Happy Veteran's Day Weekend!... :) Shangy >Here are the details on our ShangyFunList: Group Web Site: https://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: bcrsystems@earthlink.net Shangrala Family Fun: https://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ ================ *~* A REMINDER: PLEASE Send me sweet, interesting, funny, inspiring, family type forwards ANY TIME here... bcrsystems@earthlink.net I Need them, Love them, Use them, and Share them! THANK YOU!! AND For Facebook Users: Please Like Me here... http://tinyurl.com/cma6all AND Please Share This email with All Your Friends And Family! ^~^ May God SUPER BLESS You As You Do! THANK YOU! ================ __ __ ,-' `' \ _---``-- / _ _ ; __ `. / / `' \; /`----- ) / .-/ ,( ), \-. ; | \( \ / )/; | - _5 `7 -; / ( ___-' `-____ | ( ___`-_ \ ____| \ / `,/ \ _(\__ / \ \ ; \ .' /' `i. / | | \ _-'( _\__-/ `- | | ` ,` `_ | BP * Don't forget to follow us on social media for our latest updates and uproarious funny and inspiring pages! On Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/y8dcm8x7 On X (Twitter): http://tinyurl.com/n5uf3dxv ================ .-"""""""-. .' __ \_ / / \/ \ | \_0/\_0/______ |:. .' oo`\ |:. / \ |' ; | | |:.. . \_______ | |::.|' , \,_____\ / |:::.; ' | . '| ====)_/===;===========;() |::; | | ; ; | | # # # #:::::: /::::.|-| |_|-|, \ # # # #:::::: /'-=-'` '-' '--'\ # # # #:::::: jgs / \ # # # #:::::: # # # # # # # H A P P Y # # # # # # # # # # # # # # V E T E R A N ' S D A Y ! # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # God Bless America And God Bless Our Troops!! Full US Troops Index http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/911andtroopsindex.html Thank You Vets! Veteran’s Day 2026: list of free meals, discounts to thank our military https://usmilitary.org/veterans-day-discounts/ -<>- *~* We Had A Spectacular Month Of Caring And Sharing *~* | [ | v': : | |_,;c | ] |/; |, | | [ ( __,/ | ,-'/ ;\ ,< _',\.-._,; | ] | n | -' / _;'; '=_'-' ,) ,\ | ,; | ] / \,'__/--,_,-- 'mm'J -"_ ] '-,+_ | / / "''-.,;"---''--'"" \ ] __ "-' ;' [ / : : _c / / ",_,' | [ | v| , '/ c c \ | \ ] | \ /| : __,-,v;|] . \| [ /"--'/ | (7_ c@ ) )/| \ ] ,-"'<': '--, ( /^ | | ] / : '| \ | ) | | | / | | ;,-;, \ ,)( ]| | \^ | | : |\ ,' \ / \ [ | | ? / \_ | /|: | , \ | | | ('. "--' |:, ; :\ ,\ [| | ;\~) _ \_) ',_| , | ), \_ : | |/ [ /""-,_ '-'( /.' | \ | '-_ | [ | | "---,__"'=';=,_ | \ /|\ '"-,__ | ] | : | ""'^.\ | | | \ | [ ]| | : | ] \ \ / _AsH Be Sure To Visit And Share These With Your Friends... Elephant And Ostrich Friends! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/elephantfriends.html Funny Fast Food Signs! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/signs6.html Mexico's Military Chihuahua! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dogch.html Water Rescue Otter! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/waterrescueotter.html Nikon Animal Comedy 2! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/nikoncomedy2.html Redneck Innovations 2! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/redneckinnovations2.html Siena Photo Awards 2! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/sienaphotos2.html Siena Photo Awards 3! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/sienaphotos3.html Translation Bloopers 3! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/tbloopers3.html .-c. _ .., _ ( ")\ ['" 6'-' __\ / \ /_ snd `----' '-._\ * May God Abundantly Bless All Our Wonderful Contributors! =========================================================== .. * * * * * * * * * * $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ .$$$$. * * * * * * * * * * $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. .$$$$$ * * * * * * * * * * ::::::::::::::::::::::::::. .::::::::' * * * * * * * * * * $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$F * * * * * * * * * * $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$d$$$$$$$" ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::; $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::; ^$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$" ^$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ":::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::" ""$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$P $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$L ;; ;::::::::::::::::;; ;;:::. $$$$$$" "" $$$$$; Donna ^$$" $$$$ Shepherd >-->On The Midterm Elections: >On Fox: BRET BAIER, FOX NEWS: Do you think, Mr. President, that you're going to make changes in your cabinet as a result of this election? PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: No, I don't think so. Had nothing to do with my cabinet. It was just a point -- honestly, look, I've been doing a lot of great things for a long time, and it's just a point in time, Bret, just a point in time. It's the way it is. There was a mood in the air, I guess. And, you know, if you look, I shouldn't feel guilty because virtually I saw you on your show the other night saying that almost never does the sitting president, no matter how good or bad or Republican or Democrat he or she is, but no matter how good the president is, you lose. I don't know why. Nobody's explained that, but it's almost every single time. And the one time, you know, it's twice they won. Many, many, many years. And one of the times it was the World Trade Center. So, you know, that was like an automatic gimme. So they won really effectively one time. Nobody's ever explained to me why. Because we've done a great job. You know, you talk about the border. We closed the border. BRET BAIER, FOX NEWS: Mr. President, now, you know, we've called the House for Democratic control. We've called the Senate for Democratic control. The House margin could be as high as 255 seats. The Senate, we don't know yet what the margin's going to be. But you're now going to have to work in the last two years with a Democratic House and a Democratic Senate. How do you approach that? And how do you look at that? PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: It's been done before, as you know, numerous times. It's a power of veto. It's one of the stronger powers that a president has. And they'll send over things that are insane. And I'll veto them. And after a couple of months of vetoes, they'll call. And they'll say, how do we get this stuff done? And we'll work together. I have a lot of friends that are Democrats, believe it or not. I've already spoken to some of them. I've had four calls from meaningful Democrats. And two senators and three congressmen, actually. So it's a total of five. And I have three waiting to call me. So I don't know. They obviously want to talk. But I have the power of veto. And the power of veto is impervious. https://tinyurl.com/ym2s4wc7 -<>- >From Franklin Graham: The midterms are now over, leaving some very concerned-while others are elated. We see our country inching closer toward socialism, which is historically an enemy of God and His Word. However, today I am reminded that even though change is coming, as followers of Jesus Christ our job hasn't changed! We are to live for Him in obedience to His Word, shine His light and truth in the ever- darkening world around us, and make disciples. --- _______ / /_ / -/- / / / / / / /_______/ / jgs ((______| / `"""""""` ...True. We don't know God's plan. Maybe it is to enlighten us or maybe it is to enlighten them - either way, I'll goal is to keep letting people know about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. :) =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: The first half of our lives is ruined by our parents, and the second half by our children. -- Clarence Darrow O ~O <|\ /|\ | ~o/ | \o ~o/ _o |\ /| |\ |\ /| |\ jgs / | / \ |// > / \ / > >BRAG ANYWAY My job here is nearly over. Our youngest son turned 18 last week. That's three boys raised to adulthood, half a dozen trips to the emergency room, one car totaled, no felonies. Twenty-seven years I wouldn't trade for $27 million. What would you like to know from someone who survived all this? Let's start at the beginning: Be firm early and you won't have to be firm (or sorry) later. No two kids are alike. Our most easygoing son left us totally unprepared for the next one. Thank goodness for Dr. James Dobson's priceless book, The Strong-Willed Child. Dobson convinced me to become a "brick wall" that my kid would run up against every time he crossed the line. The little snot put a few dents in that wall, but it held. Parents of easy-going children can't imagine what it's like to battle a strong-willed child. When you're at war with a pocket monster, sometimes you can't help looking a little silly. I used to lie on top of one kid during his tantrums. It was the only way to make him stop hitting and kicking without hitting him back. Backing the authorities is good. But stick up for your own kid if you think he's right. When the school didn't protect one of our boys from bullies, he had to protect himself. He got in trouble for winning a couple of fights -- a little too convincingly. This came as a shock to a mild-mannered dad. But we knew our kid didn't start these brawls. We defended him in the principal's office, and even though he had to serve some detention, it was worth it. The bullies wised up and he never had to fight again. When another of our boys was the smallest kid in his second-grade class, karate lessons helped. He only had to protect himself once or twice after the word got around. He learned a lot of self-confidence and discipline in the process. Go ahead. Spend a little money. Buying a quality drum set for Christmas one year seemed like an extravagance -- the biggest present we ever bought for any child. Five years and an armful of music awards later, it's turned out to be the best money I've ever spent. Be willing to change your mind. I'd always scorned the idea of financial rewards for good grades. But by the eighth grade with one of the boys, I was desperate. Paying for A's and B's became the second-best money I've ever spent. Grown-ups work harder to earn bonuses. Why should kids be any different? Eventually, he didn't need money to motivate him to study. But I kept paying anyway. A deal is a deal. When he started coming home with all A's, report- card day became a joy to my soul and a disaster for my wallet. Coach your kid's sports team. Never mind that you don't know a soccer ball from a pumpkin. You can learn. Keep your perspective. Only a couple of kids on your team will ever become varsity athletes in the sport you're coaching at the moment. They might not be the ones you expect. And they'll never remember how many games they won in fifth grade. Try to do some big, special things with your kid. However, it's more important to do little things. Schedule a time every week to go to dinner. He'll pick a fast-food joint with plastic hamburgers. Don't worry if those meals are filled with yep-nope answers and awkward silences. He'll talk someday. Every kid will have one horrendously bad hair year, and the earlier in life, the better. Someday, his mirror will work properly and he'll see how stupid it looks. Keep your mouth shut, take lots of photographs and laugh about it later. Never underestimate the value of a good girlfriend. When my sons were out with the boys, I always worried that one of their buddies would be driving too fast, or drinking, or both. A good girlfriend won't put up with that kind of nonsense. Only one thing can go really, really wrong when your son is out with his girlfriend -- and it never did. I guess a good girlfriend won't stand for that, either. As a bonus, your son will start brushing his teeth and using deodorant. The safe, secure feeling when my sons were out with their girlfriends came as a marvelous surprise. My own experience with girlfriends of any kind in high school was zilch, zero, nada. What if your son is underachieving? A wise and successful father once counseled me: Be patient. Remember, it's your son's life, not yours. You might have given your left ear to have his throwing arm, but maybe he doesn't want to be a baseball player. Encourage him to do what he really likes. He'll be one of the best. You'll learn to love it. Be careful not to brag on your kid too much. It could come back to bite you. Brag anyway. -- Dave Kurtz ___________________________________________ For the past 27 years, Dave has lived in Auburn, Indiana, with his wife, Betsy, and is the managing editor of The Evening Star daily newspaper. =========================================================== >-->From Daily Encounter: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Don't Worry About Anything (edited) "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."1 On a daily basis, we open the door of our heart just enough for anxiety to enter and settle, causing us to waste time, sleep, and concentration by distracting us with problems that we magnify. In today's passage, the apostle Paul calls us to live in a different way: we are not to worry about anything. Anxiety magnifies our problems and minimizes our ability to focus on God. It prevents us from seeing God's power and sovereignty in the midst of our circumstances. Paul had many reasons to be anxious, but he knew that anxiety leads us down a dangerous path that leads to fear, doubt, and despair. When we are anxious, worry takes over our minds instead of focusing on God and what He is capable of. Paul tells us that the way to combat anxiety is to first make a conscious decision not to be anxious. This is easier said than done, but it can be done! It requires us to face every uncontrollable circumstance and its possible outcome with confidence that God knows what He is doing. At this point we are compelled not only to read the Scriptures, but to hold fast to them. This means that we have the option to believe that God is Sovereign and always has a better plan than ours, even if the outcome is not what we want. Instead of using time to feed anxiety, Paul calls us to prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving, and when we choose to put them into practice, we can experience the peace Paul describes. When anxiety comes into our lives, let's remember that we are called to focus on a trustworthy God instead of worrying about an unknown future. Open your heart in prayer today and receive the peace that God wants to give you. Suggested Prayer: Precious Lord Jesus, I thank You that nothing is out of your control. Times are difficult and this makes me anxious, but Paul is clear in his letter to the Philippians and encourages me not to worry about anything, but at all times with prayer and supplication present my requests to God thru you and give you thanks. In Your precious name, I pray, Amen. 1. Philippians 4:6. Today's Encounter was written by: Rosina N. --- ...Yes. .-"""""""-. .' __ \_ / / \/ \ | \_0/\_0/______ |:. .' oo`\ |:. / \ |' ; | | |:.. . \_______ | |::.|' , \,_____\ / |:::.; ' | . '| ====)_/===;===========;() |::; | | ; ; | | # # # #:::::: /::::.|-| |_|-|, \ # # # #:::::: /'-=-'` '-' '--'\ # # # #:::::: jgs / \ # # # #:::::: # # # # # # # G O D B L E S S # # # # # # # # # # # # # # A M E R I C A! # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # This is a good reminder considering the election results were that of a blue wave across America. Not what I and many Christians had hoped for. We have to give it to God and thank Him for the best for our country through Christ. <:))))>< , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Regaining Hope (edited) "Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.’"1 A first-century theologian once said, "We may find unceasing anguish in our day, but our days must never lose unceasing hope." This phrase makes a lot of sense, do you know why? Because human beings are marked by hope. The way we live today is completely determined by what we believe about the future. Today, hope is sold in many different ways - empty promises and an unrealistic view of reality - but Jesus shows us a hope that endures and triumphs. In today's passage, in the midst of the devastation, Jeremiah prophesied God's words to a people who desperately needed them, even though it was not good news. God chose Jeremiah to communicate these words, and he was faithful in communicating the message, regardless of the ridicule and resistance of the people. Yet, in the midst of grief, Jeremiah chose to speak of hope. He had the conviction that better days would come. How? He forgot what wasn't important and remembered what was necessary and sometimes forgotten. God was able to rescue him from the pit and bring him into an attitude of hope. This is key for us as well. Jeremiah recalled God's unfailing love, his mercies, his unending faithfulness, and the undeserved inheritance we have in Him. God's words are still so alive, active, and appropriate to this day. If you need God's hope today, remember his faithfulness, his love, and his mercy. Today decide to fully trust God in the midst of your situation, no matter how difficult it may seem. He holds you in His loving arms. Suggested Prayer: Dear Lord God, thank you that we have hope in you. Jeremiah's words speak to my heart today and remind me that you have the ability to rescue me and lead me to live a life that pleases you. Today I remember your unfailing love, your mercies, your faithfulness, and the undeserved inheritance I have in Christ. Help me to remember your promises to live victoriously. Lord, you are all I have, and I will hope in you. In Jesus Christ's precious name I pray, Amen. 1. Lamentations 3:22-24 (NIV). Today's Encounter was written by: Rosina N. When copying or forwarding include the following: "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2016 ACTS International. =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: . | . \ | / `. \ ' / .' `. .-*""*-. .' "*-._ /.*" "*.\ _.-*" : ; ____ """"': .. ; _.-*" \ `.__.' / "*-._ .' `-.__.-' `. bug .' / . \ `. / | \ ' | ` >Live A Life That Matters Ready or not, some day it will all come to an end. There will be no more sunrises, no minutes, hours or days. All the things you collected, whether treasured or forgotten, will pass to someone else. Your wealth, fame and temporal power will shrivel to irrelevance. It will not matter what you owned or what you were owed. Your grudges, resentments, frustrations, and jealousies will finally disappear. So, too, your hopes, ambitions, plans, and to-do lists will expire. The wins and losses that once seemed so important will fade away. It won't matter where you came from, or on what side of the tracks you lived, at the end. It won't matter whether you were beautiful or brilliant. Even your gender and skin color will be irrelevant. So what will matter? How will the value of your days be measured? What will matter is not what you bought, but what you built; not what you got, but what you gave. What will matter is not your success, but your significance. What will matter is not what you learned, but what you taught. What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage or sacrifice that enriched, empowered or encouraged others to emulate your example. What will matter is not your competence, but your character. What will matter is not how many people you knew, but how many will feel a lasting loss when you're gone. What will matter is not your memories, but the memories that live in those who loved you. What will matter is how long you will be remembered, by whom and for what. Living a life that matters doesn't happen by accident. It's not a matter of circumstance but of choice. Choose to live a life that matters. - Author Unknown -<>- _,._ __.' _) <_,)'.-"a\ /' ( \ _.-----..,-' (`"--^ // | (| `; , | \ ;.----/ ,/ ) // / | |\ \ jgs \ \\`\ | |/ / \ \\ \ | |\/ `" `" `"` >Just to Touch You Many Bible Students are amazed at the leadership ability of King David. He wasn't born into a royal family. He didn't have formal education or impressive credentials. David's story begins in 1 Samuel 16, when the prophet Samuel is told to go to Bethlehem to search for the next king. The Lord led Samuel to the family of Jesse, and each of the brothers were given the thumbs down. Eventually, Samuel sent for the youngest son, David, who was out tending to the sheep. Tending sheep. What kind of a king begins his career working with the smelly, weak, defenseless, and obtuse animals? One key attribute of any good leader is faithfulness. David learned some essential lessons long before he was crowned King over Israel. When he was a shepherd, he was trustworthy, devoted and loyal. He took his seemingly insignificant work seriously. In fact after he was anointed King in the presence of his family, he was sent back out to the pasture to continue his shepherding work. For most folks, pride would have already have a foothold, and we would refuse such menial work. Everyone knows that kings and nobles don't tend to the animals. Not David. He did not allow his mind nor his heart to be consumed with pride, bitterness or resentment. He was faithful in the work he was assigned to do. Although he was a young man when he fought Goliath, he trusted on the power of God throughout his life. When a lion or a bear would take one of his sheep, David would chase after the animal, strike it down and rescue the sheep from it's jaws. When the lion or bear turned to have David for lunch, he seized it by its hair and killed it (1Samuel 17:35). Most shepherds would not care about a few sheep what wandered away, much less chasing fierce animals to rescue one lamb. Who would know? Who would care? Let's be real - they are only sheep! Tending sheep is a thankless, lonely, dirty job. But David was a faithful shepherd all day, every day. Even before David fought Goliath or was known to King Saul he had a reputation throughout the community. The word on the street was that"...he is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man and the Lord is with him." (1Samuel 16:18). It seems easier to play the hero when we are in the limelight. When people are watching, we will be praised, respected and rewarded. It has been said many times: our reputation is what people think of us. Who we are when no one is around is our character. David was a man of character and God blessed him for it. The scriptures warn us - "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in Heaven." (Matthew 6:1) In the parable of the talents, it is pointed out that if we are faithful with the little that we have, more will be given. But if we are not faithful with the seemingly small and significant everything will be taken from us. You are called to be a person of character, integrity and faithfulness. Be faithful, even with the small things, even to the point of death, and one day the Lord will give you a crown of your own. (Revelation 2:10) -Peter Morphy -<>- _________________________ (, ______________________ ) | | || | | @@@@ || @@@@ | | @@@@@@@ || @@@@@@@ | | @@ - - || - @@@@ | | @ c/ || '_ @@@ | | _@| |_ || __\@ \@ | | ( \ )/_\ /_ || _\\ (/ ) @\_/) | | \ \|) / \) || |(__/ / /| | | |\_/ ( -/ || \___/ ----/_| | | / \ || ,: '( | | : _/| || |: \ | | : | || |: ) | | : | || |: | | |_______'____,_|_______|| |_____,_| .---('________________________)--. | / ( |____ __________ _| | /\ ) |___| -o- | |__| -o- | ( \| / |___| -o- | |__| -o- | | /'=. b'ger|________| |__|______| '=>/ \ / \ /|/ ,___/| >THE LIGHT IN YOUR EYES By: Joseph J. Mazzella Did you ever notice how people's eyes send out light? It is such an incredible thing to see. To look at that sparkling light coming out of someone's eyes always fills me with joy. I notice it shining especially in the eyes of happy little children, but I have seen it glowing just as brightly in the eyes of ninety year old's as well. Some people's eyes give out so much light that you can even see it in photographs of them. I feel so blessed when I see that light burning so brightly in the eyes of my wife, daughter, and two sons. It warms my heart and soul to see it and to feel their love and joy flowing through it. It is said that the eyes are the windows to the soul. It is good to know then that so many souls out there are full of light and are willing to share that light with the world. When you look into another's eyes and see that light sparkling in joy it is easy to see how we are all Children of God and how much God loves each of us and wants us to love each other as well. The next time you look in a mirror then notice the light in your own eyes. It is the same light that fills your soul and shines through your life. It is the light that God gave you and wants you to share with the world. Don't keep it hidden. Let it twinkle from your eyes, sparkle from your smile, and glow from your every loving act. Let it burn bright through your kind words, good deeds, helping hands, cheerful laughter, happy thoughts, and joyous life. Let that light within you out and help drive the darkness out of this world. We all will one day die and the light will go out of our eyes. It won't disappear, though. It will just go home to the place where love, joy, and light never end and the light of God's love shines forever. --- ___ ,-'" "`-. ,'_ `. / / \ ,- \ __ | \_0 --- | / | | | \ \ `--.______,-/ | ___) \ ,--"" ,/ | / _ \ \-_____,- / \__-/ \ | `. ,' \___/ < ´--------' \__/\ | Wny \__// ...Yes When my children were little I'd have them look in the mirror and tell them, "See that light in your eyes? That's the God in Christ in you shining through!" You can tell the difference. People who are killers are often said to have the darkest eyes! No love in their heart shining through! -<>- i______i I______I I I I______I / /I (______( I I I I I I I Van Moniek >DADDY'S EMPTY CHAIR A man's daughter had asked the local minister to come and pray with her father. When the minister arrived, he found the man lying in bed with his head propped up on two pillows. An empty chair sat beside his bed. The minister assumed that the old fellow had been informed of his visit. "I guess you were expecting me, he said. "No, who are you?" said the father. The minister told him his name and then remarked, "I saw the empty chair and I figured you knew I was going to show up." "Oh yeah, the chair," said the bedridden man. "Would you mind closing the door?" Puzzled, the minister shut the door. "I have never told anyone this, not even my daughter," said the man. "But all of my life I have never known how to pray. At church I used to hear the pastor talk about prayer, but it went right over my head." I abandoned any attempt at prayer," the old man continued, "until one day four years ago, my best friend said to me, "Johnny, prayer is just a simple matter of having a conversation with Jesus. Here is what I suggest." "Sit down in a chair; place an empty chair in front of you, and in faith see Jesus on the chair. It's not spooky because he promised, 'I will be with you always'. "Then just speak to him in the same way you're doing with me right now." "So, I tried it and I've liked it so much that I do it a couple of hours every day. I'm careful though. If my daughter saw me talking to an empty chair, she'd either have a nervous breakdown or send me off to the funny farm." The minister was deeply moved by the story and encouraged the old man to continue on the journey. Then he prayed with him, anointed him with oil, and returned to the church. Two nights later the daughter called to tell the minister that her daddy had died that afternoon. Did he die in peace?" he asked. Yes, when I left the house about two o'clock, he called me over to his bedside, told me he loved me and kissed me on the cheek. When I got back from the store an hour later, I found him dead. But there was something strange about his death. Apparently, just before Daddy died, he leaned over and rested his head on the chair beside the bed. What do you make of that?" The minister wiped a tear from his eye and said, "I wish we could all go like that." -<>- \_/ --(_)-- . / \ /_\ |Q| .-----' '-----. __ /____[SCHOOL]___\ ())) | [] .-.-. [] | (((()) ..|____|_|_|____|..................................)(... ldb The following excerpts are actual answers given on history tests and in Sunday school quizzes by children between 5th and 6th grade ages in Ohio. They were collected over a period of three years by two teachers. Read carefully for grammar, misplaced modifiers, and of course, spelling: Moses led the Hebrew slaves to the Red Sea where they made unleavened bread, which is bread made without any ingredients. Moses went up on Mount Syanide to get the ten commandos. He died before he ever reached Canada but the commandos made it ---- Solomon had three hundred wives and seven hundred porcupines. He was an actual hysterical figure as well as being in the bible. It sounds like he was sort of busy too. ---- The Greeks were a highly sculptured people, and without them we wouldn't have history. The Greeks also had myths. A myth is a young female moth. ---- Socrates was a famous old Greek teacher who went around giving people advice. They killed him. He later died from an overdose of wedlock which is apparently poisonous. After his death, his career suffered a dramatic decline. ---- In the first Olympic games, Greeks ran races, jumped, hurled biscuits, and threw the java. The games were messier then than they show on tv now. ---- Julius Caesar extinguished himself on the battlefields of Gaul. The Ides of March murdered him because they thought he was going to be made king. Dying, he gasped out: "Same to you, Brutus." ---- Joan of Arc was burnt to a steak and was canonized by Bernard Shaw for reasons I don't really understand. The English and French still have problems. ---- Queen Elizabeth was the "Virgin Queen." As a queen she was a success. When she exposed herself before her troops they all shouted "hurrah!" and that was the end of the fighting for a long while. ---- It was an age of great inventions and discoveries. Gutenberg invented removable type and the Bible. Another important invention was the circulation of blood. -<>- >Beautiful Words A friend sent me this. They certainly kept it quiet, This is long, but very good... save it for when you can read it (about 3 minutes) ______ _\ _~-\___ = = ==(____AA____D \_____\___________________,-~~~~~~~`-.._ / o O o o o o O O o o o o o o O o |\_ `~-.__ ___..----.. ) `---~~\___________/------------````` = ===(_________D -Roland >Terrorist Remember the guy who got on a plane with a bomb built into his shoe and tried to light it? His trial is over. How much of this Judge's comments did you hear on TV? Everyone should hear what the judge had to say. This is worthy of your time. The real eye opener is that the News did not report anything on it. US District Court Judge William Young statement in sentencing "shoe bomber" Richard Reid --------------------- JUDGE WILLIAM YOUNG, SENTENCES THE SHOE BOMBER US District Court Judge William Young made the following statement in sentencing "shoe bomber" Richard Reid to prison. It is noteworthy, and deserves to be remembered far longer than he predicts. I commend it to you and anyone you might wish to forward it to. (I hope you will read every word! Pray for more judges like this one.) "January 30, 2003, United States vs.. Reid. ___________ \ / )_______( |"""""""|_.-._,.---------.,_.-._ | | | | | | ''-. | |_| |_ _| |_..-' |_______| '-' `'---------'` '-' )"""""""( /_________\ `'-------'` .-------------. jgs/_______________\ Judge Young: "Mr. Richard C. Reid, hearken now to the sentence the Court imposes upon you. "On counts 1, 5 and 6 the Court sentences you to life in prison in the custody of the United States Attorney General. "On counts 2, 3, 4 and 7, the Court sentences you to 20 years in prison on each count, the sentence on each count to run consecutive with the other. "That's 80 years. "On count 8 the Court sentences you to the mandatory 30 years consecutive to the 80 years just imposed. The Court imposes upon you each of the eight counts a fine of $250,000 for the aggregate fine of $2 million. "The Court accepts the government's recommendation with respect to restitution and orders restitution in the amount of $298.17 to Andre Bousquet and $5,784 to American Airlines. "The Court imposes upon you the $800 special assessment. "The Court imposes upon you five years supervised release simply because the law requires it. But the life sentences are real life sentences so I need go no further. "This is the sentence that is provided for by our statutes. It is a fair and just sentence. It is a righteous sentence. "Let me explain this to you: We are not afraid of any of your terrorist co-conspirators, Mr. Reid. We are Americans. We have been through the fire before. "There is all too much war talk here. And I say that to everyone with the utmost respect. Here in this court, where we deal with individuals as individuals, and care for individuals as individuals, as human beings we reach out for justice, you are not an enemy combatant. "You are a terrorist. "You are not a soldier in any war. "You are a terrorist. "To give you that reference, to call you a soldier, gives you far too much stature. "Whether it is the officers of government who do it or your attorney who does it, or that happens to be your view, "You are a terrorist. And we do not negotiate with terrorists. "We do not sign documents with terrorists. "We hunt them down one by one and bring them to justice. So war talk is way out of line in this court. "You are a big fellow. But you are not that big. You're no warrior. I know warriors. You are a terrorist. "A species of criminal guilty of multiple attempted murders. "In a very real sense Trooper Santiago had it right when you first were taken off that plane and into custody and you wondered where the press and where the TV crews were and he said you're no big deal. "You are no big deal. "What your able counsel and what the equally able United States attorneys have grappled with and what I have as honestly as I know how tried to grapple with, is why you did something so horrific. "What was it that led you here to this courtroom today? "I have listened respectfully to what you have to say. And I asked you to search your heart and ask yourself what sort of unfathomable hate led you to do what you are guilty, and admit you are guilty of doing. "And I have an answer for you.. "It may not satisfy you. But as I search this entire record it comes as close to understanding as I know. It seems to me you hate the one thing that is most precious: You hate our freedom. "Our individual freedom. Our individual freedom to live as we choose, to come and go as we choose, and to believe or not believe as we individually choose. "Here, in this society, the very winds carry freedom. They carry it everywhere from sea to shining sea. "It is because we prize individual freedom so much that you are here in this beautiful courtroom. So that everyone can see, truly see, that justice is administered fairly, individually, and discretely. "It is for freedom's sake that your lawyers are striving so vigorously on your behalf, have filed appeals, and will go on in their representation of you before other judges. "We are about it. Because we all know that the way we treat you, Mr. Reid, is the measure of our own liberties. "Make no mistake though: It is yet true that we will bear any burden, pay any price, to preserve our freedoms. "Look around this courtroom. Mark it well. "The world is not going to long remember what you or I say here. Day after tomorrow it will be forgotten. But this, however, will long endure. Here in this courtroom and courtrooms all across America, the American people will gather to see that justice, individual justice.. Justice, not war. Individual justice is in fact being done. "The very President of the United States through his officers will have to come into courtrooms and lay out evidence on which specific matters can be judged. And juries of citizens will gather to sit and judge that evidence democratically - to mold and shape and refine our sense of justice. "See that flag Mr. Reid? "That is the flag of the United States of America. "That flag will fly there long after this is all forgotten. That flag stands for freedom. It always will. "Custody, Mr. Officer. Stand him down." (How much of this Judge's comments did you hear on our TV sets? ZERO! Please pass this around. Everyone needs to hear what the judge had to say.) --- _ (_) |_________________________________________ |* * * * * |##########################| | * * * * *| | |* * * * * |##########################| | * * * * *| | |* * * * * |##########################| | * * * * *| | |* * * * * |##########################| |~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | |#########################################| | | |#########################################| | | |###################################JGS###| |~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | | | | | | | ...It would seem we have forgotten this. God Bless America! -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment :) Emergency #'s!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/help.html Funny, Isn't It?!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/funny.html Thank You God!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thankgod.html Thank You Lord!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thanks.html Maxine On Jesus!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/maxineonjesus.html God's Paintings 2!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/gpaints2.html Friends And Health!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/friendhealth.html God's Night Lights 2!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/night2.html Akiane Child Prodigy!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/prodigy.html Earth In Perspective 2!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/earth2.html Our Valuable Anchor!- https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/ouranchor.html Autumn In USA!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/fallinusa.html Fire Hydrants!- https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/firehydrants.html Car Show 2!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/carshow2.html Silly Veggies!- https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/veggies.html God's Bumper Stickers!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/gbumper.html Attitude Is Everything 5!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/attitude5.html Hong Kong's Noah's Ark!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/noahsark2.html Christ's Life!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/jesuslife.html Creation Vs Coincidence!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/creationvscoincidence.html God's Instructions!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/instructions.html For Coffee Lovers!- https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/coffee.html You Are The Only You God Has!- https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/onlyyougodhas.html World's Tallest Treehouse!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/treehouse.html The Giver And The Gift!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/givergift.html USS New York LPD-21 Tribute!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/ussny.html -<>- How to Become a Christian - How to Get Born Again / How to Get Saved / Romans 10:9 & 10 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMzblR8YDQ0 Bible https://quod.lib.umich.edu/k/kjv/ Bible Study Index http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Contents.htm The Way Bible Articles https://thewayinternational.com/english/ Spirit & Truth Index: https://stfi.org/ Bible Teaching Videos - John Schoenheit Spirit And Truth https://tinyurl.com/2gyn3f35 The Lion Weekly Digest is a newsletter delivering the week's top articles from The Lion straight to your inbox. Find all of the stories: https://readlion.com/ Latest From PragerU: https://www.prageru.com/ -<>- >In The Worldly News: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: VA hiring 2,000+ claims processors And More: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USVA/bulletins/431a8cb From The White House: Trump Accounts Put 70 Million Kids on the Path to Financial Freedom. Trump Accounts-tax-advantaged investment accounts for kids-are a game-changing tool designed to help every American child build savings and a stronger financial future. With automatic enrollment now complete, the Trump Administration has made it easier than ever for families to participate and give their children a jump-start on the American Dream. MORE: https://tinyurl.com/3yvpx22r 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 '---' >United in Purpose We know our love for one another demonstrates we are true followers of Jesus Christ; "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:35). We know our call for a sacrificial love, focused on those with clear needs, focused on the lonely, hurting, anxious, depressed or hungry - needs which require definite action. There is another expression of Christian love, a love which is still sacrificial, but one that requires us to withhold certain actions, place restraints on our words, and definitely increase our time in prayer. This is the love which leads to unity in our local fellowship. 1 Corinthians 1:10 "I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought." There is a story of a man lost at sea. He is treading water and has given up all hope. Suddenly, a ship appears on the horizon and moves his way. His strength surges as he wildly waves his arms; rescue is near! But as the ship gets closer, he sees the passengers yelling at one another; many are punching, kicking, and spitting, and some are even being thrown overboard. It doesn't take long for the man to begin swimming as fast as he can AWAY from the ship. We are passengers on the gospel ship, and God's Word continually calls us to unity; "conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ... stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel" (Philippians 1:27). If we are united with Christ, we ought to be "like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose" (Philippians 2:2). As Jesus prayed to the Father, He made it clear why we are to unite: "so the world may believe that You have sent Me" (John 17:21). Unity is never a call for compromise on the essentials of the gospel. We must never give a single step of ground regarding the necessity of faith in the sacrifice of Jesus for the forgiveness of sin. But when we begin to divide over issues like the format of our worship service, the structure of our programs, or the look of our facility, perhaps we have stepped over the line of Biblical unity. I can't define the exact line of unity in your local fellowship; many of our doctrinal positions will stretch our understanding of gospel essentials. But I can confidently suggest there is greater room for unity than what first appears. If all of us will honestly remove our pride and understand God's purpose in a unified fellowship, we will see much more room for grace and love. Let's truly show the love of Christ. Let's all draw closer to Jesus and show the world we are united in Spirit, united in purpose. Have a Christ Centered Day! Steve Troxel God's Daily Word Ministries **** Reading Plan **** Ezekiel 3:16-6:14; Hebrews 4:1-16; Psalm 104:25-35; Proverbs 26:27 <:))))>< , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >In Whom We Trust Hezekiah became the king of Judah soon after the northern tribes of Israel had been taken captive by the Assyrians. Judah was now being threatened by this same Assyrian army. Hezekiah was young and had a strong desire to do right in the eyes of God, but his faith was being greatly tested. Seeing his kingdom would soon be under attack, Hezekiah sought help through an alliance with Egypt. Though this alliance was not wrong in itself, the action was taken out of fear and without consulting God. This action was not only foolish, it was sin! Isaiah 31:1 "Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the Lord." Hezekiah made the same mistake all too common among believers today. We say we believe God's Word is true but fail to trust Him with the real trials of our life. It was easier for Hezekiah to place his trust in what he could see, than in the Hand of God which he "believed" but remained unseen. When the Assyrians actually attacked Jerusalem, Hezekiah's faith had greatly increased. And as he spoke with his soldiers, Hezekiah demonstrated full confidence in God. 2 Chronicles 32:7-8 "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles." Where do we turn when the enemy threatens? If our faith is restricted to the inside of church walls on Sunday morning, we are definitely ill-prepared. We must learn to walk in the presence of God all through our day so we KNOW God is with us. When we trust Him and love Him with ALL our heart, we begin to walk in victory regardless of the physical outcome of a particular battle. God may certainly direct us to protect ourselves, avoid conflict, or seek the best medical treatments available; but with our eyes firmly set on Jesus, we must understand the real war has already been won. This truth is worth repeating! Regardless of the outcome in each of life's many battles, the end of the Book has already been written... Christ wins!! When we are under attack, let's put substance to our faith and allow our lives to demonstrate in Whom we trust! Have a Christ Centered Day! Steve Troxel God's Daily Word Ministries **** Reading Plan **** Ezekiel 12:1-14:11; Hebrews 7:1-17; Psalm 105:39-45; Proverbs 27:3 Ezekiel 14:12-16:42; Hebrews 7:18-28; Psalm 106:1-12; Proverbs 27:4-6 Ezekiel 16:43-17:24; Hebrews 8:1-13; Psalm 106:13-31; Proverbs 27:7-9 Ezekiel 18:1-19:14; Hebrews 9:1-12; Psalm 106:32-48; Proverbs 27:10 ========================================================== >-->From CupO'Cheer: hugs&kisses&hugs&kisses&hugs&kisses&hugs&kisses&hugs&kisses& & hugs&kisses&hugs&kisses&hu &hugs&kisses s&h es&hugs&kisses&hugs&kiss gs&kisse es&h sses&hugs&kisses&hugs&k s&kiss ses& isses&hugs&kisses&hugs &kiss s&kis sses kisses&hugs&kisses&hu ugs&kiss s&ki isse &kisses&hugs&kisses&h &hugs&kiss gs&k kiss s&kisses&hugs&kisses& es&hugs&kis ugs& &kis gs&kisses&hugs&kisses sses&hugs&k hugs s&ki ugs&kisses&hugs&kisse kisses&hugs &hug gs&k hugs&kisses&hugs&kiss s&kisses&hu s&hu ugs& &hugs&kisses&hugs&kis ugs&kisses& es&h hugs s&hugs&kisses&hugs& i hugs&kisse ses& &hug es&hugs&kisses&hug k hugs&kis sses s&hu ses&hugs&kisses&h & hugs& isse es&h sses&hugs&kisse s& &kiss s gs&ki hugs&kis s ugs&kisse sses&hugs&ki i ses&h k k sses& & &kis gs&kisses&hug isses&hugs s&hugs&kisse s s&kis gs&kisses&h &kisses&hug es&hugs&kisses g gs&ki ugs&kisses& s&kisses&hu ses&hugs&kisses u ugs&ki ugs&kisse ugs&kisses&h sses&hugs&kisses h hugs&k hugs&kiss hugs&kisses& isses&h gs&kisses& &hugs&k hugs&ki s&hugs&kisses kisses ugs&kisses s&hugs& &hugs&k es&hugs&kisse hugs&kisse es&hugs& &hugs sses&hugs&kiss s&kiss &hugs&kiss ses&hugs s&hug isses&hugs&kis gs&kiss s&hugs&kis sses&hugs s&h &kisses&hugs&ki ugs&kisses&hugs& i isses&hug es& s&kisses&hugs&k hugs&kisses&hug k kisses&hug e ugs&kisses&hugs& &hugs&kisses&h & &kisses&hu hugs&kisses&hugs s&hugs&kisse s s&kisses&hu s&hugs&kisses g gs&kisses&h es&hugs&kisse u ugs&kisses&hugs&kisses&hugs&kisses&hugs&kisses&hugs&kisses&h -- Matt Ryan >RUT BUSTERS Come, my beloved, let us go out into the country. . . . There I will give you my love. SONG OF SOLOMON 7:11-12 I don't know what "routine" means to you, but this was ours when the kids were still at home: Up before sunrise, have a few words together, maybe enjoy a little breakfast or a cup of coffee, exchange a kiss on the cheek and it's goodbye for the day. I take kids to school and then drive on to the office, while Barbara stays home to get busy with her own work. She deals with endless issues involving the children—school, laundry, chores, errands, doctors and conflicts. Meanwhile, I juggle budgets and meetings and problem solving all day long. Our paths cross again around 6 P.M., after both of us have emptied about 90 percent of our tanks. We take a glance at the news, eat dinner, flip through the mail, pay some bills, clean up the dishes, help with school work. Then an hour of getting the kids to bed. Barbara tries to get in some reading before sleep overtakes her. That's the drill. But there is no imagination in that. I'm not saying that a typical day can routinely accommodate wild swings of adventure, but I'll tell you this (if you haven't noticed already): A routine is just a few letters away from being shortened to a rut. A rut you will never escape unless you make a deliberate effort to do so. And I guarantee that your "rut" will never be on the same page as "romance" in your marital dictionary. When the TV show Desperate Housewives first began its iconic rise into our national awareness, Newsweek did a feature article on the phenomenon. I remember one of the women who was interviewed lamenting, "Don't you remember the time when he kissed you with a kiss that launched a thousand kisses?" Is there ever room for that in the middle of your routine? DISCUSS Ready to spice up the routine? How would you do it if you could? (You can, you know.) PRAY Ask the Creator for a delightful dose of His creativity to give you a break from the routine. as seen in Moments Together For Couples -<>- ..::''''::.. .:::. .;'' ``;. .... ::::: :: :: :: :: ,;' .;: () ..: `:::' :: :: :: :: ::. ..:,:;.,:;. . :: .::::. `:' :: .:' :: :: `:. :: '''::, :: :: :: `:: :: ;: .:: : :: : : :: ,:'; ::; :: :: :: :: :: ::,::''. . :: `:. .:' :: `:,,,,;;' ,;; ,;;, ;;, ,;;, ,;;, `:,,,,:' :;: `;..``::::''..;' ``::,,,,::'' >UNWHOLESOME TALK "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen" (Eph 4:29-30). The way you interact with fellow employees at work can often determine whether you will be the leaven for Christ in your workplace or be viewed as one of the multitudes. Two defining situations in the workplace involve joke-telling and discussions about employees and bosses. If we laugh at off-color jokes we give permission to the person telling the joke that it is OK to continue this activity in your presence. If we fail to laugh, we discourage this behavior. When someone is about to tell a joke in my presence, I stop them and ask, "Is this a clean joke? If not, I don't want to hear it." This will define future situations with that person and it will get communicated to others in the office because of your response. You might become known as the religious person in your office, but that is OK. The other situation that can define you is how your talk about management is in front of other employees. In a workplace it can easily become a "we" versus "them" culture. If this happens you violate Paul's command to honor those who employ you. "Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive" (Titus 2:9-10). "LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman" (Ps 15:1-3). Remember, you are always a witness at work, whether you use words or not as seen in Today God is First -<>- _______ / /_ / -/- / / / / / / /_______/ / jgs ((______| / `"""""""` >FEELING POOR? READ: Psalm 86 I am poor and needy. -Psalm 86:1 In one way or another, we can all relate to Psalm 86:1 where David says, “I am poor and needy.” Even the richest among us should understand that poverty and need relate more to the spirit than to the wallet. When billionaire Rich DeVos speaks to groups he often says, “I’m just a sinner saved by grace.” Psalm 86 tells us that the help God provides is not measured by a monetary ledger sheet. When we acknowledge that we are poor and needy, it’s not so God will lavish material riches on us. No, we do so to open the door to other, more valuable treasures. Here’s what God does for the poor and needy. He will “preserve” our lives and “save” all those who trust in Him (v.2). He will be “merciful” and “ready to forgive” (vv.3,5). He will listen to and answer prayer (vv.6-7). But we’re not to take God’s blessings without giving back. We have a responsibility to learn God’s ways, walk in His truth, “fear [respect God’s] name,” praise the Lord, and “glorify [His] name” (vv.11-12). Do you consider yourself among the “poor and needy”? If so, welcome to the club. Let’s not forget all the spiritual blessings God has for us and the godly response we should have toward His generosity. —Dave Branon We’re thankful for the blessings, Lord, You give us day by day; Now help us show our gratitude By walking in Your way. -Sper The poorest man is he whose only wealth is money. as seen in Our Daily Bread -<>- _____ / \/_ //\__(\_\ |\ ^ ^ | .//_O \O_ \ \_ (_) / \ \_/ / __/\ /\__ / \ \ / / \ / \/\/\/ \ / | . | \ / | . | \ JRO >A SIMPLE BLESSING A simple story told of a time might make the difference of frame of mind. A simple sentence said so sincere might help someone make it another year. A simple heartfelt caring type word might help a person that's now so absurd. A simple minute spent sharing true might be the thing that you're needing do. A simple break from all that's within might be the thing to help you begin. A simple blessing that you don't see might just be found in someone like me. ©By Bill Pearce ========================================================== >-->From LaughAndLift: "One of the great dangers of having a lot of money is that you may be quite satisfied with the kinds of happiness money can give and so fail to realize your need for God. If everything seems to come simply by signing checks, you may forget that you are at every moment totally dependent on God." - C.S. Lewis .=., ;c =\ __| _/ .'-'-._/-'-._ /.. ____ \ /' _ [<_->] ) \ ( / \--\_>/-/'._ ) \-;_/\__;__/ _/ _/ '._}|==o==\{_\/ / /-._.--\ \_ // / /| \ \ \ / | | | \; | \ \ / / | :/ \: \ \_\ / | /.'| /: | \ \ | | |--| . |--| \_\ / _/ \ | : | /___--._) \ |_(---'-| >-'-| | '-' snd /_/ \_\ >Independence vs. Dependence (By Jack Kuhatschek in "The Superman Syndrome") Over the years I have learned that my desire to be powerful is really a longing for independence and self-sufficiency. After all, it is frustrating to be weak and dependent on someone else, even if the someone is God himself. In order to depend on God, I need faith - and faith can be risky! If I really got my wish for absolute strength, unlimited wealth, and total competence, I wouldn't feel any need for God. I would never experience his faithfulness or discover his sufficient grace. I would never learn to live in humble dependence on him. I would be tempted to rely on my own power instead of the power of God. In fact, my feelings of pride and self-sufficiency would make me believe I was a god myself." -<>- Faith attracts the positive. Fear attracts the negative. .-'"""'-. ,____|_______|____, '._____________.' REACH |.-- --.| FOR THE SKY! |(o) (o)| (| |) | U | __ | .___. | YOU'RE MY /||| | | FAVORITE |||| : : DEPUTY! | |/) `.___.' \ / __) (__ \/\ /\ \ / /\ \ \ /\ \ ^ / /\ THERE'S A \ \ / | |0_/\_ \ SNAKE IN \ \/ /| | \ /\ \ MY BOOT! \ / | |0//\\ \ \ \/ | / \ | \ \ |/ .-. \| / / .-'|-( ~ )-| / / HI! \ |--`-'--|/ / MY NAME'S WOODY! \ | | / \| | |/ | | | | | | HOWDY PARDNER! | | | | | | | | | |___|___| YEEEHAH COWBOY! `|---|---|' *| | |* |_._|_._| /' /|\ '\ SOMEONE POISONED jgs / /^ ^\ \ THE WATERHOLE! /__.' `.__\ >Letting the Toys Go (By Chris Long) Earlier tonight I watched "Toy Story 3" for the first time (no, I didn't see it when it was in the theater). All things considered, I found it reasonably entertaining and providing a decent closure to the series - albeit with a darker & fairly intense storyline (fine for adults but possibly concerning for young children). If you have seen the movie, then you know that there's a theme of "letting go" in it. At the end of the movie, Andy has to let go of his toys that have been in his life since childhood, as well as all he's known, and go forward into his new season of life at college. Meanwhile, the toys have to let go of Andy and move into a new season with a new child to be their owner. And Andy's mom has to let go of her son as he heads off - she has to come to grips with his leaving. Perhaps it's just a function of things God has been working on with me recently, but this whole "letting go" thing just jumped out at me. There come times in each of our lives where one season ends and a new season begins. Sometimes those seasons may be short, or sometimes they may be long. Certainly the transition from high school to college is one such season. But so are many others. When my dad went home to be with Jesus when I was 26, that ended a season where for all 26 years of my life, my dad had been in my life. But one day that season ended and my dad wasn't here with me anymore, and a new season began. Many of you can relate. Sometimes a specific season can even last a REALLY long time. My grandparents were married for 74 (yes, 74!) years, but eventually that season ended with the death of my grandmother - and my grandfather entered a new season without her. Life is always in motion and changes occurring. The more we go through life, the more we experience these shifting seasons - and all the emotions that go along with them. The challenge is to deal with them appropriately. .-"'"-. | | (`-._____.-') .. `-._____.-' .. .', :./'.== ==.`\.: ,`. : ( : ___ ___ : ) ; '._.: |0| |0| :._.' / `-'_`-' \ _.| / \ |._ .'.-| ( ) |-.`. //' | .-"`"`-'"`"-. | `\\ || | `~":-...-:"~` | || || \. `---' ./ || || '-._ _.-' || / \ _/ `~:~` \_ / \ ||||\) .-' / \ `-. (/|||| \||| (`.___.')-(`.___.') |||/ '"' jgs `-----' `-----' '"' Many people, to be blunt, have great difficulties in the present largely as a result of past seasons in their lives - that aren't a part of their reality any more. The season has ended, but the unresolved hurt, the unforgiveness, the bitterness, the deep pain, the anger at God, the lies planted in their minds from the devil, etc. still remain. For instance, a person may have grown up in an abusive family situation, and 20 years later, still be reeling from the results of that - stunting their current progress - even though that season has been out of their life - out of their "present reality" - for over 20 years. These kinds of things are very common. Recently, the Lord has been really working on me in my own life that there were things in my past that I needed to bring before Him & let go of to Him. There were things in my past - even to my early childhood - that I had not ever really dealt with - and until I did so - and let them go to the Lord - I would not be able to really move forward to all God has for me. This has been a downright painful process, and yet ultimately so liberating. The truth is, I have had to (and still in process) bring certain things to Jesus in honesty & reality - sharing my honest feelings, repenting of sin where I need to, acknowledging & then rejecting the lies from satan, severing via the Spirit all negative effects from those things, and ultimately letting them go completely to Jesus. () __/\__ |\ .-"` `"-. /| | \.'( ') (' ) (. )`./ | \_ _/ \ `~"'=::='"~` / , `-.__ __.-' , .---'\________( `""~~""` )________/'---. > ) / `""~~~~""` \ ( < '----`--..__/ -(-)- \__..--`----' |_____ __ _____| [_____[##]_____] I HAVE BEEN CHOSEN... | | FAREWELL MY FRIENDS! \ || / jgs \ || / .-"~`--._||_.--'~"-. (_____,.--""--.,_____) I've had to make a choice: I can hang onto past pain or I can let it go to Jesus. If I hang onto it, it will continue to be a defining part of me and stunt my progress in moving forward with Jesus into the good plans and purposes He has for my life. I can let those things & people from the past continue to affect my reality NOW, even though those things & people are no longer in my "present reality", or I can, by an act of my will, bring those things to the feet of Jesus and ask Him to take them from me. It's amazing the amount of "baggage" we can amass in living on this planet. I'm only 30 and I'm just now coming to grips with a lot of the "built up" stuff in my life - and there's been quite a lot. Someone that's twice (or triple) my age could easily have double or triple or quadruple the "stuff" that's never really been appropriately dealt with. And when things aren't dealt with, you get a cumulative effect - in other words, it just keeps weighing you down more and more as things keep getting added to the load. .--. | | ______________ || .-"______________"-. ." ." ". ". / / __________ |\ \ | | .-'__ _ _ _ _'-.||| | | |.' /__/_/_/_/_/ '.| | | || _____________ || | | ;|__________________|; | '--|o .--------------. o|--' (| | .-. .-. | |) | | ( ())( ()) | | / | '-' '-' | \ | '--------------' | | ,_ /\ _, | | |=="'--------'"==| | | |================| | | \==============/ | jgs | `-.________.-` | `-.__________________.-' /)))))/' ___ `\ (( / .-------' | :. \ \)))>-=<| ===) | ::------' '-------._|_:' Sometimes, like Andy in the "Toy Story 3" movie going off to college, we have to move into a new season and leave our toys behind. The problem is, we often try to go into the new season but take all the toys too. This is bound to cause trouble. The toys were fine in the "toy season", but when the "toy season" ends, the toys need to stay behind. If we take them into a season where they don't belong, it will only muddle things and make it difficult for us to do all we are supposed to do in the new season we are in. There are people from our past that should stay in our past. (perhaps an old love, an abusive person, a deceased person, even old friends) There are feelings from our past that should stay in our past. (perhaps hurt, anger, unforgiveness, jealousy) There are situations from our past that should stay in our past. (perhaps abuse, embarassing times, hurtful times, music & movies/shows from our past, even good times) By holding on to them, we are only hurting ourselves. We remain stuck in the past, while in the present. Which means we're not really living the present to its fullness. _.-. / 99\ ( `\ |\\ , ,| __ | \\____/ ,.--"`-.". / `---' _.-' '-/ | _.-" | '-. |_/_ ,__.-' _,.--\ \ (( /-\ ',_..--' `\ \ \\_ / `-, ) |\' | |-.,,-" ( | | `\ `',_ ) \ \,(\(\-' jgs \ `-,_ \_(\-(\`-` " " Those seasons are no more - they have ended. It's time that we let them go, so that we can go forward. Jesus is calling us onward & upward - to be moving forward with Him. Many of you know this Scripture, but it's worth another look today: "Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Phillipians 3:13-14 NIV) We need to forget what is behind and keep straining toward the goal. Ultimately part of that goal is in fulfilling the plans & purposes that God has for us to fulfill while we are here. The forgetting of things behind is a key in this. But I personally don't believe this forgetting is just blanket ignorance. If we don't deal with the past, all the attempts to "forget it" will likely prove futile. However, we can deal with the past by bringing it to Jesus - and spending the time with Him in prayer where we let go of our past to Him. THEN we can leave that past with Him and at least in a sense, forget it - moving forward towards all that God has for us. As I aluded to earlier, this process can be very painful to go through because it requires facing the truth of our past - leaving the dreamland and coming into reality - acknowledging what happened, etc. It definitely requires courage. But I'm convinced that the payoff in freedom it brings is worth it all! ___ .-'` `'-. _,.'.=== ===.'.,_ / / .___. .___. \ \ / / ( o ) ( o ) \ \ _ / /| '-'___'-' |\ \ (_) | |`\_,.-'` `"-.,_/'| | /| | | \ / | | /\; | | \ / | | _ ___ /\/ | | \ __ /\ | |' `\-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-./` `"-,/\/ | | \ (__) /\ `-'| | `\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \`\ \/ | | \-...-/ `-,_| | \`\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ | | '---' / | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | \_/ | \_/ .--. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | .--. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | / \ | | / / / / / / / / / / / / / / | |/ jgs |`-.___| |/-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'`--| | ,.-----'~~; | | (_(_(______)| | (_(_(_______) | | ,-----`~~~\ ,-----`~~~\ (_(_(_______) (_(_(_______) This is often a process. Back to the movie for a second: At the beginning of Toy Story 3, Andy started by wanting to take one of the toys with him to college and keep the rest in his attic for later use. By the end of the movie, though clearly hard for him, he was willing to let go of all of them. Likewise, the toys also originally were not willing to let go of Andy, but by the end of the movie, the realization of the need to move on became more apparent. I have found this same process at work in my life. We know we need to "let go" of X, but that seems too hard. So we start by letting go of parts of X, or maybe other things surrounding X. And once we do that - similar to peeling back the layers of an onion - we move deeper into the real issues we need to address. The important thing is just to persistently keep at it. I'm still in this process, so pray for me. And if you're finding yourself hindered by your past (and most people are, whether they realize it or not - it's amazing how much of the "negative things" we do can be traced to things in our past), then might I invite you to join me in this process? Let's leave the "toys" behind and step into the glorious freedom of Jesus Christ, where we are completely free from the negative junk of our past. Let's bring it all to Jesus and leave it all with Him. Some years back, I recorded a song that my sister wrote even more years back called "Let Go". Though I've always liked the song, it's taken on deeper meaning now. I love the last line of the chorus: "Let Go.... Let God make you whole" With much love, Chris Long Laugh & Lift ministries http://www.laughandlift.com SUBSCRIBE INFO Want to receive a Christian inspirational item AND great clean humor in an email to you each day of the week? It's easy and FREE! Read all about Laugh & Lift at http://www.laughandlift.com --- _._ _._ |||| |||| ||||_ ___ _|||| | || .-'___`-. || | \ / .' .'_ _'. '. \ / /~~| | (| b d |) | |~~\ /' | | | ' | | | `\ , /__.-: ,| | `-' | |, :-.__\ , |'-------( \-''""/.| /\___/\ |.\""''-/ )------'| | \_.-'\ / '-._____.-' \ /'-._/ | |.---------\ /'._| _ .---. === |_.'\ /--------.| ' \ / | |\_\ _ \=v=/ _ | | \ / ' `. | | \_\_\ ~~~ (_) | | .' `'"'|`'--.__.^.__.--'`|'"'` \ / `,..---'"'---..,' :--..___..--: TO INFINITY... \ / |`. .'| AND BEYOND! | :___: | | | | | | | | | |.-.| |.-.| |`-'| |`-'| | | | | / | | \ |_____| |_____| ':---:-'-:---:' / | | \ jgs /.---.| |.---.\ `.____; :____.' ...I never watched the Toy Story However, Chris did a good job telling me about it. I liken it to many of us who were expecting a RED wave this election and have to deal with a 'new season' caused by the Blue wave. I see why God led me to this from Chris to share today. I was more concerned for President Trump. I knew he had put much effort into this election. He had held over 30 rallies in 30 days and held many phone calls to help get people out to vote. I was concerned he'd be devastated, angry or downhearted. But when I heard him on Fox talk about his feelings, I knew he was OK. There was no depression or anger in his voice. He reminded me of his maturity and understanding how to deal with apparent disappointment and failure and not let it eat him up. You get right back up after being knocked down and make the most good of what God has given you. That is what our President will do. I am pleased that he is OK and ready to build on what he has left for the second half of his term. _ (_) <___> | |______ | |* * * ) | | * * (_________ | |* * * |* *|####) | | * * *| * | (________________ | |* * * |* *|####|##############| | | * * *| * | | | | |* * * |* *|####|##############| | |~~~~~~| * | | | | |######|* *|####|##############| | | |~~~' | | | |######|########|##############| | | | | | | |######|########|##############| | |~~~~~~| | | | | |########|##############| | | '~~~~~~~~| | | | |##########JGS#| | | '~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | | | | | | He loves America and God and will do the best he can for us and Him. I admire that about President Trump. :) ========================================================== ,(()). ,;;;;. __ ________ _____ ___ ((_ _));'_`'_( _| __ __ __ _| _| _| __ __ () \ /)\ ) / (_|__ _|-_| _(_|(_|(_|__ _|-- ((\ O(() \ O / _____(_|(_|_____________(_|_ SSt >-->This I Know By Ryan Stevenson I gotta be honest, this life has taken turns that I never wanted, It's kinda chaotic Spend all of my time living up in my head, prepping my mind for another upset Strip it all back till the only thing left is you, nothing but you. Even when it hurts, I'm not letting go For the Lord my God is faithful this I know, this I know Come pain, come heartache, it is well with my soul For the Lord my God is faithful this I know, this I know I've learned to get what you want's maybe not what you need I've learned that faith is a fight and it's more than you see I've learned that pain is a gift when it leads you to Christ I've learned that beauty can dawn from the darkest of nights. Even when it hurts, I'm not letting go For the Lord my God is faithful this I know, this I know Come pain, come heartache, it is well with my soul For the Lord my God is faithful this I know, this I know When I'm swinging my fists, taking hard hits, feelin like I'm gonna break When I'm holding back tears, counting lost years, watching my dreams slip away Go on and let it cave in, get me out of my skin I've been getting in my own way Need you to do whatever it takes, whatever it takes. Even when it hurts, I'm not letting go For the Lord my God is faithful this I know, this I know Come pain, come heartache, it is well with my soul For the Lord my God is faithful this I know, this I know Written by R. Stevenson, B. Fowler, M. 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