Daughter Of A Soldier 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 ================ *~* Please Consider Giving To ShangralaFamilyFun.com :) The cost of the website has gone up dramatically due to the ever increasingly wonderful pages and photos being added each week to entertain you and our fellow Christian families. If every one would chip in $25 or more, we'd be good for the whole year! So Please - I need your help today! "We are each of us angels with but one wing, and can only fly by embracing each other" -Luciano Decrescenzo ~ CALLING ALL CARING ANGELS ~ *~* WE NEED CARING And SHARING Angels *~* >Do You Want To Be A Shangrala Angel? If you'd like to help and be counted as a Shangrala Angel, the easiest way to do that is through online giving. It is easy to use, and most of all, it is secure. Please visit the site, scroll down and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL form page comes up. NOTE: Paypal will generate a 'Quantity 1' and 'Price per item' form. Just ignore the price per item and put whatever it is you desire to give in there. With Paypal, you will have your normal receipt for your 'payment' donation in USD (United States Dollars). You can put a memo in there if you'd like. Any amount is greatly appreciated and needed! PLEASE Visit Shangrala to Help: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/index.html OR If you'd rather send us a donation, Please MAIL it here: Elrhea Bigham 502 S. Harrison Van Wert, OH 45891 *~* THANK YOU! MAY GOD BLESS YOU ABUNDANTLY FOR YOUR GIFT! ================ *~* 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! -<>- * NOTE: An easy way to adjust the size of print in email or any page is to hold down the Ctrl tab while moving the scroll button on the mouse. You can also use the keyboard to change the font size in your web browser or emails. Hold down the Ctrl key while pressing the + key for larger text or the - key for smaller text! ================ >-->2 HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This pipping hot new page is from my daughter Tammy. A photographer noticed two penguins standing 'flipper to flipper' together gazing out across at the Australian nightlights. He was able to captured photos of them. A local later told him why they do this. You'll never guess the reason why. Visit here to find out... ....,, .::o::;' ..... :::::::: .::::o:::., .::' `::: :::::::''" ::: : ::' `. .::: : :' :: .::: : ,: `:: .' : :`. ." : ::: .' .: : : .: : : : ::' ::. :' : : : :: : :`: : : :`: : : : '' : : ' _.---: :___ : : : :` `--: : l42 : :---: : : :---: :`---. '``` '``` ''' '''' Tale Of Two Penguins http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/penguins.html --- ...Amazing and So heartwarming! Thanks Tammy! Our next pipping hot new page is from our friends LouiseAu, Linda and Geniann. I never tire of seeing art from top 3D artists. They are mind-boggling. Most of the time, they give you the feeling that you can interact with their art, but they are using skilled illusion tricks to skew our perception. Be sure to check out this page for art from 5 of the best 3D artists along with an amazing short video. .--. .--. ( (`\\."--``--".//`) ) '-. __ __ .-' / /__\ /__\ \ | \ 0/ \ 0/ | \ `/ \` / `-. /-"""-\ .-` ._-. / '.___.' \ //';\\ \ I / // ;// `;--'`'--;` \\_;// '.___.' //-` ___| |___ ."`-. .-` .---. `-. / ) / .' '. \ / ) / /|| ||\ \ / /`""` / / || || \ \ / / / / || || \ / / / (___||___.-=--. \ / ( -; '-' `-----------.___~; Chalk Art 10 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/chalkart10.html --- ...Wow! Super astounding! Thanks Ladies! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: Don't be discouraged. It's often the last key in the bunch that opens the lock. Michael tells about a friend who experience some horrific events in his life. However, as we learn, there is a big difference between being "knocked down" and "knocked out." Whatever challenges you are facing in your life right, but sure they don't get the better of you. m " m" " m m " m " "m " " "m m m " m " " " "m" " " "m m m m m " " " " " "m"m"m"m"m"m " m " " "m"m" "m"m"m"m"m"m"m"m "m"m m"m" "m m"m"m"m"m"m"m"m"m"m$"m $ " "m"m"m"m"m"m"m"m"m"m$" $m " "m"m"m"m"m"m$" m"m"m $ $"m"m"m"m$" m"m" "m m"m m "m"m$" m"m" "m $ $ $ $" m"m" "m " m "$m"m" m"m m"m $" m" $ $ $ $ m" m" "m" $ m" m$$ $ m" m$" $ $" m""$ $ """ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ unknown >MY PAINTER, MY FRIEND by Michael Segal Years ago, my wife and I were looking for the name of a good painter to "touchup" some of the pealing house paint. My boss' wife suggested her painter, so we gave him a call. We were so happy with his work we used him for other painting projects. We then discovered he was not only a painter, but a contractor as well. Sharon, my wife, and I used him for everything -- from painting, to sheetrocking, to putting in lights, to building closets... You name it, David Jones could do it. Through the years, we developed a relationship with David -- not only as our "super handyman," but more importantly as our friend. Soon, he had a key to our home. We trusted him and highly recommended him to our family and friends. One day, as I was about to call David to wish him a happy birthday, our phone rang. It was David and something was wrong -- terribly wrong. David was frantic, explaining that his son Sean had been in an accident. "He and his friend were testing a motorcycle and Sean ran into a tree." The injury to his spinal cord was bad and David said "he might not make it." For a while, it was touch and go. However, miraculously, his condition changed from critical to stable. Sean was eventually transferred from his acute hospital to a rehabilitation hospital. My father taught me a long time ago, a corny but true quote: Mile by mile is a trial. Yard by yard is hard. But inch by inch is a cinch! True, Sean still has a long way to go, as he is a quadriplegic. However, I told David to look at how far he had come, as Sean was inches from death. One time I saw Sean feeling sorry for himself. I said, "Sean, you have experienced a severe loss. However, I hope in time, you will be able to look at the gains you've reached and not dwell on your losses." I visited Sean in the hospital quite often and from that day on, I only saw him with a smile and trying to achieve new gains. What about David, his father? Even though David put on a good front, he was constantly worried about Sean. Then, approximately one month after the motorcycle accident, we got another frantic phone call. David stated he did not know what to do, he was in the hospital with his wife who suffered a severe heart attack. We quickly went to the hospital, to offer any kind of help we could. Unfortunately, it was too late. Judy was in critical condition and she soon passed away. Still in a state of shock, David asked me if I could deliver his wife's eulogy. I felt very honored, and yet I was very sad. David is my painter, but more importantly, he is my friend. Anything I could do for him, I would. After the eulogy, we said some prayers. The funeral was a nice one and hopefully the eulogy honored David's wife. Now, David had suffered two huge losses -- his son's accident and his wife's death. On the surface, David tried to act like things were going okay. However, they weren't. I know it, my family knew it, and, most importantly, David knew it. He started making excuses for not showing up for work. I tried to talk to him, but in the beginning, he would not "let me in." Gradually, he did, and is doing better. The losses he has experienced are huge, but David is a fighter. He was "knocked down," but David will never allow himself to be "knocked out." True, David Jones is a great painter, but, more importantly, he is a great man. I feel honored to be able to call him my friend. -- Michael Segal __________________________________________________ Michael Jordan Segal is a husband, father, social worker, freelance author, and inspirational speaker. Years ago he was shot in the head and miraculously survived. You can see his amazing story on YouTube video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNeRqpaoNpQ To contact Mike or to order his CD, please visit: http://www.InspirationByMike.com =========================================================== >-->From Daily Encounter: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >The Seeing Who Are Blind "Behold, You [God] desire truth in the innermost being, And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom."1 If you watch TV interviews, you have undoubtedly seen how people avoid the question being asked, change the subject, or boringly beat around the bush. Some do this because the question puts them on the spot while others are in deep denial and totally blind to reality. As the communication specialists remind us, we all have a filter system in our mind that filters or blocks out any message we don't want to see or hear. In other words we can be very selective in how we see and hear any message regardless of its validity. For instance, "Selective exposure shows that many people will be open only to messages they want to hear. Selective attention shows that some hear only what they want to hear. Those with selective comprehension or perception will see things only the way they want to see them. Others with selective distortion will twist messages to make them match their self-concept or perception of reality. And those with selective retention choose only to remember what they want to remember. Everything else is filtered out."2 It boils down to personal truth and honesty. The more honest and truthful I am with my inner self, the clearer I will see all other truth--including God's truth. On the other hand, the more dishonest I am, the more I will see all truth--including God's truth--through a distorted filter and twist it to make it say exactly what I want it to say. The latter is a dangerous and ultimately self-destructive path to follow. Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please deliver me from the sin of self-deception and denial, and give me the courage to face my own inner truth and reality so I will see more clearly Your truth--as well as all other truth without viewing it through a distorted filter. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus Christ's name, amen." 1. Psalm 51:6, (NASB). 2. Dick Innes, I Hate Witnessing, ACTS Communications, 2003, P. 151. You can order a copy of Dick's book at: http://tinyurl.com/33kfbk <:))))>< , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Strength in Numbers “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near."1 Families in the US observe Independence Day. We are blessed to live in a country with such great freedoms, but this freedom was obtained with the faithful service and sacrifice from the men and women who fought for them. It is something we should never take for granted. I came across this quote, and it simply and clearly stated such a great truth: "They depended on each other. And the world depended on them." I say, "We need to depend on each other so that our community and country can depend on us."2 The photograph Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima came to mind as I thought of the idea of having strength in numbers. The photograph depicts a group of soldiers working together to make sure our flag was standing. They were just ordinary men, who willingly accept the responsibility to accomplish extraordinary things, even in difficult times. If they had tried to work alone, they would have not been able to do what they did. Our soldiers have learned to work together, support each other, and protect each other. When Jesus chose his disciples, he chose 12 ordinary men. All of them possessed different talents and strengths, which were equally important in continuing the work Jesus had started. They learned together, shared life, and served others together. This was God´s design for all of us as well. We are God’s army here on earth. Just as our soldiers have worked together to ensure our well being, we must work together and encourage others to continue moving forward in this battle against our enemy, the devil. Being part of the body of Christ will help us fulfill our individual roles successfully because we can count on the support of others. We all know that Christ will return as he said he would but let us work faithfully and diligently until He does. Suggested Prayer: Dear God, thank you for all the men and women who have served, and continue to serve, our country. Their continuous and cooperative effort has ensured the freedoms we enjoy. I pray that you would help us learn to work with others, as we seek to be an effective witness for you. Thank you for choosing an ordinary person like me to do extraordinary things in You. I pray that my life would motivate and encourage others to know you more. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus Christ's name, amen. 1 Hebrews 10:24-25 (NLT). 2 Quote from Band of Brothers: "There Was A Time When the World Asked Ordinary Men to Do Extraordinary Things." When copying or forwarding include the following: "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2016 ACTS International. =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: . | . \ | / `. \ ' / .' `. .-*""*-. .' "*-._ /.*" "*.\ _.-*" : ; ____ """"': .. ; _.-*" \ `.__.' / "*-._ .' `-.__.-' `. bug .' / . \ `. / | \ ' | ` >CRAZY WEATHER By: Joseph J. Mazzella We have been having some crazy weather here in the mountains of my home this summer. The other day, for instance, started out beautifully with a sunrise that could make the heavens' sing. The air was warm and the breezes gently kissed your cheek as you walked outside. The shining sun filtered through the leaves and lit up the world in a thousand different places. Just being outside lit up my own soul as well and I thanked God for another great day to be alive. By afternoon, however, the weather had turned hot and muggy. The skies had become partly cloudy and the distant roar of thunder was in the air. As I went to run an errand it started to rain. Driving down the road I could still see the sun behind me but thick, grey clouds lay ahead. After only a few miles a gentle sprinkling of rain became a torrent that rolled down the roads and turned every pothole into a puddle. I stopped to go into a store but was drenched before I got three feet. Lightening flashes could be seen over the hills and I wondered if the storm would ever end. As I drove back home, though, the clouds parted and the sunshine reappeared. I arrived home soaked but safe and looked up to see the most glorious rainbow bridging the sky. I stopped in my dripping clothes to take in the sight and store it safely in the memories of my soul. Life too can give us some crazy weather at times. Clear days can suddenly turn stormy in an instant. Sunny skies and gentle breezes can give way to pounding rains and lightening for no reason. Problems, troubles, and frustrations can soak you to the skin and you can find yourself wondering if the storm will ever end. When this happens take heart in knowing that God loves you through every type of weather and that you have enough sunlight in your soul to ride out any storm that life throws at you. Let that rain help you to grow and remember that the storms always end, the clouds always part, and sometimes you even get blessed with a rainbow. -<>- .-""""-. |== ==|-. |~~ ~~~|`\\ |LILILI| || | |// | |/ | | jgs __|______|__ [____________] >IT DEPENDS ONHOW YOU LOOK AT IT A MAN PULLED INTO A GAS STATION on the outskirts of town. As he filled his tank, he remarked to the attendant, "I've just accepted a job in town. I've never been to this part of the country. What are people like here?" "What are people like where you came from?" the attendant asked. "Not so nice," the man replied. "In fact, they can be quite rude." The attendant shook his head. "Well, I'm afraid you'll find the people in this town to be the same way." Just then another car pulled into the station. "Excuse me," the driver called out. "I'm just moving to this area. Is it nice here?" "Was it nice where you came from?" the attendant inquired. "Oh, yes! I came from a great place. The people were friendly, and I hated to leave." "Well, you'll find the same to be true of this town." "Thanks!" yelled the driver as he pulled away. "So what is this town really like?" asked the first man, now irritated with the attendant's conflicting reports. The attendant just shrugged his shoulders. "It's all a matter of perception. You'll find things to be just the way you think they are." - Adapted from the Positive Christianity Web site -<>- (\ \'\ \'\ __________ / '| ()_________) \ '/ \ ~~~~~~~~ \ \ \ ~~~~~~ \ ==). \__________\ (__) ()__________) unknown >DEAR GOD: I want to thank you for what you have already done. I am not going to wait until I see results or receive rewards, I am thanking you right now. I am not going to wait until I feel better or things look better, I am thanking you right now. I am not going to wait until people say they are sorry or Until they stop talking about me, I am thanking you right now. I am not going to wait until the pain in my body disappears, I am thanking you right now. I am not going to wait until my financial situation improves, I am going to thank you right now. I am not going to wait until the children are asleep and The house is quiet, I am going to thank you right now. I am not going to wait until I get promoted at work or Until I get the job, I am going to thank you right now. I am not going to wait until I understand every Experience in my life that has caused me pain or grief, I am going thank you right now. I am not going to wait until the journey gets easier or The challenges are removed. I am thanking you right now. I am thanking you because I am alive, So I may continue being your vessel I am thanking you because I made it through the day's difficulties. I am thanking you because I have walked around the obstacles. I am thanking you because I have the ability And the opportunity to do more and do better. I am thanking you because you have not given up on me. Please don't wait.... Let's Thank HIM Right Now -<>- |><|~|><| /(((9)))\ //) -_- (\\ (((( ._. )))) ))))---(((( ((((`---')))) (___|xXxXx|___) \ | | / / ^ ^ ^ \ / \ (_._._._._._) \ | / ( | ) | | | hjw |-|-| /`-^-'\ (__,^.__) >The daughter of a Soldier Last week I was in Atlanta, Georgia attending a conference. While I was in the airport, returning home, I heard several people behind me beginning to clap and cheer. I immediately turned around and witnessed one of the greatest act's of patriotism I have ever seen. Moving thru the terminal was a group of soldiers in their camo's, as they began heading to their gate everyone (well almost everyone) was abruptly to their feet with their hands waving and cheering. When I saw the soldiers, probably 30-40 of them, being applauded and cheered for it hit me. I'm not alone. I'm not the only red blooded American who still loves this country and supports our troops and their families. Of course I immediately stopped and began clapping for these young unsung heroes who are putting their lives on the line everyday for us so we can go to school, work and home without fear or reprisal. Just when I thought I could not be more proud of my country or of our service men and women a young girl, not more than 6 or 7 years old, ran up to one of the male soldiers. He kneeled down and said "hi," the little girl then asked him if he would give something to her daddy for her. The young soldier, he didn't look any older than maybe 22 himself, said he would try and what did she want to give to her daddy. Then suddenly the little girl grabbed the neck of this soldier, gave him the biggest hug she could muster and then kissed him on the cheek. The mother of the little girl, who said her daughters name was Courtney, told the young soldier that her husband was a Marine and had been in Iraq for 11 months now. As the mom was explaining how much her daughter, Courtney, missed her father, the young soldier began to tear up. When this temporarily single mom was done explaining her situation, all of the soldiers huddled together for a brief second. Then one of the other servicemen pulled out a military looking walkie-talkie. They started playing with the device and talking back and forth on it. After about 10-15 seconds of this, the young soldier walked back over to Courtney, bent down and said this to her, "I spoke to your daddy and he told me to give this to you." He then hugged this little girl that he had just met and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He finished by saying "your daddy told me to tell you that he loves you more than anything and he is coming home very soon." The mom at this point was crying almost uncontrollably and as the young soldier stood to his feet he saluted Courtney and her mom. I was standing no more than 6 feet away from this entire event unfolded. As the soldiers began to leave, heading towards their gate, people resumed their applause. As I stood there applauding and looked around, their were very few dry eyes, including my own. That young soldier in one last act of selflessness, turned around and blew a kiss to Courtney with a tear rolling down his cheek. We need to remember everyday all of our soldiers and their families and thank God for them and their sacrifices. At the end of the day, it's good to be an American. --- ...I agree and - I don't think this is right... |\ |\ |\ |\ || .---. || .---. || .---. || .---. ||/_____\ ||/_____\ ||/_____\ ||/_____\ ||( '.' ) ||( '.' ) ||( '.' ) ||( '.' ) || \_-_/_ || \_-_/_ || \_-_/_ || \_-_/_ :-"`'V'//-. :-"`'V'//-. :-"`'V'//-. :-"`'V'//-. / , |// , `\ / , |// , `\ / , |// , `\ / , |// , `\ / /|Ll //Ll|| | / /|Ll //Ll|| | / /|Ll //Ll|| | / /|Ll //Ll|| | /_/||__// || | /_/||__// || | /_/||__// || | /_/||__// || | \ \/---|[]==|| | \ \/---|[]==|| | \ \/---|[]==|| | \ \/---|[]==|| | \/\__/ | \| | \/\__/ | \| | \/\__/ | \| | \/\__/ | \| | /\|_ | Ll_\ | /|/_ | Ll_\ | /|/_ | Ll_\ | /|/_ | Ll_\ | `--|`^"""^`||_| `--|`^"""^`||_| `--|`^"""^`||_| `--|`^"""^`||_| | | ||/ | | ||/ | | ||/ | | ||/ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | L___l___J L___l___J L___l___J L___l___J |_ | _| |_ | _| |_ | _| |_ | _| jgs (___|___) (___|___) (___|___) (___|___) ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ I was appalled when I heard White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki say... “We’re not going to have a ‘mission accomplished’ moment, in this regard. It’s a 20-year war that has not been won militarily,” Psaki said. “We are proud of the men and women who have served.” “We’re not having a moment of celebration,” Psaki added. “We’re having a moment where we feel it’s in our national security interest to bring our men and women serving home, and we feel it’s in our national security interest for Afghan forces to be in the lead.” https://tinyurl.com/tszeerfu It reminded me of when our troops returned from Vietnam and how they were treated. Which, was not right for them and certainly isn't right for our troops today! Our troops did what was expected of them. They deserve a heroes 'welcome home' party! How awesome of them to do as they did - risking their lives for every single one of us so we could continue living safe and secure in our own country! They sacrificed their freedom for ours. I applaud and THANK every man and woman that served in our military. clap clap Clap clap clap clap clap clap Clap clap clap clap clap , clap clap clap Clap clap clap . \ ` Clap \ ( (\ ) / ` ` / _\ , \(") ___ .- )=| (` ') ' _ /'| |-n___n ' (/\| a:f____________|_L___J__ < L _______________________ They stood for America's peace and happiness. I praise God for them! May God Bless them abundantly and wrap His arms around them. -<>- _ , (_\______/________ \-|-|/|-|-|-|-|/ \==/-|-|-|-|-/ \/|-|-|-|,-' \--|-''' \_j________ (_) (_) hjw >AS OLD AS I USED TO BE By: Joseph J. Mazzella The grocery store is a great place to get food for your body, but I have found out recently that it can be an even better place to find food for your heart, soul, and mind. This happened the other day as I was walking through the local store to get some oatmeal. Two elderly ladies were standing by the fruit section catching up on old times. The first one jokingly asked her older friend how old she was now. The older lady answered loudly and to everyone’s delight: "Honey, I’m not nearly as old as I used to be." Everyone within ear shot laughed when they heard this including me. I realized too as I was walking out of the grocery store that I am not nearly as old as I used to be either. I am not nearly as old as I used to be when I constantly worried about my bills and how I was going to pay them. Now I just trust in God and I always seem to have more than enough. I am not nearly as old as I used to be when I fretted about my weight and my thinning and graying hair. Now I just look in the mirror and smile. The body may look a little older, but the soul on the inside is younger than ever. I am not nearly as old as I used to be when I was always judging others, being angry with them, or worrying about what they thought of me. Now I just do my best to judge no one, love everyone, and share my joy with the world. Life I have found is too short to live any other way. You don’t have to be as old as you used to be either. God made all of us both ageless and forever young. By choosing love, joy, and oneness with God you can always keep growing younger and younger on the inside. By sharing that love and joy you can give your youth, energy, and vitality to the world. By living from your soul you can stop counting your birthdays, start living for eternity, and always know that you will never again be as old as you used to be. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment :) More Abundant Life!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/abundantlife.html God's Bumper Stickers!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/gbumper.html Albino Bears!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/albinobear.html Life's Little Opps!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/whoops.html Odin The White Tiger!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/whitetiger.html Koalas In A Heatwave!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/koalas.html I Believe...!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/believe.html That's God!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thatsgod.html God Is Like..!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/godislike.html Kids On God!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/kidsonGod.html Emergency #'s!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/help.html Funny, Isn't It?!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/funny.html Thank You God!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thankgod.html Maxine On Jesus!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/maxineonjesus.html God's Paintings 2!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/gpaints2.html Friends And Health!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/friendhealth.html God's Night Lights 2!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/night2.html World's Tallest Treehouse!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/treehouse.html SUMMER Index! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/summerindex.html -<>- Good Comes from God – Of Decaf and Delight https://tinyurl.com/2bzm2cdw Stirring Up the Gift https://spiritandtruthonline.org/stirring-up-the-gift All Topics: https://spiritandtruthonline.org/topics/ Incredible – More Than 200 Children Give Their Lives to Jesus at a Vacation Bible School / Dozens of Attorneys General Speak Out and Warn Against Biden’s Threat to Religious Liberty / Atheists Bash Hobby Lobby for Their Latest Ad Honoring God / Horrific: Chinese Christians Tortured With Forced Conversions and Psychological Brainwashing And MORE: https://www.christianlifedaily.com/ 5 Summer Ideas You Probably Didn’t Do While Quarantined With Your Kids All Year / Virginia Democrats Think Everyone Who Wants Schools To Re-Open Are KKK Members / 8th Grader Fears For Her Safety And Tells School Board The Dangers Of “Transgender” Bathrooms And MORE: https://mommyunderground.com/ -<>- >In The News: VA NEWS: Finding VA lab tests; high blood pressure diet https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USVHA/bulletins/2e8e9e3 VA is hiring, 4 months free Apple music, Win a Cabela's Gift Card https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USVA/bulletins/2e961d2 Hannity 7/21/21 And More https://smashleft.com/2021/07/22/hannity-07-21-21/ The Ingraham Angle 07/21/21 AND More: https://smashleft.com/2021/07/22/the-ingraham-angle-07-21-21/ Tucker Carlson Tonight 07/21/21 And More https://smashleft.com/2021/07/22/tucker-carlson-tonight-07-21-21/ Biden Loses Train of Thought and Rambles Repeatedly During CNN Town Hall / Surge in COVID Cases Only Resulted in 249 Deaths in US / Vaccine Injured Student Refuses COVID Shot, Loses $200K Scholarship / Mayors Who Defunded the Police Spent Millions for their Own Security Details / New Poll Shows More Voters View Kamala Harris Unfavorably Than Like Her / Nancy Pelosi Bars Jim Jordan From the January 6 Select Committee And More: https://reliablenewsnow.com/ Fauci Lies; Don Jr. on Pelosi; Rubio: Right to ‘No’ Vaccine https://www.newsmax.com/politics/ New Evidence Reveals Enough Illegal Votes Were Cast In One State To Flip The Whole Thing! And MORE: https://independentminute.com/page/344/ Latest From Deep State Journal: https://deepstatejournal.com/ Latest From 2020 Conservative: http://2020conservative.com/ Latest From TPN News: https://threepercenternation.com/ Latest From AFA: http://tinyurl.com/j7lakqw Students For Life https://tinyurl.com/yd5nxmu6 Latest From OperationRescue: http://www.operationrescue.org/ Latest Product Alert: Recall Alert: Muffins, Fruit, Pork http://www.emergencyemail.org/products/?fmt=text Latest Health Alert: http://www.emergencyemail.org/health/?fmt=text Click to Give Free https://tinyurl.com/y2abb8d2 -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE, OUR SO CALLED MEDIA IS VERY EFFECTIVE AT KEEPING THIS KIND OF INFORMATION FROM BEING RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC. APPARENTLY, CONSTRUCTED SOMETIME IN 2006 AND THIS IS THE FIRST I/WE’VE SEEN IT. LOOKS LIKE SOME VISITOR PHOTOGRAPHED THIS MONUMENT AND POSTED IT ON FACEBOOK Subject: Awesome fact of information!!! * She sent us this one we have here... From Russia With Love http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/teardrop.html --- ...Yes, it is a fact! Sweet huh? Thanks LouiseAu! An interesting look at various historical photos that have been colorized from the original black and white photo. The series of photos begins in the 1850s and proceeds through the Civil War and the late 1800s into the 20th Century where the reality of how many years were spent in war hits home. The photos conclude with one from 1982 of Pope John Paul II demonstrating the meaning of forgiveness. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yWelHidkTI An interesting look at some historical photos that have been colorized from the original black and white photo. Adding color to these old photos really brings them to life and gives the viewer a different perspective than the black and white photo. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0X2V_fNcUg --- ...Wow! Quite interesting! Thanks LouiseAu! These reminds me of these... Historical Photos In Color http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/historycolorphotos.html Rare Historical Photos!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/historyphotos.html Rare WWII Photos http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wwiiphotos.html Kodachrome Photos From 1942/43!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/kodachrome1942.html An astounding documentary film about Russia by a group of German filmmakers gives us a new perspective of the diversity of the country. https://youtu.be/flyADpC1Ono --- ...Remarkable! Thanks LouiseAu! It reminds me of these... Beautiful Russian Churches http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/russianchurches.html And these... Fun With Snow In Russia http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/russia.html And Fun With Snow In Russia 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/russia2.html Visit Melissa's Online Store You can get anything you want (except for Melissa ) at the online store http://pdhomes.net/mall/babylissa/mySTORES/ISELL4.html ========================================================== _.-'`'-._ .-' _ '-. `-.__ `\_.-' | `-``\| jgs `-.....-A # # >Doing the Bump Story Editor: Shannon Parker Clayton Bennett California, USA In June 2003, my office (part of a large educational organization) closed due to budget cutbacks. Because of my years of service with the organization, and because I'd held another position that wasn't being eliminated, I had "bumping rights." I looked at all my options, including the job market, and all my responsibilities, including my son, then made the difficult decision to stay employed. This meant I would bump another person out of their job. Although I could narrow the list down to people who held my former position, I had no way of knowing whether they could also "bump" or if they would end up in the unemployment line. My son and I adjusted for my new income by moving in with my mother. As mental preparation, I assumed that the person whose job I would take was a hard worker, well respected and loved by co-workers. I had no idea how true those assumptions would prove. Evie, the person I bumped, is one of those people who mothers everybody and whose love is returned -- along with admiration and respect for the work she does. Evie showed her style in the way she counseled those around her to accept and assist me. She felt the changes meant that she was needed somewhere else. However, one employee was affected more than the others were. Nancy was not only Evie's partner at work; she and Evie are best friends. Nancy's personal struggle was made all the more difficult because she would be responsible to train me. And we would have to work closely even once I got a handle on the job. Nancy and I met at a kickoff event for the new school year. She sat directly across from me. We didn't speak much, but kept an eye on each other. I think the ice started to melt when she (approvingly) caught my reaction to one of the events that day. Things continued to improve over the next few weeks as we got to know one another better and talked about our thoughts and feelings. Nancy must have done a lot of thinking and praying, because over time it became clear that she had appointed herself to be my protector. Once the school year began and we were meeting with teaching staff, students and employers, Nancy made sure we presented a united front. When people seemed upset about losing Evie, Nancy told them that Evie was doing well and was obviously needed at her new job. Evie could have resented my part in forcing her to change jobs, but she accepted the shift with dignity and grace. And Nancy could have remained hurt and angry, and treated me accordingly, but instead put her feelings aside to help me. Now Nancy is not only my partner, she is my friend. I'm so lucky, because each woman's reaction was an authentic testament to her character. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From LaughAndLift: "Our circumstances are not an accurate reflection of God's goodness. Whether life is good or bad, God's goodness, rooted in His character, is the same." - Helen Grace Lescheid _____________ ..---:::::::-----------. ::::;;. .'"""""" ;; \ ":. .'' ; \ "\__. .' ;; ; \\"; .' ; _____; \\/ .' :; ;" \ ___:'. .'--........................... : = ____:" \ \ ..-"" """' o""" ; ; : .--"" .----- ..----... _.- --. ..-" ; ; ; ; .""_- "--""-----'"" _-" .-"" ; ; .-. .' .' ." ." ; ; /. | /-./' ." / _.. ; ; ;;;| : ;-.______ / _________==. /_ \ ; ; ;;;; ; / | """"""""""".---.""""""" : /" ". |; ; _; ;;; /"-/ | / / / / ;|; ;-" | ;'; :- : """----______ / / ____. . ."'. ;; .-"..T" . '. " ___ "": '"""""""""""""" . ; ; ;; ;." ." '--" ", __ """ ""---... :- - - - - - - - - ' ' ; ; ; ;;" ." /. ; """---___ ; ; ; ;|."" : ": """----. .-------. ; ; ; ;: \ '--__ \ \ \ / | ; ;; '-.. """"---___ : .______..\ __/..-""| ; ; ; ""--.. """--" m l s . ". . ; ""------... ..--"" " : """""""""""""""""" \ / "------" >No More Cracks (By Chris Long) So the other night I'm out driving in my car. I can hear your thoughts already: "Good for you, Chris. What's so special about THAT?" More than you might think. You see, for the first time in a long time I could truly see with no impediments. Let me explain... I've had my car for over 10 years and I liked it then and I still like it now (that in and of itself is pretty rare to find in our culture that emphasizes having the latest "everything"). But it had a problem. Shortly after I bought it, some nice person's car on the freeway flung a rock to my windshield which produced about a 5-inch curved crack on the lower-left driver's side. My car insurance at the time would completely pay for a repair, but not a replacement of the window. I made the decision to go ahead and repair it, which basically meant they sealed up the crack. Unfortunately, while it improved the look of the crack some, for the last 9-10 years I've been driving around with this still quite visible crack in my windshield. And every time I looked at it, it really bothered me, but not quite enough I guess to really do anything about it. I just "put up" with it. I came to grips with the fact that this crack was in my life. I settled for the crack. Well, several days ago, I got in my car to go somewhere and discovered that this crack now extended all the way up my windshield. I'm not positive, but it looked like either a rock or something else hit my windshield actually directly on the old crack (what are the chances?) which then caused the old crack to "break open" again so to speak, and it split most all the way up the windshield. Realizing that this was going to be a serious impediment to my driving ability, I called a windshield replacement service and 4 hours later I had a new windshield on my car for far less than I always thought that it would cost to get a new windshield (one of the reasons I never had looked into it before). When I next drove my car, what completely took me by surprise is just what a clear view I had. I was majorly thrown off by the now gone old crack. I had gotten used to that old crack and didn't really even realize it. For 9 or 10 years, I saw that old crack every time I looked out my windshield. I had learned to "compensate" for it and just "deal with it". But here, with my new windshield, that crack was gone. And I couldn't believe what I had been missing out on for the last 9-10 years. :) Life with no crack - it sure is nice. :) For the first time in a long time, I had a nice clear view. And all I could think of was: "Why didn't I replace my windshield sooner?" "Why did I put up with this crack for so many years?" And that got me to thinking. How many times do we "put up" with cracks in areas of our lives? Some deep hurt over here, some unforgiveness over there, repetitive sin here, grief there, bitterness here, rejection there. Cracks of all shapes and sizes. Oh, we may think we see just fine. "I can still see the road." Perhaps. But the vision is still obstructed - it's not as clear as it could be. There's still always an awareness of the cracks off to the sides. And one day those cracks on the sides might just open up and split directly in front of your eyes, where they can no longer be ignored and you can no longer go forward. How much better to deal with those cracks before that happens. As human beings, we are always learning to compensate for things. We get a jolt here, a jolt there, and we adjust and move on. But God doesn't want us to just "adjust" and "put up" with stuff. He doesn't want us to "stuff our stuff". He wants us to bring everything to Him and allow Him to bring healing into our lives. Each time we get a crack - perhaps the result of some harsh words somebody spoke to us or some hurtful action we did or was done to us - He wants us to come to Him. As we do - as we give him those hurts, as we repent of our sin, as we receive forgiveness or extend forgiveness to others, etc. - we can be "cleaned" and those cracks can actually be removed (not just "repaired"). So, may I ask, what cracks are in your windshield? Is there a person that you are angry with? Bitter at? Jealous of? Is there sin that you've committed that you've never really repented of? Is there hurt that was done to you that still haunts you and defines you? Is there grief that has stunted your progress and continues to be a major part of your life? What are YOUR cracks that you've been "putting up" with? Let's decide that we're no longer going to let stuff that happened to us years ago impact our lives in negative ways now! Let's not put up with those cracks any more! In Christ Jesus, we can be set free from all bondages of the soul, all hurt, all fear, all anger, etc. John 8:36 tells us that when Jesus sets us free, we are truly free ("So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.") We are set free when we come to Jesus and abide in Him and His words - as we come to know the truth, the truth sets us free (John 8:31-32). And Jesus IS the Truth in the greatest sense (John 14:6). Jesus came for the sick and broken. He came for people with cracks. He isn't afraid of those with checkered pasts - he hung out with them when He was here on this earth! (Mark 9:10-13, Luke 19:7) He said that he desires mercy and that he "came not to call the righteous but sinners." (Matthew 9:13). His hand is extended to you. Will you take it? Will you come to Jesus in faith and allow Him to bring healing to your life? Jesus will not turn you away and will declare to you, just as He declared to so many while here on this earth, "your faith has made you well." Jesus is big on freedom - being loosed from your bonds, and healing. If there's any bitterness, anger, unforgiveness towards someone else, Jesus tells us to forgive "so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you..." (Mark 11:25). Maybe that seems too hard, but we are told to do it - at the very least, a place to start is just to be honest with Jesus about it seeming too hard and asking Him for help for you to be able to forgive. To really move forward with Jesus in the way He wants us to, we must deal with our "cracks". Would you right now bring the Lord your "cracks"? Talk to Him. His arms are open, His heart is full of love, and He is listening to you now. With love in Jesus, Chris Long Laugh & Lift ministries ---------------- This article is Copyright by Chris Long 2012. You may use this article for free for any purpose, whether commercial or non-commercial, as long as you use the entire text and that all text, including this notice, is not modified or removed in any fashion. For any other usage, you must obtain written permission from the author. Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. This is version 1.0 of this document (July 20, 2012). Previous versions: N/A This document is provided as a ministry outreach via Laugh & Lift. http://www.laughandlift.com 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 --- ...This reminds me... Not only do we put off things like Chris mentioned and get used to them in our lives, we put off things that we think will be too much hassle or too expensive or not worth it to do. They nag at us to get them done, but we often just don't do it. God tells us ... , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' 1 Corinthians 6:19 “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost (holy spirit) which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” Because of this, we have to take care of ourselves. I neglected to do this and wound up paying the price with years of recovery time. Recently, I found myself doing this again this year and neglected to have my eyes checked when they began getting more and more foggy. I didn't want to go through what I knew I'd have to, but the result was near blindness - again - by not getting my eyes taken care of. Thank God for doctors and surgeons to take care of our physical problems with their God given abilities. I learned that we must always take care of ourselves. Don't just think it will go away. Generally, it doesn't and it only festers and gets worse and worse until the devil does his nasty deed and completely takes you out. Like the old saying goes - 'an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure'. Chris's story is a good example. What if he left the large crack go? The devil could take easy advantage of his vehicle being in not so good of driving condition and cause him to have an accident. That's what our enemy does - Looks for any weakness to take advantage of us. So we must always be as God says... ,w. ,YWMMw ,M , _.---.._ __..---._.'MMMMMw,wMWmW, _.-"" """ YP"WMMMMMMMMMb, .-' __.' .' MMMMW^WMMMM; _, .'.-'"; `, /` .--"" :MMM[==MWMW^; ,mM^" ,-'.' / ; ; / , MMMMb_wMW" @\ ,MM:. .'.-' .' ; `\ ; `, MMMMMMMW `"=./`-, WMMm__,-'.' / _.\ F"""-+,, ;_,_.dMMMMMMMM[,_ / `=_} "^MP__.-' ,-' _.--"" `-, ; \ ; ;MMMMMMMMMMW^``; __| / .' ; ; ) )`{ \ `"^W^`, \ : / .' / ( .' / Ww._ `. `" / Y, `, `-,=,_{ ; MMMP`""-, `-._.-, fsc (--, ) `,_ / `) \/"") ^" `-, -;"\: `""" `""" `"' `---" 1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” The devil is looking for those who are easy prey! So always take care of yourself. :) ========================================================== __ __ ,-' `' \ _---``-- / _ _ ; __ `. / / `' \; /`----- ) / .-/ ,( ), \-. ; | \( \ / )/; | - _5 `7 -; / ( ___-' `-____ | ( ___`-_ \ ____| \ / `,/ \ _(\__ / \ \ ; \ .' /' `i. / | | \ _-'( _\__-/ `- | | ` ,` `_ | BP >-->AROUND THE CORNER I HAVE A FRIEND (By Andrej Primozic, October 10, 1999) Around the corner I have a friend In this great city that has no end, Yet the days go by and weeks rush on, And before I know it, a year is gone. And I never see my old friend's face, For life is a swift and terrible race, He knows I like him just as well. As in the days when I rang his bell, And he rang mine.... We were much younger then, And now we are busy, tired men... Tired of playing a foolish game, Tired of trying to make a name.... "Tomorrow," I say, "I will call on Jim" "Just to show that I'm thinking of him." But tomorrow comes and tomorrow goes, And distance between us grows and grows... Around the corner! - yet miles away, "Here's a telegram sir" - "Jim died today." And that's what we get and deserve in the end.... Around the corner, a vanished friend. ---- If you love someone, tell them.... Remember always to say what you mean... Never be afraid to express yourself.... Take this opportunity to tell someone what they mean to you... >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah Shangy! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->ShangyFunList AD RATES: $25 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 MP3 Christian Foundational Class http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=61 NEW LIFE IN CHRIST! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->This is for all you who love food 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? SHARE IT HERE: Share A Recipe **********************************************************************