Michael Ice Sept 23, 1989 - Feb 25, 2012

Lessons from Whitney Houston

I feel like I have written this type of post 1000 times, and perhaps I have done so. 

What I take from this fact is mere confirmation that the concept of the repeated post is true...sadly yet at the same time, thankfully for all of is because we can learn from it.

Another very public celebrity death and horror story only solidifies it for me.

Whitney Houston, as she also ironically sang in one of her many hit songs, did indeed  seem to "have it all"! 

At least in the material sense.

Beauty, amazing, wealth, fame, and celebrity success beyond imagination, a voice that sounded like it came directly from the heavens, adoration and everything we all seemingly strive for in our lives.

Yet, despite reaching that amazing pinnacle, her life tragically ended, alone, in a bathtub, at a way too early age.

We have seen it dozens of times in the past decade and every time the lesson hits us in the face like a ton of bricks.

But do we really get it?

I am not sure.

We chase all the things these people obtain and appear to achieve, yet these highly coveted things have one thing in common - they are fleeting and do not deliver the truly important things in this world!

We see it again and again and again yet it does not always sink in for us.

"What does it profit a man to gain the whole world only to lose his soul?"

Do not seek outside of us the things that truly make us wealthy and rich,and fulfilled, for these things cannot be bought, sold, or stolen. 

Let's see if this latest tragic lesson of empty promises and sadness drives it home for us.  This time.

Stay Strong!

Re: Prayers Needed...

;(

On Feb 27, 2012 8:19 AM, "Douglas Flaherty" <douglas.flaherty@gmail.com> wrote:

Over the weekend a neighbor's son was struck and killed by a subway train in Manhattan.

His name was Michael Ice Jr. and he was just 22 years old.

He was a terrific, bright, athletic and talented young man from an amazing and wonderful local family. 

Over this past summer we had the privilege of having Michael spend some time with our kids, between graduation from college and real life, takinh them to and attending their tennis matches ("cheering us on the whole time") and running them all over the place with his car. They really enjoyed him and his sweet, kind nature.

He was truly a special person.

Needless to say, their family is in desperate need of prayers for strength and peace during this nightmare of a time.

Please send them your thoughts and prayers continuously. No amount is enough in a situation such as this.

No words can describe the pain and suffering they are surely experiencing. 

Thank you and God Bless.

Re: Prayers Needed...

Obituary and arrangements for Michael Ice Jr.

www.grahamfuneralhomerye.com

Stay Strong

On Feb 27, 2012 8:19 AM, "Douglas Flaherty" <douglas.flaherty@gmail.com> wrote:

Over the weekend a neighbor's son was struck and killed by a subway train in Manhattan.

His name was Michael Ice Jr. and he was just 22 years old.

He was a terrific, bright, athletic and talented young man from an amazing and wonderful local family. 

Over this past summer we had the privilege of having Michael spend some time with our kids, between graduation from college and real life, takinh them to and attending their tennis matches ("cheering us on the whole time") and running them all over the place with his car. They really enjoyed him and his sweet, kind nature.

He was truly a special person.

Needless to say, their family is in desperate need of prayers for strength and peace during this nightmare of a time.

Please send them your thoughts and prayers continuously. No amount is enough in a situation such as this.

No words can describe the pain and suffering they are surely experiencing. 

Thank you and God Bless.

Prayers Needed...

Over the weekend a neighbor's son was struck and killed by a subway train in Manhattan.

His name was Michael Ice Jr. and he was just 22 years old.

He was a terrific, bright, athletic and talented young man from an amazing and wonderful local family. 

Over this past summer we had the privilege of having Michael spend some time with our kids, between graduation from college and real life, takinh them to and attending their tennis matches ("cheering us on the whole time") and running them all over the place with his car. They really enjoyed him and his sweet, kind nature.

He was truly a special person.

Needless to say, their family is in desperate need of prayers for strength and peace during this nightmare of a time.

Please send them your thoughts and prayers continuously. No amount is enough in a situation such as this.

No words can describe the pain and suffering they are surely experiencing. 

Thank you and God Bless.

Tomorrow

Tomorrow

I see you falling,  how long would you go before you hit the ground?

You keep on screaming,  don't you see me here, am I a ghost to you?

Now your grip is too strong, you can't catch love with a net or a gun,

Gotta keep faith that your path will change,  gotta keep faith that your luck will change ...

Tomorrow....

Tomorrow..........

Why are you phoning, what am I to do when you are miles away?

Your always calling, from the darkest moods, and we're both scared..

Now your grip is too strong, you can't catch love with a net or a gun,

Gotta keep faith that your path will change,  gotta keep faith that your luck will change ...

Tomorrow.... I am just out of your range,

Tomorrow.......... All your suffering is in vain,

Tomorrow......... 

Now your grip's too strong, you can't catch love with a net or a gun,

Gotta keep faith that your path will change,  gotta keep faith that your love will change ...

Tomorrow.... I just got out of your range

Tomorrow.......... All your suffering seems vain,

Change tomorrow, some forgiveness now...

Tomorrow, love is no sacred cow...

- James
Tomorrow
The Best of James

Steve Jobs 3 Rules of Life...

Steve Jobs' Three Rules of Life ...

1. Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life.

2. Don't be trapped by dogma -which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice.

3. Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition -they somehow already know what you truly want to become.
     
    - Steve Jobs

Stay Strong!!

Strength today!

"Greatness lies, not in being strong, but in the right using of strength; and strength is not used rightly when it serves only to carry a man above his fellows for his own solitary glory.

He is the greatest whose strength carries up the most hearts by the attraction of his own."

- Henry Ward Beecher

Happy Birthday Beautiful!

Enjoy your day!!!

Xoxo

;)

Keep up the Good Fight!!

"The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of
will."
     - Vince Lombardi

"Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that?  We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves."
   - Marie Curie

I don't care what particular struggle or battle you are in the midst of fighting right now, all that matters is that you KNOW you are not battling alone!!!  We are all in the same boat and our thoughts, prayers, and actions buoy each other!

Do not underestimate the power of a quick phone call, a simple voicemail message, note, email, text, visit, etc to someone in need of encouragement, hope, and faith!!

It can be immeasurable and life altering!

You are not battling alone!!  We are here for you!

Stay Strong!!!

A Saturday thought on Taking Action...

Faith Without Works Is Dead

"What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?

If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food,  and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?

So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works."

Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!

Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?

Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar?

You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed BY his works;

and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness"—and he was called a friend of God.

You see that a person is justified by works and NOT by faith alone.

For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead."

James 14:16-24

Add to prayer list..... Your prayers needed!!

Knowing we can't do it alone, I'm asking you to pray for my friend's son who is multiple myeloma.

Storm the heavens for continued miracles.

Thanks!

Love,
Liz
________________________________
,
> I can't do it alone, I need help from the world, I stand up to say,
> There's more to life than the pot of gold some chase every day,
> I can't do it alone...
> If my tear was a coin, I'd know the riches of life,
> If my heart was a rock, I'd need a boulder to stand,
> And if my wrist bled love, I'd give you my hand, take from me what you will,
> I offer what I can,
> I can't do it alone, I need help from the world, I stand up to say,
> There's more to life than the pot of gold some chase every day,
> I can't do it alone...
> - Barry Kingston
>    "I can't do it alone"
> Speaks for itself!  What else is there for us to do here on this planet but help each other in any way possible!!
> Stay Strong and thank you BK!!!  Genius work.....
>
>

I can't do it alone....

If I never woke up would this place be the same,

Would anyone care, would anything change,

I feel my strength is worn thin, I don't know where to begin,

Will I find my way, I don't know where I've been.

I can't do it alone, I need help from the world, I stand up to say,

There's more to life than the pot of gold some chase every day,

I can't do it alone...

I can hear the rain, the clouds  bursting at night,  I can feel the pain, closing in, closing on me tight,

So I say,

I can't do it alone, I need help from the world, I stand up to say,

There's more to life than the pot of gold some chase every day,

I can't do it alone...

If my tear was a coin, I'd know the riches of life,

If my heart was a rock, I'd need a boulder to stand,

And if my wrist bled love, I'd give you my hand, take from me what you will,

I offer what I can,

I can't do it alone, I need help from the world, I stand up to say,

There's more to life than the pot of gold some chase every day,

I can't do it alone...

- Barry Kingston
   "I can't do it alone"

Speaks for itself!  What else is there for us to do here on this planet but help each other in any way possible!!

Stay Strong and thank you BK!!!  Genius work.....

Your Prayers are working!!!

Below is an update on our friend Vinny ....please keep the prayers coming!!!  They are being heard and are being answered!!!

"Hi Buddy,
I saw Vinny last night and he looked better, he is holding his head up for the first time and they had him out of bed and supported so he could shuffle 45 steps. He was very excited last night because someone brought him holy water from Lourdes and a priest sprinkled it on him and later anointed him. Overall, he is in the right direction."

Please keep the prayers coming!!!!

Thank you!!  Stay Strong!!

Into the Fire...

"May your Strength give us Strength,
May your Faith give us Faith,
May your Hope give us Hope,
May your Love bring us Love."

-- Bruce Springsteen
    "Into the Fire"

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Whether you are a hopeless romantic or not, today is the perfect day to celebrate all things Love and everything about the Heart!!! 

Spread the love today ..... And Stay Strong!! 

Live and battle just this ONE day!!

There are two days of the week about which we should not worry...two days which should be kept from fear and apprehension.

One of these days is called Yesterday, with it's mistakes and cares, it's faults and its blunders, aches and pains. Yesterday has passed forever beyond our control.
All the money in the world cannot bring back yesterday.

We cannot undo a single act we performed or erase a single word we said.

Yesterday is GONE!

The other day we should not worry about it Tomorrow, with it's possible adversities, its burdens, its large promise and poor performance.

Tomorrow is beyond our immediate control.

Tomorrow's sun will rise, whether in splendor or behind a mask of clouds, but it will rise.

Until it does, however, we have no stake in tomorrow, for its yet unborn.

This leaves only one day - TODAY!

Any one of us can fight the battle of just one day. 

It is when you and I add burdens of two awful eternities - YESTERDAY AND TOMORROW - that we break down.

It is not necessarily the experiences of today that disturbs one's peace of mind. It is often times the remorse or bitterness for something which happened yesterday and the dread of what tomorrow may bring!

Fight the urge to dwell on the past,  and embrace tomorrow with faith, hope and courage - but do not fear what it may bring!! 

Let us therefore live ONE DAY AT A TIME.

Stay Strong!   Just One Day!!!

Happy Saturday!!!

Remember, for any old thing you did today, there are tens of thousands of people who would trade places with us in a heartbeat, beginning with an hour without physical pain, mental anguish, or being able to get out of bed or a chair!!!  And these are things that do not even cross our minds until we see someone who suffers daily.

You are so BLESSED!!

Remember to Count them daily!!

NOW, stop the anxiety, relax, enjoy the rest of the weekend and smile!!

Stay Strong!!

Great words of Inspiration....

Having a bad morning?  Well, try beginning this same day with no use of your arms and legs, barely able to speak or swallow and confined to a wheelchair. Hmmm... Still having a bad morning??  Really?   Read on please....

Stay Strong

"Great achievements always are born of hardship and struggle and barriers which seem insurmountable;
obstacles which yield to nothing but an indomitable will backed by an abiding faith."
- Napoleon Hill

This quotation is one of the most empowering quotations I have ever come across. This may not pack the same punch for you as it does for me, but this quotation, and the philosophy behind it, helped me to transmute my handicaps and weaknesses into empowering assets.

I have almost no use of my hands and arms. A lack of motor coordination in my legs has me confined to a wheelchair, and my speech is barely intelligible. I admit that in many ways I am almost completely helpless. But when I understand that it is the struggle and hardship and the staring down of obstacles that seem insurmountable that gives birth to great achievements, I embrace these HUGE challenges and expect a commensurate HUGE payoff when I triumph over them.

Shouldn't you do the same?

Jeff

www.friendsofjeff.com

To sign up for Jeff's Inspirational Quotation for Today, send an e-mail to warriors-on@friendsofjeff.com or use the automated link on the website (www.friendsofjeff.com)

Urgent Prayers needed!!!

A friend of ours, Vinny Corso, is currently fighting for his life with this disease.

Attached is an amazing and scary story you have to read right now about this disease and one man's battle against it!

Vinny had levels much higher than this inspirational warrior!!

Please send your prayers to Vinny and his family and keep them coming. He has had some minor success and positive movement recently but needs a lot of prayers to keep progressing!! He has a long road ahead of him, as does his family!!

Thank you, remember to count your blessings, God Bless and Stay Strong!!

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1194725/1/index.htm

Secret of Success

"If there is any one secret of success, it lies in the ability to get the other person's point of view and see things from that person's angle as well as from your own."
- Henry Ford

The Key! A Terrific message courtesy of E.P.! Obrigado!!!

"Is there some problem in your life to solve?  Some passage seeming full of mystery?

God knows, who brings the hidden things to light.

He keeps the key.

Is there some door closed by the Father's hand, Which widely opened you had hoped to see?

Trust God and wait - for when He shuts the door, He keeps the key.

Is there some earnest prayer unanswered yet,

Or answered NOT as you had thought 'twould be?

God will make clear His purpose by and by.

He keeps the key.

Have patience with your God, your patient God, All wise, All knowing, no long lingerer He,

And of the door of all your future life.

He keeps the key.

Unfailing comfort, sweet and blessed rest, To know of EVERY door He keeps the key.

That He at last when just He sees is best,

Will give it to THEE.

Anonymous.

Please take a moment and reflect on this intriguing concept regarding out lives..

"There is within us–in even the blithest, most light hearted among us—a fundamental disease.

It acts like an unquenchable fire that renders the vast majority of us incapable in this life of ever coming to full peace.

This desire lies in the marrow of our bones and the deep regions of our souls.

All great literature, poetry, art, philosophy, psychology, and religion tries to name and analyze this longing. We are seldom in direct touch with it, and indeed the modern world seems set on preventing us from getting in touch with it by covering it with an unending phantasmagoria of entertainments, obsessions, addictions, and distractions of every sort.

But the longing is there, built into us like a jack-in-the-box that presses for release.

Two great paintings suggest this longing in their titles—Gauguin's Who Are We? Where Did We Come From? Where Are We Going? and de Chirico's Nostalgia for the Infinite—but I must work with words.

Whether we realize it or not, simply to be human is to long for release from mundane existence, with its confining walls of finitude and mortality."

—Huston Smith, Why Religion Matters: The Fate of the Human Spirit in an Age of Disbelief (New York, N.Y.: Harper Collins, 2001), p.28

Great Advice for a Great Friday!!!

"Work Hard.
Do your best.
Keep your word.
Never get too big for your britches. Trust in God.
Have no fear;
and Never forget a friend."
  - Harry S. Truman

To err is human......

You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
- Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:43-44)

I can forgive, but I cannot forget, is only another way of saying, I will not forgive. Forgiveness ought to be like a canceled note - torn in two, and burned up, so that it never can be shown against one.
- Henry Ward Beecher

So much of our daily energy is spent and wasted ruminating on past hurts and harboring grudges.

Forgiveness is not an easy thing to accomplish but if we really step back and see the drastic negative effects we impose on OURSELVES by holding on to anger and past grievances we would do everything we can to forgive! And as quickly as possible!!

It is an ego driven emotion and once we get to the point where we can forgive we will experience such freedom and peace!

Forgive past offenses today and redeploy your energies toward productive means!!  You will not be sorry!!

Stay Strong!!