Inspirational Speaker and Best Selling Author of," What Your Future Holds and What You Can Do To Change It," shares her story of tragedy to triumph-From the power of letting go to the power of laughter.
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She was born feet first to hit the ground running... for her life. With a head start by coming out feet first, she explains her shoe fetish. If it were up to me I'd travel with a huge suitcase just for my shoes.
But now, on a more serious note, life can be compared to a race. Just as a runner needs to be as lightweight as possible, we need to put aside any weight that can hinder us. It's a time to laugh and cry tears of joy while being inspired, encouraged, motivated and challenged as she shares about how baggage is a great thing to have when going on vacation but not to carry with you throughout your journey of life. Her motto is,"Life's too short to be too serious," and believes a cheerful heart is good medicine, as it says in the bible. Since God felt it was important enough to take up space in the bible to talk about it and science agrees of the importance, says Deborah," I take laughter very serious." According to Proverbs, Laughter is like a medicine and marrow to our bones. I believe laughter should be at the top of your, "To do list," she says. Medical studies say, laughter may protect you against heart attack, it can lengthen your life, lower stress, dissolve anger, lower blood pressure, increase oxygen in the blood, which encourages healing and more. Learn how to let go and let God bring healing to your spirit, soul, body, and more. Jesus Christ said, "Come unto me all that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
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Deborah's mother divorced her father who was a member of organized crime in Chicago when she was three and she remarried an alcoholic when Deborah became four. Fear was always in the air at their house. At the age of fifteen Deborah was getting ready for school one day when her stepfather came home drunk with rage and punched her in the mouth.
She telephoned her biological father to tell him about it. Her father sent someone over to kill her stepfather... 45 minutes later the doorbell rang and she heard "boom, boom, boom, boom!" Wood was flying everywhere.
Despite the attempt on her stepfather's life he was unharmed but
he was afraid. He accused Deborah's father and herself of setting him up to be killed. Her stepfather started using her as a human shield by bringing her with him each day to stand beside him as he waited at the bus stop, to go to work. Her father was charged with involvement in the shooting. The night
before her biological father's court date, she secretly met with him at her
grand parents house. Deborah and her father were sitting on the couch,
and her grandpa stepped out for a moment. She thought she heard him
returning up the stairs, when the front door flew open. It was a man
with a shot gun. She yelled, "No, don't!" Her father was shot in the heart so he died instantly.
Her mom blamed her for the murder when she could have telephoned to
warn them, but didn't for fear of her own life. Deborah was so traumatized she could no longer speak and doctors said she may never speak again. But due to her grandma's prayers, she had a full recovery. Yet she still had a lot of baggage: Fear, confusion, depression, low self esteem and bitterness. My mother always said, "Whatever you do, when you grow up Debbie," don't get married." I guess you could say I listened, because I got married before I grew up! They said we wouldn't make it, but God showed them. ♫ We just celebrated our 36th wedding anniversary, and love each other more each day. I'm so thankful, though human love can be selfish and come to an end, the God kind of love supersedes all. It's supernatural and never fails nor comes to an end. Many times we suffer consequences due to choices we or others make in life which we had no control over.
In 1977, I made the best choice that I've ever made in my life. I chose to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, the healer of the brokenhearted. I felt heaviness lift from me and felt so different, that I actually looked in the mirror to see if I looked different. I found joy, peace, freedom from depression, forgiveness, confidence, and more. I wanted others who went through hard times to know the truth, that there really is more to life and that God is not the author of the bad, but he'll help you through it. Just as God declares in the bible ,"His plans aren't to harm us, but to do us good, and to give us hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)
This desire, coupled with the encouragement and support of her husband led her to begin penning," What Your Future Holds and What You Can Do To Change It; Learn to live in a higher realm of life." a book that combines real life experiences, proven facts, and biblical truths to give readers' lives new meaning and purpose. The story gets more powerful... When the murderer was released from prison, Deborah was not notified. It's amazing to see what supernaturally happened when they saw each other again!
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Media appearances include: Moody Bible Radio Network-Prime Time Chicago; A featured guest on Le Sea Broadcasting; Harvest TV Show; and a TV Film re-enactment was produced by CBN TV Network from her book which televised worldwide She was also a guest on "Voices in the Wilderness TV Show," and more. Her husband and herself have been worship leaders for over 20 years and are presently serving in that role. She's also an Illinois Certified Domestic Violence Professional. Deborah was born and raised in Chicago with a heart to help hurting people and speaks at Universities, Health Clubs/fairs, Women Aglows, Churches, Women/children shelters, Libraries, Retreats, "MOPS," prisons and more.
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Her motto is, "Life's too short to be too serious." I had enough of that, she said." She started a Weighted Hula hoop business as a result, and you can see men, women, and children from age 3-81 hula hooping with them on her website. Also, by using them 10 min daily you can lose 2 inches a month! Check it out at: http://www.Laughterislikeamedicine.com
or scroll up to upper left column and click next to vendor website where it says here and it will take you to website ________________________________
""Deborah Finley's program was wonderfully inspiring, I could sense the Holy Spirit working through her as she ministered to our group.
"
Sharon Lemke,Staff
Fireside Group
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Deborah 's Presentations
Forgiving is not a sign of weakness, but of strength.
Some people see forgiveness as a sign of weakness when it actually is an attribute of the strong. It's easy to hold a grudge but it takes strength to forgive. I didn't have that kind of strength until...
"From the power of letting go to the power of laughter"
"My motto's life's too short to be too serious, I had enough of that."Laughter is like a medicine and marrow to our bones. I found out the truth, that God didn't make the bad happen but wants to help us through the bad and how things are subject to change because all things are possible to those who believe. How to experience the power of letting go to the power of laughter and from tragedy to triumph!
"What your Future Holds and What You Can Do To Change It."
God said his plans for us aren't to harm us but give us hope and a future.
Jer29:11 Invisible baggage that we carry in life can prevent us from going forward and living our life to the full Though circumstances may look negative, we can rise above them. Things are subject to change, when we believe that God is bigger. By yielding to him and trusting in him, your health can improve, your quality of life can improve, and your future can become much brighter.
"Lets dwell in that secret place"
There is a secret place, where there is protection, peace, and help in times of trouble. I use to have a secret hiding place when I was a child but it was only temporary.
Now i have a hiding place that can't be taken away, lets dwell in that secret place.
"Don't Worry, Be happy"
Worry uses up a lot of energy that could be used to be more productive. It affects you physically, emotionally, spiritually and even financially. We can quit worrying by changing our way of thinking, which can help us make better choices as a result and bring positive change to promote healthier minds, bodies, spirits, as well as improvement financially.
"The memory of the righteous is blessed"
When you have problems with your memory and people tell you oh, that comes with age, don't listen to them. Listen to what the bible has to say about that. The bible says,"The memory of the righteous is blessed" When we have made our hearts right with God, the blessings in the bible belong to us. Don't you want what belongs to you? What you believe in makes a difference. All things are possible to those who believe. And the bible says, as you think in your heart, so are you.
Deborah's References
Tim Roames, Pastor
Good News Church
Deborah is someone I've had the privilege of knowing for over 27 years and have witnessed her deep faith in God, she attends the church I Pastor and her and her husband have served on staff for 8 years and are our Worship Leaders. Their lives are an encouragement to all that know them. Their love for God is evident in all they do. Deborah has always done a wonderful job and I would highly recommend her. Also, Deborah Finley, the author of the excellent book, "What Your Future Holds and What You Can Do To Change It." is a book that will encourage you, surprise you, and challenge and guide you into some truths that will help heal past hurts and change your future for the better. I know those that read it, will be blessed as they apply what they read.
Kara Lavengood, Producer
CBN-Christian Broadcasting Network
Thank you, Deborah for sharing your testimony with us and the TV Viewers of the 700 Club!
After listeners watched your story, and TV Film Reenactment, 333 people called our prayer counselors and prayed for salvation and many others were no doubt, touched by your story!
Home of the Sparrow, Educational Cooridinator
Home of the Sparrow-Women/Children Shelter
I'm thankful for the precious time and knowledge Deborah spent with our clients. Those who attended came away with tools that they can use in their daily lives. Everyone said her Her topics have been great and look forward to her coming back again. She was a great speaker!
Her book gives a step-by step guide, including a focus on the importance of laughter, "Laughter should be at the top of your list of things to do everyday,"Finley said.- The Northwest Herald News
Thurs. Oct. 13 2011 Holiday Inn-7800 Kingery Hwy
Willowbrook, IL For reservations
contact Jamie 630-968-8350
or email jamiefab@comcast.net
Saturday Oct 15 2011 6:30pm
Ladies Retreat
Moberly Missouri
Wed Nov 16 2011-Brunch-9:30
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For reservations call: Diane (815) 235-2072
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2012 Events
March 13 2012 6:30pm-Dubuque, IA
March 14 2012 9:30am-Clinton, IA
March 15 2012 12:30pm Muscatine, ia
April 9 2012 Noon-Alton, IL
April 10 2012 12:15pm Highland IL
April 10 2012 6:00pm Collinsville, IL
April 11 2012 10:00am Belleville, IL
May 15 2012 Noon-Peoria IL
May 16 2012-9:30 am-Peoria IL
Aug 16th, 2012 Thurs-Noon-Harbecke Farm-17535 Mt Hunger Rd Sycamore IL-Dekalb Women Connection Luncheon
Oct 19,20,&21st 2012- Fr-Sun-9am-5pm-The 25th Annual Autumn DriveGarden Valley Rd. between Woodstock & Marengo 16105 Garden Valley Road, Woodstock, IL 60098 one of the most electic stops on the Drive Book Table will be located at Door Entrance at A "Bit Of everything." A portion of proceeds from each book will help Home of The Sparrow Women and Children Shelter.
October 27th-Sat-9am-3pm Author Fair at Orland Park Library 14921 S Ravinia Ave, Orland Park,IL 60462
Nov 6, 2012-Tue-11:30AM Oglesby, IL
Nov 6 2012-Tues-6:30pm Albany,IL
Nov 7 2012-Wed-8:45am Moline,IL
Nov 8 2012-Thurs-11:00am geneseo, I
Nov 17 2012-Sat-9am-3pm Rockford IL
St Ritas Church-Wahl Hall
6254 Valley Knoll Drive Rockford IL61109
2013 Speaking Engagements
ITINERARY BELOW:
2013 Events
May 13 TBD
May 20-Mon 2013-9:30am Sheboygan WI
May 20-Mon 2013-6:30PM Sheboygan WI
May 21-Tues 2013-9:30am Sheboygan WI
November 11-Mon 2013-6pm Radisson Hotel Dane County WI
November 12-Tues 2013-Morning Brunch 9:30am-Richland Ctr WI
November 12-Tues 2013- Eve Dinner 7pm-Sauk Prairie WI
