Happy Blessed Easter Weekend! :) 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 ================ *~* May You Have A Most Happy Blessed Easter Celebration! :) __________________________ |.-----------..-----------.| || _ _ _ _|| ___ _ _ || || | | |/ \| \ \ \/ / || || | | ' | '_/ '_/\ / || || |_|_|_|_|_|||_| /_/ || ||___ _ ___||___ __ ___ || || _|/ \/ _/_ _| _| \|| || _| ' |__ \| || _| ' /|| ||___|_|_/___/|_||___|_|_\|| || || || ||-._________||___________|| '---------------------jgs--' >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) Our too hot to handle new page is from our friend FranC. It is one to give you some chuckles for your day. Be sure to check it out here... `-. . \`. . ``. \\`. .'`. `.`-. /// _.`.\`._ _..-'.'.' `. `--'_'_. =_` ` "--..'.' .-' ._.-' `--.___.:; ; , , _.-' `v' v -' ----------.. . .-' `. ';` .-' `. -------.-' `.. `._ \`-. '` / .''''''\ \ `. @.' .'| \. `._ _..-' .' /| `. .' /H/ `-.______.--' /s/ |/A/ _.-._ |/ ---/.-"-.\----' \`._.'/\/ """ Birds Being Bad! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/birdsbad.html --- ...Oh My! LOL! Thanks FranC! This next steaming hot new page is from our friends CarolC and Geniann. It will get you grinning ear to ear with all its funny, cute, silly and adorable cat meme photos. Be sure to take some time out to view it here: ._ .-' `-. .-' \ ; .-'\ ; `._.' ; | | | ; : ; : ; : / / ; : , ; | .-"7| .-'" : .-' .' : .-' \ .' .' `. .' `-. ""-.-'`"" `",`-._..--"7 ; . `-.J `-, ;"`.;|,_, ; _.' | `"" `. ."""--. o \:.-. _.' ."" : ,--`; , `--/}o,' ; ; .___.' / ,--.`-. `-..7_.- /_ \ : `..__.._; .'__; `---..__.-'-.`"-, .' `--. | \_; \' `-._.-") \\ `-, `. -.`_): `. `-"""`. ;__.' ;/ ; " `-.__7" `-..._.'`7 -._;' ``"-'' `--.,__.' fsc Purrfect Cat Moments! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/catmoments.html --- ...Aww, a nice pick-me-up! Thanks Ladies! -<>- *~* Last Month We Had A Superior Month Of Giving And Sharing! Be Sure To Check Out And Please Do Share All Of These: /\ /\ |`\\_,--="=--,_//`| \ ." :'. .': ". / ==) _ : ' : _ (== |>/O\ _ /O\<| | \-"~` _ `~"-/ | >|`===. \_/ .===`|< jgs .-"-. \===' | '===/ .-"-. -----{'. '`}---\, .-'-. ,/---{.'. '}----- `"---"` `~-===-~` `"---"` Funny Lighthearted Memes! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/funnymemes.html New Cat Owner's Stories! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/newcatowners.html Proud Of Our Troops 10! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/troops10.html Proud Of Our Troops 11! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/troops11.html Story Of Capitan! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/storyofcapitan.html Proud Of Our Troops 12! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/troops12.html No Words Necessary 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/nowords4.html Life's Little Oops 17! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/whoops17.html Only One Job 8! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/onejob8.html Science Can Be Fun! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/sciencehumor.html In The Wild Trivia! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wildtrivia.html Humorous Signs 8! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/hsigns8.html ,_ ,_ (\/) _, _, | '. '. \/ .' .' | \ \ \ / / / '.__\_|_ _|_/__.' /` '. .' `\ / ^ ) ( ^ \ / __.' '.__ \ .' (_ _) '. .' \'-._ _.-'/ '. / '.__)(__.' \ ; .-. '. .' .-. ; /`| / '._)(_.' \ |`\ | \ /--. .--\ / | '--'\ '-.__) (__.-' /'--' jgs )_____) (______( * May God Abundantly Bless All Our Contributors Through Christ Jesus! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: Worry is interest paid in advance for a debt you many never owe. There are some questions in life that seem to have no answers. You'll find today's entertaining list quite thought provoking. You might want to pass it along to your friends. What are the questions you have that keep you puzzled? ____ /\ __\_ / \/ \___\ \ /___/ /\_/ \ \ / \____\ ___/\ _ / / / \/ \ /_\/____/ \ / \___\ / \_/\ / / / \/___/ \ _ / / \/_| /___/ / \___\ \ /\_/___/ \/___/ [n4biS] >I WISH I KNEW by Kelly Mieszek I truly enjoy trivia. The topic is irrelevant, for I will read any off-beat, odd-ball set of facts or list assembled, be it arranged numerically, alphabetically, by frequency of occurance, time sequence of events, or people polled. I'm a trivia junkie. However, there are a few questions that seem to elude every list I've ever perused. These questions bug me, popping up in my thoughts with routine frequency. How I wish someone could provide the answers so that I can file these questions away and clear that space on my mental hard drive. Who can help me? 1. If someone puts on a pair of shoes there's a 50/50 chance of getting them on the correct feet. So why does my preschooler put them on the wrong feet 95% of the time? 2. How come I don't feel the hundreds of red ants crawling on my feet until they are all assembled and give the "all bite" signal? 3. Did the person who invented playdough have carpet? 4. If blinking only takes a fraction of a second, how are the majority of people able to capture someone doing it at least twice on a 24 picture roll of film? 5. Why do stores put in 25 check-out lanes, and then only open two? 6. How are children able to distinguish and distain the taste of liver and spinach, but have no problem consuming soap, crayons, paste and playdough? 7. If we can see the moon during the day, can the people in China see it, since it is nighttime there? 8. Why does my local library only have one copy of Raggedy Ann, which is always in use, but always has 45 copies of various Harry Potter books on the shelves? 9. Why is it so easy for me to fall asleep in front of the television with noise galore, but then be wide awake when I try to go to bed? 10. If my skin is constantly shedding, why won't my various scars and moles fall off? 11. If my windows and doors are closed, where does all the dust come from? 12. Why are men put in charge of ships in an ocean, satellites in outerspace, and tanks in the desert, but they can't seem to find the ketchup bottle in the refrigerator? 13. Have you noticed that a good haircut grows out twice as fast as a bad one? 14. If spiderwebs are made by spiders, what makes cobwebs -- cobs? 15. Why does the day have fewer hours since I became a mother? What did I do with all the free time I had before? If you can answer any of these questions, please let me know. -- Kelly Mieszek ___________________________________________ Kelly lives in Jacksonville, Florida, with her husband and three homsechooled children. They are constantly giving her new questions to add to her trivia list. You can reach her by clicking here: mailto:kelster63@edcomember.net --- * _| __ (__ Question _) | * jgs ...Aww, trivia For you trivia and fact hounds, we got you covered with many pages to spark your interest. Here are some: Amazing Animal Facts! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/animalfacts.html Amazing Animal Facts 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/animalfacts2.html Amazing Animal Facts 3! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/animalfacts3.html Amazing Animal Facts 4! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/animalfacts4.html Amazing Dream Facts! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dreamfacts.html Amazing Dream Facts 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dreamfacts2.html Amazing Feel Good Facts! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/triviafeelgood.html Amazing Football Facts! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/footballfacts.html Amazing Fun Facts! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/triviafun.html Amazing Human Body! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/humanbody.html Amazing Human Progress! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/humanprogress.html Amazing Human Progress 2! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/humanprogress2.html Amazing McDonald's Trivia! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/mcdonaldsfacts.html Amazing Science Facts! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/sciencefacts.html Amazing Subconscious Mind! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/subconscious.html Amazing Trivia Car Facts! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/triviacarfacts.html Amazing Trivia Facts! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/triviafacts.html Amazing Trivia Facts 2! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/triviafacts2.html Amazing Trivia Facts 3! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/triviafacts3.html Amazing Trivia Facts 4! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/triviafacts4.html Amazing Trivia Facts 5! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/triviafacts5.html Amazing Trivia Facts 6! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/triviafacts6.html Amazing Trivia Facts 7! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/triviafacts7.html Amazing Trivia Facts 8! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/triviafacts8.html Amazing Trivia Facts 9! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/triviafacts9.html Amazing Trivia Facts 10! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/triviafacts10.html Amazing Trivia Facts 11! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/triviafacts11.html Amazing Trivia Facts 12! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/triviafacts12.html Amazing Trivia Facts UK! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/triviafactsuk.html Amazing Trivia Facts US! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/triviafactsus.html Amazing Trivia Facts World! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/triviafactsworld.html Amazing Trivia Facts World 2! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/triviafactsworld2.html -<>- "Easter spells out beauty, the rare beauty of new life." -- S.D. Gordon Happy Easter and Passover! We hope that Spring will be popping out all over for you. We're starting to see budding daffodils here in the Northeast. Meantime, Kathe shares some memories in today's Heartwarmer about raising the kids and moving to a new log cabin in the Montana hills. Sounds good to us! ,__ / \ | '. | ; \ \| | '.__\ _/ .' '. .'```'-. / = ^ Y^)= ,-./ '-'` ,___^/ { | \ (_ '-\ | \'-._ \ / _..._ '.__) `. \";`` `'-. '. \ \_) jgs '._) '-' >BUNNY AND BEAR PANCAKES by Kathe Campbell It's said that if you wisely spread your bundles of joy out with a few years in-between, they won't abandon you in a blue funk all at once. I'm not sure how Ken and I managed it, but the good Lord must have lent a hand as we empty nested in tolerable stages. Our son was born six years ahead of our daughters who are two years apart. Dad and son had close years with all their guy stuff, while the girls and I did perpetual tea parties, dance, and Girl Scouts. After a little arm-twisting and greasing of the palm, our son became a built-in baby sitter of sorts. No more packing a half-asleep sitter into the car and driving her across town at 2am. The day came when our son, his mini fridge, and his truck went off to college, followed by a stint in the service. But for two smart and spirited teenyboppers keeping us on our toes, we'd have been as homesick for him, as he was for us. Only two grades apart, the girls savored their own special friends. Sports and cheerleading became their lives as they too sailed right past us, but always saving Sunday for family fun. Then suddenly, no more relaxing on Saturdays with pancakes in the shape of bunnies and bears, or giggly campouts in the backyard playhouse. No more carpools with a half dozen dusty ball players, their bags, and overflowing Slurpies. No more freaky music that fairly rocked the house off its moorings, endless practicing the right moves in the family room, and hours of clandestine phone calls. When the oldest daughter hit the college dorms, I looked forward to less laundry, although the question became debatable. We may have been part-time empty nesters but for her big laundry bag appearing in our hallway more often than not. And along with the laundry, the grocery bill hit the ceiling after numerous weekends of roommates and college chums rolling out in sleeping bags upstairs and down. The last one graduated college, got married and cast off to new horizons as we waved and threw weepy kisses. Ken and I looked at each other like strangers, barely knowing how to act in the sobering silence of our big deserted house. They had grown up, giving pleasure to replace any pain of their teen years. That made it all so worthwhile. No laying in bed at all hours wondering if they were just late, or bloody and broken on a snowy highway somewhere. And who's going to think we're not cool if we flop into bed by ten for a good night's sleep for a change? It was soon apparent that nobody was handy to help with yard chores and the job I abhorred most, washing a thousand windows. Ken was great about the yard, but claimed the windows were strictly woman's work. Rattling about, living with empty rooms crying out for growth and fun, even tempestuous moments and raging hormones, we kicked our traces. I took the bull by the horns, called our realtor, and viewed a glorious piece of wooded and streamed acres teeming with wildlife. We had talked often about a log home in the mountains only twenty minutes from town. So we did it. We were now land owners in our own paradise. The old house in town sold with grand memories and no regrets. I drew plans, the logs were ordered, and suddenly along came our brood with their campers on more weekends than we could count to help with the rise. Today we sit and rock in front of the fireplace on two-dog winter nights, swapping our times back and forth, still loving this new lifestyle while flipping a bunny pancake over for one of the grandchildren. We sometimes yearn for the sleepless nights worrying when the children were out, only now it's our backs and knees that are out. We miss those magnificent beings we so lovingly shaped and molded into success stories, for not long ago I heard our youngest daughter remark, "I have every intention of raising my kids just as I was raised." That just may say it all! -- Kathe Campbell __________________________________________________ Kathe lives her dream on a Montana mountain with her mammoth donkeys, a Keeshond, and a few kitties. Three children, eleven grands and three greats round out her herd. She is a prolific writer on Alzheimer's, and her stories are found on many ezines. Kathe is a contributing author to the Chicken Soup For The Soul and Cup of Comfort series, numerous anthologies, RX for Writers, magazines and medical journals. =========================================================== .-~-. .' '. / \ .-~-. : ; .' '.| | / \ : : ; .-~""~-,/ | /` `'. : | \ \ | / `. .' \ .' jgs `~~~` '-.____.-' >-->Egg Tip Many of you may remember the video of the guy showing us the easy way to peel eggs... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PN2gYHJNT3Y I tried this for fresh eggs [not store bought] which are extremely hard to peel. Most of the time they take forever to peel with it being a 50-50 chance of losing most of the egg white due to the shell not coming off of it. However, this video way didn't work for me. I tried it with two eggs, but I did find out something quite surprising. Starting the peel of the egg at the fat bottom end of it, I was able to quickly and easily peel the shell off every single time! A dozen eggs took less then 5 minutes to peel! I also learned that adding Baking Soda to the water while cooking will greatly increase the ease of peeling the shell. This is what to do... Hard Boiled Eggs: Put in pan with cold water covering all the eggs. Add a couple shakes of salt. Add a 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda. Use high heat. For large or jumble eggs, when the water starts to boil rapidly, let them boil for 20 minutes. Drain. Put the eggs in cold water. Peel each egg starting at the largest end. Enjoy! :) ======================================================== >-->From Daily Encounter: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Our Convictions Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall. So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith, and everything that does not come from faith is sin.1 A person of conviction is sure that his values are true. In contrast, many people choose to believe something based on conditions and circumstances. And if those situations change, so do opinions and loyalty. Let us look at two men in the Bible who stood firm in their convictions. Despite years of unfair treatment, Joseph never wavered in his principles. As a result, He was in the right place at the right time to ensure the survival of Israel (Genesis 50:20). Daniel, another righteous man who lived in an idolatrous land, gained the trust of foreign kings by standing firm in his beliefs (Daniel 1:19-20). As these heroes of faith demonstrate, convictions resist shifting winds of opinion and persuasive arguments. If we are rooted in the Word of God and trust what He has said, we can stand firm. Trust gives us the courage to remain strong in the midst of conflict. Instead of following your own preferences, choose to live with godly convictions and the values that the Bible says are most important. Through prayer and studying the Bible, the Heavenly Father will root us firmly in solid biblical convictions that will withstand the pressures of any trial. Suggested Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I come before You today to help me through Your Holy Spirit to stand firm in my convictions based on Your Word. May it not be what I think or what others think, but may it be Your Word guiding my life and my decisions. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen. 1. Romans 14:20-23 (NIV). Today's Encounter was written by: Rosina N. <:))))>< , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >It's In Your Power Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.1 I see them everywhere I go. They’re tired parents, frazzled spouses, burned-out employees... relatable people, going through different circumstances and situations that we’ve all been through. In fact we've probably seen them in their frustrations and thought, “I know exactly how you feel!" Yet, how often do we offer a kind word or smile? Sometimes, we selfishly look the other way so as not to be inconvenienced by others’ troubles. Or, maybe it’s fear that our good gesture will be rejected by a stranger. Other times we assume another person is more qualified and in a better position to encourage another. But, did you know that the Bible says that when we choose not to act it is as much of a sin as deliberately hurting others? Proverbs 3 has an entire list of ways to avoid treating others and ‘withholding good from others’ is at the top of the list followed by ‘harming others’! (v.27-35) Our inaction is placed in the same category as wrong and unjust behavior. The definition of “withholding good" might differ depending on who you ask, and then, it may be endlessly debated! The good news is that it doesn’t really matter who is right because we have been given the power to do something about it! God has granted us the power to do good things and free will to choose to do it. When we lean on the Almighty for the strength to do good things. We don’t have to be afraid to step out of our comfort zone. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.2 God’s Spirit fills us with His power which in turn fills us with His Love for others granting a healthy mind! And who today doesn’t strive for mental health? As Christians, we have a responsibility to others. We have the power to show kindness and love, especially to those who are lacking. We won’t be able to make every situation better but equipped with the power of the Holy Spirit we can no longer ignore the opportunity to show goodness to others. After all, in the words of “Uncle Ben" -- “With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility!" And we have a Great and Powerful God! Suggested Prayer: Dear Lord, I long to be more like You and You are Love and Mercy and Kindness. Fill me with Your power so that I can show Your Goodness to all that need more of You today. In Jesus Christ’s name, Amen. 1. Proverbs 3:27 (ESV). 2. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV). Today’s Encounter was written by: Veronica B. --- ...This reminds me and Probably reminds you too of those that stand there with their little phone camera and video a bad thing happening. Many think only of how many hits they'll get posting it instead of actually stepping in and giving aide to those who need it! It is to their shame and as this teaching points out, it is considered a sin - and rightly so. The bad guy will get his just reward... Gal.6 [7] Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. But what goes around comes around - walk a mile in my shoes? How would they like it if they are in trouble and someone simply videos them instead of stepping in and helping? If you can't overpower a bad guy or physically help in some way, then the least you could do would be to call 911 to get help! Do something good! When copying or forwarding include the following: "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2016 ACTS International. =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: __ /_/\/\ \_\ / /_/ \ \_\/\ \ \_\/ unknown >Story by: Bill Greer, Chicken Soup for the Veteran's Soul In your times of deep despair, Do you feel there is no hope? As the darkness closes in on you, Do you feel you cannot cope? As you struggle on through every trial, Do you say "When will it end"? As you cry yourself to sleep at night, Do you wish you had a friend? When your body's racked with aches and pains, Do you feel you are alone? When you think about the future, Do you fear the great unknown? There is someone who really cares, And He hears your every cry. His arms are reaching out to you, And on Him you can rely. When things close in around you, He sees your fear and doubt - He wants to hold you in His arms, And He will never cast you out. As you stumble through the darkness, He will be your guiding light. He wants to wipe away your tears, For you are precious in His sight. Reach out right now to Jesus, And let Him take complete control - He'll take that heavy burden, And He'll touch and make you whole. He's reaching out His arms to you, And He wants to be your friend. Let Him take you in His loving arms, For His love will never end.. -<>- ____________ _..._ | ________ | ___ .' `. ____________ ||s`edewS || | /`. .-' \ | ||rehctuB || | )X / X. "\ | || pohS || | | (_) _/ | ||________|| | /((())) / \_____ | | ] | | \______/ // \ | | | | _..-) // (\/)\ | | | | / .\\_..-' \ \/ \ | | | |_/ \ `. Mom \___| | | / | \ / _____|__________| / / / / _______ | ./| / / _|____\_| | / \ / _) \__ \ / (_\ \() ___|_____|____ / / \\_\/ __/ | |/ /___| ..'`..'| | | _/_/ | JRO .'(( ((( |__| |(__() | .'((( ((( .'__| | |______|________ ((( (( ((`. | | | / ((((( (((((`.| | | / ((( ((( ((.'| | / / `..-''-....' |___________|/ / by: Bill Greer, Chicken Soup for the Veteran's Soul A butcher watching over his shop is really surprised when he saw a dog coming inside the shop. He shoos him away. But later, the dog is back again. So, he goes over to the dog and notices he has a note in his mouth. He takes the note and it reads "Can I have 12 sausages and a leg of lamb, please. The dog has money in his mouth, as well." The butcher looks inside and, lo and behold, there is a ten dollar Note there. So he takes the money and puts the sausages and lamb in a bag, placing it in the dog's mouth. The butcher is so impressed, and since it's about closing time, he decides to shut up shop and follow the dog. So off he goes. The dog is walking down the street when he comes To a level crossing. The dog puts down the bag, jumps up and presses the button. Then he waits patiently, bag in mouth, for the lights to turn. They do, and he walks across the road, with the butcher following him all the way. The dog then comes to a bus stop, and starts looking at the timetable. The butcher is in awe at this stage. The dog checks out the times, and then sits on one of the seats provided. Along comes a bus. The dog walks around to the front, looks at the number, and goes back to his seat. Another bus comes. Again the dog goes and looks at the number, notices it's the right bus, and climbs on. The butcher, by now, open-mouthed, follows him onto the bus. The bus travels through the town and out into the suburbs, the dog Looking at the scenery. Eventually he gets up, and moves to the front of the bus. He stands on 2 back paws and pushes the button to stop the bus. Then he gets off, his groceries still in his mouth. Well, dog and butcher are walking along the road, and then the dog turns into a house. He walks up the path, and drops the groceries on the step. Then he walks back down the path, takes a big run, and throws himself against the door. He goes back down the path, runs up to the door and again, it throws himself against it. There's no answer at the house, so the dog goes back down the path, jumps up on a narrow wall, and walks along the perimeter of the garden. He gets to the window, and beats his head against it several times, walks back, jumps off, and waits at the door. The butcher watches as a big guy opens the door, and starts abusing the dog, kicking him and punching him, and swearing at him. The butcher runs up, and stops the guy. "What in heaven's name are You doing? The dog is a genius. He could be on TV, for the life of me!" to which the guy responds: "You call this clever? This is the second time this week that this stupid dog's forgotten his key." Reflection: Looks like some, people will never be satisfied with what they've got. When it comes to the work place, Employers do not know how to appreciate their people who have served them loyally through the years. I've seen companies lose good people for the simple fact their leaders failed to show appreciation. Employers with big egos enjoy the fact that they have more power and authority than others. They show, in the way they give orders and directions, that they think they are superior. They get a kick out of displaying this superiority. People who do this are fools, and everyone but them knows it. They are never satisfied because they could not be satisfied even if their people perform well. They don't listen to the opinion and ideas of their subordinates. Why? Because of their stupid pride and insecurity. People of this kind will never be satisfied. Why? Because they are so busy wrapped up in themselves and, fact is, the self can never be satisfied. Happy and productive people are always those who are "others-centered" rather than "self- centered." The greatest idea of leadership is not someone who throws his weight around. Rather, he is a servant. As the Bible would say, "He who wish to be a leader should first be a servant." His joy is derived from delivering a job that others benefit from his contribution. Aim for service and success will follow. -<>- .---------. _ |:: [-=-] | | | |_________| |~| |_| ,;;;;, I\ ,__ ,;;;, __, ///\\\\\ I |{ / . . \ } / " \\|| I | ) ( _ ) ( \_= _/// I |{___'-. .-'___}\___ )_\ I ||~/,'~~~~~,\~~|'---(( \ I \ // \\ | \ \ \ I \/ // | | /-/ I (/ (/ | |/||\ I | | | | I | | |____/ I :-----_o_-----: || | I | /~~|===|~~\ | (( | jgs I || |===| || ||_/ /^\ "~ '^^^' "" ((__| >Casey By Kati Dori His older brother, Justin, was just getting over chicken pox on Casey's second birthday. Poor Justin missed the party while he was quarantined from the other kids. Casey loved his brother and took each gift he opened upstairs to let Justin play with it. After cutting the cake, Casey took the first piece up to his brother. In fact, he spent most of his birthday going up and down the stairs to Justin's room. Casey had the cutest lisp when he talked, and he stuttered when he was excited. His blond hair lay in wisps across his forehead, and his smile could warm the coldest heart. He was so innocent. No one could have predicted what was about to happen to this precious child. One week following his birthday, Casey was plastered with nasty red spots, and then he spiked a fever. He was flat in bed, unable to keep any food or fluids down, becoming more and more dehydrated every minute. It was a Sunday night and I couldn't break his 105- degree fever. I rushed him to the emergency room. The doctor told me Casey was just going through a normal reaction to chicken pox and sent us home, against my better judgment. The next day, Casey was almost lifeless, and he was admitted to the hospital with severe dehydration and an internal infection from his chicken pox. I sat by my mother, tears flowing down my face, as she lifted my son and all his tubes into my arms. I felt weak and numb all over. Casey briefly opened his eyes, looked into mine and drifted off again. The doctor told us that Casey's chicken pox had caused a poison in his bloodstream and they were unsure what to do, except continue intravenous (IV) fluids and antibiotics, and try to keep his fever under control. The nurses rolled a bed into his room to enable me to stay with him. I was awake all night holding my precious boy. In the morning the doctor came in to check Casey again. Four nurses followed and hooked up more wires to my son. Casey was unresponsive, though everyone tried waking him. I kept looking at the heart monitor which would speed up and slow down, then speed up again. The doctor started making more frequent visits and the nurses were in constantly. Later that evening, the doctor told me Casey was slipping into a coma. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. For the next four days, I never left Casey's side. I didn't even go home to shower and change my clothes. There was just no improvement. Family members drifted in and out. My mother was there most frequently. Every moment of every day I prayed for my son's life and health. The doctors were baffled. No one had ever heard of chicken pox making anyone this desperately ill. I noticed on Friday that the heart monitor kept elevating and not decreasing at all. The doctor was called in immediately. I leaned against the wall in the hallway, emotionally exhausted, as the doctor put his hand on my shoulder. "Lisa," he stated, "Casey's on the verge of heart failure and there's nothing more we can do." I felt my whole body go numb. His voice grew farther away and echoed. "Is there any family you would like to call that's not already here?" The only person I called was my pastor. Then for the next forty-five minutes, I sat in a daze, rocking my son and staring into his blank, pale, yet peaceful face. Pastor George walked into the room. His face was sober, but reassuring. My mother took Casey from me so I could get up and greet George. He reached out and put his arms around me as I quietly trembled and sobbed. George then went to Casey, kneeled down and kissed his forehead. All of our family gathered in a circle with Casey still in my mother's arms. We joined hands and George prayed for Casey's recovery. We continued to pray fervently, and then sat as George comforted us. Twenty minutes later, Casey sneezed. His heart monitor went nuts, and then he opened his eyes for the first time in four days. He smiled and reached up to touch his grandmother's tear-streamed face. My mother nearly screamed with joy. "Hello, my sweet boy!" Casey looked at me. "Mama." He reached his arms out for me. "Hi, my baby boy!" I whispered between sobs of joy and relief. "You were sleeping for a long time." Casey sat up and said, "I'm hungry." His voice was raspy from not speaking for so long. He looked around his room and spotted my half- eaten hoagie. "I want that," he pointed. The doctor stood in the doorway and exclaimed, "Give him whatever he wants. Hey, big guy!" The doctor just shook his head and smiled. "I don't believe this," he said. He stepped over to Casey and listened to his heart. "Perfect! I have never seen anything like this in my entire medical career. His heart rate is perfect." It seemed the entire hospital staff was talking about the miracle which happened before their eyes. Nurses kept coming into Casey's room to say hello and kiss him on the cheek. Two days later, I brought Casey home. Justin was thrilled to see his brother and nearly knocked him down as he came through the door. Casey has his tenth birthday coming up. He gets straight A's in school, and he and Justin are still extremely close. So if anyone ever doubts that God performs miracles, you tell them to see me. -<>- |..| ? ? c >| ? \'/ /><\ unknown >Why Are Things The Way They Are? During my junior year in high school, Mr. Reynolds, my English teacher, handed each student a list of thoughts or statements written by other students, then gave us a creative writing assignment based on one of those thoughts. At 17, I was beginning to wonder about many things, so I chose the statement, "I wonder why things are the way they are?" That night, I wrote down, in the form of a story, all the questions that puzzled me about life. I realized that many of them were hard to answer, and perhaps others could not be answered at all. When I turned in my paper, I was afraid I might fail the assignment because I had not answered the question, "I wonder why things are the way they are?" I had no answers. I had only written questions. The next day Mr. Reynolds called me to the front of the class and asked me to read my story for the other students. He handed me my paper and sat down in the back of the room. The class became quiet as I began to read my story: Mommie, Daddy........ Why? Mommie, why are the roses red? Mommie, why is the grass green and the sky blue? Why does a spider have a web and not a house? Daddy, why can't I play in your toolbox? Teacher, why do I have to read? Mother, why can't I wear lipstick to the dance? Daddy, why can't I stay out until 12:00? The other kids are. Mother, why do you hate me? Daddy, why don't the boys like me? Why do I have to be so skinny? Why do I have braces and wear glasses? Why do I have to be 16? Mom, why do I have to graduate? Dad, why do I have to grow up? Mom, Dad, why do I have to leave? Mom, why don't you write more often? Dad, why do I miss my old friends? Dad, why do you love me so much? Dad, why do you spoil me? Your little girl is growing up. Mom, why don't you visit? Mom, why is it hard to make new friends? Dad, why do I miss being at home? Dad, why does my heart skip a beat when he looks in my eyes? Mom, why do my legs tremble when I hear his voice? Mother, why is being "in love" the greatest feeling in the world? Daddy, why don't you like to be called "Gramps?" Mother, why do my baby's tiny fingers cling so tightly to mine? Mother, why do they have to grow up? Daddy, why do they have to leave? Why do I have to be called "Grannie"? Mommie, Daddy, why did you have to leave me? I need you. Why did my youth slip past me? Why does my face show every smile that I have ever given to a friend or a stranger? Why does my hair glisten a shiny silver? Why do my hands quiver when I bend to pick a flower? Why, God, are the roses red? At the conclusion of my story, my eyes locked with Mr. Reynold's eyes, and I saw a tear slowly sliding down his cheek. It was then I realized that life is not always based on the answers we receive, but also on the questions we ask. -Author Unknown -<>- __ /_/\/\ \_\ / /_/ \ \_\/\ \ \_\/ unknown >I'll be back! Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after His resurrection? I never noticed this.... The Gospel of John (20:7) tells us that the napkin, which was placed over the face of Jesus, was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes. The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that the napkin was neatly folded, and was placed at the head of that stony coffin. Early Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, 'They have taken the Lord's body out of the tomb, and I don't know where they have put him!' Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see. The other disciple out ran Peter and got there first. He stopped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there, but he didn't go in. Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus' head was folded up and lying to the side. Was that important? Absolutely! Is it really significant? Yes! In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day. The folded napkin had to do with the Master and Servant, and every Jewish boy knew this tradition. When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it. The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating, and the servant would not dare touch that table, until the master was finished. Now if the master was done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard, and would wad up that napkin and toss it onto the table. The servant would then know to clear the table. For in those days, the wadded napkin meant, "I'm finished.." But if the master got up from the table, and folded his napkin, and laid it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table, because... The folded napkin meant, "I'm coming back!" AND SO HE SHALL... -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment :) Vivacious Exotic Flowers!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/vivaciousflowers.html Jesus Life! http://www.shangralas.com/jesuslife.html Thank You Lord! http://www.shangralas.com/thanks.html Volker's Easter Tree! http://www.shangralas.com/eastertree.html Who Is This Jesus? http://www.shangralas.com/jesus.html Wally The Rabbit! http://www.shangralas.com/wallytherabbit.html Holy Alphabet!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/holyalpha.html Walk With Jesus!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/walk.html Beautiful Butterflies http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/butterflies.html Largest Easter Bunny! http://www.shangralas.com/bunny.html Pysanky Easter Eggs http://www.shangralas.com/eastereggs.html Church Mouse Wisdom! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/churchmouse.html Our Valuable Anchor! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/ouranchor.html Last Day! http://www.shangralas.com/lastday.html Good Easter! http://www.shangralas.com/easter.html Who Is Jesus? http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/whoisjesus.html Easter Joy! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/easterjoy.html EASTER Index!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/easterindex.html -<>- What does the Bible say about Easter? https://stfi.org/articles/what-does-the-bible-say-about-easter/ The Four Crucified With Christ https://tinyurl.com/yab68axa Our God Is An Awesome God! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RGcb7alSk0&feature=related NASA just recently confirmed what the Bible has said all along... https://map.gsfc.nasa.gov/media/060915/index.html Believe in God in 5 Minutes (Scientific Proof) Gerald Schroeder is a scientist with over thirty years of experience in research and teaching. He earned his Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctorate degrees all at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, with his doctorate thesis being under the supervision of physics professor Robley D. Evans. This was followed by five years on the staff of the MIT physics department prior to moving to Israel, where he joined the Weizmann Institute of Science and then the Volcani Research Institute, while also having a laboratory at The Hebrew University. His Doctorate is in two fields: Earth sciences and physics. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQVm8RokoBA Shine Jesus Shine! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gr5Y63bDNNg&feature=related He Has RISEN! http://www.gieson.com/Library/projects/animations/risen/ He Has RISEN 2! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_UcWRcoleI He Has RISEN 3! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwLR1BGmZSw 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 Our Friend Sandi :) * * *%%* ,,,,, *%%* *%%%%%* W*W*W*W *%%%%%* *%%%%%%%* {//"\\}*%%%%%%%* *%%%%%%%%%*{{/6.6\}}*%%%%%%%%%* *%%%%%%%%%%%*{{( = )}}*%%%%%%%%%%%* *%%%%%%%%%%%%*}}}}) ({{{{*%%%%%%%%%%%%* *%%%%%%%%%%%* {{{{ }}}} *%%%%%%%%%%%* *%%%%%%%%%* We are each of us *%%%%%%%%%* *%%%%%* angels with only one wing*%%%%%* jgs *%%* And we can only fly *%%* * embracing each other. * -Luciano Decrescenzo >We Are Human Angels When 740 children were condemned to the sea and the world said no, one man said yes. The world was on fire in 1942, and 740 exhausted children were trapped on a ship in the middle of the Arabian Sea with nowhere to go. These Polish orphans had already survived the horrors of Soviet labor camps, where they watched their parents perish from hunger and disease. They had traveled through Iran to reach the coast of India, praying for safety, but every British-controlled port turned them away. One by one, the doors of the world slammed shut, leaving hundreds of hungry, terrified children drifting toward a certain death. Among them was twelve-year-old Maria. She held her six-year-old brother’s hand tightly, remembering the last promise she made to their dying mother: “Keep him safe.” But as the ship’s food ran low and the medicine disappeared, Maria looked at the horizon and saw only rejection. The British authorities, who ruled India at the time, insisted the children were not their responsibility. It seemed as though these 740 souls were invisible to a world consumed by war. However, news of the wandering ship reached the ears of Jam Sahib Digvijay Singhji, the Maharaja of Nawanagar. He ruled a small princely state in Gujarat. He wasn’t a world leader with a massive army, and he certainly wasn’t required to help. In fact, by welcoming the children, he would be directly defying the British Empire, which had already said “no.” When his advisors told him the tragic story, the Maharaja didn’t ask about the cost or the political risks. He simply asked how many children there were. When they told him “seven hundred and forty,” he made a decision that would echo through history. He declared that while the British might control the ports, they did not control his conscience. In August 1942, the ship finally docked at Nawanagar. The children who walked off that gangplank were skeletal, weak, and too traumatized to even cry. They expected to see soldiers or barbed wire. Instead, they saw a man dressed in white waiting for them on the pier. The Maharaja knelt down so he could look the smallest children in the eye. Through an interpreter, he spoke words that changed their lives forever: “Do not consider yourselves orphans. From this moment on, I am your father, and you are my children.” He didn’t just give them a place to sleep; he gave them a home. In the village of Balachadi, he built a sanctuary. He didn’t try to force Indian culture on them. Instead, he hired Polish teachers so they wouldn’t forget their language. He made sure they had Polish food and allowed them to practice their religion and sing their traditional songs. Under the hot Indian sun, these children celebrated Polish Christmas and felt the warmth of a family they thought they had lost forever. For four years, while the rest of the planet was tearing itself apart, the Maharaja funded every doctor’s visit, every meal, and every schoolbook from his own personal fortune. When the war finally ended and it was time for the “children of the Maharaja” to leave, many wept. They were leaving the only place that had treated them with dignity when the rest of the world looked away. Those survivors have become doctors, engineers, and grandparents. In Poland, there are squares and schools named after Jam Sahib Digvijay Singhji, and he is remembered as a national hero. Power is not measured by the lands you conquer, but by the lives you protect. When the world closes its heart, your greatest act of rebellion is to open yours. True immortality is found in the kindness that outlasts the king. >We Are Human Angels< Authors Awakening the Human Spirit We are the authors of 'We Are Human Angels,' the book that has spread a new vision of the human experience and has been spontaneously translated into 14 languages by readers. We hope our writing sparks something in you! --- ...So heartwarming it brought tears to my eyes. Thank you Sandi! ========================================================== >-->From God'sDailyWord: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >The Other Son The parable of the prodigal son contains so many practical lessons on relationships (particularly for parents) that we often forget Jesus spoke this parable in response to an accusation from the Pharisees; "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them" (Luke 15:2). The message of the prodigal son is really about our Heavenly Father who rejoices every time a "sinner" turns their heart to Him in repentance. But why did Jesus talk about TWO sons? What was the message of the son who remained at home? He was the son who quietly watched his younger brother make disrespectful demands on his father; "Give me my share of the estate" (Luke 15:12). He was the son who stayed at home to work the fields while his brother "squandered his wealth in wild living" (Luke 15:13). And he was the son who became angry with his father and refused to celebrate his brother's return: "All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat" (Luke 15:29). This was the son who walked the straight and narrow - walked the path of disciplined obedience - but he missed his opportunity to receive true blessings as he walked. Luke 15:31 "'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.'" The son had been "slaving" in the hope of a future blessing, but his heart was not joyfully serving. He missed the real blessing of walking with his father and having free access to everything his father owned. As believers in the saving grace of Jesus Christ, we understand that people can be saved at any point in their life - regardless of past sins. The thief on the cross received his Salvation only moments before he died. But there is always part of us that cries "foul!" Somehow it doesn't seem fair when others have worked so hard for so long. This attitude shows we also have missed the blessing of walking with our Lord. Heaven is never a reward for "obedient" living; it is a free gift to those who believe in Jesus. We should never feel we are "slaving" under the burden of His commands in order to earn His favor. Rather, we are to joyfully follow because we know that only in Him, only walking with Him in a loving relationship, is there true peace, true contentment... true blessings! Let's follow our Lord with a firm perspective of eternity, but let's never become so focused on the future that we miss the blessings given to us today - the blessings of the journey! Let's renew our joy at being allowed to walk every day with our Heavenly Father and rejoice whenever a repentant heart returns home. Let's never make the sad mistake of living the burdened life of the other son. Have a Christ Centered Day! Steve Troxel God's Daily Word Ministries **** Reading Plan **** ?Deuteronomy 21:1-22:30; Luke 9:51-10:12; Psalm 74:1-23; Proverbs 12:11 Deuteronomy 23:1-25:19; Luke 10:13-37; Psalm 75:1-10; Proverbs 12:12-14 Deuteronomy 26:1-27:26; Luke 10:38-11:13; Psalm 76:1-12; Proverbs 12:15-17 Deuteronomy 28:1-68; Luke 11:14-36; Psalm 77:1-20; Proverbs 12:18 <:))))>< , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Their Field of Pigs The parable of the prodigal son has had special meaning to our family over the years. We have witnessed nearly every aspect of this parable work itself out through the life of our eldest daughter, from the pain of her rebellion to the joy of her return. Many of you journeyed through this parable with us and held us up in prayer for many years. This is a common issue faced by parents all over the world; no matter what country or culture, parents agonize over the one who has gone astray. In this parable, we see a rebellious young man demanding what he felt was rightfully his: "Father, give me my share of the estate" (Luke 15:12). This disrespectful attitude grew until the son no longer desired to live under his father's roof. He "got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living" (Luke 15:13). The reason this is such a universally common issue is that we are all born with the same sinful nature - a nature which holds us in tight control unless we are utterly transformed by the Spirit of God through faith in Jesus; "Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires" (Romans 8:5). At the heart of the sinful nature is a pride which continually demands what we believe we deserve - this is the root of all sin! The prodigal son continued to live according to his sinful nature until he found himself in a field of pigs; "he longed to fill his stomach with the pods {the pigs} were eating" (Luke 15:16). But God used this terrible situation to soften the heart of the prodigal son and bring him to a state of submitted repentance. Luke 15:17-18 "When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.'" Before the son left home, I'm sure the father tried to provide wise counsel about the true priorities in life. I'm sure the father desperately tried every possible method of guiding the son along the straight and narrow path. I'm also pretty sure the father simply held his son close and wept. Unfortunately, the lessons the son needed to learn could only be taught through pigs. There is nothing more painful than to watch someone you love walk down a path of obvious pain; nothing rips the heart like watching your child walk away from God and engage in various forms of "wild living." But it helps to remember that God loves the prodigal more than we can hope or imagine. He desires to live with them in an eternally restored relationship. Our Heavenly Father will never miss an opportunity to teach the prodigal and draw them near - even as they may drift and sink - even as they may wallow in their field of pigs. Have a Christ Centered Day! Steve Troxel God's Daily Word Ministries **** Reading Plan **** ? Deuteronomy 5:1-6:25; Luke 7:11-35; Psalm 68:19-35; Proverbs 11:29-31 Deuteronomy 7:1-8:20; Luke 7:36-8:3; Psalm 69:1-18; Proverbs 12:1 Deuteronomy 9:1-10:22; Luke 8:4-21; Psalm 69:19-36; Proverbs 12:2-3 Deuteronomy 11:1-12:32; Luke 8:22-40; Psalm 70:1-5; Proverbs 12:4 --- _______ / /_ / -/- / / / / / / /_______/ / jgs ((______| / `"""""""` ...Yes Many of us have been there. I remember a time in my life I wanted to be closer to my older sister so when she denied God, so did I. I didn't feel it in my heart of hearts, but still acted out on it. God never gave up on me or my sister. He brought us both back into his fold thru my best friend and wrapped his loving arms around us giving us more wisdom and understanding of His Word so we could stand strong and firm with Him. I learned much from taking the Way's Power For Abundant Living Class that I shared with my sister and is being shared today in teachings on this great website: Bible Study Index http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Contents.htm ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend LauriR :) | | | _ | | <_> | | | | | `-._ | |`-._| | | _________________________________|____ `-._ `-._ | `-._ `-._ | kat `-._ `-._ He attended a Super Bowl party given for children at Manning's family Children's Hospital. He spoke with every child attending and knew their name before he approached them. God bless him. --- "New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis was fined $7,017 by the NFL in 2019 for wearing a "Man of God" headband during a game, citing league rules against personal messages. Davis appealed the decision and ultimately won, with the fine being rescinded. He then turned the situation into an opportunity for good-selling "Man of God" headbands and raising over $60,000, which was matched to $120,000 for St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi (with later reports suggesting even greater totals). His story shows how standing firm in faith can transform challenges into blessings, as God can use opposition to create impact and bring glory through generosity." --- ...So sweet of him! Thanks LauriR! ========================================================== >-->From CupO'Cheer: _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ >STAYING POSITIVE IN A NEGATIVE WORLD -Barbara Dahlgren Negativity abounds. We live in a “put-down” society – one that is eager to point out our short comings. We are not thin enough, smart enough, or good enough and probably never will be in the eyes of this world. This negative input gives one a flawed perspective of how they really are. People who feel they are fat and stupid will gladly drown their sorrows in a super-sized burger meal while spending all their time watching reruns of Sponge Bob. And let’s face it; we are all prone to be influenced more by the negative than the positive. Ten positive comments can be quickly overshadowed by one negative. In fact we will tend to forget the ten positive comments and obsess over the one negative. So we must work all the harder to maintain a positive frame of mind. According to the Mayo Clinic those who practice positive thinking decrease stress, improve overall health, and increase coping skills. Norman Vincent Peale’s book The Power of Positive Thinking was written in 1952 and has sold over 20 million copies in 41 languages. I’ve had my copy for over forty years and still read parts of it every now and then. Although a bit outdated the overall principles still ring true. Peale was convinced there was a connection between the mind and the spirit – a very biblical concept. In fact Peale applied Christianity to everyday problems. Peale said, “through prayer you … make use of the great factor within yourself, the deep subconscious mind … [which Jesus called] the kingdom of God within you … Positive thinking is just another term for faith.” He also wrote, “Your unconscious mind … [has a] power that turns wishes into realities when the wishes are strong enough.” I’m not sure about making wishes reality, but I do think positive thinking enhances our lives. Paul gave us this advice in Philippians 4:4-8: rejoice always, be thankful, guard your mind, pray, don’t be afraid, and think about what is true, noble, lovely, good, virtuous and praise worthy. How people choose to do that is up to them. Here are a few things I find helpful: At the end of the day I try to think about what I got done, not what I didn’t get done. During the day I try to focus on the good qualities of my family and co-workers instead of the things they do that drive me crazy. I count my blessings – not just mentally, but I actually list them on a piece of paper that fits in my wallet. Then I take them out and look at them several times a day. I also write scriptures like Romans 8:28 and Philippians 4:8 on a slip of paper and carry them with me to look at, too. I try to fill my prayers with more thanksgiving rather than making it a “give-me” of things I want God to do for me. I ask God to help me recall all the wonderful things he’s done for me that I’ve forgotten. I ask God to change my outlook so I can be a more positive person, not just for my sake, but for all those who come into contact with me for I profess to be a Christian. Now I’m not saying I’ve perfected this positive thinking thing, but I am a lot happier when I do these things than when I’m watching reruns of Sponge Bob Square Pants. as seen at barbdahlgren.com -<>- (~~~~~~~~~) | POWER | | | |_______| unknown >DO NOT REACH FOR THE POWER "For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh" (Philippians 3:3). A few years ago, I was asked by a large organization to meet with them about doing some cooperative projects in the faith at work area. I visited their headquarters and had several initial discussions. We concluded that we would proceed on a joint conference. During my visit, I stayed overnight at the headquarters of this ministry. I was awakened at 5 A.M. and led to read Exodus 33:15. Moses said he could not go any further if God did not promise that His presence would go with him. I sensed this was to be our theme for the conference. Later that morning, I shared that I had received this leading from the Lord regarding the theme of the conference with some of the people in the organization. However, when I shared this with the leader of the organization, he did not take it seriously. I was a bit irritated and my pride was hurt, but I decided to follow a principle that I had been walking in for a few years: act like you have the authority, but do not reach for the power. I realized that if God had truly spoken His words into my heart, I would not have to exercise my authority to make it happen. God would orchestrate it. More discussion was given to the theme, but nothing was resolved. A few hours later, the conference theme came up again. I turned to a friend and read Exodus 33:15 aloud, and he got excited about using that verse as the possible theme of the event. The leader, to my amazement, chimed in as well and said, "Yes, that should be the theme of the conference." It was a big lesson for me. Act like you have the authority, but do not reach for the power. as seen in Today God is First -<>- . / \ / . \ / / \ \ / / \ \ / / \ \ / / _ _O \ \ / / \ / | \ \ / / / /| \ \ / / //\\ `. . \ \ / / // \\ / \ \ \ / / // || /___\ \ \ / `-----------------' \ `-----------------------' jrei >WORKING WITH A NET PSALM 16:8 When the Golden Gate bridge was being built in San Francisco, a number of workers lost their lives by falling from precariously high positions. As a result, the work proceeded slowly until someone hit on the idea of building a net under the construction area so that when a workman fell, he would not fall to his death but would be caught by the net. A giant safety net was developed, at a cost of $100,000. This was the first time something like this was used at a construction site. With the security of the net below them, men were able to move about at a faster pace because they knew that if they fell their lives would be spared. The net took away the dread of uncertainty. We may not be able to see the net below us, but it’s there. Our security comes from a loving, all-powerful God who protects us every step of the way. David said... I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. (Psalm 16:8) as seen in Monday Memo -<>- __________ /________ /| | XII , | | | ,' | | |IX * III| | | `. | | |____VI___| | | | | | | | | | | | | | -|- | /` |/ -|- | /` |/ | ( ) | | | | \, |\ | | \, |\ ejm |_________|/ >MEASURED IN TIME... The simple pleasures in life Are sometimes Missed by so many Most people never realize That the greatest ones Are right in front of them A kind word, a gentle touch And a smile among friends Can never be truly measured Because it’s worth Only increases with each breath And its value can only Be measured in time - Greg O’Brien 2000 Available Free by E-mail every other day. To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com. You can find me on Facebook as Kimberly B. O'Brien Quiggle. ========================================================== >-->>Politics - America... .--,--. `. ,.' |___| :o o: O LE GOURMAND A TRAVAILLE _`~^~'_ | by dcau /' ^ `\=) .' _______ '~| `(<=| |= /' | | |_____| ~~~~~~~ ===== ~~~~~~~~ >From Our Friend CurtB :) The White House Chef Said President Trump Is The Hardest President He Ever Cooked For. See Why. America, the White House chef just broke his silence. After years of cooking for four Presidents - quietly, loyally, without saying a single word publicly - he finally opened his mouth. And what he revealed about Donald Trump - compared to every other President he served - is something that will make your jaw drop completely. Because nobody saw this coming. Not even the media. Chef Andre Rush. Nearly 20 years inside the White House kitchen. Four Presidents. Clinton. Bush. Obama. Trump. A man who watched all of them up close - not from a press briefing, not from a campaign trail - but from the most honest place possible. Their kitchen. Because you can lie in a speech. You can perform at a rally. You can craft an image for the cameras. But in a kitchen - at odd hours - when the food is being prepared and nobody important is watching - That is where the real person shows up. And here is what Chef Rush revealed that the media buried in one sentence and moved on from. When asked which President was the hardest to cook for - He said Trump. But not for the reason you think. "He's a worker. He's up all night. It wasn't a lot of morning breakfast." Up all night. The kitchen was ready. The food was prepared. And Trump was not there to eat it. Because he was working. Then Rush said something about the OTHER three Presidents - Clinton, Bush, Obama - that told you everything about the difference. Those Presidents ate. Regularly. On schedule. The kitchen knew when to expect them. What they wanted. How they liked things prepared. Trump? The chef never knew when Trump would appear. Because Trump's schedule was not built around meals. It was built around America. And when Trump DID come through that kitchen? "Always friendly. Always complimentary to the staff." Not once - in all those years - did Trump make the kitchen staff feel small. Never a harsh word. Never a demand that crossed a line. Never the behavior that powerful people often show when they think nobody important is watching. Just - thank you. Good job. I appreciate it. Every single time. And then Rush said the part that completely broke me. "He does try to eat healthy. People don't get to see that part. They just see what we want to show on social media." The media spent years showing you Trump eating McDonald's. The Diet Coke. Every image designed to make him look careless. And his own chef - the man who actually cooked his food - said publicly that Trump tries. That the real picture is different from what the media shows. That behind every carefully curated image is a man who is actually trying to take care of himself - while being up all night, skipping breakfast, and carrying 330 million people on his shoulders. Four Presidents. One chef. And after nearly 20 years - the verdict from the man who fed them all was simple. Trump was the hardest to cook for. Not because he was difficult. Because he was never there - always working, always carrying, always choosing America over his own meal. And when he did show up - he was always kind to the people who served him. Always. That is the real Trump. And it took his chef 8 years to say it. ALWAYS KIND TO THE STAFF - just shows you the Trump that four Presidents worth of kitchen staff finally confirmed. Pass this to every American who still believes what the media shows them - because the man who is always up, barely eating, and always kind to the kitchen staff is not the man they described. And President Trump gives all his salary to charities. He puts America first every time. -<>- _ _.-'`-._ _ ;.'________'.; _________n.[____________].n_________ |""_""_""_""||==||==||==||""_""_""_""] |"""""""""""||..||..||..||"""""""""""| |LI LI LI LI||LI||LI||LI||LI LI LI LI| |.. .. .. ..||..||..||..||.. .. .. ..| |LI LI LI LI||LI||LI||LI||LI LI LI LI| ,,;;,;;;,;;;,;;;,;;;,;;;,;;;,;;,;;;,;;;,;;,, ;;jgs;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; >From Our Friend GarvitG :) Today I finally understood something about Trump's team that I had been missing this entire time. And once I tell you what it is, I think you will feel exactly what I felt. Because it is so simple. And so powerful. And so completely obvious once you see it. That you will wonder how you ever missed it. Marco Rubio. A bartender's son who grew up with nothing. Who could have given up a thousand times. And never did. Pete Hegseth. A Princeton graduate who walked away from every comfortable career waiting for him. And chose the harder road. Every single time. JD Vance. A boy from Appalachian poverty. Raised by a grandmother. Who had every reason to believe his beginning was his ending. And refused to accept it. Karoline Leavitt. A girl with a softball scholarship and no political family. Who walked into the Trump White House as an intern. And never once looked back. Susie Wiles. A woman who spent 40 years working in the shadows of American politics. While nobody said her name. While nobody gave her credit. While the whole world looked the other way. Five people. Five completely different lives. Five completely different starting points. And then I saw it. The one thing they all share. The one thing Trump saw in all of them before the whole world did. Not one of them ever quit. Not Marco when his family had nothing. Not Pete when comfort was right there waiting. Not JD when everything around him was falling apart. Not Karoline when the doors were not opening fast enough. Not Susie when 40 years passed and nobody knew her name. They just kept going. Every single one of them. Through every hard moment. Through every reason to stop. Through everything that would have made most people walk away. And here is what broke me completely today. Trump did not choose these people because they were the most famous. He did not choose them because they were the most connected. He chose them because they were exactly like him. A man who fell. Who lost. Who was written off. Who was told it was over. And got back up every single time. Trump built a team of people who do not know how to quit. Because that is the only kind of team that can carry America. QUITTERS NEVER WIN AND WINNERS NEVER QUIT Every American today who needs to see the one thing this entire administration has in common... because Trump did not build a cabinet. He built a team of people who refuse to stop. No matter what. --- ...So true! Thanks GarvitG _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ Notice too that they all go in a prayer meeting before their Cabinet Meeting! They seek God's wisdom and blessings and keep on fighting for 'We The People Of America'. May God always Bless them and America! See This Teaching: Never Give Up! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/nevergiveup.html ========================================================== >-->From LaughAndLift: If your Bible is in good shape, you probably aren't! , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >It's All Relative (By Greg Laurie) When you become a Christian, one of the more notable changes is that you will give up many of the things you once did. Of course, this depends on your lifestyle prior to your conversion. But for many of us, a dramatic change will take place. I have heard people share their stories of how they came to Christ and the great sacrifices they made to follow Him, saying things like, "I had a great life... I went to parties... I had so much fun... But I gave it all up for Jesus Christ, hallelujah! I left it all for the glory of God!" When I hear statements like that, I feel like asking, "What are you talking about? You gave it all up? What did you give up?" If they were to look at those things honestly and realistically, they would come to the same conclusion that Paul did. He said, "But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord . . . " (Philippians 4:7-8). Paul was saying that the stuff that used to be so important, the stuff he once valued so highly, meant nothing to him now in relation to the excellence of the knowledge of Jesus Christ. It's a good idea to periodically ask ourselves, "Is this thing that I am doing slowing me down or speeding me along? Is it building me up spiritually or is it tearing me down?" If it is a weight, then we should lay it aside. [Copyright 2007 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.] -<>- "Paul's words, 'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved...' have as much power in this millennium as they did when they were first spoken to a broken suicidal Macedonian jailer." - Pastor Clay A. Kahler ,(()). ,;;;;. __ ________ _____ ___ ((_ _));'_`'_( _| __ __ __ _| _| _| __ __ () \ /)\ ) / (_|__ _|-_| _(_|(_|(_|__ _|-- ((\ O(() \ O / _____(_|(_|_____________(_|_ SSt >Hosanna! (By Peder Eide, www.pedereide.com) [Edited] Palm Sunday was here! I love the word Hosanna. It's powerful. It's passionate. It's more heartfelt than we realize sometimes. The word is interpreted with the words "save us," a cry for salvation but it's also a declaration of praise! Some might find it to be a mix that doesn't easily mix, but I think it mixes well. Raised hands represent celebration, surrender, and a reaching out to touch and be touched! Hosanna, save us, blessed is He who comes! I think it deserves a hand raising! If you were drowning, you would raise and wave your hands to be rescued. At a winning score by your favorite team, you raise your hands in celebration! Same hands... This Easter Sunday, spend some time with your hands raised to the Lord! He is the one who saves us! He is the One who deserves all praise! HOSANNA! -<>- "We don't join the church and become a Christian. We join Christ and become [a part of] the Church." - Roy Putnam . | . \ ' / '-. | .-' --= --|-- =-- _. _|_ | _|_ ._ ' _|__|__|_ ' ____/HEISRISEN\_____ >EASTER STORY COOKIES To be made the evening before Easter. You need: 1c. whole pecans 1 tsp. vinegar 3 egg whites pinch salt 1 c. sugar zipper baggie wooden spoon tape Bible Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. (Read John 19:1-3.) Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink. (Read John 19:28-30.) Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. (Read John 10:10-11.) Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. (Read Luke 23:27.) So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1c. sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. (Read Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16.) Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. (Read Isa. 1:18 and John 3:1-3.) Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. (Read Matt. 27:57-60.) Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. (Read Matt. 27:65-66.) GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were sad when the tomb was sealed. (Read John 16:20 and 22.) On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! Explain that on the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. (Read Matt. 28:1-9) For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16 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 ========================================================== . | . \ | / `. \ ' / .' `. .-*""*-. .' "*-._ /.*" "*.\ _.-*" : ; ____ """"': .. ; _.-*" \ `.__.' / "*-._ .' `-.__.-' `. bug .' / . \ `. / | \ ' | ` >-->Today I Smiled Today I smiled, and all at once Things didn't look so bad. Today I shared with someone else, A bit of hope I had. Today I sang a little song, And felt my heart grow light, And walked a happy little mile, With not a cloud in sight. Today I worked with what I had And longed for nothing more, And what had seemed like only weeds, Were flowers at my door. Today I loved a little more And complained a little less, And in the giving of myself, I forgot my weariness. ~unknown~ ========================================================== ,(()). ,;;;;. __ ________ _____ ___ ((_ _));'_`'_( _| __ __ __ _| _| _| __ __ () \ /)\ ) / (_|__ _|-_| _(_|(_|(_|__ _|-- ((\ O(() \ O / _____(_|(_|_____________(_|_ SSt >-->Where Would I Be By (Lyric Video) - Peter Burton https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TinJk_p9ZVs Standing where I stand now I know that He’s the reason I almost can’t believe it Every wrong turn He turned around and I can just imagine If it didn’t happen How it happened Oh Seeing how good He’s been to me Oh I can’t help but think Where would I be if I didn’t have Jesus Pulling me outta that grave Where would I be if I didn’t have mercy Pulling me away from my ways I’d probably crash and burn Stay stuck down in that dirt Like a prodigal running from home Where would I be if I didn’t have Jesus Thank God, thank God, thank God I’ll never know I used to feel the weight Of the chains that I was holding Til my savior came and broke em I used to walk with shame I was living at a loss Til he settled up my cost At the cross Oh Giving His life so I could live Oh Didn’t leave me where I’ve been Where would I be if I didn’t have Jesus Pulling me outta that grave Where would I be if I didn’t have mercy Pulling me away from my ways I’d probably crash and burn Stay stuck down in that dirt Like a prodigal running from home Where would I be if I didn’t have Jesus Thank God, thank God, thank God I’ll never know Thank God I’ll never know Where would I be if I didn’t have Jesus Pulling me outta that grave Where would I be if I didn’t have mercy Pulling me away from my ways I’d probably crash and burn Stay stuck down in that dirt Like a prodigal running from home Where would I be if I didn’t have Jesus Thank God, thank God, thank God I’ll never know Thank God I’ll never know Thank God I’ll never know Written by Peter Burton, Matt Armstrong, AJ Pruis --- : '. _ .' -= (~) =- .' # '. ...Think about it... We'd be dead without God and without hope in this evil world. Thank God For Jesus Christ and what He wrought thru him! Praise God! -<>- .-^-. .'=^=^='. /=^=^=^=^=\ .-~-. :^= HAPPY =^; .'~~*~~'.|^ EASTER! ^| /~~*~~~*~~\^=^=^=^=^=^: :~*~~~*~~~*~;\.-*))`*-,/ |~~~*~~~*~~|/* ((* *'. :~*~~~*~~~*| *)) * *\ \~~*~~~*~~| * ((* * / `.~~*~~.' \ *)) * .' jgs `~~~` '-.((*_.-' >-->Wishing You a Very Special Easter -Author Unknown Easter is a time of love, Of family and friends, And of peace, It is a time when We say a quiet Thanks For all that we have And all the future holds. Easter is a feeling in our hearts Of hope and faith and trust. It is a day of miracles; A day when our dreams seem A little closer; a time of retrospection for what has been and anticipation of all that will be. And it is a time for remembering With love and appreciation The people in our lives Who make a difference... People like you! May your Easter Be Especially Happy! Lots and lots of love always, ~ T H E J E L L Y B E A N P R A Y E R ~ __ RED is for the blood he gave. .;;. /;;;. GREEN is for the grass he made. /;;;;\ ,..., |;;;;;\ YELLOW is for the sun so bright. |;;;;|/;;;;;;;::.;;| ORANGE is for the edge of night. \;;;;/\;;;;;/::::\;' __ BLACK is for the sins we made. `''` `''''|::::| .;;;\ WHITE is for the grace he gave. jgs .;;;\ \::::/ ,;;;,:;;;;;| PURPLE is for his hour of sorrow. /;;;;;| `''` /::::::\;;;/ PINK is for our new tomorrow. |;;;;/ .-""-.:::::/''` `''` / \'''` A bag full of jelly beans \ / colorful and sweet, HAPPY EASTER '----' is a PRAYER, is a PROMISE, is a SPECIAL TREAT. __, ,___) ______) ,_) (--|__| _, _ _ (--|__ _, ,-|-_ ,_ _| |(_||_)|_)(_| _|___(_|/_)|(/_| ( | | ,_| ( >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 **********************************************************************