Memorial Day ...reminder

As I came out of the supermarket that sunny day, pushing my

cart of groceries towards my car, I saw an old man with the

hood of his car up and a lady sitting inside the car, with the

door open. The old man was looking at the engine. I put my

groceries away in my car, and continued to watch the old

gentleman from about twenty five feet away.

I saw a young man in his early twenties with a grocery bag in

his arm walking towards the old man. The old gentleman saw

him coming too, and took a few steps towards him.

I saw the old gentleman point to his open hood and say something.

The young man put his grocery bag into what looked like a brand

new Cadillac Escalade. He then turned back to the old man. I

heard him yell at the old gentleman saying:'You shouldn't even

be allowed to drive a car at your age.' And then with a wave of his

hand, he got in his car and peeled rubber out of the parking lot.

I saw the old gentleman pull out his handkerchief, and mop his brow

as he went back to his car and again looked at the engine.  He then

went to his wife and spoke with her; he appeared to tell her it would

be okay. I had seen enough, and I approached the old man. He saw

me coming and stood straight, and as I got near him I said, 'Looks

like you're having a problem.'

He smiled sheepishly, and quietly nodded his head.  I looked under

the hood myself, and knew that whatever the problem was, it was

beyond me. Looking around, I saw a gas station up the road, and

I told the old man that I would be right back.  I drove to the station

and went inside. I saw three attendants working on cars. I approached

one of them, and related the problem the old man had with his car.

I offered to pay them if they could follow me back down and help him.

The old man had pushed the heavy car under the shade of a tree and

appeared to be comforting his wife. When he saw us he straightened

up and thanked me for my help. As the mechanics diagnosed the

problem (overheated engine), I spoke with the old gentleman.

When I shook hands with him earlier, he had noticed my Marine

Corps ring and had commented about it, telling me that he had been

a Marine too. I nodded and asked the usual question, 'What outfit

did you serve with?'

He said that he served with the first Marine Division at Guadalcanal ,

Pelieliu, and Okinawa .  He had hit three of the worst ones, and retired

from the Corps after the war was over. As we talked we heard the car

engine come on and saw the mechanics lower the hood. They came

over to us as the old man reached for his wallet, but was stopped by

me. I told him I would just put the bill on my AAA card.

He still reached for the wallet and handed me a card that I assumed

had his name and address on it, and I stuck it in my pocket. We all

shook hands all around again, and I said my goodbye's to his wife.

I then told the two mechanics that I would follow them back up to the

station. Once at the station, I told them that they had interrupted

their own jobs to come along with me and help the old man. I said I

wanted to pay for the help, but they refused to charge me.  One of

them pulled out a card from his pocket, looking exactly like the card

the old man had given to me. Both of the men told me then that they

were Marine Corps Reserves. Once again we shook hands all around

and as I was leaving, one of them told me I should look at the card the

old man had given to me. I said I would and drove off.

For some reason I had gone about two blocks, when I pulled over and

took the card out of my pocket and looked at it for a long, long time.

The name of the old gentleman was on the card in golden leaf and

under his name was written: 'Congressional Medal of Honor Society.'

I sat there motionless, looking at the card and reading it over and over.

I looked up from the card and smiled to no one but myself and marveled

that on this day, four Marines had all come together because one of us

needed help. He was an old man all right, but it felt good to have stood

next to greatness and courage, and an honor to have been in his presence.

Remember, as we approach another Memorial Day, OLD men like

him gave you, and all of us, FREEDOM for America .

Thanks to those who served and still serve, and to all of those who

supported them, and who continue to support them.

America is not at war. The U.S. Military is at war. America is at the

Mall.

If you don't stand behind our troops, PLEASE feel free to stand in

front of them! Remember, Freedom isn't Free. Thousands have paid

the price, so that you can enjoy what you have today.

LET'S DO THIS: JUST 19 WORDS: GOD OUR

FATHER, WALK THROUGH MY HOUSE AND TAKE AWAY

ALL MY WORRIES; AND PLEASE WATCH OVER AND HEAL

MY FAMILY; AND PLEASE PROTECT OUR FREEDOMS, AND PLEASE ESPECIALLY

WATCH OVER OUR TROOPS AND PROTECT THEM, AS THEY ARE DEFENDING THOSE FREEDOMS.  IN JESUS POWERFUL NAME I PRAY, AMEN

***This was copied from an email that has made the rounds in the past. I, in no way, shape, or form take credit for this great story.

Need Help Getting Out of That Funk?

Do you ever get into a situation where it seems nothing is going right and your attitude begins to take a toll on you? Where it seems like you are depressed? 

It happens to each of us throughout our lives. There are certain points where it is more pronounced such as kids leaving the nest, retirement, loss of a family member or friend, or just what is happening around you. During those times, there are a number of things you can do to pull yourself out of the situation. Below is a starter list to help you get a new direction. Have fun.

1. Make a list of your positive attributes. It would relate to what strengths you have.
2. Make a list of friends. Do you have a good buddy(s)?
3. Read affirmations daily.
4. Make a list of what you are passionate about.
5. Have a daily Bible study or reading time.
6. Have an exercise plan and accountability so it will get done. Maybe join a gym.
7. Set goals and write them down.
8. Have a nutrition plan and eat properly.
9. Make a To-Do List and keep it current every day.
10. Stay busy. Read. Write notes to friends encouraging them. Drop by to see someone spontaneously. Visit someone in the hospital. Clean out a closet. Work outside. Grow a garden in big pots. Take someone out to eat. Learn something new. Take a weekend trip. Volunteer. Wash your car. 

Comment below and tell us what helps you get out of your funk?

Internal Noise

                    Internal Noise

Each of us talk to ourselves. We cannot keep it from happening. It occurs during every waking

minute. From the moment you get up until you go to sleep.

So what are we saying? Actually, we have programmed out minds in such a way that it (the mind)

runs on its own. It generates things and talks to us like someone whispering in our ear. There is a lot

 of physiology here, but I am limiting this to more practical things.

Many years ago there was a phrase “Garbage In – Garbage Out”. It related to computers. They will

only do what they are programmed to do and if you program them for junk, that is what you will get.

When we go to school, we are taught things that help us make decisions. We learn concepts from

numerous sources and we begin to think differently about things. We are programming our minds to

be more intelligent. What we learn impacts our whole life.

Proverbs 23:7 (paraphrased) says “We become what we think about.”

I did an experiment on myself several years ago. I was testing this process to see if I could truly

program myself. I had been reading self-help books and was attempting to inform myself about how

to be more productive. I traveled a lot and listened to country music. I found myself singing in my

head the same music I listened to on the radio. So I decided to start listening to Christian music

instead and see what would happen. After about a week, I found my head singing Christian music and
I had not told it to do that. I had actually reprogrammed my mind. Recently a news article told about

a rapper who recognized what the words were doing to his young daughters and he eliminated all the

music they were listening to because he did not want them to grow up with the rap music in their

head. He realized the same thing. Change what goes in and you will be what you change.

What do you read? A fellow named Millard Bennett said that if you spend 30 minutes a day studying

a topic, and do it for 5 years, you will have the equivalent of a Dr.’s degree in that topic.

I was recently told by a young lady who made pottery that she had to log her time and when she had

spent 6500 hours working in pottery, she would be at a master level.

So where do you spend your time. If you are selective, you cannot just program yourself, you can

become an expert. And without spending any time in a classroom. Sure going to college would speed

up the process, but you can do it on your own if you want.

So if we are talking to ourselves, why don’t we control what we are saying? Our greatest power is

our power of choice. Choose your own destiny.

Affirmations are phrases we can say to ourselves. We can choose to put in phrases that will program

our subconscious. I first learned about affirmations when trying to be a better salesman. And it

works. Athletes repeat affirmations. My Facebook page is filled with them. I read them every day.

So what are you putting in your head?  What are you telling yourself?

Find the direction you want to go and begin talking to yourself about it. Write some affirmations and

begin to make positive changes. You will be pleasantly surprised with the results.