#christianwrighter

[christianwrighter]

Chapter 1

How Am I Going To Get Out Of This Mess

Joe rushed out of the house not wanting his mother to ask too many questions. He had a lot to do. Christmas was coming soon and he had some shopping to do. He decided to get on the feeway hoping to get to the mall quickly. But as usual the freeway was backed up. Joe turned on some Christmas music, hoping to distract his mind as the cars inched forward and stopped. He took this time to change the radio looking for a Christmas worship song. A car beep loudly behind him. Joe was annoyed. "All I did was stop to change the radio station. The nerve of some people."

Erick was in the car right behind Joe. He honked and was mad but deep down there were many things that caused his frustration. His life had recently taken some unexpected turns. He lost his job a few months back. But his friend Billy introduced him to the Tony who was able loan him some money and get him a good job. However, Tony was a notorious mobster and wanted him to return the favor by running a few errands for him. Erick knew better than to get involved with the mob but what could he do now. There was no way for him to pay the man back and get rid of him. If he did not help him the man might do something to him or his family. Erick could not let that happen. So he did what the boss wanted him to do. While Erick was contemplating the harsh reality of his life and the bad choices he made. The car in front of him came to an abrupt stop.

BANG, "What, did that guy just purposely hit my car?" Joe wanted to get out of the car and give that man a piece of his mind. But he knew the Lord would not be pleased. They both pulled off to the side of the road and he was about to call the police. Of all the days to have a wreck. As Joe looked up he saw a man standing in front of his car with a gun. This was Tony's idea to eliminate the problem of having to talk to the police. Tony was always one step ahead of the police and was not about to get caught now.

Joe saw the man get out of the car and walk toward him. At first, he was apologetic. "I am so sorry I hit your car. My friend is talking to the police now." Joe rolled his window down and continued to talk to the man. All of a sudden his expression changed.

Eric leaned against the car so no one else could see what he was doing. He pulled a gun that had a silencer out of his coat pocket.

"I need you to hand me your keys, phone, and wallet. I want you to listen closely. I am going to drive your car to Walmart on this side of town. Your keys and phone will be in the glovebox. If you do not call the police, first thing in the mourning, an envelope with your wallet in it will be in your mailbox. If you do as I say you will never see me or the people I work for again. We cannot have the police learning about this. If you don't listen, there will be a price to pay. We have police scanners. I think that is very fair don't you? Now I want you to get out of the car and go over into the grass. Lay on your stomach with you head down. Do not look up until I am gone. Do not try anything funny or I will shoot."

Joe knew better than to complain about the rain and the mud in the grass. He knew better than to worry about his clothes getting stains and other petty stuff. This man meant business, and he did not want to die.

A few seconds later both cars speed off driving on the side of the road and exited the freeway. Joe continued to stare at the ground. He was happy to be alive but there were a lot of questions in his mind. How would he get home? He was miles away and stranded. He was wet and cold from the rain with no money. As he sat on the side of the road feeling depressed and stunned by what just happened, the only thing he could say to God was "How am I going to get out of this mess?"

And then Joe heard a familiar voice. Was he dreaming? Could it be his friend Dave? Then he heard it again as he looked up. Dave rolled his window down. "Get in. No friend of mine should be out in this kind of weather. What happened? Did that guy just steal your car? I am going to call the police and wait with you. Then I will take you home. Don't worry they will get this guy."

"No, don't call the police. Take me to Walmart so I can get my car."

Dave's looked at Joe in astonishment as Joe explained all that the man had told him. "That is why I don't want to call the police."

I understand Your doing the right thing. I wonder who those people are? I am not sure, but I don't want to see them again. I am just glad they did not shoot me on the spot. After getting to Walmart they found Joe's car at Walmart.

The next day Joe went to the mailbox first thing and sure enough, the envelope was in the mailbox. He breathed a sigh of relief that this ordeal was finally over. Joe did not tell his parents Jane or Houston. The damage to his car was minimal. He did not want them to worry needlessly or worse call the police.

I love how the Lord helps us in so many unexpected ways. Some may call it luck but Joe still thanked God for running into Dave. Joe would have many close calls and things like this happen. That is why I am writing this book, Better Days Are Coming as a sequel to my other Novel, I finally got it. Let me know what you think.

Have a great day your friend the Christian writer

[bhaskarville]

Hi Fam, I write this with a lot of joy in my heart today. Tomorrow, we at Anand Bhaskar Collective release our next single 'Jaadoogari'. Please click on the #linkinbio to bookmark the premiere. It's the second single from our EP 'Ufaq' that was supposed to come out last year had the pandemic not thrown a huge wrench in the works. Despite the MANY MANY challenges we faced, we kept working on our music and tomorrow the first of many songs we've written comes out. This video took almost a YEAR to make and I'd like to thank the following people for making the song and video what it is today: Production & Mix: @ajayjayanthi Mastered By: #ChristianWright at @abbeyroadstudios Vocals recorded by @prathameshdudhane at @orbisthestudio Guitars Recorded by @supersammy94 at @studioislandcity Music Video conceptualised and animated by @grayscale_goan and @dhruvsincro at @sincrostudios Music: @anandbhaskarcollective Guitars: @hrishigiridhar Bass: @thesingingbassist Drums: @shishirtao Vocals: @bhaskarville Lyrics: @nidhisethianair & me Management: @yashjagad95 & @vaibhavmota at @believelive_in. #jaadoogari #anandbhaskarcollective #abc #neelkanthpatel #shishirtao #ajayjayanthi #shravansridhar #hrishigiridhar #anandbhaskar #circleproaudio #independentmusic #independentartist #originalmusic #hindisongs #hindi #newsong #newsongalert #animation #musicvideo #music #musicians #mumbai #india #epiphone #kepma #godin #fender @believelive_in @believemusic_uk @epiphone @procraftindia https://www.instagram.com/p/CRHL_3MJrjh/?utm_medium=tumblr

[christianwrighter]

Book 2 in the Joe Miaggi Series

Better Days Are Coming

Houston's Battle

Jane and Houston sat at the Doctor's office waiting to hear the news. Deep down inside he already knew what was going to happen. Sid his doctor was going to tell him the lung cancer had returned. Then he was going to refer him to a cancer specialist who probably would recommend Chemotherapy or worse surgery. He had been in remission for a couple of years, but the symptoms seem to be worse this time. He wondered if Chemo was going to help. He also wondered if they were going to check him into the hospital. He had a constant cough; his stomach was upset. But what concerned him the most was that he could not walk straight. Because of the dizziness in his head, he had to stop every so often to make sure he was not going to fall.

Sid met them in the hallway as they were entering the examination room. "I'll be right back with the results of your tests."

Thirty minutes later Houston wondered, why was he taking so long? He felt uneasy and impatient. The clock on the wall made an annoying clicking sound that did not help his headache or the anxiety that filled his mind. All he wanted to do was go home, go back to sleep, and pretend this was not happening. He looked out the window trying desperately to find something to keep him calm as he waited.

Jane reached for his hand to soothe and comfort him. Houston put his head on her shoulder and decided to rest his eyes. He was so glad that she decided to go with him. Her hand and shoulder brought great comfort to him. He really needed the extra rest. He tossed and turned all night and finally got up for the day at 4 am.

The door creaked open and Houston awoke. Sid popped his head through the door. "I am sorry I took so long."

Houston did not like the expression on his face. "It's OK Doc You don't have to worry. I know what's coming. The cancer is back. Am I right?"

Sid looked down. "Yes, but there is something more you should know. The cancer has returned in your lungs but it has also spread to the brain, liver, and other parts of the body. You will need to be admitted into the hospital tonight and then tommorrow you will be transfered to Vanderbilt University Hospital in Nashville. I am going to refer you to a cancer specialist there."

"Is it really that serious? How long do I have?"

"I cant say at this point. Dr. Mark Williams will be able to answer more of your questions."

"Do I really have to go to Vanderbilt? Can't you do something for me here?"

"Vanderbilt has the some of the world's best technology to be able to fight the agressive cancer that you have spreading throughout your body. If you wait too long your kidney's could shutdown and its only going to get worse. Something has to be done now if you want to have a chance to survive."

A few minutes later Sid left. Then a nurse came with a wheel chair and rolled him into another room. "Stay here until we get your room ready. I will come back later and escort you to your room."

Houston's mind was overwhelmed by the many thoughts that were racing through his mind. Why is this could not be happening to me?, There must be some kind of mistake. I just got married and there are so many things at work I need to do. How in the world will my family make it? "Lord you promised not to give me more than I could bear, but this is so much more than I could have imagined."

His thoughts continued to linger even after they took him to his room and put on his favorite TV show. He loved old westerns like the Lone Ranger and Bonanza. Yet, he could find no solice or relief from his inner turmoil. Finally the nurse came in and gave him a sedative. It did not help. He asked for more, and she reluctantly gave him one final dose. "Please Lord I need to go to sleep." Finally he drifted off to sleep.

The next day they went to Vanderbilt hoping to get some answers. The trip was not too bad. They were kind enough to let Jane ride with him in the back of the ambulance, even though it was against hospital policy. Unfortunately he had maxed out all his pain medication, and he was wide awake wrestling with his thoughts again.

He really did not want to spend the rest of his life in the hospital. The thought of another round of Chemo therapy brought fear into his heart. He did not feel terribly bad. If he could shut his mind off for a minute maybe then he would have some peace. But the torture of unanswered questions continued to run through his head like a runnaway freight train. The three hour trip by ambulance felt like an eternity even though it was only nine in the mourning when they arrived. By the time he got checked into his room it was almost 12 oclock. Thank God lunch was coming and then he could get another round of medicine to help ease his mind. Soon Houston drifted off to sleep. Five hours later he heard voices in the hallway that startled him awake.

"Jane aplogized. I'm sorry did I wake you? It is probably good that you woke up because the doctor is going to be coming soon."

A few minutes later, the Dr. Williams walked into the room and explained the situation. "Your Cancer is inoperable because it had spread throughout your body."

Houston interupted him, "Tell me something I do not know."

"Chemotherapy is an option, but it would extend your life maybe six months at best."

"No, I don't want Chemo. There are too many side effects and it just is not worth it for six months. Do you think I could be transferred to another facility to be closer to my family and friends? I really don't want to spend my last days couped up in a hospital far away."

Dr. Williams saw the look of concern on his face. "That sounds like a really good idea. I will need to check into that and get back to you by the end of the day. It may take a week to make it happen. Since you have opted not to take Chemo therapy there is not much else I can do for you. Our goal is to make your last days as comfortable as possible.

Joe came to the hospital expecting the worse but Houston was in good spirits for a man that was about to die. Joe was amazed at how composed he was. I really admire you Houston. I have never seen anyone like you.

Well, I finally decided to give this to God. If it was not for Him and the medicine I would have no peace. But what really gives me peace is that I know where I am going. I am going home to be with Jesus. I have many questions and look forward to talking to Jesus. I know Heaven will be so much better than life here on earth. Yeah I am glad to be a Christian too. God has gotten our family through some tough times.

That night Houston had a dream. He read about dreams in the Bible but this was so unexpected. In his mind, he saw a bright beautiful place. His former wife Jackie and his kids were singing, He's Got the Whole World in His Hands. Then he saw Jane and Joe. There was a huge hand that seemed to engulf them. His dream came to an abrupt end when a nurse came into his room. As he awoke Houston knew that God was going to take care of his family. This dream gave him the peace that he so desperately needed.

He looked to his right and saw Jane and Joe. A big smile came over his face. He laughed as he felt God's comfort and presence fill his soul.

Joe noticed a calm and happy expression on his face. "Why are you so happy?"

"I had a dream, and you need to hear this."

Both of them were amazed as he told them the wonderful dream. Little did they know, this would be the last night they would talk to him. But, it really helped them to know Houston was going to be in a better place. It helped them have faith that things were going to be okay. The Lord knew Joe and Jane needed a reminder of God's Sovereignty and Mercy. This Divine encounter helped them have the faith to endure the many challenges that were coming. Even though they were sad, they also were happy that he was in a better place and did not have to suffer.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. May God Bless you and your family. Follow like and subscribe to learn more about the exciting life of Joe Miaggi and other Christian books and material Jonathon has produced.

If you want to find out more about who Joe and Jane are check out my Kindle Novella.

[christianwrighter]

A Christmas Show to Remember

Here are three pictures of a Christmas show put on at my church. There was something for everyone. The kids put on a stellar performance. Four young men lip-linked a very popular Christian gospel song that had us all laughing, especially when one of them sang in a really high bass voice. A few minutes later someone bumped him and his voice changed to a low lady-like soprano.

The kids offered their own thoughts about what happened during Christmas. There was an orchestra and a choir. We even had air guitars toward the end. Snow was falling from the ceiling. I have never been to a show like this. Of course, we can never forget or thank God enough for sending His son Jesus to save us from our sins.

Here is a link to the show. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHtprEWCobc

Other recommended Links

Find your next Christian book at

www.https://christianwriterbookstore.com

Jonathon has written an interesting short story to help us better understand how Joseph and Mary felt when they were given that amazing promise about their Son Jesus.

[christianwrighter]

Battle Field Of The Mind

I am currently reading Battlefield Of The Mind by Joyce Meyer. It is a great book. I had the privilege of reading some of her other books and have gained much wisdom from them. My goal is not to rehash the entire book but to highlight some key scriptures and spark some discussion.

The Vital Necessity of our minds.

How important is the mind to your spiritual growth and life? Every decision we make involves the thoughts and intents of the mind. A mind that thinks bad thoughts about himself, herself, or others often does bad things to themselves and others.

A man thinks he will fail, so he does not try. He gives up and surrenders to temptation and the bad consequences of his decisions. Yet sometimes our lives can be very discouraging but we cannot give up or let go of the hope and spiritual aspect of our lives.

God came into the world through his Son Jesus Christ and calls us to be better people. One of the key places that begins is with the mind. Scripture tells us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). What do you think that means?