Draw Near And Know God Better... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our ShangyFunList: Group Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: bcrsystems@earthlink.net Shangrala Family Fun: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ ================ *~* A REMINDER: PLEASE Send me sweet, interesting, funny, inspiring, family type forwards ANY TIME here... bcrsystems@earthlink.net I Need them, Love them, Use them, and Share them! THANK YOU!! AND For Facebook Users: Please Like Me here... http://tinyurl.com/cma6all AND Please Share This email with All Your Friends And Family! ^~^ May God SUPER BLESS You As You Do! THANK YOU! ================ __ __ ,-' `' \ _---``-- / _ _ ; __ `. / / `' \; /`----- ) / .-/ ,( ), \-. ; | \( \ / )/; | - _5 `7 -; / ( ___-' `-____ | ( ___`-_ \ ____| \ / `,/ \ _(\__ / \ \ ; \ .' /' `i. / | | \ _-'( _\__-/ `- | | ` ,` `_ | BP * Don't forget to follow us on social media for our latest updates and uproarious funny and inspiring pages! On Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/y8dcm8x7 On X (Twitter): http://tinyurl.com/n5uf3dxv ================ >-->In The 'Shangy' News :) . . . . ,-,--. __| //``-, \ \_`\ )\a-a-? \ \ \_`(_=_/_-`__ \__, , \| | _ _,' ___7 ) | (_)(_`__(_,---' | ( _( ) | / /_| |________| __/__/__|__|_________) _________(__,_|)/ (__)|/____\(_______________ mic I am very pleased to announced we have a returning sponsor for the website www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com. With the present rate of inflation around the country, our 1st returning sponsor may be just the ticket to help keep your car running smoothly without bankrupting you. Those who are car tinkerers will easily be able to find the part you need. It's also a good source for those of you who, like my son, like to save money on car repairs. He likes to find out what his car's problem is at the shop and then locate a quality part for it himself online. This always saves him money over what the shop would charge him and he's assured he gets what he is paying for which is a new, not used, quality replacement part! This company is great! Search from over 10 Million Auto Parts at always 80% off product list prices! Be sure to check them out here... ___ _____________________ d8888 888______888_888888P' d8'888 888 /\ 888 A 888 ,oo. ,d8' 888 888,' `.888/ \888 d8PY8b ,d8Y'__888 888______888___888 Y8bd8P 8888888888 888888888888 888 d8b `""' [888P""Y888 888888888888,--888] Y8P 88P db Y8P Y8888888888P db Y8= o \ YP / \ YP / bmw `--' `--' Dealer Alternative Parts Geek https://www.partsgeek.com/ Be sure to check out this fine company! You can always be assured that I only go with the best for you! Why? Because I care About you! (¯`v´¯) `*.¸.*´ ¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•. Huggums!... :) Shangy! -<>- >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press ?? Our too hot to handle new page is from our Friend Sharon. It's one to give you plenty of smiles and chuckles for your day. You can check it out here: .--. , , ) .-----._ ___ < /) | | ||==|| _(())\) | | /|==|| __ .-' (()/ '-. :_____:/ |"_|/) /| _/ () \ / .-------. __.' / | oo)__/ () \ | / '=======' () / | :~ \_ ) _/ _/ /__________________/ | | |- (--|(,/ | [___o___] | | / ) \ | / [___o___] / | | ( \ | / [___o___] / | | ( | / | / | / . | |/ __ |/ | | : | <`,,'>,--,--..-, snd | |__/_____\ | / ( ( ) ) \ oo=' oo=' '-'\ ) ) ) )\ (,_)_)(_,)_/ ||| ||| ~~ ~~ Witty Comebacks 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/comebacks2.html --- ...HaHaHA! Great ones! Thanks Sharon! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarming: __.-.__ _.-' ' ` `-._ .' ' ' ` ` `. ( ' ' ` ` ) |`-,..,.____..,.,--;| |: | :| : | : |: || |: | :| (9>| : |: || |: | :|(\) | : |: || |: | :|/\\ | : |: || |: | /| II | : |: || |: |///| II | : |: || |; | :| II | : |: || /`-!...|____|...!--'\ / \ `--...._________....--' Felix Lee >Old Bird Cage There once was a man named George Thomas, pastor in a small New England town. One Easter Sunday morning he came to the Church carrying a rusty, bent, old bird cage, and set it by the pulpit. Eyebrows were raised and, as if in response, Pastor Thomas began to speak... "I was walking through town yesterday when I saw a young boy coming toward me swinging this bird cage. On the bottom of the cage were three little wild birds, shivering with cold and fright. I stopped the lad and asked, "What you got there, son?" "Just some old birds," came the reply. "What are you gonna do with them?" I asked. "Take 'em home and have fun with 'em," he answered. "I'm gonna tease 'em and pull out their feathers to make 'em fight. I'm gonna have a real good time." "But you'll get tired of those birds sooner or later. What will you do?" "Oh, I got some cats," said the little boy. "They like birds. I'll take 'em to them." The pastor was silent for a moment. "How much do you want for those birds, son?" "Huh?? !!! Why, you don't want them birds, mister. They're just plain old field birds. They don't sing. They ain't even pretty!" "How much?" the pastor asked again. The boy sized up the pastor as if he were crazy and said, "$10?" The pastor reached in his pocket and took out a ten dollar bill. He placed it in the boy's hand. In a flash, the boy was gone. The pastor picked up the cage and gently carried it to the end of the alley where there was a tree and a grassy spot. Setting the cage down, he opened the door, and by softly tapping the bars persuaded the birds out, setting them free. Well, that explained the empty bird cage on the pulpit, and then the pastor began to tell this story. One day Satan and Jesus were having a conversation. Satan had just come from the Garden of Eden, and he was gloating and boasting. "Yes, sir, I just caught the world full of people down there. Set me a trap, used bait I knew they couldn't resist. Got 'em all!" "What are you going to do with them?" Jesus asked. Satan replied, "Oh, I'm gonna have fun! I'm gonna teach them how to marry and divorce each other, how to hate and abuse each other, how to drink and smoke and gamble and curse. I'm gonna teach them how to invent guns and bombs and kill each other. I'm really gonna have fun!" "And what will you do when you get done with them?" Jesus asked. "Oh, I'll kill 'em," Satan glared proudly. "How much do you want for them?" Jesus asked. "Oh, you don't want those people. They ain't no good. Why, you'll take them and they'll just hate you. They'll spit on you, curse you and kill you. You don't want those people!!" "How much? He asked again. Satan looked at Jesus and sneered, "All your blood, tears and your life." Jesus said, "DONE!" Then He paid the price. The pastor picked up the cage he opened the door and he walked from the pulpit. -<>- _, .--. ( / ( '-. jgs .-=-. ) -. / ( .' . \ \ ( ' ,_) ) \_/ (_ , /\ ,_/ '--\ `\--` _\ _\ `\ \ _\_\ `\\ \\ -.'.`\.'.- >Thru the eyes of a child A little girl walked daily to and from school. Though the weather that morning was questionable and clouds were forming, she made her daily trek to the elementary school. As the afternoon progressed, the winds whipped up, along with thunder and lightning. The mother of the little girl felt concerned that her daughter would be frightened as she walked home from school, and she herself feared that the electrical storm might harm her child. Following the roar of thunder, lightning, like a flaming sword, would cut through the sky. Full of concern, the Mother quickly got into her car and drove along the route to her child's school. As she did so, she saw her little girl walking along, but at each flash of lightning, the child would stop, look and smile. Another and another were to follow quickly, each with the little girl stopping, looking at the streak of light and smiling. Finally, the mother called her over to the car and asked, "What in the world are you doing?" The child answered, "God just keeps taking pictures of me." -<>- _ /_/_ .'''. =O(_)))) ...' `. jgs \_\ `. .''' `..' >The Bee Sting A vacationing family drives along in their car, windows rolled down, enjoying the warm summer breeze of the sunny day. All of a sudden a big black bee darts in the window and starts buzzing around inside the car. A little girl, highly allergic to bee stings, cringes in the back seat. If she is stung, she could die within an hour. "Oh, Daddy," she squeals in terror, "it's a bee! It's going to sting me!" The father pulls the car over to a stop, and reaches back to try to catch the bee. Buzzing towards him, the bee bumps against the front windshield where the father traps it in his fist. Holding it in his closed hand, the father waits for the inevitable sting. The bee stings the father's hand and in pain, the father lets go of the bee. The bee is loose in the car again. The little girl again panics, "Daddy, it's going to sting me!" The father gently says, "No honey, he's not going to sting you now. Look at my hand." The bee's stinger is there in his hand. "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" -1 Cor. 15:55 Jesus says to us, "Look at my hands." Until Next Time...CARPE DIEM! =Bill Rayborn= =========================================================== >-->From Daily Encounter: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >When We Face Difficult Times 1.God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2.Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3.Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. 4.There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. 5. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. 6. The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. 7. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. 8. Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth. 9. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. 10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. 11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. Difficult times are inevitable. Loved ones die. Friends face illness. Our spouse loses his/her job. The range of human pain is wide, but God comforts us in all our tribulations. The passage today speaks of great calamities, some from natural causes and others caused by men. Such trials often puzzle us, but verse 10 tells us where to turn. Followers of the Heavenly Father should be calm and remember that He is the sovereign Lord of the universe. The key to dealing with difficulties lies in trusting in the One who controls all things. Instead of trying to handle the situation our own way, we should wait for God to act and trust that He will work on our behalf (Isaiah64:4). This involves taking time to be alone with the Heavenly Father, praying and meditating on His Word and listening to Him. Our instinct drives us to want to take control, yet God wants us to wait on Him. He also tells us to give up our expectations and submit to His plan. How do you react when problems arise? Whether your current circumstances are good or not, take the time to wait on the Lord and trust thaat He is in control. Suggested Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, please forgive me because many times I want to be the one in control of the situation. I surrender control of my life and every difficult situation I face. You see everything, but my vision is limited. I give you control so that Your will and purpose in my life may be fulfilled. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen. 1. Psalm 46 (KJV). Today's Encounter was written by: Rosina N. <:))))>< , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >No Greater Love Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.1 Maxwell Maltz tells the story of a man who had been severely injured while attempting to rescue his parents from a fire. His heroic efforts proved to be in vain, though. His mom and dad died in the burning house. During his rescue attempt the fire badly scorched his face and disfigured it. He was so ashamed of his appearance that he refused to allow anyone - including his wife - to see his face. For help, his wife went to Maltz, a plastic surgeon. "Not to worry," he assured her, "I can restore his face." Despite the good news, the wife still felt disheartened. Her husband had always refused any medical treatment. Assuming he would not change his mind, she said to Maltz, "I want you to disfigure my face so I can be like him! If I can share in his pain, then maybe he will let me back into his life." Maltz tried to mask his horror at the request. He refused to perform the operation, but was so moved by this woman's love for her husband that he went to visit her husband. Through closed door, he yelled, "I am a plastic surgeon. I want you to know that I can restore your face." No reply. "Please, will you come out? At least let me see your face. At least talk to me." Silence. Still speaking through a door, Maltz told the man of his wife's request. "She wants me to mutilate her face in order to make her face like yours. She hopes that you will then let her back into your life. That is how much she loves you." Ever so slowly the doorknob turned.2 True, it can be extremely painful to feel as though no one will ever accept you because of your physical appearances. But just as the great love this wife felt for her husband slowly opened his heart, may we also be a constant channel of God's love and acceptance to others, especially those who feel alone. Our sinfulness was truly something that God could not not see, and there was nothing we could possibly do to change that on our own. But because of his unconditional love for us, and his desire to spend eternity with us, God sent Jesus to die on the cross to make us clean and give us new life. If you have not already done so, my prayer is that you would open the door of your heart to Jesus and allow him to love you and wash your sins away for good! Suggested prayer: Dear God, thank You for loving me despite once being sinful and unworthy. Help me to truly accept what You have done for me and live a life that will bring honor to Your name. I want to love you and others, just as you have loved me. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, amen. 1. John 15:13 (NIV). 2. Maxie Dunnam, "This Is Christianity"(Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1994), pp. 60-61. When copying or forwarding include the following: "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2016 ACTS International. =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: >IMPROVING YOUR INSIDES By: Joseph J. Mazzella I was amazed recently when I read about how many different types of surgeries and treatments people are undergoing these days in order to look younger or more beautiful. There were breast and chin implants. There were injections to give you fuller lips. There were face lifts to take the furrows out of your forehead. There were botox treatments to take away your smile and laugh lines. There were liposuction treatments to take the fat out of your body. There were surgeries to make your nose smaller and tummy tighter. There were hair implants to take away baldness and dyes to take away any grey hairs that show up. There were skin treatments to take away age marks and liver spots. Some of these treatments cost very little, but others ran into thousands of dollars. It was strange to see all the things people are willing to do to look good on the outside. When I look in the mirror lately at my thirty seven year old body, I see the wrinkles and laugh lines on my face, the greying and thinning hair on my head, and the little extra fat around my body. It doesn't bother me though. I feel more young and vital today than I did when I was twenty. I feel more alive and joyous now than when I was a teenager. I know too that I feel this way not because of what I look like on the outside but because of what I do on the inside. It is the insides that are essential. It is the insides that are eternal. What you do everyday to improve your heart and soul will do more to make your life better than all the surgeries in the world. God made you a beautiful, loving soul that just happens to be carried around in a body. Keep your body healthy then, but keep your soul healthier. Take your plastic surgery fund and give it to charity. Watch a sunset. Give someone you love a hug. Do something good to help another soul. Live and love the way God meant for you to. Remember when you die only the love and joy within your soul goes with you. The rest really isn't that important. -<>- __ / /| /_/ \ <---<< six inch nail ~\~\ \ \ \ \ / _ \ \ \ \_ \_ \ \ \_/ \ / \_\_\/ / _/ _| \_ _/ / \ / \ \ / cjr >"The Nail" by Ronnie Bray It was an annular ringed nail made to be driven into wood by a nailing machine and to stay there forever. That is what the rings were for. Once in place, it took superhuman strength to remove it. But then, our job at the old textile mill was putting them in, not taking them out. The pallet making shop was four times as long as it was wide and had a pallet manufacturing line at either side close to the side walls. Hoppers on top of each nailing machine held the nails that were fed down through tubes to the nailing heads. From time to time, one of the crew went aloft to empty boxes of three-inch long annular ringed nails into the hopper to keep the supply stocked. Occasionally, a few nails would spill over the sides of the steel hoppers as they were being emptied, landing on the floor to be swept up at the close of each day's operations. It was commonplace to have nails kicking around the floor and no one paid any mind to them. On the day I found the nail I was working at the back of the machine, pulling the half-made pallets through to the turnover element before sending them down to have their tops fitted and nailed. I needed to go for a drink, or something equally trivial, and asked one of the team to cover for me. Then I jumped down from the staging on which we worked on the assembly lines, and that's when I found the nail. At first it didn't register what had happened, but a moment later it was obvious that against all the odds, one of the spilled nails had landed on its head and stood there just the right distance away from the staging for my right boot to find it when I jumped off. I felt a bit sick when I saw the point of the nail sticking through the toe cap of my boot and knew that I had been nailed good and proper. I was still feeling a bit sick when my workmates carried me into the supervisor's office and laid me out on the desk. Someone had notified the work's First Aid man who arrived breathless and asked for a claw hammer. I had already tried to remove the nail by hand and the resultant pain left me in no doubt that it was not of a mind to be taken out without some of the brute force that it took to drive it in. I explained to the First Aid man that if he touched my foot at all, never mind with a claw hammer, he would be on the desk next to me with someone trying to pull my other boot out of his face. And he understood! So, I was consigned to Oldham general Hospital in an ambulance where, because I had had a drink of orange juice at ten that morning, I had to wait in casualty in a wheelchair with my bad foot cradled across my good one with the nail sticking up like Black pool Tower, attracting wry comments from other patients and visitors. My wait was of four hours duration because the physicians wisely decided that I would need a general anesthetic before they could pull the nail out of my foot. At the examination immediately prior to the general anesthetic, the kindly physician, an Indian, was reaching for the nail head with his finger and thumb. Before he could touch the pierce, I placed my hand around his windpipe and smiled at him, saying gently, "We are not going to hurt each other, are we?" And he understood! I awoke on the table, minus boot, and minus the nail. They had already discarded the nail and I did not need a souvenir. I felt drunk and could not stop laughing for about ten minutes, after which they declared me ready for discharge, having dressed the wounds, one on top and one underneath my foot a little way back from where the toes join the foot. It remained sore for a few days before the pain subsided, and the holes healed well, leaving small scars that have faded into nothing with the passing of the years. Only a faint memory remains and I hardly think about that event now? except at Easter. Then it is that I am reminded that the Romans did not have the luxury of one eight of an inch diameter annular ringed nails, but crude shafts beaten from iron by a blacksmith: heavy square things with broad blunt heads that were made to fix heavy timbers in place; wedge-shaped things with sharp edges that tore into flesh when driven through human hands and feet, and hurt not one whit less when that flesh was both human and divine. Sometimes I remember that no one suffered more keenly the anguish of the driving of the nails through his hands and feet than Christ did, and yet he murmured not, and I am ashamed because of my all-too-human murmurings when my pain was so small, and His so great, even unto death. Then, I understand a little better than once I did, how it was love that kept Jesus fastened on the cross and not the pitiless nails, and I feel ashamed because I complained about one little one, and feel ashamed to think that sometimes I forget the nails he bore in his flesh because of His love for me; and in such moments or remembering the recollection of his words floods into my mind like Spirit-borne light, bringing a new and more profound realization of what He meant when He said, 'The Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him.' Then the soaring words of the prophet Isaiah stir in my heart: 'He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed' Then I am healed again through His suffering, and know His peace and then I understand! --- |~~~~~~~| | | |~~~~~~~~~~~| | I N R I | |___________| | | |~.\\\_\~~~~~~~~~~~~~~xx~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~/_//;~| | \ o \_ ,XXXXX), _..-~ o / | | ~~\ ~-. XXXXX`)))), _.--~~ .-~~~ | ~~~~~~~`\ ~\~~~XXX' _/ ';)) |~~~~~~..-~ _.-~ ~~~~~~~ `\ ~~--`_\~\, ;;;\)__.---.~~~ _.-~ ~-. `:;;/;; \ _..-~~ ~-._ `'' /-~-~ `\ / / | , | | | ' / | \/; | ;; | `; . | |~~~-----.....| | \ \ | /\~~--...__ | (| `\ __-\| || \_ /~ | |) \~-' | | | \ ' | | \ : \ | | | | ) ( ) \ /; /\ | | |/ | | | | \ .' || | | | | ( | | | | \ \ | || o `.)| |`\\\\) | | | | | | | tua xiong ...This is why I don't much care for the cross as a reminder to me of how much my sweet Lord suffered. It was horrible. _ (_) <--|--> _ | _ jgs `\__/ \__/` `-. .-' ' I prefer the anchor as a reminder to me of how he keeps me safe in all the trials and turbulent waters of my life. He is indeed my anchor in whom I owe everything to. Without his sacrifice, I'd never be able to be close to God and be part of God's family. I would be without hope in this evil world. I thank God for Jesus and what they both did for me and all of us. -<>- __ @@;, ( ; ? : ); _| |_ | | || | | _| |_ | \ \ \/ || \/ ___ / / | __| |\ __||____||___||______/| | ||| | |_______ _________| | ||| ||| |____ | | ____| ||| Design by \ \______ ) | | / ______/ / || | | | | | /___| || Samule J. Neptune || | | |_ /| | |\ _| || || || | \__, / | | | \<__/ | || >Mother (Get the Kleenex) Do not think you just have to be a mother to appreciate this... While I think fathers will appreciate this as well, Only a mother will know the true emotion of this. After 21 years of marriage, I discovered a new way of keeping alive the spark of love. A little while ago I started to go out with another woman. It was really my wife's idea. "I know that you love her," she said one day, taking me by surprise. "But I love YOU," I protested. "I know, but you also love her." The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my mother, Who has been a widow for 19 years. Demands of work & 3 children had made it possible to visit her only occasionally. That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie. "What's wrong, are you okay?" she asked. Mother is the type who: Suspects late night calls or surprise invitations to be a sign of bad news. "I thought that it would be nice to spend some time with you," I responded. "Just the two of us?" She thought about it for a moment, then said, "I would like that very much." That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous about our "date." She waited in the door with her coat on. She had curled her hair and... Was wearing the dress she had worn to celebrate her last wedding anniversary. She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angel's. "I told my friends that I was going to go out with my son, And they were impressed," she said, as she got into the car. "They can't wait to hear about our meeting." We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant, was very nice and cozy. My mother took my arm as if she were the First Lady. After we sat down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only read large print. Half way through the entrees, I lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting there staring at me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips. "It was I who used to have to read the menu when you were small," she said. "Then it's time that you relax and let me return the favor," I responded. During the dinner we had an agreeable conversation, - Nothing Extraordinary - but... Catching up on recent events of each other's life. We talked so much that we missed the movie. As we arrived at her house later, she said, "I'll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you." I agreed. "How was your dinner date?" asked my wife when I got home. "Very nice. Much more so than I could have imagined," I answered. A few days later my mother died of a massive heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn't have a chance to do anything for her. Some time later I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receipt... From the same place my mother and I had dined. An attached note read: "Son, I paid this bill in advance. I was almost sure that I couldn't be there but, Nevertheless, I paid for two plates... - One for you & the other for your wife. You will never know what that night meant for me. I love you." At that moment I understood the importance of saying, in time: "I LOVE YOU" & to give our loved ones the time that they deserve. Nothing in life is more important than your family. Give them the time they deserve, Because these things cannot be put off till "some other time." -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment :) You Are Blessed! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/blessed.html Famous US Veterans 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/famousveterans2.html Zoo Animals! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/zoo.html World's Fastest Cars! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/fastcars.html Origami Dollar Art 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dollarart2.html Oregon Coast Aquarium! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/oregon.html Funny Animal Facts! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/zoo2.html The Wild Ones! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wildones.html Elephant Hotel! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/elhotel.html Believe In Your Dreams! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/dream.html Longleat's Monkey Shines! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/monkeyshines.html Bird Sculpture Art! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/birdart.html Proud Of Our Troops 5! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/troops5.html Playing With Words! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wordplay.html World Of Wonder! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/worldofwonder.html Attitude is Everything 3! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/attitude3.html Inspirational Life Rules! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/liferules.html Our Valuable Anchor! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/ouranchor.html SPRING Index! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/springindex.html -<>- US Pilot Shot Down Over Iran Goes Viral: "JESUS Walked Ahead of Me" - 14 Hours Behind Enemy Lines... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWGCQRlj0H0 HONORING 250 YEARS OF VETERANS' SERVICE For 250 years, Veterans have fought to protect our freedom. VA honors their courage and sacrifice every day, standing fully committed to serving our heroes for generations to come. https://tinyurl.com/mscw5vca 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 '---' >Always Rejoice In his letter to the Philippians, Paul gives an exhortation to "Rejoice in the Lord always - and again I say, rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4). Paul had been arrested and sent to Rome to await trial. He spent his days and nights under house arrest, chained to a Roman soldier, but was still able to say, rejoice... always! When we begin to understand the life changing gift of forgiveness through faith in the sacrifice of Jesus - when we truly grasp the concept of eternity and, through faith, believe we will spend all eternity in the presence of God - we have more than enough reason to rejoice, regardless of our present circumstances. We have more than enough reason... but do we rejoice? If we are unable to rejoice, we have allowed our eyes to become too fixed on the present. Our attention has become focused on our earthly desires, goals, and ambitions, and we have lost sight of the blessings of a life in Christ. Either that, or we don't really believe! The verses which immediately follow Paul's call to rejoice list some real benefits of a life of rejoicing. Philippians 4:5-7 "Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Gentleness and a lack of anxiety result from rejoicing in a risen Savior. If Jesus Christ can be raised from the dead and sit down "at the right hand of God" (Hebrews 10:12), then our Heavenly Father can certainly take care of problems with our job, health, kids, finances, or relationships - so rejoice! When we rejoice and focus on an eternity in Heaven and a Savior who walks by our side, our anxiety fades - our present trials become "light and momentary" (2 Corinthians 4:17). When we live a life filled with rejoicing, we are able to focus on the solutions we know God can provide. We develop a heart of thanksgiving - a heart which naturally presents everything to God in prayer and waits with grateful expectation for His reply. We begin to trust in God's plan for our life and His desire for us to be with Him forever. The result, which admittedly takes time and patience, is "the peace of God which transcends all understanding." These words written by Paul are not the deluded ramblings of an old man in Roman confinement, they are the true promises of God! They represent a promised life we all can live. Our Father offers us a life of gentleness, contentment, and peace; a life free of anxiety and worry. But this life can only happen if we love and trust Him with all our heart, and if we are determined to always rejoice. Have a Christ Centered Day! Steve Troxel God's Daily Word Ministries **** Reading Plan **** Deuteronomy 32:30-52; Luke 12:35-59; Psalm 78:46-58; Proverbs 12:24 --- _______ / /_ / -/- / / / / / / /_______/ / jgs ((______| / `"""""""` ...See These Teachings Joy Is An INSIDE Job http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Basics/Joy_Is_An_INSIDE_Job.htm The Law Of Believing INDEX http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Believing/Believing.htm <:))))>< , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Free Of Thorns In the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:3-8), Jesus told about a farmer who scattered seed on four different types of soil: packed, shallow, thorny, and fertile. In this parable, the seed refers to the Word of God and the soil refers to those who hear the Word. Those of packed soil have hearts which are so hard they immediately turn away. Those of shallow soil may quickly germinate and grow, but they also quickly lose interest and die. Most of us reading this type of message fall into one of the last two types of soil. We desire God's Word to grow on the fertile ground of our heart and produce a bountiful crop, but we seem to continually battle the thorns. Matthew 13:22 "The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the Word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful." We have more opportunity to receive God's Word today than any other time in history. We can hear good preaching in church, on radio, or over the internet. We can read God's Word in a variety of translations and receive an abundance of help with interpretation. Our soil is definitely receiving seed. But the challenge is to keep our lives free of the distractions which hinder growth. Here is a simple test of our soil. Jesus said the number one commandment is to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37). When was the last time our heart overflowed with love for God? When was the last time we considered the sacrifice of Jesus and nearly bubbled over with "Thank You!"? God desires for us to love Him. In fact, His entire Word is a message of calling us back to a loving relationship. If we have a hard time following His most basic desire, it's no wonder we're confused about where He is leading. We look for specific direction with where to live and work, yet we fail to give Him the entirety of our heart and simply worship at His feet. When God's Word comes into our life, we should receive it and cherish it as a precious gift. We ought to immediately look for ways to apply His Word and make it grow, not process it through the distractions of deadlines, appointments, bills, and worldly relationships and ambitions. Is the Word growing in our life, or is it being choked by unnecessary demands of the world? "The world and its desires pass away" (1 John 2:17), but the things of God are eternal. He is calling us to live a life fully dedicated to Him in ALL we do. Let's weed our garden and remove distractions so the seed of His Word can grow and bear fruit. Let's begin to develop fertile soil which is free of thorns. Have a Christ Centered Day! Steve Troxel God's Daily Word Ministries **** Reading Plan **** Deuteronomy 31:1-32:29; Luke 12:8-34; Psalm 78:26-45; Proverbs 12:21-23 --- _______ / /_ / -/- / / / / / / /_______/ / jgs ((______| / `"""""""` ...See These Teachings Be Anxious or Distracted for Nothing https://tinyurl.com/y6678u4x Distractions http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Basics/Distractions.htm ========================================================== >-->From CupO'Cheer: ________ /________\ //( ( ( ( \\ || ((|| ||) ) ` ) )|| || (\___( ( || \|) ) \)_|/ / ((\_v_/ \ / /) x \ \ | | x | | | \ x / | | | x | | | |\ x /| | | |/\ x /\| | | | \x/ | | | | V | | /____\ /____\ | | | | / \ / \ | | | | `~~| |~~' |\ /| | \ / | |___V___| | / \ | | / \ | |/ \| / \ / \ ______/ \_______ ============================ >MIDLIFE Midlife has hit when you stand naked in front of the mirror and can see your rear end without turning around. Midlife is when you bounce (a lot), but you don't bounce back. It's more like splat! Midlife is when you want to grab every firm young lovely in a tube top and scream, "Listen, honey, even the Roman Empire fell, and those things will too!" Midlife is when you realize that, if you were a dog, you would need a control top flea collar. Midlife is when you go to the doctor and you realize you are now so old, you have to pay someone to look at you naked. You know you are getting old when you go for a mammogram and know it is the only time someone will ask you to appear topless in a film. Midlife brings the wisdom that life throws you curves and that you're now sitting on your biggest ones. Midlife can bring out your angry, bitter side. You look at your latte-swilling, beeper-wearing know-it-all teenager and think, "For this I have stretch marks?" Midlife is when your memory really starts to go: the only thing you still retain is water. The good news about midlife is the glass is still half-full. Of course, the bad news is that it won't be long before your teeth are floating in it. as seen in Inspiration Plus -<>- ____________________________________________________________________ /| |__I__I__I__I__I__I__I__I__I_| _- % % | | _- |_I__I__I__I__I__I__I__I__I__|-_ % % _- | | |__I__I__I__I__I__I__I__I__I_| % % | | - |_I__I__I__I__I__I__I__I__I__| ,j, %w , | | - |__I__I__I__I__I__I__I__I__I_| -_ - / ) \ /%mMmMm. | | |_I__I__I__I__I__I__I__I__I__| //| | ; `.,,' | |-_- / \ w | | `.,;` | | / \ -_ / ( | || | | / \ //\_'/ (.\ -_ | | /__________________________________\ w \/ - ``' | | |__________________________________| | | | _______________________ | _- - | |_- | | | | _- | | | | _ | | T T T T T | | _-_| | __.'`'`'`''`;__ / | | | | | | | _- - | | | | _/U `'.'.,.,".' U | | | (_) | | | | | | | | | | | / \ @ [_]d b _@_ | | | | | | `', `, | | | |_| ____ [ ] | | |_- | | | `') ( )' | | | ______\__/_________[_]__ | | | | | |____(,`)(,(____| | |/________________________\ | | | | | /| `@@(@@)@)' |\ | | || _____ || | | | | | //!\ @@)@@)@@@( /!\\ | | || _-- \ / || /|\ | |__lc|__|/_____________________\|__|_||____________/###\___||_|||||__| / -_ _ - _ - _-_ - _ - _ -|| -_ _ - \___/_- || |||||-_ >SPRING CLEANING: MOTIVATION TIPS Here are a few tips that will help put a little bounce in your step and some fire in your belly while doing the best job you can this Spring… Start the cleaning when the weather is warm and Spring really is here. I haven’t started Spring cleaning yet because it’s been chilly (it’s actually snowing here this week!). The Spring weather seems to breathe energy and new life into everything it touches–it really does add a bounce to your step when cleaning with the windows wide open letting in a fresh breeze, the sun shining and the birds busy chirping. About a week or so before you start the “Big Clean”, start de- cluttering and picking up whenever you have some spare minutes. This can save big chunks of time when you start deep cleaning, but it’s also like exercising: Think of this time as building up your cleaning muscles, you’re building momentum for the big event. It’s all about perspective: I look at our home as the hub of my family. I want it to be clean and comfortable, a pleasant place to be. I find that when I put effort into my home, there’s a positive, nurturing vibe that embraces my family–and they respond to that! I keep that in mind when I pull out the mops, buckets and cleaners–it helps focus me on all the positives of a clean home. Escape to a fun place: While cleaning, put on music you love, pump up the volume and let the music take your mind away from the scrubbing, sweeping and mopping. Learn while you clean: Download audio books or podcasts you never seem to have time to enjoy and listen to them with your iPod or mp3 player while you clean. The time flies so fast with this trick! as seen at www.tipnut.com -<>- .g$$$Sbp. .d$$$$SSS$$Sp. dS$$$$SS$$$$$SSb. :S$$$$$SSSS$$$$$SSb $S$$$$$$SS$SSSSSS$S; :$$$S$$SS^"^^""^TSSS: $$$S$$SP T$SS; :$$$S$SP $$SS $$$S$$$ :$$S; :$$$S$$;=-. ,-=^.T$$Sb $$$SS$$.__.\ .__. $S$$$b .d$$SS$$; "" "" :SSS$$; d$$SSS$$$ :S$$S$$ :$$SS$$$$; ._. $$S$$$$ $$SS$$$$S$b .___. d$$$S$$; :SSS$$S$S$$b \.-./ d$$$$S$P`. `^S$S$$SS$$b. `-' .'\^T$P^' \ TS^T$SSSP `.___.' \ __\___ .: `. .'.--\ `. bug .' ; :./ / \ \ .-" __:__. .--;"\: ; ; .-""""" \ `--' : ; : : .' `. ; : ; ; / `. / ; : : : "-. / : \ ; ; `-.' ; \ : ; \ ( ) : \ : ; " ; \ ; : ; ; __..mm: \ : :/ __..NmMMMMMMMMM; ; : _..mmMMMMMMNNMMMMMMMMMM : MMMMMMMMMMMMMMNNMMMMMMMMMM; ; :NMMMMMMMMMMMMNMMMMMMMMMMMM : NNMMMMMMMMMMMMMNNNMMMMMMMM; ; :NNNMMMMMMMMNMMMNNNNNNNNNNN : MNNNNNNMMNNMMMMMMNNNNNNNMMb >SOMETIMES YOU DON'T REJOICE This week my wife lost her "Grandmother's Charm Necklace", one of those that have the little people on it that represent special people in your lives, like grandchildren. We found the necklace, however there was one of the little charms missing. We searched everywhere we could think of and couldn't find it. She even got a small sweeper and swept the floor hoping to find it. We had no luck, it's still missing. Of course this brought to mind the story of the woman who lost a coin in Luke 15:8-9. Jesus said, "Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.' The little figure my wife lost was not particularly valuable, but it was precious because it represented the memory of someone close to her. What is it that you hold close to your heart as being of special value? Granted to someone else it might seem foolish or not worth worrying about, but to you it is special. Why, what makes it special to you? Now what you may or may not remember about the scripture above, the point is really not about finding lost coins, (or even about finding lost charms), it is about finding lost people. The rest of the verse says, "In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." Eventually the charm was found, but I wonder if we put the same amount of concern, prayer and searching for lost people as we do for lost things. Perhaps it's time for us to step back and look at our lives and see what is really important, what we really value, what we would regret if we lost it (or them). In our life, my wife and I have come to realize that it is not things that are really important. You can't take things with you, what is important is people, because those you can take with you to heaven. People are what are really worthy of rejoicing about! Take a look around you and ask yourself the question, "If I lost all that surrounds me, would it really matter?" What is it that we really value in life? Maybe it's time to make a choice! If you don't rejoice for finding the right things, you may not rejoice at all! -Russ Lawson, Messages From The Heart -<>- .-""""- F .-' F J I I L `. L `-._, `-.__.-' ## ### # #### _____ ## .---#####-...__ .--' `-### .--..-' ###### ""`---.... _____.----. ###`.._____ .' ####### a:f ### / -. ####### _.--- ### .( ####### # : `--... ###### # `. ``. ###### : :. ##### .' ) ### .' / ## _.' | .## ,:' | ' .' < ' | / | ' . ` >SCAVENGERS SEE THE LIGHT Many years ago when I had a radio program, one of my listeners called me a "scavenger." It wasn't meant to be an insult. In fact, I took it as a great tribute to what I did. She went on to say," You scavenge through life to find things that are so important yet overlooked by most people." I clarified it by saying that sometimes the most important things are so obvious that they become the back drop of our lives. We deem them important, expected, then shove them to the background. Like watching a movie. I often times listen to the main characters but watch the people in the background. The "extras," as they are called. They add to the experience as much as the leads. That's where the problem begins. We take people, places, moments for granted. We see them as "extras" in the movie of your life. So, this scavenger spends more time searching out the extras. Almost like the show "American Pickers." The two main characters scavenge through attics and barns looking for things that, by themselves are significant, but buried in piles of debris, go unnoticed and overlooked. Never take anything or more importantly anyone, for granted. Make an effort to make everyone you meet the main character in your time with them... if only for a moment, an hour, a day or a lifetime. The sun sets behind our home. The trees filter the light and for just a few minutes, blinding beams of sun light break through. I discovered this last summer. Seeing it head on is dramatic indeed. Seeing it from the side the light appears to be like arms stretching, searching across the land as if trying desperately to hold onto the day. Maybe even slow it down. From where I stood, the fading warmth, the brightness of the light washed over me as if I needed one last cleansing. Perhaps one final reminder that I had lived at all that day and saw it through until its end. I did. I stood there until I could see the sun no more. It makes for a nice mental picture, but it is so much more than that. It is a reminder that I had lived, that I had made it through another day and by all standards of worth, it was more valuable than gold. God could not promise me that I would see it again. Tomorrow is promised to no one. He promises that it will return, it will rise again on the other side of my house and has from the beginning of time. The difference is most people are so busy that they will not take notice. Their clocks, watches, schedules, meetings, meals all fall into the time it takes for it to happen, but nowhere in that time period do they take time to see it happen. It's all a part of the scenery of the life they live and taken for granted like the birds, the trees, the rocks, the roads, the pathways marked through forest glen and the people who appear as "extras." Stop it! Every sun set is different. Every sun rise is proof that God has given you another chance. Between the rise and the setting will be woven breath taking moments, awe inspiring scenes written by the Great Author who sees nothing as insignificant, no one as extras and you as the lead role in the life written just for you. Join me. Become a scavenger, see the light. By Bob Perks --- \ i. / s / \ \ / / .n' | a |_.-._ / / / .-' `-. --._ / / | / \-.__' `. | ( | | _ \ _ .-. \ | `-.-' | .-' '-. | ' `-. ( )_ | `-._ \ ( | \ / \ `-' `. `--. \ ) \ \`-' / | .' \ .- '-.| `-._.-' \ / \ | / \ . `._.-' | | / | | ' / | (_/ | `-._ _.' \ //\ .| `--' \" \ '\ \___/)_ | | ` \_ \` , \ \ (\ .o-`-o | \__ _______,-'\` \ ( | | | \\ | [nabis] b "" \ ...Reminds me of my experience When we moved here, we had two pine trees to each side of the front of the house and one big tree out by the curb in front. It has been this way year after year. We mostly took it for granted. However, this year we got a big wind that actually blew down the pine tree on the left. There was nothing wrong with the tree, the wind was too strong for it. I knew we were in for bad weather and asked God several times to keep us safe. He did. The tree fell between our house and our neighbor's house without damaging anything. Now that it has been removed and cleaned up, it is very weird to see the area in front and to the side of the house without it being there. We took it for granted but now that it is gone, we miss its presence. The area is plain and void in comparison. I've lost other plants - vines, roses and bushes. But none of them being gone mattered as much as this big pine tree. We are just thankful nothing was damaged. It is best to remember that nothing in this world is eternal. Be thankful for what you have, while you have it. That goes for people and animals too. Cherish those around you and thank God for them and for keeping them safe every single day. as seen in Inspiration Plus 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 also find me on Facebook as Kimberly B. O'Brien Quiggle. ========================================================== >-->From LaughAndLift: "When the heart submits, then Jesus reigns. When Jesus reigns, there is rest." - James Hudson Taylor _ / \ / \ ____/ _ \_ ____/ \____ \ __/ _ `---.___ / ____/ \____ __/ \___.-- ______------' -.__________ __________.--------' `--------- a88a | a88a ----' | | __________________ ____________--------------- `------- .aa. 8888b ____ Y988P ______ _______.---' `-----_____ _____/ \_ \______ _/ \ \ `-- / | \__ / | \_ / | \ __/ | \_ / | \ _/ a:f >Breaking the Cycle of Pain (By Ron Hutchcraft) Fill in the blank. Dog collars are for _________. Dogs, that's right. Or, in one case, a not-so-bright nephew. My friend's nephew decided it would be fun to put his dog collar on around his own neck. It wasn't just any dog collar; it was the kind that gives the dog a little shock when he's barking too loud. Doesn't sound like something they should be selling, but you know what, this guy owned one. You want to guess the rest? Without thinking, he yelled something to someone across the yard, which triggered a shocking reaction from the collar, which made the young man of course, scream in pain, which gave him another shock, which caused him to shout "Ow!" again. Which caused... you got the idea. I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Breaking the Cycle of Pain." A bad choice. Pain as a result. Doing something because you're hurting, and causing even more pain - compounding pain. That is a cycle you or someone you know may be trapped in right now, and it's hard to break out of that cycle of pain. Hard, but not impossible. A lot of our bad choices would come under the Bible heading of "sin" - doing something in our life our way instead of God's way. Oh, maybe it looked like fun. Maybe it looked like it would help you meet a need or get ahead or get out of a jam. Or it could be you were just curious. It seemed like a good idea at the time; like putting on a collar that would ultimately inflict major pain. Our word for today from the Word of God in John 8:34 and 36 says, "Whoever commits sin is a slave of sin." That's what you don't count on. See, first sin captivates you and then it captures you. You thought you could stop. You can't. You thought you could get out any time. Wrong. Someone has wisely pointed out that sin always takes you farther than you ever thought you'd go, it keeps you longer than you ever thought you'd stay, and it costs you more than you ever thought you'd pay. We really do become slaves to our sinning; whether it's a pattern of lying, of lusting, of losing it when we're angry, of living for ourselves. And there's no freedom until you first admit you're hooked; you're powerless to stop the sinning and the compounding pain that's coming from it. Like that young man, yelling for help when the dog collar shocked him, we do things to deal with the pain that just cause more pain. We lie, we cover up, we sin even more, we do things to try to sedate the pain, and then we get hooked on the sedative, too. But here comes the hope, right after the statement about being a slave to sin. It says, "But if the Son shall set you free, you will be free indeed." That son is the Son of God. Jesus Christ died on the cross to break the power of sin. The Bible says, "He carried our sins in His body on the tree so we could die to sin" (1 Peter 2:24 ). And He stands ready to help you break out of the bondage of sin and the cycle of pain that sin causes, if you'll call your sin what it is and pour it all out to Jesus. Admit that you can't do a thing to beat it and then you fall at His feet in total surrender. If He has the power to walk out of His grave, don't you think He's got the power to beat the sin that keeps beating you? Don't keep trying to deal with it your way. All you're doing is making it worse. There's only one cry that will set you free - a cry to Jesus. You've been sin's slave long enough. This can be the day that you go free! [Copyright Ronald P. Hutchcraft. Distributed by Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, Inc."A Word With You" by Ronald P. Hutchcraft is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. Based on a work at www.Hutchcraft.com/A-Word-With-You.] --- ,/ \. (( )) \`. ,'/ )') (`( ,'`/ \,`. (`-( )-') \-'\,-'"`-./`-/ \-') (`-/ /`' `'\ ( _ _ ) | ( \ / ) | | `.\ /,' | | `\ /' | ( ) \ / \ / `. ,' hh `-.-' ...Sin can be hard to quit Often we rationalize our sin away. Saying things to ourselves like I deserve this or that when we don't. A thief is one to often rationalize saying the store has plenty or the company makes a bunch of money or these people are well off so it won't matter to them or their insurance will cover it. It doesn't take the sin of stealing away, but it just makes the thief feel better doing it. I remember one of my first babysitting jobs as a young teen was to a friend of my Mom's. I was to watch 5 or 6 kids - I just know there were a lot of them! I still feel bad about it to this day. The kids got me to go check on this boy just a couple years younger than me who was in his bed. They handed me a belt and said I should hit him with it. I told them no. Even the boy kept saying I should hit him. Call it peer pressure as they all kept cheering saying 'hit him, hit him, he likes it!' over and over again. No matter how much I refused they kept insisting until I did hit him 2 times. I stopped right away after that. I felt horrible. So horrible, I never babysat for this woman again. Even though she asked. I only sat for my niece after that. Nobody I didn't know ever again! I couldn't believe what the devil got me to do. Often, we get addicted to doing the bad thing. It gives us a high or it makes us feel good that we were smart enough to get away with it. I was appalled at people who took great pleasure in deceiving others into believing their lie about this or that. It made them feel good to see in their words how 'gullible' people were. They made it so I couldn't trust anything without fact checking it first. A big time-waster as far as I was concerned. I deleted their newsletters because of it. I don't like liars. For others, the addiction of gambling or drinking or drugs can be especially hard to quit. Even being mean and hitting others can be addicting. Anything that is against God, the devil will try to make seem good so that we do it and get used to doing it and wind up addicted to doing it. It is often good to give it to God in prayer. Ask Him for his help and determine that you won't do it again. YOU must be the one to quit. God can help you, others can help you but YOU must first make up your mind that YOU want to quit and give it to God and do it! It is best NOT to experiment with things that you know are against God. The old 'try it, you'll like it' - is not a good thing with known bad or evil things. Just checking out porn, drugs, alcohol, alternative s%x or the occult (divining rods, ouija boards, crystal balls, etc.) can lead to you having a hard time not doing it again. It is the devil's trap. Once he has you 'trying it', he can snare you into rationalizing how it's not really evil. He then can more control your life as you push God away by delving into the darkness. See these teachings: Dealing with the Adversary http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Adversary/Adversary.htm -<>- The secret behind getting more faith is getting to know God more. You get to know God more by reading His book. _______ / /_ / -/- / / / / / / /_______/ / jgs ((______| / `"""""""` >Know Him Better (By Steve Troxel, God's Daily Word Ministries, www.gdwm.org) When a child is born into a family, there is almost an instant bond of love. The parent and child spend LOTS of time together and truly begin to know each other. The parent knows the needs of the child, and the child knows the parent as the provider of comfort and security. But as the child grows, other activities and friends begin to limit time together. In the search for independence, there is often rebellion toward parental instruction and counsel. Soon, the parent and child drift apart and no longer communicate as they once had - they sadly cease to know one another. Ephesians 1:16-17 says "I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better." Notice this is Paul's continuous prayer, that we be given revelation and wisdom. Revelation is the unveiling of God's truth and wisdom is the application of His truth in our lives. Both of these are necessary and serve the single purpose of knowing Him better. As we continue in our relationship with Jesus Christ, there is a tendency to hit those spiritual teenage years where we have things pretty well figured out - or so we think. We begin to gain "self" confidence and trust in our own ability. We get more involved in activities (maybe even "good" activities) and with friends (maybe even "good" friends), but one day we wake and find we've drifted. We didn't intentionally walk away, but there is a definite loss of passion - we no longer really know God. As a loving father longs to hold his children, our Heavenly Father longs for us to draw near and know Him; "Let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows Me" (Jeremiah 9:24). The Bible always speaks about knowing someone as a very personal and loving relationship; "Adam knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain" (Genesis 4:1 KJV). Jesus even defined eternal life as a state of knowing; "Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent" (John 17:3). The road back to a restored relationship begins with spending time together. No matter how busy we get we must continue to humbly come into the presence of God, confess the sin which causes separation, fellowship with Him in prayer and the quiet study of His Word, and listen intently for His direction. Let's commit (or recommit) to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength; and let's be determined to take the necessary steps to draw near and know Him better. 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 >-->I AM LEARNING, LORD My life has taken many falls And tumbles 'long the way. The many trials have left me In a sure state of dismay. For with each trial, I tried alone To tend, and soothe, and mend, Instead of giving them to God - And on Him just depend ... But, I am learning, Lord. It seems that I was determined To carry all the load. I longed for smoother pathways. Yet, I walked a rocky road. Little did I understand, God waited patiently To pave a new beginning With a better life for me. But, I am learning, Lord. It took a real disaster To bring me to my knees; To finally call upon the Lord And say, "God help me, please." He can, with no delaying, With strong arms that could hold - The weight of all my burdens; He gladly took the load. And, I am learning, Lord. What a needless cross I carried, All because I could not see - What a friend I have in Jesus, And the love He has for me. Peace I find when troubles hover, Though' the outcome is unknown. For if yet the road is rocky, I won't walk it all alone. For, I am learning, Lord. -Author Unknown >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah, Shangy! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->ShangyFunList AD RATES: $35 will get your a message (of up to 40 words) out to all web site list readers. Email me to secure dates. 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