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I received this via email from my mother (who loves to spam people with this stuff instead of creating a blog where people can subscribe if they like). After a quick search, it is true. In fact, here is a link to the original post from May 14, 2007 on the pastor’s old blog and here is his new blog.

(For those who are unaware: At all military base theaters, the National Anthem is played before the movie begins.)

This is written from a Chaplain in Iraq :

I recently attended a showing of ‘Superman 3′ here at LSA Anaconda. We have a large auditorium we use for movies, as well as memorial services and other large gatherings. As is the custom at all military bases, we stood to attention when the National Anthem began before the main feature. All was going well until three-quarters of the way through The National Anthem, the music stopped.

Now, what would happen if this occurred with 1,000 18-22 year-olds back in the States? I imagine there would be hoots, catcalls, laughter, a few rude comments, and everyone would sit down and yell for the movie to begin. Of course, that is, if they had stood for the National Anthem in the first place.

Here in Iraq , 1,000 Soldiers continued to stand at attention, eyes fixed forward. The music started again and the Soldiers continued to quietly stand at attention. But again, at the same point, the music stopped. What would you expect 1000 Soldiers standing at attention to do?? Frankly, I expected some laughter, and everyone would eventually sit down and wait for the movie to start. But No!!… You could have heard a pin drop, while every Soldier continued to stand at attention.

Suddenly,there was a lone voice from the front of the auditorium, then a dozen voices, and soon the room was filled with the voices of a thousand soldiers, finishing where the recording left off: “And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say does that Star Spangled Banner yet wave, o’er the land of the free, and the home of the brave.” It was the most inspiring moment I have had in Iraq and I wanted you to know what kind of Soldiers are serving you. Remember them as they fight for us!

Pass this along as a reminder to others to be ever in prayer for all our soldiers serving us here at home and abroad. Many have already paid the ultimate price.

Chaplain Jim Higgins, May 14, 2007
Iraq, North of Baghdad

As you’ve probably seen on Facebook, Twitter, or your own calendar, today is 10.10.10 (aka October 10, 2010). There is a media project underway today that I will be participating in. “ONE DAY ON EARTH is creating an online community, shared archive, and film. Together, we will showcase the amazing diversity, conflict, tragedy, and triumph that occur in one day.” From Chase Jarvis’ blog:

… today all across the world, documentary filmmakers, students and inspired people like you are organizing to record the human experience during this 24 hour period and contribute a voice to what looks to be the largest participatory media event in history.

Every country in the world–190 something–are participating, as well as nearly every major NGO…with cameras even being dropped into Somalia, Iran, Mongolia, etc, via UN supply chains. The goal? A global time capsule, a documentary film, a photo book, and some good ol’ creative spirit, among other things.

If you are a videographer or photographer, amateur or professional, get out there and capture something today.

Submit it HERE. Then follow them on Twitter HERE and on Facebook HERE. You have 30 days to submit your materials, so don’t think that part had to be finished today!

There is a lot of truth to the recent Liberty Mutual commercials (below) that show people doing something considerate and other people taking notice. I was stopped at an intersection on my way home last night and saw a woman waling down the street carrying two handfuls of grocery bags, obviously heading home. Let’s say that she also looked as if she may not have had the easiest life, which was compounded by the 101 degree heat index, and quite a few years of living.

I am not one to pick up strangers, but it was SO hot and she looked like she really could use a lift. I instantly thought about the rides Trey Morgan (@treymorgan) has given to those in his community. I was first in the left hand lane as she passed in front of me, so I decided I would turn around and come back.

But before the light turned green, a woman in an SUV who WAS first in line in the right lane, rolled her window down and called the lady over. I couldn’t hear what was said, but after a few seconds, the lady very humbly opened the passenger door, got in, and the driver made what was an obviously unplanned right turn (because there was a yield sign she would have turned at if going that way) to drive the woman home.

I hope the woman with the groceries saw a little bit of Jesus in that driver today. I have a feeling it was noticed by many of the other drivers in the enormous line of traffic behind her at the stoplight. Maybe they will be inspired to do something nice for someone without expecting something in return.

One small act of kindness like that can move mountains when repeated with regularity. Maybe that will turn out to be just a ride home, but who knows how much more might have come from it. I suspect the driver spent no more than 10 minutes of her say to make a difference in that woman’s day, but her soul was enriched for it.

Last week, Keith, over at bagofnothing.com posted the video above. It show a terrified dog that was resceud from a shelter an hour before it was scheduled to be euthanized. What really got me was the pure terror the dog showed.

Three years ago, I experienced the same thing. We saw an ad on Craig’s list put up by the City of Canton animal shelter. They had a yellow lab that had been there for five weeks. They were supposed to put her down on Friday of week three, but couldn’t do it. Friday of week four came and went. The ad we saw went up Thursday of week five and said they would have to put her down Friday. The ad BEGGED someone to come get her. Friday morning the ad was up again. My wife convinced me to go pick up the dog. Even if we didn’t keep her, at least she would live. She is still with us today.

We believe she was bred and then dumped at the shelter in Canton while her puppies were sold at First Monday Trade Days in Canton. It was obvious she was young and had recently had puppies. She is the second of our three labs that came from a shelter (the first was from a friend).

Our yellow lab is an amazingly sweet and thankful dog. She was EXTREMELY scared of people when we brought her home. She is still terrified of strangers. She would sleep down the hall around the corner, away from everyone. Gradually she moved closer. After 6 months, she would stay in the same room with us for extended periods of time. Now she gives the most amazing hugs, buries her head into your shoulder, and lets us scratch her ears (something she ran from before).

I can’t imagine a world without this sweet dog. The sad thing is, animals such as this one are lost every day. The yellow puppy dog has so much love to give. She acts as if every day is a gift, and for her, it is. Before you decide to buy a puppy at a flea market, or a breeder, check with your local animal shelter or rescue agency. For more information, a great place to visit is the website of Sparky’s Pals, a non-profit humane education organization started right here in Dallas by a couple of friends of mine, Kevin and Virginia.

Rick Reilly wrote a piece for ESPN about the oddest game in football history. In this game, the fans cheered for the opposing team, at the coach’s request. They even made a spirit line for the opposing team to run through. And after the game, the visiting team doused the home team’s coach with Gatorade. What the heck?

Read the article. It’s certainly worth the five minute investment.

Updated

About a year ago we got rid of our satellite dish and switched over to AT&T’s U-Verse fiber optic television and internet. My channels doubled, my internet speed doubled, and my price…dropped by a few bucks! Awesome, right? Oh yeah, I also finally got a DVR.

My only real complaint was that I only had DVR in one room. The other two rooms were just regular television viewing. So today I get home, turn on the TV and see the message below.

So now I have DVR in every room. The equipment always had the capability, but it wasn’t activated. Guess that changed today. Now I am a happy camper. When the wife is watching Dancing With the Stars (kill me) I can go watch something I have recorded in my office. Life is good.

Edit: I ended up talking with a Senior VP at AT&T today and was told that in the next few months I will also be able to program my DVR from any location. Woo hoo! Of course, I do most of that on the web anyway because the interface is better and faster. The point here is that since I have had the services there have been numerous features added that just show up on my system. It’s not like they only go to new subscribers or I have to call to get the service, it just shows up!

After nearly getting decapitated in Sunday’s game, getting 13 stitched in his chin, flying home late from Cleveland, and having to drive home, he pauses to help a stranded couple in an empty parking lot.

Great story. Glad Romo is going to get a ring this year. He deserves it.

“I don’t know, a hundred cars, probably more, had to go by. Nobody was stopping,” said Bill. “That’s just kind of the way it is in today’s world.”

And then …

“Bill was fooling with that tire, and I was standing beside the car watching him,” Sharon said. “The next thing I know, a nice-looking young man, very well-dressed, but with something strange on his chin, he walked up, smiled, and said, ‘Hey, you need some help?’ ”

A kid from Oklahoma comes to Dallas once a month for cancer treatments for a brain tumor. The family always eat at the same Denny’s beforehand. While at Denny’s this time, someone broke into the family’s car and stole the kid’s medications, his PSP game system, and a bunch of his games.

Well, the DPD officers that responded to the call decided to show the family what being a Texan is all about. In two and a half hours, the group raised $1,200, mostly from other officers. They bought a new PSP, some games, and gave the family some money to replace the stolen medications.

Click here for the full NBC 5 News article…