God Takes on Millennials and Social Media in New TV Show

I finally got to see the much anticipated new CBS-TV show, God Friended Me starring Brandon Michael Hall.  This is the same young man who, last season, was the star of a short-lived sitcom on ABC called The Mayor.  

This show kind of reminds me of the Touched by an Angel series (1994-2003) that was popular among members of my baby boomer generation, as well as my parents generation.

In God Friended Me, Hall plays a character named Miles Finer, who is an outspoken atheist living in New York City.  He declares himself to be the Millennial Prophet and uses his radio podcast as a platform to challenge God's existence.  He is constantly reminding his audience there is no God and that's OK.  Then all of a sudden he starts receiving friend requests on Facebook from someone identifying themselves as “God.” 

Miles initially deletes the requests thinking someone is playing a joke on him or as the young folks like to say, "he is being catfished."  But “God” is persistent, and Miles finally accepts his friend request. "God" then starts suggesting friends to Miles on Facebook—first someone named “John Dove”, who happens to coincidentally rush by him on the street at that moment and whose life he ends up saving.  Then there's “Cara Bloom” a budding young journalist who needs a "sensational story" to keep her job.  

As the series begins to evolve, you learn that Miles is estranged from his father who just happens to be a preacher.  With the help of a friend, who just happens to know how to hack into computers, Miles is able to track down an IP address to determine the location of "God" and they found him in New Jersey!  Or maybe they didn't.....because the identity of the person connected to the IP address has yet to be revealed. Is this an elaborate hoax, or is God real and working through Facebook to challenge Miles’s unbelief?

God Friended Me is just the kind of show Millennials should watch. I can just imagine how many of them would view such a request, especially since a study by the Pew Research Center indicates 63 percent of men and 37 percent of women (between the ages of 18-29) say they don't believe in God.  Another Pew survey indicated:   

• Belief in the God of the Bible declines with age.
• Those under age 50 viewed God as less powerful and less involved in earthly affairs than do older Americans.
• Among college graduates, only 45 percent believe in the God of the Bible.

Perhaps God Friended Me will change some more Millennial minds and hearts this season.  

A new heart will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you, and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh--Ezekiel 36-26.

18 Years

During a recent trip to my doctor's office for my annual health check-up, I got news I'm not sure I thought I would ever hear.  "You can stop taking your carvedilol."  I'd been taking this medication for congestive heart failure.

My story of having congestive heart failure began 18 years ago around 2:30 in the morning.  I was lying in bed trying to sleep but I was having trouble breathing.  I was gasping for air.  I leaned over to my husband (ex) and told him how I was feeling and asked him to take me to the hospital.  He didn't move so I drove myself to the ER and ended up being admitted, where I stayed for 10 days.  Not only did I have to worry about getting better but I also had to be concerned about my 10-year-old daughter's welfare since she was now in the sole custody of her father, who was absent from the family more times than he was present.

Little did I know at the time just how sick I was.  I was already being treated for hyperthyroidism but this felt much worse.  When my primary doctor came in to see me, she immediately called in a cardiologist to run some tests.  The cardiologist confirmed congestive heart failure as the diagnosis and I had to stay in the hospital until they could get my heart rate down (it was beating over 140 beats a minute).  My heart, I was told, was very weak and the hyperthyroidism exacerbated my overall condition.

I had a hard time dealing with that diagnosis at first because I was in my 40's and I certainly didn't want to be on anybody's death bed.  I also had difficulty coming to grips with the reality that I had to take the same medication that really old, sick people needed to stay alive.  All of these thoughts, coupled with the fact that I hate taking pills, became an excuse for skipping dosages.  I figured if I missed a pill or two once or twice a week it was no big deal.  Of course, an Echocardiogram ordered by my cardiologist revealed my heart had weakened even further, which forced me to confess I wasn't taking the medication as directed.

So much happened over those 18 years.  I was on the brink of death a few times, while trying to keep my job and raise a child. During that time I got a divorce, which took some of the pressure and stress out of my life but I was still very sick physically, emotionally and spiritually.  It was a struggle just to breathe. A woman from my church, who had also been diagnosed with congestive heart failure shortly after me, ended up having to carry around an oxygen tank to help her breathe.  She passed away around 2010. I went into a state of depression but I knew I couldn't stay there long because I had a child to raise so I kept trying to push myself and follow the doctor's orders.

Initially, I didn't want anyone to know my struggles because "publicly" I've always been known to be a strong woman. I started praying and going to church more.  As my prayer life became impactful, God told me I would be a testimony for someone one day.  Did I believe it then?  Not really because I was still trying to understand why God would allow this to happen to me---especially since I was someone who exercised vigorously ever since I was a teenager.

During those 18 years I found myself slowly getting better with the help of the Cardio-Rehab program at Duke.  I met people who were struggling just like me.  We encouraged each other, while understanding the seriousness of what we were going through.  The program forced me to start exercising again and I discovered I was getting better.  I started writing and became a best selling author.  I re-married and welcomed a grandson into my life.  All of this gave me hope and a will to keep moving forward.

When I see my cardiologist these days, she likes to remind me how sick I was and how far I've come.  I knew I turned a major corner when I was able to climb to the top of a mountain during a trip to the Blue Ridge Parkway last year.  Now I'm not going to lie and say it was a breeze. I stopped to rest about 10 times As a matter of fact, my husband climbed all the way to the top by himself and then came back down to get me so we could walk together.  But I did it and I have the pictures to prove it!

Hearing my doctor tell me I can stop taking my heart medication is a blessing.  It is God's promise:  "By His stripes, we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5) This has been 18 years in the making.  God has a plan and a purpose for my life and this is part of it.

My story is not over yet.  18 years ago it could've been----but God is Good and I am a LIVING witness of His Grace!

 

I got REVIVED last night!

For the past three nights, my church has been holding a revival. Before I go any further, I wonder why it's called a "revival?" Does that mean it's a time to have our souls renewed and revitalized? And why do we need someone other than our OWN PASTOR to "revive" us? Well, after last night I think I know the answer.

For this year's revival, the guest speaker was Dr. Claude Alexander from the University Park Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC. I had never heard of him but my girlfriend Tasha said she watches him on the Word Channel and sang his praises and since I respect her opinion I decided to go check him out. If I didn't do it on Wednesday night, I wouldn't get another opportunity because that was the LAST night of the revival.

Well, let me tell you, I got revived, rejuvenated, renewed and I rejoiced the entire time! Dr. Alexander had a message just for ME. The title of his sermon was, "You're NOT Dreaming!" He told me I wasn't dreaming. He tied my story into the story of Peter (Acts 12). This is where Peter was in prison, handcuffed to the guards, who were handcuffed to the prison wall. One night while Peter was asleep, an angel of the Lord came in and released his shackles (but left the guards in handcuffs to the prison wall) and led him out of the prison. Dr. Alexander said Peter thought he was dreaming---thought it was a "vision" but it was REALITY. The Lord had moved Peter, from what seemed like the END, to a brand new BEGINNING (read the rest of Acts for the rest of the story).

Anyway, Dr. Alexander told me all that I had been through this past year was God's doing. He said the chains from my dead end job had been released and He was moving me on because His purpose for me was still very much alive and more important than ever. Dr. Alexander also told me my shackles were removed because of the prayers of the saints---my friends---who have lifted me up time and time again because they knew my struggles and anxieties. Even when I couldn't pray for myself, the saints---my friends--were lifting me higher and higher unto the Lord.

Dr. Alexander told me God was getting ready to do something so spectacular it was going to blow my mind---that He's going to trump even MY expectations. He told me I'm not dreaming. And you know what, I'm really glad I went to revival last night because I needed to be reminded that God is true to His Word---that He keeps His promises and that DREAMS REALLY DO COME TRUE when you have the VISION!

That means "Whatever! A Baby Boomer's Journey Into Middle Age WILL become an Amazon Best Seller in November!!!

Oh...and I think I know why our own pastor doesn't do our revivals...because sometimes, just like you and me, he needs some REVIVING too!

Selling at the Salon

What do you do on a day when it’s raining cats and dogs? I decided I wasn’t going to let tropical Storm Ernesto rain on my parade today so I decided to go selling at the beauty salon.

Well, actually that’s not totally true. I went to the salon to get myself all “dolled up” for my husband (who came home early today), but since I’m one to always look for an opportunity to sell my book (Whatever! A Baby Boomer’s Journey Into Middle Age), I figured I could kill two birds with one stone. Get gorgeous and get paid! Mind you, both can be challenging!

I walked into the salon and saw women everywhere. I thought to myself, “Oh, this is great!” So, I didn’t waste any time. I had two books in my purse and walked over to the dryer area. I randomly selected two women.

“Hi! My name is Beverly Mahone and I wrote this book. While you’re under the dryer, why don’t you take a look at it and if you like it, get back to me.”

My stylist then called me back to the shampoo area. While getting my hair washed, I heard lots and lots of laughter! They were really laughing very loudly. When I returned to my hairdresser’s chair, I discovered the laughter was coming from the two women who were reading my book. Before I got under my own dryer, three other women asked me if I had more copies so they could also read it.

“Of course, I do!” I learned that as an author you take books with you EVERYWHERE you go so I went out to my car and brought in seven books. I figured with 12 women in the salon, I could sell them all just on the reaction of the women who were already reading them.

And you know what, I did sell them all! Two women just picked up the books and purchased them, without even browsing through any of the pages, saying they couldn’t wait to get home to read it. I thought to myself, “I can’t wait to get home either but I won’t be doing any reading because my husband is home!”

One woman said she was going to pitch my book to her reunion group this weekend and wanted to see if I would be available to come and speak to them about the book. “Of course, I will!” I also learned that as an author you never miss out on an opportunity to talk about your book.

Well, I got my two for one today. I left as a satisfied "babyboomerdiva" and I introduced seven more women to, what is soon to become, a best-selling book!

I left the salon thanking God for the blessings and was reminded of the scripture: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)

Peace & Blessings,
Babyboomerbev

I need a makeover of mind, body and spirit

I had a restless night. I kept waking up every couple of hours, looking at the clock, trying to prepare myself mentally for the day ahead. I decided over the weekend that I was going to re-commit myself to exercising and eating healthy. I also decided I needed to replenish my mind and spirit by getting deeper into God's Word.

After sending out an email, announcing my new and improved website, I hit the cross country trail at Duke University. I love and hate that course! It's an absolutely fantastic workout, complete with nearly three miles of tough terrain and hills. But, on the other hand, it is a very strenuous workout, and when you combine it with the heat, humidity and "heartbreak hill" you leave the trail thinking it might be OK to let your middle-aged body hang on to a few extra pounds!

I've actually been walking on that particular cross country trail on and off for several years. I used to take my daughter when we were BOTH younger and we would have mini-sprint races along the way. Since she stopped going, I stopped doing the mini-sprints because it's just no fun to run alone. Besides, this baby boomer babe is trying to look halfway cute when she's out there and it's kind of hard to look your best when you're sweating like a pig and constantly gasping for air!

I really don't know how some of those women do it. I mean, I see them jogging along with their ponytails swinging from side to side and they don't even break a sweat and they actually look cute doing it!

WHATEVER!

No, I don't have the ponytail bounce (my hair isn't long enough) but I do have a little jiggle going on. My belly and behind can shake pretty good! On a day like today, I just want to call up Ty Pennington and ask him if he and his crew could come to my home and give ME a makeover.

Anyway, on this particular day, I decided to do a two-for-one. Get a good workout in and have some good gospel music minister to my spirit. These days I'm listening to Jennifer Evans' CD, "Delayed but not Denied." She has a song called "First Aid Building" which says:

"I'm going to the first aid building where God can see you through
I'm going to the the first aid building where you can be made brand new."

I needed to be in the first aid building getting my spirit rejuevenated this morning. I needed to be reminded of God's promise that He will never leave nor forsake me---even when I screw up. I needed to cling on to His promise that He will deliver me from evil, because honey let me tell you, evil is on a rampage and I don't want to be in the way. I also needed to learn how to just STAND STILL sometimes and allow God to handle my situations.

This morning's workout gave me just what I needed!

Peace & Blessings,
Beverly Mahone
"babyboomerbev"
Author, Whatever! A Baby Boomer's Journey Into Middle Age