Inspirational Videos

Success in life requires a fair amount of commitment, dedication and perseverance. One high school student in the Midwest showed that she possesses all three of those personality traits.

One video on social media has been getting a lot of attention. The video, posted on YouTube, shows a young woman performing at the Nebraska State High School Cheer and Dance Championships. She has no teammates, performing and representing her school all by herself.

The lone young woman, Katrina Kohel, is heard yelling, can be seen holding up signs and jumping around during her routine. During her routine something truly beautiful happened!

The crowd came through for Katrina. Throughout her routine, the crowd cheers, claps wildly and responds loudly to Katrina whenever she asks them to shout out her school’s letters. What an amazing sight of kindness and love.

The young woman certainly appreciated the support from the crowd.

“I probably had the loudest crowd involvement there. Everybody was cheering with me, and it was an amazing feeling,” she said, according to the Omaha World-Herald.

Katrina was the only person remaining on her school’s cheer squad after her three other teammates quit. To make matters worse, the three other students quit just a week and a half before the competition, the Omaha World-Herald reports. 

Instead of giving up and throwing in the towel, Katrina decided to keep going. The senior said she wanted to perform in the competition, even if that meant doing it by herself, the outlet reports. 

So, with little time left before the state competition, Katrina and her coach reworked the routine to make it work solo.

This video is a wonderful example of kindness and love, people supporting the efforts of one young woman who refused to quit when it would have been much easier to do so. 

Colossians 3:12 “Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance.”

Abundant | Morning Devotion | March 9 | Linda Schuler Gunter | Find Christian TV At www.abundanttv.com #Thursdaymotivations #faith #abundant #abundanttv #Christianity #christian #ThursdayVibes #MorningDevotion

Mark Wahlberg has been a recognizable face for decades, starring in such hit films as Father Stu, The Departed and Lone Survivor. The Hollywood actor is also very outspoken about his faith and relationship with God.

Mark appeared on the Today Show, where he sat down with Savannah Guthrie and talked about Lent, faith and the role faith plays in his life. Faith, Mark says, is a big part of who he is, even if Hollywood may frown upon religion and faith.

“I don’t want to jam it down anybody’s throat,” Mark said. “But I do not deny my faith, that’s an even bigger sin. You know, it’s not popular in my industry but, you know, I cannot deny my faith. It’s important for me to share that with people.”

Mark also mentioned how faith and God have made him a better person. 

“God did not come to save the saints. He came to save the sinners,” Mark said. “We’ve all had things and issues in our lives, and we want to be better versions of ourselves and through focusing my faith, it’s allowed me to do that.”

When it comes to Lent, most people associate it with fasting and giving up food. However, Mark explains that it does not have to be food.

“There are many different elements to fasting,” Mark said. “I think the important thing to understand is if, first of all, if you have issues with food, there are other things. God knows the things that he wants you to detach from.” 

He added that Lent and his faith, as a whole, has taught him discipline, which has served him well in his career and personal life. Specifically, Mark said that throughout Lent he will refrain from eating any meat on Fridays. Also, he added that he will only eat one meal on Fridays during this period prior to Easter. 

Near the end of the interview, Mark talked about his family, setting an example for his children and how he starts every day.

“I want them to gravitate toward it [faith] in a very natural way,” Mark said. “I want them to understand that dad has to start his day by getting on his hands and his knees and no matter where I am, the priority on Sunday is to go to church.” 

Mark 16:15 “And he said to them, ‘Go you into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

When loss becomes a part of your, it’s hard to imagine joy being birth out of sorrow. Grief comes in waves but that doesn’t mean we can’t find a way to create goodness in the midst of it. Ashley Manning of Charlotte, North Carolina did just that. This local florist gives flowers to hundreds of widows–helping them celebrate and remember and celebrate past memories. 

Ashley started this project because she wanted to “show love to those who are hurting,” according to her Instagram. She began the Valentine’s Day Widow Outreach Project about a year after she started her own florist shop. The idea to show love and compassion to widows came to her because “Showing love and compassion to our neighbors can change someone’s life.” She added, “Thinking about others first, giving your time or your treasure or talent can make an impact far greater than you can see. I hope this project inspires you to listen to that little voice when it calls.” 

The little voice Ashley paid attention to helped ease the pain of losing their loved ones to roughly 800 widows on Valentine’s Day. The flowers she gave were single roses or simple arrangements. The bouquets given were stunning, complex, and beautiful. Likely, each bouquet was worth hundreds of dollars but Ashley was able to create these stunning statement pieces through donations. 

Can you imagine the joy and love blooming in the hearts of widows on a day that was made to celebrate love? The Bible reminds us to be kind and compassionate to one another. I certainly hope this story inspires you to listen to that still-small voice and find a way to put others first. 

“Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another,” Colossians 3:12. 

These two patients, Taylor Givens and Colin Kabella received heart transplants on the same day and then fell in love. 

Both were not expected to survive unless a match could be found. Neither was expecting to find their new hearts making room for more than just a perfect match. 

The good book tells us love comes in many shapes and forms. For Taylor and Colin, it came in the form of heart transplants. As mere strangers, they had rooms across the hall from one another. Both had received new hearts on the same day. The pair met again five years later in celebration of their heart transplants. Taylor felt an instant spark she wasn’t expecting when she met Colin. 

The pair went to dinner to catch up when a touching moment made their hearts leap for each other. Taylor said sparks flew when they stopped dinner to take their anti-rejection medicine. “It was cute because we had to take our medicine at the same time,” she recalled. Colin added, “It was great to start dating someone who you didn’t have to explain anything to.” 

Anchored in their mutual experiences, love blossomed. Despite knowing they might have a future full of health issues, the pair listened to the whispering of their hearts and tied to the knot. 

Taylor said, “Having him beside me, I’m not as afraid of things. Even like my mortality.” 

What an incredible love story! God blesses us in ways we can never imagine–like a lifelong partner who truly understands you inside and out. In a world full of endless uncertainties, love is the constant that holds us together. 

“Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave,” Song of Solomon 8:6.

Abundant | Morning Devotion | March 5 | Rob Patz | Find Christian TV At www.abundanttv.com #Sundaymotivations #faith #abundant #abundanttv #Christianity #christian #sundayvibes #MorningDevotion

The power of social media overwhelms a dad whose book lands number one on Amazon after 25 years with no hope! Check out this video about a truly inspiring story behind a book and its crazy increase in sales!

Marguerite Richards, 40, shows her father, 74-year-old Lloyd Devereux Richards, the TikTok video that she made and posted on February 8 about her dad’s novel entitled Stone Maidens. Lloyd spent 14 years writing the thriller, squeezing in writing time between his career as an attorney and parenting three kids. 

Marguerite, comfortable using social media, wanted to share her admiration for her father’s endeavors, and the response they got was more than either could have imagined! 

Marguerite’s video shows her father’s attic office and writing space, where he finished crafting the sequel to Stone Maidens last year. Father and daughter live near one another in Vermont. And Marguerite shows clips of the cover of Lloyd’s book, which was published in 2012 by Thomas & Mercer. 

Captions state that he’d worked on his novel for 14 years before seeing it published, and while his book has not garnered many sales, Lloyd is very happy. Marguerite added that she’d love for him to have some sales but that he knows nothing about TikTok! 

With assistance from Marguerite, Lloyd reads the comments that are popping up like crazy on the TikTok video she’s created. It’s astounding! One commenter wrote, “Just ordered the book from Norway, can’t wait to read it!” Viewers offered “lovely,” and supportive comments and Lloyd was moved to tears. After reading comments and offering thanks all morning, Lloyd laughs and says he’s ready for a nap. But that was only the beginning!

Marguerite’s video had been viewed 200 times by the time she went to bed on February 8, 700 times by the next morning, and 1 million by later that day. Her dad’s book was selling, and she hadn’t even shared the video with him! And life has been busy for the two ever since.

Marguerite began making follow-up videos for interested viewers, and their journey is recorded on TikTok. Within a week, Marguerite’s first video had been viewed 42 million times! By February 14, Mr. Richards’s book had become a #1 Best Seller on Amazon! And, within two weeks of the first post, 65,000 copies of Stone Maidens were sold! 

Lloyd’s book is a thriller about a forensic anthropologist with the FBI in Chicago. She is investigating the murders of several women in Southern Indiana and suspects that they are victims of a serial killer. Having been a law student at Indiana University, Lloyd drew upon his knowledge of cases he’d studied while there. 

There are nearly 1,600 ratings of Stone Maidens on Amazon, and they are quite positive! Though it’s not certain whether we’ll see Lloyd’s second book published, he said, “My agent is impressed.”

We are, too! Way to go Marguerite and Lloyd!

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12

Layman's view on What Islam fails to see

Often teachers are some of the kindest, most dedicated people most will ever encounter.One group of students saw a need, decided to help and give back to an educator who gives of himself daily.

As the video posted on YouTube indicates, Julio Castro is a math teacher at YULA Boys School in Los Angeles, California. He loves his family, and his students and sees teaching as more of a calling than a job. 

In the video, Julio refers to his students as “his kids” and only wants the best for them. He states, “I want you guys to be on my shoulders and just jump higher.” 

Julio is very dedicated to his students and their success. But he has a problem, he has no car and can’t afford one.

“He gets up at 4:15 in the morning,” Daphna said, the mother of one of Julio’s students. “Takes a scooter to the bus, sits on a bus for two hours to get into the city, goes on that same scooter to come to campus several miles. Works during lunchtime to help the kids, stays after school to help the kids and does the same reverse commute.”

Julio does not get home until 9:30 at night, long after his girlfriend’s children, to whom he has become a father figure, have already gone to bed. He does this every single day!

So, a group of students got to work. The students organized different events throughout their summer break to raise money to buy a car for their teacher. They put together a basketball tournament, had a movie night and asked businesses in their area for financial assistance. 

The students had a goal of $10,000 and ended up raising more than $11,00! Also, the CEO of the Change Reaction stated his organization would match the students' $10,000! 

After securing the money, the students went car shopping, but they came up a little short of the funds for the vehicle they felt was “the one.” But thanks to the car dealership's generosity, they did buy the vehicle.Julio would get his much-needed vehicle! 

The next step was setting up an elaborate plan that involved school administrators and a police officer to surprise Julio and his family with the new ride.

He also received a few added bonuses that will change Julio and his family’s life!

What a beautiful video about a group of kind and caring students who saw a need and acted! 

Deuteronomy 32:2 “My teaching is dropping like rain, coming down like dew on the field; like rain on the young grass and showers on the garden plants.”

It’s hard to find an entertainer more beloved than the talented Dick Van Dyke. He has enjoyed a long and storied career that has included such classics as Mary Poppins and The Dick Van Dyke Show. The legendary actor popped up in another hit television show.

The gnome, one of the characters on this season’s edition of The Masked Singer, sported an awfully familiar voice. The person inside the gnome costume treated the studio audience and those watching at home to a performance of Frank Sinatra’s “When You’re Smiling.”

Several dancers jump around on the stage during the song while, what appears to be, flower petals fall to the ground. Balloons are also released, landing among the studio audience and the judges. 

Everyone is having a good time, including the judges, as the man in the gnome costume sings!

The person inside the gnome costume, who sang Sinatra’s hit, turned out to be none other than Dick Van Dyke. Unfortunately, the 97-year-old was forced to unmask and reveal himself after he was the first person kicked off the show this season.

When asked about his experience as the gnome, Dick responded with his trademark wit and humor.

“It was real dark in there,” Dick said. Oh yeah, you couldn’t see anything. I just loved it that they thought I was Robert DeNiro. I didn’t know Robert DeNiro could sing.”

One of the show’s judges, Nicole Scherzinger, was in tears after the gnome was revealed to be Dick. 

“I love you so much,” she said through tears. “We love you. The whole world loves you so much. It’s an honor to have you on our show.”

Ken Jeong told Dick that he was one of the reasons he went into comedy.

“Our greatest reveal ever,” Ken said to Dick.

Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever things are pure, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Who says you can’t have fun at work? One skater literally clowned around on the ice.

A clip posted on Facebook shows Canadian figure skater Kurt Browning taking the ice in a very unusual outfit. He’s wearing big, baggy pants held up with suspenders over his shoulders, a red and yellow striped shirt and a bright red clown nose.

Normally, figure skaters come out in intricately decorated, tight-fitting, beautiful clothes. Based on his appearance alone, Kurt has something special in store.

Even before the music starts, Kurt has the audience in stitches. His overexaggerated stretching movements make for a hilarious spectacle. 

Once his routine begins and the music starts playing, Kurt, while at center ice, must corral his legs as they keep slipping away from him. Of course, this is all part of the routine. 

Soon enough, after Kurt maintains control over his limbs, he skates and shows off his impressive skill on the ice. While picking up speed and giving those in attendance several more laughs, Kurt goes into a beautiful jump, landing perfectly on the ice. 

The audience loves it! Cheers and applause all around!

Again, following a few hilarious movements timed perfectly to the music accompanying his routine, Kurt displays his skill and athleticism. He performs another jump and spins in the air, which dazzles the crowd!

At approximately the 3-minute mark in the clip, Kurt sends the audience into another fit of laughter. He acts as if he’s lost all control of his body on the ice, contorting his body into a snake-like movement. He is literally face-down on the ice at times!

While performing another tricky skating maneuver, Kurt is heard screaming! Of course, this is all just part of his act. He pulls off the move with ease and finesse. 

But Kurt leaves his best for last. He ends his hilarious and beautiful routine skating backward, screaming as he heads toward and lands on the judges’ table.

Kurt is rewarded for his inventive and laugh-out-loud funny routine that shows off his technical expertise and showmanship with a perfect score from the judges!  

Ecclesiastes 2:24 “There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in labor. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.”

In the world, a little bit of kindness can go a long way and possibly even change someone’s entire outlook on life. One man who cuts hair for a living did just that for a young man.

Everyone has something they fear, which causes them to experience a rush of anxiety and apprehension. For 7-year-old Ellison, that which caused him panic and alarm was getting his hair trimmed. 

Text in a video posted to YouTube reads that Ellison, who has special needs, “would rarely smile in a salon chair.” The young man did not enjoy having his ears lowered. However, that was all before Ellison’s mother learned about Vernon.

Vernon, as the text reads, “takes extra time to cut hair for kids with special needs.” Now, because of Vernon’s big heart and kindness, Ellison has defeated and overcome his fear. In fact, the video mentions that “for the first time” Ellison looks forward to his next haircut. 

Instead of an unhappy and scared child, the video shows Ellison smiling and giggling as Vernon cuts his hair. Vernon playfully interacts with Ellison as he cuts the child’s hair. 

In the video, Ellison tells Vernon when to cut his hair and when to stop. The two buddies are all smiles!

Acts of kindness do impact people’s lives, whether in a big or a small way. Most of the time, though, we do not get to see how our kind, loving actions touched the lives of others. 

But one look at the smiles on Ellison’s face and Vernon can rest assured that he made a positive impact in that young man’s life. Vernon’s act of kindness, taking a little more time, has made a world of difference to Ellison. 

What a beautiful and heartwarming clip that reminds us that decent, kind-hearted people still exist in our world!

Proverbs 12:25 “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a kind word makes it glad.”

Life can throw plenty of painful and heartbreaking experiences in our direction. However, as tough as some situations can be, there likely isn’t one more heart-wrenching or agonizing experience than losing a child.

As others have said, parents aren’t supposed to bury their children. Children are to outlive their parents. But one popular video on social media shows a mother doing just that, saying farewell to her late daughter.

The short clip shows a woman standing on a rocky landscape near the end of a river or a lake as a waterfall is in the background. Soon after the video starts, text appears instructing viewers to be on the lookout for something special.

“Watch my mom spread my sisters ashes and sis shows us her Angel Wings. If this doesn’t make you a believer, I don’t know what will,” the text in the video reads. 

Additional text in the Instagram video reads, “This is breathtaking.” Soft music played on a piano also accompanies the video. 

The woman near the water faces toward the camera. The woman appears to be saying something, but we do not hear it and cannot read her lips. 

Seconds later, the mother turns and scatters her daughter’s ashes into the body of water and the sky. Soon after the woman's toss, some of her daughter’s remains hang in the sky and an odd shape can be seen in the video. 

The formation is totally up to personal interpretation as to what it looks like. The video's author claims the shape is the wings of an angel. Personally, I believe it looks much more like a heart.

Regardless of whatever shape those ashes appear to make, this mother and sister likely need much prayer and comfort following their loss.

Psalm 147:3 “He makes the brokenhearted well, and puts oil on their wounds.”

Those lucky enough to become parents love, cherish and protect their children. Most parents would do anything to keep their children from feeling pain. One young woman turned the tables and showed how far she was willing to go to keep her dad safe.

Going to the doctor, undergoing medical exams and hearing awful, unwanted news from a medical professional can be devastating. One father was in a similar scary medical situation, according to one post on Instagram.

The post reads that the man was experiencing kidney failure. Just 4% of his kidneys were properly functioning. This situation was dire; he was in desperate need of a new kidney. But, as the post mentions, his daughter, who turned out to be a match, stepped up and offered to give up one of her kidneys.

The video shows the touching moments when he learned that his daughter was the mystery donor who saved his life! 

The video begins with the young woman, dressed in a hospital gown, entering the room where her father is recovering. He is stunned at the revelation.

“Oh my God, are you kidding me?” He says as she enters the room.

Dad is unable to say anything else as he’s overcome with emotion. 

The young woman, as she approaches her father, can be heard reassuring him.

“It’s so good,” she says. “It’s OK. It’s OK. Oh, it’s fine.”

The post mentions the young woman kept that she was a match and had decided to donate a kidney a secret from him for eight months!

What a beautiful video that displays a child's love for her father! 

Normally, a parent fixes the situation, but it was the daughter who stepped up and acted in love. She literally gave up a part of herself so that her dad could go on living. 

Philippians 2:3 “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves.”

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