What does it mean to live by faith and act with courage?

Living by faith and acting with courage means boldly doing the will of God and having faith that He will be our strength. Nowhere in the Bible does God expect us to naturally be courageous by our own merits. However, God DOES expect us to proclaim the truth about Him boldly with the knowledge that He will be with us. Knowing that He is with us can give us the courage that we need to trust in Him and do his will. In Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus makes this very clear when He says “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” 

God tells us that we are never alone and that He will always give us the strength that we need to do anything that He asks of us. This is where faith comes in. We must have faith that God keeps His word and that He is always on our side when we are doing his will. If we believe this, then we can boldly seek and do His will. Sometimes God will ask us to do things that seem impossible. However, God will never ask us for more than we can deliver though Him. Just look to what He did for Israel! God used a meek shepherd to deliver his people from the most powerful nation in the world at the time (Exodus: 3-15). This was not an exclusive event either! The Bible is loaded with accounts like this one. God may or may not call upon us to free nations, but He does call upon us all for a particular purpose, and He does give us the strength that we need to carry it out! 

Is there really a God? Does He really answer prayer?

The International Mission Board is an organization dedicated to spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ all over the world. To achieve this, the IMB sends representatives across the globe to disciple other Christians, establish churches, bring the word of Christ to those who have never heard it, and help people in need. Many of the Christians who embark on these missions face tremendous hardships and threats to their own lives! They rely on the prayers of others for strength and support!

Presidential prayer team: The president wants your prayers. He relies on you to help him act in wisdom and discernment. What a blessing it is to have a president who asks for our prayers and God's direction. Get hooked into the Presidential Prayer Team today!
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord" Psalm 33:12a

Christian Answers network: Christian Answers is a worldwide evangelism, education and discipleship ministry whose primary goal is to provide accurate, biblical answers on a wide variety of questions asked by Christians and non-Christians: (from the Christian Answers web page).

Christian Broadcast Network: The mission of the Christian Broadcast Network is to prepare the nations of the world for the coming of Jesus Christ (from the Christian Broadcast Network web site).

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Past Conquer The Storm Letters

It all falls into place Does it ever seem hard to do good things? Does it seem like many of the things the world tells us we should want to do are things that our conscience says we should not do? How do we recon with that?! Fortunately, we were designed with a secret weapon! Our maker built us with a need to help others and the ability to feel gratified from that in a way that nothing else can replace! When asked what God's greatest commandment to men was, Jesus said "treat others the way that you want to be treated, and love God with all of your heart" (Matthew 712). At the time, He was speaking to religious leaders who were tying to pin Him down on what old-Testament "laws" should be followed to the letter (don't eat this, eat that, wear this, don't wear that, go out on this day, not that, etc.). Jesus said that if you just love each other and love God above all, everything else will fall into place. This is the way to a fuller life. Cars, houses, and clothes are all great things to have, but even they can't fill that built in need to help others! Goal for the week: Perform a kind act for at least one person who you don't really like! It will help that person more than you might ever know, and just wait until you see how it makes you feel! Kyle Holcomb

Planning What are your plans for tomorrow? Maybe your plans are for pleasure - taking a trip, meeting friends for dinner, going to a concert or a sports event. Or maybe your plans are so ordinary that you don't even think of them as plans - going to work, mowing the lawn, buying groceries. In any case, what we often forget in our busy schedule is that the best plans are those already made for us. Let me give you an example... Several years ago, I had a surgery planned that would limit my activity for weeks following. It was late fall, and our many trees had left a heavy blanket of leaves on the lawn. My plans for the last Saturday before surgery was to remove the leaves, knowing that if I didn't, they would kill the grass. Looking out at the lawn, I knew there was no way I could get it all done. I decided to do what I could and accept it. The doorbell rang. There stood a young boy I had never met, offering to work for me to earn some money. I've never been one to pay someone for what I could do myself, but recognizing the opportunity standing before me that would help me carry out my plans, I hired him for the day. Eric and I worked together all day removing the leaves. I was able to complete my plans, and I helped him with his plans to earn money to buy a Christmas gift. I don't believe in coincidence. These plans are already made for us. It's just that we usually live so focused and fast-paced that we miss out on the opportunities that God has already planned for us. Get to know neighbors and coworkers. Take an interest in the lives of others, showing that you care. Start your day with the mind set that God may have something great planned for you, then keep your eyes open. You will be surprised at the great things God has planned for your life, and you will find greater purpose and satisfaction than just completing your own plans. By the way - the Christmas gift Eric was earning money to buy... a leaf blower for his dad! For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 210 - Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996 by Tyndale Charitable Trust) Kyle Holcomb

Battle gear Various images may come to mind when you think of someone going to battle - a soldier with all the modern fighting equipment of our day, a knight in a suit of armor, or a patriot with a musket fighting for the independence of our country. The truth of the matter is that we are all in some type of battle from time to time, such as conflicts with someone we work with or others with whom we associate. Some of our battles are long-term and ongoing, maybe a spouse or a child who is persistent in not behaving as he or she should. It is easy to get discouraged, or to try to accomplish what we cannot on our own. At one point long ago in the history of the nation of Judah, the people of that nation were facing an enemy that looked impossible to defeat. But listen to what God told them... Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says Do not be afraid! Don't be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God's. (II Chronicles 2015 - Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright (c) 1996 by Tyndale Charitable Trust) . There is only so much we can do on our own, and that much we must do. The most important part of that is being the person God wants you to be. But there are some things that only God can do. Try as hard as you can, but it is highly unlikely that you can change a person's heart. The core of many of our problems lies with what is within the heart. Ask God to change hearts in your battles, but remember - He may make a few changes in yours, too. Kyle Holcomb

House on solid rock Some years ago I drove on a street hugging the hillside banks of a river. Expensive homes lined the road, with their backs affording grand river views. One home sat in the process of being built, nearly complete, but I could tell no one had worked on it for a long time. A large, hand-painted sign was posted in the front, explaining that the county refused to grant a building permit for that location. Apparently the site was deemed too close to the river to safely build a home. Somewhere along the way, someone made a huge mistake and sunk a fortune into land and a home that was uninhabitable. Once when speaking to a crowd, Jesus compared our lives to home building. “Anyone who listens to my teaching and obeys me is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse, because it is built on rock. But anyone who hears my teaching and ignores it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will fall with a mighty crash.” (Matthew 724-27. Holy Bible, New Living Translation, Wheaton, IL Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. 1996.) I’ve experienced a lot in my life, and I’ve found only one thing to be solid and true. If you are not too familiar with the teachings of Jesus Christ, then check it out for yourself. You will find a firm foundation that will enable you to withstand the next storm. Kyle Holcomb

Unexpected turns Does it seem that each week brings a new challenge? If your life is like mine and most I know, it's more likely that each day brings a new challenge - sometimes more than one a day. Each way you turn is something that was not expected. For example, this week alone I've faced occupational, financial, emotional, and health challanges. All this week, and it’s not over yet! My point is not to dwell on the difficulties, but rather on what keeps me strong as I experience them. Overcoming challenges is not completely in my control. I have limitations that become all the more apparent when things don't go as planned and the resolution is unknown. What gives me strength is knowing that God has everything I need to make up the differences. "Each time he said, "My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me." (II Corinthians 12:9, Holy Bible. New Living Translation) Depending on the strength of Jesus Christ will more than make up the differences. It's something you can really count on!

The God within To the casual observer, Christianity is just one of many religions. A critical difference that makes it stand out among all others is that it is not a religion, but a relationship with the living God. How can we have a relationship with a God we cannot see? “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?” (I Corinthians 3:16, The New International Version, Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1984.) Something happens here that a man-made religion could never accomplish. When you build your beliefs upon Jesus Christ, God places his own Spirit within you. With God’s Spirit within you, you will get to know Him, and He will comfort you, lead you, strengthen you, and more. He’ll help you through your problems and smooth out the rough edges of your life. (Be honest. You know you have some rough edges!) So get to know Him today. Read about a man named Nicodemus in John 3 who had questions about all of this. Start building a relationship with the God who created the world, and most of all, created you. Kyle Holcomb

Our Valuables What is most valuable to you? When we get our minds off of the things we buy, we usually think about the people to whom we are closest as the things of greatest value in our lives. There is one relationship we often forget about --- our relationship with Jesus Christ. It’s easy to place that relationship aside, since Jesus is not seen with the eye like a physical person. Maybe this sounds crazy, having a relationship with someone who is not a living person. He may not be here in the flesh, but Jesus lives, and lives in spirit among those who believe in Him. The writer Paul had his priorities right. He wrote, “Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” (Philippians 3:8, Holy Bible, New Living Translation, Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. 1996.) Knowing Christ does not mean just knowing who He is, but having a growing, intimate relationship with Him. Paul had everything this world could offer, but found his relationship with Jesus Christ to be of far greater value. Want to find the greatest thing of value yet? Move beyond the head knowledge, and get to know Jesus in your heart. Kyle Holcomb

Pumkin Pie Those with a discerning eye think I have misspelled. If you missed it, then perhaps the thought of pumpkin pie (or some other savory Thanksgiving treat) caught your attention. The favorite holiday of many is upon us - the one centered around feasting on an incredible meal. I bet a lot of us are going into this without too much thought on the real purpose of it all. It’s hard to think about being thankful when we have too many worries and concerns. I know people at both ends of the economic spectrum and points in between. Everyone has problems and fears for the present and future - economic and otherwise. But wouldn’t you enjoy that pumpkin pie a lot more if you weren’t so consumed with your problems? Try this… Tell God what you need. Yes, He already knows, but He wants to hear you tell Him, because it shows that you depend on Him. And yes, you can depend on Him. Do you really think that the God who created the universe isn’t big enough to handle your problems? And don’t think He doesn’t care for you. After all, He sent His Son to die for you. Tell Him what you need. Then, thank Him for the things He has done. In spite of all your problems, I bet there is something for which you can be thankful. This isn’t just an exercise, but it has a result - peace in your heart. So how about a helping of God’s peace for this Thanksgiving? And while you’re at it, enjoy another piece of pumpkin pie. “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 (Holy Bible, New Living Translation, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.) 1996.) Kyle Holcomb

Our Daily Calendar By all appearances, Gary Larson did quite well with “The Far Side.” As a consumer, I certainly played a role in that success. It was a given that I would want the daily calendar for Christmas, and I always received one. The year 2002 was the last for the production of the calendar, and like all others, it was a guaranteed laugh for each day. I still have that calendar, each page in order, rubber-banded to the stand. It’s hard to let go of some things when they end, so we hold on to what we can. It’s still fun to leaf through the calendar and laugh and the comics, but as a calendar, it’s no longer useful at all. Yet there are some days in the past that we grip tightly with white knuckles, refusing to let go. Failure, disappointment, hurt, missed opportunities, as well as success, honor awards, and joyous occasions. Use your past to shape a better future, and then let it go. Loosen your grip on the pages of the old calendar, and tightly grip the new. The best days that God has for you lie ahead - better than both the bad days and the good days of your past. Claim it. Live in the now. “No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.” (Philippians 3:13-14, Holy Bible, New Living Translation, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.) 1996.) Kyle Holcomb

God provides....personally I am often humbled by the ways that I see God meeting the needs (and some wants) of people who live for Him. Here is an example from my own life that reminds me of just what a caring creator we have. Several months ago, my wife and I made plans to leave our 1 year old son with her parents and head to the mountains for a weekend of hiking, horseback riding, and relaxing dining (her three wants). My wife works endlessly, and she had wanted this trip for a long time before we were finally able to go. When the week of the trip finally came, she really needed to get away. A few days before we left town, she caught a sinus infection. She was determined that it would get better, so we still planned to make the trip. We arrived at the mountains on a Friday afternoon with the plan of having a nice meal out that evening and then spending a full Saturday of horseback riding and trail blazing. Unfortunately, her body had other plans. By the time Friday evening came, she was starting to feel really under par. We tried having dinner out, but she felt too sick to eat much and we ended up going back to our cabin early in hopes that a good night rest could at least preserve some of her weekend plans. That night I prayed for her, because it was her weekend. I prayed that God would see how hard she always works and that he would help her to feel good enough to do the things that she had wanted to do over the weekend. That’s when the miracle started. The next morning, she woke up early and drug me from my slumber. She said that she felt absolutely wonderful, and there were no signs that she had ever felt ill. For all of Saturday, I did my best to keep pace with her on horseback, up many rugged miles of mountain trail, and even in some light rock climbing. That evening, we found a perfect restaurant in a local valley town. It was called The Burning Bush. I couldn’t help but be reminded of Moses. But wait! I promised a miracle, right? Here it comes. God knows how easily I tend to pass things off as coincidence, so he sent me a message that I would remember. When we woke up on Sunday morning, my wife’s sinus infection had returned exactly as it was before Saturday. That left me with two humbling revelations. First, God took time out to give us this little weekend gift in the midst of all the bigger things He has going on in the world. Second, He did it in a way that reinforced our faith and brought Him glory. It would have been easy for God to have simply made my wife well, but we would have soon forgotten about that! In giving her a temporary reprieve instead, He reminded us that He is a personal God who loves us all very much! God is more than just words in a book. He is real, and he wants the best for us! “ He will give you all you need from day to day if you live for Him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.” Matthew 6: 31-33 (Life Application Study Bible )c) 1996 by Tyndale House Publishers) Robin Eugene Redick

Putting down roots I’ve enjoyed gardening for many years. One of the plants that I’ve grown numerous times is coleus - an ornamental and leafy plant of many colors. A few years ago, I potted two and placed them on either side of a bench outside my house. The pots were not huge, but they were large enough for a typical coleus. The plants thrived. In fact, they grew to a size so enormous that I could not figure out how they continued to live in such small pots. They continued to grow even larger until the first frost, and I remained baffled the entire time. The puzzle was solved when I removed the pots to put them away for the winter. The roots had grown through tiny holes in the bottom of the pots and into the underlying soil. What those two plants found allowed them to grow to an unbelievable size, and the resulting root structure was so substantial that removing the pots from the ground was a battle. As with the plants, we also “put down roots.” While we often think of that expression as pertaining to the place we live, the meaning is much greater. The massive root system of an ordinary coleus resulted in an enormous and beautiful plant that attracted a lot of attention. Likewise, what comes out of you is a result of what your roots take in. We have a choice of remaining confined to a small pot or growing in a way that seems humanly impossible. That’s the effect of Jesus Christ on the life of His believers when they diligently follow Him. What’s your root system like? Is it shallow and confined, or does it run deep and beyond our natural limitations? “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” (Colossians 2:6-7, The New International Version, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House) 1984.) Sink your roots into the Word of God, and allow it to change your life. The result will be a life of great beauty and strength that will bless those in your presence. Kyle Holcomb

The best sleep aid Human interaction is a fascinating thing. What extremes we experience. Sometimes our exchanges build us up and encourage us. Sometimes they tears us down, leaving long-lasting damage. Recently, people I cared about were on the receiving end of such damage. This bothered me so greatly that I could not sleep the night after it happened. The same problem began again the next night, but I anticipated it this time. While it is impossible to avoid pain, there are better ways of dealing with it than losing sleep. So what should we do?? Before I went to bed the second night, I was reminded that the Word of God is living, active, and sharper than a two-edged sword as it says in the Book of Hebrews. The Bible is not just a book. It’s impact is life-changing, even with our day to successes and challenges. You know, every time I’ve gone to God’s Word looking for guidance in a specific situation, He has taken me right to what I needed. Are you in need of peace because of worries...hurt...bitterness…exhaustion...? See what God gives you from His Word that will give you peace, comfort, rest and encouragement. Then run it through your mind over and over as you lie down for sleep. It is so much better than repeatedly running instant replays of the trash from the day through your mind. Here is what He gave me... “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.” (Colossians 3:15, The New International Version, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House) 1984.) From His living Word, He gave me peace and the sleep that I needed. With His peace within you, you can have a tremendous positive impact on the world around you where it is so desperately needed...and in such a way that others will receive that peace as well! Kyle Holcomb

The Many Masks We Wear I stood outside a conference room with coworkers just before a meeting during which we were to discuss conflicts within our group. As others from our group approached, one woman near me said, “Well, here comes the one who caused all of our problems.” Her tone was laced with venom. It often is when speaking of this person, so I wasn’t surprised at what she said. Still, it bothered me greatly since the truth was that the person approaching was the victim…the one most hurt by these events. After entering the room, and with managers now present, this same woman lavished praise upon the person who she had just criticized. The hypocrisy made me sick, but it didn’t take too long before I wondered how often I do that myself. How often do we complain about people behind their backs, only to paste on a smile and behave like a long-lost friend when in their presence? “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.” (James 3:9, The New International Version, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House) 1984.) There are various reasons why we grow to resent certain individuals. While there is no excuse for poor behavior, there are often reasons behind it that, if known, softens our feelings and changes our response toward them. The thing we need to remember is that every person is much more than the human body we see standing before us. He or she is a soul, created by God, and deeply valued by God... a soul that will live on for eternity. How will you impact that soul for eternity? It’s not hard to figure out what impact words of venom will have (whether to someone’s face or not). But how would you like to have an effect on people that actually changes them for good? It’s possible, but it starts in our hearts. “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1, The New International Version, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House) 1984.) The harsh word I heard stirred up anger in my heart and did no good. There is only one kind of answer that is appropriate. With the right frame of mind, I remember the soul that is before me. I know that God will give me wisdom for speaking about that person and to that person. The right words will be used for good. Kyle Holcomb

Dress to Impress Most of us put effort into looking our best. We spend lots of time in front of the mirror, and some of us continually check ourselves throughout the day. This is fine to do, but we often spend most of that time inspecting the outward things, thinking that is all people see. Some internal things are far more visible than we realize, and they need our attention. Just as our outward appearance is seen by others, so are our inward qualities. These are the things for which we are truly known. People may initially describe you by your looks, but they will eventually come to know you by your inner qualities. What kind of material do you give others to use as a description of yourself? Don’t you love it when you can tell someone about another person for whom you have great respect? We wrap ourselves in our clothing. Let us also wrap ourselves in the truly admirable things that go deeper than what is seen in the mirror. “..clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Colossians 3:12, The New International Version, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House) 1984.) Kyle Holcomb

God leaves your spot open God has a spot for each of us in His plan, and he gives us the skills, connections, and resources to carry out our commission. What's more, He leaves our spots open and patiently gives us opportunity after opportunity to fill them. I re-discovered this in my own life just last weekend. I didn't feel up to helping with the offering or greeting new members at my church last Sunday even though it was my week to sign up for a spot. During the previous week, I had missed a few opportunities to be a positive example. As a result, I didn't feel very worthy to represent God on Sunday morning. On top of feeling unworthy, I was also tired. The day before, I had gotten up even earlier than my Saturday usual 7am (I usually work this ministry on Saturdays), worked hard all day, and gone to bed late. I felt exhausted on Sunday morning and wasn’t very spirited about serving. I walked a little slower than normal on my way to the offering sign up board (in hopes that others would fill it up before I got there). But when I reached the board, a spot was still open. I could have written this off as a coincidence except for one thing. The spot left open was my spot! You see, I sign up for spot 17 whenever I can because of its location (front row center). It's a popular spot, so I usually sign up early in hopes of getting it. On this day, my number was still open even though I was purposefully late! When I realized what this meant, my whole attitude changed, and I was struck with new energy. I'd felt unworthy, tired, and I even delayed, yet God left my number open. Just to make sure I got the message, he left my favorite number open. He loved me enough to keep my opportunity available and trust me to take it. On a larger scale, God did the same thing with Moses and Jonah. Moses tried to talk God out of using Him to free a nation, but God knew that Moses was His man. Jonah tried to avoid witnessing in Nineveh, but God guided him right back to it. In the end, Moses and Jonah ended up serving God with great vigor and thanksgiving, and they lived more fulfilling lives than they could have otherwise imagined (Exodus 3-4; Jonah 1-3). God has a spot for you in His plan, and he has left a number open just for you. Will you take it? Robin Eugene Redick

The long way around So you have worked hard to overcome some obstacle or to solve some long-term problem. You feel relieved and good about yourself, but maybe you also wish it hadn’t taken so long to figure it out. Everyone experiences this feeling, as did God’s chosen people during their exodus from Israel to the land God promised them. “It is only eleven days’ journey from Horeb by the way of Mount Seir to Kadesh-barnea on Canaan’s border; yet Israel took forty years to get beyond it.” (Deuteronomy 1:2) Why did this journey take them so long? “The Lord your God led you these forty years in the wilderness to humble you and prove you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.” (Deuteronomy 8:2) The eleven-day trip took 40 years because God needed to humble the people and test the genuineness of their love and devotion to Him. God’s Word says in other places that His people were a “stubborn and stiff-necked” people who made things harder on themselves by constantly revolting against God’s will. When you are stubborn and stiff-necked, an eleven-day journey may take you 40 years. Have you been on a long journey such as this? Remember what you have learned from it and build on that. Are you in the midst of a journey? God’s people had a wonderful life in store for them at the end of the journey. God wanted to give it to them right away, but their hearts weren’t ready for it. They could have been ready for it, but they made bad choices. Make the choices that will shorten your journey to a life more fulfilling than you can imagine. Put aside your stubborn ways, follow God, and seek what He has in store for you. (All Scripture taken from “The Amplified Bible,” Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan.) Kyle Holcomb

I want a different house I’m not as tall as I’d like to be. I’m pretty skinny too even though I’ve worked out fervently for years. Actually, I have to exercise every day just to stay healthy because of my battle with asthma. Besides that, there always seems to be somebody better at whatever I do…even the things I’m best at. Of course, the other day a pizza delivery person told me about somebody he knows who has no legs and spends most of his energy resenting that. He then told me about his girlfriend who went deaf when she was very young. She isn’t resentful at all. In fact, she uses her positive attitude about it as a way to encourage others through their own hardships. This Sunday, I heard about a little boy who had 4 major surgeries before the age of 1, because his skull isn’t growing while his brain does. When he grows up, I doubt if he’ll care whether he’s tall or not. He’ll feel blessed just to be alive and likely spend most of his time serving others (it turns out people like that often do). It turns out I’m very blessed to have the house you gave me. Maybe I should stop complaining about what I don’t have and do more with what I do. Thank you, God for all my blessings and for the house you gave me. Please guide me to put it to more use. Robin Eugene Redick

The Artesian Well There was an artesian well about three miles from where I grew up. They aren’t the most common thing, so maybe you never heard of it. It’s a well of water that comes to the surface with its own force. Its source is deep within the ground, and the water is always moving, so there are no worries about contamination. This one was right next to a dirt road and had a pipe driven into the end of it, so it made a great destination for a summer bike ride. I would ride out there with a friend and enjoy a drink of cool, fresh, pure water, but we would also enjoy the novelty of it. Just as that water always flows to the surface, so is there a flow of life that always comes to the surface with each of us. This flow comes from the heart. How is the purity of your stream of water? If you keep your heart pure and keep your stream flowing, you will be a destination for those seeking refreshment and purity. “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” (Proverbs 4:23, The New International Version, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House) 1984.) Kyle Holcomb

Love One Another My wife loves to buy nice clothes for me. I like that, because I don’t care for shopping unless I happen upon a great sale. That’s another wonderful thing about her shopping - she finds incredible deals! I end up looking sharp for not much money, so I’m happy. She is also pleased because her husband goes out in public looking decent. I happen to like getting in the dirt, so I keep our yard neat and laced with plenty of flowers. My wife enjoys a nice yard, but she dislikes yard work. This too works out well. I get to do something I enjoy, and the end result is something that she takes pleasure in. Marriage is one of the tools that God uses to help us understand his unconditional love for us. It also helps us learn to love others better. In all of life, God wants us to put others in front of ourselves. A marriage only works when we do this, so it’s a great learning environment. And you know what? It actually feels really good! My wife takes great delight in pleasing me, and I enjoy pleasing her. Now imagine a life where everyone around us did this wherever we went? That was the plan. Think it can’t ever happen? It begins with us! “Encourage one another and build each other up.” (1st Thessalonians 5:11) "Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” (Hebrews 10:24) “Encourage one another daily…” (Hebrews 3:13) “As I have loved you (wholly, unselfishly, completely oriented toward you), so you must love one another.” (John 13:34) “Even the Son of Man (Christ) did not come to be served but to serve.” (Mark 10:45) “Now that I your Lord and Teacher has washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet.” (John 13:15) Kyle Holcomb and Robin Eugene Redick

Break or Build? Recently, a martial arts instructor who I know attended a multiple-dojo exhibition. During one school’s demonstration, he spent the duration belittling the style as fake, poor, and generally ineffective in the real world. What he did not know was that other members of the school (and their families) were sitting directly behind him. After this, someone performed a demo of a style that he liked very much, so the instructor hoped to ask that person some questions. In a very awkward moment for everyone, it turned out that this person was affiliated with the same school that the instructor had criticized. The result of this debacle was hurt feelings by the students who were berated (considering the years of dedication they had put into their training) and a lost learning opportunity because of the bridge that had been burned. Have you ever known someone who takes every opportunity to poke fun at or belittle others? What good is this doing? If instead of finding faults, the instructor had sought things to positively comment on, everyone would have walked away encouraged, and the instructor would have been able to have his desired conversation. In addition, he may have even learned something from the style that he ridiculed. When we are determined not to like something, can we truly evaluate it earnestly? Every day is an opportunity for us to build up the people who enter our sphere of influence. Actively seeking to complement is a great way to do it! Given a choice, it is better to build than to destroy. Good Life references “A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself.” (Proverbs: 11:17) (If you look for fault in someone, you will find it.) (Luke 6:7) “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” (Proverbs 12:18) “Encourage one another and build each other up.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11) (Quest Study bible, NIV, Zondervan publishing) Martial references “It is not wise to criticize” (book of wind) “It is dangerous to know only one thing….a warrior must learn the techniques of other schools and apply that information to his training” (book of water) (Martial Artist’s Book of Five Rings - Stephen Kaufman translation) Robin Eugene Redick

The fish over the mantle Our tongues can be powerful allies or dangerous enemies. They build others up or tear them down; validate our wisdom or showcase our foolishness. Because of this, knowing how to control our chops is an important part of living. After all, you’ll never find a fish over the mantle with its mouth shut! My job involves attending meetings…lots of meetings. We meet to plan new strategy, preempt anticipated challenges, and fix problems. At first, I jumped into conversations as quickly and as often as possible to make sure people knew I was contributing, especially with the constant threat of layoffs looming. After a short period, I found that bounding in too quickly or responding rashly to questions (especially aggressive ones) just resulted in me sounding shallow or having trouble expressing my points. Taking this into account, I began to speak more sparingly (against my instincts) and only commenting when I knew it added worth. What I found surprised me. Instead of being seen as less valuable, I built a reputation for always having important input. What’s more, people began to actively listen when I spoke. It turns out that God’s word explains in many places how taming your tongue makes you a wiser person. Here are just a few examples: Proverbs 10:19: “In the multitude of words, trouble is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise.” Proverbs 10:13 “Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning” Ecclesiastes 5:3: “…a fool's voice is known by multitude of words” Ecclesiastes 10:12-13: “Words from a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but a fool is consumed by his own lips.” (Quest Study bible, NIV, Zondervan publishing) To this day, holding back is a struggle for me, especially when fingers start to point. Fortunately, I now have God’s word as my guide. He wants the best for us, and His word will always keep us on the right path…even when our own feelings might lead us off target. Here’s one more quote just for fun. “Just when I think you said the dumbest thing ever, you keep talking” (Hank Hill, King of the Hill) Robin Eugene Redick

The Perfect Gift Just mentioning the Christmas season brings to mind all sorts of things. One I'll mention is shopping for gifts. If you're like me, there are a number of people on your list. While it’s easy to find just the right thing for some people, there are always those who are difficult to buy for. With some of those tough ones, I sometimes end up settling on something in hopes they like it or can use it. This doesn't leave me feeling as nice as when I find that perfect gift. The perfect gift…Unfortunately, sometimes things clutter our minds and our calendars to the point that we lose sight of the most important thing. The perfect gift is something that many cannot understand and will not accept. How could the God of all creation come to earth as a human being, born in a stable to common parents? Doesn’t make any sense, until you consider what it really means, that we now have a God to whom we can relate. God lived as a human being, experiencing all of our joys and sorrows, ups and downs. He showed us that He is a God who loves by using His whole life to meet the needs of those around Him. Ultimately, He gave His life as a sacrifice to pay the price that we should pay. There is the perfect gift. All we have to do is accept it. Then we can experience peace within, knowing that our eternal future is secure. And while we're still living this life, His spirit lives within us, guiding us and bringing about positive change within. God gave us the perfect gift. Everyone needs it, and one size truly fits all. So go ahead - accept it. Experience the joy that makes up all that Christmas truly is. “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel–which means God with us.” (Matthew 1:23, The Holy Bible, New International Version, Zondervan Publishing, Grand Rapids, Michigan.) by Kyle Holcomb

Lessons learned from a blue-stained mat Alas, another lesson learned through experience. Aren’t they all? While attending an out of town Aikido seminar with my teacher last year, I learned some great new techniques and a powerful lesson about being a good servant. During practice, I wore a brand new hakama (pants for students of black belt rank) that ended up leaving some blue stains on the floor. The dojo instructor walked up to me after class and asked me if it was my hakama that had “blued the mat”. In what I thought was a joking manor, she told me to clean it up. I agreed but my teacher, a close friend of the instructor, said she was just being ridiculous and that I would be pathetic to clean it. Trying to satisfy both people, I cleaned the stains but only half heartedly. After seeing the less than stellar job, the instructor became angry with me and told my teacher that I was being very disrespectful. And you know what? I was. You see, by getting caught up in trying to please my teacher, I lost sight of what was really relevant…that I’d stained the mat and should have cleaned it up wholeheartedly. In fact, I should have noticed the spots myself and cleaned them up before anyone else saw them. Jesus would have taken a servant’s attitude and washed the mat no matter what anybody thought. Going half way gets us nowhere. By serving, you will never disappoint those who really matter, God and yourself. “…He (Jesus) poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded…..” (John 13:1-20) by Robin Eugene Redick

Great stewards We are each trusted with many wonderful things: friends, jobs, money, homes, cars, children, pets, talents, and more! You may be saying “Trusted in what way? Those things are mine already, right?” Let’s take a look. On His way to Jerusalem, knowing what awaited Him there; Jesus told a parable to His followers so they would clearly understand His mission, and theirs! Despite many lessons to the contrary, the disciples still thought Jesus would overthrow Jerusalem in a political maneuver and that they would rule at His side. Jesus’ true purpose, to die on the cross as a redeemer for all mankind, was much different and far more enduring. He also wasn’t calling for his followers to rule, but to serve! To help them understand, Jesus told the story of a master who went away for a long time and left one mina (about 1.6 lbs of silver) to each of ten servants, asking each to put it to use until He retuned. When the master retuned, one servant had earned ten minas with the one he was trusted with. As reward, the master gave him ten cities. A second servant earned five minas with the one he was given. The master gave him five cities. The servants were amazed, because the master’s reward was far greater than what their efforts merited! Talk about an interest rate! However, one lazy man kept his mina hidden away until the master came back and simply gave it back to him. Saddened, the master gave this man no reward and took away the mina that had been entrusted to him. The man had not stolen the mina, but he had also done nothing productive with it. To Jesus’ followers, the lesson was direct. He was about to go away (be crucified, rise again, and go to Heaven) and would come back a long time later (thousands of years later in fact - the second coming). Jesus gave his disciples special knowledge and soon would give them the Holy Spirit (which He offers us also) to help them understand God’s goodness. In return, He expected them to use these gifts to build His church, enlighten the lost, and minister to the needy. The lesson for us is just as clear cut. God owns everything, so everything we have is really His. God lends us many of His minas in the form of things to be responsible for like talents, jobs, homes, families, and friends. In return, He expects us to use these gifts to His glory and to minister in His name. The more we do with what God gives us, the more He gives us to work with. If we use our talents to reach others, God blesses them. If we use money from our jobs to further His kingdom, God blesses our work. If we care for our Children like they belong to God (because they do), God blesses our parenthood! Likewise, God warns that squandering our money and talents on just pleasing ourselves will not bring us happiness. He also retains the right to take these blessings away. The world is full of people whose lives reflect this. How many “success story CEOs” or “glamorous movie stars” are miserable despite great wealth? How many more end up losing everything to poor decisions? On the other hand, how many are blessed over and over because they keep God’s trust and serve Him (Truett Cathy and Mel Gibson anyone?). It’s okay to be successful. God wants us to be! It’s the definition of success that many people need to understand better! Success is not wealth. It is opportunities to serve! (To the servant who earned 10 mina for the 1) ““Well done, my good servant”, his master replied. “Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.”” (Luke 19: 17) (Of the man who did not invest) “”Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.”” (Luke 19: 24) by Robin Eugene Redick

Don't wait for tragety I still remember my parents frequent fights from my childhood. Violent shouting matches, the occasional weekend with one parent gone for days, and the ever looming threat of divorce were all daily companions in those days. My parents were married but still trying to live as individuals, and their battles for independence continued for years until something happened that upset the balance of their lives. My mother developed ovarian cancer. Her prognosis for survival wasn’t good at all, and that seemed to change something. Suddenly, a closeness formed that wasn’t there before. For months, my father spent nearly every waking hour at the hospital while my mother endured difficult surgery and treatments. She eventually pulled through, and their marriage has been better ever sense. They both let go of some things in the midst of their trauma and realized that having each other was more important. While it a blessing indeed that crisis can bring people together, it is even better to realize how much you care for someone before that happens. After all, we don’t always know how tragedies will end. by Robin Eugene Redick

When the focus became me Reminiscing awakens fond memories. Sometimes, it also reveals insight that wasn’t there before. When I make a mental list of the people who’s path I’ve crossed, I find a common thread among those “close friendships” or “strong” dating relationships that somehow faded. In many of those, there was a moment when someone’s focus changed from “the other person” to “me”. Many people have a misconception that once you find the perfect friend or spouse, your work is over. In reality, this is when your investment really begins. Keeping a valuable relationship over a lifetime is more dependant on hard work than pure luck. Careful study of a lasting and joyful marriage, for example, will reveal two people who continuously look past one another’s flaws, put aside their own desires, and focus on meeting their partners’ needs. God gives us the perfect model by committing to love us and provide for our needs despite our shortcomings. This is an unconditional love that grows out of persistence. God says “love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). That’s because, unlike what Hollywood says, it is an outward commitment, not an inner feeling. Husbands and wives should be prepared to serve each other. Marriage itself is an act of servitude toward another person. (Ephesians 5:22) Real love is a promise and not a feeling. It is not self seeking in any way. It is an ever patient and completely resolved attitude of meeting another’s needs. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7) The greatest in God’s eyes are those who serve. (Mathew 20:26-28) by Robin Eugene Redick

Looking ahead Learning from the past is valuable indeed. On the other hand, letting yesterday’s defeats or victories stop our good work today is fruitless. A runner never looks back if he wants to win the race. He uses his senses to feel what is behind, but his eyes and spirit always look forward. In His word, God often instructs us to “forget what is behind”. By this, he is not saying to wipe the past from memory. Instead, He means to not let the past be a stumbling block against future accomplishments. In general, the apostle Paul had this to say about he past. (from Philippians 3:10-14) Let go of past failures. They tie us down. Let go of past sins. They make us feel unworthy to do good. Let go of past victories. They leave us complacent. What sense would it make to use last year’s calendar as a guide for this year? Using that old thing leaves us stuck in the past with days and “to do’s” that don’t match up. We won’t be prepared for the now. by Robin Eugene Redick

The Guiding Light By 2am, I had hours more to drive. I-10 between Atlanta and Savannah was a familiar weekend commute for me during my college years. With nothing much to see and hardly any traffic, it was perfect for a high speed cruise. But on this late night, extreme sleep deprivation, and a fierce storm turned the road into a menacing phantom that haunted me from the darkness. I can still feel iron palms press hard into the steering wheel, struggling against hostile winds and a road alternately transforming from rushing river to blue-black sea. Moreover, the storm shed a canvas of black that suppressed nearly everything from site, including the perilous trenches that lined both sides of the road. Straining my heavy eyes through a drowning windshield and the canvas of black, I struggled to keep a faint pair of flickering tail lights in sight. Those blurs of glowing crimson were the only things keeping me on the road. I wasn’t as close to God as I should have been during those years, but caught in bowels of that awful storm, I still implored Him to keep those lights ahead of me so I would not be lost to the night. God is good, and He always hears us. All through the night, the lights shined out, guiding me home to safety. But there’s a little more to this story. A very good friend has been wandering in his own stormy night, trying to escape from the darkness. He is squinting through the torrent for a beacon to lead him home…and the light in front of him is mine. But the rain beats harder, and time often prevents me from keeping my light near him. It’s as if someone…or some terrible thing has designs against his rescue. When I needed a light to guide me through the storm, God provided. Now, He wants me to be a spiritual light for my friend. Time is a difficult enemy to overcome, but I must find a way to keep my light shining. My friend is worth it. Mathew 5:13-18 by Robin Eugene Redick

Give the elephant a dollar God gives us opportunities to display His kind of love every day. Sometimes, the moments are golden…and we still miss them. Last fall, I went to the fair with my wife and 2 year old son. Near the entrance to the fair was a petting zoo, where a man stood with an elephant. On the ground in front of the elephant was a bottle for cash and a sign that read “$2 for a pet”. Another couple and their young daughter walked over to the elephant owner, and the father dropped two dollars into the bottle while his daughter pet the elephant. Meanwhile, the mother pulled a camera from her purse and asked their daughter to climb onto the elephant for a picture. At that, the owner stated that pictures were an extra $2. The girl’s father immediately shrieked hysterically something about a rip-off, tore his daughter from the elephant, and stormed away…but not for long. Within seconds, the man darted back from the crowd, snatched his $2 back from the cash bottle (stole it), and bellowed “You rip-off! I’ll rip you off!” Meanwhile, I stared at the spectacle along with my son, stunned at what happened and waiting expectantly for the man‘s wife to rebuke him for being childish. She didn’t. The elephant’s owner didn’t get upset either, he simply said “may Jesus bless you” to the father, who barked “Jesus is dead!!” in return. Do you see the golden moment yet? I didn’t catch it until a few seconds later, a few seconds too late! What if I’d quickly plunked 2 dollars of my own money into the bottle? Would the greedy man have realized how shallow he had been? Would it have changed something in him? Possibly. Would it have been a good lesson for my son? Definitely! In an odd way, it’s good that this happened. You see, we miss golden moments every day. Since my miss at the fair, I’ve sought them more actively. I believe that’s how God would have it. No, He doesn’t want us to kick ourselves for a miss, but He would like to see us hit the target a few more times. “You are the salt of the earth.” (Mathew 5:13) Salt seasons, cleans, and preserves. “You are the light of the world.”(Mathew 5:14) Light reveals, comforts, and guides by Robin Eugene Redick

Loving our pets We love our pets, and that’s just how our creator designed it. If you think it's a coincidence, try not petting that cuddly puppy next time you see one. Can’t? That’s a pretty tough thing to explain outside of intelligent creation and design. We need them, and there they are. Wowzers! God gave us animals to care for so that we could learn more about the unconditional love that He has for us. We love our pets because of who they are, not because of what they give us in return. God loves us the same way and wants us to do likewise with others. God gives us all things for our learning and benefit. He loves us that much! by Robin Eugene Redick

What brought you here? With many things we do, even when we have passion, there are parts we don’t like. I’ve been building a Godly encouragement book over the last several years and just finished it last week. As challenging as it was, I enjoyed the process because of my enthusiasm for it. Now comes the dreaded part…I have to solicit the thing to publishers. I loathe the very idea of pitching and pleading only to be rejected countless times before acceptance finally happens. Even though I truly want to skip this part, all the work that went before would be pointless without it. To overcome, I must focus on the trust in God that brought me here in the first place. It’s that way with a lot of things. Perhaps you’re at that step with something right now. Focus on what brought you here. You can do it! by Robin Eugene Redick

The Adversary of Action When we see people in need, why do we sometimes remain idle? Many of us want to be helpful, so what are the unseen predators that build barriers between our hearts and our willingness to act? Fear, apathy, and even arrogance are common enemies that glue our feet to the ground when we see opportunities to move. Fortunately, God has encouraging words to get us unstuck and into action! Fear: Sometimes, helping means doing something unpopular, standing up for someone, or defending an ideal. It might even mean putting ourselves in danger (fighting a battle to free a foreign people). It’s easy to see why this is sometimes hard to do. What God says: It is God’s will that your good lives should silence those who make foolish accusations against you (1 Peter 2:15). The Lord is my light and my salvation – so why should I be afraid? The lord protects me from danger – so why should I tremble? (Psalm 27:1). Apathy: Our desire to help is too often tied to convenience. We’re glad to lend a hand if it doesn’t take much effort. But isn’t that elderly person who struggles with his groceries always on the other side of the parking lot? Aren’t we always in a hurry when we see someone changing a tire in the rain? If we wait for opportunity to be convenient, it may never some knocking. What God says: Hard workers become leaders. The lazy become slaves (Proverbs 12:2-4). If you don’t plow the field, you won’t get a harvest (Proverbs 20:4). Arrogance: Someone else gets to help in the good ways, huh? There’s that person in the paper who saved the rich guy and became loaded, the people who get paid lots of money to be ministers, and the ones who get to lead community clean up campaigns and be on TV. Meanwhile, we get an opportunity to change community bedpans with no TV time, be paid zilch to teach Sunday school, and only get to save our destitute cousin (repeatedly). We deserve the good opportunities, right? Well, what opportunity is better than helping the helpless? Heroes give aid when there is no reward. What God says: Don’t do good deeds to look good (Matt 6:1). Humble people have restful souls (Matt 11:29). The Lord stays near the humble and away from the proud (Psalm 138:6). He supports the humble (Psalm 147:6). Whoever wants to be a leader must become a servant (Matt 20:26). Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. Though He was God…He made himself nothing; He took the humble position… (Philippians 2:5-7). By the way, how do you know you’re not getting paid to teach Sunday school? Has God provided you with work so you can afford to teach? God gave us a will to help others. We feel it almost daily. Unfortunately, as free thinking creatures, we also have egos, lethargy, and fears. Satan takes advantage by whispering in our ears, convincing us that our aversion to act is right on target. Listen to God instead! He is behind us with wonderful plans for our lives if we’ll let him work. Let’s shake off those fears that bind us down and get into motion! by Robin Eugene Redick

God's GPS We often carry road maps or use a GPS when we travel, so what about keeping a map for daily living? God's word tells us where to go and also guides us back on track if we get lost. When we face tough choices and don't know what to do, His wisdom points us in the right direction. God loves us and wants what’s best for us. His map will never steer us wrong or leave us "lost". by Robin Eugene Redick

Miracle(s) of Life? Recently, a distraught woman came to a local pregnancy center for expectant mothers with special needs. She had an 8 month old child with Sickle Cell Disease and was pregnant with another child by the same father. A doctor at a community seminar had told her that that the second child would likely also have the disease and suggested she abort the child for its own good. The mother was very upset and confused by this. She loved her young child but knew the challenges that the disease would bring to the one unborn. As it turned out, the recent refusal of the Bush Administration to fund stem cell research on aborted babies resulted in the discovery that better cells can be taken from the umbilical cords of delivered babies. In fact, a Doctor at the pregnancy center told the mother that chances were good that the unborn baby did NOT have Sickle Cell Disease. If so, thanks to this new medical discovery, cells could be taken from its umbilical cord to cure her 8 month old! The mother was full of tears and thankful that she had not taken the life of her unborn child, who now, in addition to being a blessing on her own, could potentially help cure her older sister. There was, of course, a possibility that the second child would have the disease. However, the trauma reinforced in the mother what a miracle life is. Indeed in this case, it might even be two! By the way, after bonding through this trauma, the father and mother will be getting married. A third miracle! by Robin Eugene Redick

Christmas gifts from Jesus Watching the television adds for this year’s “holidays”, I was struck (in the head) by the inherent message in many of them. Buy “this” and get “this” in return…the “this” being primarily a not always subtlety implied roll in the hay (out of debt)! Bartering components of marriage? Surely this is the Christmas spirit! Since long before Thanksgiving, we’ve been assailed by adds showing people purchase spa gift sets to the slogan of “what’s better, the gift or the thank you (wink wink), give top of the line Lexus’s in hopes of presenting a satisfactory present, hold BMW keys over heads like missile tow, and present diamonds the size of baseballs because “sweaters are worthless”, and “only a diamond lasts forever”. Pummeled under the promotional onslaught, I consider what Jesus gives to His loved ones. Instead of awarding cars or boulder sized jewels as part of some self serving strategy, He freely gives what having (or buying) those items are alleged to bring about…and far more. Abundance: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10) Contentment/Fulfillment: “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35) Freedom: “…through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:2) Guidance: “I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth.” (Isaiah 42:16) Fruitful life: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit.” (John 15:5) Hope: I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good… and not for disaster, to give you a future and hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11) Love: “God so loved the world that He gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) Relationship: “I will make you my wife forever, showing your righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion.” (Hosea 2:19) Toys, games, and other treasures can be great if given in the right spirit, but alone they don’t provide all that we truly need. In what I buy and in what I do, I endeavor this Christmas to give like Jesus gave…with love, with time, with energy, and of myself. by Robin Eugene Redick

What do you love? Is there something that you truly love to do or people who you love to spend time with? Do you lose track of time when you do those things or see those people? If I were your worst enemy, I would… Keep you distracted with wearying things. Keep your eye on the clock. Make you busier than ever with things that accomplish nothing. Stuff portable devices in your ears and hands that divide your attention so that no matter where you are, you’re never fully there. Do anything I could to stop you from learning what you love to do, doing those things, and sharing real time with the people who you care for. Make sure you never get a glimpse of what Heaven may be like. That way, you’ll never seek it. What if God never intended for us to relate to time the way we do? What if there’s a reason we lose track of it when we’re doing what we love or spending time with people we care for? What if those are glimpses of the wonderful eternity that God has planned for each of us? Maybe it’s time to stamp out the distractions and do what we love. by Robin Eugene Redick

Deep rooted needs Ask 10 people what they want most and they’ll likely give a range of answers from “get a better job” to “win the lottery” or even “rule the world”. In reality though, aren’t they all saying the same thing? Down deep, everyone needs security, significance, and satisfaction. There’s also a twist. None of the wants listed above will provide any of the root needs by themselves. Why is that? It appears that God designed us to remember Him. First, he gave us an inherent belief in an afterlife so we can fathom a reality beyond what our eyes see. Second, He built in some core needs that only a relationship with Him can satisfy. Some of the primary ones are security, significance, and satisfaction. Security - God wants us to tell Him our needs and trust Him to work in our lives. (Philippians 4-6). Studies show that people who do this are much happier than those who don’t. Significance - God has a personal plan for each of us that figures into his eternal plan for the whole world. When we follow Him, He equips us and puts us where we need to be (1 Peter 4:10). Talk about significant! Satisfaction - We can depend on God for contentment freed from circumstances. Conditions are temporary but his provisions are continuous (Philippians 4:11-13). To get all this, we just have to ask for it. In Jesus, God gave us the means to have a personal relationship with Him and fill our root needs in ways that nothing of the world can take away. Some people espouse to get you “religious” or “spiritual” through principles, chants, and even some outright terrible things. Conversely, God promises to actually take up residence inside anyone’s heart who asks Him to and provide for their inner most needs. What does it hurt to trust God and say "Forgive me for my bad behavior. Help me see who am I to you, what you have planned for me, and where you want me to go.”? We lose nothing and perhaps gain everything. by Robin Eugene Redick

True value Sometimes we find even greater value in what we become for others than in what we become for ourselves. In practicing the Martial Art of Aikido, we look for non-violent means of dealing with aggressive situations. Everything from the mid-sets we employ to the techniques we apply target this goal. Sometimes, as with other martial styles, a question comes up about how to deal with a specific attack that seems out of scope for the style (these are sometimes called “gaps”). It is true that nearly every style has places where no specific response exists for a particular “attack”. So must we study many styles to close every gap? If that’s the goal, then yes. Actually though, we can never really close all the gaps - only more of them (I study several styles and can attest to this). Given this truth, is there another goal of training to consider? There is, and it might be the most valuable one of all. Using Aikido as the example, there may actually be times when just bashing an aggressor could yield results more easily than attempting a complex but more harmonious defense technique. However, in constantly looking for peaceful ways to deal with violence, we train ourselves to avoid contributing to the aggression around us. In other words, we become better people. Daily living yields many opportunities to learn new things. When we learn something that makes us better neighbors, we have something of true value. by Robin Eugene Redick

Whose acceptance matters? We spend a great deal of time striving to be accepted by friends, bosses, peers, and sometimes even strangers who we touch each day. Living to a standard is absolutely important, but we sometimes run ourselves ragged trying to please the wrong people or even everyone. It’s easy to get caught in this trap (I do sometimes). To get out, we can first focus on whose acceptance is important and whose is not. Here’s a plan that might just help. God loves me the most, knows best, and wants what is best for me. He gave me His word (Bible) and an insight track on what He wants for my life (prayer). The Cult of conformity has a god too. It’s the god of the crowd. To this bunch, the sin is being different. I’m not afraid to sometimes be different. It does not matter what people think. It only matters what God knows. When I do go to people for advice or affirmation, where do they stand with God? Can I trust that their opinions are grounded on living by His word? Today, I will try to let go of the need to seek the approval of dead men. Instead, I will focus on getting valuable advice from my living heavenly father and those He placed on Earth to help me. This takes Wisdom and Courage. God has promised to provide both of these things when I ask for them. (Genises 4:7) by Robin Eugene Redick

Compromising principles We all face temptations to compromise our principles. It could be a desire to watch a popular (but indecent) TV show, a call to join a party where people are behaving badly, or some other lure. To justify making our compromise, we might think “it won’t affect me, because my principles are strong”. Genesis paints a poignant picture of just such a situation with the story of Lot, Abraham’s brother (13:12, 18, and 19). Later cited as righteous man lost to distress (2Peter 2:7), Lot compromised his ethics and lost everything he loved. Lot’s first compromise was to move his family close to the wicked city of Sodom (likely to sell goods there). Next, he moved into Sodom itself. Then, over time, Sodom moved into Lot and into his family. Lot eventually took his family away from the city when God led him out (by Abraham’s request) because He was about to destroy it. By leaving, they were sparred immediate destruction. However, during the move, Lot’s wife looked back to the city against God’s command and was destroyed. Later, one by one, Lot’s remaining family members all self destructed because of the bad influences they had picked up from Sodem. Lot moved his family out of Sodem, but he could not move Sodem out of his family. How many times have we heard of someone escaping from a destructive lifestyle but perpetually living with the baggage left over? Of course, getting out of a bad place is the right thing. However, avoiding that place when we can is best. We can’t always do that, but there are times when good decisions can keep us from trouble. Do we HAVE to watch that smutty show? Do we HAVE to attend that drug-fest party? If we are married, must we go to lunch alone with that co-worker of the opposite sex? Why risk it? Is what we hold dear so valueless? If you move into darkness, it can move into you. by Robin Eugene Redick

The way of the Flashlight Flashlights and night time go together like cheese and pepperoni. Whether we’re on a camping trip in the woods or stumbling around during a power outage, our shining friend is there to help us find our way and scare away the boogiemen. As useful as they are though, nobody likes getting an eyeful of Mag-Lite from a mischievous friend or flashes of retina burn from some road jockey’s atomic high beams of death! Light is best used to illuminate, not obliterate. Likewise, remembering the way of the flashlight when we see friends making bad choices might be wise strategy. While unleashing a full frontal assault of what makes our lives so much better may seem appropriate, results won’t likely meet expectations …unless we’re positioning for a punch in the mouth! Instead, what if we simply be there for support and light the path ahead by making good decisions in our own lives? We can always afford to work on this anyway, right? Granted there are extreme circumstances when somebody needs a hard kick in the pants, but those times are fairly obvious and pretty rare. As a general rule, let’s put the shoe on the other foot and remember the way of the flashlight. After all, we all need that light sooner or later! by Robin Eugene Redick

Inside the storm I understand the purpose of life…but I sometimes loose my way. I see those less fortunate than me and stop complaining… but I can’t maintain it. Over time, my eyes turn back to those with more. I have felt true meaning…but I still pursue some meaningless things. You are not alone in the storms you face. I am in them too. We are vulnerable, and we need God. God filled the earth with blessings. He pierces the shadows of darkness and walks through the storms with those who look to him. Talk to Him often. Be real with Him. He will guide us while we light the way for those still lost in the night. In God, I can conquer the Storm. So can you. “The Lord is my strength, my shield from every danger. I trust Him with all my heart. (Psalm 28:7) by Robin Eugene Redick

Infiltration and defense In the 1400’s, ninja were widely used to infiltrate an enemy’s defenses. These phantoms of the night used several means sneak inside. Disappear - Wear grays, blues, or browns that blend into backgrounds. Blind - Take away the ability to see by using powders, smoke bombs, or eye irritants. Move openly yet unseen - Look like someone not expected to bring harm, or better still, someone who could be trusted. Once inside the defenses (or in confidence), the ninja brought destruction immediately or over time through misdirection. To protect their territories, rulers relied on training. Training builds valuable tools to fortify your defenses. Sensitivity - Prevents evil from sneaking inside your defenses Positive attitude - An outlook that sees the beauty in life Focus - Prevents distraction away from your goals This third tool is critical. The biggest fight in life is resisting all of the changes that people want you to make…the fight is to stay on the path. (e.e Cummings). In feudal Japan, a ruler's goal might have the expansion of his own kingdom. expension. Today with you, it is God’ purpose in your life (also kingdom building). Performed under a Christian world view, martial training becomes a perfect vehicle to help you prepare for God’s work, enjoy life to the full, and keep your focus! Health, Calmness, Assurance, Confidence, and Control are all required to perform material arts and so, over time, are cultivated in the training. These things stem from a faith, so training builds an ability to strengthen faith. These are also the critical skills needed to live God’s way and complete His mission. High emotion disrupts faith and assurance in God. Moments of stress are when we loose out control and faith. Learning to remain grounded in the storms is essential for the Christian! Remember that we have a mission! The Ninja of old played out territory battles. As Christians, we hold key roles in a more import campaign. We fight for the spirits of those we love by caring for them in all ways. Whether that means defending them from attack, bearing loads when they wrong us, or reaching outside of ourselves, we will do it. Whatever it takes to bring them to God’s gift of salvation. by Robin Eugene Redick

Courage through faith Letter # 54: Courage through Faith  (12/19/06)

Courage is the willingness to do what we are afraid to do, often out of faith that something will see us through. In Martial Arts training, courage is developed by learning basic skills, gaining a small measure of faith, and then moving to more advanced techniques. Over time, we acquire faith enough to handle tense situations like a drunken nut-job at the football game or even mind-boggling emergencies like a rampaging Abominable Showman at the mall (I am SO ready for that one!) God works in us the same way. He starts by giving us easy things to believe in. Once we have those down, He moves to higher places. A progression might look like this. Air exists even though we cannot see it The universe appears to have been created by something intelligent God exists God want to be personal with us God will work in our lives is we let Him We can be confident that, so long as we are walking with God, the things happening in our lives are for the good and of his will. Once we believe in God, His work becomes evident in our lives. Continued growth comes from reaching beyond our comfort zones in faith that He is with us. From that point on, great things happen that we could not have achieved alone. “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you.” (Isaiah 41:20) “Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9) by Robin Eugene Redick by Robin Eugene Redick