[ampaterry]

I agree, Jack -
What ended here, and what was celebrated yesterday, is the widespread, open, enforced-by-law slavery where one human being can be OWNED by another, and that ownership is enforced by law. It is a slavery where the slave is property, has no right to redress for wrongs committed against them and they have no more 'civil rights' than a plow or hoe.

For today:

In his book Open the Door Wide to Happy Living, T. Huffman Harris told of a young man named Eddie who became tired of life and decided to leap from a bridge into a turbulent river. Jim, a total stranger, saw Eddie being swept downstream and plunged into the water in an effort to save him. Eddie, a good swimmer, noticed the man floundering desperately in the strong current and knew that without his help he would drown. Something stirred within him. With all of his strength, Eddie swam over to the man and rescued him. Saving that stranger, who had attempted to save him, brought new hope and meaning to Eddie's life.
Sometimes it does take a crisis to shock us out of a "poor-me attitude." When shocked sufficiently, we can begin to see once again our value to God, by discovering our value to others!
Have you ever been in the state where you wished you could just step out of all your troubles? I’ve seen a little sign in someone’s desk that said:
“I’m about to have a nervous breakdown. I worked hard for it; I deserve it; And no one is going to talk me out of it!”
So that feeling is not reserved for those contemplating suicide; everyone, at one time or another, wants to “stop the world and let me off!” At those times, remember these verses;

John 15:11,12;
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
1 Thessalonians 3:11,12;
“Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you. And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you”

We all - each one of us - has value to God. May God bless each one of you with this sure knowledge.