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MARCH /APRIL 2016

GoLOVEpeople Matt Payn takes action

TEEN

Rescue

A mountain adventure

WINNER’S

Joy

Is it glee or gloating?

MENTORING

A Youth

Making him a son

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Contents March / April 2016 Features ‘Meek’:

Not what you think

NNYM:

“Faith activates God. Fear activates the enemy.”

— Joel Osteen

6 Columns 10 Outdoors with

Pooling resources for youth

12 Helping first responders Support Chaplains: Annual Caldwell Prayer Walk

17

15th Anniversary

17

Twelve Baskets:

18

Paint and other miracles

Cover Story —

Publisher Sandy Jones Editor Gaye Bunderson gayeb@sterlingmedialtd.com 208-639-8301

14 Dougherty:

Goose hunting

16

Notes from Home: Winner’s glee

the Gap: 23 Bridging Discussing hot topics Faith: 24 Challenging Success despite stress This: 26 Consider Willing to be mentored Man’s 32 Real Toolbox:

Called to lead

Health: 34 Maximum Anti-inflammatory foods

The Brighter Side: GoLOVEpeople

20 Departments Where Are They Now?: Loyal To One

Project 88.7:

28

Mountain rescue:

30

Daily Bread: 22 Your Retirement savings

Two lives saved

A Safe Place:

Bringing healing

Sleep in Heavenly Peace:

36 38

Beds for kids

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Sales & Marketing Melva Bade melvab@sterlingmedialtd.com 208-631-3779 • Vin Crosby vinc.bcl@gmail.com 208-989-2097 • Sandy Jones boisechristianliving@gmail.com 208-703-7860 Cover Photo Steve Jones

Special thanks to Sky Tower Films for the use of their studio

Graphic Design Denice King Contributors Daniel Bobinski, Dan Dougherty, Desiree Evaneski, Terry Frisk, Dani Grigg, Doug Gross, Leo Hellyer, Hilarey Johnson, Ron Kern, Joel Lund, Rosie Main, Gary Moore, Bene’ Paul, Louis Sheppard & Dan Woodworth Website Design SEO Idaho Webmaster Liza Morgan

8

For an activist generation

Volume 4, Number 2

35 Understanding Relationships:

Is communication key?

Christian Living is committed to encouraging and instructing individuals in their daily lives by presenting stories of people in the Treasure Valley who are living on a foundation of faith in Jesus Christ and who serve as uplifting examples to others. Views expressed in Christian Living do not necessarily represent those of the publisher.

Every effort has been made by Christian Living to insure accuracy of the publication contents. However, we do not guarantee the accuracy of all information nor the absence of errors and omissions; hence, no responsibility can be or is assumed. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2016 by Christian Living Magazine LLC. Christian Living is published every other month and is available in over 800 locations throughout the Treasure Valley, including most grocery stores, convenience stores, medical waiting areas, and churches.

If your church would like additional copies please email us today at boisechristianliving@gmail.com. Mailing address: P.O. Box 867, Meridian, Idaho 83680.

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In Each Edition 4

Publisher’s Corner: Checkout line Christian Living | March / April 2016

PUBLISHER’S Corner

A special moment in the checkout line

By Sandy Jones

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. — Romans 15-13 (NASB) I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again I love my j-o-b! It’s such a humbling privilege to work with so many great ministries throughout our community! Our hope here at Christian Living magazine is to help as many as we possibly can by sharing their stories.

In my day-to-day running around I meet with many people from all different walks of life. Recently, as I was going into a meeting I was introduced to a gentleman in the waiting area. As I was introduced he completed my name with my host, “Sandy with Christian Living magazine.” I was surprised, as to the best of my knowledge, this gentleman and I had never met. Surprised I laughed, until he went on to explain that he is a member of a men’s faith-based group that meets one morning a week for a time of prayer and fellowship. This past fall someone in the group had brought me and the magazine up in their group discussion, and they decided to pray over the magazine and me for the next 30 days. Stunned and humbled beyond words, all I could manage was a brief ‘thank you.’

Once the door closed to my host’s office, he sat down and inquired about my son, Drew, and his children asking how they are doing since the loss of their wife and mother.

He went on to explain that he’d cut my column out of the magazine the month following her passing and hung it on the wall in his prayer room to remind him to pray for our family, again, for the next 30 days.

I’d walked in the door to learn about a new direction a local non-profit was taking, and find out how we could help to shine the best possible light on what they are doing to help some of the less fortunate members of our community, and I left quietly humbled.

Silent, private prayers answered. Prayers even my husband knew very little about — there was no way these gentlemen could have known about them. You see, as much as I love my j-o-b, because it’s my ministry, something I’d longed to do for years, there are times when I feel so alone. I know God is always there — that’s not the kind of alone I mean.

My husband has his own job, which keeps him quite occupied. As a small company we have no other employees, only

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a handful of subcontractors, and they are all wonderful, but when it comes down to the day to day business operations, the decisions, the marketing, the bookkeeping, you know all the fun stuff, it’s up to me, and sometimes I’ll admit I feel alone. Now in a brief few minutes God had, once again, acknowledged that He’d heard my pleas and answered them.

These two men, one someone I consider a friend, the other a total stranger, both answered Sandy Jones the call that God had laid on their hearts that morning to share with me that they had both been a part of separate local evangelicals lifting up our ministry, my family, and most humbly, me to our Lord and Savior. Something I will never be able to adequately thank them for.

How and why the Creator of the Universe would even care is beyond me. My security issues are small in comparison to someone with cancer, sick or starving children, third world problems, ISIS — you get the idea — but God, the Alpha and Omega , the Creator of Everything cared for a miniscule problem, for one small person, on a planet the size of a pinhead in the entire universe.

As I was working on this issue’s column I suffered writer’s block at this point in writing. As I never take what goes into this article lightly I informed Gaye, our editor, that I was having trouble and warned her it was going to be late. Then I started to pray. Had I missed something — I truly believed that this was what God had laid on my heart to share. Then it happened…

Pulling off the freeway at Garrity on a crisp February morning, running about 45 minutes early for my next appointment I decided to finally return a couple of items that had been in the floor in my backseat to the local Walmart.

Walking up to the customer service area I breathed a sigh of relief that I had extra time — only one cashier, and two people ahead of me in line. The beautiful young woman right in front of me had what appeared to be a three-year old in the cart and a baby approximately a year old on her hip. She was dressed nicely, hair and make-up done, and

March / April 2016 | Christian Living

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much of which I couldn’t understand, but I understood that this “other mother” had filled a void in her chaotic little life; given her a safe place, an abundance of love, and stability.

Nothing was ever said about the why and how these two beautiful children ended up in this situation, only that they were welcomed and loved. Even though another cashier was able to come and help me with my return, I was able to stay and help this young woman as she finished up the individual transactions. Saying goodbye to my new little 3 year old friend I hugged her, and said a quick silent prayer for God to protect her and her sibling, telling this very special young woman “God Bless you for what you’re doing in these children’s lives.” I turned to leave, a lump in my throat, fighting back tears. Looking up I realized the line had grown quite long, and I do believe I was not the only one touched.

Reflecting back on these events I realized that they have a common thread — hope. The same hope that Jesus Christ offers to each of us today. Hope through the prayers of a friend, and even total strangers. Hope through the love of a foster mother opening her home to these two small children.

Hope today for tomorrow, and for all of eternity. I pray for each one reading this to get a glimpse of His great love for you, and I challenge each of you to show His love to someone today, regardless of whether they know it or not.n

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the children were adorable. Then I noticed the baby had no shoes or socks on. My initial thought was a judgmental ”WHAT?!” Then I reminded myself that things aren’t always what they seem; took a mental step back and observed.

The young woman was asking the child in the cart if she wanted to call her Grandma today. “Yes and Mommy too!” was the eager response. My heart sank as it was clear to me that the young woman was thinking quickly and explained that Mommy’s phone was broken and they couldn’t call her that day. A quick observation of the contents of her cart showed long pants, shirts, panties, socks, shoes, snow boots — pretty much the basics — ALL of the basics! Asking I found that she’s their foster mother; that they had come to her the night before with just what they had on that morning and she had come with vouchers for $75 in clothing for each of the children.

She excitedly shared how some of the employees had helped her to find the best deals on the clearance items so that she could stretch the allowance for each child just as far as possible. It was time for the cashier to help her out; the 3 year old, now bored with sitting in the cart, wanted to help fill out the paperwork. I asked if she’d like to come back to me and play with this “Grandma.” Relieved the young woman said yes, and helped her out of the cart; she climbed up into my arms, hugging me and calling me “Gwandma.”

Sweeter words were never spoken! She chattered away,

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Christian Living | March / April 2016

WHAT is ‘meek’?

Love is not easily angered This God-given emotion of anger helps us surBy Daniel Bobinski vive in our infancy in many ways, but we’re not A humorous meme I saw recently said, “If supposed to hang on to anger as we grow. Paul anyone ever asks you, ‘what would Jesus do?’, writes (in 1 Corinthians 13:11), “When I was a tell them that flipping over tables and chasing child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, people with a whip is within the realm of posI thought as a child: but when I became a man, I sibilities.” put away childish things.”

Wait. What? Jesus flipped over tables and That verse has a direct application when we made a whip? Is this the same Jesus who teach kids not to use anger to manipulate others. reminded us about David’s prophetic words We want them to grow up to be mature adults that the meek shall inherit the earth? The short who ask to get their needs met instead of hinting answer is, “Yep.” and manipulating through tears or angry outIsn’t this incongruous? The short answer is, bursts.

“Nope.”

Unfortunately, I’ve met way too many adults Many folks see the English word “meek” who rely heavily on threats of anger to get their and think it means a non-assertive person who way. In other words, they’ve not yet put away Daniel Bobinski takes whatever abuse is doled out. This is not childish things after having become an adult.

Haven’t you ever heard someone say, “Don’t do ‘x’ around him what we find in the Greek word that was translated into the — he’ll get angry.” (My response these days is often, “So what?”)

English word “meek.” The Greek lexicon tells us, “Meekness We have to realize that no one makes someone else get mad. toward God is that disposition of spirit in which we accept His People choose anger because they have not learned a better, dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or more mature method of dealing with whatever is unsatisfactory resisting.” to them.

Stated another way, the phrase, “you made me angry” In other words, meekness in the way David and Jesus used it is really just a deflection of responsibility. The more accurate means not resisting God. That makes total sense. If we believe phrase is, “I chose to get angry.” that God’s dealings with us are good and we don’t resist Him, It is interesting that despite anger being culturally associated we will inherit what God has for us. with men, women can be just as susceptible to anger, albeit in a Interestingly, the same word for “meek” was also used by less explicit way. That is, it often manifests differently. Research Jesus to describe his own triumphal entry as king, while riding published in the journal, Medical Daily, found that women often on the back of a donkey into the city of Jerusalem (Matthew choose passive-aggressive behavior as a method to display anger 21:5). Yet when the Pharisees demanded that Jesus quiet the in a way that is physically safe. cheering crowds, Jesus kept going, basically telling them, “No.” So is it okay to be angry? The answer is yes, but as it says in 1 Standing up to the religious hierarchy of the day is hardly Corinthians, we’re not supposed to get angry easily. Additionally, what we think of as “meek,” but sometimes the Greek doesn’t scripture also tells us (in Ephesians 4:26), “In your anger, do not sin.” translate into smooth English sound bites. This is why when I I once sat in a church service in which the preacher’s sermon study God’s word I’m always tapping into BlueLetterBible.org was titled, “We’re not supposed to get angry.” Wait. What? I or my Greek dictionaries to find out what some words really know we’re not supposed to get angry easily, and when we do mean. get angry, we’re not supposed to sin. Also, by the example of So yes, this Jesus who described himself as “meek” is the same Jesus who got angry and turned over tables in the temple Scripture, Jesus and Paul only got angry when God was being disrespected. But nowhere do I see the Bible telling me I’m never courts. supposed to be angry.

The apostle Paul also got angry. He wasn’t turning over After the service was over, I approached the preacher and tacttables, but the Bible says in Acts 17:16 that Paul was “profully talked about what I just said above. Ironically, his response voked” when he saw all the idols in the city. Other versions say was — get this — he got angry. he was “stirred,” “deeply troubled,” and “deeply disturbed.”

So what to do about our anger that happens too easily? Own One version even says he was “painfully excited.” Truth is, the it! Think about when you’ve become angry, and look within.

Greek word translated “provoked” is the same word we find in What didn’t you do that you could have done? Were you trying 1 Corinthians 13:5, which says [love] “is not easily angered.” to control something beyond your control? If you’re honest with So yes, both Jesus and Paul got angry, but note that neither yourself, you may realize that other, better choices were at your became angered easily. It really took a lot for them to display disposal.

Final thought: If love is not easily angered, then perhaps it is their anger.

Anger is a God-given emotion. In fact, we probably wouldn’t quick to try to understand, while practicing longsuffering (aka Patience). I encourage people to try that on and see how it fits. n survive without anger. As small infants, we have no way to verbalize our needs in words. We sense hunger, but we can’t Daniel Bobinski is the Director of Family Experience Ministries (FX), and prepare food or even ask for it, so we get angry and cry. Then author of the award-winning book, “Become a Student of Your Students,” somebody around us notices our fussiness and looks for what co-authored with his wife, Jeralynne. FX meets every Saturday afternoon, and might be causing it. When someone finally realizes we haven’t Daniel is currently facilitating “The LOVE Study” for adults and teens on the eaten in a few hours, they give us food. second Saturday evening each month. See www.FamilyExperience.net for details.

March / April 2016 | Christian Living

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WHERE Are They Now?

Loyal To One Ministry matures in the valley

Where Are They Now? Desiree’ and Joseph Evaneski married not long ago and now work together as a team for Loyal To One Ministry.

By Desiree’ Evaneski Pastor Joseph looks out from the back porch of his home to the little RV trailer he was living in when Christian Living visited him over two years ago. He is constantly amazed at how what he saw as his greatest failure in life, God used to begin this wonderful ministry called Loyal To One. He remembers the vision he was given 10 years ago and can see it fulfilled in its entirety before his very eyes today.

“What’s interesting,” he reflects, “is how I used to feel like I was waiting on God. But in an effort to understand how I had arrived where I found myself 10 years ago, I began to evaluate everything I was taught as a boy and line it up with Scripture.

Whatever didn’t line up, I got rid of. And a wonderful thing began to happen. I went from waiting on God, to being in step with Him. Eventually, I found myself where I am now, trying to keep up with Him as He grows this ministry more every day.

“Through my growth in obedience, God brought the vision to life. No man can take the credit; it all belongs to Him.” Loyal To One Ministry blesses all who are touched by it, from those getting out of prison, to the homeless community, to those who need to complete community service. Additionally, it gives caring volunteers a place to share in a ministry that produces an enormous and tangible difference in the lives of so many people.

Loyal To One Ministry now has seven Discipleship Homes in Boise and an apartment complex in Nampa for men getting out of prison. The ministry can house up to 53 men, anxious

March / April 2016 | Christian Living

to re-enter society as strong Christian husbands, fathers and sons. Pastor Joseph is blessed to have some great men from the community come alongside him to help mentor and pastor these brothers. Loyal To One’s first Discipleship House is now Pastor Joseph’s personal home, which is centrally located so he can be closer to those he serves.

He has also extended the scope of the ministry to include all caseloads, stating that, “God doesn’t see crime or color. Why should we?”

He has a wonderful relationship with the Department of Corrections and they work together to give the men the necessary combination of accountability and responsibility to ensure Loyal To One’s recidivism rate stays below 3 percent. Some of the men are even part of a special mentoring plan that is training them to become pastors.

The thrift store where Loyal To One’s main office is located, at 232 N. Main St. in Meridian, has expanded into more of a community center rather than just a place to get beautiful things at a low price. Often, people stop in to find a few moments of peace, a tender hug or a loving prayer for a special need. Pastor Joseph still maintains his open door policy for anyone needing a moment or more of his time for comfort or counseling. The community center reaches out to all of the least, the lost and the forgotten in the Treasure Valley.

In the store, loving volunteers spend their time ministering to customers, manning the register, and working with the donations. Some find their tenure for only a season, while others

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Desiree’ Evaneski is Pastor Joseph’s wife and personal assistant. She is the editor of his book, “Salvation in the Darkness.” The book is based on personal journals he kept during his time of dark struggles that ultimately led to this beautiful ministry.

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have been part of this ministry for years. Whatever the term, the fruit of their commitment remains.

Also, the store provides for 21 community service workers to have a safe and caring environment in which to complete their required hours by giving back to the community. Because they are treated with kindness by Pastor Joseph and his staff, they often return as volunteers.

Another wonderful addition to the ministry is Sunday Fellowship Services, which Pastor Joseph felt led to begin in October, 2014. He not only preaches stimulating and thought-provoking messages, but also leads the worship. The congregation is filled with loving and caring people who come early to inquire about each other and stay late to visit. This takes place in the thrift store, where the inventory is moved and pews and chairs are set up on Saturday nights.

When Christian Living spoke with Pastor Joseph, he was not married and seemed happy as a single pastor. However, last year he married his best friend of over five years, who had been writing a book about his story and how all of this began. In October, 2014, they actually met face to face for the first time and she experienced this ministry in full. At the end of that week, they knew that they were meant to continue this ministry together, believing God had brought them to each other for this purpose. Now, they work side by side every day and spend their evenings planning the next day, happy and fulfilled.

So, what happened with the book? Thanks to the generous donations from some of their church congregation, it will be published this spring and they hope to have a book signing event at the community center (thrift store). n

Looking Out For Your Next Move

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Christian Living | March / April 2016

NETWORK of Youth Ministries

Getting things done by working together

By Sandy Jones The National Network of Youth Ministries (NNYM) believes that people work better together. Cory Freese, the Idaho State Coordinator of NNYM, explains when youth workers come together to pray, strategically plan, share resources and build relationships, they can impact our communities with the gospel of Jesus Christ by creating healthy groups of people, fulfilling the great commission. The consensus at NNYM is that with youth leaders at the forefront to get it started, they can bring other adults from the community together to provide solutions and help encourage kids to deal with the kinds of pressures that they’re dealing with today, especially spiritually.

Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.

— Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NASB) There has been a network of youth pastors and youth workers in the Treasure Valley for at least 15 years who have voluntarily said ‘we’re going to get together and talk about what we’re doing, and how we’re doing it.’ Cory led the local network in Boise for approximately three years. When Cory stepped out of that role, Brian Seidel (now Senior Pastor of Oregon Trail Church of God) stepped in to fill it. It seems like every time one youth leader steps out of the role as the local coordinator, somebody’s there to step in and pick up that baton and keep running with it. Today that group meets once a month, and is lead by Adam Kasper of The Pursuit church. Cory’s role with NNYM, as the Idaho State Coordinator, is to build and replicate networks all over the state, similar to the one here in Boise, reaching kids for Christ.

Doug Clark, the National Field Director of NNYM, is quick to point out that the National Network of Youth Ministries is not the national network of youth pastors. NNYM encompasses anybody that works with the youth — family, parents, grandparents, business leaders to community service people, principals, high school counselors, coaches, kids themselves who are leaders and then

adding pastors and others who are in churches, all who are part of the solution — and works to bring those people together in an environment that encourages prayer, strategic planning, building relationships and sharing resources. Their ultimate goal is not to create a network; their ultimate goal is to reach every teenager with the gospel of Christ.

As one of his projects, Doug Clark coordinates See You at the Pole (SYATP). His job is to be sure that SYATP happens all over the nation and promotes it. See You at the Pole is for students to take ownership of their relationship with Jesus Christ and take it to their campus, praying as a unified group. The adult youth workers can’t run it, but they usually arrange to meet the evening of SYATP to celebrate what God has done that day. The kids come and share their experience at their school, often sharing how somebody came to know Christ.

Cory shares that in Ada County alone there are roughly 35,000-40,000 junior high and high school students. To reach all of these age groups every evangelical youth group would have to work with between 200-300 students each. Cory believes that kids come to Christ, not because they’re part of a youth group, but because they know a caring adult who shares the gospel with them, making it vital that each youth group have healthy, Christfollowing adult volunteer leaders that are equipped to share the gospel with kids. Sadly, the national average length of commitment of a youth worker is about two years, and what NNYM has found is that when a youth worker is associated with a network, they are more likely to be there seven years. Ministry studies also show that the real fruit of a youth worker doesn’t even start to show until approximately their fifth year.

Eighty-five percent of the people who begin a relationship with Christ do so before they’re 18. Doug shares that the job of a youth leader is very difficult and we know that the Bible describes Satan as a roaring lion, wanting to steal, kill and destroy, who’s not stupid, and is a good schemer. Naturally he’s going to focus on those workers who are in the position to bear the most fruit.

So it’s these youth workers, many of whom are unpaid volunteers, this smart lion often goes after. Youth pastors are usually the younger ones on a church staff; often they’re in the midst of starting a marriage, have a young family, still paying off school loans, without a lot of experience, with a limited income, all making them very vulnerable.

A group of students participate in a program called See You at the Pole. SYATP is designed to help students take ownership of their relationship with Jesus Christ and take it to their campuses, praying as a unified group. (Courtesy photo)

10 March / April 2016 | Christian Living

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Josh McDowell, who is a pretty well for Christ, and when that didn’t pan out known spokesman for the church, and Melissa started teaching, and Cory put his who has had his own ministry for years, undergrad to work. They became involved says he’s more concerned for the marwith the youth ministry at a local church riages of youth workers than any other and started volunteering in 1995.

Christian worker, making networks like In 1997 Cory started going to the Cole NNYM extremely important for their Center for Biblical Studies, finishing up his support and encouragement.

Biblical studies in June of 2000, and served Who can join a network? as a youth pastor at two local churches Anybody can join a network. In Idaho from June of 2000 to 2014. Transitioning go to youthworkers.net and sign up for from volunteer status to paid youth worker free. Once signed up on the website, the uniquely equipped Cory to assist all youth youth worker can join the local network. workers. Cory has organized mission trips; If there’s not one online in your area, planned winter camps/summer camps; you can show interest in starting one by organized trainings on how to share your signing up on the website as well. Most faith with others; done beach evangelism Freese, shown with his wife Melissa, is the Idaho State with teenagers; dealt with teenage crisis networks in the State of Idaho are in Ada Cory Coordinator of the National Network of Youth Ministries.

County, but that is where Cory Freese’s (Courtesy photo) situations; entered into families that are new position as the State Coordinator dealing with issues that hit families, and the comes into play, as he strives to build a whole gamut of all the things that happen network in every single community throughout Idaho. within youth ministry.

The website is a great tool for the youth worker who wants to get Cory openly admits, “ I believe God has given me these experiinvolved. Cory is currently seeking ministry partners in our commu- ences, equipped me in this area to then come alongside those who nities that can join him in prayer, as a youth worker, or financially, work with youth to say let’s do this together.” hoping to be fully funded by May 31 of this year so that NNYM Cory ended our time together with his own personal thoughts: can become his full-time ministry, allowing him to share his more “I love to see youth workers succeed. I love to see them experithan 20 years of experience in youth ministries with youth leaders ence the glory of youth ministry when kids come to Christ when all across our beautiful state. things work together; when they pull something off that they never thought they could do on their own. A lot of people say what do you do as a youth pastor? Well a lot of administration. A lot of A little bit about Cory Freese paperwork. A lot of phone calls. A lot of planning. People get into Cory accepted Christ while in college at 20 years of age. From youth ministry because they love kids, not because they love adthat point he got involved with Campus Crusade for Christ, went on different mission trips, summer-long trips and some short assign- ministration, paperwork, phone calls and other things, and I think if we can help youth workers focus on some of the things that they ments; he really believed that God was leading him into ministry. love and then shore them up in some of the things they need workHe met his future wife, Melissa Bradley, in New Hampshire on ing on, I think we can create some pretty healthy networks.” n a short-term mission project with Campus Crusade. Melissa was attending Boise State University at the time, while Cory was at Ball State University. In 1993 Cory moved from Indiana to Boise, Idaho Cory Freese may be reached at (208) 484-7177 or by email at cfreese@nnym.org. For more information on how to become a ministry to better explore the idea of marriage. Wedded in 1994 both Cory partner, go to NNYM.org/CoryFreese. and Melissa thought they were going on staff for Campus Crusade

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Christian Living | March / April 2016 11

TO the rescue

Chaplains group helps first responders

By Bene’ Paul You hear the sirens of the fire engines; you smell the smoke.

Now you see the flames. The house down the street is totally destroyed. The family gets out, but they have lost everything they own. Where can they go? This is one of the areas in which Support Chaplains is there to help.

Support Chaplains is a non-profit group new to the Treasure Valley. William Brown serves as the voluntary chairman of the board and liaison to the Caldwell Fire Department. Support Chaplains’ mission is to provide emergency response and services to those in crisis. The first area where they are getting started is Caldwell. One of the chaplains is on the radio frequency with the Caldwell Fire Department and responds when they are called to assist. Their goal is to help families with immediate needs such as transportation, housing and meals. If the family is part of a church, Support Chaplains will contact that church to help with ongoing needs. If the family has no church home, they are connected with extended family or county services.

An example of this happened just before Christmas. A family was burned out of their home in Marsing. When it was discovered that they were a part of a church, an e-mail went out and appliances, food dishes, and housekeeping items were delivered within hours, and they were able to get re-established in a home immediately. The uniqueness of Support Chaplains is that they are a small group with no bureaucracy, and they can act quickly to respond to people’s needs.

Recently, I sat down with Phil Whitbeck, the vice chairman of the organization and a retired law enforcement chaplain.

He shared with me that a key part of this ministry is the training of chaplains to respond in an emergency. The chaplains are trained to: • Assist at suicide incidents • Assist the department in making death notifications • Assist with transients and the homeless • Counsel first responders and their families in areas such as stress management, post traumatic incidents, and burnout • Furnish responses to religious questions • Provide practical assistance to victims and their families • Provide guidance should a line-of-duty death occur within the department or community • Serve as liaison with other clergy in the community • Serve as part of a department’s Crisis Response Team • Offer workshops in areas such as stress management, ethics, personal development, family life, and pre-retirement classes and courses • Visit sick or injured officers and departmental personnel in homes and hospitals “No one is confronted with more situations that demoralize and create emotional, mental and spiritual burdens than today’s first responders. These burdens also affect their families and other members of their department. First responders need the specialized guidance, counseling and assistance for themselves, their families and their communities,” noted Whitbeck.

“A support chaplain is a clergy with special interest and training for providing pastoral care in the high-powered and dangerous world of first responders. This pastoral care is offered to all people, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, creed, or religion. It is offered without cost or the taint of proselytizing,” he continued.

12 March / April 2016 | Christian Living

Phil Whitbeck is vice chairman of Support Chaplains, a non-profit that works in tandem with first responders to help people in emergencies. (Courtesy photo)

Chaplains listen and participate in the workplace of first responders with empathy and experience, advising calmly in the midst of turmoil and danger, and offering assistance when appropriate or requested.

Another important part of Support Chaplains’ vision is to train volunteers as community chaplains. The primary role of these chaplains would be to provide ongoing care for the needs of community members as a result of some traumatic event.

If called to the scene of an accident or other tragedy, their responsibility would be to care for family members, co-workers and others affected by the event. Truly this group is the hands and feet of Christ.

For more information, you may call Support Chaplains at (208) 649-4949 or go to SupportChaplains.org. n Bene’ Paul obtained her B.A. and M.S. degrees in communications at San Jose State College. She has written and edited newsletters for a variety of political and business groups and for Christian singles in the Sacramento, Calif. area. Currently, she is a freelance writer and a business marketing coach in the Treasure Valley. She may be reached at bene_paul@yahoo.com.

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Learning the skills of Goose Hunting 101

The grounds around the State Capitol Building are often full of geese. But you can’t hunt them there, and you’d better watch your step. (Courtesy photo)

By Dan Dougherty Geese in Idaho have become much more numerous over the years. The State Capitol Building has even become a favorite hangout. Goose management there has become part of the duties of maintenance workers and legislative pages. Strolling across the Capitol grounds, you must watch carefully as you walk. It is not uncommon to see a goose scanning the beauty of downtown Boise from a pigeon perk on the Capitol (which presents an obvious problem).

14 March / April 2016 | Christian Living

Duck hunting was my passion as a teenager. Geese were far less abundant than they are today. As I hunted ducks, I would occasionally get lucky and shoot a foolish goose that just happened to be passing “close” by. Most of the time my model 12, 20 gauge with 4 or 5 sized shot was ineffective. That changed when I upgraded to my father’s 12 gauge, 3 inch magnum with BB load. My kill percentage was greatly increased, but I still didn’t shoot that many birds.

My mom cooked a few of them, but most were given away.

They just did not taste as good as a fat, corn-fed mallard stuffed and roasted. Jess Martin was my duck picking neighbor.

He would pick my ducks for a portion of the kill and was recipient of most of my geese. In our conversation about eating geese, I told him I thought they were too greasy. He told me we just didn’t know how to cook them.

Jess proceeded to explain how to cook them. He said, “Get them ready to bake. Lightly coat them with olive oil and spices.

Place them on a piece of cardboard and bake them slowly on low heat. Remove from the oven, throw the goose away and eat the cardboard. You can adjust to fit your taste by changing the color or thickness of the cardboard.”

I told him that was interesting. It was the very same recipe he gave me for cooking a “carp.” His response was, “It works for both!”

In the fall of 1976 I went on an actual goose hunt with a young man named John (sorry John, can’t remember your last name). I met him in a graduate class at Boise State. I hunted with him, his dad and uncle by the Snake River near Homedale. They had a large spread of decoys on a cornfield near the river. His uncle had a new gun: a long barreled Ithaca 10 gauge semi-auto — very impressive. Besides his gun, John’s uncle was also carrying a short shovel. I asked what it was for.

With a smile, John said it was for digging his uncle out of the ground after he took three overhead shots. The real use was to dig depressions on the side of the hill covered by brush for concealment. Only two geese were shot that morning, none by me.

Goose calls, decoys, mojos, and camo pop-up blinds seem to be the trick for successful hunting. However, you must set up in an area the geese are using. Several years ago I was hunting with my son, David, and his friends near Nampa. We were hunting in a cornfield owned by Curt Griffiths (Vallivue’s award-winning band director). We had pop-up blinds and a spread of decoys. Hunting was great. We just about all had our goose limits when a sheriff ’s car pulled up and informed us we had to move. The land had recently been annexed by Nampa.

He told us the road was now the boundary and we could hunt on the land on the other side. … No geese there!

My son and his friends have been very successful in finding good spots to hunt and kill geese. Snow geese season has extended the opportunity to hunt into March. Farmers in the Parma area appreciate the hunters’ help. The snow geese limit is a generous 20 birds a day.

A few years back, David took his son, Cash, with him to introduce the next generation to hunting. Because of a change in jobs, Dave has not hunted much recently. Now, with a change in his work schedule it looks like next year will be good. We will be out shooting a few. A freezer full of geese for jerky — a Native American favorite. Maybe I should give roasted goose another try. I wonder what color cardboard I should use? n

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Christian Living | March / April 2016 15

NOTES from Home

How should you act when you win?

For example, I was a leader of our Dani Grigg church youth group for a long time. One I’ve got this theory: Life is more fun night we did a canned food collection when you care about stuff. competition. Different food items were Maybe this seems like a big DUH, but worth different points. We divided into whenever I win a card game and throw cars and raced to bring as much food my fists in the air and shout “YES! YES back to the church as we could within YES YES!” and do a victory lap around the set time limit. the kitchen table, my husband gives me WITHIN THE SET TIME LIMIT. a talk about how I’m a “poor winner.”

Ugh. My group of pumped up 12-yearAlso, I have noticed that many winners olds raced around to different church express minimal delight in similar situamembers’ houses as fast as we could tions. From these experiences, I conclude and pulled back into the church parking that some people believe one should not lot with plenty of time to get in before care if one wins or loses a game. the buzzer. My friend’s group, however, But that’s no fun. stopped at one last house and scored My husband has told me it makes the a huge donation. They sauntered in 4 non-winners feel bad when you act really minutes late and WON. happy about winning, but let’s consider My heart screamed, “But they broke the opposite: Shouldn’t it make people the rules! It’s not faaaaair!” feel bad when you act like it was no big Did my mouth scream that? No. See, deal that you won a game? Like you’re that would have been AWKWARD. I get saying, “Yeah, I won, but whatever. I win all the time. Not surprised.”

Dani Grigg is a Boise freelance writer, wife and happy that. I was a leader of the rising generamother of two young sons, including Jonah (in the tion — an impressionable bunch. We I consider shouting for joy a way to striped shirt) and Andy. (Courtesy photo) were doing a service project. It was all in convey to the losers that they were worgood fun. thy opponents and that my victory was So I put on my good-natured face and said, with apparent hard fought, that is was an honor to surpass their considerable humor, “Sure, you won, but you were LATE. Ha ha.” skills.

Ha. Ha. I should probably be more articulate about that implication See? I know how to let things go. I can be a good loser (on in my victory speeches. the surface, while I secretly hold it against the cheaters for It’s true, my 5-year-old son does cry when I cheer after beating him in Candyland or Memory. But…. he cries all the time. years).

But anyway. Caring about winning in this case had a good reNot my fault.

I do believe there is such a thing as a poor winner. But I don’t sult. We all tried our hardest to gather food for the food bank. think it’s me. I think it involves jeering and taunting. I don’t do We ended up with a huge pile that everyone felt great about.

Hungry people ate food. Win win win. that.

I mean, it would have been an even better result if my team I do, however, try to make people follow the rules. That’s part had been acknowledged as the true winners. But still. Win! n of caring. It has the potential to be awkward, though.

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Around 30 people attended the walk in 2015, according to coordinator Arlene Robinett.

There will be a potluck following the walk, along with musical entertainment.

Anyone is welcome, Robinett said, including anyone from any church denomination, or those who have no church affiliation but are concerned about their community.

For more information, contact Robinett at (208) 459-1012. n

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The St. Paul Baptist Church will be celebrating the 15th anniversary of Rev. Dr. Michael J. Ross and First Lady Annette Ross and family at a prayer breakfast at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 9, at the Red Lion Downtowner in Boise.

Dr. Ross has served as senior pastor of St. Paul Baptist Church since 2001. He leads the only predominantly African American Baptist church in Boise and the oldest in the state, according to information at stpbc.com. The church is located at 306 N. 14th St. All are welcome to attend the anniversary event. For more information, go to stpbc.com or call (208) 344-0674. n

www.boisechristianliving.com

Christian Living | March / April 2016 17

TWELVE Baskets ‘thriftique’

Even the paint on the walls is a blessing

By Gaye Bunderson

When they had all had enough to eat, he said to the disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. — John 6:12-13

Heidi Hersey helped launch Twelve Baskets Cooperative Ministry. The cash register was a donation to Twelve Baskets from The Hammett Valley Trading Post.

Twelve Baskets Cooperative Ministry offers mostly good, clean used clothing but has other items available as well, such as the baby crib shown here. Co-founder of the ministry, June Peterson, stands at left.

It can be truly amazing what comes out of a Bible study.

Three women who live in or near the community of Glenns Ferry, 72 miles south of Boise, felt the Lord was calling them to help the residents of their town. For a while, each woman kept private the vision she felt she was being given.

“It wasn’t until He brought the three of us together at a Bible study that we realized we were all receiving the same message,” June Peterson, one of the women, said.

God had made each woman aware that there were residents in the Glenns Ferry area — which includes the small towns of Hammett and King Hill — who lacked many of the essentials most people take for granted.

“Since the potato plant shut its doors, there is no employment in the area to speak of,” June said.

In the beginning, the women had more of a collective vision than a set plan; they just knew they wanted to help their community and that God was nudging them in that direction. As June tells it: “We had no idea where to begin, but we took a giant leap of faith and have been chasing the snowball down the mountain ever since.”

June, along with co-partners Carolyn Henslee and Heidi Hersey, opened a “thriftique” called Twelve Baskets Cooperative Ministry. June calls it a story full of miracles, right down to the paint on the walls.

But first came the effort to find a building to house their thriftique. They began searching.

A Mountain Home woman named Charlene Humphries owned a building in Glenns Ferry that had been a mortuary and then a church; it was standing vacant at 287 S. Commercial St. when June and the others approached her. Charlene, who owns a residential care facility, encouraged the women, telling them she had started her business with only 2 cents in

18 March / April 2016 | Christian Living

her pocket and that she would let them have the building rentfree the first month.

June and Carolyn pooled together just $200 to start their ministry, so a rent-free month sounded perfect. The so-called miracle paint on the walls came about when an acquaintance called Carolyn and asked her, “Can you use some paint? I have three gallons of fuchsia pink.”

Fuchsia pink all throughout a thrift store? Well, sort off. …

The women took the paint and began blending it with other paint they had on hand.

“We were pouring and mixing,” Heidi said.

They literally prayed over the paint as they mixed and poured, hoping a decent color would emerge. What they finally ended up with is a color they call “Christ taupe.” The women laugh and say it’s a good thing they had just enough paint to finish the walls because they could never duplicate that color again.

Now that they had acquired and prepared their space, they needed things to sell. Through craigslist and by word of mouth, they came up with sales racks and clothing. At one point, a thrift store in Hazelton (a town near Twin Falls) was closing and offered its merchandise to Twelve Baskets. With help from others, the women drove three pickup trucks and hauled both a horse trailer and flatbed trailer and loaded up all the items from the Hazelton thrift and moved them to Glenns Ferry.

They got their cash register from the owner of The Hammett Valley Trading Post, who had three surplus registers and gave them one. “People helped me when I started out, and I want to help you,” he told them.

They opened for business in April of 2010. Now, with the help of 12 volunteers, they take in clothing, clean it, iron it and mend it. Carolyn, who worked as a seamstress, does the fix-up work on the clothing. Their goal to help the community has been accomplished in various ways. As June explains it: “Our intention is to serve the community by providing free clothing and other items to those in need, and also provide a place for everyone to shop at reasonable prices. We encourage the participation of the entire community: the churches, the secular organizations, businesses, and school.

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“We tithe to already existing programs in the community such as the Food Bank, the Senior Center, the Prescription Fund, the Disaster Fund and other needs as the Lord leads us. We aid individuals with things such as utility bills, medical expenses, funeral expenses, repairs and more. We are a completely volunteer ministry, with 80 percent of our profits going back into the community. We retain enough for utilities, rent and incidental needs.”

All of the women espouse the value of unifying the community, so that all other philanthropic entities may pool their resources. For instance, the nonprofit Glenns Ferry Thrift Store, though not affiliated with Twelve Baskets, gives all its proceeds to the Disaster Fund. Various churches, rather than each trying to aid people in separate efforts, come together with Twelve Baskets to make a bigger impact in assisting others.

Twelve Baskets is also a place of comfort, or as Carolyn puts it, “This is a ministry, and people say they come here because of the peace and safety. They feel safe to talk about their issues, and we talk to them and pray with them.”

June, Carolyn and Heidi have their own set of problems as well, and don’t try to hide it.

“We have baggage,” said June. Her husband is recovering from cancer surgery; Heidi’s husband has health issues; and Carolyn’s son is quadriplegic, requiring round-the-clock care.

“We have a lot of prayer support from the community,” Carolyn said.

They also enjoy what they do and feel fulfilled by it — and they don’t scrimp on laughter. The “Christ taupe” on the walls isn’t the only faith-based humor the women bring to the min-

istry. In a corner of the store they have a mannequin named Grace. “She’s been redeemed,” June said. “She used to be a stripper in a bar.”

She’s serious. Grace was formerly owned and put on display at a stripper bar. She’s now appropriately dressed in one of the gowns donated to Twelve Baskets.

June owns River Roads Bed & Breakfast (glennsferryidaho. org/river-roads-bed-breakfast). Heidi owns an in-home bookkeeping business, and Carolyn has given up her for-profit seamstress work in order to care for her son. They have full plates, but they’re pressing forward to expand their ministry. As of January, June had completed paperwork to establish Love INC of Elmore County in an effort to be a part of the Love INC movement that has such a strong presence in the Treasure Valley. In so doing, the women would be able to help people with longer-term needs, such as financial planning assistance, counseling, substance abuse recovery and other issues, all through referrals.

Every person counts at Twelve Baskets.

“A young lady with Down Syndrome came in last year, and we were able to deck her out in a beautiful dress for the prom.

Some special young man had invited her, and she was so excited. We are so blessed. How could we not do this?” June asked.

Twelve Baskets Cooperative Ministry is open from 2 to 5 p.m. on Fridays and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. For more information, call (208) 590-3354. n

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Christian Living | March / April 2016 19

COVER STORY The Brighter Side

Night run in darkness leads

Matt Payn with his wife Amy and the couple’s two sons, Seth and Owen. (Courtesy photo)

By Ron Kern I was recently introduced to Matt Payn in a coffee shop, and our conversation went from cordial and topical, to deep discussions, to taking action in no time at all. One thing that is blatantly obvious is his love and compassion for people, and his sincere and genuine interest in helping others. Many people talk about helping others, but Matt does this with action and leading by example.

Matt was born in Washington, moved to Utah when he was 5 years old, then back to Washington, and ultimately finished high school and college in Oregon. He met his bride of 16 years while attending Southern Oregon University. They moved back to Boise, where they were blessed with two young boys and made their home over the last 14 years.

20 March / April 2016 | Christian Living

Our conversation turned to what Matt does and his passion.

He responded with a simple answer, “GoLOVEpeople.” I was intrigued by this straightforward response and asked him what he meant. In order to illustrate his concept, he told the following story to me.

Matt went to bed one night in May and was jolted awake and thought, “I should go for a run to Table Rock.” He peered outside to check the weather, and as he stared at the cross located at the top of Table Rock, a thought pierced him, “You are going to meet someone.”

He dressed, stretched and left for the evening run that he was compelled to take. As he ran, he saw a person in the distance, staggering a bit, and apparently carrying something. Matt continued to run, getting closer to this figure in the night, and although countless red flags were going off in his head, he didn’t waver and pressed forward.

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to GoLOVEpeople Matt was now within speaking distance of this stranger and said, “How are you doing?” The young man was clearly drunk and couldn’t even utter a response that was discernible. Matt started to walk with him and discovered the young man was a freshman attending Boise State University. Due to the alcohol level, this person became very transparent in sharing what most people would consider personal — thoughts and feelings, issues he was having, and misery he was experiencing.

This young man was clearly in great despair, so Matt offered to take him back home, and then would drive him where he needed to be. He replied, “Yeah, that’s a good idea,” as he almost fell while walking.

As Matt continued helping him walk and offered his water bottle to him as a light rain started to fall, the young man said something that stopped Matt in his tracks. This person, drunk and stumbling, who many would have quickly dismissed and avoided, was going to share with Matt why he was out so late near Table Rock.

He said, “As I was walking, I said to God, ‘If you are real show up — or otherwise I’m done.’”

This young man, needing so much love and compassion, had planned on committing suicide by jumping headfirst from the top of Table Rock. Remember, Matt was awakened at night with the thought he was going to meet someone. Ironic? Coincidence? A fluke encounter? I don’t think so either.

Matt continued his story. “It’s not every day that you meet someone that ultimately ends up saving someone’s life.” He paused and said some powerful words that I held on to. “All of the time we encounter instances where we have two options: We can choose to walk past and ignore the situation, or we can take action.”

The seed for GoLOVEpeople was planted. Matt wasn’t always comfortable with meeting or talking with strangers, but now these type of “meetings” happen all of the time.

It’s my opinion that God clearly had His hand in this; however, you must be open and available to Him, not ignore or overlook opportunities to help and serve, and not be scared to take action.

Matt shared other stories where he took action instead of saying, “It’s not my problem,” and it’s continued to grow and develop into something tangible — GoLOVEpeople.com.

Matt’s philosophy is deep and complex; however, the goal of GoLOVEpeople is simple and clear: Inspire Action. He

www.boisechristianliving.com

Matt Payn with his wife Amy and their two sons, Seth (in green) and Owen. (Courtesy photo)

and his team are developing a bridge between inspiration and action. GoLOVEpeople is something that will impact a lot of people, in a positive and sustainable way.

Next to the word “humble” in the dictionary, you could easily have a photo of Matt. GoLOVEpeople is not about him or money, he told me, and I believe him.

Personally, I have no doubt that anyone choosing to get involved with him and GoLOVEpeople will not only be changed themselves, but will help and impact the masses.

The concept of GoLOVEpeople, of which Matt heard the call and is stewarding, will reach outside of Idaho and the United States and become a worldwide call to action, I believe.

This of course involves technology, which doesn’t happen overnight, so stay tuned.

There are very few times when you come across someone so honest and sincere, whose main goal is to help others and demonstrate compassion by turning inspiration into action.

I hope anyone reading this will visit his website, get engaged, and GoLOVEpeople. n A former business owner in Meridian for more than 20 years, Ronald Kern and his wife, Lisa, are now retired. They are founders of Kern Ministry Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit Christian organization that provides life’s essentials, medical supplies and educational resources for children, families and communities worldwide. Kern is an entrepreneur, business and life consultant, author, motivational speaker and philanthropist. Contact him anytime at RonaldAKern.com or TheBrighterSide@icloud.com.

Christian Living | March / April 2016 21

YOUR Daily Bread

Should Christians save for retirement? your employer to see if

By Terry Frisk the company you work I have read discussions on both sides of whether Christians should save for retirement or not. One often-quoted for provides a plan. Many employers will “match” the scripture on the subject is the Parable of the Rich Fool: money you put into the plan, “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. meaning they will contribHe thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store ute an additional amount to my crops.’ Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down your account for every dollar my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus you contribute. Some plans grain. And I’ll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of grain laid up for require you to work a certain many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.’ But God said period of time before you to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from are entitled to the matching you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself ?’ This amount (known as vesting). is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is But many newer plans pronot rich toward God.” — Luke 12:16-21 vide full vesting for matching Terry Frisk Does this mean that God does not intend for us to contributions regardless of “store up” funds for our retirement? I believe it depends how long you were employed by the company. upon our plans for retirement. If we are saving with the Many employers offer two types of plans: a traditional intent to “take life easy; eat drink and be merry,” then we are storing up for ourselves. However, if our plan is to and a Roth plan. A traditional plan allows you to contribute a portion of your paycheck before federal and state spend more time serving God and using our retirement income taxes are deducted, which provides tax savings savings to fund these activities, then we are truly being when you put money in the plan. However, you have to rich toward God. pay taxes when you take money out of the plan. Under a Retirement is a relatively new concept. In the late Roth plan, you put after-tax money in the plan so there 1800’s, the life expectancy for both men and women are no tax savings for making contributions. However, was 45 years of age. People worked from birth to withdrawals at retirement are not taxable so there can death. However, the life expectancy increased be a significant advantage down the road, particudramatically after the turn of the century. In IRAs larly if you start young. Your employer’s human response to the large number of older Americans resource department should be able to help you get who lost everything during the Great Depression CDs started. of the 1930’s and had no source of income, If your employer does not provide a plan, Congress passed the Social Security Act, proSTOCKS consider opening an IRA account. Like emviding benefits for people beginning at age 65, ployer plans, there are both traditional and which was the life expectancy at the time.

BONDS Roth versions available. You can open an IRA Subsequent advances in medical technolthrough almost any large financial institution, ogy pushed the life expectancy even higher.

MUTUAL FUNDS including banks, mutual fund companies and Recognizing that something needed to brokerage firms. You can also talk to your be done to relieve the pressure on Social insurance agent about annuities and life Security, Congress approved a bill in 401K insurance.

1978 that established the framework God expects us to be good stewards for current retirement savings acwith the abundance He provides us. counts. This legislation provided Stewardship is determining the mixture tax relief for people who save of giving, saving and spending in for their own retirement. a way that serves God. Through Today, there are a myriad of prayer, we can determine the programs to help you build right balance in order to be good a retirement savings account. stewards of our money. n These include employer savings plans (401k, 403b, 457 Terry Frisk is a partner in the firm B2B and Thrift Savings Plans), CFO, providing financial advisory services Individual Retirement Accounts to small businesses. He also counsels indi(IRA), annuities and certain types viduals on personal financial matters through of life insurance policies. the Cathedral of the Rockies Budget Counseling Want to establish a retirement ministry. He may be contacted through e-mail at savings account and don’t know terry_frisk@msn.com. where to start? First, check with 22 March / April 2016 | Christian Living

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Bridging the Gap

Keep your cool when discussing hot topics background. That could be very important, so you have to think about what you’re about to “How can you clean up your friend’s say. room, while your room looks horrible?”

With most of this society being a “me first” — Gerthrin Sheppard way of life, it can be so hard to remove your own self and agenda from a discussion. ComThat was the quote I heard a lot from my passion for your fellow man or woman really mother when I was growing up. She would has to be in your core. I believe that if you can say this every time I would help my best friend feel someone else’s pain, that is a God moment. clean up his room. To this day, I don’t know If you can feel their pain, then a well-thoughtwhy I was so quick to help clean his room but out answer can come from you, and that’s how had no desire to clean mine. My mother had you touch someone’s soul. so many quotes that I could write a book. As I The last thing I would say is don’t assume. look back on them, they were great for me as a You know what happens when you assume. You kid, but if I look deeper into them they have a make a (fill in the blank) out of you and me. bigger meaning to me today.

Louis Sheppard This is the worst thing you can do to someone.

I believe for the most part there are good The only thing you’re really telling them is that people in this world, and most of the time those good people they’re wrong. No one wants to hear that. Keep the assumpwant to help their fellow man. At the same time when we are tion to yourself. helping people, do we take the time and look at our own room?

Today it’s all about looking at yourself when bridging the Our own room could be filled with past failures, broken hearts, gap, and if we’re truly honest with ourselves, we all know there bad experiences with race, religion, or marriage. With these is a lot of work to do. The only way to get there is to keep things in the back of your mind, how good can your advice be talking and sharing — and that word “respect” can go a long to help someone? way. It’s not just a great song; it’s a way to live. As my mother First step, examine yourself before you start telling someone always said, “If you can’t say something nice to someone, don’t about a situation that you might have a bias about. How easy say nothing at all.” n is it to throw out your ready-made answer to a problem where you already feel negative about it? I don’t think that’s good Louis J. Sheppard is a former financial advisor turned business owner / advice; that’s getting on your soapbox. Let’s say a conversation speaker / network marketer. He believes in the 3 F’s — Faith, Fitness, about race came up. Can you hear what the other person is and Finance — to help people reach their potential through Isagenix. Origsaying in a non-biased way? That’s something you should ask inally from Queens, N.Y., he has called Idaho home for the last 13 years. yourself.

He is the president of St. Joe’s School Board and president and founder of Another step you should take when discussing a hot topic the Downtown Winners Business Network International Chapter (BNI). with someone is think before you speak. It sounds easy, but Married for 10 years to Jamie Sheppard, the couple has two children: this could be very hard to do. Get into that person’s mindset — there is a reason this conversation is going on. I feel at times JaMarcus, 8, and Brooklyn, 3. For more information, visit 5to9legacy.com or email louis@5to9legacy.com. people might forget where that person came from or their

By Louis Sheppard

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CHALLENGING Faith

Living your purpose when things get tense

(Stock image - pixabay)

By Joel Lund Have you heard the quote, “Life is what happens after you’ve made plans”?

It’s true, isn’t it?

How many times has this happened to you? Just when you think you have something figured out — it’s scheduled, in flow, settled, decided, prepared for, whatever — something unexpected comes along and, boom! A shift happens. Sometimes the shift is like a slight tremor. Noteworthy, maybe, but not too alarming. Other times, that shift can hit you like an earthquake.

Isn’t it odd how, once in a while, a really good thing can shake your life to its foundations? Even topple your clever plans?

A Mess of Stress

The first time I encountered a tool that tries to quantify how we are impacted by changes in our lives (the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale), I was amazed that it included so many good things it categorized as stressful: pregnancy, reconciliation, even vacation. Many things it rated “stressful” we would call “new beginnings.” To my surprise, many experiences listed weren’t just about difficult moments or tragedy breaking in.

Many are pretty normal life events we would not normally associate with stress.

So I applied the scale to, well, me. According to the H&R Stress Scale, we’re at 253 points.

Hmm. That wasn’t part of my plans.

Because that’s pretty high. Over 150 is “concerning.” Over 300 is not, according to these researchers, life-enhancing.

24 March / April 2016 | Christian Living

Yeah, OK. I’ll take a deep breath now. Several, in fact.

Why? My score is already 100+ points above “concerning.”

And there were a couple of items I didn’t count.

What’s amazing is that many of the contributing factors that went onto my Stress Scale score are mostly emotionally positive in nature. Yet, they are stressful.

In our case, quite a few of these points piled up around “son or daughter leaving home” (29 points). We were able to squeeze in a tremendously fun family weekend trip (vacation: 13 points) just before moving our daughter out of the house and into her college dorm (change in living conditions: 25 points). She formally began classes last August (begin or end school: 26 points).

Still, these changes bring stress with them, regardless of whether they are “good” or “bad.” They mess up our plans because they’re major changes. And that’s more than enough.

According to Holmes and Rahe: “The body is a finely timed instrument that does not like surprises. Any sudden change stimuli which affects the body, or the reordering of important routines that the body becomes used to, can cause needless stress, throwing your whole physical being into turmoil.”

Growth = Discomfort

By now you know that here at Prepare For Rain, we believe that living an engaged life often puts you into turmoil. And, yes, turmoil looks and feels a lot like stress.

Living into your purpose doesn’t happen in comfort.

Growth — life-changing growth — takes place in the fertile ground of discomfort.

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Be like a farmer. Remember, it takes grit, determination, and faith to go out and plow the field during a season of drought. But it is in the act of doing so that the farmer prepares for rain.

The farmer intentionally plans to plow and prepare the fields even when the evidence is that there is no reason to. He has to act on his belief that the rains will come, that the crops will grow.

The farmer doesn’t have the option of just waiting until everything lines up perfectly for him to take that big step of faith.

But it’s not like there is a different way the world works for the rest of us. We, too, need to plan for growth to come. We, too, need to act even when the evidence might seem to prove there is no reason to.

So, it is in our acts of doing — something proactive, something that moves us closer to our goals, something that takes us to a new level — that we prepare for rain in our lives.

Benjamin Franklin said, “Some people die at 25 and aren’t buried until 75.”

When we wait for circumstances to be perfect — for the work to be easy, for the field to be plowed for us, for the rains to come when it’s convenient — we’re seeking a life of comfort. We’re attempting to live in a predictable world. We’re trying to control what cannot be controlled. We fail out of our own lives and submit to a life of fear. We die young and get buried later.

The world in which we live deserves better from us. God calls us to be more. We aren’t created for lives of mediocrity.

May your life be filled with more thoughtful, intentional changes. Plan for them. Prepare for them. And may you embrace the tension that comes from living into your purpose.

Now, get out there. Prepare for rain. The world is waiting for you to show up, with your boots caked in mud and a wide grin on your face. Bring it — bring you — with all the gusto you can manage. n Joel Lund, CEO of Prepare For Rain, is a certified business and life coach, specializing in empowering entrepreneurs and business owners to discover their untapped strengths to make a lasting impact in private, public and church sectors. He is an award-winning author in non-fiction and fiction (under his pen-name Brandon King). Starting in his teens, Joel has been inspiring audiences all over North America. In a former life, he earned two degrees in Christian studies and served full-time for eight years in youth ministry. Looking for resources? Visit Joel at PrepareForRain.com and download his complimentary ebook that will inspire you and give you tools to reclaim your dream. You can follow him at Facebook/JoelLundCoach.

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There are many ways to handle the stress that comes with living life on purpose. That’s a primary focus of our coaching. Living in tension is not only possible, it is inevitable. But we get to choose whether we live in tension graciously or not. And, wonder of wonders, it can be liberating to one’s soul to live in tension. You can make plans for the tension.

Plans that even welcome the stress.

Joel Lund This is one of several truths we shared with Jessica on the day she moved out. If you’d like to read more about that, go to http:// bit.ly/PFR-LoveNote. It’s also about beginnings and endings.

Christian Living | March / April 2016 25

CONSIDER This

Mentoring a youth, making him a son

Irene, Chris and Dan Woodworth became a happy family when Irene and Dan adopted Chris (center). The Woodworths mentored Chris through some difficult years, helping him become the young man he is today. (Photo by Barbara Johnson)

By Dan Woodworth In the last issue of Christian Living we discussed the miracle of being mentored. In this article we will explore the astonishing art of being a mentor.

My Most Beautiful Beloved Bride, Irene, and I have mentored many people who are living all over the world. I believe that our Loving Lord desires for me to focus on one particularly powerful experience of one young man that we have mentored.

We met Chris when we planted a new church in a city in south central Idaho in the summer of 1996. Our Living Lord encouraged us to reach out to emerging adults (18-30 years old.) We invited them to our home for dinners and other activities. Over the course of several months we noticed that Chris would want to come to our home and work in our office on the computer. He had long hair hanging over his face and was very quiet. As we spent time with him, we noticed that he was emotionally much younger than his physical 18-year-old body.

Let me explain this experience in explicit detail. He could not talk on the phone, wash his clothes, drive a car, engage in a creative conversation or do many other things. All he could do was eat and sleep and go to school. His mother slept all day because she watched videos all night. Because of the lack of structure in his life he was failing his school courses and had to drop out of college.

As we spent time with him he was open to being mentored.

Notice that he was motivated to be mentored. Every person who is mentored must choose to participate in the experience.

We taught him how to speak on the phone, do a job interview and get hired, how to work with his whole heart serving our Living

26 March / April 2016 | Christian Living

Loving Lord, how to wash his clothes, how to prepare meals and on and on.

After spending four years with him every day for several hours a day, the Lord called us to Portland, Ore. When we were preparing to move, he told us that he had to go with us. We told him that he could come, but he had to find a job and support himself. He agreed and moved with us in September of 2000.

Chris was getting by with his job, but I challenged him to be the best. He received my challenge and received “The Top Gun Award!� He continued to communicate with us several hours a day.

I served Our Loving Lord as a Prison Pastor for a year while Chris was in the choir in our church. He enjoyed worship and excelled in that ministry.

We were called out of that church in January of 2002. We prayed and fasted off and on for two months and the first weekend in March Our Astonishing Abba spoke clearly on that Sunday morning. He told us to visit East Hill Church in Gresham (a suburb adjacent to the east end of Portland). We met Pastor Ted Roberts and he asked Chris what his relationship was to us. He said that we were first his pastors, then his mentors and now we were like his spiritual parents.

I was invited by Pastor Ted to be a Pioneer Pastor with preparation to plant a new church in the Portland area. At his suggestion, my Most Beautiful Bride, Irene, Chris and I went through their two-year Restoration Ministry. It was a miracle healing time for all of us.

On December 9, 2003, as I was praying by my bed about 9 p.m., I had a vision of Jesus wrapping his nail pierced hands around my

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heart and pointing it toward Boise. We moved on January 10, 2004 back to Boise after both of my parents went to heaven. Guess who wanted to come with us? Our Conquering Champion in Christ, Chris.

He wanted to live with us to see how a Healing Husband and Beautiful Bride relate to each other. He had no idea what marriage looked like due to his father leaving after his mother divorced him when Chris was 3 years old. His mother was physically and emotionally absent from Chris. He had no model for a Healing Husband and Beautiful Bride in a spiritual, emotional and romantic relationship.

During the past 12 years, we have spent many hours, days, weeks, months and years counseling and praying for Chris. Our Loving Lord has graciously restored him and healed him in many miraculous ways. He has faced the fear of rejection, fear of failure and fear of abandonment and received Lavish Love, Absolute Acceptance and Victorious Value from Our Living Loving Lord through us. He continues to be healed and he is becoming whole day by day as Our Astonishing Abba works For Us, In Us and Through Us with His miracle of mentoring Chris through us.

The miracle of mentoring happens when we allow Our Loving Lord to live through us with the revelation, love, grace, mercy and compassion of our Captivating Christ for Chris. As we have been miraculously mentored from the late great Evangelist Ann Wright, we are able to miraculously mentor Chris.

In October of 2006, Chris went to see his father for a week. During that time he asked him why he left and told him how hard it was growing up without a father. (He felt like his dad was a distant uncle he would see once a year for a week.) His father told him that when our father and mother forsake us, the Lord will take us up.

(Psalm 27:10) Chris felt like that was a cop-out, and he felt like his father did not take responsibility for abandoning him. He felt like his response was a “religious” escape that his dad used to make Chris “feel better.”

Several times during the previous years since we moved to Boise, we asked Chris if he wanted us to adopt him. He felt like he would be betraying his father if he did get adopted. But after that trip he felt that our Loving Lord wanted him to be adopted by us. He needed a new identity.

We found an attorney in Nampa who was willing to take on our case. Several other attorneys said it was too much work for them.

We met with Judge Minder at the Ada County Courthouse in Boise on January 24, 2007. After hearing our story she made an exception to the law in Idaho and granted us the adoption. The law states that children over 18 cannot be adopted because they are generally trying to get away from bad debt or they prey on older people to get money. The miracle of mentoring changed her heart and the miracle of adoption was granted by her and Our Loving Lord.

We met Chris when he was 18. We adopted him when he was 29.

That 11-year period was a time of miracle mentoring.

On October 24, 2007 (exactly nine months later), Judge Bieter granted a name change for Chris to our last name. We and Chris had our spiritual destinies forever changed because of the miracle of mentoring.

Chris has learned how to drive, wash his clothes, prepare meals, clean, work with integrity with his whole heart (Colossians 3:23), engage in creative conversations and continually be transformed into the image of Christ in ever-increasing splendor day by day. (2 Corinthians 3:18) His fear is being transformed into fun and fulfillment. His hurt is being transformed into hope and healing. His pain is being transformed into peace and power. His trauma is being transformed into tranquility and triumph. Moment by moment. Miracle by miracle.

Chris is our Sensational Spectacular Son! He is our successor!

The miracle of mentoring can be experienced by anyone who has experienced the miracle of being mentored. Ask Our Loving Lord to reveal his perfect plan for you. n Dr. Dan Woodworth earned his Doctor of Ministry (DMin) degree from the King’s University in Los Angeles in 2009. His passion is to encourage and empower people with the transforming power of hope and healing to become all they are created to be. He and his beautiful bride, Irene, have planted three churches. They are in the process of creating a cross/cultural, cross/generational healing community solving pressing problems in Boise and beyond. He may be reached at dan@danwoodworth.org.

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Christian Living | March / April 2016 27

PROJECT 88.7

Radio station targets ‘activist generation’

By Gaye Bunderson Parents most likely will not be fans of the music that is featured on KTSY’s newest “sister” station, Project 88.7, and that’s a good thing. It’s really meant to please youth, to get them excited, and to cater to the things that appeal to them — it’s not their mother’s radio station.

“The focus is not toward families and moms but toward an activist generation. A lot of KTSY listeners won’t like the music,” Brian Yeager, general manager of both stations, said.

The target audience is young people ages 15 to 30, a demographic Yeager describes as very passionate about social justice and making the world a better place.

Musicians include: hip hop artist TobyMac; hip hop artist Lecrae; rap artist Tripple M; hip hop artists Group 1 Crew; hip hop rapper Nathan John “Nate” Feuerstein, stage name NF; and pop duo Capital Kings, among others.

The music style is what young people are currently listening to on non-Christian radio stations but minus the violence and profanity. While the music may sound different to longtime listeners of KTSY, the lyrics remain steadfastly Jesus-focused.

“What our kids are listening to is repulsive,” Yeager said, and to prove his point he played a sample of popular rap songs.

It’s not your mother’s music, for sure. The GM said that even youth in Christian schools are exposed to that musical style.

They like the energy, the attitude, and the sound of the genre, so why not give them all that with lyrics that inspire rather than denigrate?

The on-air talent includes Wally, described as “Christian radio’s funny guy.”

“He’s crazy,” Yeager said.

During an interview in January at the offices of KTSY, Yeager said the DJs who would follow Wally on the air were “a surprise lineup we’re not telling anyone about right now.” It remained a mystery by the time this magazine went to the printer.

High school and college students are also DJs on the station late in the evening and early in the morning, further helping make the station youth-relevant.

KTSY listeners helped fund the launch of 88.7 during an on-air appeal around Christmas this past December.

“We nailed it,” Yeager said. “We went above and beyond.”

The station’s goal was $50,000, and it raised $54,000 thanks to the generosity of faithful fans throughout the valley.

“Donations came from people with kids, the kids were giving, and people who are middle-aged were saying, ‘I’m excited about this for myself,’” said Yeager.

He and others involved with the station are excited about Project 88.7 too.

“It’s just starting out. It’s going to grow, with sporting events and youth groups. Be part of the fun,” he said. n

Above right: Some of the on-air talent on 88.7 will include the duo Brant and Sherri. Above: Christian radio’s “funny guy,” Wally (with arms crossed) will entertain listeners of 88.7 with his own brand of comedy. His radio cohorts include, from left, Becca, Betty Rock, and Zack. (Courtesy photos)

28 March / April 2016 | Christian Living

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TEEN mountain rescue

Seeming coincidences add up to lives saved

Doug Gross, center, with sons Evan and Justin on the summit of Mount St. Helens 12 years after Justin and other teens helped save stranded skiers. (Photo provided by Doug Gross)

By Doug Gross

A Short Climb in the Rain

I thought this would be one of those trips where we would climb for a couple of hours in the rain, get soaked and head back to base camp. After weeks of drought in the Northwest, it was going to rain on our winter climbing expedition to Mount St. Helens.

A five-hour trip took us to Marble Mount Snow Park, elevation 2,700 feet. It was snowing a light, wet snow. Sleep came about midnight, ushered in by the unexpected hooting of a nearby owl and the totally expected chatter of Rebecca, Julie and Melissa, three happy teenage members of our Venture Crew. There were 11 of us in all, nestled in our tents, including five adults and six kids ages 16 to 18. (God Thing #1: We never drive five hours to climb in the rain.)

5:00 a.m. came right on schedule, but (God Thing #2: our 6:00 a.m. departure was delayed) by the usual unfamiliarity that accompanies new recruits. The six members of our climbing team (two dads and four young adults) left camp at 7:30. We use a summit checklist to assure that every member of the crew carries adequate emergency equipment. Among other things this includes food for an extra day, stove, 22 ounces of fuel, headlamps, altimeters, cell phone, snow shovels and two-way radios.

Our climb was a “walk up,” nothing technical, no crevasses.

The weather and visibility deteriorated very gradually as we ascended and, of course, the wind, mist and sleet increased as we followed the serpentine ridge to the more exposed elevations. Because of its popularity, the “Worm Flow” route is well marked with 6-foot posts, and the snow level was low enough that they weren’t covered over.

30 March / April 2016 | Christian Living

During our climb we encountered only a handful of other climbers, some with skis or snowboards, others just climbing like us. All were wearing snowshoes or skis to accommodate the soft conditions underfoot. When we reached the 7,200-foot level, we caught up with a couple of skiers who asked us the elevation. They decided to start hiking down from that point because the footing was getting too icy for their skis.

We put on our crampons and continued up to 8,000 feet, where we stopped. Between gusts, we took a few pictures in the 40-mph winds and freezing mist and headed back down.

At this point visibility was down to about a hundred feet and the temperature was hovering near freezing. Every piece of equipment was weighted down with as much as an inch of ice from the blowing mist. (God Thing #3: Visibility too poor to approach the summit 300 feet above us.) Our jackets were wet, but we were dry on the inside. As we descended we found and picked up our route markers, typically called “wands.”

Words You Don’t Want to Hear

At 3:30 we reached the 5,300-foot level when my 17-yearold son, Justin, heard someone below yelling for help. He relayed the message up to me. I yelled down, “What’s the problem?” And the answer came back, “Broken femur.” This was serious. In the heavy blowing mist, poor visibility and temperature near freezing, there wouldn’t be an aerial rescue.

(God Thing #4: We were about 60 yards to the west of our intended route of descent.) When we reached the accident site, we were reunited with two young skiers we had chatted with earlier.

Steve Grotta, 21, was laying on a flat area below some rocks

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The Unbreakable Promise

We had to prepare Steve and Mels for a bivouac overnight without a tent, sleeping bags or pad. Mels was scared. It was a dangerous situation for them and he was in shock, not thinking clearly. This was the classic situation where people die, not from their injuries but from exposure — hypothermia. He must have thanked me six times, but several times he got right in my face and asked me, “Are they going to come tonight, and what do I do if they don’t show up by morning?”

Finally, I grabbed him by the shoulders, looked him straight in the eye and promised, “I will not go to sleep tonight without confirming that a rescue is being executed. No matter what happens, don’t move. You must stay here with Steve and use body to body contact to stay warm if necessary. Do you understand?” He said he did.

Boy this could be one long night, I thought.

Mels interrupted my worry with, “What about me? How do I stay warm? I’m already wet.”

In his pack Mels had additional clothing, including some heavy wool pants. Before leaving, the only reasonable thing to do was to leave a lot of food with them, and our stove and fuel for melting snow. Food started pouring out of everybody’s pack like a church social. The stove was set up and running.

Mels was instructed to put on the wool pants, cook and eat all the food the two of them could, set his skis up against the snow wall, get into his own bivy bag, sit on his backpack and lean against the skis. We had done everything we could think of to enhance their ability to survive the night without succumbing to hypothermia.

At 7:00 p.m., nearly dark and our crew still two or three hours from our base camp, we downed some big calorie snacks and water, and with headlamps on, began our descent. The most important of our efforts: we circled around Steve to pray.

(God Thing #5: Steve’s hands were the first extended as we asked for God’s help and protection.) Mels was hugged and reassured by each of the six of us. They would be on their own now, and they were about 50 yards west of the trail. We used our wands to mark the route so the rescuers we hoped were coming would find them easily.

Continued on page 33

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with his leg in traction, poorly insulated from the snow and with no protection from the wind other than a space tarp that was laid over him. It was he who had instructed his partner and roommate, Mels Olson, on how to set up the traction for his broken leg using his skis, bandanas and rope. He had made only about five turns on his skis when he fell into an exposed rock.

Through the opening in his parka hood, I could see only his face. We had to assess his condition first and found that his pain was tolerable because Mels had given him several Advil. He was lucid, able to focus on me when I spoke to him, but looked pale and was in a constant shiver. His limited insulation from the snow consisted of his clothing, a bivouac bag for shelter, and about one square foot of closed cell foam. The two young men were out of water and had only a few saltine crackers and a small jar of peanut butter.

One of our crew, Dave Sandoz, connected on a 911 call after 20 attempts, giving our emergency, route and elevation information. The operator said, “OK,” and the connection was lost.

Neither Dave’s phone nor mine would connect again. We had no idea when a rescue team would arrive. A helicopter was out of the question because of the freezing rain, high winds and low visibility.

In the meantime, everybody donated their closed cell sit pads and we placed them under Steve, but he was still shivering. “We need to warm him from the inside out and build a snow shelter to get him out of the weather,” someone said.

Needing no more encouragement that that, Derek Moser, 16, Kris Holden, 16, and Justin started digging a snow cave but found a layer of hard ice more than a foot thick. Impossible.

They immediately shifted to building a snow wall. Using skis, snow shovels and a snow saw, they cut snow blocks and built a “U”-shaped shelter to about 7 feet high. It kept a good deal of the wind off Steve. I offered him some soup, which he refused.

No surprise. Julie got out the stove and started melting snow for hot water bottles and cooking, and eventually Steve ate a hearty meal of Noodles Parmesan. We got most of his body into one of our bivy bags. His shivering subsided to ‘just sporadic.’

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Christian Living | March / April 2016 31

REAL Man’s Toolbox

God is calling you to leadership

By Leo Hellyer In the last edition of Real Man’s Toolbox, we looked at the fact that, “It takes courage to dream, especially to dream Godsized dreams.” As we pursue the God-sized dreams He gives us, He calls us to do something. Whether in ministry, marriage, life, or business, God calls us to lead.

Leadership can be scary, time-consuming, exhausting, stressful, etc. Usually if we have negative feelings about leadership, it is because, at some time in our lives, we have experienced a relationship with a leader who may have exhibited negative leadership traits. As Christians we are not to lead in our strength, but in God’s.

As we pursue God’s call — God’s mandate to lead — we need to seek His wisdom in how He would want us to fulfill His call for us to lead. We are all called to lead at some level.

To be a leader who makes a difference, a leader who honors God in leadership, we need to prayerfully seek God’s guidance, however He may present it to us. One of the clearest and most complete tools on leadership that I have found is a book by Albert Mohler titled, “The Conviction to Lead.”

In this book, Mohler presents 25 Principles for Leadership That Matters. I suggest that you add this book to your Real Man’s Toolbox. Let’s look into just a couple of his principles of leadership.

As Christian men, we have a unique responsibility to live all of our lives in a manner that honors God. Mohler states, “Wherever Christian leaders serve, in the church or in the secular world, their leadership should be driven by distinctly Christian conviction.”

A leader’s character speaks volumes about his true ability to lead. There are many styles of leadership, but if a leader is to be truly successful, and particularly if a leader is to be a godly leader, he must present a godly character. Mohler says, “Character is indispensable to credibility, and credibility is essential to leadership.”

People follow, respect, and support leaders whose character reflects a godly heart. For lack of a better expression, as leaders we need to practice what we preach. If we say one thing but our actions reflect something entirely different, we lose credibility in the eyes of those we are trying to lead. Mohler also says, “The good news is that credibility can be earned. The bad news is that it can also be lost.”

There are many great leaders for us to seek to be like.

They are found in all areas of life. As we look at possible leaders to follow as we seek to lead, we cannot find a better example than Jesus Christ. Jesus is full of character, credibility, conviction, intelligence, passion, and humility, to name a few of His attributes.

As leaders, we need to have a very close relationship to Jesus.

We need to have a high-speed, high-capacity, secure connection to Jesus Christ if we are to be the leaders He wants us to be. Many things face leaders on a daily basis, but none of these challenges are too much for our Mentor, Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, to handle.

Many of us would love to have the ability to call on Franklin Graham, Tony Dungy, John MacArthur, or Charles Stanley when we have questions Leo Hellyer about leadership as a Christian.

Each of us has a direct, always open, connection to the No. 1 Christian Leader, Jesus Christ. The line is always open on His end. There may be a disconnected line, or static, or conflicting messages on our end, but that is our fault, not His. He is always eager to communicate with us. He is always available.

He is always ready to guide and love us. When we are not hearing or experiencing God communicating with us, there is something wrong on our end of the line.

If you want to be the best leader that you can be, the leader that God designed and wants you to be, upgrade the quality of your connection to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Men provide us with leadership guidance that can stimulate us, motivate us, and challenge us, but God has the power to breathe into us and mold us into the leader He wants us to be.

Wow! We have constant access to the God of the universe.

Are you excited? I hope so. This access cannot be bought, it cannot be earned, and it is priceless. This access has been given to you and me by our Heavenly Father who loves us unconditionally, as we are, wherever we are, as long as we will acknowledge His gift and follow Him. n Leo Hellyer is a non-staff pastor with a local church and has been married to his wife, Norma, for 43 years. The couple volunteered with FamilyLife on its Boise ministry team for 20 years. They are both employed by Boise Rescue Mission Ministries, Norma at City Light Home for Women & Children and Leo at River of Life Rescue Mission. They may be reached at silverplate426@msn.com. If you have questions about Marriage Toolbox, or need other assistance, Leo may be reached at (208) 344-1357.

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Mountain Rescue Continued from page 31

The way down was a simple walk in snowshoes, but we were spent. Around 7:30 we encountered two climbers who had committed earlier to bring sleeping bags back up to the skiers. Exhausted, they reached the skiers at 10:30 and put a roof on the shelter using skis and a rain fly from their tent. (God Thing #6: The rain fly from their tent fit perfectly over the “U”-shaped snow wall we’d built.) Around 8:00 and now below tree line, we met three Clark County Volunteer Paramedics. They reached the accident site at 12:15 a.m.

Altogether it took 12 people taking turns to man Steve’s sled and skid him down the mountain from 5,200 feet to the trailhead at 2,700 feet. The two climbers we met were virtually being rescued too, because of their exhaustion.

Throughout the day our progress was monitored by radio from June Lake by my wife, Cam. We were reunited with her and others at the junction and hiked to June Lake with them. We made it to base camp at 10:30.

God’s Obvious Role in the Day (Coincidences?)

1. Good visibility at base camp encouraged us to proceed with the climb.

2. The hour and a half delay placed us at the accident scene on time.

3. We were the last climbers above the accident scene.

4. On our descent, we approached the accident scene from directly above, which put us within shouting distance of Mels.

5. Justin brought a fleece vest for the first time, which was given to Derek when he started to get cold.

6. Julie, on her first climb, brought a neoprene face mask, which Derek used.

7. We had two cell phones. There is only one on the checklist.

8. We brought four snow shovels instead of two.

9. The stove got shut off before filling all of the water bottles belonging to Mels and Steve. This brought to our attention that we should leave it with them.

10. Our snowshoers got a nap during the afternoon and were well rested to carry some of our gear back to base camp and care for us at the end of the day.

11. The rain fly that the returning climbers brought up was the same size as the shelter and covered all four of them completely. n Doug and Cam Gross live in Eagle. They are independent distributors for the Advocare Co.

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Christian Living | March / April 2016 33

MAXIMUM Health

The top five anti-inflammatory foods

By Rosie Main Inflammation is an immunological process of self-repair in which the body works to destroy abnormal pathogens, dead cells and abnormal tissue. When inflammation becomes a chronic condition, it becomes more destructive to the body and can cause major health problems. Controlling inflammation through nutrition and lifestyle has to be a central focus to achieve your health goals.

I believe deep within my spirit that God created us for incredible health and vitality and desires for us to look to nature to provide the resources for health and well-being. Here are five of the most important anti-inflammatory foods.

1. Turmeric: Turmeric is loaded with curcuminoid antioxidants that powerfully reduce inflammation, improve detoxification and reduce cancer cell formation in the body.

Using turmeric on your dishes is one of the best natural health strategies you can apply.

I recommend using it with coconut milk for an anti-inflammatory milk, putting it on meats and in coconut cups. It is best absorbed when combined with good fats and a pinch of black pepper.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV): This fermented tonic is loaded with enzymes and organic acids. It is a natural sterilizing agent that has been shown to improve digestive function, stabilize blood sugar, reduce inflammation and improve skin tone. I use ACV like I use lemon, in water and on foods (particularly meat and vegetables) before consuming them. It helps to pre-digest the meat and veggies and reduces stress on our digestive system. ACV also helps to reduce the microbial load throughout the body and improves the use of digestive juices such as stomach acid, bile and pancreatic enzymes.

3. Lemon: Lemon is loaded with vitamin C, citrus bioflavonoids (vitamin P), live enzymes and potassium. It is one of the best things to help the liver and kidneys to detoxify and it improves circulation and cellular oxygenation.

I recommend using fresh squeezed lemon or lemon essential oil in your water each morning (and throughout the day if possible) to improve liver cleansing.

I also recommend squeezing lemon on your meat and veggies in order to allow the enzymes and citric acid to begin metabolizing these things before consuming them. Additionally, lemon helps to stimulate stomach acid, bile and pancreatic enzyme production for more optimal digestion.

4. Ginger: Ginger is composed of several volatile oils that are powerful anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, antiparasitic agents. In addition, it inhibits cancer cell formation while firing up our body’s own inborn ability to destroy the cancer cells formerly present.

Additionally, ginger helps protect the body’s stores of the super anti-oxidant and free radical destroyer. Ginger is also a powerful anti-nausea agent and improves the production of digestive juices (stomach acid, bile and pancreatic enzymes) to enhance digestion.

34 March / April 2016 | Christian Living

• Drink a cup of organic ginger tea every day.

• Grate fresh ginger or use dried ginger on your salad, meat and steamed veggies.

• Drink ginger coconut water kefir (Kevita brand – Lemon Ginger is excellent).

• Get ginger root and put an inch or so in per eight ounces of juice. Anymore can give too much bite.

5. Coconut oil: This superfood is loaded with healthy fats, including lauric acid which is found in a high quantity within Rosie Main mother’s milk. Coconut fats help you to burn fat, improve brain function and reduce whole body inflammatory levels. It is great to consume in your shakes and smoothies and you can put it on your skin and the components will cross into your bloodstream transdermally.

I recommend using coconut oil to cook with because it cannot be denatured under high heat. If you don’t like the coconut flavor, then use a high quality MCT oil, which has all the same benefits but no coconut flavor.

Try this amazing Healing Dressing on your salad: ½ cup olive oil, ¼ cup apple cider vinegar, 3 inches tumeric, 1 inch ginger, 2 cloves garlic, 2-4 droppers Stevia, 2 tablespoons balsamic (optional 3 tablespoons of plain goat kefir) n

Sources:

1. Lee KH, Abas F, Alitheen NB, Shaari K, Lajis NH, Ahmad S. A curcumin derivative, 2,6bis(2,5-dimethoxybenzylidene)-cyclohexanone (BDMC33) attenuates prostaglandin E2 synthesis via selective suppression of cyclooxygenase-2 in IFN-/LPS-stimulated macrophages. Molecules. 2011 Nov 23;16(11):9728-38. PMID: 22113581 2. Johnston CS, Gaas CA. Vinegar: Medicinal Uses and Antiglycemic Effect.Medscape General Medicine.2006 May; 8(2):61.

PMCID:1785201 3. Rahmani AH, Shabrmi FM, Aly SM. Active ingredients of ginger as potential candidates in the prevention and treatment of diseases via modulation of biological activities. Int J Physiol Pa.0thophysiol Pharmacol. 2014 Jul 12;6(2):125-36. eCollection 2014. Review.

PMID: 25057339 4. Bach AC, Babayan VK. Medium-chain triglycerides: an update. Am J Clin Nutr. 1982 Nov;36(5):950-62. PMID: 6814231

Rosie Main is a chiropractor, USA team doctor and a Maximized Living doctor. She owns Main Health Solutions at 2300 W. Everest Lane, Suite 175, in Meridian. She is also the host of Maximized Living Radio on 94.1 The Voice and KIDO 580 AM. She may be reached at (208) 859-6170 or rjmaindc@yahoo.com. For more information, visit MaximizedLivingDrMain.com.

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UNDERSTANDING Relationships

Communication is not the key to marriage society is trying to get us to believe that we are

By Gary Moore really alike, just “dressed up” in different bodies. I We’ve all heard it… “Communication is the key have found that since we don’t understand just how to your marriage.” I have been working with coureally different men and women are, many of the ples over the past 11 years. I’ve found something things that cause us issues in our relationships are during that time that has to happen before positive just male/female differences. And since we don’t communication can happen — mutual understanding. understand that, we attribute the “issues” to all If I don’t understand why my wife and I interact kinds of other things, including — he/she doesn’t the way we do, I make assumptions and assign molove me, I married the wrong person, our marriage tive to the reasons behind our interaction. When is in trouble — when in fact, it may just boil down I do this: (1) I’m usually wrong; (2) I always assign to male/female differences. God has quite a sense motive to protect my own position. And then I of humor. wonder why we can’t communicate.

4. We don’t have realistic expectations. Most of Over the years I have isolated five major areas us don’t realize that all marriages have issues of where mutual understanding has to happen so we one type or another. In fact, 1 Corinthians 7:28 can have the level of communication we desire. says that “those who marry will face troubles in this 1. We have to recognize that no one has taught Gary Moore life.” The goal is not a trouble-free marriage. Sucus how to “do relationship.” We learn how to “do relationship” by observing those who are significant in our lives. We cessful marriages are those in which the couple can identify issues when they are small, understand where they come from, and have a either like the way they did it and try to emulate them, or, we don’t like the way they did it and we try to do just the opposite. We make method worked out to address the issues before they grow.

5. We don’t really understand the practical application of what our attempts based on a trial and error method rather than underEphesians 5:33 is telling us when men are commanded to love their standing there are rules for relationships. And during this time of trial and error, we are heavily influenced by society’s definition of a wives and wives are commanded to respect their husbands. We both need love and respect. However, God has placed a deep emogood relationship and the roles of men and women. tional need in women for love that men do not have. And, He has 2. Most of us don’t know how we or our spouse are “wired” placed a deep emotional need for respect in men that women don’t and how our different personality types interact with each other. have. Since we don’t have each other’s need, we don’t understand What does “normal” look like for my wife and me? We are usually or relate to it. attracted to each other by opposite personality types and behavior.

My experience has been that once couples gain mutual underHowever, once we get married, the opposites don’t go away; we’re standing in these five areas, they experience the communication now in closer proximity and for extended periods of time. And, they so desire. guess what? Those opposites that attracted are not only still there, Mutual understanding — the real key to your marriage. n they are magnified and now they don’t do much in the way of attracting — now they grate.

Gary Moore is currently a part-time staff member at Cloverdale Church of God 3. Most of us have no real knowledge of just how different men in charge of Adult Education. He’s served as associate pastor there for the past and women really are — and not just anatomically. We process 11 years. He’s principal of .003 Coaching, providing life coaching, couples’ life differently. Genesis 1:27 says, “…male and female, he crecoaching and business coaching locally and around the country. ated them…” Men and women were created to be different. Our

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Christian Living | March / April 2016 35

A SAFE Place

Bringing healing from abusive relationships

By Hilarey Johnson “Statistically, abusive relationships are one in four,” says Kapri Walsh, Executive Director of Safe Place Ministries (SPM) in Boise. “It is not a statistic that changes within the borders of the church.”

In other words, don’t assume believers are immune to abuse and destruction. She says, “It is happening. It may look different,” but she goes on to say that it has equal devastation in the home.

In 1995 a body of believers found this to be true. The same issues kept coming up in their circle. It became obvious something was needed to serve Christian women while still honoring their faith.

At the time, “They had to choose between their faith or… their safety, if they were in a domestic violence situation,” says Kapri.

Out of a desire to figure the issue out — and not be simplistic — the group began in a sewing room.

“Research shows that 95 percent of people, when they start dealing with these issues, go to people of faith, first. Unfortunately, it’s the least effective help when you interview them later.” Kapri Walsh has been affiliated with SPM for 12 of the 20 years since it began and on staff for nine.

SPM is not an emergency shelter. They exist to train and to serve. Walsh says, “Really the goal is twofold: to serve people who are dealing with these issues directly, and to educate anyone and everyone who will hear our unique way of how to deal with abuse.”

It is unique. You won’t find secular counseling jargon with a verse tacked on the end at SPM. They help anyone, all faiths, but it will be from within the context of a Bible-based, Christian perspective. They also help regardless of ability to pay.

Other than the counseling costs, they are funded predominately by private donations and a few small grants.

This locally birthed, funded and operated ministry provides one on one mentoring, spiritual care, and practical training.

“We tend to work with people much longer than traditional counselors do.” This includes things like social services issues, finding a place to live, job training, legal advocacy, etc.

“Ninety-seven percent of people dealing with domestic violence do not ever enter the shelter system,” she said, speaking of crisis shelters. Additionally, even after the crisis, there are still issues that need resolution. SPM is available long term. “As long as they need us, and as long as it is appropriate,” Walsh adds.

Ideal candidates for SPM’s services would be anyone who has experienced domestic abuse, sexual assault, or childhood sexual abuse and wants to deal with it Biblically. Because they honor conservative culture, they have a unique capability to interface with the growing refugee population. They also benefit women who need anonymity or anyone not aided by a high profile, traditional counseling situation.

Ideal candidates for SPM’s training includes pastors, elders, male and female leaders, counselors, “people helpers,” and any person who wants to know more about abuse, how to identify it, and how to effectively serve people dealing with it. They’re available for anything from a quick overview in a staff meeting to a course designed to take several weeks.

“I would love to see more men raised up who know how to appropriately deal with this issue.” Walsh emphasized that

36 March / April 2016 | Christian Living

(Stock photo)

sometimes the church is seen as a place which fosters abuse and that it can be true. “Occasionally we become a haven for people who want to use submission in an inappropriate way.”

Walsh admitted, “Godly men who are not abusers find this so unbelievable.” Speaking within the context of the church, she warned that uninformed people often step into a role where they inadvertently make the situation worse.

The idea is to learn that abuse plays by a different rule book — and if you have no experience of abuse, you don’t realize there are not two mutually good-willed people working toward a common goal.

Walsh believes it’s important to understand the essence of abuse, rather than define it specifically, and see the different

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forms it takes in the confines of a believer’s home. She believes God would not have us minimize the damage our sin causes each other, and that destructive relationships destroy.

Walsh believes we should put more emphasis on early intervention instead of crisis management. “How much more effective would it be to teach kids at a young age relationship patterns that might be destructive?” Most of all, she would like all of us to know what a healthy relationship looks like, and what to do if we cross into the area where something is abusive or destructive.

“I will tell you, there is no such thing as just physical abuse.

There will always be verbal, psychological, and emotional abuse going on underneath that.” She also emphasized that there can be spiritual, verbal, and emotional abuse without the physical violence.

“Most of the time, what people don’t realize, it isn’t necessarily that somebody couldn’t be physically violent; it’s that the person living with them has learned… how to keep that from escalating.”

She wants the same equipping for the whole body of Christ.

“What a great joy it would be to be part of the solution, to be a place where we appropriately deal, not only with abuse victims, but with those who are struggling with abuse. They are also victims, also people getting cheated out of the best that God would have for them.” She desires this so we can have a heart of compassion, and a heart of accountability toward both parties.

Sometimes, even though you know God, what you have experienced in your life carries over as “normal.” She warns, what feels normal in a broken world is still broken. “God wants to mature us to spiritual adults.” Walsh doesn’t believe there is one person who hasn’t experienced destruction in their life — but not everyone experiences it on a continuing basis.

The earlier people seek help for this issue, the more likelihood of a better outcome. She said that if you wait until someone feels like they are going to die if they stay, SPM’s role becomes like an oncologist who only sees people during the last stage of cancer.

She said, “Loving one another well is not allowing them to be their worst selves.”

Walsh said abuse is a modern word, and not used in scripture the way we understand it. However, “We see God’s heart toward people who are oppressed, in bondage or marginalized in society… Second only to salvation is God’s heart towards the disenfranchised, the minimized and the people who have no one to speak on their behalf.” Finally, she believes He wants us to love them all wisely.

“It’s amazing when people who have experienced lifelong abuse come back and be resurrected in such a way they can actually go do the work better than I can.” This is a success to Walsh, when an individual begins to affect their mission field — the world where God has called them — and they become a safe place.

For more information, visit safeplaceministries.com. n

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SLEEP In Heavenly Peace

Children find rest on specially made beds

Sleep In Heavenly Peace volunteer Joey Kozlowski, left, works with an unidentified volunteer to make beds for children. (Photo by Jordan Allen)

By Gaye Bunderson For most people in the Gem State, it’s hard to imagine not having a bed to sleep on at night. There are a number of children, however, who do not have a bed to fall into when darkness comes. More surprisingly, they have never had a bed their entire lives.

Enter a nonprofit called Sleep In Heavenly Peace. The nonprofit makes bunk beds for free and delivers them to the residences of children in need of a good night’s rest in warmth and comfort. It was founded by two young, small-town Idaho men: Luke Mickelson and Jordan Allen.

“We thought it up in some garage in Kimberly,” said Jordan, who is the Boise chapter president of the nonprofit.

The first bed was actually made by Luke. He had been playing video games when he started thinking he should be doing something more useful. So he built a set of bunk beds and put a notice online that he was giving the set away to anyone who could use it. He was surprised by the outpouring of need.

“The response was pretty big,” said Jordan, who decided to travel from Boise to the Magic Valley to help his boyhood friend make another bunk. When it was finished, he helped deliver it to a single mother and her young daughter.

38 March / April 2016 | Christian Living

“It was an experience I will not forget,” he said.

Entering the residence in a lower income neighborhood, he spotted the only things the small family had: a hot plate on the floor and a can of SpaghettiOs. The little girl, age 7, had been sleeping nightly on a pile of clothing. She actually hugged the bed when she saw it and realized it was her very own.

“It touched my heart,” Jordan said.

That was in 2011, and what started out as a thoughtful project turned into a 501(c)(3) that continues to make bunk beds with volunteer help and individual and corporate donations.

Jordan gave a nod to the generosity of such corporations as RC Willey, which contributes mattresses at discount prices — “they have been great to work with,” he said — and to Lowe’s.

“The organization wouldn’t exist today the way it is without Lowe’s,” he said. “They are the most generous company we work with.”

The discount the store gives SHP doubles the amount of beds they are able to make and donate. The organization gives Lowe’s a list of its lumber needs, and when someone from SHP goes to pick up the order, it is bundled and Lowe’s staff helps load it up. The organization also needs hardware, drills

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For more information, contact Jordan Allen at jallen@lithia.com or go to sleepinheavenlypeace.org. n www.boisechristianliving.com

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and saws and has been able to work with the home improvement company on obtaining those and other necessary construction items on a cost-effective basis.

Asked why he feels Lowe’s has been so willing to step up and help out Sleep In Heavenly Peace, Jordan said, “This has really resonated with them. They know beds will go to needy kids.”

Other ways corporations pitch in are through Build Days.

That’s when companies send employees to construct beds as a team-building event with a giving-back component. Now that Sleep In Heavenly Peace is entering its fifth year, it has streamlined the bunk bed-making process.

“We’re an assembly line now,” Jordan said. Jordan, Luke and a third partner, Carl Weeks, refined the system and have the equipment now to be able to make 15 bunk beds with a volunteer crew of 20 to 30 people in about four hours.

“Anyone can jump in and help,” Jordan said, and that includes men, women and children.

Jordan, who earned an MBA, works in Boise as a talent acquisition and development manager for Lithia Motors Inc., a Fortune 500 company, and Luke works in Twin Falls as an executive vice president of sales and marketing for Watertech Inc. Neither man has a carpentry background.

“We are just tinkerers around the house,” Jordan said. But their bunk bed blueprint has helped, and continues to help, other communities in Idaho and Utah start their own Sleep In Heavenly Peace chapters.

Jordan is quick to give a shout out to his and Luke’s wives.

“Luke and I do the heavy lifting, but our wives’ support is just as important.”

Heidi Mickelson and Heather Allen find sheets and pillows for the beds, locate people in need, and make deliveries along with their spouses. Jordan explained the goal is to have the bunk beds all ready for sleeping in by the time SHP leaves the delivery site.

Handmade quilts are the biggest donation made by churches, and the Mickelson and Allen wives and children tuck in the beautiful quilts that make the beds sleep-ready. It was Luke’s wife who decided during the Christmas of 2011 that the family would cut back on gifts so they could afford to build more beds. She eventually helped create a safe, cost-efficient stain for the beds — and all the beds carry the SHP logo etched with a branding iron.

Jordan said he especially enjoys taking his four kids on bed deliveries so they can witness happy, grateful children receiving the gift of a good place to rest.

“The building is gratifying, but it pales in comparison to delivering, to see the faces on the kids who’ve never had a bed before,” he said.

Jordan said he and Luke never dreamed they’d end up launching a valued and growing nonprofit.

“We have real lives, real jobs. Four years ago, we would never have thought we’d be doing this. This charity resonates. Recipients one year show up as volunteers the next year. Financial donations drive the charity, but physical labor puts the beds together and in the homes.”

“We are a very Christian group,” he said. “We feel a strong calling to do this — we’ve been blessed to be able to do this. We feel His hand in this. Who would have thought that two farm kids from southern Idaho would put 300 kids into beds? We couldn’t have done this by ourselves.”

Christian Living | March / April 2016 39