A study done in 2016 shows that a majority of Americans (59%) think people are too easily offended (www.pewresearch.org). This being the case, I suppose it's like that old saying goes, "The squeaky wheel gets the grease." I don't normally hear these people speaking out, I hear about the offended ones. I can't really express … Continue reading Kind of a Jerk Move
Can You Dance in the Rain? Can You Sniggle at the Pain?
"Can You Dance in the Rain? Can You Sniggle at the Pain?" By Rob Weddle One can buy the world. Another giggles while evil is uncurled. One hurls dead glances at innocence. Another jabs at the ventricle of a child seeking recompense. One lynches hope with words. Another can waltz seamlessly from laughter to acidity, … Continue reading Can You Dance in the Rain? Can You Sniggle at the Pain?
Don’t Give in to Suicide
Teen suicide has risen dramatically in the last 20 years, and one of the best ways we can help is to encourage depressed and vulnerable young people to TALK ABOUT IT. Hey, I've been there. I tried to commit suicide in my early 20s. The details are in a couple blogs I wrote in December … Continue reading Don’t Give in to Suicide
No Pain is Wasted
When I was 10 years old, my Uncle Aaron (“Uncle A”) introduced me to the rock band KISS, and my life was never the same. Many people enjoy music, but then you have people like me: SUPER FREAKS. I have music playing in the car on the way to work, all day while I’m working, … Continue reading No Pain is Wasted
Dare to be Weird
I was a weird child. I recall in first grade asking my dad if I could wear my new football suit to school--the one I just received for Christmas--and him, of course, telling me that I could not. But I was a huge football fan and would not be deterred. So I hid the entire … Continue reading Dare to be Weird
The Dysfunctional Relationship between Chronic Pain and Dark Emotions
I’m a 35-year survivor of chronic pain and all its twisted passions. As anyone who suffers from debilitating pain can tell you, it’s a grueling, infuriating and wearisome road, to be certain. I recall speaking to my Grandma Stroud (RIP) about it when I was about 10 years into my journey of suffering. She had … Continue reading The Dysfunctional Relationship between Chronic Pain and Dark Emotions
Jesus Called Us “Sheep” — Is That an Insult or What?
As a Christian, I’ve always kind of avoided (and perhaps, to be honest, been a tad insulted by) Bible verses which refer to me and my spiritual family as “sheep.” The modern-day consensus seems to be that sheep are blind, spineless and ignorant, good for nothing but thoughtlessly grazing the hillside unless they're being sheared … Continue reading Jesus Called Us “Sheep” — Is That an Insult or What?
My Mama — The Angel Who Saved My Life
This is a picture of me from the early 80s, along with my mom and my sister. You can't see the pain behind my eyes, can you? Yet it's there, like so many others; bubbling, boiling just below the surface. Why? I don't know, why do people hate themselves so much? There are so many … Continue reading My Mama — The Angel Who Saved My Life
Finding Trust in the Dark Times
We read the story of David and Goliath, but feel no stress or anxiety because we know how it ends. We know that a very young David killed the giant with five stones and a sling shot, and then presented his enemy's severed head to the armies of Israel. We read about Jonah being swallowed … Continue reading Finding Trust in the Dark Times
Broken Hearts & Wounded Spirits
I don’t know about you, but there are times when God feels a million miles away from me. My prayers seem to ricochet off the walls, mocking me. Pain throbs unceasingly, depression deepens and emotions turn dark. While I know He’s there, somewhere in the recesses of my brain, a little voice says, “Even if … Continue reading Broken Hearts & Wounded Spirits
