Today's Christian Living January 2024 by JP Media LLC

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PATRICIA SOUZA HOLBROOK Soaring with Christ to Unimagined Places

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On the Cover: Patricia Souza Holbrook, SoaringwithHim.com Photo credit: Tray Morrell

JANUARY 2024

VOL. 62 NUMBER 1

Features 5 Soaring with Him

by Stephanie Rische

Patricia talks about God’s grace and gentle guidance through life’s transitions. 10

Annual Writer’s Contest Winner The Colonel’s Box

by Leo Cardez

What happened when one inmate decided to obey God’s voice, no matter the cost. 14 2nd Place: Annual Writer’s Contest Dangerous Channels and Warning Whistles

10 Departments

by Harriett Ford

Sometimes a warning heeded – a skittish horse, a train whistle, or God’s still small voice – saves a life. 16 3rd Place: Annual Writer’s Contest A Healing of the Heart by Angie Sutliff When the heartache of a prodigal child seemed insufferable, God brought hope and healing. 19 More Than a Critique Group by Pam Walker

Learn what Word Weavers International has to offer both writers. 23 Writer Resource Guide Here are some resources that may help you along your writing and publishing journey. 26 From Ground Pounder to Believer by Celeste Walker

Before he could embrace Christ’s love for him, Isom Ross Jr. had to let go of his hatred. It wasn’t easy. 30 Readers Resource Guide Take a first look at some new resources.

13 Kids of the Kingdom 36 Quick Takes 40

Laugh Lines

Ad Index

Columns 9

Living in Wisdom How Weakness Becomes Strength

Dave Says Money Matters and Family

22 Turning Point Silencing Ed 25 Devotional Fervent in Love 34

by Michelle Adserias

42 By the Mercies of God What role does mercy play in building local church unity? Jamie Dunlop explains.

The Good News

43 Quips & Quotes

41 Empty Words

A writer’s thoughts on the power of words.

The Fine Print

Ask Dr. Walt Hearing Aids, WI-FI Routers and more

38 Persecution Report Unabated Killing in Nigeria 46

Grace Notes Before I Was a Mom

16 TODAYSCHRISTIANLIVING.ORG

THE FINE PRINT

A New Year D

o you make New Year’s resolutions? Are you good at keeping them? If you are, you have my deep admiration and respect. It’s hard to change old lifestyles or habits and adopt new ones. I’m not big on making New Year’s resolutions. My collective life experience has taught me I never keep them. That’s right. Never. I can’t think of a single resolution I’ve faithfully fulfilled – no matter how pure my intentions. I am not a creature of habit or routine or exceptional self-discipline. So, I’ll begin the new year with the only resolution I have any hope of keeping; to continue moving toward God. He has promised to empower me in my weakness and to strengthen me for the tasks He’s assigned me. I appreciate the encouraging words Jerry and Shirley Rose have to offer in their column this issue! Through faltering steps and sometimes-failed attempts at greater godliness, I am slowly, gradually becoming more like my Savior. I pray that you are, too. I’m thankful our God faithfully fulfills every resolution He makes. His very nature is to be perfectly true to everything He promised to do. He determined to make a way for wicked people to find forgiveness, then provided His Son as the sacrifice to make forgiveness possible. Nothing thwarts God’s plans. He’s never fickle like His faulty, frail children. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. – Proverbs 19:21

I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old, which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not conceal them from their children, but tell to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and His strength and His wondrous works that He has done. — Psalm 78:2-4 In Christ,

Editor Michelle Adserias michellea@jpmediallc.com Contributing Editors Walt Larimore, M.D. Dave Ramsey Jerry Rose Shirley Rose William Morris Sales Account Executive Jill Maggio jillm@jpmediallc.com 800-397-8161 ext. 5 Graphic Designer Sara Wait Bulk Circulation Nancy Plaski 800-397-8161 ext. 2 Founder Kenneth N. Taylor Letters to the Editor: Write Today’s Christian Living, PO Box 282, Iola, WI 54945. Or e-mail: editor@todayschristianliving.org

Group Subscriptions for Churches: Expand and supplement your church’s ministry by distributing Today’s Christian Living to your congregation. Multiple copies of the magazine are now available in bulk rates to churches. For more information, visit www.todayschristianliving.org/ bulk or call 800-397-8161. Today’s Christian Living reserves the right to accept or reject advertisements based on their alignment with its statement of faith, mission, and values. Advertising in Today’s Christian Living does not necessarily imply editorial endorsement, nor does Today’s Christian Living guarantee or endorse content in independent websites.

Today’s Christian Living

Michelle Adserias, Editor

Today’s Christian Living (ISSN 1944-6330) is published bimonthly by JP Media LLC, N7528 Aanstad Rd., P.O. Box 5000, Iola, WI 54945. Periodicals Postage Paid at Iola, WI 54945 and at additional mailing offices. Copyright © 2023 by CrossLife LLC All rights reserved. Reprint permission must be granted in writing. Publisher assumes no responsibility for claims made in advertisements. Manuscript submissions are welcome but JP Media LLC assumes no responsibility for loss or damage thereto. Material accepted for publication is subject to such revision to meet the requirements of this publication and become the property of Today’s Christian Living. Subscription $19.95 per year. Single copy price $4.95 each. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Today’s Christian Living, P.O. Box 8551, Big Sandy, TX 75755-9766. Subscription problems and inquiries should be directed to (800) 223-3161.

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President/Publisher Diana Jones dianaj@jpmediallc.com

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Congratulations to our 2023 Writing Contest winners. So many wonderful entries came in, our judges had a tough time narrowing down the finalists, then choosing the winners. Whether you’re a writer or not, keep telling others about the great things God has done for you. He can use your story to transform lives.

Vol. 62

JANUARY 2024

Soaring with Him From Brazil to Atlanta, from Teaching English to Teaching the Bible

By Stephanie Rische

hen Patricia Holbrook was in college, she never would have pictured herself where she is today: living in the United States, running a thriving ministry, writing articles and books in her second language, interviewing well-known Christians on her podcast, and bringing Bibles into homeless shelters. But according to Patricia, this is what happens when we surrender our flight plans to God. He takes us soaring to places we never would have imagined going on our own. “In college, one of my classmates kept inviting me to go to church with her. I was partying and doing my own thing, and I never went.” It’s not that Patricia had never heard about God. “I was raised Catholic and went to Catholic schools all the way until college.” She was raised by a loving family. Although she knew about God, she didn’t know him personally. “When my

Patricia Holbrook

(Photo credit: Tray Morrell)

family faced hard things, like my parents’ divorce, we didn’t have the hope of Jesus.” Patricia started studying English when she was 10 years old. “I just fell in love with the language. I learned it fast, and when I was 15, I started teaching English to other students. While I was going to college, I took classes during the day and made money teaching English at night.” After college, Patricia opened her own language institute, providing English classes and translation services for businesses and tourists. It was the 1990s, and Brazil’s economy was highly volatile. After a sudden downturn, Patricia’s business suffered a huge blow, and her personal finances tanked in value. Around the same time, she experienced a devastating breakup. “I had a boyfriend of four years, and that relationship ended in huge betrayal. I was struggling with depression and anxiety, and I started having horrible panic attacks.” TODAYSCHRISTIANLIVING.ORG

Patricia with her family on a cruise, Summer 2023.

Teaching a Bible study group.

SOARING WITH HIM Patricia’s organization, Soaring with Him Ministries, has a vision of “leading people to find the abundant life through the study and application of Scriptures.” Resources: Patricia’s book Twelve Inches: Bridging the Gap between What You Know and How You Feel about God, is for people who say, “I’m a Christian and I know I’m saved, but I’m not living the abundant life.” The first part offers an inventory to help readers answer this question: What are you doing or not doing that is preventing you from the abundant life? The second part offers practices that help the reader walk into the abundant life. Agape Shelter Ministry is an outreach program that partners with shelters in Atlanta, bringing Christ’s hope and love to women and children in transitional homes, many of whom have endured domestic abuse or sex trafficking. The ministry hosts events where they bring worship, give women free Bibles, and teach them how to study Scripture. She Soars Women’s Conference is an annual conference for women featuring worship, teaching, Scripture study, and workshops. Find out more at soaringwithhim.com and patriciaholbrook.com. You can also reach Patricia by email at pholbrook@soaringwithhim.com. 6

TODAY’S CHRISTIAN LIVING

JANUARY 2024

From Despair to Hope

On a particularly bleak day, Patricia was feeling so depressed that she even thought of taking her own life. “Out of the blue, I got a phone call from my aunt. She’d been praying for my salvation since she became a believer five years earlier. ‘Patricia, I don’t know what you’re going through, but God told me to call you and tell you He loves you and has a plan for you,’ she said.” Patricia knew right away that was a divine moment. “Those words were exactly what I needed to hear in that dark place.” When her aunt asked if she knew of a church in her area, Patricia remembered the church her friend from college had invited her to. Patricia’s conversation with her aunt was on a Monday, and the next day, she showed up at church. “There just happened to be a prayer meeting for young people when I arrived. I went to the meeting and then joined whatever was happening at the church.” The senior pastor started discipling her and showing her who the real Jesus is. “Although I’d gone to Mass almost every week as a girl, I didn’t understand that I simply had to accept Jesus’ gift of salvation. I believed my good works would save me. I was a good girl, but it wasn’t motivated by grace—I was afraid to go to hell.” Several months later, Patricia went on a retreat with the young people from her church. On September 7, Brazil’s Independence Day, she gave her life to Christ. “So, Brazil’s independence and my freedom from the bondage of sin came on the same day! My life was turned upside down by God. I was on fire for him, but at the same time, my decision to follow him was followed by a season of loneliness.” One night when Patricia was 25 years old, she was home by herself on a Saturday night. “My friends were either married or partying—I didn’t belong anywhere. I closed my eyes, and that was the first time (and one of the only times) I had a vision. The earth was revolving, and there were holes everywhere where trees had been uprooted. Then seeds started falling into the holes, and I heard God say, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’”

With Jonathan Roumie when Patricia covered the red carpet premier of The Chosen, Season 3.

This was a promise Patricia held on to: that God would not waste the parts of her life that felt empty, and one day they would even bear fruit. “Two years later, I met my husband. He was an American who came to Brazil with his family for a racing event, and my business was chosen to do translation of the event for the media.” Patricia and Steven became friends, and three months later, she visited him and his family in the States. After three years of dating long distance, they got married. That was almost 25 years ago now.

A Call to Abundant Life

Early in their marriage, Patricia and Steven moved to Atlanta, where they were involved at First Baptist Church in Atlanta. They had a young daughter and were expecting their second child. “It was a difficult time—we lost our business and we lost a lot of money. We had a family to take care of, and we didn’t know what we were going to do. I started dealing with anxiety again. One day I read John 10:10. I realized, I’m not living the abundant life Jesus promises. I knew Jesus died to give us abundant life—not just in heaven, but here on earth. I wanted that abundant life, and I wanted to do my part to embrace it.” Patricia recommitted herself to prayer and deep study of the Word. “It was just me and my study Bible and the Holy Spirit. This turned my life upside down again.” Patricia sensed God was calling her into ministry, but she didn’t know what form it should take. “All I knew was that it would involve women, because that’s my heart.” She asked her husband and her best friend to pray alongside her to confirm her calling. “In 2010, God called me into ministry to write and speak to women. This was hard for me. Even though I’d been teaching English, it’s my second language. I’d only been in this country for 10 years, and people didn’t always understand what I was saying. But God wasn’t calling me to speak in Brazil; He was calling me to speak to women in the States, in English.”

At first, Patricia felt like Moses. “Send someone else, Lord. Where’s my Aaron? I was scared. But God made it clear—I knew this was what He was calling me to.” That year Patricia started her Soaring with Him blog. “I was working and raising a family, so I found little pockets of time when I could. I wrote about what the Lord was teaching me in my own Bible study. I was soaking it in myself and then pouring it out to others.” After she’d been blogging a while, God opened the door for Patricia to write an article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “It was an article on Mother’s Day—about forgiving my mom. They asked for more, and I eventually became their faith columnist.” More divine opportunities came her way, and she kept saying yes: hosting women’s conferences, writing her first book, and creating Bible studies. Then the pandemic hit, and the She Soars women’s conference Patricia had been hosting for several years was canceled. “I felt like my hands were tied. I started praying, and God directed me to start a podcast. I said, ‘I have no idea how to do this, Lord!’ But before I knew it, there was an avalanche of people wanting to be interviewed.” Patricia had interviewed a number of well-known people for her newspaper column—pastors, authors, actors, and movie directors—and that generated interest in her podcast. Over the past 18 months, she has hosted a wide variety of interviewees on her show, including Max Lucado, Lee Strobel, Lysa TerKeurst, Francine Rivers, the Kendrick brothers, Richard Blackaby, and Dallas Jenkins. “God has opened incredible doors for me to interview people who have done so much for the Kingdom. It is very humbling that God has allowed this Brazilian girl to proclaim his Kingdom and help others in their work for him.”  Stephanie Rische edits and writes in the Chicago area, where she lives with her husband and two sons. When she isn’t chasing down commas or little boys, she blogs at stephanierische.com. Her memoir, I Was Blind (Dating), but Now I See, recounts how God surprised her with his grace and love.

With Max Lucado during an interview for Patricia’s podcast show God-sized stories. (Photos courtesy of Patricia Holbrook)

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A Life Surrend

November 202 3

ered to Christ

LIVING IN WISDOM

By Jerry and Shirley Rose

How Weakness Becomes Strength Jerry Rose is an internationally known Christian broadcaster and is former president/ CEO of the Total Living Network. He currently serves as TLN’s chairman of the board and hosts the Emmy awardwinning program Significant Living. Jerry is an ordained minister and the author of five books, including Deep Faith for Dark Valleys and Significant Living, coauthored with his wife, Shirley. He is the past president of the National Religious Broadcasters and currently serves on its board of directors. Jerry is an avid golfer, equestrian, photographer, and grandfather of 20. Shirley Rose has been in ministry with her husband, Jerry, for more than 30 years. Her career in Christian television focused on hosting several programs, including the Emmy Award-winning women’s program Aspiring Women. She has authored five books, including The Eve Factor, A Wise Woman Once Said…, and Significant Living, and has contributed to numerous anthologies and periodicals. She is actively pursuing her calling to help other women through writing, speaking, and hosting women’s groups in her home. Her favorite pastimes are country line dancing, travel, and spending time with her 20 grandchildren.

he Rose family spent a lot of time at White Rock Lake in Dallas. I have fond memories of family picnics on lazy summer weekends, throwing frisbees and playing baseball with my cousins. It was a popular sailing lake, and I was invariably drawn to the waters’ edge to watch the sleek vessels with their billowing sails. I figured this had to be an elite and wealthy class of people, and yet I imagined myself in a sailboat of my own someday. I determined that I would somehow become a White Rock sailor. It was several years before my dream was fulfilled, and it wasn’t exactly as I had imagined. My first sailboat was an old vintage clunker badly in need of repair. I bought it for a “song.” At last I was a skipper. In spite of my boat’s age and condition, I spent hours on the lake, not only learning the art of sailing, but the art of bailing water. I christened my heavy, chunky, slow wooden boat “O’Leaky,” as that accurately described its main flaw. O’Leaky was quite an attention getter. The other skippers were in awe that such an old Comet class could still be sailing and probably placed bets on whether we would finish the day without sinking. Obviously, I never challenged any of them to a race. No matter how light and well-designed a boat was, however, there was a common denominator that could change everything. Without the wind, it would just drift aimlessly. I was blessed to eventually own a couple of nicer, sleeker sailboats, but it was O’Leaky that taught me an important spiritual lesson. The Holy Spirit is the wind in the sails of believers who achieve great things for God. The Bible is full of stories of ordinary, even weak, people who became heroes of the faith when empowered by the Spirit. One of my favorites is Gideon, who the angel of the Lord called a “mighty man of valor.” Gideon considered himself unfit for spiritual service, and he was correct. His clan was the weakest in Manasseh, and he himself was the least in his father’s house. However, I believe the most important part of the story is when God instructed him to go to the edge of the Midianite camp and listen to the soldier’s conversation. One soldier was describing his dream of a barley loaf tumbling into their camp and knocking over tents. His comrade replied,

“This is no other than the sword of Gideon…God has given into his hand Midian and all the camp.” —Judges 7:14 Is this not a perfect example of something weak, a barley loaf, becoming strong enough to knock over tents? What made the difference? It was the wind of the Spirit. I love the wording of Judges 6:34. “But the Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon.” This humble barley loaf, empowered by the Holy Spirit, was not only encouraged, but he became a mighty man of valor, and his meager army defeated the enemy that day. There are other unlikely heroes. David, a shepherd boy whose own father thought he was insignificant, became king. The young boy with a few loaves and fish was willing to give what he had to Jesus and is still remembered over 2,000 years later. Peter, the rough-cut, impetuous fisherman, became a pillar of the church. This disciple may have been considered weak in his faith. But he was martyred by being crucified upside down because he didn’t feel worthy to die as Jesus had. A more modern-day hero is D.L. Moody, an uneducated shoe salesman who used poor English. He was empowered by the Holy Spirit to preach the gospel to the world. Yes, God can use barley loaves to knock over tents. The weak become strong when they are empowered by the wind of the Spirit. You may consider yourself lacking in education, talent, resources, or more. But we all have something to offer God if we only make ourselves available. And even more importantly, ask God to send his Spirit to make you strong. He can turn our weakness into strength as we ask Him for guidance, wisdom, and anointing. Yield all that you have to God whose strength is all we need. In fact, think of your weakness as a blessing. Paul was complaining to the Lord about his weakness, but instead of healing him, Jesus replied, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Paul responded with this. Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. —2 Corinthians 12:9 The spirit can turn your weakness into strength.  TODAYSCHRISTIANLIVING.ORG

2023 TODAY’S CHRISTIAN LIVING WRITER’S CONTEST WINNER

The Colonel’s Box

By Leo Cardez

feel convicted. The Colonel weighs 130 pounds, so frail a stiff breeze could topple him. He wears a full sweatsuit in the August heat, sweat glistening off his shiny bald head. The Colonel sits in the prison dayroom (as usual), reading his Bible in the corner. I catch him side-eyeing my crew as we stuff our faces with my famous pork pies during a Scrabble marathon. I feel a pang of guilt shank me in the gut. The Colonel barely talks and always eats alone, if he eats at all. He was one of those cases, a leper in our world. The Colonel lives in the cage next door, surviving as a “state baby.” Prison has its own social order and “state babies” with X-es on their backs reside at the very bottom. The convict code is clear. Stay away. Do not engage. All the same, something like shame washes over me. I fight against it. I work hard cleaning toilets for thirty bucks a month. I don’t come from money. My dad re-used paper towels. I don’t owe the Colonel a thing, I reason, but I’m not sure who I’m trying to convince. That night, I struggle to find sleep. It’s well past 3 am before I pass out from exhaustion. I wake a new man. The message is clear – you know what to do. I feel it deep in my bones with such clarity it is impossible to deny.

Following God’s Lead

I get myself together, split a Danish in half, and knock twice on the Colonel’s steel door. “Hey, Colonel. What’s good?” 10

TODAY’S CHRISTIAN LIVING

JANUARY 2024

The Colonel looks around, confused and nervous. “Not much. What’s up?” “This is for you.” I hand him the Danish. “I’m trying to cut back on sweets.” I feel bad for lying, but in our world it’s smart to be leery of freebies, which often come with undisclosed expectations. “You’d be doing me a favor. I don’t expect anything in return.” The Colonel pauses. “Umm, okay, thanks I guess.” He looks around before closing the door in my face, “Okay then…” I saw that going differently in my head. I figured we would eat our Danishes together, maybe chop it up a bit. Nothing doing. I expect some sort of revelation, but I don’t feel different. The hum-drum routine of prison life continues. Still. Still, every time I make a meal, I put aside a serving for the Colonel. As days turn into months, he begins to trust me. We talk about his time in ‘Nam and about my struggles with my faith, but mostly we commiserate over the minutiae of a life lived buried, but not yet dead. I begin to find article clippings from Christian magazines and inspirational Bible verses in my cell. One day, I find a brand-new leather-bound study Bible on my desk. When I ask the Colonel about it, he feigns ignorance. But I broke the code, and the iron jungle demands justice. It starts with my celly, Concrete (because he looks like a meat freezer with legs). Concrete and I have been cellies for a nickel. He’s an old-school convict with jailhouse teardrop tattoos under both eyes – a sign he has both lost lives and taken them. “What you on, celly?” Concrete wants to know what’s up with the Colonel and me.

“What do you mean?” “I mean you and that cho-mo next door. You runnin’ game?” “Naw, man,” I answer. “I give him my leftovers, that’s all. Better than throwing it away.” “Throw it away next time. People be talkin’.” “What are they saying?” “Some guys don’t like you chummin’ it up with him.” “You think it could go sideways on me?” “I wouldn’t wear your flip flops in the dayroom.” “It’s like that, huh? Alright, I hear you, but I don’t know if I can stop. Some things are bigger than this place, you know?” “I know. But keep that head on a swivel.” Fear keeps you alive in prison. Fear is healthy and I’m scared - read terrified. I sense eyes on me, whispers when I pass. My inmate senses are tingling – Red Alert! I walk around laced-up, body like a clenched fist.

But the attack never comes. God is looking out for me, my Bible study group insists. Maybe. But I’m still getting hammered with questions. The Colonel picks up on the shift in the winds and lays back. During our weekly Scrabble game, Rolo searches my face for clues. Rolo, the only Korean inmate I know, comes from a wealthy family. He has the best vocabulary I’ve heard in prison or otherwise. He has the dubious honor of being profiled for both a “Dateline” special and a “Lifetime” movie. On the tail end of a 25-year bit, he’s done his time adhering to the convict code. I respect him, as do most others. “Give’m something,” Rolo says. “Just tell ‘em you’re playing the long con.” “I wouldn’t want that to get back to the Colonel,” I say. “Listen, I don’t know if this makes sense, but I had to look out for him. I felt it.”

GLOSSARY OF PRISON TERMS Bitt’n – doing time Box – 4x6x2 property storage box kept under bed Cage – cell Cho-Mo – a child molester Chop It Up – have a conversation CO – correction officer Deck – prison unit Doors Roll – cell doors unlocking and opening in the morning Flip-Flops in the Dayroom – you’re not ready to fight

Go Sideways – get violent Laced-Up – wearing your gym shoes, ready to fight Nickel – five years Runnin’ Game – playing a long con Shot of Coffee – cup of coffee State Baby – inmate who lives on $10 per week provided by the state, aka inmate welfare. State Soap – wafer-thin bar soap distributed to inmates during the COVID outbreak. Store Day – commissary and canteen shopping day.

TODAYSCHRISTIANLIVING.ORG

“They’re gonna think you’ve gone soft.” “Yeah, I know. They’re no better than him. Neither am I. Either are you – not really.” “You’re a full-blown Bible thumper now, huh?” I take a long pause before I answer. “Yeah, I guess it looks that way.” “That I respect,” Rolo says. “I’m not religious, but a man needs to have a code, his own code. Dumb, but admirable. Let me see if I can find a way to help.”

Seeing the Unexpected

God works in mysterious ways. Rolo gives the Colonel an old thermal. Concrete gives him a stack of state soap. That’s how it starts. Before you know it, everyone is getting in on the act. Some even try to out-give each other. The Colonel’s box is overflowing. One day I ask, “Yo, Colonel, you want some Kool-Aid?” “No thanks. I’m good.” I say jokingly, “What, you’re too good for my Kool-Aid now?” “Naw. Shyster and Malo each gave me a full box of Kool-Aid last week. Why don’t you give it to someone else who needs it.” I hand him the Kool-Aid packet. “Why don’t you?” “Okay, but I want you to have this.” The Colonel handed me a silver cross and chain. “I can’t take it. Your mom gave you that.” “She told me it would help keep Jesus close, and it has. I want you to have it. Don’t deny an old man.” “I have you to remind me to keep Jesus close.” “I won’t be around forever.” The Colonel becomes the deck’s Salvation Army and Red Cross rolled into one. He takes donations and shares them with guys in need; guys who seemingly come out of the woodwork. They need everything from shower shoes to shots of coffee. I have no idea so many of my shadow community are hurting. I feel awful – that pang in my gut again. I want to do more but, technically, this is considered trading and trafficking. It could cost us a disciplinary report. It’s smart to stay small, but it’s hard to hide the ten-person line outside the Colonel’s cell after every store day. The C.O.s look the other way.

Saying Good-bye

Fast forward a year. It’s a crisp fall Sunday and the Colonel drops by with an armful of ingredients. “What’s this?” “Cook me one of those famous pork pies for the Bears game?” “Say less.” “I need to tell you something. I get out tomorrow. My parole site was approved.” The Colonel leaves and returns with his box. “I don’t need this stuff, Colonel.” “I know you don’t. I need you to give it to guys who do. You know, I’ve been eligible for parole for three years but I hadn’t put in for a site ‘cause I was afraid. Afraid of the sex offender registry. Afraid no one would hire me. Afraid I’d go hungry 12

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“The Colonel handed me a silver cross and chain.” and homeless. At least in here I have three hots and a cot. But you showed me people are willing to look past mistakes. You gave me a chance and it made me believe others would too. Maybe, someday, I can help someone going through the same thing. God sent you to help me believe again, to hope again. “Man, I ain’t no saint.” “God knows what He’s doing. He’s got bigger plans for all of us. It’s your turn to help the guys here, then pass it off to the next guy. Don’t let this die.” “That’s not me, bro. Give it to someone else.” “You still can’t see it, huh? That is you.” As soon as the doors roll, I run to the Colonel’s cell. I want to give him my family’s info so we can stay in touch. I want to give him a hug good-bye. All I find is his neatly stacked bedroll on an empty bunk. Fast forward to Super Bowl weekend. We’re playing Scrabble and Rolo drops a seven-letter, triple-pointer off my “x”. “Quixotic.” I gauged whether I should challenge. “What the heck is that?” “In a lot of ways it’s you. Don’t challenge.” That night I look it up in the dictionary. Before this place, before Christ, I was called a lot of things; drunk, loser, deadbeat. During my trial the state referred to me as a monster. Yesterday, a teacher referred to me as kind. I didn’t – I couldn’t – respond. Don’t get it twisted. I know I’m not special. I know I didn’t do anything extraordinary by connecting with the Colonel. I simply listened to a voice I hid away many years ago. Now I try to listen for those whispers from the secret chambers of my heart. I spend a good portion of my week collecting, organizing and dispensing items from the Colonel’s box, now known as the donation box. I get help from two new volunteers; Rolo and Concrete. I hope the Colonel would be proud.  Leo Cardez (pen name) ended up in prison for reasons that are too personal and sad to share here. Further, he chooses to guard the privacy of all those involved in his situation. He appreciates you taking the time to read his story and welcomes comments at leo.cardez.writer@gmail.com. *No real names were used in this article.

KIDS OF THE KINGDOM

Teacher: Children, One of the hardest things to say is … I ‘forgive’ you. Johnny: What about ‘Worcestershire Sauce’?

little girl asked her mother, “How did the human race come about?”

The mother answered, “God made Adam and Eve and they had children and so all mankind was made.” Two days later she asked her father the same question. The father answered, “Many years ago there were monkeys and we developed from them.” The confused girl returned to her mother and says: “Mom, how is it possible that you told me that the human race was created by God and Dad says we developed from monkeys?”

Editor’s Pick for Kids

The mother answered, “That’s simple, honey. I told you about the origin of my side of the family and your father told you about his side.”

The Psalms are full of “You Are” statements like, “You are my rock and fortress” in Psalm 31. These short, simple statements provide wonderful opportunities for parents to teach their children about God’s character and reflect on who He is in powerful ways. Each of the 20 short devotionals is based on a “You Are” statement from the Psalms and is followed by a short family prayer.

—From Mikey’s Funnies www.mikeysfunnies.com If you have a joke or funny story you’d like to share, email editor@ todayschristianliving.org. If we print your joke, we’ll pay you $25.

God, You Are

By William R. Osborne (author) and Brad Woodard (illustrator) [Crossway Books]

TODAYSCHRISTIANLIVING.ORG

2ND PLACE 2023 TODAY’S CHRISTIAN LIVING WRITER’S CONTEST

Dangerous Channels And

Warning

Whistles

By Harriett Ford

as it more than a dream? Or did an angel waken Caroline from sleep just moments before certain tragedy? I’ve heard this account many times from my mother, who was just a small child at the time. She grew up on an Oklahoma cotton farm some fifty miles west of Fort Smith, Arkansas. Mom’s name was Christine, but when she was age four, she instructed her parents, “I want you to call me Molly.” My grandparents, Arl and Caroline, deferred to her wishes, and so shall I, even though in later years she was known as Christine.

Dangerous Channels

Riding an old plow horse to while away long summer days, Molly had acres of farmland to explore. She liked following the creek bed, sometimes stopping to dip her toes in the cool water. She never really learned to swim. “Get up, Slim,” she nudged with her bare heels against his broad, satiny sides. The name was a misnomer because he was just the opposite, but he responded to “Slim” obediently when hooked to Grandpa’s plow. Slim plodded slowly toward the crossing which he had 14

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Molly’s parents, Arl and Caroline Iness with her dog, Rex

often splashed through, even though at times after a rain the water reached his rounded belly. This day, the creek was running high due to a series of spring storms and gulley washers. Molly reined Slim toward the crossing which threatened to overflow the banks, but she thought nothing of it. However, Slim balked and stubbornly refused to enter the water. “C’mon, let’s go! Get up,” she demanded. Instead, the horse turned around and stubbornly headed toward the barn with Molly flailing a supple switch at him and Molly’s daughter, Harriett, using all her fourat age 4, riding one of her year-old strength to grandfather’s plow horses.

persuade him in the direction she wanted to go. He simply plodded a little faster. Arriving at the barn, she managed to slide off to a soft landing on a pile of hay. “You stubborn old horse, you aren’t getting any extra corn today!” She scolded. When she complained to her dad how Slim had behaved, Arl shook his head. “Molly, the rushing water has washed out that crossing and cut a deep channel there. That old horse knew he couldn’t swim it. You couldn’t either. Slim saved you from drowning!” She didn’t ask how a horse could “know” such things, just accepted that some animals are here both to serve and to protect us, like Rex, which she called her “police dog.” With Rex by her side, she felt safe from wild hogs, coyotes, snakes or other varmints.

Warning Whistles

Until 1939, the Fort Smith and Western Railway ran through the southern acreage of my grandparents’ property. This particular stretch of railroad had an evil reputation, not because of any liability on the company’s part. It became known to the locals as a “suicide track.” It seems more than a few lonely men walked along the tracks on dark nights, finding this an easier path than stumbling through the woods. Perhaps growing weary from the distance yet to go, they decided to rest between the rails. There, they would fall asleep, more deeply asleep than normal, possibly due to strong drink. At that time, bootleg whiskey was The “suicide track” through the rumored to be available in the woods looked very similar to Oklahoma hills. It would be a this more recent photo. few more years until prohibition laws eased up in 1933. For whatever reason, these unfortunate men remained on the tracks until it was too late. Molly had an uncle, my great Uncle Sam, who lost a leg in a farm accident. He also had a wife who had left him. Whatever the reason, Sam developed a drinking habit. That particular night he was hobbling along the suicide track, perhaps heading to the log cabin near Caroline’s farmhouse, where he often stayed. Molly took a plate of fried squirrel, boiled cabbage, cornbread, and sorghum molasses to Uncle Sam’s cabin, but he was not there yet. The family went to bed with windows open to the sound of whippoorwills and bobwhites calling. Later the train’s long whistle sounded as it chugged through the moonlit trees that grew thickly along the rich “bottom land.” It was a warning whistle. Molly recalls like it happened yesterday. She was startled out of slumber when Caroline bolted straight up in the bed and shouted. “Arl, grab the horse. Ride as hard as you can! Sam’s asleep on the railroad track where it dips through the hill across the creek.”

Arl didn’t question his wife. He was out of bed and into his britches in seconds. Not bothering with a saddle, he threw a bridle on Slim and set off at a full gallop. That old plow horse would have to reach a dead run and maintain his speed. Molly knew he couldn’t keep up even a trot for more than a short distance. Caroline and Molly heard the sound of the whistle growing ever louder. They knew the engineer was sounding a warning. Molly didn’t question how her mother knew that Uncle Sam was on the tracks. She simply accepted that Caroline “knew” things, like old Slim. Would Sam wake up? Or would he remain in a dreamless, unhearing sleep like the others who had perished on that same track? If he didn’t wake, would her daddy get there in time? Molly knew old Slim was no racehorse. She also knew he could be stubborn when he didn’t want to cross the creek. With the coal oil lamps lit, both mother and daughter sat waiting anxiously for Arl’s return. Then Caroline began to pray. Fear left the room, replaced by a curious calm. Arl could hear the clickety clack of the approaching wheels and the galloping horse’s labored panting. Slim rounded the bend and crossed the creek at full speed! Sure enough, Arl could see a sleeping figure on the tracks silhouetted against the approaching engine’s single headlamp. He leaped from the horse and rushed to pull Uncle Sam to safety just moments before . . . It would have been a grisly death. What Sam must have thought when he realized what he had been saved from, I do not know. I only know that he lived because of my grandmother’s prayers and because God surely gave extra strength to that aging, overweight horse both to run and to swim the creek that night. My hope is that Sam was sober enough to realize God had a plan for his life. As for Molly, from that moment she understood God had a plan for her life. Today at age 98, she has lived it both by faith and by works. The impact of a praying mother has encouraged me to have faith in God’s plan for my life too. I am trusting Him to keep me from entering deep waters and to hear the “train whistles” warning me to stay off the wrong track.  “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” — Jeremiah 29:11

Harriett Ford is a member of Faith Writers, and a three-times first-place award winning author in both regional and national faithbased categories. She is a veteran reporter/ journalist/humor columnist, a regional Stonecroft Ministries speaker, and a board member of Dr. Marla Woodmansee’s ministry in Branson, Missouri. TODAYSCHRISTIANLIVING.ORG

3RD PLACE 2023 TODAY’S CHRISTIAN LIVING WRITER’S CONTEST

A Healing of the Heart

By Angie Sutliff

e hadn’t seen or heard from our daughter in months. Every siren from every ambulance made me wonder if it was for her. Was she okay? Would I ever see her alive again? How would this end? When our oldest daughter started running away at age 16, my husband and I were overwhelmed with grief, confusion, and fear. Later, at 18, when she left home, not to return for a year, shame set in. I felt I must have done something terribly wrong. No other Christian family we knew had experienced anything like this. When similar events happened with our second daughter, then our third, it shook my faith. It felt like the “train your child in the way he should go” verse mocked me. Other parents at our church expressed how their little ones were declaring a love for Jesus or singing to the Lord in the car, and I wanted to say, “Just wait ten years. They’ll hate everything you ever stood for and taught them.” My heart was jaded. 16

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When Things Look Grim

Our goal as Christian parents, was to raise children who loved the Lord and sought to serve Him alone. We knew modeling this, not merely stating it, was crucial. We always looked for ways to improve. Though aware of our flaws, we trusted God could work through us, despite our many mistakes. Things seemed to be going well with our teens early on. They seemed to have positive relationships, good mentors, and activities in the church and community. Then one night, I woke to a loud crack of thunder – the kind that makes a person afraid to move. Summoning a little bravery, I got up to see if any of the kids were awake. Entering the room of our older two, I noticed our oldest daughter’s bed was empty. I walked throughout the house looking for her, but she was not there. Puzzled and frightened, I considered what to do. I decided to wake my husband. After explaining the situation, we sat together in the living room, looking at each other

The four Sutliff children. in bewilderment. We discovered our daughter had run away. There was a boy – a teen she had met at the library. She ran away to be with him. Though local officials later found and returned her, running from home became part of her normal cycle. For the next two years, our family lived in a constant state of crisis as our daughter ran away, made accusations and suicide threats, was brought home by authorities, then ran again — sixteen times until her final run at age 18, when we lost contact with her for a year. My husband and I leaned into the Lord and each other as we navigated our frustration, anger, and despair. Shame and embarrassment overwhelmed us at times. My concern for the other kids in the family, not wanting this to dominate their lives, was a constant stress in my mind. Though we sought to model positivity and joy throughout, we were often unsuccessful. Where had it gone wrong? How could I have failed so miserably? I had sought to provide a beautiful life for my children, yet it felt like my dreams were in flames. Had I put all this effort, thought, and prayer into our children for nothing? It seemed as though even parents who cared half as much had happy families and successful children. It felt unfair. As I struggled through thoughts like this, God revealed my heart’s hidden motive: I had hoped to produce godly children by making all the right decisions - as though my effort was the key factor. But God was showing me that, while I am to be faithful to my calling, the heart work and results are His. My role is to be a godly parent and point our children toward Him, trusting Him with the rest. He comforted me through stories in His Word. He showed me He knows what it is like to pour everything into a relationship and still have it go sideways. God Himself had — and still has — wayward children. It doesn’t mean He did something wrong. And while I would never claim to be a perfect parent, this revelation helped me realize even He understands this pain.

A Heavenly Perspective

One summer afternoon, during an acute time of concern for our wayward children, I sat in the hammock in our yard,

feeling defeated and discouraged. My husband was officiating the funeral of a godly, older woman in the church. As I lay there, the Lord prompted me with this thought about the deceased: “If this woman had any concerns about her adult children while she was alive, she doesn’t today. Not in the presence of the Lord. No, today she sees things from God’s perspective, finished and complete.” In heaven, we will all declare, “Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are your judgments!” as Revelation 16:6 says. We will say this because we will see His finished work. I realized something. If I will rejoice in heaven at the way God brings it all together in the end, what prevents me from holding that perspective in my heart now? He is trustworthy. From His vantage point, it is complete, and around His throne, everyone declares His ways are just, true, and righteous. A deep sense of peace washed over me. The ache in my heart was still present, but it was not as crushing. I stood up and praised the Lord with fresh encouragement and a heavenly perspective. I didn’t need to sit there, held down by shame and sorrow. Second Corinthians 4:18 says, “So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” Now, when I consider trials from this perspective, it elevates my thoughts from the hard stuff to the heavenlies. From there, I can praise the Lord for His goodness, knowledge, and oversight. I can thank Him for understanding my sorrow. He was teaching me to trust Him when there was nothing else to trust and no one else to lean on. Sometimes the great things the Lord does are not seen by others; they take place in the heart. The lessons the Lord taught me during these challenging years, about my limitations in parenting and the future hope of a heavenly perspective, have changed me immensely in many areas of my life. They have given me greater trust and reliance on the Lord and have allowed me a place in the lives of many families who have experienced similar trials. With God’s help and compassion, our story helps others know that they are not alone. The work God was doing in our hearts as parents, He also was doing in our three daughters. Slowly, over time, restoration has come to our family. Today, when we gather to celebrate holidays and birthdays, I am overwhelmed with thankfulness at the great work He has done.  Angie Sutliff is a wife, mother of four adult children, and grandmother of five. She lives in rural Wisconsin with her husband, who pastors a local church. Angie loves to write, speak, lead Bible studies for women, and play cello in the Chippewa Valley. TODAYSCHRISTIANLIVING.ORG

DAVE SAYS

Dave Ramsey is a seven-time #1 national best-selling author, personal finance expert, and host of The Ramsey Show, heard by more than 18 million listeners each week. He has appeared on Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, Today Show, Fox News, CNN, Fox Business, and many more. Since 1992, Dave has helped people regain control of their money, build wealth, and enhance their lives. He also serves as CEO for Ramsey Solutions.

Dear Dave, My husband and I just heard of your plan. We are excited to learn more about money, and we have already saved up $1,000 for our beginner emergency fund. Right now, we have a problem. My father has never taken his finances seriously, and the other day he asked us for $400 to pay his cell phone bill and overdraft fees at his bank. Giving him the money right now would make things really tight for our family. Do you have any advice? — Brooke Dear Brooke, Way to go! It makes me happy to hear folks so charged up to get control of their finances. You won’t regret the decision. I’m going to be straightforward with you, ok? You and your husband need do the right thing, no matter how dad reacts to this. And the right thing, right now, is taking care of your family first and not putting your finances in jeopardy. If I were in your situation, my answer to dad would be no. I understand there’s a feeling of obligation to help your father. But it sounds like dad needs to learn a lesson or two about life and money. When you say your dad is irresponsible with money, handing him more of it won’t help. It would be like giving a drunk a drink. It will reinforce the idea he can continue being dumb with money without consequences. Trust me, I understand the emotions involved in helping out a parent. If you feel this is a situation where there is literally no alternative, I’d suggest making the $400 contingent on your dad successfully completing a good financial counseling course. Whatever you do, be gentle and respectful when you talk to him. Make sure he understands it hurts when you see him struggling. But let him know, it’s his responsibility to take care of his finances. — Dave

Dear Dave, I have an uncle who wants to gift some property to one of his sons, myself and my sister. The property is about two-and-ahalf acres, and it’s probably worth around $125,000. My wife and I are trying to pay off debt in Baby Step 2 of your plan, and 18

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By Dave Ramsey

we’re not sure how we feel about the situation. What do you think? — Dave Dear Dave, If your uncle asked me whether he should do this, my answer would be no. You’ve got three different sets of people with different lives and very different situations. Not only that, these three potential co-owners probably have differing ideas about the land and what should be done with it. To me, the whole thing sounds like a big family fight waiting to happen. If I were in his shoes, I’d just sell the property and split the money equally between the three of you. It’d be a lot easier that way, and you’d avoid the chance of hard feelings between you and your relatives down the road. Don’t get me wrong, your uncle sounds like a kind and generous man. He’s trying to bless all three of you, but it has a very real possibility of causing unintended, unanticipated problems. That’s the way I’d handle it, Dave. A couple of acres of dirt split between three people isn’t worth all the squabbles and bad feelings it could cause. — Dave

Dear Dave, Our daughter’s college education is pretty much paid for already through grants and scholarships, and my wife and I make good money. We just started your plan, so when we get to Baby Step 5, saving for college, can we substitute that with saving for a wedding? — Benton Dear Benton, I’m glad you’re thinking ahead, buddy. And I don’t have a problem with your idea. It’s always a good plan to save for a wedding, if you have the financial resources to do so. Did you know the average wedding in America this year, according to Zola.com, ran around $29,000? Of course, you don’t have to pay anything close to that amount to make a wedding beautiful and memorable. Your household income, debt, savings and other factors will all play a part in how much you can legitimately afford. Sit down with your wife, crunch some numbers and see what makes sense in your situation. Just remember to pay cash for the wedding. If you have to go into debt, you’re spending way too much! —Dave 

More than a Critique Group Word Weavers International

By Pam S. Walker

Critique — New Perspectives andthe Cold Sandwich Method Critique groups provide many benefits to writers. One benefit is seeing things from a different perspective as someone, other than the author, reads the piece out loud. “This method allows writers to listen and hear those little inflections,” Eva Marie explained. “We know what we mean when we write, but we don’t always know how that’s translating. For example, I was in my critique group and had written a scene where my main character, who was too stoic and guarded, made a joke that was not like her. Everyone in my group said, ‘Wow, I can’t

hen Eva Marie Everson and four other writers set out to start a critique group for Christian writers in 1997, she never imagined it would grow to over 1,000 members and 110 groups worldwide. Originally called the Northland Writers Critique group, the five were looking to support one another while sharpening their skills. While the group experienced growth initially, Eva Marie was disappointed when the membership shrank to just herself and one other lady. What they lacked, she realized, was a plan. One day, while sitting in traffic, God gave her a clear vision of how the group should operate. In time, people began joining again. One member came up with a new name. Another designed the logo. A visitor introduced a new critique method. And Word Weavers was officially born. People started coming from all over Florida. Another group formed in New York. Word Weavers hosted book signing parties, brought in guest speakers, coordinated an annual retreat, and divided into groups focused on specific genres. In 2007, Eva Marie, Larry Leech II, and Cheri Cowell launched six new Word Weavers chapters nationally and developed the vision for a national Launch day for the Word Weavers chapter in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. (Photo credit: Eva Marie Everson) leadership team. believe she was so rude. That’s not like her.’ I thought she was Word Weavers’ growth “exploded” in 2010 when they became being funny. But everybody said the same thing. And so, I went the critique arm of the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild back and realized I had not set up the scene right.” (CWG). In one year, Word Weavers grew to 31 chapters and In addition to helping writers hone their craft, Eva Marie approximately 500 members. After much success, the leaders believes one of the most important things about a critique of both organizations decided that Word Weavers would best group is having “comrades in victory and in distress. Group serve its members as a non-profit organization. members can mourn together when rejection comes and Within a few weeks, Word Weavers International (wordencourage each other in good times and bad.” weavers.com) was established with Eva Marie as president and Word Weavers is known for their critique method used in Mark Hancock as vice president. monthly meetings. Eva Marie explained, “It is human nature The Four C’s of Word to jump right in and say what doesn’t work.” However, the cold sandwich critique method “sandwiches” suggestions for Weavers International improvement between positive comments about the piece. It’s The mission of Word Weavers International is to “help a “cold” sandwich because the method includes a “cold” read, members find their unique voice, strive for the exceptional meaning the work was not read beforehand. and not settle for the mundane, and to raise the quality of our “We start by saying your strength is here, here, and here. As I members’ writing to a publishable level.” The organization review a piece, I draw a smiley face next to each of those places. accomplishes this through the 4 C’s: critiques, communities, And we never attack someone’s work.” craft, and conferences. TODAYSCHRISTIANLIVING.ORG

Eva Marie pointed out that this form of critique also helps train writers to be professional. “Submitting work for critique each month in the meetings teaches writers to meet deadlines. Writers are not allowed to speak when being critiqued, which teaches them to listen. When your editor calls and says ‘here’s what you need to do to sharpen this, to make it better,’ you don’t become argumentative because you are accustomed to listening to somebody else’s opinion.” Community – Growing Together in Person or Online Word Weavers International allows writers to join the larger writing community where they can find support through education, critique, fellowship, and prayer through monthly, in-person (chapters) or online (pages) meetings. There are approximately 53 traditional groups throughout the world that meet in person every month. For those who do not live near an in-person group, Word Weavers International Online Groups combines access to a writing community on a small-group level with a much larger international fellowship. Susan Holt Simpson, the Director of Online Groups, pointed out that “utilizing basic technology, even the most isolated writer is able to find encouragement, instruction, and motivation to continue writing.” Online groups began in 2013 when a member moved away. The group did not want to lose her, so they used technology to stay connected. Now there are approximately 55 online groups called “pages.” Around 400 writers, out of 1000 members, are in online groups. While many members join either an in-person or online group, according to Tina Yeager (Director of Traditional Groups), some writers add an online membership to their traditional (in-person) registration. This is especially true for online groups offering a genre-specific focus, allowing writers to get feedback for that genre. Word Weavers also has a mentorship program. It appoints mentors to supervise and support chapter and page presidents throughout the group’s life. This system provides Word Weavers the opportunity to maintain a personal connection with each president. Craft – Honing Writers’ Skills Eva Marie explained that Word Weavers International is more than a critique group. It also has an educational arm. The organization teaches writers what’s happening in the publishing world, plus the basics of editing and grammar. Since its inception, Eva Marie has received countless testimonies of how Word Weavers has shaped, refined, and improved members’ writing. However, one story stands out from the others, she said. A member brought an article to her Word Weavers group, which was “rough.” The group members offered helpful suggestions through the Cold Sandwich Critique method. The following month, the writer brought back that same article rewritten, which was not so rough. She returned the third month with that same article and continued bringing it to every meeting for the next few months. By the time she got to the sixth month, it was perfect. With the help of her Word Weavers group, the writer pre20

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sented her polished piece to an editor at that year’s Florida Christian Writers Conference. The editor was so impressed with the article she made it their cover story and pullout story. Conferences – Florida Christian Writers Conference (FCWC) Each October, Word Weavers International members gather at the Florida Christian Writers Conference, an annual event that brings writers of all levels together to hone their craft and grow their faith. In 2012, Word Weavers International took over this event, offering keynote speakers, over 60 workshops, one-on-one meetings with publishing professionals, writing contests, and scholarships. The conference also provides two continuing sessions focusing solely on critique. Eva Marie encourages writers to attend conferences regularly. “Not only do they provide valuable networking opportunities with editors, agents, publishers, and other writers, but they also offer writers encouragement and a “kick in the pants” to return to what they love. So often I hear of writers who had given up, but then they came to the conference and heard a speaker who encouraged them,” she said.

The Extras That Come with Membership

A Word Weavers International membership provides writers with additional tools to sharpen their skills, including a newsletter, The Loom. Each month, The Loom is packed with articles and blog posts from other members, writer’s resources, quick tips, new book releases, information about upcoming Christian writer conferences and retreats, and scholarship opportunities. Members have access to an active Facebook page. They can also join Open Mic Night, which brings readers and writers together monthly to celebrate the published works of members as well as top names in Christian publishing. It allows authors an opportunity to promote their latest works. It costs $50 per year to join a traditional (in person) or online Word Weavers group, or $65 to join both. Teens get a $10 discount on their membership fees.

The Bottom Line

Beyond all the fun, learning, encouragement and networking that takes place through Word Weavers, Eva Marie said the bottom line is doing Kingdom work. “It’s about giving our absolute best to the One who gave His absolute best; whether you are writing Sunday school papers, blog posts, devotionals, articles for magazines, fiction, or nonfiction books, you are doing Kingdom work. And every word written by our members touches someone for the Kingdom and pushes the Kingdom forward.”  Pam S. Walker is the former National Editor of Answers magazine, a publication of Answers in Genesis. She is a freelance writer living in the Cincinnati area where she writes for various Christian publications and serves as the Vice President of the Boone County, KY Word Weavers group.

Attendees at the Florida Christian Writers Conference. (Photo Credit: Stephanie Pavlantos)

Reading Scripture Every Day Will Change Your Life

THE COLD SANDWICH CRITIQUE METHOD Since its founding in 1997, Word Weavers International members have sharpened their writing craft through the Cold Sandwich Critique Method and benefited greatly from it. Writers who are interested in joining a Word Weavers group are welcome to observe a critique session before joining. The basics of the Cold Sandwich Critique are as follows. (See word-weavers.com for a video describing the method.)

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1. Distribute your manuscript to members in the group. 2. The person to the right reads the manuscript. 3. The person to the left starts the critique. 4. The critique continues to the left with each person providing their feedback. 5. Suggestions for improvement are “sandwiched” with what you liked about the piece.

CHOOSE FROM 2 UNIQUE DESIGNS BEGIN YOUR JOURNEY

TheOneYearBible.com

6. Each person should be brief when providing their critique. 7. The person being critiqued should not defend their manuscript but focus on listening.

Tyndale, Tyndale’s quill logo, New Living Translation, NLT, the New Living Translation logo, and The One Year are registered trademarks of Tyndale House Ministries. One Year and The One Year logo are trademarks of Tyndale House Ministries.

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TURNING POINT

By Grace McCready

Silencing Ed Grace McCready enjoys spending time with her family, hanging out with friends, and watching her favorite TV shows. She is the author of Real Recovery: What Eating Disorder Recovery Actually Looks Like. She shares personal stories and Scripture to encourage young women at her blog, Tizzie’s Tidbits of Truth.

If you have a turning point in your life you would like to share, email your story to editor@ todayschristianliving.org. All submissions must be under 800 words. If we print your story, we will pay you $75. We reserve the right to edit for length and content. All submissions become the property of Today’s Christian Living. 22

As a four-year-old, I asked Jesus to come into my heart. Growing up, I learned a lot about who God was and how I was supposed to live as a Christian. For the most part, I had a carefree childhood. When I was in middle school, I had some minor struggles related to my body image; but it wasn’t until high school that I struggled significantly with my body image and developed anorexia nervosa. In short, anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that involves losing weight—to the point of reaching an unhealthily low weight. This weight loss typically occurs through eating less and exercising more. It can be mild and last for a short period of time, but it’s often very serious and results in major negative physical, mental, and emotional consequences. My struggle with anorexia nervosa lasted from my sophomore year of high school to my senior year of high school. Throughout those two years, I was completely blinded by the lies I believed about my body. Over time, Satan convinced me I was fat, overweight, and ugly, even though—in reality—I was a very healthy girl. Those lies kept me in bondage to Satan and to my eating disorder (which I typically refer to as “Ed”). My thinking was so skewed I couldn’t see clearly. The objective truth about my body seemed laughably untrue. For over two years, I did anything and everything that Ed told me to do. If he wanted me to eat less at meals or skip snacks, I did. If he wanted me to try a new workout, I did. If he wanted me to lie to my family members or friends, I did. I did my very best to keep everyone in the dark about my struggle. As a result, I lost weight. It was a very gradual, subtle process. I think that’s how Ed wanted it because he didn’t want anyone to notice my slow decline. After I had been struggling with anorexia for about two years, my parents intervened. They said they had noticed me losing weight, and they decided to take me to a Christian counselor. I gained a few pounds, but my life didn’t really change. I was still stuck in unhealthy habits and destructive thought processes. My counselor told me I needed to see a nutritionist.

TODAY’S CHRISTIAN LIVING

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That’s when my life really started to change. My first appointment with the nutritionist was a painful but necessary step in my recovery journey. It began my physical recovery, which preceded my mental, emotional, and spiritual recovery. But sitting in her office as she essentially told me that I needed to (1) stop exercising until I was cleared by a cardiologist and (2) increase how much food I was eating, was one of the hardest moments of my life. Ed was not on board with my recovery—and for a while, I wasn’t either. My physical recovery lasted for about six months, but my mental, emotional, and spiritual recovery has taken several years. Until very recently, I felt like I wasn’t making any progress in those areas. As I continued to abhor my body, I felt like I would never truly recover. I honestly expected to have a “lightbulb moment” in my recovery when everything started to make sense and I could see the truth clearly, but there wasn’t a single moment in time that instantly made me “better.” Rather, God worked in quiet, gradual ways to help me recover. He spoke the truth to me through my parents, sisters, doctors, counselors, and nutritionist. He remained faithful when I was faithless. He gave me the strength to finally say “no” to Ed’s demands. And He gave me the words to write a book about my story. Today, I can honestly admit that Ed was my idol. I let him have control of my life when I should’ve let God have control. But His grace met me in my sin, and He is my Restorer.  Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace. — Romans 6:12-14 NASB1995

Christian

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uthors have more opportunities to publish their work than ever before. With the advent of blogs, online magazines and electronic books, a writer’s words can go from unheard to unstoppable at a remarkable pace – without cranking up ye ole printing press. Wouldn’t Gutenberg be amazed? Furthermore, self-publishing has never been an easier, more viable, more affordable option. Publishers that offer print-on-demand open doors to those who, for a variety of reasons, do not go the traditional publishing route. If God has given you a story to tell; a true life lesson, an amazing experience, a heart-warming (or heart-wrenching) romance or a colorful fantasy, I hope you will take the time to write it down and find a way to share it with others. Whether

we write fiction or non-fiction, let’s heed these words in Psalm 78: 1-4 and praise God to the generations to come. Listen, O my people, to my instruction; Incline your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old, Which we have heard and known, And our fathers have told us. We will not conceal them from their children, But tell to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, And His strength and His wondrous works that He has done. —Psalm 78: 1-4

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Fervent in Love

By Michelle Adserias

uite often, a murder of crows holds high council in the white pines towering over our rooftop. I’m not privy to their conversation, but it sounds urgent. Perhaps they’re discussing threats to the rookery or trying to settle disputes. Whatever the issue, their feathers get ruffled. Their raucous caws ring through the neighborhood. It sounds a little like our household some days. A controversial issue comes up and we must address it. Or a conflict breaks out between two family members, and we must discuss it. I don’t know about your household, but in this one, every member has strong opinions and feels quite free to voice them. Things get pretty raucous and ruffled under our roof - as well as over it. I wouldn’t be terribly surprised if the neighbors sometimes get an earful (though they are too polite to say so). In the ideal Christian family, such a scene would never take place. Everyone would always be a model of self-control and self-

lessness. No one would ever raise their voice in anger. Every disciplinary action would be taken calmly and patiently. Hurtful words would never be exchanged. Every day would be like an episode of “Leave it to Beaver.” Suffice it to say, my husband and I are a far cry from Ward and June. And our children are more like Eddie Haskell than Wally and the Beav. The ideal Christian family we are not. But there’s no doubt we love each other. When we hurt or offend, we mend the wall by asking and extending forgiveness. And for every angry eruption, we share countless smiles, giggles, kindnesses and tender moments. Like us, you probably try to practice Peter’s exhortation in I Peter 4:8, “Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sin.” As iron sharpens iron, God is perfecting us all as we rub shoulders, and sometimes butt heads! Until our perfecting is complete in eternity, I guess we’ll all have moments when we sound more like the crows than the Cleavers.

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TESTIMONIAL

From

Ground Pounder

Believer

The Story of Isom Ross, Junior 26

TODAY’S CHRISTIAN LIVING

JANUARY 2024

By Celeste Walker

t was October 1967. The day started out like any other weekday. Up at 6:00 am, I ate the breakfast Auntie prepared for me before she left for work at Mack Shirt Factory. Then, I grabbed yesterday’s mail off the table and dropped it in my book bag, as I hurried off to the university. Later that morning, I reached into my book bag and pulled out the mail. In the stack was a letter from the US Army Office of Recruitment. I opened the letter and read it. “This is a mistake” I mumbled under my breath. I tossed the letter in the trash and headed to

“I have come to believe that God … was always with me.” my next class. Two weeks later, I received another letter. This time the tone was very different. It stated if I did not come to the recruitment office, they would send someone to pick me up and escort me there. The following week I went to the recruiting office. It was filled with rows of metal folding chairs, most of which were occupied. I walked up to the desk and put my hand in my pocket to take out the letter I had received. Before I could get it out of my pocket, without looking up, the man behind the desk said to me, “Name?” “Isom Ross, Junior, sir.” Again, without looking up from his desk he said, “We have been trying to get in touch with you, son.” “Yes, sir, I came here to let you know I’m a student at the University of Cincinnati. I’m not eligible for the draft.” “And, how many credit hours are you taking? “I’m taking one class, sir. I’m also working for the University.” “Three credit hours are not enough to disqualify you to serve. You have to be taking a minimum of twelve credit hours.” “Unfortunately, sir I can’t do that because I’m working.” “Well, son, there ain’t nothing I can do. Rules are rules. Be quiet. Go take a seat and join the class.” And, with that he looked back down at the list of names and placed a check mark next to mine.

An Unexpected Turn

My heart sank. I walked over and took a seat in the back. I was handed a packet of forms to fill out. I looked across the room, crowded with young men who all appeared to be around my age. When the presentation ended, we were instructed to stand and place our right hand over our heart. My first thought was, “Maybe if I refuse to take the oath, they will let me go.” But the faces of the uniformed officers told me that would not be the likely outcome. So, I stood with the others and we were sworn in. “You are now the property of the United States Army. For the next two years you will be active duty and the following four years you will be in the reserves.” The sound of silence was heard throughout the room. We were taken to a nearby restaurant for a meal, transported to

the airport and flown directly to Fort Benning, Georgia. The silence continued on the flight, interrupted only by the roar of the plane’s engine. All I could think about was Auntie. I wanted to call home but I was not allowed, at that time. She must have been so worried about me. I was never late for dinner. I wanted to tell her what happened. I wanted to tell her I loved her. I wanted to thank her for taking my brother, three sisters and me in after mama died. I was scared and confused. I knew praying wouldn’t help me. I gave up on God a long time ago, when He let my parents die, leaving us orphaned. I thought, “Surely, He does not care about me being shipped off to fight in a war at the age of 18.” Later that evening, I was finally able to call home and talk to Auntie. “They did what and you’re where?” she yelled into the phone. “Don’t worry,” I said. “I’ll be home, as soon as possible.” Four months later, at the completion of training, I was allowed to go home one final time before being sent overseas. Returning to base was one of the worst days of my life. But it was about to become much worse than I could ever imagine. One week later we were flown by helicopter to the jungle in Vietnam and began our tour of active duty.

An Unwanted Duty

We were known as Ground Pounders, the soldiers who went in first to search and destroy, to engage the enemy and secure the area. When my turn came to jump out of the helicopter, I stood up and took a deep breath, as I walked slowly to the opening in the side of the helicopter. I peered over the edge. All I could see in every direction was a field of bright green stalks jutting up toward the sun. Then, I heard a voice behind me. “Jump soldier.” I jumped. I landed waist deep in a rice paddy, filled with water. Using the thirty pounds of gear I was wearing, I struggled to steady myself, to prevent falling into the water. It was the beginning of one struggle after another to make sense out of my situation. The only conclusion that made sense were these recurring thoughts: It was God’s fault for not helping me and it was the fault of this land’s people for needing me. Why did I have to help fight a war that had nothing to do with me? That was when I decided, no matter what, I would do everything in my power to make it out of that God-forsaken place and back home. For the next year, every day of my life was immersed in fear, loss, sadness, death and destruction. I was wounded in combat and after I recuperated, I returned to the war zone. Finally, the day came when my tour of active duty ended. In October of 1969, I left the U.S. Army with an Honorable Discharge and numerous medals. I also left with overwhelming anger and confusion.

An Unseen Mercy

My journey from a Ground Pounder in the jungles of Vietnam to a faith-filled believer was a rocky road. My mind was inundated with many painful memories; friends lost to TODAYSCHRISTIANLIVING.ORG

Isom Ross Jr. enjoying his Honor Flight. a war I didn’t understand, days and nights lying in foxholes feeling the heat from passing bullets, and the calm of a rubber plantation violently curtailed by a deafening barrage of gunfire. One day, decades after returning home from the war, I very reluctantly agreed to attend a church conference with my wife.

TODAY’S CHRISTIAN LIVING

JANUARY 2024

As I listened to the pastor teaching about God’s love, a warm feeling enveloped me. The buried memories came rushing in like a flood. They were followed by a sense of peace I had never known, a peace I carry with me to this day. While there will always be things I do not understand about the war, I have come to believe that God, on whom I turned my back, was always with me. When He called my mother and father home to be with Him, He gave me Auntie to love and take care of me. It was His loving hand that deflected the bullets away from me during battle. In the midst of death and destruction, He spared me. I realized God had a divine plan for my life. That day, the Ground Pounder in me surrendered to the love of Jesus. I let go of the hatred I felt for the people I fought against in the war. Hatred became compassion. I realized that, given a choice, they would have remained home with their loved ones, leading a normal life, just as I would have. Our enemy had never been one another. Today, I begin each morning by reading the Bible, talking to the Lord and listening for His voice. I look forward to each new day I am given and living life to the fullest.  Celeste Walker is an author and publisher. She is the author of Treasure Heart and Los Regalos, the Gifts. She writes stories about love, hope and faith. Celeste is a member of World Changers Church International and resides in Ohio with her husband.

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RESOURCE GUIDE

ith the New Year comes the opportunity to add new books to your reading list. Whether you enjoy the warmth of a romance, the intrigue of a mystery, the guidance of a self-help book or the insights a study Bible has to offer, these resources have the potential to add depth to your imagination, guide you through life’s joys and trials, and spur you on as you walk with God. Hebrews 10:24 instructs us to “stir one another up to love and good works” within the context of faithfully gathering with your local church. We can also encourage one another from a distance, though. Books give writers – people you may never meet – an opportunity to peek inside their hearts. And readers encourage authors by “listening” to the message God has given them – whether it’s captured in fiction or non-fiction. What a marvelous opportunity for like-minded people to build one another up! “Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11

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[Thomas Nelson]

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ASK DR. WALT

Inspiratory muscle training Question: What do you know

This column is for informational purposes only, does not constitute health or medical advice, and is not intended to substitute for the diagnosis or recommendation(s) of your healthcare professional(s). 34

gency services and recreational settings, which require personnel and participants to exercise while carrying a load on the thoracic cavity (e.g., protective equipment, backpacks to transport gear and provisions, etc.). IMT appears to be effective in improving work and exercise capacity. While I agree that these potential benefits seem almost too good to be true, there is evidence of potential benefit without much cost and with virtually no risk.

Answer: IMT is a technique in which a person

inhales through a device that restricts airflow and makes inhalation more difficult. It’s a form of “resistance exercise” which aims to improve respiratory muscle strength and endurance. Clinical studies have used various IMT protocols and devices to test the effectiveness of IMT. Yet, despite decades of research on IMT, some studies show clear benefit and others no value at all. The research has centered on people with pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, and those wanting to improve athletic endurance. However, it remains unclear to what extent IMT is clinically beneficial, especially when associated with pulmonary rehabilitation and improved athletic performance. For lung disease, IMT may aid in overcoming disease-associated pathologies related to the pulmonary system, such as respiratory muscle weakness, altered operating lung volumes, and expiratory flow limitation, thus improving clinical status, shortness of breath, exercise capacity, and even quality of life in patients with lung disease such as COPD or asthma or even those with Parkinson’s Disease. IMT may not improve dyspnea, functional exercise capacity and life quality. For those with high blood pressure, studies have reported that 5 minutes of IMT, done 5 to 7 days a week, reduces blood pressure by about 7 mmHg systolic and 2 mmHg diastolic within two weeks of starting. Although these numbers sound small, they are in the range of what we typically find with some blood pressure medicines and are enough to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. At the very least, this may allow some people with hypertension to be treated with fewer medications or at lower dosages. In healthy and athletic populations, IMT enhances respiratory muscle function which may improve athletic performance, stamina, or recovery even in the absence of pulmonary system abnormalities. More recently, IMT has been studied in occupational settings, such as military and emer-

TODAY’S CHRISTIAN LIVING

JANUARY 2024

Walt Larimore, MD, has been called one of America’s best-known family physicians and has been named in the “Guide to America’s Top Family Doctors,”“The Best Doctors in America,” “Who’s Who in Medicine and Healthcare,” and “Who’s Who in America.” He’s a former vice president and physician in residence at Focus on the Family, and the American Life League named him a “Rock-Solid Pro-Life” awardee. He’s also an award-winning medical journalist and the bestselling author of over 40 books. He and his wife of 49 years, Barb, have two adult children and reside in Colorado Springs. You can find his daily blog at www.DrWalt.com and follow him on Facebook at “DrWalt.com.” Have questions for Dr. Walt? Email them to editor@ todayschristianliving.org.

about a newer form of treatment, inspiratory muscle training (IMT)? The claims sound too good to be true.

By Walt Larimore, MD

Health risk from a Wi-Fi router Question: My children have a

router attached to their computers in their bedrooms to get Wi-Fi for our house. A neighbor told me there may be health risks to those who sit or sleep near a router due to its radio waves. True or false?

Answer: Wi-Fi is a technology that allows

devices such as computers, smart phones, video game consoles, and smart home devices to connect wirelessly. It is also used to link home computers and tablets to the internet. Wi-Fi equipment emits radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMF) as do cordless phones, Bluetooth devices, and remote controls for garage door openers. For all of these devices, the RF EMF given off is a type of non-ionizing radiation. However, the energy output is extremely low, about 10 watts for

the typical Wi-Fi router. Very powerful radio sources, such as AM radio towers, can cause injuries, but these have a power output in the thousands, or even tens of thousands, of watts. Multiple public safety agencies and cancer institutes have determined that there are no health risks from exposure to RF EMF from Wi-Fi devices in your home, in schools or other areas accessible to the public. All of these devices must meet standards to ensure they do not exceed RF EMF exposure limits. However, my main concern is that you allow your children to have their computers in their bedrooms. I agree with the American Academy of Pediatrics which recommends that parents establish “screen-free” zones in the home – including no smart phones, TVs, or computers in bedrooms – and limit their children’s total screen time to one to two hours of highquality content each day in a public area of the home.

Over-the-counter hearing aids

Question: What do you think about the new over the counter (OTC) hearing aids? They seem to be a LOT less expensive than prescription hearing aids, but do you get what you pay for?

Answer: The new FDA-approved OTC hearing aids that

hit the market in October 2021 are an attractive alternative to millions of Americans with hearing impairments. These new hearing aids can be purchased without a hearing exam, a prescription, or an appointment with an audiologist. The savings can be significant. Jim Miller, of Senior Savy writes, “The average cost of an OTC hearing aid is about $1,600 per pair, which is about $3,000 less than the average price of a prescription hearing aid. But sorting through all the different options and styles can be confusing.” Here are some tips Jim provided recently (tinyurl.com/4ktu92pm): •

•

Check your hearing – The first step is to get your hearing tested as OTC hearing aids are only for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. The best place to get your hearing tested is through a hearing care professional, many of whom provide free hearing tests. You can also test your hearing at home with a good app-based hearing test like Mimi (mimi. health) or SonicCloud (soniccloud.com). Choosing an OTC hearing aid – Second, you need to know that OTC hearing aids come in two types: self-fitting and preset. Self-fitting aids typically use a smartphone app to set up and adjust the device, which makes them best suited for those who are technologically proficient. Preset hearing aids are much simpler devices that come with several set

programs for different levels of hearing loss, and the controls are directly on the hearing aid. Jim warns, “Because OTC hearing aids have a learning curve, it’s very important to know the level of customer support you’ll have access to. So, before you buy, find out how long the company provides support after your purchase and what sorts of experts will be providing the support.” He adds, “Make sure to choose a brand that offers a minimum 30-day free trial period or a money-back return policy.” OTC hearing aids are available online and at many pharmacies, electronics stores, and other retailers that carry health care devices. Some that currently carry OTC hearing aids include Best Buy, Costco, CVS, Hyvee, Walgreens, Walmart, and Victra Verizon. But which brands should you consider? A reliable resource is available from the National Council on Aging (NCA), a nonprofit organization that advocates for older Americans. Their online reviews at tinyurl.com/azrsrad2 can help you choose the right aid. They recently assembled a review team that spent more than 5,000 hours researching, testing, and interviewing customers about OTC hearing aids. They can help you cut through all the options by coming with a list of winners based on such criteria as affordability, style, and fit. They also review Best Buy, Costco, and Walgreens hearing aids. You can get more details and links to these products at tinyurl.com/4pca3a7r.  TODAYSCHRISTIANLIVING.ORG

QUICK TAKES

Intentional

Don’t Follow Your Heart By Thaddeus J. Williams [Zondervan Reflective] Why does chasing after expressive individualism, a grand experience, or a deep desire always fail to deliver on its promise of happiness? In Don’t Follow Your Heart, Thaddeus Williams debunks the “ten commandments of self-worship,” which include popular propaganda, like: Live your best life: Thou shalt always act in accord with your chief end—to glorify and enjoy yourself forever. Follow your heart: Thou shalt obey your emotions at all costs. Yolo: Thou shalt pursue the rush of boundary-free experience. Williams builds a case that this type of self-worship is not authentic, satisfying, or edgy. Instead, its rehashing what is literally humanity’s oldest lie. He calls on a new generation of mavericks and renegades, heretics who refuse to march in unison with the self-obsessed herd. With a fascinating blend of theology, philosophy, science, psychology, and pop culture, Williams points us to a life beyond self-defeating dogmas to a more meaningful life centered on Someone infinitely more interesting, satisfying, and awesome than ourselves.

By Brandon Guindon [Zondevan] Jesus Christ intentionally discipled twelve people every day for three and a half years and then commanded us to go and make disciples as well. And he empowered us by sending the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide us. The early church thrived and expanded by imitating the intentional relational methods Jesus modeled, yet somewhere along the way we lost sight of the simple truth that Jesus’ methods of disciple making are as holy as his message. Drawing from decades of experience making disciples, pastor Brandon Guindon equips you by introducing the eight principles of disciple making and shows you how to apply them, practically, in everyday life. Personal stories of success and failure in discipling relationships illustrate how we must personally commit to consistently living out the values Jesus modeled. Brandon also examines the obstacles that prevent us from imitating the ancient ways of Christ, sharing practical steps for approaching relationships differently and viewing the world through a Kingdom oriented lens.

Hope is the First Dose

The Last Exchange

By W. Lee Warren, MD [Waterbrook] The question isn’t whether you will face the hardest thing. It’s what to do when it’s staring you in the face. Because whether in your past, present, or future, trauma will reconfigure your life. And it will do so as your massive thing: someone left, someone cheated, the biopsy was bad, the baby didn’t have a heartbeat, a loved one died, you suffered abuse, or your dreams ended abruptly. The devastation is both immediate and ongoing, leaving a wake of emotional, spiritual, and even physical pain. Dr. Lee Warren, a neurosurgeon and former combat surgeon in Iraq, knows this firsthand. A medical doctor with more than twenty years’ experience wrestling with the tensions between faith and science, he faced unspeakable tragedy in losing his nineteen-year-old son. Dr. Warren offers tender empathy and hard-won insights to give you tangible hope, no matter what you’re facing. The first dose is hope—and it comes as grace from the skilled hands of the Great Physician.

By Charles Martin [Thomas Nelson] “Here’s the catch—even if I make it out of here alive, I need a reason to breathe again.” When MacThomas Pockets finished his last tour with the Scottish Special Forces, he was hired to consult for a film director. In a twist he never saw coming, he ended up moving to L.A. to work as the bodyguard for movie star Maybe Joe Sue. It didn’t take long for Pockets to realize there were two Joe Sues: The public Joe Sue, with her perfect life and her Hollywood husband. And the private Joe Sue, with the traumatic youth that no amount of pills could cover up - who desperately wanted her own child. Even after their paths diverged, Pockets tracked Joe Sue’s life. Only a few would notice when the bottom fell out. But he did. And that’s when he stepped in. One man seeks to answer the question: How far would you go—really— to save someone you love? Finding the answer will take readers on an intense and heart-wrenching journey to the very end.

TODAY’S CHRISTIAN LIVING

JANUARY 2024

Songs I Love to Sing By Edith L. Blumhofer [Wm. B. Eerdman] How did “How Great Thou Art,” an obscure Swedish hymn, get covered by Elvis? How did “Just as I Am” save Johnny Cash? How did DC Talk sanctify ’90s pop rock? In short: the Billy Graham crusades. Music animated these evangelistic extravaganzas, all of it carefully orchestrated by the “chord of three”: celebrated preacher Billy Graham, Gospel Music Hall of Fame baritone George Beverly Shea, and choral conductor and emcee Clifford Barrows. And the crusades went on to change the larger face of American music, influencing iconic popular artists in the second half of the twentieth century. The crusade songbook also took root in churches, its use spreading beyond evangelical soil into mainline Protestant and Catholic congregations. In Songs I Love to Sing, Blumhofer narrates the “biographies” of some of our most beloved modern hymns with verve and affection. Move beyond nostalgia. Discover the fascinating stories behind the soundtrack of American Christianity. Hear the surprising history shared by some of today’s most popular hymns.

Strength for All Seasons By Julie Lavender [Penguin Random House] In Strength for All Seasons, Julie Lavender is beautifully candid about the difficulties of motherhood. She offers encouragement and wisdom based on God’s most powerful words, reminding weary moms that He is the ultimate source of strength and resilience. This thoughtful weekly devotional gives moms the grace and space to go at their own pace and reflect on both celebrations and challenges while staying grounded in God’s truths. The seasons of motherhood are everchanging. The one thing moms can consistently count on is God. It features: • 52 weeks of truth-bearing prayers and devotions meant to transform, inspire and motivate moms to seek God. • Reflection questions for receiving God’s truths. • Insights for moms of all ages and life stages in their parenting journey. • Real examples of motherhood struggles - from mom burnout and guilt to hurtful comparisons and lack of self-care. Find reassurance that God knows your worth and chose you to raise your children.

The Upside Down Kingdom By Chris Castaldo [Crossway] In our sinful world, we often struggle with anxiety, loneliness, and heartache. Everywhere we look, we see broken families and divided communities. How can we truly cultivate God’s kingdom “on earth as it is in heaven” in such a broken place? In the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:2–12), Jesus urges us to set ourselves apart from the world, living in a counterculture with a new identity rooted in him. The Upside Down Kingdom examines this counterintuitive wisdom and explores its relevance for today. Drawing on insights from the biblical story of redemption, church fathers, Reformation scholars throughout history, and contemporary life, this book equips and encourages readers to get their spiritual bearings in an upside-down world. Author Chris Castaldo ultimately points readers to the Kingdom of Christ—not as a set of rules, but as a means of bringing peace and blessing here and now. This book is ideal for anyone interested in the contemporary issues confronting the church.

Working from the Inside Out By Jeff Haanen [IVP] Many today are experiencing social isolation, deep anxieties about the future, and various difficulties in the workplace. For too many of us, work seems tedious, painful, or meaningless. And we don’t know what to do about it. Working from the Inside Out pulls back the veil on the deep emotional and vocational challenges faced by the majority of workers and shows how work can become a way to love God, serve our neighbors, and demonstrate the gospel to the world. Bringing together emotional, relational, vocational, intellectual, and civic health through the seamless thread of vocation, Jeff Haanen offers a way out of the disintegration of our culture and toward a reintegrated life lived in response to God’s voice. The inner work of transformation leads to external transformation of our relationships and our work, and that good work influences our cities and the culture around us. Living from the inside out can change our work and heal our world. TODAYSCHRISTIANLIVING.ORG

PERSECUTION REPORT

By Jerry Dykstra and Open Doors contributors By Will Morris

Nigeria: Unabated Slaughter

here are certain verses in the Bible that are so full of truth, I am devastated whenever I read them. Jeremiah 17:9 is one of those verses. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” In one sentence, God peels back any defense we have about whether the fundamental nature of man is good or bad and indicts all of humanity. Our true nature – our sin, selfishness and all the petty cruelties that we show each other daily is laid bare. Taken to its logical conclusion, the verse also reveals that the historical acts of evil that we take as exceptions to our nature, such as the Holocaust, aren’t exceptions at all. Instead, they are what defines the human race. It is a dark theology. But it is also true. There are times when I am tempted to doubt Jeremiah’s words. Then I read a newspaper. The world is full of so many places right now that confirm what God spoke through the “weeping prophet”. Nigeria is a perfect example. For me, Nigeria has few rivals where the wickedness of the human heart has been allowed to reach its full potential, especially in terms of the persecution of believers. It is a place where almost every day, Islamic militants kill scores of believers in raids on Christian farms and villages. Hundreds more are killed weekly at Sunday church services and other church meetings in brazen attacks committed for no other reason than the potential they have to instill fear in the Christian population. Pastors or other Christian leaders are often targeted individually for the demoralizing effect their deaths will have in the Christian community. For Christians, Nigeria is a slaughterhouse. In 2022 alone, at least 5,104 Christians were murdered for their faith, more than any other place in the world. Nigeria also led the world in 2022 for the number of Christians who have been kidnapped, at least 4,726 people. Most of the Christians were kidnapped during raids and later held for ransom money. Others were forced to convert to Islam, some

TODAY’S CHRISTIAN LIVING

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made to marry Muslim men and still others sold as sex slaves, including children. In 2023, Nigeria jumped to sixth place in the Open Doors’ World Watch List, a list of countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian. This is up from seventh place the previous year and twelfth place just three years prior in 2020. The attacks are conducted by the terrorist group Boko Haram, along with ISWAP (Islamic StateWest Africa Province), which is affiliated with ISIS (Islamic State of Iran), and by Islamic herdsman belonging to the Fulani tribe. Their attacks are

Will Morris is the Middle East Correspondent for Morning Star News and one of its founding writers. He is an award-winning journalist and photographer whose byline has appeared in numerous domestic and international publications including The New York Times, The Washington Post and even Stars and Stripes. Mr. Morris has spent roughly a decade covering the Persecuted Church and conducting research about freedom of religion - mostly in the Muslim-majority countries in which he lived. He also covers national security and environmental issues. Will Morris holds a degree in International Studies from the Ohio State University where his coursework focused on the Middle East and Development. He is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, where he served in the infantry. You can contact Mr. Morris at veritas@ witnessmedia.org

brutal and brazen. An excerpt from a recent dossier compiled by Open Doors Research describes the pattern of persecution. “When a mainly Christian community is attacked, some are killed, some are injured, often seriously, and others are abducted. The pattern is frequently that men and boys are killed, and women and girls are abducted. Many flee from their homes and fields. Their properties are robbed; their harvests destroyed or possession of their farmland is taken over,” the dossier reads. “When the Christians dare to come back, there is always the fear that it will happen again. Fear reigns: When night falls, there is always the anxiety that another attack could come, and thoughts of what

might happen to oneself and one’s family. Villagers in some areas often sleep in forest areas at night to avoid Fulani attacks. Some communities have been permanently abandoned by their Christian inhabitants and occupied by Fulani militants.” After a series of particularly brutal attacks in April, Dominic Anza, a pastor in Kwande County in Benue State, described what life is like for Christians in his community. “Armed Fulani herdsmen have been attacking our Christian communities for years, but recently, these attacks became so intense that hardly any day passes without a community being attacked,” Anza told Morning Star News. “My village of Turan in Kwande Local Government Area was also attacked by these Fulani herdsmen, and many Christians in my village killed. My family’s house has been burned down by the herdsmen, and all my relations have been displaced. It’s impossible for me to even attempt to visit my village, because these herdsmen have completely taken over the affected communities.” There are roughly 216,747,000 people living in Nigeria. The majority of the population, 92%, is split evenly between the 100,420,000 Christians and 100,369,000 Muslims, but the ratio of adherents varies widely by state. In the north-western states, such as Sokoto and Zamfara, Christians make up only 5% of the population. But in states like Emo and Abia in the south, Christians account for 80% of the people. Historically the violence in Nigeria has been limited to the northern part of the country, with Boko Haram and ISWAP committing attacks in the northeast, Fulani militants active in the North-Central States and armed bandits active in the northwest part of the country. Currently though, those lines have started to blur. The agendas of the groups and their area of operations have started to overlap. More troubling is that the groups have now begun extending their attacks southward. Along with this, the homegrown terrorist groups are being joined by fighters from neighboring countries, presumably along with the weapons used in their attacks. Because of the attacks on their communities, Christians have had to flee their homes and become part of the more than 3 million internally displaced persons in Nigeria. Many have been forced to live in refugee camps inside their own country. Nigeria’s government continues to deny the attacks are religious persecution. The government, which has been complicit in legal forms of discrimination against Christians, is either

unable to take on the militants, unwilling to do it, or both. As if that wasn’t bad enough. the international response to the genocide in Nigeria, as some characterize it, has been dismal. Despite near-constant killings, stories of the brutality within Nigeria hardly ever reaches the U.S. news media, unless they are produced by a handful of small news agencies dedicated to covering religious persecution. The U.S. government’s response to the Nigerian problem has been particularly bad. In December 2022, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom publicly condemned the Biden administration for “turning a blind eye” to Nigeria’s “particularly severe religious freedom violations” and refusing to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern under the International Religious Freedom Act. There are some groups that have characterized the situation in Nigeria as a tribal matter, because the terrorists have killed Muslims in the raids. The same groups also identify the pressures of climate change as a leading factor in the killings, and not religion, because Nigeria is undergoing both deforestation and desertification and that puts pressure on militant herders in the states where the attacks happen. But even in many of the states where Muslims vastly outnumber the Christians, the militants still kill the Christians in greater numbers. 

PRAYER POINTS: COMFORT all the family members and church family members of Christians who have been slain across Nigeria in attacks by Islamic Militants. Provide income for families that have lost primary bread winners. Ease their pain and give them peace that “surpasses all understanding.” COMFORT all the Christians in Nigeria that have been kidnapped by militant Islamists and are currently being held in captivity. Pour your Spirit out on them, protect them from being assaulted, provide for their basic needs and provide a path to freedom. CONVINCE President Bola Tinubu, who was sworn into office in May, that the issue of Christians being killed in Nigeria is an issue of national prestige and a national security issue that needs to be addressed. SPIRITUALLY STRENGTHEN all Christians in Nigeria so that they can give a strong, uncompromising witness that will open the hearts and minds of the Islamists to the saving grace of Jesus. TODAYSCHRISTIANLIVING.ORG

man was accused of murder and brought before a judge. The man admitted his guilt, the jury found him guilty, and the judge pronounced his sentence with deep sorrow: the death penalty. The guilty man was his own son. Despite the judge’s deep love for him, he could not dismiss the charges or avert the penalty. He must uphold the law or be a corrupt, unjust judge. He was caught in a heart-wrenching dilemma. Then he thought of a solution. The judge stepped down, removed his robe, and exchanged places with his son. He was executed in his son’s place. That’s what Jesus, in His grace and mercy, did for us when he died on the cross. He was not guilty but paid the penalty for our guilt; he was sinless but paid the price for our sin.

God’s forgiveness is available to anyone who will own, ask forgiveness for, and turn away from their sin (repent) and put their hope, faith, and trust in Christ alone. Only His blood, shed on the cross, can wash away the guilt of our sin so we can forever enjoy God’s forgiveness and fellowship. The question is, will you accept God’s free gift? It’s only a sincere prayer away. If you’d like to find new life in Christ, tell God you are sorry for your past wrongs and want Him to be your Lord and Savior. He’ll send the Holy Spirit to live in you, guide you, and change you from the inside out. “It is by grace you have been saved through faith — and this is not through yourselves, it is the gift of God — not of works, so that no one can boast.” —Ephesians 2:8-9

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Words

By Michelle Adserias

ords. As a writer, they’re my favorite creative outlet. I really enjoy words. Some have a lovely, lilting sound: soliloquy, cameo, gazelle and cinematography. Many are just fun to say: platypus, onomatopoeia, kangaroo, and fastidious. Others, though perfectly good words, sound downright ugly: behooves, abuts, gargoyle, and sludge (to name a few). What prompted my contemplation about words, however, is the plethora (fun word!) of them thrown around on a daily basis - and how hollow most of them are. The radio bombards me with ads, and news, and songs, and words devoid of any true worth, unless I’m tuned into Christian radio. Even that has its empty moments. The television blasts me with news, and ads, and sitcoms, and reality shows that are “full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” (Thank you, Mr. Shakespeare.) Telemarketers are forever soliciting donations, or asking me to listen to a vital message before soliciting donations. Facebook is cluttered with quotes, and quips, political protestations from people affiliated (lilting word!) with every possible party, and an endless stream of chatter. And then there are all my own words, and my family’s words, some good and some not so good. Perhaps, I’m suffering, from blabber overload! David’s wise son Solomon said in Proverbs 10:19, “When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable.” In other words, “Shut up already, Michelle! The more you talk, the more likely you are to say something you’ll regret. Listen more. Talk less. Quit wasting your words on meaningless chatter. Use your words to edify, instruct, rebuke, and encourage. Use your words to worship and praise.” Sometimes I ponder the wondrous things God accomplished with His words. By the power of His spoken word, time came into being. By the power of His spoken word, the sun took its place in the heavens and the planets were set into orbit. By the power of His spoken word, the land and the seas and the skies were created - and teemed with life. “And God said,” and there was.

I wish I could say, “Let there be supper” and it would be so and I could declare it good. I have to “do.” God only has to say. By the power of His spoken word, the Word, who was there from the beginning and through whom all things were made, became flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1) In Christ-mademan, we have God’s final word on all God was and is and will evermore be. In the word-made-flesh, God’s Son, the Father summarized holiness, humility, compassion, sacrifice, judgment, redemption and glory. By the power of the Living Word, death was defeated once for all. And by the power of God’s written Word, the Bible, God still speaks. “For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart” –Hebrews 4:12. Through the pages of this inexplicable book, God convicts men of their sin, convinces them they need a Savior, and begins the process of conforming them to the image of His Son. So much of what I say is nothing more than clumsy verbiage. So much is dishonoring to God. So much is empty. I don’t want to add more noise to the universe. There’s way too much noise out there already. Words have the power to heal or harm, to build or destroy, to lift myself and others to high places or drag us into the depths. They can persuade, or entertain, or educate. Because words are so potent, God warns me to choose them wisely – to the glory of my Heavenly Father.  Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer. —Psalm 19:14

TODAYSCHRISTIANLIVING.ORG

BY THE MERCIES OF GOD

from ‘Love the Ones Who Drive You Crazy’ by Jamie Dunlop

ow can we move from avoiding “those people,” to tolerating them, to loving them because we “ought to,” to loving them with affection as family?

Treasure God’s Mercy

The answer is mercy. The road from “ought to” to “want to” begins with Gods mercy. That’s what we see in Romans 12:1: I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. With this verse, Paul begins one of Scripture’s longest discourses on love. But let’s not rush into his imperatives so quickly that we skip over what makes such love possible. “By the mercies of God.” In Romans 11:1, the mercies of God have reconciled Jew and Gentile to God through faith in Christ and, as a result, to one another. Then, in Romans 12, we learn the practicalities of this union. It’s like Paul is saying, “Congratulations! You’re one big, happy family (Romans 1-11). Now let’s figure out how this is going to work (Romans 1215).” Specifically, the love he will describe in these chapters is a love that’s powered by mercy.” What is mercy? Mercy is God rescuing us from the consequences of our sin. That’s one reason we must resist the temptation to minimize or ignore our sin. We often consider the undeserved blessings we’ve received as Christians (adoption as his sons, the inheritance of heaven, the gift of the Spirit, and many more). But for many, we’re less accustomed to considering the punishment Jesus took for us. Yet if we do not comprehend sin’s consequences that we should have borne, we will fail to appreciate the wealth of God’s mercy in Christ, and our love will be weak. I remember when this hit home for me. I had gossiped about an acquaintance at church, sharing private information with a group of people. He was understandably embarrassed when he discovered what I’d done, and angry at me for poking fun at something so sensitive. He confronted me, I apologized and I confessed to God. Ordinarily I would have left things there and moved on. But this time I decided to take Paul’s words seriously. I stared into the sin of my heart. I saw that what masqueraded as a small sin was in fact quite significant. I’d carelessly and selfishly abused this man’s trust, getting attention from others at his expense. Not only that, but my sin against Jesus was even greater. 42

TODAY’S CHRISTIAN LIVING

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The only reason I had this information in the first place was because this man was a brother in Christ; I abused the gift of this relationship. When I prioritized a few laughs above this man’s dignity, I was devaluing Christ, the source of his dignity. The more I followed my sin down to the recesses of my heart, the worse it appeared, and the more I saw that this sin was primarily against Christ (Psalm 51:4). Far from the “little sin” I’d initially dismissed, it was a big, ugly mess. Then began the wonderful journey up into the height of God’s mercy. God already knew all this! He knew it all when in his mercy he sent Jesus to die in my place to take the punishment I deserved. He gave me new life, knowing I’d sometimes use it to defame those he’d died for. He loved me that much. And in these unexplored depths of God’s mercy, I discovered a new degree of love for God. The whole process took maybe five or ten minutes. Yet never since have I viewed confession of as a merely perfunctory duty. It’s alive with opportunity to behold the mercy of God in all its love-giving power. Brother or sister, if you are to love the “unlovables” in your church, you must grasp how unlovable you were when Christ chose to put his love on you, and how unlovable you remain today even as you are secure in his love. To whatever extent you minimalize your sin, or offer excuses for it, or decide not to think about it, you undermine the power of God in your life. On the other hand, when you do grasp the astounding truth of God’s mercy, it will change everything. In particular, it will change your ability to love…  Content adapted from Love the Ones Who Drive You Crazy by Jamie Dunlop, ©2023. Used by permission of Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers, crossway.org. Jamie Dunlop serves as associate pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church. He is the co-author (with Mark Dever) of The Compelling Community and the author of Budgeting for a Healthy Church. Jamie and his wife, Joan, have three schoolaged children and live on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C.

QUIPS & QUOTES

And as a robb’d man, which by search doth find His stolen stuff sold, must lose or buy it again, The Sun of glory came down, and was slain, Us whom He had made, and Satan stole, to unbind. ‘Twas much, that man was made like God before, But, that God should be made like man, much more. — John Donne Love your neighbors through thick and thin... Don’t seek to please them, but to please your Master; and remember, if they spurn your love, your Master has not spurned it, and your deed is acceptable to Him as if it had been acceptable to them. — Charles Spurgeon

But depend on it, bad company in this life, is the sure way to procure worse company in the life to come. — J.C. Ryle

TODAYSCHRISTIANLIVING.ORG

LAUGH LINES

Divine Intervention

made a little niche in the corner of my bedroom for prayer next to the master bathroom. I prayed and asked to experience the Lord’s Holy Spirit. Suddenly, I felt a bright light surrounding me. I continued to pray and a shadow came over me—disappearing then reappearing. I finally opened my eyes and discovered that the sun was reflecting off my bathroom mirror— and my husband had just passed in front of me! —Submitted by Michele Bouchard

“S

o tell me, Mrs. Farris,” asked the interviewer, “have you any other skills you think might be worth mentioning?”

“Actually, yes,” said the applicant modestly. “Last year I had two short stories published in national magazines, and I finished my novel.” “Very impressive,” he commented, “but I was thinking of skills you could apply during office hours.” Mrs. Smith explained brightly, “Oh, that was during office hours.” —From Mikey’s Funnies www.mikeysfunnies.com

INDEX & WEB LISTING ACTS Retirement-Life Communities.................................................2 www.actsretirement.org

Josh McDowell Ministry...................................................................30 www.josh.org

B&H Publishing Group.............................................................. 31, 33 www.bhpublishinggroup.com

KMWE..............................................................................................41 www.kmwehawaii.com

Baker Books......................................................................................32 www.bakerpublishinggroup.com

Kregel Publications.....................................................................32, 33 www.kregel.com

Book Baby.........................................................................................25 www.bookbaby.com

Marathon Tours Inc..........................................................................48 Maranathatours.com

Dorrance Publishing.........................................................................25 www.dorrancepublishing.com

Moody Publishers.............................................................................31 www.moodypublishers.com

Exodus Design...................................................................................24 www.exodusdesign.com Foundation for American Christian Education.............................24 Face.net

Total Living Network........................................................................47 www.tln.com

HarperCollins Christian Publishing.........................................32, 33 www.harpercollinschristian.com

Tyndale House Publishers...................................................... 1, 21, 30 www.tyndale.com

Hatchette Book Group......................................................................31 www.hbgusa.com

Word Weavers International...........................................................24. word-weavers.com

InstantPublisher...............................................................................24 www.instantpublisher.com

Memories in Writing........................................................................23 www.memoriesinwriting.com

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GRACE NOTES

By Leasha Noblitt

Before I Was a Mom By Leasha Noblitt

Leasha Noblit is passionate about advocating for children with educational needs. She loves coming alongside families by helping navigate the unknowns that come after a diagnosis. She is a worship pastor’s wife, a special needs mom to five kids, and an elementary special education teacher. In her free time, you can find her in Fort Worth drinking coffee, reading, and spending time with her family and friends while trying to figure out what to cook for dinner…again.

Before I became a mom, just over 12 years ago, I was such a great mom! I knew everything about kids. I, of course, wasn’t going to raise picky eaters. They would eat every organic meal I spent all day preparing. My car (not a minivan) would always be clean. My kids would never pitch fits. Especially in public. Their hair would always be fixed and they would always wear cute, freshly-washed clothes. As far as yelling at my kids - I would never! I would be in the best shape of my life. I would keep my college bod – forever. My husband and I would see eye to eye on all parenting things. We would live in wedded bliss – for life. I could have written a bestseller on how to be a mom before I even was one. I had it figured out! I was killin’ the mom game before I was even a contestant on the field. And then, we had our first baby girl, Londyn. She didn’t follow the chapters I had written in my premom book about motherhood. Those postpartum days were otherworldly. “Who am I? Why are the nurses letting me take this baby home? Why am I leaking everywhere? Why am I crying? Why am I happy and scared and angry all at the same time?” My pre-mom parenting book didn’t have the answers. Then, twelve months later, we had our first son, Brody. That kid could cry! He was squishy and cute, but the minute I laid him down, he would scream his head off and then vomit everywhere. My babies were supposed to be clean and smell good. He didn’t follow the chapters either. Fifteen months after Brody, we had our sweet second son, Cole. Three kids in two and a half years is a circus – a diaper-filled, loud, toys everywhere, nursing-filled, wonderful circus. When Cole was eight months old, we moved our 3-ring circus from Fort Worth to Houston. And if you’re wondering, Cole was the third child who didn’t follow any of the chapters, plots, or subplots I had written. Eighteen months after Cole, we had our fourth sweetie, Hattie Jo. Hattie Jo was, and still is, all rainbows, unicorns, happiness, and fun. However, she didn’t follow my anticipated table of contents. After Hattie Jo, we took a four-year break. In 2019, we welcomed our final addition, Parker.

TODAY’S CHRISTIAN LIVING

JANUARY 2024

Come to find out she writes the chapters then rips the pages out. Everything I thought about parenting, before I had kids, was a farce. After a global pandemic, church planting that took us back to Fort Worth, two dyslexia diagnoses, and two autism diagnoses, I find myself book-less. Most days, I have no idea what’s next in our family’s story, or each of our kid’s individual stories. Daily living has a way of ripping up chapters - exposing unrealistic expectations of myself and my kids. Those five tiny human beings, with their own hearts, wills, passions, emotions, and desires, have taught me to have open-handed expectations. The only thing I can fill book pages with are the stories of God’s faithfulness. I can trust Him with every aspect of my family (which I don’t always do - but I’m trying). From my lack of parenting knowledge, to providing for five kids with varied needs, to my marriage, to my passions and desires outside of being a wife and mom, to my sin, to my fears about tomorrow - I can trust Him with it all. I sometimes wish someone had written a book about the intricate details of my family and given it to me, to help me navigate the years of parenting ahead. How do my husband and I make the right decisions? Then I remember. That book has been written! Psalm 139:16 says: “Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all my days were written in your book and planned before a single one of them began.” God has written a chapter for each member of my family. I didn’t see the twists and turns, the new characters, settings, tragedy, joy, happiness, and adventure before. It’s all so unexpected! I’m excited, and a little scared, to see what’s to come. I love God’s promise in Isaiah 46:10: “He will feed His flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in His arms, holding them close to His heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.” I fondly look back at pre-mom Leasha and laugh. If she could see five-kids Leasha today, she would run! I’d tell her to burn her book and hold on to the Author of the Book. He will love her, be faithful to her, and gently lead her into each crazy, circus-filled day to come. 