Tag Archives: Christmas

“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!

Scrooges Can Change But Can Those Seeking Power Now?

Tonja Condray Klein – 12/07/20

As Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanza, and other Holidays approach, is there any way that we all will be allowed to celebrate the way all free Americans were promised with our United States of America Constitution and Bill of Rights? While I understand the danger of Covid-19 and practice proper precautions, some measures (even in Ohio) are beyond common sense and have a foretelling of terrorizing government waiting in the wings if the American people let it. It’s something that my Veteran father would have been enraged over since these statutes are like what he fought against!

The people of our country have faced some of the greatest trials of existence, but we kept finding abilities to excel beyond our limitations with the common goal to be free and make this land free for generations to come; at times through battle when no other course of action was available. At other times we won through diplomacy to protect our citizens and soldiers. We pulled together in this time of medical peril and even found treatments and the coming vaccine for our latest foe. Are we now so careless with our rights that we will let any group against our Democracy bulldoze it with politics?

Our constitution once led our officials elected by the people of this country to keep our freedoms safe from the other kinds of governments that we saw kill innocent people who had no rights like we have enjoyed in America. We still have the poor, mistreated, and misjudged; but this country has been the best one in this whole world when it comes to the rights to live free, the laws to protect against tyranny, and the will to share in spite of our differences once we understand “One Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice FOR ALL!” is something we should still fight for!

Our country is not perfect, but we have led this planet with Democracy ever since we were formed. We’ve had bad leaders make horrible choices, but our Constitution is STILL the way to govern, the Bill of Rights are STILL worth fighting for to preserve, and our Vote is STILL something that needs to be protected with every legal means given to us! If we let any group take away our legislated voting system by illegal means then we will no longer be free. Do you want to live here if you have no say against unjust laws or penalties against freedoms you once had? I don’t think I ever can.

Am I suggesting suicide? Not while I still have Hope in Jesus Christ! Am I supporting violence? Not if there’s a legal way to defend! Am I giving a dark vision of the future we could have if we don’t WAKE UP? YES! These groups wanting to take over our country are not illusions or conspiracy theories; this would be a nightmare we may not wake up from if they take over this country completely. While some Christian prophecies have not come to pass as expected, the possibility that they have in clandestine ways we haven’t noticed could very well mean that they already have unknown.

The way the event of the Christmas Star is happening this Christmas in 2020 should make anyone who has read the Gospels think about how Jesus Christ told His disciples to be aware of the signs of the times that appear in the skies. Could Christians be missing the possible return of Jesus Christ during the time of a similar star to hail His return? Is the sky foretelling the rescue of His believers to evacuate them from Earth before the Great Tribulation begins? With these current political aggressions, Christianity may face a worse round of persecution seen since the time of the gladiators.

This is not meant to scare believers. This is meant to WAKE YOU UP! Christ-Believers roused for a while, but then the inability to meet due to the Covid-19 situation stopped the spiritual awakening. Believers might be able to reach individuals, so even if we don’t shake the world with a Revival we thought we’d have, we still might reach a last soul to be saved in the Church Age Grace Dispensation which seems to be the last piece of the cosmic puzzle of prophecy to be placed before Christians supernaturally disappear to be taken to safety before massive disasters worldwide happen.

Yes, the Covid-19 pandemic has shaken the world, destroying lives in so many ways due to people’s deaths, the job losses that have put people in dire situations, and the loss of so many rights we have had since before I was even born in this country. It’s hard to imagine something worse than what we’ve already seen, but it is possible since the Holy Bible stated that desperate times would happen even before the Great Tribulation truly begins. We haven’t seen the numbers of those having died that matches those listed for during the Great Tribulation, so that isn’t what is happening now.

The last great Revival is supposed to happen before Christians are evacuated, and with the current Covid-19 lock-downs that doesn’t seem possible unless churches find a way to connect through digital media, radio, CB or shortwave if digital stations or websites are confiscated or shut down by a new totalitarian regime. We are already being censored, so. it may come to the point when we won’t be able to text, email, or call someone without it being recorded or disconnected. I’m not paranoid. I’m honest and preparing myself for as many possible outcomes I can manage while I still have rights.

Perhaps we are still missing the one more puzzle piece that none of the theologians, historical laypeople, or those with spiritual gifts can see. Perilous times are already here in 2020, but since many believers before us suffered so much more, we may have to be refined by the fire of persecution to become the purist gold of Faith to shine the reality of God Almighty to the entire world. I don’t know, and I don’t want to go through any of it, but the fear that tries to overtake me at the thought will not prosper since I decided long ago that my ONLY Master is my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Am I preaching death and destruction? I hope not. Am I warning Believers in Christ to buckle up and get ready for some rough riding through thorns of hate, prison, and maybe even lashes? Once again, I hope not. Is it possible that all of this had to happen to get us to let go of this world because we are holding onto it to it too much? I hope not, but it could be. I fail every day to do everything I can for my Savior, but I STILL BELIEVE in His Promises, Protection, and Purpose to Believers who will stand fast, blow the trumpet in warning, and WAIT FOR HIM to come in the blink of an eye.

Until then, I MUST keep singing even if it’s outlawed. I MUST keep songwriting even if no one listens. I MUST keep writing to reach anyone for Christ even if I’m imprisoned. I’m a realist who sees something wrong in churches that needs revived for the world to see Jesus Christ. DO YOU SEE WHAT I SEE? The shepherds praised God for our Savior at His birth. I’m willing to be thought of as a lowly beggar in this world to SEE HIM at His return that is imminent and prevalent at the moment of prophecy fulfillment. Jesus Christ is “King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Glory, Hallelujah!”

“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!