"WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER...THIS JOURNEY ON EARTH. HELP ME TO EXPLORE JUST WHAT IS GOING ON AND WHY! I DEFINITELY HAVE MY OWN IDEAS! THIS SITE IS DEDICATED TO ALL WHO ARE SEARCHING AND STRUGGLING FOR ANSWERS TO WHAT AND WHY. MAY GOD BLESS AND SURROUND YOU ALL WITH HIS WHITE LIGHT. BUT I NEED EVERYONE'S HELP! WILL YOU JOIN ME?"
Oprah is spearheading a movement to make cars cell-phone-free zones to end distracted driving by launching the first "National No Phone Zone Day" today. According the Oprah Winfrey Show Facebook page, a total of 229,260 people have signed the pledge.
The talk show host has high hopes for the new campaign, and with her star power it may become the next hottest trend, and even made into law.
“My biggest hope for the No Phone Zone campaign is that it becomes mandatory that no one uses their phone in the car or texts while driving — just as seat belts are mandatory, just as driving while drunk is considered absolutely taboo,” Ms. Winfrey said in a statement, reported The New York Times. “I’m hoping that this becomes not just law, but second nature for all of us.”
The governor of Michigan is supporting Oprah’s campaign in full force.
Jennifer M. Granholm appeared on Oprah’s live show Friday to sign a bill that bans texting while driving in her state. Illinois passed a similar law in January.
Rallies are scheduled to take place in major cities to support the No Phone Zone campaign in Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, Los Angeles and Washington.
This year has been a rough one for Gracie and me! And we are only a fraction of the way into 2010! But I've come to realize that happiness is NOT elusive and that every single one of us makes are own! So here's my list. Take from it what you want and leave the rest!
1. Acknowledging that there IS a Higher Power. Once you really believe this in your heart, the weight on your shoulders feels much lighter!
2. Believing in YOURSELF! Never, ever doubt that the decisions you make are correct!
3. Hugging a tree or smelling a flower, or listening to the birds singing ever so sweetly!
4. Taking a walk, bending to help a child, reaching for a moonbeam! Exercise doesn't have to be boring!
5. Loving unconditionally! This is what it's all about, my friends!
6. Marching to a different drummer! Don't feel as if you have to go along with the crowd! It's scary to think where this ole world would be if we all thought and felt alike!
7. Praying a little prayer! I, myself, cannot help with money or help build a house. But I CAN pray! That's why I watch the news, depressing as it may be! I can help those in need in my own way!
8. Allowing others to help YOU! This concept took me a very long time to learn and at times it is still difficult. But swallowing your pride and accepting kindness from others, gives them the rich benefit of bestowing kindness.
9. Sacrificing something that you really want very badly. Humility is a glorious thing!
10. Enduring to the end. Acceptance of the trials of being human, trying to do the right thing and loving your neighbor as yourself. Easy? No! But practice makes perfect!
I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Tropicana Trop50 blogging program to be eligible to win 6 free Juicy Rewards points and a $30 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, go to http://www.twittermoms.com/forum/topics/share-10-little-things-that.
READERS! Here's a special TwitterMoms Juicy Rewards. All participants will receive this exclusive code TWMOM-READR (worth one Juicy Rewards point – that’s up to $5 in savings)!
This one-time use code is valid for new accounts ONLY. Must be entered within 6 hours of creating your account. Limit one new account bonus code per new account. All accounts must be created and all codes entered by May 7, 2010 at 11:59 PM EST
Passers-by let stabbed man die
Chilling surveillance video shows that nobody stopped to help a homeless man who helped protect a woman from an attacker.
I was offered this exclusive hang tag giveaway from UPrinting but it's a QUICK one. You only have 6 DAYS to enter! So get those entries in ASAP! What a wonderful chance to win some FREE advertisement for your business! Use these hang tags any way you want. Customize! Customize! CUSTOMIZE! I'm starting a vintage shop business soon and these are sooo great and I'm soooo excited! Include them when fulfilling your orders, attach them to samples, use as door-hangers! You are only limited by your imaginations, my friends!
In a comment ,tell me how you plan to use the HANG TAGS if you are the lucky winner! In case of a redraw the most detailed will win! No commnts like, "I wanna win!" or "Pick me!"Those will be disqualified! You know the drill. Have fun and good luck! Don't forget to take advantage of all the EXTRA entries! Giveaway ends Wednesday April 28 at 5pm PST.
Extra Entries
3 Extra Entries-Subscribe to my newsletter.
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5 Extra Entries for EACH of my other giveaways you enter.
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5 Extra Entries-Grab my button for your sidebar and let me know in a comment.
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Make sure you leave an email address so I can contact you if you win!
Disclosure: I received no monentary compensation for posting this giveaway, but I will also receive 250 Hang Tags as a Thank you from UPrinting.com hosting this giveaway!
The She Colors My Day project began when a mother named Annette, dying of breast cancer, created a keepsake for the four daughters she was preparing to leave behind. Annette sent a c.d. of she and her daughters singing to her many friends and family. Unbeknown to Annette, her act of love would be the inspiration for her friend, Cristina Carlino, founder of Project Miracle, to ignite the She Colors My Day movement - a celebration of the never-ending bonds of mothers and daughters. The now worldwide She Colors My Day movement embarks upon a global journey to create for a cure. Inspired by a mother's infinite love, this ever widening circle of caring will benefit the Susan G. Komen for a Cure ® Foundation and the Entertainment Industry Foundation's /Women's Cancer Research Group biomarker project. Hear the story in Cristina's own words here.So how can you get involved?
ColorWithUs- We can start by taking the first steps to coloring someone else's day through a platform we all know well- Facebook. The She Colors My Day pink crayon is a Facebook application created to be shared with those we love. The pink crayon can be virtually passed around on Facebook so we can all help to create for a cure.
Sing With Us- The "She Colors My Day" song co-written by Cristina Carlino and Stuart Mathis for Cristina's daughter has been recorded by multi-Grammy award winner, Amy Grant. Download the "She Colors My Day Song" and video and help to support this organization. A portion of net proceeds from the song supports the She Colors My Day project, benefiting Susan G. Komen for a Cure ® Foundation and the Entertainment Industry Foundation's/Women's Cancer Research Group.
Spread The Word- The ultimate goal of the "She Colors My Day" project is to support mothers and daughters and create a cure. If you're inspired by this project, please help us share the love by publishing a post on your blog this week that celebrates the special mother/daughter relationships in your life.
How Mormon beliefs differ from those of traditional Christianity.
Text by Peggy Stack
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints share beliefs with traditional Christians, but there are also tenets of their faith that are unique. View our gallery to learn about the differences between the beliefs of Mormons and traditional Christians.
Christ
Christianity
Most Christians believe that Jesus Christ was "truly God and truly man, in whom the divine and human natures are perfectly and inseparably united." He is the only begotten Son of the Father, born of the Virgin Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Mormonism
Mormons believe that Jesus is the Son of God in the most literal sense. He is eldest brother of all mortals and firstborn spirit child of God. He was Jehovah of the Old Testament but became Jesus Christ of the New Testament when he was born into mortality. They believe that from Mary, a mortal woman, he inherited the capacity to die, and from God, an exalted being, he inherited the capacity to live forever.
Scripture
Christianity
Most Christians accept only the Bible as authoritative scripture.
Mormonism
Mormons believe the Bible is sacred. They add three other documents--The Pearl of Great Price, The Doctrine and Covenants, and The Book of Mormon--to their canon.
Salvation
Christianity
According to the historic, apostolic Christian faith, salvation comes only by the grace of Christ, who "suffered, was crucified, died and was buried, to reconcile his Father to us, and to be a sacrifice, not only for original guilt, but also for actual sins of men."
Mormonism
Mormons also believe that salvation comes through Christ's atoning sacrifice. But they don't believe in "original sin" or in human depravity. Still, Latter-day Saints believe that fallen men and women do need redemption. And while works are a necessary condition, they are insufficient for salvation.
Creeds
Christianity
For most Christians, church teachings stem from scripture. Leaders of the early church sought to specify the core of Christian belief in order to ensure the soundness of Christian teaching. At meetings in Nicea and Chalcedon in the fourth and fifth centuries, these leaders established the canon of scripture and proclaimed the basic elements of acceptable Christian doctrine.
Mormonism
Mormons do not affirm any of the creeds as stated, though they share some of the theological ideas in the creeds. They believe that after the death of the early apostles, the Christian church fell into apostasy. The church needed to be restored in the latter days, which Mormons believe were begun in 1820, when Mormon founder Joseph Smith was visited by God the father.
Nature of Godhead
Christianity
For most Christians, the Godhead is composed of three persons of one substance, power, and eternity-the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. These Three are One. This triune God is without "body, parts or passions."
Mormonism
The LDS Church also teaches that the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost comprise the Godhead. But Mormons believe that God the Father and Jesus Christ have bodies of flesh and bones as tangible as human beings, while the Holy Ghost "is a personage of Spirit." Mormonism also teaches that God the Father was once a man. He is married to a "heavenly mother and is the literal father of all mortal spirits.
She's captured millions of hearts and been adored by every generation -- now Madeline stars in her first animated feature! Inspired by the beloved classic books that introduced us to a dozen delightful girls who live in an old house in Paris covered with vines, The Madeline Movie: Lost In Paris is full of spirited fun and five "fantastique" new songs.
When a long-lost uncle from Vienna pays a surprise visit, Madeline's dreams of family life seem wonderfully fulfilled -- until she finds herself in the middle of an unfortunate scheme. Madeline then must call upon all of her courage and cleverness to foil an evil plot to take her from the only family she's ever known. Join Madeline, Miss Clavel, Pepito, 11 school friends, and her ever-so-smart dog, Genevieve, in a thrilling Paris adventure you won't want to miss, where everyone learns the true meaning of family!
Screen legends Christopher Plummer (The Sound Of Music) and Lauren Bacall (The Big Sleep) costar in the animated feature the New York Daily News calls “delightful!”
We are asking people to go the day, part of the day or even just a few minutes, barefoot, to experience a life without shoes firsthand, and to help spread awareness of the impact a simple pair of shoes can bring to a child's life.
Communities, campuses, organizations, and individuals are banding together to walk barefoot for One Day Without Shoes. Join us and participate, click here.
Why should you go without shoes? And what the heck is TOMS Shoes?
ONE FOR ONE
TOMS Shoes was founded on a simple premise: With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One. Using the purchasing power of individuals to benefit the greater good is what we're all about. The TOMS One for One business model transforms our customers into benefactors, which allows us to grow a truly sustainable business rather than depending on fundraising for support.
Why shoes?
Many children in developing countries grow up barefoot. Whether at play, doing chores or going to school, these children are at risk:
•A leading cause of disease in developing countries is soil-transmitted diseases, which can penetrate the skin through bare feet. Wearing shoes can help prevent these diseases, and the long-term physical and cognitive harm they cause.
•Wearing shoes also prevents feet from getting cuts and sores. Not only are these injuries painful, they also are dangerous when wounds become infected.
•Many times children can't attend school barefoot because shoes are a required part of their uniform. If they don't have shoes, they don't go to school. If they don't receive an education, they don't have the opportunity to realize their potential.
One for One is spreading
TOMS has also inspired other companies to implement a One for One model. Ralph Lauren sells co-branded Polo Rugby TOMS, giving a matched pair with every pair sold. Element Skateboards has issued limited edition TOMS + Element shoes as well as a One for One skateboard. With every skateboard purchased, one will be given to a child at the Indigo Skate Camp in Durban, South Africa. It is TOMS’ hope that as our One for One movement continues to grow, more and more companies will look to incorporate giving into what they do.
The Story
In 2006 an American traveler, Blake Mycoskie, befriended children in Argentina and found they had no shoes to protect their feet. Wanting to help, he created TOMS Shoes, a company that would match every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes given to a child in need. One for One. Blake returned to Argentina with a group of family, friends and staff later that year with 10,000 pairs of shoes made possible by caring TOMS customers.
Since beginning in May 2006, TOMS has given over 600,000* pairs of shoes to children in need, through the purchases of caring customers.
The Brave Frenchman who saved baby Bridget has been found.
Julien Duret, 29, is the mystery man who jumped into the frigid East River Saturday and was the first to lift Bridget Sheridan from the water.
"The emotion took over," Duret told the Daily News Tuesday after he was tracked down in his hometown of Lyon, France. "I didn't think at all. It happened very fast. I reacted very fast....I've never done anything like that before."
Duret's act of heroism captivated the city and set off a frenzy to identify the Lone Ranger-like hero.
In his first interview, Duret recounted the dramatic rescue - just hours after Bridget's father, David Anderson, hailed the humble Frenchman for being "the first one in the water" to help save his daughter.
An engineer on vacation in the city, Duret was walking along a pier at the South Street Seaport with his girlfriend when he spotted something falling from the Peking ship.
At first, Duret had no clue it was a little girl.
"I went to see what it was," Duret said. "There was no one around. There was no one on the boat."
"I approached the water and looked down. I thought it was a doll," he said. "Then I realized it wasn't a doll, it was a baby."
In an instant, Duret stripped off his coat and leaped off the pier into the murky water.
His girlfriend screamed for help.
When Duret reached Bridget, the 2-year-old girl appeared lifeless, he said. Duret feared the worst.
"The child wasn't moving and wasn't crying," he said. "I thought she was dead."
Duret said he scooped up the cold and unresponsive child. Moments later, her father was in the water beside him.
Anderson had sprinted from the top of the gangplank, shedding his phone and wallet along the way, and jumped into the river.
"I gave the father the child," Duret said.
In a now iconic image, splashed across the front page of the Sunday News, Anderson then lifted Bridget out of the water and she opened her eyes.
When Duret finally got back on the pier, he was mobbed by onlookers, who handed the freezing Frenchman their dry clothes.
Anderson spirited his daughter into an ambulance, Duret said, and he caught a cab shortly after.
He never got a chance to speak with Bridget or her dad.
The incredible rescue came on the last day of what was Duret's first trip to the city.
It wasn't until he was leaving the city with his girlfriend the next morning that he realized his tale of heroism had captivated New York.
Still, Duret shrugged off his valiant deed.
"I don't really think I'm a hero," Duret said. "Anyone would do the same thing....I was just happy that I was able to help her, and I am just happy that the family has been reunited."
The Real Face of Jesus? follows a team of graphic experts as they use cutting-edge 3D software to bring a holy relic known as the Shroud of Turin to life. Many believe Jesus Christ was buried in this ancient linen cloth, which bears traces of blood and the faint, ghostly image of a man. With the help of modern technology, can HISTORY finally unlock the secrets of one of the world’s most scrutinized and controversial artifacts?
To attempt this feat, HISTORY turned to computer graphics artist Ray Downing of Studio Macbeth, who used photographs and digital animation to reconstruct Abraham Lincoln in 2009. As Ray and his team grapple with the task, we delve into the Shroud of Turin’s long history, along with the many perplexing questions that centuries of scientific research have failed to settle. How, for instance, did the figure’s imprint appear on the cloth? And how can we extract 3D information from a two-dimensional piece of linen?
In The Real Face of Jesus?, HISTORY unveils the fruit of many months of labor, made possible by sophisticated computer tools in very capable hands: an accurate depiction of the man many believe to be Jesus Christ. For the devout and curious alike, this is a compelling story of transformation—a fascinating journey from the realm of creativity and imagination into the domain of science and technology.
Just in time for Easter and the Shroud of Turin’s first public viewing in 10 years at Turin’s Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, watch The Real Face of Jesus? on Saturday, April 3 at 8/7c.
REVIEW
I was able to watch this on the History Channel on March 30. I was enthralled and captivated. We are so very lucky to live in this age of technology! This is a must-see for everyone!
To assess your spirituality, look again at moments when you've felt...
Incomplete.
"I still haven't found what I'm looking for," sang Bono in the 1980's. Your wish for "something more" may be a sign of your desire for God's fulfilling presence.
Wistful.
Ever look at a sunset and feel a "connection' with something beyond yourself? Experiences like this can reveal your natural desire for God,which is one way God attracts us.
Grateful.
Feeling grateful for something simple, like a conversation with a friend? Awareness of simple gifts can point to your underlying awareness of God's goodness.
Holiness.
When you read about holy men and women - Mother Teresa, Billy Graham, Martin Luther King Jr., the Dalai Lama - do you wish you were more like them? That's God calling to the holiness within us.
Clarity.
Even fleeting feelings that you're right where you should be, or that life makes sense, can be a sign of God's encouragement.
Vulnerable.
When you're sick or struggling, you often feel a greater need for God. But God isn't any closer; you're just more open in vulnerable times.