Pamela Christian's Blog, page 13

Understanding and Healing Soul Wounds

I doubt that a single person except Jesus has escaped the devastation soul wounds cause. Soul wounds are the result of sin—either sin we committed, or sin that was committed against us.

When sin results in emotional pain, we can become emotionally scarred. However, this kind of scarring is different from a skin scar that heals over and leaves only a visible reminder of the prior trauma. Emotional scars remain open, so to speak. They don’t heal over. They remain sensitive and the slightest trigger-event can cause us to respond with behavior that actually reinforces the emotional wound, creating a cycle of perpetual woundedness. Christians are not exempt and unless we intentionally address our soul wounds, the enemy will continue to have a stronghold in this area.

I was in an automobile accident many years ago. I was driving with my teenage daughter in the passenger seat, when we were side-struck head-on by another vehicle on the passenger side of the car. The trauma of the event, especially seeing how my daughter could have been seriously injured or killed, has resulted in post-traumatic stress disorder. To this very day, when a vehicle is approaching me from the passenger side I have adverse reaction.

I’ve read that post traumatic stress disorder is a type of a soul wound. So are rejection, abandonment, and fear to identify a few. A wounded soul can cause physical infirmities as well as undesirable behaviors. A wounded soul gives place for the enemy, the devil, to trouble even the most committed Christian. We need to understand the realm of soul wounds so we can experience the healing and wholeness Christ died to give us.

We are made in three parts: body, soul, and spirit. We know our bodies are temporal and the physical house for our eternal spirit and soul. Our soul is the essence of who we are, often referred to as the heart in the Bible. The Bible uses the Hebrew word leb to describe the mind, will, intellect, emotions and distinctive personality of a person. The soul is the very essence of the unique individual. Our spirit is the part that makes it possible for us to communicate with God.

When a person places their faith in Jesus as their personal savior, their spirit is made entirely new—we are given a new spirit that didn’t exist before—a spirit that is holy and pure able to intimately relate with the Holy Spirit of God. Our soul and body however, are transformed as we intentionally seek to mature in the understanding and application of our Christian faith. Our soul and body are not transformed without our intentional effort and desire to have our new spirit lead and transform our soul and body. Certainly, God can miraculously transform a person. Consider the Apostle Paul’s conversion. But even then, he took some years to learn about and apply his new-found faith.

As I’ve said before, “God can zap anything into existence any time He wants. But most often He works through the cooperation of His people.”

Soul wounds can be a part of us for so very long, that we accept them and are actually reluctant to be rid of them. Consider Jesus asking the invalid man at the pool of Bethesda if he wanted to be healed. We need to ask ourselves the same question, “Do I want to be healed?” Many consider themselves justified to hold onto their soul wound as a means of self-protection so they won’t get wounded in that same area again. That’s a lie from the pit of hell and in reality is an evil familiar spirit that’s established a strong-hold.

What areas of emotional woundedness do you suffer? What do you know to be the cause of the soul wound? If the cause was your own doing, the beginning of your healing is to repent. If you harbor remorse, guilt, bitterness, doubt, anger, unforgiveness and such self-imposed emotions, you need to recognize that you’ve allowed the soul wound to become an altar in your mind. You’ve actually created a place where the enemy can and will control you. You need to smash this alter with the truth of God’s Word and allow the Holy Spirit to heal you.

If the soul wound was caused by someone else, you need to forgive them. You need to understand that when the person sinned against you, they were not controlled by God or His unfailing love. They were acting of their own accord, potentially under the influence of the devil, even if they were a born-again Christian.

Understand whether the sin was yours or another’s, the origin of sin is the enemy of God. When we cooperate with sin, we are cooperating with the devil. Soul wounds are not something we can heal on our own. Soul wounds are rooted in sin, and sin can only be healed by surrendering the sin to Jesus. There is not a single sin that is outside God’s ability to heal and restore.

The Apostle Paul urges all of us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Read and meditate on Romans 12:1-2. To renew our mind means to replace the lies we believe with the truth of God’s Word. Does your soul wound cause you to feel like a looser, unworthy, or a failure? What does God’s Word say about who you are? Be intentional about having your thoughts and beliefs lining up with the truth of God’s Word. Use this link to download 90 Scriptures of who you are in Christ published by www.RisenKing.org.

www.risenking.org/_literature_125219/Who_I_Am_In_Christ

I love connecting with you here with this Blog. I also welcome opportunities to interact with you. Let me know how this article helped you or how I may help you otherwise. If I can come to your church or organization to speak and minister, just let me know. Leave your comments here or use our Contact page. Until next post, God bless you and may you fully cooperate with the compete healing power of our precious Lord and Savior, Amen

Find Hope and Help with New Television Show

What if you could have a life mentor to help you avoid many difficult life issues, help you work through problems more successfully, and it cost you nothing?

Would you be interested?

What do you need help with?

Well, in a very real sense you can! I am in pre-production for my new television show called Faith to Live By. I will tackle difficult life problems, common to most directly or indirectly, from a Christian worldview. Topics already planned include: Human Trafficking, Drug Addiction, Domestic Violence, Cult Control, Teen Suicide, Depression/Anxiety, Abortion Recovery, Transgender Contagion, and many more.

If you or someone you love has or is suffering any of these issues, be sure to tell them about the program where they can find help and hope. Also, we’re open to any program ideas you’d like to see addressed. Plus we invite you to submit a two minute video testimony to potentially be on our show.

Using your phone camera or a good quality video camera, record yourself by providing the following: Your name (first name only or a pseudo name is acceptable), the issue you’ve suffered, how long you’ve suffered it, what you’ve done to try to find relief, (generic-don’t use company or professional names) and why you want us to explore the topic. Show suggestions and video submissions are received online on our Facebook page @FaithToLiveByTV.

You will find a sample video and submission guidelines on the Facebook page as well as see some videos others have submitted. To make a show suggestion or to inform us you have a video submission, send a message on Facebook with your real name and contact detail. If your video is selected, we will contact you to confirm your appearance on the show.

Faith to Live By promises to be unlike any other program. We consider it a magazine style journalistic interview show. We will not only explore difficult life issues, we will introduce you to professionals and organizations who can provide help. Faith to Live By seeks to offer ministry and help for local churches to be better equipped to minister to people in their own congregations. More can be learned at www.FaithToLiveBy.com.

We expect to have the shows begin broadcast in January 2018 with The Holy Spirit Broadcasting Network. Watch it on www.HSBN.tv, ROKU, Direct TV and HSBN YouTube. Please help spread the word so as many as possible can receive the help they need.

Rev. Pamela Christian is an international itinerant minister, award-winning author, radio and television host. Faith to Live By is the name of both her new television show and her award-winning book series. Learn more on the About tab of her main website.

 

 

An Interview with Kathleen Cooke on her new Devotional: Hope 4 Today: Staying Connected to God in a Distracted Culture

Kathleen Cooke is releasing a new devotional book  and because it’s based on extensive research about engaging the Bible as well as the perspective of someone who’s spent her career in entertainment and media, I thought my readers would be interested in the subject. Here’s an interview I did with her about the project:

Pam Christian: You’ve worked in the media and entertainment business in Hollywood for more than 25 years. Why did you decide to write a devotional?

Kathleen Cooke: In 2005 I was filming a documentary in London and terrorists bombs exploded in a tube station and on the street just a block or two from where I was setting up to shoot? Subsequently, I had to delay the shoot but when I finally starting filming the next day at the British Library, I was honored to hold Anne Boleyn’s Bible (the wife of Henry VIII) – the one she had when they took her to the Tower of London and cut off her head.

Having been so close to death myself the previous day, I wondered what scripture she had on her mind as she died. It made me re-think how much I valued the Word of God and how much of it I was keeping in my heart and mind.

A couple years after the London bombings our media production company, Cooke Pictures, worked with a ministry called Back To The Bible and the Center For Bible Engagement (CBE). They conducted an 8 year study with 100,000 people on what choices and activities those who call themselves Christians did that actually affected their behavior. After all, God tells us in the Bible that if we follow Him, He will transform our lives. But sadly, I’m around lots of people who call themselves Christians who I see continually struggling with physical addictions and emotional and relationship issues. So CBE asked people how often they pray, how often they went to church, how often they listen to spiritual music or watch Christian television, and how often they read their Bible to see what exactly would affect their actual behavior.

The conclusion was that if a person were to engage with the Bible – four or more times a week it would dramatically (and visibly) change their life. Statistics proved a lower propensity for substance abuse, divorce, sex addition issues, even lying, cheating and emotional issues all significantly fell. Which means that if a person reads the Bible only 1-3 times a week, prayed, went to church, or listened to spiritual music or programs significant changes don’t happen. But at the four day mark of engaging in the Bible each week there was a true difference. 4 or more days a week of Bible reading was the tipping point. Americans spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on self-help books each year to try and improve ourselves. Yet, the average household in America – 93% of us, has four or five Bibles and we never look to it for guidance. The one book that has been proven to improve our lives and help us is never opened.

PC: Does the devotional entries focus on anything in particular?

KC: Yes and no. I had my own journey in writing the book. I asked the Lord to tell me what He wanted to say to the reader. I wanted the reader to focus on God and spend time with the Him and not me. But as a professional in media and entertainment who works in today’s culture, I know that if the devotionals aren’t interesting and challenging that the reader will discard them quickly. The CBE research study indicated that one of other reasons people don’t read the Bible is that they don’t know where to begin. So, Hope 4 Today is based on our work in media and entertainment with our company Cooke Pictures for the past 25 years and my life growing up, raising kids, and navigating a marriage. It has stories about my travels and people I’ve met while filming and speaking. It contains stories that brought me inspiration, insights that God taught me on forgiveness, suffering, prayer, financial issues, leadership lessons, and how to find contentment in an uncertain world. Each entry tells stories, asks questions, and may challenge your thinking – which is how Jesus taught. But the ultimate purpose is for the reader to focus on God and to hear from Him.

PC: What’s your favorite entry?

KC: That’s a hard one. It’s like asking me to pick a favorite person from a group of friends. They each have merit and each have something special about them that can bring different insights and encouragement. Some entries are based on popular songs and movies, some on relationships and family, and some on travels around the world. My prayer is that they will all connect people to God and to His heart. That you find wisdom and His hope for you. He’s the best story – the answer to all your questions and the real Truth that I hope people will connect with for a flourishing life. Hopefully, the best entry is the one that inspires you to engage more with the scripture.

About the Author:

A media executive, producer/actress, writer, and global speaker, Kathleen Cooke is a founding partner at Cooke Pictures, (cookepictures.com) where she oversees casting and is a creative director for all major projects. She is the former co-director of the global Biola Media Conference and the National Women’s ASCEND Conference and founded and directed Christian Women In Media Hollywood. She leads and inspires women involved in media and entertainment through her nonprofit, The Influence Lab (influencelab.com) focused on redefining Christian media strategies in the digital age. She speaks globally and edits the monthly Influence Women’s journal. She’s on the advisory boards for the National Salvation Army, Hollywood Prayer Network, and 4WordWomen. She cherishes being the wife to, Phil Cooke, mother to two daughters, and two grandchildren. Her devotional challenges readers to engage with the Bible and releases November 2017 – Hope 4 Today: Staying Connected To God In A Distracted Culture.

Prayers for Hope and Healing by Sarah Forgrave

Welcome! Can you share a little bit about Prayers for Hope and Healing and who will benefit from it?

Prayers for Hope and Healing is a devotional gift book with a heavy emphasis on prayer. It connects readers with God as they go through health challenges, offering specific prayers for the most common emotions and situations readers may face.

Anyone facing illness, injury, or chronic pain will benefit from the book, as well as those who are close to someone suffering. It speaks to people in both short-term and long-term health struggles, whether they are hospitalized or at home.

One thing that’s unique about this book is the way it’s structured, with prayers you can turn to in a particular moment of need. What types of topics are covered in the Table of Contents?

As someone goes through illness, they face challenges not just physically, but in many other aspects of life. Prayers for Hope and Healing offers 44 devotions that address specific struggles in the areas of emotions, physical needs, faith questions, relationships, and situations such as surgery and hospitalization.

Chapter titles include things like: When There’s No End in Sight, When You Feel Weak, When Your Life Feels Out of Control, When You’re Lonely, and When You’re Scared of the Unknown.

What personal experiences prompted you to write the book?

Prayers for Hope and Healing was borne out of my own journey with illness. As a young girl, I watched my sister battle Stage 4 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and beat it. But it wasn’t until I was an adult that I fully understood the breadth of emotions that accompany a medical struggle. After complications from childbirth sent me into long-term disability, I found myself battling fear and questions of why God would allow me to suffer.

I remember one particular doctor appointment that held my future in its hands. I was scared that the answer wouldn’t be what I hoped, and God turned my attention to a passage of Scripture that spoke directly to my fear.

After being healed of my condition, I spent days on end in a hospital room with my sister while she waited for a heart transplant. Pastors would come, read from the Bible, pray, and then go on their way. While offering great comfort and hope on a general level, they couldn’t be present to see the daily ins and outs of my sister’s condition or the deeper emotions she battled under the surface.

These experiences prompted me to create a prayer manual that gives readers a safe outlet of prayer for the specific scenarios they may face and connects them to God right where they are.

What books on prayer have impacted you or shaped the way you wrote the prayers in this book?

The Papa Prayer by Larry Crabb is one of the most transformational books I’ve read on prayer. It greatly impacted how I wrote Prayers for Hope and Healing.

When we go through intense trials, the typical Christian answers and rote prayers don’t always address the questions deep down inside. As I wrote the prayers in this book, I wanted to allow readers to be fully honest with God about their struggle. The prayers then look to Scripture and what it reveals about God’s character and ultimately ask Him to bridge the gap between their struggle and who God is.

Some of us may not be going through a health struggle ourselves but know someone who is. What would you say to those who want to support a friend or family member but don’t know exactly how?

The most important thing is to stay present and listen. Wherever they need practical help, like meals delivered or children cared for, jump in and help. If they need someone to keep them company, visit them and allow them to talk without interruption.

Supporting someone doesn’t always have to involve expensive, time-consuming efforts. A simple text with a typed-out prayer can make a huge difference in letting them know you care.

If you could say one thing to a person going through health struggles right now, what would it be?

Remember you’re not alone, and keep holding on. God longs for you to burrow into His side and lean into His Big Papa strength.

About the Author

Sarah Forgrave is an author and wellness coach who loves encouraging others in their health and faith journeys. In addition to her book, Prayers for Hope and Healing, her writing credits include contributions to The Gift of Friendship, Guideposts’ A Cup of Christmas Cheer, and the webzine Ungrind. When she’s not writing or teaching, she loves to shop at Trader Joe’s or spend time with her husband and two children in their Midwest home. Visit Sarah at www.sarahforgrave.com, or at the following sites:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorSarahForgrave

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/SarahForgrave

Instagram: www.instagram.com/SarahForgrave_Author

Twitter: www.twitter.com/SarahForgrave

About the Book

Prayers for Hope and Healing: Seeking God’s Strength as You Face Health Challenges

Harvest House Publishers

October 1, 2017

ISBN: 978-0736971515

Available at:

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOKS-A-MILLION | CHRISTIAN BOOK | INDIE BOUND | HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS

Amid Pain and Weakness…There Is HOPE

Serious or chronic medical issues bring a litany of painful and confusing feelings that only someone else who’s been in a similar situation could possibly understand. Sarah Forgrave has walked the difficult road you find yourself on. And she empathizes with the uncertain future you face.

No matter the road ahead, you don’t have to face it alone. Even in the depths of your worst emotional and physical pain, God is right there beside you, offering His comfort, love, and peace.

As you read these heartfelt prayers and devotions, let this book be your manual to help navigate the difficult set of emotions that come with health issues. Read it front to back or go directly to the devotion addressing how you feel at any given moment…when you need it the most.

Above all, know that you are never, ever alone.

Endorsements

“The verses, thoughts, and prayers in this book are a balm for the soul.” —Amelia Rhodes, author of Pray A to Z: A Practical Guide to Pray for Your Community

“Now that I find myself in a fight against stage 4 lymphoma, I realize what a gift Sarah Forgrave has given us all. This is a book that will help you pray in the midst of struggle and crisis when you thought no more prayers were left. ” —Dave Butts, president of Harvest Prayer Ministries and former chair of America’s National Prayer Committee

“This book is real and honest and points us to the One who has the answers and true healing.” —Andrew M. Cougill, MD

Only God’s Love Can Redeem Our Culture – Calling on all committed Christians

I think most have heard the adage, “If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.” A similar quote found in Scripture is, “Whoever is not with Me is against Me, and whoever does not gather with Me scatters, (words of Jesus recorded in Matthew 12:30). Yet, as we look at our profoundly confused world where wickedness and evil are increasing at every turn, what can we possibly do?

Consider the recent senseless violence in Las Vegas, Nevada where 58 people violently lost their lives and about 500 more were injured in varying degrees, occurring just months after the Manchester, London massacre, the unprecedented numbers of natural disasters occurring back to back, and the continuation of wars and rumors of wars. These wage heavily on us all. What can we do?

Those of us who are rightly related to Jesus are the only ones who can offer the truth, power, love, and hope the world desperately needs. And based on Matthew 12:30, not withstanding the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) and the Greatest Commandment (Matthew 22:37-39), we had better rise to the challenge. The slower we are to respond, the more senseless casualties the world will suffer.  First Peter 4:17 states that judgement will begin with the Church–meaning all who profess faith in Christ Jesus. And since true Christians have more power today than at any other time in history, God has every right to expect us to redeem the culture. 

I’m angry. I’m really angry. I’m angry at the devil and my fellow Christians who have not been effectively demonstrating the abundant, victorious power Christ died to give us. The Bible lays out what we can expect as the world continues toward it’s final destiny. God has revealed the future so that we would not be caught off-guard. Jesus said in this world we will have trouble but to take heart because He has already overcome the world, (John 16:33). Additionally, Jesus declared that all authority had been given Him, which He in turn assigned Christians with the promise that He would remain with us until the end of the age, (Matthew 28:18-20). It enrages me to hear professing Christians declare that the natural disasters we’ve suffered are judgment against the world–judgment begins with the Church.

I’m also tremendously grieved at the number of people who are deceived. Many profess to be Christians, when in fact they are not. Researches report that out of the seventy-five percent of Americans who profess to be Christian, only one-third are actually born-again, committed Christians. Another third of this group are born-again but they live more like the world of unbelievers. The remaining one-third simply call themselves Christian with no spiritual transformation. This means that the world of unbelievers observing Christians see hypocrisy and impotency more than not. The reputation of Christians, not to mention Christ Himself, is adversely impacted and failing to attract unbelievers. Sadly, the world that desperately needs what the Christian faith uniquely offers, is jaded and dismissive of anything Christian.

This has got to stop! With deep compassion and love of God, I am calling out to people every where to earnestly seek truth. If you call yourself a Christian, ask yourself what level of commitment to the faith and the commandments of God do you really have? If you’re simply professing to be a Christian in name-sake only, you are in a most dangerous place. You think you are safe, when in reality you are powerless and ineffective to resist the evil plots of the devil. If you think there is no devil, you are woefully deceived by the very one who seeks to destroy you. All the evil and wickedness in the world is the work of the devil–a very real being with many followers who entice humans into their web of hate, division, and destruction. If you are in fact a born-again Christian, but you are not effectively living your faith, you are positioning yourself to be painfully corrected if not judged by God. If you have rejected Christianity but have a deep inner unction that there’s got to be answers to all the violence and suffering in the world, I ask you to reconsider and reestablish your quest for truth.

God’s love for humanity was poured out in the person of Jesus, who came to this earth to demonstrate the love of the Father for all creation. Jesus waked this earth healing the sick, restoring sight to the blind, healing the brokenhearted, and offering reconciliation with God to anyone who desires. Jesus lived a pure and sinless life as an example of how we can live if we do as He did. Jesus surrendered His life to the will of God the Father, and in that He was able to do great and mighty, supernatural things and declared that even greater works will we do in His name! Jesus was far more than a good teacher or a prophet. He was God in human form, the Second Person of the Trinity,  who came to this earth to become the ultimate sacrifice to settle the debt of sin once and for all. Sin, which is the rejection of God, originated with the first man and woman God created, who were enticed to reject God by the very same devil whose evil continues to this very day. And it will continue until God’s appointed last day for creation.

But that doesn’t mean we are helpless or hopeless or victims until the last day. Quite the contrary. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection allowed a way for anyone who wants to be restored in the family of God and receive all the riches of Christ’s  inheritance to do so. Christians–those who have been restored to God–are given an entirely new spirit. Christians are re-created and their naturally born dead-spirit inherited from the first man and woman, is replaced with a new, alive spirit allowing us to have unhindered communion with God. But more, once Jesus returned to His rightful place in heaven, the Third Person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit, was released to indwell every Believer. The Holy Spirit work is to overcame the enemy–the devil–once and for all .

Christians, genuine Christians, have the ability to communicate with God–to seek His wisdom, strategy, plans, heart, and mind to relieve people from suffering, as exampled by Jesus.
Christians have the promise and authority of Jesus to overcome the world, meaning the natural world filled with evil and suffering.
Christians have the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit–the very same power that raised Jesus from the dead.
Christians have the mandate to love their neighbor as our selves.
Christians have the ability to partner with God to bring those who desperately need truth and the life-giving power if offers, into the family of God.

There are many in this world who do not know the truth. They are deceived. And the problem with that reality is that they don’t know they are. It is the nature of deception that the victim is unaware. There are many who have been indoctrinated to reject all things Christian, who even believe it acceptable to demonstrate their rejection through hatred, division, violence and more. These too are deceived. But the few Christians who know the truth and whose faith is in Jesus, we carry all the answers and solutions to the pain and suffering in life.

With this post, I am appealing to all genuine, committed Christians to put on their protective battle gear, take up the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God, and being lead by God’s love, to go out into the world and redeem what the enemy intends for evil, confident that God will turn it for good (Ephesians 6:12-18 and Genesis 50:20).

I would love to hear from you. Perhaps you have a comment about what I’ve written. Perhaps you have questions. There are several generations now who do not have the grid to readily accept what is written here. Still, I hope this blog post to have piqued your curiosity to honestly continue on your journey to find solutions for the continued division, violence, and suffering in this world. My prayers are with the victims and their families all around the world who have been subjected to evil. My prayers are also for every committed Christian to respond to all that Jesus has commanded because together we can bring the reform the world needs, one person at a time.

Pamela Christian is an award-winning author whose recent three-book Faith to Live By series further explore topics directly related to what is posted here. To inquire of her to speak for your church or organization please simply use our Contact Us form on this site.

 

Discover Your Life’s Purpose and Live a Fulfilling Life!

Are you among the many people today, who have a nagging sense that there’s got to be more to life than what you’re experiencing? The extent of anxiety and dissatisfaction sadly expressed through violence and protests reveals we are a society searching for answers, without a compass to guide us. It’s understandable given the decades of instruction in our public education system informing impressionable minds that humanity evolved from a cosmic explosion. Students, now adults have been taught that there is no meaning or purpose in life except survival of the fittest. Is it any wonder that people respond by pushing and striving to rise to the top? The factions and bullying we see are the expected expressions of humanity that has no meaning or purpose except for the “self.” Sadly, however, for the many people who have traveled this journey and are honest with themselves, serving the self is unfulfilling.

The millennial generation observing, want nothing to do with this path to personal fulfillment. Unfortunately they don’t have a grid to know to search for answers elsewhere. For these reasons I wrote, Revive Your Life! Rest for Your Anxious Heart. 

What are your answers to the following questions?

Is mankind the supreme authority over world events?
Does God exist, and if so, what is His character, will, and intentions for the world?
There are many religions: is there more than one God?
Where can I find the peace and rest for my soul?
What are my life’s meaning and purpose, and how can I make a significant impact in the world?

Consider with me: How can we experience any sense of insignificance unless we were created for significance? The very fact that you are dissatisfied with life as you know it, is evidence that there is something more–there is something better.

Here are three points you must follow to start your journey to find true meaning and purpose in life and deep, personal fulfillment:

You must be willing to explore philosophies and ideals you’ve been taught to dismiss.
You must be willing to honestly examine the evidence.
You must be willing to interpret the facts based on objective truth and reason, not subjective feelings.

History reveals that when God is the focus of a people, their nation flourishes. I assert that we must start the search for true personal fulfillment with a reconsideration of God–the very One we’ve pushed out of society and deemed irrelevant.

Social unrest has been simmering my entire life and today it’s clearly come to a full boil. The Beatles rock group sang many songs suggesting solutions to the unrest of the 1960’s. They and Ariana Grande, in response to the Manchester tragedy, claim that love is the answer.  And intrinsically the vast majority of us agree. However, historical facts also reveal that humanity, in and of itself, is incapable of the kind of love that can reform a society for the better. As humans we are born with an innate sense of being self-serving, even at the expense of others.

In my journey, I have indeed come to agree that love is the answer, but certainly not human love. What we need is a love that is far greater than ourselves. So, with this blog post, I leave you with the consideration of the claim that not only does one true God exist, but He is love–the very love the world needs to overcome all the evil, suffering, bigotry, and hatred. We’ll explore this more with the next post. If you’d like not to wait until then, consider getting my book with my gift of 15% off using the promo code FULFILLMENT. Visit the Web Store.

Is Television in Your Destiny?

Hopefully you read the background story in my July/August eNewsletter. I never doubted God about His revealed destiny for my life to include television. In, fact, I can see where He has ordered the steps of my life to prepare me for ministry on television. So, when I was interviewed by a broadcaster on the Holy Spirit Broadcasting Network (HSBN.tv) about my first book in the Faith to Live By series, which allowed me to meet the founder of HSBN.tv, Bishop Andrew Bills, I wondered. I didn’t need to wonder long because before I left the building Bishop was led by the Holy Spirit to visit with me, then he was led to invite me to join the family of Broadcasters.

As of this month, we are officially in the process of planning our first season of programs. I’m looking for guests and guest-experts. Guests will be those with a true story of a problem or dilemma they experienced that if they had had help or advice they could have or still can experience a better outcome. Guest-experts will be the individual(s) who could have provided the help and/or advice for a successful conclusion. Consider the following issues:

Heart Disease

Nursing Home Abuse

Gang Membership

Suicide

Moving Company Scams

Compromised Immune System

Cult Involvement

IRS Problems

Broken Trust

Homosexuality

Processing Grief

Processing Forgiveness

Overcoming Serious Loss (other than death of a loved one)

Evangelism

Racial Discrimination

How to Discerning of Spirits

How to Hear God’s Voice

Repentance/Getting Back on Track with God

Understanding the Existence of Good and Evil

Resisting the Devil

How to Retrain the Mind

Embracing God’s Love

Having an Effective Prayer Life

Understanding the Supremacy of the Bible

If you think you have a compelling story, problem or dilemma, from the above list or something else, contact me at info@pamelachristianministries.com In the subject line write: Television Story Submission.

We will at least confirm receipt of your submission in as much of a timely manner as possible. Please do not contact us again after you’ve received confirmation that your story was received. When and if we think your story is a fit for our planned programs, we’ll contact you. Submission is not assurance that your story will be used. No stories will be used without permission.

It’s going to be great to get to work with many of our subscribers. Please do keep this television program in prayer, all for the benefit of many and the glory of God.

The Great American Divide – Part Three

With Part Three of The Great American Divide, I offer my considerations regarding what “we the people” can do to restore our nation. 

To  help us understand how we’ve come to suffer such hostility and division, I conclude this three-part blog with a focus on respect. Respect is an essential element in any civil society. When a society operates under disrespect, anything goes—there are no rules, no guidelines, and no order. Such definitely describes the current culture in America.

Hate speech and crimes abound
Order of law undermined by intentional corruption
Disingenuous news reporting intended to undermine
Unfounded slander and character assassinations
Reprehensible behavior from people in positions of leadership and influence
Disorderly assemblies of protest replete with personal and property damage

Comedian Kathy Griffin’s shockingly offensive stunt of showing a bloodied, severed replica of President Trump’s head and her rants after experiencing the backlash, reveals just how far from respect many in our nation have come. Additionally, the horrific tragedies and beheading many are actually suffering at the hands of terrorists in other parts of the world, makes Griffin’s display even more appalling.

We need upstanding men and women from all walks of life to join arm in arm, and stand up for what is good and honorable regardless of political affiliation. I’m a firm believer if a person is not part of the solution they are part of the problem. What kinds of action can we take to reestablish proper civil respect?

Lay aside our differences
Defer to others, accepting that your own view is not the only one
Speak, write, and report the truth with responsibility for society
Actively promote common good and social order
Restore civic virtue where government, both sides, work together helping all the people
Uphold the Constitution and the law
Demand a return to unbiased journalistic standards
Restore reverence for God of the Judeo-Christian faith
Conduct ourselves in ways we want generations after us to model

We’re living in a time, not unlike the 18th century, where what’s touted as enlightenment is actually division that feeds entitlement. Quoting from the third book in my Faith to Live By series, Revive Your Life! Rest for Your Anxious Heart,  just released:

In my lifetime in America, I have seen a major cultural shift from most people believing in the existence of God, and having respect for and acceptance of the Bible with its instructions for life, to the nearly complete rejection of all these truths and values.



How has our world become so radically changed? The changes started with deception and continue with deception. There has certainly been a mass ebb and flow of societal norms and cultures since the beginning of time. But I trace our current cultural condition to the extended period known as the Enlightenment. Beginning with the period known as the French Enlightenment (in the eighteenth century) with the emphasis on the primacy of human reason, the truth about God, about humanity, and about truth itself became corrupted. By emphasizing reason and logic from the human perspective, devoid of any “God” perspective, we have skewed a right understanding of truth, and as a result, vast numbers of people are living with deceptions. While the period of Enlightenment impacted many aspects of our culture, perhaps none has been more severely impacted than religious faith.

In my book, I offer more insight concerning how the period of enlightenment specifically gave rise to Protestant Liberalism which birthed the popular embrace of secular humanism. Today, we have a tremendous number of people drawing conclusions and making claims without a proper understanding of truth and history. Sadly, the result is the chaos we’re experiencing.

Whether you are a Democrat or Republican, a Christian or a believer in a different religious faith, we should be able to agree, as America’s Founding Fathers did, that the social values and cultural morals of the Judeo-Christian faith provide the best guide for civil society. Our Founding Fathers studied historic civilizations and made an informed conclusion that a republic style government, rather than a socialistic style, was the best choice to prevent governmental tyranny, accomplished by establishing a government for and by the people. The Declaration of Independence was penned based on the premises of the Bible for social order and the highest common good for all. I am grateful that our Forefathers, from a variety of religious backgrounds, had the wisdom to set aside their differences and collectively work to create a nation that is governed for and by the people promoting truth, justice, and the American way of respect for all people.

Now people, let’s get to work fulfilling our duty to restore America to a nation that demonstrates proper respect for the rule of law, the transition of power, and for one another.

Specific Action: If you’ve never contacted your elected representatives, written a letter to your local paper, called into a local radio station, or volunteered to speak at the local school or community center, now is the time to do so. Alternatively, consider writing a book, starting a focus group within your church or service organization, handing out pamphlets. There’s much we need to do to properly inform and guide people in the ways of truth.  We still have a government that is for and by the people, so it is up to us to make the difference America needs. Pray and ask God what your role is in His imminent revival and reformation for America. To help equip you, consider getting a copy of Revive Your Life! Rest for Your Anxious Heart, written to help properly enlighten those who are deceived. Visit the web site to get promotion code for 15% discount.

I hope to read your comments to this three-part blog about the Great American Divide and your thoughts as to how we can build the bridge our nation so desperately needs.

Pamela Christian is a speaker, writer, and media personality. Her current book series is Faith to Live By, with the third book Revive Your Life! Rest for Your Anxious Heart endorsed by Bill Johnson, Senior Leader Bethel Church, Redding, CA; Dr. Richard Land, President, Southern Evangelical Seminary, Charlotte, North Carolina, and; Dr. James W. Goll, Foudner of God Encounters Ministries, International Speaker, Best-Selling Author, among others.

The Great American Divide – Part Two

As stated in Part One of this article, if we can have meaningful and respectful dialogue, we have a chance at bridging the divide. It is my considered opinion that the great American divide has been fueled by politics.

Politics is defined as the art or science of governing with concern for winning or holding control. Politics are practiced virtually everywhere. However, when politics are utilized for self-serving gain or an elitist group advantage, tyranny has entered the scene.

Tyranny is precisely what the original thirteen colonies in America sought to be free from. The opening lines in the Declaration of Independence (1776) reads as follows (printed here exactly as originally published):

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.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.–Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. 1

The Declaration then lists the many tyrannical abuses the people suffered as evidence of their reason for succession from the British monarchy. I encourage you to follow footnote number one to learn about the abuse of power America’s early settlers suffered.

America’s Founding Fathers, studied the history of governments to determine the best the form of government for the newly united colonies. Their quest was to establish a government that would have built-in protections from future abuse of power. They were impressed with the ancient Roman Republic, and used some of the ideas from that style of government when forming the government for America. The Founders learned that republican government was one in which:

• The power of government is held by the people.

• The people give power to leaders they elect to represent them and serve their interests.

• The representatives are responsible for helping all the people in the country, not just a few people.

The Founders thought a republican government was the best system for the people for the following reasons:

• Fairness: They believed that laws made by the representatives elected by the people would be fair. If their representatives did not make fair laws, the people could elect other representatives who would.

• Common welfare: The laws would help everyone instead of one person or a few favored people.

• Freedom and prosperity: People would have greater freedom and be able to live well. 2

Many people today claim that America is a democracy, which is entirely incorrect.

A democracy is government by the majority. There is a restricted group of citizens in a democracy, but this group rules directly and personally runs the state. The group may delegate specific tasks to individuals, such as generalships and governorships, but there is no question that the ruling force in a democracy is not a charter (if there even is a charter), but the vote of the majority. Democracies are free only if the people know what freedom is and are consistent in their application of it. If they don’t know this, or more appropriately, if a majority of the people don’t know this, then a democracy could be just as tyrannical as the worst dictator (see Socrates’ forced suicide by the Athenian democracy.)

A republic is a government in which a restricted group of citizens form a political unit, usually under the auspice of a charter, which directs them to elect representatives who will govern the state. Republics, by their very nature, tend to be free polities, not because they are elected by the citizens of the polity, but because they are bound by charters, which limit the responsibilities and powers of the state. The fact that people vote for representatives has nothing to do with making anything free. The logical consistency and rationality of the charter, as well as the willingness of the people to live by it, is what keeps people free.3

The militant opposition to the current administration is, in my opinion, evidence that tyranny is on the scene, because those who prefer a democracy are experiencing a loss of power. Advocates of democracy in America are either ignorant concerning our true style of government or aware and seek to change the governance so they may be among the majority who can then vote themselves benefits.

The first Constitutional Convention of the United States, (1787) was held to address the problems of the weak central government that existed under the Articles of Confederation. The United States Constitution that emerged from the convention established a federal government with more specific powers, including those related to conducting relations with foreign governments. Under the reformed federal system, many of the responsibilities for foreign affairs fell under the authority of an executive branch, although important powers, such as treaty ratification, remained the responsibility of the legislative branch. After the necessary number of state ratifications, the Constitution came into effect in 1789 and has served as the basis of the United States Government ever since.4

One of the main fears at the first Constitutional Convention was that the government would be too democratic. Alexander Hamilton is known to have suggested a restricted monarchy. However, this idea was rejected on the basis that any majority could vote itself anything it wanted, be it property or executions.

The Founding Fathers anticipated elected representatives to be statesmen—true public servants. That is, men who would serve their constituency, upholding the will of the people and not promote their own personal ideals. Initially men who served in government, left their personal careers for a limited time to serve their country—to serve their fellow citizens. Early statesmen sacrificed income, personal business advancement, and time with family out of the sense of duty to serve America. Statesmen are those who work to help others by promoting the common welfare, which is to display civic virtue.

The reason these men were willing to sacrifice was because of the tremendously oppressive lives they and their ancestry had lived under the British monarchy. With the mindset of humbly governing the people without abuse, salaries for Senators, for example were exceptionally low. The years 1789-1815 Senators received $6.00 per day, which is equivalent to $89.69 per day actually worked. If the senators worked a five-day week, their salary in 1815 would have been $23,319.00 per year. Compare that to the $174,000.00 annually paid to senators today, not to mention the many additional benefits our elected officials have voted for themselves. Additionally, early senators were limited to serve a maximum of a six-year term. Far different from the career-politicians we have today.5.

Part One of this article stated: ‘When we successfully arrive at a common definition of what is true and therefore good, only then can we enter into any rational dialogue with hopes of resolving common human problems.” In America, we have many issues that divide us. However, I believe if we the people, intentionally replace the ignorance we have lived with for too long, with the truth of the historical rationale and reasoning of our Forefathers, we will be on a path to bridging the gap.

The next part of this article, I intend to identify the common goals we have, whether we claim to align with the democrat or republican party.

Footnotes:

1. http://www.livescience.com/4995-declaration-independence-changed-world.html

2. http://www.civiced.org/resources/curriculum/lesson-plans/450-lesson3-what-is-a-republican-government

3. Republic? Democracy? What’s the Difference? By Alexander Marriott, (January 4, 2003) http://capitalismmagazine.com/2003/01/republic-democracy-whats-the-difference/

4. Constitutional Convention and Ratification, 1787–1789

https://history.state.gov/milestones/1784-1800/convention-and-ratification

5. https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/briefing/senate_salaries.htm and https://www.senate.gov/history/1787.htm

Pamela Christian is a speaker, writer, and media personality. Her current book series is Faith to Live By, with the third book to be released April/May 2017, Revive Your Life! Rest for Your Anxious Heart.

Addressing the Great American Divide – Part One

The results of the United States 2016 Presidential election have undeniably sent shock waves

around the world, the impact of which we are only beginning to feel, and we will continue to

feel for many years to come.

Without a Biblical worldview, it would be impossible to see this major shifting as anything other

than destructive. Perhaps this explains the reactions of some in America—they are reacting from a

basis of fear instead of a solid foundation of faith, based on truth. If this is you—if you are fearful

about the condition of the world and the clashes of ideologies that are creating tremendous divide,

I seek to reason with you and help you find hope. Even if at this point you’re not the least inclined to

believe the claims of the Bible, I still believe you can find a path to hope with what I present, if you

have an open mind.

The basic essentials to truly experience unity are: to not demand uniformity, and to choose to

display mutual respect. We can be unified in our goals, while espousing different means to achieve

them. But we cannot achieve unity without respect for those with differing points of view. It is my

deepest desire that we properly engage in respectful dialogue with emotions kept in check

in order to first agree on our goals. Then from there we can consider the methods for accomplishing

them.

Humanist Worldview

When we view the world from the world’s perspective, we will never find any hope. Let me illustrate

from the humanistic viewpoint, one that believes human kind is the highest existing authority. With

that view, the only hope we have is the belief that mankind is inherently good. Many highly

intelligent and well-educated people believe matters to be true that with proper scrutiny are proven to

be false. Belief that mankind is inherently good is one such claim that needs to be examined.

Mankind has repeatedly proven since the beginning of time that, left to our own, we will always

cooperate with self-serving ways that lead to the destruction of others. Aside from the Bible, there is

ample historical evidence that humans are inherently self-serving and willing to bring destruction on

others.

It is, therefore, reasonable to first ask if the belief that humanity is inherently good is valid or not.

This belief has long been one of major debate, leading to a third humanistic claim: “Human nature is

not one thing, neither ‘good’ nor ‘bad’ overall. People in general have been genetically endowed by

evolution with a wide variety of tendencies and capacities that respond to—but are not necessarily

controlled or determined by—their environment. And so, we see all sorts of individual and cultural

behaviors, providing evidence to defend virtually any assertions about ‘human nature,”1 (emphasis added).

The vast majority of humanists believe that the origin of all that exists was caused by a chaotic,

cosmic explosion that resulted in the order we have today over billions of years of evolution. This, in

my opinion, is another claim that needs to be examined for its accuracy, which I’ll explore in a future

article. But in the present quest for hope, if humanity is the highest order of intelligence, and we

evolved from an explosion, and when we die we cease to exist, where is there any hope? Humanism

offers nothing to explain the universal human desire for eternity, or the basis for which anything is

determined morally good or morally bad.

“Humanism is an outlook or system of thought attaching prime importance to human rather than

divine or supernatural matters. [The vast majority of humanists, do not believe in the existence of

God.] Humanist beliefs stress the potential value and goodness of human beings, emphasize common

human needs, and seek solely rational ways of solving human problems.” Note the words potential used

specific to human value and goodness. Also, note the necessity of seeking rational ways of solving human

problems.2

Considering Morality

Human potential, from any point of view, including the humanistic perspective, can go either way.

The potential for human beings is to produce what is good and beneficial or what is bad and

destructive. While the concepts of what is good and what is bad may vary from culture to culture,

there remains a universal commonality for the majority of humanity regarding what is morally good

or morally bad. For example, most believe that lying is bad and truth is good. Most believe that

murder of the innocent is bad. Most believe that saving lives is good. Again, if we originated from a

cosmic explosion, where do the universal moral concepts of good and bad come from? What inspires

humanity to make such determination?

For humans to be willing to find mutual rational thought in order to resolve common human

problems, we must first agree on what is good and what is bad. On what basis can we begin any

rational discourse to solve common human problems? I purport that the basis must be truth. And I’ll

add that until we discover actual truth, morality is up for grabs.

Ah, but even the concept of truth has come under scrutiny with many people today believing that

truth is relative, and therefore not absolute. I explore this in my book, Examine Your Faith! Finding

Truth in a World of Lies (Protocol Ltd. Revised 2015). But for this article, I’ll get to the final

analysis.

Those who claim that truth is relative would state, “There is no such thing as absolute truth.” But to

make that claim is to rely on the law of absolutes. To say there is no such thing as absolute truth, is

making an absolute statement. So, the simple truth-test is three part:

1. The truth always lines up with reality.

2. Only one thing can be true; all opposing matters are false.

3. The truth is universal.

When all three tests are in place, we can be confident a matter is true—meaning it is worthy of our

complete trust.

When we successfully arrive at a common definition of what is true and therefore good, only then

can we enter into any rational dialogue with hopes of resolving common human problems. When the

exploration of solutions is conducted with mutual respect and a true desire to arrive at what is good

for the vast majority of people, then we overcome our self-serving nature and transcend to a mode of

achieving what is beneficial for ourselves and for others.

The next part of this article will explore ways we can more successfully engage in dialogue to

ultimately bridge the divide in our country and increase our hope for experiencing more of what is

good.

Footnotes:

1. Evolutionary Life, “Are Humans Naturally Good or Bad?” (May 2007),

http://www.cointelligence.org/newslet..., January 31, 2017.

2. https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid...

Pondering the First Silent Night

Many of our modern-day Christmas traditions have been born out of sheer merchandising. Considering Jesus’ anger expressed in the temple over the money changers’ swindling the people, I can’t help but wonder how He feels about how we celebrate His earthly birth. With that in mind, drawing on my imagination of the Biblical account of the first Christmas, I’ve sought to better capture the awe and majesty of that wonderful night.

Imagine the bitterly cold night. Imagine Joseph’s devotion to God demonstrated by caring for his betrothed wife, Mary who is nine months pregnant—soon to give birth to the long-awaited Messiah. The nearly sixty-five mile trek from Nazareth to Bethlehem was much more difficult than Joseph had expected. As he walked leading the colt Mary was riding, he glanced back at her. She is truly beautiful…and brave. Joseph vividly recalled the angelic visit several months before, when he was informed his betrothed, Mary, was the virgin the prophets of old foresaw, who would bear a Son to be called Immanuel, meaning God with us. Joseph secretly wondered if he could be as brave as Mary. He contemplated what their life would be like in the years ahead. It’s natural for a husband and wife to raise children. But this child is the Son of God… Joseph immediately shook his head as if to toss off any fearful thoughts.

Joseph and Mary fighting the night elements, and exhausted from their travel, very much needed to find a place to sleep the night. Pulling his tunic tighter to ward off the cold, Joseph took comfort and quietly breathed a sigh of relief at seeing the lights of the town ahead. Certainly, Mary is even more fatigued than me, and she’s begun having labor pains.

After many attempts to find lodging, they were finally given permission by one innkeeper to make their bed in his stable. Exhausted and suffering increasing pain, Mary was overcome with gratitude they had any place to lie down.

Joseph gently helped Mary down from the colt and helped her over to a corner of the stable where she could sit propped up by the rough and weather-worn wood. He needed to prepare the stable—to improve the area somehow so she could give birth and they could be as warm and as comfortable as possible.

Would this be a long night of labor? Of course, neither Joseph nor Mary knew. Gratefully, Mary’s time with her cousin, Elizabeth, had helped prepare her. Elizabeth, much older than Mary, was six months’ pregnant with her first child when Mary arrived. Mary’s heart swelled with gratitude for her cousin protecting her. As a young woman betrothed to Joseph, his family had already paid Mary’s family for this prearranged marriage. Mary’s eyes filled with tears, grateful that she was sent away to safety. Had either family learned that she was pregnant before the marriage ceremony… She couldn’t bear to think of what could have happened.

As younger women, both had helped other kinswomen in the birthing process, serving as mid-wives. Unique to conversations among women, Mary and Elizabeth spent many late-night hours discussing and reviewing all that they would need to know to experience successful births. She wished her cousin could be with her now. Right then, a strong and surprising gust of warm air encircled her. She smiled taking comfort in knowing God was near. She closed her eyes and pondered the visit from the angel Gabriel nearly nine months before. The Angel told me this child would be the Son of the Most High, and that we were to name Him Jesus. Joseph told me that the angel who visited him confirmed that this child is to be named Jesus. How strange that the angel used the Greek name, Jesus, instead of the Hebrew equivalent, Yeshua… Before she could consider this further, she was overcome with the onslaught of another contraction, which she managed through without making a sound.

Joseph had done a fine job rearranging the hay and putting out blankets for them to sleep on. Just before he turned around to help Mary over to the bed, Mary let out a quiet, suffering moan. Turning to see her, Joseph saw Mary’s face grimace with pain for the first time. She truly is beautiful and brave. Taking a few steps toward her, he bent down and lovingly carried her up and over to the prepared bed. Gently laying her down, he did what she asked to help comfort her. As the labor pains increased, so did the bond between Mary and Joseph. Mary knew that Joseph had no experience birthing babies. That was a woman’s role. Considering they had not yet consummated their marriage, she couldn’t bear the idea of Joseph helping. God You will have to help me. As a modest woman, I ask that You not require Joseph to help… Oh, how I wish my cousin Elizabeth, could be with me now. During the intense rhythmic surging labor pains, Joseph held Mary’s hand and prayed.

The innkeeper’s wife had noticed Mary’s condition when they first arrived. She herself had had three children, none of which were easy births. She took pity on the young woman and gathered all the things necessary to give maximum comfort and make for a successful birth. Approaching the stable with the supplies and the warm glow of a lamp, she called out to her guests. “Peace be with you in the Name of the God of Abraham.” Consistent with proper customs, Joseph replied, “And peace be with you who graces our presence.” He said this to indicate that the innkeeper’s wife was most welcome. She spoke again, “If you allow me, I’d like to be of help It’s important for our family’s reputation that you are treated hospitably, no matter the conditions.” Independently and in thought only, both Mary and Joseph thanked God for sending a human angel. Joseph motioned her in.

Mary was exceedingly glad to have the help of the innkeeper’s wife, despite the fact her hands were so rough. She oversaw keeping the inn clean, caring for all the animals, and cooking all the meals for their guests and family. This was not a woman of pampered leisure. As stern as her mannerisms were, her heart was just as compassionate. Mary felt a fresh sense of security in the capable care of the innkeeper’s wife.

Mary muffled any cries of pain, but even so, Joseph knew the pain was far greater than she revealed. After what seemed to be an inordinate amount of time, the babe finally emerged, safely into the hands of the innkeeper’s wife. Next, above the sounds of the lowing cattle and the cooing of doves, the precious first sounds of the baby’s voice were heard. That’s when the sky lit up!

At that very moment, a good distance away, some shepherds were in the fields near Bethlehem, keeping watch over their flocks of sheep, when an angel appeared to them! The men were greatly afraid and the sheep instantly startled and scattered. But as the angel spoke, an inexplicable peace and calm hushed over them. The angel said, “Fear not, for behold I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day, in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased.”

The shepherds left the sheep to the herd dogs, and with haste sought to find the baby. And when they found the baby lying in a manger, they made known to Joseph and Mary all that the angel had said to them. All who heard wondered what the words meant. But Mary treasured these things and pondered them in her heart. After a time, the shepherds returned to their flock, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard, all they had seen, and all that had been told them.

With the baby newly born, the innkeeper’s wife and shepherds now gone, Mary and Joseph gathered close to one another and the newborn infant, in silent adoration. The sounds of the animals in the stable, the gentle breeze of night air which had warmed, and their surroundings illuminated by the warm glow of the lamp, to speak would ruin the atmosphere.

Could this be what happened that very first Silent Night?

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

(Isaiah 9:6)

My prayer for you and your loved ones is for this Christmas to be a time of intentional consideration of what the Lord has done to radically demonstrate His love for you. May this story encourage you to reestablish your family traditions around the true meaning of Christmas, to be among those with whom He is pleased.

Imagination based on Matthew 1 & 2 and Luke 1 & 2

Points to consider:

Both Mary and Joseph had to be uniquely brave as the earthly parents to care for the long-awaited Messiah. What do you imagine Joseph went through learning that his betrothed was pregnant? What do you think he went through learning that Mary was pregnant with the Son of the Most High?

In a Middle Eastern rural community at this time in history, for a young betrothed woman to be found pregnant, and especially not by her fiancé, could easily result in an honor killing, which would have ended the life of the baby in her womb. Could Mary’s visit to Elizabeth, about a hundred miles away in Judea, have been a desperate attempt by Joseph, or Mary’s family, inspired by God, to save her from this fate—to get her out of the way until some solution had been worked out?

Could the angels’ instruction to name the baby Jesus, have been a clue that the Messiah was not the Savior of the Jews only, but also for Gentiles who will believe?

Do you think that the Christmas story is a time-honored fable? Many people wrongly think so. But there is a tremendous amount of historical extra-biblical writings, and archaeological discoveries that support the claims of the Bible. Jesus is who He claimed to be—the Savior of the world. If you, or someone you love, does not believe in Jesus as their personal Savior, I contend it’s because not enough time or effort has been expended to discover truth about God, humanity and all creation. God exists. He loves you with an everlasting love. He has made a way for you to be eternally restored into a right relationship with Him and all that is good. Why not reconsider Jesus this Christmas season?