GRIEF THROUGH HIS EYES MEDIA COVERAGE: Norfolk Virginia’s Raymond Colston hears from God, produces his third authorship project

Andre Johnson May 27, 2022 5 min read

I have told you these things, so that in Me, you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (John 16:33 NIV)

WHEN GOD STEERS

**MAKING SENSE OF IT ALL —** In the wake of his father’s death, Norfolk, Virginia writer Raymond Colston essentially would find some sense of precision, courtesy of Grief Through His Eyes: Seeing Grief From His Point Of View, Virginia Beach visionary author Deborah Juniper-Frye’s highly-anticipated, Amazon Bestselling anthology that is accompanied by a number of life-altering stories by her male counterparts.

In this season of his life, Raymond Colston is determined to view things from God’s perspective.

Even if it means dropping what he’s doing and falling to his knees.

Not too long ago, Colston found himself in that very position, a position during which a divine act of surrenderance had transpired.

As Colston recalls, he subsequently commenced to petitioning God’s throne unlike never before for some much-needed sense of direction.

“While I was praying one day for focus and a clear vision,” Colston, during a weekend interview with Making Headline News, said, when asked when God instilled within him a strategic vision to share his life-changing testimony. “God spoke to me about venting about my father’s passing and what I went through afterwards.”

BUY COLSTON’S BOOKS: https://www.coachrayinspires.com/shop

**THREE AND COUNTING —** *Colston’s third authorship project to date, the Norfolk, Virginia-based writer wrote from the subject: “Achieving Purpose Through Pain.”*

To his credit, Colston essentially would find some sense of precision, courtesy of Grief Through His Eyes: Seeing Grief From His Point Of View, Virginia visionary author Deborah Juniper-Frye’s highly-anticipated, Amazon Bestselling anthology that is accompanied by a number of life-altering stories by her male counterparts.

Colston’s third authorship project to date, the Norfolk, Virginia-based writer wrote from the subject: “Achieving Purpose Through Pain.”

Now we know why.

“(I’m aiming) to help the next generation understand the right way to grieve,” Colston explains. “For too long, many young men have been taught to shake things off and move on without properly grieving. This creates a ripple effect, mentally, which eventually manifests itself in a variety of ways.”

**VISION FULFILLED —** “The amazing thing about this project is that all of the collaborating authors will be men,” Juniper-Frye told Making Headline News during an April 2022 interview. “God gave me this vision to write this book in 2020, and I put it high up on the shelf because I did not think I was qualified to take on such a project.”

Suitably known as “Coach Ray,” this Norfolk native is a certified life coach who specializes in youth development, particularly as the mastermind behind Coach Ray Inspires, his youth empowerment practice.

Through his featured endeavor, Colston has become a fixture for providing a wide range of tools, strategies, and support for the youth. This is done mostly by working with what he appropriately describes as the “four most important factors” in their lives: teachers, parents, community, and self-confidence.

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**THE REASON WHY —** “(My divine message is) that despite the pain we endure from loss, there is always a way to recover and achieve your God-designed purpose,” Colston said. “Don’t allow the pain to fester. Go through your process and don’t let anyone tell you differently.”

Armed with more than a decade-and-a-half of experience in the education sector, Colston is an accomplished football coach who kicked off his authorship debut in 2018 with the release of Cheat Codes For Student Athletes.

The following year, Colston produced his sophomore written work when he composed Own It: Student Athletes And Accountability.

Other books, he said, are forthcoming, although a timetable for releases has yet to be determined.

“Yes, I’m working on one right now to help current and future educators learn strategies, which will enhance their positive relationship capabilities in the classroom,” Colston said.

**PUT ME IN, COACH —** Suitably known as “Coach Ray,” this Norfolk native is a certified life coach who specializes in youth development, particularly as the mastermind behind Coach Ray Inspires, his youth empowerment practice.

As for his collaborative efforts to Grief Through His Eyes: Seeing Grief From His Point Of View, Colston deemed it foregone conclusion to join Frye’s nationally-acclaimed anthology.

“I began writing my chapter about two weeks after the initial meeting,” Colston said. “(And I finished my chapter) about two weeks prior to the closing date, ironically.”

For Colston, his latest authorship milestone was time well spent, given the outpour of favorable feedback and well-wishes he’s inherited of late.

“(My divine message is) that despite the pain we endure from loss, there is always a way to recover and achieve your God-designed purpose,” Colston said. “Don’t allow the pain to fester. Go through your process and don’t let anyone tell you differently.”

Talk about diligently viewing things from God’s perspective.

Now we know why.

**PRAYER STILL WORKS —** “While I was praying one day for focus and a clear vision,” Colston, during a weekend interview with Making Headline News, said, when asked when God instilled within him a strategic vision to share his life-changing testimony. “God spoke to me about venting about my father’s passing and what I went through afterwards.”

For more information about Norfolk, Virginia Author Raymond Colston, to order his books, or to schedule him for a public appearance or book signing, call 757.450.0234 or connect with him via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coachrayinspires; Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lstokes44/?hl=en; Twitter: https://twitter.com/coachrayinspire; Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachrayinspires/. Also, send email to: CoachRayinspires@gmail.com.

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Andre Johnson is the award-winning Founder and Publisher for Making Headline News. A 2000 graduate of the University of Memphis School of Journalism and a former staff reporter of sports for the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper, Johnson covers the NBA Southwest Division from Dallas, Texas. To reach Johnson, send email to makingheadlinenews@gmail.com or to memphisgraduate@yahoo.com. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist or Instagram at @makingheadlinenews.