UpLift Media

 There isn't a lot of good news coming out of Maui this year as a record setting fire consumed much of the beautiful island devastating businesses, homes, and historic sites alike. However (and as usual) if you look closely you will find endless stories of people helping one another out especially in times of tragedy. On practically the 22nd anniversary of another tragedy (911) Steven Pickering and his wife got in the car to leave their neighborhood. The fires were getting too close and the window of safe escape was closing in on them. That is when Jessica saw it. "OMG, its right there in the bushes" she exclaims. Steven, not having noticed inquires back to her, "What" ? to which she emphatically exclaims, "the fire, its in the bushes!" The Smith's thanking the Pickering's With video rolling to capture the emotional moment, Steven jumps out of the car and grabs a water-hose from the side of the home and begins dousing the flames despite the ri...

 Normal neighborly kindness comes in the form of giving a cup of sugar to that mom who is in the middle of baking and realizes she is out. Or maybe its checking their mail while they are vacationing and keeping an eye on the house. Still another might be mowing their yard or helping with trash cans. These gestures are all kind and loving in their own way building a sense of true community. But what if your neighbor is in harms way and being attacked? What if the only option is to risk your own life or physical injury by coming to their aid? Would you hesitate? Grant and Mason reunited after the attack Thankfully Grant Brown, a nineteen year old soon to be military recruit, did not stop to think about his own safety when he heard the screams of six-year-old neighbor Mason Lindeman. The little boy had been playing on his own driveway near the road with two other friends when a pit bull got loose and went on the attack. The dog honed in on Mason, tackling him to the ground, clamping h...

 As Christians we rightfully make bold claims. Our Father created the entire universe, all of the earth, then decided to create us, AND to make us in His image. Sure, we live in an imperfect world but He is mightier than the fallen state of affairs. To prove it He sent His son to ultimately fix what we so horribly broke. Our identity in Christ also allows a certain boldness you don't typically find in the average non-believer or other religious follower. He overcame death that we might live. He gives us a new identity that we can approach the throne of God like children rather than broken beggars riddled with sin. But what happens when our boldness is challenged and life drops an atomic bomb on us? Do we fold and run? Do we become consumed with anxiety and resentment? Do we just talk the talk or can we actually walk the walk? Those questions are hard for me to answer personally and quite honestly I am not inviting a bomb to land on my lap as a means of testing. However, that exact ...

 No words can describe the level of evil that a little boy named Ronnie had to endure. His dad not only attacked and killed his mother & sister right in front of him, he also attacked him with the same intention. Somehow after being stabbed 20 times and set on fire, the little boy survived. Adding literal insult to injury this tortured young man had to testify in court where his dad stood as his own defense attorney allowing him to cross-examine Ronnie. In one brief audio clip from the trial the dad asks, "how did I hurt you?" to which the young man confidently said, "you stabbed me!" Ronnie told interviewers, "I stood my ground." when they asked him what it was like to face his dad in court again. The Blair family praying over a meal During Ronnie's hospital stay and recovery time he was visited by a very different kind of man, named Mike Blair who also happened to be the Hillsborough County Sherriff. Maybe sensing that Mike was a good man or m...

 If you are like most, you clicked this article because of its incredible title. How could that be true? Surely no one holds their breath that long. What kept them under the surface for 8 full minutes? Further details are needed to satisfy our curiosity. As the source content below will show this was a deeper dive (no pun intended) that did not disappoint as it renders the title somewhat tame in comparison to its amazing details. Turns out a 12 year old boy while vacationing at a South Carolina resort got stuck in a lazy river pool drain after unwisely removing its cover with the help of a friend. With the cover removed the force of the pumps suction grew all the stronger, capturing the young man's foot, making it impossible to surface and retrieve air.  Skursky recounting the rescue attempt His friend (a fellow 12 year-old) immediately began pulling on his trapped buddy in attempt to help but ultimately the force of the suction was too much. After 90 seconds the friend yells ...

 As parents we do our best to teach our kids how to handle situations that could, but hopefully won't, happen. Instructions include everything from how to call 911 to making them memorize their address as well as mom & dad's phone numbers. We all hope that these lessons will never have to be put into action and that they recall the instructions clearly in the heat and stress of the moment if something does occur. Reacting well in an emergency is difficult for grown people, let alone kids as that "fight or flight" response often has people running away or panicking, unable to think clearly.  Learning how to call 911 If it can be that challenging for grown-ups imagine how challenging it might be for a teen or even a kid. Now imagine a very young kid that is just four years old. At this age you haven't even been to Kindergarten yet, likely cannot write your own name, let alone drink from a cup that doesn't have a sippy lid to prevent spillage. So when mommy p...

 Stranger danger is certainly a real thing. For the most part we keep to ourselves out in public and we definitely encourage our kids to play it safe. Don't talk to adults you don't know, don't accept candy, don't help someone find their lost dog, and for heaven's sake don't get into a vehicle regardless of the "bait" or perceived "reward". However that is a sad reality especially since most people are not out to kidnap or otherwise cause you harm. Plus we, as humans, cannot help but interact in public spaces often which can make complete avoidance of one another challenging. Add to the mix, a public form of transportation like the New York Subway system where passengers are forced, at least from one stop to another, to ride together in tight quarters. Want a turn? That is the scene for this specific heartwarming story as two passengers, one an adult and the other a young boy, ended up sitting next to one another during their daily commute. T...