Tag Archives: Love

It’s About WHO You Know – Op-Ed 01/29/21

By Tonja Condray Klein©01/29/21

As Americans plunge into the new year of 2021, changes are happening that many may not even realize the significance of when it comes to our freedoms, our rights, and our responsibilities. I’m the daughter of a deceased U.S. veteran of World War II born in 1913, so I will probably react very differently than most of my generation since my dad was already 59 years old when I was born. Yes, I will be 49 this year, my mother turns 90, and my sister will be 71. We each have her own viewpoints of how to live her own life, but all three of us know the fundamental truth in the title.

During different decades the truth in the title never really has faltered – whether in places of employment, groups in society, or even at school it always was about WHO you knew to get the best position, the best material goods, or the best clubs to add skills to your academics. There was a time when I was younger and in church that I didn’t think that it mattered there, but I’m seeing a disparity even in those places where it should never be about ‘who’ as far as people, but more about the WHO as in God Almighty through Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case.

I believe in Grace through Faith and that not of myself. I believe that my standing in church should be about the love that I show others to express the Love of God the Father as His child. While I work to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the infilling of the Holy Spirit, I don’t ‘earn points’ or get a higher ‘ranking’ with God for any of it. While I sometimes doubt that Truth and try to PROVE that I am spiritually minded I usually fall flat on my face when I feel so good about what I’ve done that I forget what Jesus Christ already did for me and through me for you. HE is WHO!

I have always had too much pride in my abilities at school when it came to my grades since I was so sick it was truly a miracle that I got good grades at all. I try to give Jesus the glory since He was the One to save me then give His Holy Spirit to me for help in this world. Yet still, I might try to write more enigmatically (big word that perhaps shows intellect) than I should to prove that I’m not a blonde idiot. Yes, the blonde thing is another issue I’ve dealt with in life though my mother says I didn’t, but she wasn’t at school or work with me. What I’m learning now is NOT the WHAT.

I have heard some of the most prevalent educational people say the DUMBEST things in my almost 49 years. I am aware that you are supposed to spell out the age, but I’m trying to be more honest, open, and less vernacularly high. For anyone who knows that word then you know I’m making a joke about that adjective. I LOVE the English language! Grammar, adjectives, and complex sentences always got great grades in English class, and since I’m a writer by choice now I’m not going to apologize for wanting people to look up what some words mean. There is a point in stating that.

Jesus doesn’t want you to memorize the statutes in Leviticus, the genealogy of the church fathers, or the main feasts celebrated in ancient times. Jesus doesn’t want you to quote scripture for the sake of impressing those at the church you attend either. Jesus wants you to know HIM. Reading the Holy Bible helps you to know HIM. Praying each time you need to helps you to know HIM. Going to church to fellowship with fellow believers in the Salvation He bled to give to you helps you to know HIM. It’s not about us. It’s always about HIM – Jesus Christ, Son of God and Savior.

Do you KNOW HIM? Even when doubt slips into my consciousness after 41 years serving Jesus Christ as my Savior, Lord, King, and God, I still have to remind myself of the simple Truth I will believe with my dying breath – I KNOW HIM. Not a religion. Not a principle. Not a philosophy. When I hear a Spirit-inspired song play and cry, I do it because I KNOW HIM. When I read scriptures and think about how He was even before those words were, I KNOW HIM. When I feel the Holy Spirit move inside my heart and soul during the rough times then I KNOW HIM.

It’s personal. It’s passionate. It’s poignant. It’s more than I’ll ever deserve, more than I can ever repay, and more than I will ever be able to truly explain. The Bible says He sings over those He loves. I sometimes think I can hear a song now one else ever has, and though I may be imagining it, I will still try to listen to just a moment to catch the words to use for a song I might write to share with others. It truly is something worth living for, worth dying for, worth giving for, and worth everything. Do I ever want my books to be known and enjoyed by readers? Sure, but I’d rather YOU KNOW HIM.

“What Really IS Important Christmas 2020”

By Tonja Condray Klein©12/02/20

I’m working on my song “The Colors of Christmas” and the lyrics reminded me of WHY it’s important to take time to celebrate as a Christian believer this time of year. I love the Santa movies in live action or old cartoon style. I love Rudolf who will always be my favorite reindeer. I love the mischievous kid movies that remind me of myself even now. I even love the Scrooge movies in all their different decades of production and differences. I love the lights, the songs, the new clothes, and the food at Christmas. All of those things still aren’t the reason why I love Christmas. Then what is it?

Christmas is what makes Easter possible. You can go into the whole ‘rebirth of nature’ aspect if you want, but for me it was the Resurrection of my Savior, and that couldn’t have happened without His birth. Linus from Peanuts says it as simply and truthfully as can be in that beloved movie, and since I still have a blanket I relate to him even more than most. It reminds me that even though the blanket is for comfort for me here on Earth, I have a Savior who sent my Comforter to me for my soul now and eternally. Money, power, or even gifts don’t really matter. My greatest gift of all time is Jesus!

Many don’t believe that He even came, and others deny even the reality of God Almighty, but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord as the Son incarnate who arrived over 2000 years ago as a human baby to later become our Salvation 33 years or so later. It’s not a fantasy or a fable, and not even just a story. There is more historical evidence for the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ than they have for any other life-altering person. I haven’t seen Him like the disciples did, but I have felt His presence by His Holy Spirit too many times to doubt His prophesied purpose.

The star that shined to lead three wise-men who arrived a couple years later, the angels who proclaimed to the shepherds that came, and the animals that watched it all happened as the Holy Bible states. Others can scoff or even get angry, but I see it as the moment humanity was placed on the pathway to restoration! As I celebrate my husband and me surviving Covid-19, and my mother surviving an infection that almost took her life, I can give thanks for that Baby who came to give us all LIFE ETERNAL if we only accept HIS GIFT this holiday season – Faith even a child can believe.

Do I ever doubt? Well, like the character Charlie in the movie about addiction to shoes (one of my favorites, and reminds me of my much older sister!), I also ask, “If you never doubt then why would you need faith?” This is an ongoing learning experience in the Christian life. Jesus likes to show up where and when you sometimes least expect Him – in the grocery line, in the dollar store, or even in a doctor’s office. I know it because I have had it happen. Moments of Grace are around us every single day if we keep our eyes open and our hearts focused. Like in a manger, Jesus Christ shows up!

If ever Christian believers needed to be praying over this holiday season it is NOW. There are a lot of situations in our country and the world that need the loving and changing touch of Jesus Christ to be given in the same way as the time of His birth to bring peace on Earth and good will toward mankind, in spite of our differences. Hearts need to be changed, minds need to be mended, lives need to be healed, and people of every nation need to be restored. The love of Jesus can do it all, but His people need to release His power everywhere by Prayer, Praise, and practical exhibition of Freedom!

Revival is Coming… DO NOT FEAR!