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Jimmy Tuman — National Youth Speaker and Mentor💕

Today I had the pleasure of meeting some special friends for breakfast🍳. Jim Tuman, his wife, Jan, and my longtime friend, Ginger, and I met for breakfast at a local resteraunt.

Jim Tuman is a sociologist, educator, and has been a radio and TV personality who has spoken to millions of people in more than 1,500 schools nationwide.

He has asked kids to examine their motives, goals, feelings, and wants them to make meaningful decisions about their futures. He has helped prevent teen suicide across the country.

Jim wants to create school environments where students and teachers feel ‘safe, valued, and loved,’ he says. Here is a PBS documentary that was done on Jim it is very moving! People are in tears over Jim’s unique compassion!

https://youtu.be/JN7gCRPJBHc

Thank you God for Being A Saviour❤️

He sends his word. He heals. He delivers. Thank you for your loving kindness, Lord. Your goodness to me has not gone unnoticed.❤️ You’ve saved me more times than I can even remember. You’ve always been there. You’ve healed and restored. You’ve been there when there was no one, on many occasions. I have been defeated, depressed, and in pain—you, Lord, have never left my side. You have always been here to console me, comfort me, love me, and guide.♥️ Thank you for being my God and my friend.♥️

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s been featured on ESPN’s ‘Solutions from the Huddle’ and on Grace and Truth Radio World. Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students from all over the world. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes on health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale! You can order your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Without-God-Hope-Storm-ebook/dp/B09P9T2DLT

God Is a Problem-Solver💞

One thing I love about God is he is just a call away. All you have to do is say his name. He’ll come running to you. It’s instantaneous. You don’t have to wait. You don’t have to wonder if he’s there. The Lord has left us an ‘advocate.’ The Holy Spirit to help us and be with us forever. That means you are never alone. That means you have divine power. This power will lift you up, help you make decisions, and overcome. One thing we don’t realize enough is that God is a personal one. He’s a helper and a friend. He’s a problem solver. He is unconventional! He is not old fashioned. He is not just some old guy with a beard sitting up in the sky. If you ask for him to lead and guide, he will. There will be no doubt or shadow of turning.

About Zina

Zina Hermez authored the best selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. Recently she was featured on ESPN’s ‘Solutions from the Huddle’ broadcast. Zina’s written hundreds of articles and has taught students from all over the world spanning many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog and Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. Her goal is to help others. You can connect with her on Instagram, Facebook, Linked In, or Twitter.

God will always be there 💕💞💓

God has never left you. Not for one minute. Not since you were born up until now. God has never left your side. He’s always been there. Through every heartbreak. Through every challenge, every let down and every sad moment. God has been there. He does not rejoice in our pain. He sends unseen angels to help us😇. He does not count our wrongs; he reminds us of our rights. He does not condemn us, he lifts us up. He gives us peace in the storm. Grace to face another day. He’s an ever present help in time of need. Most of all, he is a friend. He will never leave. His love is all encompassing, all accepting, it is love unconditional. You can’t find it anywhere. Our God is perfect. He will always be there.💕💕💕

About Zina

Zina Hermez authored the best selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. Her second, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm will be out later this year. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. Recently she was featured on ESPN’s ‘Solutions from the Huddle’ broadcast and on ‘Color Speak,’ a Grace and Truth Radio World Podcast! Zina’s written hundreds of articles and has taught students from all over the world spanning many different backgrounds and cultures. Her writing endeavors earned her an invitation to speak at Harvard University’s, ‘Business Expert Forum’ and she’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog and Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. Her goal is to help others. You can connect with her on Instagram, Facebook, Linked In, or Twitter.

God’s Love is what matters the most

So there is a bit of a debate about cosmic order and whether or not everything has been predetermined. Determinism states that there is no such thing as free will. Your future is already predicted, as was your past, etc. However, there is this other theory called Open Theism. What that means is that God is the greatest chess player that has ever lived. He knows all the steps we can take and every which way we can go. Not only that, but he has a plan for every step. Even for when we fail. Isn’t it amazing that we have a God who loves us so much that he has a plan for when we fail also? Whether it is determinism, open theism or a little bit of both that exists, it doesn’t matter too much. What matters to me is that I have a God who loves me so much that no matter what, he will be there. He will be the one listening when I need a friendly ear. He will be the one with me when I have to visit a sick relative in the hospital. He will be with me when I go on a new opportunity or if I have any heartbreak. He will be there with me every day. Every time. God’s love never fails. Friendship may fail. God’s won’t. Relationships may fade, God will always be there. He isn’t a fair-weather friend. He isn’t only here for a ‘season.’ He is here for life. For eternity. I’m so glad he is because I wouldn’t have it any another way. He’s the one who brings me through every time.

About Zina

Zina Hermez authored the best-selling book “Not Without God: A Story of Survival.” Her stories have been featured in various guest articles, medical journals, magazines, newsletters, and over 250 of her own blog articles. As an educator for more than twenty years, she’s had the privilege of working with thousands of students from different backgrounds and parts of the world. Her upcoming book, “Not Without God: Hope In the Storm” will be out later this year. Her writing endeavors earned her an invitation to speak at the Harvard Faculty Club’s “Business Expert Forum.” Zina’s goal is to help others overcome adversity, and she strives to do what she longs to–help other people. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Southern Writers magazine, and Suite T blog, among other places. Socializing with friends, taking business trips, listening to music, and meeting new people are among her hobbies. She was recently featured on Color Speak (a Grace and Truth Radio World! podcast). You can connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, Linked In, or Twitter.

Come to God (Now is a better time than ever)!🙏🏻😇🧚

I sought after God at a young age. It wasn’t until my accident happened that I really understood him. I saw Jesus in everyone. I experienced God in the three months I spent in the hospital. As strange as it may seem, for the first time—my life had some meaning.

I was broken, a teenager, I couldn’t predict the future ahead or if I would even survive–I had all these injuries and had become paralyzed. But I understood God on a different level. I was searching for purpose before it.

I had friends, family, lived in a good neighborhood and went to a good school, but I would ask God what life is really about. I knew he was there, but my surroundings had me confused. I felt his presence on a daily basis, but I wanted to understand him better.

As a child, I knew my path would be difficult. He would whisper it to me through secrets in my heart. He also told me that he would never leave me nor forsake me, and that in the end I would be with him forever!

I felt his love as though it were a security blanket while outside on my childhood bike rides. Perhaps I deliberately went outside so much to spend time alone with him. I have always needed him since I was a child.

My time alone with God has always been my peace. It gives me peace☮️, and it is crucial for me. I need to talk with him and pray to figure things out. I am not independent of God. In good times and in bad, I need him. God never leaves us no matter what.

He will be the one listening to us when we need a shoulder to cry on. He will be the one with us when something goes wrong! He will celebrate. He will cry. His love is eternal. He is always there. He cannot change.

God is light.✨ Einstein realized that the speed of light is the only thing that is constant. As a matter of fact, space and time🌌 adjust to light.⚡️ God is light, and he created it. It’s in the Book of Genesis. God cannot change. We have to.🥰

First and foremost, we have to allow him into our hearts. We have free will, so God will not impose his influence. We have to choose him. We are still his children; nonetheless, he won’t impose himself on us.

He is in control, always, and he shines his light on all of us whether or not we are ‘believers.’ But I urge you to choose God. Take a look at what I went through, and he brought me through. Choose God, even in the bad times. He has a plan for you.

The bible says, ‘I am the Lord who continuously heals you.’ That means healing is not a one time thing, it is not a one time event. God heals us continuously. I have never fully recovered since my accident, but God continuously heals me, and I am healthy!

God created science. God created medicine. My doctors saved my life!👨‍🔬 We have to listen to them and take their wise instruction! I hope for everyone to have this kind of knowledge. God is a fortress and a healer. He truly is our friend.

You never know how your life will turn out. I never expected to grow up with a physical challenge, but I am blessed to have this knowledge. He will come in when everyone else has gone out. He will come in when your life is too much to bear. He will pick you up, and save you! His love cannot fail.

About Zina

94659C19-FFC3-4E00-9234-CA473820D764 — In New York City getting ready to attend a three-day-conference last September!💕🌇💗

Zina Hermez is the author of the best-selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. Her stories have been featured in Christianity Today, the Southern Writers Magazine, guest blogs, medical journals, and newsletters, among many other places. She’s written a few hundred articles. She’s had the privilege of working with thousands of students from different backgrounds and parts of the world. She’s taught at automotive corporations like General Motors, Ford, Nissan, Bosch, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, and has worked with people of all ages. Zina began her own teaching services incorporating math and other subjects. Her writing endeavors earned her an invitation to speak at the Harvard Faculty Club’s “Business Expert Forum.” Her goal is to help others overcome adversity. Socializing with friends, taking trips, baking, listening to music, trying new hairstyles, and networking are among her hobbies. You can connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or Twitter.

Democratic Presidential Debates!

I went downtown for the Democratic Presidential Debates in Detroit on July 30 and July 31. What an experience! I’ve been to a few political events, but this was like nothing I’ve ever experienced. It was surreal, but I wasn’t able to get into the beautiful Fox Theatre (I was told I needed a pass from CNN), however, I still met some wonderful people!

Amy and Kristin (on the left) travel the country and go to these types of events. They are both from Detroit, but Amy currently lives in Chicago. They told me they are big “donors.” Totally sweet and kind ladies!

Then, something I dreamt of happened, I met Chris Cuomo and got a photo with him!!! He’s my favorite journalist, and I watch him every night! His show is on at 9pm EST, and it’s called “Cuomo Prime Time.” He is brilliant and someone I greatly admire! I keep on smiling.😊 I’ve also added some more pics.

8F827A52-8800-49BE-8D01-9233487A0B64

B59B3FEE-2882-4512-97C3-26241447886B — CNN set-up!

FBCF6DC1-46C2-408E-8EAB-33F66D526AEB — Christin Powers is running for president and was only four people away from getting a chance to debate!

5AB34A1B-FF63-46FB-A60D-1563460BC2C0 — Parked right outside of CNN!

31B8F022-F099-467A-93E5-CF7BEA36CBA6 — Luv my city!❤️

A Tribute for My Friend

I attended my friend Chris’s funeral the other day. He died at the tender age of thirty-five. Heart-breaking. Way too young. Sometimes I break out and cry, even when I think I am feeling fine. I can’t believe he’s not with us anymore.

He accepted me with my challenge. Although he lived in another state, he did his best to keep in touch by phone. He never denied his illness, and fought against it all his young life. He never denied being addicted.

With Chris at his sister, Heidi’s house a couple years ago!

Each time we spoke, I told him how proud of him I am for confronting his disease, for accepting his faults, and for trying to improve his life! In the end it got the best of him. Nonetheless, he was ahead of others in his situation.

He lost the battle though, and it hurts me so bad. I keep thinking – I should’ve tried harder. I should’ve been there for him more! I’m dwelling over what could’ve happened.

I’m listening to the Bible for comfort, it’s the only way to get me out of feelings of sorrow. I have faith he’s in a better place! The Pastor at his funeral was great. He kept saying how good our Lord is, and how He died for our sins and mistakes.

How this has everything to do with Jesus! He highlighted how Chris gave his life over to Christ. I love how he pointed out Chris even got baptized in the very same church we were at! “To be absent from the body is to be at home with the Lord” (2Cor. 5:8).

About Zina

Zina Hermez authored the book Not Without God: A Story of Survival and created the Spinal Injury Solutions! online website. Zina works as an English Language Instructor, and has been an educator for fifteen years. Her thousands of students have been from many parts of the world, and she’s worked with all ages. Zina writes articles on faith and overcoming challenges, and her stories have been featured in Christianity Today, guest blogs, newsletters, medical journals, and other publications. To learn more about Zina visit: http://zinahermez.com.