Arrogant. Dishonest. Immoral. Profane. Unkind. How’s that for a list of very unflattering words? Not only do those words bespeak a lack of character, integrity and morality, they are the words used daily, both in public and in private, to describe our two 2016 candidates for President of these United States.

In fairness, some of those words and perhaps all could be used to describe us at points in our lives. Hopefully those points would be in our “pre-surrender to Christ” days.

However, we must confess we all have sinned and continue to do so, thus prompting repentance and requests for forgiveness.

It is shocking, however, and greatly concerning to me and apparently many others, that high praise for spiritual and moral character seems to be in short supply for our presidential candidates.

If it was just a matter of words, that would be one thing. But the arrogance is astounding, profanity regularly punctuates primary speeches, dishonesty has been documented, immorality has been illuminated, and unkind could be the word best used to describe the whole spectacle of the presidential debates.

Early on President Obama said, “America is not a Christian nation.” One has to ask if that is an observation or a prophetic insight.

Prayer in the Capitol Building

Linda and I spent time early on in 2016 visiting Washington DC. We had a wonderful trip and were privileged to minister in our nation’s capital.

Some dear friends of ours moved to DC a couple years earlier to minister in our capital city. Through a series of events, relationships and God’s favor, they were able to secure a room within the Capitol building itself for a Wednesday evening Bible study/prayer meeting.

To give a little context, this was the first time in over one hundred and forty years that a regularly scheduled, on going prayer service was being held in the Capitol building.

So when I say Linda and I were privileged to minister in our nation’s capital, I mean in our nation’s Capitol!

More and more congress men and women are attending this service. Our friends are having regular times of private prayer and fellowship with our congressional leaders.

God is moving in the hearts and lives of many of our elected officials and for this we should all be thankful and encouraged.

After our time of ministry through singing and preaching, we were privileged to take a special tour of the Capitol building. Our local representative from East Texas, Louie Gohmert, was our guide. Louie is a good friend, a true conservative and a wonderful Christian brother. He took us places and showed us things the normal daily tours miss. There are probably very few more qualified to speak about our nation’s history than Louie. He loves to talk about our founding fathers, the price of freedom and the Declaration of Independence, The Constitution and The Bill of Rights.

God was in, through and above all that birthed this nation. That is simply undeniable.

But my, how far we’ve come! We’ve kicked God out of our schools, banned prayer and the Ten Commandments whenever and wherever possible, made same-sex marriage the law of the land, made the killing of millions of innocent babies for convenience legal, and now can no longer define what constitutes a man or a woman.

Christianity is being attacked and marginalized before our very eyes.

A “Civilized Nation”

While we were in DC we went to the Holocaust Museum. I had been to the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Dachau, Germany back in the early seventies. In the mid-eighties Linda and I visited Yad Vashem, World Holocaust Remembrance Center in Jerusalem, Israel.

Each time I was struck by the absolutely insane brutality visited on the Jewish people and others, by a “civilized nation” under the arrogant, dishonest, immoral, profane and unkind leadership of an individual.

Now while some of you are catching your breath, wondering if I am likening the state of our nation to Nazi Germany or our leaders to Hitler, let me say this: We’re not to that point and I pray we never will be, but any and all arrogance, dishonesty, immorality, profanity and unkindness is the absolute antithesis of humility, truthfulness, morality, holiness and goodness.

And when these Godly qualities are absent, ungodliness wins the day.

I’m not what you would call an overly political person. Like Chuck Colson said, “The Kingdom of God is not going to arrive on Air Force One.”

However, if Christians aren’t willing to speak up, take action, fight for our rights, defend the innocent, denounce injustice and cast our vote, not for a person or a party, but for a nation “Under God,” what then should we expect?

The Lesser of Two Evils?

During the 2016 race many said, “It looks like the upcoming election will be about ‘the lesser of two evils.’” My friend said, “It’s always been about the lesser of two evils unless Jesus Christ was on the ballot.”

Well said! The system has its flaws and people are imperfect, but God is in control and He still saves.

If Saul, the great persecutor of the early Church, can be knocked to the ground to be humbled by a Holy God and blinded so he might see clearly the way of truth and righteousness, then there is hope for any and all who might aspire to lead this nation.

One Nation Under God?

Join with me to commit to complain less and pray more. Let’s not just hope someone does something to protect the innocent unborn, but let us rejoin the fight and find what we can do.

We must guard against a cynicism that suggests all our leaders are corrupt. Let’s pray for those in authority (which is our scriptural mandate) and be encouraged by the many in offices of governmental leadership who love Jesus.

Don’t we benefit from those who tell us they appreciate us, love us and pray for us?

I would imagine our congress men and women would be blessed likewise by a letter or phone call letting them know we appreciate their service to our nation and we are praying for them.

Our nation, no matter what its present condition, is in the hands of God. “For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God” (Romans 13:1).

This is one of those oft-debated portions of scripture. But the debate only ensues because of a lack of willingness to understand and accept God’s sovereign rule and reign over everything.

The question we should be asking ourselves is, “Is this nation in our hands or have we dropped the ball?”

In a very real sense, this nation and where it goes is largely dependent on our actions, our hearts and our prayers.

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. The King’s favor is toward a servant who acts wisely, but his anger is towards him who acts shamefully” (Proverbs 14:34-35).

Let’s be wise – let’s pursue righteousness and in so doing let’s remove the question mark from One Nation Under God!

Have A Question to Ask Dallas?

When you become a Praiseletter subscriber you have the opportunity to send Dallas any questions that you may have about this article or anything you’ve ever wanted to ask him. Fill out the form below and you’ll be subscribed when you submit your question to Dallas.

Did last year fly by as swiftly for you as it did for us? It seemed one minute we were blowing off fireworks for the Fourth of July and the next minute we were spreading the table for Thanksgiving. We barely dried the dishes from that scrumptious feast and we were gathered around the Christmas tree, opening presents and celebrating the birth of Christ.

Now January 2016 is already behind us and I’m pretty sure this year will fly by just as quickly, which leads me to the specific and exciting purpose of this edition of the Praiseletter.

The End of 2015

Over year’s end, my wife Linda, my daughter Jennifer, our website and social media consultant Dave, and I spent several days discussing, strategizing, and praying about 2016 and beyond.

We looked at the past and rejoiced in God’s faithfulness: His provision, guidance, and protection. He has certainly protected us physically through the miles and miles of travel both here and abroad. Even more importantly, He has protected the integrity of this ministry and by His grace has kept us on a course that has not detoured from His call to present the gospel and lift up the name of Jesus.

We carefully examined the present to assess what things we are doing well, what areas if any need improvement or refocusing, and whether or not there are things that have run their course.

I’ve often said, “We run a lean mean machine” and I do believe that is an apt description of our ministry. We desire to remain unencumbered by anything not aligned with our calling.

As we look toward the future, I am very excited about several new opportunities which I believe will enable us to reach more people, stay connected with them in a more personal way, and minister more effectively into their lives.

The Frustration I’ve Endured for Over 45 Years

For over forty-five years I’ve traveled to every state in our country and twenty plus countries around the world. Always, I have sung and presented in testimony and preaching the truth of God’s word. As a result many have come to faith in Christ and lives have been truly transformed by the power of the gospel.

My frustration has often been that after we leave the concert venue and community, we are unable to have much continued interaction with those whose lives have been so significantly touched.

Years ago when we were touring with the band, Dallas Holm and Praise, we would jokingly say, “I wish we could figure out a way for all these people to come visit us.” Now of course, through the miracle of modern technology and the internet, that’s a very real possibility.

We, of course, will continue to travel and minister as we have for these many years, but I believe we now have opportunity to connect with the friends of our ministry in new and exciting ways.

I’ll confess, I’m not a computer whiz but I’m learning. Linda and I have been surprised how many of our generation and older do much, if not most, of their communication via the internet. Hence, we are embarking on a new course of action which will not in any way replace that which we already do, but I believe will greatly enhance it.

While there is much I will share in coming weeks and months, today I would like to share with you something that we are very excited about.

For the First Time Beginning In March

In March I will be launching the first of several Q & A session videos. As I mentioned above, leaving a location after the concert always left the desire to connect beyond the gathering. Now, as a faithful subscriber of the Praiseletter we can, indeed, connect beyond the gathering.

Next month all who are subscribed to the Praiseletter will receive a link to a special Q&A session with me. We will continue to produce additional Q&A session videos on the months the Praiseletter is not released. Each month subscribers will have the opportunity to submit questions and I will take time to answer some of these on video and share them with you.

How You Can Participate

So, now over to you! I’d love to hear what God has put on your heard and answer any questions or share any stories that might bless you, your family and the season of life you are currently in.

To submit your question, click here. Our team will go through all the questions and select the ones that we believe will build our relationship together as well as God’s Kingdom here on earth.

The next Praiseletter will be entitled, The God of All Comfort. The ministry continues….and as they say, “Stay tuned…”

In Christ,

Dallas Holm

After writing a couple pointed articles concerning false teachers, I had sort of hoped to “lighten up” a bit this time around. Though I’ve received many letters, texts and comments from people saying how much they appreciated the bible based, direct, “Take no prisoners” approach to highlighting and exposing the realm of false teachers; still I felt maybe we all needed a little respite.

These however are increasingly difficult and darkening days. There is an eternal rest for all true believers just ahead, but now, perhaps more than ever before, it’s time for every true Christian to “discern the times”, be serious about their calling and be enlightened, equipped and engaged.

Be Enlightened. Be Equipped. Be Engaged

Enlightened as to what the “enemy” is up to and how he is attacking: “Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (I Peter 5:8) “The Thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy…” (John 10:10)

Equipped with the whole armor of God: “Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:10-11)

Engaged in the struggle: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Eph. 6:12)

I was watching a program just recently that was highlighting five different Americans who because of their religious convictions had either been terminated from a vocational position, sued by someone, shamed by the media, persecuted by the government or in some cases, all of the above. Recently a county clerk in Kentucky was jailed for refusing to sign marriage licenses for homosexual couples on the grounds of bible-based religious convictions. Some argued the clerk was a public official and must therefore obey the law recently delivered by the Supreme Court. That’s a valid discussion to be had and explored, but my point is that in each and every case it was Christianity that was being attacked, not protocols, floral arrangements, wedding cakes, T-shirts or even in the case of one, exemplary service in a high position of law enforcement. No, it was their biblical beliefs, religious convictions and Christian character that was the real target of the persecutors, and persecution it is!

We Are Not Protected from Bullies

Though our religious freedoms are clearly to be respected and protected under the constitution, there is a tidal wave of non-tolerant, politically correct “bullies” who have had just about enough of this Jesus!

The real question is, are there enough sold out, “crucified with Christ”, blood bought warriors in the Army of the Most High God who have had just about enough of this Devil?

Remember, we must love the sinner as Jesus does (and most certainly did with us) and demonstrate His love toward them as…”God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:8)

We must not however, confuse loving sinners and hating sin. In fact, it is in our commitment to fight the enemy and expose his lies and his schemes (according to scripture) that we do show our love and concern for the sinner because “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 6:23)

Persecution Is Coming to A Theater Near You

Persecution is coming to a theater near you!

That’s a bit of a twist on a clever little saying that’s bounced around for years. It is however, and I’m convinced, a reality with ever increasing momentum, the effects of which, we who believe, will feel more and more in the days ahead. “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” (Eph. 6:13)

Are we doing everything? Are we “fighting the good fight”? Will we live in fear, or confidence, knowing that where sin abounds, grace will abound more. (See Rom. 5:19-21)

Paul goes on to say in his letter to the Ephesians: “Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, (truth brings freedom) and having put on the breastplate of righteousness (live holy) and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (trust in the power of the gospel) in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith (our protection) with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, (His crowning glory) and the sword of the Spirit, (our greatest weapon) which is the Word of God.” (Eph. 6:14-17)

We’re in the battle of the ages
In the Lord’s army there’s no retreat
Fighting against the powers of darkness
For us there is no defeat

Truth has defeated the deceiver
Hell has no power to wound the Son
So why do we fight like we’re losing the battle
When the victory’s already won?

From: It’s War, Change the World, Dallas Holm

Be Enlightened. Be Equipped. Be Engaged!

In Christ,

Dallas Holm

A Request to Help Us Continue Our Work

Continuing the work God has prepared for Praise Ministries relies on your financial support. Last month, there were many of you who generously gave. If that was you, thank you.

If you’d like to continue to donate to the continuing of our Kingdom work, you can do so on our website here. I would also like to challenge those of you who currently do not have any causes you contribute financially to, to consider making a donation to our ministry. You can make your first contribution here.

Thank you for all your support and I look forward to what God has next for us – “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

Hey Jude, don’t make it bad
Take a sad song and make it better
(Lennon – McCartney)

I’m sure the writers of this well-known Beatles classic did not receive their inspiration from the book of Jude in the Bible.  It is interesting and often beneficial however, for us to glean from the secular, things which point our attention to the scriptures.

I recently was studying the book of Jude and of course the song, Hey Jude, became firmly lodged in my brain for the rest of the day.  I went online to find the lyrics of the song and, as is often the case with Beatles songs (especially in their drug-induced, eastern religion days), just about the time you think you may know what they’re saying, you realize you actually don’t have a clue.  This becomes apparent as you find yourself singing along with Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart’s Club Band.  You’re in Strawberry Fields Forever proclaiming I Am The Walrus! 

All together now… “I’d like to be under the sea in an octopus’s garden in the shade.”  I rest my case!

It occurs to me that there may be some reading this letter who are not familiar with the Beatles or their music.  Before you send in your “Please cancel my subscription” notice, allow me to continue…

In reading the book of Jude, I was struck with how pointedly the author exposes false teachers.  Historically, God revisits His judgment on those who willfully depart from His instruction, citing those who fell into disbelief after God’s deliverance of His people from Egypt.  Jude 1:5 says:  “the Lord, after saving a people out of the land of Egypt, subsequently destroyed those who did not believe.”

He goes on to reference the plight of rebellious angels.  “And angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day.” (Jude 1:6 ) 

Jude goes on to point out Sodom and Gomorrah and the other cities who indulged in gross immorality and incurred the punishment of eternal fire.  In each case, the inference is that the aforementioned had all at one time heard the Word of the Lord and known the truth, but willfully departed from that very truth.  It is assumed that there were some who led the rebellion against God and truth and others simply followed.  However, in the end they all received the same judgment and punishment.

Most scholars believe Jude was one of Jesus’s brothers.  It must have been quite a journey to have grown up with the Son of God as your brother.  Prior to Christ’s resurrection, Jude apparently did not believe (see John 7:1-9).  Ironically, Jude probably grew up thinking his brother was some kind of false teacher, when in fact, He was not just a dispenser of truth, He was The Truth!

After the resurrection and surrounding events, Jude becomes a believer (see Acts 1:14) and I believe this is one of the reasons he offers such an indictment against false teachers.  Now, knowing The Truth in a unique and full context, he is most compelled to expose liars!

Jude goes on to list characteristics of false teachers.  They’re dreamers, they defile the flesh (immoral), they reject authority and flippantly revile angelic majesties (referring possibly to heavenly angels, but certainly to Satan’s hoards).

He makes this clear as he writes, “But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him (Satan) a railing judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.”  (Jude 1:9)  But these men (false teachers) revile the things which they do not understand…like unreasoning animals” (Jude 1:10).

Now, you may be thinking, “where is he going with this?”

I believe false teachers abound today in far greater numbers and with much greater potential to influence millions than was ever the case at the time of Jude’s letter.  I see them on Christian TV programs, I see them holding conferences drawing thousands, and I hear them preaching their perverted persuasions from pulpits in churches large and small all across our great land!

The lyrics to An Octopus’s Garden, quite frankly, make for more sense than much of the false teaching coming from the present crop of false teachers.  In fact, I would submit that strange lyrics from a drug-induced state are far less concerning or offensive than false teaching calculatingly mined from the very Word of God.

Remember, God’s judgment and punishment will fall not only on those who lead the rebellion against the truth, but on those who follow as well.

Friends, it’s a serious state of affairs!  How will we detect a lie if we don’t first know the truth?  How can we spot a false teacher if we’re not well and intimately acquainted with The Great Teacher and the Word of God?

At the risk of sounding presumptuous, let me join in spirit along with Jude as he writes, “Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.  For certain persons have crept in, unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.”  (Jude 1:3-4)

I anticipate there may be some who will write me and say, in so many words, “Hey Dallas, ease off… don’t make it bad, take a sad song and make it better.”  In other words, “Sure there are some problems, but let’s just put a positive spin on it and make it better.”

Maybe the Beatles’ Jude just needed a pat on the back but the Bible’s Jude says we must contend or as Webster’s Dictionary defines, “struggle in opposition, strive in rivalry, and dispute earnestly,” for the faith!

As I wrote in a song some years ago:
It’s time to turn back the darkness
Time to believe what we’ve been told
That the earth is the Lord’s and its fullness
So be strong, be brave, be bold
(It’s Time – Dallas Holm
Going Holm Music)

In Christ,

Dallas Holm

P.S.  Next Praiseletter we’ll look at ways to identify false teachers, the future judgment of false teachers and the defense against them.  Until then, our prayers are with you and our desire is for God’s greatest purposes for your lives to be realized.

As I was reading the story of Jesus’ birth in Luke, I was struck by what an amazing moment it was when the angel Gabriel announces God’s plan to Mary.

In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.

Keep in mind, Mary was probably a young teenager and a virgin. As far as we know she had never seen or spoken to an angel previously. Suddenly, one of God’s chief messengers appears to this young girl and tells her she will become pregnant by the Holy Spirit of God and bear His son and His kingdom will have no end. What thoughts must have raced through her mind? Is this really true?

Did this really happen? What will Joseph do? What will my family and all the people say?

I would imagine a mix of panic and almost uncontainable joy raced through her being simultaneously.

Is this not in a way akin to our own salvation experience. When I was saved I realized the awesome fact that God was speaking to me by His love through conviction. I too questioned whether this was real or just my emotions. I thought about others and what they would say and do if I allowed this re-birth to transpire. Would I agree to His Son living in me?

Mary’s ultimate response to God was, “be it done to me according to your word.” In receiving Christ through the salvation experience we too are saying, “Thy will be done.”

My point in proposing the similarity of these experiences is not to draw some particular parallel between the Virgin Mary and ourselves, but rather to ask the question, has God spoken to us so profoundly and specifically recently?

All through scripture God speaks to people, often in amazing ways. God spoke to Adam and Eve in the garden. God spoke to Abram and gave him instructions where to live and later in His old age spoke the promise of a child and an inheritance. God told Noah to build a boat. He spoke to Moses in a burning bush. Isaiah overheard God speaking and as a result asked to be sent. Many heard God say, “Thou are my son…” when Jesus was baptized by John. Peter, James and John heard God on the mount of transfiguration. Saul heard God on the road to Damascus. On and on we could go. Down through centuries and up to today many testify of hearing God’s voice.

If you’re like me sometimes you wish you could have one of those burning bush conversations so you could be absolutely sure, due to the supernatural circumstances, that it must be God.

Do you need for God to speak to you now? I do.

January 1st will mark forty years of ministry for me. To quote from one of my songs:

It’s been a lot of years
Been a lot of tears
Every now and then
There’s been some pain

Forty years is a significant number in God’s economy. Moses was trained for forty years in the desert, tending sheep before he was ready for God’s main objective, to lead His “people” out of Egypt in to the Promised Land.

I too have a sense that all that has thus transpired is only preparation for that which lies ahead. And I have something much
better than a burning bush…so do you!

We have God’s complete revealed Word. Everything God wants us to know, historically, doctrinally and specifically in regards to all aspects of our lives, past, present and future are addressed in that book, the Bible.

We have an advocate; Him who sits at the right hand of the Father, always making intercession on our behalf; the risen Christ to whom has been given all authority in Heaven and on earth.

And we have an intercessor, the Holy Spirit who searches our innermost being and prays at levels we couldn’t articulate.

How we often wish we could have the experiences of some of those previously mentioned. But don’t you see how they longed for and by faith waited for that which was to them yet ahead in the future though now possessed by us through Christ?

In days gone by only certain priests at certain times could even approach God but now He invites us all to come even boldly into His presence and make all our requests known.

Perhaps God speaks to us in direct proportion to how much we speak to Him. I’m going to speak more to God and listen with a more sensitive ear. I will pray for you as I know you too need to hear Him in regard to the next season of your life. Please pray for Linda and me as we seek God for His plans and purposes for our lives and ministry in this coming year. To complete a portion of the song I referenced earlier:

Though sometimes I’ve failed
When the storms prevailed
He has always stayed the same

I still love Jesus
He’s my dearest friend
Faithful till the end
I still love Jesus
And He still loves me

(I Still Love Jesus)
Dallas Holm

God will always be found faithful. If we hear and obey His voice, we will have a testimony of faithfulness as well; Lord speak!