Nate Holl and his wife, Kristine and his son, Judah
The Testimony of Nathan Holl
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17.
The LORD has been a shield and perfect provider for me throughout my whole life. He allowed me to hear the basics of the gospel at a young age, grow up in a loving, nurturing Christian home, attend good churches, camps, etc. He has blessed me immensely by meeting the deepest desire of my heart, in giving me Kristine as my best friend and wife. I have heard his words and precepts spoken to me many times through her sweet voice. He has given me Judah, my son and a joy to my soul. He has provided me with numerous jobs through which HE has cared for all of our needs… Every single thing that I have ever had is from him and not due to my own wit, stewardship, discipline, smarts, ability to “pull myself up by my own boot straps,” or “hard work”… yet through phases of life, I have often entirely forgotten to thank him and bring him praise. From a fairly young age, I had a head knowledge that only Christ’s work could save me, and I had “asked him into my heart to be my savior” at about the age of four or five years. Even so, for most of my life I had no real passion for Godly living, no great interest in his word, did not live to give him praise, nor did I really reflect Christ at all. I have often been quite worldly, though professing to be a “Christian.” As a friend once said when I was about ten years old--- “Nathan is a Christian… but at least he doesn’t act like it!” That statement has shamefully, held a lot of truth for most of the years that God has let be draw breath.
As an adult, I began to have a nagging feeling that I was not measuring up to the person that I should be, falling short of the man I ought to be (the world’s definition of a man… you know… a “git-er done” -- good enough--smart enough--tough enough-- got things under control type of guy) Without knowing it, I have often been a very frustrated worshipper of self—a blatant idolater. That line of thinking is exhausting mostof the time. Even though I had a head knowledge of who a Christian is in Christ: Chosen in him before the creation of the world (Eph 1:3), Predestined to be adopted as his sons through Christ…(Eph 1:5), Redeemed through his blood… forgiven of sins in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he LAVISHED on us (1:7), included in Christ when I heard the word of truth… arked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession (Eph1:13-14). Despite those scriptural facts, I did not quite put it together. I had it wrong. Some people do learn hard and slow J! Over the last ten years or so, King Jesus has shown me that this life is not about meeting my own expectations or the world’s expectations. He allows me to draw breath simply to glorify him, give him praise and speak of his goodness-- not to build my altar of self-sufficiency. He is in Charge. Christ has given me true rest. As Matthew 11:28-30 states: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden in light. I am very thankful to him for that.
While he was exposing this idolatry he also began to open my eyes the amazing VERACITY of his Holy word. For years, I was not too interested in the Bible, but I was clearly aware that the Bible’s account of history and that of the world differed significantly. I doubted scripture. Through public schooling and watching loads of T.V. I had learned all about the uniformitarian world view—the idea that the geological and biological processes that we see today have pretty much always carried on at the rates that we observe today. Thanks to the LORD and his influence through the ministry of Answers in Genesis (answersingenesis.org) and the Institute for Creation Research (icr.org) I now can see truths that I never even thought about. It is so exciting to learn that I can trust God at his word… believe the creation account as it is written and take the genealogies in Genesis Chapter 5 & 11 as the historical narrative that they are intended to be:
-- that the universe was actually made in six literal solar days and that it all began with one word about six thousand years ago!!!!
-- that all creatures only reproduce within their created kinds. Just as they always have!
-- Going to the Grand Canyon used to be somewhat interesting, but now I see it as a reminder of God’s hand touching this very fallen world with a world-wide deluge. What a testament to what a lot of water can do in a little time! It is SOOO COOL to see millions of marine fossils all around the entirety the campground of the South Rim (about 7200’ elevation!!)
He has given me a great interest in the ABSOLUTE authority of his word-- all of it, from Genesis 1:1 to the end of Revelation. Jesus has awakened my selfish soul and given me joy and passion for Godly things. Previously, I did not care too much at all for that sort of thing. I am thankful that he has taken away the penalty for all my sin. Through his grace, he has given me a righteousness that I could not possibly earn—not by my works.
Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, that no one may boast.”
2 Corinthians 5:20-21 “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
I am not “good” enough… I do not have things “under control.” Only Christ is good enough. His power holds all things together. He really is sovereign!
Colossians 1:17 “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”