To be clear, “it’s been a minute” is short for “it has been a minute.” This phrase is used when an individual or multiple people have not done something for a very long time. Considering how short a minute is, this term is a deliberate understatement. When two friends meet after spending several weeks or months apart, someone may say that “it’s been a minute.” You can also use the phrase to describe experiences and other things that you have not done for a long time. -linguaholic.com

It has been a ‘hot minute’ since I’ve written on here. Since that time, several big things have happened in my life. After a year of trying to keep my gallbladder, I finally had to have it removed due to it being full of stones despite all my efforts to try and heal it. I remember right after surgery being wheeled on the way to the recovery room and how much ‘spiritually lighter’ I felt! Apparently, the gallbladder is an ’emotionally charged organ,’ and after years of shock, trauma, stress, and pain, it finally had to be removed from my system. My sweet hubby was right there to help me throughout my recovery process, and thankfully, I have been feeling much better since.

Another ‘big upheaval’ in our lives was the decision to move from the northern part of the state to the central part last Spring. Even though we only moved 3 hours away, it still feels like we moved to another state altogether with the marked differences in topography, the brand of stores, and the pervasive farm life culture around here. As far as the eye can see, there are rolling hills, pristine farmland, grain silos, and, better yet, no trash or clutter along the highways like where we came from. Overall, we are pretty happy with the move that we have made because it didn’t make sense to stay where we were overall.

Galatians 6:2 “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

Plain truth be told, I stopped writing a while back because I found out on another forum (not Rapture Ready) that I was being ‘unmercifully bashed on’ by supposed fellow believers concerning the personal things I had written about. Most of my articles in the past were on positively living the Christian life and about certain topics of our time, but about a 1/3 of them did detail my personal life story and how the love of many had waxed cold, especially in recent decades.

To these people, it did not matter how cruelly I was treated, nor how much I had suffered throughout my lifetime. It only mattered that I was writing about others (not naming names or titles btw), but to them, I was a person that did not deserve sympathy or validation. Well, let’s see; last I looked, all of life is about ‘how people treat one another.’ Furthermore, God’s Word undeniably states that in the last days, the love of many (most) will grow cold. Therefore, on this notion, none of us will get out of this life ‘unscathed,’ so why can I not have ‘my voice heard’ on these issues?

Matthew 24:12 “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.”

Needless to say, after reading all of the ‘heartless, unsupportive, and uncaring’ comments on that online forum, all I could think at the time was, “So much for ‘bearing one another’s burdens’ and decided that if ‘people of the house of God’ don’t care about others and their pain, then who will? Also, why should I continue writing and sharing my story only to have insult added to injury? After some time had passed, though, I realized that the only person’s opinion of me that truly matters is Abba Father God, and His Word clearly states that He cares about us and our pain whether others in this life do or not.

Speaking of pain, we recently lost both of our’ cat sons’ in the last year, one to a mass in his bladder and the other to a blood clot. We miss them terribly, but our neighbor convinced us to get a new calico girl kitten in recent weeks, who we named Jellybean. We forgot what it was like to have a ‘baby cat’ after all these years, but we are blessed to be navigating our new friendship and companionship with sweet, smart, and sassy little Jellybean.

Just know that no matter what in life, Jesus is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. We are thankful for the knowledge of that and that the Lord is close to the brokenhearted too. Be encouraged today if you feel despised, rejected, beaten down, isolated, alone, and are suffering any physical, spiritual, mental, or ’emotionally debilitating pain’ like I have been in for many years now. Just be still and know that God understands how we feel, that He truly cares for us, and that He is always there.

Philippians 4:6, KJV “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

Bottom line, we are not to be worried or anxious about anything, but in all things by prayer and supplication, make our requests known unto God, for He truly cares for us.

1 Peter 5:7 “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

The True Meaning of ‘Bear One Another’s Burdens’ (Galatians 6:2) (biblestudytools.com)

Wesley’s Notes for Galatians 6:2

6:2 “Bear ye one another’s burdens [Sympathize with, and assist, each other, in all your weaknesses, grievances, trials] And so fulfil the law of Christ.” [The law of Christ (an uncommon expression) is the law of love: this our Lord peculiarly recommends; this he makes the distinguishing mark of his disciples.] –kingjamesbibleonline.org

Sincerely and In Christ,

Candy Austin

Mankind is reeling from all that they see and hear happening in today’s world. The world has gone mad. So, with urgency, and because of the nearness of the rapture, I feel called to reach out to the many actors, actresses, and directors I’ve worked with over the years individually. And so, you can expect to see open letters to each and every one of them as well as my random articles very soon. I think others would be fascinated by the stories I have to share about their favorite actors and movie stars who are “outsiders.” This will be the first of many stories and admonitions to these highly valued individuals

Suicide rates are double what they were in 2020. Even healthy young men and women are dying at an alarming rate. And so, because of the nearness of the rapture (I suppose), God has laid it on my heart to reach out to other creative people I’ve worked with in the past with encouragement and the Gospel, thereby giving them clarity from the Word of God and elusive hope in this ever-darkening world. I, therefore, begin reaching out with this story – one of countless many.

As a supporting actor in the movie “The Truman Show” with Jim Carrey, I hollered out “All aboard for Chicago” in my role as a bus conductor. As I look back on that role, I can’t help but think about how in real life I’ve been shouting out that same thing about the rapture for some time now to the common folks (people not engaged in the movie industry).

I now regret not sharing the gospel with Jim Carrey whom I ate lunch with on the set. I had every opportunity since he and I sat alone listening to Elvis Presley on his boom box, having been introduced to Jim early on by the world-famous director Peter Weir – as is usually done when two people have a scene together.

Having been in the movie business for years, I’m not intimidated by anyone in our line of work, and so I approached Jim, saying, “Hey… Elvis is my all-time favorite.” “Me too,” he answered, “Have a seat.” And since there were two director’s chairs, one for him and one for the director, I sat. (The director had left to have lunch with his wife.)

The song ended, and we began conversing about our private lives. Jim casually mentioned that he was doing artwork in his spare time; I told him I was an artist as well, and so we talked about art. Time passed too quickly, and I never even had a bite to eat, knowing that I could go to the craft table at any time and grab a bite.

We talked about working with oils, acrylics and using a palette knife. Inwardly I waited for him to revert to one of the wacky characters he portrayed, and in doing so, I lost track of time as Peter Weir yelled, “O.K. everyone – BACK ON SET!”

(I had read Jim Carrey’s life story, and it wasn’t a pretty one. In fact, it almost made me cry. And so, I was intrigued by how much we had in common.)

Today I perused Jim’s paintings on the internet and was amazed at his diversity and intensity. It made me respect him like never before. Regrettably, I never took a photo with him as I have so many others in my forty years in the movie industry. Years ago, my car was stolen with my photo album in the trunk. And so it was with a heavy heart that I had to start all over again in the middle of my career in the movie business. Another regret, as I said, is not having shared Christ with Jim. I, therefore, urge him to contact me for the answer to his depression. (Many people are experiencing depression these days.)

What people fail to understand is that actors and other creative people are human beings with foibles and emotional baggage, and they hurt just like the rest of humanity. Incidentally, people such as political leaders and lawyers are often stereotyped as being crooked and evil. But the way I see it, we are all in this crazy world, doing our best to have all the world has to offer, be it fame or money. They, like the rest of society, have their do-gooders and nut jobs. Albeit those of us who are saved have internal peace and are saved only by the grace of God. “For you are saved by grace and that not of yourselves; it is a gift lest any man should boast.” The Bible says we are all sinners.

Before I could finish this little story, I read on the internet that Johnny Depp had sold his paintings for four million dollars in less than four hours. The strange thing is that I also worked with Johnny in his last “21 Jump St.” show for television. We were in a scene together in a cab – I was the “cabbie.” (The name of the show was “La Bizca.”) As a talkative cabbie, I was given to talk about baseball nonstop with my passengers, Johnny and his partner (Penhall), in the back seat. I was surprised to learn that Johnny is a fellow artist as well! However, the most I ever sold a piece of artwork for was $1,200, although currently, I have a piece listed for $3,500.

And just so you know, Anthony Quinn, Tony Curtis, and Tony Bennett have also been painters of art, so I am in good company, and I thank God for the opportunity to have worked with such creative and talented people. It was amazing that Johnny wasn’t killed after falling off the horse during filming of the “Lone Ranger” movie; perhaps our gracious and benevolent God is watching over him and hoping he will get his life together before he dies of an overdose.

I would be jealous of these other artists, but since I am a Christian, I have something much more valuable than most people – a peace that surpasses all understanding and the hope of eternal life.

Jim Carrey – if you are aware of this writing and want to discuss your future with me, I am more than willing to share the good news of the gospel with you. The same goes for you, Johnny Depp.

I am beginning an outreach to other creative people. You can contact me for more information as it develops. In the meantime, I hope to begin filming a movie I’ve written about the times in which we live and about how we may be entering the time of Tribulation. Please join me if you feel moved to contribute your ideas or services or if you need encouragement.

NOTE:

Because of my contact with many Actors and Entertainers and other “outsiders” over the years, I have been tasked by the Lord to reach out to these individuals with love, understanding, encouragement, and the Gospel in these crazy end times.

YBIC

Jim Towers

Dear Jim, Johnny, you can write me at jt.filmmaker@yahoo.com. Or visit my website www.propheticsignsandwonders.com with comments or visit me at www.dropzonedelta.com.