I’d like to share a story by H. B. Kelchner that illustrates the importance of knowing who we are and not being defined about what others think of you.
“One time I was holding a meeting in a certain city and somebody attended my meeting who did not like me or what I preached. He sent an open postal card through the mail to the pastor’s home. He called me a liar, with everything else he could think of, and signed his own name and put it through the United States mail. When I came to the pastor’s home that evening, he said, “Preacher, here is some mail for you.” But when I looked at it, I said, “I am sorry, this is not me.” Another preacher sitting there took it. The longer he read it, the more angry he became. He said, “Brother, you could make yourself some easy money; you can sue him.” “But,” I said, “Brother, when I do that, I have to admit that it is me; and it is not me, so why should I worry?” So many people do not know who they are. I have heard people say, “They called me a liar; and I am not a liar. I’ll take them to court and sue them.” Well, if we are not a liar, then surely they are not talking to us. If I go down the street and someone runs up behind me saying, “Mr. Smith, you old Mr. Smith,” they can say all the things about Mr. Smith they want to; it is not going to bother me because I know my name is not Mr. Smith. My name is Kelchner. Many saints of God have not learned who they are and every time the devil sends a little dog barking along their Christian pathway, they get out of victory. As the common saying is, “They lose their sanctification, ” and want to start a fight. It pays to know who you are.”
From “Living Your Christian Life NOW in the Light of Eternity” Book 1, by H. B. Kelchner
If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, then you are:
- tA Child of God–“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” 1 John 3:1
- A New Creation–“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. ” 2 Corinthians 5:17
- Heirs of God–“And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him” Romans 8:17
- Chosen, Royal, Holy, Special –“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” 1 Peter 2:9
- Valuable–“Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? ” Luke 12:24
- Precious–“Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, And I have loved you.” Isaiah 43:4
- Loved Forever by God–“For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but My kindness shall not depart from you.” Isaiah 54:10
Don’t let others try to define you. If someone says something untrue or unkind, remind yourself that they are not talking about you. You are not that person. You are a valuable, precious, loved, chosen Child of God.
Susan's Reflections 
Hi Susan. Enjoyed your Brother Kelchner story. Do you know where we can purchase the two books. I have ours but would love to circulate several around to friends who missed meeting and worshiping with Bro. Kelchner. Thanks.
Hi Shirley. I have looked for it on the Internet and find links that say it is out of print. However, I did find a link the the Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center Archives from which you can order a photocopy at 25 cents per page: https://ifphc.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=research.showArchiveDetails&ArchiveGUID=1dca3fe4-8745-46e3-b03b-98d501036455&SearchCriteria=&ResourceTypes=Books,Photographs,Audio/Visual,Record%20Group,Artifacts&search_referrer=search.moreArchivesBySubject&FullTextIndex_SearchType=all&SortedBy=Title&search_ArchiveID=&Search_Creator=&search_Title=&search_Type=&search_Publisher=&search_Coverage=&search_Subject=Christian%20life.&search_Donor=&search_Identifier=&search_Contributor=&search_Language=&search_CreatedBy=&search_ModifiedBy=&referrer=search.submitArchiveQuickSearch&&StartRow=1&MaxRows=25
My name is Barbara (Kelchner) Hinson, the oldest granddaughter of H. B. Kelchner. My husband, Alton, has been an Assemblies of God minister (pastor and evangelist) for 50+ years and in 2018 retired from full time pastoral ministry. He is now open for invitations to supply or to even hold special meetings as requested. From 1994-2000, we traveled throughout the entire eastern US sharing this ministry as my grandfather was no longer able to do so and it had so impacted my husband’s life as well as mine of course. My grandfather gave his blessings for us to do so. We had many amazing services and to this day we will receive cards concerning those meetings, requests for books, etc. We only literally have a handful of books still available. Due to our semi-retirement status, we do not anticipate getting another re-printing done of these books; however, my cousin has been working on the project of making the study into a CD set. You may feel free to contact my husband, Alton G. Hinson, 208 Winston Avenue, Colonial Heights, VA 23834, (434) 321-2545 or (434) 321-9698 (Barbara’s phone). Thank you for this posted story on your blog! My grandfather shared this many times in his meetings!
Barbara–How wonderful to hear from you! Your grandfather was dearly loved by the members of Highway Assembly of God in Fredericksburg, where he spoke fairly often during the 1970’s and early 1980’s. I remember him with great fondness and am challenged by his sermons to this day. His stories were so powerful and illuminating that they often come to my mind. I have just finished re-reading Book 1 and will start on Book 2 this week. I will be happy to pass your contact information on to our pastor. Perhaps he will invite Rev. Hinson come speak. I am thrilled that your grandfather’s books will be put on CD, as I believe they are still relevant and will bless many people. Many Christians today are not fulfilling God’s purpose for their lives and need the message your grandfather preached so diligently to be encouraged (or prodded) to live their lives in such a way that they will not be ashamed to stand before God at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Thank you so very much for your message.
Barbara,
Your grandfather had and continues to have a great impact on my life. I heard him preach through his series on Living Your Christian Life NOW in the Light of Eternity while I was in Bible School in Neosho MO. I treasure the two booklets of his sermons that are still in my library and use them regularly in teaching and preaching. In fact, I will be preaching on the subject tomorrow at the Assembly of God [Discover Church, Castroville TX] church where I now serve as Associate Pastor. My parents were missionaries to the Philippines and modeled “Living Your Christian Life NOW in the Light of Eternity”. Our family life song was the following:
Only one life, ‘twill soon be past Only what’s done for Christ will last
Things of this world shall soon pass away But there is coming a judgment day
Some folks may toil for riches and fame But I’d rather live for Jesus’ name
‘Cause only one life, ‘twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.