My Testimony: 1972-1995

I was praying about what to write about next when I thought I heard God say, "Give your testimony."  "Me, Lord?  I don't have a dramatic story."  But again I heard, "Give your testimony."  So, I am believing this voice I may have heard was from God.  Also, I don't think it is any coincidence that the above placard just happened to be on Facebook the day I heard those words!

I was practically born a Christian.  I was a preacher's kid until the age of 14.  I can't say I always loved it as I am very shy and I have never enjoyed being scrutinized at every turn.  I did, however, have a happy childhood with loving parents and an older sister that was also my best friend.  My mother stayed at home with us until we were teenagers and then she went to work as a preschool teacher.  After my father quit preaching full time, he worked very hard to become a licensed counselor.  My sister eventually went off to college, and we never shared a house again; she got married 3 years later in 1990, the same year I graduated from high school.  In spite of financial hardships, seeing my family suffer at the hands of the leaders of various churches, and moving several times, I had a very normal and very sheltered childhood.

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.  I Corinthians 13:11

Well, this all changed in 1994.  I will not go into details, but, after 26 years of marriage, my parents got a divorce.  I remember very distinctly thinking that things like this didn't happen in Christian families.  I was disillusioned with all I had been taught.  My parents pulled me in two very painful directions, and no matter whom I chose to give aid to, the other made me feel as if  my act of kindness toward the other was a betrayal.  My sister had married a navy man and was living in Hawaii at the time and very busy with a toddler and a second baby on the way. I could not, would not burden her with my hurts, so I allowed myself to be in it all alone.  I didn't have any close friends, and even if I had, my faith in humanity had been so severely shaken that I would have pushed friends away. 

I need to pause here and add that, though this was one of the most painful times of my life, through the power of the Holy Spirit, I have been able to heal my heart and forgive all involved in the divorce.  I put the past behind me and continued to have wonderful relationships with both of my parents.

So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.  Matthew 17:20

What I did have was a small grain of faith.  But it was enough to keep me from sinking into a dark depression.  It was enough to keep my head and chin up while encouraging my family to do the same.  It was enough to look for a new church where I found the strength to cry out to God to restore my broken heart.  It was not that I was so strong that I held on to my faith, it was that God loved me so much that he refused to let me go!

The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you. Jeremiah 31:3      

About a year and five months after the divorce, I was injured in a physical way.  I was working at our local newspaper and one of my many job duties was picking up ad copy.  I was driving in very busy downtown Boise (Idaho) Friday night traffic.  I was lost and angry that I had to do this job...  Wait, let me back up.  I had been demoted about three months earlier due to the fact that my new supervisor was interested in dating me, but I refused to go partying with him because of my morals.  He later admitted to me he took his anger out on me because I was a Christian, and made sure I got demoted.  After I quit this job, he became a Christian and apologized to me and even bought me a Christian devotional!  Now, let me go forward again...  I was driving in November and it was already dark at 6:00 p.m.  I was supposed to be back to the office by 5:00 and I was growing more and more anxious and more and more furious.  I took my seat belt off.  Suddenly, I had a very strong feeling to put my seat belt back on, and less than a minute later, I found myself going through a red light at one of the busiest intersections in Boise.  I remember saying, "Oh no!" and was hit full on the left side.  My little Tracker spun around and flipped onto its side, sliding down the street.  The canvas top was damaged, but strangers quickly came to my aid and helped ripped the top open before the police or ambulance arrived.  The first thing the officer asked me was if I had been drinking, and I said I didn't drink and explained that I was simply lost and hadn't noticed the red light.  The next thing he asked me was if I had been wearing my seat belt.  I said I had and he looked me right in the eyes and said, "I know you were because if you hadn't, I wouldn't be talking to you right now.  You would either be dead or very seriously injured."  I was pretty badly banged up and had three months of chiropractic care and three months of physical therapy, but, thank God, I put that seat belt on!  I still suffer pain today from time to time since I now have crooked hips and my neck doesn't curve right, and have some arthritis in my back & shoulders, but, overall, I really can't complain!  God was looking out for me, and the day I saw my totaled Tracker in the tow yard smashed in on the passenger side, the entire right side scraped up, and the roof torn off, I knew angels had been with me that day.  And thank God also that the other driver was not hurt at all! 

For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.  Psalm 91:11

Well, this short story is growing and growing, so I will save the rest for later...

Week 56: Seven Abominations (From my Other Blog)

This is a post from my other blog, "The ABCs of a Joyful Marriage" https://abcsofajoyfulmarriage.blogspot.com/ but I thought this advice could apply to this blog as well.

Fun Activity This Week: Choose 7 bible verses this week to memorize.  I know that sounds like a lot, but they can be short verses such as John 11:35, which is only two words, "Jesus wept." But make sure you focus on the significance of those words and don't just choose them because they are brief.  Since all my activity suggestions are to be done as a couple, you can split the 7 verses so you do not both have to learn all 7. I realize this means one of you will have to memorize 4 verses and the other 3, but I'm sure you can find a way to make that work for you! At the end of the week, recite your verses to one another and discuss why you chose those verses. Do so over coffee or tea and an optional dessert.

Week 56: Seven Abominations

I realize I last left off with the number 3, but I am jumping ahead to focus on subject matter that better fits the issues I believe are important.

These six things the Lord hates,
Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:

¹⁷ A proud look,

A lying tongue,
Hands that shed innocent blood,

¹⁸ A heart that devises wicked plans,

Feet that are swift in running to evil,

¹⁹ A false witness who speaks lies,

And one who sows discord among brethren.

Proverbs 6:16-19

I am not sure why Solomon (who wrote Proverbs) writes, "six," then "seven," but since there are 7 items listed, I will use these verses for the number 7.

All of these issues can absolutely apply to marriage. Let me briefly break them down.

A proud look: How often have you acted superior to your mate in a prideful manner?  You may even have made fun of the other when you think he/she is wrong and laughed and ridiculed the other when you were proved right.  Next time you are tempted to act this way, remember how much God hates pride. Psalm 51:17 says that the Lord will never despise a broken and contrite heart. It is essential to your walk with the Lord to be humble before Him, but also vital to your marriage to be gentle with one another. Do not ever think yourself better than others (read Philippians 2:3), and that includes your spouse. As I always say, yes, the husband is the head of the home, but you are equal partners in every way. Remember to act in love the next time you have a disagreement and know that God hates pride.

A lying tongue & a false witness who speaks lies: I'm including these together because they are both reminding us to always be honest. The second part of that statement probably also has to do with making up stories about another person as well as lying about something. So do not lie to your mate, and do not lie about him or her either. Although not as harmful, even exaggerating good qualities is the same as lying. God does not want us to lie even if we are falsely trying to build up someone else's reputation.  Honesty is absolutely always is the best policy.  

Hands that shed innocent blood: Murder is not the only way to shed blood. Physical abuse can also bring such harm. You do not have to put up with an abusive spouse! It is not wrong to send him/her to jail. If he/she adamantly refuses to get help, I do not believe divorce is wrong is such a case. Also, do not keep silent when someone else is the victim, related or not. God expects us to speak up for the innocent, and I will even add that this includes violence towards animals. 

A heart that devises wicked plans: Notice that one does not even have to carry out wicked plans, but just dreaming them up is an abomination to God.  The Lord knows all your thoughts and if you are considering harming someone or breaking the law, you will be held accountable for your thoughts. Matthew 5:28 says we commit adultery just by thinking about having sex with someone not our spouse.  Proverbs 23:7 says that we are what we think.  The Bible also says that whatever we sow in our hearts we will reap in our actions.  Remember that song, "Be careful little mind what you think? For the Father up above is looking down in love."  Well, sing that to yourself every time you are devising wicked thoughts. Repent, and change your thought process!

Feet that are swift in running to evil: Do not be quick to jump on the band wagon with everyone else doing wrong. That wagon is headed straight to hell!  Be swift to run away from evil. If your first instinct is to run toward the sinful things of this world, you need to repent of your ways and get back to living for Christ! Running to evil includes cheating on your mate and pornography. You do not have to participate if your spouse wants you to do something you know is sinful. It is okay to say no and encourage him/her to repent and walk away from sin.  Pray together that you will be strong enough to flee temptations in your marriage individually and as a couple.

And one who sows discord among brethren: There are so many, many ways we can sow discord. Gossip is the biggest thing that comes to my mind. Remember the above verse speaking against lying? Gossip is rarely truthful or at the most half-truths.  I cannot stand to be around a gossip as many people have harmed me and/or my precious husband with false gossip (I am including from before we knew each other as well). Again, do not talk about your spouse behind his/her back. Also, sowing discord in your home could mean simply being antagonistic and argumentative. Be kind to each other and sow peace and joy. Those are things God loves!

Marriage enhancing idea for the week: Carefully go over the seven things that are abominations. Be honest with yourselves and repent of any of these acts of which you are guilty.  If you need to also ask your mate's forgiveness, do so and be quick to forgive if he/she needs to ask it if you as well.

Don't be Led by Blind Leaders

Exploring Christian Entertainment: Part 2, Written by Mel

Exploring Christian Entertainment: Part 2, Written by my Husband, Mel

There are many biblical movies today being produced by both Hollywood, as well as Christian organizations that are not wholesome, nor biblically accurate.  There was a time when biblical movies were safe for the whole family to watch and there was more of a reverence than today. My wife and I made the decision to do away with television, as well as all movies some time ago because of  all the wickedness shown. But before we completely made a break from movies, we viewed some biblical movies and were shocked at what we saw.

We will examine some of the biblical movies that are being endorsed by many churches today. When Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" first came out, I went to see it in the movie theater. I had a strong discernment of a demonic presence during the entire movie. The discernment was strongest when they depicted Satan as a grotesque woman holding a demonic baby. This movie was made like a horror movie, not a biblical movie. They didn't need to show the worms eating the carcass of a donkey or the overdone mutilation of Christ. The most disgusting scene occurred at the end of the movie during the resurrection scene. They showed a quick glimpse of Christ's nude backside, including his buttock. This is typical Hollywood's irreverence for anything holy. Yet the churches in their blind ignorance endorsed this movie.

Another one of Hollywood's irreverent movies was "The Last Temptation of Christ." We never saw this rated R movie but have read much about it. This movie depicted Jesus fantasizing about having sex with Mary Magdalene upon the cross and it showed them naked in bed together. This is the ultimate blasphemy against our Lord who knew no sin. At least back then the churches protested this disgusting film, but today, anything goes with a church who has lost it's way.

The last so-called biblical movie we saw was "Noah" with Russell Crowe. This movie did not resemble the true biblical account of Noah in any way! The movie "Noah" depicted the fallen angels (watchers), as creatures made of rock. These rock creatures repeatedly made remarks about how the creator punished them for helping mankind. The movie depicted the fallen angels helping Noah build the ark, and the result was, that God forgave them for their trespass and let them re-enter Heaven. Later, aboard the ark, Noah is depicted as a mad man trying to kill his newly born grandchild. There is also a castaway aboard the ark urging Noah's son to kill his father. The facts are that the fallen angels did not help Noah build the ark. It took Noah 120 years to build the ark. Noah, his wife, and his sons and their wives, were the only ones aboard the ark, there were not any castaways or grandchildren. This gross departure from scripture is presenting a lie to many people who are not familiar with scripture.

The latest insult from Hollywood is the new release, "The Young Messiah." Anne Rice is the author of the book that the movie is based off of. Anne Rice is famous for writing horror stories, especially about vampires. This movie is presenting a lie about the childhood of Jesus. The Bible doesn't have much to say about the childhood of Christ, so Hollywood considers it perfectly acceptable to fill in the blanks with lies. The movie depicts Jesus being bullied by a child who falls and hits his head and dies. Jesus feels bad about it and resurrects the child from the dead. According to the Bible, Jesus first miracle was when he turned the water into wine at the marriage feast, and even then he said that his time had not yet come. This movie also depicts an attempted rape scene in which the woman kills the man. There is also an implied sex scene between Herod and a woman who dances for him. A demon is also depicted taunting the young Jesus. There are no boundaries, or depths of depravity, that Hollywood will not lower themselves to. And, by the way, Anne Rice conveniently became Catholic long enough to get money for this book, then quickly denounced her "faith" again soon after the success of it all.  Why would any Christian organization promote someone such as that, especially considering that filth for which she is so well known? (Note, we have not seen this movie, but read the review for it.)

Other movies to avoid are, "Risen" and "Exodus." These movies also grossly depart from scripture, as well as are filled with violence.

We have also been shocked at the movies being produced by Christian organizations. One movie depicted a pastor using profanity from behind the pulpit. This same movie also depicted a Christian family drinking alcohol on a regular basis. Many of these faith based movies also show women dressed immodestly, they include swearing, as well as unnecessary violence. There was a time when there was a reverence for the Lord, as well as Christian ministry, but now anything goes. My advice to Christians is to 100% give up television and movies, and trade your free time to grow closer to the Lord.   

 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

“I will dwell in them
And walk among them.
I will be their God,
And they shall be My people.”

Therefore

“Come out from among them
And be separate, says the Lord.
Do not touch what is unclean,
And I will receive you.”

“I will be a Father to you,
And you shall be My sons and daughters,
Says the Lord Almighty.”

II Corinthians 6:16-18

Exploring Christian Entertainment, Part 1: Music

What would you say if I told you all of the above photos are of bands who promote themselves as Christian?  If you look like the world on the outside, what does that say about the condition of your heart on the inside? 

How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Matthew 12:34

 There were also plenty of pictures of female Christian artists dressed and posed provocatively.  We did not feel comfortable sharing such images, but trust us, they are out there.  

In like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation... which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.  I Timothy 2:9-10 

We are not trying to discredit any one specific artist or band, but we just don't understand why anyone would promote themselves as a Christian band if they are not willing to act the part.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.   And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.  Romans 12:1-2 

For that matter, why would we, as Christians, listen to such music, thus promoting ungodly music? 

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.  Philippians 4:8-9

We may think that any kind of music is safe as long as it is promoted as Christian.  We have both listened to Christian music in the past with a heavy rock beat. (And sometimes not-so-heavy, but it is still obvious the artist is compromising.)  Our flesh enjoyed the secular rhythm.  There was not always a Godly message to be found in the lyrics, but the voices were good, and the beat was pleasing.  What we both noticed was that, even while trying to enjoy the music, we would always feel a sense of agitation while listening to it.  That is called a check in your spirit when God is trying to warn you something is bad.  It is also called discernment.

 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ.  Philippians 1:9-10

David Wilkerson was an amazing holiness preacher. He had a great gift of prophecy and discernment.  In 1987, David was invited to attend a well-known Christian singer's concert.  While at this concert, the band began playing a very popular song.  In the spirit, David saw Satan laughing at the crowd because they were doing this all in the name of Jesus, but they were truly worshiping Satan in their hearts.  (Please read his profound article: http://tscpulpitseries.org/english/1980s/ts870803.html )

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Isaiah 5:20 

Think demons aren't real?

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Ephesians 6:12

Mel gave up "Christian" rock music in his teens, when his late mother saw demons attached to the music he was listening to.  Mel's mother, Marie was a prophetic woman with the gift of spiritual discernment.  Like Pastor Wilkerson, even before I knew he also had a vision, I had a vision of a demon on stage at a "Christian" concert my husband and I attended.  The demon had a wide, sadistic grin on its face as if it was fully enjoying the fact that the audience was enjoying and even dancing to the very secular music that had nothing to even do with Christ.  I turned to Mel and said, "Do you feel that? The air is heavy and making me sick to my stomach." Mel acknowledged he felt the same way. We quickly left. As we were heading out the door, Mel felt the urge to loudly say, "Ichabod! The spirit of the Lord has departed."  Another concert goer, also about to leave, looked at him and shouted, "Amen! Preach it brother!"  

This is a great meme.  Those artists promoting themselves as "Christian" are truly wolves in sheep's clothing.  They do not care about the condition of your soul.  What they want is your adoration, and of course, your money.  Look again at the faces of those in the pictures at the top of this blog.  Do you see any humility?  Do their songs really praise Jesus or just ask for stuff and whine about life being hard?  The only message given is the very watered-down grace message that says we are all forgiven because we are only human.  You will never hear repentance or holiness preached.  You rarely even hear the name of Jesus or God, but rather the songs are about a generic, "you." 

If you have ever been to one of these concerts, pay attention to who is getting worshipped.     

For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought... Romans 12:3

Ungodly music does not just come from professional studios.  Many churches are also into promoting the same ungodly beats for the sake of entertainment and, more importantly, for the sake of getting money placed in the offering.  Do not be deceived that just because the music is sung in a church that it is pleasing to God.

Mel once had a dream where he was attending a fancy mega-church.  He sat in the bleachers with some younger people, and the elders of the church were seated to their right.  The worship leader began encouraging them to worship God by clapping and lifting their hands to the Lord.  Then he began telling them to dance before the Lord.  Don't be fooled that there is anything holy about the Holy Ghost Hop, for this is what they were doing in the dream.  Then he encouraged the congregation to take their clothes off before the Lord.  This is symbolic of sin.  As the younger people began peeling their clothes off, the elders began to point and chant, "Shame!  Shame!"

Also, consider this:  the heavy drum beats used in some of the popular music styles come from tribal music used in satanic rituals.  Some of these same rhythms have been and still are used to call on demons.  The demons have not forgotten this fact, nor do they care who you think you are calling.  They will answer.

Not all Christian artists are wrong to listen to. There are many that sing beautiful songs that glorify the Lord. With that said, however, even the softer style of music is likely to be sung by lukewarm Christians. Often I see popular artists dancing around, jumping up in down, raising their hands, using phony mood lighting, and even strobe lights, all for show-and-tell and to promote him/herself.  When you are close to the Lord, you can tell the difference between these Actors pretending to glorify the Lord with teary eyes and up-raised arms. Emotionalism sells albums and tickets! The lyrics and beats may be safe, but even if the singer is phony, just make certain you are glorifying God in your personal worship and not the singer. 

We are both very careful about the type of music we listen to.  We pay close attention to any discernments the Holy Spirit may give us.  If either one of us feels uncomfortable, the music gets turned off.  We encourage you to also listen closely to the Holy Spirit when he warns you about what you allow into your home, car, or office.