Who Are You Kidding? And More... :) 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 ================ * 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 scorcher is from our friends Linda and LouiseA. An adorable baby elephant rescue story complete with photos that is sure to give you your aww quota for the day. Check it out here... .---. .--. ___/ \ / `.-"" `-, ; ; / O O \ / `. \ /-' _ J-.__; _.' (" / `. -=: `: `, -=| | F\ i, ; -| | | | || \_J fsc mmm! `mmM Mmm' Elephant Rescue 4! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/elephant4.html --- ...I do love animal rescue stories! Thanks Ladies! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: _)_ .-'(/ '-. / ` \ / - - \ (` a a `) \ ^ / '. '---' .' .-`'---'`-. / \ / / ' ' \ \ _/ /| |\ \_ `/|\` |+++++++|`/|\` /\ /\ | `-._.-` | \ / \ / |_ | | _| jgs | _| |_ | (ooO Ooo) >DIAPER SPELLED BACKWARDS by Darlene A. Buechel Last August I was feeling somewhat bummed by the thought of turning 49. After all, with the big 5-0 breathing down my neck like a demented dragon, I was starting to feel tired, achy, and old. Then I opened a gift from our daughter, Dani, and her husband Mark -- an empty silver picture frame with "Our First Grandchild" engraved on the bottom! I gasped and grinned until Dani finally said, "Read it out loud." Then my husband gasped and grinned too. "Congratulations," I said. "Did you tell Mark's parents yet?" Mark said they just came from there (his parents live about a mile from our house) and he gave his Mom a similar picture frame engraved "Happy 26th Grandchild." Can you imagine? Of course, Mark is the youngest of nine kids, but that still seems like a huge pile of grandkids to dote over. The great news is Mark's mom Mary was equally thrilled. We can't wait for March to spoil the sweet new addition. I was surprised to learn Dani had found out she was pregnant many weeks before the announcement. It seems you can pee on a stick these days and find out you're pregnant even before a missed period! She said, "We thought we'd better tell before you guessed 'cause of my bump and all." Truth be told, I hadn't noticed a baby bump yet, but I was glad she shared the good news. "Soon we'll be buying diapers, onesies, and all that fun stuff," Dani said with a huge grin. "Yes, and did you know diaper spelled backwards is repaid?" I added helpfully. "That should give you plenty to think about." Actually, Dani doesn't need to be repaid for bad baby behavior. Since both of my kids were over nine pounds at birth, they ate good, slept good, and did a good job filling diapers. Of course, 24 and 22 years later, I'm probably forgetting a few hundred crying jags and tantrums (some of them generated by the babies), but I enjoyed pregnancy and the babyhood of my kids. It seems to me it was the tween and teen years that added growls, gray hair, and sleepless nights to my repertoire. An old Yiddish proverb said it best -- "Small children disturb your sleep, big children your life." Still, every "big child" starts out a cute, cuddly cutie-pie. The more I get used to this whole Grandma idea, the more I like it. Yes, I'm still working full-time, but I think I'll have more time and patience for a Grandkid than I did when my two were little. As a young mom, I was torn in 99 different directions after work, while my husband did his farm chores and strolled into the house when it was almost bed time for the rug rats. This time around I'll get to watch the little tyke when I want to, and I'll appreciate every hour we spend together. Did I mention March can't come soon enough? I can't wait to meet and greet the new little tyke that's already in my heart. I'm sure he or she will be the best baby in the world. As the late writer and humorist Teresa Bloomingdale said, "If your baby's beautiful and perfect, never cries or fusses, sleeps on schedule, burps on demand, and is an angel all the time -- then you must be the grandma." -- Darlene A. Buechel __________________________________________________ Darlene is a Wisconsin Cheese Head and excited Grandma-to-be. She spends her time reading, writing, and enjoying life in the country. =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Geniann :) _@_ _(_ _/. .\_ _/- -\_ (.\_o_/.) (.\_-_/.) (.`,.`'.') (.`,.'.'.) ('.`,'`,) ('.`,'',) ('.`,'`) ('.','`) jgs `--'"` `--'"` >Twin Girls Twin girls, Brielle and Kyrie, were born 12 weeks ahead of their due date. Needing intensive care, they were placed in separate incubators. Kyrie began to gain weight and her health stabilized. But Brielle, born only 2 lbs, had trouble breathing, heart problems and other complications. She was not expected to live. Their nurse did everything she could to make Brielle's health better, but nothing she did was helping her. With nothing else to do, their nurse went against hospital policy and decided to place both babies in the same incubator. She left the twin girls to sleep and when she returned she found a sight she could not believe. She called all the nurses and doctors and this is what they saw. As Brielle got closer to her sister, Kyrie put her small little arm around her, as if to hug and support her sister. From that moment on, Brielle's breathing and heart rate stabilized and her health became normal. Sometimes all it takes is a little tender loving comfort and affection to save someone's Life. --- ...Awww, so sweet! Thanks Geniann! Here's more on the sisters - along with a heartwarming photo: http://www.snopes.com/glurge/hug.asp =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend LouiseA :) .---------------. / oLo \ O/_____/________/____\O /__________+__________\ / (#############) \ |[**](#############)[**]| \_______________________/ |_""__|_,-----,_|__""_| | | '-----' | | APC'97 '-' '-' >What Happens When You Trust In The Wrong Things By Rocky Henriques [edited] ABC World News Now reported on June 16, 2011 that three women, visiting from out of town, drove their rented SUV into a swamp near Seattle, Washington. It seems they had been out to dinner, and were returning just after midnight, when they got lost near Mercer Island. Following their on-board Hertz "Never-Lost" GPS system, they turned onto a boat ramp--and kept going. I don't have a GPS system in my vehicle, so I really can't relate, but I guess people kind of get dependent on them when they are in unfamiliar territory. The problem comes when we depend entirely on them when our eyes should tell us that there is a lake in front of us. There is a parable in this story, of course. Since the beginning of Creation, mankind has been depending on the wrong things for guidance. God gave one set of instructions, but Adam and Eve followed the GPS system of Satan--Gullible Prompting of Satan. And we're still doing it today. There are people who are lost and wandering around in the midnight of their lives where it is dark and confusing. Instead of listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit prompting, guiding, and directing, they follow their own defective guidance systems--and wind up in the swamp. And, as you would expect, the Bible has something to say about this. Consider Psalm 25:4-5, which read, "Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long." Psalm 48:14 tells us "For this is God our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end." Proverbs tells us that we should listen to the words of God, for "when you walk, they will guide you" (Proverbs 6:22). And Isaiah 58:11 promises "The Lord will guide you always...." So don't wind up in the swamp of confusion and desperation! Keep your eyes on the Lord, not the systems of the world which promise much but deliver little. He will keep us on the right--and dry-- path. --- ...So True! Thanks LouiseA! __i |---| |[_]| |:::| |:::| `\ \ \_=_\ jsm People really need to Trust God nowadays with their head in their cell phones! A little keeping their spiritual 'ears' open and there would be less accidents caused by blindly walking down the street! Check this video out! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wl0JojWH1rQ ============================================================= >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: BBBBBB BB BB BB BB BB dBBb BBBBb dBP BB BB BB BB BB BB dB""Bb BB BB dBP BB BBBBBB ?BbdBBbdBP dBBBBBBb BBBBP dBP BB BB BB ?BBBBBBP BB BB BB BB BB BB ?P ?P BB BB BB dBP _.O ,-O .-" .-" .-" ..-O .-" _..--"" .... _...._ ..--"" ...+++''' .' `. ___..O - ' ... / \ __...---"" ...++''' ; b - ' : BB -------O . dBP __ .... +._ .dBB'_ """""----O ...++'''...... `*8BBBP' ""--.._ - ' ...++''' ``-._ ""O - ' dBBBb| | |dBBBb `-._ dBBBBBBb dBBBBBBb `O dBBBBBBBBBb dBBBBBBBBBb dBBBBBPBBBBBBbdBBBBBB"BBBBBb __dBBBBBP BBBBBBBBBBBBBB "BBBBBb__ -- "BBP BBBBBBBBBBBBBB "BBP -- .' " BBBBBBBBBBBBBB " `. ./// BBBBBBBBBBBBBB \\\. BBBBPdBBBBBBBB BBBBPdBBBBBBBB BPdBBBBBBBBBP _ .dBBBBBBBBBBBP .' `:o.dBBBBBBBBBBBBP | |BB\BBBBBBBBBP" | |BB\BBBBBBP"d \____BB\BBP""dBBB | |BB' BBBBBB `._.'" BBBBBB :====: dBBBBBBBBB BBBBBBBBBB """"" "" >And it's winter before we know it... You know, time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years. It seems just yesterday that I was young, just married and embarking on my new life with my husband. And yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all... And I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams. But, here it is the winter of my life and it catches me by surprise. How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my children go? And where did my youth go? I remember well... Seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that winter was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like. But, here it is... Wife retired and she's really getting lumpy... She moves slower and I see an older woman now. She's in better shape than me... But I see the great change. Not the one I married who was young and vibrant... But, like me, her age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and thought we'd never be. Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! And taking a nap is not a treat anymore... it's mandatory! 'Cause if I don't on my own free will, I just fall asleep where I sit! And so, now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things. But, at least I know, that though the winter has come, and I'm not sure how long it will last... This I know, that when it's over... it's over... Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn't done... Things I should have done. But indeed, there are many things I'm happy to have done. It's all in a lifetime. So, if you're not in your winter yet... Let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life please do it with integrity! Life goes by quickly. So, do what you can today, because you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not! You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life... So, live for good today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember. "Life is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after. Make it a fantastic one." LIVE IT WELL! -<>- .-""""--. / ) / --"` / _`:---. | .-' `\ \ / .----'./ \ : ,-' ~(.).)\ \_| \ ._) | / | \.__, / _.--' )`///-,-' / / _| (_\\ | (____/____) \ ___/ | _ `---( ` ) `-, .' (__.'._/'._/ |`| | __/ / / // | `--. || /_____) jgs `=---` >Love a Little More "I love you!" The words just hung there in the air suspended for the moment, drifting, waiting for the echo..."I love you, too!" I thought about it and wondered if there really needs be an echo, a reply of the same. "Why do we tell someone "I love you?" I wondered. Oh, the obvious point is to let someone know you care about them. But do we say it so that we can hear it back? If we say those words they certainly aren't taken or given lightly. There is power behind them, woven in between them and laced with tone's of commitment. But do we also say them because we, too need reassurance? Are we really saying it this way; "I love you! Do you love me?" I believe the best things in life come to us without expectations. It reminds me of the tradition of sending greeting cards. "Should I send a birthday card to Uncle Joe?" "Did you get one from him for your birthday? "No." "Well, I wouldn't send one to him." Or..."John we got a card from the Phillips for Christmas. Did we send them one?" "No. I don't remember getting one from them last year. Remember we decided to send cards only to those who send us one?" How many things do you do that you label as "giving" when in reality you are expecting a return for your gesture? Have you ever given something anonymously? I'm not suggesting that it's wrong to say "I love you" because you long to hear it. I just wondered how many times we say it without expectations. So I experimented with it. The last several times when my wife said it to me, I didn't reply with the same words. I would say "thanks." In some cases I replied with a hug. Other times I said or did nothing. The words hung in mid air. Last night I sighed. That got me into trouble. The sigh seemed to give a different signal. For me, hearing the words echo back doesn't mean that much. It seems too mechanical. Like "Thank you" and "You're welcome." It's polite and proper, but expected. So here's what I've come up with. Touch a little more. A hand on a shoulder, a gentle touch on a chin. If you are sitting near each other, play "footsies" gently bumping, nudging your loved one's foot. In this new society of keeping our distance, not invading one's space for fear of misunderstanding the gesture, the human spirit longs for touch. Smile a little more. In a passing glance, return a soft, gentle smile. Practice it in the mirror and you'll see how your eyes are involved in this expression of love. They seem to sparkle and brighten as they tell the person you bring joy to my life. Offer to do a little more. "Can I get you something?" "Let me get that for you." "No, sit I'll get the phone." Watch the expression and body language on that person when you do this. They suddenly feel special, like royalty. Call a little more. For no reason at all. "Just needed to hear your voice." "I thought about you and thought I'd give you a call." You won't see it, but when they hang up they walk a little taller, the smile will linger for a while. Write a little more. Don't send a card. Don't send an email. Take a piece of paper, an envelope and write a quick note to someone you love. Here in America it costs 39 cents. Do you realize how valuable that investment is? In these times what can you buy for 39 cents that could possibly be as valuable as a hand written note. Oh, yes. Send it even if you live in the same household. Be quiet together a little more. Sitting in silence with someone you love creates an energy in that space that is breathtaking and unforgettable. Listen to the sound of love, two hearts beating in one continuous rhythm, sending pulsating waves of immeasurable force into the world. Now try saying "I love you" without expectation. If you are doing all of these things those words will not need an echo. They will not hang in mid air and die in sadness because you didn't hear them back. They will be absorbed by the one they were intended for and they will sigh, not in frustration or confusion, but in satisfaction of knowing it is so. You actually do this already. When you pray, you say "I love you, God." You don't wait for a deep sounding voice in reply. "This is God...I love you, too!" Why? Because it is understood. We know He loves us not because we hear it, but because we experience it, feel it, and know it. Our true love for Him is not in the words we say, but in the way we live. When we love each other we love God. I write for you as an expression of love although we have never met. If you know that, take a deep breath and sigh. "I believe in You!" ~ Bob Perks ~ Bob@BobPerks.com -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Never Give Up! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/nevergiveup.html 1936 Stout Scarab - Possibly The First Minivan! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/stoutscarab.html Detroit Steel!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/detroitsteel.html Ford's First RV!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/firstrv.html Classic Woodies!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/woodcars.html Chevy Selling It!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/chevysi.html 50s Concept Car!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/conceptcars.html Vokner Mobil RV!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/rv.html Stainless VS Gold!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/stainlesscar.html Rare Packard RV!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/packardrv.html Detroit Autorama!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/detroitauto.html Amazing Bike Car!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bikecar.html Weird Old Vehicles!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/oldvehicles.html Old Trains And Cars!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/trainsandcars.html Most Expensive Cars!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/expensivecars.html Relics From The Past!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/relics.html -<>- >From Our Friend Karen :) She sent us one we have here... Lenticular Clouds Or UFO? http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/ufo.html 'I love yoooou': Baby mimics mother by exactly Copying her singsong voice in a cute serenade https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ctP9cLRbnE --- ...Love these! Thanks Karen! -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseA :) Bandit the steer lived his entire life in a very narrow stable, always tethered. That's why he literally dances for joy the moment he's set free. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFO6LESkHDk&feature=player_embedded Alyona Pavlova presents her incredible aerial hoop acrobatics at the French television show 'The World's Greatest Cabaret' hosted by Patrick Sebastien. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=AZkuLFmNNwE --- ...Cool Links! Thanks LouiseA! -<>- >From Our Friend Linda :) Top 10 Smartest Talking Birds In The World HD" on YouTube https://youtu.be/0VEmw4qwel4 --- ...Wow! Thanks Linda! 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 ========================================================== __.------. (__ ___ ) .)e )\ / /_.------ _/_ _/ __.' / ' `-.__ / <.--' `\ / \ \c | / / ) GoT x \ | /\ |c / \.- \ \__/ ) /( ( \ <>'\ / _/ _\- `-. \/_|_ /<> / /--/,-\ _ \ <>.`. \/`--\_._) - / `-/\ `.\ / `. / ) `\ \ \ \___/----' | / `( ___________ \ ./\_ _ \ ______________ / | ) '| __________________ | / \ \ ___________a:f / | |____.) / \ a88a\___/88888a. \_ :)8888888888888888888a. /` `-----' `Y88888888888888888 \____| `88888888888P' >Hey Lady! Story Editor: by Laura Sosnowski Joyce Schowalter Illinois, USA I was 19 in the mid 70's, and worked in the Chicago loop, taking the train everyday from the suburbs to the historic underground Union Station. Like cattle we trudged past fast food restaurants, neon advertisements and shoe shine stands, among historic pillars towering toward decorated ceilings. As one, high powered professionals and millionaires, secretaries and mail clerks turned the corner toward the worn cement staircase that led us blinking into the outside light. En masse we walked the bridge across the river, then scattered to our jobs in the skyscrapers that stood behind street musicians and beggars. We were close to the strangers walking with us; there was no such thing as personal space. One held on tightly to purses and other valuables. One dry sunny day, the crowd coming out of the train station was sparse -- perhaps it was a holiday. As I crossed the bridge there were only two people ahead of me, a woman and a man. They were not together. The woman was dressed professionally, on her way to work. The man was dressed in old dirty clothes, carrying a large piece of cardboard, like an unfolded, flattened box, and holding it stretched out in front of him. I wondered mildly what it was and why he carried it that way. With so few people crossing the bridge, I also wondered why he was walking so close to the woman. Maybe he didn't notice there was more space for walking today. Maybe he was trying to pass her and couldn't because of his cardboard. Used to crowds, the woman probably didn't think much of it. He would walk up close to her, then fall back just a bit, then walk up close again. Suddenly from across the street a man in a business suit yelled out "Hey Lady! That guy just stole your wallet!" He started running toward them, dodging cars, as the man with the cardboard bolted away. She stopped and turned to check her purse. Hearing the yell, another man, also in professional dress ahead of us, jumped into action and headed off the escaping thief. The two men tackled the thief to the ground and retrieved the wallet, brushed themselves off, thanked each other, and returned the woman's wallet. Stunned, she merely thanked them. And -- on the outside -- everyone continued on their way as if nothing had happened. On the inside, I bet I'm not the only person permanently impacted by the speed and kindness of those two strangers in the city. I saw them help someone, ignoring any personal risk. My passive role was an important one, though it may not seem so. I was the young observer, in training for a life of being of whatever use I can be to others. For their inspiring example, I'm still grateful to them both. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From LaughAndLift: hugs&kisses&hugs&kisses&hugs&kisses&hugs&kisses&hugs&kisses& & hugs&kisses&hugs&kisses&hu &hugs&kisses s&h es&hugs&kisses&hugs&kiss gs&kisse es&h sses&hugs&kisses&hugs&k s&kiss ses& isses&hugs&kisses&hugs &kiss s&kis sses kisses&hugs&kisses&hu ugs&kiss s&ki isse &kisses&hugs&kisses&h &hugs&kiss gs&k kiss s&kisses&hugs&kisses& es&hugs&kis ugs& &kis gs&kisses&hugs&kisses sses&hugs&k hugs s&ki ugs&kisses&hugs&kisse kisses&hugs &hug gs&k hugs&kisses&hugs&kiss s&kisses&hu s&hu ugs& &hugs&kisses&hugs&kis ugs&kisses& es&h hugs s&hugs&kisses&hugs& i hugs&kisse ses& &hug es&hugs&kisses&hug k hugs&kis sses s&hu ses&hugs&kisses&h & hugs& isse es&h sses&hugs&kisse s& &kiss s gs&ki hugs&kis s ugs&kisse sses&hugs&ki i ses&h k k sses& & &kis gs&kisses&hug isses&hugs s&hugs&kisse s s&kis gs&kisses&h &kisses&hug es&hugs&kisses g gs&ki ugs&kisses& s&kisses&hu ses&hugs&kisses u ugs&ki ugs&kisse ugs&kisses&h sses&hugs&kisses h hugs&k hugs&kiss hugs&kisses& isses&h gs&kisses& &hugs&k hugs&ki s&hugs&kisses kisses ugs&kisses s&hugs& &hugs&k es&hugs&kisse hugs&kisse es&hugs& &hugs sses&hugs&kiss s&kiss &hugs&kiss ses&hugs s&hug isses&hugs&kis gs&kiss s&hugs&kis sses&hugs s&h &kisses&hugs&ki ugs&kisses&hugs& i isses&hug es& s&kisses&hugs&k hugs&kisses&hug k kisses&hug e ugs&kisses&hugs& &hugs&kisses&h & &kisses&hu hugs&kisses&hugs s&hugs&kisse s s&kisses&hu s&hugs&kisses g gs&kisses&h es&hugs&kisse u ugs&kisses&hugs&kisses&hugs&kisses&hugs&kisses&hugs&kisses&h -- Matt Ryan "God loves us completely...He knew us at our worst before He ever began to love us at all...In the love of God there are no degrees, there is only love." - Rich Mullins, the "Awesome God" guy >Start Over! When you've trusted Jesus and walked His way When you've felt His hand lead you day by day But your steps now take you another way, Start Over! When you've made your plans and they've gone awry When you've tried your best and there's no more try When you've failed yourself and you don't know why, Start Over! When you've told your friends what you plan to do When you've trusted them and they didn't come through And now you're all alone and it's up to you, Start Over! When you've failed your kids and they're grown and gone When you've done your best but it's turned out wrong; And now your grandchildren have come along, Start Over! When you've prayed to God so you'll know His will When you've prayed and prayed and you don't know still When you want to stop cause you've had your fill, Start Over! When you think you're finished and want to quit When you've bottomed out in life's deepest pit When you've tried and tried to get out of it, Start Over! When the year has been long and successes few When December comes and you're feeling blue God Gives a January just for you, Start Over! Starting Over means "Victories Won" Starting Over means "A Race well run" Starting Over means "The Lord's Will Done: Don't just sit there . . . Start Over! -<>- "The empire of Caesar is gone; the legions of Rome are smoldering in the dust; the avalanches that Napoleon hurled upon Europe have melted away; the prince of the Pharaohs is fallen; the pyramids they raised to be their tombs are sinking every day in the desert sands; Tyre is a rock for bleaching fisherman's nets; Sidon has scarcely left a wreck behind; but the Word of God still survives. All things that threatened to extinguish it have only aided it; and it proves every day how transient is the noblest monument that men can build, how enduring is the least word that God has spoken." - Albert Baird Cummins _.-----._ _' ' '_ '_____________' | +_+ | ==--'_D__,'---==. / > \_/ < | / >__\o_| o/ | | | |_/ , | \,_____/_) o | | | o ' o | | | o | o |_/| ' o | o ' | | o | o |_/ | o | o |)) | | | __________| \ |_____________ |___o/ \_____| | | | __) >|< (__ (____,_|_,____) b'ger >Who Are You Kidding? The DaVinci Deception (By Pastor Jeff Collins) [Edited] I've decided to write a new historical document under the pen-name of "Benjamin Franklin." In it I will claim to know the true story of George Washington. I will say that he was not the General of the Continental Army or the first President of the United States. He was in fact a drunken politician who was lobbying to be made king of the newly formed United States. Since there are historical documents recounting that a monarchy was offered to him, my story shouldn't be too difficult to pull off; even two hundred years after the fact. Knowing how gullible (or is it ignorant?) our world has become, I am confident that people will accept my version completely, and that I can make a lot of money selling the story. After all, they keep on doing it to the Gospels. Better yet, I'll write it into a novel and claim historical accuracy. [This is nothing new...it's happened in different ways all throughout church history...In the 80's, Michael Baigent in his book], "Holy Blood, Holy Grail" claimed that the Gospel was a hoax and that other viable "gospels" presented a much different history from the ones included in the Bible. The trouble was that when that book came out it was a dry and boring "theological" book and the only ones who bothered reading it were those who were intelligent enough to recognize that it was not true. The sources cited in the book were stories that were written a couple of centuries after the ministry of Jesus. No one in his or her right mind would accept their claims against the witness of those who had actually been there with Jesus, as recorded in the Bible. Not only that, but, the documents in question were rather unclear. It was difficult to determine whether they actually made some of the outrageous claims which Baigent asserted. This all changed with the popular fictional novel, The DaVinci Code, by Dan Brown. Everyone could now read it and was caught up in its spellbinding tale. It cited historical documents and insisted that their use was accurate; which it was. Unreliable historical documents were accurately cited to weave a compelling tale of fiction. But somehow in the process, people began to believe that the sources were somehow reliable, just because they were old. We were on a roll. As [the story was about to be released] in movie form, the National Geographic Society has found and released another pseudo-gospel which makes Judas into a hero and casts some doubt on the Biblical accounts once again. It is heralded as one of the most important archaeological finds of the century. But no one seems to notice that it is another revision of history written a couple hundred years after the actual events! Let's see...of the four Gospels, Matthew was written approximately 60-65 A.D., Mark between 55 and 65 A.D., Luke about 60 A.D., and John around 85 or 90 A.D.. All, undisputedly, had eyewitnesses as their sources. Their use was universal in the early church. Countless thousands died in testimony to their reliability. Yes, people staked their lives on the truth they reported. On the other hand, there were the Gospel of Thomas and the Gospel of Philip, written between a hundred and two hundred years after the time of Jesus, or the Gospel of Judas, which we're guessing was written in 173 A.D. at the earliest. But the only existent copy is from 300 A,D. All were written to promote Gnosticism - a manipulative pseudo- Christian cult for the sake of which none were willing to risk their lives. Are you buying into this whole revisionist form of history? Well, Ben and I are getting together soon to let you know what really happened with Washington. But you may just want to wait until the movie comes out! 2 Peter 2:1-3 NLT "But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach their destructive heresies about God and even turn against their Master who bought them. Theirs will be a swift and terrible end. 2 Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of them, Christ and his true way will be slandered. 3 In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction is on the way." Matthew 7:15 NLT "Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep, but are really wolves that will tear you apart." 1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV "Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." ----- Follow-up: For comments on the Da Vinci Code by Laugh & Lift founder Chris Long, see: http://www.laughandlift.com/personalarticles/davinci.html SUBSCRIBE INFO Want to receive a Christian inspirational item AND great clean humor in an email to you each day of the week? It's easy and FREE! Read all about Laugh & Lift at http://www.laughandlift.com --- ...My two Cents: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' When this 'Da Vinci Code' thing came out and the 'shroud of Turin' and the 'lost books of the Bible' etc. I didn't take much note of. Recently, I had to explain to my son why. Here's a good explanation of what I told my son: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7npzmGFeeng See Also: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' Aren’t some of the books of the Bible lost or missing? http://tinyurl.com/zpl7gpl The Canon of Scripture: How the Bible was "made," formed / came to be, The Codex https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12o9XImLqWE The Bible: You Can Believe It! http://www.truthortradition.com/articles/the-bible-you-can-believe-it ========================================================== >-->From Kidwarmers: | | | |. ! "| .-'! I | P I ;__| I ||'' scc, I )\=( _ } s&D .I- ;_\-=\ L sc |IT \',_\__7 &s |I| //\'.---..)s& |I|//_ \\ \ (_ LI|-----|/ \.' '-.______ {ID :' |} / '..'-- .;___.-,_ "| Y | .: \ , /_,.--'=--' | | / | / ;. ':.' |: |_/ |; : ::_/ |' / |I |___/ |-| '' | ) | | | / | | |; snd __|_|_ __ |/> ( _'---'__) |( '~~~~~~~' " >THE FUNNIEST THINGS KIDS SAY Elena, 8, had been at her Grandma Nancy's a lot over the Christmas break. Her grandma said to her one day, "Boy, Elena, I have sure spent a lot of money on you over the past week. " Elena replied, "Yeah, I know, but it is for a good cause." -- Alissa of Ligonier, Indiana Here is another one from Alissa. Kathy was looking through her purse one day when Jeremeiah, 5, asked, "Mom, just do what I do if you need money. Put your teeth under your pillow at night and the Tooth Fairy will bring you some money! " Jordan, 6, was doing his homework when he stopped to ask, "Dad, what did you use in the olden days before pencils?" -- Patrick Snow (father of Jordan) of Kendallville, Indiana _.._ ( ) .--.\ / ( )) \_.-, _`\ ( (( ) ( ``| | | `|_|__|__| /_ __ _ __| .-L_7__7_7_7| _______ ( ,----, (`. \""""";`. | .\ \ / /.| \ / [| \ | :-.-"-,-:| `-------. \ [| `-.___________________.-' |_:_Q_:_|`-._______) `----------.._ / [| ( / | """"""""" .------------------' (__) `. \ [| `-----' | / .--. .--. .--. .--. ; /_____; 7----------------' : ;: ;; ;: : / """""""""-. .' S$S S$S S$S S$S `--' `--' `--' `--' .' ,) | |""""""""| ( 0-------....._ | _________ | | ) ' `.| ." ". | | .' `-._ | | |________| .-' `-..____|___________|_________...--' dp Meridith, 4, was with her "MeMe" who had just purchased her a bike. They put her on the bike and tried to show her how to pedal. After a few seconds she got off and said, "This bike needs batteries!" -- Utanah Williams of Arkansas Tom was a preacher's son. When he was about 6 something in his father's sermon really caught his attention. As they were driving home he asked, "Dad, were you telling the truth this morning or were you just preaching?" -- Tom of Markle, Indiana Heather remembers when her daughter was little and saw one of her father's boots in the middle of the floor on Christmas morning. Her eyes got wide and she said, "I think Santa forgot one of his boots! " -- Heather White of Iowa O_ __)( ,' `. (_".`. : : /|` | | ((|_ ,-. ; - /: ,' `:(( -\ / -' `: ____ \\\-: _\__ ____|___ \____|_ ; | | '-` : :_____|:|__________________: ; |:| : : |:| : ;_______`'___________________: : : |______________________________| `---.--------------------.---' |____________________| | | |____________________| |SSt | _\|_\|_\/(__\__)\__\//_|(_ Mike and Liz were shopping with their son Jacob, 5. Out of the blue Jacob announced that Saturn has rings around it to protect it. Liz was astonished that Jacob knew anything about Saturn. She tried to explain that Saturn's rings are made of gasses and they are not really protecting it. Jacob thought for a minute and then exclaimed, "Saturn farted? " -- Jennifer DeFoy of Hamtramck, Michigan (Jacob is her step-brother Jennifer's niece, Madison, 6, got a kiss from a boy in school. Madison loves to be the center of attention, so she told everyone about it. When asked by her Nana if the kiss gave her butterflies in her stomach, Madison said, "No, but I have hearts in my eyes and my belly!" Mackenzie, 6, loves to sit on her grandmother's lap, and she likes to be tickled so that she can laugh. One day she got on her grandmother's lap and said, "Tickle me. " Her grandmother said, "I don't feel like it." Mackenzie said, "That is the reason I come to see you... so that I can get tickled!" -- Myrle Brown (grandmother of Mackenzie) of Georgia _ ' ` ,`-' __ ( ,-" "---, _ ,' `--"| ,' ,-" ' )--' / | / //",-",-._,'."-- . _ `/ .--="_.' / `. ; /`""" `-' ` \( , ` ``-\ ' ," ( ,' ,' `.._ __,-"\-, ' `-.-._,._,'__... `,-. ,' . __ \ ,-. \-: \ , __ _/-" \,--""\ \_\ \_\_/ , ,-" / ' _.--\_..." \ , { _,-" -" | ` ` `-" __..`-. \ \ ,-" __..-"" . `-._ "" __,--" __...' \ _,--" __..--"" / : _..-"" __.,-'" _.-' ,-"" _.,-"" ,' ; _.-"" ,' | _.-" ," `'..._ / ` _ / `.___...-; `"-./ | ' | ' | ' | I__ ,= .-._| |_|`.__.' KaK `--" Sandi took her grandsom Max, 3, to a mall to have his photo made with Santa. When Santa asked him what he wanted for Christmas, Max asked, "Well, how much can I get?" -- Sandi of Lehigh, Florida Patricia's grandchildren, twins Ayla and Alexander, were getting ready to start kindergarten. Ayla reassured Patricia one day, "Even though I'll be going to school, Grandma, you'll still be my grandmother." -- Patricia Weaverling of Wilmington, Delaware At each booth of the school carnival everyone "wins" a piece of candy. After 90 minutes Ben, 3, had accumulated (and consumed) an impressive amount of candy. With careful consideration and with a voice full of woe, he handed Melinda his bag of candy and said, "This is more candy that one little boy should have!" -- Melinda Cobb (Aunt Lindy) of Covington, Kentucky \ , |\.--._/| /\ ) )\\/ /( \ / \ /( J `( \ / ) | _\ / /|) \ eJ L | \ L \ L L / \ J `. J L | ) L \/ \ / \ J (\ / _....___ | \ \ \``` ,.._.-' '''--...-||\ -. \ \ .'.=.' ` `.\ [ Y / / \] J Y / Y Y L | | | \ | L | | | Y A J | I | /I\ / | \ I \ ( |]/| J \ /._ / -tI/ | L ) / /'-------'J `'-:. J .' ,' ,' , \ `'-.__ \ \ T ,' ,' )\ /| ';'---7 / \| ,'L Y...-' / _.' / \ / / J Y | J .'-' / ,--.( / L | J L -' .' / | /\ | J. L J .-;.-/ | \ .' / J L`-J L____,.-'` | _.-' | L J L J `` J | J L | L J | L J L \ L \ | L ) _.'\ ) _.'\ L \('` \ ('` \ ) _.'\`-....' `-....' ('` \ `-.___/ sk Grandson Tyler, 4, loves to go with his father to shoe horses. On the way home Kyle stopped to get some gas. While he was pumping the gas, Tyler helped himself to some very spicy sausage sticks. When Kyle got back into the truck there was Tyler with tears streaming down his cheeks. The little guy whispered, "Here, Dad, you can have the rest of this!" -- Mary Johnson of Fortville, Indiana Thank you to Michael Smith of New Jersey for the following stories! Mike and Ginny took their 6-year-old grandson to see the Statue of Liberty. They drove down the New Jersey side of the Hudson River. Seth looked across the river at Manhattan and said, "Poppa Mike! GinGin, Look! It's the Vampire State Building!" A cruise ship was going down the river. "Seth, look at the big cruise ship! " Mike said. "That's not a cruise ship, Poppa! That's a party boat!" Seth was helping Ginny cook dinner one night. "GinGin, little kids can't cook, can they?" "Sure they can," she replied. "They can cook with supervision." There was a pause before Seth asked, "You mean you have to have super vision to cook? I didn't know that." _ ( | | __,--./|.--,__ .` \ \ / / `. .` \ | / `. / / ^|^ \ \ / / | |o | \ \ /===/ | | | \===\ /___/ | |o | \___\ | | | | |o | | | | | |o | | | | | |o | jgs |_____/\_____| Seth told little Benny, "Benny, you have my shirt on!" "Seth, it's OK! " Mike said. "That shirt doesn't fit you anymore. It's too small for you." "Poppa Mike, how come clothes get smaller?" he asked. Michael lives in New Jersey with his wife and son. He works as a project manager in the telecommunications industry and writes in his spare time. His stories will be part of a collection to be called, "From My Heart To Yours." Note: You are welcomed to use, copy and share these stories, but please reference http://www.funnykids.com as the source. ========================================================== This poem was written by a WW II Air Force veteran in 1985. I believe we can all appreciate the sentiments expressed...... .---. ___ /_____\ /\.-`( '.' ) / / \_-_/_ \ `-.-"`'V'//-. `.__, |// , \ |Ll //Ll|\ \ |__// | \_\ /---|[]==| / / \__/ | \/\/ /_ | Ll_\| |`^"""^`| | | | | | | | | | | | | L___l___J jgs |_ | _| (___|___) ^^^ ^^^ >JUST A COMMON SOLDIER He was getting old and paunchy, and his hair was falling fast, As he sat in the Legion hall telling stories of the past, Of a war that he had fought in, and the deeds that he had done. In his exploits with his buddies, they were heroes, every one. Though sometimes to his neighbors his tales became a joke, All his soldier mates they listened, for they knew whereof he spoke. But we'll hear his tales no longer for old Bill has passed away, And the world's a little poorer - for a soldier died today. He'll not be mourned by many, just his children and his wife. For he lived a very ordinary, quite uneventful life. Held a job and raised a family, quietly going his own way And the world won't note his passing, though a soldier died today. When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state While thousands note their passing and proclaim that they were great. Papers tell of their life story from the time that they were young, But the passing of a soldier goes unnoticed and unsung. Is the greatest contribution to the welfare of our land A man who breaks his promises and cons his fellow man? Or the ordinary fellow who, in times of war and strife Goes off to serve his country and offers up his life? A politician's stipend and the style in which he lives Are sometimes disproportionate to the service that he gives; While the ordinary soldier who offer up his all Is paid off with a medal, and perhaps a pension, small. It's so easy to forget them for it was so long ago That the "Old Bills" of our country went to battle, but we know It was not the politicians, with their compromise and ploys Who won for us the freedom that our country now enjoys. Should you find yourself in danger, with your enemies at hand, Would you want a politician, with his ever-shifting stand? Or would you prefer a soldier, who has sworn to defend His home, his kin and country, and would fight until the end? He was just a common soldier and his ranks are growing thin, But his presence should remind us, we may need his like again, For when countries are in conflict, then we find the soldier's part Is to clean up all the troubles that the politicians start. If we cannot do him honor while he's here to hear the praise Then at least let's give him homage at the ending of his days. And perhaps just a simple headline in a paper that would say: "Our country is in mourning - for a soldier died today." >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 ************************************************************************