Life, Death, that Virus and the New Normal Pt. 3

This is my final post in this “series”. I thought about my last two posts and I realized that they may have sounded as though I am exempt from all of the pain and suffering, which is not true. I was just sharing my recent experiences.

So last night, it became clear that no one is not going to be touched by what is going on in this world. Whether you have a covenant with God or not, life will hit us and sometimes every hard. I got a text message last night from my brother that said: “Steven is in heaven”. My stomach did five flip flops and I immediately felt sick. Steven was my brother’s childhood friend (like a brother) and we were all raised together. He contracted the virus (he lived in New York) and it seemed he was getting better, but suddenly he died. After receiving this text, things suddenly became very real. He was in his 50’s and leaves behind a wife and 4 children.

My baby brother and I were talking about it this morning and I asked how his sister-in-law was doing (she is a nurse in New York) and he was hesitant, but gently mentioned that she had tested positive for the virus as well. But she was three weeks out and was already home recovering. Also today, one of my cousins who lives in New Orleans was sharing on Facebook that God spared her life and though she never admitted to having the virus, I am pretty sure she did. She was deathly ill a couple of weeks ago. So, yes, this is real.

I am in the house and plan on staying here. I just ordered my groceries online and that is where I plan on staying until. I was in and out of the grocery store but felt strongly to stop doing that. I heard a prophet say that in this week of Passover we should anoint our doorposts and stay in the house like the children of Israel did, until the plague pasts. I do have to go to my office on Thursday for work, but I will be very careful.

In the past, sometimes I would be driving in my car and wondering how long we would enjoy life as we know it.  I guess I was sensing that life can change at any time. Is this the new normal? Really when you think about it, many places have suffered from the ravages of war, sickness, famines, and life is never the same. We are spoiled in America. We think it can’t happen, but we are learning. And even now, some of us are not suffering. We are going to get a check in the mail, let me speak for myself; I live in a two-bedroom, two-bath apartment, I have central air, cable, I can watch movies, I have food to eat, I have a car, and I can pay my bills and I don’t even have to go in the office to get paid! And I don’t even have to go to the store, because I am paying to have someone shop for me and drop the food at my door! Some of us are not really suffering.

Even in the midst of the pain and suffering, mourn with those who mourn,  be kind, help others when you can and most of all BE GRATEFUL! And if things get harder, praise God.

Kobe

Last Sunday, after getting home from church, I decided to watch Meet the Press with George Stephanopoulos, which I had recorded on my DVR. Of course, the subject at hand was about the impeachment trial of the President. I was so annoyed at the denial of the guest that I decided to go to Twitter, to see what people were saying about the program. But when I pulled Twitter up, I immediately saw the news of basketball great Kobe Bryant. I actually had to do a double-take and page down to see if I was reading was actually true.

I immediately started calling my brothers to see if they had heard. Two of them hadn’t and one of them had. After talking to a couple of friends, I got a call back from one of them telling me that it had been confirmed that Kobe’s 13-year old daughter was with him and had died as well. After gasping and yelling “no, no, no”, my thoughts immediately went to Kobe’s wife Vanessa and the pain she would now have to walk through.

There are so many layers to this tragedy. You have a mother who not only lost her husband but also, a child, which many people say is worse than losing a mate. Vanessa will have to endure both. She has a baby that is not even a year old. She will also have to deal with the grief of her children. Their oldest is 17-years old and will very much understand the loss. Of course, there is Kobe’s mother and father and siblings, friends and the world.

I did not know this man other than from Basketball, yet I was impacted upon hearing of his death. I immediately went into prayer because I know that only God can carry Vanessa through this kind of loss.

My thoughts went to how Kobe lived a charmed life which afforded him the ability to travel via helicopter to save time. He said he had to figure out a way to move around quickly, so he could spend time with his family and be present during special occasions. The thing his wealth afforded him, ultimately led to his demise.

This is my opinion, but sometimes when people are super successful and they endure endless accolades, it makes me fearful for them. When I looked at Kobe’s life, he was probably the greatest in basketball. His accomplishments were endless and he lived an extremely full life, maybe because his life would only be for 41 short years.

I prayed for Vanessa and continue to do so. I have also been praying for the other families. My heart broke for Mr. Mauser the husband of the assistant coach of the team Kobe’s daughter was on. He spoke so highly of his wife and my heart broke when he said, he was fearful of the future because he was going to have to raise his 3 young children alone. Then there is the Altobelli Famly. They were also split up. The mother and father and one daughter died and left behind a son and daughter who have lost both parents and a sibling. Jesus!

Then there is the Chester family. The mother and daughter died leaving a husband and two sons! And finally the 50-year old Pilot, Ara Zobayan.

So what can we say? Please don’t judge me, but I always ask the question, did this have to happen? Was this the plan of God? Was this his will? I always think that we have warnings about things. I noticed that Mr. Mauser said he was very uncomfortable with his wife flying on the helicopter. But of course. who would give up the opportunity to fly with Kobe Bryant? This husband seems regretful that he didn’t raise his objections. I know it’s all conjecture now, but honestly, this is how I think.

I remember a Pastor sharing a story about how he had just ministered at a church and suddenly the Lord spoke to him and said to go to another place instead of going home. He expressed this to his team and everyone, with the exception of his musician, went with him. The musician got on the plane but never made it home because the plane crashed. So what happened? The Pastor listened and obeyed God.

I believe in praying for God’s protection, but I also believe in listening and obeying. But you have to be in a certain place with God to allow him to change your plans. Most people just do what they want to do.

After I got my brand new car last August, a couple of people at my job started talking to me about having accidents. One girl, in particular, shared how she had an accident after getting her brand new car. I instinctively knew God was speaking. Well, that weekend the Lord said STAY HOME. Because I knew the stories I heard were warnings, I listened and obeyed. I had been in an accident several months earlier and knew it was not God’s will for me to crash my brand new car. I know most would say, couldn’t you just pray for safety? Well, a past experience having an accident after God told me not to use this lady’s car taught me otherwise. It’s about obedience.

What I just shared is for the living. Those of us who know God and want to live out our days. Listen. I remember JFK Jr’s mother begged him not to learn to fly a plane. After she died, he did it anyway and that was the way he died. I know what I am sharing is not popular, but hey, maybe this will help someone.

I think I have shared enough. And if you have gone through a tragedy recently it doesn’t necessarily mean you missed God or that he doesn’t love you. And if you find yourself is the worse tragedy ever, remember God loves you and He will see you through! RIP to all who perished on Kobe’s helicopter on that terrible day. My hope and prayer is that everyone on board knew Jesus and went to heaven. And remember to accept Jesus as your savior! Romans 10:9-10, John 3:16

Christina Mauser worked as a basketball coach and a teacher at a school where Kobe Bryant’s daughter had been a student.

Helicopter pilot Ara Zobayan perished in the crash. PHOTO: ASSOCIATED PRESS

Parents Keri and John Altobelli, left, and daughter Alyssa, right, died in the crash.

Payton Chester, left, and her mother, Sarah, ‘were the lights of our family,’ their relatives said in a statement. PHOTO: CHESTER FAMILY

Kobe and Gigi

The Celebrity Everyone Likes but God Loves More!

This is part three of my series, but I changed the title to this last post. I don’t want to come across negative, but I have to say what God is telling me to say even if it’s not positive. But please bear with me, because I must obey God.

This morning I was looking at my YouTube timeline and was surprised to see a recommendation to watch a video about Joyce Meyer’s ministry and how she was a false teacher. The video featured a couple who were former employees of Joyce’s ministry. They really had no issues with Joyce other than not agreeing with her Word of Faith theology. Now I’m not even going to open that can of worms, but I do want to say that this doctrine (Word of Faith) has crippled the church to the point where we can no longer hear anything that is not positive. But the Bible and truth are not always positive, and here is how I know:

I was visiting a church back in September and the Pastor of the church prophesied and said: “You need to prepare this month for what is going to happen next month.” Well, my natural thought process was that I was preparing for something good, however, that was not the case. In the next month, my oldest brother died. That was what God was speaking to me about. Certainly, it was NOT positive.

So God wants to warn this Celebrity (because he loves him) that he must make some changes. In this season, it will not be good enough to just keep going as is. This is a season where he must make changes. And if he doesn’t the results will be on him.

Read Ezekiel 33:1-20 New International Reader’s Version (NIRV)

I know people don’t think that God will allow judgment, but I know he does because God has disciplined me. But my calling is to share what I see even if the person thinks I am being mean and doesn’t understand.

I remember years ago, the Lord admonished me to warn my Pastor at the time, to come off the road (traveling in ministry), take a salary and spend more time at his home church. He got fighting mad at me for telling him this, but the SAME DAY that I shared the Word of the Lord, he had several mini-strokes and was out of his pulpit for MONTHS. The next time I saw him, he was no longer mad at me. He was encouraging me about how powerful the Word of the Lord was in my mouth. You see it’s not me. It was GOD speaking through me.

So let me admonish the “celebrity who everyone likes, but God loves more”. This is the season of change. I see him cleaning up his life, living right, and changing his artistry. I see him going back to former movies and TV shows, REMOVING the vulgar content and doing a 180 where his artistry is concerned.  He needs to make clean content again. This next season will come either before a Damascus Road experience or after. The choice is HIS. Listen, this is not doom and gloom, but it is the truth. Read and meditate on the above scripture. PLEASE.

So before I end this blog post, I must say that I know this man is not a bad person. In fact, I read about a very kind act that he did for a couple just recently and it almost made me not share any of this. But God told me one has nothing to do with the other. I’ve read about many kind acts this man has done. I know he has blessed thousands of people, some things have been published, and I’m sure others have not. But this has to do with God’s requirement for being raised up to such a place of prominence. When God raises us up, we don’t get to do what we want to do.

Maybe one day, I will get to shake his hand or give him a hug and tell him how I have interceded and how I have ALWAYS wished nothing but the best for him. God bless you Mr. Celebrity!

When You’re Not Interested

So there is man that lives in my building and he is interested in me, but I am not interested in him. He’s not bad looking and he’s funny but we just don’t have much in common. And there is no spiritual connection at all. He would be a nice friend, but I know he is looking for more than friendship.

Sometimes  when you are bored or lonely you find yourself considering people that you probably should not. But I realize that if I go out with him, he will get the wrong impression and think that I am interested, but the truth is I’m not. I’m flattered, but just not interested.

I have a counselor in my building who I see occasionally (for the services my building offers) and he is a married man, but he would be more of what I am looking for in a mate. He has a strong relationship with God and we connect (friend-wise) on that level. I thank God that he is my counselor because through him, I have learned what I am really looking for. And don’t worry. I have zero feelings for this man. He is my counselor and friend and like a brother. A brother-in-Christ.

I am not looking for a mate. I am looking to be found. But I am looking for certain qualities in a mate and I rarely meet men who I connect with. It’s rare. I believe God has someone for me and I realize my spirit has been somewhere else for a long time, but again, I am looking to be found. I am working hard preparing for that, but I definitely don’t want to lead anyone on when I am not interested.

If you are thinking about passing the time with someone who you know you don’t want to be with, don’t do it. Boredom is not a good reason to date because you may end up hurting someone and creating false hope.

Proverbs 18:22 New King James Version (NKJV)

²² He who finds a wife finds a good thing,
And obtains favor from the Lord.

Hebrews 13:4 King James Version (KJV)

⁴ Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

September 24: From this Day On I Will Bless You | Doug Addison

September 24: From this Day On I Will Bless You | Doug Addison.

The Danger of “No Absolutes”

Yesterday, I was watching the Oprah show and her guest was Rielle Hunter, the mistress of former presidential candidate, John Edwards. I have to say even though I admire Oprah as a business woman, I was so disappointed that she chose to give this woman an hour of televison time.

As I watched the show my disappointment was confirmed, as Rielle Hunter was totally unrepentant concerning the role she played in being in an adulterous relationship. As I listened, it was clear that she was involved in some distorted “New Age” kind of teaching, and unfortunately there were no absolutes.

In today’s world there is no right or wrong. Rielle Hunter saw nothing wrong with getting involved with a married man because her “truth” was that she loved this man and thought they were soul-mates, so somehow this made adultery alright.

The Bible is clear about right and wrong particularly where infidelity is concerned. Adultery is never right. And there are a lot of other things that are wrong which God has let us know about through His Word.

As Christians let us not get sucked into the enemies trap of “no absolutes.”

Matthew 5:27-28

You have heard that it was said, “Do not commit adultery. But I tell you that anyone that looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.