Why Lord God? ... :) 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 sizzling hot new page is from our friends PatDeE and LouiseA. We start out the new year with one in our favorite humor series. It, like the others in this series, is sure to give you plenty of smiles and even a few giggles. Also, if you haven't seen the video here, it is one that will amaze you! One of our countries biggest catastrophes - a little oops that wound up being a huge whoops! - And that thankfully didn't cause any deaths. Be sure to check this out here... _.--"""-, .' `\ / _ \ .-""-. | (O\.--.-.-/O) .-""-. / O O \ .\|(_._.__._.__) / O O \ |O .-. \ ( ) 0 _ 0 \ / .-. O| \ ( ) '. `-| (_) | .' ( ) / '.`-' '-./`| |`\.-' '-'.' \ | \ \ / / | / \ \ '. '._.' .' / / \ '. `'-----'` .' / \ .' '-._ .-'\ '. / |/` `'''''') ) `\| / ( ( ,\ ; \ '-..-'/ ; | '. / | | `'---'` | ; ; \ / `. .' '-._ _.-' jgs __/`" ' - - - ' "`` \__ /` /^\ `\ \( .' '. )/ '.(__(__.-' '.__)__).' Life's Little Oops 14! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/whoops14.html --- ...Absolutely amazing, funny and puzzling too! Thanks my Friends! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: __, .-. .-. (__ _ | \/ | _ (_|||\__/||(/_| || || |_ jgs _|| _|| `""` `""` >AS THE CURLING IRON TURNS by Maria Harden Women and their hair -- a never-ending dilemma. The world could be immersed in political scandals, wars, and other newsworthy events, but nothing stimulates conversation better than hair. Women never seem to be content with the hair they were born with. Just as grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, hair is always more alluring on someone else's head. If her hair is straight, she wants it curly. If it's brown, she wants it blonde. Hair too short? Hair extensions. Hair too long? She wears a wig. Women's hair styling tools and accessories should be labeled as lethal weapons or torture devices, as they resemble chopsticks, clamps, and multi-toothed amphibians. Others have foreign names like "scrunchy" and "banana clip." All these adornments are imperative for preventing bad hair days. Women crimp and primp, perm and squirm, dry and dye. They curl, tease, highlight, streak, and straighten, then apply gel, mousse, and hair spray. They have brushes that are round, wire, or heated, and even ones that emit steam. If all else fails, then out comes the Velcro, sponge, or plastic rollers. Their curling irons with various size barrels do everything but spit nickels. Only a woman knows what a kiss curl, pin curl, or spiral perm is, and what the terms feathering and layering mean. I have fallen prey to all the pitfalls that come with having a full head of hair. If long hair is considered a woman's glory, then mine was singing hallelujah. I never had a perm until my twenties, and then ended up looking like a backup singer for the Jackson Five. My hair also took a beating from the chemicals, leaving my hairline red and sore. Lest you think that hair- raising experience stopped me from getting future perms, let me assure you I thought nothing of suffering for vanity. I literally let my hair down and had it cut so short, that a little florescent orange hair gel would have made me fit right in with the punk era. In later years, a few grey hairs dared make an appearance, so I thought nothing of spending the equivalent of a week's grocery money to have the offending hairs masked. After a while, I rationalized that I could save oodles of money doing it myself. How difficult could it be? All you do is put the dye on your head and wait while it works its magic. Sounded like splitting hairs to me. I chose a product with a reputable name, and carefully followed the instructions. The cheap plastic gloves promptly developed a hole, and the leaking dye stained my skin. After a very long time, my mission was accomplished. The hair results were passable but the bathroom was another story. Dye had somehow splattered all over the walls, peeling the paint off. It made me wonder what the stuff did to my hair. Repainting the entire wall made this whole experience a little more expensive than I had anticipated. The next time I touched up my roots, I noticed unusual dark stains on my bedroom carpet. Puzzled, I followed the trail of brown blotches to the tiled floor of the bathroom. I had unknowingly dripped the dye, colorless at first, on the floor and then stepped into it, tracking it wherever I walked. After that fiasco, I figured I was clearly coloristically challenged and decided to leave the coloring to a professional. The other day I found myself wondering if blondes really do have more fun. I guess only my hairdresser knows for sure, and I intend to leave it that way. -- Maria Harden ___________________________________________ Maria is a Heartwarmer Gem and lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where she enjoys writing stories when she is not obsessing with her hair. She likes to cook, read, tickle the ivories, and is also known for her ability to "power shop." =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Fran :) ___.-~"~-._ __....__ .' ` \ ~"~ ``-. /` _ ) `\ `\ /` a) / | `\ :` / | \ <`-._|` .-. ( / . `;\\ _.-~"~-. `-. `--'_.'-.;\___/' . . | \\ ;`a) ) `\ _ /:--` | / / .' \\ / / |~=-=--. ("\ /`/ | ' ' / ;`'._/ ,;_ | / ". `\'\_/`/ .\ /`~`=-.: / ``.,__/ ` `| `"~` \ `._.' /`\ | `\ /( .--' / / |\ / /\ | `Y / \ / ____/\ | / `" jgs J / Y | | /`\ \ /__/ | |`-...-\ | / | | | | | | | '"" | | |`\ | "---" /___| /___| /__| /__| /__/__| '""" '""" '""" '""" '"""'"" Every problem has in it the seeds of its own solution. If you don't have any problems, you don't get any seeds. --Norman Vincent Peale As a testament to my improving health status, I have decided to start volunteering in 2016. This last year, I did not have a sufficient stamina to be able to accomplish such a feat. But things have changed. I initially wanted to volunteer at a hospital. I made phone calls to pretty much all the local ones around here. It seems they have liability concerns with letting people with my type of issues be involved. It kind of hurt for a couple days. Finally the war department asked me if I was going to mope around all my life or find some other way to be relevant, and Eureka!!! Guys, doncha just hate it when you have to admit that the war department is right or has a valid point? Anyways, to make a long story short, I found my spot. I am gonna start with a couple mornings a week at our local botanical gardens. Never took much time in years past to appreciate such things as butterflies and flowers. Maybe I should have. But it is not too late. It is good to know that I can still be important in some small way to society. You know, I cannot help but ask a question. Suppose every adult in this great country were to agree to volunteer at least 4 hours a week to a charity of their choice. Wonder what impact that would have on the United States? Cordially, Martin aka the postman --- ...Good info! Thanks Fran! My brother volunteers at the Library and his church. It gives him the reward of knowing he is needed and most appreciated. I think the hospital or any of the health care places would not be so good for seniors. You have to have a really good immune system to be there. My daughter has to take medicine that lowers her immune system. Having to go to the doctor, hospital, or even therapy is a high risk of getting sick for her. She has even stopped her therapy to recover from being sick all the time from having to go there. Just something to take into consideration. You may not be as spunky as you once were and may have a lower immune system that will put you at risk volunteering at these places. Always take care of yourself first so you can be the best you can be for God and Jesus Christ. :) =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend LouiseA :) _.----._ .' __ '. / - (oo) - \ .--""'` /~\|=~|/~\ `'""--. ( (^'^) _ \0/|= |\0/ _ (^'^) ) \ \ / ( /==\ ) \ / / \ ^ /\ (=__=) /\ ^ / _`""` \ `\/` / `""`_ /OOO\___/`--.__.--`\___/OOO\ | | | | \ / | | \ / `--. / (\/) \ .--` `'/ \/ \'` / \ ; ; | | | | \ () / \-._ _.-/ / __`------`__ \ |:---. || .---:| jgs \`--=-'/\'--=-`/ /()()()\/()()()\ `""""""``""""""` >25 Fantastic Uses for Olive Oil Olive oil is one of the most popular ingredients in the kitchen, but it can also be found in the medicine cabinet and even on a night stand. The fact that it is rich in vitamin E and essential antioxidants makes it one of the most efficient measures to balance blood pressure levels and cholesterol, to prevent heart attacks, cancer and fight aging. And if you thought that's where its benefits end, you are sorely mistaken... Here are 25 more uses for this excellent material, the olive oil! 1. To prevent snoring - Swallow a spoon of olive oil before bed. 2. To reduce stretch marks - Massage olive oil onto your skin. 3. To treat acne - Prepare a mix made of 3 table spoons of olive oil with 4 table spoons of sea salt, and put on your face for 1-2 minutes. The mix will clean the pores and keep the moisture of your skin. Wash with hot water and soap. 4. To alleviate ear pain - Pour one drop of warm olive oil in your ear. 5. To reduce stomach ulcers and pain - Mix one table spoon of olive oil with a 3/4 cup of citrus juice or vinegar and drink. 6. Olive oil can serve as a substitute for shaving cream. 7. To strengthen your fingernails - Soak them in a bowl of olive oil. 8. To rehabilitate your skin - To treat dry skin of the hands, elbows and knees, warm a few table spoons of olive oil (until it's luke-warm) and smear on the relevant areas. 9. To treat colds - Warm a mixture of 1/3 cup of olive oil, 1/3 cup of sesame oil, 4 drops of thyme, 2 drops of rosemary oil and massage the warm mixture on the chest area. 10. To treat dandruff - Massage olive oil onto your scalp and leave overnight. Wash your hair in the morning with a regular shampoo. Try this treatment for a week. 11. To treat dry hair with split ends - Take warm olive oil and smear on the scalp. let it sit for 45 minutes. 12. To treat after hair coloring - Soak a soft cotton towel with olive oil and wipe the spotted skin, it may take some time but the color will come off. 13. To prevent hair loss - Mix 2 eggs with 2 table spoons of olive oil. Smear on the scalp and hair and let it sit for 40 minutes, then wash with cool or luke-warm water. It's recommended to repeat this 3 times a week. 14. To treat lice - Mix one table spoon of olive oil with 5 drops of the tea tree oil, and smear on the scalp for several minutes. Then comb your hair with a lice comb and wash with hot water. 15. Relieve toothache - Mix drops of clove oil with drops of olive oil, in about a ratio of 3:1, and use a cotton ball to put on the aching area. Not recommended for children and pregnant or breastfeeding women. 16. Remove Mascara - Pour a bit of olive oil on a cotton ball and wipe the makeup from your eyes. 17. Relieve Coughing - Swallow a spoon of olive oil mixed with a spoon of honey. Another option is to massage the upper back and chest with olive oil at body temperature. 18. Treating swollen / red gums - Wash your mouth with a mix of olive oil and water. 19. Prevent diaper rash - Mix 2 spoons of olive oil with a spoon of water and smear on the baby's rear. 20. To polish furniture - Mix olive oil and lemon juice at a ratio of 2:1. Use a gentle towel soaked in the mix to polish the furniture. 21. To maintain garden tools - Smear a bit of olive oil on garden tools to keep them from accumulating filth and corrosion. 22. To prevent squeaks - Smear some olive oil on screaming hinges to make them silent. 23. For digestive problems - Swallow a spoon of olive oil every morning on an empty stomach. Another option is to drink a glass of water with a spoon of olive oil and a spoon of lemon juice. 24. To maintain knives - After washing thoroughly with water and soap, wipe the blades well and then use a small amount of olive oil and gently rub it on the blades with a towel. 25. Prevent wax from building up on candlesticks - Just pour a bit of olive oil and it won't stick. --- ...Great tips! Thanks LouiseA! ============================================================ >-->From Our Friend Jacinto :) .--; '. / '. \ | .:. \ '. \ ' ':. '. \ ) ' .:. \ ; / .: ': '. \ | .:' ':. \ ;-"```"-. .'\ ': _;' "._ .' '. .;-'` _ _'.__ / `\ / `'._ /` / \ \ | | ).' '.__.-' \_o/_o/ |/| =} /\ ; =} \/ \ \ \ C) =} '. | /'-/ / \ | / / / .' .' \ _/-| | | / .-' \ | \\ _/_/ | =/` / =|=| \ \ \ | =| | _/_/ / _/_/ \ \ | | | / | | )__\ jgs \__nnn\n\ \__nnn\n\ >Does age really matter? “Age is something that doesn’t matter – unless you’re a bottle of wine.” You are only as old as you think you are. If you embrace new opportunities, seek new learning and stay motivated and lively at heart, you can still do anything. In fact, given the wisdom and experience you have amassed over the years, you can probably do more today than you have ever been able to do before! Stay in touch with the world and no matter what your age, the world will stay in touch with you! ~ Jane Powell --- ...Good Advice! Thanks Jazz! ============================================================ >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: A--A .-./ #\.-. '--;d b;--' \# \/ / \'--'/ |==| | #| |# | / #\ ; # ; | # | /| ,, #|\ /#| || | \ .-.' |# || |# '.-. (.=.),'| ||# |',(.=.) '-' / #)( \ '-' jgs `""` `""` >Grammie's Geraniums Geraniums and marigolds were two flowers my mother couldn't tolerate. As a kid, I tended to agree with her. They were a far cry from roses. As the years past like sand through the hour glass, I didn't give geraniums more than a passing thought. While I was in France with my Army husband, I planted flowers by our front door step. No geraniums or marigolds -- only sweet scented flowers. While pulling weeds from my small garden one day in June, my husband arrived home just before noon to tell me my grandmother was ill and in the hospital. Of course, my first thought was getting home to see her, but I was way "too pregnant" for the airlines to allow my emergency flight to the states. When we got word that my grandmother had passed away, I went into false labor. Later that week, I delivered my precious daughter. When Lorena was a year old, we were finally shipped back to American soil. It was a bitter sweet home coming because my beloved grandmother wouldn't be there to welcome us back. My two younger children would never know her or be held and hugged by her. While showing off my three children to my favorite uncle, he asked me if I'd like a "trinket" from Grammie's jewelry box. I was thrilled to be able to visit Grammie's house once again. I'd spent many happy childhood hours there -- playing the piano, playing Monopoly with Uncle Reggie, or exploring the magical upstairs of Grammie's sea captain type house and marveling over the beautiful hand pieced quilts and crocheted bedspreads, the oak dresser with oval mirror, and bath tub with feet. I loved looking from the alcove window in Grammie's downstairs bedroom to watch fishermen as they came to sell their lobsters at my uncle's wharf. I loved sitting at the window seat in the dining room and looking out at the ever changing ocean as sea gulls glided overhead making their gull noises for Grammie to toss them a tidbit. To me, her house was truly an elegant place to be. The first time I slept over in the guest bedroom, I felt like a princess right out of a fairy tale. Her house was always filled with intriguing smells -- cookies, pies and cakes, Evening in Paris cologne in deep blue bottles, Spic and Span, and her ever present house plants. I coveted the Easter lilies, geraniums, and a huge, gorgeous Christmas cactus. Grammie had had the cactus for eons, and she'd given me many slips from it to start. Every time one succumbed, she'd give me another and warn me again not to over water it. When, at last, the door to Grammie's house was swung opened, though my mind knew better, my heart expected her welcoming arms to reach out to us and pull us into her inviting kitchen. "Sit a spell and have a piece of pie," I could hear her say. What I didn't expect, after her home had been closed up for over a year, was to be greeted by the spicy scent of geraniums. It seemed as if the house had been holding its breath all that time, and when the door was opened, it exhaled. The powerful scent of geranium washed over my very soul like a crashing wave from the Atlantic at the height of a storm. The night before Grammie's passing, a strong wind shook the cement walled house we lived in and caused me a restless night. The morning was peaceful, sunny and bright. When I noticed our Spanish neighbor across the street, I commented about the howling wind of the night before. He looked at me rather strangely and told me he'd been up several times during the night and added in broken English, "No Honey, calm... No wind last night." When the news of Grammie's passing came, I wasn't surprised. I felt the wind had been forewarning me of the sad news to come. Had the geranium scent really lingered in Grammie's house all that time? Or had it been tucked into the recesses of my memory waiting for the right moment to emerge? Whether the geranium scent was real or imagined, it spoke volumes to me. Grammie's physical presence may be missing from my life, but the essence of her love, like perfume from a beautiful rose, would remain in my heart forever. ~ Kay Seefeldt ~ -<>- .="=. _/.-.-.\_ _ ( ( o o ) ) )) |/ " \| // .-------. \'---'/ // _|~~ ~~ |_ /`"""`\\ (( =(_|_______|_)= / /_,_\ \\ \\ |:::::::::| \_\\_'__/ \ )) |:::::::[]| /` /`~\ |// |o=======.| / / \ / jgs `"""""""""` ,--`,--'\/\ / '-- "--' '--' >TOO BUSY NOT TO PRAY Have you ever forgone your daily prayer time because you felt too busy? When we surrender quiet time for something else, we're making a statement about our priorities. It is a not - so - subtle way of saying, "Father, God my calendar is more important to me than You and my Lord Jesus are today. I'll catch up with You later." We all do this from time to time. It's so easy to be pulled out of the prayer closet. We think we can "make up" the time later because God will always be there. We seem to have taken God's eternal, indwelling presence for granted. We fail to realize that our quiet moments with the Lord empower us to face the challenges of each day. Therefore, the busier our day, the more time we should spend in prayer preparing for it! The Bible clearly shows that Jesus Himself protected His private time with the Father. No one had more on his mind, had more things to do, or was in greater demand than Jesus. And yet, His busiest days are the times we see Him pulling away from the crowds in order to pray. Is prayer the first thing you remove from your daily agenda when the schedule fills up? Protect that time every day at all cost. Remember that Jesus considered prayer necessary to prepare for His busiest days, so it is absolutely essential for the rest of us! -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: How True It Is!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/nyear.html Home Security!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/security.html Advice For Living!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/advice.html Limos In US History!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/limos.html Sweets For The Sweet!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/sugar.html Extraordinary Photos!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/extraordinary.html John Scapes' Basement!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/basement.html Windows Through Time!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/windowstime.html Classic Chevy Collection!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/chevy.html Advice For The New Year!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/newyear.html Yearly Friendship Renewal!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/renewal.html Eagle Rescue!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/eaglerescue.html Fawn Rescue!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/fawnrescue.html -<>- >In The News: Right Alerts Top Stories http://rightalerts.com/# Benghazi Heroes Insinuate Hillary Clinton Lied About Benghaz http://tinyurl.com/zuz765h LISTEN: Mark Levin Just Shredded The Veil On Obama’s Crying With Hard Facts, And It’s Epic "This isn’t about background checks or any of the rest of it." http://tinyurl.com/hrd7pnl Western Journalism top stories http://www.westernjournalism.com/ -<>- >From Our Friend Cloie :) Check out "I Love To Laugh" Part 1 of 6 Dennis Swanberg - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMb-kNn5FGI --- ...LOL! Good one! Thanks Cloie! -<>- >From Our Friend Geniann :) Chainsaw Artwork https://www.youtube.com/embed/2a1QISYNGHs?rel=0 --- ...I love this! Thanks Geniann! Reminds me of these... CHAINSAW WOODCARVING ART! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/woodcarving.html CHAINSAW WOODCARVING ART 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/woodcarving2.html Tree Trunk Art! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/trunkart.html Spain's Wood Carving Festival! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/woodfestival.html Wood Chip Art! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/woodart.html -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseA :) This wonderful performance could be seen at the 10th Moscow International Youth Festival of Circus Arts in the Nikulin Circus Boulevard. This clever cat was taught using only positive reinforcement (have you ever met a cat that responded to anything else?) and not only follows orders, but is a highly skilled performer in its own right. I believe it should be getting a salary, or at least a nice fat fish, every night of the week! https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ODKNlhVW_GU The bulldog is one of my favorite dog breeds to watch, mainly because they are so funny looking, and, even for dogs, are incredibly playful dogs. This compilation of bulldog videos is both sweet and hilarious! In any case it contributes to a happier day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=FGJxDlYHC-s A tiger at a safari park was given a goat as food - but the tiger preferred to have the goat as a friend instead. 'Amur' the tiger and 'Timur' the goat are getting along very well. The goat has taken over the tigers shelter and the tiger had to sleep on the shelter's roof for the last four nights. Location: Primorsky Safari Park, Shkotovo (near Vladivostok), Russia. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sErMNLKdLHk&feature=player_embedded --- ...LOL! Love it! Russia - no wonder! Thanks LouiseA! 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: == <^\()/^> \/::\/ jgs /::\ `''` >BE STILL… "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.* Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:41-42 (NIV)) It is so easy to allow the things of this world to overtake us and distract us just as they did with Martha. It is so easy to focus on the busyness of life and completely miss out on the blessings that are right in front of us. Do you think that Jesus is concerned about the cleanliness of our home, or with the fact that elaborate meals are not prepared? Do you think that Jesus cares more about our frantic effort to put on a good visible facade or that we simply choose to be in His presence? It is human nature to try to create appearances that are different from reality. We often find ourselves doing just that when we should simply be basking in the moment. Think about that. Mary and Martha were sisters. They were in the same house. Jesus was present within their home. Mary recognized that she had a blessing and an opportunity that may never happen again. She chose to sit at the feet of Jesus. Martha was frantically trying to prepare for her guest and did not realize that what she would receive from Him was far greater than what hospitality traditions would provide. Martha followed tradition. Mary followed the Savior. Both loved Jesus. Both knew of His miracles and both probably had an idea of who He truly was, yet Martha chose a path that made her frustrated in the presence of the Lord. She was trying to do things her way, the traditional way. When we choose to follow Jesus, we must be willing, ready and able to step out in faith even when that step goes against all traditions. We will be called to things that may not make sense to us. We will be called to things that are uncertain in our eyes. We will be called to be still in the Lord's presence and to take a step of faith. Be still, and know that I am God; (Psalm 46:10a (NIV)) If we are like Martha, we will miss what Jesus is calling us to do. We must be like Mary and eagerly sit at the feet of Jesus. Copyright 1998 - 2011 Dennis J. Smock Daily Living Ministries, Inc. -<>- ___ ,_ '---' _, \ `-._|\_/|_.-' / | =)'T'(= | \ /`"`\ / jgs '._\) (/_.' | | /\ /\ \ T / (/ \)\ )) (( \) >SKY HIGH I said to myself, "Come now, I will test you with pleasure. So enjoy yourself." And behold, it too was futility. Ecclesiastes 2:1 Perhaps you've seen one of those slingshot rides, like the one my friend Scott and I witnessed in Orlando, Florida. It's essentially two giant pipe-like towers arranged in a V shape. In between them, attached by steel cables, is an open-air capsule that's lowered to the ground and secured by hundreds of springs compressed with 40 tons of force. Smoke billows from underneath it like a volcano about to erupt. Then—ZOOM—the capsule is released at nearly 100 miles an hour, rocketing 35 stories into the air in a little more than a second. And to make it even more fun, the passengers' faces are shown on a giant video screen. I'll never forget the first couple we watched. The man was in horror, wanting nothing but a chance to walk away alive. The woman, on the other hand, was totally absorbing the thrill, squealing and smiling with sheer adrenaline. She was an "all systems go" kind of a person. She reminded me of many people in the world who are hooked on pleasure and excitement. When life doesn't deliver, they get disappointed. They keep searching for the next thrill to add a surge of adrenaline through their veins. Is this a struggle for you? Do you often find yourself longing for the weekend or some other exciting diversion, unable to draw purpose and meaning from the midday, mundane moments of life? I believe that God wants us to learn to live contentedly within the usual and ordinary (see 1 Timothy 6:6). To truly enjoy the life God has given you, you need to know how to be happy on the days when you're not at Disney World. DISCUSS How easily are you bored? What are your hobbies and passions? Talk about whether you are hooked on seeking the next experience or thrill. PRAY Thank God in the name of Jesus Christ for the gift of each day, even when many days seem to be the same. Ask Him to help you see Him and the treasure that rests inside every moment. as seen in Moments Together For Couples -<>- _ *"_"* __ /`_`\ __ .' '. | / \ | .' '. , / ')\^_^/(' \ , \`--' . (_.> <._) . '--`/ '.__.' '._/ \_/ \_.' '.__.' / , _ , \ \ \_/|\_/ / \ //^\\ / \/` `\/ | | | | | | | | .. ..:::.| | ..::::. .. ..::::..::::... .::::::::| |:::::::::::::::. ::::::::::::::::::.:::::::::::| |:::::::::::::::::. ':::::::::::::::::::::::::::::| |::::::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::| |::::::::::::::::::' '':::' '::::::::::::::::\_.__./:::::::::::::::'' '':::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::' jgs '::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::'' '':::::'' '''::::::'' >ONLY ONE SOURCE I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. (John 10:1-3 (NIV)) Whom do you follow? Whom do you trust? All throughout history humanity has been deceived by one lie after another. Why do we look for something and expect it to be as promised when we can't verify the credibility of the source? There is only one source that is credible. There is only one source that knows us by name. There is only one source that enters through the gate. Why must people make it so difficult? Why do people take a look at what Jesus teaches and tell them- selves that it cannot be that simple? Why do they think that it will work for everyone else except them? Why do they listen to those who have come into their lives through something other than the "gate?" Why do we, as humanity, prefer to listen to the thief and the robber? Is this the same desire or gullibility that has allowed con men and the proverbial snake oil salesmen? What is it about human nature that makes us want to look for an alternative when we are told that there is only one way? Why do we want to test the warning signs that boldly proclaim danger, yet ignore the wisdom and direction that leads to life? With Christmas Day a very fresh memory in our minds, why do so many ignore the gift that God gave to His creation? Why do we look for alternatives to what God has given? Perhaps it is due to the old saying, "It is too good to be true." Think about that. Our society has been telling us for a while that we must beware of things that are too good to be true, because they are not true. I honestly believe that our society has become jaded by this and now, too many apply this to faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus is not too good to be true! He is the truth. Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him." (John 14:6-7 (NIV)) Jesus Christ is the shepherd. He enters through the gate. He knows our names. He calls us out. Do we listen to His voice? Copyright 1998 - 2011 Dennis J. Smock Daily Living Ministries, Inc. -<>- -=====- -=====- _..._ _..._ .~ `~. .~` ~. ,_ / } { \ _, ,_\'--, \ _.'`~~/ \~~`'._ / ,--'/_, \'--,_`{_,} -( )- {,_}`_,--'/ '.`-.`\;--,___.'_ _'.___,--;/`.-`.' '._`/ |_ _{@} {@}_ _| \`_.' / ` |-';/ _ \;'-| ` \ / \ / | _ {@}_ | \ / \ / '--;_ _ {@} _Y{@} _;--' \ _\ `\ {@}\Y/_{@} Y/ /` /_ / |`-.___. / \Y/\|{@}Y/\|// \ .___,-'| \ ^^jgs^^`--`------'`--`^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^`--`'------`--`^^^^^^^ >THE PRESENCE OF ANGELS With many problems are many answers sometimes as God's Own Heavenly dancers. The presence of angels comes at a time when someone's needing God So Divine. Sometimes their presence is but a glimmer found at the moment life's seeming dimmer. Angels are watching us as God provides when we're incurring some bumpy rides. So let not worry to find you despair, for God gives angels with love and care. Give God a prayer when troubles accrue and He'll send angels to help with your view. Yet do not wait for troublesome times, pray now to Jesus for future designs. ©By Bill Pearce Dec 4, 2011 -<>- * * *%%* ,,,,, *%%* *%%%%%* W*W*W*W *%%%%%* *%%%%%%%* {//"\\}*%%%%%%%* *%%%%%%%%%*{{/6.6\}}*%%%%%%%%%* *%%%%%%%%%%%*{{( = )}}*%%%%%%%%%%%* *%%%%%%%%%%%%*}}}}) ({{{{*%%%%%%%%%%%%* *%%%%%%%%%%%* {{{{ }}}} *%%%%%%%%%%%* *%%%%%%%%%* We are each of us *%%%%%%%%%* *%%%%%* angels with only one wing*%%%%%* jgs *%%* And we can only fly *%%* * embracing each other. * -Luciano Decrescenzo >MAKING A LASTING IMPACT By Rick Ezell "Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand-shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven" (Matt. 5:13-13 The Message). A quiet forest dweller lived high above an Austrian village along the eastern slopes of the Alps. The old gentleman had been hired many years ago by a young town council to clear away the debris from the pools of water up in the mountain crevices that fed the lovely spring flowing through their town. With faithful, silent regularity, he patrolled the hills, removed the leaves and branches, and wiped away the silt that would otherwise choke and contamin- ate the fresh flow of water. By and by, the village became a popular attraction for vacationers. Swans floated along the crystal clear spring, mill wheels of various businesses located along the water, farmlands were naturally irrigated, and the view from restaurants was picturesque beyond description. Years passed. One evening the town council met for its semiannual meeting. As they reviewed the budget, one man's eye caught the salary figure being paid the obscure keeper of the spring. Said the keeper of the purse, "Who is the old man? Why do we keep him on year after year? No one ever sees him. For all we know the strange ranger of the hills is doing us no good. He isn't necessary any longer!" By a unanimous vote, they dispensed with the old man's services. For several weeks nothing changed. By early autumn the trees began to shed their leaves. Small branches snapped off and fell into the pools, hindering the rushing flow of sparkling water. One afternoon someone noticed a slight yellowish-brown tint in the spring. A couple of days later the water was much darker. Within another week, a slimy film covered sections of the water along the banks and a foul odor was soon detected. The mill wheels moved slower, some finally ground to a halt. Swans left, as did the tourists. Clammy fingers of disease and sickness reached deeply into the village. Quickly, the embarrassed council called a special meeting. Realizing their gross error in judgment, they hired back the old keeper of the spring. Within a few weeks the veritable river of life began to clear up. The wheels started to turn, and new life returned to the hamlet in the Alps once again. This story is more than an idle tale. It carries with it a vivid relevant analogy directly related to the times in which we live. What the keeper of the springs meant to the Swiss village, Christians mean to the world. We Christians may seem feeble, needless, unimportant, and small to the vast world, but God help any society that attempts to exist without our influence. We, Christ's ambassadors, are assigned the position of influencing and impacting our world not unlike the old gentleman in the Alps. Jesus called his followers to be a front-line militia. Nowhere do we get the impression that Jesus wanted us to live in isolation, separated from the world. It is impossible to live, truly live, for the kingdom in private. We are called to a social agenda and an outward expression of God's principles. We are called to make a difference by influencing and impacting the world around us. Dr. E. Stanley Jones, the famous Methodist missionary, author, evangelist, was asked to name the number on problem of the church. He replied quickly that the number one problem was irrelevance. He went on to say that 3/4ths of the opposition to the church stems from disappointment. We promise to make men different, but the promise goes largely unfulfilled. Dr. Jones went on to tell the story of a multimillionaire who said, "If brother Stanley cannot convert me, I will sue him." He said it half in jest and half in truth. Dr. Jones said that this is in truth what the world is saying to us, "If you Christians cannot convert us, we will sue you for breach of promise. You promised this, now fulfill it. Show us that you can and will convert us. There is no hope from any other direction." What Dr. Jones said is truer today than it was when he first said it. The number one problem of the church is irrelevance. Put simply, the church has lost its influence in the community. There are many reasons why this is so, but one reason stands out above the rest. The church has lost its influence because Christians have neglected their responsibility to be salt and light in the world. As we have neglected to be what God has called us to be, the world has decided to ignore us. And the flip side of that is also true. When Christians decide to be salt and light, the world pays close attention to what we say and do. Let me say it simply: When we are salt and light, the world listens to us. When we aren't, they don't. Copyright 2011, Rick Ezell. as seen in One Minute Uplift To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com. =========================================================== _..._ ,;;;;;;;;;, / _,' _ \ | \ - - / | \_> - <_/ ,__.-"""-.-`. .'-.-"""-.__, '-. /_.'-.-'._\ .-' \_ / .-.-. \ _/ './ \/|/ \|\/ \-' | | | | \__.' '.__/ | | | | | | | | | | jgs \__,_,__/ >The New Year's Gift by Jerri Barrett California, USA On New Year's Eve many years ago, I was driving back to graduate school in Rochester, New York. In Binghamton, New York, halfway between my parents' house and school, smoke suddenly came out of my car engine. My car was an old Ford Mustang that had seen better days. I got off the highway and made it to a small gas station near the exit. The attendant found that my engine was completely without oil. I bought enough oil to refill the engine, but we saw it leaking out again rapidly. He sold me a few extra cans and gave me directions to a good garage he knew of. At the garage, I told the owner what had happened. He came out, looked the car over and checked the oil; it was half empty already. He said I'd have to wait; other customers were ahead of me and they were supposed to close at 1:00 p.m. for New Year's Eve. It was nearly 11 a.m. and I was in a strange town with no place to go, so I sat on some plastic crates and waited. Eventually the owner came over to tell me my oil pressure gauge had snapped off. He'd have to get a new part from the auto parts store, which was closed, but he'd make some calls. I found out later the store owner was his friend, and had not only reopened the store but delivered the part himself. The whole time, I was figuring out how much cash was in my pocket, how much was in my bank account, would they take a check and what I could possibly leave for collateral if they wouldn't. For three hours people came and went. One worker bought me a coke, and the mailman gave me half his sandwich when he stopped for lunch at the garage. I was too afraid of being unable to pay the bill to buy anything for myself. Finally my car was off the lift and the owner called me over. "That will be seven forty," he said. I nearly fainted. "Seven hundred and forty dollars?" I squeaked. "No, seven dollars and forty cents," he said. "I have to charge you for the part." I was amazed and immediately filled with gratitude. I wanted to protest, but I needed what little money I did have for groceries and utilities until my next student loan arrived. With thanks and hugs for everyone in the garage, I gave them the tin of homemade Christmas cookies my mother had given me that morning. Their kindness has stayed with me for more than 20 years. All those men, from the garage owner to the mailman, knew they'd never see me again since I wasn't local. They could have ripped me off on price, or charged the repair's true value — over $200. Instead of taking advantage of my misfortune, they gave me the best New Year's gift ever — true kindness and charity. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Our Friend Cloie :) _ _(_)_ wWWWw _ @@@@ (_)@(_) vVVVv _ @@@@ (___) _(_)_ @@()@@ wWWWw (_)\ (___) _(_)_ @@()@@ Y (_)@(_) @@@@ (___) `|/ Y (_)@(_) @@@@ \|/ (_)\ / Y \| \|/ /(_) \| |/ | \ | \ |/ | /\ | / \|/ |/ \| \|/ jgs|/// \\|/// \\\\|//\\|///\|/// \\\|// \\|// \\\|/ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ >THE DIME Bobby was getting cold sitting out in his back yard in the snow. Bobby didn't wear boots; he didn't like them and anyway he didn't own any. The thin sneakers he wore had a few holes in them and they did a poor job of keeping out the cold. Bobby had been in his backyard for about an hour already. And, try as he might, he could not come up with an idea for his mother's Christmas gift. He shook his head as he thought, "This is useless, even if I do come up with an idea, I don't have any money to spend." Ever since his father had passed away three years ago, the family of five had struggled. It wasn't because his mother didn't care, or try, there just never seemed to be enough. She worked nights at the hospital, but the small wage that she was earning could only be stretched so far. What the family lacked in money and material things, they more than made up for in love and family unity. Bobby had two older and one younger sister, who ran the household in their mother's absence. All three of his sisters had already made beautiful gifts for their mother. Somehow it just wasn't fair. Here it was Christmas Eve already, and he had nothing. Wiping a tear from his eye, Bobby kicked the snow and started to walk down to the street where the shops and stores were. It wasn't easy being six without a father, especially when he needed a man to talk to. Bobby walked from shop to shop, looking into each decorated window. Everything seemed so beautiful and so out of reach. It was starting to get dark and Bobby reluctantly turned to walk home when suddenly his eyes caught the glimmer of the setting sun's rays reflecting off of something along the curb. He reached down and discovered a shiny dime. Never before has anyone felt so wealthy as Bobby felt at that moment. As he held his new found treasure, a warmth spread throughout his entire body and he walked into the first store he saw. His excitement quickly turned cold when salesperson after salesperson told him that he could not buy anything with only a dime. He saw a flower shop and went inside to wait in line. When the shop owner asked if he could help him, Bobby presented the dime and asked if he could buy one flower for his mother's Christmas gift. The shop owner looked at Bobby and his ten cent offering. Then he put his hand on Bobby's shoulder and said to him, "You just wait here and I'll see what I can do for you." Bobby waited, he looked at the beautiful flowers and even though he was a boy, he could see why mothers and girls liked flowers. The sound of the door closing as the last customer left, jolted Bobby back to reality. All alone in the shop, Bobby began to feel alone and afraid. Suddenly the shop owner came out and moved to the counter. There, before Bobby's eyes, lay twelve long stem, red roses, with leaves of green and tiny white flowers all tied together with a big silver bow. Bobby's heart sank as the owner picked them up and placed them gently into a long white box. "That will be ten cents young man," the shop owner said reaching out his hand for the dime. Slowly, Bobby moved his hand to give the man his dime. Could this be true? No one else would give him a thing for his dime! Sensing the boy's reluctance, the shop owner added, "I just happened to have some roses on sale for ten cents a dozen. Would you like them?" This time Bobby did not hesitate, and when the man placed the long box into his hands, he knew it was true. Walking out the door that the owner was holding for Bobby, he heard the shop keeper say, "Merry Christmas, son." As he returned inside, the shop keeper’s wife walked out. "Who were you talking to back there and where are the roses you were fixing?" .-=.-~, /{,_;--'}, | .=~`|//| | / ; \ | __, || | | | .' \/\ |\| | | |\ / \ /_| \ | | /|'/ / | \ /_ | ,_ `\ \/|/ / /` \ /__/ /\/`'. `\ `./.'/\ /.--' |_\ / \ '. /|\/| // | _\ / | | | \ \/// .""'-. \__\ / .'/| | `)`/__//_/_/_\ '--.\ /\/_| |} /.---. \ \ \ / \\ |\/_/| | //` `'...-' .-""'. \\\/ /{| |// /_\_\_\\__\`(` | / \ / / / .---.\ | | '-..,'` `\\ | |} jgs \\| | \ | | | {| | | | | | | |} | | |/ Staring out the window, and blinking the tears from his own eyes, he replied, "A strange thing happened to me this morning. While I was setting up things to open the shop, I thought I heard a voice telling me to set aside a dozen of my best roses for a special gift. I wasn't sure at the time whether I had lost my mind or what, but I set them aside anyway. Then just a few minutes ago a little boy came into the shop and wanted to buy a flower for his mother with one small dime. When I looked at him, I saw myself, many years ago. I too was a poor boy with nothing to buy my mother a Christmas gift. A bearded man, whom I never knew, stopped me on the street and told me that he wanted to give me ten dollars. When I saw that little boy tonight, I knew who that voice was, and I put together a dozen of my very best roses." The shop owner and his wife hugged each other tightly, and as they stepped out into the bitter cold air, they somehow didn't feel cold at all. Author unknown --- ...aww, such a heartwarmer! Thanks Cloie! ========================================================== >-->From Kidwarmers: _____ .'~ ~ ~`. | a a | `. ~ .' .----'(>o<)`----. ( S S ) `---. o .---' ; o : ; o : / \ jgs / /\ \ .-' ~~ / \ ~~ `-. `.___.' `.___.' >THE FUNNIEST THINGS KIDS SAY Jeron, 4, was discussing ages with his grandmother. She mentioned that his Great-Granny Gee, whom he hadn't seen in a long time, was 90 years old. Jeron was amazed. "Ninety-years-old?" he responded with wide eyes. "Boy, she must be really... tall!" -- Barbara Davis of Pratt, Kansas Barbara's granddaughter, Shannon, 9, broke into the dinner conversation saying, "Boy, I'll sure be glad when I get old enough to start earning some income tax!" On a recent visit, Cindy's father gave R.J., 3, two silver dollars -- one for him and one for his sister. R.J. ran excitedly to Emme, 5, who asked, "Wow, did this quarter grow?" -- Cindy (mother of R.J. and Emme) of Chicago, Illinois .-------. * | # | * |_______| * _|=======|_ * * [___________] .' `. * | / : @ @ : \|/_ : < : // \~_s~-~s~s`._`...'_.' // * * `--~-~-~~s~/`"""' `-. // /'/s/ _ `// / /s/ (_) / ///s/ _ : * * ///s/ (_) .' * // |/`. .' __// .-''-------'`-. /|\ .' _ `. * / | \: (_) : : _ : : (_) : * : _ : * : (_) : : : ""'"""'""`. .'"'"""'""'"" jgs `-._ _.-' `"""""' During a hail storm Lauren, 7, yelled to her sisters, "Come and see... It's raining salt clods outside!" -- Faith Fisher (Lauren's aunt) of Couer d'Alene, Idaho Mikkeal woke up on his third birthday to find snow on the ground. With big eyes he exclaimed, "Jesus gived me snow for my birthday!" -- as told to Marlene of Kansas by Mikkeal's foster mom At the airport, Kameron, 2, was bored with waiting so his grandmother took him for a walk. Later he exclaimed to his mother, "We got to ride the alligator stairs (escalator)!" -- Mary (grandmother of Kameron) of Portland, Oregon .--------. * . |________| . * | __|/\ * .-'======\_\o/. /___________<>__\ |||||| / (o) (o) \ |||||| | _ O _ | . . |||||| | (_) (_) | |||||| \ '---' / * \====/ [~~~~~~~~~] \\// _/~||~`|~~~~~\_ _||-'`/ || | \`'-._ * * .-` )| ; || |) ; '. / `--.| || | | `\ | \ |||||) |-, \ . \ .; _ ; |_, | `'''||` ,\ (_) /, `.__/ ||.` '. .' `. * * || ` ' ' ` \ || ; . * || | . || | * || | .__.-""-.__.-"""|| ;.-"""-.__.-""-.__. || / jgs ||'. .' || '-._ _ _ _ _.-' `""` Susie and Billy are twins. When asked their address, Susie quickly rattled it off. But Billy replied indignantly, "Susie has a dress! Not me, I'm a boy!" -- Robin Papesh of Chicago, Illinois Mindy and her husband were scouting out different neighborhoods as they looked for a new home. Their daughter Meghan, 7, was in the backseat, giving her opinions. As they pulled into a cul-de -sac there was a sign which read, "No outlet." The houses and the neighborhood were beautiful and Mindy and her husband thought they had found where they wanted to live. But Meghan shouted from the backseat, "We can't live there. They don't have any electricity!" -- Mindy of Shelton, Connecticut When Teresa's 4-year-old found a turtle in the yard, they explained that the turtle's shell was its home. After it crawled around for a while, it went back into its shell. Teresa's little girl said, "Mommy, he went in to get a drink of water!" -- Teresa Twidwell of Tennessee Heidi, 10, was giving a report about her great-grandmother's canary. To make her report more interesting, she took the canary, Murphy, to class. In her oral report she told her classmates about the origin and habits of canaries. To Heidi's joy, Murphy was right on cue... he started singing when Heidi started explaining the songs of canaries! -- Janet Warstler of Angola, Indiana _...Q._ .' '. / \ ;.-""""--.._ | /'-._____..-'\| .' ; o o |`; / /| () ; \ _.-, '-' ; '.__.-' \ \ .-"`, | \_ / `'` '._`.; ._ / `'--.,_=-;_ \ \| `\ .\_ /` \ `._ \ \ `/ ``---| \ (~ \ \. | o , \ (~ (~ ______________ \ \`_\ _..-' \ (\(~ |.------------.| \/ `` / \(~/ || FREE SNOW || \__ __..-' - '. || """" """" || \ \``` \ || shovel all || ;\ \o ; || you want! || | \ \ | ||____________|| ; \ \ ; '------..------' \ \ \ _.-'\ / || '. \-' \ .' || _.-" ' \-' .-||-. jgs \ ' ' ' \ '..---.- ' \ ' ' _.' \' ' _.-' \ _.-' ` Courtney, 3, and her sister Amberly were sitting at the kitchen table, when Courtney asked, "Mom, is Amber a hand?" Holly wasn't sure what she meant so she asked, "Do you mean does Amber have a hand? Yes, Amber has a hand." "No, is Amber a whole hand?" Courtney asked again, a little irritated. Then she held up her little hand and Holly realized what she was asking. "Yes, Sissy is five!" Holly said. -- Holly King of Sacramento, California Note: You are welcomed to use, copy and share these stories, but please reference http://www.funnykids.com as the source. ========================================================== _.-/`) // / / ) .=// / / / ) //`/ / / / / // / ` / || / \\ / )) .' jgs // / / >-->Why Lord God? Lord, Lord, Why did You make me Black? Why did You make someone The world wants to hold back? Black is the color of dirty clothes; The color of grimy hands and feet. Black is the color of darkness; The color of tire-beaten streets. Why did You give me thick lips, A broad nose and kinky hair? Why did You make me someone Who receives the hatred stare? Black is the color of the bruised eye When someone gets hurt. Black is the color of darkness, Black is the color of dirt. How come my bone structure's so thick; My hips and cheeks are high? How come my eyes are brown And not the color of the daylight sky? Why do people think I'm useless? How come I feel so used? Why do some people see my skin And think I should be abused? Lord, I just don't understand. What is it about my skin? Why do some people want to hate me And not know the person within? Black is what people are "listed", When others want to keep them away. Black is the color of shadows cast. Black is the end of the day. Lord, You know, my own people mistreat me And I know this just isn't right. They don't like my hair or the way I look. They say I'm too dark or too light. Lord, don't You think it's time For You to make a change? Why don't You re-do creation And make everyone the same? GOD ANSWERED Why did I make you Black? Why did I make you Black? Get off your knees and look around. Tell Me, what do you see? I didn't make you in the image of darkness, I made you in the Likeness of ME! I made you the color of coal From which beautiful diamonds are formed. I made you the color of oil, The Black Gold that keeps people warm. I made you from the rich, dark earth That can grow the food you need. Your color's the same as the panther's Known for (HER) beauty and speed. Your color's the same as the Black stallion, A majestic animal is he. I didn't make you in the Image of darkness. I made you in likeness of ME! All the colors of a Heavenly Rainbow Can be found throughout every nation; And when all of those colors were blended well, YOU BECAME MY GREATEST CREATION. Your hair is the texture of lamb's wool. Such a humble, little creature is he. I am the Shepherd who watches them. I am the One who will watch over thee. You are the color of midnight sky. I put the stars' glitter in your eyes. There is a smile hidden behind your pain. That's why your cheeks are so high. You are the color of dark clouds formed When I send My strongest weather. I made your lips full so when you kiss The one that you love, they will remember. Your stature is strong; your bone structure, thick To withstand the burdens of time. The reflection you see in the mirror... The image looking back at you is MINE. Inspired by the book of Genesis 1:26a and 27a&c And God said, Let us make man in Our image, after Our Likeness ... So God created man in His own image ... Male and female created He them. RuNett Nia Ebo Copyright © 1994 --- _______ / /_ / -/- / / / / / / /_______/ / jgs ((______| / `"""""""` ...the bible speaks of being black: Song of Solomon 1 [5] I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon. [6a] Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me: It is an age old problem. Each race must deal with discrimination because of being different from others around them... Part 2 may start out like this... Lord, Lord, Why did You make me White? Why did You make someone The world wants to always fight? The truth is, there is not one color horse, dog, cat or bird. God gave us variety so to add spice to our lives. If all cats were brown, horses all black, birds all yellow and dogs all white how boring would that be? God gave us lots of beautiful colors in nature and in people. We are all different and unique for a reason. We are special. God's creation. We should delight in our differences as part of how unique and wondrous we are. Even our DNA is not the same as any one elses. God wanted us to be special in every way. Unique. Those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and savor are God's children and as such are even more prone to harassment. We Christians are more different than all other people as God points out in His Word... 1 Pet.2: [9] But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which, considering how crazy the world is, is a very good thing. :) , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' Check out this teaching for a good balance to Variety in you Life: The Importance of Variety http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Basics/The_Importance_of_Variety.htm >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 ************************************************************************