Tina Marie Ray Releases Captivating “America’s Moral Compass: The Beginning of Sorrows?”
Tina lives with her husband, Gary, for 34 years in Cecil County. Tina attends Porters Grove Baptist Church in Conowingo, Maryland. Pastor Steve Dixon Jr. is the pastor. The church has many ministries to help neighboring areas such as Corners of the Field (food pantry), yarning for heaven (crocheting group for local pregnancy center and the homeless), Set Apart (women’s bible study group), In the Shadows (helping widows in the area with maintenance type of jobs) a bus ministry, supporting missionaries and most recently Carolina Bible College which offers courses through the college at the church. Tina and Gary can often be found in local churches playing and singing bluegrass gospel music and other venues of music, fellowshipping with Christian friends. This is Tina’s second novel. Her love for writing the truth shines in her life as she brings the good news of the gospel to willing hearts and lives. The best decision you will ever make is to follow Jesus. He is the way, the truth, and the life. Won’t you trust Him and be assured of eternal life? His mercies are new every morning. He is full of grace and truth. Jesus initiates and completes the work of faith within us as believers.
Hebrews 12:2 “ Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Tell us about your writing career and the genres you cover.
My writing career spans over 25 years, from writing poetry, short stories, and moving to research, to writing novels. Christian writing is at the heart of what I do. I love expressing myself through heartfelt prose. I wrote a poem and entered it in a contest. The poem “ Eye of the Beholder” won the poem of the year and was featured in Dappled Sunlight. The poem expresses God’s love as unconditional love for his creation. I have written for ladies’ groups, church socials, and celebration of life events. I have two books entitled “ Open Heart Poetry I and II which have been shared in Sunday school and at an Inspirational Women’s ministry. I was blessed to be the president of that ministry until COVID-19 came on the scene and changed things. My next venture was writing and publishing my first novel, entitled “Crossing Enemy Lines One Nation under God,” which is a blend of fiction and non-fiction. Stories from the front lines of a nation at war and the quest for freedom that our heroes (men and women who help to preserve our freedom). I wrote fictional stories that were so closely related to the service men and women I interviewed that the novel gained five-star status and continues to. My most recent novel, entitled “ America’s Moral Compass The Beginning of Sorrows,” has held five-star status since its book launch. The book has been featured on such venues as The Spotlight Network with Logan Crawford and was recently featured on my first podcast on Global Book Network with Flobo Boyce. The interviews are available on YouTube. Press releases are available on iHeartRadio, Spotify, and other networks( to name a few).
What led you to write your latest book, “America’s Moral Compass: The Beginning of Sorrows?”
The changes that the “invisible enemy” Covid-19 brought to our world led to researching what God’s word says about the direction our world was heading. (unfortunately, south) Looking at our God-given rights (freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and how far we have strayed from our morals). In my opinion, the world has never been more politically and religiously divided. Changes that have had a long-lasting effect were when there were virtual classrooms in our homes. Children were failing due to virtual online academic schedules. (no structure, lack of supervision, and too much time to do idle things instead of class participation and socialization). Businesses are closing their doors. Births, funerals, graduations, and other life events were very different from the norm; many people gave birth, and many died alone due to social distancing and wearing masks and staying six feet apart. Due to the severity of COVID-19, losing friends and family members during this pandemic was heartbreaking. I wanted to show the world’s view versus God’s view. By researching timelines and watching the chaos unfolding, I knew that the bible was the answer to our “invisible enemy.
America’s Moral Compass: The Beginning of Sorrows by Tina M. Ray is a deeply reflective and heartfelt exploration of America’s societal, spiritual, and moral trajectory. Drawing on biblical scripture, historical analysis, and cultural commentary, the book seamlessly weaves non-fiction elements with fictional allegories to create a compelling and thought-provoking narrative. It challenges readers to confront pressing issues such as moral decline, spiritual apathy, and societal division, while offering a Christ-centered perspective on redemption, renewal, and revival.
The book shines in its ability to blend biblical scripture with historical and cultural insights, offering a fresh perspective on timely and polarizing issues in today’s world. The author’s passionate and authentic voice draws readers into meaningful discussions about morality and faith. Rich scriptural references provide depth and authenticity, while the inspirational call to repentance and revival uplifts and motivates faith-based audiences. However, the book occasionally leans heavily on dense theological exposition, which may overwhelm casual readers, and it could face challenges connecting with those unfamiliar with Christian theology.
How did writing your book prompt your reflection on biblical prophecies?
As a born-again believer, I have read and studied scripture and begun researching biblical prophecy and God’s timeline of upcoming events before Jesus returns. Chapter ten, Signs of the Times, signifies the world’s current events that are happening and have happened. In our ever-changing world, we see a society in which wrong is considered right, and right is considered wrong. Our moral compass is broken, and we must get back to trusting and obeying the only way, the truth, and the life, and that is Jesus Christ. Until we turn from our evil ways and turn back to God, evil will continue to be present in our world, causing chaos and unrest. Jesus Christ is the only answer for peace. Chapter Eleven: Beginning of Sorrow (a Time of Jacob’s Trouble) signifies a time in which the world is in total chaos. It is a time never seen before in our history. The phrase “ the time of Jacob’s trouble” comes from Jeremiah 30:7, which says, “Alas! For that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.” There will be famine and destruction as never before. The time of Jacob’s trouble demonstrates that God is faithful in keeping His promises, judging sin, and saving those who trust in Christ. As the time of Christ’s return draws near, Satan will direct his wrath not only toward faithful Christians but toward the physical descendants of all Israel.
Take us through America’s Moral Compass and what questions it asks readers.
Digging deep into America’s Moral Compass, The Beginning of Sorrows, chapter one In God We Trust (sands of time), this chapter gives us an urgent message that the sands of time demand our immediate attention to the evil on the forefront (lawlessness and godlessness). The bible reads that our days are numbered and we must give an account of our lives and be judged for our deeds when we pass from this life unto eternity. (heaven or hell). Our life is but a vapor, quickly it is over, and we must choose where we will spend eternity. If you are saved, it will be paradise; if you are not saved, the other place is a place of eternal damnation. It is not too late to choose Jesus and be written in the Lamb’s book of life. Take the Romans’ road chapter 10: 9-10 KJV 9) That is thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Pg. 196 asks the most important question: Are you ready? Are your lamps trimmed and bright? Do you know the bible says that Jesus will come as a thief in the night? Are you washed by the blood of the lamb? Is your name written in Lamb’s book of life? He is coming back to meet his bride. Make ready for his return and be saved before it is eternally too late.
Share some of the meaningful discussions in your book.
Chapter seventeen Alpha and Omega “ The Beginning and End” In John 1:1-3 reads 1) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2) The same was in the beginning with God. 3) All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. The characteristics of Jesus (what his name represents: majesty and power and might). “ King of Kings, Lord of Lords. His eternal nature, his creation, and his sustaining of the world and universe. Chapter eighteen: A legacy of Truth is falling in love with his character and majesty. Jesus: The Name above all Names. Walking in spirit and truth (God calls us to walk in spirit and in truth). What legacy are we leaving behind for others to follow? Do we live to bless others and show the love of our Savior? If not, we should.
In your view, what is the root cause for the moral decline in America?
In my view, the root cause of moral decline in America is the deviation from our morals, values, and ethics. We have young adults and children who think they are entitled to treat others with disrespect because it is a societal norm. Evil is running rampant in our world (random acts of violence, murder, and a hate culture have been at the forefront). When prayer was taken out of schools and the Ten Commandments out of our courts, chaos became more prevalent in our world. Our children are being taught immoral ideologies that are damaging to young, impressionable minds. (sexual orientation; gender confusion). Critical race theory, CRT, is a framework for understanding how race and racism have shaped legal systems and societal structures. Childhood should be a time for fun and innocence, not for confusion. We live in a sin-sick world. God help us is my prayer for America.
What is your hope for your book?
The hope for my book is that anyone looking to reflect, renew, or restore their faith in Jesus will challenge what they have read to be in alignment with God’s word by reading and applying scripture to make a change. I hope that anyone who is concerned about the direction America is headed in will share my book with pastors, church leaders, teachers, universities, and colleges. I hope my book reaches believers as well as unbelievers; that its pages may illuminate the truth to shine in hearts and lives. That God’s truth will be revealed through what he has written on my heart. At present, my updated press release has been distributed to 200 news stations across the USA. It is in Canada and Australia. My book is global, reaching across the USA.
Where do we go from here?
I am currently working on my next novel entitled: “America Judged Sin and Destruction Has Taken Its Stand. I have the Table of Contents, Subtitles, verse, and scriptures, and just recently helped to design a book cover. This book will represent the times ahead as spoken in the bible. The chaos and destruction that take place when the world’s current events continue to unfold.
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