff arrived just before that first hijacked airliner hit the first tower. He ran into the smoking, battered building and joined firemen and policemen, helping crowds of people escape that massive smoking toaster. "He didn't get out alive. His body was recognized by his shiny new Major's gold leaves and by the three scars in his leg, where the oddly placed stainless steel pins used to be. "Again, Cliff Thompson was a hero. And again, he didn't hear the recognition he really wanted to hear. "So let this parish priest play cheerleader right now in this most holy sanctuary. Let's hear it now for a great hero and one of God's finest men! "Yea, Cliff", the padre said, throwing his fist into the air. The congregation yelled "Yea, Cliff!". "Yea, Thompson," he continued. And the congregation repeated, "Yea, Thompson!" "Yea, Yea, Cliff Thompson!" Everyone screamed "Yea, Yea, Cliff Thompson." The organist played, the honor guard snapped to attention. Women sobbed and men held back dry tears. -- Ron Gold --- ...So heartwarming! Thanks Fran! =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: __ __ \ `-._......_.-` / `. '. .' .' // _`\/`_ \\ || /\O||O/\ || |\ \_/||\_/ /| \ '. \/ .' / / ^ `'~ ~'` \ / _-^_~ -^_ ~- | | / ^_ -^_- ~_^\ | | |~_ ^- _-^_ -| | | \ ^-~_ ~-_^ / | \_/;-.,____,.-;\_/ =jgs======(_(_(==)_)_)========= ================================== >Wisdom It Is Better To Be Alone, Than In The Wrong Company. Tell me who your best friends are, and I will tell you who you are. If you run with wolves, you will learn how to howl. But, if you associate with eagles, you will learn how to soar to great heights. "A mirror reflects a man's face, but what he is really like is shown by the kind of friends he chooses." The simple but true fact of life is that you become like those with whom you closely associate - for the good and the bad. The less you associate with some people, the more your life will improve. Any time you tolerate mediocrity in others, it increases your mediocrity. An important attribute in successful people is their impatience with negative thinking and negative acting people. As you grow, your associates will change. Some of your friends will not want you to go on. They will want you to stay where they are. Friends that don't help you climb, will want you to crawl. Your friends will stretch your vision or choke your dream. Those that don't increase you, will eventually decrease you. Consider this: Never receive counsel from unproductive people. Never discuss your problems with someone incapable of contributing to the solution, because those who never succeed themselves are always first to tell you how. Not everyone has a right to speak into your life. You are certain to get the worst of the bargain when you exchange ideas with the wrong person. Don't follow anyone who's not going anywhere. With some people you spend an evening: with others you invest it. Be careful where you stop to inquire for directions along the road of life. Wise is the person who fortifies his life with the right friendships. Happy moments? Praise God; Difficult moments? Seek God; Quiet moments? Worship God; Painful moments? Trust God; Every moment? Thank God! If you see people without a smile today.. Give them one of yours. -<>- _ *"_"* __ /`_`\ __ .' '. | / \ | .' '. , / ')\^_^/(' \ , \`--' . (_.> <._) . '--`/ '.__.' '._/ \_/ \_.' '.__.' / , _ , \ \ \_/|\_/ / \ //^\\ / \/` `\/ | | | | | | | | .. ..:::.| | ..::::. .. ..::::..::::... .::::::::| |:::::::::::::::. ::::::::::::::::::.:::::::::::| |:::::::::::::::::. ':::::::::::::::::::::::::::::| |::::::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::| |::::::::::::::::::' '':::' '::::::::::::::::\_.__./:::::::::::::::'' '':::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::' jgs '::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::'' '':::::'' '''::::::'' >MAKE YOUR ANGELS SMILE By: Joseph J. Mazzella I read recently in an inspirational book that all of us have not just one guardian angel watching over us, but many such angels all though our days. This made me smile at the love God must have for us all to give us so much unseen help in our lives. It also made me feel a bit self-conscious about having angels watching over my every choice and action. In the end, however, I decided that I would just do my best moment by moment and day by day to make my guardian angels smile. What would you do to make your guardian angels smile? Would you be polite to the person being rude to you and return kindness for anger and love for hate? Would you share part of the money you earn with those who are in great need and continue to trust in God to meet all your needs as well? Would you slow down your walk long enough to smell a newly blooming flower or freshly blossoming Cherry tree? Would you also stop to pick up a piece of trash littering the ground and make the world a bit more beautiful? Would you visit the sick, disabled, and elderly and give them not only your time but your joy and love as well? Would you sing out loud as you walk down the street and share your delight in being alive in spite of any looks others might give you? Would you hug your children and tell them how much you love them no matter how big they get or old they are? Would you bless this world with your smile, your kind words, your optimism, your enthusiasm, your laughter, your joy, your light, your talents, your energy, your cheerfulness, and your love? Would you do your best moment by moment, all though your day, and all though your life to be the person God meant for you to be? I hope that all your answers were, Yes! I hope God and Heaven always look down on your life with joy and pride. And I hope that everyday you make your angels smile. -<>- _____ _____________________ | ,-. | | | |((#))| | ejm | |_`-'_| | \ | | )\ | | `\ | | (\ | | \\ | | \\ | | \\ | | \\ | | \\ | | \\ | |___________________\\| \\ \, >A Writer Bill Walker wildbill6807@yahoo.com I was thinking about this fellow this morning, have thought much about him in the past. I wonder how he got along with cotton picken, nit picken, lint picking editors? He was a writer for the Omaha Newspaper at one time. Wonder if he had troubles with those people about is this the right way, the proper way and so on to say, "went fishing this morning." I do that myself a lot you know.. Not the fishing, but I leave off a word or to some cotton picken, nit picken, lint picker of editor thinks just got to be there. Just like I now left out "an" in front of "editor" there. I was talking to Friend Keith about this fellow one time. Friend Keith knew him, that is in this here fellow's writing days, Mr. Guy Williams of long ago. When I knew about Mr.Williams he was living the good life. Down around abouts Taney County, God's country Missouri. You know it took six days to make the world. then God rested. The next week God made God's county. The Ozarks of Missouri and Arkansas. Anyways Mr.and Mrs Guy Williams had moved to Taney County. Guy wrote a page for the Omaha Sunday paper. He called it, I think a letter from the Wren House. He told about something going on around those parts. It wasn't one of those "Flash this just in, late breaking news reports." It was on the little things like the fishing is good, or we drove over to the next wide spot in the road about 5 miles from here yesterday. Spent the day watching a boy with a new puppy... We had taken a sack lunch. Puppy ate most of it. Things like that would be his weekly story. Guy had a way, a style of writing, you knew it was Guy Williams story. He didn't need to put his name on it. You just knew Guy Williams wrote it. No cotton picken, nit picken, lint picker better miss with it. Those people would have killed it. I learned a lot by reading Guy Williams. He knew how to write a story, that made you do two things. First was to read it. Then you wanted to come back next week to read the story of the week, and find out what was going on in and abouts God's country,,,, Taney County, Missouri. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: March Is Woman's Month Thank You God!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thankgod.html Sweet Humanity!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/sweethumanity.html Short Life Stories!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lifestories.html My Precious Child!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mychild.html Beautiful Photo Winners! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/photowinners.html Eleanor Roosevelt Quotes http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/eleanorquotes.html Famous Inspiring Women http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/womenquotes.html Life Is...Continued!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lifeis2.html More Abundant Life!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/abundantlife.html Making A Difference!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/makingdifference.html Important Life Truths!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lifetruths.html Akiane - Child Prodigy!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/prodigy.html Beautiful Cactus Blooms!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/cactusblooms.html Random Acts Of Kindness!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/actsofkindness.html Brilliant Women Inventors!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/womeninventors.html Beautiful Birds And Words!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/birdsandwords.html Woman - Darkest Before Dawn!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/womandbd.html Woman Cops Around The World!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/womancops.html -<>- The Promises Of God Index: http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Promises/Promises.htm Home Free - How Great Thou Art https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXQpDDcrN-w The Canadian Tenors - Hallelujah "Live" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpxsJ-_vdPU -<>- >In The News: States Can Prosecute Illegal Aliens For Identity Theft, Supreme Court Rules https://tinyurl.com/ve69oaw Trump says administration will begin withholding funds from rogue cities after appeals court victory https://tinyurl.com/tmwemqd Powerful Dem sorry for 'threat' against conservative SCOTUS justices https://tinyurl.com/quj5xyd Sanders Once Said He Didn’t Understand ‘What’s So Wrong’ With Cuba, Former Prisoner Recalls https://tinyurl.com/t63h2v6 Trump speaks at the Latino Coalition Legislative Summit https://tinyurl.com/qkjq4bk TrumpWomenDaily: Dinner Sweepstakes w/ Melania Trump https://tinyurl.com/w9axush Lara Trump on the safety of Trump supporters https://tinyurl.com/t7fmu2l Can coronavirus spread through your Amazon packages? https://tinyurl.com/smqztu5 Westwing News: Kim Kardashian Returns to Oval Office to Back Trump Prison Releases https://www.whitehouse.gov/westwingreads/ WhiteHouseNews: Daily update: President Trump meets with airline CEOs to discuss Coronavirus and travel https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600daily/ VA Site: VCP is hiring Veterans, VA proposes regulations to expand caregiver program, How to access urgent care via MISSION Act https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USVA/bulletins/27dedf5 MyHealthVet: Stay Home and Phone https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USVHA/bulletins/27ec275 Latest From AFA: http://tinyurl.com/j7lakqw Students For Life https://tinyurl.com/yd5nxmu6 Latest From OperationRescue: http://www.operationrescue.org/ Latest Product Alert: Multiple State Recall Announcement from Whole Foods http://www.emergencyemail.org/products/?fmt=text Latest Health Alert: Coronavirus Spreading Fast Outside China http://www.emergencyemail.org/health/?fmt=text Click to Give Free https://tinyurl.com/y2abb8d2 -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) The 'Tianzu' Chinese Art Troupe with a beautiful performance for the New Year's Gala on CCTV China Television. https://youtu.be/znr-IbdVWpA Emotional Magic Act Magician Marc Spelmann leaves the judges and audience wondering exactly how he managed to pull this off. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3jege0p0dQ --- ///Awesome! 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 ========================================================== ,--""""-., .'` ', / | | _ / __,'(,-'/ `\ _. / .=="=| '-. | .'===,=|-. | / /===\==\| \ \ _;' | |====\==\ '.___,u' \__/ |===.##,=\ |==/####\='-.__ \#|#####|`/^|_))._________________ #######/`| |_.-'""""""=' ] #####/\/ /__,________;------.---' jgs `###' |_/ V V -->From LaughAndLift: Make sure you preach with your life as well as your words. (.,------...__ _.'" `. .' .' `, `. `. ` . .' .'/''--...__`. \ . .--.`. ' "-. '. | '' .' _.' .()) .--":/ ''( \_\ ' (()( ''._' ( \ ' ' `. `--' ' `.: . `-.___.' ' `. . _ _ .' ) .____.-' .'`. (--.. .' \ /\ / / `. .' \( \ /|/ `. .' \__/ `. / | o | \ | | | jro >Parents Have to Live It (By Alan Smith) At one point during a game, the coach said to one of his young players, "Do you understand what cooperation is and what teamwork is all about?" The little boy nodded in the affirmative. "Do you understand that what really matters is not whether we win or lose, but that we play together as a team?" The little boy nodded yes. "Good," the coach continued. "And, when a strike is called, or you're thrown out at first, you don't argue, curse, attack the umpire with a bat, or throw dirt in the opposing team members' faces. Do you understand all that?" Again the little boy nodded, "Well, sure, coach. That's what you taught us." "Good," said the coach. "Now, please go over there and explain all that to your mother." I've been to a few Little League games when the above conversation needed to take place! It's sad to see parents who act in an irresponsible manner because you know that they are teaching their children (and others' children) to behave in a similar manner. God has given those of us who are parents an awesome responsibility -- not only to teach our children what is right, but to live in such a way that they can see that we are willing to practice what we've been teaching them to do. Moses told the parents of Israel to take the laws which God had given them and "teach them diligently to your children...." (Deut. 6:7). But before telling parents to do that, he warned them: "Therefore hear, O Israel, and be careful to observe it...." (Deut. 6:3). Before we can teach a love of God and others to our children, it must be in our own hearts. May God bless those of you who are parents as you strive to do just that. May your life be so filled with a desire to follow God that your children will be open to hear all that you have to say to them. -<>- "I think I would rather live on the verge of falling and let my security be in the all-sufficiency of the grace of God, then to live in some kind of pietistic illusion of moral excellence." - Rich Mullins, the "Awesome God" guy /| /'|| | || | || | || | || | || | || | || | || | || | || | || | || | || | || | || __.--._ | || /~~ __.-~\ _ | || _.-~ / _---._ ~-\/~\ | || // / /~/ .- \ /~-\ | ||((( /(/_(.-(-~~~~~-)_/ | | || ) (( |_.----~~~~~-._\ / | || ) | \_| | || (| =-_ _.-=- |~) , | || | `~~ | ~~' |/~-._-'/'/_, | || \ | /~-.__---~ , , | || | ~-'' || `\_~~~----~ | ||_.ssSS$$\ -====- / )\_ ~~--~ ___.----|~~~|%$$$$$$/ \_ _.-~ /' )$s._ __---~-~~ | |%%$$$$/ / ~~~~ /' /$$$$$$$s__ /~ ~\ ============$$/ / /' /$$$$$$$$$$$SS-. /' ./\\\\\\_( ~---._(_))$/ / /' /$$$$%$$$$$~ \ ( //////////(~-(..___)/$/ / /' /$$%$$%$$$$' \ \ |||||||||||(~-(..___)$/ / / /' /$$$%$$$%$$$ | `-__ \\\\\\\\\\\(-.(_____) / / /' /$$$$%$$$$$%$ | ~~""""""""""-\.(____) / /' /$$$$$%%$$$$$$\_ / $|===||| /' /$$$$$$$%%%$$$$$( ~ ,'| __ $|===|%\/' /$$$$$$$$$$$%%%%$$| ,'' | ///\ $|===|/' /$$$$$$%$$$$$$$%%%%$( /' \///\|===| /$$$$$$$$$%%$$$$$$%%%%$\_-._ | `\//|===| /$$$$$$$$$$$%%%$$$$$$-~~~ ~ / `\|-~~(~~-`$$$$$$$$$%%%///////._ ._ | (__--~( ~\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \ \ (__--~~( \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\| \/ (__--~( ||||||||||||||||||/ _/ (__.--._____//////////////////__..---~~ | """"''''' ___,,,,ss$$$% ,%\__ __,,,\sssSS$$$$$$$$$$$$$$%% ,%%%%$$$$$$$$$$\;;;;\$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$%%%$. ,%%%%%%$$$$$$$$$$%\;;;;\$$$$$$$$$$$$%%%$$$$ ,%%%%%%%%$$$$$$$$$%$$$\;;;;\$$$$$$$$$%%$$$$$$, ,%%%%%%%%%$$$$$$$$%$$$$$$\;;;;\$$$$$$%%$$$$$$$$ ,%%%%%%%%%%%$$$$$$%$$$$$$$$$\;;;;\$$$%$$$$$$$$$$$ %%%%%%%%%%%%$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$\;;;$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ""==%%%%%%%$$$$$TuaXiong$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$SV" $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$===="""" """""""""~~~~ -Tua Xiong >Humble Thyself (by Frank Harris based on a vision given to him) The battle was raging and I could hear the clang of swords against shields. Just over the next ridge, the sound of fury and terror filled the skies. I could hear the enemy - mocking, cursing, taunting. I stood alone in the valley below; my weapons at the ready. Unable to move my feet, I stood, useless and ineffective. I wanted to join the battle, but something didn't feel right. I felt unprepared and ill- equipped. I inspected myself - sword, shield and armor. All that the world had said I would need for battle I had gathered. My training, my skills and my experiences were all at the ready, but in my heart, I knew that I was not. Almost imperceptible at first, I began to hear a small voice call out to me. I had to turn my ear away from the noise and the chaos of the nearby battle so that I could hear it. I listened intently . . . "Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord . . ." "Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord . . ." "Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord . . ." "And He will lift you up, higher and higher!" "And He will lift you up." "Lord!" I cried, "It is you!" My eyes welled up with tears. Deep inside me, I knew why I had not joined the battle. I was not ready. But what more did I need before I could join the battle? And again, I heard, "Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord . . ." What I was thinking made no sense. Surrender all in order to win. Trust in the Lord for the outcome and give up all that I had gathered for my part in the battle. The Lord wanted to be my refuge. Surrender all? My sword? My shield? My armor? What of my skills, my plans, my actions? "But what if I fail, Lord?" I said. "Surely I will die." "Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord . . ." The words swept softly over me. Despite their sovereignty, they were gentle and compassionate. There was a promise in His words, and love. "Lord, I'm scared," I cried. "What you ask of me is so hard, I'm not sure I'm strong enough." "And He will lift you up, higher and higher . . ." I knew what I had to do. I closed my eyes and prayed, "All I have, I give to you. All that I am, I give to you. In victory or defeat, success or failure, I surrender all to you." I began by laying down my shield. All the defenses I had accumulated over the years I placed on the ground beside me. My sword was next. I had used it many times to fight life's battles and my hand clung to it, unwilling at first to let go. It had been the only weapon I had ever possessed - my thoughts, my words, my actions. What would I do without it? I could do but one thing, as I would not go back on my promise. I lay it on my shield. Was my surrender complete? I still had my armor. "Surely, Lord, you would not ask me to go into battle without my armor?" "Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord . . ." There was no way around it. If my surrender was to be complete I had to yield. First my helmet, than my breast plate and belt, and finally my sandals - I placed each one on top of the next. I must be done now . . . "Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord . . ." "Lord, what more do I have?" My clothing was all that was left. Without them I would be walking into battle naked and vulnerable. "These, too?" I asked. But I already knew the answer. One by one, I removed my clothes and lay them on the pile. The garments that kept me warm at night and covered me during the day were gone. I had stripped myself of everything that had once defined me as a warrior. All my defenses, all of my weapons, even my clothes, now lay in a heap upon the ground. I was done. I should have been scared. In another time I would have thought myself mad, but there in the valley, I surrendered all to God. I began to walk up to the ridge where, in the next valley, the battle raged. I steeled myself for what I was going to find. I had neither plan nor strategy. I had given everything to God and I was not sure what fate awaited me on the other side. Despite this, I was at peace. He was my God and I no longer feared the unknown. I had weighed the cost and was prepared to pay the price . . . As I neared the top of the ridge I could hear angelic voices singing. A choir of unknown numbers lifted their voices to the Lord, singing as one: "And He will lift you up, higher and higher!" I looked down at what just a few moments earlier was my nakedness. But I wasn't naked anymore! Pure white garments covered me. Their fit, perfect, as if tailored just for me. Gold and silver thread was woven into the fabric and the signet of the King was embossed over my heart. I continued toward the ridge. "Lord!" I cried, "Thank you for clothing me!" As I walked up the hill, I became aware of other changes, too. Besides the clothes, I now wore armor. Sandals, belt, breastplate and helmet, all gleaming, as if made of purest light. In my left hand I held a shield through which no weapon of the enemy would pass. In my right hand was a sword that sang as I wielded it through the air. Its blade was so sharp that it could slice through dimensions of time and space; even flesh and spirit. I was about to the ridge now. I looked back at the pile of possessions I had left behind in the valley. What I had always seen as my great treasures I now saw for what they really were; an old mop bucket for a helmet and the lid of a trashcan for a shield. My sword, once used in my daily battles, was made of nothing more than wood, and the armor that I had so proudly worn before laying it down was simply old cardboard and duct tape. On the top of the heap were the clothes that I had held onto for my dignity. Tattered and dirty, they were nothing more than old rags, barely able to cover my skin. "And He will lift you up, higher and higher!" "And He will lift you up." I was ready now. My God, my Lord, my Redeemer had come. It was time to do battle . . . SUBSCRIBE INFO Want to receive a Christian inspirational item AND great clean humor in an email to you each day of the week? 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