About the Author
Stanley Holstein has found Hope Through the Truth in God’s promises, which the heavenly Father has recorded in the Bible; and by faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
In addition to studying God’s Word, Stan also loves to read non-fiction Christian books. They help keep him focused on living daily by faith. He was raised in the home of parents who loved Jesus and made him the center of their family life. Stan grew up around adults who taught and showed him that Christ is real. They modeled that faith in their daily lives.
As a young adult, Stan discovered a passion for teaching and writing. He is currently writing non-fiction Christian books. During the past three decades or so, Stan have seen significant moral changes in America. This has prompted him to write about living the abundant life of faith in Christ.
After all, for those who believe there is life after death; our time on Earth, which is short, is simply a dress rehearsal for an unfathomably long eternity. Stan and his wife, Susie, have been blessed with three grown children and seven grandchildren. They are enjoying the leisurely pace of retirement and rural life in a small farming community.
Stan can be followed on Twitter, LinkedIn, or Facebook. You can also visit his author page at the Independent Author Network, Books Look, or Amazon Author Central. Some of the articles that have been posted on this website are discussed in detail in one or more of the author’s books listed below.
Twelve Gifts of Christmas – From Our Heavenly Father Study Guide
What, if anything, does Christmas have to do with God and his gifts?
Is there no god, one god, or many gods? If there is one Almighty God, who is he? Is there an eternity? If so, what will it look like? Is there a heaven and a hell? Do all paths lead to heaven or only one? These are all great questions and the answer to teach has eternal impact.
Shortly before Christmas 2015, I was given the opportunity to lead a Bible study. The topic I chose (or so I thought) for that evening was “Christmas Gifts From Our Heavenly Father.” Throughout the lesson preparation, God revealed more and more of what he had done to lead me to salvation. Conversely, I realized how little I had contributed to God’s plan. His Holy Spirit gave me a deeper perspective of the cross of Christ; a lesson I will never forget as long as I have my mind. That Christmas Bible study in 2015 became the genesis of my previous book, Twelve Gifts of Christmas From Our Heavenly Father, and this related study guide.
I believe God does give good gifts to those who love him; to secure our eternal destination and help us live a Christ-like life while as we walk on Earth. I also believe God’s plan of redemption was the reason Christmas came to be. Through this study, we will look at only twelve of the many good gifts God gives to those who love him. Beginning with Jesus Christ, the first gift of Christmas, and ending with the last gift of Christmas; eternal life with God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
The revelations given to me as I prepared for that Christmas lesson caused me to ponder a life-changing question. “Given all that God has done for me, what did I bring to the foot of the cross when I committed my life to Jesus Christ?”
This book, which is available in paperback and e-book, can be purchased at Barnes and Noble, Kobo, Amazon, and other online book stores.
Twelve Gifts of Christmas – From Our Heavenly Father
As a child, Christmas was a time of wonder for me. School was closed. Sledding and snowball battles, followed by a mug of hot chocolate, were the order of the day. Homes became more festive with lights, decorations, and social gatherings. Then, early on Christmas morning, I would scurry down the steps into the living room to behold the tree, with lights ablaze and gifts stuffed underneath. It was with great anticipation that I waited for the rest of the family to arrive in the living room so we could begin to open our presents.
When I was a child, Christmas was all about receiving gifts. As an adult, it became about giving presents. So, “Is Christmas truly about gifts?” My response is, “Yes, absolutely.” Today, let’s go back in time to one of those early Christmas mornings infused with that child-like exuberance. However, this time let’s view the presents under the tree with spiritual eyes and envision the gift-giver as God Almighty. In keeping with the spirit of the song, “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” let’s relish each present as, one by one, we open Twelve Gifts of Christmas From Our Heavenly Father.
This book, which is available in eBook, paperback, and hard cover; can be purchased at Barnes and Noble; Kobo, Amazon, and other online book stores.
Hope Through the Truth – Standing in the Gap in America
Is there any doubt that a full-fledged spiritual war is raging all around us? The legal, moral, and social battles taking place in our homeland are not simply ideological; they are spiritual as well. The increasing rampant rage, random violence, and growing disregard for human life leave many of our neighbors fearfully asking, “What is happening in America?” The entire body of Christ should understand the origin of this onslaught because nothing new is happening in Satan’s war against God. Only the intensity has changed, increasing to become a full-frontal assault. The ultimate goal is to separate as many people as possible from God Almighty for eternity.
What is the solution? How do Christians witness to lost souls in the face of increasing hostility? The answer to all these questions has been, and continues to be, Hope Through the Truth. It is an eternal living hope for those who believe the truth of God’s Word exemplified by Jesus’s perfect life. God’s plan for his ambassadors is the same today as it was two-thousand years ago when Jesus was resurrected from the grave. The church needs to seize this golden opportunity with enthusiasm, standing in the gap between eternal life and death; calm and resolute in the faith; pointing concerned souls to the Messiah, the Christ. For believers, these darkening days are not something to fear; but should be a time of excitement and expectation.
This book, which is available in e-book, paperback, and hard cover; can be purchased at Barnes and Noble, Amazon, Kobo, and other online book stores.