With so many things going on in the world, we may question our purpose in life. We may also ask why things are happening and whether we are living in the end times. In all of our humanness, we may also wonder if there is life after death.

I had a unique opportunity recently to view a screening on this subject. Angel Studios is bringing After Death to theaters beginning October 27, 2023 to help answer some of these questions. Granted, you will have many more questions after watching the movie, as I sure have tons swirling around in my head now!

With details from survivors who recall their encounter with Christ in their near-death experiences, as well as doctors and scientists weighing in on this subject, it might just open your eyes. Based on true accounts, authors and survivors give us a look into what happens when we die.

I read 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper previously because of my curiosity. In this film, a few more names I hadn’t heard of before weighed in on the subject. Dr. Mary Neal, the author of To Heaven and Back, John Burke, the author of Imagine Heaven, Dr. Jeffrey Long, the author of Evidence of the Afterlife, and Dr. Raymond Moody, the author of Life After Life, are interviewed in this film. As you can imagine, I was quite intrigued as I watched and listened to their stories.

The message of light (Christ), love (what we are to give to others), and hope (for a brighter future by applying all they learned on their journey once returned to their earthly bodies) rang through each account as the survivors told their stories. Some almost instantly felt as if they were swept away to Heaven to meet Jesus, while there were a few who felt as if they were being ushered off into Hell. It was when they cried out to God that they felt Jesus’ presence there to help them out of their darkest depths of despair. For reasons unbeknownst to them, they were saved and then returned to their lives on Earth as their time on Earth was not through. They were allowed to bring back this message for everyone, and it is my hope that those reading this will not scoff but use this opportunity to get their hearts and lives right with God today!

There are a few survivors in the film who turned their lives around after their near-death experiences. For whatever reason, they were allowed a second chance. Many are not given this opportunity, so while we have the time to get our hearts right with God, we need to make it a priority right now for none are promised another day.

I’m not here to argue with anyone about their beliefs. I’m only asking you to be open-minded as you watch the film. At the very least, allow it to help YOU as it has others so that in the end, your heart will be right with Jesus when you are called Home.

John Burke was very skeptical at first, yet after years of researching and speaking with people about their near-death experiences, he went on to become a pastor. Hear what he has to say in the film when it comes to theaters October 27, 2023.

Many thanks to Angel Studios for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

My youngest daughter’s graduation is this Thursday.  She is getting ready to step out into this cruel world, and she needs our prayers. All those graduating do …

They hear it from the older generation, “These are some of the best days of your life.”  They nod and smile but have not grasped the truth of our words.  In years to come, they will.  Right now they are carefree for the most part.  They don’t have responsibilities or the weight of the world like most adults.

Graduation day brings with it so many different emotions.

They did it!!

Moms, Dads, Grandparents, & Siblings – be proud!!  Just as I know you are!

They studied hard, they made the grades, and now they are walking across the stage in their caps and gowns – high school graduates!

Little visions of them with their kindergarten caps and gowns fill our heads.  We see them as such … not as the grown 18-year-olds they are now!

As they embark on their dreams, we pray for them and for their future.  We pray for them with the heartache they will face as everyone does, as well as the great love and happiness they will have as they walk into adulthood and throughout the rest of their lives.

We ask for God’s hand of protection over them now and in the days to come.  Father, bless them in ALL that they do!   Shelter them and go alongside them.  Comfort them in times of trouble, and wrap Your loving arms around them when they need it the most.

When they are unsure of themselves and what the future holds, remind them of Jeremiah 29:11.  You have great plans for their lives, and we trust in YOU, Lord, to show them the way.

We pray they will always seek to honor and bring glory to YOUR name.

Be with them now and always, Lord.  May they be filled with love from You and know their families love them very much.

Remind them that no matter what happens, they can always count on their families and no matter what, they will have our love …

Always & Forever!

May is Mental Health Month.  It’s when we bring awareness to a topic many shy away from.

I’m here to tell you that dealing with someone who has a mental illness is not for the faint of heart. It takes a LOT of prayers, and it takes a very strong person to NOT let the mental illness of another affect YOU!

I’ve dealt with it for way too long with people in my life.  From trying to “save” people in my childhood right on up to my adult life.  It will wreak havoc on your life if you are near someone with a mental illness.

They blame you.  No matter how much you try to help them.  They turn it around to where you are the problem.  If you help them seek help, they blame you for causing them to need any help to begin with.  Medicine – they don’t want to take it because they don’t think they need it, when in reality THEY DO!  It helps them function and it helps those around them be able to BE around them!

They will not let YOU have any feelings you express.  NONE.  Everything will be turned around to be about them.  Everything is about them.

YOU don’t matter.  Only them.  AND THEY SHOW YOU THIS OVER AND OVER AGAIN!   In the things they say and do … it’s glaring you in the face, and yet you don’t want to accept the little they care for you or the little your feelings or YOU matter to them.

I have never been one to want to give up on anyone with a mental illness.  I have stayed right by their side and taken the stomach punches and the kicks in the teeth they give.

Mental illness will bring you to your KNEES!

That’s where God meets you.

This holiday season we were purposeful in our planning.  We contemplated what to give our parents, then decided the gift of time together was more valuable than anything else in this world.  With that in mind, we planned an overnight trip with them but packed as much as we all could stand during those 48 hours!  We ended up having such a great time together that we’re looking forward to our next trip!

We started out Saturday morning around 9 a.m. and ventured into North Carolina to the Billy Graham Library.  My parents had seen the library on television but had never been in person.  My dad’s face lit up when he saw the cross on the side of the library as we entered the parking lot.

It takes about two hours to tour the library, and you will not want to rush as you go through the informative exhibits.  Beginning with Bessie, the cow, you will learn tidbits of information you wouldn’t have known if you hadn’t taken the time to stop and allow yourself to enjoy the total experience.

My husband and I toured once before, but we learned a little more the second time we visited.  My parents seemed to enjoy the new information they learned about Evangelist Billy Graham.  My dad was moved to tears as we went through the library.

At the end of the tour, there is an invitation and opportunity to make a decision to follow Christ.  If you need to recommit your life, you can do that as well.  They have people to assist you with any questions at the end of the tour, and they will pray with you as you commit or recommit your life to Christ.  That is priceless!  As a matter of fact, there is no charge to tour the library, as the attendant told us Billy Graham did not want money to stand in the way of anyone coming to learn about our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Touring the house, gardens, and library are absolutely free, and you are given the gift of eternal life through Jesus if you only believe, confess with your mouth, and accept Christ into your heart.

After touring the library, we moved to the childhood home of Billy Graham.  The home was moved to where it presently sits out in front of the library.  Around the side of the silo is the garden path which takes you to where Billy and Ruth Graham are buried on the property.  We did not take my parents to the Graham’s final resting place due to the bitter cold that day, however.  By the time we finished touring the library, we had enough time to drive an hour and a half further to check into our hotel and freshen up for the evening’s adventure to Korner’s Folly.

Carolers dressed in period clothing welcomed us on the porch of this unique home.  I have to admit this was a really nice touch, and I was so looking forward to this part in particular.  I wanted us to fully be emerged in the spirit of the holiday on our Christmas adventure, and we were not disappointed.

Once we stepped inside, we knew this house was unlike anything we have ever toured before.  The house consisted of 22 rooms filled with the original furnishings and artwork complete with cast-plaster details, elaborate tile, which was hand laid, and carved woodwork.  Built in 1880, Korner’s Folly was the home of mastermind Jule Gilmer Korner, an artist and designer.

I felt like a child as I went from room to room admiring all of the spectacular Christmas decorations.  The sparkling and shining decorations were different in every room, and you could vote on the theme you liked best at the end of the night.  It was truly hard to pick just “one” favorite, as they all stood out in their own Winter Wonderland way.  From Snowmen to Nut Crackers and everything in between, there was something waiting to bring a smile to your face in every room you stepped into. As if the decorations weren’t enough, each room was unique in size and shape.  For instance, when my dad entered the children’s playrooms upstairs, he had to duck way down to avoid hitting his head.  Meanwhile, my mother and I, (5′ tall and 4′ 11″ tall), walked comfortably into the playrooms and began admiring all the toys from years gone by.  This made us all laugh, and then it was on to the next room to find plenty more that made our eyes widen with excitement.  Seeing my dad turning sideways squeezing through a narrow hallway and my husband going down an even more narrow flight of stairs where he had to draw his arms close to his side made us laugh almost hysterically.  Oh, the wonder that was Korner’s Folly!!

As you can imagine, we worked up quite an appetite with all the touring that day, so we stopped for supper before heading back to our hotel to retire for the evening.

We rose early the next morning and had a hot made-to-order breakfast before setting off to explore the Reynolda House. Sticking with the sights and sounds of the holiday season, we were enticed by the “Comfort and Joy” theme they had going on that day.  But first … Mast General Store was calling our name.  There, we found items from our childhood that brought a smile, such as moon pies and RC Colas, candy cigarettes, and little bottles made of wax filled with flavored liquid.  We took our time in that store thoroughly examining little blasts from the past to more modern merchandise.  There was something in that store for everyone!

After cracking open the candy we purchased at the store, we headed to the Reynolda House. The cold Winter wind felt as if it were slicing right through our jackets as we exited our vehicle and walked toward the entrance where we waited outside for the doors to open.  We welcomed the warmth of the sun as we waited.  Much to our surprise, quite a large crowd grew before they opened the doors at 1:30 p.m. that Sunday.  Once the doors were opened, it didn’t take us long to get through the line for tickets and on to the self-guided tour of the home.  We were there the Sunday before Christmas when they had a live performance of Reynolda’s original 1917 Aeolian Organ!  What a treat to have beautiful holiday songs from the first half of the 20th century playing from this grand instrument as we toured the museum.

This house, now a museum, made us think of The Biltmore Estates, but of course on a much smaller level.  They had no need to leave the estate for entertainment as they had room for roller skating in the basement.  What’s more, they had a bowling alley, a shooting range, a racketball court, a wine cellar, a bar, and an indoor swimming pool.  What more could you possibly need?

While my husband and I took the stairs to the top floor, my parents used the elevator.  Yes … they had an elevator in the house!  Something that also surprised us was the history of the family that occupied the home, none other than R.J. and Katharine Reynolds and their four children.  Reynolda was the vision of Katharine, and so she hired Architect Charles Barton Keen to design her dream house, and construction began in 1912.  The formal gardens were originally laid out as part of the general site plan by Horatio R. Buckenham and Louis Miller and later replaced with Thomas Sears.  Due to the frigid cold, we were not able to fully enjoy the grounds and outdoor space.  However, we would like to return in Spring to see it in all of its glory when the gardens come to life yet again.

After touring the house, we stopped for a nice late lunch and then started the over three-hour drive back home.  The long drive allowed for deep, meaningful conversation.  Connecting and making memories was honestly what this trip was all about anyway.  Time with family is the absolute most important thing, and it makes it even more special during the holiday season.  We look forward to more opportunities to make memories in the new year!

Kindness doesn’t cost a single thing, and yet it is worth more than its weight in gold to the receiver!

If you’re having a bad day, it always helps when someone extends kindness and grace.  Sometimes you will be so overwhelmed and touched by the person’s actions so much so that you are moved to tears.

I would like to share the below kindness assessment and challenge you to join in.  Whether it’s friends, family, coworkers, or the cashier at the store, one act of kindness can change their entire day!

Take Kindness Quotient Assessment (jointhekindnesschallenge.com)

It’s no secret that I enjoy the outdoor living space at my house.  My patio, among my different flower gardens, is my favorite place to be.  As I strolled along the bank of our pond this week, I remembered a quote on my calendar.

God created all of the beauty that surrounds us for our enjoyment.  The way He paints the sky with each sunrise and sunset, and with each rainbow that appears.  The flowers that bloom, and the birds that fly around us chattering with their friends, all of these things were created by Him just for us.

Thank you, God.

The holiday season is upon us.  For many, this is not a happy time for them.  Their hearts are hurting from losing loved ones dear to them.  We are no different, as we have loved ones in Heaven we miss daily.

Our city just held their annual Angel of Hope event this past Saturday.  A monument was erected 12 years ago of an angel with wings outstretched as if to welcome and embrace children taken too soon from this world.  My sister’s name is among the names called and pictures displayed during the annual memorial service.  It never gets easy as you hold flowers and take the slow, lonely stroll down the brick walkway where the angel sits at the end.  Right behind the angel to the left is a plaque we donated to the city for my sister.  Every year my parents and I take this heartbreaking walk.  As we are standing at my sister’s plaque, my dad will kiss his hand and place it on my sister’s name.  After every name has been called, candles are lit for our loved ones.  As a song plays, memories flood in right along with the tears.

Be kinder than you usually are, especially during the holiday season.  You never know what a person is going through.  The person standing right next to you in line at the grocery store might just be fighting back tears as they try to hold it together.

Choose kindness … every time.

And

Pray for all those hurting during the holiday season.

“You need to wash your hair.”

I did this morning!

“Yeah well, it always looks greasy.”

***

“You’re wearing WAY too much blush.”

I’m not even wearing blush.

“Yes, you are!  And it looks awful!  Your makeup is always extreme anyway.”

****

“Hey, we’re going to get smoothies … don’t you want a smoothie today?  Ah, what a nice treat … or I know … what about those big giant cookies from the specialty shop down the road.”

Then they proceed to ask everyone in the office except for one young lady.

****

~rolling eyes~

“I don’t know why you think you can dress like that.  You need to be fired.  You suck at your job, then you come in here dressed inappropriately,” said after permission was given by a supervisor to wear said clothing and after getting promoted to a new position at work!

***

“Oh my gosh, I’m so sick of you.  I wish you would just shut up.  No one wants to hear about your life anyway!”

***

~throwing documents across the desk~

“You need to do this NOW!”

I am working on an important task.

“NO, I SAID you need to do this NOW.  So, DO IT!”

***

“We are taking up money for the birthday club.  Everyone contributes, and then we make sure that everyone’s birthday gets celebrated.”

~giving money, watching everyone else in the office being celebrated with cakes, balloons, streamers, and gifts lavished on every other co-worker, then NOTHING being doing for your birthday~

***

“Hey Sharon … Hey Mandy, Hey Lori … oh my gosh, Sue, you look SO good today!  Let’s plan a co-worker dinner on Friday!” said in front of the girl that got left out again.

***

All of the above are prime examples of dealing with mean girls.  I could go on and on, but you get the idea.

I am not quite sure what enjoyment they get out of behaving this way toward others.  However, it seems that these mean girls target a person in the office that does not follow the crowd.  If there is a “clique” and she (nor I) followed what they were doing, then we are deemed the outcasts.  I will just never understand the mentality of mean girls and what joy they could possibly get out of mistreating others.

Also, if one girl doesn’t like another girl in the office, then they ALL are expected not to like that person.  This could go on for a day, or it could go on for a week or even months.  You never know where you stand with people like this.  Literally one day they are nice and friendly, and the very next day they are hateful and making snide remarks.

You would think that by withdrawing from the mean girls after taking their abuse repeatedly that things would get better.  You stop caring that you’re excluded and just stay to yourself.  Surely there will be some relief by just withdrawing, right?  Instead, that seems to further fuel the fire with them.   They almost make it their goal in life to see how hateful they can be and are even more “in your face” with comments attacking you, your character, and your family even.

This does not even have to be confined to mean girls in the work place, although that is where I have encountered more than my share of mean girls!

I have tried to tell my daughters that it is an extremely miserable person that gets joy out of hurting others.  This person isn’t happy with themselves if they seek to destroy someone with their comments or behavior day in and day out.  Yet, if it was their daughter being treated as an outcast at school, they would be the first in line knocking on the principal’s door demanding that something be done about the daily harassment and bullying.

Children can be cruel, and I have dealt with it in school.  You expect it out of children somewhat that haven’t been taught any better.  Yet, I worked in an office such as this in my early 20s.  Sadly, I worked in an office such as this in my late 40s as well.  It’s truly unfortunate that there are women in the world who seek to destroy another or who takes great pleasure in attempting to chip away at another’s self esteem and self confidence. At times, supervisors sit by and don’t do anything about their employees, even when they witness it happening right in front of their faces.  Even if you report it, they still do very little.  I have left jobs in the past because of how I was mistreated by coworkers and upper management with their unwillingness to help with the hostile work environment.

The older a person gets does not ensure they will grow and mature.  Sadly, this behavior continues in some women in their 60s and beyond, believe it or not!

I learned to stand up for myself, and thankfully, my daughters are learning to take up for themselves as well when faced with mean girls such as the ones I’ve described.  It’s more than just “growing a thicker skin.”  And they aren’t “too sensitive” as some have even tried to say.  There needs to be more awareness, and we need to make it a priority to teach OUR children not to behave in this fashion.  These mean girls – regardless of their ages — learned it from some where, which is extremely sad, and the cycle continued.

There are mean, cruel, and hateful people in the world.  You don’t have to be one of them!

This is why I purposely give compliments to strangers!  I know what it is like to be on the receiving end of hateful and hurtful comments.  This is also why I try to include people as much as possible.  I know what it is like to be excluded, left out, and ignored.

When you can make someone’s day better, why not do so by smiling in their direction or giving a sincere compliment to them?  Why can’t women build each other up, instead of always trying to tear another woman down?   For the life of me, I will never understand any of this.

I go out of my way to be a light in another’s life.  I compliment, I praise, I sincerely include and invite.  I am not perfect by any means.  Because I’ve been hurt by others and experienced cruelty at another’s hand, I try to be different and strive NOT to be a mean girl.  I go against the grain and don’t join in when others are being hateful to another.

We have no way of knowing what a person may be struggling with.  Always be kind!  The person on the receiving end of this bullying and harassment by the mean girls could be really depressed and down on themselves.  They don’t need one more person to push them over the edge or have them contemplating suicide.

In a world where you can be anything … BE KIND!