Your Life Is Jesus To Someone... :) 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! ================ >-->In The 'Shangy' News :) . . . . ,-,--. __| //``-, \ \_`\ )\a-a-? \ \ \_`(_=_/_-`__ \__, , \| | _ _,' ___7 ) | (_)(_`__(_,---' | ( _( ) | / /_| |________| __/__/__|__|_________) _________(__,_|)/ (__)|/____\(_______________ mic I am quite pleased to announce that we have a returning sponsor for the website www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com. _________________ | _______________ | ||.-----___-----.|| |||_____________||| ||.-----___-----.|| |||_____________||| ||.-----___-----.|| |||_____________||| ||.-----___-----.|| ||| ||| |||_____________||| ''==============='' (o)LGB (o) Dragonfire Tools offers a tough tool cabinet that gets the job done! Don’t waste money on a metal toolbox that will just let you down. When you need a durable, affordable place to stow your tools, you need one of their workbench tool storage cabinets. Each Dragonfire Tools workbench with drawers is expertly engineered to meet their high standards and specifications, so you can count on their products to provide years of use. And with their reasonable prices, there's no better value on the market than a workbench with storage drawers from Dragonfire Tools. Check them out here... A 22-drawer portable rolling toolbox with a place for everything - They also have a special sale on right now. Hurry so you don't miss out! Visit them here: https://dragonfiretools.com/product/22-drawer-roll-around-tool-cabinet/ Likewise, they offer excellent advice and a video here... ( ,&&&. ) .,.&& ( ( \=__/ ) ,'-'. ( ( ,, _.__|/ /| ) /\ -((------((_|___/ | ( // | (`' (( `'--| _ -.;_/ \\--._ \\ \-._/. (_;-// | \ \-'.\ <_,\_\`--'| ( `.__ _ ___,') <_,-'__,' jrei `'(_ )_)(_)_)' Camper House Life: Locked in the RV | Tool Storage Ideas for Campers | Hidden Water Leak https://thecamperhouse.com/rv-toolstorage/youtube/ Be sure to check out these fine sites today! You can always be assured that I only go with the best for you! Why? Because I Care About You! :) -<>- >-->2 HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) Our too hot to handle new page is from our friend M.r.T. It's for all our thrill seekers and adventure lovers out there. This one is a social media hottie and a jaw-dropping one! Be sure to check it and its fun video out here... __ _ | | Yye |_| |--| .---. e AA | | | | /.--./\ e A // || \/\ e A //|/|| |\/\ aa a |\o/ o/-- ///|\|| | \/\ . ~o \.'\.o' //|\|/|| | |\/\ . /.` \o' //\|/|\|| | | \/\ ( ( . \o' __ __ _//|/|\|/|| | | |\/`--' ' __/__/__//|\|/|\|| | | | `--' |\|/|\|/|\|/|\|/|| | | | | RG +a:f Roller Coaster Bridge! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/rbridge.html --- ...Wow! What a scary looking bridge! Thanks M.r.T! This pipping hot new page is from our friends LouiseAu and RichardF. It is sure to provide you plenty of awws for you smiles quota today. Be sure to check it out along with its video here... _ __ _ ;' '',) /;6 , ;/ (Y)_:., | `-', :; \ |; ,.:\ /:.; ;;) |:;,.'| :/ / |: / ; / /:;\ `| "// /_,: | |./,| _/: \.'|,|/| | /:.,:.|,|"| |:| /:;:|:,/;|:| |'| snd |',:| \_ \ |_|;\_ /;\_ /\_)) \_))\_)) (;(________ '''''`'''~` Aww Animals 15! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/animals15.html --- ...So adorable! I love this series! Thank you my Friends! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: __ \/.--, //_.' .-""-/""-. / __ \ / \\\ \ | || | \ / \ \ / \ '- / '-.__.__.' sjw >BUTTERMILK BISCUITS by Lisa Morris-Abrams I was 8 years old the last time I ate her homemade buttermilk biscuits and sun-dried apple treats. Now, 32 years later, the tastes and smells of those delectable treats embrace me. Come with me back to a time when life was slower, simpler, and satisfyingly sweet. Her name was Mrs. Cavender. She was my babysitter and replacement grandma. It was at her home that my sister, Leigh, and I spent our summer breaks. She was a delightfully spry old lady -- at least 60 years old. And to a young girl, that was close to extinction. The summers we spent there were full of wonderment. She lived in a very modest house that was a pale blue -- a robin's egg blue -- with white shingles and a detached garage. Sun catchers and wind chimes lined the screen porch at the front of her home. The wind constantly urged those chimes to sing. Huge oak trees covered the backyard like protective soldiers guarding-guarding a time that seemed to be suspended and in no hurry to catch up with the rest of the world. Leigh and I were free here. Free to explore the natural wonders that surrounded us. There were no electronic games, televisions, or iPODs to fill our minds. We had our imaginations. Our playhouses were made of branches and twine. Our tic-tac- toes were sticks and stones. It was in this backyard bubble we would spend four summers. And it was during these summers that I was introduced to homemade biscuits and sun-dried apple treats. These are the two things I remember the most. If I close my eyes, I can faintly smell and taste those biscuits. Those tasty treats filled to the brim with mounds of melted butter that remained as a flavorful ring on my napkin whenever I took a bite. Delicious! I could tell it was a biscuit day the moment I would walk through her kitchen door. The tell- tell sign of the Crisco shortening can on the counter would greet me. A smile would form on my lips. I remember the kitchen being very dark except for one small illuminating window above the sink. When the sunlight hit that Crisco can it was like a beacon welcoming me and urging me to grab a napkin because the biscuits were hot and ready. Before I began staying at Mrs. Cavender's house, the only way I had ever eaten an apple was raw or sauced. She introduced Leigh and me to the timeless tradition of sun-dried apples. I can still see the boxes lined outside her front porch-lined with sheets, wire, and sliced thin apples. The wire served as a drain and the sheets helped keep the pesky bees and flies from tasting what would soon be our afternoon treat. When my Dad would pull up in her driveway with those apples drying in the sun before me, I could not contain my excitement. I have never again tasted dried apples quite as scrumptious as hers. The tartness of the apples was replaced with a wholesome sweetness. And rather than a crunchy sensation, my mouth was met with a chewy delight. Biscuits and apples. So seemingly simple, yet treasured memories. When I reflect back on those days, it makes me grateful for the simple pleasures. In Mrs. Cavender's world, simplicity was a way of life -- a long lost forgotten art. I can't say I dry apples for my family and couldn't bake a biscuit from scratch if I had to. Instead I live in a world of Pop-tarts and Rice Krispies -- still served with love -- just by a generation a little too rushed and not quite simple enough. -- Lisa Morris-Abrams __________________________________________________ Lisa says, "I have been an educator for the last 20 years. I currently reside in Crestview, Florida and teach 4th grade Language Arts. I love what I do. I also love my two precious children and four furry dogs. I am addicted to Labrador Retrievers. Recently I have had a streak of publishing success, and I am hoping it doesn't stop anytime soon." =========================================================== >-->From Daily Encounter: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >God Gives Life in Abundance (edited) “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."1 Imagine that you have just purchased a home and have excitedly moved in, when the neighbor comes over to warn you of a thief that has been terrorizing the neighborhood. You would most likely take immediate action setting up alarms and surveillance and you would take the necessary measures to protect your family and belongings. I don’t think that this is the type of news that you would take lightly. Imagine, though, that the neighbor also tells you that they have the best law enforcement keeping watch and that they are around to make sure that you can live out your fullest life in your new home. You might rest easier at night knowing that, yet you would still take precautions. Jesus warned us of a thief that comes to steal, kill, and destroy; spiritually speaking this thief could steal our joy, kill our faith, and destroy our families! What measures have we taken to protect those? Many have taken this scripture lightly and become victims of the thief that is Satan himself. Scripture warns us to be vigilant because he roams like a lion, seeking whom to devour. (1 Peter 5:8) Jesus has given us a promise, however, that He came to ensure that we would have an abundant life; warning us of the storms that might come our way, while allowing us to find shelter in Him. God desires that we live our lives to the fullest measure - abundantly, but he also wants us to be wary of those things that will try to take us away from Him. By staying in God’s Word and seeking Him in prayer we can build a spiritual wall around ourselves and our families so that when the devil tries to steal our most precious treasures, we will be well protected. Rest easy knowing that the great Protector is only a prayer away! Suggested Prayer: Dear Mighty Father, there are things in this world that would try and steal my faith in you, kill my relationship with Jesus, and destroy my family by drawing them away from you. I come to you today asking you to guard our minds and hearts and fill us with your Holy Spirit so that we might live out the abundant life your Son came to give us. Thank you for your protection. In Jesus Christ’s name, Amen. 1: John 10:10 (ESV). Today’sEncounter was written by: Veronica B. -<>- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Daniel: Prayer Warrior “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days."1 The prophet Daniel holds the title of being God’s Humble Servant, but also the title of Mighty Prayer Warrior. Daniel, along with other Jewish young men, had been exiled to Babylon to serve in the court of the pagan king, Nebuchadnezzar. During this time, Daniel was faced with many difficult situations in which he had to choose between the Godly ways he had been taught and Babylon’s pagan ways in order to please the king. In each circumstance, Daniel remained faithful to God and covered himself in prayer. At a young age, Daniel had learned the value of prayer and communion with his Heavenly Father, and this carried him through the darkest times of his life. What made Daniel a great prayer warrior, was that he acknowledged that God was Omnipotent (all-powerful). Daniel went to the Lord with some pretty big prayer requests, never doubting God’s power. When the king needed an interpretation to a dream, Daniel trusted God for the answer. Later, under a new king, Daniel’s prayer time was sabotaged by some envious officials who didn’t like Daniel’s friendship with the king. These men tricked the king into signing a decree that stated that only the king could be worshipped, and knowingly, used Daniel’s prayer time to bring him down. The consequence was a trip to the lion’s den! (Daniel 6) There, Daniel once again lifted his voice to the Omnipotent Creator, and God, in all His power, sent His angel to close the mouths of the lions, allowing them to be in peace with Daniel. He knew that no matter how bleak his future looked, he could rely on the fact that God’s plan for him was perfect. Daniel was a mighty prayer warrior because he was bold when praying to God. He fasted, or sacrificed, worldly things in order to seek God’s presence. Daniel interceded for his people, asking God to forgive them of their sins. (Daniel 9) Oh, to be able to pray like Daniel! God answered Daniel in a real and mighty way, and He can do the same for you! A prayer warrior prays consistently in hope, knowing that, with GOD, all things are possible. (Mat. 19:26) Suggested Prayer: Dear God, how I desire to come boldly before your throne and pray as Daniel did! Thank you for making a way, through Jesus Christ, to come to you with our needs and fears, but more importantly to praise and glorify your Holy name. You are great, all-powerful; and you are loving and merciful. You alone are worthy of our praise. In Jesus Christ’s name, Amen. 1: Daniel 6:10 (NKJV). Today's Encounter was written by: Veronica B. When copying or forwarding include the following: "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2016 ACTS International. =========================================================== _____ ,\_+_/, '(("""))' '(|o,o|)' '; = ;' _) (_ /' \_/ '\ /\(_ : _)/\ Take The Shot? /||/)___( \ \ \|_)' \/ / | (_/ | | | | |_______| \ | / Sher^: | : ; | ; >-->From Our Friend DeborahS :) >Sam Dodson: Hello, my name is Sam Dodson. I run a podcast called To The Lifeboats and I have no relationship with the pharmaceutical cartels. I'm schooled in electrical engineering and two years ago I'd never heard of mRNA, but let me tell you what I've learned since... It starts with the shot you told us stays at the injection site. We know it doesn't. You knew it didn't. Biodistribution studies show that it goes to every major organ, primarily the heart, liver, and spleen where, thanks to the highly inflammatory lipid nano-complex, it transfects the cells. That complex contains a PEGylated lipid being mass injected into humans for the first time ever, while the animal studies showed heart attacks in pigs after the second injection. You knew the lipid nanocomplexes collect in the ovaries, where they have the potential to cause devastating effects on reproductive health, yet you did nothing. When women started complaining of menstrual problems you did nothing. Transfected cells in every organ pump out the spike protein that ends up in the nucleus where it interrupts p53 LINE1 Embrica. You didn't know this because you didn't care to ask the question, and when shown to you in a study you did nothing. Every transfected cell expressing spike protein risks autoimmune disease, the most acute of which is myocarditis. When people started dying of myocarditis you did nothing. The spike protein flows freely in the vasculature, finding its way into the brain, breastmilk, and the environment as the body sheds its protein in exosomes, making those around the jabbed sick. The spike protein directly affects toll-like receptors in CD4+ Tcells, which are essential to the immune defense against these very viruses. When the fully jabbed repeatedly caught the virus and suffered reactivation of herpes, shingles, papillomavirus in unprecedented numbers you knew this was a massive problem, yet you did nothing. You knew that the mRNA stays around for months in the lymph node germinal centers causing Tcell exhaustion, because the Stanford group performed the study that you couldn't be bothered to do. And then you ignored that massive safety signal. You were warned about oncomirs and the effect on p53, yet you did nothing. When you were warned about prion disease and amyloid as a result of the huge amount of spike protein produced by these therapies you did worse than nothing; you silenced those people who raise the alarms. You were informed of fraud in the shot studies, yet instead of investigating you colluded with the manufacturers to suppress trial data for 75 years. Knowing all of these concerns you now want to inject the very young who have zero clinical risk from the virus and for which not one single study has shown any clinical benefit. You have abjectly failed in your sole duty to ensure the safety of any drug given to Americans. The late Frances Oldham Kelsey would have been ashamed at how you've turned a once respected agency into a corrupted vessel for the very corporations you swore to protect the American public from. If you have one shred of humanity left you will recommend an immediate halt to all the shots and pray that God has mercy on your souls. Might also want to figure out how we're going to diagnose myocarditis in very young babies who are unable to speak. Thank you. --- ...Most sad! Thank you DeborahS! I am unsure of what is true in this or what isn't, but I found this article on it when trying to vet it... It may shed some light into this for you: For These 17 COVID Long Haulers, Reactivated Viruses May Be to Blame https://tinyurl.com/yp7cpr8w I do know that I get a bad feeling when I think of the young taking the shot for no good reason or for pregnant ladies or even for my son getting a second shot - He and I both say - 'NO WAY! - It would be very bad!' So he has decided not to. _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ You need to ask God in prayer and do what you feel is best for you and your children - not what they say! =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: ,______________________________________ |_________________,----------._ [____] ""-,__ __....-----===== (_(||||||||||||)___________/ "" | `----------' Krogg98[ ))"-, | "" `, _,--....___ | `/ """" >Aim High There once was a man who had nothing for his family to eat. He had an old rifle and three bullets. So, he decided that he would go out hunting and kill some wild game for dinner. As he went down the road, he saw a rabbit. He shot at the rabbit and missed it. The rabbit ran away. Then he saw a squirrel and fired a shot at the squirrel and missed it. The squirrel disappeared into a hole in a cottonwood tree. As he went further, he saw a large wild "Tom" turkey in the tree, but he had only one bullet remaining. A voice spoke to him and said, "Pray first, aim high and stay focused." However, at the same time, he saw a deer which was a better kill. He brought the gun down and aimed at the deer. But, then he saw a rattlesnake between his legs about to bite him, so he naturally brought the gun down further to shoot the rattlesnake. Still, the voice said again to him, "I said 'Pray, Aim high and Stay focused?" So, the man decided to listen to God's voice. He prayed, then aimed the gun high up in the tree and shot the wild turkey. The bullet bounced off the turkey and killed the deer. The handle fell off the gun and hit the snake in the head and killed it. And when the gun had gone off, it knocked him into a pond. When he stood up to look around, he had fish in all his pockets, a dead deer and a turkey to eat for his family. The snake (Satan) was dead simply because the man listened to God. Moral of the story: Pray first before you do anything, aim and shoot high in your goals, And stay focused on God. Never let others discourage you concerning your past. The past is exactly that, the past. Live every day one day at a time and remember that only God knows our future and that he will not put you through any more than you can bear. Do not look to man for your blessings, but look to the doors that only He has prepared in advance for you in your favor. Wait, be still and patient: keep God first and everything else will follow. Pass this on in order that someone else might be blessed. FROM ONE FRIEND TO ANOTHER -<>- -=- (\ _ /) (`\(")/') (`/\') \\/^\// / \ hjw / \ `-._.-' A man was sleeping at night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light and the angel of the Savior appeared. The Lord's angel told the man he had work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin. The angel of the Lord explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his might. This the man did, day after day. For many years he toiled from sun up to sun down, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing with all his might. Each night the man returned to his cabin sore, and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain. Seeing that the man was showing signs of discouragement, Satan decided to enter the picture by placing thoughts into the man's mind: "You have been pushing against that rock For a long time, and it hasn't budged. Why kill yourself over this? You are never going to move it." Thus giving the man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a failure, these thoughts discouraged and disheartened him. "Why kill myself over this?" he thought. "I'll just put in my time, giving just the minimum effort and that will be good enough." And that he planned to do until one day he decided to make it a matter of prayer and take his troubled thoughts to the Lord. "Lord", he said, "I have labored long and hard in your service, putting all my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not even budged that rock by half a millimeter. What is wrong with me? Why am I failing?" The Lord's Angel responded compassionately, "My friend, when I asked you to serve me and you accepted, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all your strength, which you have done. Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. Your task was to push. And now you come to me, with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed. But, is that really so?" "Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back sinewy and brown, your hands are callused from constant pressure, and your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition you have grown much and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. Yet you haven't moved the rock. But your calling was to be obedient and to push and to exercise your faith and trust in My wisdom. This you have done." "I, my friend, will now move the rock." At times when we hear a word from God, we tend to use our own intellect to decipher what He wants, when actually what God wants is just simple obedience and faith in Him. By all means, exercise the faith that move mountains, but it is still God who moves the mountains. This story reminds me of what Oswald Chambers said: "God does not call us to be successful, but to be faithful." - Author Unknown --- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' ...This reminds me of what our Lord Jesus Christ said... John 5: [19] Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. John 8: [28] Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. John 14: [10] Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Jesus Christ is our example. We are like Him in that we have God in Christ in Us as born again believers. So we too 'do nothing of ourselves' but the works we do, God does. God, through Christ, is our strength... Phil.4: [13] I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Sweet! Huh? See This Teaching for more... Are You Limiting God? The spirit of God is born within us the very moment we accept and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and that God raised Him from the dead. This is a supernatural miracle of God. We have nothing to do with this new birth except to allow it to take place in our lives. God is the miracle worker. He is the one who creates a new spirit within us and makes us His children. From then on, we are God's children, we belong to the family of God, we are children of God, sons of God, and joint-heirs with Christ Jesus: http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Basics/Are_You_Limiting_God.htm -<>- \\ ///// | | (| _ _ |) |` | '| | __ | >>>___/\_^__/\___<<< / ||| \ Mike Hertz A U.S. Navy Corpsman serving with Marines, wrote a wonderful poem and it is re-copied here for you. It is titled >"Bury me Next to a Marine" Bury me next to a Marine, When my time has come to an end, So I can spend eternity, Beside my brother and friend I've served beside them for years And they've inspired me every day. They've never asked for anything, So a debt I can never repay. None of them served for glory, None for money or fame. But they've served in every clime and place, Heroes with but one name. No one will ever outdo them, Their honor is never outdone. They will all go down in history, As America's favorite sons. Marines will never fail you, And their guard will never cease. Please bury me next to a Marine, So I may rest in peace. HM2(FMF) Robert L. Owens August 31, 2007 --- ...Sad, I remember our commander and chief at the time Pres. Obama talking to his troops and reading from his prompter mispronouncing 'Corpsman' as corpse' man - he not only did this once, but several times! He was not fit to lead as he often bowed to our enemy when he did his first overseas tour - it was called his 'apology' tour. Such a disgrace - only Carter was worse until now - we have Biden and Kamala - a huge disgrace to the USA. Obama gets 'corpsman' wrong https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1DO388jsf8 Obama Reads Word "Corpsman" as "Corpse Man" Twice https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlKIfzoC8D0 Barack Obama's Top 10 Apologies: How the President Has Humiliated a Superpower https://tinyurl.com/yeyrk7ea -<>- ____________________________________________ | .__. | | .| |. _| _. _ _ _ _ | | \ / |_| | | |_| |_| .-| `-. | |_| _|_ | | \/ | ' ~ ~ + | | | |____________________________________________| >It is a Good Day! A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet. He held up a sign which said: 'I am blind, please help.' There were only a few coins in the hat. A man was walking by. He took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat. He then took the sign, turned it around, and wrote some words. He put the sign back so that everyone who walked by would see the new words. Soon the hat began to fill up. A lot more people were giving money to the blind boy. That afternoon the man who had changed the sign came to see how things were. The boy recognized his footsteps and asked, 'Were you the one who changed my sign this morning? What did you write?' The man said, 'I only wrote the truth. I said what you said but in a different way.' What he had written was: 'Today is a beautiful day and I cannot see it.' Do you think the first sign & the second sign were saying the same thing? Of course both signs told people the boy was blind. But the first sign simply said the boy was blind. The second sign told people they were so lucky that they were not blind. Should we be surprised that the second sign was more effective? Moral of the Story: Be thankful for what you have. Be creative. Be innovative. Think differently and positively. Invite the people towards good with wisdom. Live life with no excuse and love with no regrets.. When Life gives you a 100 reasons to cry, show life that you have 1000 reasons to smile. Face your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear. Keep the faith and drop the fear. Don't believe your doubts and doubt your beliefs. Life is a mystery to solve not a problem to resolve. Life is wonderful if you know how to love it. --- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' ...More On Life.... People like to think that life owes them happiness. Many think it will be through their chosen love or from God Almighty. They rely so heavily on this that they get moody and frustrated when God doesn't fulfill their expectations or their lover doesn't do this or that to 'make them happy'. Often they drop their mate like a ton of bricks in their never ending quest for happiness. Divorce is full of folks who decided to look for their happiness with another. Others blame God like it is His fault they are not happy and getting everything they have asked for in prayer. Like God is suppose to be their personal Genie they call upon for wishes to come true. But they neglect to understand that happiness is according to your own personal mental state. If you rely on God or another person for your own happiness, you will be sorely disappointed. If you want to think of it spiritually, then consider this. Adam and Eve once had dominion of this earth but when they had the Fall and disobeyed God, they lost their spiritual lives and their dominion. They were cast out of the garden. Satan on the other hand gained their dominion of this earth. People often think God has dominion of the earth. But not so. You see that here when Satan offers it to Jesus Christ... Luke 4: [5] And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. [6] And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. [7] If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. [8] And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Also it told us this here: 2 Cor.4: [4] In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. Satan is in control, so do you really think that you are going to have a good time worshiping God and witnessing the Gospel? Do you really expect life to full of roses, sunshine, lollypops and smiles every day while you are warring against spiritual wickedness that hates every single tiny part of you and that is warring against you and wants nothing more then to ruin you and have you drop dead? We as Christians are at war with the devil and all his host simply because of our internal spirit. We are a huge target to him. God gives us the victory through Christ in every single way... 1 John.4: [4] Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. Rom.8 [37] Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. So we have the upper hand ALWAYS, but we have to be smart about it and do as God tells us... 1 Pet.5: [8] Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: The bible further instructs us... Eph.6: [10] Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. [11] Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. [12] For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness from on high. [13] Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. [14] Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; [15] And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; [16] Above all, taking the shield of faith[believing], wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. [17] And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: [18] Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit [speaking in tongues], and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; The apostle Paul was a good example for us. Does it sound like he was living the life of Riley - living it up and happy as a lark? He speaks of some of his adversities here... 2 Cor.11: [24] Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. [39 lashes with a whip]. [25] Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; [26] In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; [27] In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. [28] Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. [29] Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? [30] If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. This is how he achieved 'happiness'... Phil.4: [11] Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. [12] I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. [13] I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. We live in an evil world doing the work that those that are evil do not want us to do. Our mere existence in their world drives them crazy! They hate God and Jesus Christ and therefore, because we are of God with Christ in us, they hate us. We must work on our own minds and be content as the Apostle Paul instructed us with whatever state we are in knowing that God has our back. Rom.8: [28] And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Its our daily renewed mind walk. See these teachings: New Life in Christ: Foundations for Powerful Christian Living http://tinyurl.com/y6w9kk8w -<>- *** ### ### *** *## ##* *## ##* *## ##* *## ##* *## ##* *## ##* *## The Giving Circle ##* *## ##* *## ##* *## BY ##* *## ##* *## ##* *## Scott Walker ##* *## ##* *## ##* *## ##* *# ##* *## ##* *## ##* *** ### ### *** Twenty-five years ago I was a newly married man. Three days after our wedding, Beth and I moved from our childhood homes in Georgia to attend seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. We opened a joint checking account and deposited all of our financial resources: a grand total of one hundred and ten dollars. As seminary classes began, we both frantically looked for jobs. Our checking account dwindled to nothing after our second trip to the grocery store. Two weeks later I trudged dejectedly to the campus post office, worried about the mounting bills I was receiving. In my mailbox I found an envelope from my home church. In the envelope was a check for a thousand dollars and a note from some people who loved and supported me. As I stood there in stunned amazement, I began to cry. I was learning the joy and the grace of receiving a gift. Tonight, twenty-five years later, I am writing a check to send to a young woman attending Yale Divinity School . She was a member of our church during her undergraduate days at Baylor University, and Beth and I are very fond of her. This is her first experience of living away from Texas, and her finances are extended to the breaking point. Now Beth and I have the opportunity to give, just as we had the opportunity to receive. The Bible is right when it says that "it is more blessed to give than to receive." I always thought this verse meant that it is better to give than to receive. What I’m discovering now is that it means it’s more joyful. Nothing has made me happier this year than to send this money to someone I love. And nothing has made me more grateful than to realize that the God Who takes care of my needs also enables me to meet the needs of others. Dear God, thank You for allowing me both to give and to receive. In Jesus Christ's name, Amen. The above article is excerpted from OurPrayer Companion. Get inspired with a OurPrayer Companion devotionals every day! -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment :) Structural Engineering http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/masterbuilders.html World's Best Treehouses http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/treehouses2.html All About Hugs http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/hugs.html Best Of Nat Geo 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bestnatgeo2.html Big Hearts In Nature http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/heartsinnature2.html Hybrid Big Cats http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/hybridbigcats.html Weird Old Vehicles http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/oldvehicles.html Grand Canyon Skywalk! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/skywalk.html Chocolate Train!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/chocolatetrain.html My Bulldog Life!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mydoglife.html World Of Squirrels!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/worldofsquirrels.html Werribee Open Range Zoo!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/werribeezoo.html Police Dogs!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/policedogs.html I Believe!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/believe.html Jesus Clinic!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/clinic.html Christ's Life!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/jesuslife.html 90/10 Principle!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/giving.html I Believe In You!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/ibelieveinyou.html Directions Home!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/home.html Walk With Jesus!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/walk.html Maxine On Jesus!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/maxineonjesus.html Who Is He (God)?- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/who.html Johan's Noah's Ark!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/noahsark.html Who Is Jesus Christ?- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/whoisjesus.html Angels Are Watching!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/angelswatching.html Attitude Is Everything!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/attitude.html Lighthouses Of The World!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lighthouses.html Old Barns, Old People, Old Friends!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/barns.html SUMMER INDEX! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/summerindex.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 Truth Or Tradition.com Index: https://www.truthortradition.com/ 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/ Cancer Risks And Birth Control Pills – Is There A Connection?; Starbucks Joins The Abortion Bandwagon And Offers Free Abortions To Employees; Landmark Research Sheds Light on Dad’s Role in Baby’s Health And MORE: https://mommyunderground.com/ Don’t Let Nostalgia Steal the Blessing of the Present; Police Officer Gives Prayer Instead of a Speeding Ticket and the Reason Will Touch Your Heart' Smithsonian Museum Uses Taxpayer Dollars to Fund “Family-Friendly” LGBT Events And MORE: https://www.christianlifedaily.com/ From Colson Center: Chuck Colson: A Life Redeemed Chuck Colson loved to point out that the word “retirement” cannot be found in the Bible. If we have breath in our lungs, God has something for us to do. Chuck certainly never retired, and though it was a tragic moment at the 2012 Wilberforce Weekend when he collapsed on stage, it was fitting that Chuck passionately served the Lord until the end of his life. Throughout the 2022 Wilberforce Weekend, as we looked carefully at “Life: Redeemed,” we remembered Chuck’s incredible life. His was an amazing example of a redeemed life. The video was produced for this year’s Wilberforce Weekend event, in order to tell the story of Chuck’s life and ministry. We are thankful for Chuck’s life, and the privilege of sharing in his legacy. Thank you for partnering with us in doing so. I hope you enjoy the video! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geeTdQ2pHQ8 -<>- >In The News: Statement President Trump of the United States of America: Arizona Speaker of the House Rusty Bowers is the latest RINO to play along with the Unselect Committee. In November 2020, Bowers thanked me for getting him elected. He said he would have lost, and in fact expected to lose, if I hadn’t come along. During the conversation, he told me that the election was rigged and that I won Arizona. He said he got more votes than I did which could never have happened. In fact, he said without me, he would have been out of office, and he expected to be prior to my coming along, and big Arizona rallies. The night before the election he walked outside with his wife and saw the tremendous Trump enthusiasm and told her, “You know what? Maybe I will win after all”—and he did. Bowers should hope there’s not a tape of the conversation. Green Farce - Check out this from Hannity https://tinyurl.com/zc4rjsjf Tucker Carlson Tonight 06/21/22 https://tinyurl.com/mrnwm2pn Democrats Think They Have Found A Replacement For Biden In 2024; Texas GOP Passes Resolution Declaring Joe Biden Not Legitimately Elected AND More: https://tinyurl.com/dsmchww4 Feds Search Home of Former Trump DOJ Official Jeffrey Clark; 'Night Of Rage' Flyers Appear In D.C. Ahead Of Roe v. Wade Decision; Senate Clears Cornyn Gun Grab Bill for Final Passage With RINO Votes; Klobuchar Says Senate Gun Bill ‘Paves the Way’ for Other Gun Control Measures; EPA Using COVID Funds to Promote 'Economic Justice'; French Elections Create New Uncertainty; Dems Make Juuls Illegal While Pushing for Government Funded Crackpipes; Major SCOTUS Win for Gun Rights Shoots Down NY’s Gun Laws; The Biden Administration is Spending Millions of Taxpayer Dollars on a ‘Hamster Fight Club’ AND More: https://reliablenewsnow.com/ Rep. Rodney Davis: Colbert Staffers' Arrest 'No Joking Matter'; Gun Owners VP Pratt: SCOTUS Gun Ruling Will Save Lives; Sen. Lankford: Biden's Gas Tax Holiday to Raise National Debt by Billions; Trump: McConnell 'Push' for Gun Control Is 'Final Straw'; FDA Halts Sales of Juul E-cigarettes AND More: https://www.newsmax.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: Desserts, Chairs, Pain Medication http://www.emergencyemail.org/products/?fmt=text Latest Health Alert: Toxic Mercury in Fish Rising http://www.emergencyemail.org/health/?fmt=text Click to Give Free https://tinyurl.com/y2abb8d2 -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) David Copperfield made history in 1983 by making the Statue of Liberty disappear for a live audience during a live television broadcast. https://youtu.be/wt2JbtqF3yo --- ...Awesome Showman! Thanks LouiseAu! You might have to watch this video of amazing close-up magic two or three times before you even begin to think you can figure out how it's done. Magician Will Tsai performed this awesome display of magic and sleight of hand for the very first time on Americas Got Talent and he blew the judges and audience away. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDl7VE8xL8c --- ...Pretty Cool! Thanks LouiseAu! Africa - Angel City Chorale https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-c9-poC5HGw --- ...Beautiful! Quite impressive! Thanks LouiseAu! -<>- >From Our Friend Melody :) Soothing music/flowers/butterflies - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvLR39pIAqI --- ...Sweet! Thanks Melody! 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 ========================================================== >-->From God'sDailyWord: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >By All Possible Means The Apostle Paul was a pillar of strength who saw the ways of God more clearly than any other individual. He had a unique boldness in his message because he had received the gospel directly from God: "The gospel I preached is not something that man made up. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ" (Galatians 1:11-12). There is no doubt that Paul had a special blessing from God: "This man {Paul} is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel" (Acts 9:15). But if Paul would have remained attached to this highly favored position of strength and superior knowledge, his ministry would have been severely limited. 1 Corinthians 9:22 "To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some." Paul was so devoted to preaching the Gospel that he could humbly minister to anyone! He was determined to reach every person God placed in his path - even if this meant lowering himself and becoming weak. We must be careful to understand that weakness does not mean we engage in sin! God NEVER asks us to violate His commands in order to accomplish His will; we never need to sin in order to reach someone with the gospel. Rather, becoming weak means showing compassion without regard to a person's status; it means having the "strength" to walk beside the weak, who may be living in terrible sin, and minister the love of Jesus without condemnation. Godly weakness means showing grace to others because we understand the grace we have been given. As we minister to the lost - as we touch those without Christ - our message must focus on His saving grace. Without Jesus we are ALL lost and on our way to an eternal damnation; "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). We must never forget this basic truth. We must never let our position in Christ cloud the message of the cross. We have been saved and set free; "He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness" (Colossians 1:13). But now that we are free, we need to understand that the world around us is in desperate need of this same gracious Savior. We each have a message to share, a message which can encourage and be used to draw others to faith in Jesus. Let's begin to step outside our select and "comfortable" group - outside the group we relate to and claim to understand. The Good News of Jesus is a precious life-saving gift! Let's begin to share this gift with ALL, by ALL possible means. Have a Christ Centered Day! Steve Troxel God's Daily Word Ministries **** Reading Plan **** 1 Kings 11:1-12:19; Acts 9:1-25; Psalm 131:1-3; Proverbs 17:4-5 -<>- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Nothing Too Hard Jeremiah had been a prophet for nearly forty years by the time Jerusalem came under attack by the Babylonians. He had long been proclaiming a message of repentance, but the people continued to ignore his words. Now, the enemy had surrounded Jerusalem and the end was near. In this time of great turmoil, God told Jeremiah to purchase a field from his cousin. This was a strange request but Jeremiah obediently purchased the field. However, he soon began to question God's reasoning: "See how the siege ramps are built up to take the city? Though the city will be handed over to the Babylonians, You say to me, 'Buy the field'" (Jeremiah 32:24,25). Jeremiah had been a prophet for many years. He had been given the privilege of talking directly with God, but this command just didn't make sense. Why should he purchase a field when the enemy was invading and taking prisoners? God answered Jeremiah with a simple, yet challenging, question. Jeremiah 32:27 "I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for Me?" Yes, the enemy had invaded the land and would soon overrun the city of Jerusalem. But God's plan was for the people to one day return: "I will surely gather them from all the lands where I banish them in My furious anger and great wrath; I will bring them back to this place and let them live in safety. They will be My people and I will be their God" (Jeremiah 32:37-38). Jeremiah's field was to be a reminder that God would one day restore His people - a reminder that He could be trusted even in the face of overwhelming circumstances. We often have a difficult time seeing how all the pieces of God's plan fit together. He leads us down a path and we fail to see the purpose - especially when the enemy begins to attack. We want to fight back, but God says to patiently trust Him and pray. We want to determine a solution and solve the problem, but God says to love Him with all our heart and share His love with others. The times in which we are most tested and pressed down ought to be the times of greatest growth and closeness with our Heavenly Father. When it seems we have nowhere else to turn, we ought to rejoice and trust Him even more! Let's put our life firmly in His Hands and submit to His guidance - even when we may not see where we are going or how we will get there. Let's trust His ways and always remember...for God, there is NOTHING too hard! Have a Christ Centered Day! Steve Troxel God's Daily Word Ministries **** Reading Plan **** Samuel 18:1-19:10; John 20:1-31; Psalm 119:156-176; Proverbs 16:14-15 ========================================================== ___ .dSSSS$$pp.. .dSSSS$$$$$$$$; .dSSSS$$$$$$$$$$$ :SSP^" T$$$$$$$$$$b_ dSSP $$$S$$$$$$$b` dSS$;_. .:$$$SS$$$$$$b dSS$$$_ ; __."^TSS$$$$$b dSS$$P;" ""' :lSS$$$$$b :SS$$$ ; ::SS$$$$$$b_. SSS$$$ : ` ;:SS$$$$$$$bp. :SS$$$$b \ -=- .-" SSS$$$$$$$$$$b SSS$$$$$b.`. / d$SS$$$$$$$$$$$b :SS$$$$$$$; ""T :$$$SS$$$$$$$$P^^t--' SSS$$$S$$$ : $$$$$SS$$$$$$$ : :SS$$$SS$; __; _$$$$$$SS$$$$$$ : SSS$SS l;: ; : $$$$SS$$$$$; ; :SS$SS $;: ; : $$$SS$$$$$$; /; TSSSS :$ \ ; ; :$S$$$$$$$$.-"/ `SP; :; ;: ; T$$$$$$$$; /; : ; ; : `.; /)T$$$$$P .' : ; : : ; .'/ :$$$P'.' .'\ ; \ :; / /$P^".' .-" ; : ;: .' .-" / \ `.____/_'.___:--""\ --' .' ) .-" .' "-._ "-._ ..--"")\ :-' : "-. "-._ ---""" /; ; : : \ "-._....____; : : \ :\ `. \ ; ; \ \\ \ \ ; : : `. \\ \ \ : ; ; ;"-t\ `. \ : : : : `; \ ; ; ; ; : \ / : : / ; \-..__ .'; : ; / : ; """T ; : / / ; \ : ; ; ;/ : : \ ; ; ; ; ; ; ; : ; ; / : : : ; ; ; / ; :; : ; ; / : :: ; ; ;_ `""--..__; :_; __ ;____;.-;'; ;.__.: :..t-"" j" ; ; : ; ; ;--"" \ [bug] ; ; ; : ; : \ ; ; : \ ; ; ;. ; ; \ \ ; : / ; ; ; \ \ ; : ; ; ; \ `-. ; ; .' ; ; \ \ ;___/ /______;.-' \ ---; / / ;______: .-' / '-------' >Trust Him Story Editor: by Bonnie Buttron Joyce Schowalter Illinois, USA I work for a sub contractor at a job site in Illinois. Because several of us have done exemplary work, each time the contract was up for renewal the job site management always requested that we stay. Thus, I have had the opportunity to become acquainted with the employees. I have worked on this job site for over thirteen years, always part time. One day while at work in the summer of 2008, my mind was in despair as to how I was going to handle the many problems associated with my son's illness. He has schizophrenia. He had stopped taking his medication and his symptoms intensified. His behavior became more erratic, and his and my frustrations were accelerating. My mind was seesawing back and forth with thoughts. I should be home. How am I going to convince him he needs to take this medication? What is he doing in my absence? What am I going to find at home? I need this job in order to make ends meet. How do other people manage in the same situation? Then there were worries about overcoming the stigma attached to this illness. And angry thoughts, as all attempts to receive help have been stymied by bureaucrats, with mental health funding slashed by politicians. What am I going to do in the future for myself and for him? What's going to happen to him after I'm gone? I'm 63, have major heart muscle death from a heart attack, two cervical discs herniated, and severe osteoarthritis throughout my whole body. My symptoms were severe that day: the spinal cord arthritis was causing muscle spasms in my hand, charley horses in my calves and an excruciating headache. In general, I was starting to decline into a depressed mood. Linda, an employee who had confided in me about her Crohn's disease and the fact her daughter was enrolled in college and was finding it difficult to adjust, stopped by to say goodnight. I asked her how she was, and how her daughter was. She said that she was feeling better, and her daughter was doing fine. She asked about my son. All she knew about my son was that he suffers from organic brain syndrome. I told her he was not doing so well. Linda replied, "Trust him but most of all just love him," and she left. Those words resounded in my whole being. I do love my son, but on this day I let my fears and frustrations overshadow this fact. Most of all, the words "trust him" really struck home. I had allowed his illness to deflect me from his basic nature and personality. I started remembering all the issues he has, yet he still works at overcoming them. I have had too many people, professional and otherwise, advocate the futility of expecting anything from my son. Linda saved me spiritually, emotionally and mentally. I keep her words ever-present in my thoughts. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From CupO'Cheer: .--. /_`-.| < )/ L_.'/ _;-"``\ _,__.-'|| ; ,_ \__| || || | |_`"-._ \|| || | |`"-._| || || | | | || || | | | || || ;' | | || ||_,-'| | | |{o};| | | | `))` | | | | (( | | | | ) | | j | ( | | g | ` | | s | _|___| |____| (___._| >THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF PREACHING By Tyler Scarlett, who is the Pastor-Teacher of Forest Baptist Church located in Forest, Virginia. In an article that originally appeared on Preaching.com, he lists ten mistakes that preachers should avoid at all costs. Here is the list: 1. Thou shalt not put words in God's mouth. 2. Thou shalt prepare and preach every message as though it were thy last. 3. Thou shalt not present the Word of God in a boring and non- compelling manner. 4. Thou always shalt point to Christ in thy message. 5. Thou shalt edify thy hearers to faith and obedience. 6. Thou shalt not be one kind of person and another kind of preacher. 7. Thou shalt not open a commentary until thou hast read the passage 100 times. 8. Honor thy context above all else, so that it may go well with thee in thy message. 9. Thou shalt make the point of the text the point of the message. 10. Thou shalt preach and teach doctrine above all else. Here is the complete article: http://www.sermoncentral.com/authors/tyler-scarlett-articles-608.asp (The Timothy Report, www.timothyreport.com) -<>- .,., _zz____ (((((()) zz ZZ| | ((('_ _`) ' | Beep! | Z ((G \ |) |_ ____| (((` ~ , |/ .((\.:~: .----------- __.| `"'.__ | \ .~~ `---' ~. | . / ` | `-.____ | ~ | : | | : | _ | \ ~~-. | , `_ ( \) _____/~~~~ `--___ | ~`-) ) `-. `--- ( | '///` | `-. | | | | `-. | | | | `-. | | |\ | | | | \| `-. | | | `-| ' >HAVE YOU EVER? Traffic was picking up with rush hour about thirty minutes away. As I drove along a street paralleling the railroad tracks, I noticed a truck off to my left. It was parked on an empty lot with overgrown scrub grass and tall weeds. The cab was jackknifed; I slowed down to look closer. A man in the driver’s seat had his head back, apparently sleeping. It wasn’t a truck stop but it was not far off the interstate. I figured he probably had gotten so tired he just couldn’t go any farther. Have you ever felt that way? Like you were too tired to go any farther? Like you just couldn’t give more; like you couldn’t do one more thing, go another mile? Like you were the only one carrying the burden? The only one responsible for the situation? Been so down and out that you felt like your whole body was drooping from emotional exhaustion? The solution that’s given, in the wisest book ever written, says the answer is ‘rest’. Just as the truck driver was doing. And not only physically rest (sleep), but rest emotionally, mentally and spiritually as well. A refreshing. The Message says, "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life…Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." -Jesus, Matthew 11:28-30 Yes, there is an answer - in a Person - when you feel toooo tired. That is good news. inspirational messages by Sally I. Kennedy Sally I. Kennedy, ©2011 -<>- . >< . o . o ' . >< * >< . . . o __ ,,",". . L" ,|| >< .-'_-||' . . . . / J . . . /o| L L ,-',/ ,J | ``\ .* C -' `-.-JL`.\ LJLJ ` . _|JL| . `--'`-' o * - . -bf- >FAIRY TALES AND TECHNOLOGY If you think technology has changed the work world, just take a look at what's happening in never-never land. A recent update reports that today: Little Bo Peep never loses sheep because of their embedded silicon identity chips. Cinderella searches for her prince on Match.com - and leases her pumpkin-colored SUV at Avis.com. Hansel and Gretel use the GPS rather than breadcrumbs but have reported problems stuffing the wicked witch into her microwave oven. To avoid travel stress, Alice now plans her Wonderland vacation with travelocity.com. A reformed Ebenezer Scrooge sends Bob Cratchett to update his certification for Excel and Quicken. Jack's making a fortune on his beanstalk bioengineering breakthrough. Old McDonald uses voice recognition to make ordering easy at his agricultural auction site http://www.eieio.com. Romeo and Juliet avoid tragic problems by keeping in touch through their cell phones. With her early Web capabilities, Charlotte is now a motivational speaker at tech conferences around the world. The Pied Piper switched career fields after his tunes were bootlegged on Napster. King Arthur has replaced that expensive round table with satellite videoconferencing. Gulliver is on sabbatical using up all his frequent flyer miles. Jack and Jill order their Evian on peapod.com. as seen in Laugh and Lift Daily -<>- __ /_/\/\ \_\ / /_/ \ \_\/\ \ \_\/ unknown >DEFINITION OF A CHRISTIAN He has a mind, and he knows it, He has a will, and shows it; He sees his way, and goes it, He draws a line, and toes it. He has a chance, and takes it, A friendly hand and shakes it; A rule, and never breaks it, If there's no time, he makes it. He loves the truth, stands by it, Nor ever tries to shy it, Whoever may deny it, or openly defy it. He hears a lie and slays it, He owes a debt and pays it; And, as I've heard him praise it, He knows the game, and plays it. He sees the path Christ trod, And grips the hand of God. --Author Unknown (The Timothy Report, www.timothyreport.com) -<>- _,_ _,_ _/. .\_ _/- -\_ (.\_o_/.) (.\_-_/.) (.`,.`'.') (.`,.'.'.) ('.`,'`,) ('.`,'',) ('.`,'`) ('.','`) jgs `--'"` `--'"` >DEXTER MAN TRAVELS TO MICHIGAN TO PAY DEBT By Noreen Hyslop ~ Daily Statesman Dexter, Mo. -- For 60 years, an old unpaid debt has been bothering Bob Brown. Now 81, the Dexter man has been haunted over the years knowing he owed $5 to a hospital in Flint, Mich., for the birth of one of his sons. "I'd be debt-free," he's often told his sons, "if I only had that hospital bill paid." There was a reason Brown hadn't paid that five dollars. The retired farmer, who has never been in the habit of leaving bills unpaid, lived in Michigan in the early 1950s with his expectant wife, Barbara. The baby was to be their first, and the young couple was excitedly awaiting its February arrival. "Dad had the hospital bill paid for in advance," said Dennis Brown, one of the Brown siblings. "But the bill was paid for the birth of one baby." Anxious parents-to-be were without the advantage of sonograms and ultrasounds in the 1950s, and so it came as a surprise when Barbara Brown gave birth Feb. 23 to identical twin boys, Larry and Gary Brown. "Dad didn't plan on two, so he didn't pay for two in advance," Larry said. And so, Bob Brown began to pay out the hospital bill month by month. When the family decided to move to Missouri in 1951, there was only $5 left on the bill -- $5 that would haunt Bob Brown for 60 years. At a recent 60th birthday celebration for the twins, their father was heard to lament about the debt once again. "I went home that night and decided it was time to take dad on a road trip," Larry said. "So, the next day I called him and told him to pack a bag; we were headed for Flint, Mich., to pay that debt once and for all, and he'd finally be debt free." The trip was set, and as brother after brother heard of the plan, each signed up to go along. Now the question was how to fit the entourage to Flint in one vehicle. The answer was simple. They leased a 15-passenger cargo van for the trip. And so on a cool March day, the Browns -- father, four sons and a cousin -- began their trek northward to relieve the senior family member of his long-owed debt. A funny thing happened, though, on the way to Flint. "We're blaming it on the GPS system in the van," Larry said. "We got a little sidetracked and ended up crossing the Canadian border." The six-man team enjoyed the Canadian atmosphere so well, they went for a cheeseburger. Along the drive, however, they saw in the distance the neon lights of Caesars Palace -- and the rest of the night was history. In the morning, the men set out to cross the border back into their homeland and learned it's much easier getting into Canada than it is getting out. None had passports, and even though that didn't seem to present a problem upon entrance to the country, it was a problem now. "We told them our whole story," Larry said, "and I'm sure they thought we were all crazy, but eventually they let us back over the border." Once back on U.S. soil, the men navigated their way to Flint and headed to Hurley Hospital, where the Brown twins, one paid for in full and one for whom $5 remained owed, entered the world 60 years ago. Little did the family know that as they traveled, a granddaughter, hearing of the adventure, had made a call to Hurley Hospital and warned them of what was about to happen. And so, when the cargo van pulled up to the hospital entrance, the weary travelers were not only greeted with valet parking, but with an entourage of hospital staff, eager to take their long-awaited $5. "We didn't want a big deal made of it," Larry said, "but they gave us a royal welcome, took the money, wrote a receipt and sent us on our way." The content caravan belted themselves in once again for the trip back to Dexter, perhaps a little worse for the wear, but satisfied in knowing that never again will Bob Brown utter the words, "Boys, I'd be debt free, if only ..." as seen in This 'n That From the Heartland To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com. ========================================================== >-->From LaughAndLift: "Our first duty is not to understand but to believe what God has said." - A.W. Pink ,.., .-//||\\-. / , , \ / ; ; \ /, /| |\ .\ \` \| |/ `/ \ \ / / jgs \_/||||||\_/ `"===="` >Your Worth (by Max Lucado, from "The Applause of Heaven" Copyright 1996 Max Lucado) In my closet hangs a sweater that I seldom wear. It is too small. The sleeves are too short, the shoulders too tight. Some of the buttons are missing, and the thread is frazzled. I should throw that sweater away. I have no use for it. I'll never wear it again. Logic says I should clear out the space and get rid of the sweater. That's what logic says. But love won't let me. Something unique about that sweater makes me keep it. It has no tag because it wasn't made in a factory. It has no label because it wasn't produced on an assembly line. It's the creation of a devoted mother expressing her love. And though the sweater has lost all of its use, it has lost none of its value. It is valuable not because of its function, but because of its maker. That must have been what the psalmist had in mind when he wrote, "you knit me together in my mother's womb." (Psalm 139:13) You aren't an accident. You were deliberately planned, specifically gifted, and lovingly positioned on this earth by the Master Craftsman. "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Ephesians 2:10) In a society that has little room for second fiddles, that's good news. In a culture where the door of opportunity opens only once and then slams shut, that is a revelation. 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 -<>- __ /_/\/\ \_\ / /_/ \ \_\/\ \ \_\/ unknown >-->Your Life is Jesus to Someone (Author Unknown) "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." - John 13:35 YOUR LIFE is Jesus to someone, though tattered and torn it may be. Though often times weak and unstable, you're all of God someone will see. YOUR TONGUE is Jesus to someone. That idle, insensitive word reflects to at least one searching heart an idle, insensitive Lord. YOUR GOALS are Jesus to someone. What you put first, they believe, are the goals of God for the Christian. Your life is all they receive. YOUR FAITHFULNESS... that's Jesus to someone. Their judgment of how God is true, rests unquestionably in the faithfulness they see day by day in you. YOUR LOVE is Jesus to someone -- that someone who is seeking to know that Jesus will follow and guide and befriend wherever in life they might go. SO BEWARE lest others blaspheme God by what you say or do, for the only Jesus that someone may see is the Jesus they see in you. "A man's life is always more forcible than his speech. When men take stock of him they reckon his deeds as dollars and his words as pennies. If his life and doctrine disagree the mass of onlookers accept his practice and reject his preaching." - C.H. Spurgeon "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;" - Ephesians 4:1-2 >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 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 **********************************************************************