Christian Community – Sharon Bollum

Tag: <span>Christian Community</span>

Who are you following? No really. Do you know?

December 24, 2022December 25, 2022
by Sharon

Since the birth of our nation, we’ve had guiding principles. Shared values. We didn’t all see the future the same way, but we were free to pursue it in whatever way we believed to be right. We were guided by our own conscience and fidelity to our shared moral and social contract. We each understood that our personal liberties and rights only extended to the point they interfered with the rights of others. Our founding fathers called that contract The Constitution of the United States of America and established a government comprised of fellow citizens to keep and protect it.

Lately, it feels like We the People of this nation are trapped in a bus with no steering wheel and no brakes. Our direction AND our destination are being changed and changed again by powerful people and politicians pushing us in a direction most of us don’t believe to be right or good.

None of these people have the right to nullify the Constitution that made the United States the greatest nation on the planet. Nor do they have any authority to supplant it with a new one created in their own woke image. But that isn’t stopping them. It’s not even slowing them down.

They have completely flipped the script on us. It’s like we woke up in 2020 to discover we no longer live in a nation ruled by the consent of the governed. Sadly, the MAJORITY of our leaders are corrupt and rule as though they don’t need or want our consent. Not anymore.

They see you and me as sheep. And themselves as rightful shepherds and benevolent saviors of the world.

I used to feel a bit offended that Jesus referred to His followers as sheep in the Bible. I get it now.

Sheep are kinda dumb, aren’t they? They mostly just go with the flow. Most aren’t even following the shepherd. They are only following the sheep in front of them. They don’t actually know the shepherd personally. So if someone else came along with a bucket of oats and SAID they were the shepherd … well, they’d be easy to fool.

This is what’s happened to America. Whether it’s Mainstream Media, Cable TV, Social Media, or celebrities; they’ve persuaded many sheep to follow them …and hate anyone who won’t.

These new shepherds want us to believe the Christian ethics, morals, and values that called the United States into being; were wrong all along. They say those who penned our Constitution were merely imposing the traditions and preferences of “old white men”. Never mind those “old white men” weren’t old OR that the genesis of our Constitution was rooted in the freedoms and liberties given us by God alone- not them. Not any man.

The ultimate power of our Constitution IS that We the People hold the power AND the right to shut down our government if it ever attempts to take our God-given rights away.

But our new shepherds don’t want us to believe that. They claim they are protecting Democracy by nullifying our Constitutional Rights. Just as every tyrannical government has done before.

By delegitimizing the people who wrote and signed our Constitution they attempt to usurp the rights and powers embedded in it.

Our self-appointed “shepherds” have this in common. They esteem their own words above the Word of God.

Everything established by God or created in His image is either being distorted or destroyed.

As hard as it is to believe, our own government calls those who refuse to accept the usurpation of God in America… a threat to our democracy. ANYONE who knows the Bible knows what an outrageous lie that is.

And right now, that’s our biggest problem, isn’t it? Far too many are easily led astray by a bucket of oats and a skillful liar.

Mark Twain said it best. “It’s easier to fool people than it is to convince them they’ve been fooled.”

“But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 11:3

Do you KNOW who you are following?

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”John 10:27

He is still speaking. Just listen.

He WILL show us the way, the truth, and the life that supersedes the insanity that surrounds us today.

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21

In His love and service,

Sharon Bollum

Christian Living

No Need for Parental Consent to HAVE an Abortion…But…

April 1, 2019April 1, 2019
by Sharon

My friend and I are going to see the new movie Unplanned this week. I’ve been looking forward to it with a heavy heart but looking forward to it just the same. It’s time for our society to truly face up to the realities of abortion. Not the propagandized view from the platform of Women’s Rights and politics – but the up close and personal view of what actually happens to these living babies torn from their mother’s wombs.

Albeit, it’s far more comfortable to keep your distance.

No doubt it is easier on the conscience to view the fetus as a clump of tissue devoid of feelings …or any inherent right to life.

Better for us to believe that clump of meaningless flesh only magically becomes human when it emerges from the birth canal some 40 weeks after conception.

But if we are going to promote or condone the practice of abortion; shouldn’t we be morally obligated to fully understand and comprehend the full measure of what abortion is?

And who should understand it more than those most likely to face the awful dilemma of an unplanned pregnancy?

An estimated 30% of teenage pregnancies end in abortion. Yet, thanks to the arbitrary decision of the MPAA, millions of those who MOST need to know the facts about abortion will be too young to view the film. Not too young to HAVE an abortion, mind you. Just too young to watch a movie depicting what abortion really is and how young women are manipulated into having them.

According to Abby Johnson, on whose story the movie is based, Planned Parenthood deliberately misleads young women to believe their babies aren’t really babies at all, but the mere beginnings of what would later become a baby. They are told the thing in their uterus is a clump of cells without any real distinction. Barely even human! Something unable to have thoughts or feel pain. This is so the mothers won’t feel too much compassion or sympathy for the life growing within them. No, no, no we can’t have that! They might think twice about going through with the abortion if they knew all the facts. It’s a very effective tactic.

Most of us are hard-wired to feel compassion for those who are helpless and defenseless.

Not many would stand by and do nothing while a helpless baby was killed. So the answer is to make sure we never see it as a baby at all. More like a polyp. A tumor. A parasite. An unwelcome interruption in a woman’s pursuit of happiness.

Except it IS a baby. A tiny, helpless baby. From as early as 8 weeks gestation the fetus (a medical term given to denote the baby’s stage of physical development. Not unlike infant, toddler or preschooler) has a face as well as a brain and heartbeat.

Let’s set legality aside for the moment. That’s a separate argument.

Abortions are promoted as a simple choice a woman (or teenager) makes about her future. The only question to be considered, she’s told, is whether or not she wants to have a baby. For most young girls the answer is easy. There is a lot of scary stuff associated with premature parenting. The option to sidestep all of that is understandably compelling, to say the least.

Abortion advocates and providers deliberately steer women away from considering abortion from the perspective of the life growing within her. They flatly refuse to even acknowledge it as something with inherent worth. As long as they can deny its humanity they can justify its destruction.

If the child is never born its life doesn’t matter.

As long as we can’t hear the baby cry while it is being torn to pieces and sucked out through a tube… we can pretend they don’t feel pain.

Q: If a tree falls in the forest…does it make a sound?

A: Who cares?

Unplanned offers us an opportunity to consider the facts we’ve been told to ignore.

Abortion is an awful decision made in the midst of devastating fear and uncertainty. Wouldn’t it be BETTER for women- particularly YOUNG women- to get all the facts about the realities of abortion at a time when she isn’t experiencing a pregnancy crisis?

What could possibly be the downside to allowing ALL women old enough to get pregnant to view this film? Fewer abortions? Safer sex? Girls protecting their future with greater wisdom and determination?

Are the ProChoice advocates afraid watching this film might lead to increased sympathy for the unborn?

Ah. That’s it, isn’t it?

It isn’t a polyp. It isn’t a tumor. It isn’t meaningless. It’s a baby.

How you feel about that baby is a very different conversation.

Go see the movie.

In His love and service,

Sharon Bollum

https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/abby-johnson-explains-unplanned-movies-r-rating

Christian Living

The Chaos of Destiny

January 15, 2019January 15, 2019
by Sharon

Remember your first time on the monkey bars? The goal was to get from one end of the bars to the other. You’d seen other kids do it lots of times. They climbed up the ladder, took hold of the first bar and then swung their free arm toward the next. Once they grabbed hold of the second bar, they let go of the first bar and swung that arm toward the next bar. Simple.

But there you stood. Feet firmly placed on the ladder. Mentally wrestling with fear and uncertainty.

In order to even start, you had to sacrifice the safety of the ladder you stood on. Holding tightly to the first bar with one hand, you risked life and limb to swing out with the other hoping you’d reach the second bar.

Whew! You did it! Remember how that felt? It was absolutely thrilling!

But then you had to let go of the first bar and swing your body to the third one. If you didn’t do it just right, you’d fall. No one wants to fall.

That space between the bars, where we hung by hope and the tenuous grip of one little hand…is chaos. Anything can happen. You might reach the next bar, but you might not. No one wants to fall. No one wants to fail.

Like every other little kid on the playground…you probably did a little of both.

But look at you now! You survived the monkey bars and lived to tell the tale. You even mastered a few other daring feats along the way to becoming who you are today. You have a lot to be proud of! Life is seldom easy and accomplishments are almost always hard won.

I know something else about you too. Despite all your success, you have a nagging sense that God has something more, different, or new for you in mind.

We can’t always articulate our destiny, but we can feel it in our bones.

That space between who we are and who we are becoming is filled with mental and emotional chaos. The uncertainty can be so fearsome it’s tempting to just stay where we are and call it good. Well, at least, good enough.

That only works for a while though. Sooner or later your love for God will prove greater than your love for comfort and the status quo. You know it will.

Maybe you feel it already.

It is time to reach for the next bar? Are you ready to let go of that thing that holds you back so you can reach for something greater on your way to becoming someone greater?

Is today the day you say yes to Jesus and the chaos that often comes with it?

What’s holding you back? Be honest with yourself.

Do you need more courage? Ask Him for courage.

Do you need more strength? Ask Him for strength.

Do you need more faith? Ask Him for more faith!

Whatever you need; Ask Him!

Trust that even if you fall, He will catch you. That’s His Grace. And His Grace is indeed sufficient.

He who has begun a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.

No one ever said it wouldn’t take a little effort on your part too.

In His love and service,

Sharon Bollum

Christian Living

“Well, obviously they aren’t a REAL Christian”

November 23, 2018November 23, 2018
by Sharon

Have you ever heard anyone say that? I sure have. I see it a lot in the comment sections of online articles, podcasts, and blogs too. One Christian sharply disagrees with another and in an effort to defend their point of view, if not the reputation of all Christendom declares, “Well, that’s not a real Christian.”

I’ve had my own Christian cred called into question because I didn’t share the same view on a social issue. Frankly, I find it obnoxious.

Why do we think the only “real” Christians are the ones who believe and behave exactly as we do?

“A real Christian would never act that way.”

“A real Christian would never say something like that.”

Really? According to whom… You?

Let’s take a step back. Away from our own biases. Away from our self-authored policies and procedures manuals.

The very name, Christian, was coined to describe the people who believe the following:

Jesus Christ, the guy from Nazareth, was the One who was prophesied about in the Old Testament to redeem God’s people. He was the promised Savior for whom the Jews had been waiting for generations.

He was born of a virgin, Mary, and was the physical incarnation of God on earth.

He led a sinless life and showed us how we may be reconciled to God, forgiven for our sins, and have eternal life with Him in heaven. He commanded us to love one another unselfishly and sacrificially and that “By this, all men will know that you are My disciples”

He performed miracles, forgave sins, healed the sick, raised the dead and shamed the religious for oppressing God’s people with endless rules and standards they themselves did not keep. All to demonstrate God’s redeeming love as well as His authority over His people and all creation.

The Jews were expecting a savior who rose up through earthy government, with a list of bona fides that proved He outranked the current leaders of the Jewish people as well as the Roman government. They could not and would not believe a penniless guy who hung out with thieves, prostitutes, and tax collectors was the mighty Savior promised in the stories told to every generation since Adam. So they rejected Him and condemned Him to death.

Though innocent, He allowed Himself to be arrested, mocked, beaten and hung on a cross next to actual guilty people. There, as He hung in bitter agony, He asked our Father in heaven to forgive those who sinned against Him. In doing so, He bore our guilt that we may never suffer the penalty of our sin.

He was buried in a tomb and raised up from the dead three days later… just as He promised.

He ascended into Heaven where He sits at the Right Hand of God until He comes again to gather His people for all eternity.

Savior. Healer. Redeemer. Coming King.

That’s it. If you believe all of this to be true and choose to submit to Christ as your Lord and Savior…you are a REAL Christian.

The rest is all academic. Literally.

There are differing views of scripture that determine Orthodoxy (right doctrine) and Orthopraxis (right practice). Certainly, these things are essential to understanding and living out our faith …but not in determining who is a Christian and who is not.

Christians not only come in all shapes, sizes and colors, they also follow Jesus at different paces and from varying distances.

Some run after Him and can’t wait to know everything about Him. They pray and praise every day, study His Word and devote themselves to serving Him and honoring Him with every breath they take. That doesn’t mean they don’t get some things wrong, but it does tend to make them more passionate about their lives as disciples.

Some take years to get there. Many Christians struggle with unhealed wounds and bitter roots that undermine all their relationships..including their relationship with Jesus. It’s simply not easy for them to trust and surrender… even when they want to. Sadly, until they do their progress toward intimacy and spiritual maturity will remain slow. However, as long as they continue to follow and grow, they are on the right path. We must encourage them with words that draw them closer to their own glorious moment of transformational Love. For it’s when we love Jesus we are able to keep His commands.

“If you love me, you will keep my commands.” John 14:15

Insulting them will never be helpful. It doesn’t make you look very good either.

Be patient. After all, how patient has God been with you?

Next time you’re in a situation like that, tell the truth, “I don’t believe that’s what the Bible teaches.” or even “I’m not sure that squares with Christian doctrine. You’ll have to show me how you arrived at that conclusion.”

Not only is that more loving, but it might also have some good effect. What if your disagreement sends you both back to the Bible for deeper study and greater understanding? What if it leads to one or both of you gaining greater wisdom and a deeper love for our Savior, Jesus Christ? More of a win, win don’t you think?

Jesus said, “A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so also you must love one another. 3By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” “

Please understand this. We are either drawing others to Jesus or repelling them by the way we conduct ourselves in every situation.

Most of all, let love guide your life, for then the whole church will stay together in perfect harmony.Colossians 3:14

In His love and service,

Sharon Bollum

Uncategorized

Is It Time To Fight Fire With Fire?

July 30, 2018July 30, 2018
by Sharon

“Do horses run on the rocky crags? Does one plow the sea with oxen? But you have turned justice into poison and the fruit of righteousness into bitterness”

Amos 6:12

The social landscape of the West is riddled with land mines these days. I say that figuratively, but, tragically, no one would be surprised if there were literal land mines.

It was less than a year ago when I Googled “SJW” to find out what it stood for. It’s “Social Justice Warrior”, in case you didn’t know. This is the proud title coined by people on the far left who believe our society is so hideously marred by a male dominated Patriarchy of racists, sexists, xenophobes, homophobes and evil capitalists, that it must be torn down to its foundation and replaced by a socialist utopia of total equality of outcome; where it is against the law to promote or value anything else. Any and every other utterance, in their utopia, would be considered “Hate Speech” … and illegal.

[pullquote]Of course, they have more than a few evil twins on the right[/pullquote]

These extremists want to decide, for all of us, what that Utopian society should look like, who should have to pay for it, AND what is considered hateful and offensive speech. They plan to accomplish this by silencing anyone, by any means necessary, who happens to disagree with their point of view. It’s a hostile take over and they are proud of it.

They’re proud of it because they genuinely believe their aims are morally right.

Of course, they have more than a few evil twins on the right – and far right – who are just as likely to employ dishonorable tactics in their attempts to point out how “stupid and irrational” the SJWs are. You don’t see as many marching in the streets with picket signs, but there is no shortage of them in the comments sections of any news article, podcast, or blog. They are also quite fond of promoting insulting memes on social media.

These extremists make their mark by condemning everything that comes from the left…even when there is a serious issue that truly needs to be discussed (if we could all calm down just a little). They may prefer not to be hostile but will rise to whatever level they must to squelch the ideals of the SJW.

They’re proud of what they do because they genuinely believe their aims are morally right.

But this is not The Way.

The truly sad thing is that both groups are wringing their hands with the gleeful anticipation of “owning” the other side when they “win”. They long to see the other humbled and pressed into submission to their ideology. With the power of their chosen government to see them prosecuted and persecuted for holding the wrong ideals for society.

Read Amos 6:12 again:

“Do horses run on the rocky crags? Does one plow the sea with oxen? But you have turned justice into poison and the fruit of righteousness into bitterness.”

It’s times like these that make me wish we all still valued the principles of the Judeo/Christian philosophy the way we once did in America. Christians and non-Christians alike. Then we would have the same common dictates for how we treat one another when we disagree.

We would all have the same self-imposed restraints that promote peace and virtue.

It’s what we used to call “Common Decency”. There is nothing common about that anymore.

If we all abided by these same ideals, we could call, “foul!”, when someone breaks the rules by acting hateful or odious.

But for those who don’t believe, the Judeo/Christian principals are meaningless. They may agree those things are swell, but they feel no compulsion to embody them when temperatures rise.

But WE must.

Trying to maintain your Jesus-like calm in a heated debate with a non-Christian can be like being in a cage fight with your hands tied behind your back.

It isn’t fair.

But Christianity has never been about fair. If it were, we’d all stand before God with the full weight and penalty of our own hideous sins.

It doesn’t matter whether you are on the RIGHT or on the LEFT.

If you are a Christian, you have a duty to represent Christ well.

No matter how much you believe you are right and everyone else is wrong, you STILL have a duty to represent Christ well…if you are a Christian.

When you mock those who disagree with you or insult the intelligence of those who have a different perspective, you are turning justice into poison and righteousness into bitterness. Who is glorified by that?

You? Perhaps.

God? Not in a million years.

I’m not saying you don’t have a right or cause to be angry. Maybe even outraged at times. But YOU, Christian, were taught not to sin in your anger.

You are called to a better way.

Ephesians 4 says this:

“²⁰That, however, is not the way of life you learnedwhen you heard about Christ and were taught in Him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds;and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. ^…

²⁹Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

We are in difficult times. Make no mistake about that. Our reputation has never been worse, and our world has never been in greater need of God’s Grace.

WE are His footmen.

WE are His representatives.

His ONLY representatives on earth!

There is no better way forward for any of us but to exemplify the character of Christ.

We have to trust that God will lift us up as long as we continue to seek His righteousness in humbleness and truth.

Try this.

Spend so much time and energy praying for your enemies that you have none left to troll them on the internet or denigrate them them behind their back.

[pullquote class=left]We were not called to “fight fire with fire”. We were called to overcome evil with good.[/pullquote]

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” Matthew 5:44

There is more than enough poison in the political and social discourse. No one needs a self-righteous Christian adding to it no matter how justified they feel in doing it.

[pullquote]Our job isn’t to win an argument. It’s to win souls to Christ![/pullquote] If it is really important…if it is really just…if it is really righteous…it should be wrapped up in the Love of Christ and delivered with the same humility He displayed to those who persecuted Him and hung Him on a cross.

So, no. We don’t need any left leaning or right leaning Christians “schooling” or “owning” the people who disagree

with them on the internet.

However, we could use your help in building up the Church… by putting on Christ and displaying Him GLORIOUSLY before a nation of unbelievers.

A nation of unbelievers, by the way, who are gathering their strength to oppose Him categorically in America.

We were not called to “fight fire with fire”. We were called to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21)

Keep your eyes on Christ and devote yourself to loving as HE loves.

By all means, be wise as serpents…but be gentle as doves. (Matthew 10:16)

In His love and service,

Sharon Bollum

Uncategorized

The Criminalization of Disapproval

June 25, 2018June 27, 2018
by Sharon

The world has changed a lot in my lifetime. I was born before color television and cordless phones. The only thing “digital” back then was a word in Webster’s, that meant “something relating to fingers”.

If time travel were possible and I had made a trip to 2018 from 1965 I might have thought I’d landed on a different planet rather than a different time.

I’d certainly have been blown away with what’s become of televisions and telephones! But I’d also be blown away by what’s become of our society and the families that were once the connective tissue that held it together.

I was born before divorce and split custody became more common than an intact family where everyone shared the same last name.

The rules surrounding sex were a lot different then too. I didn’t know anyone who would have said having multiple sex partners and making babies outside of marriage was good… certainly not moral. And that wasn’t a “religious thing” either. My family wasn’t religious at all and no one thought my sister getting pregnant at 15 was something to celebrate.

When people went outside those moral boundaries they weren’t ostracized or pilloried, thank God, but no one pretended it was awesome either. Not at all like today.

21st Century America has drifted far, far away from the moorings mainstream culture once held as moral and good for both the individual and society.

In modern day America the boundaries, if there are any, are drawn by the personal preferences of the individual. I actually don’t have a problem with that on its face. America is a free country and you should be able to decide where the boundaries are for you.

However, I do have a problem with Politically Correct mobs who think anyone who expresses disapproval or moral indignation should be publicly ridiculed, shouted down, boycotted and financially destroyed.

We’ve been bullied into remaining silent about campaigns to make “sex work” as legitimate and as acceptable as any other line of work. (btw, when and who decided that a woman or man prostituting themselves was anything other than tragic?)

It seems like every week the envelope gets pushed a little further. How far can it go? Would you believe there are people pushing for the “acceptance” of pedophilia and bestiality?

Their goal isn’t to expand our nations view of what is moral and good. It’s to completely supplant it.

Today, not only are we supposed to embrace an anything goes morality; we’re not allowed to object to the denigration of marriage, family and Christian values.

Disapproval has become a Hate Crime.

While not all the ideals of Social Justice Warriors are in and of themselves wrong, the tip of their spear is an open threat to silence anyone who objects to ANY part of this new world view. It works pretty well too.

Aren’t we all at least a little afraid to speak an unpopular opinion about what we believe is right, wrong, moral, destructive, healthy, honorable or even just good for America?

I have to admit I’m more than a little reluctant to speak or write about anything that might be viewed controversial for fear of losing a friend, a family member or even a Facebook follower.

I silenced myself for fear of being publicly ridiculed.

Today, I’m changing that. Why? Because I want to be the light in this world my Lord calls me to be.

“Neither do people light a lamp, and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand; and it gives light to everyone in the house.” Matthew 5:15

You may not agree with me and that’s okay. You and I agreeing isn’t my highest aim.

“For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and for the gospel will save it.” Mark 8:36

I’m not looking for a fight – trust me. As cowards go, I’m quite the all-star! But I will calmly, respectfully and humbly disagree when I do.

Some of my Christian friends aren’t going to like it.

Some of my non-Christian friends won’t either. But here I go!

MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE

I say, to each his own. It’s a free country and I support your right to marry whomever you choose. Marry that department store mannequin if you want to! I don’t care.

I think what’s really undermined the sanctity of marriage is that our “solemn vows” are so easily declared “null and void” as soon as staying married requires more effort and sacrifice than getting a divorce. And, not for nuthin’, but the track record for Christians is only fractionally better in this regard than non-Christians.

I’m NOT saying there aren’t cases where divorce is the best way forward. I’ve counseled many couples over the years and I can tell you, there are some marriages I wouldn’t stay five minutes in! But I can also tell you, anything is possible with two willing people …and ALL things are possible through Christ.

And while I’m at it, I think it’s awful that Political Correctness, and its Handmaiden Hollywood, push a narrative that devalues marriage and family and minimizes their role as the foundation of a stable and successful society. It sickens me that last weekend’s Father’s Day “trending on Twitter” message was that children don’t actually need a father. (that was the straw that broke this camel’s back btw).

ABORTION

I believe God knew what He was doing when He gave us Free Will. I believe there is no way to glorify God if we don’t have any choice in the matter. But I also believe the RIGHT to do something does not make doing it right.

If one’s choice (aside from life threatening conditions) leads to the death and dismemberment of an innocent life, than I believe that “choice” reveals a devastating amount of recklessness, selfishness, fear or callousness – and probably some combination of all four. In any case, I don’t believe we could ever call abortion a “good” choice. Certainly not one we should celebrate in the streets.

RELIGION

I believe in the freedom of religion. If you aren’t a Christian you should not be required to live in deference to the articles and practices of my Faith. But, like it or not, the ideals that assert our individual freedoms and the rules that govern our society are rooted in those famous 10 commandments and the teachings of Jesus Christ.

I’m fine if you want to reap the benefits of that and still say there is no God.

But, I think you’re a fool if you think we can remove the cornerstone of Western Civilization from the foundations of America and not have society devolve into utter chaos. And I pray there are always enough of us, who know better, to keep you from ever pulling us down that harrowing path to destruction.

No one is persecuted for not being a Christian or forced to bow down to God in America…

and I’m glad for that!

God will never force Himself on anyone.

Choose Him or don’t.

Your allegiance to the God I serve is meaningless unless you choose it freely. This is truly what’s made the American society work so well these past 150 years.

It’s BECAUSE of this, I do not welcome or support any religious ideology that seeks to usurp the fundamental rights and freedoms established here in America.

I don’t want America to look the other way when it comes to religions that steal the freedom and future of 12-year-old girls wearing Little House on the Prairie dresses as they are married off to some middle aged, self-proclaimed “prophet” wanting wife #17 added to his stable.

Nor do I want America to look the other way when five-year-old girls are having their genitals mutilated because their religion wants to make sure they never receive sexual pleasure.

I do not want Sharia Law to get one tiny toe-hold in this country. I don’t want anyone who believes they have a legal right to oppress women and murder my LGBT Brothers and Sisters to be welcome in America.

NO group or religion that puts itself above the Constitution of the United States should be setting up shop in THIS nation.

Having said all that… You don’t have to give a rip about what I think or believe.

That’s the point! The fact that you disagree shouldn’t diminish my right to think it, feel it or say it out loud in plain English.

TO EACH HIS OWN

This nation has always been home to people who don’t see life the same way. We’ve always functioned a bit like the Pushme-Pullyou in the Dr. Doolittle story. That’s a wonderful thing. It’s what kept us from getting too far away from center.

But we’re way off center now. We’ve been pushed into not pulling because we don’t want to be labeled a racist, bigot, Nazi or _____phobic (you can fill in the blank).

My mom always said, “If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all”. Sage advice for healthy relationships. But not so when it comes to shaping the direction of our society.

Some people would like you to believe your opinions should only be allowed in public if they are sanitized of all potential offense.

They don’t want us to object to anything…

Except any expression of disapproval.

But we must.

You can’t light the way for others if your light is a dim, diffused, indecisive glow. Nor can you light the way if you’re aiming your high beams in someone else’s face. In other words, be clear but be humble.

Be ready to stand up for your convictions…but don’t simply quote the Bible then drop the mic as you walk off stage.

That’s a cop out.

Not only does it not carry any weight with a non-believer, it’s a non-starter.

You might as well just say, “I don’t actually do any of my own thinking…”

God had very good and sensible reasons for why He drew boundaries as He did. The principles Jesus taught make as much sense today as they did when He spoke them 2,000 years ago.

God’s Wisdom doesn’t require a scripture reference to be valid.

Speaking of wisdom… If your opinions were formed by a meme you saw on Facebook, it’s unlikely you’ll have anything worthwhile to add to the conversation.

If your morality is a set of do’s and don’ts you inherited from your parents, you’re not ready for a persuasive argument.

Take the time to really think through why something is good for society …or why it isn’t. You’ll be far better able to offer a thoughtful and interesting perspective for others to consider once you do.

Cautiously, kindly and respectfully speak up for what you believe to be moral and good, and pray your message will find a soft target in a reasonable heart…and take root there.

I can’t think of any other way for us to pull this nation a little closer to center again. Can you?

In His love and service,

Sharon Bollum

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Whose Side Are You On?

March 15, 2018March 17, 2018
by Sharon

Our society is changing all around us. Some days I feel like my head will spin right off my shoulders when I listen to the latest news of the latest scandal or the latest disaster. Each one triggering another round of caustic social comment and chaos.

I’ll be transparent and say I am worried about the future of America these days. Yes, yes, I know God is still God, but never underestimate the ability of mankind to make a mess of the world God gave us.

I still remember the bomb raid drills at school when I was a kid. I remember lying awake at night wondering if everything and everyone I loved was going to disappear in one awful moment.

It feels a little something like that to me again, these days.

I bet you think I’m talking about North Korea aiming its nuclear missiles at the West Coast. I’m not. I’m far less worried about Kim Jong-Un and his potential destruction of America than I am of the destruction of America that’s happening from within.

[pullquote class=”left”] Do people actually believe that we are so much smarter and wiser today that we no longer need the wisdom of the ages to guide us?[/pullquote]

Yesterday I heard a public figure from Great Britain say how strange it is that “America still clings so strongly to a set of documents written more than 200 years ago”. His contention is that in 2018 we should feel free to write a new declaration of values and principles for our society.

I can only imagine his view of people who still cling to a set of documents that were written more than 2,000 years ago!

Do people actually believe that we are so much smarter and wiser today that we no longer need the wisdom of the ages to guide us? Do people actually believe it’s time to toss out the writings of the framers of the greatest nation on earth simply because it’s nearly 250 years later? Do people really believe it’s time to discard the wisdom of the Bible?

Do we think a man or woman born in the 21^st Century is somehow endowed with greater intelligence, morality, or wisdom than a man or woman born any generation before? Such arrogance!

There was no such thing as Google in Abraham Lincoln’s lifetime, but there is no greater wealth of wisdom today than there was then.

Without question, some of the greatest thinkers in history lived and died before anyone reading this post was born.

Each and every one of us is born completely ignorant no matter what year we arrived in this world. Any claim we lay to a new or greater wisdom is wholly dependent on the successes and failures of those who came before us. EVERY generation must rely on the experience and wisdom of those that preceded it… or risk recreating the failures and disasters that already scar the history of humanity.

Jesus, who knew everything, taught us to revere the wisdom handed down from the prophets. Wisdom recorded centuries before His birth.

That’s because Jesus knew something we are in danger of forgetting:

“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 1:9

To be sure, we have gained new wisdom through generations of Americans. But, by no means has every generation been a forward step in anything we can all be proud of. Believe me, I came of age in the 1970’s. My generation gave you Disco, legal abortion and the sexual revolution. Were it not for Atari, Wozniak, and Jobs we’d have nothing good to show for ourselves but bell bottoms, line dancing and a few epic PG-13 disaster movies.

Every social boundary we’ve set, (the sexual revolution notwithstanding), was made based on the ethos formulated and carried forward through the ages in a collection of books we know as the Bible. Yes, even those penned in our Declaration of Independence and every subsequent amendment was rooted in what the Bible teaches.

So, it is no surprise the enemy would strive to make the Bible and all who revere it into a whipping post for those who think “It’s Time” to tear it all down.

Our culture isn’t just becoming “less Christian” people are increasingly seeing Christians as the ones whose values should be formally disregarded and rejected. Our prayers are mocked as silly and useless. Our brand of morality is ridiculed. We are considered enemies and obstacles to social equality and freedom.

[pullquote class=”left”]This battle belongs to the Lord. The least we can do is not be foot soldiers for the enemy.[/pullquote]

The divisions among us are growing. But they aren’t growing because of new and greater wisdom. The divisions are growing because satan knows:

“Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.” Matthew 12:25

And this, my friends, is why it’s all happening. This hostile environment of competing values is exactly what satan wants.

[pullquote]Is your head spinning trying to understand how Christians have become the unwanted step-child in this country?[/pullquote]

Understandably, Christians are jumping into the fray to defend our faith and values from the barrage of attacks on social media. This isn’t a bad thing in and of itself. If we don’t speak up we risk having our voices and our values summarily stamped out of the American discourse. I’m glad we have so many people who are willing to defend the Gospel. The problem is when we try fighting “fire with fire” …because that is not The Way.

If we set the Way of Jesus aside while we slug it out with the jerk on social media we’ve set aside the very thing that makes us different.

I believe this is what Jesus meant when he said,

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:13

Getting us to act out in ways that cause more harm than good is exactly how satan rolls. Divide and conquer! He gets tempers to blow and the finger of blame pointing in every direction. Then all he has to do is sit back and watch us devour one another!

satan is running around starting fires, burning down relationships, shattering institutions, disfiguring morality, and using outraged Christians to destroy the reputation of Christianity! Why? Because when we say we represent Christ but act in ways that don’t, we send the message that Christianity is utterly self-serving and useless.

Worse, when we act ugly; When we act judgmentally; When we act superior; we unwittingly become the instruments of satan not the messengers of God we set out to be.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:43-48

Let me go one step further and say that getting into arguments about what is moral or wise is no help at all. Whether online or in person, understand that people are judging Christ and the wisdom of our faith by how YOU handle yourself.

[pullquote]“But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.” 2 Corinthians 2:14[/pullquote]

Brothers and sisters, we are the fragrance of Christ in this world! Let that be more powerful than any argument.

Dear ones, we must live as we are called to live. Show respect and Love to others even in the midst of disagreeing with them. Your goal should not be winning the debate or grossly displaying how many scriptures you know to bring another low.

Your goal should be to honor God by displaying Christ in every encounter you have with another human being…whether they share your view of scripture or not.

“If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.” Galatians 5:15

Our very mission is to draw others to Christ. Isn’t it obvious that anything we do that drives people away defeats us?

If you can’t express your point of view without violating the tenets of Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control you forfeit any claim that you represent Christ or the wisdom of God’s Word.

You’re either part of the problem or part of the solution.

“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight!” Isaiah 5:21

God has His own way of dealing with His enemies.

He doesn’t need you making things worse.

This battle belongs to the Lord. The least we can do is not be foot soldiers for the enemy.

In His love and service,

Sharon Bollum

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How to be a Christian in an anti-Christian Culture

October 26, 2017October 30, 2017
by Sharon

I don’t know if you’ve noticed but things are kind of a mess right now.

Our society is in chaos.

The secular world is splintering in a thousand different directions.

[pullquote]The message of the cross will never be irrelevant. But that doesn’t mean the Church isn’t in danger.[/pullquote]

Christianity is being steam rolled by an aggressive and growing anti-Christian movement while we struggle to keep the American society, as we know it, intact.

A recent headline stated that Christians are now the minority in the US. However, a careful examination of the article reveals they are actually talking about the shrinking percentage of WHITE Christians;… as if the color of a Christian’s skin is relevant.

Of course, it isn’t relevant at all but that really wasn’t the point of the article. The goal of the headline was to promulgate the notion that Christianity is becoming more and more irrelevant in our society.

What’s true is the health and reputation of the Christian community is at an all-time low. Read more “How to be a Christian in an anti-Christian Culture” →

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A Few Thoughts on Women in Ministry

October 14, 2016August 12, 2017
by Sharon

I remember the very first wedding I ever officiated. It was for a couple who were members of the church where I was on staff as a children’s pastor. The request caught me off-guard.

I was surprised anyone would ask a woman to officiate their wedding. It was pretty unconventional at the time. I suppose it still is to some degree.

I’m not sure I would have chosen a woman to marry Mike and me back in 1982. That isn’t terribly meaningful since the minister who did marry us also worked as an Elvis impersonator at the casinos down the road. That’ll drop the perceived holiness factor down a notch or two, won’t it? Go ahead. Take a moment to imagine Elvis saying, “Dearly b’loved, wer gatherd here t’day, tajoin thisman, and thiswoman inholymatrimony…” It takes you pretty far away from the sound of church bells, doesn’t it?

In our defense, we didn’t exactly choose the Elvis impersonator; he came with the wedding package we selected at The Love Chapel in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. Don’t judge. Read more “A Few Thoughts on Women in Ministry” →

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When the “Bad Guy” in the Story is You…

August 23, 2016August 18, 2017
by Sharon

There is a story told about the painting of the Last Supper by Leonardo Da Vinci. Perhaps you’ve heard it? As the story goes, Da Vinci considered hundreds of different models to portray the image of Jesus before finding a man whose face conveyed the character, innocence, personality and peace that would adequately represent our Lord and Savior. Following that, one by one, he selected models who would be the inspiration for each of the twelve Apostles. Andrew, Peter, James, John… Da Vinci carefully selected models with features he felt befitted each man; but struggled to find the last one. As the story goes, Read more “When the “Bad Guy” in the Story is You…” →