Andrew Havens, was not found under a rock as someone once insisted (thanks Mom). Nor was he born before dirt was invented as his children suggest. In Real Life, he was born in a hospital and was promptly dropped on his head (thanks Mom). Seriously, this last was purported to be true, though all actual known witnesses are now long gone.
Fast forwarding a few years, stop the dial on your Andyglasses to age 12 (you do have your Andyglasses, right? Oh, dear, I’m afraid I’m out of stock.). It was at this age or thereabouts when he first remembers writing some stuff. That stuff varied from an essay on kittens, which his English teacher read aloud to the class (they all lived to tell about it but the trauma was too severe for any recollections) to political essays (well, one anyway, at least) where he wrote about the dangers of too much government. Yeah, he was that nerdy. Another essay demanded the repeal of such laws as the one forbidding herding pigs down Main Street on Fridays (as he has consistently been pro-pig). It was also during this period he insists he was accosted in his home by two Christians who cornered him and forced him to confess Jesus as Lord. (Other accounts say, they were nice and he actually believed on his own accord.) Nevertheless, soon afterward he decided there was no such thing as any god, gods, nor spirits and thus declared himself to be an atheist.
For the next few years (those who have them, click your Andyglasses to fast forward, but not too fast) he solidified his atheism by gathering a great deal of supporting information. While his mom was too busy supporting them to attend church regularly (thanks Mom), his extended family showed deep concern while often trying to bring him to the Light. All this while he remained steadfast. He was an atheist.
Then he turned 18 (adjust your Andyglasses to normal speed). He was still in high school after being held back a year in second grade (thanks Mom). He met some friends outside of school who turned out to be Christians. One of these, we’ll call “Bob” soon became a very close friend. Andy was captivated by Bob’s extraordinary intelligence (he read Scientific American for fun) and what proved to be exceptional knowledge about the Bible of all things. They talked and argued for hours about many things, and a whole lot about Biblical things. Bit by bit, Bob unraveled Andy’s “solid” research with indisputable truths. Meanwhile, another Christian (let’s call her Sarah), invited Andy to one of her meetings. At this point, Andy freely admits his interest might have been somewhat other than the meeting. The meeting turned out to be the first time Andy heard God’s Word clearly spoken. The teachings began to work on him. Unknown to Andy, Bob was nearing exhaustion as he reached to the depths of his knowledge to share with him. Then one cold, clear night, Andy and Sarah were walking after a meeting and discussing the teaching. It all came together and this time, Andy accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Some months later he learned to speak in tongues.
From then until now (put your Andyglasses on ‘highlight’, no, it’s there, bottom right under the hinge.) Andy learned the principles of studying the Bible and applied them diligently. A stickler for accuracy – one of the true traits of God’s Word – Andy compared every teaching to the scriptures. often finding and pointing out discrepancies, even when they were taught by highly revered men of God. However this tendency did not immunize him from bad or wrong teaching. Some things are just hard to discern, especially when so many learned scholars agree.
It should surprise no one that his obstinate search for Truth and accuracy extended beyond the biblical. In college, majoring in Business Administration/Marketing, he railed against his economics professor who insisted on touting the joys of Keynesian or “demand side” economics. He disputed point after point until, finally, the professor had to admit Keynesian was a failed economic system that could not work. When Andy then asked why he taught it with such vigor, he replied, “Well, its the going thing”. In politics, he gave no quarter to either side when they advocated or voted against Constitutional principles.
A few years ago, God showed Andy the truth about our Constitutional Republic. While many agree our rights under the Constitution are God-Given, one day he came to the realization that our very nation was a gift from Almighty God. It was further revealed how God continuously blessed our nation even after we strayed far from Him into the secular world. Andy started posting about related topics: How we citizens, ALL citizens are responsibly and duty-bound to hold our elected representatives accountable. How the two-party system is flawed and how it is leading our nation to utter devastation. And how WE the People can stand up and take back our nation, not by “protests” and other such whimpering but by reclaiming our God-Given right to self-government.
Then one day, not long ago, Andy felt the need to write a book, a special book. A book on spiritual warfare. At first, Andy tried to ignore this urge but it kept nagging at him. Finally, he gave in and started writing. What he wrote amazed him as he began to see many things as he’d never seen them before. So many things, things he’d learned and knew over the years connected with each other as never before, then coupled with new information and insights. The book, “Your God-Given Purpose” soon expanded beyond spiritual warfare. God then showed Andy how He was preparing the body of Christ for a massive outpouring of His holy spirit, preceding a great harvest.
And here we are.
To be continued…
(Feel free to take your Andyglasses off now.)
May Almighty God bless and keep you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ
Andrew “Andy” Havens