Story With A Message

Several years ago, Amy Grant sang a song called Helping Hand . The chorus went like this: Everybody needs a helping hand Take a look at your fellow man And tell me what can I do today 'Cause everybody needs a helping out If that ain't what it's all about Tell me what What can I do What can I do today   Today's podcast is about a helping hand. Want to contact me? Send an email to  storywithamessage...

Let's say you were given a task to make a list. Let's call it your "List for Life." Your list is be comprised of truths that enable you to live life effectively and happily. Where would those truths come from? Listen to today's podcast and learn where one author found his truth. And you might be surprised where he found them. Want to contact me? Send an email to  storywithamessage@outlook.com .  ...

We all want to be happy. All too often we feel like something has to happen in the future for happiness to be realized. But is that the case? Listen to the simple little story in today's podcast. It might give us some clues. Note: The story told in today's podcast has been attributed originally to Heinrich Theodor Boll, the prolific post-WWII German writer. As with many stories, it has come down t...

Has there ever been a time when you've been excited about plans you've made and then everything goes wrong? Of course, you have. We all have. Listen to today's podcast and I'll tell a personal story where my plans went south in a hurry. Want to contact me? Send an email to  storywithamessage@outlook.com .   The intro and outro tune was adapted from royalty-free music provided by  ZakharValaha  on ...

Not all people are as smart or as pretty or as gifted or as rich as others, but their value isn't diminished in the least. All people deserve a shot in life even though it may seem the deck is stacked against them. Time and time again, people who are viewed as life's underdogs have risen to prove their potential. Listen to today's story. It's the story about an unappreciated student who demonstrat...

I was taught from an early age to respect my elders. They had earned the right to be heard and honored. After all, they were graduates from the school of life. Today's podcast features a letter written by an 83 year-old woman. We would all do well to listen and to heed. Want to contact me? Send an email to  storywithamessage@outlook.com .   The intro and outro tune was adapted from royalty-free mu...

Warren Buffett is one of the most successful businessmen in our day. He's a business magnate, investor and philanthropist. With a net worth of $95 billion, he has been tabbed as the world's sixth wealthiest person. You might be surprised by how Buffett defines success. He said, "I measure success by how many people love me." Listen to today's podcast. Another person who is far less notable than Bu...

So many things divide us. So many walls separate us. So many differences to overcome. So many prejudices to defeat. So much intolerance to counter. Sometimes we need an example of how the unlikely is possible... just like Tarra and Bella. Want to contact me? Send an email to  storywithamessage@outlook.com .   The intro and outro tune was adapted from royalty-free music provided by  ZakharValaha  o...

It's interesting how some relate life to music. Someone said, "Life is like music: Some high notes, some low notes, but always a good song!" Another said, "Life is more like a song. We don't listen to songs just for how they end. We listen to songs to enjoy them while they play." Still another said, "Live your life like music. Enjoy the lyrics." Listen to today's podcast. Hopefully, it will encour...

We've all done it. We've said things we shouldn't have. We've hurt someone with insensitive and thoughtless speech. Well, a situation occurred last weekend that points out how easily it is to open mouth, and insert foot. Payback was brutal. Listen to today's podcast for the story. Want to contact me? Send an email to  storywithamessage@outlook.com .   The intro and outro tune was adapted from roya...

We lost an important world figure this week. Queen Elizabeth II lived to 96 years of age and was the longest-reigning monarch in British history. She reigned over 70 years. The news media is filled with stories about who she was and what she was all about. Today, I have a story providing a small glimpse into her life that might surprise you. It might even make you laugh! Want to contact me? Send a...

Sometimes an object becomes a symbolic reminder of a truth or lesson we've learned. Today's podcast involves a $20 bill. Listen to see what message we can learn. Want to contact me? Send an email to  storywithamessage@outlook.com .   The intro and outro tune was adapted from royalty-free music provided by  ZakharValaha  on  Pixabay . Clink  HERE  for a direct link to the music. The beautiful sunse...

Remember the American folktale of The Little Engine That Could ? A long line of cars had the daunting challenge of making it up a steep hill, and needed an engine to pull it. A large engine was approached but it said, "I can't. That's too much of a pull for me." Other engines were approached, but they always provided an excuse for why they couldn't. Finally, a little engine was asked, and it said,...

The late James Ingram, the great R&B artist, sang a song called "Everything Must Change." In part, it said: "Everything must change             Nothing stays the same Everyone will change No one stays the same   The young becomes the old And mysteries do unfold 'Cause that's the way of time Nothing and no one goes unchanged" It's true. Change is a fact of life, and today's podcast takes a closer l...

American novelist Ann Hood said, "I have learned that there is more power in a good strong hug than in a thousand meaningful words." Any of us who have been on the receiving end of that quote can affirm its truth. Today's podcast does too. To watch the video associated with today's story CLICK HERE . Want to contact me? Send an email to  storywithamessage@outlook.com .   The intro and outro tune w...

When we've been wronged, it's so easy to become angry. Left unchecked, anger tends to cause us to say things we wouldn't otherwise and to do things that we'll regret later. This week's podcast is a good example. It's about a personality you might know who made a rash decision. Why? Because of a joke that wasn't aired! Want to contact me? Send an email to  storywithamessage@outlook.com .   The intr...

Several years ago I was at a used book store and ran across a set of books titled Readers Digest Teen-Age Treasury . I wasn't put off by the term "teen-age" suggesting they were for a younger audience. I stood there in the store and read a couple of the stories. I was sold. I took the set home with me and I've read and re-read its stories through all the ensuing years.. Today I'm going to share on...

If someone believes the way we do and supports the same things, we view them as being on "our" team. If someone believes and supports the opposite, they're on "their" team. We're the good guys. They're the bad guys. Listen to today's podcast to discover how a series of baseball games gave me a whole different perspective on this issue. Could it be there are good people on both sides? Want to conta...

World War II produced its share of epic tales. Stories including names like Eisenhower, MacArthur, Marshall, Bradley, and Patton quickly come to mind. A myriad of other stories featuring lesser known names fill our memories and volumes of books. Today's podcast is a narrative that can't be overlooked. It's about four chaplains who refused to let differences get in their way of love for God, their...

Sometimes in life, we meet people who deeply touch us. In some way, they make an impression. They impact us. They make us stop and think. We can never forget them. Listen to today's podcast and learn about an individual who had that kind of effect on my brother. Want to contact me? Send an email to  storywithamessage@outlook.com .   The intro and outro tune was adapted from royalty-free music prov...

Never in my lifetime did I think I'd live through a year like 2020. COVID-19 changed our world. Our "normal" was redefined by a new normal. It was a year that for all practical purposes our society was shut down. it was a year of fear and frustration. It was a year we likely want to forget. But before we do, listen to today's podcast. It may help by talking about it. Want to contact me? Send an em...

Sinkholes are both fascinating and frightening. We've all been amazed at these huge holes that open up in the earth. We've also been alarmed at the damage they can cause. Not knowing where or when they may appear is disconcerting. In many ways, sinkholes reflect our life circumstances. Listen to today's podcast for an explanation. Want to contact me? Send an email to  storywithamessage@outlook.com...

Happy Father's Day! It doesn't take a special day like this to make me think of my father. As a matter of fact, I'll hear a particular song or a certain sound or a familiar statement that reminds me of him. On today's podcast, I want to share some clips that remind me of my Dad. I'm hopeful it will help you recall things that make you think of your father too. Want to contact me? Send an email to ...

When sorrow comes our way, we long to hear a word of hope and encouragement. Quite often that word arrives from the lips of a family member, or a friend, or even a stranger. Today's podcast tells of a time when my own mother was experiencing sorrow. She busied herself with work and other activities to cope. But her day came when a word of hope and encouragement arrived. It just came from an unlike...

We love gifts, don't we? There's something exciting about ripping the bows off a package and tearing into the brightly colored paper. With anticipation, we wonder what lies within. It also gives us joy to watch someone open a gift from us. Listen to today's podcast which talks about Ursula's special gift. It might not be what you think. Want to contact me? Send an email to  storywithamessage@outlo...