Everyone likes a good story. All of us have benefited from Christian biographies. Hopefully we are the faithful Christians about whom future generations will talk. Reconstructionists have at times been called bookish, pugnacious, cold, arrogant. After all, knowledge does puff up! But nothing humbles…
Jonathan Character a covenant child growing into a covenant man.
I started as a depressed kid and went downhill from there until I found myself at the very gutter of religious Satanism. But God was gracious to me and dragged me to the cross of His Son. And I went downhill from there again, this time into compromise and fornication. But God was gracious to me again and dragged me out of it. And I went downhill again, trying to be good enough to be saved. But God was gracious to me and has been dragging me ever since, closer and closer to His glorious truth and to greater faithfulness. I could be rightly awarded the Professional Against-the-Goads-Kicker Award, but my heavenly Father loves me faithfully, and therefore I am, by the grace of God, Kingdom-Driven.
I started out as a kid in a large Catholic family and wasted my first twenty-five years on aimless pursuits. Then my eyes, ears, and brain matter were opened to undeserved saving grace, and not long after that a new life would enter my heart. But wait, there's more! Add years of dispensational aimlessness, yet more years rejecting that but without an answer to it, finally in my '50s finding faith in a King that rules over every aspect of life in Heaven and on Earth here, now, and going forward, and a once aimless life now has purpose and direction. This story scratches the surface, with the intent to keep it short and family-friendly. Mature minds will fill in the details, or feel free to contact me with comments or questions. All glory to God.
As a reflection, Christianity is faith in action. The sphere in which we live is where we work, and there is plenty to do everywhere. Covenantal thinking affects every area of thought and life and your worldview does matter because you will live your life accordingly. We have a welfare state because the church has shirked its responsibilities, forfeiting to the state what WE, as the church, should be doing. I remember what R.J. Rushdoony said, “History has never been dominated by majorities, but only dedicated minorities who stand unconditionally on their faith.”
From the all too typical American story of love that is not found on the Truth of God's Word, my parents tried to build a family apart from a covenant with God and wound up divorcing after 23 years of marriage when I was 11. With no real Christian influence in my life, I turned to the world and the things it has to offer for my fulfillment. Though there was always a vestige of belief in “God” (whoever that was) and had an awareness that He might be real, the life I lived proved that the god I believed in didn't care so much about me living for Him, but for gratifying myself. Through the false pride in my own goodness that came from comparing myself with others, to the lies, the affairs and much betrayal, God proved that He is so much bigger than the absolute wrecks we can make of our lives and of other's lives. But, if He wants you as His, He'll bring you to the place that you know that all that matters is living for and serving Him in the Earth for the rest of your life. From a godless pagan to a new creation in Christ Jesus, I was created for good works which God created beforehand, that I would walk in them. May His Kingdom fill the Earth.
A classically drunken sailor, always itching for a fight, encounters the living Christ. Raised as a clean, well-mannered church boy, he hid dark secrets while claiming to be a Christian. Then Jesus showed up, broke off his chains, and changed his uniform, enlisting him in a different, militant force.
Raised in a godly home and church, Jason Sanchez had a good foundation to build upon, instead through his rebellion he chose to wander in the desert, just as the children of Israel did. He pursued his idols until God crushed each and every one. The long-suffering of God is displayed in the life of this Once Dead, but now by God's grace, Kingdom-Driven, ambassador of the King.
Through the challenges of the all too common broken home and addictions, God has brought me from a place of being spiritually dead and a slave to my own sin, to a place of redemption, restoration and purpose. Where I was once spiritually oblivious to just how truly lost I was, His faithfulness has shown me what it is to be in right relation, to a place of continuing growth and maturity. He has given me new life and meaning, and He continues to bring me to a new understanding of what it is to proclaim an uncompromising gospel with the sole purpose of taking dominion here and now for our King who reigns HERE and NOW.
Alan Maricle was raised in a United Methodist church. He was afraid of men but wasn't afraid to ask the big questions, and as a result was enslaved in atheism, despair, bitterness, and filth. But God, who is rich in mercy, showed him kindness and turned him from darkness to light, and freed him from the fear of man to become an abolitionist, apologist, and street preacher.
At the age of 20, Tom Smedley, Jesus Freak, could not think more than a week or two ahead. Part of this was his own sinful present-orientation. Part was the apocalyptic hysteria that marinated that movement. At the age of 59, Tom Smedley, husband, father, and technical writer, completed an arduous five-year ordeal to earn his PhD. He was thinking in terms of the next 30-40 years, and of how to leverage his credibility as a proclaimer of the Gospel. His dissertation took the form of an apologia addressed to magistrates in a Muslim nation. What made the difference? Embracing a better future. A future dominated by the elephant in the living room, the fact that Jesus is LORD over the vast universe around us as well as guru over the half-vast “universe” inside us. Inviting Jesus into your heart? Small potatoes. Religious experiences are a dime a dozen, and easily counterfeited, whether by a magic pill, or an hypnotic trance induced by a professional orator with mumbo-jumbo incantations of “every head bowed, every eye closed,” etc. BUT — if the Great King and Redeemer summons you into HIS heart, his agenda, his ongoing work, that's an invitation you dare not refuse. The destinies of your children are at stake. So, too, are the hopes and yearnings of those around you, who wait for that specific function God created you, called you, and empowered you to do for His glory. Today, the little birds have left the nest, and Tom mentors online college classes from his home office, while caring for his beloved demented spouse. Alzheimer's knocked on our door 40 years ahead of schedule, but Vicky still has the superpower of lighting up his world with her smiles. He loves his work, is good at it, and willingly admits that it took him 30 years of struggling through his “day jobs” to acquire the character necessary for the responsibilities he bears today.
“Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.” -Proverbs 22:6 Raised with a Christian foundation in a Christian family, Toby strayed of the path of righteousness for 9 years to engage in drug and alcohol abuse, sexual addiction, and drug dealing. God stripped him of everything, even his freedom in order to open his eyes and bring him to repentant faith in Christ. Now, by His grace alone, He has blessed Toby to be used of Him to further His Kingdom through Abolitionism.
His mother said there is no sin he isn't good at. A young hedonist is powerfully saved, or is he? Temporary Believer? Fall from Grace? Prodigal Son? Every Saint has a Past; Every Sinner has a Future.
Jonathan Character a covenant child growing into a covenant man. The post Once Dead: Jonathan Character appeared first on Reconstructionist Radio Reformed Podcast Network.
The post Once Dead: Jan Prorok appeared first on Reconstructionist Radio Reformed Podcast Network.
Jack Cambell testimony The post Once Dead: Jack Campbell appeared first on Reconstructionist Radio Reformed Podcast Network.
Testimony of: Robert And Rachel Hoyle Summary: Story of Robert And Rachel Hoyle The post Once Dead: Robert And Rachel Hoyle appeared first on Reconstructionist Radio Reformed Podcast Network.
I started out as a kid in a large Catholic family and wasted my first twenty-five years on aimless pursuits. Then my eyes, ears, and brain matter were opened to undeserved saving grace, and not long after that a new life would enter my heart. But wait, there's more! Add years of dispensational aimlessness, yet more years rejecting that but without an answer to it, finally in my '50s finding faith in a King that rules over every aspect of life in Heaven and on Earth here, now, and going forward, and a once aimless life now has purpose and direction. This story scratches the surface, with the intent to keep it short and family-friendly. Mature minds will fill in the details, or feel free to contact me with comments or questions. All glory to God. The post Once Dead: Dan Knopp appeared first on Reconstructionist Radio Reformed Podcast Network.
As a reflection, Christianity is faith in action. The sphere in which we live is where we work, and there is plenty to do everywhere. Covenantal thinking affects every area of thought and life and your worldview does matter because you will live your life accordingly. We have a welfare state because the church has shirked its responsibilities, forfeiting to the state what WE, as the church, should be doing.I remember what R.J. Rushdoony said, “History has never been dominated by majorities, but only dedicated minorities who stand unconditionally on their faith.” The post Once Dead: Shelby Luke “Gramps” appeared first on Reconstructionist Radio Reformed Podcast Network.
From the all too typical American story of love that is not found on the Truth of God's Word, my parents tried to build a family apart from a covenant with God and wound up divorcing after 23 years of marriage when I was 11. With no real Christian influence in my life, I turned to the world and the things it has to offer for my fulfillment. Though there was always a vestige of belief in "God" (whoever that was) and had an awareness that He might be real, the life I lived proved that the god I believed in didn't care so much about me living for Him, but for gratifying myself. Through the false pride in my own goodness that came from comparing myself with others, to the lies, the affairs and much betrayal, God proved that He is so much bigger than the absolute wrecks we can make of our lives and of other's lives. But, if He wants you as His, He'll bring you to the place that you know that all that matters is living for and serving Him in the Earth for the rest of your life. From a godless pagan to a new creation in Christ Jesus, I was created for good works which God created beforehand, that I would walk in them. May His Kingdom fill the Earth. The post Once Dead: Jeffery Fish appeared first on Reconstructionist Radio Reformed Podcast Network.
A classically drunken sailor, always itching for a fight, encounters the living Christ. Raised as a clean, well-mannered church boy, he hid dark secrets while claiming to be a Christian. Then Jesus showed up, broke off his chains, and changed his uniform, enlisting him in a different, militant force. The post Once Dead: Gordan Runyan appeared first on Reconstructionist Radio Reformed Podcast Network.
Raised in a godly home and church, Jason Sanchez had a good foundation to build upon, instead through his rebellion he chose to wander in the desert, just as the children of Israel did. He pursued his idols until God crushed each and every one. The long-suffering of God is displayed in the life of this Once Dead, but now by God's grace, Kingdom-Driven, ambassador of the King. The post Once Dead: Jason Sanchez appeared first on Reconstructionist Radio Reformed Podcast Network.
Through the challenges of the all too common broken home and addictions, God has brought me from a place of being spiritually dead and a slave to my own sin, to a place of redemption, restoration and purpose. Where I was once spiritually oblivious to just how truly lost I was, His faithfulness has shown me what it is to be in right relation, to a place of continuing growth and maturity. He has given me new life and meaning, and He continues to bring me to a new understanding of what it is to proclaim an uncompromising gospel with the sole purpose of taking dominion here and now for our King who reigns HERE and NOW. The post Once Dead: Lucus Bell appeared first on Reconstructionist Radio Reformed Podcast Network.
Alan Maricle was raised in a United Methodist church. He was afraid of men but wasn’t afraid to ask the big questions, and as a result was enslaved in atheism, despair, bitterness, and filth. But God, who is rich in mercy, showed him kindness and turned him from darkness to light, and freed him from the fear of man to become an abolitionist, apologist, and street preacher. The post Once Dead: Alan Maricle appeared first on Reconstructionist Radio Reformed Podcast Network.
The post Once Dead: Tom Smedley appeared first on Reconstructionist Radio Reformed Podcast Network.
The post Once Dead: Toby Harmon appeared first on Reconstructionist Radio Reformed Podcast Network.
The post Once Dead: Bill Evans appeared first on Reconstructionist Radio Reformed Podcast Network.