Terry James never ceases to inspire, encourage and educate. My dear friend more than tickled my brain in his recent article posted on Rapture Ready (Racing Toward Rapture). He wrote about his very near miss where a glorious eternity mattered. But he made a point that would be hard to erase from memory: what happens to us according to the Lord’s design must be used for His Kingdom and Glory. We just cannot shrug it aside, but when the time is right, utilize it as a tool of His grace.

I sure was not that far from what my dear brother in Christ experienced, except that it felt like a B- grader versus a blockbuster. This happened in late June 2021.

I checked in at the emergency room for a stroke that hampered my movements. It did not take long for the appropriate treatment regimen to begin. Only after a few days in the ward meant for cases like mine, I landed in the rehabilitation facility. Everything was geared toward getting me back on the road with extensive physiotherapy and occupational therapy. It was quite a tall order for someone recovering from a jarring stroke.

But there were indeed some sweeteners at the end of a grueling day. The wife of one patient gave me a packet of pitted prunes. My old buddy from the first day at school brought a banana cake loaded with lots of walnuts – his wife’s finesse in cake baking!

Shortly after finishing off the sumptuous home-baked treat, I somehow ‘fell into a deep sleep’ – except that it caused me to lose track of time. More like a much sought-after relief from the ravaging realities of the ensuing pandemic. Nothing scary or sinister, simply a delightful snooze devoid of time limits. I did not see anything or hear anything. No talk about the Great Reset, the coming economic collapse, and the prospect of a worsening quality of life associated with mandates. Strains from some tasteless K-pop tune, vulgarities, and the thumping generated by stilettos – it never crossed my mind.

In some way, it was sheer bliss right until the moment I regained consciousness, more like an abrupt end to a sweet dream when I was told that there was indeed a close call. I survived a heart failure and was out of action for almost a fortnight. One thing that was foremost in my mind was the rapture, still some way to go!

It was, in some way, a letdown. I was still part and parcel of an increasingly blackening planet. Nevertheless, any urge to scowl was smothered by Proverbs 3:5-6.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

So I knew one thing was almost for sure, He had a plan for me that was hard to swallow. Just when it appeared that I was on a straightforward recovery road, there was that ‘deep sleep’ again. This time, it was short, but my entire body felt entirely different when consciousness was regained.

I had never come to such a state of feebleness in my whole life. I could only move my legs with great difficulty; both hands did not fare any better. My appetite was almost nonexistent. A catheter was resorted to, as my urinary function was severely impaired. Someone else in my position could have freaked out, but despite being in a frail condition, I remained calm and composed. I could only bring it to the Lord.

The pulmonary embolism almost took my life, but the aftermath was, in many ways, a train wreck. Nothing deterred me from giving it a solid fight where recovery was concerned. The Lord had His purpose for letting it happen in a way that is not the way of the flesh. My numbered days were in His hands; only He would know the exact number!

By His grace and mercy, my cognitive abilities were intact. For a start, I had to be in shape to continue writing for His Kingdom and Glory. Other things would be in tow.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

I was aware of the long and challenging road ahead. On my own strength and ability, I would not succeed. Only through the Lord would there be an overcoming, regardless of the circumstances. Yet I had to be patient and let the timing of things be at His direction.

Despite the initial bodily weakness and pain caused by the catheter, I was adamant about being bedridden. Mastering baby steps would amount to the likeness of streams in the desert. The only time I yelled at the top of my voice was when the catheter was removed. Some progress, at the very least!

The physiotherapy and occupational therapy did kick into high gear; the only frustration was staring at those inherent inadequacies in the face. Walking with an aid and, at times, being held by someone could prove quite depressing. Even in matters like going to the washroom, there had to be somebody with me. Thankfully, I was able to bathe independently!

There is a beauty beyond compare when you walk in the ways of the Lord. The doctors, nurses, and therapists could find some break in the monotony of their mundane daily routine when they crossed paths with me. So did quite a number of patients. I knew I was a light in a dull place, so there were no questions about the role given by the Lord. I would seize every opportunity to share the Good News. Would it bear fruit? Perhaps the answer will be given at the Bema seat!

It was not always plain sailing in the hospital environment. There would be difficult patients, especially those with dementia. But this did not deter me from making progressive strides in my bodily functions and, most importantly, my role as being a light for His Kingdom and Glory. I would assist the nurses in keeping an eye on some tough cases – raising the alarm when needed. Some shifts had staff that had language barriers in communication. There were a sizeable number of nurses from India, Myanmar, and the Philippines. None could converse in Mandarin and local dialects – notably Cantonese. I gladly filled the gap!

At the beginning of March 2022, I was cleared for discharge. Nearly nine months might have been a whale of a time. Yet many hurdles were overcome, breaching preconceived notions. But the ones who witnessed it knew that it was the Lord who got it done. The question remains – is it enough to make them believe?

I cannot see where it all ends. I am merely a piece in the jigsaw puzzle. Being a follower of Christ means walking the road less traveled. It is one that is laden with a myriad of challenges, oftentimes laced with trying moments. Praise God! I did not protest or throw in the towel. I simply prayed when the odds seemed insurmountable. He saw me through; He will never leave us in a heap of hopelessness when He has a purpose for that which happens.

“Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish” (John 18:21).

When we surrender our lives to the Lord, we must gladly accept that which is far from glamorous – it is all for His Kingdom and Glory.

Yours in Christ

Edwin

Contact me at edwinuk13@gmail.com,

After the fiasco of having spilled cola on my laptop, I learned that my complete manuscript was still intact, and with a sigh of relief, I was determined to wrap things up. But instead, I was laid up with the common flu for a spell.

I know the flu and its symptoms: cough, especially at night, burning and watering eyes, temple headaches, body aches and pains, plus fever. This went on for four days and nights. Covid never once entered my mind since I knew enough to discount this money-making scheme, having garnered all the information I could from the time of its inception until today, a day when otherwise healthy young athletes are falling over dead from the poisonous shots given to prevent it.

I wasn’t surprised at this turn of events since Satan has been on my case since my conception.

I was born prematurely to a seventeen-year-old girl and nearly died of complications.

At age ten, I had a car slip off the jack while I was under it, tightening bolds on the bell housing. It fell directly on my chest, pinning me to the pavement below. (In those days, it was common for a boy to engage in masculine activity.)

At the age of eleven, I was sent to Chicago alone to find my missing mother and was picked up by a “friendly stranger” who offered me a ride back home and began making advances toward me once inside his car. The man let me out of his car only when I assertively demanded he do so. “Let me out of the car, or I’ll scream!”

At age 15, I nearly drowned in an ice-cold gravel pit and saw my life flash before my eyes. Luckily, an older man dove in to rescue me. Years later, I nearly drowned when I saved a girl from drowning.

Once while welding pipe in a small, windowless pumphouse with a gasoline gun arc welder, I was overcome with carbon monoxide poisoning and awakened in an oxygen tent in the hospital. My helper was drowsy and kept stepping outside for some cold, fresh winter air.

Twice at the age of seventeen, I was sucker punched in the diaphragm area of my stomach and could have died as a result, as did Houdini when he was sucker punched unexpectedly just that way.

I was shot at twice, once by a mortal enemy and once by a thief I was chasing who had stolen a woman’s purse.

I had triple bypass surgery after a heart attack.

Having escaped death so many times, I never in my wildest dreams ever thought I would still be alive at the “end times” with the possibility of being raptured rather than dying.

Still, the reader may wonder how I can be so nonchalant in the midst of the things that have plagued my life.

I read the Bible every night and say prayers of thanksgiving night and day. I attend church on a regular basis – mostly to encourage others and learn what others have to say about their faith. Other than that, I have a tendency to be a loner because of my faith, something that others find hard to understand or find hard to deal with.

Today, I continue to finalize my manuscript. The following is a prelude to my fantastic story of hope in my book Miracles, Peace and Power – a story of how God led me to be a man of faith and courage and where I tell of some of my many and varied evangelical exploits. Also, I talk of being on the set as a supporting actor in movies with some of our biggest movie stars. I do so with the backdrop of the awareness of the End of Days.

PRELUDE

Suppose you woke up one day only to find that you had stepped into another dimension. Things that you previously hoped to be true are now a reality. But these things you once thought belonged to another realm are just as real and tangible as our present life. And after a while, you learn to navigate the two realms without the apprehension you once had at the beginning, and you begin to settle in for the ride ahead.

One can only begin this journey by knowing and establishing a relationship with this awesome entity we know as God – the Almighty Creator of the Universe and everything in it. For me, Christianity is not “pie in the sky,” as some would have you believe. God doesn’t always favor his children with their desires, hopes and dreams. He knows what we need and what’s best for his favored children. God does not make mistakes, and His promises always prove to be true no matter who questions them.

This is my story about how chasing my dream of making my own Christian movie based on the written word became a series of letdowns and how I learned to be thankful for everything despite these failures.

I tell of my encounters with God (visions), although I’ve never so much as smoked a joint. Also, people I’ve led to Christ told me that a vision of a dead loved one, and, in another instance, that an angel told the person that I would tell them how to be saved on that very day.

My story is rife with tales of miracles – tangible miracles you can see, taste and feel, like the time I prayed for and received an unopened bottle of Gator Aid in an empty park setting in Miami. This is just one of many such miracles.

And, as an added plus, I tell of how I sleep like a baby each and every night, with a Peace that surpasses all understanding. And so far as being a fearless person, could it be because of my unwavering faith that God has favored me with added power to reach out to others with evangelical concern and the Gospel, or is it because we are living in these the “Last Days.”

YBIC

Jim Towers

You can write me at jt.filmmaker@yahoo.com. or visit me at www.raptureready.com. Or visit my website www.propheticsignsandwonders.com.