Our Life & Our World

Celebrate America……..

              AMERICA………

The”land of the free” and the “home of the brave“.

HONOR OUR TROOPS & OUR FALLEN SOLDIERS….
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG, OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA , AND TO THE REPUBLIC, FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION, UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL!

It is said that 86% of Americans believe in God. Therefore,

I have a very hard time understanding why there is such a problem

in having ‘In God! We Trust’ on our money,

and having ‘God’ in the Pledge of Allegiance.

I believe it’s time we stand up for what we believe!

We live our lives daily, with the hope that all will be well, and there will be no more war, but alas’ there are too many Hitler’s, Kadafy’s, Sadam’s, and other’s we won’t mention. America fights a war for other nations, and for our nation. We don’t want these terrorists, back over here killing our innocent families, and friends. Today, marks the occasion, when we as Americans, honor the freedom, so gained by the people, we have lost and the one’s still giving their time, for our freedom.

Treat Homeless With Respect

Homeless men and women are part of an expanding, often faceless community. When we come in contact with a homeless person, we may feel repulsed, annoyed, even angered as we avert our eyes and think, “Why don’t they do something to help themselves?” or “If I look them in the eye, that’ll just encourage them to ask me for money” or “They choose to be homeless.”

Frequently, it is our lack of understanding about the complexities of homelessness that fuels our prejudices and fears about homeless people. Somehow, that gives us “permission” to act less compassionately towards a homeless person — who is, after all, a human being just like us.

Homelessness goes hand in hand with poverty. In fact, “a growing shortage of affordable rental housing and a simultaneous increase in poverty” are the primary causes for the rise in homelessness, according to the National Coalition for the Homeless. Unfortunately, the working poor, those men and women who are earning the minimum wage, are often one hardship away from living on the street. A missed paycheck due to illness, an increase in rent, or loss of a job is all it can take to join the ranks of the homeless.

In his book 54 Ways You Can Help The Homeless, Rabbi Charles A. Kroloff offers additional insights about homeless men, women and children:

* Most homeless people are not drunks or drug abusers or former mental patients. Most are able or willing to work. One out of four homeless people are employed full or part-time, according to the United States Conference of Mayors.
* One child in five lives below the poverty line, making children the poorest age group in the United States, which accounts for the growing percentage of children who are homeless.
* Many homeless people have completed high school; some have attended college and even graduate school.
* The homeless are found not only in cities, but in small towns, rural areas, and affluent suburbs.
* Millions are among the hidden homeless — people who are one crisis away from losing their homes. They may be doubled or tripled up in housing or 48 hours from eviction or about to leave a hospital with nowhere to go.

And with the loss of an actual home, comes the loss of a person’s sense of safety, belonging and self-esteem. Fortunately, you can make a difference in the life of a homeless man, woman or child.

When you encounter a homeless person in a safe environment, respond with kindness. Make eye contact and give the same respect as you would to any other person that you come across during your day.

If asked for money and you don’t feel comfortable, a simple, “I’m sorry, I can’t help. Take care” or “God bless” goes a long way.

Or, if you don’t want to give money, carry fast-food certificates. This will alleviate any fears about the way your money could be spent.

For more suggestions on how to treat homeless people with respect, refer to 54 Ways You Can Help The Homeless.

“CharityGuide”

What A Night

Crash bang, went the lightning, and out went the lights.  It’s that way here in my neighborhood, when there’s a bad storm going around.  It seems that at least once or twice a year the electric company has to come out and restore power.  We were lucky this time, it only took them about an hour.  I sure was getting warm in this house with no fans, moving the air.  I opened a few windows, to let in some air, but it was still raining, so I couldn’t open them very high.

I’m thankful, we didn’t get any worse than the rain, lightning, thunder and high winds.  There were tornado warnings out for our area, and it sort of worries you, when you get awaken from your sleep, to the loud thunder.  The lightning, was bright and blinding, that it made the thunder even louder.  I was a little worried, since there has been so much bad weather lately.  Many people’s homes have been ripped apart, from tornadoes and high winds.  You never know if it’s going to hit your home or not.  As I said, once again I am thankful, we were only without power for awhile and there was no other damage.

Texas Storms

The horrible storms lit up the DFW area skies last night, with high winds, and blowing rain, that tore off roofs and downed power lines, taking away power to a large area of the metroplex.  I was in an area that wasn’t hard hit, and am very thankful to be in a good situation, compared to other’s in the local area’s of DFW.

The news media, kept us up to date, and let us see what was coming out way.  For awhile, I thought our area, would get hit hard, from the radar picture’s on the TV.  The rain was welcomed, but I’m sure glad there wasn’t any hail as there was last week.  We had seemed to be getting bad weather, in the middle of the week for the last 3 weeks.  The path of the storms has really beat up the DFW areas.