Without Saying A Word... :) 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 Through no fault of my own we suddenly became an adult club in the love and romance directory so you will have to confirm that you are an adult when you go here. I still have no idea how to change this back as it sends me around in a circle when I try! or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ >-->In The 'Shangy' News :) ##### #### _\_ ________ ##=-[.].]| \ \ #( _\ | |------| # __| | |||||||| \ _/ | |||||||| .--'--'-. | | ____ | / __ `|__|[o__o]| _(____nm_______ /____\____ PatDeE dropped by for a nice visit Tuesday. He is actually the first list member friend I've had the pleasure to meet in person. I was a bit nervous but found out that we are quite like minded one toward another and it was as if we had always been friends. He got me to thinking about my email settings too. I am trying a new setting. It actually allows me to delete the last group of email addresses before forwarding it! A first for me! Thank you PatDeE for a sweet Visit and a great idea! -<>- >Hot Off The 'Shangy' Press... This super hottie comes from our friend Tony in Australia. It is an awesome one. For all you turtle lovers out there, this is a must see. Quite amazing! Sea Turtle _,.---.---.---.--.._ _.-' `--.`---.`---'-. _,`--.._ /`--._ .'. `. `,`-.`-._\ || \ `.`---.__`__..-`. ,'`-._/ _ ,`\ `-._\ \ `. `_.-`-._,``-. ,` `-_ \/ `-.`--.\ _\_.-'\__.-`-.`-._`. (_.o> ,--. `._/'--.-`,--` \_.-' \`-._ \ `---' `._ `---._/__,----` `-. `-\ /_, , _..-' `-._\ \_, \/ ._( \_, \/ ._\ `._,\/ ._\ `._// ./`-._ LGB `-._-_-_.-' Ostional Sea Turtles http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/seaturtle.html --- ...I loved this one! Thank You Tony! -<>- >In The 'Shangy' Updates... NOTE: Updates may require you to refresh your browser to view the latest changes. We had a lady contact us with the artist for one of our early pages from our friend Becky. I updated this page so all of you can buy one of these awesome prints if you so desire. Check it out here... ,--. ,--. ( O ) ( O ) `--' \ `--' \ _ >-. / /| `-.__.' Krogg Jesus Laughing Art http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/Jesusart.html --- ...Thank you so much Sue for letting me know about this! ================ >-->NEWS From Our Friends At Truth Or Tradition: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' Hello and God bless you! We are very excited to inform you that 'Live Out Loud' is now open for registration! Live Out Loud is our annual youth conference and a great opportunity for teens and twenties to connect with our Father, Jesus Christ our Savior, and with each other. The conference starts December 29, at 5 pm (registration starts at 1 pm) and ends Jan 1 (11 am). Attendees must be 13 years old by the end of the conference and no older than 29 in order to attend. Live Out Loud will be taking place at: Bradford Woods Outdoor Center 5040 State Road 67 North Martinsville, IN 46151 The Theme for this year's Live Out Loud is "You are the Light of the World." The registration packet (along with a really cool video) is available online at: http://stfonlinestore.com/liveoutloud2010.aspx This year, we are not sending out the registration packet via the mail to help save on postage costs. Please download the forms and mail/fax them to us. Blessings to you! The Staff of Spirit & Truth Fellowship International STFonline.org ========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: ,=""=, c , _,{ /\ @ ) __ / ^~~^\ <=.,__/ '}= (_/ ,, ,,) \_ _>_/~ ~\_(/-\)'-,_,_,_,-'(_)-(_) -Naughty >HOT RODS VS. BABIES by Dawn Thompson The Camaro was always my dream car. I had started wanting one when I was 15 years old. I just knew that would be my first car. I wasn't sure then how I would get it, but I knew I had to have one. I started saving for it as soon as I started working part time in high school. By the time I was 19, out of school and working my first full-time job, I had enough money saved to buy my dream car, put gas in it and pay for insurance. I poured over the newspaper everyday until an ad caught my eye. A metallic blue, 1969 Chevy Camaro with white interior and the original owner! I called right away, breathless and nervous that someone else might get to it before me. I was in luck. It was still available and I knew it was meant to be mine. I bought it that same day. I can still remember just like a photograph how it felt to be sitting in the driver's seat of my new car. I can see the layout of the dashboard all lit up and I can still smell and remember the feel of the leather interior. I was so pleased with myself -- I had worked hard, saved my money and realized my dream. What a great feeling! I loved that car! I drove it for a few years, going on many road trips with my friends to the river and back, gliding over the highways with the windows down, having a great time, young and carefree. I was the designated driver more times than I could count to parties and concerts. A few years later, I met my husband and married him. My beloved blue Camaro went with me to my new home. It started having some problems here and there and some engine trouble after a few years, but my husband was a good mechanic and he could fix almost anything. He did regular maintenance and repairs, but he eventually had to put in a new engine. That worked out great for awhile, but more costly problems started to crop up with the car and we decided to sell it and buy another. This time I went for a new model, a 1978 Camaro, a beautiful brown color with golden flecks in the paint. I loved that car too! The long, rounded front end, the sleeker shape of the car, the light colored pinstripes down the sides of the hood. It was a great car and I was proud to drive it. My husband and I had a lot of fun with that car too, driving back and forth to the local mountains for ski weekends in winter and lazy summer weekends by the lake. A few years later, after we'd been married for about 5 years we decided the time had come for new cars for both of us. We had been doing pretty well at our respective jobs and we felt we had earned our first brand new cars. Of course I wanted another Camaro! Camaros were becoming more and more sleek and racy looking and I was thrilled to be buying another one. It didn't take long for me to find what I wanted -- a brand spanking new sports car, a glossy white with black interior. It was the most gorgeous car I had ever seen. I drove it off the lot that day and I never felt so special. I would look at my reflection driving by in my white sports car and I was on Cloud Nine. I washed and vacuumed that car every weekend myself and polished and oiled the black interior till it shone. Another love affair with another car! A few years later, another love affair was about to begin. I found out I was pregnant for the first time in 1988. My husband and I couldn't have been happier. At this point I had had my sports car for 2 years. The months went by and I got bigger and bigger and the space between my steering wheel and my growing belly got smaller. It got harder for me to lean into the car and put things in the backseat of my two door Camaro. But I knew as soon as I had the baby my belly would go down and I wouldn't have that issue anymore. We were going to fit the baby into our lives just fine! Eventually my due date was only a few weeks away. I was uncomfortable yet very excited and I couldn't wait to see my baby. I got up late one night when I was feeling especially restless and hot and couldn't sleep. I happened to pass by the kitchen window. I stopped and stood looking out at my sporty car and suddenly a feeling of sheer panic came over me -- that car in the driveway was not going to work with my new baby! How would we get the car seat into it? How was I going to fit all of the baby's things in the car? Stroller, playpen, diaper bags? How had I not thought of this before? It became clear as I stood looking out the window. I knew right then and there that the dream car was going to go. I had a new dream. My baby was coming and I knew I needed to replace my beloved car with a vehicle that would accommodate baby and all of baby's things. For the first time, I had the realization that we were going to fit into the baby's life, rather than us fitting him into ours. The baby was going to change our lives in a good way. I made my first really grown up decision that night standing there in the moonlight. I had to get another, roomier car for our new family. My focus was shifting from my youthful wants and desires. Our family was growing and so was I -- I was growing up. -- Dawn Thompson __________________________________________________ Dawn is from California and the mother of 3 boys. She loves to read about other people's lives and stories. She says, "I submitted the first story I ever wrote to Heartwarmers a few years ago, and was published, so hopefully here is another." =================================================================== >-->From Our Friend GloriaB :) @ ) (_m_\ \\" _.`~. `(#'/.\) .>' (_--, _=/d . ^\ ~~ \)-' ' / | ptr ##'##'#after a:f############## ################################# >Happy Trails, Roy I thought this was interesting, Roy Rogers still has many fans. I would love to know who bought some of the the things! The last two paragraphs are priceless. Happy Trails, Roy The Roy Rogers Museum has closed its doors forever. Here is a partial listing of some of the items that were sold at auction. Roy's 1964 Bonneville sold for $254,500, it was estimated to sell between 100 and 150 thousand dollars. His script book from the January 14,1953 episode of This Is Your Life sold for $10,000 (est. $800-$1,000) A collection of signed baseballs (Pete Rose, Duke Snyder and other greats) sold for $3,750 A collection of signed bats (Yogi Berra, Enos Slaughter, Bob Feller, and others) sold for $2,750. Trigger's saddle and bridle sold for $386,500 (est. 100-150K) One of many of Roy's shirts sold for $16,250 and one of his many cowboy hats sold for $17,500. One set of boot spurs sold for $10,625. Although he never used a set of spurs on Trigger. A life size shooting gallery sold for $27,500. This is really neat. You should see it. Various chandeliers sold from $6,875 to $20,000. Very unique and artistic in their western style. A signed photograph by Don Larsen taken during his perfect game in the world series against the Dodgers on Oct.8, 1953, along with a signed baseball to Roy from Don, sold for $2,500 Two fabulous limited edition BB guns in their original boxes with numerous photos of Roy, Dale, Gabby, and Pat sold for $3,750. A collection of memorabilia from his shows entertaining the troops in Vietnam sold for $938. I never knew he was there. God bless him. His flight jacket sold for $7,500. His set of dinner ware plates and silverware sold for $11,875. The Holy Bible they used at the dinner table every night sold for $8,750. One of several of his guitars sold for $27,500. Nellybelle sold for $116,500. A fabulous painting of Roy, Dale, Pat, Buttermilk, Trigger, and Bullet sold for $10,625. One of several sets of movie posters sold for $18,750. A black and white photograph of Gene Autry with a touching inscription from Gene to Roy sold for $17,500. A Republic Productions Poster (I'll explain later what this is if you don't know) bearing many autographs of the people that played in Roy's movies sold for $11,875. Dale's horse, Buttermilk (whose history is very interesting) sold below the pre-sale estimate for $25,000. (est. 30-40K) Bullet sold for $35,000 (est. 10-15K). He was their real pet. Dale's parade saddle, estimated to sell between 20-30K, sold for $104,500. One of many pairs of Roy's boots sold for $21,250. Trigger sold for $266,500. Do you remember the 1938 movie The Adventures of Robinhood with Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland? Well Olivia rode Trigger in that movie. Trigger was bred on a farm co-owned by Bing Crosby. Roy bought Trigger on a time payment plan. Roy and Trigger made 188 movies together. Trigger even out did Bob Hope by winning an Oscar in the movie Son of Paleface in 1953. It is extremely sad to me to see this era lost forever. Despite the fact that Gene and Roy's movies, as well as those of other great characters, can be bought or rented for viewing, today's kids would rather spend their time playing video games. Today it takes a very special pair of parents to raise their kids with the right values and morals. These were the great heroes of our childhood, and they did teach us right from wrong, and how to have and show respect for each other and the animals that share this earth. We were born at the right time. We were able to grow up with these great people even if we never met them. In their own way they taught us patriotism and honor, we learned that lying and cheating were bad, and sex wasn't as important as love. We learned how to suffer through disappointment and failure and work through it. Our lives were drug free. So it's good-bye to Roy and Dale, and Gene and Hoppy, The Lone Ranger and Tonto. Farewell to Sky King and Superman and Sgt. Friday. Best wishes and thanks to Capt.. Kangaroo, Mr. Rogers and Capt. Noah and all those people whose lives touched ours, and made them better. It was a great ride through our childhood. --- ...Awww, sweet memories. Thanks GloriaB! Here is a site for more... ,'-', :-----: (''' , - , ''') \ ' . , ` / \ ' ^ ? / \ ` - ,' `j_ _,' ,- -`\ \ /f ,- \_\/_/'- , `, , , /\ \ | / \ ', , f : :`, , <...\ , : ,- ' \,,,,\ ; : j ' \ \ :/^^^^' \ \ ; ''': \ -, -`.../ ' - -,`,--` \_._'-- '---: Storm Happy Trails Forever http://www.happytrailsforever.com/view/?pageID=157671 ============================================================ >-->From Our Friend John-Paul :) .. ./AHBA. /HBAHBAHBA\ /BAHB /AHBAHBAHBAHBA\. HBAHBAHBAHBAH. .BAHBAHBAHBAHBA\ /HBAHBAHBAHBAHBAH\. AHBAHBAHBAHBAH. .AHBAHBW~~~~~"\WAHBAABAHBAHBAHBAHBAHBAHB\ . BAHAHBAHBAAHBA. HBAHBAA """"""~~~~"""""~~"\BAHBAHB\ .AH BAHBAHBAHBAHBAHB HBAHBAH \YAHBAH BAHBAHBAHBAHBAHBAHBAHBAI .,/ YAHBA HBAHBAHBAHBAHBAHBAHBAHBA..;II. .AHBAHBA HBAHBAHBAHBAHBAHBAHBA`~ AHBA\ IHBAHBA HBAHBAHBA/~ ~~ _ HBAH. \ .....,/ \ . ..YBAHBAH BAHBAHBAI . /ABAHBAHBAHL\ \ ,;|MAMA\\ ~\ ,. IAHBA HLAMBAY/ /A,. /BAHBAHBAHBAHBL I \AHBAHBAHD /BIHBD \WBAH BAIIMBBAD Y bABY''A:.\YHBIHIAIIIIBA>.Wo..IHBAHBA\..YBIIBAH..BAHI BIIIIHIIIL A IAH/ AAA__~BIIBIIBIIYI/;/AI;/BIIIIIIA::BIIIIAI:::BI .IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII.. IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII. IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGGN94. ~ Don't Cry Little Soul ~ Don't cry, little soul. Though you've gone a stray, Jesus has come, To show you the way. He gave up His life, On this earth's old sod, To make a way, To the very portals of GOD. Yes, "I am the Door," His mighty words proclaim. "Out of me flows living water, From my Father's domain." On the CROSS, He willingly gave, All He possibly could give, Took on OUR sins, There, on GOLGOTHA'S Hill. Ah, but, death could not hold Him, No stake, no chains, nor stone. Three days in the grave, then, He AROSE, reclaiming His Mighty Throne. Though, your little body is broken, And your eyes grow dim, He's Your Guiding Light. Take His hand. Trust Him. A beautiful mansion He offers, (No more tears, nor pain), To be able to run and play, Like a child, once again. So, don't cry, little soul. You'll, soon, be free. All the wonders of heaven, And FATHER GOD you Shall See. "Even come now, LORD JESUS." With loving hope we Pray, Our Souls Mount up with Wings like Eagles. Then, we all shall "~~Fly Away~~." AMEN! Ps: "SEE YOURSELF AS GOD SEES YOU" "YOU ARE A CHILD OF THE MOST HIGH" DO NOT, Worry About Tomorrow, ~~ GOD Is Already There~~! LET US LIVE OUR LIVES SO THAT EVERY MORNING WHEN WE WAKE , OLD sATAN LETS OUT SHOUTS OF, OH, NOOOOO !!, THEY ARE AWAKE AGAIN !!!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Always~in~Jesus~~John-Paul --- ...HaHa! Thanks John-Paul! ===================================================================== _________________________________________________ /| | | || | | .----|-----,| | || || ==|| | .-----'--'| ==|| | |)- ~| ||_________________________________________________| | ___ | |____...==..._ >\______________________________| [_/.-.\"--"-------- //.-. .-.\\/ |/ \\ .-. .-. // ( o )`==="""""""""`( o )( o ) o `( o )( o )` '-' '-' '-' '-' '-' unknown >Without Saying a Word Story Editor: by Valerie Halder Clayton Bennett Michigan, USA Since my early teens my parents have been avid RVers, touring the country in their motor home. After I grew up and left home, they spent even more time on the road, sometimes traveling for months at a time. My father, who has a flawless driving record, was the driver, and my mother was his co-pilot and navigator. I never worried about them because they're two of the healthiest people I know, and take excellent care of their vehicle. I never thought about what could happen due to the negligence of other people -- or what would happen if they suddenly needed help. In late October 1988, my parents were heading home after touring the southern United States. My father was in the left lane, where the ride was smoother. He noticed an oncoming car across the median that was swerving and speeding up. Suddenly, the car crossed the median, launched into the air, and struck my parents' motor home in the side. The motor home tipped onto the passenger side and skidded down the highway, directly toward an overpass. Luckily, the motor home stopped before reaching the overpass, but the two passenger side doors were against the ground and the only other door was crushed on impact. My parents had been wearing seat belts, so they were badly bruised but alive. My mother's hand was smashed up because her window was down when they crashed, but the injury wasn't life-threatening. My parents heard people stop their cars and run toward them. My dad couldn't get the driver's door open, so they decided to wait for help to get out. Then they heard people holler that the motor home was on fire! They had on board a full load of propane for cooking and heating. My father tried to kick the windshield out; it wouldn't budge. My parents and the onlookers were growing frantic. Suddenly my parents heard people cheer and yell, "The fire is out and help is on the way!" Someone tore out the overhead sleeping compartment window and helped my parents escape. When outside and breathing fresh air again, they asked what had happened. A semi-truck driver had stopped to help. The driver jumped down, got a fire extinguisher from his rig, and fearlessly went about putting out the blaze that could have exploded at any second. When the flames were out, he simply climbed back in his truck and drove away. No one thought to get the license number or even notice what company the truck was from. This selfless trucker without a doubt allowed my parents to survive that accident. We never got to thank him for his actions, but we'll always be grateful. If you know this man please thank him for us. If you don't, please thank another trucker for us: for being out there, being prepared, and being willing to come to the aid of motorists in need, no matter what the circumstances. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From CupO'Cheer: _ .-. / ) .-. ___ __ ( ) ( ( ( ) .'___) (__'-._) ( \ '._) (,'.' '. '-. '. / "\ ' -. '. ) / \ \ .-. ,'. ) ( ',_) _ .' ( \ \ ( \ . .' .' ) .-. ( \ ( .''. '. \ \| .' .' ,',--, / ( ) ) ) \ \ ', : \ .-' ( ( ( ( _) (,' / \ \ : : ) / _ ' . \ \ ,' / ,' ,' : ; / /,' '. /.' / / ( (\ ( '.' " ( .-'. \ '' \_)\ \ \ | \ \__ ) ) ___\ | \___; / , / / ___) ( ( ( PN '.' ) ;) ; (_/(_/ ----------------------------------------------------- >THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE Today, when I awoke, I suddenly realized that this is the best day of my life, ever! There were times when I wondered if I would make it to today; but I did! And because I did I'm going to celebrate! Today, I'm going to celebrate what an unbelievable life I have had so far: the accomplishments, the many blessings, and, yes, even the hardships because they have served to make me stronger. I will go through this day with my head held high, and a happy heart. I will marvel at God's seemingly simple gifts: the morning dew, the sun, the clouds, the trees, the flowers, the birds. Today, none of these miraculous creations will escape my notice. Today, I will share my excitement for life with other people. I'll make someone smile. I'll go out of my way to perform an unexpected act of kindness for someone I don't even know. Today, I'll give a sincere compliment to someone who seems down. I'll tell a child how special he is, and I'll tell someone I love just how deeply I care for them and how much they mean to me. Today is the day I quit worrying about what I don't have and start being grateful for all the wonderful things God has already given me. I'll remember that to worry is just a waste of time because my faith in God and his Divine Plan ensures everything will be just fine. And tonight, before I go to bed, I'll go outside and raise my eyes to the heavens. I will stand in awe at the beauty of the stars and the moon, and I will praise God for these magnificent treasures. As the day ends and I lay my head down on my pillow, I will thank the Almighty for the best day of my life. And I will sleep the sleep of a contented child, excited with expectation because I know tomorrow is going to be the best day of my life, ever! By Gregory M. Lousig-Nont, Ph.D. as seen in Inspirations --- ...Reminds me of these... Attitude Is Everything! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/attitude.html Attitude Is Everything #2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/attitude2.html Earth In Perspective http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/earth.html God's Night Lights! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/night.html Pss.118 [24] This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. -<>- ---.____ ,/k. ___,---' / ih,__,-----.___ ,-' , `:7b----.__---` _.-/ ' /b.`.4p, --" , ,-' ^6x, `."^=._ itz >MOMENT BY MOMENT WITH HIM Sometimes we so easily forget, How unpredictable our lives may be, We make plans for our tomorrows and our futures, Not realizing they could change instantly. Then one day, you wake up, and it happens, Something occurs that’s not at all like you’ve planned, Your life has now taken a new direction, And it may be difficult for you to understand. God never promised that we’d never have struggles, That there would always be sunshine and not rain, But He said He’d never leave nor forsake us, And with His presence we will forever be sustained. When God takes us from the height of the mountain, And then places us in the valley of despair, It’s here we can learn total dependence, Upon the One who will always be there. Oftentimes it’s only through the midst of the trials, We see God works in ways we’d never have dreamed, He accomplishes so much beyond our understanding, And now things may not be at all what they’d seemed. We may not know why God allowed such a hardship, We must learn to trust in the One who knows best, For our future is seen by Him only, And in Him we can confidently rest. So when the unexpected may arise in our lifetime, And the way God is leading seems dim, May we face it not ONE DAY at a time, But instead, MOMENT BY MOMENT with Him. By Linda Lee Wolovich A note from the author: This poem was written after my son was diagnosed with Type I Diabetes. The unexpected makes you realize just how precious life is, that nothing is ever guaranteed or should be taken for granted, and we have to face each day not in our own strength, but only in His. --- ..Reminds me of this one... *** * //* //* ** **/| ** ************//*********** ***********//************ ** |/** ** **/| *// //* |/** **/| *** *// *** ***** //* ***** ******* |/** ******* ************* ******* * unkown Our Valuable ANCHOR http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/ouranchor.html -<>- .-----. _.----"""""""----._ _.---//-"""-\\---._ .------.___ ( ) ( (/ `-' ) ( ___|-|`"""---..___..---""| _|`"--._________.--"'|_ `---'""" | | (_| |_) | | `--) (--' ________ | | | | _.--""""" """"----._ | | | (_ _)--.----------------. | | \`""---...________...----'/__/___ || `-.__ __.-' \___ __/ ""-----"""""""-----`' VK `""-----""' ""`-----------'"" >MAY GOD BLESS YOU THIS DAY...TO BE IN HIS CONTROL! Control is an interesting thing. When we're in it, we feel confident and secure. When we lose it, we become fearful and impatient. When we use it, we sense importance and power. When we're out of it, we are angry and unreason- able. And the more we claim it, the more we find we don't have it after all. One day I decided to make my own special chili. I put the ingredients on the counter, separating them into their own little piles. I was in control. I carefully cut the meat, chopped the onions and bell peppers, and sauteed every- thing on the stove. I was using control. Then I sliced the tomatoes and added them to the mixture, along with just the right amount of spices. Not too much. I was exercising control. Now it was time for the main ingredients. Chili peppers come in all shapes and sizes. Some are large and sweet with just a bit of a kick, and others will peel the paint off a new car. My peppers were medium on the burn scale, but it was still important to be in control. That usually means frequently washing your hands while handling the peppers as well as using a fan to ventilate the fumes. Usually, that's what that means. But I was in a hurry. So I went about slicing, de-seeding, and chopping the peppers into little bitty pieces. Half way through this process I noticed my left hand was tingling. Instead of washing it, I decided to speed things up. As the tingling increased to a noticeable irritation, skin turning red and that sort of thing, I worked even faster. Then I noticed an uncomfortable burning sensation in my throat, my nose feeling a little funny, and my eyes tearing up. But instead of turning on the fan, I rushed through the last of the chopping, gathered everything up, and dumped the load into my simmering concoction. I smiled as tears rolled down my cheeks and said, "It is good." Then suddenly something happened I had not planned on. I sneezed. One of those great big, from deep in your lungs kind of sneezes. And instantly I realized what a dragon would feel like as the molten, skin-searing blast from the fiery depths of hell had just exploded through its nostrils. It's hard to describe the intensity of the burning I felt just then, mainly because I lost control. I grabbed a glass of water and threw it on my face. No help at all. I decided to stop breathing entirely, but that was only temporary relief. Then I got my handkerchief and blew my nose. I'm not exactly sure why I did that, especially since it simply re-ignited the fire. Finally, as a last ditch effort, I hurried to the fridge. (At this point I would like to thank my Heavenly Father for allowing us to have one that makes ice, not in cubes, but in long, more oval shapes.) Reaching into the freezer I grabbed two rods of ice and shoved them up my nose. They were a little large but I didn't care because the burning stopped. I then retired to a comfortable chair in the den, a shaft of melting ice protruding from each nostril. Might as well, seeing as I was in no shape to cook at the moment. What occurred to me, as I contemplated what had just happened, was while all the time I thought I was in control, it certainly didn't take long to completely lose it. One minute I'm chopping and stirring, the next I'm running around the kitchen with ice up my nose. Where did it all go wrong? Ah...when I became satisfied with my own ability. We often do that as Christians. Instead of looking to God to provide His ability to exercise control, we forget about Him and try to make it in life relying on our own. It doesn't work. There are too many things this world can throw at us. Too many frustrations and irritations; too many disappoint- ments and broken dreams. Anger, fear, anxiety, pain, sorrow, confusion...there's just too much. But not for God! I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:12-13 (KJV) Let God be in control. He will give us the strength to face it all. And in that, there is great peace. Take care and be God's, Chuck --- ...My Two Cents... This story is a good one to see how God takes care of us. He always gives us freedom of will but He often tells us when our freedom will get us in trouble. In this story Chuck ignored the signs of trouble. He went ahead and continued doing what he wanted to do although he was reminded several times of impending danger. Often if you think back to the moments before something bad happened in your life, you will see that you were forewarned but had decided to ignore it. /\ //\\ //__\\ //____\\ \\____// \\__// [|__|] [|__|] [|__|] [|__|] [|__|] [|__|] [|__|] /) [|__|] (\ //\_________[|__|]________/\\ ))__________||__||_________(( <_/ [ \/ ] Krogg97\_> || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || \\ || // \\||// \\// ____-\/-____ -__- / \ If we listen to God, keep our spiritual ears open, we can avoid many bad things the devil intends to throw at us. -<>- \ | / -- * -- / | \ /') ./') ('\. ('\ /' /.--''./'') (''\.''--.\ '\ :--'' ; ''./'') (''\.'' ; ''--: : ' ''./') ('\.'' ' : : ''./' '\.'' : :--''-..--'''' ''''--..-''--: dp >BLESSED I've been blessed by the Master's hand, 'Tho I'm just an ordinary man. I often wonder why He loves me so, I'm so unworthy of His love, I know. He gave me a home and a loving wife, And sent us children to brighten our life. If you should stop by here any day, I would smile and tell you in my old familiar way, Hey! There's no place I'd rather be Than here with Jesus and my family. I've never longed to travel to a foreign land, To walk on beaches of silvery sand. I've never wanted to be a movie star, Have a famous name and be worshiped from afar. I've never had the urge to roam, For I feel like a king in my little home. I thank Jesus every day and tell Him in my old familiar way, Hey! There's no place I'd rather be, Than here with You, Jesus, and my family. One of these days when He calls me home, I'll have a brand new mansion, all my own. With my family I'll stroll hand in hand, All over heaven's great promised land. When we've been there a million years or more, Should we chance meet on that golden shore, I know you will hear me say in my old familiar way, There's no place I'd rather be Than right here with Jesus and my family. Written By: Edith Forbes -<>- ,_ :`. .--._ `.`-. / ',-""""' `. ``~-._.'_."/ `~-._ .` `~; ;. / / / jgs ,_.-';_,.'` `"-;`/ ,'` >INVISIBLE WOMAN by Shari Braendel "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves." Romans 12:10 (NIV) Devotion: Margaret was new to the area and decided to visit a few local churches and Bible studies before she chose where to attend regularly. Unfortunately, it turned out the same everywhere she went: no one acknowledged her. They didn't even seem to see her. She was left feeling like a small fish in a big sea. "How am I ever going to meet anyone, let alone make a friend?" she thought to herself, as she uncomfortably poured herself a cup of coffee in the foyer of a church. Recently, I had a conversation with Margaret and she reminisced with me about the time she felt so alone in that foyer full of women. She made me giggle when she revealed how she entertained herself during those lonely times by wearing the same outfit on purpose for weeks in a row. She was convinced that it just didn't matter because no one would remember her anyway. Although Margaret felt alone and invisible, she was not. Jesus said, "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows" (Luke 12:6-7, NIV). Not only did God see her that day, but He knew what kind of hair day she was having! I know how Margaret felt. My son started a new school this year and I found myself in a similar situation. As I attended my first PTA meeting, I looked around the room and didn't know a soul. I noticed I wasn't the only one by myself. There were other women who appeared not to know anyone either. Many were sitting alone, pretending to be at ease, yet not looking upward or outward; just awkwardly tending to their refreshments. Everyone else was talking and laugh- ing in groups of two's and three's, unaware that there were isolated women in the room. How do we become so involved with ourselves that we forget about others who might be new or lonely? I think about Margaret's story and I wonder, "Am I so caught up with what's going on with me that I forget it's not all about me?" Perhaps meetings, Bible studies or holiday parties aren't all about the girlfriends I already know, but about reaching out to someone who is searching for a welcoming friend. I've been challenging myself to look beyond my familiar circle, and I want to invite you to do the same. Wherever you go, look around the room and find someone who is by herself. Walk up to her and say hello. Ask some questions about how long she's been coming and how you might help her feel connected and welcomed in that particular situation. You may just be the one that helps her realize she's not invisible - she's noticed - by God and by you. Dear Lord, I pray as I go about my business that you will help me to become more aware of others. I pray that I seek out those who feel uncomfortable or who might be new. Help me step outside myself and approach someone who needs to be noticed. I pray I realize it's not all about me. In Jesus Christ's Name, Amen. Related Resources: A Life That Says Welcome, Simple Ways to Open Your Heart & Home to Others by Karen Ehman as seen in Encouragement for Today To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com. ========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' \ ' / ' ' . .-"```"-. . ' \`-._.-`/ - - = \\ | // = - - ' \\|// ' jgs . ' \|/ ' . . ' ` ' . . / . \ . . . . >Clay Balls A man was exploring caves by the seashore. In one of the caves he found a canvas bag with a bunch of hardened clay balls. It was like someone had rolled clay balls and left them out in the sun to bake. They didn't look like much, but they intrigued the man, so he took the bag out of the cave with him. As he strolled along the beach, he would throw the clay balls one at a time out into the ocean as far as he could. He thought little about it, until he dropped one of the clay balls and it cracked open on a rock. Inside was a beautiful, precious stone! Excited, the man started breaking open the remaining clay balls. Each contained a similar treasure. He found thousands of dollars worth of jewels in the 20 or so clay balls he had left. Then it struck him. He had been on the beach a long time. He had thrown maybe 50 or 60 of the clay balls with their hidden treasure into the ocean waves. Instead of thousands of dollars in treasure, he could have taken home tens of thousands, but he had just thrown it away! It's like that with people. We look at someone, maybe even ourselves, and we see the external clay vessel. It doesn't look like much from the outside. It isn't always beautiful or sparkling, so we discount it. We see that person as less important than someone more beautiful or stylish or well known or wealthy. But we have not taken the time to find the treasure hidden inside that person. There is a treasure in each and every one of us. If we take the time to get to know that person, and if we ask God to show us that person the way He sees them, and then the clay begins to peel away and the brilliant gem begins to shine forth May we not come to the end of our lives and find out that we have thrown away a fortune in friendships because the gems were hidden in bits of clay. May we see the people in our world as God sees them! -<>- ___ _d9969b ((d66b'e( `d9p _/ _/ (_ / \`-`\ (___) )_ \ \__(_/-. /\__/-.'\_\ />>> \_\ | //// |..|.. \___/ |\vvv/ | |( ) |) | \ / / | V / | | _/ ___| | ,'____,'Y-.\ ! hjw >A Good Woman A good woman is proud of herself. She respects herself and others. She is aware of who she is. She neither seeks definition from the person she is with, or does she expect them to read her mind. She is quite capable of articulating her needs. ,-. / \ ((\ ) )6(\ / \ _`)/&< _ >o< ) ) ( (__/) )) / ( ( \ \ (=.|\ |)=.| \ \ ) / | | / / | |_,/ (`;-. |\ / |\ `' \ / ' ` \ / \ / \ / \ / \ / `. . \ ; \ \ ) / ` \ \ ) ; ' ` \ ) / : ; ,-. ,' ;__,-. ; . . /"""`-=' gpyy /_,`-=-.___,.__,-=-''"""'` A good woman is hopeful. She is strong enough to make all her dreams come true. She knows love, therefore she gives love. She recognizes that her love has great value and must be reciprocated. If her love is taken for granted, it soon disappears. sSSSSSs SS;; SSSS S< ?SSS S> SSS ___)(____ ( \/ ) \||, )( ( / ( \\/ /\ / \ \ \./ )==( / / / \//' ( '|\` \ / \ / ) ( / \ jgs / \ / \ `-........-' / ) / ) /_/|/_/| A good woman has a dash of inspiration, a dabble of endurance. She knows that she will, at times, have to inspire others to reach the potential God gave them. A good woman knows her past, understands her present and moves toward the future. _,,,_ .' `'. / ____ \ | .'_ _\/ / ) a a| / ( > | ( ) ._ / ) _/-.__.'`\ ( .-'`-. \__ ) `/ `-./ `. | \ \ \ jgs | \ \ \ \ |\ `. / / \ A good woman knows God. She knows that with God the world is her playground, but without God she will just be played. A good woman does not live in fear of the future because of her past. Instead, she understands that her life experiences are merely lessons, meant to bring her closer to self knowledge and unconditional self love. Girls Smile! .....YOU KNOW YOU HAVE IT GOING ON! ....So Keep ON Keeping On! -<>- _____ / \ / ````` \ /|`o o'|\ /|| . ||\ |*\\ _ //*| |*/ \ / \*| // / \ \\ /(__/\___/\__)\ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |\ /| | >POSSIBLE SAYINGS OF BIBLICAL MOTHERS: SAMSON! Get your hand out of that lion. You don't know where it's been! DAVID! I told you not to play in the house with that sling! Go practice your harp. We pay good money for those lessons! ABRAHAM! Stop wandering around the countryside and get home for supper! SHADRACH, MESHACH AND ABEDNEGO! Leave those clothes outside, you smell like a dirty ol' furnace! CAIN! Get off your brother! You're going to kill him some day! NOAH! No, you can't keep them! I told you, don't bring home any more strays! GIDEON! Have you been hiding in that wine press again? Look at your clothes! JAMES AND JOHN! No more burping contests at the dinner table, please. People are going to call you the sons of thunder! JUDAS! Have you been in my purse again? -<>- ___ ___ ___ ___ ___.---------------. .'\__\'\__\'\__\'\__\'\__,` . ____ ___ \ |\/ __\/ __\/ __\/ __\/ _:\ |:. \ \___ \ \\'\__\'\__\'\__\'\__\'\_`.__| `. \ \___ \ \\/ __\/ __\/ __\/ __\/ __: \ \\'\__\'\__\'\__\ \__\'\_;-----------------` hh \\/ \/ \/ \/ \/ : | \|______________________;________________| >CHOCOLATE SINGS One day I had a date for lunch with friends. Mae, a little old "blue hair" about 80 years old, came along with them---All in all, a pleasant bunch. When the menus were presented, we ordered salads, sandwiches, and soups, except for Mae who said, "Ice Cream, please. Two scoops, chocolate." I wasn't sure my ears heard right, and the others were aghast. "Along with heated apple pie," Mae added, completely unabashed. We tried to act quite nonchalant, as if people did this all the time. But when our orders were brought out, I didn't enjoy mine.. I couldn't take my eyes off Mae as her pie a-la-mode went down. The other ladies showed dismay. They ate their lunches silently and frowned. The next time I went out to eat, I called and invited Mae. I lunched on white meat tuna. She ordered a parfait. I smiled. She asked if she amused me. I answered, "Yes, you do, but also you confuse me. How come you order rich desserts, while I feel I must be sensible? She laughed and said, with wanton mirth, "I'm tasting all that's Possible. I try to eat the food I need, and do the things I should. But life's so short, my friend, I hate missing out on something good. This year I realized how old I was. (She grinned) I haven't been this old before." "So, before I die, I've got to try those things that for years I had ignored. I haven't smelled all the flowers yet. There are too many books I haven't read. There's more fudge sundaes to wolf down and kites to be flown overhead. There are many malls I haven't shopped. I've not laughed at all the jokes. I've missed a lot of Broadway hits and potato chips and cokes. I want to wade again in water and feel ocean spray on my face. I want to sit in a country church once more and thank God for His grace. I want peanut butter every day spread on my morning toast. I want un-timed long distance calls to the folks I love the most. I haven't cried at all the movies yet, or walked in the morning rain. I need to feel wind in my hair. I want to fall in love again. So, if I choose to have dessert, instead of having dinner, then should I die before night fall, I'd say I died a winner, because I missed out on nothing. I filled my heart's desire. I had that final chocolate mousse before my life expired." With that, I called the waitress over.. "I've changed my mind," I said. "I want what she is having, only add some more whipped cream!" Remember that while money talks, CHOCOLATE SINGS -<>- ____ || | ||___| _)__<__ _ _ |____|__|:|___|:|_ | |_.---._|___| _ | o| | | |_o_| | || |/| |\| | |_||____|`\___/'|___| V _/-\_ fsc >AROUND THE CORNER I HAVE A FRIEND (By Andrej Primozic, October 10, 1999) Around the corner I have a friend In this great city that has no end, Yet the days go by and weeks rush on, And before I know it, a year is gone. And I never see my old friend's face, For life is a swift and terrible race, He knows I like him just as well. As in the days when I rang his bell, And he rang mine.... We were much younger then, And now we are busy, tired men... Tired of playing a foolish game, Tire of trying to make a name.... "Tomorrow," I say, "I will call on Jim" "Just to show that I'm thinking of him." But tomorrow comes and tomorrow goes, And distance between us grows and grows... Around the corner! - yet miles away, "Here's a telegram sir" - "Jim died today." And that's what we get and deserve in the end.... Around the corner, a vanished friend.... ---- If you love someone, tell them....Remember always to say what you mean...Never be afraid to express yourself.... Take this opportunity to tell someone what they mean to you... -<>- \ /\ 7_\ \, / {))) _/|,~, ((( / ())) )__/)))) /(\|((( | (/ /_|\\ | \ \|\(` | \ // \\ | \ ejm // \\ |_____\ == == -- -' >NAMASTE Has this ever happened to you? The day after we moved to a small town in Colorado my wife Bev did grocery shopping. We moved few food items with us so she filled four grocery carts full. She asked if she could pay with an out of state check. "We just moved here," she explained, "and don't have local checks yet." They said, "Yes, no problem." But when she began looking for her checkbook, she discovered that she had left it at home. All of the groceries had been checked and sacked. "I'm so sorry," she said, "I thought I had it with me. If I could just leave the groceries here for a few minutes, I'll run home and get the checkbook." "Don't worry about it," the cashier told her. "Take the groceries home. The next time you're in the store you can pay for them." We had just moved from a large city and she couldn't believe what she was hearing! This clerk had never seen her before. But she treated her as if she were a VIP. She was somebody! Don't you love it when you are treated like you are somebody? Because the truth is, we are all somebody. We are all important. And maybe most businesses cannot (and should not) let everybody pay with credit, but even strangers can be treated with honor and respect. "Namaste" is a polite Indian gesture of greeting or farewell. From Hindi, the word literally means "bowing to you." Namaste has also been used to mean "I honor the sacred that is within you." What a remarkable thing it would be to actually honor the sacred that is within each person we meet! Even strangers. Nobody would go unnoticed and everybody would count. Here is an exercise that may dramatically change your life: for one month treat everybody you meet as if she or he is the most important person in the world. The man sweeping the sidewalk, your spouse and children, a teenager in the neighborhood, the elderly woman seated across the aisle from you -- honor that which is sacred in all of them. Give your undivided attention. By your words and actions, communicate to them all how important they are to you. Show them great respect and kindness. You may be amazed at what happens to your relationships! You may not single-handedly solve the problem of world peace -- but in one small way at least, you will make a great difference. Namaste. -- Steve Goodier -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment Magician Act Followed By Explanation http://www.buffaloschips.com/gsdhsjsk.htm Malcom-Jue-Bebe http://www.buffaloschips.com/gshsjsk.htm Marine And Geese http://www.buffaloschips.com/gshsjsks.htm Nextel Dance Party http://www.buffaloschips.com/kjpopo.htm No Fear http://www.buffaloschips.com/kjoppo.htm Bad Luck http://www.buffaloschips.com/fasd.htm Boogie Woogie http://www.buffaloschips.com/fsdjlk.htm Ford Police Chase http://www.buffaloschips.com/sdfds.htm Blink Of An Eye http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/eye.html God's Bumper Stickers http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/gbumper.html Albino Bears http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/albinobear.html Christ's Life http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/jesuslife.html Life's Little Oops #5! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/whoops5.html Odin The White Tiger http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/whitetiger.html Koalas In A Heatwave http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/koalas.html Visit our site at http://www.inspiredbuffalo.com If you are looking to join any of our other fine e-zines visit www.buffalosjokes.com >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah :) Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->BECOMING A CHRISTIAN HOW TO BE A CHRISTIAN! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->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 andd DARE to make it at home Yep. 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