IF NOT NOW, WHEN?

By Richard Tomlinson

I was motivated to write this book by several life experiences.

First, it became disheartening to see the suffering of people everyday, knowing full well that much of it is unnecessary. For example, a recent announcement by the Surgeon General of the US

• Language: English
• Publisher: GENESIS PUBLISHING HOUSE
• Release date: Nov 21, 2023
• ISBN: 9798989407057

Book preview

IF NOT NOW,

WHEN?

Richard E. Tomlinson

Copyright © 2023 Richard E. Tomlinson

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the author.

ISBN (Paperback): 979-8-9894070-6-4

ISBN (eBook): 979-8-9894070-5-7

I dedicate this book to all those in search of a deeper understanding of their lives, and pray this is the start of that journey.

Also, I wish to give special thanks to Granddaughters Alex, and Emma whose enthusiasm and input were extraordinary. As well, this wish extends to Kara, whose untiring ministry work with SPO improves untold lives on college campuses.

I love you all.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1: CONGRATULATIONS!

Chapter 2: THE JOURNEY BEGINS

Chapter 3: A PERSONAL WAKEUP CALL

Chapter 4: THE EXCITEMENT GROWS

Chapter 5: FEELING THE MESSAGE

Chapter 6: SOCIAL JUSTICE

Chapter 7: LOVE

Chapter 8: PEACE

Chapter 9: CHARACTER BUILDING

Chapter 10: CONFLICT RESOLUTION

Chapter 11: WISDOM

Chapter 12: JUDGEMENT

Chapter 13: FORGIVENESS

Chapter 14: COMPASSION

Chapter 15: FAITH

Chapter 16: CHOOSING A MENTOR

Chapter 17: LIFE MENTOR’S WISDOM AND ADVICE

Chapter 18: MIRACLES

Appendix 1: CONSCIENCE OR CONSEQUENCES

Appendix 2: JUST HOW POWERFUL IS THE WORD?

Appendix 3: THE UNIMAGINABLE REALLY HAPPENED

Appendix 4: LONELINESS IS AN EPIDEMIC STATES THE US SURGEON GENERAL. IS HE RIGHT?

Appendix 5: BONO, AND U2’S LAMENT. THE FINAL CONNECTION

Appendix 6: HOMELESS

Appendix 7: KELLY: WHEN IS A HANDICAP A GIFT?

CHAPTER ONE

The Bible God’s Awesome Story

CONGRATULATIONS!

You are about to take a fascinating journey into the greatest self-help book ever written in history. (Actually, it is a compilation of seventy-two books and letters, combined into one: The Holy Bible).

You say you have never read the Bible? Or, perhaps you have read it, and essentially it was interesting, or possibly boring, but not really earth-shattering. You may have glanced through various pages, not necessarily grasping the meaning or the intent of the author.

Well, either way, you are in for a life-changing treat.

First, let’s talk about YOU. After all what good is a self-help book if it doesn’t address your concerns and problems? It must center on your interests, needs, challenges, problems, family, and friends. Therefore, these subjects beg the following questions.

Are you interested in:

• Social Justice

• Love

• Peace

• Character building

• Interpersonal relationships

• Conflict Resolution

• Redemption

• Joy

• Wisdom and words to live by

• History

• Forgiveness

• Compassion

• Searching for life’s answers

• What is faith, and how does that affect my life?

• Is there a God?

• If so, who is He?

• What happens after I die?

The Bible literally has dozens of answers to those critical subjects, most of which are very easy with which to relate, and understand. With some patience, perseverance, and an unquenchable thirst to improve and enjoy your life to the fullest, you will now be embarking on a unique and fulfilling journey.

In a nutshell, the Bible is a collection of historical and religious writings, and scriptures, revered by most cultures, particularly those with Christian and Jewish populations. Its relevance has influenced art, literature, history, culture, health, social justice, personal relationships, and family units. It is divided into two primary sections: The Old Testament (Before Jesus Christ, and the history of the Jewish people). The New Testament, from Jesus’s birth, through His life, death, and resurrection. It then continues to describe in fascinating detail, how Christianity survived, and the evolution of the development of today’s church.

The Bible is the ONLY book of its kind, dating back approximately 3,700 years, and has several dozen authors most of whom were eyewitnesses to their writings. Once you become engaged in a meaningful way, it has the power to impact your life, in a long-lasting and very special, beautiful way. That is why it is referred to as a most sacred text.

Although there are many and varied editions of the Bible, the one I chose, and strongly suggest is a STUDY BIBLE. Mine happened to be a Catholic Study Bible, but there are many excellent other publications such as this one. The Catholic Bible has seventy-two books, and Letters in its contents, the Protestant version has 66. For the most part, the Bibles are mirror images of each other.

The Study Bibles include very important, and necessary background and interpretive sections that, for me, were (and remain so), irreplaceable. For example, my Bible begins with a Reading Guide for every one of the seventy-two separate contents. The RG helps you position the contents of say, the Gospel of John, in not only a historical way but how it is relevant to the story being told. As well, prior to each entry in the overall Bible, there is a brief Introductory page setting up the reading in which you are about to engage. (The term Gospel means Good News).

Finally, the Study Bible has extensive footnotes on each page that help to more clearly define words, phrases, events, and persons, and assist the reader in a timely fashion so that the meaning of that which is being read truly comes alive with much more impact.

I cannot emphasize enough how much richer and enhanced your experience will be with all the assistance given by the various study support components. I do believe that far more people would enjoy the incomparable benefits of the Bible if they followed the above advice. The Bible is far too complex to just pick it up, without these assists, and proceed on your own. The richness, power, and historical/sacred substance are just otherwise missing.

What the Bible IS NOT, is a novel, which is meant to be read