A Word on Politics

I wouldn't consider myself a political person in any sense of the word, and I usually try to stay very far away from politics. Although some of the reason for that is personal preference, it is due largely to my understanding of the Two Kingdoms. (I HIGHLY recommended David Bercot's book "The Kingdom That Turned the World Upside Down" on this topic—I thought I understood the two kingdoms before I read it, but I really didn't. This book was so helpful for me!)

Having said that, I would like to share just a few words on the presidential candidates and upcoming presidential election (or the election of any official, for that matter) because I think a follower of Jesus Christ should have a Scripturally-based view on every situation, including politics and elections. Here are some of my thoughts that I hope will provoke you to thought and help you draw your own conclusions based on God’s Word.

It has saddened me to see many professing Christians justify voting for someone by saying that person is “the lesser of two evils”. When did the lesser of two evils become right? If something or someone is the lesser of two evils, it/they are still evil! “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil . . .” (Isaiah 5:20). As Christians, we must not decide between the lesser of two evils. We must always stand for absolute truth and righteousness in every situation.

I hesitated about bringing up specific names, since I don’t want the message of this post to be lost in the specifics. However, there is one presidential candidate who has captured the minds and hearts of scores of professing Christians who I feel like must be exposed and denounced. His name is Donald Trump. The reason I think it is so dangerous that so many professing Christians admire Trump and plan to vote for him is that he claims to be a Christian.

Do not be deceived—Donald Trump is not a Christian. Some may condemn me for making what seems to be such a harsh judgment. However, God’s Word is quite clear on some of the basic things that distinguish a follower of Jesus Christ. God did not leave us unequipped to discern between genuine and false fruit. If you do not know much about Trump or why I am making such strong statements about him, please do some research. With a simple internet search you will find things about him that I hope will shock you.

So as you consider the presidential candidates and all of the upcoming elections, base your decisions on the Word of God. What things are important to God? Are those things important to you? Do they influence how you vote, or don’t vote? If you claim to follow Jesus Christ, they should!

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.” Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is (Ephesians 5:1-17).

God's Leading: A Testimony

God is amazing--in so many ways! Tonight I’m thinking in particular of the way He leads when we can’t see clearly to make out the path ahead. I want to share the following testimony on how God has lead in a particular area in my life with the hope that it can be an encouragement to others who might be facing something similar. This was God’s answer for me and the way He worked in my life. The details of your story won’t be the same, but God does have a plan for you and He will work it out if you wait on Him!

It was about two years ago that I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do with violin. Should I continue taking lessons? Should I stop playing altogether and move on to something else? Were there any opportunities for me to use my playing to bless others? Should I teach? Should I form a little group to play with? I faced a lot of confusion and uncertainty whenever I tried to seek God's will in this area. What did God want me to do?

Fast forward two years . . .

I’ve officially been teaching violin (and piano) for a year and a half now and I’m planning to get certified as a Suzuki violin teacher next summer if things continue to unfold for that. I’m taking ten of my sixteen students to two nursing homes next weekend to do a Thanksgiving program. I feel so blessed and fulfilled in being the one to help these children discover the beauty of music. My life has been bettered in so many ways through the experience of being a teacher!

Two and a half years ago, I found out about Anabaptist Orchestra Camp through a friend. That is part of what set my course concerning the violin. I knew I wasn’t stopping after I went there the first year! So many of my dreams have been fulfilled through AOC and I’m grateful for those who birthed that vision and those who have helped to carry it out!

My older sister plays harp, and she and I have been working toward a goal of going to a nursing home once a month to play. Our desire is that we will be able to be a bit of hope and light in some hopeless and dark lives. It is more blessed to give than to receive, so we want to share what we've been given through the gift of music.

Two months ago, my violin teacher asked me to play in a concert that she does with friends every December. We’ve been practicing for just over a month now, and it’s been wonderful to play with other musicians who enjoy music as much as I do and are committed to practicing, rehearsals, and whatever it takes to make the concert a success!

My teacher is also working with some of her younger students in an ensemble setting, and she invited my younger sister (who I’ve been teaching) to participate and asked me to help lead one of the little groups within the ensemble. The experience has combined three of my favorite things when it comes to music: playing with others, sight reading, and . . . the simple joy of making music!

In December, I’ll be playing Christmas music at a local church on Christmas Eve. My teacher told me about the opportunity and said that she couldn’t do it and asked if I would like to. I was nervous as I’ve never done anything like that before, but I went and met with them and they said they’d like to have me. So . . . I’m going to do it!

Several of the things I’m involved in right now are short term, and I don’t know what (if anything) will take their place in the coming months. However, I do know how God has directed me for now, and I know that He will continue to lead and unfold my path before me as I follow Him!

So how did I get from A to B, from confusion and uncertainty to certainty, fulfillment, and joy? One big thing that happened is that God used my parents to answer questions, give input, and help guide me. I know I wouldn't be at where I am today if it weren't for my wonderful parents! God also tested my faith during this journey. Often I would step out, not knowing exactly where I was going, but God was always there to confirm my direction or shut the doors. As long as I stayed closely connected to Him, I knew I could trust Him to do that!

I Serve An Amazing God!

Today was an amazing day out at the abortion mill. Not because I like it out there. In fact, I hate it. I wouldn’t go if I didn’t feel compelled to. And not because we saw an extraordinary response, either. There was one woman, all smiles, who left and said that she had changed her mind. We were able to give her a gift bag and phone numbers in case she needed more help. That was exciting and encouraging, but there were still so many hard hearts.

Instead, it was amazing because I saw and felt God’s hand so many times. On the way down, my sister and I prayed and she read Colossians chapter three out loud. That was a blessing. I arrived feeling so much more prepared than I have other weeks. I felt a nearness to God, a quiet, trusting faith and peace in my heart this morning even amidst the utter sinfulness and depravity that was being displayed around me. That is why I said that today was amazing—because I serve a God that never ceases to amaze me!

And before I close, I wanted to share this quote that a friend of mine posted on Facebook recently. It sounds a lot like what I told the women at the mill this morning as I spoke on the microphone: “Wrong is wrong even if everyone is doing it. Right is right even if no one is doing it.” ~Saint Augustine of Hippo

So true. Few are those who find it. But for those who do, they will find that God is truly amazing.

The Mayo Story

I’ve been thinking a lot about faith versus sight in the past year and have been collecting stories, thoughts, quotes, verses, etc. that I hope to put together into an article at some point. A couple weeks ago I added another story to my collection and it illustrates my point so well that I thought I’d share it by itself. (By the way, I did tell my sister that I was going to use this illustration and I thanked her for it, too, because it is exactly the type of story I was looking for!)

While looking for recipes to use up our abundance of eggs one day, I came across a recipe for homemade mayonnaise. I know that mayo from the store isn’t that great for you, so although we don’t use it a lot, I thought I’d give the recipe a try. It sounded like an interesting experiment, anyway!

Later that evening after my brother found out that I had made mayonnaise, he brought out a copy of the Backyard Poultry magazine that he gets and showed me a section where it gave recipes and tips for making your own mayo. As I scanned the pages, one of my sisters made a comment about how homemade mayonnaise was gross because it used raw eggs. She had seen me making the mayo earlier in the day.

“Mayonnaise that we buy from the store has raw eggs, too,” I replied.

“I know, but I SAW you crack that egg!”

“But wouldn’t you rather have mayonnaise with our eggs from our chickens rather than raw eggs that you don’t know anything about?” I asked.

“No, because I SAW you crack that egg!”

That’s when I began laughing and exclaimed that I was so happy to now have another perfect illustration to add to my growing list. ;-) If you don’t understand how this is a perfect illustration now, you will once I get the time to write my article and share it with you!