Valentine’s Day is approaching, but it doesn’t have to put you in the poor house.  Oftentimes, the best, most thoughtful and most genuine gifts are those that take a bit of effort.  Anyone can schedule a flower delivery, but who will take the time to write a heartfelt letter by hand?

To get you started, check out these 50 things that are simple to do, and can really make an impact on your loved one:

50. Make a mixed CD of songs they’ll enjoy.

49. Create a hand-made card and leave a thoughtful note.

48. Randomly, without any prompting, look them in the eye and say, “I really appreciate you—just for being you.”

47. Compliment them on something people may not often acknowledge—like their work ethic, or consideration for other people.

46. Give them something from nature that reminds you of them—like a unique shell, or a smooth but sturdy rock.

44. Send them a funny video from YouTube, and write, “You make me laugh more than this video. Thank you!”

43. Draw a map of your apartment with them in it and write, “I’d be lost without you.”

42. Give them something of yours that reminds you of them.

41. Give them a book you’ve already read, and inscribe it with a meaningful message.

40. Ask them if you can take care of their responsibilities; for example, you could offer to pick your friend’s children up from school.

39. Tell them they were so right about something and let them know how that information impacted your life.

38. Look for something on Craigslist you know they need—a job or a piece of affordable furniture, for example—and forward them the ad.

37. Squeeze their hand and say, “thank you.”

36. Ask, “How are you—really?” Then do nothing but listen and respond to what you hear for as long as they’d like to talk.

35. Ask, “What can I do to help you today?”

34. Notice how they affect other people—not you—and comment on it.

33. Cook dinner for them.

32. Make a simple sacrifice to spend time with them; for example, TiVo that show you always catch, and stop by with a 6-pack.

31. See their potential, and encourage them to pursue their dreams.

30. Ask them to retell their favorite story.

29. Let them pick the plans and find a way to really enjoy it—go line dancing, and see the experience through their eyes.

28. Offer them your skill for free. For example, my friend Cori who’s a graphic designer designed something for me last year as an early birthday gift.

27. Tell them which qualities of theirs you admire.

26. Introduce them to someone you love as, “My dear friend who taught me…”

25. Introduce them to something new that you think would enrich their lives.

24. Let them be right, even if you think they’re not, if it’s not that big of a deal.

23. Ask their advice on something important, and tell them their opinion means the world to you.

22. Send them a text that reads, “Thought of you today, and it made me smile.”

21. Notice when they do something that might have been challenging, and applaud their efforts.

20. Tell them the block in your planner that includes their name is the most important on a busy day.

19. Tell them you understand their struggle—whatever that may be—and say you’re always a call away to help.

18. Say thank you for something they don’t realize they gave you, like inspiration to seize the day, or the courage to leave an unhealthy relationship.

17. Let them know how they helped you think about something differently. For example, tell your friend she helped you see losing your job as a gift (if she did).

16. Surprise them in some way with something you know they’ll enjoy.

15. Send them a picture of you two together, and remind them why that day was amazing.

14. Ask how their big day went—whatever that big day may have been.

13. Share their pain when they have it. Hold their hand, wipe their tears, and be their shoulder to lean on.

12. Give them an uncomfortably long hug, like the Do Happy tip suggests.

11. Share a childlike experience with them. Go on the swings, get some ice cream, and let go of your stresses together.

10. Sing a song at karaoke and dedicate it to them. It doesn’t have to be a mushy one. Dedicate Ice, Ice Baby—it’s the thought that counts!

9. Encourage them to be completely themselves around you. Tell your female friend she’s beautiful even without makeup; or tell your guy friend you like his corny jokes because they’re his.

8. Be honest even if it’s uncomfortable for you.

7. Invite them out with friends of yours they don’t know. Nothing says “I value you” like inclusion.

6. Forgive something they did that hurt you without needing to hear the words, “I’m sorry.”

5. Look out for someone they love.

4. Remember something they said that they thought you didn’t hear.

3. Help them reconnect with someone important in their life.

2. If you blog, write something they inspired, and dedicate it to them.

1. Simply say, “I really care about you, and I wanted you to know.”

Give some of these tips a try not only next week, but all year round!

Thanks to Tiny Buddha for these words of wisdom.

Several years ago I heard a story of a sad-faced little girl who approached Billy Graham with a question she’d been dwelling on since losing her dog in an accident.  Approaching the popular evangelist, the little girl boldly asked, “Mr. Graham, will I get to see my dog in heaven someday?”  With a big smile Billy replied, “Young lady, if that would make you any happier then, yes, I believe you will.”  What a great answer to help lift the little gal’s spirit.  After all, don’t all dogs go to heaven?

Shelley & I certainly know what it feels like to become attached to a dog.  For three years, we had the privilege of being graced with a wonderful little short-haired Dachshund named Penny.  Penny was the only dog either of us ever owned since neither of us grew up with pets.  We stumbled upon Penny while searching for Dachshunds online.  An adoption agency called Planned Pethood (no affiliation with Planned Parenthood) had an ad placed by Penny’s owner who lived about 40 miles away.

We contacted the owner and set up an appointment to meet this little dog.  Arthur had recently lost his wife and was unable to continue caring for Penny who they’d adopted only a year before to be a companion for his ailing wife.  As she came rambling around the corner into the living room, Penny jumped up on the couch between Shelley & me and proceeded to go back and forth licking each of our faces.  We were sold.  “We’ll take her Arthur.”

Penny had such a loving personality and served as a great companion for Shelley during a season when I was traveling more.  One day, Shelley needed to stop by our church and decided to take Penny along.  While there, one of our friends overheard Shelley call out to Penny and came up to ask, “Did you say Penny?”  “Yes, that’s our dog’s name”, said Shelley.  “No way!!” said our friend.  “I think this is the same dog that belonged to my sister’s family.”  “Really?”, Shelley said curiously.  This friend of ours called her sister right there and said with excitement, “You’ll never guess who I’m standing next to…Penny!”

Indeed, this was an incredible coincidence.  We found out that Penny’s original owners (before Arthur & his wife) had her for nearly five years and Penny was a breeding dog who produced five litters of seven pups each time!  Unfortunately, Penny began to dominate their other dogs with her strong motherly qualities so the husband decided to give Penny away…without telling the rest of the family.  This was especially devastating to their little boy, Wes, who Penny would sleep with each night.  Upon hearing his mom talk about Penny on the phone, he began to sob.  Shelley could actually hear him saying he wanted Penny back which was heart-breaking.

Another Mission of Love

About a year and a half later, Shelley & I found ourselves traveling more together and in need of a dog sitter more often.  Penny simply wasn’t a good travel dog and would panic even when we’d leave her in the car when going into the post office.  She was happiest when she was warming up someone’s lap at home.  With Shelley & I being her third owners, I can’t blame her for having separation anxiety.

We were coming upon one particular stretch where we had several trips back to back and needed to find someone to watch her for a month.  But who?  A few days are one thing, but a month?  Shelley had an idea.  “Why don’t we ask Penny’s original owners if they’d like to watch her?”  I was feeling a little nervous about this idea when Shelley continued, “At the end of that time, we can ask them how it went and whether they’d like to keep Penny.”

You have to understand what a painful prospect this was for both Shelley & I.  We were so attached to that little dog and had planned to be her last owners.  Even so, with more opportunities to travel and speak together, we had to face the reality that Penny might be better off in another home.

Penny’s original owners were thrilled to watch her for us and we were excited as well.  Unfortunately, Wes’ father had passed away a couple years before after battling Lou Gehrig’s disease so this would serve as a special reunion for young Wes and Penny.  We checked in with them a couple weeks later and things were going very well.  Upon seeing Penny for the first time in four years, Wes had exclaimed, “Penny’s breath still smells the same!”

At the end of that stretch, we realized what we needed to do.  In so many ways, Penny was a ray of sunshine that we feel Jesus (yes, I believe he uses animals) used during an up and down three years.  When we asked this family if they’d like to keep Penny, they didn’t hesitate.  Penny would be moving on to her next mission of love.

Licking A Wound

Several months later, we received a message from Wes’ mom saying what a blessing it had been to have Penny back and how quickly she adjusted.  But the most touching part of her message came when she described the healing taking place in her son’s heart.  For the first time, Wes had been able to express forgiveness toward his late father for giving Penny away years before.  Apparently, Wes had approached his mom on his own and expressed how he no longer held a grudge toward his dad.

I know Penny’s time on earth will eventually come to an end.  But I’d sure like to believe she’ll come running around the corner when I get to heaven someday.

That would make me happy.  :)

It’s fascinating to study the cars used by religious leaders all over the world and while many are purpose built, such as one off vehicles like the iconic ‘Popemobile’, other figureheads prefer to drive some very run of the mill cars in order to maintain their anonymity.

The Dalai Lama’s Land Rover

The Dalai Lama’s choice of car hit the headlines very recently when a vehicle that he previously owned found its way on to the auction site, eBay. The vehicle in question was a 1966 Land Rover 88 Station Wagon and it was the official car for his Holiness between 1966 and 1976. The car was restored to its original condition and was to be sold on behalf of the Dalai Lama Foundation, listed with a reserve of $75,000. As far as the Dalai Lama was concerned therefore, practicality and durability were his main requirements in his official car.

The Popemobile

At the other end of the scale, when the Pope travels, everybody knows about it and the purpose built Popemobile is designed for driving the Pontiff through crowds of adoring followers with his visibility at an optimum level. The ‘Popemobile’ itself has been manufactured by a number of different producers over the years. Back in 2009, Hyundai launched a car, based on their City range, which was tried out by the Pope himself. The vehicle in question was built to order but it was hoped that many religious leaders would take advantage of Hyundai’s design.

The i10 conversion, as it was known, featured the classic ‘glass dome’ but there was a unique thinking behind the car that Hyundai hoped would boost sales. As the i10 conversion was based on the popular City car, the vehicle had a small 1.2-liter engine and low emissions. It was hoped that with religious leaders looking towards the global effect of CO2 emissions, the Hyundai i10 conversion would corner a very niche market.

Protecting Religious Heads

Sadly, the role of a religious leader means that they have their own unique requirements with regard to the use of a vehicle. Bulletproof glass and armor plating are vital parts of any car that is associated with some of these figureheads. There are many organizations across the world that will fit purpose built armor and glass to these cars but there is also a market for a ready-made vehicle that can tackle these issues. Jaguar has been at the forefront of this move in the market and recently released their XJ Sentinel. The Sentinel is resistant to hand guns as well as assault and armor piercing rifles and it is claimed that you can also detonate up to 15kg of TNT at close range without penetrating the car.

Some Religious Rides content provided by Netcars.

Religious Rides: How Spirituality Travels.

Women with attractive eyes may be forced to cover them up under Saudi Arabia’s latest repressive measure, it was reported yesterday.

The ultra-conservative Islamic state has said it has the right to stop women revealing ‘tempting’ eyes in public.

A spokesperson for Saudi Arabia’s Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, Sheikh Motlab al Nabet, said a proposal to enshrine the measure in law has been tabled.

Consequences for non-compliance

Women in Saudi Arabia already have to wear a long black cloak, called an abaya, cover their hair and, in some regions, conceal their faces while in public.

If they do not, they face punishments including fines and public floggings.

One report on the Bikya Masr news website suggested the proposal was made after a member of the committee was attracted by a woman’s eyes as he walked along a street, provoking a fight.

Women killed for not wearing correct headgear

The woman was walking with her husband who ended up being stabbed twice in the hand after the altercation.

The virtue and vice committee has repeatedly been accused of human rights violations.

Founded in 1940, its function is to ensure Islamic laws are not broken in public in Saudi Arabia.

In 2002, the committee refused to allow female students out of a burning school in the holy city of Mecca because they were not wearing correct head cover.

The decision is thought to have contributed to the high death toll of 15.

They are also banned from driving by religious edict and cannot travel without authorisation from their male guardians.

In September, a Saudi women sentenced to 10 lashes for defying the driving ban was only spared when King Abdullah stepped in to stop the public flogging.

Also in September, the king announced that women would be given the right to vote for the first time and run in the country’s 2015 local elections.

Some Saudi’s Shield Sexy Eyes content provided by Daily Mail.

Saudi’s shield sexy eyes.

DEPEW, N.Y. – Dozens of congregants at a western New York church received a little something extra while attending services this past weekend.

Envelopes each containing a $100 bill were handed out to nearly 85 families and individuals older than 18 near the end of Sunday’s service at The Vine Wesleyan Church in Depew, in suburban Buffalo. The cash was accompanied by a letter telling recipients that the money could help them meet a need in their lives or the lives of someone else.

Reverse giving surprises members

The Rev. Christopher Baldwin told The Buffalo News that the church’s leaders decided to give to its own congregation rather than collect Christmas Eve offerings that typically have been donated to places recovering from natural disasters.

Karen Fohl of Lancaster says she and her husband plan to double the $100 and donate it to the Buffalo City Mission.

For more information about cash back at church, visit: Buffalo News.

Some cash back content provided by TheTandD.

Cash Back at Church.

Lisa Valentine won a settlement in a case that shocked many around the nation.  In 2008, she was arrested for refusing to remove her headscarf before entering a courtroom in Douglasville, GA.  She cited religious reasons for the refusal, but that did not stop the officer from berating her and throwing her in jail.

City Admits Fault

As part of the settlement, the city of Douglasville has instituted new procedures for checking citizens who enter their courts and don religious attire. “We are glad that the city of Douglasville has acknowledged that the way that Ms. Valentine was treated was inexcusable and unlawful,” said Azadeh Shahshahani, an attorney with the ACLU of Georgia. “No one should feel singled out in a court of law simply for observing her faith.”

Photo courtesy of Huffington Post

Lisa Valentine Pleased With Settlement

“I am glad that Douglasville has agreed to formal policies to make sure this never happens to anyone else.” said Valentine. “Acknowledging that I was improperly treated was the least that my city could do.”

For more information about Lisa Valentine & her case, go to: Holy Events

Some content about Lisa Valentine provided by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

Lisa Valentine Wins Settlement Against Georgia City.