atheist

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Delivered Under His Banner

April 10, 2026 krisshetter

“And Moses built an altar and named it ‘The LORD is my Banner.’” Exodus 17:15

“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

THIS IS THE COMPLETE POST FROM TODAY — SORRY THERE’S A GLITCH WITH THE HOSTING SITE

Back during the early Covid years, I would dread going out to the grocery store. It wasn’t that I was afraid of getting sick. It was that I was afraid of punching someone in the throat. That may shock some of you that don’t know me well but for others of you, you know I have struggled with my anger and pride. I would become infuriated with silly rules like one way arrows in grocery aisles and the made up 6’ (or 3’ or 10’) rules. People wearing masks alone inside their cars. And on and on. I was letting others’ fears and absurd ideas turn my mind and emotions into chaos.

One of my favorite teaching moments from Joyce Meyer is when she once admitted, “I’m a really good Christian. Until I walk out the front door.” Yep, that was me on my way to the grocery store.

Then I remembered my promised deliverer — my Jehovah-nissi.

Christian author Barnabas Piper clarifies this name in this way:

When Israel faced the Amalekites in battle at Rephidim it wasn’t with overwhelming force, an experienced army, or the best commanders. It was as a transient tribe of herdsmen escaping slavery in Egypt and traveling uncertainly to a promised land they hadn’t seen in over four hundred years. They were trespassers traveling through the lands of fierce fighting peoples. They traveled with women, children, herds, and all their possessions. The battle was for survival, for hope, for a future.

But they traveled with something else too, something else that no other nation on earth had – a pillar of fire, a cloud of smoke, the very presence of God. Israel did not fight its battles alone. No matter how inexperienced or over-matched they were they were never the underdogs. No matter how desperate they felt they were never at a loss. The great general, the perfect protector, the LORD was with them. The very name used in Scripture is Jehovah Nissi – “the Lord is my banner.”

And that, my friends, is exactly the God I needed before I left my house. It’s the God I so frequently turn to now when faced with “trigger” situations. In fact, it was Jehovah-nissi who went before me when dealing with my dad’s hospital staff, rehab unit LVNs, unhelpful receptionists, and doctors who forget their patients are people too.

My deliverer God found me parking places when needed, brought me peace during untenable situations, gave me calm, kind and yet insistent words rather than anger and frustration. He gave my dad and I victory so many times. And that gave me opportunities to share the Word of God with my atheist dad. You see my dad once said to me years ago, “You’re just like your mom.” (Not a compliment) That hit me hard, especially since he was never around me. He assumed I would be unreasonable and angry at the drop of a hat. So not only did he get to see me in a new light, he also heard me testify to the work Jesus and Holy Spirit has done in my life over the years.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6:10

God has been delivering His people from all manner of battles, here on earth and in the heavens and in our physical lives and our internal struggles, for thousands of years. Most importantly He has delivered us from the eternal punishment of our sins through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ.

So today, before your feet hit the floor or you head out the door, call upon the Great Deliverer. He will go before you in battle, planting His flag upon your life in victory.

He shall say: “Hear, Israel: Today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them. For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” Deuteronomy 20:3-4

Be sure to follow the blog to receive your 30 Days of Reverence in your e-mail in box! Click here for past posts.

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Delivered Under His Banner

April 10, 2026April 10, 2026 krisshetter

“And Moses built and altar and named it ‘The LORD is my Banner.’” Exodus 17:15

“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

One of my favorite teaching moments from Joyce Meyer is when she once admitted, “I’m a really good Christian. Until I walk out the front door.” Yep, that was me on my way to the grocery store.

Then I remembered my promised deliverer — my Jehovah-nissi.

Christian author Barnabas Piper clarifies this name in this way:

When Israel faced the Amalekites in battle at Rephidim it wasn’t with overwhelming force, an experienced army, or the best commanders. It was as a transient tribe of herdsmen escaping slavery in Egypt and traveling uncertainly to a promised land they hadn’t seen in over four hundred years. They were trespassers traveling through the lands of fierce fighting peoples. They traveled with women, children, herds, and all their possessions. The battle was for survival, for hope, for a future.

But they traveled with something else too, something else that no other nation on earth had – a pillar of fire, a cloud of smoke, the very presence of God. Israel did not fight its battles alone. No matter how inexperienced or over-matched they were they were never the underdogs. No matter how desperate they felt they were never at a loss. The great general, the perfect protector, the LORD was with them. The very name used in Scripture is Jehovah Nissi – “the Lord is my banner.”

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6:10

So today, before your feet hit the floor or you head out the door, call upon the Great Deliverer. He will go before you in battle, planting His flag upon your life in victory.

Be sure to follow the blog to receive your 30 Days of Reverence in your e-mail in box! Click here for past posts.

Bible, bible study, Christian, Christian Church, christian encouragement, christian men, christian parenting, Christian women, Faith, god, Jesus, Jesus Follower, prayer, proverbs, religion, Transformation Prayer, Uncategorized, wisdom

Enjoying the Right Side of Life

April 29, 2024May 4, 2024 krisshetter

I’ve mentioned in past series that I wasn’t raised in a Christian home. My father is, to this day, an atheist and my mom is well, just sort of lost. In my younger years, I would probably tell you I believed in God but I didn’t really know what that meant. God was the creator and He was still hanging around, I supposed. If I had died back then I would’ve had the same judgement as my father, I believe. Because just like my atheist father, I didn’t have God as the centerstone of my life.

I hate to say it but I talk to a lot of folks who seem to be in this same boat. They might even call themselves “Christian.” But dig a bit deeper and they don’t believe the basic tenets of the faith. Such as Jesus being full man and fully God who died to cover our sins and make us righteous before God. Or that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God. Without these basic truths to help us navigate through life what’s to keep them from wandering off the path? To avoid a life of fool-hardy behavior and thinking? To be led by foolish teachers and pastors?

“Dead flies make the perfumer's ointment give off a stench; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. ²A wise man's heart inclines him to the right, but a fool's heart to the left.” Ecclesiastes 10:1-2

Back in the ancient world of King Solomon, the right hand represented the place of honor and power. The left hand (sorry lefties) represented weakness and even rejection. In this introduction to chapter 10 of Ecclesiastes, Solomon shines the light on our propensity to lean a bit too far into our personal temptations and sins. We give way to the left-hand side of life. Those sinful “flies in the ointment” create a life that looks a lot like one without knowing or trusting in God.

Blessed is the man who has the God of Jacob for his Helper; he need not fear either want or pain, or death. The more you can realize this, the happier will you become; and the only means for so doing is to hold frequent communion with God in prayer. Get alone with Jesus, and He will comfort your hearts, and restore your weary souls.”
Charles Spurgeon

No only had I not put God as a cornerstone of my life I put so many other things and people there in His place. In Solomon’s words I put “fools in a high position” (Ecc 10:6). And wisdom? Let’s just say it wasn’t a top priority for me.

“The toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know the way to the city.” Ecclesiastes 10:15

What a sad state to be in, as so many are today. Lost amongst well-travelled roads. Thinking they know the way to enjoying life to the fullest only to find themselves each morning back on the wrong side of a meaningful life.

I’ll make a confession to you. I started having sex when I was about 16 years old – sad to say that may be a bit old nowadays. By the time I met my future husband at age 22, I had been with more than 15 different men. The first few sexual relationships were ones I sometimes, still today, thank God that He didn’t allow me to become pregnant because I was also unprotected. In the midst of my sexual promiscuity years something inside me knew what I was doing was wrong but it didn’t stop me. I plowed ahead in my left hand life.

Later, I even realized my behavior was borne out of a need to seek love and acceptance. Of which, I usually received the exact opposite. Folly, folly, folly. And more wandering over the same roads.

My centerstones, or my go-to experts, were like-minded travellers. Women’s liberation bullhorns, pro-abortionists, people who believed we deserved to do what we please, and others who scoffed at the religious right and their limiting “rules for life.” I was going to do what I wanted, with whom I wanted, and was going to be happy and successful.

Until I wasn’t.

As a person searching for a meaningful life, that younger me was bombarded by foolish rulers. College teachers who were all about living the life that was “true to yourself.” The people I worked with had no place for God and encouraged debauchery and folly. Even the pastor of the church, where I spent about 10 years as a new Christian, never talked about sin.

Now, as a Christ-centered Christian, it angers me that there are pastors who fall into these same categories. Their own lives and their teaching don’t reflect God as their centerstone. They are ok with abortion – murdering the innocent. They are just fine with people having sex outside of marriage. With living immoral lives as long we know we are “loved” and “don’t judge.” They’re apparently reading from a different Bible than the one I have.

They are not leaders of the right handed side of life. When we look at who we’ve put as our centerstones we have to ask: are they simply leading us back around in circles to all our old sinful paths?

Click here for Enjoying the Right Side of Life Part Two as we discover the path straight to love and joy.

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Enjoying the Cycle of Life & Death

March 18, 2024April 7, 2024 krisshetter

I had a dream the other day that I had died. I didn’t die in the dream; I was already dead. In the dream, I was aware of my death and now “living” in an idyllic New England-style bay village. The whole situation seemed a bit quirky and yet normal. There was the typical mom and pop breakfast and lunch café, an ice cream shop on the corner, and even a small inn with a welcoming lobby bar featuring wine nights. My death-fellows walked about in full acceptance that this was their final destination. They were friendly and colorful. It all was so normal yet I kept saying, “surely this can’t be it?”

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die,” Ecclesiates 3:1-2

Ecclesiastes 3 might be one of the most well-known chapters in the Bible simply because in 1959 singer-songwriter Pete Seeger wrote the song, “Turn Turn” or “To Everything There Is a Season.” Made famous by the 60s band, The Byrds, throughout its lyrics the song repeats eight verses found in chapter 3.

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, a time to reap that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to gain that which is to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time of love, and a time of hate; a time of war, and a time of peace."

Seeger’s motivation was to emphasize the last line in King Solomon’s list of cyclical life – peace. But Solomon’s goal was to remind us again that the world keeps spinning round and round and at times may seem so meaningless. He reflected on wickedness and judgment – a judgment that would be sought out at each of our deaths.

Death, my friends, comes to us all. We may want to dance around that truth with familiar colloquialisms such as, “If I die….” But the truth of death stares us in the face each year when we reflect on the people we have “lost.” “Lost” as though we don’t know what happened to them or where they went. Maybe they’re wandering around in some idyllic New England town. Maybe they are in a fiery furnace. Or maybe they are “with the Lord.”

As a Christian, I know there’s two roads to take toward death: 1) the way of the world and sin which leads to terrible judgement and hell or 2) the way of Jesus, leading to the glorious New Eden in which love abounds. For the non-believer they may have chaos in their mind when they ponder death. If they’re atheists, like my father, they might believe that when we die we just disappear into nothingness. Others might hope for something better — like free ice cream for life, surrounded by Golden Retrievers. Many might imagine a walk up to the “pearly gates,” standing before an angel with a book of “infractions and do-goods” hoping the balance sheet is in their favor. For the atheist or confused, none of what they believe has as solid a foundational truth like the Bible.

For the Christian, we can look at Solomon’s list of “this and that” with comfort. By trusting in God and His promises, we can seek Him in every circumstance, both the seemingly good and bad. Because each of the times he lists have an element of both.

“Rather, you are filled with grief because I have said these things. But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” John 16:6-7

The disciples were facing the truth about life. We will die. Jesus was the only one to ever know the exact day and hour. In that death notice, however, Jesus gave them the preview of the blessing to come – the gift of the Holy Spirit. They still grieved mightily, but when the Holy Spirit descended upon them, they remembered His words and were healed.

Join me this Wednesday for Part Two of Enjoying the Cycle of Life & Death where we discover there are no “ordinary people.” Click here for part two.

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Save The Date

June 20, 2022June 21, 2022 krisshetter

¹²But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? ¹³If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 1 Corinthians 15:12-13

Among your friends and family there’s probably an atheist, fence-sitter, and a fog dweller. While you might understand the first of these two, let me explain the “fog dweller.” Someone who goes about their life not seeking answers to the big questions, not thinking about creation or death, not pondering if there is a heaven. Just getting by day to day. And if you don’t have some of each of these in your life, you might want to take up Jesus’ admonition to “go and make disciples of all nations.” Because when you do your own faith will be tested, honed and hewed.

Each of the letters in the Bible by the disciples gives us examples of believers struggling to define their faith and the true meaning of the gospel. The planted churches all were in places hostile to the message of Jesus – whether by Jews or pagans. So, developing believers that understood and stood firm in their faith was crucial.

¹⁴And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 1 Cor 15:14

Ouch! That’s a pretty bold statement. And Paul had the experience to back it up. He himself saw the risen Jesus! And while the members of the church in Corinth believed in Jesus’ resurrection, they were surrounded by a culture that almost celebrated death. The Greeks of that time saw the body as a prison and welcomed death to escape from it. They laughed at the idea of resurrection. And friends, there’s people around you that believe the same thing today.

While sitting bedside of my quickly waning mother-in-law who was on hospice, I had to ask myself, do I really, I mean really believe in, not only Jesus’ resurrection, but the resurrection of the entire body of the church? Do I believe that Bev will be resurrected one day? And therefore, I should only mourn this time “in between” and find joy in the “not yet.”

A friend of mine shared with me once how her son came to her with horrible news about an acquaintance of his. Their newborn baby had unexpectantly died. Her son, of course, was distraught for his friend. And although the death of any loved one can bring so much pain, the death of a child seems doubly so. My friend contemplated how hard it must be to experience so much pain without a belief in God. Her son, a non-believer, was apoplectic. “How could a god do such a thing?” The great “why?” He doesn’t believe the promised hope for the future and therefore doesn’t enjoy any of the comfort God can provide.

¹⁹If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. ²⁰But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 1 Cor 15:19-20

You see friends, if I don’t believe in the resurrection of the dead then what’s really the point of ever quoting in John 3:16? True belief in a resurrection redemption is what brings true comfort. And times of great pain, especially death, are the ultimate opportunities to show the world we live as saved and redeemed people trusting wholly in the stated promises by Jesus.

I realized while in my Cherith I was a fog dweller when it came to the resurrection. I hadn’t thought a lot about it, mostly because I haven’t had many people around me pass away. But as God has fed me the solid food of His Holy Word, I’m coming to understand the whole picture. The beauty of living in the “between” of Jesus has come and is reigning and the “not yet” of the promised resurrection and the new heaven and a new earth (Rev 21:1). And while Elijah didn’t have the comfort of knowing the risen Christ he surely contemplated his death during those two years in the ravine. Thank God we have more than just the Old Testament prophets to lean on! We have the truth, the proven, historical truth of a risen King!

I recently was listening to an episode of The White Horse Inn podcast — which for those of you interested in getting some solid Christian food I highly recommend it. They’ve been discussing what “the good life” means to Christians. They describe us as living in the “here and not yet.” I love the analogy by one pastor as like the marriage steps. We once were single, now we are engaged but not yet married. We shouldn’t act like single people because we have a commitment to Christ. But the marriage isn’t yet consummated and we need to stay in the preparation stage until the date arrives. So, we work with our Holy Spirit wedding planner in inviting friends and family to this holy event. The guest list is expansive but yes, limited to those willing to come. We live for our betrothed, His thoughts and ways becoming our ways. And we dream of the day we are sure will arrive. When all those friends are gathered up and Jesus is waiting at the altar for us.

As the hours wound down to when I knew my last goodbyes to Bev were near, I found I could look at her with sadness and with joy in knowing not only was she going to a place far more glorious than here, but that one day we would be reunited at a party for all the ages. A party that is to come. A party that I want you all to be at – so will you RSVP today and yes, you can bring a friend or two.

Do you truly believe in the resurrection of the dead?
Are you living a life preparing for the New Eden, living a life of a bride in waiting – excitedly planning, preparing, inviting?

Speaking of heaven — please enjoy this beautiful poem my daughter, Madison Dooley, wrote and spoke at her grandmother’s funeral.

To See What She Sees

For Grandma Bev

Oh Lord my God, to see what she sees

To see you face-to-face, shining with glory.
To grab your hand and feel it wrapped around mine.