You are the Only You God Has ... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@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 =========================== >-->In The 'Shangy' News: >Hot Off The 'Shangy' Press :) _------Q--\ /~ ) <_____________/ / _ ))))))))) [] / ((((((((( |~~~| (____/' )))))))))) | | ))))))))))))))))) |\ | | (((((((((((((((((( / | | | /~~\----------/| // \ | _/ | |<===| ===] ||// \ \____ //' //| | \__/~~~~~~~~~~|^ _--~~~ ~~~-// // | | | / () () // ) // | | | | () _-//-~ // | | ((((((((| () (_// // | | | : | ~~---_ // | | | | \ () () ) // | | | | ~--__ __-~ // |___| | | |~//~~~~~ // // \\ / / |// // // \\ (___(___________|- // [==] [==] unknown This one is another Picture Art Page. If you enjoy seeing what some of our more unusual artists are doing these days, you will enjoy the sweet fantasy paintings of this artist who has spent his entire life doing what he loves! World Of Wonder http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/worldofwonder.html World of Wonder * Special Thanks Goes to Lee for this one! *~* --- And If you haven't already - be sure to visit these too: _..._ .~ `~. / } \ _.'`~~/ {_,} -( ,'-,___.' / |_ /| / ` |_/ / \ / / '--;_ _\ `\ / |`-.___. / ^^^jgs^^^`--`------'`--`^^^^^^^^^^^^^ BibleStudy: Meditating Upon The Word Of God http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/meditating.html Meditating Upon God's Word ___ .'=:-\ /.='( ` /. ^=.'-._..---. | =^.'=.'^//"(_`\\)8, |^.'=' .=||/' `\||;8.-' \'.^,=^'.||; ; ||8/:_,_ './-`\= \\\.-./;//,_/`- \ jgs \__/-/'-\888::((()),_ /:. .O__/ (_88:::(())):. `8':. ' BibleStudy: Be Ye Thankful http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/beyethankful.html Be Ye Thankful Ice Sculpture Art: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/ices.html Ice Sculpture Art One Texas Morning... http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/fawn.html One Texas Morning Be Sure to not only CHECK THEM ALL OUT! - BUT Pass them Around too :) ===================================================================== >-->Thankfulness _.-/`) // / / ) .=// / / / ) //`/ / / / / // / ` / || / \\ / )) .' jgs // / / When it comes to being thankful, I think the first place we need to concentrate on is on ourselves. We need to understand who we are and why we are so we can be thankful to God for our life through Christ Jesus. With that thought in mind, we'll start with this wonderful insightful teaching from Truth Or Tradition... >You are the Only You God Has The title of this teaching is You Are The Only You God Has. I have also put four other sort-of subtitles on it. * The Power of One—that is one God, one Lord, one you * The Human Element * Choose Life * For Such A Time As This I am going to ask you as you read this teaching to ask the Lord to show you his heart in it. I am going to ask you to lock your mind in and think very biblically. I will ask you to ask yourself, “Why do I believe what I believe?” That is what I ask myself when it comes to God or any spiritual matter. I want to be certain that what I believe is exactly according to the written revelation of God Himself, as found in His Word. I honestly believe with all my heart that the Lord can change your life through this teaching. I know what the truth contained in it is doing in my own heart, and I believe that he is going to do the same or even greater things for you. 1 Timothy 2:1-5 (1) I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—[that’s a very long prayer list] (2) for kings and all those in authority, that [it is actually so that it is a purpose word…so that] we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. (3) This is good, and pleases God our Savior, (4) who wants all men [the will of God is] to be saved and to come to a [thoroughly applied] knowledge of the truth. [The focal point of the truth is in the next verse.] (5) For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, The word so that in verse two is a purpose word; that is, if what comes before it does not happen then what comes after it will not happen. You need to do the part that comes before to get the results that come after. That is the point that I want to focus upon as we continue. Please Visit Here for this full teaching: http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=733 You are the only you God Has ==================================================================== >How Could She Tell? Story Editor: by Crystal C. Clayton Bennett Oregon, USA Early in 1999, our family had to drive several hundred miles to Billings, Montana, to visit a hospitalized family member. Between travel, lodging and having given most of our available cash to help relatives out with expenses, we had very little money when we left to return home. It was dusk when we drove out of Billings. We didn't notice at first that our headlights were dimming, and that's probably why we missed the exit for the interstate leading home. After about 40 miles we began to see that nothing along the highway was familiar. In 35 more miles we saw an exit to a town that wasn't anywhere near where we were supposed to be. With eight miles to the next exit, we realized the headlights were dangerously dim. The car began to sputter, and I had to turn off the lights to keep it running. At the foot of the exit ramp there was a small post office. The car stopped running completely as we pulled into the parking area. I soon determined that the alternator wasn't working. It was 7 p.m. and we were in Rosebud, Montana, a tiny town with no services. To make things worse, heavy snow was falling. We needed to find our family a safe place to spend the night, then find an alternator to fix the car in the morning. We couldn't see any other buildings, and the rest of the town was nearly a mile away. Even if we walked there, we knew, there was probably no motel or parts store. Just then a lady stopped to check her mail before heading home. I asked if she had a few minutes to help charge up our battery and where we could find food, lodging, and car parts. She gave what we needed and more. She suggested we go to Forsyth, about seven miles away. We followed her with only our parking lights on so the car wouldn't die again. She led us to a motel, where she insisted on paying for the room. While were settling into the room, she returned with a meal she had purchased for us. The next morning she came back! She took us to the parts store and insisted on buying an alternator for us. While I was fixing the car, she got us another meal -- and when we were leaving, she filled our tank and insisted that we take some money for the trip home. She did all those things for us when we had just asked for a jump-start and a few recommendations. How she could tell what else we needed, I don't know, or why she gave us so much. But I know how much it meant to us. Perhaps her greatest gift was to give us a memory of one person who would do so much for complete strangers. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From InspiredBuffalo: !|| !|||| ,/|||| !|'''| `\ | )\ \ ejm / \ \ \ >"JESUS HELP ME" - The Faith of Todd Beamer "I don't think we're going to get out of this thing. I'm going to have to go out on faith." It was the voice of Todd Beamer, the passenger -- and Wheaton College graduate -- who said "Let's roll" as he led the charge against the terrorists who had hijacked United Flight 93, the one, you will remember, that crashed in the Pennsylvania countryside. The whole world knows how brave Beamer and his fellow passengers were on September 11. But this week we learned more fully what buttressed that bravery: Faith in Jesus Christ. Todd died as he lived, a faithful evangelical believer. In an article titled "The Real Story of Flight 93," Newsweek reveals gripping new details from the actual transcripts of the now-recovered cockpit voice recorder. "Todd had been afraid," Newsweek relates. "More than once, he cried out for his Savior." After passengers were herded to the back of the jet, Beamer called the GTE Customer Center in Oakbrook, Illinois. He told supervisor Lisa Jefferson about the hijacking. The passengers were planning to jump the terrorists, he said. And then he asked her to pray with him. As Newsweek relates, "Beamer kept a Lord's Prayer bookmark in his Tom Clancy novel, but he didn't need any prompting. He began to recite the ancient litany, and Jefferson joined him: "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name." As they finished, Beamer added, "Jesus, help me." And then, Beamer and his fellow passengers prayed a prayer that has comforted millions down through he centuries -- the prayer that David wrote in a time of great anguish: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want . . . Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. And then the famous last words: "Are you guys ready? Let's roll." We now know from the cockpit voice recorder that Beamer and other passengers wrestled with the hijackers and forced the plane to crash into the ground, killing themselves but foiling what was believed to have been the hijackers' plan to fly Flight 93 into the Capitol or the White House. As Christians, we know that God can bring good out of evil. In Todd Beamer, the world witnesses a faith that held up in the extremity of fear. A faith that is even now comforting his widow and two young sons. Lisa Beamer told NBC's Dateline, "You know, in the Lord's Prayer, it asks us to forgive our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." As Todd prayed this prayer in the last moments of his life, in a way, Lisa said, "He was forgiving those people for what they were doing, the most horrible thing you could ever do to someone." It wasn't Todd Beamer's job to fight terrorists. He was just a passenger who along with several others did what he didn't have to do but foiled a terrible evil that might have been done to his country. As Flight 93 hurtled towards destruction, Todd Beamer could not have known that his quiet prayers would ultimately be heard by millions -- that the story of his last acts on earth would be a witness to the Lord he loved and served and a lasting example of true heroism. -- Author Unknown -<>- _.-/`) // / / ) .=// / / / ) //`/ / / / / // / ` / || / \\ / )) .' jgs // / / >Tell Them To Pray I asked the Lord what I should say; His answer to me was "Tell them to pray!" Pray for your children that they learn what's true; pray for the Church and your Pastor too! Pray for the world and the wars going on, pray they'll realize whom they must depend upon! Pray for those who haven't heard of me yet, they are the ones with the greatest reason to fret! Pray for the decisions soon to be made, pray that they each learn I must be obeyed! Pray for the homeless that they are not left out in the cold, pray for the saints soon they'll need to be bold! There isn't't much time to get everything done; pray you'll be ready when Jesus does come! Pray in the morning so you'll get through the day, pray every evening that in my will you'll stay! Gather together often praying when you do, for where you are gathered I'm there too! Pray for each other calling out each one's name, making sure your requests are one and the same! Pray when together and when you're apart, making sure your prayers originate in the heart! Pray Dear Saints pray; pray; pray; I promise you I'm listening for every word you say! -Barbara Philbrook -<>- >WHEN YOU BELIEVE YOU CAN, YOU CAN. ------------------------------------------------ Don't be afraid of what life has to offer you. If you believe that life is worth living, your belief will help create the fact. Success is a state of mind. If you want to be successful, start thinking of yourself as being successful. The barrier between you and success is not something that exists in the real world. It's simply composed of doubts about your ability. Your only limits to your realization of tomorrow will be your doubts of today. You are what you believe yourself to be. -<>- A Woman Of Strength A strong woman works out every day to keep her body in shape... but a woman of strength kneels in prayer to keep her soul in shape... A strong woman isn't afraid of anything... but a woman of strength shows courage in the midst of her fear... A strong woman won't let anyone get the best of her... but a woman of strength gives the best of her to everyone... A strong woman makes mistakes and avoids the same in the future... a woman of strength realizes life's mistakes can also become God's blessings and capitalizes on them... A strong woman walks sure-footedly... but a woman of strength knows God will catch her when she falls... A strong woman wears the look of confidence on her face... but a woman of strength wears grace... A strong woman has faith that she is strong enough for the journey... but a woman of strength has faith that it is in the journey that she will become strong... ~Author Unknown~ -<>- >GETTING THINGS DONE By: Joseph J. Mazzella Every now and then God gently taps you on the shoulder and reminds you of what life is all about. I got just such a tap the other day. It was a day when there was too many errands to run, too much work to do and not enough time in the day to do it. I was rushed, stressed, and irritable. I even snapped at my kids to hurry up and get ready for school as I worried about how I was ever going to get everything done that day. It was then, however, that I got my gentle tap on the shoulder. Actually, it was more of a one two punch from my furry friends. As I stood there frowning with worry and tensed up with stress I felt a sticking in my left leg. At the same time my right hand suddenly felt warm and wet. I looked down and found one of my cats with her claws on my knee looking up with that scratch my head look in her eyes. When I turned to my right I saw my drooling Saint Bernard nuzzling in for a few pets himself. I smiled at my loving, furry friends and at the same time heard God's gentle voice in my mind saying: "You are not here to get things done. You are here to love." I thanked God for the reminder as the stress disappeared and the worry faded away. I gave each of my kids a hug before heading out to start the day. I still had a lot to do, of course, but now I did it with a smile on my face. I sang joyously along with the music in my car as I ran my errands. I did my work at home happily and easily taking several breaks to pet my dogs, hold my cats, look at the Fall leaves, and to tell God just how much I loved Him. I got everything done with time to spare and most importantly I did it all blissfully, peacefully, and lovingly. The next time that the stress of getting things done starts to build up inside you then take a break and remember why you are really here. In the end it is the love we share, the joy we spread, and the happiness we create that matters. Those are the things God wants us to get done. -<>- Links for Your Enjoyment No Walk Today http://www.buffalosjokes.com/011150.htm Worst Dancer http://www.buffalosjokes.com/011151.htm Toy Mouse http://www.buffalosjokes.com/011152.htm Cool Phone http://www.buffalosjokes.com/011153.htm Snow Plow http://www.buffalosjokes.com/011154.htm To subscribe to this group, send an email to: the-inspired-buffalo-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ===================================================================== >-->From SermondFodder: ## ###----## ### \ / ##__ / ## # --# : __/ -# : ,' _\ > : #### :' #########: ########## | ###: ###################### : ####################### : ######################...,' >PUTTING LOVE INTO PRACTICE The following story seen in "Sunshine Magazine" about a professor of psychology illustrates how difficult it is to love others. Although he had no children of his own, whenever he saw a neighbor scolding a child for some wrongdoing, he would say, "You should love your boy, not punish him." One hot summer afternoon the professor was doing some repair work on a concrete driveway leading to his garage. Tired out after several hours of work, he laid down the towel, wiped the perspiration from his forehead, and started toward the house. Just then out of the corner of his eye he saw a mischievous little boy putting his foot into the fresh cement. He rushed over, grabbed him, and was about to spank him severely when a neighbor leaned from a window and said, "Watch it, Professor! Don't you remember? You must 'love' the child!" At this, he yelled back furiously, "I do love him in the abstract, but not in the concrete!" That's so true. It's easy to love people "in the abstract". It's easy to talk about love and the importance of love. What's much more difficult is to love people in "concrete" ways, especially when we're dealing with people are very unlovable, who have been unkind and irritating to us. But love is not something for us to talk about -- it is something for us to demonstrate in some very practical ways, as John makes clear in this familiar passage: "By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth." (1 John 3:16-18) How about it -- are you loving in the abstract, or in the concrete? Have a great day! Alan Smith Boone Church of Christ Boone, NC www.TFTD-online.com -<>- >NEVER AGAIN _____ .---...-. ,' -. `. ,' _____...' / - _ - \ : .' _ _ \\ : ' _)' : | :-(_).(_):: (_ ;) | | -' || \ _ / ; | _ || `..___..' `-'..____.'`' ;._: _; :_ / \ SSt ,' `' `. SSt One Sunday I was entertained in a farm home of a member of a rural church. The intelligence and unusually good behavior of the only child in the home, a little four-year-old boy, impressed me. Then I discovered one reason for the child's charm. The mother was at the kitchen sink, washing the intricate parts of the cream separator when the little boy came to her with a magazine. "Mother," he asked, "what is this man in the picture doing?" To my surprise she dried her hands, sat down on a chair, and taking the boy in her lap, she spent the next few minutes answering his questions. After the child had left, I commented on her having interrupted her chores to answer the boy's question, saying, "Most mothers wouldn't have." "I expect to be washing cream separators for the rest of my life," she told me, "but never again will my son ask me that question." =============================================================== >-->From AndyChaps: >Enough is Enough "You cannot speak that which you do not know. You cannot share that which you do not feel. You cannot translate that which you do not have. And you cannot give that which you do not possess. To give it and to share it, and for it to be effective, you first need to have it. Good communication starts with good preparation." ~~~~Jim Rohn Yes, productive feelings of disgust come when a person says, "Enough is enough." The "guy" has finally had it with mediocrity. He's had it with those awful sick feelings of fear, pain and humiliation. He then decides he is not going to live like this anymore." Look out! This could be the day that turns a life around. Call it what you will, the "I've had it" day, the "never again" day, the "enough's enough" day. Whatever you call it, it's powerful! There is nothing so life-changing as gut-wrenching disgust! One does not usually equate the word "disgust" with positive action. And yet properly channeled, disgust can change a person's life. The person who feels disgusted has reached a point of no return. He or she is ready to throw down the gauntlet at life and say, "I've had it!" That's what I said after many humiliating experiences at age 25, I said. "I don't want to live like this anymore. I've had it with being broke. I've had it with being embarrassed, and I've had it with lying." -<>- ** Sale Rack ** Psalm 51:2 wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. Storeowners want us to buy their merchandise at full price; therefore they place the sale rack in the rear of the store. As I make my way toward the back of the store to look through the sales, many times I notice sign merchandise sold as is. It is at this point I begin to scrutinize each item I pull from the rack. Some have small stains on them, little rips or tears, seams, which are undone, buttons missing, makeup marks, broken zippers and a variety of other flaws. Each has a red X on the tag, noting that it is a sale "as is" item. If I buy an item from the sale rack, I make a close inspection to make sure it is in as perfect a condition as possible I don't want tarnished goods! Thank goodness God is not like I am when it comes to accepting us. He removes us from the rack of life no matter if we are on the sale rack or proudly displayed with the new items. He accepts us as we are- stained, broken, torn or dirty. He takes us while we are full of sin and loves us immensely. Our sorry spiritual, physical or emotional condition will not stop Him from lovingly removing us from that rack of life. We can be accepted by God himself, if we choose to do so. For unlike the clothes in the store, God has given us free will to accept His offer to take us off the rack of an unfulfilled life. We are a most blessed people, with a loving Heavenly Father. His arms are outstretched today. Don't miss His beckoning! Contributed by Marion Smith (noles65@aol.com) Comments/Feedback are welcome -<>- ,--.,-"";-"-. .-;-/ / / .- `\ .-. ` ( ' ' ` ; `\/ \ \ / \ / (. C . ) | .-. | | _ / (` / | \ /}| | )(\ | `-> (____.| / ||| / \=====| | |\| | |====| \ _/ ` \__/=====| |` `-'======| \ |=======/ | |=======| | .--, ########\ |/ / jgs |_|__|| ` `--. ,---;-'--'\ `--. `---`-------'-.___,___.---' >"When Jesus Looks Upon My Life" When Jesus looks upon my life, what picture does He see. Does He see His own reflection, or does He just see me. Does He see His likeness, the product of His hand. Or just another Christian, who never took a stand. Does He see a child of God, a child that He set free. Living life to honor Him, or does He just see me. What about the other folks, I meet along the way. Do I show them Jesus, to brighten up their day. When someone looks into my eyes, can they truly see. That calm and gentle peace of God, that dwells inside of me. When I reach out and shake a hand, is He right there in my grip. Can they feel that strength from God, that steadies when I slip. When folks are in my presence, do they know His Spirit's there. Can they see that He's the one, who guides me everywhere. When other people think of me, what is on their mind. Do they think of Jesus Christ, so gentle and so kind. I try to be like Jesus, every single day. Spreading love and kindness, all along my way. I'm afraid that I have failed, I could not pass the test. Deep inside my heart I know, I haven't done my best. I have had to fight my flesh, since the day that I was born. It's always causing trouble, and being such a thorn. That's why His Spirit dwells in me, he's helping me to learn. In every situation, where I need to turn. He knew I'd never pass the test, that's why He took my place. He gave His life to save my soul, he suffered my disgrace. Now I try to be like Him, I must present Him well. So other folks will want His gift, and turn their backs on hell. Other folks should see the joy, that Christ has given me. They should want to have it too, especially since it's free. They should begin to ask me, what is it they must do. Just how it is they go about, getting Jesus too. Then I get to tell them, this wondrous gift is free. It takes a humble heart, a prayer on bended knee. Someday when I'm face to face, with the Lord who set me free. Will He see His own reflection, or will He just see me -Author Unknown- Rx: I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me -Philippians 4:13- Romans 10: 9: That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10: For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. ================================================================== Deuteronomy 30:11 "Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach." >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah :)Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->Bigham's Computer Rescue - PC Sales & SService You can trust us to provide you with quality computer sales and repair. We've been servicing the Van Wert area since 1981 and can help you with all your computer needs. Please phone us at 419-238-5806 ************************************************************************ -->This is for all you who love food and DDARE 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 ************************************************************************