Living Proof

If there's one thing I've learned in life, it's to love people as much as you possibly can, and help as much as within your capability to do so. Sometimes, when you see someone on a daily basis, familiarity can breed contempt. People may think they know you, or feel compelled to make assumptions as well as snide remarks. I usually just blow it off, but when it comes to someone threatening me with conspiracy theories off their own, I will stand up for myself. The other day while in a Zoom meeting, they hired a new guy who seemed to be nice and helpful. As time went on, I began to really like him and enjoyed what he had to offer to the group. Unfortunately, the topic regarding the vaccine came up in a group where it was a mixed bag of opinions and views. I placed myself on mute, because I didn't want to sway someone else's decision. That's their business---not mine. I also don't judge anyone for taking the vaccine. With that being said, there is one thing that...

Whether you're a believer or not, you've probably heard quite a few Christians saying that Jesus is coming back soon. As far as I can remember, each war, each political upheaval and catastrophic event in the world has led people to believe that the rapture was coming even sooner. But the fact still remains: nobody knows the day or hour. "But Deb, there's a pandemic now!" Okay---but remember back in 1968 when the Hong Kong Flu , (oh wait, politically incorrect)---the H3N2 virus struck? The pandemic that shook the entire globe? The estimated number of deaths was 1 million worldwide and about 100,000 in the United States. Most excess deaths were in people 65 years and older. The H3N2 virus continues to circulate worldwide as a seasonal influenza A virus.  Jesus did not come back.  Trek back to the Spanish Flu , (oh wait, politically incorrect as well as literally incorrect)---the 1918 Pandemic. It is estimated that about 500 million people or one-third of the world’...

These are my thoughts and beliefs alone, and nobody else's. I can't speak for everyone else---only myself. My opinions, research and beliefs do not reflect anyone I work for. Most people I work along with have different views than I do. So with that being said, it hurts to see so many people still at odds with one another over political and mostly, social issues. They want us to hate each other. Don't let them win. "Them" is subjective. Them isn't really subjective if you think about who's been screaming 'fear' into our homes, making us want to crawl back deeper into our caves, isolating ourselves from family and friends...isolating ourselves from the world itself. At first it seemed like a good idea. Two weeks, and we'll be back to normal. Well, now they're saying two years and we'll be back to "normal." And now, without your "special identification jabby card," you won't be able to come out and play with the re...

Do you think a person can change? For instance, do you think a person with abusive behavior can change, or maybe someone who is unfaithful and cheats on their spouse can change their ways? What about someone who constantly lies? I honestly believe that people can change, but it takes time, and in most cases, it's impossible for a leopard to change its spots. Sometimes, it's just in their nature---imbedded and rooted---no chance for change. At what point do you accept that person as who they are, and meet them where they're at, or just simply, (or not so simply) walk away for good? I thought about this a lot these past couple of years. I'm a big believer in forgiveness. In the Bible, when Peter asked Jesus, "How often should I forgive my brother? As many as seven times?" Then Jesus told him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven." This basically means, you are to always forgive, as God always forgives you. But shouldn't there ...

It can be frightening to hear a pastor or preacher talk about the end times. Some avoid churches just to attend another who will make them feel good. And that's okay. But at what point do you really want to hear the truth? And what is "truth?" It can be subjective. When I was 'still on the milk' -- a baby Christian if you will, I wanted to hear all of those 'feel good' messages, say for example, Joel Osteen. "Yes! You're gonna get that raise you prayed about---oh, and that bad report from the doctor is going to change! God is gonna give you so much money, you'll be able to pay off your house and buy your neighbor's as well!"  Listen, I love to hear a feel good message as much as anyone, but this is just "gather 'em up and give 'em goosebumps" kinda preaching. It's technically called, "lukewarm sermons." They get you in the church pumped up to win the lottery, but what are you really desiring? Shouldn...

Once in a while, I get some people asking me, "Why do you write such personal things up on your blog and on social media?" Some people, and even some family members are embarrassed by my 'oversharing' of personal struggles with anxiety, depression and grief. I always tell them, "It's my purpose. I am here to help people feel less alone." As God once impressed on me, that I am supposed to "Do it for the One"----do it even if only one person reads what I write, as well as do it for "The One" --- God Himself. Because God is in each and every once of us. So by sharing my weaknesses, God's strength is made even that much stronger, especially for the other person seeking help. If someone lost a parent, I can share my experience and how I still cope through it. If someone suffers with anxiety attacks, I can tell them about my coping skills and hopefully assist them and prevent them going straight into crisis mode. I truly believe that...

If it's not one thing, it's another, right? One problem goes away, and another one takes its place. It's life's little "bully" tugging at your backpack straps. Two steps forward, and then next thing you know, you're down on the ground struggling to get back up again. What I'm learning through my own faith, is to trust God in every situation in your life. One of my purposes here is to struggle through certain things, and find out what works best to eliminate it, or to lessen the blows at least. I try to figure out the best solution, and then to share it with others when I have either overcome it, or have gotten better coping with whatever it is. So today I want to share what helped me survive the entire year of 2020.  My struggles actually started way before 2020, but my heightened sense of fear, as well as other ailments that followed it, like a racing heart and palpitations, which started after my mom died back in 2017. I also suffered from loneliness...