INSPIRATION Stories that have moved me.

Sometimes I’m amazed at how insensitive some people can be, and by some people I mean me. It’s painful to realize that about yourself, and even more painful to admit. I think what concerns me the most is how quickly I can jump to the wrong conclusion about people and how damaging it can be.

On the 30th of June I underwent emergency quadruple heart-by surgery. It’s interesting how you (meaning me) reevaluate life after such a near miss, and yet, the incredible gift that we all wake up each morning with, we often take for granted. This is the story of yet another life journey that was unexpected and yet important. JUST CLICK ON THE PICTURE.

This is the amazing story of two young film makers who almost weren’t. Just click on the picture.

Today, I said goodbye for the last time to a friend. I went to the holding lot where they tow wrecked cars after an accident. I went there to get my belongings before it was shipped off to the salvage yard, and to pay my respects… and maybe whisper a prayer of thanks. CLICK ON THE PICTURE TO READ MORE.

I have long believed that some of the most extraordinary acts of faith and courage, and even “love”, are done by the most ordinary of people. And as I read the story about Darrell and Kay, and more importantly, the story “between” the lines, it brought tears to my eyes. CLICK ON THE PICTURE TO READ MORE.

Jim Graves is a dear friend of mine and a Permanent Ordained Deacon, which to most of us, is much like a full fledged Catholic Priest. This story is not so much about that, as it is about relationships and our relationships to others, and what generosity of spirit really means. Charles Dickens once wrote in The Christmas Carol-of Jacob Marley- the ghost sent to save Ebenezer Scrooge from himself.

“I was a man of business not realizing that mankind was my business”. I thought of that when Jim told me this true story and it is one of my favorite stories. JUST CLICK ON THE PICTURE.

GIVE ME YOUR HAND

Few people realize that when the Challenger spacecraft exploded nine miles about the earth November 1989 that people were still alive in the passenger compartment as it fell to earth. Even more intriguing was the inflight recorder was still on and recorded the last words spoke–it they were probably not what you would expect.

THE STORY OF THE HOUSE USED IN THE MOVIE “PRACTICAL  MAGIC”.

Sometimes there are people who redefine for us who and what a hero truly is. Lizzie Velasquez was a gentle, little girl, born with a rare unnamed syndrome (one of only two known cases in the world) that didn’t allow her to gain weight. She is blind in one eye. Her face is drawn, her body emaciated; and at the age of seventeen, while looking for music on the Internet, she ran across a YouTube video naming her, “The Ugliest Woman in the World”. Over four million people saw it. Someone had posted it on the Internet–a bully–and it was a cruel moment that devastated her.

Throughout history there have been many famous sorcerers: Merlin, Houdini…the Wizard of Oz; but none as great as the “real life” sorcerer whose name you might not recognize, but as you will find out, you already know. He is The World’s Greatest “Real Life” Sorcerer. 

For anyone who has ever loved a little girl. This is a story of a grandpa’s love for his little grand daughter.

It is my belief that God had angels in mind when he made little girls!

This is truly one of the most inspirational stories I have ever heard. The story of one father’s love that has touched thousands. I hope you enjoy it.

We all have “gifts”: talents and abilities that are uniquely our own.  Some we know.  Some we don’t.  Some we don’t even realize are talents. If there is one person in the world who should be an expert on “you”, you would think it would be you, but how many of us really don’t know ourselves? 

This was written a long time ago, but it was such a happy memory I wanted to bring it back.

The unlikely story of a man who hates spiders and his friendship with a large Garden Spider. Sometimes even things that frighten us can teach us the art of friendship.