About

Hello, thanks for visiting my website.:) I want to share something with you: God loves you.❤️ He loves you because you are you, his child, and the one he longs to be with. If you don’t already, you will one day understand the importance of his profound existence! 

He loves you just the way you are, grace is not earned—it is freely given. However, you have been called. You have been called to be better than you are. For the sake of yourself and for the sake of others. How can you improve who you are?

Keep in mind though, if grace were given because of our “works” most of us would not benefit. Grace is “freely” given. Our works have not always demonstrated that we should earn it. Again, how can we be better?

I have failed numerous times, but I continue to recognize that God is able to pull us out of our past; so we can live fully in the present! There is no greater time than now to turn our lives around. At times your path will not be easy.

But when we truly know God, we will rejoice in ALL circumstances!

Let’s put away any arrogance, or sense of entitlement. Paul writes in a letter to the Romans in Chapter 10: “If you declare with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead–you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).

I remind you of this verse because I think that some have a misconception about how to come to the Lord. They may think they need to have had a sin-free life or that he would not accept them into the kingdom if they’ve really messed up. It’s not true.

This isn’t always a live your best life kind of path, at times it will be difficult. Those of us who follow God have suffered hardship and even rejection. We have suffered persecution, and life isn’t always pleasurable. Following Jesus is not a one-time-event; he is continually molding and shaping us. 

I’m passionate about my faith and friends. Having a relationship with God through prayer, conversation, and studying the Bible is crucial. After being hit by a car while trying to cross the street on my way to school at just sixteen years old, I became paralyzed.

It’s a miracle from the Lord I’m alive and able to walk. I use crutches (the kind with the rings around the arms), and I hope to one day walk without them. Some doctors predicted I would never walk again at all, so the progress I have made is huge.

Career-life 

I’m a writing coach, author, teacher, and I have home-schooled classes at churches in the metro Detroit area. I’ve taught creative and structured writing, grammar, essay, and other Language arts courses. I’ve incorporated free writing, journals, essays, college prep, the five-paragraph, research papers, and more.

I’ve taught many subjects, and I’ve worked with thousands of students from different backgrounds and parts of the world. I have a Bachelor’s in Liberal Arts degree with a major in English and a minor in History. I also have an Associates degree in Liberal Arts.

I’ve worked as an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) Instructor for many years and have teach grammar, reading, writing, vocabulary, pronunciation and have trained students to take standardized tests for business placement and college examinations.

I’ve taught EFL to automotive managers and engineers at corporations like General Motors, Ford, Nissan, Bosch, Mercedes-Benz, and Toyota.

I’ve taught numerous children and accumulated many jobs throughout the years. I began my own teaching services back in 2004-2005 while incorporating many subjects.

Writing-career

I’ve written well over 500 articles. My guest posts have been featured in Christianity Today, the Southern Writers Magazine, the Breathe Conference website, the Salonpas blog, and the Suite T blog among many other places.

I’m the author of the best-selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. I’m excited about my latest, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm. It is the second in my II part, Not Without God, series.

I’ve been an active member of writer’s groups and have developed my own, “Writing Because I Can’t Not Write,” created back in August of 2022. We meet on zoom every Friday and share our writing. Each person brings one to three pages for feedback. Some members just join and observe.

I only special feature award-winning and best-selling authors and speakers. If you have an interest in writing, want to write a book, or simply want to gain more exposure for your brand or business, make sure to contact me so I can get you started: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085121127473&mibextid=LQQJ4d

With much love,

-XO

~Zina 

 

With the one and only, Chris Cuomo in Detroit!
With Ice T and his wife, Coco, in NY at Carnegie Hall in 2019!
With Steve Larson of ClickFunnels!

141 thoughts on “About”

    1. Thank you so much for your kind words, Leticia, I think the same of you. You are very talented, uplifting, and have a kind soul. I look forward to working with you more in our writer’s group. I’m so glad we met.😊

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Sisters keep inspiring us. We love you😊

      On Mon, 20 Jun 2022, 12:28 pm notwithoutgod.net, < comment-reply@wordpress.com> wrote:

      bloggingnoggin commented: “God is our creator, our salvation, made by him > he knows everything about EACH 1 of us B-4 he created life on EARTH.” >

      Liked by 2 people

  1. Zina this is beautiful 🤍 you are such an inspiration. Thank you for sharing your personal experience 🙂. I’m sorry about your injury 😟, but I can’t believe all the amazing things you have accomplished. I see how strong your faith is. Thank the Lord for having you here. So that you can help so many people ❣️ Bless you

    Liked by 1 person

  2. I enjoyed reading your testimony. I have always believed that the things in which we go through in life is never about us. God allowed us to go through it for His purpose. I also believe that those storms we face builds us in Christ. At the end of your story we become healed from it, which makes it medicine for the next person we meet that will becoming down that same path we just walked on.

    The bible says in Revelation 12:11, ” And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” And I see that you are doing just that. May you never stop doing it. I pray that God continue to give you boldness.

    Be blessed my sister.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Hey, I just hopped on over to your web site. Not something I know a lot about, but I appreciate your thoughts, nonetheless. Thank you for creating something worthy of reading.

    Liked by 2 people

  4. Hi! I’m excited to read about all of you! My boyfriend was in a car accident 3 months ago on 02.27.17. He broke C2 and C5 (I’m not sure what all they did in the surgery yet) and his spine is bruised. As of today, he can feel his whole body but not normally. He can use both arms and move his legs a little when he’s told to. We’re waiting for his neck to get stronger to remove the c collar so he can proceed unto the treadmill! I would appreciate your prayers as we make adjustments!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hello Kendra,

      I’m praying for you, and for your boyfriend also! I pray that God touches your hearts in a way that leads you towards recovery in every aspect: emotional, physical, and spiritual.

      Feel free to send me another personal email if you have any questions…

      God bless…

      Zina

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Zina, keep inspiring us. We need it. My crushed vertebrae is a challege but with your inspiration, I can keep on going. Brother Tom 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

  5. I was walking, working and very active but I had an elective T10 laminectomy to relieve some slight pressure in Feb 2015. I have been unable to walk or drive since and very limited balance with a 4 wheel walker. 2 years of physio has not made much difference, it just keeps muscles strong but the nerve issue (affected by glial scarring) remains. It’s life changing and so hard to stay positive. Thank you for your forum Zina. From downunder in Aus. Geoff

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi Geoff, I’m sorry to hear this. It sounds like you had a surgery that went wrong. I can sympathize with the nerve issue and scarring. Both take a long time to heal. I would encourage you to stay in physical therapy. When you strengthen your muscles, you are regenerating nerves because they are attached and interact. I’m still exercising and improving. I’m praying for your recovery!

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Hi Dustin, thank you for writing to me and for being transparent. I think it’s normal to have highs and lows, especially when you have a spinal injury. I have moments when I feel down but I know that God never leaves me. This may sound surprising, but nine years is not a long time for recovery. It takes a lot to get better. Keeping busy adds value to my life. I help others and I’m still in physical therapy. I hope you have some form of exercise. It will help your body and mind. What are your outlets? Do you listen to music? One of my favorite bands is Hillsong! Yes, please read my posts on here. I have many that I think will help you. ~Zina

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  7. Good morning Zina, my name is Dustin and I have been paralyzed since December of 2007. I remember feeling God’s presence while I was in SCICU, and later while in acute inpatient rehab. The first time I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit after my crash was in a church I went to on an excursion from the hospital, I felt so close to the Lord, a complete recovery seemed possible. After nine years, I now feel completely alone, as though God has cast me aside, the Holy Spirit is nowhere to be found. I wonder if we are in the last days, perhaps the Holy Spirit has departed from this place? I am thinking that I have lost hope which might explain why I don’t feel the Holy Spirit in church, and why I feel separated from God? I will search out and read your blog, there must be a reason I found this page of yours!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi Dustin We are praying for you. You are a real inspiration to us. God is going to use you. He hasn’t given up on you. My mother had kidney failure 15-20% 3 months before I was born. The doctor said if you don’t have an abortion soon you will die too. So I am not supposed to be here. I had a spinal injury myself. I did the same as you. Looking for someone else who has spinal injuries. I got alot of encouragement. God Bless, Brother Tom

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Hi Zina, I am Roslyn from South Africa, my 17 year old daughter was in a car accident on 20 July 2016. She fractured her C5 vertebrae and has a blood clot on her spinal cord and was diagnosed to be paralyzed. When the doctor told my husband and I we were so emotional and cried so much, but after a while I stopped crying and remembered the meaning of the word “Hope.” I decided that no doubt should be in me and that God would help me through this and I prayed everyday and trusted in our Lord. We started to see everyday the Lord working his miracle on my girl, she is just so positive and started moving every part of her body with the exception of her fingers moving a little. It has not been a month but she is walking with help from the physiotherapist, I believe God is a healer and never leaves us to go through any trials alone. I know my baby girl will have a long recovery and she will have a bright future ahead. Thanks for your words of encouragement.

    Roslyn

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Hi Roslyn,

      Thank you for visiting my blog. I’m happy to hear that you’re daughter is doing better and that she can walk! It’s a long process, but you have the right attitude.😊 You can email me at zina@zinahermez.com if you have any questions.

      God bless,

      ~Zina

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  9. Hi Zina, I am a believer and spinal injury survivor (L2). I have been in a wheelchair for 6 years. I can walk with canes but it is a very wobbly outing. So I try not to scare people and use my chair. I wish I could walk better and thank God, I do believe I get better it’s just a slow process. I tell people it’s like asking if your hair grew last night, you know it did but it takes time to see a difference. Oh, one more thing we have in common is I’m a writer. I have been a writer most of my life, mostly poetry. Anyway, thanks for your words of encouragement and sharing your faith in Him. I pray you get better.

    Bill

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thanks, Bill. I appreciate your honesty about your walking, but you have to start somewhere. I hope you at least practice inside your home or do physical therapy. It’s important to get regular exercise. Great to meet you!

      Like

  10. Hi, my son recently got shot in a drive by shooting. He is still in the ICU unit at the hospital, his spinal cord has been fractured C3 – T2 He has brace supports the doctors put in to keep his neck stable. It’s been two weeks and he is doing different things everyday. I love him so much and want to provide the best care, doctors, advice, support, love, etc. to him. My faith is strong, and I know he will be able to live a good life. He is only 18 years old, a very good young man and has the whole world ahead of him. They have not caught the person who did this, in fact, they don’t know who has done this horrible thing. I am strong and ready to fight! Thank you😉 I need all the support I can get on something I know nothing about.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hello Marthea,

      I am very sorry to hear about this tragedy you have encountered. My prayers go out to you and your son (your entire family) during this difficult time. My injury happened when I was sixteen but it was of a different nature. However, I had to wear a neck brace because of a C1 fracture so I can relate to that. Please read through my blog page: https://zinahermez.wordpress.com/sci-faith-corner/ I have posted MANY articles on overcoming challenges, faith, and even healing again after Spinal cord injury. My advice to you now would be to stay strong. I know this incident is horrible, but as you seem to know – God still heals! Your son is only 18. Work closely with his doctors and physical therapists. I am sure they will construct a plan to try and get him back up on his feet again when he is ready. Let me know if you have any questions… Feel free to write to me anytime.

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  11. Hello, I was involved in a car accident in 2008 just before my wedding. I suffered damage to my two vertebrae and had 7 fractured ribs and a dislocated sternum. I am encouraged that there are people out there willing to encourage the rest of the world. I am able to walk but continue to go thru back pains since. The Lord has been my strength.

    Liked by 2 people

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