Zombie Follower? Check. Vampire Follower? Check. Christ Follower? Check???

I’ll admit it.  I follow all 3, but not in the order mentioned above.  As a writer, who happens to be a Christian, I follow Jesus Christ first.  He is the One, whom I owe my life to and whom I worship and adore.  As an American girl, born in the awkward transition between Generation X and Y, although technically, I’m Gen Y, I love film, television, and pop culture.  In it, I find the true barometer of where we are as a culture.  I’m fascinated by all the sophisticated serial-drama that has been made recently and/or is being made currently.  I love to peruse many of the amazing, super-natural, Sci-Fi films, YA books, and TV shows that have come out in the last 10 years or so.  But, two things I’ve really enjoyed are Zombie shows and films and The Twilight books and films.

I particularly love The Walking Dead, but I also love the films–Zombieland (2009), Dawn of the Dead (2004), I Am Legend (2007), and most recently, World War Z (2013).  According to Time.com, The Walking Dead is the most popular cable show ever and set a record when its recent season premiere brought in 16.1 million viewers.  With the follow-up show, Talking Dead, the original graphic novels, toys, costumes, and social media followers numbering in the millions; it’s safe to say, that we, as a culture, are Zombie Followers.

In the past few years, I’ve worked as both a middle and high school Literature teacher; thus, I felt I had to read and watch The Twilight series.  The first book was not my favorite—too gushy, mushy, over-the-top obsession with one boy; however, I liked the series as I read further.  Overall, I enjoyed the films as well.  It was also a lot of fun to be able to talk to my students about the characters and to use the books and films to examine, teach, and compare literary archetypes, sacrificial love in literature throughout history, and the elements of great storytelling.  With the 4 films in the Twilight franchise world-wide gross exceeding 3.3 billion (boxofficemojo.com), it would not be overstating it to say that we, as a culture, are Vampire Followers.

My question is “why?”  Why are we so fascinated with these undead or un-aging or eternal or nearly-unkillable beings?  I’ve examined my own heart to try to understand my motivation for never missing an episode of Walking Dead.  Why do I read about the TWD when it comes across my social media feed? Why am I and so many other people posting, tweeting, and story-syncing while watching the show. Why are there so many Zombie 5-Ks?  And were just talking about Zombies. What about all the people who have Vampire tattoos, who have their teeth-filed to look like vampire teeth, or who have Twilight-style weddings?  What about all the people who avidly follow all the vampire movies, TV shows, and novels that are pouring out of Hollywood and the presses of New York?

I have come to the conclusion that in these characters, we are able to explore our deepest questions about life:  Is it possible to live forever?  What happens after I’m dead? Would I survive if there were an apocalypse?  If it came to down to me or the “other guy” dying, would I sacrifice myself for him or her? Would someone die, so I could live?  Can my deepest fears become reality?  Can I cheat death?  In the end, will I be left alone to face a hostile world that doesn’t care?  Who will remember me when I’m gone?

Toward the beginning of this article, I mentioned that I’m first-off a Christ Follower.  This means I have placed my trust in Jesus Christ, who sacrificed Himself on the cross, so that not only me, but also all humans could have the opportunity to live with Him in Heaven forever.  This means that I believe 100% of the Bible is true, real, accurate, and complete; and that the Bible is a guidebook for humanity, not only telling us how to live successful, fulfilled lives; but also in answering all of the questions our hearts ask when we are being truly honest with ourselves.

Are we eternal beings?  Yes, Genesis 1:27 tells us that we were “created in the image of God.”  God is eternal; therefore, we are eternal.  We will live forever.  It is up to us to choose where we will spend eternity.  Would someone die for me?  Yes, John 3:16-17 explains that Jesus came into the world to die for all humanity in order to give all people the opportunity to spend eternity with Him in Heaven.  Verse 17 says that Christ didn’t come “to condemn the world . . . but to save it.”   Can I cheat death?  Sort of, Hebrews 9:27 says that “each person is destined to die,” so yes, you will die; however, you won’t stay dead.  Spoiler Alert:  Just as anyone who dies in Walking Dead comes back to life in an altered form, so will you.  You won’t be the same as you were on earth nor will you be a grunting, foot-dragging, one-track-mind, Zombie; however, you will be “judged.”  Hebrews 9: 27 goes on to say that after your death, you will be judged.  Were you a Christ Follower or were you the Follower of something or someone else?  Perhaps, you followed your own whims and desires.  Perhaps, you believed in mysticism.  Perhaps, you tried to be good enough all the time, so that you could be given sanctuary in Heaven or some other awesome place after you were gone from this Earth.  Romans 5:8 tells us that “Christ died for us.”  Christ is the ultimate Hero.  He is the only person in History to ever actually cheat death and live to tell about it (see John chapter 20 and 21).  Christ, the son of the Only, High God, died for you.  He loves you.  He is better than any leader in any Zombie apocalypse.  He is greater than any powerful Vampire.  He cannot be killed.  Most importantly, he wants you to join His “group.”  If you’re familiar with the Zombie/Vampire genre, people are always either “in or out.”  You have to be “worthy.”  You have to prove yourself to be “in.”  The group asks, “what skills can you bring to our survival group to help keep us alive?”  According to Christ, you are already “in.”  You don’t have to prove anything in God’s group of “survivors.”  And the best thing is, no matter what you ever did or ever do, you will always be “in.”  Being part of God’s and Jesus’ family ensures your acceptance into the ultimate safe place—Heaven.  How do I join this family?  You don’t have to answer Rick’s 3 questions from The Walking Dead.  You don’t have to promise the vampire family that you won’t tell their secrets to the rest of the town.  All you have to do is place your faith in Christ.  Believe that Christ is the Son of God.  Believe that He came and died for you.  Believe that Jesus would have died on the cross if you were the only person He could save.  Believe that He will take you to Heaven when you die, and that even now, He is preparing a place for you (see John 14:1-6).  Here is all you have to do according to Romans 10:9 “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (ESV).  Christ wants to be the Leader of your life.  He will be your ultimate protector in every situation.  He will give you freedom from anything that is weighing you down, ruining your life, or holding you back.  He’s better than Walking Dead’s Daryl and Rick combined.  He’s mightier than Twilight‘s Edward Cullen and Dr. Carlisle Cullen put together.  Dracula has got nothing on Christ.  No Zombie horde could ever defeat Christ.  Although these are fictional characters, I hope you get my point.  I love heroes.  I want to see them win.  The difference for me is I found my ultimate Hero.  His name is Jesus, and he’s waiting to meet you.  Will you introduce yourself to Him?

4 Practical Tips for Battling the Giants of Depression and Anxiety

Let’s be honest.  Depression and Anxiety are awful.  Do you sometimes feel like they have you in a never-ending “headlock,” where crying “uncle” is not an option?  Depression and Anxiety are like a dysfunctional couple that won’t break up.  They are like 2 dogs that howl all night the day before your big meeting.  They are like a pair of tractor trailers that are blocking your passage into the fast lane for miles and miles and miles and miles….  They are like the arguing trolls in The Hobbit, who argue so long, that they forget to go back to their cave before daylight and are turned to stone.  Too obscure of a reference?  Okay, enough with the metaphor and simile–choose the one that you can relate to and strap on your imaginary tool belt as you arm yourself with these practical tips to combat these 2 evil giants.

1.  Use Scriptures from the Bible, which deal with anxiety, fear, worry, and depression.

• Memorize verses by writing them on note cards and carrying them in your wallet or purse.  Study them while you are waiting in the car line, at the doctor, or at your child’s practice.
• Make or print off cards with your favorite verses on them.  Place them inside your kitchen cabinets, on your fridge, and next to the mirror where you get ready each day.  I’ve been doing this for years, and these visual reminders of God’s love have helped through many rough days just because they were literally “there” when I needed them most.
• Read the book of Proverbs each month.  Proverbs was written by the wisest man who ever lived–King Solomon.  The book is full of wisdom sayings and advice for dealing with various situations.  Proverbs has been a precious book to both Christians and Jews for centuries.  When I was a child, I heard a teacher say that God tailor-made Proverbs for daily reading every month because it has 31 chapters.  Proverbs offers a daily routine to combat those Giants.
• Sing.  Colossians 3:16 says to “speak to yourself in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.”  Singing songs that are directly taken from God’s Word will bless you in the very core of your soul.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve sang hymns in the worst-sounding, croaking, broken-hearted voice when I was dealing with the really painful parts of life–the death of loved ones, a family member’s serious illness, the pain of divorce, or any type of loss.
• Here are a few of my “Go-to” verses when I need to pull out my “arsenal” to fight back against the giants of Depression & Anxiety:  Isaiah 41:10 & 13; Philippians 4: 6, 7; II Timothy 1:7; Deuteronomy 31:6; I Peter 5:6-7; Psalm 34:4; I John 4:18; Matthew 6:25-27; Proverbs 12:25; Isaiah 26:3.   This list will get you started.  Now go get some lined index cards and start writing!

2.  Journal or Blog.

• Buy a lined notebook of your preference.  For some reason, it helps if the notebook or journal really shows off your personality or makes you smile when you see it.  Blurt it all out on paper or create a “diary” of sorts in MS Word where you can write all the things you are feeling both good and bad.  The paper can’t criticize you for your feelings or tell you not to talk.  The paper also can’t tweet what you wrote back out into the universe.  *Whether you use actual paper or a computer, make sure you keep it where you will feel safe.  Put your journal in a place only you know about.  Burn the whole thing or certain pages whenever you want.  If you use a computer for your thoughts, put a password on it.
• Blogging is a great way to hone your secret writing talents.  You can sign up for a free blog right here on WordPress.  It’s a wonderful way to connect with other people who share your same interests and beliefs as you can put “tags” at the end of each blog entry, which help people find you.  Blogging can be very therapeutic as you can share the little lessons life teaches you every day.  It also helps encourage your soul as you know that you may have just helped someone through an awful day, made someone laugh, or encouraged them not to give up on their dreams.  *Just remember, the blog is public.  Don’t write things on a blog that you don’t want your boss, in-laws, or neighbors to see.

3.  Take a Walk and Get Some Sun.

• Many studies have shown the positive effects that sunlight has on boosting the mood-lifting chemical serotonin in our brains.  Getting some natural sun every day not only helps lift your mood as it stimulates your brain to produce serotonin but also increases your Vitamin D levels.

Sources:

          Journal of Affective Disorders.  Vol. 40, Iss. 1-2.  September 1996.  “Sunny Hospital Rooms Expedite Recovery     From Severe and Refractory Depressions.” K. Beauchemin & P. Hays.

http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/news/20021205/unraveling-suns-role-in-depression.

• Many studies have also shown that exercise, such as walking, can be as beneficial for some people as taking an anti-depressant.  Walking increases the blood flow to your brain, which helps your brain to function better.

Source:

http://www.bostonmagazine.com/want-to-improve-your-mood-go-for-a-walk/

4.  Play with your Pets, or if you don’t have a pet, adopt one!

• Many doctors, hospitals, and universities have completed studies showing the correlation between spending time with pets and increased improvement in both mental and physical health.  Check out the link below for an excellent article, which shares “6 Ways Pets Relieve Depression.”

http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2013/05/19/6-ways-pets-relieve-depression/

With God’s help, you can fight off the Giants of Depression and Anxiety which plague you.  For some of us, like me, it is a daily battle. I have found that I must rely on God each day to help me overcome my PTSD and anxiety. For others, it may be an occasional occurrence brought on by a traumatic life event.  In either case, I encourage you to seek professional help for dealing with your mental health.  There is no shame in admitting that you need help or that you can no longer handle your problems on your own anymore. Seek out a counselor, psychiatrist, or psychologist who operates a faith-based practice which aligns with your personal beliefs.  Focus on the Family has an excellent Christian counseling referral source at http://www.focusonthefamily.com/lifechallenges/articles/consider_counseling.aspx.  There is no shame in seeing a counselor and talking openly and honestly about your innermost thoughts.  My counselors have been some of the greatest helps I’ve ever had in my life.  They have both taught me and assisted me on my continual journey toward well-being and healthy thought patterns.

These tips are culled from my own experiences battling depression and anxiety, from the counselors and therapy groups, which have helped me; and from the reading I have done on the subject.  Read, Read, Read.  Education is Power, as the old saying goes.  The more you know about an illness; the better you know how to treat it.  Don’t try to self-diagnose.  Go to a professional for that, but once you know what you’re facing, become an “expert” on that mental health issue.  You will feel stronger just by knowing what it is, what may cause it, whether or not it’s hereditary, etc.  The more you know about mental health; the more you’ll grow toward wholeness.  Now, put on your tool belt and go out and start building a fortress to fend off those Giants.  You’ll recognize them when they’re after you–just look for the ugly monsters who keep trying to whisper lies in your ears.

II Timothy 1:7 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

Is It Okay to Pray For Wisdom?

I wrote this for people to pray for themselves or to pray over someone else.  I hope it blesses your life.

“A Prayer/Blessing for Wisdom”

May God nurture you to develop the wisdom to discern the difference between what is true and what you wish was true.

May God guide you toward wise decisions in your choice of friends and confidantes.

May God purify your desires and lead you toward only those people, places, and things which help you maintain the best course toward your life goals.

May God give you the perseverance to defeat negativity when it tries to block your path.

May God endow you with foresight as you study His Word–the Bible.

May God provide you with courage to live a life people will remember with joy rather than sadness.

May God furnish you with gifts and talents, which allow you to decorate the lives of those around you with the wisdom that you gain both through His Word and through your own experiences.

This prayer was inspired by James 1:5  “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” NASB

A Poem & Musings About My Brother, Who Happens to Have Down syndrome

“Little Blonde Boy” 

Little boy blonde and curly, did they tell you that you were early?

Did they tell you how I prayed, waited, hoping, night and day?

Did they tell you of the notes hiding in their winter coats?

Did they tell you of letters by the scores peeping out from kitchen drawers?

Did they tell you of the birthday card filled with tidings spread abroad?

Did they tell you of the shopping, momma and sister baby store hopping?

Did they tell you of the hot, fall day when you took sweet momma’s breath away?

Did they tell you of the midnight ride bringing your siblings to your side?

Did they tell you when I held you; tears fell on your blanket, as I smelled you?

Did they tell you that you were small, weighing in at nothing at all?

Did they tell when we took you home how the sun so brightly shone?

Did they tell you of your fingers tiny, big, blue eyes so bright and shiny?

Did they tell you how you restored my faith, took me to a deeper place?

Did they tell you all you’ve done for many other beloved ones?

Did they tell you how you touched lives around you so very much?

Did they tell you how you are God’s precious lamb, fashioned by the great I Am?

Did they tell when you came that none of us will ever be the same?

For when God sent you one month early, I now see that you weren’t early, you were on time.

Musings on My Amazing Brother Nathan, who is the subject of the above poem

My brother Nathan has Down syndrome. At the time of this piece, Nathan is 17 years old and is in high school. When he was born, I was 17 years old and in high school. We have had a wonderful and intense journey together so far. He has brought so much joy into both my life and into the lives of my family and friends. Being his big sister has taught me so many things about life. I love you, Nathan.

People with Down syndrome are each unique human beings. Physically, people with Down syndrome may share some recognizable traits; however, they are still individual people with a variety of personalities, abilities, and gifts. Contrary to what everyone always says to me, people with Down syndrome are not always sweet and loving. They have both good days and bad days just like the rest of the members of the human race. Any person can be sweet and loving . . . until someone messes with them or upsets them. People with Down syndrome have things they enjoy and things they strongly dislike. There are songs, singers, and shows they hate; and there are places, bands, and movies they love. They live, work, walk, worship, sing, dance, and laugh among the rest of us. They have the greatest gift of all–little to no prejudice toward others.

My brother Nathan has unconditionally loved the people around him since he was a tiny baby. He has smiled at and comforted people who look different to us–people who are old, sick, poor, handicapped, and who have skin that is a different color than our own. Nathan doesn’t watch the news. He doesn’t worry about the results of elections; tragic local, national, and global events; the latest celebrity whose life is falling apart much to the “enjoyment” of the public; or what is going to happen tomorrow. He doesn’t yell at slow drivers, complain about bad service, gripe about waiting in the doctor’s office, or intensely defend his position on why someone else is wrong. He doesn’t walk the halls of his school judging his peers by their weight, height, shoes, cars, or athletic abilities. He doesn’t attend church merely to impress someone else, check it off his “to do” list; keep God from being angry at him, or to find something to criticize in the sermon. He never demands his rights, files a complaint, or retains a lawyer. He doesn’t worry about his high school test scores, talk badly about his teachers, fret over what people think about his intelligence, or try to figure out who is talking badly about him on Facebook.

Nathan does a lot and knows a lot. He loves. He smiles. He laughs. He knows the songs on all his favorite CDs and “asks” (demands) that they be played in an order known only to him. He knows all the dialogue in his favorite movies–The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins. He loves to go to the fair and ride a burlap bag down the big yellow slide. He loves to go bowling with the Special Olympics. He loves swimming. He loves to stay in motels and to visit new places and restaurants. He loves going to the beach. He participates in a Fishing Rodeo every year. He has a long list of favorite foods and favorite restaurants. He enjoys church and responds to the pastor when he preaches by saying “Yes!” emphatically. Nathan loves long walks around his neighborhood and sitting on the porch swing and singing with my mom. He loves his teachers and parapros and his school. He loves to go on Field Trips. He loves to visit me at my house, and he loves to ride in my car–just me and him. He loves for me to read aloud to him, especially the books he has loved since he was in pre-k. He loves opening presents on his birthday and at Christmas. He loves to blow out his own candles and help others blow out their candles when it’s their birthday. Nathan loves and lives and keeps going each and every day regardless of what is happening around the globe. Even after facing the consequences of a severely debilitating stroke when he was 13 and having to fight not only to be able to walk again but also to be able to eat and swallow liquids and solids, he overcame all the challenges. Even after fighting so hard to recover from his stroke, he still gets up every morning, most days without any prompting, and excitedly faces the world.

Nathan is never ashamed of who he is, where he comes from, who he’s related to, or Who created him.

Many people try to emulate those with money, power, and prestige, but maybe it would be better if they looked at people like my brother Nathan and realized that if they truly want to be great. . . they could learn a lot by watching the way he lives his life.

Each day, Nathan’s life reminds me to be grateful for who I am, where I am, who I love, and who loves me, to love the people around me, and to never give up regardless of how hard things may be. Thank you Nathan for being a great teacher.

*UPDATE*

In 2013, I founded an online support group on Facebook for siblings of individuals with differing or special needs.

Special Bond: Celebrate Your Special Needs Sibling is a support/advocacy group for siblings of all ages who have siblings who have special needs or who are “differently abled.” In this group, we celebrate the Special Bond, which occurs when a child or young adult is given the gift of a special needs sibling. We share encouragement, prayer, stories of triumph and success, suggestions for coping skills, suggested reading, suggested conferences, and all the not-so-small victories our precious brothers and sisters accomplish with the help of our very dedicated and frequently exhausted parents. Our group looks forward to sharing our experiences and support regarding the special bond between special needs siblings and their “typical” counterparts. We welcome siblings of all ages, so those who have gained wisdom from years of experience may encourage those who are new to the Special Bond. Parents of children/teens who are not on Facebook are encouraged to join on their behalf of their children.