![]() If you watch the news, you know the havoc the Coronavirus has wreaked upon the world. This global pandemic swept through nations and upended normalcy in a matter of days. Within weeks, entire cities and even countries were closed for business with no semblance of a return to normalcy anywhere soon. There is nothing quite like the fear of the unknown, and we have all felt it during this pandemic. Jobs have been lost, businesses closed indefinitely, and even our sports have gone away. Everything and everyone we hold dear have been affected in some way, and the helplessness we feel and have felt reminds me of the disciples on the sea of Galilee. They were afraid and were in a storm that put their lives in jeopardy. Jesus was physically with them, yet to them, He was of no help because He was asleep. He wasn’t only asleep; He was in the hinder part of the ship! We know the story, He rose and calmed the storm, then rebuked the disciples’ faithlessness. As we journey through the many phases of this pandemic, I believe there is a challenge for believers to rise and confront the storm. Yes, Jesus is with us, but there is a reason He rebuked the wind, waves, and the disciples. Will we live in fear and panic, or will we use the power given to us as believers to survive this storm and make it safely to “the other side”? What’s on the other side of this storm? Don’t feel bad if you don’t know; the disciples didn’t know, either. They didn’t know that Jesus would have an encounter with the demoniac and swiftly return to Galilee, where their journey originated. I believe that we have a unique opportunity to reach the world for Christ during this pandemic, as the storm calms, we must rise and spread the gospel, as Jesus commanded! I hope to inspire you as you read this book to embrace the unique opportunity we have as believers at this moment! My New Book Releases Next Week!![]() As a writer, I am always thankful for the love and encouragement of my wife, Rhonda. Her support makes all my writing possible, even though it has been difficult. It hasn't been easy, but thankfully we have worked to try and find a happy medium as I've purposed to do what the Lord has put in my heart to do. We've been striving to do much better in our prayer time before bed and our schedules get rather hectic from time to time but recently, I was moved to pray one night before bed. My job as a substitute teacher ended with the onset of the Coronavirus crisis, so I was home all day and soon reverted to my office hours as a creative. My bedtime was whatever time I gave up fighting off sleep for so many nights that we hadn't been praying at all before bed. This particular night, I asked her to pray (we alternate), and as she was praying, I heard the Lord tell me to write this book. When the Lord speaks to me, He speaks in ways that I understand clearly. I knew from where I would get my content, and I knew that there was a short time window with which I would have to complete the book. Last December, this happened to me as well with the completion of "They Saw Him, First!" I heard the Lord and knew what I would do. With this book, I want to speak to the times because, as a voice to the public, I need to share what I heard. My newest book "This Crisis Is Not Cause for Alarm" will be available for pre-order on this site, and other digital retailers beginning Friday June 26th. I look forward to sharing this book with all of you! When I started my broadcasting venture in 2012, I used current events and Scripture to build my shows. The topics varied from the election to whatever else came to my mind to talk about. The show grew into syndication and is now a 24/7 internet radio station playing gospel music. I used my time at the mic to teach brief messages and even teach/preach a little. One topic that I never forgot was "This Crisis Is Not Cause for Alarm." I do not remember what the show was about or what verse I taught (though I'm almost sure it was Mark, Chapter Four). Still, with the onset of the Coronavirus outbreak, I remembered the show and topic.
Though I wanted to re-visit that show, I was not led to do so. After some time in prayer, I had a clear idea of what I wanted to say. I initially planned to do this as part of my "Quarantine Conversations" video series, but what I initially perceived as procrastination proved to be preparation for this book. I could not quite bring myself to record, but I kept writing. However, I later planned a presentation for my book, "The Journey to Genesis: A Discovery of Your Created Purpose," to help people cope with the pandemic. The Coronavirus crisis is on pace to join the ranks of the world's worst events. This pandemic and its impact on global systems is reminiscent of the pandemic flu of 1918, which in a short span of fewer than two years, claimed nearly fifty million lives worldwide. Currently, there is no cure for the Coronavirus, nor are there any viable treatments available universally. You can imagine the fear, terror, and dread this is causing as the death toll and the number of new infections increases daily. Many do not have to look any further than social media to see the real damage this virus is taking on humanity. Death and desolation are everywhere. Many victims spend their last moments alone, isolated from other patients in the hospital, with many families not even able to visit them. We are in a crisis, but we are not alone. Considering the alarming rates at which this virus is spreading, it is impossible to overlook the impact of its unbridled havoc. It's implausible to try and discount this crisis, but do not forget that Christ is with us even though we are in a crisis. When the disciples found themselves in an emergency on the sea of Galilee, they discovered Jesus asleep in the hinder part of the boat. Why wasn't he worried? The better question I can think of is, why wasn't he even awake? Additionally, we must discern this time (Luke 12:56) to get a clearer picture of why the Lord is allowing such things to happen. Jesus promised never to leave us, and times of crisis don't nullify His promises. That is when we should lean on Him more than ever. No, this crisis isn't cause for alarm (fear or dread), but with it, we sound the alarm to discern the times we are currently experiencing.
1 Comment
|
As a believer, my view of the world is seen through the lens of my Christian experience. I live each day as a person experiencing life as a born again believer! Archives
May 2021
Categories
All
|