Publishing Secrets
Expect the Impossible: Speak Up Round 2 Finalist Tarrent-Arthur Henry
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Episode notes
In this episode, you’ll also hear:
- Hopeless situations facing real people today
- Small ways we can find — or show — love in the midst of hopelessness
- The key to “expecting the impossible” by choosing love over anger and suffering
This episode is part of the Christian Authors Network global speaking competition, Speak Up. Click here to learn more and stay up-to-date on the competition!
Tarrent-Arthur Henry: How Do You Find Love In A Hopeless World?
As I sit here with tears in my eyes, thinking about all the forgotten people, the sound of John Coltrane’s sax fills my ears with music. The song I’m listening to is the appropriately titled “Psalm,” which he played word-for-word on his tenor saxophone. It’s the final piece from his album “A Love Supreme.”
Today, we are going to attempt to answer a question: How do you find love in a hopeless world?
The Hopeless World
Trying to make sense out of all this mess, Skip Breedlove reached into his pocket and checked to see if his best friend was still there. His best friend was his 9mm Glock automatic.
On the corner stands Peaches Ann Kreme, trapped in Gotham City, a victim of sex trafficking, lost and turned out. Her dad did things to her she can't talk about.
Diego, a homeless man, huddles in a doorway with a cup in his hand as he waits for some loose change so he can ease the hunger pangs in his stomach.
Mai, a single pregnant teenager, walking down Main Street, torn between abortion or having a baby.
Have you ever stood in a crowded room and felt so painfully alone? Have you tried to stay strong, but your mind stayed weak? Have you ever felt like screaming at the top of your lungs “HELP!” and nothing came out?
Well then, friend, let me add your name to this story.
Finding Love
As Skip Breedlove headed down the block, he found love in a hopeless world. A man he had never met before gave him an opportunity to turn his life around and introduced him to a world he had never, ever experienced. Sometimes in life, all we need is a chance, somebody to believe in us. When was the last time that someone gave you a hug and said, “I believe in you”?
A woman started a conversation with Peaches Ann Kreme: a conversation that would change her life. She found love in a hopeless world. Sometimes in life, we need a hero, someone to rescue us from all the pain that life up to this point has brought us. Have you ever had a life-changing conversation?
Diego received a coffee and sandwich from a stranger who stopped to listen to his story. He found love in a hopeless world through the ear of a stranger. Sometimes we just need someone to listen to us. When was the last time you were shown empathy?
Mai stopped, took a seat on the bench, and opened her Bible. She began to read, and as she read, she heard a voice inside give her the answer that she needed. Have you ever had a conversation with God?
God Is Love
The tears flow and flow as I think about all the people in America who are dealing with racism every day. I pray for the people in Europe who are in the midst of a war that doesn't seem to want to end. Poverty in Asia. Hunger in Africa. Climate change in Antarctica. And these are only some of the things that humankind is facing from day to day.
From lack of political freedom in South America and the economic conditions in Australia to the religious complex we face here in North America, Coltrane’s sax plays: “Help us resolve our fears and weaknesses. In You, all things are possible. Thank you, God.”
How do you find love in a hopeless world? I once read somewhere, “Seek the Lord where He may be found; call upon Him while He is near.” I also read, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things will be added to you.” In these two Bible verses, you will find the key.
Why? Because anger shouldn't be the new normal. Because God is love in a hopeless world. Thank you, God. Amen.
BIO:
Tarrent-Arthur Henry is an ordinary man doing extraordinary things for the Kingdom of GOD.
GET CONNECTED:
Website: www.authurhenry.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/tarrentarthur.henry.1
Instagram: www.instagram.com/tarrentman
Twitter: www.twitter.com/TarrentH
THE CHRISTIAN AUTHORS NETWORK SPEAK UP COMPETITION:
The Speak Up Competition, sponsored by the Christian Authors Network, is a powerful source of hope and light for people all over the world. This year’s theme, “Expect the Impossible,” is a reminder that no matter how dark our situations may look, we always have hope because we know that all things are possible with God! The inspirational messages featured in this series are from the round two finalists. Stay tuned for updates as the competition progresses, and please pray with us that God will use this competition to bless and encourage His people. We know that the speak up community has the power to make a difference in this world, and we can’t wait to see what God does through us!