To Glorify His name
Written by David Christenson
I was asked the other day if I would be interested in writing for For God’s Glory Alone Ministries – FGGAM. At first I didn’t know what to say. It was via a Facebook email exchange so it wasn’t like I was stuttering and stammering around looking for words or if I knew someone could see the expressions on my face. I was really a bit reluctant to be honest. Then I remembered a promise I made to God. Years ago when I was in my recovery from the hit and run incident that nearly took my life I prayed for God to give me the answers and the reason or reasons why I was spared that night. I never asked him “Why me?” and instead have tried to concentrate on the notion of, “Why not me?”
So I responded to Pastor Dewey that I supposed that I could write something from time to time. Then I threw the caveat out there that I usually only was writing things for my Facebook page when something political or social was being bantered about and I wanted to participate in some way to address the issue in regard to how its standing was with the faith that I have.
I thought about it again a day later and now here I am. I have decided that I would see if I could help glorify the name of God. I still question in my mind why I was saved from that car. It was travelling in excess of 35 mph….at impact. Then I end up answering my own question because I know I have asked God to help guide me and to help me glorify His name. I know I have a story to tell; a testimony that isn’t normal. But then, how many testimonies are normal anyway?
But God, I am just a simple and common man, I tell myself. I am very good at sinning and I ask for your forgiveness in this failing of mine. I don’t feel worthy of telling others of your glory; your power; your love; your grace. But again, here I am, Lord. You have called my name. I pray each day for your Divine guidance to show me the way. I ask you if you would help put the words into my mouth and the thoughts into my mind to help glorify your name. I pray that when I go about my day-to-day things that I can have a God-given purpose to what I am doing each day.
I never went to college and instead declined a football scholarship to farm with my dad. So this confuses me even more on why God would want this uneducated sinner to help Him do His work here on earth. Then I am reminded of the prophet Amos who wasn’t an “educated priest or religious servant.” So that gives a guy like me hope that maybe I can make a difference here on God’s earth. That maybe I might be able to deliver a message that means something and can make a difference in someone’s faith journey.
Seek good, not evil,
that you may live.
Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you,
just as you say he is.
Hate evil, love good;
maintain justice in the courts.
Perhaps the Lord God Almighty will have mercy
on the remnant of Joseph. ~ Amos 5:14-15
Israel’s Restoration
“In that day
“I will restore David’s fallen shelter—
I will repair its broken walls
and restore its ruins—
and will rebuild it as it used to be,
so that they may possess the remnant of Edom
and all the nations that bear my name,”
declares the Lord, who will do these things. ~ Amos 9:11-12
May the blessings of God and His grace and peace come to all of you. We pray in your name, Jesus. Amen
Here is more about our newest writer for God here at FGGAM! PRAISE GOD!
David Christenson, a lifelong resident of South Dakota, grew up on a farm north of Claremont and attended school in Amherst and Britton, graduating from Britton in 1977.
David married Gretchen Tisher in 1984. Gretchen is also a graduate of Britton and teaches math and drama at Britton-Hecla high school. David and Gretchen have two children. Zach is an engineer for Continental Ag in Norfolk, Nebraska and his wife Amanda is a nurse. Margo lives in Denver and works as a Marketing & Outreach coordinator for MyLifeLine.org, a cancer support not-for-profit entity.
David started a cow/calf operation in the 1980s and farmed on the family farm after his high school graduation until December of 1994 when he accepted a sales position at the John Deere store in Britton. David left the John Deere sales position in March of 2006 and became a licensed crop insurance agent in May of 2006. David also started a rental business in 2010 and remained in the cattle business until January of 2012.
David, age 55, has had some extraordinary circumstances in his life. He was run over by a farm tractor before age 6 and had three heart attacks a few months before turning 40. Then he suffered life threatening injuries a few months after turning 50 in a hit and run incident. David was diagnosed with leukemia in 2012 and skin cancer in 2014.
David started writing his recovery experiences on Facebook in December of 2009. Over the next four years those Facebook notes became what would become chapters in his book, “Why Are You Here?” which was published in December of 2013.
