Author: Valerie Cullers

Gaslighting

Valerie Cullers 20 Comments

“Gaslighting is a colloquialism, defined as manipulating someone into questioning their own perception of reality.” Wikipedia

Watching the presidential debate on Thursday was a clear example of how the press has been gaslighting the American public. Everyone has seen the cognitive decline of Joe Biden over the last three years, and yet the press has been gaslighting the public with a “nothing to see here” mentality.

If there has been a clearer case of gaslighting, I would like to see it. As egregious as this case is , there seems to have been no acknowledgment or apology coming from those perpetuating the lie. I feel for those poor souls who actually believed what the press was peddling. They seem to be in shock when asked about their feelings, and yet how could they have believed the press over their own eyes?

We live in a society where those in power (no matter which political party it is) will attempt to gaslight the public into going along with their policies. They will use the press that is sympathetic to them to accomplish their purposes. The citizens must not be fooled by the psychological manipulation that is going on.

We must have a healthy distrust of politicians and the press, especially if it is slanted in one direction or the other. No political party has all of the truth, answers or solutions to the problems we face today. They are too complex and the world is too interconnected to assume there is only one way to solve its problems.

We must be wary of those who would attempt to gaslight us. The press believes that perception is reality, but that is not true; reality is reality. We must not be swayed into believing something that is absolutely a lie in order to keep someone in power or propagate a policy that would be bad for our society.

It’s time to wake up if you are not awake…we’re being gaslighted, people, and the lies we’ve been told, “the border is secure,” the economy is fine,” “we must social distance at 6 feet apart,” are just a few of the many. They’re just not true, none of it. Let’s stop being gaslighted by the politicians, the press, and even our own government officials. They don’t have the answers. Some of them won’t even acknowledge the problems. Don’t be deceived by those who would tell you that the reality you’re seeing and feeling is just not true.

Photo courtesy of Pixabay.

Rejections

Valerie Cullers 23 Comments

During the last two decades, I have been blessed to have several articles and a few books published. It was certainly encouraging when a piece was published, but that is not the whole story. For every article published, I am sure I received three rejections on another piece. Why? Because rejections are part and parcel of the writing experience.

Not only are rejections part of the writing experience, they are an essential part of it. I remember the first rejection I received. To say I was devastated is an understatement. I had thought about the piece, worked on it, refined it, etc…but no go. After I nurtured my bruised ego, I picked myself up off the floor (metaphorically) and went on.

You see, I had never intended to be a writer. Words just started coming to me and I believed the Lord was giving them to me so they could be published for others to read. No matter what my motivation was, I still had to go through the process that every writer needs to go through. I had to read, research, go to writing seminars, and connect with others in the process. I had to write, learn more, get rejected, learn more, and keep on trying. There is no way to shortcut the process, one has to write, send out their work, possibly get rejected, and continue on.

For those who are in the process, I have a few suggestions. First, educate yourself on the craft of writing. Read what you can and follow the advice given by others who have succeeded. I can’t tell you how many books I read on writing and the process of publication.

Second, write and rewrite your piece if needed. Usually, a first draft is only the beginning point, not the final product. Walk away from it for a few days or a week and pick it up again. Make any necessary corrections and read it out loud so you can get the sound of it in your ears. That is what the readers will be hearing as they read your work.

Third, know your audience. Pick up a Writer’s Market Guide or Christian Writer’s Market Guide so you send your work to the right publisher. Every publication has its own niche and you need to follow the submission guidelines for each publication. They may be similar to the last place you sent your piece but you have a better chance of getting published if you follow their guidelines to the letter.

Fourth, learn from your rejections. Most rejection letters are standard, but every now and again, an editor will give you personal feedback on your work. Take it to heart and learn from it. If they encourage you to rewrite your piece and submit it again, then by all means rewrite it. Remember, you are unique, and someone somewhere needs to hear what you are saying.

Fifth, be flexible. If an editor wants your piece but needs some modifications then, by all means, be accommodating if their suggestions don’t violate your principles. I figure there is only one Book whose words are not open to change, and that book is not mine. My work can be modified to fit a publication, whether it needs to be shortened or lengthened. If a paragraph I wrote doesn’t fit, then fine, let’s take it out.

Finally, don’t give up because of rejections. Everyone who has written for any period of time has a drawer or inbox full of them. Most of us could wallpaper at least one wall in our offices with them. I consider them my personal badge of courage because I tried and sent my work out to a publisher. I know many writers give up after their first rejection. That is like giving up if you don’t get the first job you apply for. Stay at it, sooner or later you will get your first piece published and you will be so glad you did not give up.

Image by M. from Pixabay.

Blinders

Valerie Cullers 12 Comments

Blinders. When we think about them, we know they can have positive or negative connotations depending on who’s wearing them. When they are put on horses, they are used for a positive purpose. They protect horses from what is going on around them. It can keep them from getting spooked or injured by loud noises or lots of commotion. If they wear them when they are running in a race, they will not be distracted by other horses and can keep their eyes on the track ahead of them.

But when we think about a person with blinders on, we usually think of them in the negative. “Oh, that guy walks around with blinders on and he has no idea what is happening around him.” We think that his blinders insulate him from what is going on in the world. And you know what? You’re right, they do.

This past week, there has been a lot going on around me; personally, politically, nationally, and internationally. On Sunday evening, I felt the Lord impressing on me to put blinders on and just keep my eyes on Him. Yes, I am aware of what is happening around me but by keeping the blinders on, I can focus on Him and not the problems. I can pray about things and not get into the weeds emotionally. I don’t know about you, but when I look around a lot is going on that I could be distracted by.

The word says, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3 As I have kept my eyes on the Lord, I have not gone up and down emotionally and been distracted by events happening around me. It’s Friday evening and I could be exhausted mentally and emotionally but I am not. I know that I am not in control of events taking place in the world. I am only in control of my reaction to them. More and more, we may need to keep blinders on in order to live a life filled with the peace of God.

Let’s face it. The world is a mess, and there is not much we can do about most of it. We can however, pray. It seems like a small thing, but it can make a big difference as we see events unfolding around us. Blinders…they used to be such a negative thing when it came to people, but they may be just what we need to not only survive but to thrive with a supernatural peace in the chaotic world we live in.

Photo by Krsten Madsen. Courtesy of Pixabay.

Foreshadow

Valerie Cullers 5 Comments

“Foreshadow – “a warning or indication of a future event.” Oxford Languages

As I look at current events happening around the globe, I can see that they are foreshadowing things to come. We are watching a story unfold right before our eyes that is filled with hints as to what we can expect in the future.

Take Israel and Iran for example. When I watched the attack on Israel by Iran on April 14th, I could see this as an event that foreshadows another war that will come against Israel in the future. The Bible speaks of a war that will happen to Israel in the latter days. Found in Ezekiel 38, a coalition of forces from the extreme north of Israel (possibly Russia or Turkey) plus Iran, Sudan and Libya will come against Israel. Did you ever think that Iran would dare to strike Israel? Well, it happened. Carefully orchestrated and announced ahead of time so that their missiles would not actually hit major population centers, Iran announced to the world that it is not afraid to strike Israel. A line was crossed and there is no going back. When Iran and her allies are ready, they will invade and attack Israel.

When the time comes, will any nations help Israel? Sadly, Israel will be on her own, and we are currently watching the foreshadowing of this in cities around the world and on college campuses. Antisemitism is rearing its ugly head, and even when these demonstrations stop and the war in Gaza is over, people will continue to hate Israel. This antisemitism has taken root globally, and it will not easily be pulled out.

Not to worry, though. Even though men will not come to Israel’s defense, the Lord will strike the invading armies dead on the mountains of Israel. This will not be a pretty sight and will according to scripture affect the entire world when it sees this happen.

As we watch the foreshadowing of future events, what should our response be in this incendiary climate? For one thing, we must not be taken in by those who would hate the Jews because of the war in Gaza. We must do what we can to stand up for the people who are being persecuted in their synagogues and on college campuses. So much of this reminds me of what happened in Germany in the 1930s. Jewish hatred was whipped up within the population to the point that people believed they were subhuman. Once they were dehumanized they were systematically eliminated with little or no public outcry. We cannot let this begin to happen again, not on our watch.

Image by merandad. Courtesy of Pixabay.

Children of Regret

Valerie Cullers 16 Comments

As a society, we are hearing more and more from young adults who are de-transitioning. We listen to their stories at hearings, on Youtube and TikTok. The National Institute of Health states that about 8 percent of people de-transition temporarily or permanently at some point. That seems like a cause for a lot of regret. For those of us listening to their stories, we wonder, “Why are kids allowed to have sex-reassignment surgery at such a young age when it is so permanent?”

My last post touched on the gender ideology that the kids are being exposed to at schools, but another big promoter of gender transition and sex-reassignment surgery is the medical industry. In August 0f 2022, the New York Post estimated that the market for this kind of surgery was about 1.9 billion the year before. Yes, that’s right…billion with a B. With that kind of profit margin, we find ourselves in an environment where those who should be speaking out to protect our children (doctors, psychiatrists, and hospitals) are not.

In an April 18, 2024 article on Fox News, Jamie Reed, a whistleblower who worked at Washington University Transgender Center of St. Louis Children’s Hospital, wrote an expose about her experiences while working there. Lest you think she is some kind of radical conservative, Ms. Reed is queer and married to a transgender person herself. She was previously in favor of sex-reassignment surgery for minors, but after working at the Center, she has since changed her mind. When asked why she changed her mind, she stated, “We started to see patients who were experiencing very significant medical harms being rushed to the emergency room with lacerations requiring stitches. We had patients contact us who were begging to have body parts put back on within months of having surgeries.” When she stated her concerns to her superiors, she was told, “This is how the industry works. If a child says they’re trans, there’s no questioning it.” No wonder she finds the industry “morally and medically appalling.”

I could go on and on with statistics about how the medical industry is profiting financially off our kids but what moves me the most are the young adults who are speaking out about what has happened to them. We are now listening to the first generation of young people who have gone through this experience and what it has done to them. This is a hot-button issue in our culture but as I see it, no child should be able to make permanent surgical decisions about their bodies that they may someday come to regret. If they still want to transition when they become adults, that is their right; but to not protect them from those who would profit from their youthful decisions is morally wrong.

photo by tobbo, courtesy of Pixabay

What If?

Valerie Cullers 13 Comments

As a young child with five brothers, sometimes I wished I were a boy. No, I didn’t want to be a male; I just wanted the freedom that the boys had. I was the one who had to come in early, take a bath, and get ready for bed. They were allowed much more leeway as to how long they could stay outside and play. What if I had gone to school and some teacher would have been talking about gender identification? What if she asked, “Would any of you like to be a boy?“

I cringe to think what would have happened to me. For sure, I would have been singled out and sent to a psychologist. What if, as a young child, I was unable to share my feelings about freedom? No way did I want to actually be a boy…they were smelly, played in the dirt and had burping contests. I loved my new dresses and shiny shoes. Would I have been labeled non-binary? Would I have been made to go to counseling?

When I was in the fifth and sixth grades, my restrictions got tighter as my brothers’ loosened. They could go out for sports, and go to movies by themselves. In the summer, they got to work outside and I had to stay inside, clean, and pretend I wanted to learn to bake. I envied my brothers even more. If I had been talking to a counselor, I would have expressed my frustration. Would I have still been on a gender-related path…possibly dysphoria? I don’t know but I dread to think about it.

By the time I was in Junior High, things began to change. My brothers had to mow the lawn in the summer and shovel snow in the winter. If we had a flat tire, one or two of them had to go outside and help my dad. They inevitably came in dirty. At that point, I still envied their freedom, but no way would I ever say, “I wanted to be a boy.”

Perhaps my thoughts about the subject are out of proportion to what would have happened to me. Would I have been properly diagnosed early, even if I wasn’t able to express myself? I don’t know. Last week, I listened to a young woman talk about her experience. She was put on hormones after only three visits with a psychiatrist. She deeply regrets the changes that have happened to her body, and now we know that some of those changes are irreversible. She was talking about hormones, not surgery. I shudder to think about the young people who have decided they made a mistake after they had their wombs or testicles removed.

I recently read some statistics in an article written by Lindsey Tanner for The Associated Press. In her article, “younger, new guidelines say,” she states, “The World Association for Transgender Health“ said hormones could be started at 14, two years earlier than the groups previous advice, and some surgeries done at 15 or 17, a year or so earlier than previous guidance. The group acknowledged potential risks but said it is unethical and harmful to withhold early treatment.”

Different states have their own laws about gender reassignment surgery and treatment. It seems to me that we should protect young people as long as possible from making irreversible decisions they may one day come to regret. What if we took a step back and reevaluate our educational systems focus on gender identification and left it out of the curriculum of our primary and secondary schools? It would take this malevolent ideology away from the educators and let children and their parents deal with any real form of gender dysphoria.


Photo courtesy of Pixabay.

The Brou Ha Ha

Valerie Cullers 5 Comments

“Brou Ha Ha – A noisy and overexcited response to something.” Oxford Languages

Were you distracted this Easter weekend by the brou ha ha that went on because of the proclamation the White House made? I made the unfortunate decision to check the news before I went to bed on Saturday night and I saw it. Do you wonder why the President’s staff made such a decision? If they had to make a proclamation for that Sunday, surely they could have chosen Easter. After all, it is no longer a religious holiday but a secular one with eighty-one percent of Americans celebrating it. To many people, it is just about the Easter bunny, coloring eggs and chocolate.

I listened to the talking points of why the White House chose that particular proclamation but they truly rang hollow to me. They made a deliberate decision to disrespect Christians in America and say, “We’re here. We want the attention. Notice Us!” I’m sure they said to themselves, “How many news cycles will we have to endure pushback?” and the answer was, “Two maybe three.” And of course, they were right. Not many subjects stay in the forefront of the news for more than a day or two.

Hopefully next year we won’t have to deal with all the nonsense. Many will say that the outrage was because the proclamation was about Transgender Day but you can bet there would have been a lot of blowback if they had chosen National Bunsen Burner Day, Oranges and Lemon Day, National Tater Day, Prom Day, Crayon Day, Cream Cheese Frosting Day or Neighbor Day, all of which fall on March 31st. (These are actually national holidays.)

For those of you who were worried about the Lord, don’t be. He has his own view of those who like to shake their fist in His face. One only has to read in Psalm 2: “Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying “Let us break Their bonds in pieces and cast away Their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens shall laugh, the Lord shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, and distress them in His deep displeasure.“

Next time some politician or prominent person makes a point of exalting themselves or their agenda above the Lord’s, don’t worry or be distressed by the brou ha ha that follows. Remember the Lord just laughs at them and holds them in derision. He is still on His throne and nothing can change the truth of that.

Photo by GoldJJ courtesy of Pixabay.