Champion Life Magazine Winter 2011

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ANNIVERSARY ISSUE

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ANNIVERSARY ISSUE

154,785 WORDS

56,935 COPIES

476 127 PAGES

ARTICLES

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LETTERS

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YEARS

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PURPOSE

ISSUES

YOU.

“Celebrating 5 years of Champion Life Magazine”

There is something that happens when we write our dreams down-we commit a piece of our heart to them.

SHEILA GERALD WINTER 2006 - DREAM IT THEN DO IT

Sometimes we’re so quick to take matters into our own hands that we don’t give God a chance to handle the difficult situations in our lives.

KEVIN GERALD SPRING/SUMMER 2009

The kind of friend you are is the kind of friend you’ll attract.

ED YOUNG FALL 2009 - RELATIONAL REALITIES

Without honor, every relationship begins to die.

PHIL & HOLLY WAGNER WINTER 2010 - FOR BETTER OR WORSE

Some people want to come to God and sign a prenuptial agreement -picking and choosing what they want and what they are willing to give.

KEVIN GERALD WINTER 2007 - I HOPE YOU DANCE

Every extraordinary act of God begins with an ordinary act of obedience.

STEVEN FURTICK SPRING/SUMMER 2010 - PERHAPS PARADOX

Getting in shape is not always easy or convenient, but it is always worthwhile.

TIM TOLLIVER SPRING 2007 - 3D HEALTH

God wants you to “put on” the new person he’s developing so a new youa real and better you-can emerge.

KEVIN GERALD SPRING 2008 - AUTHENTIC IMITATION

FIRST ISSUE WINTER 2006

“Without wise leadership, a nation falls; with many counselors, there is safety.”

FIRST ANNIVERSARY WINTER 2007 WINTER 2006

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“WITHOUT WISE LEADERSHIP A NATION FAILS; WITH MANY COUNSELORS THERE IS SAFETY.”

Proverbs 11:14 { NLT }

ISSUE 1

Fall 2006, Issue 4

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-PROVERBS 11:4 (NLT)

11/3/2005 11:31:46 AM

Courage not only implies bravery , but the persistence to endure in times of adversity.” - Kevin Gerald

“COURAGE NOT ONLY IMPLIES BRAVERY, BUT THE PERSISTENCE TO ENDURE IN TIMES OF ADVERSITY.”

WINTER 2008

2 YEARS WINTER 2008

Grace

p.04

Making the Connection p.10

-KEVIN GERALD

Created for Community p.16

SPRING/SUMMER 2009

SPRING/SUMMER 2009

Real Life Champions p.21

commitment in the face of conflict produces character - unknown

“COMMITMENT IN THE FACE OF CONFLICT PRODUCES CHARACTER.”

4 YEARS OF CHAMPION LIFE MAGAZINE WINTER 2010

-UNKNOWN check out th is issue on line

champ

ionsce

FA L L 2 0 1 0

at first, dreams seem

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impossible, Champion Life Magazine is now available online

champion

then

improbable,

and eventually

inevitable.

2011 OUR FIFTH ANNIVERSARY

~ Christopher Reeve

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FALL 2010

scentre.com

11/3/2005 11:33:50 AM

ntre.com

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UNCOMPLICATED RELATIONSHIPS

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GETTING CONNECTED

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ALL FOR ONE

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REAL LIFE CHAMPIONS

Watch anytime you want!

E XE CU T IVE PU B LIS H E RS Kevin Gerald & Sheila Gerald

E DITO R-IN-CH IE F Jodi Gerald-Cameron

S E NIOR P ROJE C T MANAGE R ART DIRE C TOR

Jen Mueller

Heather Stajgr, Hemisphere Design

CONT RIB U T ING E DITORS

Abbie Buck, Corianne Burton, Kim Ludwick,

Stephanie Jannsen, Raelynn Poulin, Leslie Powell, Elizabeth Woody, Judi Shackett, Mark Stewart & McKenzie Zimmerman CONT RIB U T ING P H OTOGRAP H Y

Tawnya Hood,

Beauty Of Life Photography CONT RIB U T ING GRAP H IC DE S IGN CONT RIB U T ING WRIT E RS

Venessa Koehn & Mickey Elliott

Kevin Gerald, Jodi Gerald-Cameron,

Heather Isaac, Sue Kahawaii, Ed & Lisa Young DIST RIB U T ION

P RODU C E R

Kim Ludwick

Champion Life Magazine is produced by Kevin Gerald

Communications (KGC). KGC is a department of Champions Centre in Tacoma | Bellevue, WA, a non-profit organization.

TO S U B S CRIB E www.championscentre.com Phone: (toll-free) 888-935-6914

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TO S P ONS OR

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our magazine through distribution or sponsorship please contact us at: 253-475-6454 x361

Watch full messages from Champions Centre Live or On Demand 24/7: 1. Go to kevingerald.tv 2. Click on "Live Streaming" 3. Watch live every Sunday 11:30am PST 4. Or click "On Demand" to watch whenever you want.

QU E ST IONS / COMME NTS / IDE AS

Let us know. We welcome your

feedback. Please write us at: championlife@championscentre.com

MAIL Champion Life Editorial 1819 E. 72nd St. Tacoma, WA 98404

Produced by Champions Centre Publishing Š 2011. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without expressed written permission is prohibited and a violation of applicable laws.

2011 copyright Printed by Capitol City Press

"The quality, not the longevity, of one's life is what is important."

F E AT U R E S

— Martin Luther King, Jr.

1 0 Lion-Like

by Kevin Gerald

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1 8 The Marriage Mirror

by Ed & Lisa Young

2 4 Relationship Connection

by Kevin Gerald

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IN THE KNOW 8 Champions Foundation Update IN EVERY ISSUE 6 You to Us 7 Let’s Talk

ABOUT US Champion Life Magazine purposes to equip people to live successful Christian lives.

1 6 Champion Finds 30

Real Life Champions

3 2 k. Wise Winter 2011

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YOU to US Comments from Fall 2010 Issue During my second deployment to Iraq,

I just wanted to say how much I love

I became heavily involved in a men's

Champion Life Magazine! I moved

ministry that I led at the Chapel on

away from Champions Centre last

the Forward Operating Base where

year and the magazine is my way of

we lived. It was during this time that I

staying connected to the community.

noticed several of the Champion Life

I look forward to reading the articles

Magazines in the back of the Chapel.

each quarter and sharing them with

Upon perusing them, I became interested

my friends and family. — Kristin M.

in what appeared to be a very robust and dynamic church. We started exploring the various churches in the area upon my return from Iraq this past summer.

Within 15 minutes of sitting down in the congregation during the 11:30 Sunday service, we both knew that we were home. The worship was incredible and the message that Pastor Gerald delivered

We want to hear from you!

Do you have feedback or a story to share? CLM welcomes your comments.

was a breath of fresh air. — Martin L.

“Extraordinary” in the Fall 2010 magazine.

God has for us. This was a great reminder

championscentre.com

that God has big things in store for us.

Champions Centre Tweets Here are some of the recent online tweets we’ve seen about Champions Centre in 140 characters or less. Join the conversation at twitter.com.

We were created to be extraordinary. I’m believing for the extraordinary in this new

to quality content and printing is evident. Hopefully, it continues to be appreciated by your readers. Thank you for publishing such an uplifting and motivating magazine for your

Your Fall issue of CLM was so convicting and encouraging at the same time. The article about Breaking Free was an eye opener and just what I needed right now. — Brad M.

Examine your beliefs this

Lovin the new series in

Current realities are not

week. What your believing is

#2011 at @CCTacoma on

necessarily permanent

effecting what your receiving.

@kevingerald's book "Forces that

conditions. New realities are

— @kevingerald

Form your Future" / ths book

waiting to be created.

revolutionized my life 9yrs ago!

— @kevingerald

I can't put down

— @samueldeuth

@kevingerald new book!

Forces that form your future!

Anointed! Get it peoples!!! It is just what I needed.

— @amandahayes76

Your future is not something Love that I can be out of town but still attend service Champions Centre @CCTacoma via live

— @mary_anderson

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to be proud of. Your commitment

year! — Larry J.

streaming! #ilovemychurch!

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best issue ever. That’s something

readers! — Jeff H.

Please write us at: championlife@

72nd St., Tacoma, WA 98404

was fantastic! I think it may be your

Thank you for your article on Sometimes we get off track on the plan

Mail: Champion Life Editorial, 1819 E.

This issue on the topic of commitment

Champion Life Magazine

that happens to you—It's something that happens through you. @kevingerald #Forces that Form Your Future. #ccfan — @catasuprema

LET’S TALK A new year, a new season, a new passion. Here we are in 2011. This year marks some milestones for Sheila and I—we’ve been in ministry in the Pacific Northwest for 25 years as of this summer, and this issue of Champion Life Magazine (CLM) marks our Five Year Anniversary of publication. We’re thankful for all the great things that have happened until now, and we’re excited for all the great things ahead!

You are the reason we are here and why we are still going strong. Our heart is that through the ministry of Champions Centre you are helped and inspired to become the Christ-follower that you intend to be.

Our mission has always been and is still about equipping you to live a successful Christian life. We hope you can take the practical wisdom offered and apply it to your everyday life so that you can influence as many people as possible for God. In this anniversary issue, we are focusing in on the word “Excellence.” In my experience, excellence is less about perfection and more about an appetite for greatness. As humans, we don’t always get it perfect 100 percent of the time, but we can strive for excellence in everything we do by having an ever increasing hunger for greatness.

Craving excellence in our lives begins with having the right mindset. We will not reach excellence if we are apprehensive, hesitant, or negative. Read about how we can go to the next level and achieve an excellent life with a lion-like tenacity on page 10.

Surrounding ourselves with the right people is crucial for us to recognize if we want to keep expanding our hunger for greatness. Imagine how different your life would be today if your relationships had been different? Would you be better positioned to experience excellence in your life? Find out in, The Relationship Connection on page 24.

Whether you are married or single, you’ve got to check out The Marriage Mirror, (page 18) from our good friends Ed & Lisa Young. They bring a fresh perspective on the realities of marriage and what the marriage relationship really reflects. Ed & Lisa pastor the multi-site Fellowship Church out of Dallas, Texas and will be with us in the month of February for our annual MESH Relationship Conference.

In this quarter’s Real Life Champion’s story (page 30), a woman shares her journey from night clubs to God’s house. She tells us how she went from a broken place of solitude to redemption, grace, and living a full life with her family.

Throughout the different CLM issues this year, we invite you to join us in celebrating and remembering great moments in our history as a publication and as a ministry in the Northwest. Let us know how you have been encouraged, inspired, and challenged through this ministry by emailing championlife@championscentre.com.

Together we can make God famous on the planet! Thank you for coming alongside of us and our mission. Here’s to another 25 years of pursuing excellence in all that we do! Enjoy this anniversary issue... and choose to increase your appetite for excellence starting today!

Winter 2011

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UPDATE Champions Foundation is a non-profit organization.

Our mission is to inspire faith, hope, compassion and education through collaborative partnerships in our community and in the world.

The Justice Project is a division of our hope initiatives, in which we reach out to help people in need in our local community through a variety of partnerships and supporting projects all year long.

One of our volunteers shared her thoughts after an evening of feeding homeless folks in Seattle. “It’s easy to come with preconceived ideas about the homeless.

What we find is that each person has their own story to tell. None of them ever expected to end up homeless. One elderly gentleman worked for the city of Seattle his whole life. His wife passed away, and then he became physically unable to do his job. He was laid off, and when his unemployment ran out, he had nowhere to turn. His house was foreclosed, and without any income, he found himself on the street. We find that most of the homeless are not drug addicts or alcoholics. They are simply people who hit hard times.”

The Justice Project partners with many other organizations, with our teams of volunteers assisting in a wide variety of roles. These include preparing and serving food at the Tacoma Rescue Mission, helping to build homes with Habitat for Humanity, hosting events for foster children with the Foster Care Alliance, providing resources and volunteers for Need A Break Services, Paint Tacoma Beautiful, and many more.

Another resource the Champions Foundation offers in the community is the largest Celebrate Recovery location in Washington State. This 12-step program helps people overcome life’s hurts, hang-ups, and addictions. Hundreds of individuals have successfully completed the program. John*, 24 years old, had a 10-year heroin addiction. With the help of the program, as well as assistance from our other partner agencies, John is now drug free. He has completed his GED and is headed to college.

These are the kind of stories that motivate the Justice Project team to continue reaching out into our community. It may be a house in need of paint, an elderly person needing assistance, a family that is experiencing difficult times. But the goal remains

C hampions Found at i on . c om 2 5 3 .4 7 5 . 6 4 5 4 x 1 3 5

the same—to offer hope, love, and change to others through our efforts.

We love to partner with individuals who want to make a difference. Whether you want to donate, or sign up to volunteer, visit our website at www.championsfoundation.com *Names changed to protect privacy

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Champion Life Magazine

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Winter 2011

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Champion Life Magazine

By Kevin Gerald

Growing up,

I was not interested in the Jesus that the

Sunday school pictures showed. I didn’t identify with that soft, chiffon-wearing man. Looking back, I think I was disappointed that God seemed one dimensional—only a soft, gentle, merciful, and sacrificial Lamb. It wasn’t until I began to understand that the Lamb was Jesus’ role, but not His identity, that I found myself regaining interest.

REVELATION 5:4-6, “See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed… Then I saw a Lamb… He has conquered.”

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It’s an interesting choice of words the writer se-

can promise you this—what you have to offer the

lected to describe Jesus, known as “Heaven’s

world will always be met with resistance.

Sacrificial Lamb.” But the analogy is only partially accurate. The difference between Jesus and

If you’ve ever bought exercise equipment that

the lambs used in sacrifice is that He willfully, in-

gathered dust in the attic because you don’t

tentionally, and strategically embraced the role

exercise, then you know what resistance is. If

of a lamb. Which means he is not the typical,

you’re a writer who doesn’t write, an artist who

helpless, and overpowered lamb.

doesn’t draw, an entrepreneur who never starts

ROLE VS. IDENTITY

a venture, then you know what resistance is. If you’re a giver who isn’t giving, a leader who has

When I started to see glimpses of Jesus as more

nothing to say, a musician who hasn’t learned to

than just the Lamb but also as a Lion, it stirred

play, you know what resistance is.

me, calling me to a place of strength and to my own sense of purpose and destiny. In Revelation

We all have two lives—the life we live, and the un-

5, Jesus is referred to as a Lamb and “the Lion of

lived life within us. Between the two stands an

the tribe of Judah.” In the Old Testament, Solo-

ongoing, never ending resistance.

mon’s temple steps were lined with 12 lions, not 12 lambs. Author C.S. Lewis depicts Christ as a Lion

Often, the unlived life is the plan God has for us

in The Chronicles of Narnia.

that is deep within in the form of our desires, our

The Lamb was Jesus’ role, but the Lion was his identity.

ambitions and our dreams. My sense is that a lot of God’s people today are giving in too easily, let-

I realized Jesus was a Lion on a mission, on as-

ting go too soon of the life unlived.

signment from Heaven to take back territory that had been lost. He was daring, courageous, and

It’s easy to take on ideas and concepts about our-

determined to triumph over evil. When I started

selves that are not consistent with who we are

seeing the cause, the fight, the conquest—that’s

and our place in the world. In Genesis 1:26-28,

when I was inspired to go after God’s plan for

God created us in His likeness and gave us do-

my life.

minion over the earth. Our salvation is all about restoring man to his original position of rulership.

You may be thinking, that’s great, but what does

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this have to do with me? I may not know your

Our challenge is that there is “lamb-like” thinking

life mission, your contribution to the world, but I

all around us. Some people think of themselves

Champion Life Magazine

as victims of circumstance. They see themselves

one day about God’s love and forgiveness. That

as helpless, weak and defeated, unable to win, a

day she made a decision for Christ. She prayed

slave to their past, powerless against sin. We will

a bold prayer of commitment and asked God to

only become the person God planned for us to be

use her baby for great things. Israel grew up with

with lion-like thinking. Lions are confident, bold,

incredible musical talent and has become one of

aggressive, determined, kingly, noble, and strong.

the great songwriters and worship leaders of our

Not only is Jesus more lion-like than people real-

time. He has won Grammy awards and recently

ize, but we, his people, are more lion-like than we

was part of the band on the Tonight Show with

realize. And, just like Jesus overcame resistance

Jay Leno—all because his mother was lion-like.

while he was on the planet, we can also take on the lion-like nature and overcome resistance in

CONNECTED TO THE KINGDOM

our own lives!

Some people assume they can live outside the Christian community but remain within God’s

We may look like lambs sometimes, but we have

plan for their life. In the Disney animated movie

been given the spirit of our Father. First John 5:4

The Lion King, a cub named Simba is destined to

says that everyone born of God overcomes the

one day take over as Lion King for his father. But

world. And, in Deuteronomy 28:13, the writer says

his evil uncle Scar has other ideas, filling Simba’s

that the Lord has made us the head, and not the

mind with lies, drawing him away from his destiny.

tail. God put mankind in the world to rule over it,

Simba headed down the wrong path and ended

not to be overwhelmed by it. We are equipped,

up somewhere he wasn’t meant to be.

empowered, and positioned in a place of dominion over the world. Our greatest challenge is to accept

Oftentimes, people don’t realize the same thing

our position, recognize it, and to know who we are!

can happen to them that happened to Simba: he

Let’s identify with the lion-like nature of God!

lost the connection to his life’s purpose the day he left his father’s kingdom. The predatory influence

One of my most creative friends almost didn’t have

of the enemy in our lives begins with a separa-

the chance to share his talents with the world. His

tion from the kingdom in which we belong. It can

mother became pregnant when she was 17 and

begin with a feeling that no one will miss me if I'm

unmarried. Her parents gave her an ultimatum:

not at church, with an offense, a clumsy incident,

abort the baby or move out of the house. She

awkward words, or unmet expectations. We were

chose to have the baby and started living on the

meant to live life within God’s Kingdom; our pur-

streets. A woman on the street talked with her

pose can only be found by being connected to,

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PSALM 119: ON GOD’S PATH 9

How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.

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I run in the path of your commands,

Jeremiah 29:11 — “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.”

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Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.

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I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word.

and in relationship with, God and His Kingdom. Don’t let

I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path.

as it may be sometimes, stay in God’s house and with His

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Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

anything keep or take you away from the people God put you with or from the place God planted you. As difficult people.

Realize that your life’s purpose is never found in “Hakuna Matata,” the movie’s so-called carefree philosophy. While Hakuna Matata may sound like a fun mindset to build our lives around, the problem is, there is no such thing.

The consequence for pursuing the carefree philosophy is

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Because I love your commands more than gold, more than pure gold,

that you will never find your purpose in life. Simba could never be the lion he was supposed to become by hanging out with pigs and meerkats. Simba was lost.

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and because I consider all your precepts right, I hate every wrong path.

The thing about being lost in life is that nobody gets lost on purpose. It’s not something that is planned, and often it is hard to know exactly when it happens, when the line is crossed from being on course to being lost. The

Champion Find: LION-LIKE Find it at kevingerald.tv

good news is that just because someone has temporarily lost their way, it doesn’t mean they can’t get back on course if they’re willing to become lion-like about their destiny. We can’t be lion-like staying lost or running from

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Champion Life Magazine

problems. The more willing we are to confront and engage problems, the more lion-like we become. In Psalm 119, the writer describes his lion-like determination to walk the path God has for his life (see sidebar for some examples).

Simba’s return to his destiny came when he heard the voice of his father, which reminded him of who he was and told him to take his rightful place in the Pride. If you become lost and off track, God knows right where you are. He’s not given up on you. He believes in you, and He’s calling you back to His will and plan for your life.

If you will listen, you will hear God calling you today. He won’t make the decision for you. You have to be the one who decides to get your roar back, to be lion-like about your destiny.

KEVIN GERALD is the lead pastor of Champions Centre in Tacoma and Bellevue, WA. For great resources from Kevin, visit kevingerald.tv.

CHAMPION FINDS

A LITTLE BRIGHT IDEA WE LIKE TO CALL

ONE DEGREE MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

One Degree Mentorship Program You’ve given your life to serving others—so we’re here to serve you. Our hope is that we can walk together on this journey of building God’s Church. This is a real life we are living, filled with real failures and real successes—and that’s what

is all about—real life stuff for pastors and

church leaders.

Click online to hear an exclusive 1° session

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Champion Life Magazine

253.475.6454 ext. 361 888.935.6914 kevingerald.tv

Forces That Form Your Future New Hardback Release! Right now all around the world people are talking to psychics, reading their horoscope, or consulting a fortune cookie.

But while there’s nothing wrong with an innate sense of curiosity about our future, it is important to realize that the future isn’t something that happens to us, it’s something that happens through us. In this new release you will learn to recognize the Forces that Form Your Future!

Download ebook on Amazon.com

RESOURCE YOURSELF AT KEVINGERALD.TV Go Online to find a wealth of resources, including mp3s of messages and free video downloads from Kevin Gerald Winter 2011

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Ed&LIsa

YOUNG This is an excerpt from Ed and Lisa Young’s book, The Marriage Mirror.

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Champion Life Magazine

June 26, 1982 was a magical day. We were surrounded by beautiful flowers, our best friends and family, and dressed in the finest clothes that money could rent. It was the day that we dreamed about—and it is a day that we will never forget.

The ceremony itself went by fast, much of it in a blur. We recited our vows and did our best to look like we had it together for our “dearly beloved.” Finally, the moment arrived and we sealed our vows with a kiss.

Years later, as we look back at that landmark event in our lives, we’re more than a little embarrassed by the cheesy wedding pics. We laugh at our outdated hairstyles and goofy grins. Only in the 1980’s would a photographer superimpose the bride and the groom as they looked down on their own wedding ceremony from the balcony of the church. How ridiculous is that?

One of the most memorable pictures is the one that was taken as we were leaving the ceremony. Because in that moment, I wasn’t thinking about what we had just done and said. I was thinking, Honeymoon in Hawaii! I’m not exactly sure what Lisa was thinking, but I couldn’t wait to get through the reception line and get onto the plane.

It was finally time to live “happily ever after.” We couldn’t wait to kick off our perfect marriage with the perfect honeymoon and live the fairy tale life. And the fairy tale went great…for about a week.

And then, we headed back home. Shortly after we got back, we realized that our humble apartment in Houston was a little musty. It had a vastly different view and was quite cramped compared to the spacious suite we’d been staying at in Hawaii.

Very quickly, very rapidly, romance segued into reality. You know what I’m talking about, don’t you? We had arrived at the rugged plains of marital reality.

All of a sudden there were bills to pay. We were both trying to finish college and work at the same time. There were thank you notes to write, textbooks to purchase and work schedules to coordinate. Oh yeah, and the maid service didn’t make the trip with us back from our honeymoon. And romance took a backseat.

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If you’re single, you may be thinking, “Wait a minute.

ing towards marriage. We want you to see the depth,

You mean the romance ended that quickly? I’m going

richness and beauty of the most important earthly re-

to be different. When I get married it is going to be

lationship you will ever experience. And we want you

romance 24/7. It is going to be love, love, love, love,

to see how a marriage between a husband and a wife

love.” If you’re married, you know exactly what I’m

can reflect the marriage between God and His Church.

talking about.

I had no idea what I was saying when I said “I do” to Lisa. I didn’t know what those words meant—the implications and ramifications—and I certainly didn’t realize what I was signing myself up for. Add to the mix work, kids, financial pressure and in-laws, and you have a recipe for reality: cold, hard reality. And I have to admit that I’m still learning the depth and the richness of those lofty vows that were said on that “magical” day.

The same is true with the Christian life.

Aside from our relationship with Christ, marriage When I said “I do” to Jesus, I didn’t realize where God

is the best thing Lisa and I have in life. We love our

would take me. I had no idea what Christ would ask

friendship, our partnership. We enjoy the intimacy and

me to surrender. I didn’t realize that I would face ridi-

connection that we share. Most importantly, we have

cule for my faith as a young man. I didn’t know that

been blown away by the many ways our marriage has

God would lead me away from my family to plant a

helped us grow as children of God and equipped us to

church hundreds of miles away from everything that

be the salt and light to the watching world around us.

had made me comfortable. I didn’t know the loneliness and the pressure I would face as a pastor. Lisa

We have a passion to help encourage other couples

certainly didn’t realize the implications of being a

to discover God’s awesome plan for marriage. Our

pastor’s wife.

prayer is that this will help revolutionize the way you view marriage. And as you learn to see God’s pure

Can I tell you a secret?

and holy reflection in your own marriage (or future marriage), you will experience all the benefits of com-

I have not always been happy in my walk with Jesus.

mitting to one another, loving one another and stay-

I have not always been happy in my marriage, either.

ing together “till death do you part.” And best of all,

“Ed, are you saying you’re not happily married?”

you’ll begin to experience all that God has in store for your life through this beautiful relationship; the only

Well, Lisa and I have many moments of happiness in

relationship that reflects God’s unique relationship to

our marriage. But we’re not happily married, 24/7.

His people.

If you think that’s what marriage is, I hate to burst your bubble, but that’s completely unrealistic. And just to end the suspense, so is the fairy tale, “…hap-

Now We’re Reflecting the Gospel

pily ever after.”

A marriage between a man and a woman truly reflects

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However, the great news is that God never intended

the gospel. When I die to my selfishness—in other

for us to live happily ever after. And together, Lisa and

words, when I do something to serve my spouse—my

I want to share God’s plan for married couples who

marriage goes a lot better. When Lisa dies to her self-

have already said “I do” and for singles who are head-

ishness, we start clicking.

Champion Life Magazine

The biggest problem with my marriage is me. The more my marriage becomes a reflection of myself, the more problems I’m going to face. The less I think about myself, the more my marriage reflects the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ.

A lot of us are carrying around baggage from a previous relationship or from a messed up childhood. As we pray through our sin that often ensnares us, we have to allow God to bury our past—and leave it there. That doesn’t mean we gloss over our sin; we have to repent and ask God for forgiveness and healing. However, we can’t move forward as a husband and wife until each of us has buried our past.

The resurrection is what gives us the hope of doing that.

According to Paul, without the resurrection, let’s “eat, drink and be merry because tomorrow we die” (1 Corinthians 15:32). Life is futile without the reality of Christ’s resurrection. The great news, though, is that the power and the hope of the resurrection are on tap for all of us who believe in Christ (Ephesians 1:15-22). It’s what gives this one and only life meaning, today and forever.

That means the same power that raised Christ from the dead is available to all of us who are working on our marriages. It is available for our thought life as we strive to protect our minds. It is available to overcome our addictions.

It is available for singles who are saving their bodies until they pledge themselves in a covenant marriage before God and their spouse.

The mystery of the gospel is reflected in marriage. It’s seen when we realize that we aren’t the only ones in the relationship. And it becomes reality when we sacrifice our wants and needs and desires for those of our spouse.

Christ’s sacrifice should be on display through our marriage. The power of the living Lord should be evident in our marriages. Grace, mercy and forgiveness should be reflected as people watch your marriage.

For more information about Ed and Lisa Young or their ministries, visit EdYoung.com or CreativePastors.com.

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THE RELATIONSHIP

CONNECTION Excerpt from the new hardback release of “Forces That Form Your Future”

BY KEVIN GERALD

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Champion Life Magazine

THE FORCE OF RELATIONSHIPS

for our lives. There are five areas where God is putting

The Super Bowl is the most watched professional sports

people in your life right now. Becoming aware of their

event in America. As the final seconds tick off the game

presence is the first step to realizing God’s purpose in

clock, the camera goes from one happy player to an-

putting them in your life.

other. Without exception, the winning players acknowl-

Contacts: They network us.

edge, in the midst of their celebration, that they were

Friends: They affirm us and are committed to us.

there because they were part of a winning team. Across

Partners: These people share a common interest or goal.

the field, another group of players are experiencing the

Mentors: They produce change in us.

pain of defeat. This is a lot like life! The people we align

Protégées: They learn from us.

ourselves with can determine whether we win or lose in life. Relationships affect our lives and destiny…

God sends great people into all of our lives—how we treat them determines whether they can stay. The more

GOD-ASSIGNED CONNECTIONS ARE IN YOUR LIFE RIGHT NOW

you accurately identify the “role” of people who God is

God did not intend for anyone to succeed alone. Every-

relationship there will be. When we get the roles right,

one is assigned to be “connected” to specific people.

we will experience the purpose for which God put them

Those assignments are essential to the God-planned

in our life. Failure to recognize roles can cause us to miss

destiny for our lives. When I board an airplane, there are

out on God’s intention for us. For example, when you

several people who are a key part of making my jour-

find a mentor, be content to be a student. Oftentimes,

ney successful. The pilots are competent, qualified, and

people who don’t know how to treat a mentor that God

trustworthy to get me to my destination successfully.

has put in their life will try to make a mentor their friend.

The security team knows what to look for that could

Recently, a pastor said to me, “Kevin, I want you to know

cause me harm and they hold me accountable. My fellow

that you have mentored me from a distance.” He went

passengers are screened to make sure there are no ter-

on to explain that although we were not close friends

rorists. The flight attendants are there to make the jour-

and that I didn’t know him or socialize with him, he had

ney more comfortable. I realize that I am surrounded by

learned from me. It was a great compliment to me. But

teams of people who help me get where I want to go. My

perhaps an even greater salute should be given to him

life is happier, safer, and better because of them. This is

for recognizing that God puts people in our lives to fill

just one practical example in our lives. Once you realize

various roles.

bringing into your life, the greater the potential for your

how vital your relationships are to your life and future, you will begin to see certain people as God-assigned

Mentors will not always be friends and contacts will not

connections. The purpose in the God-assigned connec-

always be partners. Sometimes people who are great

tions is to perpetuate, nurture and complete God’s plan

friends decide to become business partners and as re-

Winter 2011

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sult they not only have an unsuccessful attempt to a

wrong people having influence on you. When you

business venture, but also mess up what God intend-

consciously choose, you are “qualifying” people

ed as a lifelong friendship.

for an influential role in your life. Some relatives are an example of people who may have to be in

CHOOSING WHO INFLUENCES YOU

your life but should not have influence on you. If

The more people you are able to relate to, the more

your family is not going where you want to go in

opportunities you create for God to enlarge you.

life, treat them with respect and be courteous but

This is why it’s important to develop your ability

don’t abandon your course and your goals to fit

to relate to a variety of people. Jesus related well

in with them. Some of the most likable people are

to many different kinds of people while remaining

not necessarily a positive influence on our lives.

selective with his inner circle. His contact list in-

These people may be fun or charming to be with,

cluded tax collectors, fishermen, government offi-

but may not encourage us in our faith or in our role

cials, wealthy people, common people, influential

as husbands, wives and parents. There are people

people, doctors and religious leaders.

that you could learn a trade from but the minute they start to talk about a certain Scripture you may have to remind yourself that they can be a great carpenter but have twisted perspective on the Bible. While you choose that person as a teacher of a trade, you may need to reject their influence in other areas of your life. Your inner circle should be reserved for people you qualify. Here are some criteria I suggest: 1. Reserve your inner circle for people who are committed to a Biblical worldview.

Meaning they govern their choices and behavior by the teachings of the Bible. Make sure that church attendance is not just a religious thing they do, but a lifestyle they live. Remember, who we are affects whom we can have relationships with and whom

Make sure that you don’t put all of your relational en-

we have relationships with affects who we are.

ergy into one or two people. When this happens, the people involved end up with limited perspective and

2. Reserve your inner circle for people who bring out

unhealthy attachments to each other. Any relation-

the best in you.

ship that causes or requires the exclusion of other

When my daughter, Jodi, was learning to play soft-

relationships is unhealthy. When we only hang out

ball, I would pitch the ball where I knew she would

with one or two people excessively, we will fail to ex-

swing the bat. By having people who help you get

perience the value of others that God has put in our

better you will be prepared to face pitching that

lives. Make it your goal to be friendly and courteous

comes from those who hope you don’t get a hit.

to everyone, but also make it your goal to choose

Our inner circle must be reserved for those whose

who will and will not have influence in your life.

lives improve and empower us.

A failure to consciously choose will result in the

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Champion Life Magazine

TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE EQUALS THE POWER OF AGREEMENT “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work… A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12) It is not unusual to hear someone say, “I can get more done by myself ” or “I’m better off without other people.” The truth is we can’t and we’re not!

Nothing that a person can offer a group is more For some people to think in “agreement” is a total re-

important than an attitude of agreement. In

programming of their mind. These people have been

the Bible, David was approached by a group of

programmed to disagree rather than agree. In fact,

skilled and talented warriors who asked to be a

they interpret agreement as a sign of weakness. The

part of his army. Before David welcomed them he

truth is, however, that a soldier is not weak who seeks

needed to know that they were with him in heart

to live in agreement with his commanding officer.

and spirit. Nothing they could offer was more

An employee is not weak because he seeks to live in

important than an attitude of agreement. Life’s

agreement with his employer. A spouse is not weak

greatest victories are reserved for those who live

because he seeks to live in agreement with his wife.

in agreement.

Your future doesn’ t happen to you, it happen s t h ro u g h you.

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The chairs you sit in, the bed you sleep in, the car you drive, have all been made by a cooperative effort from people. Just one person cannot even make a pencil. The wood comes from a forest in the Northwest. The graphite comes from a mine in South America and the eraser comes from a rubber plant in Malaysia. Thousands of people work together to make a pencil. Two are better than one.

KEVIN GERALD is the author of Forces that Form Your Future and lead pastor of Champions Centre in Tacoma and Bellevue, WA. For more resources like this, visit kevingerald.tv.

Whether it’s in marriage, at church or at work, there will always be opportunities to disagree. The key is to not look for those situations and if you notice them, don’t focus on them… Seek agreement, pursue agreement, and live in agreement, because in the place of agreement strength is multiplied.

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Champion Find: FORCES THAT FORM YOUR FUTURE Think about it! Your future doesn't happen to you, it happens through you. You can learn how to partner with God to hit the target of God’s will for your life. Learn to recognize the Forces that Form Your Future and begin to build a better life today!

(See page 17 for more details.)

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Champion Life Magazine

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REAL LIFE CHAMPIONS

C A A S I R E H

T A E H

I had no choi ce but to do a life inve ntor y-

eac h ans wer brou ght pain , but for the

firs t time I act uall y wor ked thro ugh

tha t pain and to my ama zem ent , I

sta rte d to hea l.

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Champion Life Magazine

I remember waking up that morning, recently home from one of many trips back to Chicago, thinking, “How did I get to this place? I thought I was supposed to be happy when I got the modeling job and all I feel is dread...” Everyone said this was my “Big break,” that it would catapult a career in Hollywood. They all called it “art,” a devilish word to cover up what it really was— pornography. I got out of bed that day and the first thing I did, even before brushing my teeth, was a line of crystal meth. That usually did the trick for me when too much reality set in, but not this time. Ten plus years of addiction had numbed me to everything, even the drugs themselves. That was the day I made a choice that would change my future.

cost me my only source of income, but I didn’t care. I was determined to change, and it was then that I remembered being introduced to Jesus about a year earlier. I didn’t know if He was real or even for me, but nothing else had worked; so I took that first step and put my hope in Him and believed He was going to make my life better. And so the process began. I had no choice but to do a life inventory—each answer brought pain, but for the first time I actually worked through that pain and to my amazement, I started to heal.

It was during this life inventory that I finally began making sense of my bizarre behavior and bad choices. My real father at 6 months old abandoned me. I was emotionally and verbally abused most of my childhood. I was exposed to porn magazines at a very early age, which gave me my distorted sense of value. I was only worth loving if I was sexy like them. I was molested most of my childhood up until the age of 15, which further damaged my trust in men and reinforced the lack of value—no wonder I was such a mess.

See, that was the day I made the choice to

It was a combination of these facts and the

quit using drugs cold turkey and completely

details thereof that had me addicted to sub-

disassociated myself from every single

stances and living on the streets as a teen

person I knew, including those in the com-

runaway. Ultimately leading to a life in the

mercial sex industry, which put me in legal

commercial sex industry, dancing in clubs

jeopardy for terminating our agreement and

as a way to survive and pay for my growing

addiction to methamphetamines and heroin.

This is a world where lines are blurred, judgment is impaired, and the darkest of ugly is quite normal. This way of life took me places the “real” world only writes about in movies, places where the buying and selling of people for financial gain (now called human trafficking) is so common I didn’t even realize I was a victim of it. Looking back now I believe I am lucky to even be alive having survived some pretty graphic situations. Going through that created such a distorted sense of reality that I actually thought modeling for a pornographic magazine was a step up.

Thankfully God intervened at just the right time, and I abandoned the whole magazine project in search of a life lived for Christ.

So there I was, saved and happy, but broken.

li n g e r o u s f u lf il p s o r p , y p p t a ha y I found tha b u t a c t u a ll e m o t le b a t o u ly a v a il li f e w a s n o me. meant for

It was when I met my now husband, Jeff, and he invited me to Champions Centre that God really seemed to move on my behalf.

At Champions Centre I was shown what living a life for Christ looked like as a woman of God. I found that a happy, prosperous, fulfilling life was not only available to me but actually meant for me! It took some time and I still faced challenges, like severe anxiety attacks from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, but once I started volunteering I

and we have a super cool 7 year old daughter

noticed they started to lessen, and the more

(and world changer) who is on fire for God.

I served the better I felt; so I jumped in with

We are planted in an amazing house of God

both feet and was at church as much as

and doing life with the most wonderful group

possible. Today I almost never have anxiety

of people that I have ever known. I am able to

attacks, but when I do I know exactly what

reach out to victims of human trafficking and

to do: serve.

sexual brokenness through CC’s Shine ministry and Celebrate Recovery, using what the

You know, when I sit and really think about

enemy meant for harm for the glory of God!

my journey, it is actually quite miraculous.

What a miraculous, supernatural, extraordi-

To see now that I am married to an amaz-

nary act of God!

ing man that loves God, our church and ME,

Winter 2011

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k.WISE What Do You Want… Really?

You can have almost anything you

who asks receives; he who seeks

want in life, but you can’t have it

finds; and to him who knocks, the

all. Why? Because, certain choices

door will be opened.” Does it get

cancel out others. It’s easy to

much clearer than this? We’re

imagine a waiter at a restaurant

given clear instructions—bring it

standing over your shoulder,

all to God!

where you have a menu full of options in front of you. It’s similar

4) Take Action!

in life, we have a wide variety of

Prepare for what you want and go

pathways to choose from. It’s

for it! We must always remember

time, you must decide: “What do

that prayer doesn’t take the place

you want… Really?”

of action. Stop worrying about doing something wrong.

Keep these things in mind: 5) Be persistent in your pursuit.

1) Start where you are, but don’t

It’s so easy to get fixated on

stay where you are.

specifics—a specific job, a specific

Embracing the person you are is

house, a specific relationship, a

the first step towards a new and

specific business plan. If it doesn’t

better life. We don’t embrace who

work out how you prayed it would,

we are to stay where we are. We

it’s easy to assume your dream is

embrace who we are because this

dead. But this is just the time to

is our starting point, the place

elevate your vision! In our search

where it all begins.

for a site for our Bellevue campus, from 2001 to 2007, we got a lot

2) Believe the best about God,

of no’s, but we didn’t quit because

yourself, and your future.

it wasn’t about the building. Our

Think of His favor as being on

vision was for much more. We

your life. Think of yourself as

were focused on expansion and

capable, strong. Maybe you

growth. Nix the specifics, and see

haven’t thought the best about

what God can do for your vision!

God, yourself, and your future, but

Champion Find: WHAT DO YOU WANT... REALLY Find it at kevingerald.tv

I can promise you this: if you will

Remember, God’s timing is

change your thinking about God,

perfect. Our human nature tends

it will change your life!

to want everything right now, but don’t be discouraged. Sometimes,

3) Make your requests known—

God is working the most when

pray about everything!

we see it the least. Keep pressing

Matthew 7:7-8 says, “Ask and it

on, and keep your vision large,

will be given to you; seek and you

and keep asking yourself: "What

will find; knock and the door will

do I want... REALLY?"

be opened to you. For everyone 32

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Champion Life Magazine

F I N A L LY, B R O T H E R S A N D S I S T E R S ,

whatever is true, whatever is noble,

whatever is right, whatever is pure,

whatever is lovely,

WHATEVER IS ADMIRABLE —if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—

think about such things.

PHILIPPIANS 4:8

worth your time.

Relationship Conference

Feb 9-10

Women’s Conference

May 19-20

Summer Conference for EVERYONE

Aug 1-3

Men’s Conference

Oct 6-7

www.championscentre.com/conferences