Inspirational Videos

There’s nothing more meaningful than beautiful love letters written to someone you care about. There’s something about those handwritten notes of affection that can truly take you back in time and remember fond memories. In this digital age, actually writing out a letter is very rare these days. So when home inspector Bob Nau found over a dozen love letters in an Arizona home, he was completely surprised. “I have never seen anything like this. You always find junk up in there that nobody wants like boxes and Christmas trees.” Bob was inspecting the attic of the home when he came across the letters dated all the way back to the 1950s. After reading the sentimental notes, Bob knew he needed to find the couple that that’s when he came across the obituary of the author, Roger Wright. Roger was a Navy sailor who passed away in 1981, but this isn’t stopping Bob from continuing his search to find the family. The 67-year-old letters have sparked a social media campaign to locate the rightful owners. “If it was me, if it was my great-grandfather, I would love to have them.” Even though the couple may not be around anymore, their love and legacy lives on through their beautiful story. These are truly the special moments that are so rare nowadays. I’m so glad that this home inspector was able to recognize the significance of the letters and is leading the search for this inspiring couple. Have you ever written a love note?

I think we can all agree that there is nothing more patriotic than The National Anthem. In 1814, Francis Scott Key penned the iconic song during The War Of 1812. British forces bombed Fort McHenry, but the U.S. proved victorious during the battle. The next morning, Francis Scott Key spotted the American flag flying over the fort and he was immediately inspired. ‘O say can you see, by the dawn’s early light, What so proudly we hail’d at the twilight’s last gleaming, Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight O’er the ramparts we watch’d were so gallantly streaming?’ In 1931, The United States Of America officially adopted ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ as our anthem. Since that time, countless artists in all different genres have covered this famous tune. But nothing with touch your heart like the sight of these 2 veterans proudly performing The National Anthem every single day together. Bruce Benson, an Army vet, and Dennis Dryer, a Marine Corps veteran, have joined together to honor our country. Every day at sundown, they gather in front of the flag at their town’s post office to perform ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ and ‘Taps.’ When Bruce’s wife passed away, she left a wish for the family. She wrote, ‘May our family always stay strong in Christian faith, family love, and patriotism.’ Bruce feels that this small service is his way of staying strong in patriotism and he hopes it will inspire others. No matter the weather, you can find these 2 amazing men honoring their country and it’s truly heartwarming to witness.

Amy Grant is one of the most popular contemporary Christian artists. For years, she has been blessing the world with her incredible voice and praise to the Lord. And every year, around Christmas time, I can almost guarantee you’ll hear an Amy Grant song. Today, this amazing female artist is sharing some of her own favorite Christmas traditions during an appearance on the daytime show Pickler and Ben. Amy mentioned that gathering with family and playing games is a beloved pastime. “It’s all about trying to create that magic moment.” But this lovely lady also gave a secret tip to making your home feel inviting and smell incredible. “Put on some music and start an onion in a skillet. It’s going to turn into something good.” Normally, Amy and her husband, Vince Gill, tour during the Christmas season. This is the first year and a long time that she is not away from her home on Christmas day. “I’m just so excited. The whole season feels like a gift.” Now, she will get to savor some traditions she has missed out on, such as going shopping with her teenage daughter and waking up in her own bed. We all love listening to the beautiful voice of Amy Grant and I’m so glad that she is getting some special moments with her family, just like she creates for all of her fans. While I’m sure there will still be lots of music in her household, this is definitely going to be a Christmas for Amy and her family to remember.

Fans at a New York Knicks game were shocked when this Granny surprises the crowd with amazing trick moves. During the halftime show, Harlem Globetrotters brought a fan and this “Granny” onto the court for a audience contest. Little did they know that this little old “Granny” wasn’t all she seemed to be. As the random fan tried to copy the Globetrotters trick moves, he was shocked as Granny easily picked up the ball and began dribbling with skill. Slowly rolling the ball behind her head, she asks for a second ball and begins dribbling them at the same time. Clearly she was not your everyday Granny! That’s when Granny breaks the act and begins to strip off her costume to reveal a Harlem Globetrotters uniform! With the help of a team mate she pulls off her granny mask to reveal it’s none other than Briana Green. She is one of only 15 women to join the 92-year-old trick team! With incredible skill, Briana showed why she is known as one of the Globetrotters best “handlers”. Clearly she has spent years perfecting her trick moves! It just goes to show - never judge a book by it’s cover! Who would have thought that sweet, little old Granny was going to school everyone on the court! Of course, this granny wasn’t actually what she seemed. There are many true elderly former ball players who still have some impressive skills and can sink shot and shot at the hoop. We hope they are showing off to their grandkids every day!

It’s always a special day when a dog gets his forever home. And today, it’s Cosmo’s turn to be welcomed into the arms of a loving family. Cosmo is a 130-pound Saint Bernard who was surrendered by a breeder. From what the rescue organization can tell, this sweet dog has never lived in a house before or even been up a set of stairs. But the saddest part might be that Cosmo doesn’t even understand treats. Thankfully, the kind folks at Hearts United For Animals took in this big pup and now he’s getting the love and attention that he deserves. Jayne and her husband came across Cosmo online and as soon as they saw his picture, they knew that he was going to be a part of their family. “My husband likes to look at dogs online so there was a picture of Cosmo just looking up at the camera like ‘Please, take me home.’ He was looking right at us.” Jayne and 2 of her friends ended up renting a car and driving Cosmo all the way from Nebraska to his new home in New York. In no time, Cosmo made himself right at home with the family and it’s obvious that there is so much love going around. Jayne ended the video by saying, “We want him to have fun and feel like life is an adventure, but also just feel very safe and loved. I don’t think he’s had the chance to feel any of those things in his life so far so it’s really nice to be able to do that for him.”

An anonymous woman paid for a disabled Vietnam veterans meal and the random act of kindness has gone viral. It’s the kind of story that gives us all the “feels” especially at Christmas-time! “It’s generous, especially now during the holidays,” diner general manager Gus Georgatos said. “Normally, when it does happen, the people do want to remain anonymous. I think it’s nice.” William and Antoinette Berczan were shocked when they went to pay their bill at the Premier Diner and found that it had already been paid. The couple were at the diner to quietly celebrate a bit of good news. William, a disabled Vietnam veteran, had just received a clean bill of health from his doctors. The surprise at the end of their meal was the cherry on top. “We were startled, actually, you know that someone would do that, even though it’s the holiday season. It never happened to us before,” William said. The couple have been married 50 years and had their fair share of ups and downs. After William had been ill for some time, they were excited to learn that they would not need to see any more doctors until after Christmas. The act of kindness was an additional blessing to their day and the couple hope to pay it forward. “It would be nice for the holidays. It would be nice all year round. If you can do, and feel like doing it… do it,” William said. “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” - Aesop

The Internet was in for an enormous surprise when a curious elephant visits a man in a swimming pool. Safari guide Ivan Ueckermann was relaxing in a pool at the Mhondoro Safari Lodge and Villa in South Africa when an unlikely visitor appeared. When you are traveling in an area with wild animals, you never know what is going to happen. Animals can be completely unpredictable and that's exactly what happened in this case of this elephant. Ivan posted the video on Facebook of a majestic elephant coming right up behind him and it quickly went viral. The beautiful animal even sticks his trunk in the water while Ivan is just feet away. The guide knew he needed to capture this incredible moment on camera and I’m so glad that he decided to share it with the world. It’s not everyday that you get up close and personal with one of God’s amazing creatures, like the elephant. These incredible animals may look big and scary sometimes, but most of them have a heart of gold. God truly took Him time when He created all of the breathtaking animals that have been placed on this Earth. They are definitely a gift that should be cherished and treasured. I cannot imagine what it’s like to come face to face with these incredible creatures but I bet it’s a memory that Ivan will never forget. This video is absolutely a sight to behold. Don’t you think that all of God’s creatures are truly amazing?

For six years, Jeanie Pinto’s family has been working tirelessly to make her dream car become a reality. Jeanie fell in the love with the 1963 Chevy Nova when she was just 14 years old. Her father had just passed away from heart failure and a friend drove her home in the sport convertible. Since that memorable moment, Jeanie hoped she would one day own the car for herself. Little did she know that her family, led by son Donny, was going to make her dream finally come true. Jeanie’s family purchased the shell of a Chevy Nova but they had no idea that their project was going to be so big. After buying the car sight unseen Donny remarked, ‘We literally thought we just put in some seats and a carburetor and drive it down the road. But when we saw it we were like, ‘Oh my gosh.’ We were missing almost every piece.” The family worked in secret for 6 years ordering all of the parts and restoring the classic vehicle. Somehow, everyone managed to keep this surprise from Jeanie the entire time and her reaction says it all. Donny drove the car up the driveway as Jeanie came out in shock. ‘Are you kidding me? I’m speechless,’ Jeanie said through the tears. There’s no doubt that this surprise is a moment that no one in the family will ever forget. What an incredible gift for this sweet and caring granny. Who else was wiping away a tear or two?

24-year-old Dalton Harris immediately impressed with judges when he stepped onto The X Factor UK stage. His soulful voice matched with perfect song selections have allowed this young man to easily make his way through the competition. But life hasn’t always been easy for Dalton. He grew up in poverty with 22 brothers and sisters in Jamaica. Despite his hardships, Dalton always had a love for singing and knew he wanted to follow that dream. In fact, he flew all the way from his home in Jamaica to the United Kingdom to audition for the hit singing competition. After earning 4 ‘yes’ votes from the judges, Dalton has continued to gain confidence each and every week. Today, we’re getting to hear a very special performance from this talented young man and it’s one you don’t want to miss. Just listen as he belts out the fan favorite Michael Buble song ‘Feeling Good.’ This is one of those songs that truly showcase an artist’s range and Dalton manages to nail every single note. The chorus goes like this: ‘It's a new dawn It's a new day It's a new life For me And I'm feeling good I'm feeling good’ And by the time Dalton got to those last lyrics, the crowd was already starting to applaud. He’s already made it through 6 weeks of competition and I have a feeling that Dalton is going to be around for a while. Who else thinks he has what it takes to be crowded the winner of The X Factor UK?

Christian actor Mark Wahlberg is known for being a tough guy on the screen. But in real life, this action star has the biggest heart. Recently, Mark filmed a movie called ‘Instant Family.’ The film centers around a couple that have decided to start a family through adoption. Originally, they imagined welcoming a baby but they end up falling in love with 3 siblings who are in desperate need of a stable home. The movie follows this unique family and their adventures as they bond. The movie was actually inspired by the director’s real life experience and now we’re meeting another family with a similar story. Recently, Paige and Daniel Zezulka found themselves Internet famous after a video of them telling their now daughter, Ivey, she was going to be adopted went viral. Since that popular video, the couple went on to adopt Ivey’s two siblings making them an instant family of 5. When talk show host Ellen Degeneres saw the video, she invited the kind-hearted couple onto her show, along with actor Mark Wahlberg. That’s when Mark revealed that their story was so inspiring that he was giving them a check for $25,000. But the surprises didn’t stop there. Just look at their faces when Mark also reveals that they are getting a brand new Chevrolet big enough for the whole family. Hopefully, this amazing family and their story will help to inspire others to foster kids in need. Ellen said it best when she said, ‘Just look at the joy that you get to experience every single day on her face.’

Lindsey Stirling brings the Christmas cheer with her special rendition of ‘You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch’ featuring Sabrina Carpenter. This classic Christmas tune can be found on Lindsey’s deluxe album ‘Warmer In The Winter.’ This fun song is one that we all know and love, but when you hear this talented violinist put her own unique spin on it, you get an entirely new feeling. And Lindsey doesn’t just play the violin; she also dances along to the song. Whenever I see one of her performances, I’m in constant awe at the level of talent and skill that it must take to pull off just one number. Today, Lindsey has added the amazing vocals of Disney channel star Sabrina Carpenter to this Christmas song and it’s one you don’t want to miss. This is one of those songs that you just have to sing along with, especially the opening lyrics. ‘You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch You really are a heel You're as cuddly as a cactus, you're as charming as an eel, Mr. Grinch You're a bad banana with a greasy black peel!’ Lindsey definitely knows how to put us all in the Christmas mood and this entire production is full of talent. I just love when artists cover the classic songs but also manage to put their own mark on the tune. Now I’ve got to go watch ‘How The Grinch Stole Christmas’ so I can hear the original rendition too. What is one Christmas movie that you have to watch each year?

When Maury Forrester had a medical crisis that caused him to lose part of his cognitive function, he was forced to give up his career and start over. That’s when this former NASA designer found his true calling working as a school janitor. Maury was one of the NASA electromechanical designers that helped with putting a man on the moon. After a stroke-like attack several years ago, Maury found himself needing to find a new line of work. “My main problem is in my head," he shared. “I catch myself trying to be so careful with what I’m saying that by the time I get part of it out I’ve forgotten what the subject matter was.” Maury accepted a position as custodian at Coulter Grove Intermediate School in Knoxville TN “I went from being an electromechanical designer to being a janitor and it was probably the best decision I ever made," he said. However, Maury isn’t just the janitor to the kids at Coulter Grove, he’s an inspiration. They have all grown to love him and to appreciate the welcoming smile and chit-chat he offers them. Many didn’t know Maury’s previous occupation, they didn’t need to in order to be impressed by this humble man. “You never know what people have done!” shared one student, while another “It makes you wonder, how did he get HERE?” When asked if his mind was returned to its glory days, would he give up his janitor position? “I can’t say I would give this up!” Maury has become such an integral part of the school’s community as an encourager, a bright spot in the student and staffers day. As he works to maintain the school buildings, he is also building the school’s heart. “When you look at someone, think of yourself in that position...maybe someone who’s had a stroke ... maybe someone who feels less fortunate, look at them as being a fellow human being,” Forrester said. “I want them to see this and say hey, there’s hope. This guy can do this. Maybe I can pull myself up by the bootstraps.” What an inspiring story to never give up and to be a blessing to others in everything you do!

Fortnite is a popular video game that has taken the world by storm. If you have children or grandkids, you’ve probably heard or seen them play this ‘addicting’ game. In fact, Fortnite has become so popular that many people are saying it’s becoming a problem within their family. The television show ‘What Would You Do?’ decided to put this theory to the test with a recent hidden camera experiment. The hit show, hosted by John Qui'ones, is known for putting strangers in difficult situations and then recording how they react. Today’s episode featured a group of actors portraying a family trying to enjoy a nice meal at a local restaurant. Throughout the lunch, we see that the son is distracted by the video game on his iPad. Other patrons start to take notice of the boy’s preoccupied state and some even strike up conversations with the parents. Almost everyone that speaks up has either played Fortnite or seen a friend or relative become immersed in the game. One stranger, named Roosevelt, just had to say something to the young man so into his iPad and his words are so true. ‘You’re always going to have a chance to play that game, but they’re not going to be there all the time.’ Roosevelt ended his comments by saying ‘Just enjoy each other.’ In this digital age, screen distraction is becoming more and more common and I can definitely see where it interrupts family bonding. I’m so glad that others were able to speak up and offer advice on this growing issue in our society. And let’s all remember to be in the moment when we’re with our family because these are memories that we will never get back.

7-year-old Kameryn Chebetar really wants to be a police officer when he grows up. He has so much respect and empathy for police officers that he decided he wanted to do something really special for them. So Kameryn started handing out ‘lucky pennies’ to police officers. Each penny has a note attached which reads, “Many times in life you just need a little luck. If the path you’re on is bumpy, or you’re simply feeling stuck. When you’re up against a challenge, or have something big to face this lucky little penny may be your saving grace. Pennies for Police 2018 from Kameryn Chebetar”is warming hearts with his "Pennies for Police" crusade. "Every year we try to do something to give back and this year it was his turn to kind of make a choice and he said he wanted to do something for police," said Kameryn's mom. The 7-year-old is handing out lucky pennies, along with a poem, to officers across the country. To show their gratitude, officers gifted Kameryn with a coin and a badge. When asked why Kameryn is giving the police officers pennies, the little boy responded, “For luck. So they can get home safely.” This one kind gesture is really helping lift the spirits of the officers who received them! “There is so much bad negativity. This sheds a little positivity on us and it makes us feel really good,” one officer shared. Kameryn’s mom explained that every year she encourages him to try to do something to give back to the community, and that this year, Kameryn wanted to do something for the police. How wonderful is it that this sweet boy already understands the importance of giving back and treating others well!

Phone fast quick paste and enjoyable. God is the everlasting life in Jesus name.
Amen.

The Gift tells the story of how God delivered a Gift that turned a dream into more than anyone imagined. The Gift is the preview to the upcoming advent video series, based on the book Christmas of Discovery, by Christian author and teacher, Carolyn Priester Jones.

We all know Jesus is the reason for the season. And decorating is one of the fun ways many of us like to celebrate the birth of our dear Savior. That's certainly the case for Chip and Joanna Gaines. The talented duo decked Magnolia Market out with Chip and Joanna Gaines Christmas decorations. And the breathtaking transformation is just the dose of holiday inspiration I needed! With Joanna Gaines' talented eye for design, you can tell she's truly in her element as she and the Magnolia Market staff work together to revamp the store into a Winter Wonderland. But part of what sets Chip and Joanna Gaines Christmas decorations apart from other holiday themes is their genuine approach. It's not about the latest holiday trends, but rather about nostalgia and timeless traditions. “I’m not looking for ways to reinvent this season," Joanna Gaines says.  After sharing her Christmas vision with the talented team of "Magnolia Market Elves," Joanna and Chip marvel at what they manage to pull off. "Today is the day I get to see these sketches come to life," Joanna excitedly reported. And certainly, the whole Magnolia Market crew outdid themselves. Of course, Chip has to jump in with a few suggestions of his own and manages to provide some comic relief as he inadvertently sprays the cameraman with a wood sealant! But when all is said and done, the Magnolia Market transformation is truly stunning. Joanna's nostalgic theme carries over into her Christmas decorating at home. You might expect a design expert like to Joanna to come up with a new "theme" each year. But she prefers to stick with the family's traditions. “I want to decorate our tree with our same ornaments that we ooh and ahh over each year,” Joanna explained in the winter issue of Magnolia Journal. “Our tree could never be complete without the kids’ handmade offerings. And while the Popsicle-stick picture frames have cracked over the years, and the photos within them have faded—it only makes me love them all the more.” And it's not just the decorations. Joanna admits she fixes the same cinnamon rolls Christmas morning that she's baked "for as long as I can remember.”  “We count down the days, just to experience it nearly exactly as we always have,” she writes. “It is so comfortable, familiar and perfectly nostalgic that, frankly, we have no desire to improve upon it at all.” In a world so quick to throw out the "old" for the "new," the Gaines' traditional Christmas Spirit is so inspiring. Of course, there will be one new addition to the Gaines Christmas celebration this year... baby Crew! What kinds of traditions does your family honor each year?

Ross Smith and his 91-year-old grandmother, Pauline "Granny" Kana are internet sensations! The two have more than 15 million followers online who appreciate the duo’s funny antics. But in this video, the two have set out to do a good deed for others less fortunate than themselves by surprising alzheimer’s patients with puppies! Most people appreciate Ross’ boy-next-door charm and Granny’s quick wit. But it’s the combination of the two of them that truly makes them so successful. People love seeing the relationship between the two. It’s so wonderful to see a young grandson spend so much time with his grandmother, and clearly he loves and really appreciates her. But it wasn’t always that way! Ross confessed, "Honestly most people – and I was probably one of those people at the time – don't have respect for the elderly. Once you're old, you kind of go away and go to a nursing home. Doing this opened my mind to how awesome old people are and how cool they live their lives. They appreciate the small things we don't appreciate in this fast-paced advertising industry-based life." In this video, the two surprise seniors by showing up with puppies for them to snuggle! You could literally see the seniors, who are suffering from alzheimer’s, light up with joy when the little wriggly bundles of joy were plopped into their unsuspecting laps! The video ends by sharing the statistic that ⅓ of all seniors are afflicted with dementia or Alzheimer’s. It goes on to say that those suffering from these dreaded illnesses are not forgotten!

A police officer in Arkansas was working at a high school football game when a student said something that landed the officer up in the middle of the stands. The crowd was surprised to look up and see the man in uniform standing with a bunch of teens in band uniforms, while he jammed out on the drums! Corporal Les Munn, an officer with the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department, shared that he was at the ballgame when students in the band started joking with him that he should carry their heavy drums up into the stands for them. He said, ‘ok,’ and once he got there they dared him to play with them. The officer, who actually used to be in his own high school band, hadn't played the drums in 23 years. But that didn't stop him from accepting the students’ challenge! He grabbed the sticks and played with the marching band during the fourth quarter of the football game. The crowd couldn’t have been more surprised and delighted! Watch the video and see for yourself his impressive performance. He did so well, that the band director invited the officer to come back next year for a repeat performance. We wonder if he’ll be practicing up to surprise the football fans with something epic! ‘Class is out, but he still schooled them,’ the reporter for Inside Edition joked!

A police officer in Arkansas was working at a high school football game when a student said something that landed the officer up in the middle of the stands. The crowd was surprised to look up and see the man in uniform standing with a bunch of teens in band uniforms, while he jammed out on the drums! Corporal Les Munn, an officer with the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department, shared that he was at the ballgame when students in the band started joking with him that he should carry their heavy drums up into the stands for them. He said, ‘ok,’ and once he got there they dared him to play with them. The officer, who actually used to be in his own high school band, hadn't played the drums in 23 years. But that didn't stop him from accepting the students’ challenge! He grabbed the sticks and played with the marching band during the fourth quarter of the football game. The crowd couldn’t have been more surprised and delighted! Watch the video and see for yourself his impressive performance. He did so well, that the band director invited the officer to come back next year for a repeat performance. We wonder if he’ll be practicing up to surprise the football fans with something epic! ‘Class is out, but he still schooled them,’ the reporter for Inside Edition joked!