In Like A Lion And More ... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ "We are each of us angels with but one wing, and can only fly by embracing each other" -Luciano Decrescenzo _. ,-.,-"`""-./ \ / \ `-.| .:::.:::. \ / `-._ ::::::::: | "=\ ':::::' | .==" |o_|_ ':' | _o. ` (_) ,;;;,;;;, ; \\ ;;;;;;;;; \ _. /|-. ';;;;;' \ ` `'---'/ \ ';' \ .--._ /-' | ,-`. / `-._( / `-._`-._\ `\ '\ ( ` `'._ _, | \ / ~-. `| | | / `;-.| | | .' \ /| | / .'-. '. | \ | .' `-._ '. | /"` `\ jgs / `"--.,_'-._\-.___.'_ ; / `""";--' `. | / .'` \ /""-. ; / \""-, \ | / | \ | \ | '. |/ '. \ .'`-. / '._ '.,___,.;' '-.___.' `"""----------'` ~ CALLING ALL CARING ANGELS ~ *~* HELP! We NEED 2009 Angels for the Web Site! >Do You Want To Be A Shangrala Angel? If you'd like to help and be counted as a 2009 Shangrala Angel, please visit the site and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL page comes up. Any amount is appreciated - even just 5 dollars! PLEASE Visit Shangrala to Help: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/index.html OR If you'd rather send us a donation, Please MAIL it here: Elrhea Bigham 502 S. Harrison Van Wert, OH 45891 *~* THANK YOU! GOD'S MOST ABUNDANT BLESSINGS TO YOU! ================ GOT A Cool Forward? Easy Yummy Recipe? Miracle Story? Sweet poem? Funny clean Joke? A Godly Inspiration? SHARE IT - We like it, We Love It, We Can't Get enough! Send it to me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net I'll Share It and Gladly Give YOU Credit For It! :) ================ >-->In The 'Shangy' News :) , (`-.-/( .:::::., `-.__) ``:\:: . /7_.-, '. -. - - `:::' .- ( `_.= \ `--._ / _?'` ___.-' -`"' \ - / )----'''' - .-' `--.. `--' ,' .-' `\ --' )---'' ) ) | _| ( \ L / | \ )__ _ \ \ `---' `--' L \ | \ \ \ L ) L_ ( \ | \ . J a:f | `. \ _.-`--=' \ ) ( _-' `--'\ '"' / ' J (,_./ Wow, March sure did come in like a lion! If it holds true then we can all expect it to go out like a lamb and have nice weather for late march and early april birthdays. Which, of course, suits me just fine! I'll be glad to see an end to this nasty winter! -<>- >Two Hot Off The 'Shangy' Press... This one is from a forward from our friend Tony in Australia. I just could not resist adding the wonderful rules to these adorable little one photos. Turn up your sound and Check it out here... ,=""=, c , _,{ /\ @ ) __ / ^~~^\ <=.,__/ '}= (_/ ,, ,,) \_ _>_/~ ~\_(/-\)'-,_,_,_,-'(_)-(_) -Naughty Rules For Raising Children http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/rulesforchildren.html This next one is another adorable one from a forward from our friend Viv. Gotta love those toons! Visit it here... ___ _.-' ```'--.._ .' `-._ / `. / `. / `. : ( \ | ( \_ ) `. | \__/ '. / ) ; | (___: \ _/__/ ; : | _ ; .' |__) : : |` \ | / / / \ |_ ;| /`\ / / \ ; ) :| ;_ ; / / \_ .-''-. | ) :/ / .- ` .--.' / : _.----._ ` < : -'........'- `. `. `''''` ; `'-.__ ,' ``--. :'-------' jgs : : .' '. Small Thoughts http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/smallthoughts.html --- ...I loved these! Thank you two so very much! You enrich our lives with your sharing and caring! Speaking of sharing and caring... >We Had Lots of Great New Pages Last Month! If You Haven't Already, Be Sure To Check Them Out! ~AND PLEASE DO SHARE THESE WITH YOUR LOVED ONES~ Stay Healthy http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/stayhealthy.html Sand Art 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/sandart2.html Rupert Updated http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/rupert.html A Mother's Love http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/motherslove.html Phone Sheep Love http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/phonesheep.html Hand Art 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/hpaint2.html Mountain Biking http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mountainbiking.html Koalas In A Heatwave http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/koalas.html Best Parents http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bestparents.html ========================================================= >-->From The FunnyBone: Pete's New Apartment \_/ .:' .:' .:' -=(_)=- /\|| /\|| /\|| Pete and Larry had not / \ //\\| //\\| //\\| seen each other in many // \\ // \\ // \\ years. Now they were // \^/ \^/ \\ having a long talk, |[] []|[] []|[] []| trying to fill in the | | | | gap of those years by |[] []|[] []|[] []| telling about their | | | | lives. Finally Pete |[] []|[] []|[] []| invited Larry to visit &| || | || | || |% him in his new apartment. "jgs"&%&--==--&%-==--%&"""""%&%"""" "I got a wife and three kids and I'd love to have you drop by and visit us." "Great. Where do you live?" "Here's the address. And there's plenty of parking behind the apartment. Park and come around to the front door, kick it open with your foot, go to the elevator and press the button with your left elbow, then enter! When you reach the sixth floor, go down the hall until you see my name on the door. Then press the doorbell with your right elbow and I'll let you in." "Good. But tell me...what is all this business of kicking the front door open, then pressing elevator buttons with my right, then my left elbow?" "Surely, you're not coming empty-handed?" =================================================================== +----------------- Bizarre March Holidays -----------------+ March 1 is National Pig Day and Peanut Butter Lover's Day March 2 is Old Stuff Day March 3 is I Want You To Be Happy Day, Peach Blossom Day and National Anthem Day March 4 is Holy Experiment Day March 5 is Multiple Personalities Day March 6 is National Frozen Food Day March 7 is National Crown Roast Of Pork Day March 8 is Be Nasty Day March 9 is Panic Day March 10 is Festival Of Life In The Cracks Day ======================================================== >-->From Our Friend Viv :) >Wisdom ,-. _,-' - `--._ ,'.: __' _..-) ,' /,o)' ,' ;. ,'`-' _,) ,' :. _.-',' ,' . . ( / ; .:' .. `-/ ,' ; ,' _,/ . , .,' , ,',' . . . .\,'..__ ,',' .:. ' ,\ `\)`` `-\_..---``````-'-.`.:`._/ ,' '` .` ,`- -. ) `--..`-.. `-...__________..-'-.._ \ ``--------..`-._ ``` `` SSt A guy is 70 years old and loves to fish. He was sitting in his boat the other day when he heard a voice say, 'Pick me up.' He looked around and couldn't see any one. He thought he was dreaming when he heard the voice say again,'Pick me up.' He looked in the water and there, floating on the top, was a frog. The man said, 'Are you talking to me?' The frog said, 'Yes, I'm talking to you. Pick me up then, kiss me and I'll turn into the most beautiful woman you have ever seen. I'll make sure that all your friends are envious and jealous because I will be your bride!' The man looked at the frog for a short time, reached over, picked it up carefully, and placed it in his front breast pocket. Then the frog said, 'What, are you nuts? Didn't you hear what I said? I said kiss me and I will be your beautiful bride.' He opened his pocket, looked at the frog and said, 'Nah, at my age I'd rather have a talking frog.' With age comes wisdom. --- ...Teehee! a Good One! Thanks Viv! ============================================================ >-->From Our Friend Becky :) ,d$Sb, $SS$$S$b. ,S$/ 6`S$S$b ,$SS\ _$S$$$b ;$S$S$) $S$$S$; $SS.-'\ :$SS$S S$/ `./ `.S$ S$/ / \ \$ $/ .'Mm_.V,_mP /S S\ \MMMMMMMMm /$$ $S`.\MMMMMMMM(,S$ $$\) \MMMMMMM|/$S |;/MMMMMMM; \MMMMMMMMM| `\MMMMMMM\ |MMMMMMM| |MMMMMMM| ;MMMMMMMM\ |MMMMMMMMM| fsc /MMMMMMMMMM| |MMMMMMMMMMM\ /MMMNNMNMMN/' >March is Woman's Month Dear God: The lady reading this is beautiful, classy and strong, and I love her. Help her live her life to the fullest. Please promote her and cause her to excel above her expectations. Help her shine in the darkest places where it is impossible to love. Protect her at all times, lift her up when she needs you the most, and let her know when she walks with you, She will always be safe. Love you!!!! Now you're on the clock!!!! In 9 minutes something will make you happy. ;-) But you have to tell 9 sisters you love them, including me. Go!!!! --- ...Sweet! Thanks Becky! ===================================================== >-->From Laugh&Lift: hugs&kisses&hugs&kisses&hugs&kisses&hugs&kisses&hugs&kisses& & hugs&kisses&hugs&kisses&hu &hugs&kisses s&h es&hugs&kisses&hugs&kiss gs&kisse es&h sses&hugs&kisses&hugs&k s&kiss ses& isses&hugs&kisses&hugs &kiss s&kis sses kisses&hugs&kisses&hu ugs&kiss s&ki isse &kisses&hugs&kisses&h &hugs&kiss gs&k kiss s&kisses&hugs&kisses& es&hugs&kis ugs& &kis gs&kisses&hugs&kisses sses&hugs&k hugs s&ki ugs&kisses&hugs&kisse kisses&hugs &hug gs&k hugs&kisses&hugs&kiss s&kisses&hu s&hu ugs& &hugs&kisses&hugs&kis ugs&kisses& es&h hugs s&hugs&kisses&hugs& i hugs&kisse ses& &hug es&hugs&kisses&hug k hugs&kis sses s&hu ses&hugs&kisses&h & hugs& isse es&h sses&hugs&kisse s& &kiss s gs&ki hugs&kis s ugs&kisse sses&hugs&ki i ses&h k k sses& & &kis gs&kisses&hug isses&hugs s&hugs&kisse s s&kis gs&kisses&h &kisses&hug es&hugs&kisses g gs&ki ugs&kisses& s&kisses&hu ses&hugs&kisses u ugs&ki ugs&kisse ugs&kisses&h sses&hugs&kisses h hugs&k hugs&kiss hugs&kisses& isses&h gs&kisses& &hugs&k hugs&ki s&hugs&kisses kisses ugs&kisses s&hugs& &hugs&k es&hugs&kisse hugs&kisse es&hugs& &hugs sses&hugs&kiss s&kiss &hugs&kiss ses&hugs s&hug isses&hugs&kis gs&kiss s&hugs&kis sses&hugs s&h &kisses&hugs&ki ugs&kisses&hugs& i isses&hug es& s&kisses&hugs&k hugs&kisses&hug k kisses&hug e ugs&kisses&hugs& &hugs&kisses&h & &kisses&hu hugs&kisses&hugs s&hugs&kisse s s&kisses&hu s&hugs&kisses g gs&kisses&h es&hugs&kisse u ugs&kisses&hugs&kisses&hugs&kisses&hugs&kisses&hugs&kisses&h -- Matt Ryan >Love Involves Action (By Ray Naidoo) [Edited] "Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2 (New King James Version) This is one of the most important scripture references because it establishes the need for demonstration of the love of God. As Christians, we know that Christ is our burden bearer (see Matthew 11:28). God loved us so much that He gave us His Son. He physically demonstrated His love through the life, death, and resurrection of His only begotten Son, Jesus. In the same way, we say that we love everyone but do we physically demonstrate that love? As Christians, our calling is to take care of one another. Many people are struggling and are praying for help, for a release of their burdens, and we should be available for God to use us to be the answer to their prayers. These are not strangers because there are no strangers in the family of God, just brothers and sisters. There is no hierarchy in the family of God; this applies to everyone who calls themselves a Christian. "Actions speak louder than words." Never has this been more true than in the life of Jesus. God could have just talked and done nothing. But when the nails pierced the hands and feet of Jesus; and the resurrection on the third day, love took on a different meaning. Love involves action and not mere words. There is an urgency in the world for caregivers; the world is in decay. Crime, poverty, and ill health seem to be the order of the day. It is our job to love, and if the church as a whole will rise up in ACTION, the love of God will surely be made known across the world. The principle is simple, we don't have the potential to love as human beings; we have the potential to love as Christ loves. Love one another, "...as I have loved you." The time is short. There is an urgency for the love of God to be demonstrated in our world. Let's forget our petty differences and follow the example of Christ. Let's put love into action. Let's carry each other's burdens. REMEMBER: - Don't be intellectual Christians that onlyy know the Word. It is equally as important to be active Christians obeying the Word. It is time for the suits to come off and the sleeves to be rolled up. It is time to put our love into action. - Don't pray for the needs of others in circcumstances where God has clearly put you in a position to meet those needs. It is sometimes easy to simply pass someone's burden on to someone else. Be very open to the possibility that God may want you to help meet that need. - Service to others should always be done inn the name of and for the glory of God alone. We are not to get "puffed up" in ourselves because we serve; we are called to be humble servants that give all glory to the risen Lord. Prayer: "Dear Father, Thank you Lord for your Word. Open my eyes that I may look at others through your eyes. Burden my heart for the needs of others. Thank you Lord for your providence spiritually, emotionally, physically and materially and help me to use these for your glory. In Jesus' name. Amen." Your CHALLENGE: Dare to love and dare to share. I would encourage you today to also spend some time reading (or re-reading) "The Parable of the Good Samaritan" as found in Luke 10:25-37. In this parable, Jesus makes clear the necessity for love demonstrating itself through action. Let us join together as the Body of Christ to demonstrate the love of God to the world! Your Brother in Christ, Ray Naidoo -<>- >Quick Jokes A man walked into a gift shop that sold religious items. Near the cash register he saw a display of caps with WWJD printed on all of them. He was puzzled over what the letters could mean, so he asked the clerk. The clerk replied that the letters stood for "What Would Jesus Do", and was meant to inspire people to not make rash decisions, but rather to imagine what Jesus would do in the same situation. The man thought a moment and then replied, "Well, I don't think Jesus would pay $17.95 for one of these caps." --------- My son Zack is 3 and VERY active. My husbands best friend had asked for Zack to be the ring bearer in his wedding (much to my surprise since they know how active he is) Anyways, to make a long story short, I always try to prepare Zack and get him excited about stuff. We were talking about the wedding and what it means to be a ring bearer. He assured me he could do it and was excited. The next day I told him to tell his Mamaw about what he was going to do in the wedding. He said "I'm going to be the bear that gets to carry the rings down the isle. (by Joy Green) ---------- Technology! The gas pumps of today can pump $40 in the same amount of time it took just a few years ago to pump $20. Amazing! ---------- Someone said to Joseph of Arimathea, "That was such a beautiful, costly, hand-hewn tomb. Why did you give it to someone else to be interred in?" "Oh," said Joseph, "he only needed it for the weekend." --------- I'm planning to retire and live off my savings. What I'll do the second day, I have no idea. --------- Overheard at a computer store: "I want a game capable of holding the interest of my six-year-old, but it's got to be simple enough for his father to play, too." --------- No trees were harmed in the production of this message. However, a rather large number of electrons were somewhat inconvenienced. SUBSCRIBE INFO Read all about Laugh & Lift at http://www.laughandlift.com =============================================================== >-->In The Worldly News: >From AFA: http://www.afa.net/ Obama seeks to take away religious rights of doctors and health care providers who refuse to perform abortions Urgent: send your e-mail to the White House today! http://capwiz.com/afanet/issues/alert/?alertid=12821731&type=PR Don’t let Obama take away the right to vote by secret ballot Let your voice be heard today to protect this precious right http://capwiz.com/afanet/issues/alert/?alertid=12798816&type=CO >From Newsmax: Angry Rush Limbaugh Strikes Back at RNC’s Steele http://tinyurl.com/bmu2q7 Ruddy: Obama's Radical Plan to Change America http://www.newsmax.com/ruddy/?s=al&promo_code=7B50-1 Kessler: Obama's Tax Plan Is Rev. Wright's Angry Rush Limbaugh Strikes Back at Michael Steele; Steele Apologizes Ruddy: Obama's Radical Plan to Change America Kessler: Obama's Tax Plan Is Rev. Wright's http://www.newsmax.com/kessler/?s=al&promo_code=7B50-1 Trump Slams Obama Tax Plan: Makes No Sense http://www.moneynews.com/?s=al&promo_code=7B50-1 -<>- >From BizarreNews: ` . , * , ` *~.|,~* ' ' ,~*~~* ` _ ,* / \`* ' // ,* ; \,O. // ,(:::)=// ( `~(###) %---'`"y \ / \ / __)(__ hjw '------` -- Rome: No ice cream after 1 a.m. -------------- ROME - Authorities in Rome said a law to take effect in March bans ice cream, pizza and sandwich vendors from operating after 1 a.m. Officials said the city council measure was designed to bring the city's nightlife to a close at an earlier hour, ANSA reported Thursday. "This applies to croissant makers, ice cream makers, cake shops, yogurt shops, sandwich shops, take-aways and rotisseries," city councilor Davide Bordoni said. "One in the morning seems to us a reasonable hour that is satisfactory for both the shop owners and residents," he said. -- Teen fired after calling job 'boring' ----------- CLACTON, England - A 16-year-old British girl said she was fired from her office job after managers saw that she had branded her position "boring" on Facebook. Kimberley Swann said she was called into her manager's office at Ivell Marketing & Logistics in Clacton, England, and given a letter stating that she was being fired from her job as an office administrator after she called the job "boring" on her Facebook page, The Daily Telegraph reported Thursday. "Following your comments made on Facebook about your job and the company we feel it is better that, as you are not happy and do not enjoy your work we end your employment with Ivell Marketing & Logistics with immediate effect," the letter read. "I did not even put the company's name, I just put that my job was boring. They were just being nosy, going through everything. I think it is really sad, it makes them look stupid that they are going to be so petty," Swann said. -- 100-year-old man still hard at work ----------- SOUTH ST. PAUL, Minn. - A Minnesota man who marked his 100th birthday Thursday continues to work half days at the company he has owned since 1955, family members said. Bill Horst, son of centenarian Errett "Eddie" Horst, said his father still puts in weekday hours at Globe Publishing in South St. Paul, Minn., and until six months ago, he was driving himself to work for daily 8-hour shifts, the St. Paul (Minn.) Pioneer-Press reported. "He would've been gone at 85 if he had retired," Bill Horst said. "He comes here every day, and it makes him feel like he's a part of the place. People -- his old clients -- still come in here to see him and call to see how he's doing. But there just aren't a lot of his old buddies left." Eddie Horst, who has 15 great-grandchildren, said that despite needing a magnifying glass to read mail and invoices since his eye- sight began failing last year, he is otherwise in perfect condition to work. "Other than my eyesight, I'm fine," he said. -- Couple, 14 and 17, divorce in Israel ------------ JERUSALEM - The Jerusalem Rabbinic Court has granted a divorce to the youngest couple to ever apply in Israel, a 14-year-old girl and her 17-year-old husband. A spokes- woman for the Rabbinic Courts Administration said the groom's parents insisted on the divorce after they discovered that he and his young wife had married under Jewish law by exchanging vows in front of two witnesses, giving one another rings and consummating the relation- ship, The Jerusalem Post reported Thursday. "We want young people to learn from this case," the spokeswoman said. "Getting married like this can ruin a young person's life." Rabbi Eliyahu Ben-Dahan, director of the Rabbinic Court Administration, said young people should take the lesson from the divorce that "marriage is not a joke but a serious commitment that should not be taken lightly." ======================================================== >-->From TheJokester: . \ | / _\|/_ .' ' ' '. ___ _.|.--.--.|.___.--'___`-. .'.'|| | ||`----'"` ``'` .'.' ||()|()|| .___..-'.' / \ `----'"` / .-. \ (.'.(___).'.) `.__.-.__.' jgs |_| |_| `.`-'.' `"` >Science Definitions from Kids H2O is hot water, and CO2 is cold water. To collect fumes of sulphur, hold a deacon over a flame in a test tube. When you smell a oderless gas, it is probably carbon monoxide. Water is composed of two gins, oxygin and hydrogin. Oxygin is pure gin. Hydrogin is gin and water. Three kinds of blood vessels are: arteries, vanes, and caterpillers. Blood flows down one leg and up the other. Respiration is composed of two acts, first inspiration, and then expectoration. The moon is a planet just like the earth, only it is even deader. Artificial insemination is when the farmer does it to the cow instead of the bull. Dew is formed on leaves when the sun shines down on them and makes them perspire. A supersaturated solution is one that holds more than it can hold. Mushrooms always grow in damp places and so they look like umbrellas. The pistol of a flower is its only protection against insects. The skeleton is what is left after the insides have been taken out and the outsides have been taken off. The purpose of the skeleton is that it is something to hitch meat to. A permanent set of teeth consists of eight canines, eight cuspids, two molars, and eight cuspidors. The tides are a fight between the Earth and Moon. All water tends towards the Moon, because there is no water in the Moon, and nature abhors a vacuum. I forget where the Sun joins this fight. A fossil is an extinct animal. The older it is, the more extinct it is. Equator: a managerie lion running around the Earth through Africa. Germinate: to become a naturalized German. Liter: a nest of young puppies. Magnet: something you find crawling all over a dead cat. Planet: a body of earth surrounded by sky. Rhubarb: a kind of celery gone bloodshot. Before giving a blood transfusion, find out if the blood is affirmative or negative. To remove dust from the eye, pull the eye down over the nose. For a nosebleed, put the nose much lower than the body until the heart stops. For a dog bite, put the dog away for several days. If he has not recovered, then kill it. For a head cold, use an agonizer to spray the nose until it drops in your throat. To keep milk from turning sour, keep it in the cow. ========================================================== >-->From CleanLaffs: A priest is driving down to New York and gets stopped for speeding in Connecticut. The state trooper smells alcohol on the priest's breath and then sees an empty wine bottle on the floor of the car. He says, "Sir, have you been drinking?" "Just water," says the priest. The trooper says, "Then why do I smell wine?" The priest looks at the bottle and says, "Good Lord! He's done it again!" -<>- - . _,-`. -' _/ / -__ \ _/ \( } \/ ,% / \ %`\__ .--. \ %_ __ : ) ): \ ( _|-.) `._(. \ |_\ (| _____ \ `\ \,' =_____------_____ \ (/ =-----______------= ejm \ / =_____------______= `'- =------______-----= ----= "Don't worry, I can stay out late tonight," Joe told his friend Bob. "My wife's gone for a two-week vacation in the Caribbean." "Jamaica?" Bob asked. "No, it was her idea." -<>- Once my divorce was final, I went to the local Department of Motor Vehicles and asked to have my maiden name reinstated on my driver's license. "Will there be any change of address?" the clerk inquired. "No," I replied. "Oh, good," she said, clearly delighted. "You got the house." -<>- | (_) | _.-|_____| ,' ` / \ / | / ; _,' / (_ / '-._ / '-._ (| \\`-._) \\ | (_) | ____ | / ___\ | ,--.; /d\q )| ::._ \;\`- / | ::( `.\ `-' | :::`. `.`-._,| ::: `. `-._,|; ;::: : `-._|__; ;::::: : | ::::::: : | ::::::: : | :::::::.: \ ::::::::: ,--.`._ | |_|__( __) \ jrei |_..__)_)`.____.' Quasimodo goes to a doctor for his annual checkup. "I think something is wrong with your back," the doctor says. "What makes you say that?" Quasimodo asks. "I don't know," the doctor replies. "It's just a hunch." -<>- After moving in to our new office space, I was given the job of completing an Occupational Health and Safety report about the building. I discovered that the building had been built with no fire exit! If a fire starts at the entrance, the only way out would be to smash through the manager's office window. So I put these comments down and submitted my report to the manager before it got sent to head office. In all seriousness he added the following comment to the head office about smashing the window, "Please confirm that this is an acceptable option by returning your approval." -<>- A woman walked into my father's carpet store. She'd just moved out of her parents' home and needed something for her new living-room floor. "Do you know how big the room is?" Dad asked. "Yes," she said. "It's 22 flip-flops long by 18 flip-flops wide...and I wear a size 8." ========================================================== >-->From ScreamOfTheCrop: >WINTER BLONDE As a trucker stops for a red light, a blonde catches up. She jumps out of her car, runs up to his truck, and knocks on the door. The trucker lowers the window, and she says "Hi, my name is Heather and you are losing some of your load." The trucker ignores her and proceeds down the street. When the truck stops for another red light, the girl catches up again. She jumps out of her car, runs up and knocks on the door. Again, the trucker lowers the window. As if they've never spoken, the blonde says brightly, "Hi my name is Heather, and you are losing some of your load!" Shaking his head, the trucker ignores her again and continues down the street. At the third red light, the same thing happens again. All out of breath, the blonde gets out of her car, runs up, knocks on the truck door. The trucker rolls down the window. Again she says "Hi, my name is Heather, and you are losing some of your load!" When the light turns green the trucker revs up and races to the next light. When he stops this time, he hurriedly gets out of the truck, and runs back to the blonde. He knocks on her window, and after she lowers it, he says... "Hi, my name is Mark. It's winter in Minnesota and I'm driving the SALT TRUCK!" -<>- _ /|\ /_|_\ ____|____ \_o_o_o_/ ~~ | ~~~~~ ___t_________ unknown Q. Most boat owners name their boats. What is the most popular boat name requested? A. Obsession Q. What do bulletproof vests, fire escapes, windshield wipers, and laser printers all have in common? A. All were invented by women. Q. What is the only food that doesn't spoil? A. Honey ========================================================== >-->From Cup'OCheer: .---. / ,-- \ .--. ( (^_^) ) .--. ,' \ (.-`-'(_) / `. / `-/ \ `. \-' \ : (_,' . / (.\_ ") \ . `._) : | `-'(_,\ \ / /._)`-' | | . `.\,O,'.' . : | | . : ! /\_ /\ ! . ! | | ! |-'-| : ""T"" : |-'-| | | | |-' `-'| H |`-' `-| | `-' | H .:| `-' | . H !|| | : H :!| | ! H !|| | | H ||| | | H ||| Ojo 98 /_,'V.L|.\ >SECULARIZATION by Steve Higginbotham Secularization is the process of removing religious and moral influence from our society. And I must conclude that secular- ization is alive and well. As you know, and many of you may remember first hand, there was a time when each school day began with a prayer. Of course, if such happened today, the ACLU would slap a multi- million dollar law suit against the school. This is an example of secularization. Just this past week, I encountered another example of secular- ization from my son's sixth-grade classroom. Do you remember those “aptitude tests” that were given to students? These tests were given to help a children identify several possible professions that could be suitable for them. Depending on the way a child answered certain questions, he might learn that he seemed suitable to pursue such professions as being a doctor, nurse, school teacher, plumber, mechanic, or a host of other professions. Well imagine my surprise when my son returned home from school and told me about some of the suggested professions that were offered to several of his friends. One little girl was told she would make a good “bartender.” Another child was suited to work in a “winery.” And yet another student was suitable to work as a “beer manufacturer.” I was speechless. I can't remember a more blatant attempt to legitimize the alcohol industry. I can’t imagine what kind of questions could have been asked that would suggest a little sixth grade girl should become a “bartender.” Or why would one be suitable to work as a “beer manufacturer” as opposed to a “soft drink manufacturer,” or simply be suitable for the “manufacturing industry?” (I couldn’t help wonder if in Nevada, where prostitution is legal, if this profession would have been offered as a suitable profession for some students)? It is obvious that the secularization of America is alive and well in our state school systems. More and more we are witnessing attempts to remove Christian faith, morals, and values from the public arena. This is yet another example of our move away from morality and toward acceptance, tolerance, and non-judgmentalism. Friends, our work is cut out for us. If we want to raise godly children, we had better get busy and put in the time and training necessary to make the spiritual training of our children a priority, and to counter the daily barrage of the world. Copyright © 2009, South Green Street Church of Christ, Glasgow, Kentucky Permission is granted to copy these articles. as seen in MercEmail To subscribe, go to http://www.glasgow-coc.org/about_us.htm and click on “MERCeMAIL” -<>- __ /_/\/\ \_\ / /_/ \ \_\/\ \ \_\/ unknown >AT THE FOOT OF CALVARY Like a whisper in the wind His voice so calm and sweet, When He called me that day To come to Calvary. Hastening to His beckoning Upon the rocks I fell. His gentle hands lifted me To see the place He knew so well. With trembling hands I held The rocks stained crimson red. I knew this to be the Blood His Precious Son has shed. He smiled so gently as He held out His hands. Tears flowed like rivers At the nails in the sand. Touching the Cross of rustic wood My heart was torn apart. For here my Savior died for me; My sins forgiven, set free my heart. I heard my Lord Softly calling me Come home, my child, Come now to Calvary. Written by: Susan Anne Cochran © 2004 -<>- ,~. ,-'__ `-, {,-' `. } ,') ,( a ) `-.__ ,',')~, <=.) ( `-.__,==' ' ' '} ( ) / `-'\ , ) | \ `~. / \ `._ \ / \ `._____,' / `-. ,' `-. ,-' `~~~~' //_|| __//--'/` hjw ,--'/` ' ' >BRYAN’S MUSINGS: FAITHFUL CHICKEN My family and I live close to a bird sanctuary, a place where injured birds are taken for care. It’s a combination avian hospital, sanctuary, and education center. It’s not far from a wolf sanctuary, but that’s another story. A few weeks ago we decided to take our kids out on an educational safari and learn about birds. I had been noticing many Bible references to various birds and, knowing the subtly of the leading of the Spirit of God, and surmised he was baiting me to do some research and learn something important. We found Lone Elk Park, our landmark to the sanctuary. While we didn’t see even a lone elk, we saw plenty of buffalo! It looked like the legendary Indian Happy Hunting Ground, only protected from poachers. The signs warned not to approach the buffalo and, having seen a bull stampede on a farm when I was a kid, I enforced its wisdom to my kids. Following the road, we finally arrived at the sanctuary. What an amazing place. Sanctuary is one of those multilayered words that can mean anything from refuge to shelter to a consecrated place where holy things are kept. It was a delight to realize that those pesky birds that seem to love targeting my recently always washed car are of such importance to God. Yet as delightful as they are to him, we humans are of much more value in his eyes. Matthew 6:26, “Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them.” Mt 10:29, 31, “Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will… Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Tell those radical animal rights activists to put THAT on their barbecued tofu and roast it! God watched the birds and their ways. He sees even beyond the heights the birds can see and navigate from, the way mentioned in Job 28:7; “That path no bird knows, nor has the falcon’s eye seen it.” Truly, he who sits enthroned in the heavens… watches. In the education center, we saw pythons and hissing Madagascar Beetles, parakeets and bunnies. Outside, we saw several varieties of owl, one with a 5 foot wingspan, various kinds of eagles, vultures, and even a few condors. We saw a curious cage with no roof for wounded eagles, some hit by speeding vehicles and others shot illegally by hunters. These poor birds could not fly. I hung my head in sorrow watching one eagle with one whole and partial wing trying vainly to fly. A creature destined for the heavens should not remain so earthbound. Their cage was not made of wire, but of incurred wounds. I thought of wounded people I’ve known living far below their potential and callings and kind of sighed. The most amazing site among all of the amazing variety of birds present was a lowly chicken, sitting on an egg that was clearly not hers. That hen would have DIED trying to pass an egg that size. I asked one of the workers what was up with the chicken sitting on the alien egg. She laughed. She explained that although chickens aren’t the biggest or the brightest birds on the planet, they have one incredible quality (other than everything else kind of tasting like them!), they are faithful to their unborn. Many of the more exotic and noble looking birds can’t always be bothered to care for their unhatched young. However, the pea brained chicken will adopt most any egg, sit on it and keep it warm until it hatches. Chickens are faithful where others are not. We can quote great verses about being eagles for God, or being beloved swallows that he watches, or verses about doves, even about unclean ravens that are yet used of God to bring provision when every natural resource is exhausted. For myself, I now identify with the lowly chicken. Others can go off soaring the heights and do their thing, yet when the day is done and we all stand at the judgment seat of God, I want to be found as one who was faithful even when others were not. May I hear, “Well done – not in the roasted sense, either – you good and faithful… chicken!” Bryan Hupperts © 2009 www.SheepTrax.com/xpress This material maybe forwarded without cost provided the copyright and contact information remains intact. For interviews, knowing more about Jesus, or to subscribe to this once a week tabloid, contact bhupperts@sheeptrax.com To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com ============================================================ >-->Fun Places To Net Visit :) >From Our Friend Wesley :) A Diamond Below - Not what one might think ! http://tinyurl.com/dfxcpb New fish species is Psychedelica ! http://tinyurl.com/baohkg Squirrels - Gotta Love'em http://tinyurl.com/bp5pjd Online Etch - A - Sketch http://tinyurl.com/2v3x9p Global Newspapers http://tinyurl.com/9alln Green Comet Approaches Earth http://tinyurl.com/bzqd5r Stellarium is a free open source planetarium for your computer. http://tinyurl.com/mjfbx --- ...Wow! Somne Great links! Thanks Wesley! -<>- >form LynnLynn's Links: Melva/Love http://silverandgoldandthee.net/Insp/B/Lov.html Solid Potato Salad - The Ross Sisters (1944) Via Dianne http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mVpGmoES3w The Power Of Prayer http://www.reflectionsofsouthbreeze.com/Pages/ThePowerOfPrayer.htm Home and Garden TV via Michelle http://www.hgtv.com/ Bullfrog Power Via Wesley http://www.bullfrogpower.com/ Newspapers From Around The Planet Via Heather http://www.newseum.org/todaysfrontpages/flash/ Great White Shark http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/greatwhite.html M Rip It Up http://www.buffaloschips.com/gnzxjzkaka.htm The Flies In Florida Are Tough http://www.buffaloschips.com/gajskks.htm Dunk Shot http://www.buffaloschips.com/ghsasjs.htm He Is Alive http://www.buffaloschips.com/gsssj.htm Incident Action http://www.buffaloschips.com/ghsjsk.htm More Fishing With Bill Dance http://www.buffaloschips.com/gahsjsk.htm Mortar Fire http://www.buffaloschips.com/gnjakaka.htm Mountain Dew Glow Stick http://www.buffaloschips.com/gjsks.htm Mouse Wont Work http://www.buffaloschips.com/gjsksowl.htm If You haven't joined LynnLynn's mailing List yet, send a blank e-mail to LynnLynns-links-subscribe@Yahoogroups.com =========================================================== >-->Quotes & Thunkers: "My mother was as religious as she was repressed. Her facts of life speech began with the phrase, 'Satan takes many forms...'" -Dana Gould "I failed my driver's test. The guy asked me, "What do you do at a red light?" I said, "I don't know, look around, fiddle with the radio." --Bill Braudis "I filled out a rental application that asked, 'Do you own any liquid-filled furniture?' Couldn't they just have said 'waterbed'? How many other forms of liquid-filled furniture are there? 'Yeah, I have a beer couch, will that be a problem?'" --Lisa Goich "A new study says that in America rich people are ruder than poor people. I didn't think anyone hadn't figured that out." Craig Ferguson "A family in Brooklyn found a boa constrictor in their couch. They were beginning to get suspicious because they were the only apartment in New York that didn't have rats." -David Letterman "I got a good tip from my stockbroker the other day. He said, 'For only 39 cents, I can super size those fries for you.'" -Jay Leno "He had decided to live forever or die in the attempt." -Joseph Heller "Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off the goal." -Henry Ford "Don't worry about tomorrow. After all, today is the tomor- row you worried about yesterday." >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah :) Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->Bigham's Computer Rescue - PC Sales & Serrvice 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 DARRE to make it at home Yep. 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