DALANEL

Good News 57: Officer saves baby, Help for Atlanta, and more.

Since I’m doing this once a week thing, you can actually expect more than just 2-3 articles. I’m aiming for 4-5 now.

Our first one is how an officer saves a baby’s life:

He immediately opened the baby’s shirt and began rubbing his sternum, but the baby still wasn’t breathing. He quickly rolled the infant over and began administering back blows, pausing after a moment to see the baby was still unconscious and still not breathing. He rolled the baby over a second time and applied more back blows, which caused the baby to vomit and dislodged the obstruction in his airway. The baby began breathing again and opened his eyes.

He’s set to receive a medal for his actions. As for the baby, apparently, it was the result of a milk allergy.

Next, Atlanta and its surrounding areas are struggling with a snow storm. And so, this happened:

Good Samaritans across metro Atlanta took food to thousands of stranded motorists spending the night on ice-locked freeways, helped push cars up hills, offered rides and places to recharge cellphones, and even invited strangers into their homes for the night.

The link goes on to tell a few stories of helping others.

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Are you a bandwagon Christian?

Welp, here we freaking go again. I might hit a nerve. You could end up feeling some kind of way after I’m done. That’s assuming you end up reading this whole post.

I. You. We. Need to look into the mirror and ask ourselves this question: Am I a bandwagon Christian?

It’s nothing to be ashamed of, in a sense. I mean, it’s not like we’re jumping up and down with excitement every time we face a trial. Still, there are some people that really want all of the benefits and don’t want to work for anything.

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The Miracle Before My Driver’s Test

blog-quitb4miracleScared. Nervous. Worried.

Perhaps one of those words, or another that I can’t think of, is how I felt that day. It was March and I was a sexy teenager. After spending all winter learning how to drive, it was time to take the test.

I always feel cocky whenever I drive in harsh weather if only because I took my driver’s test in that kind of weather. Snow and ice doesn’t bother me that much. On the flip side, the whole time I was learning was during the winter and so I’m probably a more timid driver because I almost always drive as if there’s ice on the road.

Anyway, it’s March. Thursday.

You might have done some parking and other practices in an empty parking lot, right? Maybe it was very early or very late at night when there were no cars around.

That’s what I went through with my dad.

During my time behind the wheel, I realized that I hated driving. I knew going in it wasn’t Mario Kart. By the way, I will destroy in any Mario Kart. Let me know. I promise to make you cry. Anyway, I knew it was serious and that’s why, even to this day, I don’t really enjoy driving. I’m constantly scared of hitting somebody whether a car or a person.

The last thing I had to practice was parallel parking. Oh Lord. I got all other tricks of the trade down. I just couldn’t, for the love of God, get in between those shopping carts in one smooth motion.

Even that early Thursday morning, I was freaking out. “I can’t fail this test. I can’t”. Right. My mom tried to console me. “Oh, I didn’t pass my first time.” She said this a while ago. See, when I went to take my written test, I failed. And failed. And failed. I think it took me four or five times before I got it. My mom said she pulled it off easily.

We all have our strengths and weaknesses or some crappy morale lesson like that. I wasn’t hearing it.

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Wednesday Word: Accepting criticism

Criticism. Mainly, constructive criticism. How do we handle it? Check out the video:

That’s the key. Or, keys. For one, we need to be willing to accept being corrected. And we need to surround ourselves with people who are willing to do that correcting.

I’m one of those guys who can take and deal out criticism. I probably get that from my mom, who has a large reputation of not having a problem talking to people about themselves. And, what I’ve noticed over the years is that people turn to her for advice and “what should I do?” because they value her honesty.

As the verse said, it’s basically better to be around people who may not be a friend but will tell you what you need to hear vs someone close to you who tells you what you want to hear. If we’re keeping it real, that second part could imply that people close to you are willing to lie to you to risk not hurting your feelings. Is that what you would want in your best friend? Spouse?

That’s the only way we can grow. Pride in ourselves can turn us off to it. If we think we’re fine and don’t have to improve, we’re doomed. God already hates pride. We need to humble ourselves. We need to take criticism. Consider it. Like Blake said, check and see if it lines up with the Word of God and His standards.

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Dante’s Opinion: My wife is buying a new vacuum cleaner every week! Help!?

Our first question is from Zachary:

Every single week, I come home a day and see a new vacuum cleaner on my front porch. She is buying used old ones, refurbished ones, & new ones. And it’s not like the 1s we have are breaking. She just keeps buying more. I know my Father in law just died a couple days after Christmas. (Her father.) Could this a be a sign of depression. My father in law gave her a Hoover Windtunnel Bagged Upright Vacuum cleaner, for Christmas. And now, thats all shes buying is the Hoover windtunnel bagged upright. I tried talking to her, and asked her to please get help, shes spending money on stuff we don’t need. Then she gets emotional and goes to our room and locks the door, or she goes & vacuums. Please. I need advice!

My goodness. At first I was praying and hoping this would be hilarious. But, when I read that her dad died, plus gave her a vacuum before he died, I can see it clearly. She needs help and fast. Vacuums are expensive! She’s grieving and she needs time but…I don’t want to sound harsh but, this eventually hurt you and her if she doesn’t stop vacuuming the money out of your bank account. Ha! But, seriously, see if other family members from her side of the family can help.

Next is from potato:

how old do i look ?? how wud u rate me ?? can i qualify as a model (from looks).. http://www.flickr.com/photos/115646487@N03/

You look early 20’s maybe mid. I give a two. And no, based on your face, I would not consider you a model.

Last question is from marie~*:

Can a girl play electric guitar if guys can? I know dumb question but im just asking cause I want to play. and im a little self conscious that guys would think bad about it…

That’s not dumb at all. If you want to play the electric guitar, do it. And don’t worry about the losers that think it’s a bad thing. Heck, it could be a turn on for others. Gals and guys can do almost anything.

-DALANEL

Monday Motivation: Tell A Joke

Here’s a challenge to you today: Tell a joke. Make somebody smile, even if it’s a little corny. It could be a one-liner. Whatever the joke is, tell it. Have some fun today at work or in school.

There’s plenty of jokes here on DALANEL.

So go ahead and tell a joke. You can’t tell me  a joke though because I probably already know it. Ha!

-DALANEL