Böcker av Zachary Wayne Lavender

What does it mean to be restless? Restless is unwilling or unable to stay still or to be quiet and calm. Never at rest; unceasingly agitated as in a "restless sea." Restless describes what happens when our tongue is consistently out of control and no restraints are present and practiced. It cannot be quiet or remain still and calm. Other translations describe the tongue as "unruly." The book of James also known as "James the Just" is probably the oldest book of the New Testament. This book was written for Jewish Christians scattered among all the nations (James 1:1). James was writing to a community of believers to encourage them to continue maturing and growing in their new Christian faith. One area that their new Christian faith demanded of them, was the use of their tongue and the importance of their words. "A Restless Evil" challenges the reader to begin taking inventory of their tongue. James wants us to know that our words are not just sound waves floating caused by air traveling through our larynx. Our words have power! Our words are so powerful, that the Bible announces they can cause "life or death" (Proverbs 19:14). The power of our tongue can destroy another person's spirit, in many ways. Mentally, spiritually, and in some cases physically. A judge or jury's verdict can cause someone's life to travel a path they never imagined. A weather reporter can predict the degree of weather we can experience by his words. God spoke the world into existence by the power of His words (Genesis 1:3-29). "A Restless Evil" will convict, captivate, and catapult you into another dimension of discovering that your tongue is a "restless evil" full of venomous poison, that cannot be tamed in your "own strength." sanctuaryofrefuge.org

When we speak or hear the word "worship" we immediately relate the word to spiritual, religious, or Biblical connotations. We would be correct. The Bible is the only foundational teaching that gives us proof, truth, understanding, revelation, and knowledge regarding worship. For many years I thought I knew the meaning of worship. I even thought I had all the answers and why God created worship. It wasn't until COVID-19 invaded the earth, I began to understand that God wants us to worship Him according to His Word and not man's word! An Audience of One is a book, given to me by the Holy Spirit to have us exhaustively examine our worship toward Him. I was seven years old when my parents introduced me to the church and worship. I am fifty-nine years old and there are times I don't understand worship nor do I understand what God desires of my worship. When I walked away from man's opinions, ideas, and interpretations of what we call worship, I was able to understand that God wants us to worship Him according to His Spirit and His Truth! We're living in evil, uncertain, and perilous times. Diseases, famines, devastations, and all sorts of destructions are plaguing the earth. God is speaking and we're not listening nor are we responding. This is all due to our lack, deficient, incorrect, and unbiblical "worship." We can no longer afford to execute worship according to our opinions. There's a book filled with God's desires concerning how we must worship Him. It's time we open it, read it, study it, and apply it, the way God commands. In Spirit and in Truth! Born in Monroe, Louisiana and after migrating to Chicago, Illinois, Zachary began his musical journey at the tender age of ten. Zachary's training was provided by some of Chicago's finest in the disciplines of choral, church, and vocal music. He has had extensive training in voice pedagogy at Roosevelt University's Chicago Musical College under the guidance of Robert Long and Ruth Ann Bishop. Currently, Zachary is the President and CEO of Sanctuary of Refuge and Set Apart, Fresh Start founded in 2018. This organization and support ministry works with individuals who desire to be set free of homosexuality and live according to God's holy Word. As a self-publisher, Zachary has leveraged his work across the country into music departments of various sizes and chorus makeup. He is also the author of "Victim of Circumstance," published in June 2018, and his latest publication, "In 5 Days which describes his journey of dialysis and the path to his kidney transplantation.

Have you ever been given information that changed how you interpret life? Have you ever been given information that was so detrimental it detoured your dreams, desires, and destiny? Have you ever been given information that made you question your spirituality? Your life, your dreams, your desires, your destiny, and your spirituality has been challenged. How do you deal with this, and how do you handle what's been given to you? The book, "In 5 Days", Zachary Wayne Lavender allows you to step into his world of eight years and five months of hemodialysis treatments, kidney transplant, and the mighty power of God's grace and strength that covered and protected him on this journey. Zachary opens his heart, mind, and soul and shares his experience of a realm that many are fearful, frighten, and fainthearted. His openness and candid spirit will keep the reader's engaged, from cover to cover. Mr. Lavender, musician, composer, teacher, and author teaches choral and vocal music throughout Chicago and the surrounding areas.