Happy Blessed Labor Day Weekend! ... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our ShangyFunList: Group Web Site: https://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: bcrsystems@earthlink.net Shangrala Family Fun: https://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 ================ >-->In The 'Shangy' News :) . . . . ,-,--. __| //``-, \ \_`\ )\a-a-? \ \ \_`(_=_/_-`__ \__, , \| | _ _,' ___7 ) | (_)(_`__(_,---' | ( _( ) | / /_| |________| __/__/__|__|_________) _________(__,_|)/ (__)|/____\(_______________ mic I am very pleased to announced we have a new sponsor for the website www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com. Montana Edit pulled together their favorite places to catch live music in Montana - from historic theaters to big outdoor stages - Like this one - Nestled along the Clark Fork River just outside Missoula, KettleHouse Amphitheater offers a premier outdoor concert experience. With a mix of local, regional, and national acts, it's perfect for fans who love music under Montana’s expansive sky. Be sure to also check out their monthly Spotify playlists to get to know artists playing shows in Montana. And keep an eye on their Montana Concert Calendar to see upcoming concerts across the state. __ .-'` `\ /` _ | | / `',-'/ \ | e e\ (\\ _\| \` ,__ / __.-')'.___/`'. /` / _\ ; __\ / /___/ `'./`'(('. / (( o| )) \ / )) | (( \ | ._/(( o| )) \ _.--. \ '.) | ((\.-' '-._.,,,'` ,-` '._ '. o|_ )) '._ _.-' \\\\`--' ,\ __\'-._.-` )(( _.-'_.-;'```/ / \ \ (_;-'_.-' `""` / ||||-`)_.-'_,-' |.-._////.-\\.-' '-._ |.-;```` .._ '-. ) \ '._.' '-`.-;--' '. .'` \ jgs |`'-----'`\ \ | | \ \ | | `\ \ / | \ _| | _| | | / / \ | / / | | | / | | / / | | ',__.-( / \ | '. ;----`'._ '-. ) '-`. `) `"""` `'---' For CONCERT TICKETS AND LIVE MUSIC VENUES IN MONTANA visit here: https://www.montanaedit.com/article/montana-s-best-live-music-venues Be sure to check out this fine company! You can always be assured that I only go with the best for you! Why? Because I care About you! (¯`v´¯) `*.¸.*´ ¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•. Huggums!... :) Shangy! -<>- >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) Our too hot to handle new page is from our friend PatDeE. It will give you plenty of smiles for your day with these funny work related goof ups. Be sure to check it out here: . / \ / . \ / / \ \ / / \ \ / / \ \ / / _ _O \ \ / / \ / | \ \ / / / /| \ \ / / //\\ `. . \ \ / / // \\ / \ \ \ / / // || /___\ \ \ / `-----------------' \ `-----------------------' jrei Only ONE Job! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/onejob9.html --- ...Love this series! Thanks PatDeE! -<>- *~* We Had A Fabulous Month Of Caring And Sharing Last Month! ,n888888n, .8888888888b 888888888888nd8P~''8g, 88888888888888 _ `'~\. .n. `Y888888888888. / _ |~\\ (8"8b ,nnn.. 8888888b. | \ \m\|8888P ,d8888888888888888b. \8b|.\P~ ~P8~ 888888888888888P~~_~ `8B_| | ~888888888~'8' d8. ~ _/ ~Y8888P' ~\ | |~|~b,__ __--~ --~~\ ,d8888888b.\`\_/ __/~ \_ d88888888888b\_-~8888888bn. \8888P "Y888888888888"888888bn. /~'\_"__) "d88888888P,-~~-~888 / / ) ~\ ,888888/~' / / / 8' ( / / / |) ) / '"88(/ ~ / / | ( /_/ /~ \( _/ / (_(_ ( /~~\/ , O,/~\___/_/' ~~~ | \_ ( )( \_| -- by Gordon M"uller __--~"mb ,g8888b. _/ 8888b(.8P"~'~---__ / ~~~| / ,/~~~~--, `\ ( ~\,_) (/ ~-_`\ \ -__---~._ \ ~\\ ( )\\ )) `\ ) "-_ `| \__ __/ ~-__ __--~ ~~"~ ~~~ Be Sure To Visit And SHARE These With Your Friends and Family: Ocean's Rarely Seen Species! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/ocean2.html Rare Historical Photos 5! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/historyphotos5.html Tiny Creatures Art! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/tinycreaturesart.html Funny T-Shirt Wisdom 3! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/teeshirts3.html Design Failures! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/designfails.html Strange Real Photos! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/strangephotos.html Trapped Inside A Whale! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/insideawhale.html Translation Bloopers 2! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/tbloopers2.html MacGyver - How To Do It 9! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/macgyver9.html .-"""-. / \ \ / .-"""-.-`.-.-.< _ / _,-\ ()()_/:) \ / , ` `| '-..-| \-.,___, / \ `-.__/ / jgs / `-.__.-\` / /| ___\ ( ( |.-"` `'\ \ \/ {}{} | \| / \ , / ( __`;-;'__`) `//'` `||` _// || .-"-._,(__) .(__).-""-. / \ / \ \ / \ / `'-------` `--------'` * May God Abundantly Bless All Our Sweet Contributors! * =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: _ mMm _[_]_ /(_)\ (_) //)^(\\//:\\ /(/&@&\)\|~|/ / /-~`~-\ ||| `/ \||| `-------'-'-- "A Story Of Four Wives" Once upon a time...there was a rich King who had four wives. He loved the fourth wife the most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to the finest of delicacies. He gave her nothing but the best. He also loved the third wife very much, and he was always showing her off to neighboring kingdoms. However, he feared that one day she would leave him for another. He also loved his second wife. She was his confidante and was always kind, considerate, and patient with him. Whenever the King faced a problem, he could confide in her to help him get through the difficult times. The King's first wife was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and kingdom. However, he did not love the first wife and although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her. One day, the King fell ill, and he knew his time was short. He thought of his luxurious life and pondered, "I now have four wives with me, but when I die, I'll be all alone. Thus, he asked the fourth wife, "I have loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing, and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "Absolutely not!" replied the fourth wife, and she walked away without another word. Her answer cut like a sharp knife right into his heart. The sad King then asked the third wife, "I have loved you all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "No," replied the third wife. "Life is too good! When you die, I'm going to remarry!" His heart sank and turned cold. He then asked the second wife, "I have always turned to you for help, and you've always been there for me. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?" "I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time," replied the second wife. "At the very most, I can only send you to your grave." Her answer came like a bolt of thunder, and the King was devastated. Then a voice called out. "I'll leave with you and follow you no matter where you go." The King looked up, and there was his first wife. She was so sad and thin, she looked half-starved. Greatly grieved, the King said, "I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!" In truth, we all have four wives in our lives: Our fourth wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it'll leave us when we die. Our third wife is our possessions, status, and wealth. When we die, it will all go to others. Our second wife is our family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for us, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave. And our first wife is our soul, often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power, and pleasures of the ego. However, our soul is the only thing that will follow us wherever we go. So cultivate, strengthen, and cherish it now! It IS your greatest gift to offer the world. Until Next Time...CARPE DIEM! =Bill Rayborn= --- _______ / /_ / -/- / / / / / / /_______/ / jgs ((______| / `"""""""` ...True It is our soul that the god of this world and God Almighty seek to win. God, the Father of our lord and savior Jesus Christ, seeks our soul to give us life and joy for all eternity while Satan seeks our soul to damn us as he himself is damned to hell. See these teachings: The Simplicity and Grace of THE NEW BIRTH [Romans 10: 9 and 10] https://tinyurl.com/3cp5jyh5 BODY - SOUL - SPIRIT https://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Basics/BODY_SOUL_SPIRIT.htm =========================================================== >-->From Daily Encounter: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Guided By the Spirit (edited) 'So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery, idolatry and witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy, drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.'1 The holy spirit is one of the most precious gifts God has given us. The spirit comes to dwell in believers at the time of salvation and enables them to overcome sin and live to the glory of God (John 15:26-27). However, the power of the holy spirit can be hindered or ignored. Walking in the spirit implies trust in God. He guides us, and we follow Him. When He speaks, we listen to Him, heed His warnings, and obey His instructions. His path is a path of surrender that, while difficult at times, leads to the fullness of life. The holy spirit not only guides us but also empowers us, giving us all that we need to live righteously and bear fruit (Galatians 5:22-23). Being led by the holy spirit should be the natural lifestyle of the children of God. We should seek to maintain an awareness of His presence always. As we do, He makes us sensitive to the things of God and gives us understanding of the situations and people around us. Take a walk with the holy spirit today. Learn to recognize His voice by spending time in the Word and in prayer. Focus your thoughts on God, asking Him for His guidance and waiting for His direction. Suggested Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we are not alone. As Your children we have the holy spirit dwelling in us. Let me be aware of the presence of the holy spirit in my life and be guided, empowered, and bear fruit. May it all be to give You honor and glory. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 1. Galatians 5:16-25 (NIV). The Encounter for today was written by: Rosina N. --- _______ / /_ / -/- / / / / / / /_______/ / jgs ((______| / `"""""""` ...See these teachings Walking With God https://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Basics/Walking_With_God.htm THE CHRISTIAN WALK https://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Basics/The_Christian_Walk.htm The BALANCED Walk https://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Basics/The_BALANCED_Walk.htm The Manifestations of Holy Spirit https://tinyurl.com/3utyvx6s <:))))>< , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Staying On Course 'Though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again.'1 In his book, Peak Performers, Dr. Charles Garfield describes how the astronauts keep their spacecraft on course: On their flights between earth and the moon, it was said, the Apollo ships were off course much of the time. In each instance, the spacecraft would wander off its path and the crew would correct, again and again. And do you know what? It did not matter. What mattered were the results. They got to the moon. They got home. They did it by having the discipline and knowledge to get themselves back on course. They followed not a perfect path, but a critical path. Whether we are shooting for the moon, seeking to achieve a better personal or family life, or seeking to obey and serve God, whatever our goals, the principle is the same. There are always unpredictable and unexpected events that call for change and adjustment. Although the astronauts had to be precise in their calculations, they still allowed for mistakes and corrections. The person who does not allow for such adjustments will probably not reach his or her goals. As Charles Garfield explained, the critical path is the way to reach our destination. As followers of Christ, we will stumble at times, make mistakes, fail, and wander off course. When we fall or wander, however, the important thing is to get up, correct our course, and keep going. Suggested prayer: Dear God, thank you that you are always with me to guide and direct my life and correct any wrong or harmful turns that I might make. Give me the willingness and ability to admit when I wander off course and the wisdom to correct my path. Fulfill the plans you have for me, and use me for your glory. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, amen. 1. Proverbs 24:16 (NIV). The Encounter for today was written by: Crystal B. When copying or forwarding include the following: "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2016 ACTS International. =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: Our commitment to Christ, however genuine and whole-hearted it may be today, must be renewed tomorrow... and the day after that... and the day after that... until the path comes at last to the river. --Louis Cassels -<>- . | . \ | / `. \ ' / .' `. .-*""*-. .' "*-._ /.*" "*.\ _.-*" : ; ____ """"': .. ; _.-*" \ `.__.' / "*-._ .' `-.__.-' `. bug .' / . \ `. / | \ ' | ` >I MAY NEVER SEE TOMORROW, THERE IS NO GUARANTEE I may never see tomorrow, there's no guarantee, And things that happened yesterday belong to history. I can't predict the future, I can't change the past, I may have just the present memories to treat as my last. I must use this moment wisely, for soon it will pass away, And be lost forever as a part of yesterday. I must exercise compassion, help the fallen to their feet, Be a friend unto the friendless, make their life complete. The unkind things I do today, may never be undone, And friendships that I fail to win, may never more be won. I may not have another chance on bended knees to pray, And I thank God with a humble heart for giving me this day! --unknown -<>- ___....___ ^^ __..-:'':__:..:__:'':-..__ _.-:__:.-:'': : : :'':-.:__:-._ .':.-: : : : : : : : : :._:'. _ :.': : : : : : : : : : : :'.: _ [ ]: : : : : : : : : : : : : :[ ] [ ]: : : : : : : : : : : : : :[ ] :::::::::[ ]:__:__:__:__:__:__:__:__:__:__:__:__:__:[ ]::::::::::: !!!!!!!!![ ]!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!![ ]!!!!!!!!!!! ^^^^^^^^^[ ]^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^[ ]^^^^^^^^^^^ [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] jgs [ ] [ ] ~~^_~^~/ \~^-~^~ _~^-~_^~-^~_^~~-^~_~^~-~_~-^~_^/ \~^ ~~_ ^ >The Gap in the Bridge "Near the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, stands the majestic Firth of Forth Bridge. Completed in May, 1880, it has a center span of 1710 feet. It was then the longest cantilever bridge in the world. At that time, it was one of the engineering wonders of the world. The day for the completion and dedication of the bridge arrived. For many long months, two separate work crews had been working toward each other from opposite sides of the bay. Now the time had come when the two huge steel structures would be connected in the middle of the bay. Everyone who could find a way to come was there for the great day. Countless boats bobbed on the water, people by the thousands lined the shores, dignitaries from various parts of the world came together to witness the joining together of the two sections of the bridge. Then came the giant shock! the two sections of the bridge would not come together. Officials began to squirm in embarrassment and humiliation as the steel workers sweated futilely under the overcast sky. But there was still a gap that refused to be closed. The bridge builders tried everything they could think of: tugboats tugged, cables strained, tractors pulled, cranes lifted, but the gap remained. They rechecked the blueprints. Everything seemed to be correct. So why the gap? Despair set in as they ran out of options. Their spirits were as low as the clouds hanging in the sky. Suddenly something happened! The warm sun broke through the overcast. The warm rays beamed down on the cold metal of the bridge. As the officials watched, an apparent miracle took place before their eyes. The gap between the two sections of the bridge began to gradually close. Warmed by the sun, the two long sections of the bridge began to inch toward each other high above the bay. In a while, the two sections came flush together. Hurriedly, the work crews put in the bolts and the bridge was finally fastened together. An enormous cheer went up along with a great sigh of relief. In all of our individual lives, there are tangled times when things just won't fit together. We sweat, struggle, and try everything humanly possible, but we still can't make things come together. The sky is overcast and our spirits droop. Feelings of futility, anguish, even panic, set in. Then the warmth of God's love breaks through the gloom and - miraculously - things begin to fit together. Behind the overcast skies... He has been there all the time!" By Donald Russel Robertson. -<>- >This is a test of the Emergency Friendship System ,-`"-=') =/////// ,== _,_(((((-`6\ ==.| /,,...\\\C _| .--. ((((\\\\\` _, /;_| )9 )))))./ `. / } _\,_ ,-'))) \ / /=-. ,-./ \/ '))) . /\_/ / \ (,-.%\ / /-' ') \/\ / ( \ (/ \ ' /( ' `-/ \( \ ,- / ( `-' \ . / / \ \ &_) /\ \ | ( /--.- \ \----,------=;% | _/ _); `. ` `-. .`\ ) +++/ \ ,," %&-. ; \\| `-` `-=.;_,.__.__\_,/ )_/___+_/_________\,"(_//_(__)______:-._) gpyy ... A Friend.... (A)ccepts you as you are (B)elieves in "you" (C)alls you just to say "HI" (D)oesn't give up on you (E)nvisions the whole of you (even the unfinished parts) (F)orgives your mistakes (G)ives unconditionally (H)elps you (I)nvites you over (J)ust "be" with you (K)eeps you close at heart (L)oves you for who you are (M)akes a difference in your life (N)ever Judges (O)ffer support (P)icks you up (Q)uiets your fears (R)aises your spirits (S)ays nice things about you (T)ells you the truth when you need to hear it (U)nderstands you (V)alues you (W)alks beside you (X)-plains thing you don't understand (Y)ells when you won't listen and (Z)aps you back to reality -<>- ,-----. W/,-. ,-.\W ()>a a<() (.--(_)--.) ,'/.-'\_/`-.\`. ,' / `-' \ `. / \ / \ / `. ,' \ / / `-._.-' \ \ ,-`-._/| |=|o |\_.-< <,--.) |_____| |o____| )_ \ `-)| |// _ \\| )/ || |' | `| || | | | || ( )|( ) || | | | || | | | || |_.--.|.--._| || /'""| |""`\ [] `===' `===' hjw >The Old Man Our house was directly across the street from the clinic entrance of John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. We lived downstairs and rented the upstairs rooms to out patients at the clinic. One summer evening as I was fixing supper, there was a knock at the door. I opened it to see a truly awful looking man. "Why, he's hardly taller than my eight-year- old," I thought as I stared at the stooped, shriveled body. But the appalling thing was his face; lopsided from swelling, red and raw. Yet his voice was pleasant as he said, "Good evening. I've come to see if you've a room for just one night. I came for a treatment this morning from the eastern shore, and there's no bus 'til morning." He told me he'd been hunting for a room since noon but with no success, no one seemed to have a room. "I guess it's my face... I know it looks terrible, but my doctor says with a few more treatments..." For a moment I hesitated, but his next words convinced me: "I could sleep in this rocking chair on the porch. My bus leaves early in the morning." I told him we would find him a bed, but to rest on the porch. I went inside and finished getting supper. When we were ready, I asked the old man if he would join us. "No thank you. I have plenty." And he held up a brown paper bag. When I had finished the dishes, I went out on the porch to talk with him a few minutes. It didn't take long time to see that this old man had an oversized heart crowded into that tiny body. He told me he fished for a living to support his daughter, her five children, and her husband, who was hopelessly crippled from a back injury. He didn't tell it by way of complaint; in fact, every other sentence was prefaced with a thanks to God for a blessing. He was grateful that no pain accompanied his disease, which was apparently a form of skin cancer. He thanked God for giving him the strength to keep going. At bedtime, we put a camp cot in the children's room for him. When I got up in the morning, the bed linens were neatly folded and the little man was out on the porch. He refused breakfast, but just before he left for his bus, haltingly, as if asking a great favor, he said, "Could I please come back and stay the next time I have a treatment? I won't put you out a bit. I can sleep fine in a chair." He paused a moment and then added, "Your children made me feel at home. Grownups are bothered by my face, but children don't seem to mind." I told him he was welcome to come again. And on his next trip he arrived a little after seven in the morning. As a gift, he brought a big fish and a quart of the largest oysters I had ever seen. He said he had shucked them that morning before he left so that they'd be nice and fresh. I knew his bus left at 4:00 a.m. and I wondered what time he had to get up in order to do this for us. In the years he came to stay overnight with us there was never a time that he did not bring us fish or oysters or vegetables from his garden. Other times we received packages in the mail, always by special delivery; fish and oysters packed in a box of fresh young spinach or kale, every leaf carefully washed. Knowing that he must walk three miles to mail these, and knowing how little money he had, made the gifts doubly precious. When I received these little remembrances, I often thought of a comment our next-door neighbor made after he left that first morning. "Did you keep that awful looking man last night? I turned him away! You can lose roomers by putting up such people!" Maybe we did lose roomers once or twice. But oh! If only they could have known him, perhaps their illness' would have been easier to bear. I know our family always will be grateful to have known him; from him we learned what it was to accept the bad without complaint. Recently I was visiting a friend who has a greenhouse. As she showed me her flowers, we came to the most beautiful one of all, a golden chrysanthemum, bursting with blooms. But to my great surprise, it was growing in an old dented, rusty bucket. I thought to myself, "If this were my plant, I'd put it in the loveliest container I had!" My friend changed my mind. "I ran short of pots," she explained, "and knowing how beautiful this one would be, I thought it wouldn't mind starting out in this old pail. It's just for a little while, till I can put it out in the garden." She must have wondered why I laughed so delightedly, but I was imagining just such a scene in heaven. "Here's an especially beautiful one," God might have said when he came to the soul of the sweet old fisherman. "He won't mind starting in this small body." All this happened long ago-and now, in God's garden, how tall this lovely soul must stand. ~unknown to me -<>- >THE SHOES By Leanne Freiberg, Copyright (c) 2001 71653.413@compuserve.com (Note from the author, Leanne Freiberg 71653.413@compuserve.com: I wrote the poem on January 15, 2001, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday. When I woke up on that particular morning, "The Shoes", the entire thing, was in my head and I could do nothing else until it was finished. I give that credit to God.) ____ ___|=--=/ \=--=| :(___.--. .--.___): { __ ' ) ( ` __ )= ""----'Ahas '----"" ====' The Shoes! My alarm went off -- it was Sunday again; I was tired -- it was my one day to sleep in. But the guilt I'd have felt the rest of the day Would have been too much, so I'd go; I'd pray. I showered and shaved, adjusted suit and tie, Got there and swung into a pew just in time. Bowing my head in humble prayer Before I closed my eyes, I saw that the shoe of the man next to me Was touching my own and I sighed. With plenty of room on either side, I thought, "why do our soles have to touch?" It bothered me so; he was glued to my shoe, But it didn't seem to bother him much. Then the prayer began: "Heavenly Father," someone said- - But I thought, "Does this man with the shoes have no pride?" They were dusty, worn, scratched end to end. What's worse, there were holes on the side! "Thank You for blessings," the prayer went on. The shoe man said a quiet "amen." I tried to focus on the prayer, But my thoughts were on his shoes again. Aren't we supposed to look our best When walking through that door? "Well, this certainly isn't it," I thought, Glancing toward the floor. Then the prayer ended and songs of praise began. The shoe man was loud, sounding proud as he sang. He lifted the rafters; his hands raised high; The Lord surely heard his voice from the sky. Then the offering was passed; what I threw in was steep. The shoe man reached into his pockets, so deep, And I tried to see what he pulled out to put in, Then I heard a soft "clink," as when silver hits tin. The sermon bored me to tears-- And no lie-- It was the same for the shoe man, For tears fell from his eyes. At the end of the service, as is custom here, We must greet the visitors and show them good cheer. But I was moved inside to want to meet this man, So after the closing, I shook his hand. He was old, his skin dark, his hair a mess. I thanked him for coming, for being our guest, He said, "My name's Charlie, glad to meet you, my friend," And there were tears in his eyes--but he had a wide grin. "Let me explain," he said, wiping his eyes. "I've been coming for months, and you're the first to say, "Hi." I know I don't look like all the rest, But I always try to look my best." "I polish my shoes before my long walk, But by the time I get here they're as dirty as chalk." My heart fell to my knees, but I held back my tears, He continued, "And I must apologize for sitting so near." "But I know when I get here, I must look a sight. And I thought . . . if I touched you, our souls might unite." I was silent for a moment knowing anything I said Would pale in comparison, so I spoke from my heart not my head. "Oh, you've touched me," I said. "And taught me, in part, That the best of a man is what's in his heart." The rest, I thought, this man will never know. . . How thankful I am that he touched my soul! -<>- . , )). -===- ,(( ))). ,((( ))))). .:::. ,(((((( ))))))))). :. .: ,((((((((' `))))))))))). : - : ,(((((((((((( ))))))))))))))))_:' ':_(((((((((((((((' `)))))))))))).-' \___/ '-._((((((((((( `))))_._.-' __)( )(_ '-._._((((' `))'---)___)))'\_ _/'((((__(---'((' `))))))))))))|' '|((((((((((((' jim `)))))))))/' '\(((((((((' `)))))))| |(((((((' `))))))| |((((((' /' '\ /' '\ /' '\ /' '\ '---..___..---' "Your Angel" Once upon a time there was a child ready to be born. So one day he asked God: "They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?" God replied, "Among the many angels, I chose one for you. She will be waiting for you and will take care of you." "But tell me, here in Heaven, I don't do anything else but sing and smile, that's enough for me to be happy." "Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you every day. And you will feel your angel's love and be happy." "And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me, if I don't know the language that men talk?" "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak." "And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?" "Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray." "I've heard that on earth there are bad men. Who will protect me?" "Your angel will defend you even if it means risking it's life." "But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore." "Your angel will always talk to you about me and will teach you the way for you to come back to me, even though I will always be next to you." At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from earth could already be heard, and the child in a hurry asked softly: "Oh God, if I am about to leave now, please tell me my angel's name." "Your angel's name is of no importance, you will call yourangel: Mommy." --Author Unknown -<>- .--._..--. ___ ( _'-_ -_.' _.-' `-._| - :- | _.-' `--...__| .-' '--..___ / `._ \ `. `._ | `. `._ / '. `._ :__________....-----' `..`---' |-_ _- |___...----..._ |_....--' `.`. _...--' `.`. _..-' _.'.' .-' _.'.' | _.'.' | __....------'-' | __...------''' _| '--''' |- - _ | _.-''''''''''''''''''-._ _.' |\ .' _.' | `._ |:.' `._ _.' | `..__ | | `---.._.--. _| | | _ - | `-.._|_.' .--...__ | - _| .'_ `--.....__ | .'_ `--..__ .'_ `. .'_ `-. `--..____ _`. ```--...____ _..--' ;;;:::. (\| - _ ```---.._.' .. ;::| - _ |/) ;;;:::. (o) ;;::., |_ - - |;;;: (\'/) ::;; (o) | -_ -_L ``::;;;. .;;' (\ '/) | -_ _ G (o) ..;; ''' ;:;;.,|(o) _-B(\'/) ;;;;::: ;::(\'/);;:|;:; ;' >The Road To Success.. The road to success is not straight. There is a curve called failure, a loop called confusion, speed bumps called friends, red lights called enemies, caution lights called family; you will have flats called jobs. But... if you have a spare called determination, an engine called perseverance, and insurance called faith, a driver called Jesus Christ; you will make it to a place called success. The White Indian kgreen1@ameritech.net -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment :) Alcohol And Drug Use http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/alcoholanddrugs.html Return To Me - God http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/return.html World's Largest Animals http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/largestanimals.html Kids With Animals http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/kidswithanimals.html Kids With Animals 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/kidswithanimals2.html Let's Dance! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dance.html Inspiring Seniors! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/inspiringseniors.html Beautiful Grand Canyon! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/grandcanyon.html Famous People!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/famous.html Final Toast!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/finaltoast.html Life Is... http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lifeis.html Pretty Bugs!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bugs.html Extreme Homes!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/exhomes.html Colorful Birds 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/birds2.html Fairy Tale Homes http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/fairytale.html Beautiful Flowers http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bflowers.html Festival Of Citrus http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/orangefest.html Holy Alphabet! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/holyalpha.html Friends And Health! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/friendhealth.html Thank You Lord! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thanks.html Summer Index https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/summerindex.html -<>- How To Avoid Being A Failure https://tinyurl.com/mubhey2w How to Become a Christian - How to Get Born Again / How to Get Saved / Romans 10:9 & 10 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMzblR8YDQ0 Bible https://quod.lib.umich.edu/k/kjv/ Bible Study Index http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Contents.htm The Way Bible Articles https://thewayinternational.com/english/ Spirit & Truth Index: https://stfi.org/ Bible Teaching Videos - John Schoenheit Spirit And Truth https://tinyurl.com/2gyn3f35 The Lion Weekly Digest is a newsletter delivering the week's top articles from The Lion straight to your inbox. Find all of the stories: https://readlion.com/ Latest From PragerU: https://www.prageru.com/ -<>- >In The Worldly News: President Donald J. Trump https://www.donaldjtrump.com/ TrumpRx doesn't sell medications. Instead, it connects patients directly with the best prices, increasing transparency and cutting out costly third-party markups. https://trumprx.gov/ White House Actions - 2026 https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/ Trump executive orders and actions, 2025-2026 https://tinyurl.com/musd7m3x DOGE Latest News https://doge.gov/ DOGE Latest Savings https://doge.gov/savings From The Daily Acorn: Positive News https://www.thedailyacorn.com/ Latest From Lifezette: https://www.lifezette.com/ Latest From Hannity: https://hannity.com/ Latest From American Action News: https://americanactionnews.com/ Latest From Reliable News: https://reliablenewsnow.com/ Latest From Newsmax: https://www.newsmax.com/ Latest From Expose: https://expose-news.com/ Latest From AFA: http://tinyurl.com/j7lakqw Latest From OperationRescue: http://www.operationrescue.org/ Latest Product Alert: http://www.emergencyemail.org/products/?fmt=text Latest Health Alert: http://www.emergencyemail.org/health/?fmt=text Click to Give Free https://greatergood.com/clicktogive/ggc/home ========================================================== >-->From God'sDailyWord: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Cut The Lifeboats At the end of his third missionary journey Paul was arrested in Jerusalem, transferred about 40 miles up the road to Caesarea, and made to sit in prison for over two years before being sent by boat to stand trial in Rome. During the journey to Rome, a storm blew the ship off course and threatened to kill everyone on board. Acts 27:30-32 "In an attempt to escape from the ship, the sailors let the lifeboat down into the sea, pretending they were going to lower some anchors from the bow. Then Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, 'Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.' So the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and let it fall away." Where is our true security? Most of us have lifeboats which we keep close to our side. Even after we've accepted the forgiveness and saving grace of Jesus, we tend to keep the lifeboats - just in case. We say we're trusting our future to God, but we still make sure every step of our life is planned for the next 30 years and fight any attempt to deviate from "the plan" - just in case. We say we understand the concept of eternity and the idea that our life is "a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14), but we still strive for titles and positions so our friends and family can remember us as "successful" - just in case. We say we want to live for Jesus and praise our Heavenly Father for all eternity, but we still don't want to miss the immediate pleasures of the world - just in case. If we keep one foot in the ship and one foot in the lifeboat, we will never live as God desires. It makes absolutely no sense to say we believe and trust God with our eternity and yet fail to trust Him with the uncertainties of tomorrow or the storms of today. Cutting the lifeboats means we place ALL our trust in God, believe His Word as truth, and live accordingly: "Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says" (James 1:22). We MUST stay with the ship! A saving relationship with Jesus implies we have recognized the eternal storm of sin which threatened to sink us to the pit of hell, but it also implies we are clinging to His forgiveness as the ONLY way to be saved; "for there is no other name under Heaven given to men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). Let's ask the God through Christ to reveal any area of our life which is not consistent with a life of unrestrained belief and trust. Then, let's ask for the strength and courage to, once and for all, give Him ALL of our heart and cut the lifeboats. Have a Christ Centered Day! Steve Troxel God's Daily Word Ministries **** Reading Plan **** ?Deuteronomy 18:1-20:20; Luke 9:28-50; Psalm 73:1-28; Proverbs 12:10 --- _______ / /_ / -/- / / / / / / /_______/ / jgs ((______| / `"""""""` ...See These teachings God First https://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Basics/GOD_FIRST.htm Trust In The Lord https://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Basics/Trust_In_The_Lord.htm It’s a Two-Way Street https://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Basics/It's_a_Two-Way_Street.htm First Thought https://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Basics/FIRST_THOUGHT.htm <:))))>< , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Step off the Shore When Moses died, God assigned Joshua to the position of leadership. The people of Israel needed to know God approved of Joshua and would continue to direct them as they entered the land of Canaan. God was aware of this need and chose to work through Joshua as the people prepared to cross the Jordan river; "Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses" (Joshua 3:7). God told Joshua to have the priests carry the ark of the covenant directly into the Jordan river, which was flowing at flood level during the harvest season. He promised that when the priests stepped into the water, He would cause the riverbed to dry and the waters to be "cut off and stand up in a heap" (Joshua 3:13). With all the Israelites waiting in great anticipation, the priests picked up the ark - their most honored possession - and took their greatest step of faith. Joshua 3:15-16 "As soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water's edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away." God always teaches us about faith and trust by directing us down a path we think is too hard to travel, into circumstances we do not understand. After all, if we could clearly see and understand, there would not be a need for faith. But we often miss the opportunity to experience the true glory of God because we fail to obey and take the first step. By working through Joshua, God gave the people confidence in their new leader. By requiring an initial action (the first step), He taught a valuable lesson of obedience and trust. The river did not gradually pull back as the priests approached. Nothing happened to the river until the priests left the safety of the shore and stepped into the water. God patiently waited for a full commitment before revealing His mighty hand. I often hear from people who are hesitant about giving their life to God. Mostly, they are scared by what they can't see or understand, so they remain frozen where they are. They desire to have a more fulfilling life but are paralyzed by the fear of what they may lose in the process. Oh, if we could only see the life we would gain by giving Him our all! God is waiting. He is ready to pull back the flood waters and lead us into a new land, a land filled with His peace and true contentment. But we MUST commit. Let's trust Him with every area of our life. Let's take a firm hold of His hand and boldly step off the shore. Have a Christ Centered Day! Steve Troxel God's Daily Word Ministries **** Reading Plan **** ?2 Chronicles 6:14-8:10; Romans 7:15-8:8; Psalm 18:1-15; Proverbs 19:24-25 --- _______ / /_ / -/- / / / / / / /_______/ / jgs ((______| / `"""""""` ...See this teaching God Moves When You Move https://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Basics/God_Moves_When_You_Move.htm ========================================================== >-->From CupO'Cheer: ---\=,__,>,_`-. | : | `"""V#######,,_ `- ""##################' --z--;" /_/ `. `. | | `/"""".`|`|| } }|.""""""""|""""" --'//`/' ` \ '. | : |: || | | : : | : ,_\---_\._ : `.\ |/ : / : | | || : : : //--'> ___ ``-,_ \ \ `"^ : ` || || | : : '=-`',' / `-, __`-. | : : : : : | | || : --- //7;<\ / ,--._ ` | ., : : | ||| || ' : -/;\'/` -='/|( \ \ %#' : `| ||| | : : : // '\ // | ` | | : `' : : || # | ||| : ` . : | : | ||#|#| | ': : : : ` '#" : : : | ||,|, || : / : |: || ' : \\|\ X XX///` :| : | : : | | : : / >\\> <\/\< MIGHTY WATERS READ: Revelation 1:9-17 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters. —Revelation 1:15 While in Brazil, I went to see Iguazu Falls, one of the greatest waterfalls in the world. The massive falls are breathtaking, but what impressed me most at Iguazu was not the sight of the falls or the spray of the water. It was the sound. The sound was beyond deafening - I felt as if I was actually inside the sound itself. It was an overwhelming experience that reminded me how small I am by comparison. Later, with this scene in mind, I couldn’t help but think about John in Revelation 1:15. While on the island of Patmos, he saw a vision of the risen Christ. The apostle described Jesus in the glory of His resurrection, noting both His clothing and His physical qualities. Then John described Christ’s voice “as the sound of many waters” (v.15). I’m not sure I fully appreciated what that meant until I visited Iguazu and was overwhelmed by the thundering sound of the falls. As those mighty waters reminded me of my own smallness, I better understood why John fell at the feet of Christ as if dead (v.17). Perhaps that description will help you grasp the awesomeness of Jesus’ presence and prompt you to follow John’s example of worshiping the Savior. —Bill Crowder Pay honor to our marvelous Savior— Daily His wonders proclaim; Dwell always in the presence of Jesus, And worship His holy name. —Branon True worship of God through Christ changes admiration into adoration. as seen in Our Daily Bread -<>- _ ///-._ ////////-._ /////////////-. ////////////////`. //////////////// .'`. //////////////// . '.'`. '|`'//////////// . .'.::|` : `'/////// . '.':| | . . `'// ' _|- ::| |. .-._ . | . | .':: | |:|:| | ' ' '.::| | |:|:| :. . .'.':| | . |:|:| . | .._.::: : `':| | ' ////-:| |. . | '/////////-._ | . . : .//////////////-._ : : ///////////////////-._ |. |////////////////////////-._ | . . :`'//////////////////////////-._ | . _.-\\\\``'//////////////////////////-._ | /\\\\\\\\..``'//////////////////////////". : . . /. \\\\\\\\\. .``'///////////////////// .'`. : / _ \\\\\\\\\. ``'//////////////// . .'`. | . / (@) \\\\\\\\\. . . ``'/////////// . '.'::|. {`)._ '| _` .\\\\\\\-`:|#| . . ``'////// '. .'.:| `-{_/`| ||::. \\'`.:|:.|#| |#| . ``'/ ' .##:'::: `-| ||||| |`.'::|::|#| |#| |#| . . '| . .|##|'.:| pils | ||||| : .'::|:.'#| |#| |#| |#| | |##|'::| | ||||| .| .'.:|::.'' '#| |#| |#| . : ' |##|'.:| {`\:|||| : .'::|:_.:. . '#| |#| | .|##|'::: `-{_/'|_ |_.-'/}_/'-._ '#| :. |##:'.:| `'{._('}_)-' `-}_}(-._ . . | ' '` .'::| `-' `-.} /-._ . : .'.'_:-'\ `-}_}(-._ | . _.-')_(-' `-/_)`-.:.-{ \{-' `-{_'_)-'' ^ >CAN YOUR CHURCH LET GO OF TRADITIONS FOR THE MISSION? by Tony Morgan In the Church, we tend to start new programs, but it's very difficult for us to end programs. Ministries and events become traditions. We worship the traditions. We're unable to stop anything because at least one person may be helped by what we're doing. We're unable to stop anything because at least one person loves doing the ministry or event. What would happen if the Church started doing less, but we encouraged people to do more outside the Church? What would happen if churches focused on what God called them to do and empowered people to do what God calls them to do? The challenge, of course, is that people hear God telling them to do something, and they assume their church should also embrace that vision. We need to get in the practice of encouraging people to obey God's prompting in their lives. They need to be challenged to go do it. Feed the hungry. Provide the place to sleep. Give the money. Serve those that need help. Counsel your neighbor. If we wait for that to become a church ministry or event, it may not get done. And more important, people may be missing the life change that God was hoping would happen. At the same time, churches need to stay focused on their vision – that includes ending traditions that may be failures or need adaptation. What would happen if we begin to narrow down the ministries of the church to what can only happen corporately? What if we focused on what God is really blessing? It's entirely possible that the ministries and events of the church are getting in the way of teaching people how to obey God's prompting to be the Church in our communities. Are you able to let go of traditions to help people become more like Jesus? Tony Morgan serves on the leadership team at West Ridge Church near Atlanta. He's also a consultant and coach who helps churches get unstuck and have a bigger impact. He's the author of the leadership book "Killing Cockroaches" and his latest eBooks on ministry strategies and systems are available as free downloads. Visit Tony at www.tonymorganlive.com -<>- .---------------. / oLo \ O/_____/________/____\O /__________+__________\ / (#############) \ |[**](#############)[**]| \_______________________/ |_""__|_,-----,_|__""_| | | '-----' | | APC'97 '-' '-' >ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE Many people have experienced it. And if you haven’t, you’ve seen others endure it. There is never a convenient or good time for your vehicle to break down or stop functioning properly. It’s frustrating, restricting, and conjures up nothing more than a feeling of helplessness. Particularly for people like me who are significantly challenged with anything automotive, I am powerless to resolve the situation. What do I do? I call in help. I call the automotive roadside assistance. I call family and friends. I call the closest dealer for my vehicle. I know my limitations and understand that without placing a call, I’ll stay stuck right where I am. God has constructed life the same way. He’s constructed life in a way that mandates that we have people to call and connect with when life puts us down. And because Satan knows that God has assembled our lives to only work when we have the right people around us, he causes us to go to extremes in our need to be connected to people. We either connect with the wrong people or we alienate ourselves and disconnect from everyone all together. In either case, it’s dangerous and renders us ineffective to really get where we’re going. Ephesians 5:15-21 shows us that it is both wise and spiritual to mutually submit to others who are also attempting to grow and develop as faithful followers of Christ. Many times I cringe because I hear many ministers and teachers of God’s Word declare, “You don’t need anybody else but Jesus.” This is totally opposite to God’s Word. We’ve got to fight to walk in obedience to God’s instruction for accountability, quality relationships and progressive connections. We must fight: 1. Independence – that is the idea of not needing anyone. The truth is we need somebody to help us get where God wants us to get in life. 2. Insignificance – that is the idea of minimizing our relationships. Every person that you are connected to impacts you in some way. You must also identify who you should be connected to. 3. Infatuation – that is the idea of over- emphasizing the need to have people at every corner of your life. Although you must have people in your life to uphold you, strengthen you and encourage you, there are certain areas of your life where God wants your undivided attention and the voice of others must become minor to God’s voice. 4. Instability – that is the idea of inappropriately handling the people that God sends our way. Our own immaturity can significantly deter us from growing in the appropriate relationships. If we don’t fight the four I’s, we will find ourselves on an island alone. This island will disconnect us from resources, relationships, realities and revelations that God has released for us. This is dangerous. What should our prayer be? Here it is: Lord, I am committed to traveling through life with the people that you have assigned for me to help and those to help me. Give me the discernment and wisdom to successfully manage every relationship. I invite you to develop my character to maintain these relationships. And now, I celebrate you for getting the glory in every connection that I have. In Jesus Christ’s Name. Amen. Scripture Of The Day: "Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God." -- Ephesians 5:20-21 (NKJV) -- Christopher J. Harris Received from: Streaming Faith Daily Devotionals --- _______ / /_ / -/- / / / / / / /_______/ / jgs ((______| / `"""""""` ...Yes We need to remember we are in the body of Christ. I am reminded of this from the bible: 1 Cor.12 [14] For the body is not one member, but many. [15] If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? [16] And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? [17] If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? [18] But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. [19] And if they were all one member, where were the body? [20] But now are they many members, yet but one body. [21] And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. [22] Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: [23] And those members of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. [24] For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked: [25] That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. [26] And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it. [27] Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. [28] And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. -<>- .o######0o. 0###########0. . o####" "######0. (## m#o ####( ######0 ._ ##.##"nn 0####o ###" ## (##o.######" o00o. 0#####o,##. ,#" "#######( .0#####0. 0###########0 ######## .0#######0. "0#########" _.o###'"00" .0###########o._ ""################ _ . 0####" "#########################0 .0#0n0 #####. ""#####################" _ 0##### 0#####. "###################._.o##o.#####" "0#####..##mn ""############################# "0#######""_ ""##################"#####" ""####m###m ""############" #### .########""" .########" "##" ####"##"###o (0######" "" "##".###,## .o#o ""####. "##" .0############. .n##RADIUS####### >GHOSTS THAT HAUNT US I recently had a dream that I was in a crowded restaurant having dinner and to my surprise, there were people that I knew at the other tables. But these were all persons from my past. They were people whom I had lost touch with or whom we had broken off our friendships, or whom I once loved. It was as if everyone that I loved and lost were in that room. I went up to each table to speak with each person and I suppose it was my way of correcting the loss between us. Some persons were good with it and happy to see me. Others seemed to be unmoved and superficial. They didn't want me to try to repair our relationships. I woke up with sadness because it was a reminder of all the failed relationships in my life. In my dream, I had gathered them all in one room. These were my ghosts. People I had not thought about in a long time, but who live in my subconscious... reminding me of my failures. One thing we all have is a past. In our struggle to figure out our lives here on earth, so many of us are quietly haunted by the people and the events that went wrong in our lifetimes. Those people whom we had unresolved issues. Those friendships lost. Those loves that were incomplete. Those problems never fixed. People who hurt us and the people whom we hurt. What could have been. What never should have been. What used to be, but is no longer. These feelings may never stop haunting us. Many of us don't acknowledge our ghosts in public because of the power some of them have on us. It may seem embarrassing to us that we have not moved on. But in our hearts live the ghosts of our past. .'``'. ... :o o `....'` ; `. O :' `': `. `:. `. : `. `. `..'`... `. `... `. jgs ``... `. `````. Each of us has different ways in which we deal with our ghosts. Some of us are able to let them go and put them where they belong. But some of us don't have such an easy time. Many of us escape from our ghosts through substance abuse or activities that take us away from our pain and loss. Others of us just become workaholics or throw ourselves into something to keep our minds busy. Some of us just ignore our ghosts, hoping that one day they will just go away. And some of us live and relive the scenarios with our ghosts, quietly sinking deeper into a dark hole. You see it's not so easy to forget a parent who abused us. It's not so easy to forget someone whom we loved who is no longer there. It's not so easy to forget someone who was evil to us or betrayed our trust. It's not so easy to forget someone whom we cherished, but didn't appreciate our love. And just when we think we have let go of our pains and losses, a thought enters our mind, a song pops up, a stranger triggers a memory, or a dream awakens us to relive our lives all over again. No matter what we try to do, our past follows us. The problem is, even as Christians, we cannot wish these ghosts away. They hide beneath our subconscious. They lurk to pounce on us, just when things seem to be getting better. They remind us of our unfinished business. They remind us of our losses. They remind us of our failures. They remind us of how painful life can be. So many of us bring our ghosts to God and we hope He can help remove our pains, thoughts and struggles with them. But many of our ghosts loiter around. Some ghosts we actually want to keep around because along with the pain are happy memories that we don't want to let go of. There are no easy ways to release them. No easy ways to give them to God. But we have to. So many of us can fall into a deep depression if we allow our ghosts to hang around too long. And too many of us give up on our lives, fearing the creation of more bad situations, engaging less with new people for fear of repeating ourselves. Some of us choose to never love again because future love may result in future hurt. .-. ( " ) /\_.' '._/\ | | \ / \ /` (__) / jgs`.__.' Many of us subconsciously don't want to give up our ghosts. Though they can bring us down, sometimes they are all we have of the people we once loved, even though our love had flaws. If ghosts linger, perhaps it is because we want them around. They were a part of our lives and to let them go, is to let go of who we are. But there is a point where, we cannot live for our ghosts. The past is past. We can never relive what once was and to live with them prevents us from moving ahead and living today. To live in the past is to have no future. Jesus said, "Let the dead bury their own dead." - Matthew 8:22b There's a point when we need to forgive the ones who hurt us and ask those whom we hurt to forgive us. There is a point when we have to let go. There is a point when we have to give everything to God, trust in Him and live each day at a time. , \`-, , =- .-._/ \_____)\ (" / =- '-; ,_____.-' =- jgs /__.' Our ghosts may never completely go away, and our past issues may never see a resolution, but we have God who loves us and will be with us through our tough times, holding us close to Him. In God there is light. In Jesus there is hope. Only He can set us free. Only He can heal our wounds. Give your ghosts to God. as seen in Inspirations Plus --- ...See these teachings DWELLING ON THE PAST https://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Basics/DWELLING_ON_THE_PAST.htm DON’T LOOK BACK https://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Basics/DON'T_LOOK_BACK.htm 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: "I present a God who matters, and who makes claims on the human race. He is a God of love, grace, and mercy, but also a God of judgment. When we break His moral laws we suffer; when we keep them we have inward peace and joy. I am calling for a revival that will cause men and women to return to their offices and shops to live out the teaching of Christ in their daily relationships. I preach a Gospel not of despair but of hope for the individual, hope for society, and hope for the world." - Billy Graham ~~0 / Q @ /_oo-#= \_|_/ _|/_ .| \/ _|_|_|_ \_|_/ /( )_\ ||__ |, _|_|_|_ ;/_)_(_ 0 / | |\\ /|\ |, _( ) |0== /_oo-#= /|\ / / / =#-@@| .| \/ _/ \_ \/ |. ||__ |, ejm 97 |, __|| | |\\ /|\ /|\ //| | >The Sweet Song of the Second Fiddle (By Max Lucado) [Minor editing] For thousands of years, the relationship had been perfect. As far back as any one could remember, the moon had faithfully reflected the sun's rays into the dark night. It was the greatest duo in the universe. Other stars and planets marveled at the reliability of the team. Generation after generation of earthlings were captivated by the reflection. The moon became the symbol of romance, high hopes, and even nursery rhymes. "Shine on, harvest moon," the people would sing. And he did. Well, in a way he did. You see, the moon didn't actually shine. He reflected. He took the light given to him by the sun and redirected it toward the earth. A simple task of receiving illumination and sharing it. You would think such a combo would last forever. It almost did. But one day, a nearby star planted a thought in the moon's core. "It must be tough being a moon," the star suggested. "What do you mean? I love it! I've got an important job to do. When it gets dark, people look to me for help. And I look to the sun. He gives me what I need and I give the people what they need. People depend on me to light up their world. And I depend on the sun." "So, you and the sun must be pretty tight." "Tight? Why, we are like Huntley and Brinkley, Hope and Crosby, Benny and Day!" "Or maybe Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy?" "Who?" "You know, the man and the dummy." "Well, I don't know about the dummy part." "That's exactly what I mean. You are the dummy. You don't have any light of your own. You depend on the sun. You're the sidekick. You don't have any name for yourself." "Name for yourself?" "Yeah, you've been playing second fiddle for too long. You need to step out on your own." "What do you mean?" "I mean stop reflecting and start generating. Do your own thing. Be your own boss. Get people to see you for who you really are." "Who am I?" "Well, you are, uh, well, uh, well, that's what you need to find out. You need to find out who you are." The moon paused and thought for a moment. What the star said made sense. Though he had never considered it, the moon was suddenly aware of all the inequities of the relationship. Why should he have to work the night shift all the time? And why should he be the one the astronauts stepped on first? And why should he always be accused of making waves? And why don't the dogs and wolves howl at the sun for a change? "You are right!" asserted the moon. "It's high time we had a solar-lunar equity up here." "Now you're talking," prodded the star. "Go discover the real moon!" Such was the beginning of the breakup. Rather than turning his attention toward the sun, the moon began turning his attention toward himself. He set out on the course of self-enhancement. After all, his complexion was a disgrace, so full of craters and all. His wardrobe was sadly limited to three sizes; full-length, half- cast, and quarter-clad. And his coloring was an anemic yellow. So, girded with determination, he set out to reach for the moon. He ordered glacier packs for his complexion. He changed his appearance to include new shapes such as triangular and square. And for coloring he opted for a punk-rock orange. "No one is going to call me cheese-face anymore." The new moon was slimmed down and shaped up. His surface was as smooth as a baby's bottom. Everything was fine for a while. Initially, his new look left him basking in his own moonlight. Passing meteors would pause and visit. Distant stars would call and compliment. Fellow moons would invite him over to their orbits. He had friends. He had fame. He didn't need the sun - until the trends changed. Suddenly "punk" was out and "prep" was in. The compliments stopped and the giggles began as the moon was slow to realize that he was out of style. Just as he finally caught on and had his orange changed to pinstripe, the style went to "country." It was the painful poking of the rhinestones into his surface that caused him to finally ask himself, "What's this all for anyway? You're on the cover of the magazine one day and forgotten the next. Living off the praise of others is an erratic diet." .-'`/ .-'` _/ .-'` _/ .-' / .-' / .' ( .' ,,////) . __,-^/ . \()( : \ : _ \ : (____\ : ( ` )-.__) ` ) `. ( `. \ `-. \ `-. \_ `'-. \_ cjr `'-. \_ 17apr00 `'-.\ For the first time since he'd begun his campaign to find himself, the moon thought of the sun. He remembered the good ol' millenniums when praise was not a concern. What people thought of him was immaterial since he wasn't in the business of getting people to look at himself. Any praise that came his way was quickly passed on to the boss. The sun's plan was beginning to dawn on the moon. "He may have been doing me a favor." He looked down upon the earth. The earthlings had been getting quite a show. They never knew what to expect: first punk, then preppie, now country. Odds-makers in Las Vegas were making bets as to whether the next style would be chic or macho. Rather than be the light of their world he was the butt of their jokes. Even the cow refused to jump over him. But it was the cold that bothered him the most. Absence from the sunlight left him with a persistent chill. No warmth. No glow. His full-length overcoat didn't help. It couldn't help; the shiver was from the inside, an icy shiver from deep within his core that left him feeling cold and alone. Which is exactly what he was. One night as he looked down upon the people walking in the dark, he was struck by the futility of it all. He thought of the sun. He gave me everything I needed. I served a purpose. I was warm. I was content. I was what I was made to be. Suddenly, he felt the old familiar warmth. He turned and there was the sun. The sun had never moved. "I'm glad you're back," the sun said. "Let's get back to work." "You bet!" agreed the moon. The coat came off. The roundness returned, and a light was seen in the dark sky. A light even fuller was seen in the dark sky. A light even brighter. And to this day whenever the sun shines and the moon reflects and the darkness is illuminated, the moon doesn't complain or get jealous. He does what he was intended to do all along. .-""""- F .-' F J I I L `. L `-._, `-.__.-' ## ### # #### _____ ## .---#####-...__ .--' `-### .--..-' ###### ""`---.... _____.----. ###`.._____ .' ####### a:f ### / -. ####### _.--- ### .( ####### # : `--... ###### # `. ``. ###### : :. ##### .' ) ### .' / ## _.' | .## ,:' | ' .' < ' | / | ' . The moon beams. ----- Sound like this could maybe be an analogy??? Like maybe of the way that we as God's children are supposed to be? 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 |==|=|__ ,,,(______)_),,,, ,,,;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;,,,, ,,,;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;,,, ,;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;, >-->TRUE FRIENDS Why do I have a variety of friends who are all so different in character? How can I get along with them all? I think that each one helps to bring out a "different" part of me. With one of them I am polite. I joke with another friend. I sit down and talk about serious matters with one. With another I laugh a lot. I may have a cup of tea with one. I listen to one friend's problems. Then I listen to another one's advice for me. My friends are all like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. When completed, they form a treasure box. A treasure of friends! -author unknown >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah, Shangy! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- https://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->ShangyFunList AD RATES: $35 will get your ad 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: https://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes >Got A good Recipe? 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