Do you believe in miracles? I have to tell you that I do, I believe in big miracles as well as small miracles. See, when the sun rises in the morning I count that as a miracle and my eyes opening up to see the sun crest the horizon is a blessing. I see the bud's of the tree blossoming as a miracle, how the winter turns to spring as a miracle. You may not, but I do these are little miracles that happen around us, yet we are too busy to see them or notice them. Then there are the big OMG miracles. Like, when I had my aneurysm and I had all those many blood transfusions, I know it was an Angel that came to me and saved my life. Because there is no record of this nurse working on that floor or any other floor that very night and when I asked no one knew who she was or where she came from. Now, this is not the first time that I have had an intervention like that, but I sure hope it is the last.
I keep telling you that God's time is not our time, that He comes and does as He wills, yet He is always on time and never late. I have been told all my life that I was an Angel here on earth, that I was born to ease the suffering of others and you know what? That is exactly what I have been doing my entire life and never even knew it. My grandmother told me this the day she died. I didn't understand what she meant, but I do now. Most of you know me personally or have read my blog and know of me. I have walked a dark and lonely road, but a road of my own choosing. I chose to walk along the drug dealers, the addicts, the prostitutes, yet in all of that I never lost the sight in my Lord and Savior, and those who came to know me saw the light that show inside of me, and gravitated to the positive energy I have always displayed.
No matter the circumstances, I have always maintained a positive outlook and attitude for those around me to see. Very few people have ever seen me down for long, and if they have then they were very special people to me indeed. God has granted me patience and discernment, and a slight ability to prophesy, but the most important thing that God has given me is the ability to excel under stress and pressure. People that I used to work with at the State of Georgia used to call me a miracle worker and when I was in the Navy I could pull things together fast. I learned who my key resources were and I just utilized them to my benefit, and I still do some of that in limited form today in my current life.
But, most importantly I am happy to say that when my world got a little darker yesterday afternoon. I couldn't shake the nagging fear I was feeling nor could I get over the fact that I had been down this exact road not too very long ago, I wanted to bemoan and lament that it wasn't fair that I didn't want to do it again, and why me? But something most extraordinary happened this very evening as I was sitting here writing my first blog entry. I heard from someone who I had not thought I would ever hear from again. Someone I had once counted as a friend who I accidentally betrayed and sent away. It is sad but true we had parted on extremely bad terms, and I have had to deal with the guilt of that for almost 2 years. As he got out of my car he turned and he looked at me and told me that I wasn't acting very much like a best friend, with that he closed the door and left me and that was the last time I laid eyes on him. Yet, today a day when the world seemed to be crashing around my ears, the words that the doctors had told me yesterday were finally sinking in and I was feeling more and more like my life was spinning out of control my phone rang, and on the other end was the friend that I thought I had lost, and he was in trouble. He needed me and I realized that I needed him just as much.
Funny how God has done that to the two us, there have been several times in our past that we have needed each other. For years and years we had been there for each other and I let someone else into my life, and that person I don't know why or how colored my eyes against my friend and didn't want me to have anything to do with him. I got mad at the wrong person and I did things that I am not proud of at all. I turned my back on a friend, I didn't even listen to what he had to tell me. I made a snap and summary judgement because the person I was dating was trying to manipulate me and he did a good job. As a matter of fact he almost destroyed me, and he damn near killed my friendship with this person. Yet today when my mood was feeling low, and I was trying how I was going to handle all this knowledge that I had gotten from the doctor yesterday my phone rang and it was my friend Victory! He would kill me if he was here right now and saw the name that I have given him. But let me tell you something as far as I am concerned his is my Victory and my Triumph over this dread spirit that had come over me. I had just tried to get in touch with him over the past weekend and out of the clear blue sky, my phone rang and it was him. I am telling you it was a miracle, God knew what He was doing and He knew exactly who and what I needed to snap me out of this funk that was tangling me up in it's clutches.
I have to tell you that if ever 2 people needed each other it was the two of us. I had been feeling guilty about the past, and worried about the future. He was sitting in custody where he had been for 10 months, and he just tried my number after all of this time. Once I heard his voice and knew what he needed I didn't hesitate at all I sprang into action. Within 2 hours I had talked to his mom, and the bondsman and knew that I was going to get him out of jail. It would take me and his mom working together to pull this off but I knew what I was going to do before he even asked. I am waiting for him to be released now. I wish he was here, so I could honestly tell him thank you. I mean that from the bottom of my heart. I think we have saved each other several times over the years, but today he saved me from my own worst enemy...myself!
I have to take a brief moment here and say "Thank you my Heavenly Father for bringing him back into my life, I am so glad that I was here to help when I was needed. You have sustained me and made it possible for all of these things to fall in place. I never knew why you brought Lonnie and Alicia into my life but now I do, You did it so I would know who to call and what to do when today came. Had it not been for the training and the ropes that those two put me through I would never have been able to accomplish everything that I did tonight. So thank you Lord for this training and blessing, I am sorry I have ever doubted that You. I should have known that You kept me here just for this very moment." Amen.
Moses wandered in the desert for 40 years and was humbled and trained to lead the children of Israel home from Egypt. I was held in place and kept from moving on so that I could be in this exact place at the moment that I was needed. There can be no other explanation, I had planned to move to PA and I have kept trying to get off of probation so I could go help my mother, yet something had tied me to Holly Hill and I haven't left yet. It was the Hand of God restraining me and keeping me till I was needed. I am thankful that I was here and that I was able to do my part. I needed to hear my friends voice today, and he needed me. So if you ask me that was definitely a miracle in and of itself.
So yes I believe in miracles, I believe that they happen around us everyday all day, and we are too wrapped up in ourselves and in our own lives that we miss them, but they are there if we just take some time and slow down long enough to appreciate them. I have to tell you that today is one of the happiest days of my life. It is not everyday that God grants you the ability to correct a wrong that you have committed against another person. It also isn't too often that things fall into the right place so that we are available to respond to another person's need. I am truly blessed that both of these things were available to me.
I have learned my lesson of that you can be sure, and I will never miss another miracle that comes my way, because I know what to look for now big and small.
I hope you do too.
As always my hopes and dreams are with you,
Uncle B
Showing posts with label right. Show all posts
Showing posts with label right. Show all posts
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Thursday, August 9, 2012
You know it is alright to agree to disagree.
I am sure that you have heard somewhere before in your life that everyone has an opinion and they are entitled to it. I have been following a lively debate on Google + over Chick-fil-A, and trust me my opinion hasn't changed at all. It is alright to agree to disagree with someone over their differing opinion. Who is to say that you are right or they are wrong or vice-versa. See, in this country everyone has a right to say what their opinion is, regardless of who it hurts or is insulted by it. But that is okay because you have the right to voice your objections just as strongly. Where the problem comes in if one person is so opinionated that they try to force their beliefs on everyone around them.
It is true that everyone has an opinion, it is further true that sometimes those opinions should be unspoken to the general public, but hey who am I too say? Sometimes a remark can come off as derogatory or even inflammatory, so be careful how you state your case. I am not saying that you should hold in your opinion, unless of course it will get you killed. Like telling the gunman that he is a bully and you aren't going to give him your money. I don't think anyone would do that anyway. I am just recommending that if you have something negative to say couch it in a way where people aren't necessarily going to be offended by it.
One of my defense mechanisms is that I make jokes about people when they do something that bothers me. Most of the time the person I am directing it at has no clue that I am annoyed, and it takes them awhile to figure out that the joke was meant to get them to stop whatever it is. People that have known me for years can tell right off when it is getting bad, and usually try to warn the person off. Because if they don't get it the first or second time, shame on them because when I get to the point I can't stand it anymore I go off like a cannon and I usually tear them apart. Verbally that is, in the gay world they call it reading someone.
Anyhow, there are some people that disagree with some of the things that I write, and that is okay because I expect them too. The purpose of me writing these things is to stir up conversation and to get people to think about the things that are going on around them. I don't care if people see it my way or not. Because at the end of the day the only opinion that matters to me is my own. So yes, I have perfected the right to agree to disagree, because I think it is healthy to talk about things and discuss them, because maybe in the long run both of us are wrong, but unless we explore and talk about it how will we ever know.
So the next time someone says something that catches you off guard, and makes you immediately think "No you are wrong about this", stop a minute don't say anything, listen to their opinion and in a kind manner explain your position. Again, the point is this will save you from an argument, which trust me most of the time they are pointless. Arguments are hard to win because it is almost impossible to persuade someone that what they think is wrong. I am just saying. I have been there and I am one that likes to argue just for arguments sake really. I don't care if I am right or wrong, with some people I automatically take the opposite side, just because I can. There are times when I like to play devil's advocate and chose to word my opinion differently than someone else's and if they aren't quick enough they start to argue, and all I have done is repeat what they have said back to them slightly different, and guess what, an argument breaks out. Until I point out that I agree with them and just had been twisting it around so they couldn't understand it. I know that is mean but it can be a lot of fun.
Anyhow, the point I am trying to make is this, your opinion is neither right nor wrong, it is just your interpretation of something is. Another person's opinion is also neither right or wrong, it is just how they see something. Take the time to fully listen to the other person, don't interrupt or cut them off (because you know that is so annoying to have someone start talking right over what you are saying). Of course I have been known to do that to others, so I cannot condemn anyone for it, just saying it is annoying. Anyhow, if you can come to a point in a discussion to say I agree to disagree with you and leave it at that, neither side gets their feelings truly hurt and an argument may be avoided. Unless you are hanging out with me and I don't let it go...LOL...Just kidding. Anyhow, point is take everything you hear with a grain of salt, and keep what is pertinent and push the other stuff aside, life is too short, to fight over whether you were right or they were.
Anyhow, that is all I really have to say on the subject is that if you really care about people and the person who is talking to you, give them the courtesy of listen to them totally out, and if you want give your own impression, but if you disagree with their position, maybe the better part of valor is to just let it go and chalk it up to the game of life and move on. As I said life is too short and the precious moments we have don't need to be shared in arguments. I would say keep your opinion to yourselves, but that would be falling on deaf ears, especially since I cannot seem to do. But be respectful of another's opinion and give them benefit of the doubt and then just let it go. What can it hurt? right?
Anyhow, this week has been tough been job hunting and trying to update my blog and write entries and then squeeze in doctors on top of all of it. So, just remember your opinion is as right and true as anyone else's and if you want to share them you can, but when someone disagrees, be ready to agree to disagree and let it be.
As always my hopes and dreams are with you,
Uncle B
It is true that everyone has an opinion, it is further true that sometimes those opinions should be unspoken to the general public, but hey who am I too say? Sometimes a remark can come off as derogatory or even inflammatory, so be careful how you state your case. I am not saying that you should hold in your opinion, unless of course it will get you killed. Like telling the gunman that he is a bully and you aren't going to give him your money. I don't think anyone would do that anyway. I am just recommending that if you have something negative to say couch it in a way where people aren't necessarily going to be offended by it.
One of my defense mechanisms is that I make jokes about people when they do something that bothers me. Most of the time the person I am directing it at has no clue that I am annoyed, and it takes them awhile to figure out that the joke was meant to get them to stop whatever it is. People that have known me for years can tell right off when it is getting bad, and usually try to warn the person off. Because if they don't get it the first or second time, shame on them because when I get to the point I can't stand it anymore I go off like a cannon and I usually tear them apart. Verbally that is, in the gay world they call it reading someone.
Anyhow, there are some people that disagree with some of the things that I write, and that is okay because I expect them too. The purpose of me writing these things is to stir up conversation and to get people to think about the things that are going on around them. I don't care if people see it my way or not. Because at the end of the day the only opinion that matters to me is my own. So yes, I have perfected the right to agree to disagree, because I think it is healthy to talk about things and discuss them, because maybe in the long run both of us are wrong, but unless we explore and talk about it how will we ever know.
So the next time someone says something that catches you off guard, and makes you immediately think "No you are wrong about this", stop a minute don't say anything, listen to their opinion and in a kind manner explain your position. Again, the point is this will save you from an argument, which trust me most of the time they are pointless. Arguments are hard to win because it is almost impossible to persuade someone that what they think is wrong. I am just saying. I have been there and I am one that likes to argue just for arguments sake really. I don't care if I am right or wrong, with some people I automatically take the opposite side, just because I can. There are times when I like to play devil's advocate and chose to word my opinion differently than someone else's and if they aren't quick enough they start to argue, and all I have done is repeat what they have said back to them slightly different, and guess what, an argument breaks out. Until I point out that I agree with them and just had been twisting it around so they couldn't understand it. I know that is mean but it can be a lot of fun.
Anyhow, the point I am trying to make is this, your opinion is neither right nor wrong, it is just your interpretation of something is. Another person's opinion is also neither right or wrong, it is just how they see something. Take the time to fully listen to the other person, don't interrupt or cut them off (because you know that is so annoying to have someone start talking right over what you are saying). Of course I have been known to do that to others, so I cannot condemn anyone for it, just saying it is annoying. Anyhow, if you can come to a point in a discussion to say I agree to disagree with you and leave it at that, neither side gets their feelings truly hurt and an argument may be avoided. Unless you are hanging out with me and I don't let it go...LOL...Just kidding. Anyhow, point is take everything you hear with a grain of salt, and keep what is pertinent and push the other stuff aside, life is too short, to fight over whether you were right or they were.
Anyhow, that is all I really have to say on the subject is that if you really care about people and the person who is talking to you, give them the courtesy of listen to them totally out, and if you want give your own impression, but if you disagree with their position, maybe the better part of valor is to just let it go and chalk it up to the game of life and move on. As I said life is too short and the precious moments we have don't need to be shared in arguments. I would say keep your opinion to yourselves, but that would be falling on deaf ears, especially since I cannot seem to do. But be respectful of another's opinion and give them benefit of the doubt and then just let it go. What can it hurt? right?
Anyhow, this week has been tough been job hunting and trying to update my blog and write entries and then squeeze in doctors on top of all of it. So, just remember your opinion is as right and true as anyone else's and if you want to share them you can, but when someone disagrees, be ready to agree to disagree and let it be.
As always my hopes and dreams are with you,
Uncle B
Thursday, May 10, 2012
What are your thoughts on Gay Marriage?
So tell me what your thoughts are on Gay Marriage? Because this morning when I opened up the paper it appeared to me that the President had weighed in finally on this subject. This is a debate and an issue that has been bouncing around for years. Every party skating the issue or just giving lip service when appropriate and today's announcement seems to be doing exactly the same. The statement was issued by the President the day before he was supposed to meet with the wealthy, outspoken activists of Hollywood. A political fundraiser that became an open lottery for two lucky individuals to attend and spend an evening with the President at George Clooney's house. Anyone who wanted to attend could go online and donate 3 dollars to the presidental re-election campaign and would automatically be entered in the drawing. Now, this was a clever marketing ploy and for two very lucky individuals they will get to go. The money from everyone else will be put in the re-election fund of the president.
My friend and fellow writer posted in his blog this evening "I Thank Barack Obama for Nothing". His views are that this was a politically motivated response to North Carolina re-affirming the stance that marriage is only between a man and a woman. I honestly believe it is a much simpler reason why Barack Obama came out in support of gay marriage. You see the dinner that I spoke about is estimated at raising $15 million dollars for his re-election, and knowing that he was going to be having dinner with the U.S. 's most outspoken and influential activists he took his stance this would ensure that his campaign and the democratic party would get the money.
Now, the reason why I am bringing all this up is because I really am not interested in the politics of this issue, I am more interested in the human aspects of the issue and how it directly affects me and the ones I love. I am gay no big stretch there, but what you might not know is that I am fighting for my life. Just this past October I found out that not only do I have Leukemia and Cancer, I also have end stage renal disease, radiation enteritis and hepatitis c on top of also being HIV +. By and large having 6 terminal illnesses makes me wonder what would happen if I was in a relationship and not protected with the right to marry. You see been there and done that and I was only sick with 2 illnesses at the time. Now with my imminent demise hanging over my head I would love to see the right of each individual to enter into the institution of marriage. The reason why I say this is because without the protection afforded by marriage, my partner, if I had one, would be denied the ability to be with me through the hospitalizations and other courses of treatment I have to go through because he is not considered immediate family. Therefore, I would have to face this alone and if I were to die, my partner would be denied the most basic rights regarding decisions to burial, life support, and life insurance, mortgage and other things that married couples have and are protected with. Health insurance, survivor benefits and other things would be available to me and my partner if there were gay marriages. I am not sure why the government thinks that only a man and a woman should be provided with these benefits and protections.
It is my opinion that everyone should have the right to choose for themselves. Further, I am a firm believer that since the constitution states that there needs to be a separation between the church and the state. However, why is the right wing, ultra-conservatives and the fundamentalist church trying to interpose themselves in the daily business of the people when marriage is a license a form of contract between two adults. Understand that a license is just another word for permit, which means that the government permits and recognizes that two individuals are now one entity. Each state recognizes many different forms of unions, Corporations, Partnerships, Marriages, etc. so why should a union between a gay couple not be recognized:? Is not a marriage another name for a union? The joining of two consenting individuals in a formal partnership or agreement to raise a family own property, and hold assets together. Corporations once they file their corporate paperwork with the Secretary of the State become a single entity that is capable of owning assets, property, cars, and can build and develop whatever they want under a common name. A marriage is the same thing, it takes two individuals and combines them and makes them a single entity in the eyes of the government and every other business in America. A marriage, in the current sense, allows a man and a woman to buy property, have insurance together, raise a family, purchase cars, have children and many other benefits many of which are not available to same sex couples.
I hope that those of you who read this posting will look at my statements and understand that I am not trying to make a political statement I am trying to make an emotional appeal to the common decency of human kindness and rational thought. I may not be able to see resolution to this issue, but I am wanting to ensure that those who I leave behind in this life will have the right to choice and decide their own fate. Not having to listen to the whims and dictates of society and the government who allows religion to steer and dictate their course of action. Remember always that this country was founded on the premise that each individual would have the freedom of choice, in religion, in belief and in life. Our constitution was written to ensure that there was definite separation between the branches of the government and the separation between the church and the state. Thus, our country would not ever have to chance to fall under a dictator or religious zealot. It is my firm belief that our forefathers, and the founders of this Nation understood these things and took as many precautions as they could when they drafted the Constitution. With the adding of the bill of rights our personal liberties and freedoms were clearly defined. Abraham Lincoln affirmed this in his Gettysburg Address stating that "All men in this nation were created equal". This has been the tenets of democracy and the foundation of our continuing military campaign of "Enduring Freedom". Our troops are out there fighting for the freedom of other nations, but they are the embodiment of what we all hold dear here in America, Freedom and the right to choice.
So now that you have read this what do you really think about Gay Marriage?
As always I am looking forward to hearing your feedback and your opinions. I want to hear from you and would love for you to support my blog. Become a follower and let me know your stance on these issues and many more that are out there. If you have a topic you would like to discuss let me know. You can check out my Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/bryan.zepp2 or you can email me bryanzepp@gmail.com
All My hopes,
B
Check out Greg Kelley on his blog soswirl.blogspot.com or you can see his work on the examiner exm.nr/gregorykelley
My friend and fellow writer posted in his blog this evening "I Thank Barack Obama for Nothing". His views are that this was a politically motivated response to North Carolina re-affirming the stance that marriage is only between a man and a woman. I honestly believe it is a much simpler reason why Barack Obama came out in support of gay marriage. You see the dinner that I spoke about is estimated at raising $15 million dollars for his re-election, and knowing that he was going to be having dinner with the U.S. 's most outspoken and influential activists he took his stance this would ensure that his campaign and the democratic party would get the money.
Now, the reason why I am bringing all this up is because I really am not interested in the politics of this issue, I am more interested in the human aspects of the issue and how it directly affects me and the ones I love. I am gay no big stretch there, but what you might not know is that I am fighting for my life. Just this past October I found out that not only do I have Leukemia and Cancer, I also have end stage renal disease, radiation enteritis and hepatitis c on top of also being HIV +. By and large having 6 terminal illnesses makes me wonder what would happen if I was in a relationship and not protected with the right to marry. You see been there and done that and I was only sick with 2 illnesses at the time. Now with my imminent demise hanging over my head I would love to see the right of each individual to enter into the institution of marriage. The reason why I say this is because without the protection afforded by marriage, my partner, if I had one, would be denied the ability to be with me through the hospitalizations and other courses of treatment I have to go through because he is not considered immediate family. Therefore, I would have to face this alone and if I were to die, my partner would be denied the most basic rights regarding decisions to burial, life support, and life insurance, mortgage and other things that married couples have and are protected with. Health insurance, survivor benefits and other things would be available to me and my partner if there were gay marriages. I am not sure why the government thinks that only a man and a woman should be provided with these benefits and protections.
It is my opinion that everyone should have the right to choose for themselves. Further, I am a firm believer that since the constitution states that there needs to be a separation between the church and the state. However, why is the right wing, ultra-conservatives and the fundamentalist church trying to interpose themselves in the daily business of the people when marriage is a license a form of contract between two adults. Understand that a license is just another word for permit, which means that the government permits and recognizes that two individuals are now one entity. Each state recognizes many different forms of unions, Corporations, Partnerships, Marriages, etc. so why should a union between a gay couple not be recognized:? Is not a marriage another name for a union? The joining of two consenting individuals in a formal partnership or agreement to raise a family own property, and hold assets together. Corporations once they file their corporate paperwork with the Secretary of the State become a single entity that is capable of owning assets, property, cars, and can build and develop whatever they want under a common name. A marriage is the same thing, it takes two individuals and combines them and makes them a single entity in the eyes of the government and every other business in America. A marriage, in the current sense, allows a man and a woman to buy property, have insurance together, raise a family, purchase cars, have children and many other benefits many of which are not available to same sex couples.
I hope that those of you who read this posting will look at my statements and understand that I am not trying to make a political statement I am trying to make an emotional appeal to the common decency of human kindness and rational thought. I may not be able to see resolution to this issue, but I am wanting to ensure that those who I leave behind in this life will have the right to choice and decide their own fate. Not having to listen to the whims and dictates of society and the government who allows religion to steer and dictate their course of action. Remember always that this country was founded on the premise that each individual would have the freedom of choice, in religion, in belief and in life. Our constitution was written to ensure that there was definite separation between the branches of the government and the separation between the church and the state. Thus, our country would not ever have to chance to fall under a dictator or religious zealot. It is my firm belief that our forefathers, and the founders of this Nation understood these things and took as many precautions as they could when they drafted the Constitution. With the adding of the bill of rights our personal liberties and freedoms were clearly defined. Abraham Lincoln affirmed this in his Gettysburg Address stating that "All men in this nation were created equal". This has been the tenets of democracy and the foundation of our continuing military campaign of "Enduring Freedom". Our troops are out there fighting for the freedom of other nations, but they are the embodiment of what we all hold dear here in America, Freedom and the right to choice.
So now that you have read this what do you really think about Gay Marriage?
As always I am looking forward to hearing your feedback and your opinions. I want to hear from you and would love for you to support my blog. Become a follower and let me know your stance on these issues and many more that are out there. If you have a topic you would like to discuss let me know. You can check out my Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/bryan.zepp2 or you can email me bryanzepp@gmail.com
All My hopes,
B
Check out Greg Kelley on his blog soswirl.blogspot.com or you can see his work on the examiner exm.nr/gregorykelley
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