The Conservative Christian Reader

Standing for Truth at the Caucus

Blog #18 – Standing for Truth at the Caucus

By Sandy Holden[1]

A number of the sermons at our church (Foothills Bible Church) this spring have related to an experience that I had early in February.  As we stand for the truth, sometimes we are put in unusual situations.

I have attended our local caucus the last six years or so.  But, this year, it was impressed on my heart that it was time to prepare differently for the evening as I might have to testify about why we as Christian believers should not vote for someone of the Mormon faith.  To compound the problem, I was also supporting Newt Gingrich.  I left the house prepared, hoping for the best, and hoping that I would not be called upon.

The room was full of people that had not attended past caucuses.  The leader asked for someone to stand to defend Mitt Romney.  A man immediately stood and supported him.  By the end of the evening this man had been elected our delegate.  He shook hands with people at the door as they left.  It seemed obvious that he is of the Mormon faith.

Then, she asked for someone to stand to defend Rick Santorum.  A man of prominence that has run in the Presidential race in the past stood and did a lovely job of that.  He and his wife live in a nearby neighborhood.

Then, the question came “Is anyone willing to defend Newt Gingrich?”  No one else raised their hand, and I was prompted.  I took my notes and stood there shaking, noting that I would like nothing better than to be able to support Senator Santorum for the godly man that he is, but that I believe this is one time in the history of our nation when we need a Washington insider to be able to undo all that President Obama has done; to include, health care, increased debt, czars, etc.  And, that we need someone who can actually get around the Washington gridlock in order to make these changes.

Then, I noted that I do not believe Governor Romney will be able to win against President Obama, so voting for him could be a wasted vote.  I believe this for two reasons:  1) because he would not be able to debate him, but more importantly, 2) because he wouldn’t get the votes to win the election due to spiritual issues.  A woman from the front raised her hand and wanted to know, “What about the spiritual issues?”  So, I said that while the Mormons are very nice people, they are works-oriented and not Christians.  That means that many in our nation concerned with theological issues would not be able to vote for him.  She wanted more clarification.  So, I said that I had brought a list of differences separating them from the Christian faith from their own theological writings, but that “It’s all about Jesus, and their view of Him.”

I closed by saying that we need to look at the bigger picture and realize that for those concerned with theological ramifications, there is no difference between voting for a Muslim and a Mormon.  And, that I know people who would not cast a vote if that is their choice.  I heard some gasp at that statement and then a hush went over the room.

Upon sitting down, another woman from the front of the room announced that she is a born-again Christian and cannot even think of voting for someone as despicable and immoral as Newt Gingrich.  I was shaking so bad at that point that I did not respond that I believe we should take Speaker Gingrich at his word that he has been forgiven by God and his family for his past, that he is a changed man, and therefore, there are no Biblical concerns against voting for him.

Anyway, by that time everyone in the room hated me for what I had said.  I was sad that my views were seen as politically-incorrect bigotry rather than standing for truth and concern for unsaved souls.  I know that this clumsy defense of Jesus was not of my doing, but because He drew me to this place.  My hope is that someone left that room on a quest to find out the truth about their faith as it compares to the truth about Jesus, the Incarnate God.  Not a god among gods, but the Creator God.  Not the brother of satan, but the Creator of all angels, including those that are fallen.

The truth:

Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.’

It is doubtful that my appeal to them made much difference.  My real solace for the evening was that I stood for Jesus through obedience.  When the words “It’s all about Jesus” came out of my mouth, I thought, “Woo hoo!”  And, it didn’t matter what anyone in the room thought.  I had stood for truth and my Lord.

 

 

 

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[1] Sandra K. Holden has her Bachelor of Biblical Studies in Pastoral Ministry Degree and is currently pursuing her Master of Christian Studies in Biblical Counseling Degree with IABC Certification from Master’s International School of Divinity.

Don't Look Back

Don’t Look Back

By Sandy Holden[1]

My brother-in-law, Clint Holden, sings a beautiful song entitled “Don’t Look Back.” It’s about Lot’s wife turning into a pillar of salt.

Lot’s wife disobeyed God by looking back. She held on to useless things as the Lord’s angels led her and her family by the hands to safety. I think this bears repeating. Angels! Angels are leading her and her family by the hands and she still looks back.

The two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. . . When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the Lord was merciful to them. As soon as they had brought them out, one of them said, “Flee for your lives! Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!”. . . But lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. Genesis 19

I suspect that there are several reasons why she did this; maybe fear, pride, worry, lack of trust, worldliness, or blame. But, disobedience is the result. All of these attributes are sin.

Lot also had his problems as we see that he hesitated initially, prompting the angels to grasp their hands to lead them out of the city. So, while they had been living in a sinful environment, they had become blind to the evil and now at this crucial time, it was their choice. Lot also argued with the angels about their destination and concessions were made to him. It is clear that their relationships with the Lord were not what they should be. And yet, “the Lord was merciful to them.”

How often do we as Christian women choose the safety of what we know rather than trusting God with the uncertainty of change in our lives? How often do we harbor memories of disappointment that keep our family members, our friends, our selves, and even the Lord in boxes to protect ourselves, so that changes are not made that we so desperately want and hope for? How often do we focus on the temporal things of life rather than on the Lord God Almighty? We block the progress that we and our families might make, while all the while, our Jesus is right here indwelling us in the person of the Holy Spirit, as He intercedes for us, His saints, in accordance with God’s will.

There were no godly men for her daughters in this evil city that they were fleeing. So, she held back the wonderful progress that her family would have made had she only trusted God, the one who “was merciful to them.” This story might have ended with a wonderful family including grandchildren had she lived in obedience. But instead, her sin and self-destruction ended her life on earth, and led the way for her daughters to also sin by not trusting the Lord. What a sad commentary!

We are called to lose our life for the Lord, just as He gave His life for us.

Remember Lot’s wife! Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. Luke 17:32-33

As we who believe lose our life, we really gain the life that counts and it is the life that we want.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

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[1] Sandra K. Holden has her Bachelor of Biblical Studies in Pastoral Ministry Degree and is currently pursuing her Master of Christian Studies in Biblical Counseling Degree with IABC Certification from Master’s International School of Divinity.

The Christian & Politics

The Christian & Politics

By Sandy Holden[1]

I was interested this past week to hear Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speak of the freedoms that the nation of Israel and the United States of America have in common. These freedoms are rare and even non-existent for most of the nations of the world. I could not help but be drawn to the many spiritual connections between these two nations. Both would honor the following verse from the Torah and the Bible.

The Lord sets prisoners free, the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous . . . The Lord reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the Lord. Psalm 146:7b-10

Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke almost reverently about America’s founding documents. The United States has indeed been blessed with freedom. Her founding documents include statements that acknowledge and honor our Christian heritage and its accompanying freedom. Some of these statements are as follows:

The Declaration of Independence: When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. . .

We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

The Constitution of the United States: We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Many have sacrificed much, even their very lives, in support of these profound statements within these profound documents.

Over the years not everything has gone well. Significant areas of sin in our historical past and present are:

• Slavery - The people of our nation suffered tremendously before, during, and after the Civil War in the fight to end slavery. Then, the Civil Rights Movement brought further necessary reforms.
• Women’s suffrage – Women were denied the right to vote until an amendment to the Constitution was passed. This Nineteenth Amendment prohibits any United States citizen to be denied the right to vote based on gender. Introduced in 1878, it was submitted to the states for ratification in 1919 and ratified in 1920.
• Humanistic psychology – This is the element of psychology that is diametrically opposed to theology. This anti-God thinking has become pervasive in American society. The subtleties are evident on a daily basis. While it began in the 1800’s, the push to remove God from our society gained momentum during the 1900’s.
• Abortion - This is one of the results of humanistic psychology. Self has become all important even to the point of mothers legally killing their babies as a means of birth control. And, oh the heartache that many of them bear later. It is a grievous situation, indeed.

It is noticeably significant that three of the points listed are discriminatory against entire people groups. While we cannot go back and change the past, we can work from where we are to change the future. Why should we do this when the Scriptures say that we are to be subject to rulers and authorities?

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men. Titus 3:1-2

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 1 Peter 2:13-14

We fervently pray and fast and trust God that all will come together in His perfect will just as He has planned. And, of course, we know that this will be the case. But, we also see in Revelation that churches will be judged. Then, we read that nations will be judged.

Let the nations be roused; let them advance into the Valley of Jehoshaphat, for there I will sit to judge all the nations on every side. Joel 3:12

But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. Matthew 12:36

God cares about the careless word that is spoken. God cares about the churches that let their eyes wander away from Jesus. God cares about babies that are being needlessly murdered. And, God will judge our nation for this sin.

Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. 1 Peter 2:16

We quite often hear that people are calling for the end of tax-payer funded abortions. But, I do not believe this will let us off the hook in the final roll call. The issue is legalization of abortion. It was unlawful for the majority of this nation’s history, is unlawful in God’s economy, and should be restored to unlawful status.

Our Lord has not called me into the profession of politics. And, while politics will never replace or even be able to compete with the spiritual disciplines in my life, I’m making an effort to know more about the candidates and political issues as I take my role as a Christian and citizen more seriously. It is the issue of abortion that has clarified my understanding of the Christian and Politics. The sin of our day should not be ignored.

Peter and the other apostles replied: ‘We must obey God rather than men!’ Acts 5:29

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27

These babies are orphans in the truest sense.

Just as Christians were involved in the abolition of slavery through helping dedicated women like Harriet Tubman with the Underground Railroad, we can be in the abolishment of abortion. As our history has proven, it takes time, effort, and dedication to change minds about discrimination. I often hear about the “woman’s right to choose” and wonder how we came to a place that justifies a right to kill. This could only happen with anti-God thinking that does not value God’s creation of human life. The real choice is for us as Christian women to carry the burden for the unborn through our faith, our prayer life, our witness, and our vote. We do not have to be running for political office to make this commitment. Thankfully, God is in control and, by His grace as we are used as His vessels, we can jointly make a difference.

But, let us do this with wisdom and gentleness as unto the Lord. And, with the hope that we might share our precious Savior with those who have yet to believe.

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Philippians 4:5

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:5-6

 

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[1] Sandra K. Holden has her Bachelor of Biblical Studies in Pastoral Ministry Degree and is currently pursuing her Master of Christian Studies in Biblical Counseling Degree with IABC Certification from Master’s International School of Divinity.

A Call for Change – Part Two By Sandy Holden

A Call for Change – Part Two

By Sandy Holden[1]

Portions of the following concepts were obtained from study of The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges, The Walk of Repentance by Steve Gallagher, and lectures by Jeff Colon of Pure Life Ministries.

Just as we receive a call to repentance that leads to a changed life in the salvation process, there is another call for change.  We also receive a call to live in repentance.  The Bible tells of two kings that sinned against God.  One chose to love himself more than God and lost all fellowship with God.  The other acknowledged his sin against God and humbled himself before the Lord and was forgiven. 

King Saul loved and cherished his sin.  What a hideous thing!  Like King Saul, we can deceive ourselves by reforming some actions without repenting in our hearts.  Disobedience in one area of life increases the likelihood of disobedience in other areas.  We tend to rank our sin and work on the areas that we find most offensive, while all sin is equal in the eyes of God.  So, if we’re struggling to overcome what we consider a “big” sin, but continue to drive 15 mph over the speed limit, our progress may well be hindered.  He has provided instructions for us in honoring civil laws provided by our governing system just as well as moral laws provided by His Word.  A turning away generally means leaving the source or environment.  While there are some situations that cannot be changed, most can.  Being obedient and diligent is critical in turning away from sin.

King David, on the other hand, committed horrible sin; to include adultery and murder involving his commander, Uriah, and his wife, Bathsheba.  But, his repentance was sincere and accepted by God.  David faced the truth and accepted full responsibility for his sin.  He was humbled and broken before the Lord.  There were consequences for his sin, but he was reconciled to his Lord.  He was able to write:

If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer.  Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!  Psalm 66:19-20

Just as King Saul and King David were called to live in repentance, we are as well.  We can choose to keep ourselves on the throne or humbly allow our precious Savior to reign in our lives.  God sees the heart as it truly is. 

We are made holy by the grace of God.  But, many question their ability to live in holiness, with the belief that sinning is part of the Christian life and that God doesn’t expect obedience because He knows they will fail.  This belief interferes with determination to live in obedience to God, and it is false.

We must be willing to live morally blameless and to die to the sin which reigns within our heart.  This requires making a choice to resist sin and to break old habits that come from the desires within the heart.  Discipline is required if we are going to have the resolve to overcome our desires and live a life of moral purity according to God’s standard of holiness.  

This means coming to the Word of God in all humility and contrition as we openly understand the corruption in our own heart and our need for the Holy Spirit’s work therein.  We must become convicted of areas of sin in our life and address those through obedience to God’s Word.  This is done by fixing our mind on the commands of God.  His Word must become the dominant influence within our thoughts, attitudes, and actions. 

Change comes through meditation on and memorization of God’s Word.  As His Word becomes the dominant influence in our own heart, then it can be applied to our daily life.

While it is possible and our objective to live in holiness, when sin happens, it must be dealt with sincerely, as God’s truth is revealed to us.  We must consistently watch for His nudging to turn around and go the other way.  But, when we fail, we must repent and get right back up and keep going.  We do this better as we train ourselves to listen for God’s voice.  He’ll faithfully show us the truth.  Our responsibility is to guard the truth He has shown us.

But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.  John 3:21

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[1] Sandra K. Holden is pursuing her Master of Arts in Christian Studies degree with a major in Biblical Counseling with IABC Certification from Master’s International School of Divinity.

A Call for Change By Sandy Holden

A Call for Change

By Sandy Holden[1]

We are a people that love comfort.  It is to what we have become accustomed.  Having comfort was not common throughout history past, it is not common for many in our world now, and it is likely that it will not be common in the future.

However, the biblical message is not generally one of comfort.  The prophets did not forecast calm, but storm.  They did not say that “All is well in the world.”  In fact, Jesus would not have needed to come as our Savior if all had been right in the world.  The prophets consistently spoke out saying “Repent, repent.”

Man is sinful by birth, because sin came into the world when Adam and Eve sinned, which was the point of singularity (inception of sin), and it has expanded since that time.  The world is not getting better, it is getting worse moment by moment.  From the point of singularity, sin can do no other than to expand; thus, making the natural condition of man’s heart one of depravity.

Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.  Psalm 51:5

 

[F] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, . . . Romans 3:23

Because God is holy and cannot be around sin, man was destined to eternal death.

Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor children put to death for their fathers; each is to die for his own sin.  Deuteronomy 24:16

Repentance is a change of mind and heart that leads to a change of life.  I received the call to repent from my sin in November 1972.  This was a personal decision that I made uniquely at the same time that my husband made his decision for which I am eternally grateful.  We discussed our desire to be saved and agreed to separately pray our own prayer at the same time.  Three months later very little in our life circumstances was the same.

This decision was of supreme importance to me/us as it was our only hope.  We could not do for ourselves what Jesus had done for us on the cross.  We were sinful creatures that needed the way provided for us by our Creator God.

My husband was a full-time student taking 21 units a semester (year-around) while working 48 hours a week as a security guard to support our family.  We had one hour a day together and Sundays.  I was a stay-at-home mom with two little boys ages 4 ½ and 3.  He was exhausted, and I was sad and lonely.  We knew that things were not right.  God sent two people into our lives to tell us of our need.  One was a long-time friend of Doug’s who was traveling through town on his way to go to seminary in Tennessee.  He was witnessing to people and baptizing them along the way.  He spoke to us about the end times, which was something that was never discussed in our previous church experiences.  The other was Doug’s sister who came across town every Thursday evening to have Bible Study with me and several of our neighbors.  She repeatedly told me to tell Doug that we were not saved, and in order to be saved we must repent of our sin and ask Jesus into our hearts.  Just like Noah, Jeremiah, and John the Baptist, these people were the voices telling us to repent.

The Holy Spirit was simultaneously convicting us so that we were able to be saved at the same time.  What a precious, precious gift that has been to us over the years.  We have been so richly blessed!

We know that the Lord used our circumstances at the time to get our attention in order to point out our need for Him.  Once we had given ourselves over to Him, He changed many of our circumstances and blessed us through those changes.  It was after our salvation that I went to work at the private college that Doug attended which allowed him to go to school tuition free.  Then, I also worked at the private law school he attended and we received a 50% tuition discount.  The hard part for me was leaving our young boys in the care of others.  But, God even provided for us through this painful experience as we found our new church home at the church-based day care provided for our sons.

There is purpose to living out our lives according to the plan of our Creator.  While the message is one of storm, there is also a message of hope and even comfort.  Sometimes God blesses His children with the kind of comfort that they desire, but there is a greater comfort.  I did not get the comfort that I desired to stay home with our children during those years of sacrifice, but I knew that we were in our Lord’s will.  And, this comfort did bring peace. 

May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant.  Psalm 119:76

 

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.  2 Corinthians 1:3-4

This hope comes through the blood of Jesus Christ.  God sacrificed His own Son, so that man could be redeemed.  He loved His creation so much that He came to earth as a defenseless baby.  He changed for us by becoming one of His creation; one of us.  Who, but Holy God, would even think of doing such a thing!

What is going on in the world is not where it’s at.  God calls us to change. 

From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”  Matthew 4:17

 

I tell you, no!  But unless you repent, you too will all perish.  Luke 13:3

As the prophet Amos would say, “Prepare to meet your God . . . The Lord God Almighty is his name.”

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[1] Sandra K. Holden is pursuing her Master of Arts in Christian Studies degree with a major in Biblical Counseling with IABC Certification from Master’s International School of Divinity.

Women on Assignment Update By Sandy Holden

Women on Assignment Update[1]

It has been a year since posting “Women on Assignment” on August 29, 2009.  This year has strengthened us, weakened us, humbled us, challenged us, and provided a variety of thoughts, emotions, and opportunities for soul searching as we have walked this spiritual journey. 

While mom remained steadfast in her resolve to care for Aunt Audree, I remained steadfast in my resolve to assist mom.  In knowing that it was right to do this, I continued to ask the Lord about the rightness of leaving my husband for 3-4 days each week.

Remembering the moment that God placed His call to short-term missions on my life, my husband and I began to view this ministry as an extended short-term mission project.  However, the fear that it might go on for ten years weighed heavy on our hearts.  Cooperation with God’s plan and embracing His work in each of our lives required significant discipline and energy.

Aunt Audree thrived during this time.  Her Alzheimer’s seemed to improve over the months.  She embraced our different personalities and the different ways that we did things.  It was clear that our presence made a difference for her.  Her friends from church were ever faithful to visit us and encourage us.  We were so grateful to them for the many ways that they cared for us.

Christmas was extremely special as we purchased two small decorated trees, one for the front bay window and the other, a larger one, for Aunt Audree’s family room; that she looked at and appreciated for most of each day.  She and Uncle Wayne had never had a Christmas tree because of their feline pets over the years, so this was her first experience as an adult with Christmas trees.  She was child-like in her delight over them and other decorations.

Mom continued to find driving in this new city beyond her so Aunt Audree and I ran most of the errands on my time there or the three of us did them on our overlap day each week.

My husband commented more than once that he could see the pall come over my face on Saturday mornings as I began to anticipate the return on Sunday afternoon.  He continued to transport mom to and from twice each week.

November brought a couple of interesting scenarios:  1) My husband’s mom had an emergency health issue on November 1st that required a hospital stay; and 2) Our personal credit union was purchased by another credit union and Aunt Audree’s bank was purchased by another bank.  So, our lives were further complicated by having to deal with and learn two new banking systems.

Then, about the first of December, my husband’s mom had another medical emergency.  In both instances she was dehydrated from lack of nourishment and hydration.  Since she lived alone, we asked them to provide rehab for her to help her regain strength and get back on her feet.  As her only kids living locally, I realized that it was now necessary for me to return home.  She is our direct mother, so it was clear that the Lord was changing things for, at least, our immediate household. 

I told mom that the change was now necessary for us.  She initially believed that she could carry on with Aunt Audree by herself.  But, after 8 days it was clear to her that the job was too much for her to do for extended periods alone.  My sister helped as much as she could with the limited times available from her full-time job.  So, we began looking to relocate Aunt Audree to our home area.

We found very quickly that there are various types of Alzheimer’s Secure Units around the city.  The first I visited was very much like a nursing home, only with a lock-down environment.  I noticed when touring that the residents seemed to feel self-conscious.  The next was a little better.  This place has a little dog that barks when visitors come into the unit, to make it seem more like home.  They also have a cat.  In both of these care centers, the residents can take very limited furnishings from their own homes.  Familiarity and surroundings being so important for people suffering from Alzheimer’s, this did not make much sense to us.  The economics did not seem to be a factor as the two places visited were on opposite ends of the financial scale.  Both also had waiting lists.

My sister asked that we check into a place near her home, so that was next on our list.  It was a totally different scenario.  The Alzheimer’s Secure Unit was a separate lock-down building that looked like a very nice hotel.  All belongings in each room were from the resident’s home; sheets, towels, everything.  Privacy was protected with big doors.  It was respectful, not hospital- like, and significantly less expensive than the 2^nd place visited.  Our choice was confirmed by room availability.

So, we moved Aunt Audree to her new home on December 23, 2009.  We brought her bed, clothing, loveseat, recliner, tables, dresser/desk, pictures, television and Christmas tree.  She embraced the move with the dignity and demeanor of a seasoned Christian woman.  During those days we found her pushing someone in a wheelchair, singing Christmas carols with a mini-choir, and visiting one-on-one on over-stuffed chairs in the hall.  This residence has a rabbit that is quite the hit for those who love animals and not intrusive for those who don’t.  Bing Crosby is his name.

On the morning of January 1, 2010, we received a call that Aunt Audree awoke with vomiting after a restless night.  We immediately called paramedics and took her to the hospital where the diagnosis was that her stomach had pushed up through her haital hernia, twisted and turned upside down.  The options were a very tricky surgery that she probably would not live through or recover from or Hospice Care for the remainder of her days. 

The eventual recommendation and decision was Hospice Care.  Mom spent the days with Aunt Audree and I came in for the nights.  This was far more doable in our home city than it would have been in Aunt Audree’s home city.  Such a gift from the Lord!

Aunt Audree was quiet during her time in Hospice Care as she contemplated her future with Jesus.  There was no struggle to hold on to this life.  She seemed to understand that options were limited and once more embraced how the Great Shepherd was moving her along.  She was not perfect, but her heart was ready to meet her maker.

Aunt Audree went to be with her Lord and Savior on the afternoon of January 9, 2010, right as her pastor finished reading the 23^rd Psalm to her.  “And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

This chapter of our lives that began on March 29, 2009, is now closed.  We continue to live somewhat in shock over what transpired, not only through Aunt Audree’s life, but also through her death.  We thank God for His ministry to one of His beloved children and how He used us in that ministry.  He answered our prayer that His mercies toward her would be abundant.

The last eight months have continued to be full as we have sought to be of help to my husband’s mom through the wonderful provisions that the Lord has made for her.  While challenges continue in the sale of her condominium, we know that God is in control, we sought His will in the move, we continue to seek Him daily, and we trust Him fully.  We continue to stand on the following verse for this time in our lives.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”  James 1:2-4

Praise God that this time of testing is for our good and will result in our unified spiritual growth as a family, so that we will develop the perseverance that our Lord desires in us.

“Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm.  Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”  1 Corinthians 15:58

Amen!

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[1] Sandra K. Holden is pursuing her Master of Arts in Christian Studies degree with a major in Biblical Counseling with IABC Certification from Master’s International School of Divinity.

 

Encouragement for the Holidays

Encouragement for the Holidays[1]

 

Please forgive my generic use of the word “holidays” on this Christian site, since those to which I refer are largely Christian based; Thanksgiving for the purpose of thanking the Lord for His blessings and provisions and Christmas in honor of the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ.  However, New Year’s is also targeted for this word of encouragement.

 

This season of the year provides times of discouragement, depression, and often hopelessness as many focus in on their failures, losses, unmet goals, misfortunes, mistreatments, and physical ailments.  As women, we certainly can add overwhelming responsibilities to this list at this time of the year.  But, God’s Word has some things to say about how we handle the issues of this life.

 

As hard as it is to comprehend, trials are a gift from God to each of us.  Without trials we can never develop perseverance and endurance, both of which bring about maturity in a person’s life.  It is not our objective to bring trials upon ourselves, but when they come, we have two options:  1) We can embrace God’s work in our life by cooperating with God, which increases faith and brings success in the trial and leads to spiritual maturity; or 2) We can allow the trial to be used as a temptation to destroy any credibility of faith and trust in Him, which keeps us in a place of spiritual immaturity.

 

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  James 1:2-4

 

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.  James 1:12

 

And, there are times when we must endure difficulties that are not the result of God’s chastening.  In those times, we should go to God in prayer seeking wisdom in order to honor Him and bring Him glory through the situation.

 

In the midst of trials and other sorts of difficulties, it is common to feed ourselves on the wisdom of men, which always draws the focus to self.  The list consists of many self attitudes, to include:  self-pity, self-consciousness, self-reproach, self-abhorrence, self-admiration, self-righteousness, selfishness, defensiveness, and depravity, to name just a few.  As the feeding continues all sense of truth and reality gets lost.  Confusion and double-mindedness take over leading to instability.  Misery ensues.

 

God’s Word says that He never gives us more than we can handle, so He knows that we are up to the task that He’s given us.  Yet the temptation is not to trust Him to help us through.  It’s hard to imagine that even when in a situation like that of Job, God assures us that we can come through with His help and that He can be trusted.

 

If you are not a believer, recognize that your life cannot be lived to its fullest unless submitted to your Creator.  He loves you and wants to spend eternity with you.  But, He does not force Himself on any one of us.  For further clarifications regarding the salvation process, see blog articles written by Doug Holden on this site.

 

For the believer, recognize that God loves you and is maturing you.  He wants no harm to come to you, so all that He allows into your life is for your good.  However, the evil one does not have your best interests in mind.  “You were running a good race.  Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?  That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.  ‘A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough’” Galatians 5:7-9.

 

I would like to suggest the following approach to managing thoughts, attitudes, and emotions that would impair one’s ability to see clear to the truth as the vulnerabilities of the season press in.  These vulnerabilities can lead one into sinful behavior.  Remember that God allows trials in our lives, but temptations are not from Him.

 

1.     Observe your tendency to feed yourself from or internalize the unhealthy thought patterns that you have developed.  These are the ones that lead to discouragement, depression, and hopelessness.  Assess whether there are certain activities which trigger these thought patterns and determine to overcome them.  Prepare yourself ahead of time for the encounter that will come.  Make a plan.

2.     Search God’s Word for passages pertinent to your particular area of weakness.  These passages can easily be found through Bible.org or a biblical concordance.  Write them on index cards and commit them to memory along with the appropriate citations.  Through memorization, you are digesting or internalizing God’s Word.  This is a very important step in the process.

3.     Acknowledge the truth in your heart that your worldly thought patterns are not from God, but rather from the enemy of your soul.  They are lies from satan.  Do not believe them.  But know that God will use this opportunity to make you stronger. 

4.     Pray to God asking Him to deliver you from the evil one.  “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” Matthew 6:13.

5.     Accept responsibility for stopping temptation before it matures and becomes sin.  “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will” Romans 12:2.

6.     When the temptation to feed yourself from the wrong thought patterns presents itself, replace those thoughts with the memorized Scripture passages.  This is known as the “taking off” and “putting on” process from Ephesians 4:22-27.  Like a garment is taken off and replaced with another, so one old thought pattern is put aside for a new one of greater value.

7.     Trust God and walk with Him.  “Submit yourselves, then, to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Come near to God and he will come near to you” James 4:7-8.  Ask the Holy Spirit to make you equal to the task.

 

In this way the old thought patterns can be replaced with godly thought patterns of great value.  It will take some time and effort to effect change from the old habits to the new.  Be reminded that Galatians 5:22 includes patience and self-control as fruits of the Spirit. 

 

We can see from God’s Word through the temptations presented to Jesus by satan that the Scriptures are powerful to effect change.  Jesus refuted temptation by responding to all three temptations directly from God’s Word.  He set the example which we are to follow.  See Matthew 4:1-11.  It is indeed wonderful that the Word of God is sufficient for all of our needs.  We need nothing more!

 

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[1] Sandra K. Holden is pursuing her Master of Arts in Christian Studies degree with a major in Biblical Counseling with IABC Certification from Master’s International School of Divinity.

Character: The Chiseling of a Soul

Character:  The Chiseling of a Soul[1]

While little emphasis is being placed on the attribute of character in many classrooms today, it remains a quality of prime importance.  Wise are the families who acknowledge the value of developing perseverance which leads to the building of character.

 Whatever else we may have, if we do not have character we have nothing.  It is character that determines destiny.  The only failure that matters in the end is the failure to build character.  Behind a Frowning Providence, p. 16, John J. Murray

Not only is the quality of our character of importance to us as individuals, it is highly valued by God.  His work in the lives of His children is meticulous as He prepares us.

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.  And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.  Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.  Romans 5:1-5

And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid.  I will do for you all you ask.  All my fellow townsmen know that you are a woman of noble character.  Ruth 3:11

Do not be misled:  ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’  1 Corinthians 15:33

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  James 1:2-4

We do not seek suffering or trials for ourselves.  God disciplines His children because He loves us, so for those that belong to Him, there will be trials and suffering.  It is unavoidable.  The best that we can do is to prepare ourselves through study, meditation, and memorization of God’s Word, combined with a strong prayer life.

Parents can aid their children along the way by providing enough “no’s,” so that when trials come from the Heavenly Father, they know from previous experience that they can endure and ultimately persevere.  Parents are cautioned not to provoke their children, so I am not suggesting overwhelming them with “no’s.” There is a balance to maintain.  As we read in Romans 5:4, perseverance produces character and character produces hope.

This attribute is one that we guard and protect.  We are in the world, but not of it, so we reach out with God’s love to those in need of knowing Him, but we do not become yoked together.  See 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.

As character is built into the life of a believer, the end result is spiritual maturity.  This is one who is progressing in his Christian life rather than one who no longer sins.  This is done by God as He molds each of His children into the likeness of His Son, Jesus Christ. 

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[1] Sandra K. Holden is pursuing her Master of Arts in Christian Studies degree with a major in Biblical Counseling with IABC Certification from Master’s International School of Divinity.

Facts about Early America and Thanksgiving

Facts about Early America and Thanksgiving[1]

 

Much about America’s founding has been distorted in the classroom.  Therefore, few understand of what our real heritage consisted.  In their well-documented book The Light and the Glory, Peter Marshall and David Manuel, and in Peter Marshall’s seminar, Restoring America, we find the following historical references about our nation’s humble beginning and the first Thanksgiving.  This is a paraphrase.

 

The Puritans (roughly 20,000) arrived in 1628.  They were the cream of the crop among the people of England and came because they were being persecuted.  Their motivation was to reform the Church of England.  While Pilgrims (had arrived in 1620) and Puritans were similar in their theology, there were initially some differences in their governing processes.  As the Puritans watched the success of the Pilgrims in God’s sight, under John Winthrop, they began to emulate their governmental structure.

 

There was a clear understanding by the Pilgrims and the Puritans that America was a missionary enterprise.  Therefore, relations with the Indians were very good with 50 years of peace between them.  Land transactions are well-documented in the court records to show that the missionaries did not take advantage of the Indians.  The Indian chiefs had their own mark and would sign appropriately to the documents.

 

The Pilgrims and the Puritans were a far cry from the Jamestown lot who had arrived in the early 1600’s and so easily succumbed to greed and its entrapments in this new land of opportunity. 

 

One Indian who stood out in his service ministry to the colonists was Squanto, a Christian American Indian.  He had been kidnapped and taken to England for 9 years in 1605, where he learned to speak the English language very well.  Upon his return to his homeland in 1614, Captain Thomas Hunt kidnapped him a second time and took him to Spain to sell him into slavery.  He was purchased by a friar and introduced to the Christian faith.  He left the monastery and traveled back to England where he lived until Captain Dermer returned him to Plymouth six months before the pilgrims arrived.  Upon his arrival, he was devastated to find his people all dead from disease.  Squanto had learned from the natives of Newfoundland the process of planting corn with fish heads for fertilization.  In the midst of his personal loss, he found ministry with the Pilgrims.

 

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.  These have come so that your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.  1 Peter 1:6-7

 

Squanto was the right man, in the right place, at the right time.  While Governor Bradford declared a day of public Thanksgiving to be held in October 1621, some say that the first Thanksgiving was really Squanto’s idea.  He is reminiscent of Joseph who after being sold into slavery was used mightily of God.

 

Chief Massasoit was invited to Thanksgiving and arrived quite unexpectedly a day early with ninety Indians.  “They arrived with no less than five dressed deer, and more than a dozen fat wild turkeys.  And they helped with the preparations, teaching the Pilgrim women how to make hoecakes and a tasty pudding out of cornmeal and maple syrup.  Finally, they showed them an Indian delicacy:  how to roast corn kernels in an earthen pot until they popped, fluffy and white –popcorn! . . . Things went so well (and Massasoit showed no inclination to leave) that Thanksgiving Day was extended for three days.” The Light and the Glory, p. 136

 

As missionaries today are concerned with providing a Bible for their new converts, the first American Bible was printed in the Algonquin language.  It was written by John Elliott in 12 years’ time and printed in 1658.  By the end of the 1600's most all of the Indians on Martha’s Vineyard had been converted.

 

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[1] Sandra K. Holden is pursuing her Master of Arts in Christian Studies degree with a major in Biblical Counseling with IABC Certification from Master’s International School of Divinity.

Consecrated for His Purposes - Our Daily Journey

Consecrated for His Purposes – Our Daily Journey[1]

 

I prepared the following as part of a study of Romans.  While theologically, I believe this is doctrinally sound, it is attainable only by the grace of God through study of His Word and obedience to His Word and His call.  I fail frequently in many of these areas and have hesitated to share it on that basis.  However, it is right that we continue to seek to live out our faith and encourage one another along the path of righteousness.

 

We have been set apart or consecrated for His purposes, and our lives should reflect this consecration.  While God is for us, and we keep in his love, we may with a holy boldness defy all the powers of darkness.  A part of this love is to think no evil, be careful when we come to hard conclusions, and make no unkind constructions. 

 

The first lesson Christ teaches in true faith is to deny ourselves.  We must have a sober and modest opinion of ourselves in order to stand in relation to one another through the performance of our gifts.  Christians owe and must pay a mutual love to one another.  “Loving and being loved is all the pleasure, joy, and happiness, of an intelligent being” Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible, p.2231. 

 

We put on the armor of light, which is Jesus Christ.  We walk in obedience to the governing authorities and make choices as to how we conduct ourselves. 

 

We are not to judge one another as some are weaker and some are stronger, because all are accepted of God.  We must only judge ourselves - our hearts and our ways.  We do not live to ourselves but devotedly to the Lord, receiving His grace which is the soul’s cheerful, entire, and avowed subjection to Jesus Christ.  We must not be apt to despise and judge our brother or sister. 

 

We must take care not to grieve one another but to deny ourselves rather than to give offense.  We must not give others occasion to speak ill of us.  When we edify others, we benefit ourselves.  We are instruments of the Holy Spirit. 

 

We love one another by praying for and with one another.  Prayer must be done as Jacob did it, with all of our being for others as well as for oneself. 

 

This is our daily journey in all of our relationships.  It takes a concerted effort to evaluate the heart, the thoughts, the attitudes, the words, the prayer life, and the love for everyone in our life.  This is a work of love.  It is indeed difficult, but definitely doable by God’s grace.

 

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[1] Sandra K. Holden is pursuing her Master of Arts in Christian Studies degree with a major in Biblical Counseling with IABC Certification from Master’s International School of Divinity.