Tag Archives: 2020

“When an Accident is a Reminder of the Grace in Christmas” Op-Ed 12/21/20

By Tonja Condray Klein

On Saturday 12/19/20, I had an accident on the way home from shopping for Christmas presents. I was only five miles or so away from home at a light I know like the back of my hand when I realized an SUV in front of me wasn’t yet moving even though the light was green. I had already slowed down, but I hadn’t expected my last pump on the break to send me into a fish-tail. The pavement was slick from rain I hadn’t expected since I hadn’t had any issues all the way to that point, so all I could do was hold onto the steering wheel, scream out to Jesus to help, and wait for the impact.

The impact was not as bad as it could have been since I wasn’t going that fast from having already slowed on the way to the light. I haven’t had an accident or a ticket for the past thirty years. Yes, that’s right, I wrote 30 YEARS! After the pain in my knees got my attention I realized the impact had ended. I was okay except for bruises I knew I’d have on my knees from the dash and soreness in my shoulders from the hit jerking me. The man from the vehicle in front that I had rear-ended due to stupid rain making the pavement slick came to see if I was okay. He and his SUV were okay.

The man called the police to report the accident, and I called Ken to tell him about the wreck. The man and I both took pics of the other’s id and insurance cards then moved the cars to an empty lot on the same street. After ordering a tow for my car so badly crushed in front that I was barely able to turn the wheel to get car into the lot, the man and I waited for the police to arrive. I gave him one of my cards, and he told me that he was a Fantasy reader. I began telling him about my books and music then showed him the artwork of my characters I’d put on my phone and done by my amazing artist.

The police came, I got that stupid ticket the rain caused, then man left, and then I waited for the tow truck. I had to put more coat hood up and gloves on since the temperature was dropping and I couldn’t have my heat on due to the fluid leaking from my car. I was still a bit jarred. I simply thought that it happened for a reason, so I accepted it… until a rental car couldn’t be obtained until Monday which meant Ken would have to miss work since our other car was still in the shop. That was when I began coming apart emotionally. If this happened for a reason then why weren’t things working out?

Trusting God in the midst of problems isn’t easy, no matter how long you’ve known Jesus as Savior. I’ve known Jesus as Savior since I was eight years old, and I’m forty-eight in 2020. I still felt like giving up earlier today when I kept beating myself up over the ‘what ifs’ and kept feeling worse since the wreck was my fault and Ken was going to have to miss work… my fault too. Things are always my fault when I can’t get things to work out right. Ken doesn’t agree with me, and when I keep berating myself over a failure, it hurts him. I need to pray about that and read scripture against it.

Could this have turned out worse? Yes, I could have continued fish-tailing and ended up hitting a car that killed someone. Yes, I could have not fish-tailed and hit the SUV in the middle that would have deployed the air bag that might have hurt or killed me. Yes, the fact that the airbag did not go off means that the car won’t be totaled and is actually able to be fixed. Yes, if we didn’t have comprehensive insurance none of this could be fixed at all. As upset as I am to have an almost perfect driving record ended, at least no one was hurt badly or killed, and I was able to share my faith during it.

I believed that until today when I began to feel like I was useless, worthless, and purpose-less. Do those feelings come from a woman who continues to fight an ongoing auto-immune disease that is currently in remission? Not usually, but a new fear of driving in any weather other than sunshine might. An old fear of fear of letting down the people that I love at the worst times always does. An old fear of driving in rain already has as part of the new one. So how does this accident that was personal yet not fatal show how anyone else but me can be reminded of Grace at Christmas by this?

Ask the man who I rear-ended who may be reading my book or listening to my songs and may have known Jesus and is encouraged or maybe hadn’t but finds the way to Faith. Ask the tow truck driver who was already a Jesus believer but shared the news of his recent baptism with me but didn’t know why except that I had K-Love radio on in my car. Ask those reading this right now still asking the first question but still go to look up my books, my songs, or K-Love radio just because they read this out of curiosity and yet find something else that makes Christmas become that time of Grace.

Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem over two thousand years ago, and He was crucified when he reached the age of thirty-three-and-a-half for every single human to be given a chance to accept His sacrifice by Grace through Faith, and never something by them since it’s a Gift of God. I sometimes forget that nothing is ever about me or my abilities. Every time something happens is a possibility to show God’s Love, Mercy, and Grace. If He uses my feeble skills or words then my joy should be full even if it hurt my pride, my body, or even my record in anything. Jesus is Lord, and I am His.

This Christmas 2020 is going to be hard for so many people who have lost loved ones, the ability to give to their families due to loss of resources, and even the rights to be with those they love even if the gathering be it ever so humble before is being taken away completely. I won’t be able to do what I’d had planned for my family since our car will be in the shop, and even if we should have a rental Monday, the weather is to be snowy on Christmas Eve and I couldn’t drive in it before the accident and especially not now after the accident and in a rental. It may be a Blue Christmas for most.

Let my accident be a reminder of the Grace in Christmas! Even if things are hard and horrible for you right now, try to see the Grace of the Savior in the face of the baby in a Manger as you sing carols via skype, Facetime, or Chat. Try to reach out in a safe but meaningful way to those who are hurting or alone by using those ways too and send food to them if they can’t order it for themselves. Try to share the same kind of Grace shown at Christmas to be found at Calvary once it fills your heart with Salvation. Even if you have accidents happen later you will then find His reasons will be enough.

Beautiful star of Bethlehem, Shine On!

Tonja Condray Klein(c)12/15/20


As we approach Christmas in 2020 with the “Christmas Star” occurring on 12/21, we should try to remember what that star meant over two thousand years ago and then what it could mean for us now. I’m not a soothsayer, theologian, or even a degree-bearing scholar (except the Technical Certificate for Webpage Development). I’m not the only Christian believer who is looking at this ‘sign’ with interest, hope, and maybe even concern since the Holy Bible states that we should be looking at the signs of the times in order to understand when the Grace Dispensation we are currently living in will almost be at a final ending. This should propel us to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ for as much time as we have!

I’m not religious. I’m a Born-Again, Spirit-Filled, Believer in the Blood of Jesus Christ as the ONLY way for my birth dealt sinful blood to be exchanged by His death on Calvary with Grace by Faith and that not of myself. It IS the Gift of God unto Salvation NOW AND FOREVER! Although a horrible and destructive Great Tribulation Period replaces the Grace Dispensation Period, it hasn’t happened yet, and Christians need to be PREACHING, SINGING, and TEACHING like never before. Our time might be limited. We don’t know if this star is a reminder or if it symbolizes something more. Do I want to go home to Heaven? YES! Do I want others to take this seriously? YES!! Do I think it’s time? Maybe…


I realize that the believers in Jesus Christ have thought this many times over the past 2000 years. This is not to ‘scare’ people into a ‘religious’ experience. This is to AWAKEN BELIEVERS to share the Gospel we already know and to help others to at least get what we already have – a Personal Relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior, the Son of God the Father and giver of God the Holy Spirit as our Comforter after shedding His blood for our sins, rising from the grave, and going to Heaven to wait until this time is over and the focus turns to Israel again. Do you see the shift already? I do! It’s been an ongoing shift for a decade or more. As a Believer for Christ, don’t you feel the stirring? Can’t you hear the whisper inside?


AWAKE! AWAKE, WARRIORS FOR CHRIST! SHARE THE GOSPEL, HEAL THE SICK, AND RAISE THE DEAD! WE ARE NOT POWERLESS! THE HOLY SPIRIT RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEAD, AND WE WERE PROMISED TO BE ABLE TO DO EVEN MORE THAN THAT IF WE SIMPLY BELIEVE IT! WE MUST ARISE! SHAKE OFF SIN’S SHACKLES! EMBRACE FREEDOM OF THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT! AWAKEN LIKE NEVER BEFORE AND BE RELEASED! GOD IS NOT DEAD, NO, NO, HE’S STILL ALIVE! GOD IS NOT DEAD, NO, NO, HE’S STILL ALIVE! I FEEL HIM IN MY HANDS! I FEEL HIM IN MY FEET! I FEEL HIM IN MY HEART!


BOOM, BOOM! I FEEL HIM IN MY SOUL! WHEW! FEEL HIM ALL OVER ME! Isn’t that what you want? Isn’t that what you need? Isn’t that what you thirst for? Isn’t that what you hunger for? Isn’t it? I’m in tears right now LONGING for the RETURN of the ones who WANT ALL HE GAVE! It’s FREE. It’s REAL. It’s FOREVER. It’s ALL-CONSUMING FIRE! NOTHING ELSE MATTERS! You either know that you know that you know… or you don’t. If you don’t know then YOU NEED TO FIND HIM! FIND HIM IN THE FIRE. FIND HIM IN THE FLOOD. FIND HIM IN THE HOSPITAL BED. FIND HIM IN THE FUNERAL. FIND HIM IN THE BAR. FIND HIM IN THE STRIP CLUB.

YOU CAN FIND HIM WAITING FOR YOU EVERYWHERE! You just have to LOOK for the Truth of Jesus. The problem is that too many people who call themselves CHRISTIAN don’t know that they know that they know either. WE ALL NEED REVIVED! For the love of everything Holy you need REVIVED! EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US! I don’t care which denomination you are. I don’t care which preacher you claim. I don’t care which church you give to. WE ALL NEED TO BE REVIVED BY GOD ALMIGHTY! Jesus Christ gave us a mandate. Are you fulfilling it? Are you living it? I fail all the time, but as God Almighty is my witness, I AM TRYING TO REACH YOU! Don’t click away. Destiny calls.


“Father God, I come to you in the name of Jesus Christ. I believe He is Your Son who died on the cross of Calvary to pay for my sins if I will believe and confess that I do and then live my life to be His soldier of Light to this world from now on. I will try to follow what the Christian Bible states in the New Testament and study the Old Testament to show I belong to You now. Let Your Holy Spirit give what spiritual gift or gifts you wish for me to use for Your Glory. Help me to be a Light to this world in these turbulent times. Lead me in the path You already planned for me before I was born. I am Yours and You are mine! In the name of Jesus Christ, my Savior, Lord, King, and God incarnate… AMEN!”


If you have prayed this, YOU ARE SAVED! Believing is the first step. Living it is an ongoing task of daily trials, failures, and victories. It isn’t easy, but if you keep praying, reading the Bible (start with John, Romans, 1 Corinthians, and Ephesians), and listen to music that ministers – if you love rock then start with Disciple, White Heart, and Skillet; if you love contemporary then start with Mercy Me, Carmen, and Toby Mac; if you love southern gospel start with The Imperials, Hinsons, and Kingsmen. Some are gone now, but their music will live through eternity. There are many others! The styles are plentiful so find your groove to make your soul move toward Jesus more and His Purpose for you!


Andrus, Blackwood, and Company was so long ago, but I jam to “Jesus, You’re So Wonderful” all the time, and it along with the others is mostly available on iTunes. I have versions of most of these on Vinyl, Cassette, CD, and now Digital on my iPhone or computer! You can listen to my songs I wrote and then professionally recorded on my website: https://www.eirinth.com at the link FOR FREE! You can also read the Prologue through Chapter 6 for BOTH of my Fantasy Novels at that link FOR FREE too and then buy on Amazon in E-Book or Paperback! Finding a church right now is difficult, but you can listen to WGNZ radio 1110am and 104.7fm to various ministers that preach the truth you need!


Message me on Facebook if you have a question or need links that can help more. Until then, May Jesus Christ Bless You And Keep You In His Care! Look up on December 21st to see the Christmas Star!

“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!