Beholding As In A Glass... :) 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 ================ >-->2 HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) Our too hot to handle new page is from my daughter Tammy. Most of us are aware that the military uses dogs and that most of these are large dogs like German Shepherds. However, you may be surprised that during WWI and WWII they used dachshunds. This intrigued me since we were fighting Germany in WWII where these little dogs originated from. Be sure to check this and its video out here: __ , ," e`--o (( ( | __,' \\~----------------' \_;/ hjw ( / /) ._______________. ) (( ( (( ( ``-' ``-' Wiener War Dogs! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wienerwardogs.html --- ...Pretty Awesome! Stunning and cute! Thanks Tammy! Our sizzling hot new page is from our friend Linda. After all that hype recently about 'No Kings' day, it was refreshing to see how real monarchs and royalty lived. I was stunned at the grander of these estates as I am sure you will be too. Check this out along with its video here: ! lll /// \ ||| | P_______|[][][][][]_______P ++++++++=o0@%@%@%o|||++++++++ |l l l ll [] [] []| l l l l l |_______| []=== []| |_______| |__|| ||___/ Katie Buller World's Royal Palaces! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/palaces.html --- ...Wow! Most stunning! Thanks Linda! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave. -- Elmer Davis Tuesday was Veteran's Day. Joe Walker tells us about his prospects of being sent to Vietnam. And about his tough friend who joined the Marines. How many of the kids did you go to school with who were always picking fights, but then, decided to fight for their country? It's interesting going from "hood to hero" and Veteran's Day, we thank all the vets -- regardless of their backgrounds -- for their service in keeping us free. .---. ___ /_____\ /\.-`( '.' ) / / \_-_/_ \ `-.-"`'V'//-. `.__, |// , \ |Ll //Ll|\ \ |__// | \_\ /---|[]==| / / \__/ | \/\/ /_ | Ll_\| |`^"""^`| | | | | | | | | | | | | L___l___J jgs |_ | _| (___|___) ^^^ ^^^ >HOOD TO HERO by Joseph Walker As a high school senior in the early 1970s, there were a lot of places I wanted to go: Europe, Hawaii, backstage at a Chicago concert, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders locker room. But there was one place I actually had a chance of going where I definitely didn't want to go. Vietnam. Don't get me wrong. I was as patriotic as the next guy. I loved my country. I was almost an Eagle Scout. And I could play a version of "The Star Spangled Banner" on my tuba that could bring tears to your eyes. At least, it brought tears to my band teacher's eyes. And it wasn't that I had strong feelings one way or the other about the morality of the war. I registered for the draft like I was supposed to when I turned 18, and I wasn't thinking about burning my draft card or moving to Canada or anything like that. The fact is, I didn't know all that much about the war's political implications, and I didn't really care -- not like I cared about my '62 Caddy, my collection of Neil Diamond records and somehow getting a date with a cute little sophomore named Becky. When it comes right down to it, I didn't want to go to Vietnam because... well, there just isn't any other way to say this -- I was scared. Scared of the jungle. Scared of the Viet Cong. Scared of napalm. Scared of Agent Orange. Scared of Russian weapons. Scared of body bags. Scared of being injured. Scared of being killed. Scared of my high draft number. Of course, that wasn't my public position. As far as everyone else was concerned, I was just really focused on getting my college education. And doing some volunteer work for my church. And getting married and starting a family. All of which was true. But the cold, hard fact of the matter was, I was interested in those things because they were a lot less frightening than Vietnam -- notwithstanding the prospect of finals, homesickness and potty training. So it was hard to know what to say when my high school classmate, John, told me he had joined the Marines and would likely be shipping out to 'Nam before the school year was out. "They can't do that, can they?" I asked, worried almost as much for him as I was for me. "Don't they have to let you graduate from high school first?" "I'm 19, almost 20," he said, shrugging his shoulders. He smiled at the puzzled look on my face. "I got held back a year," he said, smiling. "Maybe two, I don't remember." Suddenly I felt less embarrassed about how easily he had pinned me during a 9th grade wrestling tournament. It looked like man against boy, because it was. "Look," he said, "you know I've never been much good at this school stuff. About the only thing I'm any good at is fighting in the parking lot after football games. So I figure I might as well go someplace where they don't give you detention for fighting -- they give you medals." For the first time in the six years I had known John, I saw peace in his eyes. Peace -- because he was going to war. It didn't make sense, but then, few things did those days. I just knew that John, the parking lot warrior, had found his nobility. He was willing to go someplace and do a job that a lot of us were unwilling to do. In fact, just the thought of going there and doing that scared some of us to death. And that made him a hero -- at least, to me. I don't know how many hoods have become heroes in the service of their country. But every Veteran's Day I think about John and others like him who fought for peace. For their country, and for themselves. -- Joseph Walker =========================================================== >-->From Daily Encounter: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Generosity 'One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another with holds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.'1 Generosity is the attitude of joyfully sharing what we have, regardless of our abundance. The Bible reveals that generosity is an attribute of God (Deuteronomy 28:12). And as part of His transformative plan for believers, the Father wants us to cultivate a generous spirit. A generous approach to our time and material goods begins by giving ourselves to God. When we accept that He owns everything, we will be able to more easily detach ourselves from our possessions. But the decision to cultivate generosity is based on trust. Hebrews 13:16 NIV tells us, "And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." The Lord responds by supplying what is necessary to meet what we will give to others and our own needs (Luke 6:38). Only by giving do we learn that we can never surpass God in generosity. Let us choose to cultivate a generous spirit for the Lord always. Suggested Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, help me to have a generous attitude to share with joy what You have given me. Teach me to cultivate a generous spirit to honor and glorify you. I pray in Jesus Christ's name, Amen. 1. Proverbs 11:24-25 (NIV). Today's Encounter was written by: Rosina N. <:))))>< , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >You Are Not Alone ...And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.ť1 Do you ever feel alone? In Psalm 25:16-17, David was asking God to turn to him and to have mercy on him because he was feeling alone and was in deep distress. He told God how all of his problems were just getting worse, and asked God to save him from them all. Sometimes, we can feel a lot like how David felt in these verses. Feeling lonely can often cause us to feel great distress, depression, doubt, confusion, and we turn to God for comfort, answers, and help. Feeling lonely is a big burden to carry, especially when you feel like you are alone in your loneliness. Loneliness is more common than we realize, even in today's busy society. Whether you feel like no one understands you, you don't have any family or friends to keep you company, you feel alone in your faith, you long for a significant other, all of the above, or something else, there is one person you can always count on to understand you, hear you, and be with you: God. In Matthew 28:20, we read that He is always with us, even to the end of the age. He does not only say that He will always be with us, but that He wants us to be sure of that, which means that we do not ever need to doubt that God is with us. God understands you when nobody else does, and is your faithful companion when no one else is there. God gives you strength and courage to stand firm in your faith, even if you are the only one. When you long for a special someone to share life with, trust that God is still working in your life and will bring you to the right person at the right time. Suggested prayer: Dear God, even when everything around me is uncertain and I find myself feeling alone, thank you for your constant presence and great faithfulness. No matter where I go or what I do, you are there. Thank you for your love and great care for me. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, amen. 1. Matthew28:20b (NLT). Today's Encounter was written by: Gianna B. When copying or forwarding include the following: "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2016 ACTS International. =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: _______ / /_ / -/- / / / / / / /_______/ / jgs ((______| / `"""""""` >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 -<>- __ _ .-.' `; `-._ __ _ (_, .-:' `; `-._ ,'o"( (_, ) (__,-' ,'o"( )> ( (__,-' ) `-'._.--._( ) ||| |||`-'._.--._.-' ||| ||| Artist: Bob Allison >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. --- __ /_/\/\ \_\ / /_/ \ \_\/\ \ \_\/ unknown ...This reminds me I used to have my kids look in the mirror. I'd say 'See that light in your eyes?' - They'd nod and I'd say 'that is the God in Christ in you! The glory of the Lord shining back at you!' You can tell who doesn't have it. - many people remark about some person being mean or cruel how their eyes are dead black. _______ / /_ / -/- / / / / / / /_______/ / jgs ((______| / `"""""""` See this teaching: Beholding As In A Glass 'But we all, with open [uncovered] face beholding as in a glass [mirror] the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the spirit of the Lord.' – II Corinthians 3: 18 http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Word/Beholding_As_In_A_Glass.htm -<>- 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." -<>- .-. __/ ( , '-.____\ u=='/ \ /_/ \ .-'' | ( ____/_____ _>_/.-------- \/// // snd // 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. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment :) In Wild With Ossi Saarinen! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/inthewild4.html Beautiful Horses 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/beautifulhorses2.html Origami Dollar Art 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dollarart2.html Grand Canyon Skywalk! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/skywalk.html Birth of An Island! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/island.html Car Show 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/carshow2.html Incredible Finger Painter 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/rareanimals.html Balloon Party 3! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/party3.html Silly Veggies! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/veggies.html Sgt. Stubby War Dog Hero! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/stubbywardog.html World's Fastest Cars! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/fastcars.html Rare Animals! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/rareanimals.html Adorable Kittens! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/kittens.html Uninvited Animal Guests! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/uninvitedguests.html Strange Things! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/things.html Puppy Rescue! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/puppyrescue.html Fire Hydrants! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/firehydrants.html Adorable Puppies! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/puppies.html Piglet The Pink Puppy! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/piglet.html Twin Baby Elephants! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/twinelephants.html Firefighter Animal Rescues! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/firefighters.html Awesome Trains! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/trains.html Creatures We Love To Hate! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/creatures.html Dangerous Critters 4! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dangerouscritters4.html Taking A Catnap 3! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/catnap3.html Funny Pet Photo Winners! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/funnypets.html World's Extreme Stairs 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/extremestairs2.html Exhausted Animal Moms! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/exhaustedmoms.html Animal Architects! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/animalarch.html Fall And Thanksgiving Index! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thanksgivingindex.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/ Truth Or Tradition.com Index: https://www.truthortradition.com/ 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/ Latest From Mommy Underground: https://mommyunderground.com/ Latest From Christian Life Daily: https://www.christianlifedaily.com/ -<>- >In The Worldly News: President Donald J. Trump https://www.donaldjtrump.com/ White House Actions - 2025 https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/ Trump Accomplishments 2025 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/ Tucker Carlson On Rumble https://rumble.com/c/TuckerCarlson Latest Eric Bolling: https://ericbolling.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 Billings Report: https://billingsreport.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 Visit Melissa's Online Store You can get anything you want (except for Melissa ) at the online store http://pdhomes.net/mall/babylissa/mySTORES/ISELL4.html ========================================================== >-->From God'sDailyWord: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >An Unblemished Sacrifice During the days of Moses, God established specific laws for sacrifices. He called for animal sacrifices to teach His people the seriousness of sin and to prepare the way for Jesus. God taught that when a sacrifice was offered, it was to be pure and without blemish: "If the offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he is to offer a male without defect. He must present it at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting so that it will be acceptable to the Lord" (Leviticus 1:3). Approximately 900 years after the sacrificial law was given to Moses, God used the prophet Malachi to call the people back to a true heart of worship. Since the time of Moses, the people of Israel had gone through many highs and lows in their worship and were currently on another downward spiral. The priests had become very casual with the sacrifices; they had lost all sense of reverence and had ceased to offer God their absolute best. Malachi 1:7-8 "You place defiled food on My altar. But you ask, `How have we defiled You?' By saying that the Lord's table is contemptible. When you bring blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice crippled or diseased animals, is that not wrong?" With the perfect and acceptable sacrifice of Jesus, the need for animal sacrifice has ended; "He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood" (Hebrews 9:12). Through faith in Jesus, our sins are completely forgiven; "By one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy" (Hebrews 10:14). Faith in the sacrifice of Jesus has become our final sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin; we have been perfected by His blood. However, each of us who have experienced God's mercy and grace are now urged "to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God" (Romans 12:1a). We are to offer this sacrifice not to earn or even maintain our Salvation, but because "this is our spiritual act of worship" (Romans 12:1b). A true understanding of God's grace in granting us eternal life ought to compel us to a life of thanksgiving and sacrificial worship. But when we leave His presence for the pleasures of this world, we create blemishes on our heart; and when we practice or give approval to sin, we become spiritually crippled and diseased. We must present ourselves to God and allow Him to use us for His glory. He deserves our very best! We should offer ourselves with a pure heart, without selfish ambition or pride, and free of worldly compromise. God has given us all we have, made us all we are, and is leading us to all we will become. Let's worship and serve Him with the best we have to offer; let's present our lives to Him as an unblemished sacrifice. Have a Christ Centered Day! Steve Troxel God's Daily Word Ministries **** Reading Plan **** Joshua 3:1-4:24; Luke 14:7-35; Psalm 80:1-19; Proverbs 12:27-28 Joshua 5:1-7:15; Luke 15:1-32; Psalm 81:1-16; Proverbs 13:1 Joshua 7:16-9:2; Luke 16:1-18; Psalm 82:1-8; Proverbs 13:2-3 Joshua 9:3-10:43; Luke 16:19-17:10; Psalm 83:1-18; Proverbs 13:4 <:))))>< , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Scatter The Seed We considered our call to join God in His work by planting the seed of His truth and watering with encouragement at every opportunity. We are reminded to keep our focus on God as we "work" since He is the One Who makes all things grow. We see this same principle in the parable of the farmer who scatters seed onto four different types of soil. Luke 8:5-8 "A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown." Usually, this parable is considered from the aspect of the different types of soil. The farmer represents anyone who plants the seed of God's Word into someone's life, and the different soils represent the different types of people who hear the gospel message. There is encouragement in these verses for us to be well tilled soil, free of weeds and ready to receive the Word of God. However, let's consider this parable from the aspect of the farmer. In the days of Christ, fields were planted by scattering or throwing out seed over all areas of a field. In this parable, the farmer is never criticized for waste as he throws seed on the path, in the weeds, or on the rocks. Planting day had arrived and it was the farmer's job to simply scatter the seed. He was not required to evaluate the soil, and there was no special technique required for planting. As long as the seed was scattered over a wide area, it would reach the good soil and produce a bountiful crop. We have been sent out as farmers into the fields of this world with God's Word in our hand and written on our heart; "go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19). As we consider what to do with our seed, we must remember that the condition of the soil should never be our primary focus. God has entrusted us with a life changing message and it's His desire for this message to be "scattered" to all! There is definitely a time for tilling soil, pulling weeds, and digging out the rocks that hinder our spiritual growth and the growth of those within our care; but in the field which God has placed us today, the time is always right for planting. Let's share His message of love and forgiveness, of Godly unity and peace. A new day has arrived! Regardless of our perception of the soil - regardless whether we believe they are ready - let's pick up our bag, put on our boots, and be determined to scatter the seed! Have a Christ Centered Day! Steve Troxel God's Daily Word Ministries **** Reading Plan **** Ezekiel 27:1-28:26; Hebrews 11:17-31; Psalm 111:1-10; Proverbs 27:15-16 Ezekiel 29:1-30:26; Hebrews 11:32-12:13; Psalm 112:1-10; Proverbs 27:17 Ezekiel 31:1-32:32; Hebrews 12:14-29; Psalm 113:1-114:8; Proverbs 27:18-20 Ezekiel 33:1-34:31; Hebrews 13:1-25; Psalm 115:1-18; Proverbs 27:21-22 --- _______ / /_ / -/- / / / / / / /_______/ / jgs ((______| / `"""""""` ...See These Teachings: Mightily Grew the Word of God and Prevailed https://tinyurl.com/4hhbse5h Witnessing and Undershepherding https://tinyurl.com/49wmt329 ========================================================== >-->From CupO'Cheer: . | . \ | / `. \ ' / .' `. .-*""*-. .' "*-._ /.*" "*.\ _.-*" : ; ____ """"': .. ; _.-*" \ `.__.' / "*-._ .' `-.__.-' `. bug .' / . \ `. / | \ ' | ` >REMEMBER THE SUN The Sun Is Always Shining If darkness has fallen, we know that the sun is still shining at this very moment somewhere not too far away. There are times when gloom or darkness causes us to momentarily lose sight of the light. Although it is at these times when the thought of the sun can help us. Its warm, glowing rays brighten even our thoughts, and it's good to remember that despite appearances the sun is shining right now. We may not be able to see it at this very moment, but if clouds block our view, they are only filtering the sun's light temporarily. If darkness has fallen, we know that the sun is still shining at this very moment somewhere not too far away, and it's only a matter of time before it will shine on us again. When we remember that the sun is still shining, we know that things are still in motion in the universe. Even if life feels like it is at a standstill, sometimes all we need to do is have faith and wait for the time when everything is in its perfect place. Or we can we can choose to follow the cues of the sun and continue doing our work and shining our light, even when we can't yet see results. In doing so we exercise our patience, making sure we are prepared when opportunity knocks and all other elements are in their right and perfect places. The sun also reminds us that our own shining truth is never extinguished. Our light shines within us at all times, no matter what else occurs around us. Though the sun gives us daily proof of its existence, sometimes our belief in our own light requires more time. If we think back, however, we can find moments when it showed itself and trust that we will see it again. Like the sun, our light is the energy that connects us to the movements of the universe and the cycles of life and is present at all times, whether we feel its glow or not. -author unknown As seen in Inspiration Plus -<>- ,=====,---. /=====/=====\ |=====|\=====; _j---j_|=====| /,-"0"-.\=====| // | \\====| ||9 o 3|D===| \\ `. //====| \`-.6.-'/=====| `j---j'|=====| |=====|/=====; \=====\=====/ `-----`---' hjw >YOU CAN'T KEEP TIME By: Joseph J. Mazzella My watch broke a few days ago. The band snapped without me noticing, causing it to fall to the floor while I was doing the laundry. As I stepped back to grab another armful of clothes I heard a nasty crunch underfoot. I picked up the watch face and saw a spider web of cracks overtop the now frozen hands. I could see at once that it was beyond repair and sadly tossed it in the garbage. Strangely, now that it is gone I find that I have no wish to buy a new one. Perhaps it is because in this digital age clocks are everywhere. They are on my wall, in my car, on my computer, and even on my phone. I can't even turn my head without seeing what time it is. I think that the real reason, however, is that as I have grown older my relationship with time itself has changed. While my soul feels as young and ageless as ever, time in this world has gone by much too fast. The little puppy I once held in the palm of my hand is now an elderly dog with arthritis. The little baby boy I once rocked to sleep on my chest is now a 23 year old man who is bigger than me. Young, vibrant, and energetic adults from my childhood have now grown old, sickened and even passed away. I can see now that, in truth, time can't be kept. It flows on and on and carries us with it on a river of change. The days zoom by, our hair grays, our skin wrinkles, and our bodies wear out. No amount of looking at our watches can slow it down. All we can do is embrace it and enjoy each day we are given. Earth isn't meant for eternity only Heaven is. Do your best then to spend each precious moment here in joy. Do your best to spend your days living, laughing, hugging, helping, praying, and smiling. Do your best to spend your seconds here loving God, yourself, and others. Do your best to make the passage of time on Earth a passageway to Heaven. -<>- \_/ --(_)-- . / \ /_\ |Q| .-----' '-----. __ /____[SCHOOL]___\ ())) | [] .-.-. [] | (((()) ..|____|_|_|____|..................................)(... ldb >BEATITUDES FOR TEACHERS Blessed are the teachers who set a good example before their students in all things; for they are worthy members of a great calling. Blessed are the teachers who know their subject: for their students learn much. Blessed are the teachers who share with their students that which they have learned: for this is the true nature of teaching. Blessed are the teachers who strive to understand their students: for their will be able to comfort and guide them. Blessed are the teachers who exhibit self-control: for they shall influence their students to do likewise. Blessed are the teachers who use a variety of methods: for their classes do not become dull and boring. Blessed are the teachers who accept criticism constructively: for they shall improve their efficiency and their personality. Blessed are the teachers who work cooperatively with their associates: for they shall be worthy of recommendation. Blessed are the teachers who hunger and thirst after new materials and ideas: for they shall broaden their own perspective of teaching. Blessed are you, teacher, though your reward may seem small, and some may criticize you, and rebuke you, and say all manner of discouraging things to you: rejoice and be exceeding glad, for yours is a great work! --Edward L. Kirk, printed in the newsletter of the First Baptist Church, Natchez, Mississippi, June 10, 1993, Vol. 41, No. 23. (The Timothy Report, www.timothyreport.com) -<>- | + | /^\ + --=<-*->=-- + \·/ | ____ ... + .. ... | | |__,'[] `,__ _' `__ /\|/\ _' `___|_ []| ______|__ __|_ [] | /#\ |[] __| []| | | []| | | | # | | | | | | | | | '.,_#.- - ' . - · - ' - . . - ' - . _ . - ' - . _ _ MAY YOUR PATH ` ' /\|/\ ' ' /\|/\ /#\ LEAD YOU TO PEACE AND ' ' /#\ # ' ' # /\|/\ # HAPPINESS ' ' # /#\ # ' ' # EVERYONE ' ' #________ |OOShy >SEEING CHRISTMAS Seeing Christmas as I do it lives on in how I view. Scenes so blessed such as then bring to me a way to win. Seeing Christmas as a light gives to me a wondrous sight. Such as blessings here and there found through times of Christmas prayer. Seeing Christmas wondrous view can bring joy that is so true. ©By Bill Pearce -<>- oooOOOOOOOOOOO" o ____ :::::::::::::::::: :::::::::::::::::: __|-----|__ Y_,_|[]| --++++++ |[][][][][][][][]| |[][][][][][][][]| | [] [] | {|_|_|__|;|______|;|________________|;|________________|;|_________|; /oo--OO oo oo oo oo oo oo oo oo oo oo oo oo +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ Chuckles >HOO HOO FRAKS My grandson Josh was a train freak. "Thomas The Train" was his favorite toy. He had several of the other toy engines featured on the show as well. In the weeks leading up to his fourth birthday, when I came home from work, he met me at the door and said, "PawPaw Mike? Thomas birthday." He was so excited, his speech impediment became worse, and I had trouble understanding him. For his birthday, I took him on a train ride. The train I picked ran from Jersey City to Newark. It took forty minutes to make the trip in one direction. I chose this train, because, for the first part of the trip, we would be underground, then for the remainder of the trip, we sped above ground. Even better, you can get in the front car and look out the window at the tracks as you roll over them. Down in the subway, Josh saw the tracks. "Fraks! PawPaw Mike! Fraks!" He only take his eyes off the tracks when a train passed. We got on the front car of our train and walked to the front to stare out the window. I explained to the gentleman setting there, "This is my grandson Josh. It's his birthday. He loves trains, and this ride is my birthday gift to him." The gentleman saw Josh's excitement and gave us his seat by the front window. The train began to roll along. It made several stops underground, and then the part I was waiting for came. We blasted up out of the tunnel. In front of us were rows and rows of tracks and even a few trains parked on sidings. Josh screeched with delight. "PawPaw Mike! 'Fraks'! Look at the 'fraks'!! PawPaw! Look at the 'fraks'!" Then he saw the parked trains, "PawPaw Mike! 'Hoohoo's'! Look! 'Hoohoo's!'" He squealed. My little grandson stood in that window and stared with awe at all the tracks and trains. I couldn't stop smiling. At Newark, we transferred to the returning train. Half way home, the train stopped while a train ahead switched to another rail. As we waited, the conductor of the train opened his door and saw Josh staring out the window. "Hey, little man! How are you?" He asked. "It's his birthday. This is his first time on a train, and he's a big fan of trains." I explained. "Come here, Josh! I'll show you something." He sat Josh in the conductor's seat and let him blow the horn. Josh got back in my lap. A grin split his face in half, as the train continued it's journey. At that moment I looked to the back of the car and saw a sea of smiling faces. Everyone was watching Josh and grinning. Children give such a beautiful gift - innocence. Josh was yelling and squealing about the "hoohoo's" and "fraks," without a clue as to how he was affecting the other passengers. It was impossible not to smile. They all watched this little train fanatic enjoy his first ride on a train. His pure innocent love for this ride was beautiful to witness. I rode that train many times and rarely saw a smiling face. People sat quietly and waited to get to their destination. They read or stared straight ahead, ignored their fellow travelers. Josh's unbridled joy made their trip special. Josh was only four. He has not forgotten his first train ride with his "PawPaw," and I doubt many of our companions that day will forget it either. Josh taught us all a lesson. If we could only see things through the eyes of a child, see them new and fresh every time, life would be more interesting. When I feel bored with the things I see everyday, I think of "hoohoo's" and "fraks," and remember to see it through the eyes of a child. I want to see "HooHoo's and Fraks" forever. - Michael T. Smith 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. ========================================================== >-->From LaughAndLift: Christianity is not meant to be merely a fire escape from a world of woe. .-""-._ / ___/ \ _&_ _.--""|/ `\| // \\ .' ( ^/ ^ )'. / / \ \ / | _ | \ // / \ \\ | _\____/ | /_/_/_\_\_\ | .' \____/-._ | .-"-. | / `; /# \ | / / _|_.---\ | | |.-.; :--.-(_/.____/.-""\___/"-. / \ / ~~/ /\ \{"=.______.="} /--. ; /___/_~~/ ; .--\"=...__...="} / \-/ `\______|/ \-.______..-; | /`| | \ | |||| || | /_ | |_______/ | |||| || | \_/| |-------' |--'||'--._|| | | | | || |> |______| |____________|._ || _..-;| | [___] | `||() || |______ |\/|____________|jgs|| () (__) \__/ (__) () >Living as God's Resident Aliens (By Kerry S. Doyal - Grace Bible Church) [Edited] "You ain't from around here, are ya?" Locals - of any locale - know their own. Transplants sooner or later give themselves away - even if they don't care to. Aliens - think foreigners, not E.T. - have an even harder time blending in: language, culture, habits... God's people are resident aliens wherever they live - not from around here. Our main citizenship is now heaven. In His mercy, God calls out people from the world to be His own and then leaves them here to testify of His greatness. Peter, Jesus' disciple, wrote of this in a letter encouraging scattered, persecuted believers. Thrust from their homelands, they were people stripped of national rights and roots - foreigners. Yet, God gave them a radical new identity, hope, home and mission. "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. "Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day Christ visits us" (1 Peter 2:9-12 - NIV). Peter's prompting makes for a good riddle: "What group of people is chosen from, yet left in, called out of, yet sent into, the world?" God's 'mercied' people! We are in the world as aliens on a mission. Abstaining from our own sinful desires, we are to live God-honoring lives among the world. We are wise to know and live our new identity. It is lofty to say the least. We are "royal priests" - King's kids, regal, and God's representatives, priests. That is a position of double privilege and power. No small honor or responsibility. Heady, eh? "A holy nation" - us? Indeed! (Note: this is not referring to America, but the Church Universal.) God's varied vagabonds have a standing of righteousness thanks to Christ (Romans 1:16, 17; 5:1-11; 2 Corinthians 5:21). We are our Savior's Saintly Citizens, by His grace, fit for heaven yet left here to serve. We are "a people belonging to God" - His! And He jealously guards His own. Quoting Peter again: "In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade - kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power..." (1:3-5). Such security! With such credentials, no wonder we don't fit in here. Yet - back to our riddle - we are to be dynamically involved in the world. We have been sent into, scattered out amidst, sprinkled among to share His supremacy: to "declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." We were called out from to call out about Him, proclaiming our Savior's praise-worthiness. He snatched up our sorry, sin- sacked souls from sure death. Sing out, speak up, share; others need this news. This requires redemptive engagement, rubbing elbows. Hermits need not apply [unless willing to change!]. A bright light under a bucket is useless. Who does that? Salt left in the shaker is pretty but purposeless. God says shine, add savor, be a preservative (see Matthew 5:13-16.) I recommend Rebecca Pippert's "Out of the Saltshaker." God "mercied us" to "mission us". He left us behind enemy lines to invite others into His kingdom, to tell of His rescue mission (see Colossians 1:12, 13; Matthew 28:16-20). His rescue is much better than - but somewhat like - the rescue of those good-as-dead Chilean Miners. We too have been pulled from darkness and death to light and new life. Know with certainty: living out this mission means rejection, being misunderstood and even slandered. Jesus can relate. He knew rejection - by His very own people (see John 1:12-14). Yet He modeled staying on mission. Peter again: "As you come to him, the living Stone - rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him - you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" (2:4, 5). As "sojourners & exiles" (ESV), we remember that our truest home address is heaven. We are left here as His ambassadors to this foreign land. Though hopeless misfits in this world with its ways and patterns, we are to find and make ways to show and tell of God's excellent greatness and declare the Gospel. SUBSCRIBE INFO Want to receive a Christian inspirational item AND great clean humor in an email to you each day of the week? It's easy and FREE! Read all about Laugh & Lift at http://www.laughandlift.com ========================================================== .---. .---. ,';' `.';' `.. f :Bo. ` d88: `\ /d88P' `\ ; /d888P' `. ',d8&8P' : ;d8&7' | :8: | qx >-->What Is A Blessing? By Monique Nicole Fox A blessing is being able to have a child Seeing his or her bright eyes and smile A blessing is the clear blue sky, the green grass A smile or a hello to a stranger as you walk pass A blessing is having family and friends that love you And sticks together in good and bad times like glue A blessing is having a faithful and respectful companion or spouse Wanting to go to a peaceful and cheery home free of louse A blessing is having a clothes, food, a car, a house or apartment And being able to pay some debts with dollar bills and cents A blessing is having God here, there and everywhere Giving much happiness, joy, and tender loving care -<>- _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _( )_ ( ) ( ) _( )_ ( ) ( ) _( )_ ( ` ' )| |_| | _ _ __ ( ` ' )| |_| | _ _ __ ( ` ' ) > < | _ |( ) ( ) /'_ `\ > < | _ |( ) ( ) /'_ `\ > < (_, ,_)| | | || (_) |( (_) |(_, ,_)| | | || (_) |( (_) |(_, ,_) (_) (_) (_)`\___/'`\__ | (_) (_) (_)`\___/'`\__ | (_) ( )_) | ( )_) | \___/' \___/' unknown >-->I wish for you... Comfort on difficult days, Rainbows to follow the clouds, Laughter to kiss your lips, Sunsets to warm your heart Gentle hugs when spirits sag, Friendships to brighten your being, Beauty for your eyes to see, Confidence for when you doubt, Faith so that you can believe, Courage to know yourself, Patience to accept the truth, And love to complete your life. -<>- _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ >-->God Bless you! I asked the Lord to bless you To guide you and protect you As you go along your way.... His love is always with you His promises are true No matter what the tribulation You know He will see us through. So when the road you're traveling on Seems difficult at best Give your problems to the Lord And God will do the rest. -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. Ad Request ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO Foundational Teaching Seminar NEW LIFE IN CHRIST! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->This is for all you who love food and DARE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy, good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes >Got A good Recipe? SHARE IT HERE: Share A Recipe **********************************************************************