About a Previous Post!

The following is a letter I recently sent to my brother. I am posting this here because it relates to another post I made nearly a year ago. Here is the link to the post that the following post relates to. jasonholman.blogspot.com/2009/09/are-tough-times-coming.html

Dale,

I am writing in regards to the emails we exchanged nearly one year ago.

Nearly one year ago, you sent me an email with the subject “Times Will Get Tough.” I later sent you a response. In the response I sent you, I spoke of things that I felt certain would soon come to pass. In the response, I gave a time frame in which I believed these things would come to pass. If you remember, I said that these things would be coming to pass in a matter of months and quite possibly even weeks. Well, as you can see, I was incorrect in my time table. Because of this, I feel I have an obligation to write and take ownership of that mistake.

Throughout my time on this earth, I have often been amazed at how many men make predictions that fail to come to pass. Once the prediction proves false, you wait to see how the false predictor will respond, only to find that they never mention their failure. Instead, they just ignore it as if it never happened. Personally, I have always found such actions rather cowardly and deceptive. Because of this, I feel that I need to write and take ownership for my missed prediction.

I suppose I could argue and say that by saying “months” I meant it could be many months (as in 24, 36, etc.), however, to do so would be a lie. Because when I said months, I truly believed that it wouldn’t be any more than three or four. Because of this error, I must say that I was wrong. I was wrong to make an absolute statement about something that God did not speak to me in an absolute manner.

Typically, I am not one to speak such things. However, at that time in my life, there was no doubt whatsoever that we were only months away from our home going. While God never directly told me that we would be going home before the end of 2009, he certainly let my heart believe it. He didn’t do this to deceive us, or make fools of us; instead he did it to bring us to the position that he wanted us to be in. Because of our belief that our time was very short, we made decisions that we probably wouldn’t have made otherwise. And though at times I am tempted to feel like a fool for some of our decision, I shouldn’t do this because I can clearly see that we are at the exact place our Father wants us to be.

This great confidence that we would be going home before the end of 2009 began just a few years earlier. It was in May of 2003 that God called me to follow Him (though I didn’t really recognize what was happening at the time). A few months later he saved me through His gospel and made me his son. Then, through His Spirit that was in me, He began to teach me through His word for the next couple of years. At the end of those two years, my learning reached a climax, at which time God compelled me to write the book (or letter) that I sent to you and several others at the time.

After writing the book/letter, the word of God grew very silent for a time. Though I still found comfort in reading it, there were no new revelations. This continued for several months. But then, shortly after moving to Joplin at the end of 2006, God once again began to speak through his word. This time, he began to teach me about times and seasons. It was during this time that He taught me that his kingdom had entered a new and final season. It was a season that would immediately precede the return of his Son. Needless to say, this was a very exciting season of learning. Up until that time, I really had no idea as to the time frame in which the saints would be caught up in the air, but this season of learning revealed that we were/are quite close.

Though I certainly can’t say that God told me so, I will say that he let me strongly believe that 3 years was the maximum amount of time we would have to wait for that great event. This belief wasn’t nurtured by scripture so much, but rather a whole lot of circumstantial evidence. Because of this evidence, I was very confident that 2009 would be our final year. One of the pieces of circumstantial evidence was the arrival of your email that spoke about tough times coming. I’m still not sure as to whether or not the arrival of your email was an important sign from God, or if it was just one of the biggest coincidences of my life. However, on the day it arrived, it was received as nothing less than an indication that we would not be on this earth much longer. Let me explain…

As you can imagine, because of our belief that 2009 would be our last year of waiting, each day of 2009 came and went with much anticipation. Every night I went to bed wondering if I would wake up to be with my Lord, and every morning I awoke wondering if that day could be the day in which the great trumpet would sound. This was pretty much the norm in my life for much of 2009.

In June of 2009 something interesting happened. On Saturday night, June 6th, I decided to sleep outside on our trampoline. On Sunday morning, June 7th, I woke up after hearing the words “98 days.” Now, I am pretty sure that I didn’t actually hear this audibly, but it was in a very strong fashion that made a strong impression on me. While I didn’t make a huge deal out of it, I did mention it to my family. I also counted up on the calendar 98 days and arrived at September 13th. I put a little note on the calendar.

As the days went by, I couldn’t help but be a little bit curious by that date. While I tried to blow it off as nothing but my imagination, it wasn’t real easy to do. The number just seemed too real to ignore. I eventually came up with three scenarios as to what might happen on that day. The first scenario was that nothing would happen. The day would pass without event and prove that there was nothing to the number that I heard in my head. The second scenario was that September 13 would be the day of the great trumpet. While this was an exciting thought, I didn’t really consider it to be likely. According to scripture, it seemed unlikely that God would tell anyone the exact day of this wonderful event. The third scenario I thought of was that September 13 would signal our entrance into the last, few, final days before our Lord returned. If this was the case, then I felt that something significant would happen that day to let me know that that was the case.

Well, the day finally came, but despite my anticipation, nothing seemed to happen. By all appearances the day went by without event. At first I was disappointed and felt a little bit foolish. I shared my disappointment, confusion, and feeling of foolishness with the Lord. I then took some time to read scripture. I read Romans 8. As I read Romans 8, I realized how real, wonderful, and true everything I believed and was a part of really was. I came to accept that even if I was off track regarding my understanding of this final season of time, I knew that I was at least on track with all the other essentials. And for that moment, that was enough. A sincere peace filled my soul.

Though it was still early (before 9 pm), feeling emotionally drained, I went to bed. After going to bed, I laid there for a little while enjoying the great peace that was in my heart. However, after about 15 minutes, Karen came into the room to get me. She told me that I had an email from you.

I can’t lie, I immediately realized the date on which your email arrived. Realizing the date, I was very curious to see if it would say anything that would relate to the things we were believing about our soon coming Lord. I didn’t take long to see that it did. As I read your words that expressed your belief that tough times were coming, I couldn’t help but be excited and receive your letter as the sign I was hoping for that September 13 marked our entrance into the last few, final days before the great trumpet. To me the coincidence was just too great (after all, nearly three years had passed since our last communication).

Because of this sudden assurance, I felt confident to write to you and express that terrible times were coming in the month ahead. Though, I realized the potential to look foolish if I was wrong, I didn’t really consider that outcome a possibility. I knew that I knew that shortly we would be called off the earth so that God could unleash a great punishment against the institution that falsely calls herself the church.

Obviously, I was wrong on my time frame. While the things I wrote about will still come to pass. I certainly cannot give a time frame in which they will. It could be tomorrow, or it could be ten years from now. I am just not sure. According to scripture is has to be fairly soon. But in light of the fact that the Bible covers six thousand years of history, who can exactly say what “soon” is.

I must admit, I am still a little bit puzzled by the arrival of your email on September 13. I know God had His hand in it, but I am not sure why. Maybe he was just sending comfort to someone who was disappointed and confused. Or maybe we truly did enter into our last few days, only my idea of a few is much smaller that His idea of a few. I really don’t know. I do know this; I will continue to follow regardless of how many days pass until I hear the trumpet sound.

Jason

Promises!

Many years ago, an old and childless man had and encounter with God. Within that encounter, God told the man that he would have a son. The Bible tells us that the man believed God. And so it was that great joy and excitement must have filled his heart. Though some may find this embarrassing to read, I can’t help but imagine that the man immediately ran to his wife in order to do their part to bring the promise to pass. It is likely that several months of exciting passion followed, knowing that each encounter could be the one that would make the promise of God a reality.

How discouraging it must have been for Abraham as he waited for his wife to give him the word that the promise was on the way. Every day he would look to her to see if she was glowing, but each day he only saw her countenance grow dimmer with discouragement.

Though I don’t want to accuse Abraham of thoughts he didn’t have, I can imagine that he quite likely began to question his encounters with God. While I don’t believe that Abraham actually questioned God and His faithfulness, I do believe that it was likely that he questioned himself. I believe that it is likely that he questioned if it was all just a dream. Or maybe he wondered if he misunderstood what God had said. Regardless, I am sure that many discouraging years followed those first few exciting months after the promise was made.

Despite Abraham’s discouragement, God’s plan was still intact. God was not slothful or forgetful, but instead, He knew exactly when He would bring His promise to pass. Though Abraham expected a child immediately, God knew quite well that many years must pass before the time would be right. And so it was that many years later (at least 14 years after the promise was made) a discouraged Abraham and Sarah found themselves holding a fulfilled promise. And though the delay was certainly discouraging, I am sure that it made joy of that moment much greater.

Here I sit to day finding great comfort in this story. It is good to see that God often takes a little longer that we think He will to fulfill a promise.

Nearly four years ago, God opened up his word and taught me something wonderful. He taught me that his Kingdom had entered a new season. However, it wasn’t just any “new season”, but it was the season that would immediately proceed the sounding of the great trumpet that would be the signal for his angels to go and gather His children from the four corners of the earth. This was great news for me, for up until that point, I had no reason to hope that that event was in the near future. But with the understanding He gave me, I was filled with hope and excitement that it could be any day.

This new understanding brought joy, but it also brought a sense of obligation to write and warn others that the window of time in which they could find truth was closing. It was a very exciting time in my life. I felt urgency, and boldness as I had never felt before. I even started a website so I could have an outlet for all I was learning (makewayfortheking.com – no longer on line).

Though God never told me so directly, for various reasons, I came to strongly believe that this great event would happen within three years. If I was right, then that meant that this great event would happen sometime before 2009 was over.

Well, time went by, and our hope didn’t dim. Though the evidence was completely circumstantial (as opposed to scriptural) there was enough of it to make our belief about 2009 being our final year even stronger. Some of this evidence was even quite extraordinary.

Well, as you can see, we are well beyond 2009. And though this year has been good to us, I must admit that I have had moments of discouragement. While I know that my learning about a new and final season was correct, I can’t help but feel at timesl as if God has forgotten about His promise to take us home. For this reason, I am thankful for stories like the one about Abraham. This story is a good reminder that God will keep His promise, but that He will keep it according to His wise time table and not my own.

God is very wise. And despite my discouragement, I can clearly see His wisdom. Though I strongly long to go home, I am very glad that we are still here. Since entering 2010, I have gotten to see my children grow in knowledge and understanding as I never imagined. If He would have taken us home according to my time table, I would have missed seeing this.

So how much longer will we have to walk this earth? I really don’t care to venture a guess. Based upon what He taught me, it has to be fairly soon. But what is soon in regards to a story that has been in motion for 6000 years. For 6000 years this season we are now in has been prophesied about and looked forward to. Is it likely that this season will only last 3-4 years? When put into that perspective, I realize that it could maybe take just a little longer that I originally expected.

Though I don't know how long I will have to walk this road, I do know that I will walk with confidence that my God will keep his promise. I as walk this road, I will continue to examine my heart so that I can fully reflect the son of God through whom I was saved. I will also, continue to diligently lead and teach my family regarding the things that matter most. And occasionally, if time allows, I just may continue to write and proclaim what I know to be true.

May 7th

God has been very good to me since my last post.

On Friday, May 7th, the coworker I had the brief conversation with (mentioned in my last post) came to our house to discuss things further. We talked from about 6:00 in the evening till well after midnight. Then, this past Wednesday, she came over again after work for a somewhat shorter visit. Though it seems unlikely that this person will ever come to a place of true repentance towards God, I must say that it has at least been wonderful to finally once again share with an interested person all that God has done in the lives of my family and I.

If I Were a Rich Man!

If I were a rich man (I consider my self a rich man, but in this post I am referring to money) then I would rent a hall of some sort, then advertise to my city and invite everyone to come listen to me share of all that God has done in my life and all he has taught me over the course of the past six or seven years. Of course I realize that few would come, but that is where being a rich man would come in. So great is my desire to share these things that I would be willing to pay people to simply come and listen.

Now of course I realize that this wouldn't likely bear any fruit for my listeners, but it would be worth every penny to me just to have the opportunity to express these things face to face to a great multitude at once.

In all truthfulness, I guess it doesn't even have to be a great multitude, but if God would just provide one interested person to sit with me for a couple of hours and just let me talk, OH HOW GOOD THOSE TWO HOURS WOULD BE!

It was almost exactly three years ago while living in Joplin that I got the chance to do just that. About 6:00 or 7:00 PM on a Saturday night, a neighbor lady knocked on our door to talk to my wife about something. As she was arriving, I was leaving to take my children to get an ice cream and pretzel at Sam's Club. However, when I returned later that evening, she was still there. At some point during my absence, the conversation turned to spiritual matters. So when I walked in the door, Karen brought me into the conversation. Once I entered the conversation, I found a hungry soul that eagerly listened to everything I had to say. This conversation went on for several hours until we all surprisingly realized that it was after 2:00 AM.

Though no long term fruit was produced (She sprouted quick, but had no root,and therefore quickly died when persecution came) those few hours are still remembered as some of the most wonderful hours of my life.

Here we are three years later, and though MUCH briefer in nature, this past week I had a similar opportunity to talk with one of my coworkers. This brief experience just reminded me once again of how great it would be to be able to express face to face with an hungry listener all that my God has done.

As you know, I often express an intention to either write or record something in order to share what burns in my heart. However, once I get started, I find that its a whole lot of effort and that my words seem very empty and pointless. Because of this, I rarely finish what I originally planned to do. NO! I don't want to write another thing on paper (at least not right now), and I don't want to attempt to speak to a camera or digital voice recorder. I so bad just want to sit across a table from a hungry soul and tell them my story. Or, standing before a crowd of a thousand wouldn't be so bad either. OH God, PLEASE grant this desire of my heart.

Still Here

Well, the calendar page has turned, and we’re still here. Am I surprised? Yes. But am I disappointed? No.

As 2009 began, I was very convinced that I would not be on this earth to witness the birth of 2010. For several different reasons, I was quite certain that the great trumpet was going to sound before 2010 showed it face. However, it turns out I was wrong.

Now, at the start of 2009, I expected that I would be very disappointed if I was here to see 2010, but surprisingly I am not. Instead, I am unexpectedly content, and even a little bit excited to see what is in store next for my family’s life.

I must admit, I am tempted to feel a little foolish for my strong conviction about 2009. However, there is nothing foolish about it. I am quite convinced that the conviction I had wasn’t something of my own making, but instead it was something that God allowed and even placed within me. Though I won’t go into a lot of detail, I will only say that God needed to accomplish something in my family’s life, and part of making this happen was creating in me a belief that 2009 would be our final year.

It has certainly been an interesting, exciting, and unfortunately (do to my own lack of trust) a somewhat terrifying month. God has led my family through fire and he has led us through a flood. At times the fire felt hot, and, at times, the water seemed to be up to our necks; however, in the end, absolutely no harm came to us. Though we couldn’t see Him, He was with us the whole time. The only thing that resulted from our time in the fire was a greater joy and increased faith in Him. Oh how good you are Lord!

Isaiah 43:1-2 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. (2) When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

For six years we have been following Him, and for six years He has kept every promise He has made. I don’t expect Him to suddenly stop now.

The Blizzard!

While I have certainly seen more snow fall in my life, I have never seen snowfall mixed with such wind. When all was said and done, we received about six inches of snow; however, because of the way the wind blew it around, some places had several feet, while other places barely showed a trace.

While I love living out in the country, it does have its draw backs in that our roads are slow to get cleared off. The snow began on Thursday, and today (Monday) is the first day that I could have safely taken my truck on the road.

There is more snow in the forecast for tomorrow and next weak; however, I don't think it is supposed to be anything like the storm we just went through.

The wind did very interesting things with the snow.

Do to the wind, this sections of road just north of our house was completely clear after the storm.

However, things would change drastically as you approached the four way intersection.

This is what the road looked like just north of the intersection.

This is what the road looked like heading east at the intersection.

And this is was the road looked like heading west. Yes, there really is/was a road there.


Four-wheel drive didn't help this guy any.

New Camcorder

A little over 11 years ago, my wife and I purchased a video camera. While we spent a little more than we intended, it turns out that we made a good purchase. For after 11 years of regular use, the camcorder is still running strong.

Despite the fact that the camcorder is still running strong, we recently chose to replace it with one that could record in digital format. This way, all of the recorded files could easily be transferred to our computers.

Originally, I planned to buy the Cannon FS200. It seemed to have fairly good reviews and it was priced at $300 which was the top amount we were hoping to spend. The Cannon FS200 would have probably been a good camcorder; however, before buying it, we discovered that the JVC Everio GZ-HM200 was selling on eBay for less than $250.

The JVC Everio GZ-HM200 is a high definition camera that is currently selling at our Wal-Mart for $550 (may vary from store to store). For some reason, at the time we in the market for a camcorder, there was a ton of these for auction on eBay that were either new or in like new condition. However, not only were they selling for much less than those at Wal-Mart, most of them included some bonus items that the one from Wal-Mart did not (ours came with a 4GB memory card, a memory card reader, and a carrying case). After watching several sell in the $250 price range, we decided to start bidding on some of them. Eventually we won one for $209 (plus $15 shipping). Ours was a former store display model; however, it shows virtually no signs of use. While I wouldn’t recommend spending $550 for this camera, it is well worth the $220 that we paid for it.

Below is some video footage that was shot on the day that we received our camera. If you click on the video as it is playing, it will take you to YouTube so that you can watch it in a bigger frame.