Life, Death, that Virus and the New Normal Pt. 2

After having my two oldest siblings die, I had so much to do, I couldn’t see straight. Especially with the death of my sister. I am the only sibling living here in Florida, so after two of my brothers came down for the memorial and to help me clean out the apartment, I was left with the aftermath of death. I hope that doesn’t sound cruel, but that is what it felt like.

At first, I was not even going to have a service, because my sister had no friends. But her church family wanted to have something and they were so gracious to help. Then, I had to forward mail, take care of the bills. I had to return the modem to the cable company, return her phone to the cell company, turn off the electric, stop this and stop that and the list goes on. And frankly, I was exhausted.

So here comes this virus, which I know it’s a curse, but it’s been a blessing for me. (I hope that doesn’t sound uncaring). I was telling my brother the other day, that in the midst of all of this, I am so blessed that I feel guilty. People are dying and losing their jobs and I am not. But my brother told me, don’t feel guilty, because we (God’s people} have a covenant with God).

Last year from January to July, I was working for a company through a government employment program. Finally, in July, my boss decided to bring me on as an independent contractor for more than double the money. In the midst of that this the Lord told me to tithe double. Now, this was a crazy sacrifice, but I obeyed and I see why I was instructed in this manner.  Just a few months of being brought on as an independent contractor, I got a raise and then finally, my boss offered me a permanent full-time position with benefits. But here is what is the real blessing. I switched to the company payroll, right before this virus, which has afforded me the security of 60 days’ pay since the company is shut down. And even after the 60 days, there is an emergency fund. We are working from home, but it’s pretty much like a vacation. The workload is very light and we have a staff meeting once a week and we can report our 80 hrs every two weeks!! I want to shout for joy every time I think about it. I got on the payroll just in the nick of time! I had been going non-stop since my brother’s death, so this interruption for me had been a blessing in disguise.

See why I feel guilty? I am well aware that this is not the experience of many others. Some are sick, some have buried loved ones, and some don’t know how they are going to pay their bills, but all I can say is those of us that love God, we have a covenant! Now that doesn’t mean nothing bad can happen, but it means that we are covered through the good the bad and the ugly!

If you want God’s covering over your life you need to accept Jesus, as your Lord and savior! Accept Christ today, so you can be in covenant too!

John 3:16 New International Version (NIV)

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Romans 10:9-10 New International Version (NIV)

⁹ If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

 

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

Overcomer the Movie

Yesterday, I went to the movies like I often do on a Saturday. It was a toss-up between Angel Has Fallen and Overcomer. But instinctively, I chose Overcomer, because I am a big fan of The Kendricks Brothers movies. They were behind the acclaimed movie War Room, which I loved.

Well, I made the right decision. I came out of this movie, overwhelmed with the presence of God and encouraged. I laughed and I cried (boy did I cry). This movie is incredible! Unlike Angel Has Fallen, they didn’t have a huge budget and there were no great special effects, but if you go see this movie, I promise it will CHANGE YOUR LIFE!

I honestly believe that for this generation, the movie theater is the greatest evangelistic tool the church has. I remember the days when going to the movies was looked down on in some denominations in the Christian faith; but I now see it as the best pulpit to win the lost. Why do I say that? Because a lot of people will never venture into a church. I mean the thought is not even in their minds, but everyone goes to the movies.

I’ve always said that if you are a Christian filmmaker, you must have a purpose and it shouldn’t be about your own ego and making a name for yourself. If you truly are a Christian and you are in the entertainment industry, your purpose must be to save souls. I mean that is what Christianity is all about right? After we get saved, we want to take others with us right? And if God gives you a platform, why wouldn’t you use it to promote your faith.

Overcomer is a movie for the family. It’s about pain, love, redemption and it is unapologetically Christian. It’s clean. No curse words, nudity or violence.

I think a lot of people are afraid of living out loud with their faith, but that is what pleases God. And I know that THIS movie is pleasing to the Lord. Please support these two anointed filmmakers. PLEASE GO SEE IT!

If Not!

Things are Changing

My computer

I was sitting here using my brand new computer when a Facebook friend messaged me and asked me if I was still blogging. After she asked me, it hit me like a ton of bricks that I no longer had to go to the library. My laptop died quite a while ago and I hadn’t been able to replace it so, I stopped blogging. But now I am in my apartment typing this blog. God has made all things new.

I know this is not such a big deal to some but it is to me. So much has changed for me lately, I realized God is making all things new. You see sometimes people see you in a certain season in your life and they look at you a certain way, but then suddenly things change.

When I move to Florida (where I now live) I worked at Office Depot, then I had to leave the job to care for my father who had Alzheimer’s. Sometimes people think it’s not a good thing to sacrifice your life, but the Bible is clear about honoring you parents. I’m glad I took care of my Dad. But unfortunately, I neglected myself.

After my father died, I started working at Macy’s as a bill collector, but at the same time I was having serious health challenges because of the neglect. (Be careful caregivers). I made the mistake of leaving the job and I say that because it was a huge mistake. I think if I had just pressed, it would have all worked out. My life spiraled, but in spite of it all God took care of me.

I ended up helping an elderly lady out for room and board and stayed with her for a few years. I thought I would never get out of the situation, but FINALLY, I got my own place. I am giving you my history because God is good.

Last week, I woke up to instructions and money from my brother to put on the cable/internet. Then on Tuesday I received a desk sent from my brother.  The next day, a computer arrived.  I am now working for my brother, right from my apartment. I started this past Monday. I get up, get a shower and get dressed just like I am going to work. And leave my bedroom and go to the living room. lol It’s wonderful. I’ve always wanted to work from home.

Things are changing. This month, or next month (I said October, but I may have to change my plans since I started working), I will be taking a trip. I know it is GOD-ORDAINED. I want to make sure my arrival is not too early or too late. God is up to something big. I can feel it. No need to worry. It’s all coming together and it’s all about timing. Things tend will come together at the right time, even when we think it’s late. Again, I will keep you posted.

I hope I didn’t bore anybody. lol If you find yourself in God’s waiting room, relax and just wait. Don’t get anxious. God hasn’t forgotten you. Things will change. Things are changing.

 

The Spirit of Adultery

Been trying to figure something out. Just wondering why someone is so bent on doing for someone who is NOT his wife. So I began to pray in the spirit for a long time and God spoke. The Lord showed me it’s the spirit of adultery still at work.

Anytime a man wants to do for a woman who is not his mate, it’s adultery. Oh yes. You can be nice. But to become her Boaz, when she is not yours, is the spirit of adultery.

I pray that God break that spirit in the name of Jesus!

Matthew 5:27-28

New International Version (NIV)

Adultery

27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’[a] 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.