========================================================================
INSTRUCTED by the Scriptures, LED by the Spirit
Bold Christian Living E-Mail Newsletter, Issue #71
© 2000 Jonathan Lindvall
Permission to re-post in full is granted.

This newsletter is sent out free to those who request it. To UNSUBSCRIBE
from or to SUBSCRIBE to the newsletter, please write from the address
you want to use, to the following addresses (NOT directly to me please).
To unsubscribe write to <BoldChristianLiving-UNsubscribe@onelist.com>.
To subscribe write to <BoldChristianLiving-subscribe@onelist.com>.

========================================================================

Thank you to those who support our ministry financially. Out of
principle Bold Christian Living is not a government-registered
non-profit organization, but if the Lord leads you to support our
ministry through contributions or ordering resources, we are grateful.

========================================================================

Since the last issue was put out so long ago (Feb. 5) many of you have
apparently become concerned about me and my family. We have had a very
busy couple of months, but I apologize for the long silence. Actually,
I've been working on a major article for the newsletter that I keep
refining. The more I work on it, the longer it gets, too (I guess that's
a warning -- [grin (:>)]).

Long-time subscribers have likely noticed that the time between issues
has gradually been lengthening. I think this is partly due to my
promising to address certain topics "in the next issue" and then feeling
too embarrassed to publish another issue until I have completed work on
something dealing with that topic. I see I'll have to refrain from such
statements in the future.

Additionally, as the issues have gotten increasingly long, they have
become less frequent. So I'm thinking I ought to just focus on shorter,
more frequent issues.

Many of you have sent gracious inquiries about us and the newsletter.
Here is one example with a suggestion I should have already implemented.

> I hate to disturb you for I realize you are a busy man and have your
> share of life's troubles etc. But just as this one subscriber wrote you
> I am also wondering if I have been unsubscribed? You said that
> you anticipated sending out another long newsletter in a few days. This
> last one sent to us is dated Feb 5, 2000 and we have received nothing
> since then. I am not impatient, but if you sent it out, I would like
> very much to receive it.
> May I suggest, that if you cannot send out a newsletter in your
> usual time (which I'm not sure when that is--but say it is once a month
> usually) then you have some little form letter that you can send out
> saying that you will not be able to get one out right now. It will keep
> people like me from writing you and asking if they are unsubscribed or
> not and save you the turmoil of having people "on your back" so to
> speak. We do not mean to bother you, but if we hear nothing for 2
> months, then we wonder if we will hear from you again and we sincerely
> love your messages and don't want to miss any.
> God bless you and your wonderful and much needed ministry.

I actually would like to get out an issue at least once each week. When
we began the newsletter, I averaged several issues each week (which was
probably too frequent). In any event, I'm going to try to get back on a
more regular schedule.

========================================================================

We have had an unusually busy time recently, with out-of-town guests and
others helping with the construction of our debt-free home. Although
this has put us behind on many normal tasks and projects, we've made
substantial progress on the house (we're currently finishing the
painting and planning for the deck & steps). After shopping for
cabinetry, we've determined to spend the money on tools, instead, and
make our own cabinets. In the meantime, we'll move install counter-tops
on temporary frames (with curtains covering the boxes containing dishes,
linens, etc.) so we can move in once we get the final inspection.

We are painting the sub-floor and will live on that until the donated
wood-flooring material is gradually collected. If anyone knows a
cross-country truck driver willing to pick up occasional small shipments
of flooring materials in Illinois on his way to California, please let
us know.

========================================================================

I'm excited to announce the availability of a NEW AUDIO TAPE (not
available in video), #322 "God's Design for Cultivating Joyful Homes."
In this presentation I focus on scriptural principles regarding God's
intent that our children be BOTH obedient AND joyful. Many tragically
see these attributes as contradictory. God repeatedly reveals His design
that His people walk in joy.

Most of my presentations are directed especially toward men rather than
women. (Most biblical mandates for child training are given primarily to
fathers.) While this message is not necessarily an exception, there are
some specific scriptural encouragements to MOTHERS regarding cultivating
joyful families.

Directions for ordering our tapes are at the conclusion of this
newsletter.

========================================================================

I recently read a great new biography of Hudson Taylor, written by my
friend Rod Thomson (a subscriber to this newsletter and publisher of
_Onward Christian Soldiers_, a magazine focusing on brief biographies of
men and women of God who have gone before us). I would like to recommend
this book, _Living Water_.

My first impression upon seeing the size of the book was disappointment.
It was obvious Rod would not be able to be very thorough in such a thin
volume. It immediately was clear the book was written for younger
readers (perhaps mid-teens), which also lowered my expectations.

But I was exceedingly surprised at the book within the first several
chapters. Rod has done an excellent job of bringing a fresh,
spiritually-focused perspective to the life struggles of this great
missionary pioneer in simple, brief terminology. This small book
succeeds better than most adult biographies of the founder of the China
Inland Mission, in revealing his heart for the Lord.

Recognizing the size constraints of a book for youth, Thomson focuses on
sequential episodes in Taylor's life that explore his spiritual odyssey
and growing understanding & commitment to Biblical principles (while
providing adequate overview of the flow of his overall story). He
necessarily leaves out many details found in other biographies, but also
emphasizes matters of the inner life of godliness overlooked by other
biographers.

I was so impressed with the book, I had to immediately read it to my
family, despite the fact we had previously read four other biographies
of Hudson Taylor together. Rod's own heart for the Lord (as well as
homeschool perspectives) color the story in delightful ways. I highly
recommend this book for both young people and adults, and hope to see
Rod Thomson write other biographies of saints in the recent past.

_Living Water_, by Rod Thomson, is available for sale at any Christian
bookstore. You can also order it (and other biographies) through our
ministry (and thereby support what we're doing) for $6 + shipping. For a
copy of our Biography Catalog, simply request it.

========================================================================

By the way, Rod Thomson, the author mentioned above, recently resigned
from his employment as a reporter with a daily newspaper and has taken
on the role of administrator of Hand to the Plow Ministries, which has
taken work camps into Haiti for 17 years.

The Lord is leading the ministry to expand into well-drilling. The
organization is connected to about 160 small, rural churches. Most of
these brethren drink polluted surface water and their mortality rate is
heart-wrenching. Children die at a terrifying pace--all seven elders in
one church where Rod spoke had lost at least one child.

The goal is to drill wells next to the church meeting place in each
village, so that up to 600 people can get clean water daily. This falls
under Christ's words, whatsoever you have done to the least of these my
brethren, you have done unto me. And because of its location--next to
what is often the only Christian geographic foothold in a land permeated
by Voodoo--perhaps the Lord will bring them to the Living Water, also.
The Haitian believers are the best evangelists for Christ in their
country.

Hand to the Plow also is beginning to take more medical groups in to
conduct clinics in these rural areas. There has not been an
administrator before, but as the need has grown along with the desire of
churches in the states to help with the need, the leadership felt now
was the time.

It is a step of faith, because the Thomsons have seven children, and the
ministry has no money for full-time salaries--it pretty much goes
straight to Haitian needs. So Rod and Kim are trusting the Lord, Who is
able, to provide for the family's needs.

If you would like more information on this effort, you can contact Rod
at ocsmail@..., and he will send you information.

========================================================================

Spring seems to be a time many choose for WEDDINGS. In some cases,
wedding invitations can produce awkwardness when those getting married
are living in sin. Serious Christians struggle with how to handle such
situations. If we attend (or participate in) such a wedding are we
projecting our endorsement? One subscriber wrote:

> My wife's sister (23 yr. old) who professes to be a Christian is going to be
> married in July. For the past year or so she has been in a fornicating
> relationship with this man and is living with him. We have several times
> given her humble and scriptural rebukes and encouraged her to repent and
> turn away from this fornicating relationship. Our children are aware that
> these two have been living together, and we have made it very clear to them
> that this displeases the Lord and will most likely destroy the likelihood of
> a blessed marriage. This sister lives in Alaska along with 2 of [my wife's]
> siblings and her father. The dilemma is that this sister has asked us to
> come to the wedding and for [my wife] to be a bride's maid. We are not sure
> what we should do. We have prayed about it, but God has just not given us a
> peace about any decision we should make. We do not want to condone our
> sister's sin by participating in the wedding, and we do not want our
> children to think that we approve of their relationship. Yet, the majority
> of [my wife's] family are not Christian's and we do not want to leave the
> impression that we are just being "holier than thou" and are not coming
> because the are all "heathens". One other side note is that I do not think
> that I can get the time off from my job to go with [her] and the children up
> to AK. Over the past several years they have made several trips up to AK.
> without me, but I feel this time it is different because of the
> circumstances. We sure could use some wise counsel at this point.
> I personally think that we should one more time humbly and scripturally
> rebuke them, and tell them that we cannot come because we are responsible
> for exposing our children to examples of Godliness and righteousness. If
> they repent and turn away from their sin then I see no problem in sending
> Heidi and the children up, but if they do not then I do not think that they
> should go. Again, we sure could use some wise counsel at this point. I
> thank the Lord for him using you in your ministry.

If your wife's sister did not claim to be a believer, I would encourage
you to seriously consider going to (or sending your family to) the
wedding and even allowing participation in it. God does not call us to
judge or try to change the behavior of non-Christians.

Paul wrote (1 Cor. 5:9-10), "I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep
company with sexually immoral people. Yet I certainly did not mean with
the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or
extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the
world."

God calls us to recognize the sin in the world around us for what it is,
but to recognize that eliminating specific sins doesn't draw one any
closer to Jesus. In many cases, they are actually closer to the kingdom
of God while in obvious sin, than they are when they outwardly look
quite nice. The real issue is their hearts.

However, our relationships with those who call themselves Christians is
another matter. Since your sister-in-law claims to be a sister in the
Lord, you ARE called to judge here. I know this sounds contrary to what
seems appropriate in today's "nice" church. But scripture repeatedly
tells us that we are to judge sin within the church. Let me return to
that in a moment.

Since your sister-in-law is a fornicator who claims to know the Lord,
Paul's next words (verse 11) apply to your relationship with her: "But
now I have written to you not to keep company with ANYONE NAMED A
BROTHER, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a
reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; not even to eat with such a
person."

I agree with your sense that you should continue to admonish her to turn
from this sin, and only join in the wedding festivities if she truly
repents, changing both her heart and her ways.

But as you note, you will likely appear judgmental to the rest of the
family (non-believers). Clearly that's a risk you have to take. But
there are some ways to minimize that risk. One would be to simply
announce that you can't get off work and thus the family won't be there.
Likely most will see through that, and it may seem like a deception.

Another approach is to say to your sister-in-law something like the
following: "If you really love Jesus, you don't want His word to be
blasphemed. Although we love both you and your fiancé, we cannot pretend
to overlook your sin. We are not rejecting you personally, but the
scriptures require us to avoid keeping company with you as long as you
are practicing immorality. We will explain our absence to the rest of
the family as being caused by my actual work schedule conflict. But if
you were walking righteously we would find a way around that. If you
want to tell others our real reason, and give those who don't know the
Lord an occasion to blaspheme Him, we won't stop you."

At that point the ball will be in her court. She can repent, avoid
causing further offense by letting your reason stand, or cause further
offense by reporting your righteous stance in a bad light. But her
actions will be her responsibility, not yours. We will pray for her
repentance and for grace for you in standing for God's righteousness in
a loving manner.

But let me pursue the notion of the necessity of JUDGING Christians who
are walking in sin. In the next two verses Paul wrote (1 Cor. 5:12-13),
"For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you
not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges.
Therefore 'put away from yourselves the evil person.'"

At first glance there is a seeming contradiction in scripture. In fact,
in just the previous chapter (1 Cor. 4:5) Paul wrote, "Therefore judge
nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to
light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the
hearts. Then each one's praise will come from God." And then in the very
next chapter, as we have seen, he encourages judging among the saints.

Many see this as contradictory. They focus on other passages as well,
where, for example, Jesus said (Matt. 7:1-2), "Judge not, that you be
not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and
with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you." This is a
very clear command.

Yet a few verses later Jesus was incredibly judgmental in saying (verse
6), "Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before
swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in
pieces." And then he concluded (verses 15-27) the "Sermon on the Mount"
with a caution to evaluate fruit since appearances can be deceptive.

What is this dissonance in both Christ's words and Paul's teaching?
Clearly there is a time when we must judge, but other times when we
shouldn't. And the way we judge is important. For example, In John 7:24
Jesus said, "Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with
righteous judgment."

In 1 Cor. 5, however, the distinction relates to WHO we judge. We are
not to judge non-believers, but we MUST judge fellow-believers we are in
fellowship with who walk in sin. Peter wrote (1 Pet. 4:17), "For the
time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God." He then went
on to distinguish this from the judgment non-believers will face.

In God's design, there is a difference between the judgment of
non-believers and that of believers. If we will practice and welcome
judgment now, we further Christ's purpose in preparing a desirable bride
"without spot or wrinkle" (Eph. 5:27).

This is why the New Testament repeatedly calls us to avoid fellowship
with fellow-believers who are walking in sin. The goal is their
repentance and restoration. Jesus told us (Matt. 18:17) that if a
brother "refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a
heathen and a tax collector." Paul directed to "mark" and "avoid" those
within the church who are divisive (Rom. 16:17).

Paul told Timothy (2 Tim. 3:2-5) to "turn away" from those who are
"lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers,
disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving,
slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors,
headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
having a form of godliness but denying its power."

He even directed shunning those who are lazy freeloaders, saying (2
Thes. 3:14), "And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note
that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed."

Yes, there is a time to judge those who claim to be members of Christ's
body. If they are bearing contrary fruit, they may still truly be born
again, but God intends to use our temporary (hopefully) overt ostracism
to chasten and prune them for His glory.

========================================================================

Occasionally we receive exceptionally encouraging responses of how God
has used my message to touch people's lives. Often holding to a strong
stance in the face of compromise seems to be too difficult, but when we
see the fruit, it helps us realize God's ways are not only right, but
they work. (We obey because they are right, not because we are
pragmatists. But thank God His way bears fruit.)

Long-time subscribers may recall the case of a teen-aged girl who was
rather dramatic in expressing her anger at my counsel to her parents to
exclude her from peer influences. (Newer subscribers can read issue #25
on "Socialization" in our archives at
<http://www.onelist.com/message/BoldChristianLiving/25?>.)

This young lady and her parents recently wrote me, expressing thanks for
the advice and giving a bit of an update. I thought you would enjoy
hearing the report that gives HOPE FOR REBELS. (The following will not
make as much sense if you have not reviewed the original interaction in
Issue #25, so I recommend doing that before proceeding. You may also
want to review the earlier counsel to the mother in issue #22, available
at <http://www.onelist.com/message/BoldChristianLiving/22>.)

The young lady wrote:

> You probably remember me from the letter I e-mailed you about a
> year ago, and, well, this one is entirely different, I promise! I am
> writing to sincerely apologise for everything I said then. My heart
> has turned back to my parents (probably something to do with your
> family's prayers :-). ),
> The things I said were extremely rude, I blush now every time I
> read them! Even if I had been right I should NEVER have said such
> disrespectful things (I was in quite a bit of shock at the time from
> my sudden change in lifestyle), but I should not have been so rude. I
> am very sorry.
> Anyway, that is what I wanted to say, you were entirely right and
> I was very wrong. Thank you very much for your prayers.

Especially in light of this young sister's previous correspondence, this
is nothing short of miraculous. When asking permission to publish this,
I told her many of you had been praying for her and had asked if there
were an update.

While it's always gratifying to receive an apology, it is especially a
blessing to see the result of investment that one doubted would bear
fruit. The turn-around in this young woman's heart and life is further
confirmed by what her father wrote:

> Dear Jonathan,
>
> Firstly thank you so very much for the Godly input which you gave us
> and our daughter, after her disrespectful letter to you
> about a year ago.
>
> We also thank you and your family for all the prayer that you've made
> for us and our situation, as well as all those who read your
> newsletter and have prayed.
>
> We praise and thank God for the wonderful outcome.[Daughter] has given
> her heart back to us and our relationship has been restored.
> We are sorry this has taken so long, but things were obviously quite
> difficult at first. We endeavoured to follow the leading of the Lord
> in the matter. He showed us that we should pray through the matter
> before taking action as it was necessary for her to have a change of
> heart, which we prayed to happen.
>
> Praise the Lord things did change, in all of us, there was a need for
> repentance in all of our lives and we each made re-commitments and
> asked each other for forgiveness.
> All of our daughters now realise why we need to shelter them to such
> an extreme and are in full acceptance of it.

I join this family in thanking you all for your prayers on their behalf.
As a result, as in Paul's case (2 Cor. 1:11), you can join in the
rejoicing at God's work in this situation.

This report also is a testimony to the fruit of obeying God's call in
taking hard steps our children may not initially appreciate. You may
recall I had recommended isolating this young woman with her family for
a time until she was no longer under the strong influence of her peers.
I counseled withdrawing her from the church youth group, cutting off
internet access, etc.

Such measures are seen by many as extreme. Frankly, I think they should
be normative, with any variation as exceptional, requiring direct
leading of the Holy Spirit. May we all be encouraged by this testimony,
to be bold parents in the face of a wicked enemy using any devious means
possible to seduce our children's hearts.

========================================================================

You can order our materials by mail or through our web-site order form,
e-mail, or by phone. The videos cost $25, and audios cost $6 for
individual tapes and $34 for seminar albums (plus 15% shipping--$1
minimum). If you don't mail order with a check we can send the materials
immediately with an invoice to be paid when you receive the tapes.

Although we don't accept credit cards (and certainly don't want to
encourage debt), you can now pay for orders (or send a contribution)
with a credit card through PayPal.com (a free service) by going to the
following link:
<https://secure.paypal.com/refer/pal=Lindvall%40BoldChristianLiving.com>.

(If you do register a credit card with PayPal via our link above,
they'll give you a $5 bonus your first time using them, and give us a $5
bonus for referring you, even if you never actually use the service.)

========================================================================

ARCHIVES: I can't respond to requests for previous issues of the
newsletter. However, for past issues of the Bold Christian Living E-Mail
Newsletter, you (or a friend) can quickly & easily find them in our
public archives at <http://www.onelist.com/archive/BoldChristianLiving>.
You can select past issues by date or issue number, or you can search
the archives using any key words you choose.

========================================================================

Unless you specify otherwise, I will assume subscribers who write me
letters are giving their permission to publish their letters and my
responses in this newsletter.
--
God bless you.

Jonathan Lindvall Lindvall@...
Bold Christian Living http://www.BoldChristianLiving.com

PO Box 820 Voice 559-539-0500
Springville CA 93265 Fax 559-539-0804

...He who has begun a good work in you will complete it... Phil. 1:6