Serving God, Ma's Bible And More... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our ShangyFunList: Group Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: bcrsystems@earthlink.net Shangrala Family Fun: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ ================ *~* A REMINDER: PLEASE Send me sweet, interesting, funny, inspiring, family type forwards ANY TIME here... bcrsystems@earthlink.net I Need them, Love them, Use them, and Share them! THANK YOU!! AND For Facebook Users: Please Like Me here... http://tinyurl.com/cma6all AND Please Share This email with All Your Friends And Family! ^~^ May God SUPER BLESS You As You Do! THANK YOU! ================ __ __ ,-' `' \ _---``-- / _ _ ; __ `. / / `' \; /`----- ) / .-/ ,( ), \-. ; | \( \ / )/; | - _5 `7 -; / ( ___-' `-____ | ( ___`-_ \ ____| \ / `,/ \ _(\__ / \ \ ; \ .' /' `i. / | | \ _-'( _\__-/ `- | | ` ,` `_ | BP * Don't forget to follow us on social media for our latest updates and uproarious funny and inspiring pages! On Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/y8dcm8x7 On X (Twitter): http://tinyurl.com/n5uf3dxv ================ >-->2 HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) Our too hot to handle new page is from my son Victor. Many of these celebrities are proving that even in Hollywood, love can be true and lasting. Check out this page of some of your favorite famous couples here: __ _.--._ _.-"-. .-" `"._ _.-```-._.-' `'.-' '. .-"". .-. .-. `-._.'_ .-' _ _ . ` .--. '-.-' | |_| | .--. | | .-. \ \ / /.-. .-./ /\ \ .--. .---. | _ |/ /\ \| | | | \ ` / | |/\| || || |/ /\ \| |\ \ | | | || || || |__ | | | | | |\ \/ /| || || || | '-' '-'\ \/ /|____|| '--.|_| | /\ | '--' \ \/ /| |/ / jgs '--' '----' '-' '-' '--' '---' Celebrity Lasting Couples! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/couples.html --- ...Aww, Thanks Victor. Some of these I had wondered about. This next sizzling hot new page is from my daughter Tammy. This combines movie favorites with people's every day life experiences and thoughts. It'll tickle your funny bone and give you plenty of SMILES for your day. Check it out here: _ {_} /*\ /_*_\ {('o')} C{{([^*^])}}D [ * ] / Y \ _\__|__/_ jgs (___/ \___) Funny Movie Memes! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/funnymoviememes.html --- ...Lots of good ones here! Thanks Tammy! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarming: .-""""- F .-' F J I I L `. L `-._, `-.__.-' ## ### # #### _____ ## .---#####-...__ .--' `-### .--..-' ###### ""`---.... _____.----. ###`.._____ .' ####### a:f ### / -. ####### _.--- ### .( ####### # : `--... ###### # `. ``. ###### : :. ##### .' ) ### .' / ## _.' | .## ,:' | ' .' < A shiver ran through me I wasn't dressed warmly enough for the damp, night air I sat huddled on the little wooden bench down by the lake. It was an especially dark night, with no moon to reflect upon the still water. Only a few stars flickered between clouds. Shivering again, I tucked my legs up under me. I wasn't sure if the chill was from the cold air or from the despair in my heart. My problem seemed so much bigger than I was, Our dearly loved teenage son had run away from home. My cheeks were streaked with tears. I had no concept of how long I had been sitting there, crying out to the Lord. "Please reveal yourself to me. I need to feel you near. I need evidence of your presence." The pine trees rustled gently overhead, moved by an unseen breeze. How I longed for a visible sign, a rustling of his presence, a soft breeze of the Holy Spirit. "Please Lord, just a special little light up in the dark pines then I will know that you are here and that you care." Darkness prevailed. The lake lapped quietly against a piece of rock. I felt someone approach, lovingly, my other son placed a jacket around my shoulders and then quietly slipped away. Soon, one by one, the house lights went out, and the darkness intensified. I was surrounded by quiet dark and I felt so alone. Finally, cold and discouraged. I uncurled myself from the bench and giving a last longing look over my shoulders up into the pines I climbed the hill and crawled into bed. Morning arrived all too soon. I was emotionally exhausted. I stumbled into the kitchen going through the motions of fixing breakfast and getting the children off to school. With a heavy heart I began to straighten the house once again asking the Lord to reveal himself. I was beginning to make the bed, when the phone rang, I heard the familiar voice of a friend say, "I just wanted you to know I Love you and am praying for you." A few minutes later, the phone rang again," I just wanted to let you know that you have been on my mind lately, Are you alright?" The caller assured me of her love and prayers. All during the day, in phone call after phone call, loving friends offered love, concern and support. That evening, two friends called to say they were coming over to pray with us. Suddenly I realized the Lord had revealed Himself to me . . . again and again . . . all day long . . . lovingly and tenderly. I was looking for a light in my darkness and He sent more than one. I asked Him to reveal Himself and His love to me in a special way. And He did. Not through night whispers, mysterious rustlings, or glimmers in the treetops, but in a way that I could feel. Through His people. Humbly I bowed my head, thank you Lord. "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2). -Author Unknown -<>- __..----..__ __..--"" ""--..__ : : | | | .-""-. | | : : | | |______| | | | | | _:__________| |__________:_ .' `. /I_.' I'-..-''-..-''-..-''-..-''-..-'I '-.I\ //|____/|______________________________|\____i\\ //.____/ / | | | | | | | | ! \____.\\ //.____/ / | | !_! !_! | | \ \____.\\ //.____/ / | | | | \ \____.\\ //.____/ / | | | | \ \____.\\ //.____/ / | | | | \ \____.\\ //.____/ / !_! !_! \ \____.\\ '/.____/ / \ \____.\' [._____]/ \[_____.] |______| |______| fsc >THE KING IS HERE In 1934 an American Musical Theater troupe was traveling through Europe on a 6-month tour, presenting their show to sold-out audiences everywhere. In London they enjoyed a week long engagement at the famous Paladium. On the fourth night of the run, the British stage-manager was busy at curtain time being sure that all the wardrobe was right and the props were all in order. The instrumentalists began playing the overture and that wonderful excitement of "grease paint" abounded. As the American performers were waiting for the curtain to rise, they could hear the beginnings of murmuring and discussion in the audience. Suddenly, the orchestra stopped playing. There was the sound of light tapping caused by the baton on the music stand and the instruments began playing with gusto... GOD SAVE THE KING. The little stage manager scurried around, giving everything a second check for perfection. Then he proudly announced, "Do your best tonight. This may be the most important event of your life!" One of the singers asked, "What's so important about this show?" The reply was simple and short... "The King is here!" Until Next Time...CARPE DIEM! =Bill Rayborn= =========================================================== >-->From Daily Encounter: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >The Music of Your Life 'Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven'.1 According to an article in Turning Point Daily Devotional, "Fritz Kreisler (1875-1962), the world-famous violinist, earned a fortune with his concerts and compositions, but he generously gave most of it away. So, when he discovered an exquisite violin on one of his trips, he was not able to buy it. Later, having raised enough money to meet the asking price, he returned to the seller, hoping to purchase that beautiful instrument. But to his great dismay, it had been sold to a collector. Kreisler made his way to the home of the new owner and offered to buy the violin. The collector said it had become his prized possession, and he would not sell it. Keenly disappointed, Kreisler was about to leave when he had an idea. "Could I play the instrument once more before it is consigned to silence?" he asked. Permission was granted, and the great virtuoso filled the room with such heart-moving music that the emotions of the collector were deeply stirred. "I have no right to keep that to myself," he exclaimed. "It is yours, Mr. Kreisler. Take it into the world, and let people hear it."2 We have a beautiful message to share. God created us as exquisite instruments, and the beautiful music we are to make is the Good News of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. May our lives be a masterpiece that brings others to the Composer of our song. Suggested prayer: Dear God, help my light so shine that it will be like music to those listening and draw them to You, the great Songwriter. To you be all the honor and glory forever. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. 1. Matthew 5:15-16 (NIV). 2. Turning Point Daily Devotional. Cited on Preaching Now http://www.preaching.com. Today's Encounter was written by: Crystal B. <:))))>< , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Using the Gifts God has Given Us 'The woman gave birth to a boy and named him Samson. He grew and the Lord blessed him.1 Before there were kings in Israel, the Lord used judges to guide His people. Among these judges of Israel, we find Samson. We do not know much of the way that Samson judged the Israelites, rather the stories we know of Samson are related to his physical strength - the special gift God had given him. Samson is better remembered for the fact that his incredible strength was linked to his hair. It was not that his strength came from his hair, but rather the fact that God had instructed that a razor should never come upon his head (Judges 13:5). Samson grew in the ways of the Lord, instructed by his parents, so it came as quite a surprise to them when Samson began to show a rebellious side that went against the rules that God had set for his life. Samson had developed a prideful spirit and frequently abused the gift of strength God had given him. Samson became known for his violent acts of revenge on those who wronged him, and many sought to kill him in return. He fell in love with the wrong women who were never faithful to him and betrayed him to the point of ruin. A well-known part of his story is when, upon her utter persistence, Samson told Delilah the secret of his strength, and she proceeded to have his hair removed, resulting in the loss of his strength. Samson had taken his gift lightly and the Lord had allowed him to lose it. God has given each of us a gift, a talent to be used for His glory. To some the Lord gifted leadership skills, and to others a merciful spirit. Some have the gift of administration, and others have the strength to guide the weak. When we abuse those gifts, take them lightly, or simply refuse to use those gifts for the Lord, we risk losing the blessings that might otherwise be received from having those gifts. Samson learned this lesson the hard way, and the loss of his gift was his destruction. In his lowest moment, Samson cried out to the Lord. God, in His mercy, returned his gift in his weakest state and allowed Samson to glorify Him with his strength once more. Our gifts are dependent on our relationship with the Lord. He can use us in any moment of our lives as long as we seek to bring him glory first! Suggested Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for blessing me with gifts that can bring glory to you. Help me to look for opportunities to use my gifts in ways that will honor you. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen. 1: Judges 13:24. Today's Encounter was written by: Veronica B. When copying or forwarding include the following: "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2016 ACTS International. --- _______ / /_ / -/- / / / / / / /_______/ / jgs ((______| / `"""""""` ...See these teachings: OUR GIFTS AND CALLINGS! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/giftscallings.html The Promises of God INDEX: http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Promises/Promises.htm =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: >Just a Moment Night Watch by Roy Popkin A nurse took the tired, anxious serviceman to the bedside. "Your son is here," she said to the old man. She had to repeat the words several times before the patient's eyes opened. Heavily sedated because of the pain of his heart attack, he dimly saw the young uniformed Marine standing outside the oxygen tent. He reached out his hand. The Marine wrapped his toughened fingers around the old man's limp ones, squeezing a message of love and encouragement. The nurse brought a chair so that the Marine could sit beside the bed. All through the night the young Marine sat there in the poorly lighted ward, holding the old man's hand and offering him words of love and strength. Occasionally, the nurse suggested that the Marine move away and rest awhile. He refused. Whenever the nurse came into the ward, the Marine was oblivious of her and of the night noises of the hospital - the clanking of the oxygen tank, the laughter of the night staff members exchanging greetings, the cries and moans of the other patients. Now and then she heard him say a few gentle words. The dying man said nothing, only held tightly to his son all through the night. Along towards dawn, the old man died. The Marine released the now lifeless hand he had been holding and went to tell the nurse. While she did what she had to do, he waited. Finally, she returned. She started to offer words of sympathy, but the Marine interrupted her. "Who was that man?" he asked. The nurse was startled, "He was your father" she answered. "No, he wasn't," the Marine replied. "I never saw him before in my life." "Then why didn't you say something when I took you to him?" "I knew right away there had been a mistake, but I also knew he needed his son, and his son just wasn't here. When I realized that he was too sick to tell whether or not I was his son, knowing how much he needed me. I stayed." The next time someone needs you... be there. Stay. You'll be glad you did. -<>- ,______________________________________ |_________________,----------._ [____] ""-,__ __....-----===== (_(||||||||||||)___________/ "" | `----------' Krogg98[ ))"-, | "" `, _,--....___ | `/ """" >Daryle I got a bunch of them. They were in all different sizes, ranks and poses. They were even on different sides. They were miniature Revolutionary War soldiers made out of pewter. They were well- crafted and amazing things to see. They were given to me and I took them, without even mumbling a "much obliged." My older cousin, Daryle, had given them to me. Daryle was all dressed up in his army uniform. He looked even more impressive than the little soldiers. I didn't really want the little soldiers he offered me, but I took them. Daryle was older that I was and, as my elder, he deserved some respect. I was at that awkward age when it came to such things. I was too old to play with the small troops and too young to really appreciate them. The only material things I was interested in at that age were my baseball glove, my GE transistor radio with the earplugs and my dream car, that I would be much too young to drive, even if I could afford to buy it. My mother always told me that a person can never be too thankful. Even with that wonderful instruction, I had neglected to thank Daryle for the little soldiers. I wish my mother had taken them from me, along with my old comic books and baseball cards, and told me that she would give them back to me when I turned 30, in the hopes that I would have developed a brain by then. I had a Springfield single-shot .22 rifle. I wanted to practice with it. Daryle had shown me his marksmanship badge and I thought maybe I could earn myself one of those one day. He was plenty proud of that badge and told me that it had taken a lot of practice to get it. A decent target cost good money and I wasn't much of a hunter, so the little soldiers were the perfect prey for me. I set the little army men up on a rockpile and then began picking them off one-by-one with my Springfield rifle. The shooting did wonders for my marksmanship, but it didn't do the little pewter figures much good. Soon they were all gone -- shot to pieces -- yet another item tossed upon my life's scrap heap. Time passed. I had forgotten all about the tiny pewter soldiers until I received word that Daryle had been killed in Vietnam. The day he gave me the little soldiers was the last day I was to ever see Daryle alive. He left a wife and two young children. I wanted to bring Daryle back. I wanted to bring those little army men back. I never did thank Daryle for those little soldiers. Perhaps playing with the little soldiers is what made Daryle want to make the Army his career. I will never know. Since that day that I learned of Daryle's death, I try very hard to thank everyone for everything. Sometimes I forget, but I try real hard. Some years ago, I made a trip to Washington, DC, and visited the Vietnam Memorial. I was going to make rubbings of Daryle's name on the Memorial Wall, keeping one for myself and giving the rest to a number of my aunts. I was doing okay at this task until a little blond haired girl, wearing a white dress, put a flower at the base of a row of names. This little girl, probably the grandchild of one of the deceased, brought back a flood of memories for me. She caused me to give much thought to Daryle and some to those little Revolutionary War soldiers made out of pewter, as I stood by that Wall. I cried as I made a rubbing of Daryle's name from that Wall of names of people who died doing their duty in the jungles of a foreign land. It took me a number of attempts before I was able to finish making the rubbings. I never thanked Daryle for the little pewter soldiers. I never thanked Daryle for serving this country well, for being willing to die for all of us back home. Daryle died for his country and for all the things it represents. People like Daryle have made this country what it is -- the greatest place on Earth. For some reason, I know that whenever I thank a veteran, that Daryle hears me and understands that I am thanking him, too. Thank you. -Al Batt -<>- , , _)\/) / 9)> // _ /\ /(,_// \ ____ \_(' \ ) /__ \ / \>___,----. ) ) ( \ ( / | ) | ' _ | / | \__| /___,/ /( \ | | / ( ( _/ ('| ( ) \_ \_ > \\ |/ | )/ \)\\ )// /,/, /(<, b'ger ,,/_/_). / )_),,, ,,_ >A Pretty Picture By Pamela Jenkins I struggled through the weeds and wet ground next to the fence, careful not to damage the camera I carried or ruin my shoes. Just a little closer and I would have a good shot. "Hey, Bandit, look over here!" I called. The old grey horse raised his head slightly as I focused the camera lens. Bandit's ears stuck out sideways and his eyes were half closed. His head tilted as his mouth stretched open in a tremendous yawn. Certainly this wasn't the image I was trying to capture on film. No amount of coaxing was going to make him perk up and look pretty today. After a few minutes, he ambled off slowly to find a napping place a little more private and where nosey neighbors wouldn't bother him. Now, usually I'm not the nosey neighbor type, but I had a mission and I wasn't about to be stalled by a contrary old fellow like Bandit. A few weeks earlier, we had visited our sweet neighbor Mr. Perry in the nursing home where he had lived for the past year. He didn't remember us at first, but at the mention of his horse, the old man sat up straighter and took interest in our conversation. "Is my horse still there?" he asked hopefully. We told him that Bandit was still out in his pasture, fat and sassy, and was being well cared for by Mr. Perry's son. He still enjoyed his oats every morning, and loved to stand out under the ancient cedar tree and be brushed. "Are you sure?" he questioned us. "You know, he's a good horse. He's the best horse I've ever owned, and I've had a lot of 'em over the years." The next half hour was filled with recounting memories of horses, especially Bandit. Mr. Perry told us that Bandit used to be a dapple grey, but time and old age had bleached his hair coat to an almost pure white color, except for the blue on his nose. My children and I talked about it, and decided we would find a way to put Mr. Perry's mind at ease. We would take a picture of Bandit. It would look nice sitting in a frame on the bedside table in his room. With Christmas just a few weeks away, it would make a lovely gift. So began the adventure in pursuing Bandit around his field. I've not been one to trespass without asking, or climb through and over fences, so I restricted my ramblings to my side of the boundary and along the roadside ditches. I started carrying a camera with me, waiting for the chance to get a good photo. Bandit wasn't interested in photo opportunities, however. He seemed determined to flaunt his independence and steadfastly refused to pose properly. Either one ear was cocked back, his nostrils flared or his head was looking the wrong way. Offers of carrots and apples were ignored, and a rattling bucket didn't tempt him either. Day after day, brushing away flying gnats, I trod through sodden leaves and stepped in puddles while following Bandit's retreat. On one occasion, the old horse simply turned around and presented his rump to me. "Well, there's a pretty picture," I scolded him as he swished his long tail. "Wouldn't Mr. Perry love that!" Finally, the day came when I noticed Bandit grazing close to the fence. I grabbed my camera and tiptoed through the tall grass. My two youngest children decided to follow along and watch Mom at work. Bandit still showed no interest in modeling, but he seemed to study my children. Perhaps he had not been around many little people before. That gave me an idea. "Kids, do you know how to do jumping jacks?" I asked. They nodded and smiled. "Well, I want you to do a few for me, okay?" Both the children started to do their jumping jacks, one on either side of me. Up and down, giggling and clapping their hands over their heads, they made crunching sounds in the dead leaves. Suddenly, Bandit's head rose up. His eyes widened as his ears flipped forward. He had never seen such a display before and didn't know what to think. I snapped pictures as quick as I could, laughing at the comical expression on his face. All too soon, though, the light faded to dusk and the moment was past. The next day, I picked the prettiest of the pictures and set it in a wooden frame. The sun had been shining on Bandit's white coat, making it glow against the background of brilliant autumn colors. His blue nose and deep dark eyes made him all the more beautiful. At the nursing home, Mr. Perry took one look at the framed photo and said, "That's not my horse." We were all stunned. "No," he protested sadly. "My horse is old. This horse isn't mine." We pointed out the blue velvet nose and dark eyes, and finally convinced Mr. Perry that the photo was indeed of his old pal, Bandit. With care and good feed, Bandit was weathering his golden years quite well. Mr. Perry studied the image for a long time without speaking. As we left the nursing home that evening, I overheard Mr. Perry talking to another resident. He held out the frame and pointed to the horse in the photo. "That's my horse, Bandit," he said proudly. "Best horse I ever had, and I've had a lot of 'em!" Just hearing him speak those sweet words made it all worthwhile. by Pamela Jenkins bunnies-n-birds@... Pamela Jenkins lives on a farm in Oklahoma with her husband of twenty-three years and their four children. She is an office manager for a veterinary clinic and enjoys writing in her spare time. The inspiration for many of her stories comes from witnessing the loving bond between people and their pets. -<>- .::::. .::::::::. |' `| |\ /| | \ / | \ \ / / \ \/ / \ \ / \ \ / \ \ / /\ \ / / \ \ | / \ | |/ \| ` ' unknown >The Pink Ribbon A handsome, middle-aged man walked quietly into the cafe and sat down. Before he ordered, he couldn't help but notice a group of younger men at the table next to him. It was obvious they were making fun of something about him, and it wasn't until he remembered he was wearing a small pink ribbon on the lapel of his suit that he became aware of what the joke was all about. The man brushed off the reaction as ignorance, but the smirks began to get to him. He looked one of the rude men square in the eye, placed his hand beneath the ribbon and asked, quizzically, "This?" With that the men all began to laugh out loud. The man he addressed said, as he fought back laughter, "Hey, sorry man, but we were just commenting on how pretty your pink ribbon looks against your blue jacket!" The middle aged man calmly motioned for the joker to come over to his table, and invited him to sit down. As uncomfortable as he was, the guy obliged, not really sure why. In honor of my daughter, I wear this pink ribbon. You see, my daughter died of breast cancer one month ago. She thought she was too young to have breast cancer, so when she accidentally noticed a small lump, she ignored it. She thought that since it wasn't painful, it must not be anything to worry about." Shaken and ashamed, the now sober stranger said, "Oh, man, I'm so sorry mister." "So, in my daughter's memory, I proudly wear this little ribbon, which allows me the opportunity to enlighten others. Now, go home and talk to your wife and your daughters, your mother and your friends." "And here," the middle-aged man reached in his pocket and handed the other man a little pink ribbon. The guy looked at it, slowly raised his head and asked, "Can ya help me put it on?" This is breast cancer awareness month. Do regular breast self-exams and have annual mammograms if you are a woman over the age of 40. And encourage those women you love to do the same. Please send this on to anyone you would like to remind of the importance of breast cancer awareness. A CANDLE LOSES NOTHING BY LIGHTING ANOTHER CANDLE. PLEASE KEEP THIS CANDLE GOING! -<>- __ @@;, ( ; ? : ); _| |_ | | || | | _| |_ | \ \ \/ || \/ ___ / / | __| |\ __||____||___||______/| | ||| | |_______ _________| | ||| ||| |____ | | ____| ||| Design by \ \______ ) | | / ______/ / || | | | | | /___| || Samule J. Neptune || | | |_ /| | |\ _| || || || | \__, / | | | \<__/ | || >Story Time: I sat, with two friends, in the picture window of a quaint restaurant just off the corner of the towns-square. The food and the company were both especially good that day. As we talked, my attention was drawn outside, across the street. There, walking into town, was a man who appeared to be carrying all his worldly goods on his back. He was carrying a well-worn sign that read, "I will work for food." My heart sank. I brought him to the attention of my friends and noticed that others around us had stopped eating to focus on him. Heads moved in a mixture of sadness and disbelief. We continued with our meal, but his image lingered in my mind. We finished our meal and went our separate ways. I had errands to do and quickly set out to accomplish them. I glanced toward the town square, looking somewhat halfheartedly for the strange visitor. I was fearful, knowing that seeing him again would call some response. I drove through town and saw nothing of him. I made some purchases at a store and got back in my car. Deep within me, the Spirit of God kept speaking to me: "Don't go back to the office until you've at least driven once more around the square." And so, with some hesitancy, I headed back into town. As I turned the square's third corner. I saw him. He was standing on the steps of the storefront church, going through his sack. I stopped and looked; feeling both compelled to speak to him, yet wanting to drive on. The empty parking space on the corner seemed to be a sign from God: an invitation to park. I pulled in, got out and approached the town's newest visitor. "Looking for the pastor?" I asked. "Not really," he replied, "just resting." "Have you eaten today?" "Oh, I ate something early this morning." "Would you like to have lunch with me?" "Do you have some work I could do for you?" "No work," I replied. "I commute here to work from the city, but I would like to take you to lunch." "Sure," he replied with a smile. As he began to gather his things, I asked some surface questions. "Where you headed?" "St. Louis." "Where you from?" "Oh, all over; mostly Florida." "How long you been walking?" "Fourteen years," came the reply. I knew I had met someone unusual. We sat across from each other in the same restaurant I had left earlier. His face was weathered slightly beyond his 38 years. His eyes were dark yet clear, and he spoke with an eloquence and articulation that was startling. He removed his jacket to reveal a bright red T-shirt that said, "Jesus is The Never Ending Story." Then Daniel's story began to unfold. He had seen rough times early in life. He'd made some wrong choices and reaped the consequences. Fourteen years earlier, while backpacking across the country, he had stopped on the beach in Daytona. He tried to hire on with some men who were putting up a large tent and some equipment. A concert, he thought. He was hired, but the tent would not house a concert but revival services, and in those services he saw life more clearly. He gave his life over to God. "Nothing's been the same since," he said, "I felt the Lord telling me to keep walking, and so I did, some 14 years now." "Ever think of stopping?" I asked. "Oh, once in a while, when it seems to get the best of me. But God has given me this calling. I give out Bibles. That's what's in my sack. I work to buy food and Bibles, and I give them out when His Spirit leads." I sat amazed. My homeless friend was not homeless. He was on a mission and lived this way by choice. The question burned inside for a moment and then I asked: "What's it like?" "What?" "To walk into a town carrying all your things on your back and to show your sign?" "Oh, it was humiliating at first. People would stare and make comments. Once someone tossed a piece of half-eaten bread and made a gesture that certainly didn't make me feel welcome. But then it became humbling to realize that God was using me to touch lives and change people's concepts of other folks like me." My concept was changing, too. We finished our dessert and gathered his things. Just outside the door, he paused. He turned to me and said, "Come Ye blessed of my Father and inherit the kingdom I've prepared for you. For when I was hungry you gave me food, when I was thirsty you gave me drink, a stranger and you took me in." I felt as if we were on holy ground. "Could you use another Bible?" I asked. He said he preferred a certain translation. It traveled well and was not too heavy. It was also his personal favorite. "I've read through it 14 times," he said. "I'm not sure we've got one of those, but let's stop by our church and see." I was able to find my new friend a Bible that would do well, and he seemed very grateful. "Where you headed from here?" "Well, I found this little map on the back of this amusement park coupon." "Are you hoping to hire on there for a while?" "No, I just figure I should go there. I figure someone under that star right there needs a Bible, so that's where I'm going next." He smiled, and the warmth of his spirit radiated the sincerity of his mission. I drove him back to the town-square where we'd met two hours earlier, and as we drove, it started raining. We parked and unloaded his things. "Would you sign my autograph book?" he asked. "I like to keep messages from folks I meet." I wrote in his little book that his commitment to his calling had touched my life. I encouraged him to stay strong. And I left him with a verse of scripture from Jeremiah, "I know the plans I have for you," declared the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a future and a hope." "Thanks, man," he said. "I know we just met and we're really just strangers, but I love you." "I know," I said, "I love you, too." "The Lord is good." "Yes, He is. How long has it been since someone hugged you?" I asked. "A long time," he replied. And so on the busy street corner in the drizzling rain, my new friend and I embraced, and I felt deep inside that I had been changed. He put his things on his back, smiled his winning smile and said, "See you in the New Jerusalem." "I'll be there!" was my reply. He began his journey again. He headed away with his sign dangling from his bedroll and pack of Bibles. He stopped, turned and said, "When you see something that makes you think of me, will you pray for me?" "You bet," I shouted back, "God bless." "God bless." And that was the last I saw of him. Late that evening as I left my office, the wind blew strong. The cold front had settled hard upon the town. I bundled up and hurried to my car. As I sat back and reached for the emergency brake, I saw them...a pair of well-worn brown work gloves neatly laid over the length of the handle. I picked them up and thought of my friend and wondered if his hands would stay warm that night without them. I remembered his words: "If you see something that makes you think of me, will you pray for me?" _______ ___/_____ _)____ .-'-' ____)______) | .-' ______)__) | --- _______)) | `-. _______)) `---.___________) VK Today his gloves lie on my desk in my office. They help me to see the world and its people in a new way, and they help me remember those two hours with my unique friend and to pray for his ministry. "See you in the New Jerusalem," he said. Yes, Daniel, I know I will... If this story touched you, forward it to a friend! "I shall pass this way but once. Therefore, any good that I can do or any kindness that I can show, let me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again." -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment :) Up Close And Personal 2!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/personal2.html Life Is... 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The older I get, the more I enjoy Saturday mornings. Perhaps it's the quiet solitude that comes with being the first to rise, or maybe it's the unbounded joy of not having to be at work. Either way, the first few hours of a Saturday morning are most enjoyable. A few weeks ago, I was shuffling toward the kitchen with a steaming cup of coffee in one hand and the morning paper in the other. What began as a typical Saturday morning turned into one of those lessons that life seems to hand you from time to time. Let me tell you about it. I turned the volume up on my radio in order to listen to a Saturday morning talk show. I heard an older sounding chap with a golden voice. You know the kind, he sounded like he should be in the broadcasting business himself. He was talking about "a thousand marbles" to someone named "Tom." I was intrigued and sat down to listen to what he had to say. "Well, Tom, it sure sounds like you're busy with your job. I'm sure they pay you well but it's a shame you have to be away from home and your Family so much. Hard to believe a young fellow should have to work sixty or seventy hours a week to make ends meet. Too bad you missed your daughter's dance recital." He continued, "Let me tell you something Tom, something that has helped me keep a good perspective on my own priorities." And that's when he began to explain his theory of a "thousand marbles." "You see, I sat down one day and did a little arithmetic. The average person lives about seventy-five years. I know, some live more and some live less, but on average, folks live about seventy-five years." "Now then, I multiplied 75 times 52 and I came up with 3900 which is the number of Saturdays that the average person has in their entire lifetime. Now stick with me Tom, I'm getting to the important part." "It took me until I was fifty-five years old to think about all this in any detail," he went on, "and by that time I had lived through over twenty-eight hundred Saturdays. I got to thinking that if I lived to be seventy-five, I only had about a thousand of them left to enjoy." "So I went to a toy store and bought every single marble they had. I ended up having to visit three toy stores to roundup 1000 marbles. I took them home and put them inside of a large, clear plastic container right here in my workshop next to the radio. Every Saturday since then, I have taken one marble out and thrown it away." "I found that by watching the marbles diminish, I focused more on the really important things in life. There is nothing like watching your time here on this earth run out to help get your priorities straight." "Now let me tell you one last thing before I sign-off with you and take my lovely wife out for breakfast. This morning, I took the very last marble out of the container. I figure if I make it until next Saturday then God has blessed me with a little extra time to be with my loved ones...... "It was nice to talk to you Tom, I hope you spend more time with your loved ones, and I hope to meet you again someday. Have a good morning!" You could have heard a pin drop when he finished. Even the show's moderator didn't have anything to say for a few moments. I guess he gave us all a lot to think about. I had planned to do some work that morning, then go to the gym. Instead, I went upstairs and woke my wife up with a kiss. "C'mon honey, I'm taking you and the kids to breakfast." "What brought this on?" she asked with a smile. "Oh, nothing special," I said. " It has just been a long time since we spent a Saturday together with the kids. Hey, can we stop at a toy store while we're out? I need to buy some marbles." May all your Saturdays be special and may you have many happy years after you lose all your marbles. :) May God bless you in all you do. --- ...Awww, how sweet! Thank You Jo Ann! I wish you more... More time to love and be loved by God above who is always there for you through thick or thin. _______ / /_ / -/- / / / / / / /_______/ / jgs ((______| / `"""""""` Remember what God said... Gen.6: [3] And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. May you live a long God blessed and fruitful life! ========================================================== >-->From God'sDailyWord: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Into His Hands A life lived by fully trusting God begins with a simple faith in the forgiveness offered through Jesus. But this simple faith will grow as we apply it to the varied and difficult circumstances which inevitably come our way. Not many of us begin with the faith of Peter; "Lord, if it's You, tell me to come to You on the water" (Matthew 14:28). Rather, we cautiously test the water by trusting God in small areas of our life. But as we see His promises hold true and witness the blessings of walking in obedience, we ought to begin to step with greater confidence and trust Him more and more. Prior to crossing into the promised land, Moses told the people of Israel: "Do not be afraid, for the Lord goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you" (Deuteronomy 31:6). This is one of the many promises which remain with us today. As we walk with God into the land of promise - the land of contentment and peace - we must learn to truly apply these promises and consistently live by them. He is RIGHT THERE! And He wants us to live with the contentment of knowing He is going with us. But full trust is difficult! Every day we are bombarded with things which attempt to pull us away from God and steal our joy. Though He is walking right beside us, and absolutely nothing catches Him by surprise, we seldom even think of Him during our day. This should not be! If we are truly His child, we are being called to trust Him with ALL and allow Him to live in and through us - this is the life He desires for us to live. We must continually believe the truth of His Word and allow our faith to mature by taking steps which lead us closer to God, even if our steps of faith seem small. With each new step, we will more clearly see the truth of God's promises. We will begin to see past the visible garbage of this world and begin to gaze with wonder on "Him who is invisible" (Hebrews 11:27). The life of contentment and peace is the life of total commitment and surrender. Psalm 31:5 "Into Your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O Lord, the God of truth." What part of our life are we holding back from God? If we really believe He created the Universe and sent His Son to die for the forgiveness of our sin so we can spend eternity with Him, isn't it foolish for us to think we can do a better job of controlling ANYTHING? If we trust Him for our eternal destiny, shouldn't we trust Him for the much more common matters of our daily life? Our God is VERY capable and He CAN be trusted to never let us go! Though it may not seem as dramatic a step as Peter's, we are all being called out of the boat. We are being called to believe and trust with all our heart. Let's not allow another day to go by without fully committing our body, soul, mind and spirit, our absolute all and EVERY area of our life, into His hands. Have a Christ Centered Day! Steve Troxel God's Daily Word Ministries **** Reading Plan **** Genesis 30:1-31:16; Matthew 10:1-26; Psalm 12:1-8; Proverbs 3:13-15 --- _______ / /_ / -/- / / / / / / /_______/ / jgs ((______| / `"""""""` ...See these teachings THE PALMS OF GOD http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Word/THE_PALMS_OF_GOD.htm The Arm Of GOD http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Basics/The_Arm_Of_GOD.htm <:))))>< , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Consider Him Who Endured We consider our role in the Body, or Family, of Christ and we see that as we walk together down God's path, we must assume a certain level of responsibility for one another. We must encourage our Brothers and Sisters when they are down and remind one another that God is near, that our trials will soon fade; "Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today!" (Hebrews 3:13). But as we encourage, we must do so from a position of Biblical truth. We must continually direct each other toward Christ and the life He calls us to live. It is never true encouragement to simply lend our agreement and "comfort" to a complaining or selfish attitude. This actually keeps someone down and threatens to pull us down in the process. Forgiveness, and victory, is only found in Jesus Christ. Jesus endured ridicule and humiliation from His accusers, and overwhelming pain on the cross, simply because He dearly loved us. The joy of seeing our restored relationship with the Father allowed Him to persevere through unbelievable hardship. His sacrifice brought us the gift of Salvation. His perseverance should bring us the gift of strength and a renewed hope. Hebrews 12:3 "Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." There are going to be days when the burden seems extra heavy - days when the attacks come fast and furious and feel like they will never end. It may bring temporary relief for someone to sympathize and confirm the difficulty of our situation, but the only way to truly ease the load is to focus our heart back to Christ and pray to receive His strength; "May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance" (2 Thessalonians 3:5). We must persevere... because He first persevered for us! There is definitely a place within the Body for compassion and the sharing of one another's sorrows; but when our burdens become seemingly unbearable, we must also encourage one another to simply put one foot in front of the other and boldly continue down His path. His grace and His strength WILL be sufficient! We will not lose heart if we focus on His love. We will persevere and not grow weary if we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and consider Him who endured. Have a Christ Centered Day! Steve Troxel God's Daily Word Ministries **** Reading Plan **** Genesis 28:1-29:35; Matthew 9:18-38; Psalm 11:1-7; Proverbs 3:11-12 --- _______ / /_ / -/- / / / / / / /_______/ / jgs ((______| / `"""""""` ...So True It is most important to be there for friends and relatives, but it is not good to get down in the mud and wallow in it with them when their heart is breaking - both of you will only get more muddy and morose. A little sympathy goes a long way, but a lot of encouragement helps them get back up on their feet by their own bootstraps and enables them to be stronger for it. It is good to remember that giving = receiving. The more you give, the more you get. If you are sad and giving off sadness in your life, guess what? You will get more sadness. If you are sad but lift yourself up and release it by giving it to God, then you can smile and let more happy times into your life. You will then get more happiness. It is not easy to do. We often feel better when we indulge in a little pity party. A little is OK and good - we need to release. But give yourself and others true healing with lots and lots of Smiles! Rom.14: [19] Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify (build up) another. See these teachings: For The Joy That Was Set Before Him http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/joy.html Edification, Exhortation, and Comfort https://tinyurl.com/ycxdmfh2 ========================================================== >-->From CupO'Cheer: __ /_/\/\ \_\ / /_/ \ \_\/\ \ \_\/ unknown >A CROSS WITH WHEELS? Just this past weekend, while I was driving in Bowling Green, I saw two men carrying crosses on the side of the road, followed by a crowd of about 30 or 40 people. As I passed these two men, I looked at the crosses they were carrying and I couldn’t help but notice that both crosses were accessorized with wheels! Now, I understand why they placed wheels on these crosses. The wheels make the crosses they are carrying easier to carry. The wheels make the crosses more convenient to bear. But that’s the impetus for this article. You see, there’s nothing convenient about a cross! In fact, it was designed to be an inconvenient, excruci- ating, and humiliating means to kill someone. Convenient crosses? They don’t exist... or at least shouldn’t. If I can jump from what I saw this past weekend to a spiritual application, I would say that from the looks of things, I believe that many people have attempted to put “wheels on their cross.” Remember that Jesus said that in order to be one of his disciples, one must be willing to deny himself, take up a cross daily, and follow him (Luke 9:23). From what I’ve witnessed in some, rather than denying self, and bearing one's cross daily, some have attempted to accessorize their cross. Unwilling to reject Christ completely, they have attempted to fashion a cross of convenience - crosses with wheels. Our society has made an icon out of the cross. We wear them around our neck, they dangle from our ears, and they are even tattooed on our bodies. This all makes me wonder if we have failed to comprehend the true significance of the cross. The cross represents selflessness, sacrifice, obedience, dedication, and self- denial. Do you think most people realize that? The cross is more than a piece of jewelry or a trinket, and it certainly doesn’t have wheels. My advice to those who wish to gain public attention by carrying a cross... take off the wheels! Those wheels are incongruous with the message of the cross. I for one, noticed the wheels, not the cross. Don’t lessen the burden of the cross by accessorizing it with something that makes it convenient. What do you think? Copyright © 2010, Steve Higginbotham. Permission is granted to copy these articles. as seen in MercEmail -<>- ___ ,-'" "`-. ,'_ `. / / \ ,- \ __ | \_0 --- | / | | | \ \ `--.______,-/ | ___) \ ,--"" ,/ | / _ \ \-_____,- / \__-/ \ | `. ,' \___/ < ´--------' \__/\ | Wny \__// >LONGING FOR GOODNESS You've made mistakes and yet you are able to recognize those mistakes for what they are, and to learn from them. There are times when you stumble, and wander away from the path, yet you're always able to get up and find your way back. There is within you the longing for truth, for goodness, for excellence, substance, and integrity. Though your actions sometimes contradict and compromise that longing, it never goes away. The very best of who you are is always somewhere within you. Choose often to connect with it, and to let it resonate throughout the details of your life. As each moment unfolds, remember the good and valuable things of which you are capable. Pay attention to that longing for goodness, and follow where it leads. Hold in your heart those times when you've experienced how beautiful and blessed life can be. Treasure and strengthen the part of you that draws pure joy from those moments. You have known the goodness of life and you know that it is as close to you as you wish to make it. Choose to keep it ever close by. as seen in Inspiration Plus -<>- ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo 8 .d88 8 oooooooooooooooooooooooooooood8888 8 8888888888888888888888888P" 8888 oooooooooooooooo 8 8888888888888888888888P" 8888 8 8 8 8888888888888888888P" 8888 8 d8 8 8888888888888888P" 8888 8 d88 8 8888888888888P" 8888 8 d888 8 8888888888P" 8888 8 d8888 8 8888888P" 8888 8 d88888 8 8888P" 8888 8 d888888 8 8888oooooooooooooooooooooocgmm8888 8 d8888888 8 .od88888888888888888888888888888888 8 d88888888 8888888888888888888888888888888888888 8 d888888888 8 d8888888888 ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo 8 d88888888888 d ...oood8b 8 d888888888888 d ...oood888888888888b 8 d8888888888888 d ...oood88888888888888888888888b 8d88888888888888 dood8888888888888888888888888888888888b >FUNNY ERROR MESSAGES - Microsoft: * BREAKFAST.SYS halted... Cereal port not responding. * Bad command or file name! Go stand in the corner. * Bad or missing mouse. Spank the cat? (Y/N) * COFFEE.SYS missing... Insert cup in cup holder and press any key. * Enter any 11-digit prime number to continue. * Error reading FAT record. Try SKINNY one? (Y/N) * File not found. Should I fake it? (Y/N) * Invalid mouse movement. * Press any key except... No, No, No, NOT THAT ONE! * Press any key to continue or any other key to quit. * Runtime Error 6D at 417A:32CF: Incompetent User. * This is a message from god Gates: “Reboot the world. Please log off.” * This will end your Windows session. Do you want to play another game? * To “shut down” your system, type “WIN” * User Error: Replace User. * WinErr 16547: LPT1 not found. Use backup. (PENCIL&PAPER.SYS) * Windows Message: “Error saving file! Format drive now? (Y/Y)” * Windows VirusScan 1.0 - “Windows found: Remove it? (Y/N)” * Your hard drive has been scanned and all stolen software titles have been deleted. The police are on their way. -<>- ________ /________\ //( ( ( ( \\ || ((|| ||) ) ` ) )|| || (\___( ( || \|) ) \)_|/ / ((\_v_/ \ / /) x \ \ | | x | | | \ x / | | | x | | | |\ x /| | | |/\ x /\| | | | \x/ | | | | V | | /____\ /____\ | | | | / \ / \ | | | | `~~| |~~' |\ /| >MARTHA by Max Lucado Every church needs a Martha. Change that. Every church needs a hundred Marthas. Sleeves rolled and ready, they keep the pace for the church. Because of Marthas, the church budget gets balanced, the church babies get bounced, and the church building gets built. You don’t appreciate Marthas until a Martha is missing, and then all the Marys and Lazaruses are scrambling around looking for the keys and the thermostats and the overhead projectors. Marthas are the Energizer bunnies of the church. They keep going and going and going. They store strength like a camel stores water. Since they don’t seek the spotlight, they don’t live off the applause. That’s not to say they don’t need it. They just aren’t addicted to it. Marthas have a mission. In fact, if Marthas have a weakness, it is their tendency to elevate the mission over the Master. Remember when Martha did that? A younger Martha invites a younger Jesus to come for dinner. Jesus accepts and brings his disciples. The scene Luke describes has Mary seated and Martha fuming. Martha is angry because Mary is, horror of horrors, sitting at the feet of Jesus. How impractical! How irrelevant! How unnecessary! I mean, who has time to sit and listen when there is bread to be baked, tables to be set, and souls to be saved? So Martha complained, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me alone to do all the work? Tell her to help me” (Luke 10:40). All of a sudden Martha has gone from serving Jesus to making demands of Jesus. The room falls silent. The disciples duck their eyes. Mary flushes red. And Jesus speaks. “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things. Only one thing is important. Mary has chosen the better thing, and it will never be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41–42). Apparently Martha got the point, for later we find her serving again. "Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume” (John 12:2–3 NIV). Is Mary in the kitchen? No she is worshiping, for that is what she loves to do. But this time Martha doesn’t object. She has learned that there is a place for praise and worship, and that is what Mary is doing. And what is Mary’s part in the dinner? She brings a pint of very expensive perfume and pours it on Jesus’ feet, then wipes his feet with her hair. The smell of the perfume fills the house, just like the sound of praise can fill a church. An earlier Martha would have objected. Such an act was too lavish, too extravagant, too generous. But this mature Martha has learned that just as there is a place in the kingdom of God for sacrificial service, there is also a place for extravagant praise. From Cast of Characters © (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2008) Max Lucado Available Free by E-mail every other day. To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com. ========================================================== >-->From LaughAndLift: Feed your faith and your doubts will starve to death. __ /_/\/\ \_\ / /_/ \ \_\/\ \ \_\/ unknown >Perfect and Complete (By Bayless Conley) Your faith in God has incredible potential to make your life complete. To take you from the place of deficiency, to the place of being perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James puts it this way in James 1:2-4: "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." Faith in God can make you complete, but your faith will be contested. It will be opposed, even as we read here. Your faith will go through the fire of trial. If you lack spiritually in your life, you can get to the place of holiness. If you are lacking materially, you can get to a place where your needs are met. Whatever your lack, your faith in God has the potential to take you from where you are, and where you are lacking, to this place that the Bible speaks of... being perfect and complete, lacking nothing. But, the path to that completeness is one of trial. Your faith will not get you there until it first goes through testing. You do have an adversary. You will be opposed. The Bible says, Your adversary, the devil, walks about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. The devil knows what is at stake, and he will do all he can to keep you from trusting God. So as your faith encounters the turbulence of trials, do what James says, and count it all joy. You are on your way to becoming perfect and complete in Christ. SUBSCRIBE INFO Want to receive a Christian inspirational item AND great clean humor in an email to you each day of the week? It's easy and FREE! Read all about Laugh & Lift at http://www.laughandlift.com --- _______ / /_ / -/- / / / / / / /_______/ / jgs ((______| / `"""""""` ...See Your Sonship Rights Here: http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Promises/Promises.htm ========================================================== ___ T T === |.| .'.`. .'.' `.`. %% .'.' ___ `.`. %%%% .'.' |_|_| `.`. %%%%%% .'.' |_|_| `.`. %%%%%__.--`'| [] |_|_| [] |`'---. __ %%%%|------|| ||||||| /\ =========%%%| _&|| ___ ||====' / \ ///////////H/| j | || |_|_| || | |||| ////////////H%| |- || |_|_| ||____| |||| /////////////H/| | || |_|_| || TT| . & |||| @@@@@@@@@@@@@H@|======|| ||====| "===' (f |\//|\/|/\//\||//|\|||/\//|//\||\//||//|\||\||\/|/\//\||////|//\/|| >-->YOU LIVED NEXT DOOR... (Author Unknown) You lived next door to me for years! We shared our dreams, our joys and tears. A friend to me you were indeed - A friend who helped me when in need. My faith in you was strong and sure; We had such trust as should endure. No spats between us ever rose; Our friends were like and so our foes. What sadness then, my friend, to find That after all, you weren't so kind. The day my life on earth did end, I found you weren't a faithful friend. For all those years we spent on earth, You never talked of second birth. You never spoke of my lost soul, And of Christ, who'd make me whole. I plead today from hell's cruel fire, And tell you now my last desire. You cannot do a thing for me. No words today my bonds will free. But do not err, my friend, again; Do all you can for souls of men. Plead with them now quite earnestly, Lest they be cast in hell with me. -<>- _______ / /_ / -/- / / / / / / /_______/ / jgs ((______| / `"""""""` >Mama's Bible https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fONTTHn1-A0 I used to be afraid of dying when I'd think about having to go. Now I know I'm going to live forever. Mama's Bible tells me so. It says that just believing is the key to it all and that I'm forgiven every time I fall. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Mom's Bible tells me so. When it rains, I know he's crying for the love of all mankind. And he hurts inside just like us when he's left behind. But I know he is my shepherd and will never walk away cuz he gave us Jesus for a friend on judgment day. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Mama's Bible tells me so. All I'd love or cared for had either changed or gone. I reached for mama's Bible and strength to carry on. Like my heart, it gather dust like its pages I was born. Now there's new life for both of us. So Gabriel, blow your horn. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Mama's Bible tells me so. And I'll trust in Ma's Bible. Amen. Till it's time for me to go. Hallelujah. >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah, Shangy! --------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->ShangyFunList AD RATES: $35 will get your a message (of up to 40 words) out to all web site list readers. Email me to secure dates. Ad Request ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO Foundational Teaching Seminar NEW LIFE IN CHRIST! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->This is for all you who love food and DARE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy, good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes >Got A good Recipe? 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