My B.I.B.L.E: Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth

By Todd Tinsley

We are all on the most important journey there is, our own personal spiritual journey. At times it seems there are more questions than answers. So who can we turn to in order to have those questions answered? In this book, the author reveals his own spiritual journey, and how turning to God gave him the answers, love, and support he needed. He s

• Language: English
• Publisher: WordsRWeapons
• Release date: Apr 25, 2023
• ISBN: 9781736541838

Todd Tinsley

My name is Todd Tyrone Tinsley. I was born on March 1, 1972, in Indianapolis, Indiana. I grew up in the middle class as an only child. My parents are Deborah and Marvin Tinsley. My mom is a delightful, exhilarating, loving, God-fearing woman. Her infectious smile lights up the room the moment she enters. Sadly, my dad transitioned in 2012. He had a matchless, vibrant personality. I miss him dearly. I have three incredible children Tegan, Syndney and Chase. They are the joy of my life. God has given me insight and better prepared me for this spiritual journey. Unfortunately, there are turns. Bumps and numerous obstacles to navigate as you travel down the road called Life. Without the Lord on my side I don't know where I would be. He is my strength and my refuge. I pray that my book helps you to reaffirm your relationship with the Lord. God can do anything but fail.

Book preview

Preface

Everyone has a B. I. B. L. E.

The Bible stands for Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. The Bible was written on scrolls and there were no chapters. Many different people got their hands on the Bible and took certain things out while putting other things in. The language barrier was the main cause of this, but when they changed the writing, it took away from the intended form. Before you read My B.I.B.L.E. or my book, I want you to know, I want My B.I.B.L.E. to be real, not only for myself, but for my readers as well.

I share my story as it was inspired by God, in hopes that my readers perhaps not make the same mistakes that I did. As I look back on my life, with its ups and downs, the mistakes I made, and the traps I allowed myself to fall into, I know that Satan set them up for me. I now realize that simply going on the offensive isn’t enough, I must fight defensively as well. With Satan being out to steal, kill and destroy, I have to remember that he is always trying to swallow me up and devour me. I must also have a plan that can work in my favor.

There’s an old saying that goes, Most people don’t plan to fail, they fail to plan. This simply means we must have a strategy. We have to do our homework. We have to have a plan to fight this great fight. Today, I realize that reflection comes with lessons. I am so thankful there is a solution. There is a method to the madness. There is a way to stay ahead of Satan, so that he won’t be able to hit you with all of his fiery darts. I let Satan wound me time and time again. It doesn’t have to be that way for you.

Basically, it comes down to doing your homework and having a plan of action in order to know where you are going. Looking back and reflecting in order to take a personal inventory of yourself, God will give you all the ammunition you need to beat Satan at his games. You must study your life to truly know it. Pay attention, watch, look, learn, and listen! You need to identify your accomplishments as well as your shortcomings. The same tricks Satan used at the start of my life, he still uses now, and he will continue to use in the future. Until I study, strategize and form a plan of action, I will continue making the same old mistakes while expecting a different result. Satan will beat us every time with the same problems and the same bullying tactics, unless we remember that we have power and authority over Satan. The Bible reminds us that no weapon formed against us shall prosper, and greater is He that is within us, then he who is in the world!

Before Jesus came to Earth, God instructed Moses to write down the different stages of events the children of Israel went through. This was so there would be a record of how God blessed them and continued to bless them. Even with all the blessings that came, the Israelites still found reason to backbite, find fault, give up, and repeat tactics whilst expecting different results. If there were no written record of what happened in those days, how would we know today? How would we know who God was? What did he do? How did he do it? How does he continue to do it? The writing also gives us an account via biblical stories of what to do and how not to do it. Therefore I named my book My B. I. B. L. E. Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. I will now be able to share with my family and future generations how I was inspired by God and manipulated by Satan (as we all are,) and that a choice between the two had to be made. Who will you choose? It took me a long time to make this choice. It is my hope that my readers do not take as long as I did. I thank God for saving me. I did nothing deserving, but He still loves me, and for that I am eternally grateful.

Everyone has a story.

God has taught you lessons about life through good and bad experiences. Since God taught us and is constantly inspiring us daily, our life, our walk and our journey is ordained and destined for a purpose meant for God’s glory. God shows us experiences whether good or bad, and all are inspired by Him. So now we have a roadmap to study and to go by. The mental records I kept of my ups and downs, of my accomplishments and my failures, show me the path I took in life which put me in those situations. Remember, God uniquely and wonderfully made us in His image. He has a plan and a purpose for us. God knows the number of hairs on our heads since the day of our conception.

I was inspired to write My B.I.B.L.E over twenty years ago but I didn’t get around to it until now because of all the distractions that I allowed Satan to use against me and overlook writing this book. Remember Moses was instructed to keep a record of the different stages of what happened to him and the children of Israel. What if he didn’t? What if he allowed Satan to distract him? What if someone failed to write down the many events of Jesus or the other prophets? How would we know? What if there was no record of history? How would we learn? The Bible says to study to show thyself approved.

God has taken me through a lot, and He had his hand in my life for a long time. He had a purpose and a plan for me. Without God I was just a filthy rag. With the Lord, I can achieve anything. God has allowed me to work on both sides. With the thorn of addiction in my side, I was blessed enough to live a life of riches to rags. From being the CEO of my successful companies, to being homeless and strung out on crack cocaine, I went from living in the big house with fancy cars and boats, to living in prison. I endured being transported by DOC and earning a dollar a day, all while being shackled up. God showed me favor and kept his hand on my life through all my trials.

It was so hard to see God at times because I only saw myself. And though I wasn’t paying attention, He was carrying me the whole time. I was absorbed in perfecting my business acumen. I thought I was a superhero. I found out later that if it had not been for God by my side, carrying me, protecting me, and keeping me from any hurt, harm, or danger, I would have been dead a long time ago and would not be here to tell my story. My Love for God, myself, my family, my friends, and people in general has grown so much since writing My B.I.B.L.E.. It has been such a life-changing experience. I cannot pay for the blessings for the new relationships that I have made since writing this book. I challenge you to write your Bible.

The Bible talks about nothing under the sun ever changes or is different. The same tricks Satan used then are still the same ones he uses now. While writing this book, I really had to take a hard look at my life and how I hurt and misused the people around me. I also came to realize that there were also a lot of things I did right. I had a lot of great experiences, and I accomplished a great many things. I realized finally that I have so much to do for God. He has been so good to me, and I owe him everything. It is on my heart to share my story with you, so maybe I can give a little bit back to God and help do his work in this way. His grace and mercy endure forever. Every event in my life, albeit good or bad helped shape me into the person I am today. Tribulation brings revelation and the SHAPE:

S= spiritual gifts

H= heart of honesty

A= attitude

P= personality

E= experience

Each bad thing Satan tried against me, God used to my good and for His Glory! Romans 8:28 says, I will cause all things to work together for good to those who love me and called according to my will and purpose. I know God inspired me more than twenty years ago to write My B.I.B.L.E. I don’t regret that I didn’t do it then because of all the things I have learned since then. As my best thinking got me into many bad places, but now I remember that God is faithful and just. A good man’s steps are ordered by the Lord and remember there are lessons in each step of your journey.

While you press through the steps, it may be painful, it may be upsetting. It may even be discouraging at times, but remember, you don’t have all the answers. For anything to happen in our lives and to develop in a healthy way, we cannot allow what’s going on the outside to become a part of what’s going on inside. We must walk by faith and not by sight. God has put me in the rooms with millionaires. He has put me in rooms with those of authority such as doctors, lawyers, teachers and preachers. He has also put me in the rooms with inmates that were criminals, thieves, conmen and manipulators. I am so thankful that I made it out of those rooms alive and got reconnected. Since then, I have dedicated my life to serve the Father.

God promised me when I was finished with My B.I.B.L.E., I would be set free forever. Before I continue with my story, I have to say thank you again to a few special people in my life. Thank you, Mom, Dad, my children Tegan, Chase, and Sydnee. To Kate and Joanne, I want to say thank you again. You two were really good women in my life. I learned a lot from you both. I can honestly say if it were not for my bad decisions and my addiction, I know our relationship could have been successful and fruitful. I do apologize for the lies, the cheating, the going to jail/prison, rehabs, and the let downs. I do know at times during our relationship you gave 100% and I only gave 50%. For that I am sorry, you both deserved better and I know I hurt you both. With that being said, forgiveness is key, and I had to start learning to forgive myself also.

Chapter One

The Big Dilemma

My Uncle Tommy always said one thing that was very true about me. He will either be a great criminal or a great business guy. In my mind, I would like to think I was both, but I would see myself on the darker side. I did not plan or see it coming. My name is Todd Tyrone Tinsley a.k.a. Seven. I was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on March 1, 1972. My mother is Deborah Tinsley. A beautiful woman inside and out. She is small statured but mighty and powerful in the spirit! My father’s name was Marvin Tinsley a.k.a. Bebe. He was a handsome man and powerful as