Foundation Stones: The Beginning Steps of Your Christian Faith

By Christine Lee

Do you want to know more about Jesus and what it means to walk with him?

Have you asked yourself why you need a Savior or why the blood of Jesus matters?

Do you wonder why there are so many different Bible versions and which one you should pick?

Foundation Stones answers those questions and more. Christi

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mercy & Moxie
• Release date: Oct 8, 2021
• ISBN: 9781945169618

Christine Lee

Christine Lee was born in Watford in 1938 and began her working life training as a nurse. Now a renowned figurative sculptor, among her best-known works is the remarkable Commemorative Fountain outside the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford upon Avon. She is the author of The Midwife's Sister, the story of her life with her sister, Jennifer Worth.

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INTRODUCTION

As a young woman, I used to sit and daydream about the salvation message and how beautiful it was to me. I saw it in my mind’s eye as picture stories…snapshots, really. As I pondered each snapshot, I would begin to ask the Lord the who/what/where/why/when/how questions. The message of salvation became fuller within my soul as I journeyed through the story of creation. I thought, Lord, I see the salvation message all through the story of creation! I have such a better understanding of You through this! I continued to daydream until my snapshots became flip books within my mind. I smile as I reflect on this. Each central figure was represented by the universal stick figures one sees on men’s and women’s public bathroom doors. I envisioned mini flip books going to the nations. I could see the salvation message crossing cultural boundaries as people came into the knowledge of Jesus Christ by watching the story of creation unfold. No language needed.

This book that you are now in possession of owes its beginning to that daydream. I realize that I am not an artist or graphic designer. I am not gifted in that sort of way, but I do enjoy writing about the Lord. I simply took what talent He gave me and put fingers to keyboard to begin writing out the images I saw in my heart. It began as more of a personal creative outlet. But once I got started, a dear friend suggested I do a podcast to share the content in that forum. That sounded reasonable to me, and I began working on this endeavor. Once I completed the salvation message through the story of creation, I again began to ask those who/what/where/why/when/how questions. If this is a salvation message, then what if someone comes to know the Lord through it? Well, then they need to know about baptism. Then if we discuss baptism, this would be my next reasonable question to answer. So, with this logic I took a step back and looked at it from a bird’s-eye perspective: the podcast, the story of creation, and what is beyond. Thus, we have Foundation Stones.

Each chapter is a mini lesson or meditation, not an in-depth teaching filled with tons of scriptural references, biblical concordance quotes or doctrinal debates. Although I reference all of those personally and within this book, it is at a much humbler level. Let me stress that these writings are simple truths or mysteries made understandable. They are intended to allow for a naïve astonishment and wonder about our Lord Jesus Christ.

Not everything has a profound impact on your life. But even a tiny little stone that falls unnoticed in wet concrete certainly leaves a lasting mark once it dries. Jesus is the everlasting mark I want to have on my heart. Perhaps you do as well.

As you spend time in the book, I encourage you to write out questions that may come to mind.

For some of you it may be like listening to a popular, well-known song. For others hopefully this will inspire you to do some meaningful research on your own. And maybe for some, this is the first time you have heard salvation’s song and wondered what it is all about. Regardless, this book is meant to prick hearts, cause passion to be stirred once again, or just simply allow for a beginning in the Lord.

Enjoy!

Christine Lee

STATEMENT OF FAITH AND HELPFUL TIPS

Regardless of the reason or how you found yourself here, I hope you enjoy this book. While this book isn’t about me or my personal journey with the Lord, it is very important that you know what my statement of faith is. These are my foundation stones:

The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.

He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.

He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Church, the communion of the saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.¹

First Peter 2:4–5 says, Coming to Him, a living stone—rejected by men but chosen and valuable to God—you yourselves, as living stones, are being built into a spiritual house for a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (HCSB).

We are building a house, formed in Zion. Every house, whether spiritual or natural, must have a firm foundation. I am laying foundation stones. The first and most important stone, the cornerstone, is Jesus Christ. So, I begin there. May you discover why the blood of Jesus is so precious, why the cross is so cherished, and why we need a savior.

We will embark on a highlighted journey beginning with creation and on to the grand finale of Jesus Christ. I will continue to lay out biblical principles so that our bedrock will be firm and secure.

As you journey through this book, I would like to suggest some helpful tips:

Each chapter is meant to be built upon. They are not all-inclusive, so keep building.

Become curious and enjoy asking questions. Jesus asked His disciples questions all the time! Questions are like keys—the right ones open the right doors. Write down your thoughts and questions after each chapter. Perhaps start a journal. You may be surprised at where the Holy Spirit leads you.

Leave cynicism behind. This is your journey. What is it that you are looking for?

Lastly and most importantly, invite Jesus along with you every time you read.

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1 For a version of the Apostles’ Creed, you can read the one on the English Language Liturgical Consultation website at https://www.englishtexts.org/the-apostles-creed.

Chapter One

IN THE BEGINNING

In the beginning...God. God is uncreated. He always was, is and will be. Period. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit make up the Godhead known as the Trinity or the triune God. In Hebrew the Trinity is referred to as Elohim, and the angels call Him the Most High. Elohim created. He made the earth and all that inhabits it. He made the heavens. He made all things by and through His choosing. This is simple enough to understand.

You have heard this before perhaps. But this is where I am going to take a possible unexpected turn by exploring the creation God made in heaven, before addressing mankind on Earth. This is a brief account of the angels and how their story intertwines with ours.

God established many places and things throughout the universe. One such place is heaven, which is the dwelling place of His throne as well as of awesome creatures and creations and beings called angels. The primary purpose of the angels was to help God run His kingdom and all that He had created. One angel is of particular interest to us—Lucifer, the highest of all the angels. His primary function in heaven was worship. Lucifer is referred to in Scripture as the morning star (see Isaiah 14:12 HCSB). He was described as a seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty (Ezekiel 28:12 HCSB). He was placed in the highest honor in heaven next to Elohim. Lucifer was absolutely magnificent, if words could even adequately describe how God made him. But vanity and pride overtook him. He wanted to be like the Most High. He began a rebellion in heaven against God. Angels were given an opportunity to freely choose whom they would follow: Lucifer or the Most High. Once lines had been drawn, a battle was waged, and Lucifer and one-third of the angels—the ones who chose to follow him—were thrown from heaven. On their descent from heaven, their very nature became twisted and perverse. They became fallen angels and demons. Lucifer, whose name means light bearer, would now be known as adversary, Satan.

God created a place called hell solely for these fallen angels. Their judgement was set and sealed. Their hatred of God and destruction of anything that represents Him has become their sole purpose. Those angels who did not follow Satan in the uprising remained pure to their godly design and are referred to now as holy angels.

The rebellion that was waged in heaven resulted in truly the war of the ages. This story is quite familiar because it seems we have heard the tale of light versus darkness from the beginning of mankind and throughout all our known history. It weaves in and out of the very fibers of our being and plays out in our daily lives, whether we realize it or not. The war still rages, and it is over us. You can hear this theme in literature, movies and the like because it is actually the truth and more of a reality than you may understand.

God, Elohim, created all things. He is love and He is light and He is holy. We are His creation, and He adores us. There are presently two kingdoms, which oppose each other. One is the kingdom of God and the other is the kingdom of darkness. By definition they are opposites. But understand they are not of equal value or power. The opposite of God is not the devil. God has no equal. There is nothing or no one who can compare with the Most High, the Lord. He is not in a box with boundaries. He is out of the box. Like the angels so many ages ago, we must choose whom we will serve as well.

Joshua 24:15 says, If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (NASB1995).

Chapter Two

EARTH AND MANKIND

In the first chapter we laid a basic foundation about God and His creation of the universe, the heavens and the angels. Now we will explore the topic of Earth and mankind.

When Satan and the other fallen angels began their rebellion, the battle stormed through heaven and the cosmos. Satan was thrown to Earth, and it became a void. Yet there was another void we need to highlight that occurred due to the removal of Satan