The Peace Of God, Pride And More... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our ShangyFunList: Group Web Site: https://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: bcrsystems@earthlink.net Shangrala Family Fun: https://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ ================ *~* A REMINDER: PLEASE Send me sweet, interesting, funny, inspiring, family type forwards ANY TIME here... bcrsystems@earthlink.net I Need them, Love them, Use them, and Share them! THANK YOU!! AND For Facebook Users: Please Like Me here... http://tinyurl.com/cma6all AND Please Share This email with All Your Friends And Family! ^~^ May God SUPER BLESS You As You Do! THANK YOU! ================ __ __ ,-' `' \ _---``-- / _ _ ; __ `. / / `' \; /`----- ) / .-/ ,( ), \-. ; | \( \ / )/; | - _5 `7 -; / ( ___-' `-____ | ( ___`-_ \ ____| \ / `,/ \ _(\__ / \ \ ; \ .' /' `i. / | | \ _-'( _\__-/ `- | | ` ,` `_ | BP * Don't forget to follow us on social media for our latest updates and uproarious funny and inspiring pages! On Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/y8dcm8x7 On X (Twitter): http://tinyurl.com/n5uf3dxv ================ >-->2 HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) Our too hot to handle new pages are from our friend CarolC. With the onset of AI everywhere you look, it is refreshing to see photos you know are real ones. These pages highlights some of the best photos submitted for Siena's awards this year. Be sure to check these spectacular ones out here: This first one has this year's award winning wildlife photos from around the world. Be sure to check it out here: .". / | / / / ," .-------.--- / "._ __.-/ o. o\ " ( Y ) ) / / ( / Y .-" | / _ \ \ / `. ". ) /' ) Y )( / /(,/ ,| / ) ( | / / " \_ (__ (__ [nabis] "-._,)--._,) Siena Photo Awards 3! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/sienaphotos3.html Our next new page has more great photos from around the world. Be sure to check it out here: ___ _ _ -- - -__ -_ \ -- --___ _ __--__ -" _ _^/ \ _ -- -_ "-_ \ ^/\ __ _--,_ _ \ ^| /">^/",,\ /"("\"\ 7_\ LX<"<,\ _/"/"|\ )\>_ 7| / >/ >O-,\" _/"_." _/ / / \"\ ^" V"O^ V /""_-" ,/" /\ \ ) "-,_ ' \> _-"/ ( .-/ \ ! ) \ _\"-_"\_ \ _ _____ ___ ___ \> _ ___ _-"/_-" / ( | / \ | \ \_- "-_ __ _ _ _\ -- - - -- \"> -<_"__" / _/| \ \ | /! \ \ -_( _"-<_">-- - \_`> _-- _ ___",">-____ _"> ""_" "--"--"-" "-"' "-" '" _ \__"> C"" -_O "O-' '"> __ - - jjs-__"\__ __) - O __ - - " - - () _">--"> _ .-- " - """ """ Siena Photo Awards 2! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/sienaphotos2.html --- ...Wonderful diversity! Thanks CarolC! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: Your morning thought for the day: "If winter is slumber and spring is birth, and summer is life, then autumn rounds out to be reflection. It's a time of year when the leaves are down and the harvest is in and the perennials are gone. Mother Earth just closed up the drapes on another year and it's time to reflect on what's come before." -- Mitchell Burgess, Northern Exposure Thanksgiving, 1992 Ok, how many of you cherish autumn as your favorite time of year? The cooler days, changing leaves, caramel apples, pumpkins and scarecrows? Kathy shares some seasonal memories with us today. We're sure you can remember heading out to the local farms to pick out your pumpkins. Unfortunately, many of those farms aren't there anymore. What are your children or grandchildren doing these days to mark the season? \\ \\ \\ .-'```^```'-. .-'```^```'-. .-'```^```'-. / /\ __ /\ \ / (\ __ /) \ / /) __ (\ \ | ^^ \/ ^^ | | ` \/ ` | | ^ \/ ^ | \ \_.__._/ / \ \____/ / \ `'=='` / `'-.......-'` `'-.......-'` `'-.......-'` ldb >THE PUMPKIN PATCH by Kathy Whirity Years ago when the girls were small, besides the trick or treating of Halloween, a highlight in October was visiting the pumpkin patch. We usually saved this special outing for the Saturday before Halloween. If memory serves me correctly, each year the weather cooperated with sunny skies and fairly warm temperatures. Some years the crisp, cool air of autumn gave us reason to wrap sweaters around our waists, just in case. It was quite a long ride out to the pumpkin patch. The girls would get anxious repeating a familiar phrase, "Are we there yet?" Outside the city and a ways past the suburbs we'd drive until we were out in the country and there we'd find the spectacular farm all decorated for the harvest season. Huge scarecrows could be seen everywhere, greeting young and old alike. A barn converted into a craft store for the occasion had all you could want for the fall festivities. Caramel apples covered in peanuts to sink your teeth into, cider to sip, and popcorn balls to crunch. No trip to the pumpkin patch would be complete without a good old fashioned hay ride. The farmer's tractor pulled the long, wooden seated vehicle out into the middle of the patch as the children sang songs. The ride was bumpy, the songs were severely off key, but the giggle of happy children always made for a joyful ride. When we reached our destination the kids were instructed to only pick a pumpkin they were able to carry. Of course it never failed -- Bill and I would each be lugging an oversized Jack-O- Lantern back to where the tractor waited. I fondly remember all the fun on a far away piece of farmland where the weather signaled the end of summer and the beginning of frost filled nights. The other day Bill and I took a ride that found us passing the same place we picked pumpkins with the kids. Sadly, we witnessed its demise with no signs of the traditional Halloween happenings. Apparently the farmland has been gone for a long time. It is now a sub-division with clusters of homes scattered all around the area. The only trace of hay, apple cider and friendly faced scarecrows to welcome us are in the memories of two aging parents and their now grown daughters. These days we purchase our pumpkins at the local grocery store. Lately we have resorted to painting on smiling faces instead of carving them. They are quite a bit smaller than the gargantuan gourds our children used to choose. Autumn is a special time of caring and sharing. It's a time to be thankful for the harvest that we reap, both nutritional and spiritual. In the harvest of our lives I am grateful for the bounty of love and memories that are mine to forever cherish. -- Kathy Whirity ___________________________________________ Kathy lives in Chicago where she shares her life and love with her husband of 29 years, Bill, their two daughters, Jaime and Katie, and two rambunctious retrievers, Holly and Hannah. Kathy is a newspaper columnist who shares her sentimental musings on family life. =========================================================== >-->From Daily Encounter: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Our God Never Sleeps 'Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new.1' A little 9-year-old girl came home from VBS one day. She proudly told her parents and little brother that Jesus was living in her heart now! Mom and Dad were so proud, and made a big deal out of it. Later that day, her little brother said something she did not like, and she hauled off and knocked the soup out of him! He did not know much about church, but he knew a Christian should not act like that! He said, I thought you said Jesuswas living in your heart? She replied, He is, but He is asleep right now!2 If you are anything like me, this little illustration hit a little too close to home! How many times have our actions reflected a 'sleeping' Jesus? How many times have we professed Jesus with our mouth and then allowed our attitudes to contradict our faith? The Bible instructs us to be transformed by renewing our mind, leaving behind worldly things behind - including its attitudes and actions(Rom.12:2). It would do us good to remember that our God never sleeps! (Ps.121:3-4) So using that as an excuse is not a valid action. We are blessed to serve a God that is ever-present and even at our worst and in our ugliest moments, He does not stop loving us! (Lam. 3:22-23) His mercy toward us is new every morning! Suggested prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I am so grateful for your mercy and your unending love for me. Give me a renewed joy for the things that please you. Restore in me the joy of my salvation. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen. 1: 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV). 2: www.sermoncentral.com The Encounter for today was written by: Veronica B. <:))))>< , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Enjoy Life So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them under the sun.1 I like having a clean home. I like things to be put away where they go, and I do not like to see dusty furniture. While there is nothing wrong with having a clean home, I am also a mom to four children of various ages and I often find that I miss opportunities to have fun and enjoy moments with them because I am focused on cleaning. I remind myself of Martha in Luke 10 where she complains to Jesus about her sister Mary not helping her with the needed preparations. Jesus then goes on to tell her how Mary had chosen what is better, which was sitting at the Lord's feet listening to Him. Mary knew how to prioritize what was important and enjoy the moment. The following poem seemed to resonate well with this topic: Dust if you must, but would it not be better to paint a picture, or write a letter, bake a cake, or plant a seed, Ponder the difference between want and need? Dust if you must, but there is not much time, With rivers to swim, and mountains to climb, Music to hear, and books to read, Friends to cherish, and life to lead. Dust if you must, but the world is out there With the sun in your eyes, and the wind in your hair, A flutter of snow, a shower of rain, This day will not come around again. Dust if you must, but bear in mind, Old age will come and it is not kind. And when you go (and go you must) You, yourself, will make more dust.2 Work is important and a blessing from God. The Bible encourages us to work. However, it also reminds us to create a balance and have fun as well. As you go about your day, look for those small, but meaningful, moments to enjoy life a little more. Whether it be playing a game with your children or enjoying an unexpected date night with your spouse, remember to celebrate the moments God gives you. Suggested prayer: Dear God, thank you for reminding us to value life and the people you have put in our lives to share it with. You have created so many beautiful things for us to enjoy. Allow me never to get so caught up in the mundane things of life that I miss moments to share with you and with those around me. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, amen. 1: Ecclesiastes 8:15 (NLT). 2: Dust if You Must, written by Rose Milligan The Encounter for today was written by: Crystal B. When copying or forwarding include the following: "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2016 ACTS International. =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: You have the right to work, but never to the fruit of work. You should never engage in action for the sake of reward, nor should you long for inaction. Perform work in this world, Arjuna, as a man established within himself - without selfish attachments, and alike in success and defeat. For yoga is perfect evenness of mind. -Bhagavad Gita -<>- |\ |\ |\ |\ || .---. || .---. || .---. || .---. ||/_____\ ||/_____\ ||/_____\ ||/_____\ ||( '.' ) ||( '.' ) ||( '.' ) ||( '.' ) || \_-_/_ || \_-_/_ || \_-_/_ || \_-_/_ :-"`'V'//-. :-"`'V'//-. :-"`'V'//-. :-"`'V'//-. / , |// , `\ / , |// , `\ / , |// , `\ / , |// , `\ / /|Ll //Ll|| | / /|Ll //Ll|| | / /|Ll //Ll|| | / /|Ll //Ll|| | /_/||__// || | /_/||__// || | /_/||__// || | /_/||__// || | \ \/---|[]==|| | \ \/---|[]==|| | \ \/---|[]==|| | \ \/---|[]==|| | \/\__/ | \| | \/\__/ | \| | \/\__/ | \| | \/\__/ | \| | /\|_ | Ll_\ | /|/_ | Ll_\ | /|/_ | Ll_\ | /|/_ | Ll_\ | `--|`^"""^`||_| `--|`^"""^`||_| `--|`^"""^`||_| `--|`^"""^`||_| | | ||/ | | ||/ | | ||/ | | ||/ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | L___l___J L___l___J L___l___J L___l___J |_ | _| |_ | _| |_ | _| |_ | _| jgs (___|___) (___|___) (___|___) (___|___) ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ >The Shadow Warriors War is hell. That is what my grandfather told me. He was a grunt in the Pacific theater in World War II. My father and him told war stories long into the night. My dad had his battles in Vietnam. His war was different. There were no parades when he came home. Well this is my war. Afghanistan, a miserable hot and dusty place. How the heck did I get here? Our chopper got shot down, what two days ago? I had to leave the area as the Taliban was crawling over the area looking to execute the living. As I was the sole survivor, I fit that description quite well. I knew my guys back at the base would be looking for me. But how far from the crash site had I strayed? I took five canteens with me as I know water in this land is precious as gold. I had enough energy bars and ammo to last my assault rifle for a good time. I had to assume anyone I came into contact with was not friendly. I was probably a good 240 miles from Kandahar. Night started to settle in. The tribesman seemed to know they were searching for one man. How did they know? They must have inventoried the equipment and found the canteens did not add up. Oh well, I will do what I do best, survive. Crack! A broken stick. A shadow passed by me, but no person. It was a GI. It appeared to be the Captain, but he was dead. Just then a Taliban jumped from a rock and aimed his rifle at me, the shadow figure slit his throat then dropped him to the ground. The shadow filtered into the night. I looked around me and I was surrounded by shadow warriors. My platoon was here. They were all dead! I could not see their eyes, just shadows. The captain waved his arm to me to follow. I followed. We headed out towards the valley where the village we were supposed to attacked laid. We, the shadow warriors and I arrived at the edge of the village. The Taliban had about 100 of their men there. They were gearing up for something. They had rpgs, machine guns, and heavy weapons. The next thing I know the shadow warriors entered the village and .... I can barely describe what happened. The screams were from another place another existence. I saw people shooting, running and the shadows would envelope them and they would die. The battle or rather the slaughter lasted but a short time. A few of the Taliban were left alive, but they were babbling idiots, insane. The shadow warriors came back to me. I was shaking. They waved me onward. I followed this band of banshees. We marched through the night. We wound up at the crash scene of the chopper. There the shadows formed a circle around me. I noticed a ring of dogtags around me. Daylight started to break and also the whoop whoop whoop sound of other choppers coming. I saw about four more choopers. Help had arrived, or rather more help. I looked at my shadow warriors. They lifted their hands in a salute. I returned it and held it. Then they just faded... away. I guess they had one more mission to do. They did not want to leave their man behind. I picked up their dogtags and waited for the choppers to land. I could not tell the story. Nobody would believe me. I would say we did the mission, then when we left we were shot down. Who would believe the existence of the Shadow Warriors? The end -BJ Cassady -<>- _____ ,\_+_/, '(("""))' '(|o,o|)' '; = ;' _) (_ /' \_/ '\ /\(_ : _)/\ /||/)___( \ \ \|_)' \/ / | (_/ | | | | |_______| \ | / Sher^: | : ; | ; >Some Advice for Caregivers Focus on the present. Amy Baker, author of "Slow Dancing at Death's Door" stresses the need for "getting angry and getting over it." You can do this, in part, by learning how to separate the past from the present when dealing with, for example, a strained parent-child relationship. Practice forgiveness. Treat your feelings-for yourself and the person for whom you are caring-with compassion. "As hard as it is to do, realize that most people are only doing the best they can," says Baker. "Their meanness or lack of love for you probably wasn't malicious. They didn't set out to hurt you." Letting go can be transformative. Ask for help from a third party, especially if you're feeling overwhelmed. Cole suggests seeking aid and advice from another relative, a friend, an elder care professional, or a clergyperson or spiritual counselor. Turn it over to God's grace, suggests Baker. Sometimes the situation is too painful for you to handle on your own. Try surrendering your burden to a higher power through prayer or spiritual practice. Taking Care of the Caregiver Tune-up tactics Tend to basic needs. It's difficult to care for a person in need if you yourself are run-down. Make sure to address your immediate needs for adequate rest and sound nutrition. Schedule in a few brief but potent breaks into your day. A short walk around the block helps or a catnap can do wonders to refresh you. If you can't physically get away, you can literally take a "breather." Blow off steam. Do something active each day: walking, running, biking, swimming--anything that gets you moving. Take time to get outside and out into the world--even if it's just taking a walk down the street and back-and really pay attention to your surroundings. A regular mind/body practice can help you fight stress before it starts. Yoga, Pilates, qigong, and other mindful disciplines create greater flexibility and strength, as well as a relaxed body and mind. Again, ask for help! Being a caregiver is an extremely demanding task. Rather than becoming overwhelmed and ineffective, ask someone to share the load before it becomes unbearable. It may be as simple as having a friend pick something up for you at the grocery. Nurture yourself. Get your nails done, meet a friend for coffee. Take time to do something for you. --- !|| !|||| ,/|||| !|'''| `\ | )\ \ ejm / \ \ \ ...I find it helpful... To give it to God - every single day. Asking God to help - all day long and evening too - takes the pressure away from me. If I am unsure if God is helping me, I'll ask Him "Are you helping Me' My first thought is His answer. If I don't get a direct thought then I will pray and ask Him again. Just give it to God in the name of Jesus Christ and you'll feel the stress leave your body. God is always here for you! -<>- O (_) _ )_( _ /`_) H (_`\ .' ( { } ) '. _/ /` '-'='-' `\ \_ [_.' _,...,_ '._] | .:"`````":. | |__//_________\\__| | .-----------. | | | .-"""-. | | | | / / \ | | | ||- < -|| | | | \ \ / | | | |[`'-...-'`]| | | | ;-.___.-; | | | | | ||| | | | | | | ||| | | | | | | ||| | | | | | | ||| | | | | | | ||| | | | | | | _|||_ | | | | | | >===< | | | | | | |___| | | | | | | ||| | | | | | | ;-; | | | | | | ( ) | | | | | | '-' | | | | | '-------' | | jgs _| '-----------' |_ [= === === ==== == =] [__--__--___--__--__] /__-___-___-___-___-__\ `"""""""""""""""""""""""` >Thanks For Your Time It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, girls, career, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of his dreams. There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him. Over the phone, his mother told him, "Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday." Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days. "Jack, did you hear me?" "Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It's been so long since I thought of him. I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago," Jack said. "Well, he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him he'd ask how you were doing. He'd reminisce about the many days you spent over on 'his side of the fence,' as he put it," Mom told him. "I loved that old house he lived in," Jack said. "You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man's influence in your life," she said. "He's the one who taught me carpentry," Jack said. "I wouldn't be in the business if it weren't for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important.... Mom, I'll be there for the funeral," he added. As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser's funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away. The night before he had to return home, Jack and his mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time. Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was like crossing over into another dimension, a leap through space and time. The house was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of furniture ... Jack stopped suddenly. "What's wrong, Jack?" his mom asked. "The box is gone," he said. "What box?" "There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he'd ever tell me was 'the thing I value most,'" Jack answered. It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it. "Now I'll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack said. "I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom." It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died. Returning home from work one day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox. "Signature required on a package. No one at home. Please stop by the main post office within the next three days," the note read. Early the next day Jack retrieved the package. The small package was old and looked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago. The handwriting was difficult to read, but the return address caught his attention. "Mr. Harold Belser," it read. Jack took the package out to his car and ripped it open. There inside was the gold box and an envelope. Jack's hands shook as he read the note inside. "Upon my death, please forward this package and its contents to Jack Bennett. It's the thing I valued most in my life." A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, as tears filled his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the gold box. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch. Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover. Inside he found these words engraved: "Jack, thanks for our time! Harold Belser." "The thing he valued most ... was ... my time," Jack thought. Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and cleared his appointments for the next two days. "Why?" Janet, his assistant asked. "I need some time to spend with my son," Jack said. "Oh, by the way, Janet, ... thanks for your time!" -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment :) Think Positive! httpd://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/positive.html 90/10 Principle! https://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/giving.html Thank You Lord! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thanks.html Maxine On Jesus! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/maxineonjesus.html God's Paintings 2! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/gpaints2.html God's Night Lights! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/night.html Angel Wing Decoys! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/angel.html Jesus Laughing Art! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/Jesusart.html Salvation Mountain! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/salvation.html Who Is Jesus Christ? https://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/whoisjesus.html God's Water Paintings! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/water.html Attitude Is Everything 5! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/attitude5.html Kinkade - Painter Of Light! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/kinkade.html Bible Study: Our Valuable Anchor! https://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/ouranchor.html Car Show 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/carshow2.html Silly Veggies! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/veggies.html Space Trivia Facts! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/spacetrivia.html For Coffee Lovers! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/coffee.html You Are The Only You God Has! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/onlyyougodhas.html Fall/Halloween Index! https://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/halloweenindex.html -<>- Akiane Kramarik on Painting Jesus & Visions of Heaven - Hang Out with Sean Hannity: Prodigy artist Akiane Kramarik joins Sean Hannity to reveal her childhood visions of heaven, meeting Jesus, and the miraculous 16-year journey of her iconic "Prince of Peace" painting. In this deeply spiritual episode, Akiane opens up about experiencing intense divine visions starting at age three, painting the face of Jesus at eight years old after a miraculous encounter with a tall carpenter, and how her mysterious six-hour disappearance as a child ultimately brought her atheist parents to faith. She also discusses her new journey with her husband Sebastian and what heaven truly looks like beyond earthly comprehension. https://tinyurl.com/4cdeet5w See our pages on her here: AKIANE: CHILD PRODIGY! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/prodigy.html AKIANE: THRU THE YEARS! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/prodigy2.html Don't Blame God! https://www.stfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Dont-Blame-God.pdf How to Become a Christian - How to Get Born Again / How to Get Saved / Romans 10:9 & 10 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMzblR8YDQ0 Bible https://quod.lib.umich.edu/k/kjv/ Bible Study Index http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Contents.htm The Way Bible Articles https://thewayinternational.com/english/ Spirit & Truth Index: https://stfi.org/ Bible Teaching Videos - John Schoenheit Spirit And Truth https://tinyurl.com/2gyn3f35 The Lion Weekly Digest is a newsletter delivering the week's top articles from The Lion straight to your inbox. Find all of the stories: https://readlion.com/ Latest From PragerU: https://www.prageru.com/ -<>- >In The Worldly News: President Donald J. Trump https://www.donaldjtrump.com/ TrumpRx doesn't sell medications. Instead, it connects patients directly with the best prices, increasing transparency and cutting out costly third-party markups. https://trumprx.gov/ White House Actions - 2026 https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/ Trump executive orders and actions, 2025-2026 https://tinyurl.com/musd7m3x DOGE Latest News https://doge.gov/ DOGE Latest Savings https://doge.gov/savings From The Daily Acorn: Positive News https://www.thedailyacorn.com/ Latest From Lifezette: https://www.lifezette.com/ Latest From Hannity: https://hannity.com/ Latest From American Action News: https://americanactionnews.com/ Latest From Reliable News: https://reliablenewsnow.com/ Latest From Newsmax: https://www.newsmax.com/ Latest From Expose: https://expose-news.com/ Latest From AFA: http://tinyurl.com/j7lakqw Latest From OperationRescue: http://www.operationrescue.org/ Latest Product Alert: http://www.emergencyemail.org/products/?fmt=text Latest Health Alert: http://www.emergencyemail.org/health/?fmt=text Click to Give Free https://greatergood.com/clicktogive/ggc/home ========================================================== >-->From God'sDailyWord: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >The True Peace of God We are all striving toward the "successful" life, though our definitions of success may often differ. Many of us place our effort in obtaining more and better things, reaching a higher status, or building greater security. Others involve themselves in more "spiritual" endeavors with ministry activities and service projects. But the root motivation for all our effort is the same - we all are seeking a life full of peace. Unfortunately, the world trains us to simply set and then exceed our goals without ever taking the time to examine what our heart really longs for... we long for peace! I'm certainly not opposed to goals; but we must understand that meeting every single goal, by itself, will NEVER result in peace. The lack of peace is, first and foremost, the result of our sinful condition. When man first chose to place his desire ahead of God's perfect plan, sin entered the world and true peace became illusive; "when you eat of it you will surely die" (Genesis 2:17). We will never obtain true peace through different governments, nor can we purchase or create peace by changing our surroundings. Peace begins with the forgiveness of sin through faith in Jesus and grows as we live in submission to the Holy Spirit; "The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace" (Romans 8:6). In Paul's letter to the Philippians, he said those who have placed their faith in Jesus now have a basic formula for a life of peace. Philippians 4:4-7 "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Our formula for peace is: (1) Rejoice, (2) Rejoice some more, (3) Be gentle, (4) Know God is near, (5) Remove all anxiety, and (6) Pray about everything with a thankful heart. Jesus promised that those who trust in Him will receive a peace beyond anything this world can understand: "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (John 14:27). If our lives are lacking peace, the ONLY solution is to draw nearer to God, trust Him more, and rejoice (and rejoice and rejoice) as we are guided by His Spirit. Only then will we find the "success" for which we have been striving; only then will we obtain that for which our heart longs... the true peace of God! Have a Christ Centered Day! Steve Troxel God's Daily Word Ministries **** Reading Plan **** Jeremiah 37:1-38:28; 1 Timothy 6:1-21; Psalm 89:38-52; Proverbs 25:28 --- _______ / /_ / -/- / / / / / / /_______/ / jgs ((______| / `"""""""` ...See These Teachings The Peace Of God http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Promises/The_Peace_Of_God.htm The Benefits of God http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Advanced/The_Benefits_of_God.htm <:))))>< , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >What The Lord Has Provided As a young teenage boy, David showed a deep understanding of God's strength as he prepared to fight Goliath: "The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine" (1 Samuel 17:37). Knowing God was fighting the battle allowed David to approach Goliath confidently with nothing more than a sling and a few stones: "This day the Lord will hand you over to me" (1 Samuel 17:46). Even after many years of being pursued by King Saul, David continued to demonstrate his belief that every victory he enjoyed came directly from God's hand. On one occasion, the Amalekites had raided the village where David and his men were living. Trusting God's promise of victory, David set off with six hundred men to battle the enemy and recover what had been taken. Along the way, two hundred of the men became too tired to continue. After the victorious battle, the four hundred who fought wanted to exclude the two hundred who stayed behind: "Because they did not go out with us, we will not share with them the plunder we recovered" (1 Samuel 30:22). But David reminded them Who had really won the battle. 1 Samuel 30:23 "No, my brothers, you must not do that with what the Lord has given us. He has protected us and handed over to us the forces that came against us." David understood that victory did not depend on whether four hundred or forty, or even four, had gone into battle, nor did it depend on their skill. The battle was won because of God's promise and His provision, not because of the men's ability. As we see a battle approaching, we must draw even closer to our Heavenly Father. He has given us abilities to use, but we must place all our trust in Him for the results. If the battle appears to end in failure, we must trust that God is in control and working toward His good and perfect plan. What we see as failure may still serve His victorious purpose. And if the battle ends in apparent victory, we must not allow our pride to take credit for the work God has done. Taking credit for His work is itself a failure, even when the outcome looks like success. God owns ALL and provides ALL. Our possessions, our relationships, and our ministries all belong to Him. Our abilities and limitations, our successes and failures, are all in His hands. As we come through our next battle (and we will!) - and even while we are still in the midst of the battle - let's acknowledge His ownership and give Him all the glory. Let's never attempt to control or hold too tight to what the Lord has provided. Have a Christ Centered Day! Steve Troxel God's Daily Word Ministries **** Reading Plan **** Jeremiah 33:1-34:22; 1 Timothy 4:1-16; Psalm 89:1-13; Proverbs 25:23-24 --- _______ / /_ / -/- / / / / / / /_______/ / jgs ((______| / `"""""""` ...See This teaching G L O R Y http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Study/G_L_O_R_Y.htm ========================================================== >-->From LaughAndLift: "You know, a lot of people have this misconception that ministers and musicians and people who are daily talking about Christ and Christianity and that sort of thing really have no, or few, struggles. And I kind of had bought into that for a long time, thinking that, gee by the time I'm in my mid-thirties, I should pretty much be too old to be tempted by anything. I have really had to come to terms with the fact that as long as I live, there will be temptations. And so...I just kind of got to a point where I was going, man, I don't know if I can make it. I don't know if I'm going to be able to live this close to falling all the time. But then I thought about the words of Paul, where the Lord spoke to Paul and said, 'My grace is sufficient.'" - Rich Mullins, the "Awesome God" guy .. ____ ____ . | / + \ || || /+ . \ . | |o x.| =**= _ =**= | o x| . | |____| || _( )_ || |____| . | || /_____\ || . | ______________//| |/__________________ |_______^________/ | + | /_^_____ . _U_ / |___| // _U_ . | /_______________________________________// | . /|\ |______________________________________|/ /|\ >The Pastor's (and other's) Worst Enemy: PRIDE (Author Unknown) *The Particular Causes of Pride* Public gifts: As your gifts are exercised in public (unlike those with more private and unseen gifts and ministries), they are more likely to be recognized, admired, and praised. Official status: As many of God's people respect and honor the "office" of pastor (sometimes regardless of who fills it), you may be inclined to think it is you they respect and honor. Man-centeredness: When people are blessed under your ministry, they will often attribute it to you rather than to God. Worldly ideas of leadership. You see yourself as "in charge of all these people," rather than their servant. Inexperience: The Church is quite unique in how it places untested and inexperienced young men into positions of the highest responsibility without going through the "humbling school of hard knocks." Having never been led, they sometimes do not know how to lead. Misunderstanding of call to the ministry: Paul did not see the pastoral ministry as a prize he had earned. For Paul, it was as much a grace, an unearned gift, as salvation (Eph. 3:8). *The Pastoral Consequences of Pride* If you fall into pride there will be serious consequences in your ministry. - You will start depending on your gifts rather than on God. - You will become impatient with your less gifted brethren in the ministry or eldership. - You will become thoughtlessly insensitive to the traditions and customs of the past. - You will resist personal criticism and mature counsel. - You will become discouraged and discontented because "I deserve better than this crowd!" - You will regard yourself as above the small/dirty jobs in the congregation. - You will stop learning because you know more than everyone else anyway. - You may fall into the "condemnation of the devil" (1 Tim.3:6). *The Personal Cure of Pride* Let these two phrases be the double heartbeat of our ministries. 1. I am a sinner - Remember what I was (think on the sins you've been delivered from) - Remember what I could be now (if God had not stopped you) - Remember what I still am (research your own heart ) - Remember what I could yet be (if God removed His restraining grace) 2. I am a servant - A servant of God (not independent but dependent on God for commission, authority, blessing) - A servant of God's people (not their lord or sovereign) - A servant of sinners (do not look down on the unsaved but get down on your knees for them) - A servant of servants (don't compete with other pastors but serve them) - A servant of the Servant (who said, "I am among you as one who serves," and, "the servant is not greater than his Master.") -<>- "Most of us, God forgive us, are too big for God to use. We are too full of our own schemes and of our own way of doing things. God has to humble us and break us and empty us." - Alan Redpath _|_ | / \ //_\\ //(_)\\ |/^\| ,%%%% // \\ ,@@@@@@@, ,%%%%/%%% // \\ ,@@@\@@@@/@@, @@@%%%\%%//%%%// === \\ @@\@@@/@@@@@ @@@@%%%%\%%%%%// =-=-= \\@@@@\@@@@@@;%#####, @@@@%%%\%%/%%// === \\@@@@@@/@@@%%%######, @@@@@%%%%/%%//| |\\@\\//@@%%%%%%#/#### '@@@@@%%\\/%~ | | ~ @|| %\\//%%%#####; @@\\//@|| | __ __ | || %%||%%'###### '@|| || | | | | | || ||##\//#### || || | | -|- | | || ||'#||###' || || |_|__|__|_| || || || || ||_/` ======= `\__||_._|| || jgs__||_/` ======= `\_||___ >Come Out (By Margaret Millson?) Our children's Sunday School classes were presenting their end of the year program for the congregation - telling about the life of Jesus. When it came to the part about Jesus' miracles, one little boy said, "Yes, Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead!" The teacher urged him to tell us more. He said, "Well, Jesus told them to open the tomb, and then He said, 'Lazarus, come out!' And it's a good thing he didn't just say 'Come out!' because there would have been a stampede of dead guys." Needless to say our congregation enjoyed the presentation very much. -<>- "What the Church needs today is not more machinery... not new organizations or more and novel methods, but men whom the Holy Ghost can use -- men of prayer, men mighty in prayer. The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods, but through men. He does not come on machinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men, men of prayer." - E.M. Bounds _____ _/__|_,\__ aaaah _O |,-.___,-. ) _____ _o' @ __ (` ( O ) ( O ) _/__|_,\__ /` __( `> ____|_,\_ |> ,`-'/_~`-'/) |,-.___,-._) /> )-.)/\-. |,-.___,-.| ,|. `===---===-' `-' `-' `-' `-' `-' `-' `-' (traffic jams caused by unicyclists, very common here in holland) -Shimrod >Distractions of Modern Civilization (By A.W. Tozer in "Of God and Men") "Modern civilization is so complex as to make the devotional life all but impossible. It wears us out by multiplying distractions and beats us down destroying our solitude, where otherwise we might drink and renew our strength, before going out to face the world again. "The thoughtful soul to solitude retires," said the poet of other and quieter times; but where is the solitude to which we can retire today? "Commune with your own heart upon your bed and be still," is a wise and healing counsel; but how can it be followed in this day of the newspaper, the telephone, the radio and television? These modern playthings, like pet tiger cubs, have grown so large and dangerous that they threaten to devour us all. What was intended to be a blessing has become a positive curse. No spot is now safe from the world's intrusion. The need for solitude and quietness was never greater than it is today. What the world will do about it is their problem. Apparently the masses want it the way it is, and the majority of Christians are so completely conformed to this present age that they, too, want things the way they are. They may be annoyed a bit by the clamor and by the goldfish-bowl existence they live, but apparently they are not annoyed enough to do anything about it." 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 ========================================================== |..| ? ? c >| ? \'/ /><\ unknown >-->How Can God Not Seem to See? (By Debbie Preuss, April 6, 2008) How can God not seem to see This wicked World of depravity Stabbings, killings in this life A man beating his own wife What have we come to? I often ask On this earth so small, yet vast People turning their backs on God With a logic that is flawed They don't believe He is alive As they live their lives from nine to five Then they ask why God turns away As they ignore Him day after day God sees the sin and He has a cure That will forever more endure But those who still turn their back His salvation, they do lack For our Father had a plan To redeem the sinful man Give up the life they now live Everything now, to Him give He will cleanse and make us whole When we give to Him control His only Son died on a cross So that man need not be lost His blood covers all our sin So that believing, we would win Eternal life from heaven above Surrounded by His perfect love But those who don't accept the gift Will not be able to span the rift Between heaven and this mortal sod For they are not children of God They have no claim on heaven above For they don't know God's gift of love Soon will be the judgement day When God will turn His face away Then to hell, they will go When offered salvation, they said no God's children He will gather in Those forgiven of their sin The rest will go to Satan's domain For they did not call God's name They're not His children, life is done They turned their backs on God's own Son Know now that God does see This wicked world of depravity He made the cure available to all If they would only answer His call Those who don't know Him on that day For the last time, God will turn away And with their mortal, dying breath They enter the hell after death Listen here and listen well God has NO children in hell >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah, Shangy! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- https://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->ShangyFunList AD RATES: $35 will get your ad message (of up to 40 words) out to all web site list readers. Email me to secure dates. Ad Request ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO Foundational Teaching Seminar NEW LIFE IN CHRIST! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->This is for all you who love food and DARE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy, good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: https://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes >Got A good Recipe? SHARE IT HERE: Share A Recipe **********************************************************************