Jesus Christ Is The Only Way... :) 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 ================ >-->2 HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press ?? Our too hot to handle new page is from our friends Sharon and Geniann. This page is full of adorable photos of one of people's most favorite animals. Sure to give you plenty of sunshine for your day. Check it out here: . : : _..----..__ __..:'.-'''-.-'' . : .' , ''' ' : .' / ' ', ( -=o):(o=-) . : : , ''. ; .' __: : : : , '.0.''.-'.)) : __..-- : : ._.-'__| ':''. . : , .. :.-' __.' / ; . .' , : _.' '. '.'' / / ' .:. .'. :--:'_..--'''.)) . ' -' __.--' .''::' '-. .-''. '. . __.--' :...: __\ '. '..)) ' __.--' ::'':.--'' '.))) __.--' _..--:.::' . . __.--' :' .:. __.--' ' .::' : __.--' jrei __' .::' ..--'' ':::' Cute Raccoons 2! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/raccoons2.html --- ...Aww, so humorously sweet! Thanks Ladies! Our next hot off the grill new page is from our friend Johanna. This one will give you plenty of warm smiles for your day. People shared their cute animal photos with a clever funny caption to go with it. Be sure to check this one out here: .-. ## ) * _.-+*'`*+-._ ,## _ _ #. ;### ((.;;.)) ##: .=._.; ,-*:;;:*-. *##:._.=, >##; *-')_@@_(`-* ;###< ------------`****------(o `` o)-----*****'----------e:l Adorable Animal Memes! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/animalmemes2.html =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: You can't choose the ways in which you'll be tested. -- Robert J. Sawyer Christina and her father haven't had much of a relationship. However, someone stepped into her life many years ago and has remained devoted to her, proving that a father needn't necessarily be your genetic father. Thanks Christina, for this very appropriate early Father's Day tale. _....._ .--. _.-' `-._ o/o-;;; ( `-._ _.-' ) (_, z) `:-._'---'_.-:' ,,,, _|-' / : `'''`_,-/`-._ /.. ) /\`--/"\ : [_./_ /_ _(_& _P / \_/, | : :`-/(_`_____ _\-'_/___/ /| : _.-: 8 \=__))____/ | : |'_.-: \_ | / F : | : : //`7/ / / : | :.-: (( (( L_______/ : |o : /_>/_> / Y / : |_.-': / / / : : J J J (`'-._____,-'`) | | | | | | | | | | _J__J__J (_ _) (__(_____) cjr'-..___..-' 2may01 >ULTIMATE GIFT I have told countless tales about my mother, but rarely do I ever reference my dad. The reality of our relationship is quite simply that there isn't one. For the last twenty five of my fifty years, I have probably seen my father a total of ten times. A fact that still, even today, can make me feel like an isolated and abandoned child. On the flipside of that family dysfunctional coin, I am blessed with a wonderful relationship with my father's brother, Uncle Dave. This is a man who, since the day my dad walked away, has made a Herculean effort to maintain a connection and preserve a sense of family with me as well as with my two children. Over the years, this remarkably caring man has made the round trip journey from his transplanted Virginia home to my Western New York farm at least once every six months, under the ploy of attending a nearby sporting event. His retired sports writer's reasoning being that whatever the competition, it's always too enticing to pass up. And additionally, it provides the side bonus of being able to keep close track of my family's progress. In-between the professionally timed rounds of whatever football, basketball, hockey or baseball event his trip always involves, it has become most obvious that my uncle thoroughly enjoys sharing our family's lore and becoming an integral part of our lives, over and above these athletic contests. Uncle Dave was married for over forty years to the love of his life, Irene Murphy. They spiritedly lived, loved, and fought their way through the challenges of raising three children and the assorted ups and downs of my uncle's sports and recreation career. They were never materially wealthy, but when they looked in each other's eyes, they held the treasure of life between them. I always admired their devoted marriage as a standard to which I could aspire, even after Aunt Irene passed away more than twenty years ago. Which is exactly why recently, when I married the love of my life in a ceremony at our home, I was so honored to have my Uncle Dave seated in the front row of family and friends. Yet it was something that happened the day after our wedding, long after the toasts were made and the guests had gone home, that truly helped me to comprehend the scope of my uncle's love and the essence of family that he has so devotedly endeavored to foster. As my husband and I began sorting through the elegantly wrapped wedding gifts stacked upon our dining room table, a sizeable brown cardboard box caught my eye. There was no fancy bow, no extravagant wrap, just corrugated cardboard taped at the flaps. I was fascinated by the unpretentiousness of the remembrance and quickly claimed it to open. Within the corrugated confines, I found a curious blue and cream piece of pottery, along the ideal of a soup tureen, and a perfectly matched lid, both noteworthy for their extensive ornamentation. By virtue of the mark on the bottom of the tureen, I realized that it had been handmade in Germany. I also realized from the glazing cracks that it was several generations old. Still unsure of exactly what I was holding and exactly who had bequeathed it, I began looking for a note or a card of identification. Sure enough, inside the tureen I found a most remarkable letter written by my Uncle Dave. In it he detailed the story of our wedding gift as a previous wedding remembrance given to him and his "lovely bride" on the day they were married in Bremerhaven, Germany, during World War II. He completed the account of his long cherished treasure by writing that he was giving us this family heirloom with the hope that we would enjoy the same loving life that he and Aunt Irene had shared for so many years. Almost reverentially, my husband and I immediately set the tureen in a place of honor in our home. To us it signifies the ideal of married love and commitment that endures and never dies. To my children, the ornate object has come to represent their heritage and the interwoven family ties that they have learned to honor and cherish. But most of all, to me, that intricate piece of handcrafted blue and cream pottery offers the true measure of the word "father" as much more than a term, or a title, or a signature on a birth certificate. And that, for me, has become the ultimate gift of life. -- Christina Abt ___________________________________________ Christina is a Heartwarmer Gem. Her story, The House Cleaning, can be found in the new Heartwarmers of Spirit book. She is a weekly newspaper columnist, a magazine editor and a radio commentator for her local NPR station in Buffalo, New York. =========================================================== >-->From Daily Encounter: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >God is Sovereign (edited) 'In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.'1 No one likes to wait, but why? Perhaps because it reminds us that we are not in control, instead someone or something else decides the timing of things. Whether the cause is a traffic light or the line at the store, ultimately the Lord governs all delays. He is Sovereign over heaven and earth, and our time and schedules are in His hands. This means that, in every delay, we are actually waiting for God in some way. You may have thought that the expression 'waiting on the Lord'¯ only applies to seeking His guidance or an answer to prayer, but it can encompass much more by remembering that He controls all the little inconveniences and frustrations of our daily lives once we give them to Him. In the Christian life, learning to wait is important because until you do so, it will be difficult for you to walk in obedience to God, have an effective prayer life, or experience the peace of resting in His loving sovereignty. We must learn to trust in His judgment, in all things (Psalm 27:14). The next time you have to wait, remember that nothing is a surprise to God. He often uses these moments to teach you patience and strengthen your faith. Suggested Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I come into Your presence acknowledging that You are Holy and Sovereign. Thank you for taking care of the inconveniences of life, and teaching me patience and strengthening my faith and trust in you. Thank You, Lord, that You're in control. You have taught me that waiting is important, but not only waiting, but waiting on You. Thank You that I can experience Your peace and rest in Your loving sovereignty. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen. 1. Proverbs 16:9 (NIV). Today's Encounter was written by: Rosina N. --- _______ / /_ / -/- / / / / / / /_______/ / jgs ((______| / `"""""""` ...See This Teaching Wait On God http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Basics/Wait_On_God.htm <:))))>< , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >A Teachable Spirit (edited) 'For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.'1 Have you ever met someone with an unteachable spirit? Someone that just couldn't be told what to do? Someone who wouldn't take advice no matter how sound? Usually these people are in a position of authority; who feel as if the only way to have respect is to act as if you already know it all! Naaman could have been that person. He had all the fame and authority required, for he was the commander of the Syrian king's army! He was a great man of valor in the eyes of the king, BUT... he was a leper. (2 Kings 5:1-19) Infected persons were banished and forced to live in isolation apart from society. So you can imagine Naaman's desperation upon finding the leprous spots on his skin. His wife had a young Israelite servant girl who suggested that Naaman go and find the prophet Elisha who could surely help him. Such was Naaman's anguish that, against his pride, he took the advice of the servant girl. Naaman packed bags of silver and gold and gifts for he was willing to pay whatever it took to be healed. Upon arriving at Elisha's house with his fanfare of horses and chariots, Naaman was surprised to be greeted by a servant and not Elisha himself, who simply told him: 'Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean.' ¯ (v.10)Knowing that the water in the Jordan river was filthy and muddy, Naaman immediately felt disrespected and became very angry! By this time, Naaman was done being told what to do and turned to leave in a rage. But his servants ran after him and convinced him to give it a try. Once again, God used a servant to make Naaman teachable. I can imagine Naaman stepping into the dirty waters of the Jordan river, feeling humiliated and degraded after the first few dips and nothing was happening. I can hear his servants cheering him on: 'Come on, Sir Naaman, Just a few more times!'¯ The Bible says that when he came up from the water after the seventh time his skin was restored like the skin of a baby and he was clean! (v.14) At once, Naaman ran to Elisha, forgetting about his disease, proclaiming God as the one true God! Many of us are battling spiritual leprosy. Our 'spots'¯ are in the form of marriage or family problems, addictions, guilt, or unhappiness. And just like Naaman, God has something greater for us than just the cure for our sins, but we must be willing to have a teachable spirit to receive the ultimate gift that God has in store for us. Do you have the humility to come to Jesus today? Suggested prayer: Dear God, I don't want to be banished from your presence. Please forgive my prideful and unteachable spirit and make me clean for your glory. I declare Jesus Christ is my Lord and thank you for raising him from the dead. In Jesus Christ's name, I pray, Amen. 1. Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV). Today's Encounter was written by:Veronica B. --- _______ / /_ / -/- / / / / / / /_______/ / jgs ((______| / `"""""""` ...See This Teaching: The Simplicity and Grace of THE NEW BIRTH [Romans 10: 9 and 10] https://tinyurl.com/3cp5jyh5 When copying or forwarding include the following: "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2016 ACTS International. =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: (_( ('') _ "\ )>,_ .--> _>--w/((_ >,_.' /// "`" -Naughty >When Satan Comes Calling 1 John 4: [15] Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. [16] And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. [17] Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. [18] There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. [19] We love him, because he first loved us. A stalwart believer who worked in the mines was injured at a young age and became bed-ridden. Life passed him by. When he was old, a young-er man visited. "I hear that you believe in God," he said. "How can you with what's happened to you? Don't you sometimes doubt God's love?" "Yes," the old miner admitted. "Sometimes Satan sits by my bed where you're sitting now. He points out my window to the strong, still-active men I once worked with, and asks, 'Does Jesus love you?' Then he casts a jeering glance around my tattered room, points to the fine homes of my friends, and asks again, 'Does Jesus love you?' Finally Satan points to the grandchild of a friend of mine - a man who has everything I don't - and whispers, 'Does Jesus really love you?'" "And what do you say?" asked the young man. "In my mind," the old miner said, "I take Satan by the hand to Calvary. There I point to the thorn-tortured brow, to the nail- pierced hands and feet, and to the spear-wounded side. Then I ask Satan, 'Doesn't Jesus love me?' " -Bryan Chapell in The Wonder of It All -<>- ___ ,-"" `. ,' _ e )`-._ / ,' `-._<.===-' / / / ; _ / ; (`._ _.-"" ""--..__,' | <_ `-"" \ <`- : (__ <__. ; `-. '-.__. _.' / \ `-.__,-' _,' `._ , /__,-' ""._\__,'< <____ | | `----.`. | | \ `. ; |___ \-`` \ --< `.`.< hjw `-' >GOOSE STORY There was once a man who didn't believe in God, and he didn't hesitate to let others know how he felt about religion and religious holidays. His wife, however, did believe, and she raised their children to also have faith in God and Jesus, despite his disparaging comments. One snowy eve, his wife was taking their children to service in the farm community in which they lived. They were to talk about Jesus' birth. She asked him to come, but he refused. "That story is nonsense!" he said. "Why would God allow His Son to come to Earth as a man? That's ridiculous!" So she and the children left, and he stayed home. A while later, the winds grew stronger and the snow turned into a blizzard. As the man looked out the window, all he saw was a blinding snowstorm. He sat down to relax before the fire for the evening. Then he heard a loud thump. Something had hit the window. He looked out, but couldn't see more than a few feet. When the snow let up a little, he ventured outside to see what could have been beating on his window. In the field near his house he saw a flock of wild geese. Apparently they had been flying south for the winter when they got caught in the snowstorm and couldn't go on. They were lost and stranded on his farm, with no food or shelter. They just flapped their wings and flew around the field in low circles, blindly and aimlessly. A couple of them had flown into his window, it seemed. The man felt sorry for the geese and wanted to help them. The barn would be a great place for them to stay, he thought. It's warm and safe, surely they could spend the night and wait out the storm. So he walked over to the barn and opened the doors wide, then watched and waited, hoping they would notice the open barn and go inside. But the geese just fluttered around aimlessly and didn't seem to notice the barn or realize what it could mean for them. The man tried to get their attention, but that just seemed to scare them, and they moved further away. He went into the house and came with some bread, broke it up, and made a bread crumb trail leading to the barn. They still didn't catch on. Now he was getting frustrated. He got behind them and tried to shoo them toward the barn, but they only got more scared and scattered in every direction except toward the barn. Nothing he did could get them to go into the barn where they would be warm and safe. "Why don't they follow me?!" he exclaimed. "Can't they see this is the only place where they can survive the storm?" He thought for a moment and realized that they just wouldn't follow a human. "If only I were a goose, then I could save them," he said out loud. Then he had an idea. He went into the barn, got one of his own geese, and carried it in his arms as he circled around behind the flock of wild geese. He then released it. His goose flew through the flock and straight into the barn -- and one-by-one, the other geese followed it to safety. He stood silently for a moment as the words he had spoken a few minutes earlier replayed in his mind: "If only I were a goose, then I could save them!" Then he thought about what he had said to his wife earlier. "Why would God want His child to be like us? That's ridiculous!" Suddenly it all made sense. That is what God had done. We were like the geese - blind, lost, perishing. God had His Son become like us so He could show us the way and save us. As the winds and blinding snow died down, his soul became quiet and pondered this wonderful thought Suddenly he understood why Christ had come. Years of doubt and disbelief vanished with the passing storm. He fell to his knees in the snow, and prayed his first prayer: "Thank You, God, for sending Jesus to get me out of the storm!" -<>- ________ ___,,,,,,, jgs [________>__________\ No Back-stabbing >BE LOYAL TO THOSE ABSENT by Stephen Covey Being loyal to those who are absent and assuming good faith of others are keys to building trust in a culture. The ultimate test of principle-centered leadership is to be loyal to people who are absent when their names come up in conversations and meetings. When other people are not with you, they're in the dark they don't know what's happening, what you're saying about them, and whether you are loyal to them. And that's when you show your true character. That doesn't mean you're not critical. You could be critical. But you're constructively critical and loyal to the point that you would not be ashamed if they happened to overhear the conversation, or if word got back to them, as it often does. You don't just sit on the sideline cutting, labeling, and stereotyping people and then look for evidence to support it. Once I was a faculty member at a university in Hawaii. I was very upset about our housing situation, and so I went directly to the president, since he worked with me on my visiting professorship. In the meeting, I complained about his housing director, who seemed to me to be incompetent and uncaring. The president immediately said to me, "Stephen, I'm sorry to hear about your housing situation, but I want you to know that our housing director is a very fine and competent person. Why don't we have him come here right now so we can solve the problem together." Can you see how loyal the president was toward that man? I was embarrassed because the president was so right in what he was doing. I hesitated to say to him, "No, you go ahead and handle it. I just wanted you to be aware of the problem," because he was forcing me to take the responsible position, too. Well, the president got on the phone and invited this man to join us. Soon I could see this guy walking across the campus. Meanwhile, I was thinking, "I wonder if I communicated clearly? Maybe I'm partly responsible for this mess." By the time the housing director arrived, I was very mellow and humble. I was also very impressed by the character of this president, by his loyalty to the absent, even though it was embarrassing to me. The president was teaching me a correct principle the hard way. When the housing director entered the room, my whole spirit had changed. I was nice to the guy: "How are you? Nice to see you." Just minutes before, I was criticizing the guy behind his back, so the president could sense my duplicity, adding to my embarrassment. But this was a powerful learning experience for me. I learned not to talk behind people's backs in ways that I would be ashamed to have them overhear. People who are present know you would do the same thing to them, especially if there was a strain on your relationship. One time I told this story in a speech. After my speech, an executive vice president of a large bank came up to me and said, "I've had a similar experience. I visited a branch bank and was served by one of the tellers. The service was so poor that I complained to the department head about the woman who served me. Most department heads are so awed by my very presence that they can hardly even deal with me. But this department head said, 'I'm sorry to hear about your bad experience. She's such a fine person. Let's call her in and talk this through together. Maybe you can tell her directly what your experience was.'" The VP then said to the department head, "No, go ahead and handle it. I just wanted you to be aware. I don't want to get involved." But the department head said to this executive VP, "Well I know that if it were me, I'd want to get involved. If you were this teller, wouldn't you want to be involved?" Imagine the courage it took for this department head to deal with the executive vice president of the bank in that direct, truthful manner. The answer was so self-evident: "Yeah, I guess I would." "Well, then, let's call her in." So she came in, and they dealt with it. The person received the feedback, and it was handled in a responsible way. The vice president then told me, "Later when we were trying to select a president for one of our branch banks, I nominated this department head totally on the basis of that experience, because I knew if he would have such courage, honesty, and loyalty to someone who wasn't there in the face of a highly positioned individual, he would handle other matters with integrity. So I nominated that person to be the new president without knowing anything more about him." Story 3. Once a manager of a remote service station trained his new attendants how to make higher-margin revenue from customers who drove into the station by teaching the attendants how to find problems inside a car that weren't there. So, when a car pulls in, the manager first sees the plates and says, "Notice this is an out-of-towner. That means you'll probably never see the person again. So probe to learn if the person knows anything about his car. Talk to him about some technical thing under the hood. You might say, 'Your starting motor looks like it might go out on you.' If the person says, 'Starting motor? What's that?' then you know you've got a total idiot, so you can do whatever you want." You then say, "Well, if it were my car, I wouldn't want to take a chance with my starting motor, especially driving through the desert. I could be stranded." "I can't have that happen. What should I do?" "Well, we could give you a good deal on a new one. I'll sell you one at cost and throw in all the labor free." So the victim thinks, "What a deal I got! I only had to pay $200 for the starting motor. It was normally $349 with labor." But the manager winks at his attendants, knowing he has a 40-percent margin built into the price of the motor. Later, the attendants huddle and say to each other, "Now, if this guy would do that to his customers, how is he going to deal with us?" Each attendant knows that the manager will look for ways to cheat them as well. -<>- _____ / \/_ //\__(\_\ |\ ^ ^ | .//_O \O_ \ \_ (_) / \ \_/ / __/\ /\__ / \ \ / / \ / \/\/\/ \ / | . | \ / | . | \ JRO >Enough is enough What does it take to make you happy? How much must you have to be grateful? To the barefoot man, happiness is a pair of old shoes. To the man with old shoes, it’s a pair of new shoes. To the man with new shoes, it’s more stylish shoes. And, of course, the fellow with no feet would be happy being barefoot. This leads to the ancient insight: If you want to be happy, count your blessings, not your burdens. Measure your life by what you have, not by what you don’t. Yet in our modern world where we’re continually exposed to endless increments of more and better – others with more money, better TVs, and bigger houses – this is very difficult. For some people, the pleasure of having something good is drained as soon as they see someone else with something better. Our sense of contentment is created or destroyed by comparisons. A life consumed with unfulfilled wants is an affliction. The antidote is understanding the concept of "enough." Start by thinking more clearly about the difference between your needs and your wants, between sufficiency and abundance. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with wanting more and striving to fill our lives with things and experiences that give us pleasure, so long as we don’t believe we need whatever we want. When we think we need what we really only want, we make our desires preconditions to happiness, thereby diminishing our ability to appreciate and enjoy what we do have. It’s easy to think that happiness is achieved by getting what we want when it’s really a matter of wanting what we get. In the end, enough is enough -Michael Josephson -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment ?? Sgt.Stubby War Dog Hero! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/stubbywardog.html Origami Dollar Art 2! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dollarart2.html World's Famous Animals! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/famousanimals.html Rescued Baby Dormice! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dormice.html Kids With Animals 4! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/kidswithanimals4.html Beautiful Sea Slugs! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/seaslug.html Israel's 9/11 Tribute! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/israeltribute.html Colorful Fish! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/fish.html Rarely Seen Animals! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/rarelyseenanimals.html Car Show 2! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/carshow2.html Silly Veggies! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/veggies.html World's Fastest Cars! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/fastcars.html Ocean Photo Winners 2025! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/oceanphotos2025.html The Forest Man! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/forestman.html Crocodile Man! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/crocodileman.html Top State's Humor! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/statehumor.html Trivia Car Facts 2! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/triviacarfacts2.html World's Largest Rodent! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/caplin.html Adorable Capybaras! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/capybara.html Animal Families! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/animalfamilies.html Animal Smiles! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/animalsmiles.html Funny Animals! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/funnyanimals.html Comedy In Nature 6! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/comedyinnature6.html World Nature Awards! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/worldnatureawards.ht Moms And Dads INDEX: https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/momsanddadsindex.html 911 And Troops INDEX: https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/911andtroopsindex.html -<>- 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 '---' >Dressed For Battle The life of a soldier at war is difficult. They live under the constant threat of attack and each day must prepare for battle. Each day they must make sure they are properly dressed to face the enemy. In a very real sense, we are ALL at war! Every child of God faces an enemy who is determined to engage us in battle each and every day. These battles will not look the same as those we see reported in the news; "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12). But the enemy we face is just as real and the attacks are just as damaging. Many of us feel defenseless against such attacks - we feel defeated with no hope of victory - but Paul tells us how to get properly dressed and stand through the battles. Ephesians 6:14-17 "Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God." Yes, the attacks are going to come. But we cannot wait for the battle to begin before getting dressed and putting on our equipment. Each day (without fail!) - before the enemy has an opportunity to attack - we must "put on the full armor of God" (Ephesians 6:13). The belt of truth protects us from the enemy's deceptive lies which pull us down the path of worldly priorities and temptation. The breastplate of righteousness protects our heart from feeling unworthy; we are made completely worthy through faith in Jesus (Romans 3:22). The gospel of peace on our feet prepares us to share the good news of Jesus and "go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19). This is our mission as we go into the world. We hold up the shield of faith, which is "of greater worth than gold" (1 Peter 1:7), to remind us of God's faithfulness in previous battles and protect us from the constant arrows of fear. The helmet of Salvation protects our mind from debilitating doubts, "so that we may know we have eternal life" (1 John 5:13). Finally, we pick up the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, and directly engage the enemy when necessary. The enemy is determined to steal our joy and cause us to be ineffective soldiers for God. Let's ruin his plan! Let's defeat the enemy before the attacks even begin by starting each and every day with getting fully dressed for battle. Have a Christ Centered Day! Steve Troxel God's Daily Word Ministries **** Reading Plan **** ?1 Samuel 22:1-23:29; John 10:1-21; Psalm 115:1-18; Proverbs 15:18-19 <:))))>< , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >The Protection of His Armor In the message "Dressed For Battle" we considered how we all face an enemy who seeks to engage us in battle each and every day. The attacks are deceptive but extremely methodical, as the enemy tries to pull, push, and lure us off the path of following after Christ. We then saw how our best defense against such attacks is to get properly dressed by putting on the full armor of God; "so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand" (Ephesians 6:13). The next natural question to ask is, "How do I put on the armor of God?" Though we may recognize the usefulness of God's armor, it will never do us any good unless we actually know how to put it on. Psalm 27:8 "My heart says of You, 'Seek His face!' Your face, Lord, I will seek." The armor of God is only available to those who diligently "Seek His face!", to those who have given Him the totality of their life through a submissive faith in Jesus Christ. The armor of God is not a self-help formula to keep us protected and focused as we advance in the world's system; it's a covering of protection God provides as we enter into His presence and are reminded of His truth, faithfulness, and majesty. Getting dressed for battle is therefore never a spiritual checklist or routine set of prayers. We receive His armor - in effect, He dresses us - as we humble ourselves and come before Him in prayer with a heart that desires to follow wherever He leads. Our Heavenly Father will never let us enter our daily battles without proper protection if we are diligent in seeking Him; "The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing" (Psalm 34:10). How often should we seek Him? Well, how often do we wish to be naked when the enemy attacks? Getting dressed is not a one-time Salvation event nor even just a first thing in the morning event. We must put on His armor and keep it on throughout our day by developing the priority and habit of constant communion with God; "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). His protection against the enemy comes only as we enter and remain in His presence. The attacks will surely come, but they need not be feared if we are properly dressed. Let's learn to walk and minister in this world without ever leaving the presence of the Lord. Let's seek Him in all we do and live each moment with the protection of His armor. Have a Christ Centered Day! Steve Troxel God's Daily Word Ministries **** Reading Plan **** ?1 Samuel 24:1-25:44; John 10:22-42; Psalm 116:1-19; Proverbs 15:20-21 --- _______ / /_ / -/- / / / / / / /_______/ / jgs ((______| / `"""""""` ...Of course Salvation is the first step... 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 After you have the seed of God in Christ in you, you need to study God's Word - the sword of the spirit so that when attacked by the devil, you can ward him off. Start off with the basics here: http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Contents.htm ========================================================== >-->From CupO'Cheer: \||/ ,--. | o|o //OO\\ | _| ||c || |(_ | /| `--' `--' azc >QUOTES "A great many think because they have been filled once, they are going to be full for all time after; but O my friends, we are leaky vessels and have to be kept right under the fountain all the time in order to keep full. Let us keep near Him." - D. L. Moody Good leaders are like baseball umpires: they go practically unnoticed when doing their jobs right. - Byrd Baggett, in "Reader's Digest," September 1997 Pastor, pressures will come to tempt you to compromise in your personal life. Learn a lesson from Joseph. He stayed pure because he said, ‘No,’ from the very beginning. Be wise enough to do the same and do not begin to flirt with temptations that most surely will come your way. Stay pure in morals. Stay pure in mind. Stay pure in motive. Personal integrity is among your most valuable assets in ministry. Without it your keenest abilities will become your worst enemies. Make certain your personal life is a clear reflection of everything you preach from the pulpit and the blessing of the Lord will be upon you. –O.S. Hawkins, The Pastor’s Primer, 251. "What we need very badly these days is a company of Christians who are prepared to trust God as completely now as they know they must do at the last day. For each of us the time is coming when we shall have nothing but God. Health and wealth and friends and hiding places will be swept away, and we shall have only God. To the man of pseudo faith that is a terrifying thought, but to real faith it is one of the most comforting thoughts the heart can entertain." - A. W. Tozer -<>- %\ %\ %% \ %% \ %% \ %% \ %%% \ %%% \ %%% \ %%% \ %%%% \ %%%% \ %%%% \%%%% \ %%%%% %%%%% \ %%%%% .-%%%%%,---------------. .'.' | Welcome to | .-' / |Mt. Opportunity| _.-' : `-------++------' .--'" `. || ,' `-._ || Krogg : `--..._____||_________ : `. >CUTTING A TRAIL READ: Proverbs 4:1-7 Hear, my children, the instruction of a father, and give attention to know understanding. —Proverbs 4:1 The Native Americans of Michigan were the state’s first highway route engineers. With few exceptions, Michigan’s major highways follow the trails they cut through the wilderness hundreds of years before the white man came. A trail was 12-18 inches wide, and for safety the people followed single file. Then pack horses followed these trails, widening them. Later came wagons, and the trails became dirt roads and then highways. In a similar way, Solomon followed the trail of his father and in turn paved the way for his sons and grandsons. He did this by encouraging his sons to heed his instructions just as he had followed the sound teaching of his father (Prov. 4:4-5). So this father, giving his sons good practical and spiritual counsel, was passing on what he had learned from the boys’ grandfather, David, who was called a “man after [God’s] own heart” (1 Sam. 13:14; Acts 13:22). The younger generation of believers often learns best about God from the family. Our physical and spiritual children watch the path we’re taking. As God’s men and women, let’s make certain we cut a righteous, wise, and clear trail. Then if ongoing generations choose to follow, the trail can become a highway-an ongoing legacy to God’s glory. —Dave Egner Lord, as I walk my path of life, Help my feet step straight and true; That those who follow after me, Will be tracking straight with You. —Egner When we follow God, we blaze a trail for those who would follow as seen in Our Daily Bread -<>- .----------. / .-. .-. \ / | | | | \ \ `-' `-' _/ /\ .--. / | \ | / / / / / | `--' /\ \ /`-------' \ \ Jym Dyer >FEAR OF SUCCESS Jesus came and told his disciples, "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations" -Matthew 28:18–19 One reason we don't evangelize is because of a fear of failure. We don't want to tell someone about Jesus and have them shut us down or blow us off or laugh in our face. But I think there is another reason we don't evangelize: fear of success. Why? We don't know what we would do then. Now what? It reminds me of when I went fishing years ago with my friend Franklin Graham and caught a bunch of fish. That was the good part. I had never cleaned fish before, so I asked Franklin if he would clean them for me. "No," he said. "Clean your own fish." "I have never really done it," I told him. "So . . . time to learn." I had to cut the fish open and clean out the fish. The fun part was catching them. But then I had to actually clean them. We want to go out and tell others about Jesus. But if they believe, are we ready to take the next step? It means taking that person who has accepted Christ under our wing, getting him on his feet spiritually, and showing him an example of what a Christian looks like. And guess what? Then we do it again. That is fulfilling the Great Commission. Jesus said, "Make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always . . ." (Matthew 28:19–20). That is our job. Every one of us is called to seek to win people to Christ and then disciple them. And then we are to do it again and again and again. as seen in Devotions with Greg Laurie --- _______ / /_ / -/- / / / / / / /_______/ / jgs ((______| / `"""""""` ...Check out this teaching Jesus Is Not God http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Advanced/Jesus_Christ_IS_NOT_God.htm -<>- ___ /_\_\ |;-^-'| ; ._ d - j :. ,<%@. |-_-| / \ {_ _,l ___/\_ _/\_ \,< ___ <~L~>\. /___\_\'/_/_`-.( `___\ \ - |` /___ \ \|/|po /||_/-___L":--;" L _ \ \ |o|LY| |(n==\^\^''--`-,-_ [-><-]=3 || ^;| |`\ _')>\ /<__/\ |< !c)|o ; |;| "| _' \ \/ /po | |- | | ; ' |,-. |.V \/ |LY | |\__, _L |o : | / \ \||\ |o^ ^| | _|/| / _\__ : / 7 '<|`. | | | / |L/ < /\: | Y \ | \|' | | | |/ /_ | | | | \| A|. | | /| |/|PO| | || | | |V| | | || |<|LY| | || | |,| | |_ | / | | ^^ | | | | | |____| |" | | | | | | | | |#^' |4 \ | | | | | | |,| | |%_| | | |m | A \ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | / | / | | \ || | | | | | | / /| |__| || | | l | | |> / / | | \___/|_A_| | | | | / / | | | | || |m1a >JOB INTERVIEWING IN A TOUGH MARKET - Steve Diggs Whoever is in charge of writing clichés deserves a pat on the back. How about, "It's always darkest before the dawn" or "keep a stiff upper lip." Or who could forget that perennial, "Tough times don't last, but tough people do"? Truth be told, if you're one of the roughly 15 million people in need of a job, you're hurting! And all the clichés in the world don't help. So, let's look at some practical ways to be heard above the crowd at that next job interview. Having owned a marketing communications company for over 25 years, mine is a unique perspective. I was an employer, and I also taught clients how to market their products and businesses. If you're a job seeker you have a product to sell: You. So, let's begin at the beginning. Any advertising pro will tell you that the trick to selling a product is twofold: Presenting a differential advantage (something that makes this product different and better than the competitors), and presenting a memorable, penetrating image of the product (we call this a product's branding.) To impress your potential check signer, dazzle them with your uniqueness or your differential advantage. Never come to an interview unprepared. Learn everything you can about the company. In today's competitive job market this means going the extra mile. Sure, all 50 of the other candidates have read the company brochure and done a quick Google search. It's your job to dig deeper. Read the most recent press releases you can find. Determine what the firm's biggest challenges and opportunities are today — not last year. Then have a clear, terse, concise presentation prepared (and rehearsed in the mirror) to share with your interviewer on exactly what you would do to cut costs, bolster market share, and increase sales. With the conversation rolling, it's time to begin branding yourself favorably in this company's mind. Note: I use the word "favorably" here for a reason. I can still remember employment interviews I conducted with people who branded themselves in all the wrong ways. I recall people wasting our time asking for jobs they were clearly not passionate about. I can recall sensing that some of these people were far more interested in a paycheck (what we could do for them) than a position (what they could do for us.) Guess what? I may never forget them, but I never hired them either. Following are a few branding tips you may find handy: Forget all you've heard about the "firm handshake." That's another one of those clichés. Sure, shake hands like you mean it — but don't try to destroy your interviewer's rotator cup! Overdone handshakes make you look foolish. Don't arrive with a cot the night before. In other words, come to your appointment on time (about 5 minutes early). Anything longer makes you look desperate. Speaking of not looking desperate — don't! Interviewers can smell desperation — and it is not a hiring plus. Don't allow yourself to sound angry or scared. Even if times are tough, put on your game face and project a positive, upbeat, can-do spirit. People always respond best to smiling optimism. Remember, you're interviewer is part of the human race struggling with problems too. This is your opportunity to be remembered as the bright spot of her day. Ask probing questions about the company and its vision for the future. Respond to those comments in ways that paint you as a part of that successful future. Never, never, never talk negatively about your old boss. Need I say more? Regarding salary — that's a bit trickier. Avoid it as long as possible. Build value before putting your hand out. If possible, wait for the job offer before discussing the money. But if you are asked, try something like, "I know the challenges of this economy. What do you feel is fair?" Finally, follow up with a thoughtful, handwritten "thank you." Be sure to get the grammar correct — they will notice. It may take time, but the right approach will pay off. In the meantime, remember the ancient words of Job, "Let him not deceive himself by trusting what is worthless, for he will get nothing in return." (Job 15:31) Our faith is in God. Steve Diggs presents the No Debt, No Sweat! Christian Money Management Seminar at churches and other venues nationwide. Visit Steve on the Web at www.stevediggs.com or call 615-834- 3063. The author of several books, today Steve serves as a minister for the Antioch Church of Christ in Nashville. For 25 years he was President of the Franklin Group, Inc. Steve and Bonnie have four children whom they have home schooled. The family lives in Brentwood, Tennessee. as seen in Love Your Work 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. You can find me on Facebook as Kimberly B. O'Brien Quiggle ========================================================== >-->From LaughAndLift: "Jesus differs from all other teachers; they reach the ear, but he instructs the heart; they deal with the outward letter, but he imparts an inward taste for the truth." - Charles Haddon Spurgeon __ /_/\/\ \_\ / /_/ \ \_\/\ \ \_\/ unknown >Simple Choices (By Kerry S. Doyal) [Edited] Head over to your local grocery store: So many options So many choices - too many! If you don't know what you are looking for (i.e. wife sends you with a specific list), many things look like viable options. All brands of toilet paper are in play, Detergents - what's the difference? Shampoo, soups & salad dressings: If you've Seen one, you've seen them all ~ NOT HARDLY SO! ~ Don't do it Bucky - stick to the approved items on the list. HORRIBLE analogy, but... God's list of Saviors is short: His only begotten Son. Period! His pick of paths away from perdition is particular. Thus despite all the choices - faith paths, philosophies - that parade themselves, clamoring for our allegiance, we must hear what Jesus says in Matthew 7:13-15: "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves..." "Narrow, small, few" Sounds selective, specific... Glad he warns us! He further warns us in vs. 21-23: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' (Matt. 7:21-23 - NIV) The point of distinction? Those who Know Him. They live differently. They do His Father's will. They are entering God's gate, on His narrow path. Their fruit is evident (see vs. 16-21). Do you know HIM? Jesus is the only way, the true truth, the proper path Again, do you know Him? See John 14:6; 3:16, 3:36 "Thank You God for making the choices obvious. May I, having chosen YOUR Son, keep choosing you daily. Help me stay on the straight and narrow, thru Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen. " 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 ========================================================== .---. .---. ,';' `.';' `.. f :Bo. ` d88: `\ /d88P' `\ ; /d888P' `. ',d8&8P' : ;d8&7' | :8: | qx >-->Why I Love Him by Lon Woodrum Say, do you love me Sonny? The question was from me, To my little son, a-swingin' Boy-like on my knee. "Of course, I love you, daddy," He said with honest eye, I pulled him closer to me -- 'Tell me, honey, 'why?' "Well, it's NOT because you're daddy!" (He seemed to think a bit) He fumbled with my necktie .... "No, that's not it!" He seemed to think a moment, Then sort've settled back .... "You love ME so much, daddy, I reckon I just like to love you back!". I think that answer sort've helped me know The reason why I love the Master so; His love is grand, and strong, and knows no slack, He loves me so much, I reckon I just like to love Him back! >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? SHARE IT HERE: Share A Recipe **********************************************************************