The Appeal of Johnny Depp

I've written a lot about Johnny Depp's weaknesses and bad choices.  And I would like to end on a positive note, so today I want to share some of Johnny Depp's strengths, as I perceive them. 

If you follow my blog, you know I've been on a Johnny Depp kick since the trial.  I went from knowing nothing about the man to knowing more than I ever wanted to know about him.  Not only have I watched most, if not all, of his testimony at the trial, but I've also watched several interviews from throughout his career.  I have watched "The Lone Ranger" and most of the "Pirates of the Caribbean" series recently.  I don't think I'll be able to see any more of his films though because the content is not in accordance with my standards.  I'm not much of a movie person anyway.  He doesn't even watch his own movies, so I guess I'm in good company.

Not knowing anything about Johnny Depp, I went into watching the trial with complete ambivalence and unbiased.  It was fun to get to know him from his childhood on.  I must say I was pleasantly surprised at all of the good character traits that I found in Johnny Depp.  We all know the man isn't a saint – by any stretch of the imagination – but he is a good man with many exemplary qualities.

So I'm going to list the appealing qualities and characteristics that I see in Johnny Depp from what I've learned about him through watching his testimony in the trial and watching several interviews through the years.

1 – Genuine.  Johnny Depp is a genuine guy.  He is real.  He is not plastic.  So many people in Hollywood are plastic.  So many people not in Hollywood are plastic.  But it's more rare to find, in Hollywood, a genuine real person who is himself and doesn't try to be someone he is not.  That is Johnny Depp.  In everything I've seen of him, he is consistent and real.  A genuine guy who is the same person he was before he found fame.  There was a quote from Johnny Depp that said something to the effect of, "Fame doesn't make you who you are, it reveals you."  Johnny didn't let Hollywood change who he is, it revealed a genuine man.

2 – Loving and Caring.  Johnny has a loving, close relationship with his older sister, Christine.  Johnny has always emphasized the importance of family in his life.  Johnny's kids have always been the most important thing in his life.  Johnny also takes time to go to children's hospitals dressed as Capt. Jack Sparrow to bring some joy to sick kids.  He doesn't do it for notoriety, but simply because he loves and cares for others.

3 – Funny and Witty.  Oh man, I had no idea how funny and witty Johnny Depp is.  Several interviews had me in stitches.  I'll try to think of a few examples.  In one interview the interviewer was telling Johnny how cool he always is and asked him how he stays so cool.  His response was, "air conditioning".  Hilarious!  When asked if he had ever been arrested, Johnny told a story about wielding a 4 x 4 plank of wood at some paparazzi and backing them down a hill.  He said the cops were called and he was given a tour of some "custody suites".  When his daughter was 14 he gave an interview and said he was worried about some "greasy little horror" knocking on his door.  During an interview another interviewee came out and everybody stood up and started dancing to the music, except Johnny.  When the host asked Johnny why he wasn't dancing he said it was because he fears dancing.  He said he would rather eat a bag of hair.  :-)  Johnny Depp is very quick-witted and hilarious.

4 – Humble.  When asked in the trial about his donations to charity – or lack thereof – Johnny replied that he doesn't like to attach his name to his donations.  He doesn't want or need the notoriety.  Despite all of his fame, Johnny doesn't seem to have let it get to his head.  He comes across as very humble.  He said he doesn't like to call himself a celebrity or even say the word.  He doesn't like talking about his island or other surreal positions that his fame has bought him.  Johnny Depp just seems like a truly humble man.

5 – Kind and Compassionate.  When his mom was dying, Johnny was there by her side.  Despite his abusive upbringing.  He made sure she had the care she needed.  Johnny will always go sign autographs and visit fans when he can.  He takes the time to give them a hug or say hi.  He always remembers that the fans are his employers and not the studios.  One story I heard was on a movie set one time some kid remarked that he liked his hat.  So Johnny Depp had the hat sent to the kid after filming.  Johnny Depp comes across as a kind and compassionate man.

6 – Polite and Gentlemanly.  During the trial Johnny Depp would always thank the attorneys who brought him paperwork to read – even if he knew it was unfavorable to him.  When his SUV would arrive at court he would get out and then help others out of the vehicle.  When he comes out for an interview he will remain standing until everyone else sits or until he is invited to sit.  Johnny Depp just comes across as a polite gentleman.

7 – Honest and Sincere.  During the trial Johnny Depp had plenty of opportunity to be honest – and he was.  Even when a lot of the evidence against him was very unfavorable – he would own his words and actions.  I was pleasantly surprised to see how honest and sincere Johnny Depp was during the trial.  Even though it was difficult to have to admit to some of the things he has said or done – he even apologized and said he was ashamed of some of the things he said and the language he used in text messages – he still owned it.  Very admirable.  One time he was asked, on the red carpet, what he would like to say to his fans and he said that he was scared, confused, and just wanted to go home.  People thought he was just being funny but, I think he was being honest and sincere.

8 – Truthful.  This kind of goes along with being honest but there is a distinction.  You can honestly believe something that isn't true.  But being truthful requires facts.  In Johnny Depp's defamation trial he spoke the truth.  He truthfully denied the heinous false accusations against him.  In fact, the whole reason he brought the lawsuit against Amber Heard, was for the truth to be told.  There is something powerful about someone sincerely speaking truth.  I felt that in Johnny Depp's testimony.  The truth was palpable as he spoke it when he denied the heinous, cruel, ludicrous, false allegations of domestic abuse and sexual battery that Amber Heard accused him of.  It has been said that truth shall set you free.  Johnny Depp speaking truth certainly freed him from the burden of Amber's false accusations.

9 – Forgiving.  Forgiving others can be one of the hardest things to do.  Especially when you've been hurt so badly by someone. Johnny forgave his abusive mother and bought her a house and made sure she was cared for until she died.  Johnny also forgave his father who left Johnny's mother and the kids when Johnny was 15.  I believe Johnny has a good relationship with his father now and had a good relationship with his mother before she died. It has been said that to forgive is divine.  If that's the case then perhaps Johnny Depp is more of a saint than anyone realizes.

10 – Laid Back and Calm.  Johnny Depp has a very laid-back, calm, cool demeanor that puts people at ease.  He also has a very soothing voice which is very calming to listen to.  He seriously has the best speaking voice I've ever heard.  Not just his voice but the way that he speaks.  Very calm and pacifying.  I could listen to him talk all day.  Very appealing.

11 – Ruggedly Handsome.  Of course, Johnny Depp is known for his good looks.  He was even voted sexiest man alive by People magazine.  I personally never thought that, but he does have a chiseled masculine face.  Which along with his charismatic personality, makes him very appealing.

12 – Masculine.  This might seem odd, because obviously Johnny Depp is male and therefore masculine.  But, nowadays especially, masculinity is a trait that is harder to find among men.  Johnny Depp seems to embrace his masculinity.  Johnny Depp is willing to stand up for truth – as evidenced by his defamation trial against Amber heard.  In speaking of his incident with the 4 x 4 plank against the paparazzi, he said it had to be done.  It's nice to see Johnny Depp embrace his masculinity in a world where masculinity is increasingly considered toxic.  It's nice to see someone fight for what is right, instead of backing down like a pansy.  As Kenny Rogers said, "Sometimes you have to fight when you're a man".

13 – Respectful.  This when I'm not so sure of, but I did hear Johnny say that once he became a famous actor he didn't go back to pursuing music as a career because he respected it too much to use his fame as an actor to make it in the music industry. 

14 – Generous. Johnny Depp is very generous with his money and time.  He let Amber's family and friends live rent free in his various penthouses and homes for years.  He bought his mom a house.  He paid for nurses to care for her while she was ill before she died.  He visits children's hospitals as Capt. Jack Sparrow.  He donates anonymously to various charities.  Johnny Depp is a generous man.

Johnny Depp has many wonderful qualities, traits, and characteristics.  It's easy to see how so many women find Johnny Depp so appealing and attractive.  And why so many men want to be like him.

Even though I feel bad for invading Johnny Depp's privacy by learning so much about him through his defamation trial, I am glad I got to know him a little bit.  I'm glad Johnny Depp was willing to share his life, perhaps somewhat unwillingly, with the world to stand for truth.  I am happy that truth prevailed.  Thank you Johnny!

That's my two cents.

The Downfall of Johnny Depp

I actually feel bad about learning so much about Johnny Depp's life.  It feels like an invasion of his privacy.  Which he already didn't have much of, as a celebrity.  But that's the price he was willing to pay for truth.

The post I'm going to do today uses Johnny Depp's life as an example, but it's really not about Johnny Depp.  It's about our society and the times in which we live.

Johnny Depp may be a well-known celebrity who people put on a pedestal, but he is also just a man navigating his way through mortality.  A man who makes mistakes, like all of us, and who is human with real emotions and weaknesses.

The biggest social ill we are facing right now is the destruction of the family.  These are the last days and Satan knows that his time is short to tempt people and get them to fall into misery and endless wo.  So, his most efficient method to bring people misery is to destroy families. Therefore, Satan's best efforts are spent destroying families. And I must say, he is doing an excellent job.   Unfortunately.

I am all-too-familiar with people I know – and those I just know of – falling for Satan's lies and deceits who end up with not only their family being destroyed, but their life ending up in misery.

This is what happened to Johnny Depp.

For 14 years Johnny Depp had a common-law wife, Vanessa, and two kids, Lily Rose and Jack.  For all intents and purposes, they were a happy family.

I've seen several Johnny Depp interviews and without fail he mentions his kids and how becoming a father changed his life.  He talks about playing Barbies with his daughter for hours and watching cartoons with his kids.  He has stated that his greatest goal in life was to be a good father.  And I believe he was the best father he knew how to be to his kids.

Family is central  to God's  plan of happiness.  Satan knows this.   That's why he targets families.  If he destroys families, he destroys happiness.  Which is his goal.  I saw this quote the other day:

"Family life is the best method for achieving happiness in this world."  – Pres. Spencer W. Kimball

Family is what brought Johnny Depp happiness – especially his kids.  There's something innate about our family relationships that connect us as humans, to God, and brings us happiness.

There is also something  innately human  – the natural man – that allows us to easily fall to temptation.

While Johnny Depp had a seemingly perfectly happy family life, he was not immune to temptation.

Johnny Depp met Amber Heard while filming a movie.   She saw an opportunity for fame and fortune, in Johnny Depp, and used her feminine wiles to tempt him and lure him away from his family and into her vicious grasp.

Unfortunately for Johnny Depp – and his wife and kids – he fell into her trap.  

There was a portion of Johnny Depp's testimony which felt uncomfortably personal – but reveals insight into how and why he fell for the evil harlot Amber.

Johnny revealed that during a kissing scene in the movie, that he felt things he shouldn't be feeling.  He mentioned having Vanessa and the kids and Amber also having a "wife".

The fact that he mentioned knowing that he shouldn't be feeling what he was feeling reveals that the Holy Ghost was warning him of the temptation.  But, as many do, the warning went unheeded, and Johnny fell hard.  The natural man is weak and temptation is strong. 

Johnny Depp ended up leaving Vanessa and the kids for the evil harlot, Amber.  A decision he would later regret – infinitely.

Unfortunately, the biggest casualties when families break apart are usually the children.

Johnny's kids wanted nothing to do with the evil harlot that had sunk her claws into their daddy.  They could see right through her. Family usually does see the reality of the cunning, manipulative, evil nature of the floozy/floozer that the smitten one can't.  Johnny even admitted during his testimony that his kids were much more intelligent than he was because they wanted nothing to do with Amber.  Sadly, Johnny's role as a father changed as he was no longer with his children's mother and no longer in their daily lives.  The one thing he wanted to do right in life – fatherhood – was lost.

Everything with his chosen other, Amber, was wonderful at first.  Johnny said the first year or so was great.  But the fleeting happiness found in living Satan's deceptive lies  – never lasts.   After the exciting so-called honeymoon phase,  things deteriorated quickly and nothing short of sheer misery ensued.  Amber started treating Johnny very badly – abusing him physically and verbally, just like his mother did.

Well, the abuse, the bullying, the misery kept escalating until Johnny finally had enough of evil Amber's venom and couldn't take it anymore.  He had reached his breaking point.  He decided to leave the toxic marriage.  He said he stayed so long in the venomous relationship because he didn't want to fail.  But failure was inevitable.  Amber made sure of that. She had broken him.  Relationships built on cheating, lies, and lust, don't usually last very long. 

When asked in the trial what Amber had taken from him, Johnny Depp's answer was "nothing less than everything."  I think that sums up how devastating the relationship was to Johnny.  It's so sad to see a man so hurt and broken.  It's an inevitable consequence of leaving the joy of a family to be with the fleeting excitement of a floozy.

It's hard enough when your family and close friends become aware of your mistakes and subsequent miserable consequences.  But I can't imagine the burden it was on Johnny Depp to have his life scrutinized in front of the entire world. Especially bearing the false accusations of domestic violence on top of dealing with evil Amber's continual escalating abuse against him, his financial losses, his failed marriage, and his mother dying.

To kick him while he was down, Amber filed for divorce the day after Johnny's mother died from cancer.  Then to pour salt into his wounds, she filed for a restraining order against Johnny a few days later.  With false allegations of domestic violence against him.  That's how evil Amber is.

Johnny Depp had to bear those false accusations for six years, until his name was cleared when the verdict came in from the jury in the defamation trial earlier this month.  I'm so happy that Johnny got that monkey off his back.  False accusations are a big enough burden already, let alone with arrows coming at you from all over the world.  Fame is a terrible thing.

Even the strongest, most faithful people are falling.  Families are being destroyed at breakneck speed.  Unfortunately Johnny Depp was one of the many casualties.  I feel sad for him for what he's lost.  I know he has regrets.  And I truly hope that Johnny and all those who have made the same mistakes can find true happiness again.

That true happiness and joy can only be found through the atonement of Jesus Christ and in living His gospel. I hope one day that Johnny Depp finds and embraces the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I feel like I went off on a bit of a tangent but my point in writing this post today is not to drag Johnny Depp through the mud by using him as an example.  After learning so much about his life, his trials, and his character, and despite all his shortcomings – I've grown to really like and respect the man.  My point in using Johnny Depp as an example is to show that despite our mistakes, we can overcome.

Johnny Depp said, "No human being is perfect, certainly not, none of us."  These are wise words from a good man who is human and has made mistakes, like all of us.  But who also recognizes and regrets those mistakes and was willing to "split himself open and tell the truth."

"I don't think anyone enjoys having to split themselves open and tell the truth.  But there are times when one just simply has to, because it's gotten out of control" – Johnny Depp

 Johnny Depp took control of his out-of-control life.  He acknowledged and owned his mistakes.  It wasn't easy for him to open himself up to the world and tell the truth.  At times it was humiliating and painful.  But Johnny did what he had to do for the truth to be told.  Thankfully, truth prevailed.  Johnny Depp got his life back.

All mistakes and bad choices can be remedied through the atonement of Jesus Christ.  I hope we will all use that priceless gift so that we may all attain the joy and happiness that we all desire.

That's my two cents.

My Body, My Choice

I am 100% in favor of choice.  So is God.  In fact, choice, or agency, is central to our Heavenly Father's plan of happiness.

Our bodies are a God-given gift with which we are free to do with as we please.  If we so choose to use and abuse our bodies by marring them with tattoos and piercings or by ingesting harmful substances like drugs and alcohol or by promiscuity or even by selling our bodies in prostitution– that is our choice.  We have our agency.  

On the other hand, we may also choose to respect and reverence our bodies by not doing any of those things just mentioned and by caring for our bodies, exercise, eating right and treating them with respect.  It's up to us.  In fact, learning how to navigate the appetites and use of our physical bodies is a big part of our mortal test. God gave us our physical bodies and our agency.  We choose how to treat our physical bodies.

What we don't get to choose, however, is the consequences of our choices.  For example, if we choose to drink alcohol, we may get cirrhosis.  If we choose to smoke, we may get lung cancer.  If we choose to overeat, we may become obese.  If we choose to have sex, pregnancy may result.  These are all natural consequences of our choices.

We also don't get to choose how to treat someone else's body.  There are laws against assault, battery, rape, and murder.  Murder of course being the most egregious and serious of all the laws of the land and of God's laws.

Abortion is murder.  Plain and simple.

It baffles me that abortion lovers don't understand the concept and are completely melting down over Roe v. Wade being overturned. 

It's quite a simple concept.  When you choose to have sexual relations, you know the consequences of your actions and the possibility of pregnancy.  That is when your choice is made.  Once a pregnancy occurs, the zygote/embryo/fetus is a separate human being.  It is not part of your body.  The baby has its own separate genetic makeup and is a completely individual human being.

Understandably, the baby is dependent upon the mother until it reaches viability.  But just because the baby is dependent upon you, doesn't give you the right to murder it.  Nor does it give anyone the right to murder another human just because they are unwanted.  

If you choose to use your sacred God-given gift of procreation to create another human being by your actions, then you also choose the consequences of those actions.  Murder does not undo what has already been done.  David can testify of that. (2 Samuel 11)

Science is very clear on when life begins.  We have the technology to look inside the womb via ultrasound images where you can see the heartbeat and baby moving in utero.  The argument that the zygote/embryo/fetus is not human or is not living is ludicrous.  Just because you don't want to believe that something is true, does not change the truth.  Life begins at conception.  That's a fact.  A scientific fact.

Follow the science! Isn't that what liberals preach?

Speaking of science, I speak on this subject with some authority.  I have a bachelor of science degree in biology and a doctorate in podiatric medicine.  I am also a woman.   So you liberal, abortion lovers can't really argue with my authority on the subject.

Abortion has nothing to do with women's health.  In fact, going through an abortion is not only fatal to the baby, it is also not a healthy, easy procedure for the mother to go through. Not to mention the psychological trauma that the women go through of knowing that they murdered their baby.

By the way, there's no such thing as an accidental pregnancy.  Women don't just become pregnant out of the blue, or accidentally.  For a pregnancy to occur, a man and woman must engage in sexual intercourse.  I can 100% guarantee you that if you live a celibate lifestyle, you have exactly 0% chance of becoming pregnant or impregnating someone.

Yes, you may face an unexpected or unwanted pregnancy – but it's no accident.  A deliberate sexual act had to occur for a pregnancy to result.

Most abortions occur because people choose to break God's law of chastity.  That is a mistake.  The resultant pregnancy is not a mistake.  It is a consequence of a mistake.

Yes, it is your body and your choice.  If a pregnancy results from engaging in sexual behavior, you already made your choice.

The logic the left uses to justify murdering babies is ludicrous, insane, absurd, unscientific, and nonsensical.

Choosing to murder another human being because you don't like the consequence of your choice is universally wrong, sick, depraved, disgusting, and evil.

That's my two cents.

Johnny Depp and Me

I know the title is intriguing, so I hope this doesn't disappoint.  As you may know, I've been on a Johnny Depp kick since the midst of the defamation trial.  I know, it goes against my character – I don't follow Hollywood – but the timing was right for what I chose to use as an escape.

Before the defamation trial, and despite Johnny Depp being one of the biggest actors, and heartthrobs, in Hollywood during my lifetime, I knew practically nothing about the man.  Now, I know more than I ever wanted to know about Johnny Depp.

Johnny Depp and I could not be more opposite in almost every aspect of our lives.

For example, Johnny Depp was raised by an abusive mother who hit him and threw things at him and bullied him by calling him names.  Johnny Depp's father left his family when Johnny was a teenager.  I, on the other hand, was raised in a loving home with goodly parents.

Johnny Depp started smoking, drinking alcohol, and using illegal drugs at a very young age.  Johnny has continued these bad habits throughout his life.  I, on the other hand, am a complete teetotaler and have never touched a cigarette, a drop of alcohol, nor any illegal drugs.  I don't even like taking over-the-counter or prescription drugs when they are medically warranted.  In fact, I go so far as to even avoid ingesting caffeine.

Johnny Depp is prolific in his use of profanity, vulgarity, vile and crude language. I, on the other hand, have never uttered a curse word in my life – except for euphemisms, which I now try to avoid.  I try my best to use clean language at all times.

Johnny Depp is a Hollywood liberal.  I, on the other hand, could not be more conservative.

Johnny Depp is not a man of faith.  I don't know if he is agnostic or atheist but I did hear him say in an interview – probably from several years ago – that his faith was in his children.  He is not a religious man.  I, on the other hand, am a devout Christian and staunch Latter-day Saint.

Johnny Depp is charismatic, witty, funny, and basically has a great personality.  He is a very likable guy.  I, on the other hand, am dull, uninteresting, and have the worst personality in the history of mankind.  I am not that likable.

Johnny Depp is male.  I am female.  We're even the opposite sex.  We are fundamentally different.

However, there is one characteristic that we both share.  We both cherish the truth.

Actually, despite our many differences, Johnny and I do share a few similarities.  

First of all, we are both extraordinarily good-looking.  Johnny Depp and I both share an exceptionally rare natural beauty. :-)

Johnny Depp also comes across as a very honest man.  I like to think that honesty is also a quality that I possess.

Johnny Depp isn't plastic.   He tells it like it is, and says what he thinks.  I like to think that I am also real and not plastic.

Other redeeming qualities that I perceive in Johnny Depp include: loving, caring, generous, humble, and kind.  These are qualities I may or may not possess.

But back to our biggest shared characteristic – our love of and quest for truth.

Johnny Depp brought the defamation lawsuit against Amber Heard for one reason – for the truth to be known.  That's all he wanted.  Truth.

Johnny Depp was willing to "split himself open" as he said, to let the truth be known.  It wasn't easy for him to have to open up his life to the world, but the truth was that important to him.  And I'm happy to say that truth prevailed!  Johnny won his lawsuit and restored his reputation.  Johnny told the truth.

What is truth?

Truth is eternal.  Truth is unchanging.  Truth is reality.  You cannot change truth to suit your needs.  There is no such thing as my truth or your truth.  Truth is truth.

We live in a time of information overload.  Anything we want to know is at our fingertips.  Some information is true, some is false, and some is partially true.  How do we discern the truth?

The answer is through the Spirit of God.  Through the Holy Ghost.  The Holy Ghost testifies of all truths.

Truth is found in the gospel of Jesus Christ.  True happiness and joy are found in living the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I am grateful that I was blessed to be raised with the knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

One day, in the next life, I hope I can share the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ with Johnny Depp.  And I hope he will embrace the truth.  I want him – and everyone – to find the joy and happiness that comes from the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Johnny Depp and I may be complete opposites in most aspects of our lives.  But the few similarities that we do share – especially our desire for truth – overcome all our differences.

Johnny Depp and I are both just two children of God doing the best we can to navigate our way through mortality in a quest for truth.  And looking pretty good while we do it, I might add.  :-)

That's my two cents.

Superwoman – Then and Now

I know I've posted these  photos before.  I like them because they epitomize who I am –  or who I've been for the past 20 years.  These photos were taken April 28, 2002 according to the metadata (I learned this word from the Johnny Depp trial :-)).   So these photos were taken just months before my accident.  I actually remember purchasing this Superman shirt at JCPenney.  One of my favorite pastimes was taking self-portraits – before selfies were a thing.

Anyway, I happened across these photos the other day and I wasn't having a very good day and and I thought how nice it would be to look like that again and have a young healthy body that worked properly.

So today I wore my Superman shirt – not the same one – and had Lisa take my photograph.  20 years later – 20 years of being paralyzed from the neck down.  20 years I certainly would not want to relive but also 20 years of mortal experiences that have taught me many things and have shaped my character and who I am now.

I certainly wouldn't recognize me as the same person in the Superman shirt 20 years apart.  I actually took the time to Photoshop the photos to lighten them up a bit because they were very dark.  And I also cropped them.  So I will put the original lightened photo and the cropped ones.  And then at the end I will post my current photo taken today.  I don't really like posting photos of myself now but the contrast is drastic and I want to document it for my next blog book.

Original photo (lightened)

Cropped

Close crop. Downey, California.  April 28, 2002

Original photo (lightened). I love my leather animals and plants.  :-)

Hippopotamus, giraffe, elephant

Cropped. not much different than the one above.  Oh well.

Close crop.

Little did I know when I bought that Superman shirt 20 years ago and took those photos that I would have to become super to survive for the next 20 years.

20 years later.  June 23, 2022

Here I am 20 years later, still kicking it.  Although I look much different now, I'm still sporting my Superman shirt.  Because I am a super woman!  :-)

That's my two cents.

Sunday School Lesson – 1 Samuel

These are the handouts for our lesson today.  Lisa tied every stone with a paper that says "Conquer your own Goliaths"

 I led the lesson today.  It was on 1 Samuel.  Chapter 8 talks about the people wanting a king instead of judges and going apostate and turning away from God and towards the world.

Then, because of Father's Day and going over, we were short on time so I skipped through to 1 Samuel 16:7 where it talks about man looking on the outward appearance but the Lord looking on the heart.  And we talked about not being judgmental.

Then we finished up with 1 Samuel 17 – the story of David and Goliath.  We talked about how David's faith gave him the courage and confidence to conquer Goliath.  I told a couple stories and that was it.  I was going to post my entire lesson but it's mostly Scripture and I'm sure no one will read it anyway.

That's my two cents.

Missing You, Mom

 I miss her!

I love you forever, Mom!

The Little Things

It's the little things in life that seem to affect us the most.  Today I was outside enjoying the beautiful sunshine and all the beautiful surroundings.  I really love where I live.  I love to go outside and admire all of God's creations.

Occasionally I'll see a slug or several on the sidewalks trying to cross to the other side.  Often times they are dead and dried up with a trail of slime behind them.

Today I saw a few dead slugs but as I ventured to the overlook I saw one crossing with a trail of slime behind it.  I wasn't sure if it was dead or alive.  But I went out of my way to avoid running over it.  Which I always do.  I know, most people wouldn't care about slugs.  But they are still God's creatures and I love all of God's creations.

As I made it to my spot on the edge of the overlook I turned around to look at the slug to see if it was alive or dead.  I noticed that his back half was stuck to the concrete, with a trail of slime behind him, but his front half was wiggling around trying to free himself.  I desperately wanted to reach down and free him, but obviously I couldn't.  This made me super sad.  I know, is just a slug.  And most people see them as a nuisance and kill them every chance they get.  But I see it as one of God's creations.

It's little things like this that remind me of my weaknesses and limitations.  Something so little and insignificant can affect the rest of my day.

I couldn't bear to watch the poor little guy struggling.  So I turned around.  A few minutes later I turned to look at him again and he wasn't moving as much.  Then I went down to the dog tree for a a while.  When I came back, his corpse was plastered to the cement.  It made me sad.  I could have saved him.  But I couldn't.  It's these kind of little things that affect our days and our lives.

My little slug friend is now in heaven, but my day is ruined.  Hopefully tomorrow will bring a happier day.  RIP slug.

That's my two cents.

Mark and Johnny

This is going to be a weird post.  Just a warning in case you want to stop reading now.  I thought about doing this blog post over a month ago, a little after the Johnny Depp trial started.  But, life got in the way and I never did it.  Today, Juliet got me thinking of Mark Chesnutt with her IG story.  So I decided to go ahead and do this post.  :-)

I've been a big fan of Mark Chesnutt's singing voice since I first heard "Broken Promise Land".  Probably around 1990. I own all of Mark Chesnutt's albums and often played him on repeat during my college and medical school days – actually I still do.  :-) There's just something about his voice.  Especially the ballads.  Mark isn't much to look at but his singing voice is very attractive.

Well, a few weeks ago I saw a video of what Mark Chesnutt looks like now.  Unfortunately, time has not done him well.  I couldn't believe how old he looks now.  I knew he was a few years older than me, but not that much.  So I looked up how old he is.  Mark Chesnutt was born September 6, 1963.  Only seven years older than me.  We are both in our 50s!  I don't like to think of myself as looking that old, but I reckon I do. 

From Mark Chesnutt's Instagram May 8, 2022

Then, a couple of days later the Johnny Depp trial started.  As I stated before, I didn't know much about Johnny Depp.  I don't get into Hollywood stuff, but I started watching the trial as a distraction from dealing with Mom going through the dying process.

As I watched some of Johnny Depp's testimony I noticed that he has a really nice speaking voice.  I can see why he became a famous actor.  Naturally, one of the first things I did was look up how old Johnny Depp is.  I was a bit surprised to learn that he was born the same year as Mark Chesnutt.  Johnny Depp was born June 9, 1963.  Exactly 7 1/2 years older than me.

Although they are only three months apart and despite Johnny Depp living a hard, fast, Hollywood lifestyle –(And although Johnny's age is showing) time has been kinder to Johnny than to Mark.

Image of Johnny Depp from 2022 defamation trial

It might seem like a weird comparison, but I found it fascinating that Johnny Depp is less than three months older than Mark Chesnutt and they both have incredible voices.  Both born in 1963.  And it's interesting that Mark's singing voice is much better than his speaking voice.  And vice versa with Johnny Depp.  His speaking voice is much better than his singing voice. 

Another weird observation – does Mark Chesnutt look a lot like Bob Hope in that photo?  He does to me.

Apparently 1963 was a good year to be born with a good voice.  Okay I'm going to end this weird post now.  :-)

That's my two cents.

Johnny Got Justice

As you know, I've been following the Johnny Depp v. Amber Heard defamation trial.  It's been a helpful distraction.  But it's also more than a fluffy Hollywood defamation case.  It's about false accusations, truth, and justice.  And today truth and justice prevailed.  Johnny Depp was awarded $15 million in damages.  Amber Heard was awarded $2 million in damages for something Johnny Depp's attorney said.  But it was definitely a win for Johnny Depp.

I honestly can't fathom how someone could falsely accuse someone of something they didn't do.  It's beyond my comprehension.  But I saw it happen under oath, on the witness stand in court.  Amber Heard blatantly lied time and time again spewing vile, disgusting, very hurtful and damaging false accusations against Johnny Depp.  She was obviously acting as not a tear welled up in her eyes as she was supposedly crying.  It was just bad acting.

For justice to truly be served she should do jail time not only for perjury but also for domestic violence against Johnny Depp.  But I doubt that will happen.  I'm just happy that the jury came back with finding that Amber Heard did defame Johnny Depp.

Amber Heard's words ruined Johnny Depp's life and career for the past six years.  All he wanted was for truth to be known.  Everyone was saying that it didn't matter if Johnny won or lost this case because he already had won in the court of public opinion.  Which he did, but I do think it was important that he won this case in the court of law.

There needs to be consequences and people need to know that you can't just falsely accuse people of heinous acts, ruin their life, and get away with it.

Kudos to the jury in Virginia for doing the right thing.  Kudos to Johnny Depp for standing up for truth, even though he had to bare his shortcomings and parts of his life that are embarrassing and even shameful.  But it was necessary for truth to prevail.  I hope Johnny can get his life in a better place now.  I hope Amber can get the help that she desperately needs.  She's one messed up soul.

Today Johnny got the justice he deserved.

That's my two cents.