About Contender's Edge

Author's Testimony

I will confess my testimony about how I came to Christ is not nearly as exciting or captivating as others.  In fact, you might find it incredibly boring.   I was born in 1980 in a suburban community.  I was not raised in what would be described as a religious household and I had almost no exposure to the church setting until I had turned sixteen.  

I was not in the habit into getting into trouble.  I was taught to be a law abiding citizen and was involved extra-curricular activities such as music, 4-H and FFA.  I was also an off-and-on gamer and I still am an off-and-on gamer.  But like most my friends and peers, the Lord was not a part of my life.  I believed that there was a God, but I did not believe that He was the sort who cared to be actively involved in the affairs of men or personally interject Himself on anyone's behalf.  I was simply left to my own devices.

I had no sense of direction.  I did not know what I wanted to be when I grew up.  All I knew is that I loved to go hiking and camping because of that  adventurous spirit that was inside of me.  Ultimately I thought I just wanted to make a living raising livestock.  For some reason, there just didn't seem to be anything that peaked my interest.

I do admit dabbling in comic strip writing as a child and, at least at times, I did have a great imagination and when inspired, I still do have a great imagination.  But it wasn't until the summer of 1995 that I was confronted with an adversity and challenge that I knew I could not overcome alone and which could not be left to time and chance to sort out, nor could any man-made remedies cure.  It was at that point that I was led to pick up a Bible and begin learning about a God who I found did have the power to help me and who revealed Himself to be a God of love, mercy, and forgiveness.

I also knew that if I wanted any favors from Him, I also had to make sure that I was living a life and conducting myself that would be pleasing in His sight, but in spite of my best efforts, I found myself falling short.  I knew that Jesus had a part in the redemptive process, but I had not yet asked Him into my life.  I was still in the process of seeking Him out.  But in June of 1996, I found that the driver of the bus I was riding home on was a Pastor of a church and who had joined in on a theological discussion I was having with another student to clear up a misunderstanding.  Towards the end of the ride home, he invited me to the church of which he was the acting Pastor.

I went that following Sunday and after the service, knowing that there was sin in my life, even of which I might not be aware, I asked Jesus into my heart and to forgive me of my sins.  The change was not dramatic.  It was not an emotional experience as may be the case with other conversions, but a change began taking place within me that I had not yet experienced; a sense of direction and purpose not had before.  A change in how I lived and the manner of my thinking.  I found myself being convicted over things that I had not been convicted of before.

I recall the zeal I had for my new found faith and that like the Apostles, (Acts. 4:20) I could help but share my faith whenever the opportunity arose in whatever way I could.  But in spite of the transformation I had undergone, not all was well.  My devotion to Christ was not well received by all, which was to be expected, but what I did not expect was a resurgence a depression that I had previously suffered from before coming to Christ.  It became more frequent and more intense over time just like any disease.  I surrounded myself with whatever there was that I could that might help slow its progression such as spending as much time in fellowship with other Christians as often as I could and listening to Christian radio stations when I was not in fellowship.

This depression was one that no psychiatric pill would ever fix and it was a weapon Satan effectively used against me time and time again.  I remember the days when I found it difficult to get out of bed because of the indescribable pain and whenever it would seize me, how it hurt to move during each episode.  It was an agony that ran so deep that as far as I was concerned, even a third degree burn would have hurt less.

I felt the stability of my mind slipping away.  How could such a one such as myself experiencing so much agony possibly be able to serve as a profitable witness for Christ?  Because of the increasing agony, I felt as thought I could not be any good for the Kingdom of God which led me closer to consider suicide even though that was not how I wanted my end to be.

But after roughly seven dark years of that sifting process, the Lord delivered me.  The stability that was slipping away from me was restored, the fog of that darkness lifted from my mind and spirit with the light of clarity shining once again with my confidence being renewed once more that I could indeed be of profitable service to Christ and that I could be an effective representative of the Gospel.

Also, even members of my own immediate family gave themselves over to Christ and began to faithfully serve Him and they credit me for being what inspired them to do so despite the struggles I had been facing in my walk with the Lord and a number of dark years of a sifting period I had undergone.

Shortly after I had come to Christ, I began to get the sense that I was supposed to be a writer of some sort but as to what extent, I was not sure and I have pursued the Lord's calling on my life in that field ever since, though I will admit, I've not much to work with or run on, but just applying what little I have.

The Objective Of Contender's Edge

The reason why I was led to start a blog is because I believed it to be a good starting place to preach the Gospel and hopefully to bring edification to any fellow saints who happen to come across this site.  Writing a book at this point would be a tall order and I admit, I do not yet possess the resources or technological experience to operate a full fledge website though if it be the Lord's will, that will change.

For now, I simply work with what God has given me.  What He decides to do with this site from that point on I do not know.  That will be for me and any readers I have to find out.  Because I am not a very eloquent speaker, writing seems to be the best way to get my thoughts out and say all that needs to be said.

The purpose of Contender's Edge is to proclaim the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ as written in scripture; not a social gospel, not a "blab it grab it gospel", nor a Charismatic gospel, or any other gospel except that of our Lord Jesus Christ as preached by His Apostles and written down in the scriptures; nothing more, nothing less.

Contender's Edge also endeavors to report news that is either not being fully covered in the mainstream media or not being covered at all, strives to provide instruction in the scriptures and strengthen confidence in the authority and sufficiency of therein, and bring awareness to false doctrines, heresies, and unbiblical trends taking place within the body of Christ, and to bring encouragement and edification to any fellow saints who happen to come across this site.

The Inspiration Behind Contender's Edge

The inspiration behind Contender's Edge comes from the following passages of scripture:

Deuteronomy 8:3, Matthew 4:4:  "man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live."

Deuteronomy 30:12-14:  "It is not in heaven that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?  Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say,  Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear and do it?  But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it." 

Acts 17:11:  "These...searched the scriptures daily [to see] whether these things were so."

2 Corinthians 10:4:  "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."

1 Thessalonians 5:21:  "[Test] all things; hold fast to that which is good."

2 Timothy 3:16:  "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Hebrews 4:12:  "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

1 Peter 3:15:  "be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you..."

1 John 4:1:  "Beloved, believe not every spirit but try the spirits whether they are of God..."

Jude 3:  "earnestly contend for the faith."

D.H. Manheim

After much prayer, and knowing the dangers that others have faced for preaching both Christian and conservative values, I decided to adopt D.H. Manheim as my pen name to remain anonymous for security reasons.

It was not for my sake that I pursued a pen name and it is not because I want to deceive anyone.  Personally, I do not like having to take on a fake name but found it necessary for the privacy safety of friends and loved ones who might otherwise be vulnerable to possible harassment and harm on account of the content of this blog when it is in full swing depending on how much notice it gains, even though they are not taking part in the writing and publishing of any content on this site.  I am the one taking full responsibility for what I write and then post and I do not expect the content and message of this blogsite to be warmly welcomed.

The scripture does say for Christians to expect persecution to come their way on account of the name of Christ, but with a willingness to endure persecution for the name of Christ also comes a reward that awaits us for doing so that far outweighs these present sufferings endured and sacrifices required of us on account of Christ. (Matt. 5:10-12, Mk, 10:30, Rom. 8:18)

There will be a day the mask will come off either at a time of my own choosing or by an evil person determined to find out my real identity for the purpose of causing harm; preferably I would rather be the one to reveal my real name if I feel so led.  Nonetheless, I must answer what God has placed on my heart to do.  I can pursue no other endeavor except that He leads me to do so for His own purpose and gives me the gifts and talents accordingly.

As for anyone else with a similar calling, whether one decides to use a pen name or their real name when they take on a writing endeavor is up to their discretion and between them and God.