There is a Brighter Side to Every Dark Side of Life
Copyright 2019 by Dr. E. E. Mitchell, Jr.
ISBN: 978-1-950034-16-1 (Paperback)
ISBN: 978-1-950034-40-6 (eBook)
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
For permission requests, write to the publisher at the address below.
Yorkshire Publishing
4613 E. 91st St.
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74137
www.YorkshirePublishing.com
918.394.2665
INTRODUCTION
L ife is a divine and precious gift from God and we are to live it to our fullest. The gift of life from the beginning to the end is the most precious gift that God has ever given to humanity.
In respect to our existence, God gave us this life but in a broader view this life still belongs to God. We have the freedom to choose the paths that we undertake in this life. When we choose the wrong paths, life can become complicated, confusing and frustrating but there are always U-turns and Exit signs in life as it is on regular traveled roads to get back on the right road.
God had a plan for humanity even from the beginning of creation when He made man in his own image and removed a rib from his side and made a woman. In realization, it was never part of Gods plan for an individual neither to take their own life nor to have someone else to end their life for them under no circumstance. Every breath that we breathe and every awakening day is orchestrated by God. The beauty and the sacredness of life are beyond the complete understanding of humanity. The difficulties of life can sometimes cause a person to wonder if life is really worth living and without any hesitation the answer is an astounding YES, life is always worth living.
Our destiny is not in our hands but in the hands of the Almighty God. When we look at the beautiful sky, the oceans, the trees, the rivers, and even the high mountains, it is obvious that someone greater than us is responsible for these creations. I am hoping that whosoever reads this book that it will give you hope and a focus of assurance that there is always a brighter side to life. Even with the sophistication and modernization of electronics and computerized ways of doing things have simplified and made things easier in every avenue of life, however the basis of our existence still lies within the everlasting hands of God.
Life can sometimes render some hard knockout blows but we can get back up again and put out best foot forward in a brand new day. Depression, disappointments, failure, setbacks, demotions, peer pressure, divorces and lack of confidence are just a few things that come as roadblocks and deterrents that might cause one to wonder if life is worth living. Life is always worth living regardless of what happens in our lives.
As I viewed the escalating statistical status of suicide rates I became very concerned and wanted to somehow communicate to the world and make an effort in decreasing or turning this epidemic of suicide completely around. I had an idea that if the word suicide was spelled backward what would the meaning resonate. If suicide is to end your own life, edicius (suicide spelled backward) means to bring yourself back from death. The name represents relentlessness, coming back for more, even after death. In view of this concept, the books title is germane to the essence of life being a gift from God.
I want to thank my wife and African Queen, Delphine, who has always been a strong supporter of my ministry and for her loving companionship for over forty years. Our beautiful daughter and Princess, Nishila is the gift that the Lord gave us to cherish forever and our son-in law, Victor Garcia, Sr. the son that we never had, and our wonderful grandsons, V.J. and Omari Eustice, my little heartstrings. I want to thank my father, Pastor E. E. Mitchell, Sr. who is deceased but he left behind golden nuggets of wisdom that will last for a life-time. My dear Mother, Mrs. Gussie M. Mitchell, who exemplifies Gods strength, beauty and great motherhood. I am truly blessed by my siblings who are very special in my life and we embrace one another with a strong grip of family love. I dedicate this book in honor of my brother, Larry Mitchell, who by investigative sources committed suicide at an early age, however this is very questionable. I want to thank each of the churches that God has allowed and entrusted me to be the Pastor: Unity Baptist Church, of Petersburg, VA, New Beginning Faith Community Baptist Church, Wakefield, VA (Founder), Gilfield Baptist Church, Ivor, VA and Friendship Baptist Church, Bamberg, Germany. Thanks to everyone who encouraged me as I was going through the process of writing this book.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
D r. E. E. Mitchell, Jr was born the seventh of thirteen children to the late Pastor E. E. Mitchell, Sr. and Mrs. Gussie M. Mitchell of Bainbridge, GA. He graduated from the Hutto Elementary and High School of Bainbridge, GA. Upon graduating from high school in the year of 1969, he began his studies at the Savannah State College University with a major in Business Administration. After two years, he decided to come out of school to work and save his money to pay his way through school. In the process, he married his high school sweet-heart, the former Delphine Alexander. He joined the U.S. Army in 1975 and retired honorably as Master Sergeant (E-8) after serving twenty-one years. They were blessed with a beautiful daughter named Nishila whom they cherish and are grateful unto God.
Before retiring from the U. S. Army in 1996, Dr. Mitchell received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Southern Illinois University of Carbondale, IL with a major in Workforce Education. He further pursued his education by attending the renowned Virginia Union University of Richmond, VA to receive his Master of Divinity Degree. He also completed his doctorate studies at the Midwest Biblical College of Illinois.
He was raised in a Christian home and accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior at the age of ten and joined the Mount Zumma Missionary Baptist Church of Bainbridge, GA where his father was the pastor. He was an active member in the church as a choir member, usher and Junior Sunday school teacher. He had a progressive Christian journey since leaving his hometown, Bainbridge. While serving in the military, he and his wife had several assignments overseas.
It was in Bamberg, Germany where he became an ordained Deacon at Friendship Baptist Church of Bamberg, Germany where Pastor Joshua Joubert was the Under-shepherd. Later, Dr. Mitchell accepted his call in the ministry to preach the Gospel. Within a few years, Dr. Mitchell was ordained in the ministry by Chaplain James E. Walker to become the Pastor of Friendship Baptist church. Thereafter, Chaplain Walker was reassigned back to the United states to continue his military duties.
Dr. Mitchells career has led him from the tobacco and cotton fields of Georgia to the military and through the halls of various universities to attain his doctorate degree. He is currently the pastor of the Unity Baptist Church of Petersburg, VA. His main passion in this life is to help somebody along the way. He is genuinely concerned about the well-being and the welfare of others. His dissertation was titled: Overcoming the dilemma of suicide. He is determined to pursue the path of helping those who are in need and to encourage those who has come to a point in life of just giving up.
