Fall 2014 by Michelle Danko

FALL 2014

Who Is... God?

Surround Yourself with Messages of Faith and Encouragement on Products you use Everyday!

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____________________________________ EDITORIAL PUBLISHER Michelle Danko I mcdanko@eyeworship.org ASSISTANT PUBLISHER L.A. Helvey I la@eyeworship.org EDITOR Jill KingI jillking@eyeworship.org Helen MurrayI helenmurray@eyeworship.org Matt PoeImattpoe@eyeworship.org ADVERTISING SALES mcdanko@eyeworship.org COPYWRITER Apryle Krause IMAGES: COVER PHOTO kozzi Inc. @qualitystockphotos.com PHOTOGRAPHERS Kozzi Inc. @ QualityStockPhotos.com Eye Worship Publications Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada SUBSCRIPTIONS AND FEEDBACK: For subscriptions or feedback, please visit our website at : www.faithfilledfamily.comIinfo@faithfilledfamily.com ÂŠ Joomag 2014 All material is strictly copyright and all rights reserved. Reproduction whole or in part without the written permission of Faith Filled Family is expressly forbidden.

Contents

FEATURES

The Rewards of the God is our refuge whenever Father Refuge in the Rock

Jehova Jirah: How God Stays Our Hands With we need comfort. This article God LOVES to reward His His describes how to take comfort in the Lord through times of trial.

16 I’m Listening... God is our counsellor and will guide our steps. How can we hear God’s voice and what role does the trinity play as our counsellor?

27 The Annointing God annointing allows us to do and excel in many things. Read about what the annointing is and looks like in a Christian’s life.

38 Ocean of Grace Grace isn’t just about forgiveness for sins, it extends into a different meaning than most of us are aware of.

41 Holey Jeans Ever judge a book by its cover? Unfortunately, too many of us have. Appearances can be deceiving!

children for their obedience! Find out how you can receive His favor!

What Did Jesus Do On Yom Kippur? Ever wonder what Jesus did on Yom Kippur? Gain deeper insight into what Jesus did and why on this very important day.

63 Yahweh Shalom God is our prince of peace. Find out how to attain that peace that surpasses all understanding in a world of chaos.

64 He Calls Me Friend We are God’s friends. We are called to have an intimate relationship with God the Father.

71 The Difference of One Can one person truly make a difference in another person’s life? We were called to witness to the lost.

God will provide. God meets all of our needs. God cares about you, and wants to meet all of your wants and desires. We are not to live a life of defeat, but one of victory! Find out how He can meet yours needs, and abundantly!

Adonai: The Good News and Bad News About the Lord our Master The Lord is our master. God wants to be in charge of your life but often we are too busy doing things on our own strength. When God is in charge, all things are possible. How can you let God be the master of your life? After all, He DID create you!

94 The Origins of Halloween Where did halloween come from? What is the symbolism behind the icons of the day? Is anything about this “holiday” Christian? Find out how halloween came to be and whether there is anything worth celebrating. Formulate your own opinion.

INTERVIEWS

Debra Price: Passionate About “Daddy” God and Music

ATTENTION: The War Against Sexual Immorality Begins With Debra so loves her “daddy” God You that He guides her in all ways. Read about her passion for Christ and how He has lead her into greatness from defeat.

Irv Woolf from the National Coalition of Purity shares his views on what should matter most in our marriages, with our children, and in our churches.

Pastor Jon Weece: Spreading God’s Love Pastor Jon Weece talks openly about his new book, Jesus Prom, and about God’s love for His children.

LoveCollide

LoveCollide consists of two sisters who sing of a sold out Raggamuffin: The Man and His Music Graphic Art That Steps Up love of Christ. What motivates them to write so deeply? Also known as the biography to the Plate of Rich Mullins as told by his Art Ayris discusses his company, brother Dave. Fascinating story! Kingstone Comics which contains graphic novels for The Identical: Interview people of all ages. with Blake Rayne Meet Blake Rayne- musician Interview with Tim Chey turned actor- making his debut “Epic” is the only word that can be used to describe this The Persecuted Movie: in the movie, The Identical.

interview! Take a look at the man who wrote and directed the up coming movie David and Goliath.

Can Christian Music of Today “Waken” Us To A Relationship With God? Waken is a group of College students desiring to impact Christians with their own brand of corporate worship music. Their songs are brief, but leave a long lasting impact to those who listen.

Interview with Gretchen Carlson

IN EVERY ISSUE

Gretchen Carlson has had a very successful career, and now adds an acting debut to her long list of achievements in The Persecuted.

Colton Dixon: Pushing Boundaries in Music Many of you voted for him in American Idol, but do you know him as a person? Faith Filled Family talks to Colton about Idol, family, and music.

Review: Endless Light by Waken Do you enjoy the 80’s synth-pop/ electric sound? You will love Waken’s new brand of corporate worship.

Review: Capitol Kids Hits Top 40 hits sung by kids, for kids. Parents will LOVE this trilogy of music designed to supercharge your children to praise God!

Publisherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Letter

HAPPY FOURTH ANNIVERSARY FAITH FILLED FAMILY... and many more. I would like to dedicate this issue to God, my immediate and extended family who has supported me throughout this journey and its rapid growth. A special dedication goes to my mom who made more of an impact that she even realized. It is because of her and my grandfather that I grew up knowing that one person CAN make a difference in the lives of many. Understanding the personality of God is one step closer to an intimate relationship with Him. But who is our Creator? Do we even know? What do all of the various names mean in scripture? He knows us intimately because He created us, but can we say that we truly know Him. God has many names, and they all mean different things. Find out the multifaceted personality of God. Isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t it time that you got to know Him? Be Blessed! Michelle Danko Publisher Faith Filled Family Magazine

Refuge in the Rock By Jana Letterman

od often communicated with us through parables and metaphors. He must have known for some reason we tend to relate better to such communication. It allows us to compare and contrast, somehow touch the words and become part of them instead of merely reading and digesting them. This is true in the words God chose to describe himself. A few such examples include water of life (John 4:14), bread of life (John 6:35), light of the world (John 8:12) and in nearly 50 instances he was illustrated as a refuge and nearly 70 as a rock. What was God trying to convey to us by using the examples of a rock and a refuge? What was God trying to explain to the Israelites and to those who walked with Jesus? What was God telling David? “Jehovah, is my Rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; My God, my rock in whom I will take refuge; my shield, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower,” Psalm 18:2. What is he telling us today? In 2014, are people looking for a rock or a refuge? Whether people are actively seeking a refuge could be debated but it’s safe to say we need one. Numbers and statistics prove we live in a broken world full of physical, mental and plain sadistic pain and despair. In the United States our bodies are often riddled with disease. Diseases often attributed to stress, anxiety and heartache. In 2010 the Center for Disease control reported the following

diseases result in the most deaths per year in the U.S. Heart Disease: 596,577 Cancer: 576,691 Alzheimer’s: 84,974 Diabetes: 73,8311 We need both a refuge and rock to avoid these diseases and to deal with them. The Center for Disease control further documents that another 126,438 deaths are caused by accidents and 39,518 by suicide2. Often we allow our minds and hearts to travel down roads of despair, doubt, tragedy and utter ravage which could easily be mitigated by or completely avoided by leaning on the Rock. The Anxiety & Depression Association of America reported that anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults age 18 and older3. While our mental and physical health are sending out warning signals to us we often make them even worse by depending too much on ourselves to make decisions. These decisions are often wrong, misguided and lead to even more stress and despair. In the US the basic architecture of the family has decayed leading many to seek a refuge from other sources. According to National KIDS COUNT, a project of the Annie E. Casey Foundation and the premier source for data on child and family wellbeing, in 2012 there were 24,725,000 children living in single-parent homes4. The families face countless trials and increased stress and demands including being away from the home and overworked. According to G.E. Miller in “The U.S. is the Most Overworked Developed Nation in the World – When do we Draw the Line,” Americans work more hours during the year than any other country racking up one hundred thirty seven more hours than Japanese workers, 260 more hours than British workers and 499 more hours than French workers. In addition to daily stresses and dealing with what we might consider day-to-day trials and “normal” life, evil exists in our world. The only way to deal with such evil is to rely on God as our one and only refuge. For example, according to RAINN (Rape Abuse & Incest National Network) there is an average of 237,868 victims of rape and sexual

assault each year6. Simply stated, Americans are overworked, spiritually unnourished, walking health grenades, victims of evil and operating in stress induced a comas! But, is it our own fault? We’ve bought into the lie that we are in control of our destinies. We do not lean on God, our rock. We do not allow him to provide shelter for us and depend on him to lead our way. Instead we believe big is better, we must do it all on our own and that earthly desires lead to our happiness. Do you believe God intended your life to be this way? If you truly use God as your refuge and your strength then you have help in times of trouble and there is no reason to fear anything. Fear of physical disease, mental illness, earthly evil and daily stresses will diminish. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear…” Psalm 46:1-2 KJV. What would life look like if you trusted God as your refuge and leaned on him as a solid rock? Would life be without fear? Would you make decisions knowing that God’s fortress is thick, surrounding you and protecting you? Would you take chances and lean on your faith more knowing that God, just as an umbrella protects you from the rain, gives you shelter from harm? How do you get to the place where you fully trust God and lean on him? It’s not as if God will appear to you as a rock such as he did with Moses. How do you fully seek his refuge? David is a good example. You can easily relate to the numerous trials he faced throughout his life. He faced giant obstacles. His friends became his enemies. He suffered from depression. He faced impending battles. He fled and feared for his life. Just to name a few! No matter the trial David found refuge in God, “My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge” Psalm 62:7–8. David’s life was full of mistakes, U-turns and bad

decisions. It was full of heartache, physical pain, mental illness and the effects of an evil world. David’s trials are not far from our own. David found shade and comfort in the rock of God. He found relief and strength in his refuge. He is a mighty example of the power of trust in the Lord, “I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold,” Psalm 18:1-2. So when faced with physical trials, emotional hardship, or worldly suffering take David’s life to heart. Find comfort in the Lord. Be thankful God wants to be your refuge. Until you are in heaven where there are no tears or pain, give God your agony, worries and sorrow. Just as a rock provides strength, shelter and shade depend on God for your power, your sustenance and your needs. In Hebrews 13:5, God promises he will never leave nor forsake you. You can face each trial knowing he is in control and he will fulfill his promises. This covenant should cause you to run to the comfort

only his refuge can give, give him your burdens and live your life by faith. 1. Center for Disease. (April 5, 2013). Deaths and Mortality. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/ fastats/deaths.htm 2. Center for Disease. (April 5, 2013). Deaths and Mortality. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/ fastats/deaths.htm 3. The Anxiety & Depression Association of America Facts & Statistics. Retrieved from http:// www.adaa.org/about-adaa/press-room/factsstatistics 4. National KIDS COUNT (2014). 2014 Data Book State Trends in Child Well Being. Retrieved from http://www.aecf.org/m/resourcedoc/aecf2014kidscountdatabook-2014.pdf?utm_source= FES+KIDS+COUNT+Press+Release&utm_cam paign=KIDS+COUNT+Press+Release&utm_ medium=email 5. Miller, G. E. (September 9, 2014).The U.S. is the Most Overworked Developed Nation in the World – When do we Draw the Line. Retrieved from http://20somethingfinance.com/americanhours-worked-productivity-vacation/ 6RAINN (Rape Abuse & Incest National Network). (2008-2012). Retrieved from https://www.rainn. org/get-information/statistics/frequency-of-sexualassault About the Author Jana Letterman is the author of The D Diary – The Story of a Girl’s Struggle Through Depression and God’s Transforming Power, available on Amazon and soon to be published Claim Your Crown. She is a speaker, owner of www.aLightFilledLife.com and the creator of a retail line. Through The D Diary and her website ALightFilledlLife.com she shares her expertise and personal journey with depression. Having both grandfathers succumb to suicide, multiple family members who deal with depression and her own struggle she offers a one-of-a-kind testimony to the wrath of the disease and the love of God. Jana’s motto is no matter what you’ve been through or no matter the bad choices you’ve made you have an opportunity to bring a little light to the world. Her ability to share her very raw story leaves audiences shivering with excitement to do the same.

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Debra Price: Passionate About “Daddy” God and Music By Koos Stenger

oday, I am meeting with recording artist and songwriter Debra Price, a young dynamic musician and a fervent Christian. Blessed with a beautiful, clear voice, Debra brings a soulful, upbeat jazzy worship blend of inspiring songs and it has won her several awards already. She has recorded different albums and it looks like Debra, (and her husband, who is also a gifted musician) is here to stay. Music is her passion. When she sings she feels she is fulfilling her destiny. Singing is her life, and yet there’s more to life than music. There is still a greater passion than music. Her greatest passion is Jesus, whom she refers to as ‘Daddy God’. Her eyes light up as she talks about Daddy. Debra Price, with her wavy, half-long hair and endearing smile, can’t wait to talk about her two great passions in life: Jesus and music. “It’s my mission to please my Father,” she says. “I want to be a good steward over the gifts, talents and people He trusts me to encourage. That’s why I sing. Music is uplifting, encouraging, anointed, soothing and real. It can be a testimony of your life story.” Debra started singing at a very young age with her siblings, although in those days she wasn’t too sure about faith and religion, and she only became a real believer later in life. She smiles and says: “Before I knew Jesus, I was a real mess. I would describe myself as angry, distrusting, bitter and depressed. No one is a Christian by birth. We all have to give our hearts to Jesus. It’s the only way. After all, we are all sinners.” “What made you decide to give your heart fully to Jesus?” She thinks for awhile. “I really believe that Daddy GOD chose me. Once I started reading the Word for myself, things started to change. A verse that especially spoke to me was the one in Jeremiah 29:11. It states there that Daddy has thoughts of peace for me and wishes no evil for my life. I believe the Word of God is inspired by Him. His Word is alive. It changes you.” “How does it do that?”

“When you really think about what Jesus says, you realize we are all sinners. Nobody is good enough to go to Heaven. Before, I sort of thought I was a pretty good person, but compared to God I am nothing. My heart wasn’t right with God and I repented.” When I mention that life is not a playground, and that although we have a promised, safe arrival, there are a lot of lessons to learn along the way, Debra wholeheartedly agrees. “I’ve had my share of battles. In 1993 I was 6 months pregnant with my precious twin girls, Miracle and Angel Crowe, but then I went into premature labor. Can you believe it? My babies were only a little over a pound and obviously in very critical condition.” It is clear that even after so many years, the emotions are still fresh for Debra. She continued: “My daughter Angel lived only three days and went home to be with Daddy God and it seemed my daughter Miracle wouldn’t live either. I was a mess myself, and because I was so weak, I never got to see my baby Angel.” “After I was finally released from the hospital, I had to live in a shelter for battered women, with my son Eddy, who was then five, and we buried Angel.” “I couldn’t go home for obvious reasons, so I had to stay in the shelter. From there I had to take the bus every day to visit Miracle in the hospital. It was a tough time, as the doctors were so negative. But Daddy God never let me down. I was no longer abused and mistreated and I slowly started to climb up.” Debra smiles brightly, when she recalls how God showed He is more powerful than the doctors,

who had hardly any hope for her daughter Miracle. “Ha…Leave it up to Daddy God. The doctors felt that because she was so premature and in her incubator for so long she may have brain damage and would not develop as well as other children. I was told that she may not be able to finish high school or that she wouldn’t be able to hold a job. Well that was twenty years ago and Miracle graduated with her class and is employed. She is a true Miracle from Daddy God. My Lord; Satan sure tried to steal, kill and destroy, but he’s no match for my Daddy God.” I suggest that God has taken good care of her, in spite of some of the hardships and Debra wholeheartedly agrees. “He sure did. My first marriage wasn’t the blessing I thought it would be and as a result I was very depressed and confused about my situation, but everything changed for the better. I still have my two precious children here on earth, Eddy and Miracle, and Angel in Heaven. In 2009 I remarried and life looks very different now.” I ask her how she looks back at her time in the shelter, as it seems to be a place most people would like to stay away from. “Obviously, nobody wants to live in a shelter for battered women, but in many ways it was a good time for me. Of course being away from the abuse was a blessing in itself. But while living there I found that I was not alone in this test. When we are going through breakings in life, it is not always easy to see how to count it as joy, as the Bible exhorts us to do, but I learned a lot from the ladies at the shelter. Here I began to trust again and to love people. It was here I started to see again that yes, I can do all things through Christ Jesus.” “What does prayer mean to you?”

“Ha… I believe that healing, deliverance, prosperity is still for today. Prayer is the way to communicate with Daddy God. It is through prayer that He has kept us in our right minds. He keeps us safe from dangers we see and dangers we don’t see. I am so grateful for eyes to see, ears to hear, a mouth to speak & sing, and being able to walk and go to the bathroom by myself. After all there are so many people who can’t do these things that we take for granted everyday. I’m thanking Daddy God for life, health and strength; all through prayer.” For Debra, Daddy God is a subject she doesn’t seem to get tired of. It’s why she has chosen the profession she has, as she believes through her music she can make a difference in this world. And it does seem God is helping to make this dream come true. She has received rave reviews by The Urban Inspirational Awards and The Inferno Urban Music Society as one of the best Rhythm and Praise artists. Her “Set Me Free” album received two awards and she was named as the “Rhythm & Praise Artist” and “Best Praise Banger”. Since then she got remarried; in 2009. Debra is also performing with her husband, who goes by the name T-WON, or ‘the Gospel Godfatha’. They sing songs that deal with a lot of issues the average gospel artists do not sing or rap about. Their love for God as well as their determination to be used by their heavenly father as living testimonies has only increased their passion to be true ministers in the body of Christ. “It hasn’t always been easy,” says Debra with a smile. “But what is? We had to endure many obstacles along the way, but God is guiding us.” Does she write her own songs? I wonder how Debra gets her music. “I may be doing things differently than others, but I don’t just sit in the studio and then start to think, ‘what shall I write about today?’. It doesn’t work that way for me. I really depend on the help from the Holy Spirit. I just started writing for myself last year. I had writers to help before. I would tell them what I would like to sing about, and give them some ideas and a few suggestions, and then they wrote something that I would sing. But in 2013 songs started to come to me in the spirit, and that’s how I operate at the moment. I really hope this is helpful for someone.” “Have you any advice for any aspiring Christian songwriters?” Her answer is clear.

“Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance; even if song writing comes sort of natural for you. You don’t want to just write a hit song that has no meaning. I would say, in order to write a good song, your true desire should be to bless and bring glory to your Father. Then your songs can touch the hearts of others. Has she always been a musician? “Yes, for as long as I can remember. My mother Lady Mary really pushed singing on me and my siblings; I was always the one to lead a song. I have brothers who play instruments and sisters who can sing and write music.” “Music was what I knew, and I believe my Mother saw something in me that others at the time couldn’t see. At first I was singing for my Mother’s approval, but as I became an adult I started to search for answers from a Loving Father myself.” I wonder if being such a talented artist and having a relation with God is causing problems in the music industry at times. After all; the world has a very different standard from a godly musician. What are the pitfalls in the music industry? She thinks for awhile and then says: “There are all types of people in our world, some who are out to help and some who are out to only help themselves. I haven’t signed any deals that I am ashamed of, thanks to Daddy. Some people try to tell me, ‘Deb it’s about who you know in the industry,’ but that’s not true in God’s eyes. I know the best producer there is. I know God, the Father, and He knows who else works in the industry and which persons I am supposed to connect with. It’s just my job to walk in obedience to His voice.” How do you think Jesus sees music? “How Jesus sees the music? I believe it is beautiful to Him, because doesn’t Luke 2:13-14 say, “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!’ I believe Heaven is full of music.” Do you have any last words? My prayer is that people believe that there is Hope in Jesus. Don’t “try Him” but believe in Him and stand on the fact that His blood has already redeemed you from all curses.” “Thank you so much for this awesome opportunity to speak and share my heart & soul with the world. Please for ever stay encouraged.”

I’m

he term “counselor” to describe God and the trinity has been used in a vast capacity throughout scripture, and means different things depending on what part of the trinity you are referencing. All are equally magnificent; however each reference works differently in the believer’s life. However, it is when you examine the word itself, the meaning and the reference that you truly understand the splendor of the personality of God. The Holy Spirit as Our Counselor Have you ever had a check in your Spirit just as you were about to do something? Maybe it was an unsettled feeling that something wasn’t quite right. Some people describe it as a “gut feeling”, but it is God bearing witness with us through the Holy Spirit which resides in us. The Holy Spirit has no authority, but speaks what He hears from God (John 16:13) and can tell you of things that are happening/about to happen. The Holy Spirit will give you knowledge,

m Listening... By Michelle C. Danko

and give you guidance in times of trial. You can count on hearing that still, peaceful, quiet voice if you listen closely, and have an intimate relationship with God. Relationships with God are never one-sided, nor should they be. The Holy Spirit will also speak to you through the Word (John 14:26), and will teach you the ways in which you should go. This type of counsel (revelation) is special because it speaks to the believer, often can change meaning, and can minister to us.

which in ancient Israel meant someone who was like a wise king giving guidance, you get different insight. “This also comes from the LORD of hosts; he is wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom.” Isaiah 28:29

Counsel from Jesus was different than anything people had seen before because Jesus knew people intimately. God knows us intimately because He created us. Jesus states that He Jesus as Our Counselor Isaiah 9:6 describes the upcoming messiah as a could do nothing apart from the Father, and had “wonderful counselor”. To examine how he was a an intimate relationship with God. This same wonderful counselor, we must examine each word intimate relationship and the fact that He was for it has a different meaning than what we may the Son of God allowed Jesus to really know the think. Normally, we would interpret wonderful to people who He was in contact with. Therefore mean enjoyable, likable, or pleasant. Wonderful when He counseled with people, it was backed used in this context, however, is used to describe with supernatural wisdom because He knew them events that would take place that are undeniably intimately. He knew the sins they had committed, God, and that we would be in awe of them (and their weaknesses, their struggles, and God’s subsequently Him). Examples of this “wonderful” design for them. He was a wonderful counselor are a virgin birth, Jesus’ ability to heal people, to because He had information that no one but God cast out demons, leading a perfect life without sin, knew, or could know. When He spoke, it was word of knowledge, etc. These are things that we always accurate. It exceeded understanding, cannot explain scientifically because they only and there was no confusion that it was God was speaking. exist supernaturally. They defy comprehension. When you combine this with the word counselor, What does this mean for today’s believer?

It means that we can seek guidance from the Lord in any situation and He will help us. He will guide us on the right path because He knows us, and wants what is best for His children. He will give us peace (comfort) in times of trail, and strength to endure. God as Our Counselor God has always been there as our counselor, however not many people know how to fully receive counsel from the Lord. It isn’t just a onesided relationship with Him wherein all we do is talk through prayer, but it is listening to Him as well because through that, we will receive the counsel that we need. God always speaks in a still quiet voice if only we would listen. Some people mistake it for our “conscience”, but it really is God directing your steps. Receiving victory in life is really simple, and boils down to counseling with the Lord. Why? 1.He wants what is best for His children because He loves them. 2.He knows the outcome, and all of the people involved. Who better to ask for advice? 3.You can’t fail. God loves us and wants what is best for us, and He will lead you into victory. So why don’t we listen more to God if it is so simple, and a win is guaranteed? Sometimes we don’t like what He is saying because it could be that we have to give something up, or because we perceive what He’s asking us to do is too hard. The core of it is that we just don’t want to. God may ask you to stop yelling at your spouse all the time because if you don’t, you marriage will be ruined by your own tongue. Instead, God tells you to speak to them in love and with kindness about the things that bother you. This, He says, will enhance your marriage and create deeper intimacy. However, you moan, and tell God that it is just too hard to control your tongue. You have a bad temper, and you were just “made that way”. In reality, you just don’t want to obey what God has told you to do. The perception of it being too hard isn’t true because God will give you the grace to overcome the temptation to yell. He will help you. The phrase “you were made that way” is a lie, too. God didn’t make you that way. Scripture says we were made in His image, and that type of anger

is not from God. That is like telling God that He is verbally abusive to His children. Is that really what you want to say to Him? In this situation, not only can God not help you because in addition to not treating your spouse in an honoring fashion, you are being disobedient (telling God no, I won’t do it), and then lying to God that it is His fault that you behave the way you do. The truth is that if you exercise selfcontrol (fruit of the Spirit), you can overcome the temptation to yell. This is a godly solution, and how God wants us to resolve our differences. It may not be easy, and may take discipline, but it is possible. However, it is all up to you. You can choose to take the counsel of the Lord and better your relationship or you can destroy it. Sadly, most often people ignore God’s counsel, get into trouble, endure the pain of their decision, and then call out to God for advice through their tears. They could have avoided the entire situation by listening to God and obeying in the first place. But remember, it was just too hard (laziness/ procrastination) in the first place. They ended up reaping the pain for their decision. Different parts of the trinity have had different functions in terms of being a counselor, yet they are very intricately entwined because while they are separate components, they are very much one. Jesus counseled people as He taught about the Father. He had supernatural knowledge and knew people intimately because He knew through God how they were created and their thoughts. He could minister to them at the deepest, most honest level possible. God does much the same. He ministers to us through the Holy Spirit who will bear witness to us in a time of need. The Holy Spirit will counsel us and direct our steps. He will lead us with that still quiet voice and through revelation in the Bible. He brings us into a deeper relationship with Christ. God wants to guide us, and to counsel us. All He asks is that we obey and listen, but often we may find it challenging because the flesh rises up. The road may not always be easy, but neither is the pain resulting from disobedience. We need to come to a place where as a believer we trust that God always wants the best for us, and that victory is always guaranteed. If we choose to follow God’s counsel, we will always end up ahead, and the only thing that will be hurting is our flesh (and Satan).

By Lisa Carter

Raggamuffin: The Man and His music

(Interview with David Mullins) The Ragamuffin Gospel was written by author and speaker Brennan Manning who was convinced that “…no evil can resist grace forever.” His revelation of God’s love and grace brought hope to millions who were broken and felt unworthy, including Rich Mullins. Rich heard the message of grace through Brennan Manning, and he heard it loud and clear. In September of 1997, the world mourned an incredibly gifted singer, songwriter and musician by the name of Richard Mullins aka Rich. Rich is known for his inspirational and uplifting musical lyrics that he so lovingly and purposefully shared with a world that was just as broken and in search of God’s love as he was. Songs like “Awesome God” and “Sing Your Praise to The Lord” are songs with power to lift the spirit and remind us why we’re here – to praise and honor God with our lives. Rich’s younger brother, David, is a minister and wears many hats including speaker, writer, and the producer of Ragamuffin, a film documenting his brother’s remarkable life. David has spent many years

in ministry including directing The Legacy of a Kid Brother of St. Frank on the reservations, a vision started by Rich. David shares with Faith Filled Family how the Ragamuffin story came to be, and why it is a story we all need to hear, because every one of us is in need of God’s grace and love. Faith Filled Family: Mr. Mullins, whose idea was it to do the story of your brother’s life? David Mullins: It was David Schultz. He directed the movie, and was one of the key writers. It was his project from the start to the finish. Faith Filled Family: Tell me about your relationship with your brother, Rich. Was he close to you and your siblings growing up? David Mullins: My relationship with him was a little different than a lot of the siblings growing up because he was 12 years older than me. By the time I was six years old, he was leaving to go to college. So we didn’t spend the typical kind of growing up together. Now my older sisters, they were two and four years apart so they had

the more of the typical sibling growing up together thing. Then my other brother is two years older than me, so he was the same as me as far as growing up with Rich. Faith Filled Family: In the movie, Rich briefly mentions the baby brother who died in infancy. Is there anything you can share about that? David Mullins: Yeah, when he was six months old, he got Meningitis and went from being a completely healthy six month old, to dying in I think about 24 hours. It was 10 years before I was born. It was a really difficult time for obviously my mom and dad and the oldest three of my siblings. Faith Filled Family: One of the hardest things to watch in the movie is the way the father, John, was so negative toward Rich when he was young, with his words especially. It seemed like he just couldn’t do anything right. Was he like that with you and your other siblings? David Mullins: A fair amount, yeah. I think my dad’s approach to a lot of things was, “If I have to tell you I love you, then I’ve failed.” It wasn’t something that was never said. The way he addressed most things was, “Face what’s wrong. If you don’t hear from me, then you know you’re okay.” But he could be pretty harsh. I think some of it too, like those scenes you see in the movie with Rich, we grew up on farms and when you are not mechanical and mess up tractors and such like you see in the movie, life depends on it. Where we lived, if it doesn’t work, then we’re in trouble. It created quite a bit of stress. So yeah he could be harsh, but I don’t think he was a bad man. Faith Filled Family: Did Rich ever share with you about how he felt about his father? David Mullins: Sure. I think a lot of the things you hear him saying in the movie like, “My dad was the hardest working man I ever saw.” He was just unable to do some of things that Rich needed for him to be able to do. That was always there, but I think there was a lot of love there. It just was a love that never quite connected right. Faith Filled Family: That brings me to my next point of how Rich wrestled with the question, “Does God really love me?” Do you believe he ever found the answer?

David Mullins: I think he did. I think that’s one of the questions we get in waves if that makes sense. It’s a little bit like trying to hold on to water. Because with everything that goes on, you think there’s no way that God can really, really love you. That doesn’t make any sense. Then you battle it and you think, oh yeah, He really does. But being able to grasp it and hold it at the very spot is for most people a very big challenge. I’ve been reminded of the love of God. I’m reminded, I’ve known it, but you just can’t keep a grasp of it. Yeah, I think Rich did know that God loved him, but I think it was always a wrestling match. Faith Filled Family: I read a review where someone was wondering how you, the brother, could approve of his alcoholism being portrayed in the movie. Why was it important to you to share his struggle with alcoholism? David Mullins: A couple of things. One is because when Dave Schultz approached our family, we thought, “Well, if we’re going to do this, we want to tell an honest story.” Our goal was not to tell a story that made Rich look perfect, because if you do that, I think people miss God altogether. Ultimately, the movie for me is more about the God that Rich worshipped than it is about Rich. Because if people think Rich was great, that’s fine, but that doesn’t get them anywhere. We wanted to reveal the goodness of God in it. The second thing is, he at times struggled with alcohol. You know what? It’s real life. What I didn’t want to do is a typical church approach to doing this like let’s clean it all up and only show the really good stuff, because somehow we think that’s what really brings glory to God. And my thing is this - God didn’t do that with the scriptures. I have a feeling Peter would have loved to have had his denial left out of the gospels. But God didn’t say, “You know what Peter you just had a bad night, you blew it, but everybody does. Let’s not focus on that.” The grace of God means nothing without the failure of man. Our thing was we want to tell a true story. The other thing I think on the whole alcohol thing is, I get that people watch it and think, “Oh man, he was an alcoholic, he drank all the time.” I can tell you that there were friends of his that said, “I didn’t know he drank at all,” because he didn’t drink a lot all the time. When you see it in the movie most often, is when he’s going through his trials and life is kind

of falling apart. The difficulty is we condensed 35 years into 2 hours and 15 minutes. My dad dies, Morris dies, his fiance breaks up with him and gets engaged to somebody else. All of that happened over, I don’t know, 10 years. But in the movie it happens in 20 minutes. So I get the perspective, but one of the things I’ve seen thrown around a lot is “He was an alcoholic,” I don’t actually know that he was an alcoholic. Did he drink too much at times? Yes, absolutely. But I also know he went for long periods of time with nothing to drink. So I get it and I’m not critical of people who come to that conclusion after watching the movie, I completely get it. But I don’t know that that conclusion is 100% accurate. When he was under stress, and when he was hurting, it was a self-medication. I don’t know whether he was an alcoholic or not but either way, I’m not excusing getting drunk. Faith Filled Family: Exactly. Liked you said, it wouldn’t be an accurate portrayal of his life to leave parts out. To whatever extent it was a part of his life, it was a part of his life. So that’s what you were trying to portray. David Mullins: Yeah, he was pretty transparent in many ways. Let’s be true to how he lived. How he lived was pretty transparent, a controlled transparency. If somebody else sees it and they struggle with drinking and they can find hope in this, hey I think he’d be fine. Faith Filled Family: You mentioned the transparency. What was your view of the way he lived his life before people as being so transparent about himself, and also being so unconventional by performing barefoot in a t-shirt and jeans? David Mullins: Yeah. Well, a couple of things. I would say that other than my parents, I don’t know that there’s anyone who has had a bigger influence on my understanding of faith, of how to live life, and of what a pursuit of Christ ought to look like than him. Some of the things he did I think were born out of a strength of his faith, and some I think was driven by weakness. In recognition of that, for instance the vow of poverty and the idea that he wanted to live on whatever the average income of a person in America was. A lot of people I think look at that and say, “Oh see how

great he was. Money had no impact on him.” From my conversations with him, I think exactly the opposite is true. I think he recognized that money could get him. I think he thought, “You know what, this is something that can take my heart away from God. I need to put these boundaries on myself to protect my soul.” For me, that’s even better than, “It doesn’t even impact me.” So it’s things like that and his humility I think playing in jeans and a white v-neck t-shirt kind of became his uniform, but it also kind of became, “You know what, this is just who I am,” which is a lot of how we were raised. One of the things I think my parents did really well was teach us, “You are who you are. Be that. Don’t put on airs. Don’t say, ‘Who do you want me to be? I’ll be that.’” They very much raised us to know who we are and do whatever we have to do to get ourselves to where we’re alright with that. I think that’s what you see a lot in that piece of Rich. We grew up very blue collar and this is who we are. Faith Filled Family: Do you happen to know what that “average” salary was that Rich lived on? David Mullins: You know what, I don’t know what it was. I think that happened – I’m guessing in the late ‘80’s or early ‘90’s. I don’t really have any idea what that ended up being. But I do know this, when he was killed, he had built a Hogan which is a traditional Navajo home on the reservation. It’s an eight-sided one room house and his business manager went down to get all of his stuff. He had the smallest U-Haul truck you could get and everything fit in it, even the hard top to the jeep, and there was still a lot of extra room. All of the things that he did life with fit into that.

things that God took him through in life. I’ve said a number of times in interviews that Paul said in Phillppians 1:6 “Being confident in this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (KJV). For me Rich’s life and my dad’s life was kind of a picture of that and I’m glad I got to see that. Faith Filled Family: There’s a scene in the movie where Rich is standing near the fence talking to your mother and he tells her he, “doesn’t belong anywhere.” What was Rich’s departure from the family like when he left the home for college? Were there parting words or tears? David Mullins: I’m not really sure. I think there may have been a little bit of both. We lived about an hour and a half away from the Bible college and from what I’ve heard from his friends and people who were close to him, he always sort of acted and felt like he was an outsider, and didn’t belong. We grew up in Indiana and basketball is nearly everything in sports, especially for kids growing up. He was awful in sports. He was this little wiry guy that played piano, and he never quite fit. I think part of that was that in his own eyes he didn’t fit. So I think he always felt like he didn’t quite fit anywhere.

Faith Filled Family: Who ended up being groomed to take over the farm in Rich’s place since Rich was the eldest and not very good at it? David Mullins: Actually nobody did. My dad hoped that my brother Lloyd and I would, and Lloyd went into the Air Force and made a career out of the Air Force, and I went into the ministry. At the time I was growing up we had a tree farm. Dad had transitioned it from a traditional farm to Faith Filled Family: Rich never married or had a tree farm. When he died we had some people children. Did you and your siblings have children? that helped for a little while just taking care of the David Mullins: Yeah. All of the other four of us stock that we had. My brother Lloyd now owns that were married and have kids. Mom and Dad had part of the farm. He rents out the land, but nobody 11 grandkids. really took it over a little bit to my dad’s sadness. Faith Filled Family: Was your father’s behavior different towards his grandchildren? David Mullins: Yeah. He could still get mad, but with the grandkids, he was much gentler. One of the cool things for me being younger and one of the things we weren’t able to show in the movie was a lot of the growth and the transitions and

Faith Filled Family: In viewing photos of Rich I was struck by how much he looks like he could be of Native American descent. I was really amazed at that. What is the family ancestry? David Mullins: We’re mutts. Mullins is an Irish name, my two brothers and I claim Ireland as our heritage, but I think we’ve got most of the European

countries somewhere mixed in and a little bit of this and that.

feelings of loneliness and despair. We don’t get to see that light side of him in the movie that you spoke about. What we see is he had t h i s Faith Filled Family: The actor that portrayed apparent fear of abandonment, or fear of people your brother, Michael Koch, what did you think of leaving him. What do you attribute that to? his portrayal of the movie in general? Were you David Mullins: I think some of it, and this is just my pleased with the result? opinion, but I think a lot of it came from growing David Mullins: Yeah, I thought especially for the up where you think, “I don’t fit anywhere. I don’t story – when you tell a story of somebody’s life you belong anywhere.” So in that feeling of, “I’m still have to think what was the theme of his life? alone, I don’t want to be alone.” I think it can just Obviously, a couple of things we were thinking of snowball. Then for there to be engagements was trying to grasp the love of God and his pursuit that were broken off and just life circumstances of God through the father figures in the movie where relationships don’t last. I think real quickly whether it was my dad, or Morris, or Brennan. For you can learn that there’s nothing here that’s the story we were telling and the story I think we stable. started out wanting to tell, I think Michael did a But I also think that’s part of the craving that God great job. used to have him keep pursuing God. So do I I thought he got the angst pretty well. Now if we say, “Oh that was wonderful,” No. But I think he were telling a story that was more on the light had days where God helped him work through side of Rich, and the way he joked – one of the it. I think that’s where he wrote songs like “Hold difficulties was that he was great fun. He laughed Me Jesus.” There are a number of songs that God and did little things. He would throw his own used to touch a lot of people’s hearts that birthday parties and get on the radio and say, “Hey probably couldn’t have been written had he not felt this is my address if you want to come, show up that. Does that make it all okay, no, but I think in at my house.” If we were doing that kind of story, it some ways, yes it does. would have stretched Michael a whole different way, but for the story we were telling, Michael Faith Filled Family: What were your thoughts did an excellent job. about him walking away from his fortune? What do you think your family felt about him making a Faith Filled Family: Yes, he had his own ability to lot of money and then just deciding to give it up? play and sing. That was pretty awesome. David Mullins:I think everybody was like, “Cool. David Mullins: Yeah, that was one of the things Okay great. If that’s what you feel like you need that the Schultzs and I talked about a great deal. to do and want to do, awesome.” I would say I We wanted somebody who was a musician, a think the way my mom handled his estate after he singer. Because there’s so much music throughout died, his staff would say, “Where did he get that?” the movie, we didn’t want to get to that and have My mom would say, “That’s his stuff. I don’t want to say, “Oh, here’s a track of Rich.” Then people it. I don’t want any money that comes in. I want would say, “Wait, that’s not the same voice.” We to continue to support the kind of things he did.” didn’t want to have that kind of situation. There was I’m guessing somewhere between one million and two million dollars that my mom Faith Filled Family: I have to say the hair was has given away to various ministries, working with a little disturbing. I’ve never seen a photo of Rich at-risk kids, out of his royalties and things with his hair sticking out of the side of his head like that have come in since the accident. I think having that. money has never been a big goal, and that’s David Mullins: Yeah, that was one of the things just the way we were raised. about doing a low budget Indies project. We thought we had something that was going to work, Faith Filled Family: What I like about the movie and it wasn’t, then it was trying to figure out how portrayal is that Rich was also a gifted counselor can we fix it. But it just didn’t work out. and advisor. People would just stop him and say, “Can I talk to you?” And he would stop and listen Faith Filled Family: Rich suffered from deep for sometimes hours. Were you able to see him in

action doing this at any time? David Mullins: Oh yeah. He would do those kinds of things with me. I think one of the things people really liked about him was his approachableness. And a part of that was that he was just an ordinary person with some extraordinary gifts. What you encountered was not the extraordinary, it was just the way he was. People would ask him to talk and he would. He was kind of the opposite of what people thought of a Christian Rock star. Faith Filled Family: Rich learned of St. Francis of Assisi whom he strongly connected with. What else can you share about your brother’s spiritual connection to St. Francis? David Mullins: He saw the movie in high school and there were a lot of things he connected with. One I think was St. Francis’s struggle with his father. That probably was a connection point, at that point in his life at least. Then the way that St. Francis, when Christ got a hold of him, pursued a life of faith. That really stuck out to Rich. St. Francis walked away from wealth. He came from a family of wealth and said, “I don’t want that.” He liked to party and walked away from that kind of living. I think that those things that St. Francis walked away from connected in Rich’s life. He thought, “These are the same things I need.” I think there were a lot of things. And there were some things people have connected with from Rich’s life.

Faith Filled Family: The post I read about the accident stated that Rich and Mitch were thrown from the vehicle. It also stated that a tractor trailer came and Rich was too injured to m o v e out of the way. Is that accurate? David Mullins: Well, I honestly don’t know. I know that is what part of the report says. I also know they interviewed the tractor trailer driver who said he did not hit him. So I don’t know. But for the movie’s sake, there was no reason to show that if that is what happened. We just wanted to show that he was killed in a car accident. There was no reason to show anything more. Nothing good would come from that.

Faith Filled Family: Certain things were not expounded on in the movie such as Rich’s involvement in different ministries such as Compassion International, and Kid Brothers of St. Frank. Were there others you were aware of? David Mullins:Yeah, those were two of the more continuous ones. A lot of that is just a time issue. It can already be difficult to follow the trail of the story. The other thing, and one of the things I get is, “Is this an accurate story?” I say yes. But it isn’t the only one. There are hundreds of movies that could have been made that would be absolutely as legitimate as this one. But those things probably would not have helped to push this storyline along. So those are some of the difficult decisions you have to make character-wise. Faith Filled Family: Do you or any of your siblings There’s a ton of other people that could have been in the movie, and it can be argued should also have a musical ability? David Mullins: Not like that. I think we all really have been in the movie. like music. Some of us play a little bit, and sing a In Nashville, basically we showed two people little bit but not nearly to the degree that Rich did. in Nashville. That’s crazy. If you have any understanding of the music business, the top aren’t the ones sitting Faith Filled Family: Take us to the day of the executives of the label in the studio running the mixing board. In a two accident. Where were you when you heard of the hour movie, trying to depict everyone that was news of your brother’s death? David Mullins: I was living in West Virginia. I was meaningful is really difficult. So you’re f a c e d at a church in West Virginia. I was actually at a with the challenge of how to do this and who is Bible quiz competition with our youth group. When really necessary. I got home from that, my wife had gotten the Many of the characters are actually compilation call, and she had to tell me. I don’t remember a characters. We don’t show any of his band mates. whole lot other than coming home and her telling None of the Ragamuffins really, you don’t see me, and just kind of collapsing. From there for them. There were a ton of people who toured with about a month or two months, I don’t remember a him which is one of the reasons why we don’t whole lot actually. He was one of the people that show them because he had so many different people that toured with him over the course of had a big influence on me.

his career, you just can’t. It would have been a movie of introductions. You just can’t bring everybody in, in every storyline. There’s all kinds of things depending on people’s perspectives on his life. They’ll say, “Well, why didn’t they tell this?” Well, it’s not that we wouldn’t have liked to, but we weren’t doing a mini-series. Faith Filled Family: Right. That puts it in perspective. You have to condense his whole life into a two hour period. David Mullins: Yeah, and one of the criticisms is that the movie is too long now.

a deeper way, then he’d go there. If something else did, that’s where he would go. I think that’s the important thing from my perspective in life on faith as well. It’s not about what denomination or tradition you follow. It’s about are you following Christ, are you drawing closer to Him. That’s the goal of our faith. It’s not a denomination.

Faith Filled Family: Did he have a chance to share with you his ministry about working with Native American children? David Mullins: Yeah, some. From the time that he was really little, he wanted to be a missionary. Faith Filled Family: I didn’t feel that at all. I read Even during his years in Nashville, he wanted to a criticism that talked about the swinging light get out of the music business so he could go be a bulb. I felt the light bulb represented how he kept missionary. He also always had a heart for Native remembering how he felt as a child when his Americans. My sisters tell me that when they father spoke harshly to him. Would you say that’s were little and they would watch westerns, in accurate? the cowboy and Indian movies, he would always David Mullins: Yeah, I believe that’s right. I know cry for the Indians and say, “But it’s their land. it’s true for me. I’ve gone back to feelings I felt This isn’t right. This isn’t fair.” So I know he had a as a kid that I thought were true about me that heart for those things. weren’t really true. Yeah, so the light bulb was I think as he went through life, he came to the exactly that. It represented trying to overcome the place where he thought, “You know what, I’m struggles he faced from childhood. never going to go overseas and be a missionary. But I can do that here and still be able to tour Faith Filled Family: I read about his dedication to and raise my own support.” He wanted to be the Catholic Church. Was he on his way to self-sufficient in that end of things. I think those becoming Catholic? two passions came together. David Mullins: It depends on who you ask. He The other thing I know that he said one of the other certainly was interested in the Catholic faith. He reasons why he really wanted to work with the had gone through the classes to become Catholic. Navajo is that they’re a shepherding culture. The If you talk to Father Matt in Wichita he will tell you scriptures are represented from a shepherding that absolutely on the trip that Rich was killed on, culture so he wanted to go spend time with them when he got to Wichita, he was going to and look at the scriptures through the eyes of a convert. If you talk to Michael, one of the Kid shepherding culture and see what he could learn Brothers who was Catholic, he told me that when about God from them and their perspective on he had talked to Rich, Rich had told him, “No, life. I’m not ready to do that yet. I still have too many questions. I’m not going to do it.” Faith Filled Family: Did Morris in fact die so So with Rich, here’s the perspective that I think is suddenly like he did in the movie? important. I think Rich wanted to know God as David Mullins: He did, but Rich was not with deeply as he could. In my experience in watching him. But yeah he died suddenly. He and my dad him, all of the traditions in the Christian faith, he both died suddenly. looked for what do they know about God that the others don’t. And he tried to embrace that. He Faith Filled Family: It was really sad in the scene recognized the strengths, and the weaknesses in where the dad calls Rich and he picks up and the many of the Christian traditions. He was pursuing dad doesn’t say anything. Was that a portrayal of God and if the Catholic faith would help him how the father had left things unsaid? understand God and be able to relate to God in David Mullins: Yeah, I fully believe that there

were things he truly wanted to say and just could not. I think that’s true of all of us kids. Faith Filled Family: Finally, is there a favorite quote of your brother Rich that you could share with us? Or maybe a favorite scripture? David Mullins: That’s a question I’ve never been asked before, so good job! I love the quote in the movie where he talks about what’s the most theologically profound statement ever made and he talks about Jesus loves me. I love that monologue in the movie which actually for me, being on set and watching the whole thing, it was probably the most emotional time for me, it was

those monologues. Because they were most likely directly taken from concert footage, etc. Those were all quotes that Rich had said. That was one of the things I loved about Dave Schultz and one of the things I loved about writing the movie. Many thanks to Mr. David Mullins for taking time out and sharing with us about his brother Rich Mullins and the legacy of his life. We are thankful and appreciative for Rich’s contributions to the world through his music and through insight into his own personal journey of discovering and uncovering the truth of God’s love and grace.

The Annointing By Pastor Josh Moss

and find out where it began and he anointing is such then follow the bread crumbs a mystical theory in today’s from there to today to find our society, even with the ranks answers. We can begin by of the “Church World.” The turning to our primary source of fact of the matter is that most understanding the Word of God. individuals do not understand In Exodus 25 we find the first what the anointing, and its mention of anointing and it is in role, was in the Old Testament reference to the spices that are Covenant which leads them to to be used in the oil that are to lack understanding on what it also be a sweet incense for God. means and the role it plays in These spices were to be brought the New Testament Covenant. as an offering before the Lord The questions arise such as; is it and to be dedicated for the use for today, how is it experienced, in the temple. It was an offering what does it look like, and how is that was going to be added to it utilized in today’s churches if it anointing oil and God’s senses would be pleased as it would go is applicable? When beginning a discussion up as a sweet incense before such as this it is a must to trace Him. It is hard for anyone in this age the subject back to its roots

to understand the significance of what was transpiring in Exodus because we are not aware, nor do we desire for anointing oil to be considered the same as the stick that we burn and call incense. God wanted a sweet savor to fill the temple and for it to permeate the air so that those around would know that His house was anointed and special, called to be set apart and not the same as the gods served by other men. As mankind it is also difficult for us to understand that when God takes an action he typically does so with the intent of establishing a proper order to things from the start of his introduction of the process to the rest of time.

This first mention of anointing oil is then repeated in Exodus 29 when God instructs Moses to take Aaron and members of his family out from among the children of Israel to set them up to be priest. Aaronâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family was to have this oil poured over their head and sprinkled on their

sprinkled on their clothes which would then make them holly and anointed to be the priests of God. If we take a look at this and then understand that in Exodus 30 the type of oil that was to be made for this type of ceremony was to be an oil filled with spices and herbs which would carry

clothes which would then make them holly and anointed to be the priests of God. If we take a look at this and then understand that in Exodus 30 the type of oil that was to be made for this type of ceremony was to be an oil filled with spices and herbs which would carry the sweet

aroma of incense that Exodus 25 speaks about. The oil was to be made in the same manner that medicines were made, spices and herbs ground into pulp and then added to the anointing oil. The purpose of this, I believe, was so that when the anointed individual would walk away from the ceremony, they would smell of the sweet anointing for hours, and quite possibly for days. Everyone they would come in contact with would know that they had been and were anointed. After God instructed on how the oil was to be made He went a step further and commanded that this be an anointing oil for all generations to follow. The key that must be understood is that the anointing oil was meant for the tabernacle only and was therefore very sacred and holy. If this same oil can be taken and poured on a man and sprinkled on his clothes to make him set apart and able to be a priest for God then when everyone would recognize the scent of the anointing they would know that that individual was anointed. We fast forward and see the anointing of David, I am not talking about the King David, but the boy David who still smelled like sheep dung for it was on his clothes and was on his skin due to his profession. After he was anointed what a marvelous wonder that must have been for those around him to smell the sweet savoury of the anointing and yet have no understanding as to why God choose this shepherd boy; this boy that even his own father didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t believe deserved to be brought before the prophet. Yet this is the one who left the meeting with the prophet with a sweet scent emitting from

his hair, clothes and body. David came out of the field smelling like sheep and went back to the field changed so much that he not only looked different from having oil poured on him but he also smelled different. One could definitely see the transformation that had taken place with using more than one of their senses. Maybe by looking at these Old Testament examples we can catch a glimpse of the anointing of God and what it might look like, feel like, and maybe even smell like. It is amazing how we can go through life and a smell will catch us by surprise with a reminder of a scent of the past. Maybe a person smells like grandma, or a home smells like a home that you grew up in, a smell that uses one sense and takes us back mentally to a point in time when we had the experience of that smell before. Taking this into account what a thrill it must have been in the Old Testament for an individual to be anointed. The scent of the anointing oil would have been experienced in the temple, Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s house, and then as they passed by David they would immediately be taken back to where they went to offer sacrifices or back to the place that they experienced God, if you will. God set in motion a plan that His people could identify who had been anointed by a prophet by the sweet smell of their clothes after the ceremony of the anointing took place. Moving onward to the New Testament, we no longer have tabernacles where we burn incense and have the sweet smell of anointing oil to be experienced. So what does the current day anointing smell like, look like, feel like, and how

is it utilized if it even exists at all? In the New Testament the first mention of anointing is found in Matthew where Jesus commands us to anoint our head with oil and to not do as the hypocrites do when fasting. The next mention is found in both Mark and Luke when a woman brings a precious oil called spikenard and breaks the box to pour the oil upon Jesus’ feet. The oil was so valuable that there were those present that thought it mighty wasteful for her to pour it on the feet of Jesus. On a side note there are those that believe that God’s anointing is wasted on certain individuals, look closely at how Jesus approached those that criticized what God had ordained to happen. The fact is this, the woman gave what was precious to her to God while those around were too blind to see that Christ needed to be anointed for what He was about to undergo. We also see in Mark 6 that oil was used to anoint the sick so that they may be healed. This type of anointing still takes place in many churches today and it is a sign as well as following the example of Christ when he healed the blind man in John 9. This is also in obedient to James 5:14 calling for the elders to anoint the sick as they pray for them

while doing so in the name of the Lord. So here we see a different appointment for anointing but it is definitely commanded of God for us to participate in this way of anointing the sick, quite possibly as a sign to set them apart and sanctify them for the healing work that God can do in their lives. We see a different type of anointing spoken by Jesus in the book of Luke where He states that He has been given a specific anointing to preach. Jesus separates this form other reasons as to why he was sent. An interesting point here is that Jesus felt He was anointed to preach to the poor while he was sent to do other operations for God. If we are Disciples of Christ and we are to follow Him as an example then it could be said that God still anoints the Disciples of Christ to preach as well as to anoint the sick and pray for them. Evidence of this can be seen in II Corinthians 1:21 where it talks about the anointing that Paul has being directly from God. If the anointing is still in existence in today’s church, what does it look like and how is it to be both used as well as recognized. The answer can be found in both Acts 10:38 as well as Hebrews 1:9 dealing with what the anointing brings to the individual who is anointed. In Acts it says that Jesus was anointed and that He was anointed with the Holy Ghost and also He was anointed with power. This interpretation can be found when you are listening to an individual talk about the gospel, rather it be a one-onone situation or it be in a pulpit speaking to a congregation the power of the spoken word can not only be felt but it can also be

revealed with introspect into our own lives. Being anointed with the Holy Ghost can be evident when we take a look at the fruits of the Spirit, if the fruits are evident (some would say if the evidence has occurred), then the person is more than likely being influenced by the anointing of the Holy Spirit. In II Corinthians it talks about the anointing being in the form of gladness above others in an individual’s life. This is the type of gladness that cannot be explained by circumstances but rather a gladness that comes upon an individual who should not be glad and yet the anointing is upon them to respond this way. There are other examples of the anointing in scripture but for time’s sake I will narrow it down to the two. The question about the anointing seems complicated but in the light of scripture is actually can be answered quite simply. An individual is anointed if they exhibit the features of what that anointing brings. If you are listening to an individual speak and they begin to say things to you that speak to your life specifically or to a specific situation in your life, that can be seen as an individual anointed with power, power to speak the Word of God in such a way that it becomes alive and effective in your life. These are a few examples but I hope that you can see a glimpse into the view of the anointing and what it may look like in your everyday life. It is real, it is effective, and it does exist today in a very recognizable fashion. Pastor Josh Moss Senior Pastor @ Community Church

Levant

What Happens When Scripture Sudeenly Comes to Life...

Interview with Tim Chey By Lisa Carter

Director/writer of film David and Goliath by River Rain Productions Trailer: http://davidgoliathmovie.com/ In Theaters April 2015

he famous battle of David and Goliath has been shared countless times throughout the history of Christianity, and for good reason. The story found in 1 Samuel 17 is one of courage and strength, but most importantly, one of tremendous faith in the face of great fear. Both David and Goliath are known for their fearlessness, but one is recognized for his valiant bravery, and unmatched courage. The movie features newcomer Miles Sloman as David, and Jerry Sokolosky dubbed as “The Tallest Man in Canada” as Goliath. Jerry is a real life “giant” of immense proportions standing close to 8 feet tall. The movie also stars Joseph Emms, Makenna Guyler, and Paul Hughes among other talented actors and actresses. The film will open nationwide in Spring of 2015. Tim Chey is the writer and director of this epic production. He believes in passionately proclaiming the truth of God’s Word and is excited to bring this incredible story to life for viewing on the big screen. Tim Chey is quite a remarkable gentleman having obtained a pilot’s license at the age of 16. He is also a former practicing entertainment lawyer turned screenwriter and director. Faith Filled Family was happy to chat with Tim about his passion: bringing God’s Word to life through the media of film.

Image courtesy of Supakitmod at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Faith Filled Family: Mr. Chey, you stated in a previous interview that you are a former atheist who read the Bible in a hotel room and found Christ. Is that true? Tim Chey: Yes. What was the worst day of my life turned out to be the best day of my life. There was no turning back.

Faith Filled Family: What was it about the scriptures you read that day that became so real to you? Tim Chey: It was the historical context, but it was also the unbelievable context – you felt the whole thing was authentic from beginning to end, and then finally the leap of faith – I believe. Faith Filled Family: How important is it to you to do movies about real Bible stories? And how

do they compare to fictional stories played out on screen from a director’s point of view? Tim Chey: Ben Hur is my favorite all-time film followed by the Gospel of John. We need to see a visual interpretation of many of the Bible stories for this generation. It’s planting the seeds to make them pick up the Bible to find more. Faith Filled Family: What elements of this story of David and Goliath are you most looking forward to the viewing audience seeing on screen?

Tim Chey: David’s faith in God. Faith Filled Family: I read this project took about 11 years to make. Why did it take so long to bring to fruition? Tim Chey: It’s always financing. Now is the most amazing time ever to make faith-based movies. I don’t know a single hard-core one that has failed – but they must be made well and have a huge heart for the Gospel. I don’t buy the argument that you shouldn’t make “preachy” movies. Paul said, ‘…woe is me if I don’t preach the Gospel.’ (1 Corin. 9:16). So we can have both lukewarm, culture-loving Christian movies, and we can have hard-core, super-preachy Gospel movies – who cares? Maybe the devil!

said, ‘if they hated me, they will hate you.’ (John 15:18 paraphrased).

Faith Filled Family: What would you say to young film director hopefuls who want to be behind the camera someday? Tim Chey: Just don’t listen to these professors who teach the demonic doctrine of not preaching the Gospel in films. It comes from the devil’s lips himself. They honor ‘X-Men’ more than a film that has a heart for God and is obeying the Great Commission. They don’t care that our films have brought many to salvation. It doesn’t wash with them because they’re not really ‘one of us.’ They will stand before a real God someday and I truly believe God will spit them out of His mouth forever. We will not see lukewarm Christians Faith Filled Family: What do you hope viewers in Heaven – at least that’s my theology. I could be will leave the movie theaters believing, even if wrong – I hope I’m wrong. they’re not believers? Tim Chey: (I hope) to plant seeds of God in them. Mr. Chey is encouraging us to take courage and not timidly refuse to take a stand for God. We Faith Filled Family: What other projects involving need not be a giant to do this. Goliath had no God’s Word would you like to see on film? Are problem being fearless having stood nine feet there future works you can share? tall and weighing in at somewhere around 300 to Tim Chey: Yes, tons of projects in development – 400 pounds. He was a giant and no soldier in his but guided only by the Holy Spirit. right mind was coming anywhere near him. Enter David. David was not a soldier, at least not in the Faith Filled Family: What a career change! You traditional sense. He had not been inducted into went from entertainment lawyer to screenwriter the army, and had not been sworn in. He had not and film director. What is it about film that drew attended boot camp, or trained extensively on how you in and made you want to be the one behind to fight giants. However, David was a young man the camera? of great strength – God-given strength. Not only Tim Chey: ( I ) never wanted to practice law. was he physically and impressively strong to be But I still do as a pro-bono lawyer. Our rights to a young man his size, but he was strong in spirit. profess Christ grow dimmer by the day. We need more Christian lawyers to combat this evil minority Sure, Goliath had height and strength that no of anti-Christians who are seeping into every average man had. But in truth, he was nothing church, every judge’s seat, every company, every more than a bully. Bullies are only strong because institution – it’s really eye-opening when you study they are feared. So it is up to us as people of God it. to stand in faith believing God is with us. There are many circumstances that come to challenge Faith Filled Family: How do you hope the our faith just as Goliath came to challenge David’s. message of courage and strength in this film will Therefore, we as Believers in these last days are help Believers everywhere in the world? faced with a question: Will we choose to face these Tim Chey: There are too many lukewarm Believers circumstances with faith – or with fear? to be honest. None would fight Goliath even today. They’re gutless Christians with no heart or true Thank you, Mr. Chey for taking the time to talk with faith in God. They’re lemmings trying to be cool Faith Filled Family Magazine. May the Lord richly and popular. Nowhere in Scripture does it say bless your endeavors to bring glory and honor to we’re going to be popular. In fact, Jesus Himself His name through film.

Can Christian Music of Today “Waken” Us to A Better Relationship with God? By Shelley Obilam

Website http://www.wakenmusic. com Contact Information wakenband@gmail.com https://www.facebook. com/wakenmusic h t t p s : / / t w i t t e r. c o m / wakenmusic Available On iTunes http://www.amazon.com/ Endless-Light-EP-Waken Faith Filled Family has a wonderful opportunity to introduce a new Christian singing group. Before I give away the name, let me say the group has its own spiritual tone for listeners to enjoy. Yet, more importantly, they worship the Lord in song as the scripture says, “I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.” – Psalms 7:17

Faith Filled Family: This new Christian group is given the name “Waken”. It can be told from its birth name that “Waken” is not catchy or trendy, but a form of wake-up! As we interviewed Mr. Justin Amundrud of Waken, we are blessed as he shares with us details about the group. We asked, as simple as it may seem, how did Waken get its name? Justin Amundrud: It was really a group effort! We had been trying to collectively decide on a name for a few weeks, with a ton of terribly bad ideas and little progress. Until one day right before a rehearsal someone suggested it (can’t remember who...but it wasn’t me!) and it seemed to fit.

Edge School of Worship.

“Ocean’s Edge School of Worship in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida offers an exciting program designed from the ground up with the specific purpose of providing training and education for Christian artists and worship leaders. We strive to provide an environment that combines personal mentoring and discipleship with cutting edge music, technology and leadership training in an approach that will equip students for a lifetime of ministry. Our hope is to help students fulfill God’s call in their life by equipping students spiritually, technically, and artistically. A spiritually mature staff, God-centered curriculum, and structured Faith Filled Family: What are the ages of the mentorship program all work together to achieve our mission – – to make disciples.” group? Justin Amundrud: Our ages range from 19-21 Website: http://www.oceansedgeschool.com/ years old, we all met during our time at Ocean’s about-2/

Faith Filled Family: On a spiritual note, what is Waken’s purpose? Justin Amundrud: Our mission is to inspire young people to create music/art/media for God’s kingdom! We really hope that people can connect with the songs on a personal level for private times of worship as well as corporate worship.

for Waken? Justin Amundrud: On the new material we are working on the songwriters are just David Gurr and I. But on the Endless Light EP we had help from just about everyone involved in the project, and also some rewrites on the track “All Glory Forever” by Mia Fieldes through our time at Ocean’s Edge.

Faith Filled Family: Has anyone accepted Jesus as their personal Savior as a result of Waken’s music? If so, when and where? Justin Amundrud: We get emails all the time about how the songs are impacting people’s personal walks. I don’t know if anyone has accepted the Lord through our music, but we are so happy to have partnered with ministries and camps where people of all ages have come to know God!

Faith Filled Family: How did Waken get started? Justin Amundrud: We came together last November from an idea that Doug Farrar (Ocean’s Edge School Director) and I had to start a worship band that would be primarily electronic oriented from the school. At the time, I had been working on a separate project with guitarist David Gurr but quickly this became our focus. Around Thanksgiving last year Dwight and I had our first writing session and from there we quickly finished “We Will Run” and “Hope Has Found Us”. We began laying down scratch recordings in January and finished the recording process in at the end of May. Originally the songs had more of a pop vibe, but as time went on we were able to settle on a little more ambient sound.

Faith Filled Family: Can you confirm the names in the group? Justin Amundrud: The main creative core of the band is David Gurr (Guitar/Songwriting/ Co-Producer) and myself (Vocals/Synth/ Songwriting/Co-Producer). But the Waken team includes some other awesomely talented people who we collaborate and perform live with. Abbey Gregory (Vocals on Arising and It Is Well) Rachel King (BGV’s) Dwight Pendleton (Guitar/BGV’s) Stephen Rodriguez (Drums/Programming) Faith Filled Family: Who writes the songs/lyrics

Faith Filled Family: Where does Waken see themselves in the next 5 years? Justin Amundrud: We really want to start playing live more and really develop nights of worship that are innovative but also grounded upon solid Scripture where Christ is at the forefront. Faith Filled Family: Unlike traditional singing groups – Waken is self-promoting. How do they differ from traditional groups? Justin Amundrud: We are really grateful to work with our indie label, Ocean’s Edge Records, to help us with promotion. So it helps us navigate some unfamiliar territory with online marketing, and has given us some great connects. But having control of how we present the music is something we are really thankful for! Faith Filled Family praises and recommends Waken because their music promotes glory to the King of kings, Our Lord Jesus Christ. The lyrics uphold a reminder for some that are already in the faith and an aWAKENing for some that are new in their faith, in Christ. Mr. Amundrud, thank you for expressing to our viewers Waken’s vision and spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ in songs.

If the idea of writing makes you this excited... We need you!

Email Michelle Danko at mcdanko@faithfilledfamily.com for further details

Ocean of Grace By Rob Cheely

“…those who receive the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness will reign in life through… Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:17 Just after I began worshiping Jesus in truth, God revealed Himself in a way my spiritual eyes had never before seen. The glorious vision convinced my heart forever of the abundance of grace that is ours in Jesus. Before ‘the gift’, I was never sure if I qualified for God’s acceptance. My heart vacillated from fear to faith. Had I ‘truly believed’? Was I ‘in Christ’ already, or still wandering in the fog somewhere short of ‘salvation’? I didn’t know. One day Jesus’ Spirit showed my soul a ‘great and hidden thing which I had not known’. Hitchhiking from LA to Salt Lake, I got stuck at an exit in the desert. The heat was stifling. No shade anywhere, I waited hours for a ride. Relentless heat without, crisis of faith within, a mounting wave of desperation ensued. I cried out to God “Give me more faith! Take away this suffocating doubt! Free me from myself.” I wept and pleaded that the storm within would relent. Prompted to open my bible, my eyes were led to Jeremiah’s prophecy: “I know the plans I have for you, plans for good and not for calamity, giving you a future and a hope. You will call on Me…and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you.” Almost instantly, the anxiety eased. Worry and wondering were dissipating, faith increasing. I promised Jesus I would ‘seek Him with all my heart’.

Closing my eyes, thankful for God’s goodness, a vision came upon me like a dream. Though I was fully conscious, all awareness of my surroundings ceased. I was adrift in a raging storm, engulfed by mighty waves. In the troughs, each wave seemed as though it would crash down upon me. From the peaks, I saw only ocean in every direction. No ship, no land, no person was visible—only the darkness of storm clouds blown along by a fierce wind. No hope of escape. Suddenly I sensed a strange peacefulness within my soul. Calm and unafraid—I was overcome by a sense of God’s presence. The water warmed my flesh, and I had no fear. An impression of God’s goodness and my being safe with Him filled my mind. The great waters seemed my salvation rather than my doom. I couldn’t see God, but my heart was deeply assured of the nearness of His presence and glory. The Spirit of Jesus communicated His loving nature to my spirit. The immenseness of His majesty and goodness filled my soul. Then a voice spoke gently to me above the gale. The Lord’s words established a lifetime of desire for, and trust in Him. “You are infinitely surrounded by the Ocean of My Grace. There is no escape. I will keep you in My Presence for all eternity, for I love you.” ‘Peace like a river’ flooded in; ‘Joy inexpressible’ brought tears to my eyes. Thankfulness filled my heart. As mysteriously as it had come, the vision faded. The heat of the sun, and the safety and lasting assurance of God’s acceptance were all

that remained. Deep conviction of the Ocean of to earn it. Not a difficult concept. The gift, however, Grace lead me onward. This transforming attribute takes many forms. Each form has its purpose and of God’s nature became and remains the wind fruit. beneath my wings. What are these? We love to focus on the forgiveness, mercy, salvation and patience side of Oh, the deep, deep love of Jesus; the grace coin; a blessed hope indeed. The other Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free. side of the coin, however, holds many forms of Rolling as a mighty ocean, blessing. By grace, the Spirit of Grace enlightens, In its fullness over me. purifies, empowers and supplies the Divine Nature Underneath me, all around me, to all who will walk with Jesus. Are you willing to Is the current of Thy love; receive these gifts? Leading onward, leading homeward, To Thy glorious rest above. “by His doing [grace] you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom… righteousness, -Samuel Francis sanctification, and redemption…” 1 Corinthians 1:30 Until our spirit is sustained and informed by a Godsized dose of His grace, our journey cannot endure You have joyfully received Jesus’ righteousness full-strength Truth. We depart from ‘The Way’. and redemption. Are you also willing to have His Consider, for example, God’s declaration of His wisdom and sanctification (holiness) transform purpose for His people? “Until Christ is formed you? in you”, and “we all attain to the fullness of the How does one ‘receive’ these works of grace? stature of Christ”, “every person perfect…”—His By faith in God working through love for God Spirit’s descriptions. The bar has been set very (Galatians 5:6). Great faith in God (a gift He longs high. Embracing this truth full-strength—pursuing to bestow) and love for God (the natural result of perfection and Christlikeness—seems too high a knowing Him more intimately) brings His Spirit of standard. Wisdom and Holiness to mold and transform. The Church has generally responded by lowering So what is the action point from our side of the the standard. Espresso-strength Truth has been relationship? diluted to something like American coffee. (My Let us return to the Lord…He will heal us…He will Brazilian friends correctly consider this to be an revive us…That we may live before Him…let us embarrassingly weak pretense—full departure press on to know the Lord. Hosea 6:1-3 from the essence.) We’ve abandoned The Way; choosing the path of Israel in the times of Isaiah He does the healing, the reviving, the transforming. and Hosea. God therefore removed His glory from Our task is to turn to Him, seek His presence, press their midst (Ezekiel 9 & 10). What will we do? on to know Jesus more intimately. As we know Him, Peter said “His divine power has granted to us we delight in His loveliness rather than in ourself. everything pertaining to life and godliness…one Faith and love naturally increase. He transforms us who lacks [Christlike] qualities is blind… having and fulfills His purpose—manifesting Himself from forgotten…” what God has already accomplished our life. His first works of grace produce greater in us. (2 Peter 1:3,9) grace, changing us from one level of revealing His An abundance of grace has been provided. glory to a greater level. An ocean of blessing awaits. Only there can we As you envision the glory of the Lord, you are being embrace the fullness of God’s truth and purpose transformed by the Spirit into the image of Christ— for us. growing from one level of glory to another. In this How, then, does grace accomplish these things in way, Light (Jesus) shines out of the darkness us? (your flesh)—His life manifested in you. We are constantly dying to ourselves for Jesus’ sake, Pursuing the Full Blessing of Grace so that His glorious, eternal life is revealed from ‘Grace’ simply means ‘unmerited gift’. It flows our weak and dying flesh. (paraphrased from 2 freely from God, and it is impossible to do anything Corinthians 3:18-4:11)

â&#x20AC;&#x153;For the Lord sees not as m the Lord

Holey Jeans Are First Impressions Always Correct? By Gary Tidwell

t was a cool crisp morning; the kind that makes each sip of your coffee that much more enjoyable. I was sitting at my normal table with all the same old guys in our favorite quiet little shop. We meet just about every day at about 6:30 AM; kind of our way of getting the day started right. Conversation was usually kept light; weather, the local football team, exciting news that had happened, etc. We had no clue how radically our view of the world would change and by that our lives would soon be impacted. As we sat discussing the big win the varsity football team had pulled off on the last play of the game last Friday night, a middle aged gentleman none of us recognized strolled by. He appeared a little disheveled. His thinning grey hair was mostly covered by a well-worn John Deer Trucker hat. Similarly, his flannel shirt had seen its better days as had his old work boots. What caught my attention was his blue jeans. Like the rest of his attire, you could tell that they and quite naturally

the one wearing them had been through a lot. They were so many colored stains in varying shades of red that I almost automatically thought they were blood- his, I hoped. In addition, there were various cuts and tears in both legs; most significantly the knees where completely in shreds. My head wanted to judge him for being dressed as he was, but something in me just could not do it. In fact, stood up from my seat and offered him an empty chair at our table. The small cafĂŠ was quite crowded for the breakfast run and he would not have anywhere else to sit. He graciously accepted and sat down with us. After he had an opportunity to look over the menu, place his order and get a couple of sips of coffee, we took a few minutes an introduced ourselves. He humbly and pleasantly greeted each of us and indicated how nice it was to make our acquaintance. After we finished our introductions, he did likewise and it was just like we were all the oldest of friends as he opened up his heart

man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but looks on the heart.â&#x20AC;? 1 Samuel 16:7

to us right where we sat. As he shared his life story with us, he would point at a stain or a tear in his jeans and tell us about the experience that he gone through to acquire it. We all shed many a tear that morning. Some as we laughed together, but many as we cried together. These holey, tattered and stained pair of jeans was not a symbol of shame and disgrace, but one of confidence and pride. Yes, some of the tears and stains were the result of poor choices- some grievous- but good or bad, each experience had made this gentleman the man which sat before us. Those jeans were not just something he wore, they were his story. They were his autobiography. None of could believe it when

the waitress started resetting the cafĂŠ in preparation for the soon arriving lunch crowd. The hours had flown by as we listened fervently to the tale this gentle stranger shared. Just as quickly and as easily as he appeared into our lives, he was gone. He excused himself from the table, paid for his meal and those of everyone else at the table, and strolled out the door. To this day, not a single one of us have seen him or his holey jeans again. This one thing is for sure: he may be gone, but he will never be forgotten. The memory of him standing there in that cafĂŠ is forever etched in my mind. To this day, anytime I find myself even tempted to judge someone based on what

I see on the outside, that image pops right to the front of my mind and I instantly reverse course. From that day forward, each day, each person that I have the opportunity to encounter, I recall the gentle stranger with the holey jeans and I am reminded that EVERYONE has their own story. Each has faced trials and overcome hurdles and challenges. You have a story; I have a story - our stories are what make us who we are. They develop our character, but they also reveal it. So the next time you consider judging someone by how they look, or how they are dressed remember the story of the holey jeans!

ATTENTION:

The War Against Sexual Immorality Begins With You By Michelle C. Danko

as our world become more permissive in terms of sexual immorality? It is the question that is on many Christian’s lips, but no one dares utter the question, nor searches to find answers to sexual addictions. It is a topic that is kept secret by families, in marriages, and even in the church. We see the standards for purity being degraded, and God’s design for marriage mocked. Satan is destroying our homes, our families, and everything God called “good” is being perverted in an attempt to satisfy the flesh. The National Coalition For Purity stands for purity

in all forms: freedom from sexual addictions and bondage, courting, and maintaining sexual purity. It is a non-denominational Christian ministry whose purpose is to strengthen Christians, churches, and organizations in their stance on sexual purity. They minister not only to men, but to women and teens as well. Their vision is to “make sexual purity an unavoidable issue for the church”. They partner with churches and organizations to challenge, train, and provide resources for them in launching purity ministries for their congregation. They fully believe that God has called them to purify the Bride of Christ… one church at a time.

Currently, the National Coalition For Purity (NCFP) offers the following ministries: Every Man’s Battle for Purity, Women of Truth, The REBELlion (Youth Purity) and Project Purity. Faith Filled Family was granted an exclusive interview with Director Dr. Irv Woolf who shared with us his insight into this issue, how it affects marriages, society’s role, and how we can strengthen our marriages against sexual immorality. Faith Filled Family: Many churches fail to recognize that sexual purity is more than just abstinence before marriage, but encompasses a broader spectrum. What is that “broader” spectrum that the NCFP is trying to educate the church about? Irv Woolf: There are a number of facets to that. We, in fact, believe in sexual abstinence. I believe in something that culture finds taboo, and that is virginity for both males and females. What we are running into is that the church needs to address sexual sin within the congregation itself. It’s not just about abstinence before marriage, and the “just say no” campaign. 60-65% of Evangelical Christians are looking at porn at least monthly. That is pretty shocking to me, and we need to address that. Sexual sin is indeed embarrassing and sin based. As such, pastors tend not to want to touch those subjects. They are “hot potatoes”, so they don’t tend to want to talk about them too much. Faith Filled Family: Are churches recognizing there is a need to educate people on each of these topics, or is the education still fragmented? For example, are they teaching on sexual purity inside and outside of marriage, breaking the bondage of pornography, masturbation, etc, or is it just certain areas. Irv Woolf: I would say that it’s pretty fragmented. I think that in the youth department, they talk about sexuality, but they tend not to get too deep with it. Some pastors are brave enough to briefly tackle the subject, but not deep enough due to public consumption. I find it abysmal the lack of understanding of God’s perception on sex. They don’t have a good handle on that and culture has made significant inroads into the church in terms of shaping its values. Instead of the church becoming a thermostat and controlling the culture,

they have become a thermometer reflecting the culture. Faith Filled Family: Why do you think society has so much power over what the church is teaching? Irv Woolf: I think with the endorsing of homosexuality, refusal to speak out against abortion or divorce… most pastors don’t have the courage to speak out about their convictions for fear of losing their jobs. I applaud churches that discuss these issues and tackle them. They are courageous. They don’t bury their heads in the sand. Faith Filled Family: Is society educated enough about the effects of pornography and masturbation on marriage? Why do people fall prey to Satan telling them that there behavior is harmless? Explain briefly the effects on marriage of being in bondage in these areas. Irv Woolf: I’m pretty familiar with what it does in marriage. Many young people and husbands have convinced themselves that porn is ok. (They justify engaging in pornography as) it stimulates, is erotic, and can teach them new things. However, to women, they find it degrading, and most of the time they don’t want to engage in the kinds of acts that their husbands find stimulating. When most women find out about their husband engaging in masturbation and pornography they feel betrayed. For men, if they haven’t physically become an adulterer, they have mentally become an adulterer, and have violated their marriage covenant*. Why do people fall prey to lies? We have an enemy called Satan who will try to pervert whatever God created. In the kind of covenant relationship that God created between man and wife, Satan will try to pervert and destroy. Satan will destroy marriages using homosexuality, pornography, and cohabitation. Note: By having sex with your spouse while thinking about pornographic images to become stimulated- whether intentional or not- you are mentally having relations with another person other than your spouse thereby emotionally breaking the marriage covenant. In God’s eyes, it is as if you are sleeping with other women other than your spouse. Faith Filled Family: Explain why women believe the lie that it is o.k. that their husbands engage

in porn. What is the thought process behind it? What is the reality? Irv Woolf: I think a lot of women believe that it’s common for men to do this, boys will be boys, and there is nothing I can do about it. The reality is that it is degrading and a bad example for the children. Is this the example that you want your children to see… that dad is a voyeur looking at pornography? Most women believe that this is fairly normal behavior for men. Faith Filled Family: What is the solution? What benefit does it have to the marriage? Irv Woolf: It has so many advantages… if men can overcome “the big three” (pornography, masturbation and sexual fantasizing) which feed off of each other. If a man can rise above it, and maintain freedom from sexual sin, then a man is pure, and more importantly is free from bondage. Women can trust him in their relationship, in the office, relating to other women, and are better examples for their children. Men tend to sing louder, serve on boards because they now believe they are qualified, give more money, and volunteer more when they are sexually pure. Faith Filled Family: Your purity ministries offer a high success rate. What makes them so successful? What does each of the programs encompass? Irv Woolf: We do have a high success rate (91% achieve sexual purity) because we call men to high levels of accountability. We expect men to discipline their lives since we have found that men who struggle in sexual sin often lack discipline in other areas of their lives. When they show up late, they apologize to the group. More than ten minutes, they are sent home and welcome to return the next day. We have found that these principles translate into all areas- not just sexual purity. We check on them three times to see if they have maintained sexual purity, and check in with their wives with random surveys. Over 86% of wives report that their marriages have significantly improved, and are more satisfying. It is having a lasting effect- it has more staying power. Faith Filled Family: Teens are being bombarded by sexual images more and more- especially by

media. Your program for teens offers it for senior high and college students. Is this an ideal time to offer such a program, or should we maybe look at training up children at an earlier age? Irv Woolf: That’s a tough question… On one hand, we want to protect their innocence, but we also see what society is doing to them. The average age of exposure to pornography is eleven. Josh McDowall says as young as eight. People are becoming sexualized at the pre-teen level, and that’s too young. We are in the middle of writing a youth curriculum designed for Junior High and up called “The REBELlion” with the tagline of fighting for TRUE sexuality. I think that it’s really going to be great. We would also like to start a ministry to parents about training parents to handle teaching their kids about sexuality. It would discuss safe touch, sexuality, milestones, and age appropriate discussions (what age should we discuss what). Faith Filled Family: Your programs tend to be geared towards men- which is understandable since many of these issues tend to affect men more than women. However, what programs are you offering women? How are they structured? What do they encompass? Irv Woolf: That is a big hole in our ministry. We have Women of Truth that provides women with support and encouragement to deal with issues in their own lives. We don’t have anything yet that deals with women with sexual issues themselves. It’s not to say that it isn’t a problem, but we deal with men as they tend to be more vulnerable. Faith Filled Family: A contributing issue surrounding sexual purity also exists with young women and adults who wear clothing that reveals too much. It draws men into temptation, and it is everywhere. How do we change woman’s perceptions of themselves that they do not want the type of man that would be attracted to this type of physical display (also what type of man it would attract), and why inner beauty is more desirable than physical beauty? Do you currently offer any programs that deal with the other side of the purity issue? Irv Woolf: 1 Peter talks about that. Just because a woman is dressed immodestly, doesn’t mean a man can “snack” with his eyes. We teach men to look at women from the neck up, and starve their

eyes. When a woman displays too much, men are taught to divert their eyes to maintain their purity. Women often dress this way to attract men. Satan will use this to entice men to look at them sexually, and sin. If a relationship should form, over time, many people in these types of relationships will find that beauty is not enough. There needs to be something below the surface… something deeper to keep them together. Also as we get older, no matter what we use in terms of cosmetics, you will no longer look as you did when you were in your twenties, so you will need to have something deeper. There are many women who are in their eighties who are beautiful, but their beauty is from within. They radiate an inner beauty that is attractive unto itself. Faith Filled Family: Women of Truth appears to deal with anger and other issues surrounding sexual impurity. Does it teach women how to help their husbands to maintain sexual purity? Does it discuss the role that women play in helping their husbands overcome this battle and why it is important? Irv Woolf: Women of Truth gives women a week or two to express their anger about their relationships, then it helps women work on themselves. It teaches them to fight the issues together and work as a team. It does not help him for a woman to simply say, “work on your problem, and let me know when it’s fixed.” It is acknowledging that you have a real marriage and face the fact that your husband is a sinner. We are all sinners. He is still your husband and you need to come alongside him and help him.

Faith Filled Family: What would you say to someone who says that pornography and masturbation are harmless? What about the single man who is using masturbation to combat falling into temptation? What are the benefits to abstaining from these bondages? Irv Woolf: To those who think it’s harmless, I would say to talk to the wives because wives often feel betrayed. We teach single men self-control which is a fruit of the Spirit. Continual masturbation exacerbates the problem by secreting various chemicals creating brain ruts which eventually become a habit. If you can practice self control while single, you will be able to do it in marriage. Faith Filled Family: What does a marriage that is free from the bondages of sexual immorality in all forms look like? Why is it healthier? Irv Woolf: It’s healthier in many ways. God tells us we are not to be in bondage to anything. A marriage that is free from sexual immorality is a union in which couples trust and enjoy each other, and couples are meeting each others needs- not just sexually, but in terms of intimacy. Couples will be able to see into each other’s hearts and connect on a deeper level. True intimacy is being vulnerable enough to see into my heart and being transparent. Sex is a part of intimacy, but not all of it. Faith Filled Family: From what you have shared, people have tried to portray your organization in a negative light, or make fun of the teachings. Is there anything that has been falsely said about

your organization that you would like to address or clarify? Irv Woolf: We had a couple of knocks on our men’s ministry. There is a military theme to it wherein we use the term boot camp and had pushback from the churches who did not like the military theme or war. We are, however, told in the Bible to be good soldiers of Christ and put on the full armor of God… it’s scriptural and found throughout the Bible. We are criticized for our stance on virginity for both men and women. Sex should be for marriage. People say that we are too legalistic, and we are too rigid. We practice grace, but we do hold men accountable to high standards. We did have a news reporter that infiltrated one of the meetings and we didn’t find out until day three of the five day program. I asked him not to print the story because we want men to feel that they are in a safe, secure environment. To print the article would be a violation of that. We are very much a stealth organization- we are not looking for publicity. We are not a “politically correct” organization. If God said it, we will teach it. We will not stop speaking about Jesus. When you remove God and don’t live by His standards, then you get what we’ve got as a culture. Faith Filled Family: How do you combat those who say that the idea of sexual purity and courting are outdated? What about parents who have taken a passive stand and feel that since they can’t prevent their children from having sex, the best alternative is to teach them about contraception? Irv Woolf: I like the idea of courting. In the culture that we live in, the problem with dating is that it leaves a major decision to minds that aren’t fully mature enough to make such a large decision. Courting involves the wisdom of the parents in their decision for a potential mate. Parents need to tell their children that promiscuity is not the way to go. They need to take their children aside, no matter what the age, and talk to them about the importance of purity. Faith Filled Family: How do parents prevent their children from falling into the bondage of pornography since it is such a secretive, deceptive act? Irv Woolf: They can put filters and accountability

software on all of their computers, devices, etc. They can talk it through with their children. Children often go to other people’s houses, and parents don’t always have the same standards. Children may be exposed to things that they shouldn’t see. We need to discuss God’s plan for purity with our children, and tell them that if they are confronted with a situation, that they need to run. The Bible says to flee sexual immorality. Faith Filled Family: Is there anything you would like to add that was missed? Irv Woolf: I wish the church would talk about sexual purity. As long as the church keeps avoiding it, we keep pushing it, but I would like to see that there is no longer a need for this ministry. I would love to work myself out of a job! When the public had access to the internet, addictions to pornography increased because it was readily available and could be done anonymously. Prior to that, some thought had to go into obtaining pornography. You had to go to a special store, and it was wrapped in a brown paper wrapper. Thought went into it. Now, thanks to the internet, it is too readily accessible. Faith Filled Family: How can churches contact the NCFP if they are interested in your programs? What sets you apart from other ministries that offer similar programs? Irv Woolf: They can go on our website which includes all of our contact information which is www.puritycoalition.org. We are a “boots-onthe-ground” type ministry. We actually train your people and get them up and running. We support you by providing all the resources you need. We are very much a hands-on ministry. We hold people accountable which attributes to our high level of success. Faith Filled Family would like to personally thank Dr. Irv Woolf for his insight into such an important and rampant issue within the church. If your organization or church is looking to address this issue within your congregation, please visit their website. They would love to give you the resources to help you out. Together, we can take back areas that Satan has stolen from our families and live in victory from the bondages of sexual sin. Freedom is ours!

Grace, M

The R the

hroughout our lives we learn to live a life of obedience. The first lesson we learn is the Bible contains numerous scriptures telling us God rewards faithful service to HIM. The view of rewards is introduced in the Bible as early as in Genesis, when the creation of man and woman is rewarded with each other as a companion, and with the strength and knowledge to have dominion over all earthly creatures. This is referenced as meeting all of their needs in the following verse:

â&#x20AC;&#x153;And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature [soul] after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and everything that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good. And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and

, Mercy, and

Rewards of e Father

y Brenda Stapleton

in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to everything that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so. And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.” (Genesis 1:24-31) It is so difficult to understand how God can reward us; people who endlessly fail time and again to find grace and mercy in a world HE created for us. Maybe the rewards we will receive are never to be found here on this Earth, but everyone who will receive the rewards of God will find them, and will find them in abundance in Heaven. Does that mean grace and mercy are not rewards? Does that mean we will never find a reward through prayer or servitude? Let us consider what that would mean, not finding rewards here, as opposed to being rewarded? Scripture tells us about rewards throughout the Bible, take (James 1:12)“Blessed [is] the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” Again, reward is referenced in (Matthew 16:27)“For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.” Then again, reward is not referenced as works, but gifts, as a form protection in (Ephesians 2:8)-

over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish [fill] the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree,

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God.” Once again, we consider, rewards and gifts- grace and faith. In our everyday world, we look at how we our rewarded. As children, we are rewarded for good behavior. We receive gifts for the positive behavior. Rewards for the choices we make. Does this also become part of our adult lives? We grow to become professional in our careers, and our jobs in society. We look for ways to be an asset, to be promoted in our positions. Why? It benefits

us. It benefits our families. Does this also benefit us in our Christian life as well? As members of our congregations, we do more; we are asked to do more; we become benevolent, others notice this side of us so much more. It’s God working in us. It’s HIS faith building. It’s HIS grace. Are these rewards? Are these gifts for what we are doing for

the church family? Could it be it’s a reward for us as humans working in society? Does God have this itinerary, where HE checks off everything we do? This reward based system based on give and take? Maybe? I don’t know the answer to this, but I do know that in my professional world, I have heard many of my coworkers disgruntled with their choices. Women who feel they should be further in their fields. Men who feel they should be further in their fields. Both for two totally different reasons. Women held back, simply because they are women, and they are often excluded from making the highest promotions and the paygrades, because they are women. Men, held back because they have been there for ten years, while their predecessor has been their fifteen. Although, one does twice as much as the other, the rewards in the professional world, goes to the “dinosaurs” who stay alive long enough to retire, not those who work their brontosaurus tailfeathers off to get the job done. Just as it reiterates in (2 Chronicles 15:7)“Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.” Work hard, be strong, and your work- shall be rewarded. Not necessarily “you” personally as in “you” shall receive – what? What did you expect to receive? This is

the question that burns in the hearts and minds of everyone. Let’s talk about those things, well, we don’t like to talk about. What about the people in our lives we lose? Our children, our parents, our siblings, our relatives, our pets, family and friends? What about children with cancer? Why do children get cancer? Have you ever wondered? I have. Have you asked? I have. Maybe you didn’t get an answer. I didn’t, not one of those “Well, Brenda, let me explain this to you!” I did notice a few thingsnotice, let me change that- I became AWARE. My whole life changed. My job began to suddenly, play out. I found another one, and that office? It closed too. I had no idea what to do. My husband said, “If I could, I would go back to school.” I had always wanted to go to Nursing School. That was my dream, to be a Nurse, but life happened, and I pursued another dream, which led me to my husband. Pondering his idea, I checked at the local university. The average student entering the program was between the ages of 23 and 26. The median GPA was 3.85 and 4.0. The deadline was in 2 days. I was 31, with a 3.5 GPA, and I was the 15th out of 35 admitted to the Nursing Program. I fell in love with “everything” nursing, and I became aware of people, diseases and loss. I went to work in an Emergency/Trauma Center for five years. I learned what held people together, and I learned what tore them apart. I became aware of the emotions of sadness, and joy, and how both could live in the “same house” so to speak. Then one year before I would go from nursing student, to nursing professional- I became part of that world. I was diagnosed with a congenital bone ailment, requiring both of my hips to be replaced by the age of 33. The first one was replaced without difficulty. The second one, left me with paralysis and nerve damage. I was dismissed from the nursing program, and I became a victim of loss. I became one of those patients whose life was nothing as it was before, and never to be what it was to be. I knew grief, and anger. I did not want to be a part of this world any longer. I could not work, after years of college. After years of being physically fit, running 3-5 miles a day. I could barely walk without a brace, or other appliance. Life, as I knew it, was over, and depression became my only friend. Days turned to months, months to years, and

then months again, before I realized life was passing by. I ran across pieces of my old life. I was an English teacher for six years prior to becoming a law enforcement officer. I then became an Investigator for the Insurance Industry, and then I realized, “dreams do come true!” After months on end, I picked up my journals. I remembered as a teacher, I dreamed of being a writer. Those are dreams most English majors long for. I would teach the young minds of the world, and then, I would become a writer. Even as a student, writing had always been my way of facing my fears. Now, after what seemed like life’s way of showing me those “fairytales” were just fiction, and had laughed at what the recent years had cruelly left behind, my prayer life and these journals, were my only outlet. What did they say, or should I say, what did God say? He said in (1 Peter 1:6-7)“…In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” God desires that we walk by faith at all times. It is his grace that strengthens our faith. It is knowing that grace, we keep faith during the good times, and the bad- during all of the trials, all of the tests, without exception. Sometimes, fighting to keep that faith can be tough. During the good times, it is easy to keep the faith, and to share it. During the hard times, not so much. We press on, looking for those promised rewards. Forgetting that the day you have to look, to search, to ask others if they have found it, to sit and reflect on the times that kept them going? Those are the promised rewards. Those are the gifts. The people in our lives, the time we are given to ponder, the days we cry, scream and become depressed; as well as the days we suddenly become, AWARE! We all lose people dear to us, or close to us. Some, these people are closer to God than we know, and I believe God understands they are tired of fighting. HE takes them home. Others take their lives in their own hands, their fate. They demand God take them one way or another. I lost someone really close to me recently. I had people

tell me, well, God doesn’t look kindly on that. My initial thought was, well God doesn’t look kindly on your tongue, either. This person worked his whole life for the Lord. He was a Pastor for several years, and then his father had a stroke. Since then, he had been working for the State. He worked for his family, and his father and mother. He worked for the Lord. He worked to put his children through college. I feel this man indeed worked for the Lord, and has earned a reward in heaven. Does he have reward enough? Well, do any of us? Who am I to declare? I know years ago as a youngster, and twice since then as a teen, and as an adult, I have made myself accountable as a person confessing to my savior, born-again, and there is no way that I will ever be lost again. Not only will I not lose the reward of heaven, but not risk the potential of being in the presence of Jesus Christ. It is a daily commitment, one I do not take lightly, for the rewards I seek, were not given lightly. It is work, and Working for the Lord, shows God how you appreciate what HE has done – Christ was born- Christ lived- Christ died on a cross. Christ is part of your everyday life, and that is the promise; that is your reward. After all, who are you working for? The house you live in, the car you drive, the clothes you wear, your family, or your friends? They could all be gone tomorrow. Do you want to see those souls in Heaven? Then remember (Colossians 3:23-24)“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” What about grace and mercy? Shouldn’t that account for something? I have some friends who claim God’s grace will save everyone. Some friends say God’s grace is through forgiveness. I have heard some groups say God’s grace is extended only to a limited, predestined few whom God unconditionally chose, and once saved one can never fall from grace and be lost. Some teach salvation by grace and faith only, so a man is saved on the basis of his attitude toward God only and obedience is not necessary. Some teach that obedience is necessary, but after that one will remain in grace so long as he has a “good attitude,” regardless of the fact that he continues

to disobey God’s word. Hence, they conclude we should not rebuke such people, but fellowship with them, despite their errors. (Ephesians 2:8) reminds us“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” “Save” means to rescue or deliver from harm or danger. Sin endangers our soul by dooming us to eternal punishment, but God offers deliverance. We do not deserve deliverance, so it is not of ourselves, but is a gift of God. Hence it is of grace - unmerited favor. Considering reward and save, grace and faiththe Bible reminds us that God’s grace offers us forgiveness of sins. Here God’s grace offers us fellowship with God as with (Romans 5:1-2): “Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God ... we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand. We are no longer enemies of God.” God’s grace does offer spiritual blessings when we serve, as seen in (2 Corinthians 9:8) – “God’s grace makes us all-sufficient in all things, so we can abound in all good works. It provides all spiritual blessings we need to serve God.” (Titus 3:7) reminds us of how eternal life is promised through grace. “Having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” We live our lives by justifying the things we do. When attempting to understand grace, it becomes difficult to contemplate matters of choice. Grace means forgiveness and blessings. Certain things people must do to forgive. Sometimes it becomes almost incomprehensible to see a time in the future when a relationship can move past a point, when forgiveness it the key. That is because we were not born to unconditionally forgive. However, God is capable of unconditional grace,

meaning forgiveness and blessings are granted from grace without choice or action. We can relate in (Ephesians 2:8,9; and John 3:16) – “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Faith, grace and obedience become evident in the lives of a believer. When a person openly admits in testimony, or otherwise, he has sinned; when he/she asks for forgiveness and comes forward to plead with God based on the knowledge of Jesus’ blood, it becomes evident that faith is the condition for forgiveness. Justification based on trust by another person, or on that of one’s own gifts are recognized as pointless, and the only way to be forgiven is through salvation. Some people will say, obedience is not needed. We are saved by the grace of God. Having faith in Jesus is all you need. Maybe so, as I said earlier, some people believe differently, and we cannot change the way they were taught. However, we can share with them. It’s just like any other type of learning, there’s always room to grow and learn. If our rewards are here on Earth, then a reward in knowledge of the word, can only add to those rewards. If our rewards are found in Heaven, then why not be prepared in every way. If the rewards are based on faith, grace and obedience- then be diligent in the word. Understand what the Bible says about obedience, and what it says about grace and faith. Without forgiveness, there is no salvation, for all have sinned. (Romans 3:22-24) explains this“Even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ;” Salvation is found through real forgiveness of sin and the importance of living a life of repentance, not becoming self-righteous. Once you repent, and receive God’s grace, you must realize you

are a sinner, I am a sinner; we are all sinners who deserve to be punished. However, it is by God’s grace we have been forgiven and offered eternal life. Yet, we never know when time will rise against you. (Revelation 3:3) warns“Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.” (2 Peter 3:9) reminds you to adhere“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” Understanding that it is God’s grace that each day will keep you cloaked in salvation and wrapped in the gift of the Holy Spirit, not by a system of justification by works, one who lived a sinless life would not need Jesus’ death. He would have saved himself by trusting in a human’s ability to pull him or her up from their boot straps. But since no one will be saved that way, then everyone needs faith in the Father, everyone needs the grace of the Father, everyone needs the rewards of our Father- step up, learn about the grace, understand the faith, and receive your reward.

What Did Jesus Do On Yom Kippur? By Bobbie Ann Cole

hat bothers me is that we find no word, anywhere, connecting Jesus to the Sabbath of Sabbaths, Yom Kippur, which is approaching. This year it falls on October 4th. He must have gone to the Temple or the synagogue to keep this holiest of days. He would have seen the priests take two goats, one to sacrifice, the other, the scapegoat, to release into the wilderness, to carry away the people’s sins, a ritual still practiced by some Jews today. Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement, when Jews confess their shortcomings, corporately and individually. At my former synagogue, we would stand together to say: We have abused and betrayed. We are cruel. We have destroyed and embittered other people’s lives. We were false to ourselves. We have gossiped about others and hated them. We have insulted and jeered. We have killed. We have lied. We have misled others. But Jesus had no shortcomings. The Book of Life is said to be opened on Jewish New Year, ten days ahead of Yom Kippur. During those days, we pray to be written in the Book for a good year. On Yom Kippur, it is closed and our fates are sealed for the year ahead. It is hard to link Jesus to the Book of Life. He knew what lay in store for Himself. Surely He must have afflicted His soul, as we

are commanded to do in Leviticus? And He had to of fasted. After all, He came to fulfil the Law, not abolish it. So why the silence in the gospels? We find him at Sukkot, the Festival of Tabernacles, which begins just 4 days after Yom Kippur. He cried out to the Temple crowds, looking on as the priests ritually poured an abundance of living water: ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has

said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ (John 7:37-38). And it was no coincidence that He gave up His life at Passover, for He was becoming our Pascal Lamb. The blood of the original was daubed on the doorposts of the Israelite slaves in Egypt to save them to life when the Angel of Death passed over them. Jesus saved us to life as our Passover sacrifice. The Last Supper was His Passover Seder meal, the meal that Jews everywhere share to tell the story of how God brought Moses and the Children

of Israel out of slavery to freedom in the Promised Land. Jesus was about to begin His story of leading us out of the slavery of sin, into the Promised Land of eternal life. On Shavuot, or Pentecost, He ascended to heaven. At Shavuot, Jews commemorate how God’s representative, Moses, descended from the mountain with the Law on tablets of stone. After Jesus ascended, the Holy Spirit descended to inhabit our hearts, allowing us all to carry the Love of God within. Since Jesus made so much of linking His words and deeds to major Jewish festivals, it is all the more puzzling that there should be no word in the gospels regarding Yom Kippur, the greatest festival of them all. Perhaps the link was so glaringly obvious to the gospel writers that they didn’t feel the need to mention it. After all, they don’t ram it home to us that Jesus was our Pascal Lamb. They don’t say that His sacrifice had added meaning because it happened at Passover. Given that Jesus had nothing to atone for, what could that link possibly be? By taking on our sins on the cross, Jesus atoned for us all. He became our Yom Kippur, both the goat that was sacrificed for our sins and the scapegoat that was released to carry them away. We are made righteous by our faith. We no longer need to keep returning to ask for the forgiveness that lasts one year. Jesus died for our sins and carried them away, once and for all. We no longer need to pray to be written in the Book of Life. He has done that for us, too. By going to the cross during Passover, Jesus linked this festival with Yom Kippur and became all things to us — our Pardon, our Sacrifice and our Savior. Bobbie Ann Cole, a Jewish Christian, is author of her faith memoir, She Does Not Fear the Snow, the Disciples Indeed Workbook and the Kindle Series, Witnessing for Jesus Through Story. She teaches committed Christians in churches everywhere how our duty to evangelize can be made fun and rewarding. Her website is http://testimonytrain. com.

t REVIEW waken Endless Light

he 80’s seem to be making a comeback- not only in terms of fads and fashion, but for music as well. The synth-pop/electric sound that was so prevalent in the 80’s is now dominating the Christian music industry, and Waken’s music is no exception. If you love the sounds of the 80’s, you will love Waken’s debut album, Endless Light. We Will Run (J. Amundrud and D. Pendleton): Discusses God’s glory and His endless love for His children. It creates a beautiful picture of His children running to Him with arms outstretched waiting for His embrace, love, and hope.

Reviewed By:Michelle Danko Released: 2014 Genre: Synth-Pop Run Time:19 minutes Can be downloaded at NoiseTrade or Soundcloud Many thanks to Justin Amundrud from Waken for allowing us to review their debut album.

Hope Has Found Us (J. Amundrud, D. Pendleton, T. Prange, and S. Rodriguez): Hope Has Found Us is a song about when we are surrounded by darkness, God’s light will fill our hearts and liberate us from all bondage. The chorus tells us to rise up and sing praise to God. It reminds us that we are forever His children. Arising (J. Adyniec, J. Amundrud, J. Colier, A Gregory, and T. Prange): This song is about rising up and claiming God’s promise as we go from glory to glory. It is about us residing in God, and Him reigning in our lives. All Glory Forever (J. Amundrud, D. Pendleton, T. Prange, and S. Rodriguez): All Glory Forever is about being in awe of God’s magnitude because He is holy and worthy. It’s chorus chimes over and over that it is Him that we adore, we give Him all the glory, and we exalt Him as He is worthy to be praised. It Is Well (H. Spafford): It Is Well discusses that whether we are in a time of peace or sorrow that it is well because God is with us.

Personally, I really enjoyed the album. Waken’s sound sets them apart from some of the mainstream music- even though the synth-pop sound is making a return. They lead you into a place of worship very easily, and the music eloquently fits the lyrics. It seems to be the perfect powerful fusion. Words cannot describe this type of harmonious fusion- it is something that you need to experience by listening to the music. The title to the album is so perfect, because it describes the lyrics so well. All of the lyrics praise God in some way- whether it’s the magnitude of God, His awesome power over our lives, or going from glory to glory. It is about God’s Endless Light in our lives and about glorifying Him. It is exactly what corporate praise is about. Waken, in a nutshell, is like Hillsongs/Hillsongs Young and Free marrying an electric/synth-pop sound. This album is thoroughly enjoyable to listen to, and more enjoyable to experience (worship to).

The Great Commission and Stained Glass Windows In the Modern Form of...

Graphic Art that Steps up to the Plate Art A. Ayris and Kingstone Comics

By L.A. Helvey Website: www.KingstoneComics.com Genre: Graphic Art Kingstone Comics was founded with the goal of being the ‘Marvel’ of the faith market, the largest publisher of Christian comic books and Biblical worldview graphic novels worldwide. The company products are currently in 95 countries. After some initial R & D the company made a full scale retail market debut at ICRS 2011. Where to purchase Kingstone Comics: All of the Christian retail chains carry us as well as, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, Amazon as well as many independent retailers and church bookstores. The Kingstone Comics app can be downloaded for free for digital readers. The best place of course is www.kingstonemedia.com for a portal into great Christian comics. Kingstone Comic Sales partners: Christian retail – Family Christian Stores, LifeWay, Mardel and independent retailers General retail – Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, Amazon Digital – Kingstone Comics app, Apple, Kindle, Android, ComiXology Wholesale – Anchor, STL, Spring Arbor Faith Filled Family: Welcome and thank you for all your assistance with this Interview. I would like to start at the beginning. Tell us about your moment of Salvation. How/When did it happen? Art A. Ayris: It was a near death experience that ushered me into the Kingdom. I was nearly killed at 5 from a lawnmower accident and then at 19 I had complications (gangrene) form that accident and was in the hospital for almost 28 days and God sent a godly Presbyterian pastor to share the Good News.

Faith Filled Family: Tell us a little about yourself and life just prior to Keystone Media. Was your life proceeding and developing on a routine or path that you believed would continue in the same direction? Art A. Ayris: I was a school teacher and a coach for a few years. Then I was a Children’s pastor for ten years. So, I had a lot of interaction kids. I was able to see where the kids itched…what got them excited about learning. I am always looking for fresh delivery vehicles for the Good News. Faith Filled Family: In researching Kingstone Comics I read that you did a 40 day fast. Tell us about the thought or event that led up to your decision to take on such a commitment to seek God’s will. Art A. Ayris: There was this feeling, a strong pull into media and just had to know if it was the Lord doing it.

us about one event where God provided as you made this sacrifice? Art A. Ayris: So, so, so many times. We were shooting the movie “The Touch” and literally while I was shooing the movie was raising money. God came through repeatedly. Time and time again, just what we needed, when we needed it. I Cor. 9:8 is for real. Faith Filled Family: Eternity is the first graphic novel by Randy Alcorn published by Kingstone Comics. It is also a finalist for the Christian Book of the Year in the Children’s category by the Evangelical Christian Publisher’s Association. Kirk Cameron said, “Your kids will want to read Eternity again and again.” Tell us a little about the subject matter for Eternity. Is it a series? Art A. Ayris: I was smoking hot after Rob Bell wrote Love Wins. I have liked Rob’s work in the past but felt he crossed a serious line. So, I was looking for straight forward truth on Biblical treatment and who is better to write about Eternity than Randy Alcorn?

Faith Filled Family: How did you prepare? Was this done under medical supervision? Art A. Ayris: No medical supervision; just jumped in like a crazy man. I have since done two more 40 Reader FYI- On May 2, 2013, Tara Parker-Pope day fasts and God has been so faithful. for The New York Times reported the following statistic: More people now die of suicide than Faith Filled Family: In those 40 days, how/when in car accidents, according to the Centers for did God answer your quest to seek Him? Disease Control and Prevention, which published Art A. Ayris: Oh yeah. The first one was the findings in Friday’s issue of its Morbidity and specifically to get an answer about this media pull I Mortality Weekly Report. In 2010 there were was sensing. I know He was doing something, just 33,687 deaths from motor vehicle crashes and couldn’t tell what. Had no idea would be a comic 38,364 suicides. book company. Faith Filled Family: The Lamb and the Fuhrer – Faith Filled Family: How did you come to settle your company released the first graphic novel by on the name “Kingstone Comics?” Dr. Ravi Zacharias at ICRS 2014. The graphic novel Art A. Ayris: The name just came to me, it had goes into a fantastical post-suicide conversation been brewing in my soul. Joining the king + stone between Adolf Hitler, Dietrich Bonhoeffer and gives reference to the “Whom”, who put it together Jesus Christ. This is the first of four graphic novels which is Christ. that will deal with major worldviews. The title and the book cover are very edgy and the subject Faith Filled Family: Did you have any experience matter leaps off the page at the reader, it is a bit with the genre of “Graphic Arts” prior to the inception shocking to the eye. The subject matter is tough of Kingstone Comics? and rough. Tell us about teaming up with Dr. Ravi Art A. Ayris: No. Zacharias a man with a reputation for not pulling any punches out of truthfulness? Faith Filled Family: Kingstone Comics had a Art A. Ayris: Dr. Zacharias is a brilliant and gifted bumpy start with seed money like many ministries. man. He and his team realized they needed Yet your faith led you to do what many will/can to do some different things to engage the next not, “put your money where your mouth is…” tell generation.

Faith Filled Family: What are the other three “worldviews”, which will be explored with Dr. Ravi Zacharias? Art A. Ayris: Buddhism, Hinduism and Hedonism. Faith Filled Family: The Kingstone Bible – the company is currently releasing the entire Bible in a twelve part graphic novel metanarrative. Upon completion it will be the most complete comic graphic adaptation of the Bible ever done. A metanarrative is a grand narrative common to all. It sounds like page after page of stained glass windows, (an ancient form of graphic art), from the Churches of days past when on a few could read and write. Why take on such an ambitious project? Art A. Ayris: Biblical illiteracy is rampant. This chronological (and thorough) Biblical series by top Marvel and DC artists is a compelling look at God’s Word. Faith Filled Family: Kingstone 360 – www. Kingstone360.com is a website that recognizes the transcultural nature of comics and graphic media, Trans World Radio and Kingstone have announced a strategic partnership to help put Kingstone comics and graphic novels in the hands of kids, teens and adults around the world in multiple languages. Tell us about this partnership and how it works; radio a non visual format and Graphic Art a very visual format working together. Art A. Ayris: People can donate to Trans World Radio. This furthers the work as they translate our comics thus making them available through their sites and with ministry partners worldwide. I am very open to partnering with missions and ministries.

strong spiritual impact on young people. Secondly, we want to put these into multiple languages to reach kids, teens and adults worldwide. When we started the company I suspected that film would end up being a part of the conversation and it has. SONY came to us to do the graphic novel on their fall 2014 release The Remaining which we are releasing 30 days ahead of the movie in theaters. We have had four motion picture options on properties from our catalogue. And we now have some very interesting discussions connected to a TV series in 2015 and an upcoming epic that will be releasing into theaters in 2016. Faith Filled Family: What have been some of your biggest challenges? Art A. Ayris: Initially it was acceptance in the Christian market from the, “gatekeepers”, who were nervous about graphic art materials. The retailers wanted to know, “Are you here to stay?” and with the moms the term ‘graphic novel’ brought up all kinds of bad connotations. We adopted a David and Goliath strategy. We went after the big retailers first and now we are going church to church to make buyers aware of the Kingstone alternative. The response has been overwhelmingly positive.

Faith Filled Family: What have been some of your surprises that you have encountered? Art A. Ayris: One surprise was the discovery of so many comic enthusiasts in the Christian industry. That is how we got connected with Randy Alcorn. He is a big comics fan and came to our booth at an event. We wanted to do a book on eternity and the end result was he penned Eternity which is now a finalist for Book of the Year in the Children’s category by the ECPA (Evangelical Christian Faith Filled Family: How are you treated in the Publishing Association). graphic novel industry? Was it a warm reception? Secondly, the surprise has been the discovery of Art A. Ayris: We are treated surprisingly well. Think so many Christian comic artists. We typically only some of them just tolerate us, but they respect us. pick up artists who have worked with Marvel, DC We get a lot of comments from people surprised or one of the major houses. They have told us, at the quality of our work. We are the only faith “We have just been waiting for someone like you imprint on ComiXology which is the #1 comic app to come on the scene.” Probably 60-70% of our art teams are comprised of believers. The others in the world with over 250 million downloads. are trying to figure it out but boy do we have some interesting ministry going on with the rest! Faith Filled Family: What is your goal? Art A. Ayris: Unapologetically, we want to become the ‘Marvel’ of the faith market; the dominant Faith Filled Family: Since you are a Pastor how Christian comic publisher worldwide. We feel from does all of this relate to churches? that position we can do a lot of good and have a Art A. Ayris: We, work alongside Churches; to

provide an engaging resource that teaches all age groups about the Bible which includes sound doctrine. We also provide high quality outreach materials that catch the eye of non-believers. We

are already getting reports from Randy Alcorn of teens coming to Christ in juvenile centers after reading Eternity. We get a lot of requests from prisoners for our materials. We offer a bulk discount

for churches to use our products in evangelism. Also, a lot of boys are reluctant readers and we have some Christian moms expressing deep gratitude for creating materials their boys like to read. I tell pastors and churches - just do a test. Have a youth event and have two tables. One stocked with traditional text materials and the other with comics and graphic novels. And just watch what happens. The Bible can be a big and daunting book to Christians and Non-Christians alike. We are finding that comics and graphic novels are a safe entry portal to begin to read and understand about Christianity and the Bible. Faith Filled Family: How many languages are currently available with Kingstone Comic? Art A. Ayris: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Norwegian, Finnish and Italian. Faith Filled Family: Are there any plans to move into animation? Art A. Ayris: Evaluating. Faith Filled Family: Are there any plans to create a syndicated Comic Strip that displays some of the seriously funny Christian Home? Art A. Ayris: That is a great idea but not on the horizon for us at the moment. Faith Filled Family: Tell us about the process by which you decide to produce an assignment? Art A. Ayris: Conversations and looking for an unmet need and most importantly we ask what will connect with young people the best. Plus it needs to be commercially viable. Faith Filled Family: For those young budding Graphic Artist and Writers that God is calling today; what advice do you have for them? Art A. Ayris: Keep practicing your craft! Write, and draw until you have it as honed as you can. Begin using your gift in your local church and ministry and see how God expands and uses that gift. Faith Filled Family: In your daily walk with God, praying and reading the Bible, going to Church, it can get fairly routine. How do you keep your relationship with God fresh and interactive? Art A. Ayris: Stay at it almost every day and typically fast one day per week to stay focused.

Plus I memorize Scripture and keep a Spiritual Life Journal of God’s ongoing working my life Faith Filled Family: On those tough days, the scripture that you hang onto with every breath is…? Art A. Ayris: Habakkuk 3:2 and Isaiah 48:17 Faith Filled Family: What is your most favorite Hymn and why? Art A. Ayris: A Mighty Fortress is Our God, because if HE wasn’t; Kingstone Comics would have crashed and burned a long time ago. Faith Filled Family: Is there a mystery about God that you would like to explore through Graphic Art? Art A. Ayris: The preparation for that day when we stand before His throne and all the battles, all the trials will be over and we behold His glory. We try to capture it with some of our art but we all realize it will pale in comparison. Faith Filled Family: Life can seem that it is all work and no play, how do you unwind? Do you have a hobby or activity that brings a sense of peaceful joy that reminds you that life is not always keeping your nose to grindstone? Art A. Ayris: Try to take a weekly Sabbath the best I can and spend a movie date with my wonderful wife of 33 years. Faith Filled Family: Is there anything you want our readers to know that we have not covered. Art A. Ayris: I want the Churches to know that we do a standing 25% discount to churches but 50-60% discount on bulk purchases to use in outreach ministry or fundraising, we want to make every effort to spread the Good News just like that godly Presbyterian pastor did for me so long ago. On a day that God knew I would receive it. We are here to partner with churches and ministries, God bless. Thank you ever so much for the time you extended to us for this Interview. Readers: check Kingstonecomic.com. Encourage the budding Artist in your families, churches and communities, ‘because you just never know where God will take that talent.

He Calls Me Friend By Don Ford

believe Malachi and Luke combine to tell the same rich story of God’s connection with us who are drawn to him and speak often of him. If we know him as Savior and Lord, why not share Him with others as he makes note of it in a book and at times by showing up - showing his pleasure in our talking about him. Ever had the Lord show up? I DID! But why? I’m the least of all humans to deserve his presence. I’m not a man of means or a person of great influence in this world. Was it really him? Oh yes, Jesus himself showed up in the sky, a giant face, and a big smile upon his face. But again I wondered WHY me. I was talking to a couple of my boy scouts at night and they wanted to know why I was going to Bible school that fall. As I shared with them about my faith in Jesus, I saw his face in the sky behind them. When they changed the subject, he disappeared, only to return once more as we spoke of Him again. A night I will always remember!!! Here is how it reads in Malachi 3:16. (N.I.V.): “Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his name.”

Now let’s visit Luke 24 as he shares: “And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.”

Later on that same day: “And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” What I truly believe caught Jesus’ attention that day was that I shared about him; telling these boys, who did not know him, about my love for God and his Son Jesus. They listened intently, since they greatly admired me as they scout leader. They knew I was always truthful with them! Abraham was called the friend of God and spoke often to the Lord. I spend a good share of my day not only thinking about him and his mercy, but I talk to him a lot. That’s what friends do, they talk and share about their day together. One time I saw a fellow Christian in physical trouble. His knee went out on him at work. He was in a great deal of pain and he grumbled that he would have to go to the hospital, and that he couldn’t really afford to. I knew the feeling; I couldn’t afford to go to the hospital at that time either. I shared with the Lord that Fred couldn’t afford this hospital trip, and I said, “I know you could touch him, if you wanted too, and he did. I guess he agreed with me. Fred came running out of the other room and said, “Were you praying for me?” I said, “No, I was just talking to God about your situation and that you couldn’t afford to trip it to the hospital, and he obviously agreed with me.” Fred with never forget that God and I were his friends that day.

Yaweh Shalom Peace is posible in the midst of chaos

By Julie Cosgrove

halom. It means more than a greeting with two fingers extended in a “V” and the salutatory words, “Peace, man.” In fact, this sort of peace that Paul describes in his letter to the Philippians is more than wish, a state of mind, or a condition. It seeps much deeper. It penetrates our hearts, our souls, our actions, and our forethoughts as well. Look at what Paul says: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7).

The total peace that God offers goes beyond intellectually grasping the situation. It even extends beyond taming our emotions. It drives out doubt, fear, anxiety, confusion and the desire to control. In other words, the peace of God is an experience foreign to the human psyche. But with the help of Christ, it can be achieved. Rudyard Kipling, in his poem, If, stated: If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you, If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too; If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies, Or being hated, don’t give way to hating, And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise… In other words, if you can rise above the emotions and the circumstances, then you may be on the right track to obtaining the peace Paul talks about. Picture a child sitting on the floor humming and playing with her favorite toy while the TV is blaring, the dog is barking, mom is kicking the washing machine as it spews suds over the floor, dad is yelling at a collector on the phone, and the other siblings are wrestling on the floor over who gets the remote control. Nothing fazes the child from the happiness of the moment because she gets to play with that toy. The joy she has is untouchable by her environment. That is inching into the state of peace offered by Our Lord. Yet this holy peace is even more than that. It goes beyond ignoring the strife and chaos around you. Instead, it is acknowledging its existence while choosing not to let it affect you. It is not just putting a barrier bubble around you that nothing can penetrate. It is letting everything penetrate, but not being influenced by it. Peace is not apathy. It is not a numbing that prevents us from feeling sorrow, hurt, anger or pain. It is not that we don’t care. In fact, we care all the more because we know God cares. But, it laces all those seemingly negative and way too human emotions together in a strand that makes our faith stronger, more tolerant, and not as easily ruffled. When Jesus appeared after his resurrection to his huddled band of fear-filled disciples, the first thing he said to them was “Shalom - Peace.” In John 14:27, he speaks these amazing words: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

a troubled heart. Remember Paul’s words? The same peace guards our hearts and minds. Not controls…but protects, the way fluoride does the enamel of our teeth. As logical as we try to be, we humans are emotional creatures. We can think, suppose, imagine, and worry. “What if’s?” fill our brains. That can lead us to letting our emotions get the better of us. But when we experience the peace offered by God, “what ifs” dissipate. Why? Because our faith allows us to comprehend down to the very fiber of our beings the concept that God loves us. Nothing will happen that He does not already know about. It may be the worst experience of our life, but our Lord will be there with us through it, dancing in the fiery furnace as He did with the three young men, Shadrach, Meshach; and, Abednego in the Book of Daniel. If we truly believe God is in control, that nothing— death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38), then like that child with its toy, we can find pure peace in the moment while all the world around us is losing its head. Easy? Not in the least. For most of us will take a lifetime to reach this level of peace. We would prefer to be in control and handle it ourselves, thank you, no matter how impossible that attempt may be. But each time we inch closer to that goal, the more we rely on God to be there with us no matter what, and the deeper we long for the bliss of eternal life after we leave this broken world, then the less the circumstances of our lives will affect our faith. It takes practice. It requires giving the anxiousness to Christ each and every time it crawls over our skin or tightens our chest. It demands we open our palms to receive whatever life doles out, even when all we want to do is clench our fists. It is responding the way Jesus taught us to pray—“Thy will be done.” The peace that transcends all understanding is beyond logic or emotion. It is in spite of them. It is utter trust in God, knowing that nothing, not even our own lack of faith, will ever separate us from Him.

He tells this to his disciple right after he explains He is going away but will send them a helper, His Holy Spirit, to teach and guide them. At first it seems as if Jesus repeats Himself. But look again. First He leaves them peace. Then, even after He leaves, He will continue to give them peace each and every time they need it. Think of it as an initial immunization, and then boosters available when the need arises. He tells them this peace replaces Shalom.

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Gretchen Carlson Makes Her Acting Debut on

The Persecuted

By L.A. Helvey

The Movie Persecuted includes the Acting Debut of Gretchen Carlson Gretchen Carlson is from Minnesota. She graduated with honors from Stanford University and also studied at Oxford University in England. Gretchen currently serves as anchor of FOX News Channel’s, The Real Story. The Real Story covers all current events as well as crime, politics and investigative reports. During the program, Carlson also interviews newsmakers and leads panel debates, all while incorporating trending stories and feedback from social media into the show. Gretchen served as a co-host of FOX & Friends. During which she proved a talent for flexibility and the ability to master the assignment at hand. She contributed to the network’s election coverage for the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections and provided live coverage of the Royal Wedding from Westminster Abbey. Gretchen worked at CBS News where she served as a correspondent and co-anchor of the CBS Saturday Early Show. While at CBS, Carlson covered breaking news events which include such major events as the Columbia space shuttle disaster, the capture of the Washington D.C. sniper, the World Trade Center attack on September 11th, and the execution of Timothy McVeigh. She began her television career in Richmond, VA as a political reporter for WRIC-TV. Gretchen’s career highlights include being the recipient of the prestigious American Women in Radio and Television “Best Series” award for her 30-part series on domestic violence and two National Emmy awards for her work at CBS News. In 1989, Gretchen Carlson was the first classical violinist to be crowned Miss America. Gretchen Carlson is a national celebrity spokesperson for the March of Dimes. She serves on the Miss America Organization Board. The most notable is that Gretchen sets a great example by serving as a Sunday School teacher. Gretchen Carlson adds to her list of accomplishments with her acting debut in the recently released movie, “Persecuted.” Website: www.foxnews.com/on-air/personalities/ gretchen-carlson/bio/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ GretchenCarlson

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GretchenCarlson Persecuted, the movie was released to theaters July 18. 2014 Website: www.persecutedmovie.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ persecutedmovie Twitter: https://twitter.com/PersecutedMovie DVD release date: October 14, 2014 Available for streaming at: Amazon.com Book title and ISBN: Persecuted: I Will Not Be Silent Author: Robin Parrish From Bethany House Release Date: April 1, 2014 Trade Paper - 978-0-7642-1266-6 - $15.99 Hardcover - 978-0-7642-1267-3 - $22.99 EBook - 978-1-4412-6469-5 - $15.99 This is a thought provoking suspenseful mystery as the lead character evangelist John Luther stands as the last human obstacle in the way of sweeping religious reform. When a Senator frames Luther for the murder of an innocent teenage girl, an unprecedented era of persecution is unleashed. An evangelist turned fugitive, Luther’s mission brings him face-to-face with the coming storm of persecution that will threaten the entire Christian community in America. Leading Cast includes: James Remar Fred Dalton Thompson Bruce Davison All involved in the movie will tell you they and the story are secondary in proportion to those in the United States of America who enjoy “The Bill Of Rights” as a birthright. 1.Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. 2.Right to keep and bear arms in order to maintain a well regulated militia. 3.No quartering of soldiers. 4.Freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures. 5.Right to due process of law, freedom from self-incrimination, double jeopardy.

6.Rights of accused persons, e.g., right to a speedy and public trial. 7.Right of trial by jury in civil cases. 8.Freedom from excessive bail, cruel and unusual punishments. 9.Retained rights of the people. 10.Powers reserved to the states. Faith Filled Family Magazine would like to extend a grateful welcome and thank you to Gretchen Carlson for participating in this interview. Faith Filled Family: Tell us about your character in the movie, “Persecuted”. It is said, that Laura

can ask the “tough questions”. Gretchen Carlson: My character is Diana Lucas and yes she asks tough questions. Don’t miss the first scene as that is my main part of the movie! Faith Filled Family: This was your acting debut in a film format. Tell us a little about being on set and which actor surprised you the most. Gretchen Carlson: Actors used to always come on my TV shows (Fox and Friends or my current show “The Real Story” and wonder how I could feel so comfortable doing LIVE TV and now having gotten some acting experience I wonder how they do taped moved and all of those takes! For LIVE

TV you do the show and you are done and you move onto the next day which I love. For acting, you need to make sure every line is perfect … and that can take awhile! Faith Filled Family: You as a reporter have exercised Freedom of the Press for your entire career. When working with other Press organizations from around the world, what are the top three differences you have observed? And which observation brought home how important Freedom of the Press truly is in a democratic society? Gretchen Carlson: As a young child I had the opportunity to visit countries like East Germany where there were no freedoms. It had a direct impact on the way I have lived my life and the way I view the world. I don’t take the freedoms we have in this country for granted at all. Faith Filled Family: Which rights do you see eroding little by little over your years of experience? Gretchen Carlson: This summer before the movie came out I had a chance to take my husband and my two middle schools aged kids to Washington DC where I was doing an event for the troops. We visited the National Archives and had a chance to see the Declaration of Independence, The Constitution (where there were long lines and a security guard) and then The Bill Of Rights on the other side of the room where there were no lines and no security guard. Our guide told us he thought they had it backwards and that the most important document in the National Archives was The Bill of Rights because that’s what sets us apart from any other nation. It was fortuitous to experience this little freedom reminder right before the movie premiered since Freedom of Religion and Freedom of Speech are central to the movie’s plot. In the news business, I’ve covered many stories about the erosion of certain freedoms. A High School valedictorian who can’t say the word “God” in a graduation speech, an atheist group suing to keep a cross formed by two steel beams at the World Trade Center Ground Zero site out of the museum because of its supposed religious connotations, store greeters being told not to say “Merry Christmas” to people coming in during the Christmas Season. You don’t really realize your freedoms are gone until they actually are, so I think it’s important to be cognizant of these small

changes to make sure that doesn’t happen. Faith Filled Family: Do you believe it is through complacency, to busy to be involved, or is there an active bias at work behind the scenes? Gretchen Carlson: Not sure. But I do know one person can make a difference by speaking up. Faith Filled Family: Why did you agree to be apart of the movie? Did you feel the story line had a level of importance, relevancy? Gretchen Carlson: I was honored to be asked to be a part of the movie and I especially liked the themes of freedoms. Plus, I’m a big believer in taking on new challenges which this was. Faith Filled Family: You are an accomplished Violinist, what is your most favorite piece of music to play? Gretchen Carlson: I don’t perform in public anymore but I have played all of the most famous classical violin concertos in the world. My favorite would be Brahms Violin Concerto. Faith Filled Family: Why did you choose the Violin? Gretchen Carlson: It actually happened as a fluke. I wanted to play the piano. I was 6 and the neighborhood teacher said my hands were too small and suggested the violin. It just clicked and right away I became serious about it. Funny enough, I also play the piano … small hands or not! Faith Filled Family: How did your spiritual education, habits as young Christian help to develop your ability to live your life as an example for others under the public microscope as Miss America and as a TV reporter? Gretchen Carlson: My maternal grandfather was the minister of the 2nd largest Lutheran church in America so going to church was a big part of my upbringing and still is. My father has always said to me, “People will know you are a Christian not by what you say but by the way you act” and “No matter how hard you try to please everyone you never will.” Both of those phrases have come in handy being Miss America where you could never please everyone and in the world on TV News where there is a constant stream of criticism especially working at Fox News. I’ve

learned to not dwell on any of the negatives. And I feel comfortable talking about my life long faith on TV and the fact that I am choosing to raise my children with the same religious foundation and values I was so lucky to have.

about “Domestic Violence” that are “status quo”. Gretchen Carlson: I did a 30 part series on domestic violence when I worked for the NBC affiliate in Dallas. It was an eye opening experience and one I was honored to receive an award for. It’s a problem that is difficult to understand and Faith Filled Family: Your bio clearly shows that equally as difficult to prosecute. God gives us multiple talents in full measure. How did you know or believe with confidence to begin Faith Filled Family: When investigating a story to develop these talents? and seeking out the facts from myth and rumor do Gretchen Carlson: I believe every child is given you have a guideline or rule that you follow? a gift from God but it must be realized and then Gretchen Carlson: In the news business, you cultivated. For me it was music and education. I always need two sources on a story before going also believe that “To Whom Much is Given, Much with it. Standard guidelines! is Expected” and so I have spent my life giving back as well. I serve as a Trustee on the March Faith Filled Family: How do you apply this rule in of Dimes National Board, I am on the Board of seeking out God’s truth in your life? Directors for The Miss America Organization, Gretchen Carlson: It’s different because luckily I am a Trustee at my daughter’s school and my for me while I ask questions for a living and have a husband and I both teach Sunday School, too. lot of them … I have never questioned my faith for which I am grateful. Faith Filled Family: Even though your Bio looks like a wonderland of a beautiful life, on tough days Faith Filled Family: A few favorites…role model, which scripture or Bible story gets you through to food, color and favorite activity that you do just for the next sunrise? the fun of it? Gretchen Carlson: Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, Gretchen Carlson: My mom who continues to for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am inspire me as my rock but also in running our your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will family business still at age 73. My favorite food uphold you with my righteous right hand.” is Sushi! My favorite color is purple. My favorite activity is walking on the beach. Faith Filled Family: Tell us one difference between studying at Stanford and your study time Faith Filled Family: Are you able to give us any at Oxford? information on your next project that we can be on Gretchen Carlson: Oh a lot! But basically there the lookout for? are no big classes at Oxford. You study one topic Gretchen Carlson: I am in the process of in depth and go to your Professor one and one for completing my first book, a memoir about my life your class where you read out loud your papers! from a child concert violinist to Miss America to Stanford was an amazing place to be educated a career in television news. It will be out in the and Oxford was an experience, so, different but Spring of 2015. equally as wonderful. My emphasis as a Sunday School teacher is to try to relate the stories of the Bible to kids in a Faith Filled Family: One does not accomplish way that they can apply those lessons in their daily with out diligent practice, committed days with living. dusty books, and a strict command of thyself. Tell us how you begin to tackle a project, subject or Thank you for spending your time with us for this goal. Interview! It was an honor and a privilege. Gretchen Carlson: With laser focus and undeterred determination — always Readers: Add the movie; “Persecuted” to your library it is due to be released on DVD October 14, Faith Filled Family: You received an award for a 2014. Mark your calendar for this long anticipated series on, “Domestic Violence”. Tell us two things movie!

The Difference of One By Gary Tidwell

he first day of school is supposed to be and happy and exciting day, especially if it is your senior year. Unfortunately, that was not the case for Michelle. She was dreading even the thought of having to go to school, just as she had every year since starting junior high. She had been in a new school at the start of each year and since that time attended a total of ten different schools. You see, Michelle is in the foster care system and keeps being moved from home to home in order to “more effectively meet her needs.” In other words, the foster parents said, “We can’t or don’t want to try to handle her problems and behavior.” Sadly, this “rejection” simply served to confirm the already dismal view that Michelle had of herself. It was someone else that she wasn’t “good enough for.” She entered the foster care system to stay at the age of 7 when she and her older sister, Janice (10 at the time), were permanently removed from the care of their mother. They had been in the system, or placed with her grandparents for a few months, three other times prior to that. She and Janice were able to stay

together for a couple years, but then Janice started running away and getting into a lot of other trouble so they had to be separated because Janice was placed in a residential treatment center. Some days, Michelle wished that she could have been placed in treatment instead of being in some of the foster homes she had lived in. Tragically for her, being in foster care did not mean the end of her trauma and abuse. Her life has been so tumultuous that she has given up on hoping or expecting anything actual good or positive is possible and if it does happen, then it never lasts and she is left disappointed and hurt all over again. By anyone else’s standards we would consider Michelle’s life an absolute living hell. Since before she could remember, her father was an alcoholic and verbally, emotionally, and physically abusive towards her mom. She can vividly recall hiding under her bed with Janice and hearing the screaming and various things broken as her father went on anther tirade. The girls were finally freed of that nightmare when he was arrested and sentenced to twenty-five years in prison for voluntary manslaughter as the result of being involved in an auto accident while he was under the influence that killed a 23-year-old father of two. Michelle, now 4 years old, was freed from that one only for things to get even worse. Not long after her father’s arrest, having been finally liberated from her abusive and controlling husband, Michelle’s mother began sowing the wild seeds that she never really had an opportunity to in her younger years due to having a family so young. She began drinking and was soon using cocaine and methamphetamines. With the drug scene came all assortments of men that would come a night or several months in the home with them. On more occasions that one would ever imagine or want to count they came into Michelle and Janice’s room in the middle of the night, and it was not to check and make sure they were okay. Most of them, when they were not doing that, were very much like Michelle’s father, verbally and physically abusive, but not just toward her mother, but toward her and Janice as well. Finally, early in her third grade year, her teacher, Ms. Cox, could not believe that she was as much of as a klutz as she was claiming to be. She never fell at school like she was always saying she did at home. Ms. Cox convinced Michelle to talk to the school counselor. Once she honestly started talking, it was like a

dam had burst and she went on to detail all that had happened in her and Janice’s lives to that point. Children’s Services was contacted and she has been in foster care and has not been alone with her mother since. Sadly, as mentioned earlier, entering the system did not mean an end to the ongoing nightmare that has been Michelle’s life. At first, she found it very difficult being separated from Janice and acted up accordingly. Occasionally she would try to talk to her foster parents about how she was feeling, but they were always to busy taking care of other things so she and her feelings got brushed off. When they weren’t brushing her off, they were mocking or minimizing how she felt. It did not take her very long to learn that feelings were bad, and you don’t share them for fear of being hurt even more. If only that had been the worst of it. She seemed to be moving from home to home all the time. Eventually, she grew to believe that no one genuinely cared about her, so she began to isolate more and more. Where she had grown-up as a girly-girl and wore ribbons and lace, now she wore almost all black. Her once beautiful curly blonde hair is now dyed jet black with highlights, streaks of purple and scarlet mixed in, and straight. She wears it long in the back and bangs that can cover her entire face, which his preferred way of wearing

it. The remainder of her appearance is referred to by others to be in an “Emo Style”—black skinny jeans, skull T-shirt, fingerless, laced elbow gloves, and high-top Converse shoes. Michelle very rarely wears anything that does not have some kind of sleeve. At the age of 12 during one of her many short hospital stays, she met another patient that told her about how cutting helped her to calm down when she was getting anxious or upset about things. Michelle tried it and the rush of peace and euphoria was like nothing she could have ever imagined. That first cut was her first step a very slippery slope that would become pattern of utilizing self-harm as her primary means of coping with her inner turmoil as well as her difficult external circumstances. She had long lost count of how many times she had required trips to the emergency room for staples and or stitches and many of those were followed by visits to a psychiatric treatment facility. While it has been six months since her last significant incident, she struggles against those demons every day and just yesterday had scratched her stomach to the point of seeing the droplets break through the skin. Over the years, it became her first course of action when trying to cope with difficult emotions, which she seemed to feel almost all the time. Like some many others that fight this battle, she is ashamed of her scars, but the pull for that release is still very strong. However, she keeps fighting and she finally feels like she is starting to win the battle. The dreaded first day of school, had unfortunately arrived. When Michelle and her foster mother pulled up at the school, Michelle hesitantly got out of the car, threw her messenger bag over her shoulder, and softly said “Bye” without even looking up. She slowly sulked up the sidewalk and steps toward the front door. With each step she insured that her bangs stayed over her face; making sure she could see where she was going, while making certain that no one else saw her face in the process. Having moved just a few weeks ago, Michelle knew absolutely no one in her new school, and at this point still had mixed feelings about whether she actually wanted to do so. Once inside, she walked at a more deliberate pace, yet continued to keep her head and face down until she got to her locker. As she was reaching up to unlock her locker, she brushed her hair out of her face. It was just that at moment that Mary stepped beside Michelle to get into her own locker and said

the most amazingly simple, but powerful words that Michelle had ever heard, “Hi I’m Mary, I’m glad to meet you. You’re new to Baymonte Academy aren’t you?” Michelle reluctantly replied, “Hi, I’m Michelle, and yes, I am new.” As she was answering she lightly shook her head so as to cause her hair to fall back in front of her face. As she stood there, Michelle began questioning Mary’s statement, “I’m glad to meet you.” “Is she genuinely glad to meet me, or is she just trying to be polite?” It wouldn’t take long for Michelle to find out. As she stood there inquisitively, Mary’s next statement was as powerful, or more so, than her first. “Please, don’t cover your face with your hair. You have a beautiful face, what a shame to hide it from everyone else.” Michelle sheepishly grinned and mumbled, “Thanks, but I just don’t see it.” Mary would go on to question Michelle further about her schedule, what classes she had and when. As luck would have it, they had four of their seven classes and lunch together, including their first period class. That being said they started down the hall toward English class. For the remainder of the day and the first week, Mary made it a point to find Michelle between classes and they sat as close as they could to one another in the classes they shared. They even ended up being lab partners in Chemistry II, a class that neither of them was particular excited about, but both needed for graduation. Before moving on, let’s get to know Mary, at least a little. She is the classic middle child. Her older brother, Steven, graduated two years ago and was “All Everything”—valedictorian, star athlete, prom king. Whatever “it” is, Steven seemed to have it. Then there was Gracie. She was… let’s say a “late arrival” to the family. She is 7, and is definitely still the “baby.” Mary seems to just kind of cruise through, almost undetectable at times. She does well, but is not exceptional in school, most of the time. Similarly, she has stayed out of trouble, except for that one six-month period of time when she was 16 and she was really struggling with finding her “identity” and tried to declare her “independence” by hanging out with the school “Thugz” as liked to call themselves. During that period she smoked cigarettes and marijuana and was drinking and using cocaine during parties on weekends. That

was until the night they were out cruising back roads one Saturday night. Everyone in the car was intoxicated on one substance or another including the driver, Tim, and her best friend, Heather. Tim was going too fast around the corner on a dirt road. Lost control and the car rolled three times. Almost everyone walked away with bumps, bruises, and a cut or two. That is everyone but Heather. She was pinned under the car and would be paralyzed from the waist down as a result of the accident. Mary has not touched any kind of illicit substance stronger than a soda since. She is active in her church youth group and is a part of the youth and congregation praise and worship bands. That being said, she is not the kind of “holier than thou” person that walks around thinking and acting like they are better than everyone else. She still struggles with her self-esteem and “identity” but is trying to “figure things out.” So while they came from very different backgrounds, the girls are actually more alike than they or anyone else would have expected. While she did not have many, Mary introduced Michelle to her friends and they were all warm and accepting. Mary took every chance she had to show Michelle simple love, kindness, and acceptance. Those first few weeks would be exceptionally difficult for Michelle, and she relapsed into her selfharming behavior and twice in three weeks had to be taken to the emergency room. While she did not discount the event or the pain that Michelle had to have been experiencing, Mary was right there the next day with open arms and a warm and inviting smile when Michelle returned to school the next day. It was not long before Michelle found herself talking to Mary more than anyone else in her life. Come to think of it, she could not remember anyone that she had been this close to ever! Weeks turned to months and by Winter Break, Michelle was wearing her hair out of her face on a daily basis, wearing makeup, and had even worn a skirt a couple of times. However, she still always wore some kinds of sleeves to cover her scars. Speaking of which however, by that time, it had been three months since the last time that Michelle had cut. For that matter, she had only had faint pulls that direction for the last month. About half way through the semester, Mary invited Michelle to her church youth group, and after a bit of rough start (she left ten minutes into the first meeting she attended), Michelle slowly became

more and more comfortable as a part of the group. Michelle was finally beginning to feel something that she could not remember ever feeling— unconditional love and acceptance. She actually started believing that something good could come out of her life and maybe she could make a difference in someone else’s life the way that Mary had hers. Mary’s church had their traditional Christmas Eve Service as it had since the year that it was founded. But this year’s service would be the most special of all of them, for two young ladies anyway. At the conclusion of the service, Michelle would turn and whisper, “Come with me,” to Mary. Mary looked at her, puzzled, but followed. Michelle would step out into the aisle and head toward the front of the auditorium. As they started down the aisle, Michelle reached down and grabbed Mary’s hand and turned and looked at her. Mary mouthed, “Are you…?” Michelle simply nodded affirmatively. Both girls eyes swelled with tears and they were both crying by the time they reached the front. Michelle approached the minister and told him that she wanted to be saved and ask Jesus to be the Lord of her life. The three prayed a short prayer together and then girls kneeled at the alter where they would continue to cry together, but not tears of pain and sorrow like so many times before, tears of JOY. Michelle would continue to battle her past and the pain and issues associated with all that she had experienced, but now there was something different. She believed, she knew, that no matter what had happened or would happen she was loved beyond measure. She was not just accepted, she had been chosen to be a part of the greatest family ever. How had this miraculous change happened? It all began because one special girl cared enough to say, “Hi I’m Mary, I’m glad to meet you.”

Colton Dixon

Pushing Boundaries in the Music Industry By Michelle C. Danko

Christian Rock singer, Colton Dixon, quickly became a favorite amongst some of the judges on American Idol season eleven, and quickly won his way into America’s heart. Even though, much to many people’s surprise, he placed seventh in the competition, he continued on with his musical career producing two albums: A Messenger and his latest release, Anchor. It is easy to see why Colton is a favorite. He has a very friendly and has a warm personality. In our interview with Colton, he marveled at how early God revealed his plan and purpose for his life. Colton was at a piano recital when he was thirteen when he suddenly found a microphone placed in front of him and being urged to sing. He sang, “I Can Only Imagine”, and felt God’s presence fill the entire room. That was the pivitol moment that Colton knew that he wanted to sing and this indeed was God’s calling on his life. Colton admits that for a few years after that, like many young boys, he still toyed with the idea of playing baseball, but

always came back to where God had called him- to his music- and that is where he spent the majority of his time. He began writing songs honoring God, and playing the piano. What led Colton to audition for American Idol? In season 10, Colton reports that it was his sister, Schylar, who had just turned fifteen, that wanted to try out of American Idol. They auditioned together, but unfortunately neither of them made it to the top 24. Season 11, Schylar decided to audition again. Colton went along for moral support. At this time, he recollects, he was tired of what he referred to as the “Idol Machine”, and wanted to take a break. God had other plans, however, when the judges recognized him from the previous season, and had him re-audition alongside his sister. Both Colton and Schylar went through. Unfortunately, Schylar was cut during the Las Vegas rounds, and Colton went on.

When asked what it was like competing against his sister, Colton reflects that it was nice to have someone you knew to share the experience with. He also states that on American Idol, the people that you are competing with on a weekly basis become part of a “family” wherein you share your experiences, triumphs, and challenges with each other. Colton goes on to say that his sister is an amazing individual, and that despite her young age, she is quite mature. She handled her brother’s success very well, and became a huge supporter. She never let her disappointment get in the way of supporting her brother. He said that he is blessed to have her, and that she is amazing. Colton reports that he is blessed not only by the relationship with his sister, but by the people that God has placed in his life. In the interview, he gave his girlfriend high accolades. He refers her as being a “very strong woman” who keeps him grounded. He lovingly jokes that she is quick to let him know when something has gone to his head, and sounds like the perfect compliment to him. When asked about how his success has affected their relationship, Colton says that it doesn’t really bother her. She is very self-confident, and selfassured that it doesn’t have a negative affect on their relationship. In addition to his girlfriend, he says that his fellow band members, who are also his friends, keep him grounded. They hold each other accountable, and true to God’s word. Colton fondly says that he grew up listening to Christian music all of his life. He was attracted to artists like Michael W. Smith, and Casting Crowns, just to name a few. In High School, he recollects, is where he became increasingly drawn to more of a rock style of music while listening to artists such as Skillet. American Idol was actually the first time that Colton was introduced to secular music. When we asked Colton about how he felt about singing secular songs that were often not honoring to God on American Idol, he said that it was difficult. He tried to choose songs from the list that was approved that would lyrically honor God, but it was often challenging. He said that it boiled down to intention: who was he singing to? He tried as much as he could to pick songs that reflected God’s love while appealing to a diverse audience and he felt that God taught him through the experience.

Colton says that his inspiration for writing songs doesn’t come from a specific area such as biblical passages, or experiences, but a combination of things. He says that sometimes a church service can trigger a song, or from something that God is directly dealing with him on. He gathers his inspiration from a variety of sources. When asked about his quick rise to success after Idol, Colton laughs and reports that American Idol itself is about as overnight success as you can get. He found himself quickly recognized at supermarkets and in various places that he went by fans. He said that it seems “crazy”, “weird”, and somewhat surreal, but he hopes that it stays that way so that pride never creeps in. He always wants to remain grounded. In terms of a message for his listeners, Colton became very serious. He says, “It’s great if they love the music”, but it is his desire that through the music and the lyrics, fans look to a greater relationship with God. He feels strongly that people should make God a priority in their lives over worldly success. He credits his parents for instilling that in him. When asked about his heart’s desire in terms of impacting people, Colton became very passionate. He stated that it is his desire to influence his generation to be on fire for Christ. He is concerned that too many Christians are lukewarm. He says, “If you’re hot, be hot.” Colton passionately wants to encourage his generation to be leaders and to be confident in who they are. He says that while he writes for all age groups, he still has a heart for today’s youth. So what is next for Colton Dixon? Colton wants to continue to do creative, unique music that pushes boundaries. He reflects that often, music gets pushed aside because it’s a great message. His main goal is to give music back to God, and explore new things musically. As for goals, I am under the impression that Colton is living his dream. He enthusiastically said that his main dream was to share a stage with artists that he grew up listening to… and he’s done that. Now, his next goal is to do his own tour… which he will be doing beginning in October. Faith Filled Family would like to thank Stacie Vining from Merge PR for arranging this interview for us!

Jehovah Jireh How God Stays Our Hands By His By Neil Heater

Jehovah Jireh...God Will Provide. A promise declared and always lived up to by the Creator of provisions. Throughout Scripture, God made His promises known and always came through to prove His hand of giving. So what do we know or understand about this “hand” that does more than write on a wall or still the waters of earth? In Genesis 22, Abraham is told by the Lord to take his son Isaac to the land Moriah and offer him up as a sacrifice blood offering. The rule had been that clean animals were to be the source of offerings to seek a covering for the sins of the people. Now God was commanding Abraham that his only son was going to be the latest provide of this blood offering. I don’t know about you, but that would be a hard pill for any father to take. “I want you to freely give your child over to me as a sign of obedience to redeem these wicked sinners.” I think any first response from a parent would be to offer themselves in place of their offspring. It would take incredible faith to go through with that order, to make him available as a blood sacrifice. But that was not the only aspect to this scriptural passage. God was telling Abraham to personally take the life of Isaac. He was not to give him over to someone else to commit the act but to take hold of the knife and complete the offering. How could a loving God ask this of any man? It is one thing to say that your child was going to lose his life, but the father had to be the one to take the life. It must have seemed an incredible concept to someone of

Abraham’s level of devotion to his child. It seemed unreasonable. Abraham was not living his life by reason. This was a man wholly given over to the hand of Almighty God and was living each day following the One that had made his way clear all these years. When Abraham desired a child and his wife was unable to bear one, Abraham believed that God would make His way known and still provide the child that he yearned for in his life. Although Abraham’s wife had not trusted God early on and mistakes were made, she did come to realize that God was still leading in their lives. In due time she did conceive and Isaac was born. So Abraham was obedient and followed the course laid out by the Lord and Isaac obediently followed his father. Isaac knew they were going on a journey to make a sacrifice but he thought it be that they would find this beast at the end of the journey. He was trusting in a provision to be made for this ceremony. Some might ask if Isaac was blind to what was going to happen? Not for second was he lacking sight in this journey. If anything Isaac had more clarity than most people do today. Obedience for Isaac was not a blind faith but an abiding trust in what his father was telling him. If his father had confidence in what God was instructing them to do, than Isaac was going to have confidence in the mind and heart of his own dad. When they finally reached the place for this sacrifice, both of them stayed the course. Isaac

may have seemed a bit unsure as he asked his father where was this sacrifice? However it did not derail his devotion or reliance in what Abraham was going to do. Isaac was learning the same lessons of faith in God that Abraham was living. Even when Abraham tied his son and placed him upon the place of sacrifice; scripture gives no hint that Isaac was having second thoughts or struggling to be undone of the ropes. Isaac simply waited on what was going to occur next. What occurred was a most amazing event as described in the Bible and one of many miracles that attest to the awesomeness of God. As Abraham was about to follow through with the ending of his son’s life, an angel appeared and stayed his hand. Stayed his hand! Here Abraham was trusting in the hand of God to come through and his own hand was stopped from completing his appointed task. The angel told Abraham that his willingness to remain obedient throughout the course of the event pleased the Lord and a replacement sacrifice was being provided for in a ram that was stuck in the thicket. Can you imagine the relief on both the face of Abraham and his son at seeing this substitute sacrifice was presented to them? Many would picture Abraham wiping his brow out of relief and thinking, “Why did it take so long?” Yet you have to remember that Abraham was a special kind of individual. Here was a man that had proven his faith and love in God years before and was being told he was going to be the father of a blessed people. Why the trust now? Because God had proven himself so many times before all of this took place. Because of this faithfulness on the part of the Lord, Abraham was relieved and full of joy. His dependence upon God to provide came through in this most glorifying way. His gratitude was so immense that this faithful servant of the Lord proclaimed the place to be named “Jehovah Jireh.” A provision was made and God was pleased. Jehovah Jireh is not just about a fact that God provides but alludes to His providence. Sometimes in the time of trial and tragedy, this providence shows up for a far greater blessing than the immediate may seem to be. It can also be God allows a seeming failure prove to be better, or as the children’s saying comes out, “Let your good be better and your better be best.”

In 1865, America was near the end of a conflict that came close to destroying the nation. The South saw that defeat and surrender was her only recourse. It was April 9 of that year that the commanding general of the Southern forces, Robert E. Lee, signed the document of surrender at Appomattox Court House in Virginia. One quote attributed to Lee was, “We failed, but in the good providence of God apparent failure often proves a blessing.” The nation had been suffering five long years of a war between factions over ideology, the issue of slavery, and states rights. Families had literally been torn apart as brother fought brother and neighbor against neighbor. This country was still young in it’s establishment, and the last thing it needed was a conflict that could dissolve a union. So many men and women were losing their homes, their families, and their lives. General Lee was able to see past the immediate circumstance of loss and look at the providence that God was bringing to the country through this end of hostilities between the North and the South. America needed to heal and to seek the further and future blessings of God. Though some would hold grudges and not forgive, many that knew the Lord on a personal level understood that this was a time of God providing an opportunity. It was a moment of Jehovah Jireh. To the believer, Jehovah Jireh has a personal interest. From the time of Adam and his fall, mankind has needed a way of escape from the sin that is a part of who they are. This “missing the mark” that is sin holds all of humanity captive from dwelling with the Lord in a place of joy for eternity. It becomes a shackle that restrains us from everlasting peace and stillness and guarantees an eternity of torment—that is if no provision for our escape is offered. God gives us this provision through the blood of Jesus Christ on Calvary. The Cross stands as a monument of Jehovah Jireh to all who come to His saving power. The provision or providence of God cannot be denied as He shows His mercy by offering us a way of escape from our sin. Just like with Abraham, God stays our hand of becoming a sacrifice and delivers His provision through the blood of our redeemer. It is here we must proclaim the name Jehovah Jireh...because He does provide.

Star Song Music and Capitol Christian Music have come together to provide a three CD series for your children. Faith Filled Family will review all three CD’s, and provide you with a detailed lyrical analysis since we know how important it is for parents to know the words behind the music their children hear. The Capitol Kids series contains Capitol Kids Hits, Capitol Kids Worship, and Capitol Kids Christmas. For those of you who are a bit older, (and I may be giving away my own age…), this is a Christian version of MiniPops. Children sing the most popular Christian hits instead of the original artists. Soon, your children will be singing along to your favorite Christian tunes!

Music Review By: Michelle C. Danko Capitol Kids Hits Genre: Children/ CHR Released:October 14, 2014 Label: Star Song Music Price: $10.00 Best Buy or $9.99 (USD) on iTunes

Hello, My Name Is (Originally sung by Matthew West): This song discusses the lies that the enemy uses to defeat us. It opens discussing regret and defeat and their effect on our faith. Then it talks about who we are in Christ, and that we are victorious, not defeated. The lyrics go on to state that we are not defined by our past, because we were born again and made new in Him. We are to break the chains of the past, realize that we are a new creation in Him, and that the “old” no longer exists. We are to walk a life in victory free from past mistakes/baggage and walk forward in confidence because, as the song states in the chorus, “My name is child of the one true King”. That, in a nutshell, is our identity: Christ-like. Overcomer (Mandisa): Overcomer discusses that even when we feel like we have been defeated, that God is there to be our strength, and to guide us through to victory. It tells us not to quit, hanging on to His promises, and we will overcome all obstacles. We just need to find our strength in Him, and hold on to his Word. The song was originally sung by Mandisa, and I enjoy her lyrics because they don’t dwell on the negative, but briefly mention them and focus on God’s goodness. A great message for children and the song

stays in their head. As they sing it, it becomes a repeated confession… that they are an overcomer. God’s Not Dead (Like A Lion) (Newsboys): God’s Not Dead is a favorite amongst believers. It talks about God’s love going forth and touching those that are dead (far from) Him, and those that are crying out for something or someone to alleviate their suffering. It talks about how God (Holy Spirit) lives alive inside of us. The lyrics say that their faith is dead (far from Christ) on the inside, that they have lost hope, and need “resurrection” from Christ because He is always there to bring light to darkness. It is a song of resurrecting our faith in Him, and returning to our Creator because “God is Not Dead”. He lives inside of us and “roars like a lion” devouring the destroyer so that we can live in joy. This Is Amazing Grace (Phil Wickham): This is Amazing Grace talks about the majesty of God: that He dispels darkness, He breaks bondages, etc. The chorus itself discusses God’s grace that He died on the cross so that we may live eternally in Heaven, and that He loved us so much that He bore our iniquities. Verse two discusses that God can order our steps when our lives appear to be messed up. He gives the father/motherless (can be symbolic) a “parent” to guide them into truth. Then the bridge repeats the worthiness of Jesus Christ and praises Him. Gold (Britt Nicole): Gold is probably my more favorite track off of the album because of the message. It is one that both adults and children need to hear- of their worth. This song discusses that our worth is not defined by the words of others. We should not let others thoughtless words tell us who we are because in God’s eyes we are “worth more than gold”. It reminds us that we were fearfully, wonderfully and uniquely created. Verse two talks about those who “keep score” and our fear that we will be either rejected, or that we don’t measure up. It talks about rising up above that because Christ is in us and burning brighter as they don’t know who we truly are. Then verse three tells us not to believe those who tell us that we are not loved because we have a Father in Heaven who loves us unconditionally, and who sees us as good enough. I love the next phrase where it says “Yeah there are days that we all feel

like we’re messed up, but the truth is that we’re all diamonds in the rough” as it is such an eloquent way of expressing the truth. The song wraps up by telling us not to be ashamed of whom we are and to be confident as to whom we are in Christ. We Believe (Newsboys): We Believe goes into our belief in God. It says that when desperation overtakes us, we believe there is a God- we don’t turn from Him. It says that we believe in salvation, and that God with guide a broken generation. The chorus, then, simply states that we believe in the trinity, and that God is returning. The second verse reiterates the importance of strong faith to dispel darkness and to overcome temptation. Verse three discusses pushing back the gates of Hell and having the church be on fire for Christ. Hold Me (Jamie Grace): Hold Me is about the times when our day is less than perfect and retreating to be with the Lord. That no matter how rough things are in your day that all problems can be melted away by feeling God’s embrace. It further talks about God turning things that were meant for our harm around, God’s love for us at all times, and praising Him with the love we have for Him because our God is amazing. Me Without You (TobyMac): Again another song about taking comfort in God’s embrace because if we were in the world our lives would look much different. The picture wouldn’t be one of contentment; it would be one of desperation and despair. The core of the message is that only Christ makes life worth living. Good Morning (Mandisa): Good Morning is an upbeat song about leaving your cares behind because today is a new day filled with new possibilities. It is a new day filled with strength, and that God will meet all of our needs so we don’t need to worry. It is about rejoicing because God is with us, and to face the day with renewed energy because God will meet all of our needs. We Are Brave (Shawn McDonald): We Are Brave is a song about perseverance through times of trial. It talks about if we keep focusing on God, we will be victorious. It says not to define ourselves by

past failures, and to get up after we fall because it is worth the fight to get to the victory in the end. It says to press on through fear- not to let it overtake you- and to be brave. I Am (David Crowder): Discusses God’s great love and how it is endless. When we feel abandoned, God is always there to lift us up because He loves us. The chorus talks about how when things are scary or not quite right, to hold on to God because He will give you the strength you need. God should be the only thing you run to, because as the song says, there are no areas that God cannot reach: that His love never fails. Oceans (Where Feet May Fall) (Hillsong United): Oceans talks about true faith in God. It is about times where we need to step out in faith and just obey despite not understanding what God’s purpose is. If we keep our eyes on God, our feet will never fail because He will guide our steps. God resides in us and us in Him, so there is no fear if we believe that fundamental truth. It also discusses that when we fall, God is there to catch us and bring us back to safety. If we call upon His name, God will never fail us. The rest of the song goes on to ask God to strengthen our faith in Him and to take it deeper so that our trust would be totally in Him. Waterfall (Chris Tomlin): Waterfall is about seeking after God. He will satisfy our hunger, and we will thirst to know more about Him. It is about moving when He moves and being obedient. Waterfall is about God’s goodness and mercy raining down on His children in both good times and in times of drought. Write Your Story (Francesca Battistelli): This song discusses God as the creator of everything, and His majesty. It talks about giving the blind sight, and bringing the dead to life which may be either literal, or symbolic (God moving in our lives to bring us truth and resurrecting our lives when we are dead spiritually). It is about being an open page for God to write on and giving our lives over totally to God. We should allow God to guide our steps towards His plan and purpose for our lives so that when we die, people will know that God reigned within us. Our lives should reflect that we fulfilled His calling and ran

our race with excellence. Our lives should reflect the glory of God. Speak Life (TobyMac): Discusses how good and bad times ebb and flow in our lives, yet through it all we should watch the words we say. Our words have the power to lift someone up, edify them, or make them crumble. It tells us to speak life into every situation, and every person so that they can be encouraged. It tells us to speak life in the midst of any circumstance, to use our words to bring hope, and to never let anything destructive exit from our lips. I have listened to this CD with my children (four boys between 1.5 – 8 years of age) and they all love it! It gets played repeatedly in our house as they love it so much, and I love the fact that all of the songs feed their spirit. The lyrics are scripturally accurate, and I enjoy the fact that when they sing it (as we should watch what proceeds out of our mouths) that they are confessing positive things. Even our toddler will dance along with great enthusiasm! This is music that everyone will enjoy and is geared towards kids. I think that it is a wonderful addition, and much needed in the Christian Community as our kids need to be ministered to as well. Many thanks to The Media Collective for providing us with a copy of these three CD’s for review!

Pastor Jon Weece: Spreading Christ-Like Love By Kelly Mitchell

Jesus Prom New Book Coming Soon by Pastor Jon Weece

Today, Southland Christian Church is continuing to grow, with 3 locations and over 12,000 attending every weekend. Websites: JonWeece.com Wishing to spread the love of SouthlandChristiaon.org God beyond the walls of the Twitter: @JonWeece Church, Jon reaches out to his community in simple but effective Jesus Prom: Life Gets Fun When ways. He can often be found You Love People Like God Does out in the community offering Available October 21, 2014 “Free Hugs” to passersby, and Hardcover, Paperback, E-Book, organizes an annual Jesus Additional Study Guide and DVD Prom for people with physical Available and cognitive disabilities. Jesus Find it at Barnes&Noble, Amazon. Prom is the first book Jon has com, and ChristianBook.com! written. Jon and his wife Allison have two children, Ava and Silas. Bio: Jon Weece is the pastor of Southland Christian Church, a Faith Filled Family: What restoration movement church compelled you to write the book in Central Kentucky. His Jesus Prom? parents set an example for his Jon Weece: Through speaking life as campus ministers at the events and interacting with University of Missouri. Jon began people one question kept his work at Southland Christian coming up; how do we motivate Church in 1996 as an intern in Christians to serve? I wanted to college ministry. He then served put something in print that would as a missionary in Haiti for four reach out to people instead years. Jon returned to Kentucky of being judgmental. I wanted as a member of Southland’s to do what I can to encourage teaching team. Three years later, Christians to love their neighbor. he was unanimously voted to become the new senior pastor. Faith Filled Family: What are

the major themes and ideas of your book Jesus Prom? Jon Weece: Nouns find their purpose and meaning in action. The two nouns focused on in the book are Christian and Church. Without verbs these words have no meaning. This isn’t a grammar lesson; it’s how we as Christians and as the Church should live each day. When the doors to the human heart close, eventually the doors to the church close too. I wanted to write about the verbs of Jesus, action verbs which He taught us that we need to become familiar with. Verbs such as give sacrificially and dance with joy. As Christians and as the Church we must embody these action verbs of Jesus. Faith Filled Family: What ideal audience did you have in mind while writing Jesus Prom? Jon Weece: I wanted to write this book for anyone from the age of my young children to the elderly, I didn’t want to limit the audience. I hope that anyone of any age can read it and understand the message. In the first few chapters you will get an

idea of how simple it can be. It doesn’t have to be anything complicated. Every church can find ways to humbly and quietly meet the needs of the community. Every person can love their neighbor, which will reflect in each heart and in the life of the church. Faith Filled Family: What is your background in ministry? Jon Weece: I lived in Haiti for four years doing missionary work. I have worked in Southland Christian Church in Kentucky for fifteen years, and

today I am the Senior Pastor. I like to keep ministry as simple as possible. I like to focus on serving people outside of God’s children. We hold “Jesus Prom” every year for people with disabilities. We also provide medical treatment to about 3,500 uninsured people. It is so important to take care of people outside of the church. It makes a huge impact on those people, as well as their family and friends. Loving your neighbor is so important in any ministry. Faith Filled Family: How have

you experienced Gods power and love through your work? Jon Weece: My friend Donnie is a mentally challenged adult. He can function on his own but needs help with certain things. I have had the opportunity to show him love, but our family has been blessed by getting to interact with him. He is just like one of the family, he has presents under our tree every Christmas. I get to go out into the community to give free hugs every Tuesday. We help homeless individuals in the community find jobs. Getting to see homeless men and women being able to provide for their families is always really rewarding. Getting to meet people along the way has blessed my life. Faith Filled Family: What do you find most challenging about the work you do? Jon Weece: Dealing with sin. The fallout of sin in people’s lives is never good. It is hard to help people find freedom from their past and get past the destructive decisions they’ve made. It can be hard for people to understand that God forgives and forgets your sin. Loving someone who might be a difficult person to love can also be challenging. I need to remember that I can sometimes be difficult to love, and God choses to love me every day. I can share the same unconditional love with others and really make a difference. Faith Filled Family: What do you find most rewarding about the work you do? Jon Weece: Seeing someone experience the joy that comes from following Jesus. Things like when a student gets to baptize a

friend, and seeing them discover what they can use for the glory of God. Seeing that light bulb come on when someone realizes that their life can be better used if they are serving someone else. I know that the future of the church is bright because students have a great desire to love their neighbor. There is a group of students who collect unused food from restaurants and distribute it to people who can’t afford it. These students decided to do this on their own because of the culture of service in the church. They wanted to find a simple way to help a person because of the example set for them. Faith Filled Family: What is the most meaningful thing you have learned through your work? Jon Weece: Hope changes everything. Hope is the message of the New Testament. When a hopeless person experiences the love of the Father they realize that all hope isn’t lost. They realize that God can lift them out of the pit that they have been in. Faith Filled Family: What do you hope readers gain from reading Jesus Prom? Jon Weece: They have a role to play in the story that God is writing and it doesn’t have to be complicated. Listening is the easiest and most neglected form of love and we can learn a lot through it. Faith Filled Family: How do you envision the message of your book being applied to everyday life? Jon Weece: Once individuals discover the action verb and action words that are true to their

personality and spiritual gifting, they can live that out to the fullest and grow the Kingdom of God. I know a woman that loves to bake, and she makes beautiful, extravagant birthday cakes free of charge for kids who wouldn’t normally receive a cake on their birthday. She gets to see the kids’ expressions of excitement and joy, it is her way to share the love of God with others. Her verb is bake. Everyone has a verb to discover and develop that can be used. Faith Filled Family: What do you expect for the future of your ministry and church? Jon Weece: Every time we take a step beyond our building, God gives us a new idea. We want to be a church that if we close our doors and leave, the community would notice. Churches need to ask, “would anyone notice if we completely unplugged and left?” If the answer is no, something has to change. If you go away someone should miss you. God releases a new idea with every step of faith we take, so I can’t imagine anything but growth in the future. Faith Filled Family: Is there anything else would you like our readers to know about yourself, your church, or your book? Jon Weece: These very simple ideas can be put into action by any individual, family or church to make a great difference. Faith Filled Family: Thank you so much to Pastor Jon Weece for sharing your thoughts

with us! It was wonderful to have some insight into your work and your upcoming book. The work that you do is so inspiring, and it is so exciting to see the difference that it is making in your community! We expect Jesus Prom to be a great inspiration and tool for people young and old, as well as families and churches everywhere. In addition to the book, DVDs and study guides are available. This is a great opportunity for individuals and groups to discover how to serve in the community. Every one of us discovering our own individual action verb, developing it, and walking it out on a daily basis could make a profound impact on each of our communities, and the entire world! As we learn to love our neighbor the way that God loves each one of us, we will see His love, joy and hope poured out without measure. We will see God’s Kingdom grow and His name glorified, as it deserves to be!

Website: www.lovecolide. com Faith Filled Family: I see your concert sold out at Hickory Harvest. Congrats! I listened closely to your music and I enjoyed Overtake Me. What is your personal favorite of all your songs? Brooke DeLeary: Choosing a favorite song is like choosing a favorite child. If I have to chose, I would probably say War Cry. Lauren DeLeary: I agree with Brooke. However, my most personal song is Numb, so I have a deep connection with that one.

LoveCollide Interview By Donald Ford

Faith Filled Family: Have you sent music samples to KLove Radio? I think you would fit right in. Brooke DeLeary: Thank you! We think so too, but no, not yet. We are currently on at least 27 internet stations we are aware of, but not on one of the major players yet! Lauren DeLeary: We would like to, maybe one day! We would love for fans and listeners to request our music to their favorite station. Faith Filled Family: I think you two, along with your great music, have come into the Kingdom for such a time as this. What are your thoughts on this? Brooke DeLeary: God has given us all a gift. The whole point in life is to glorify Him. We are using

our gift to do just that. We hope we can make a difference. We have found the song, “Through Your Eyes”, has been powerfully used by God for people struggling with self worth issues, eating disorders, self harm, “Numb” for anxiety, isolation and the feeling of being misunderstood. We want to encourage listeners to know they are a treasure and that He will NEVER leave us and that we are fully known and loved by God. ALL of us need to hear both those messages even if we do not struggle with those things. Lauren DeLeary: We are passionate to see revival in this generation so we try to write music that will cross generational lines and be radio friendly, but stay true to our sound. There can be “fluff” music and we want our lyrics to honestly point people to an authentic relationship with an authentic God, to bring hope and show that a life in Christ is THE abundant life, full of joy! (John 10:10) Faith Filled Family: Can I call you both world travelers? Discuss with us what countries you have been to and a little about your mission there. Lauren DeLeary: Yes! You may definitely call us world travelers! Brooke DeLeary: We want to travel all around the world! Together we have been to about 16 countries. We always went on mission trips. Lauren DeLeary: Whether that was medical missions, loving on orphans, working in well-baby clinics, going into schools... we just want to love on God’s people. One of our favorite places was Kenya. Brooke DeLeary: We have been to Kenya for a little over a month both times we have gone.

Lauren DeLeary: Without the Lord - our music has no purpose. We have no message without salvation. Faith Filled Family: You have heard that “prayer works” Explain how it worked at times for you. Brooke DeLeary: Our whole career life we have prayed that God would open and close doors. For me, God has changed my desire from my name being famous to making his famous due to prayer. Lauren DeLeary: Prayer is what keeps us going. Our own prayers - keeping us connected with the Almighty and others who are praying for us along the journey. Faith Filled Family: What if where you were going to perform told you ahead of time that you could sing any song you wanted, but to not mention the name of Jesus? What would your response to them be? Brooke DeLeary: Well first off - each one of our songs says the name Jesus or speaks of God in some form or fashion. Our whole message is about being bold and taking risks. If we cannot take the risk of speaking Jesus’ name, what risk can we take? Lauren DeLeary: We chose to do Christian music because we wanted to be able to shout out from the rooftops. When we sang just “positive music”, we felt something was missing. From stage we wanted to spout out Bible verses, words of truth and tell people of God’s love. We could not help it. So here we are, doing exactly that and we could not be more thankful.

Faith Filled Family: Your song, “Overtake Me” Faith Filled Family: The song “Loud Generation” was one of my favorites in your collection. It has is a stand alone piece in my opinion. It has a very a clear message; I understood ever word of it and strong message, which I enjoyed. Who writes the rap injection at the end really took me a bit by most of your music? surprise - A good surprise at that! Brooke DeLeary: We both wrote all the songs on the album. Thank you so much for doing this Interview while Lauren DeLeary: We co-wrote most all the songs traveling. I know our readers will be searching with at least one other third party. out your tunes. It is a safe guess that our readers will also be looking forward to hearing your future Faith Filled Family: How deep a role does the releases. God Bless you both. Lord play in your lives, and why is He such a vital part of your music? LoveCollide would also like to mention that they Brooke DeLeary: Like I said earlier, we live on are currently booking schools, colleges, youth this earth to glorify God. Anything less than that - ministry events and churches. For bookings is wasting time. So we cannot help but do that. contact: carrie@lovecollide.com

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master. Progressive denominations ow acceptable do you may accept Christ as friend and think the idea of a master is to savior, but balk at accepting 21st century Christians? The Him as Master. Evangelizing world’s growing interest in the to the worldly is challenging religion of self-actualization once the cat’s out of the bag preaches the polar opposite of that obedience to a Master or accepting any master apart from Lord is a requisite of salvation. one’s own interests. In most Even among the truly faithful, intellectual, social, and religious the majority of Christians fail to camps today the epitome of appreciate the amazing gift a human potential is the pursuit Master offers. of total self-awareness and selfabsorption. You can sum up the “To have a master and teacher doctrine of progressive culture is not the same thing as being that blossomed in the 1960’s mastered and taught. Having a as, “If it feels good do it,” which master and teacher means that has a zero-tolerance policy on there is someone who knows the whole concept of having a me better than I know myself,

who understands the remotest depths of my heart and is able to satisfy them fully. It means having someone who has made me secure in the knowledge that he has met and solved all the doubts, uncertainties, and problems in my mind. To have a master and teacher is this and nothing less.“- Oswald Chambers The word Adonai (Master or Lord) is the verbal equal of Yahweh and Jehovah. Most other Hebrew names of God convey only one attribute of Him as LORD; Jehovah-jireh (provides), Jehovah-rapha (heals), or Jehovah-nissi (banner.) The

Adonai

The Good News and Bad News About Jesus as Master Copyright By Lynn Baber

proper name of God is seldom spoken by observant Jews. When “YHWH” is read aloud, the speaker would use the word Adonai. Adonai refers to God in His totality. God is also called Creator (Elohim), God Almighty (El Shaddai), and the God who sees (El Roi.) God’s position as Master and Lord is material to His people because He is the almighty creator who sees all. It is God’s omnipotence, omnipresence, and immutability that makes Him the one Master and Lord capable of delivering on every promise made. Appreciating Jesus Christ as Master – the Fear Test

The easiest way to tell where you fall on the scale of accepting Jesus as Adonai, as Master and Lord, is the level of fear in your life. The more you understand about His role as Master the smaller your level of fear. Conversely, the less you accept Christ as Master, the greater the role fear plays in your life. Fear is the driving force behind a great deal of human behavior. There are only two possible reasons a Christian experiences fear: 1.Fear the God can’t handle the problem, or 2.Fear that God won’t handle the problem as desired.

There is nothing God can’t handle. He created everything (Elohim) and controls it. God is also Jehovah-jireh, the one who provides. Anything God asks you to do He equips you to do. I haven’t met a solid believer yet who was concerned about God’s ability. Christian fear comes from uncertainty or dread that God won’t do what we ask, give us the outcome we want, or resolve our issues the way we prefer. Faith in Jesus Christ, the most worthy leader, removes fear from the hearts of Christians. Faith grows as the process of spiritual relationship proceeds and experience teaches us that Christ is in control of everything, He guarantees our present peace and ultimate safety, understands every need and perplexity, and will – in every circumstance – protect us from evil until the day we move into our heavenly mansion. (John 14:2) The Good News and Bad News about Jesus as Master The good news about Jesus as Master is that He provides all you will ever need and equips you to do everything He will ever ask you to do. The bad news is that He will never force you to obey. Have you ever prayed, “Lord, would you just make me obedient?” Have you every prayed, “Lord, would you just leave me alone?” Such prayers are 100% self-

centered, ignoring the promises and lessons taught by the Holy Spirit. Adonai is a name that refers to the plurality of God; as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Adonai (Master) is material to every element of life in the world and beyond. Not only does He control all, but He is the only one with the key to eternity. Then Jesus said to the twelve,

“Do you also want to go away?” But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” – John 6:67-68 One definition of master describes an individual eminently skilled in something, like a Master Gardener. Jesus Christ is eminently skilled in everything that is, was, or will

be. He is Master – especially of relationships. Some folks think that mastership is by definition punitive and unfair. The new message shouted from the roof tops, the seats of political power, the ivory towers of education, and many ecclesiastical pulpits is one of tolerance and equality. The concept of Master is not only considered punitive, but completely unacceptable in politically correct circles. As stated so eloquently by Mr. Chambers, having a master and being mastered are not the same. Being mastered usually means one must serve as directed or face punishment. Being mastered is the state of being under the authority, whim, power, or disposition of the one who is able to maintain the position as master. Having a master today is associated more with hatred, slavery, and intolerance than with security. Transformative relationship with Jesus Christ is built on faith that builds hope, perseverance, and leads to glory. The process of sanctification builds confidence, not fear. Jesus never offered a single excuse or referred His followers to the fine print in some contract. His Word is true and there has never been, or will ever be, a greater model of commitment and conviction. His commitment was to the death. His conviction drew Him to Calvary.

The currency of leadership is trust; faith in a master or leader’s constancy and commitment. The power of habits, common sense, and fear disappear in the soft voice that says, “Follow me.” Christians are saved by faith. Seeing the Master A sick man turned to his doctor as he was preparing to leave the examination room and said, ‘Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side.’ Very quietly, the doctor said, ‘I don’t know.’ ‘You don’t know? You, a Christian man, do not know what is on the other side?’ The doctor was holding the handle of the door; On the other side came a sound of scratching and whining, And as he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness. Turning to the patient, the doctor said, ‘Did you notice my dog? He’s never been in this room before. He didn’t know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, And when the door opened, he sprang in without fear. I know little of what is on the other side of death, But I do know one thing... I know my Master is there and that is enough.’ - author unknown Access to the throne of God isn’t our right. It is a promise of Jesus Christ to His children, that we will one day be permitted entrance into His presence. No power on earth can grant an audience with the King of Kings unless bestowed by the Holy Spirit through rebirth as a New

Creation. These simple comparisons may help you process the difference between Christ as Master and being mastered by the enemy: •God leads. Satan pushes. •God offers. God provides. Satan tempts. Satan confiscates. •God seeks to perfect. Satan seeks to corrupt. •God seeks relationship. Satan seeks to isolate you from God. •God makes decisions about things beyond your understanding to protect you and your interests. Satan seeks your destruction. •God is truth. Satan is a liar. You can’t serve two masters. This is such a simple truth, but how many people consider it when making plans for their lives? You can’t run with the devil all day and come home to the Lord’s house in the evening. You can’t walk with God and the world at the same time. You can’t celebrate the birth of one grandchild while celebrating the freedom of your daughter to abort another. You can fool yourself but you can’t fool God. (Galatians 6:7) Being a New Creation in Christ is a Full Time Position New Creations are all in. Anything withheld from Christ gives fear the opportunity to move in. There are no parttimers or temporary workers in the family of God. Part-time leaders are fakes. Their promises may or may not be lies. Commitments made cannot be broken without destruction. Not only is the one who broke it guilty and the bonds of relationship severed, but the

spirits of others involved will be corrupted, crushed, or broken. Teach a child that his father lies and the child is changed forever. Once faith in a trusted leader is proven a lie it is difficult – and often impossible - to pull faith from the ashes and accept worthy leadership from a new master figure. Teach a Christian that God’s Word is inconsistent, situational, or relative, and faith that saves will disappear. Jesus never fails and God’s Word is always true. The legacy of broken commitments extends far beyond the day or circumstance. Only one Master delivers on every promise made. Actual sheep know their master. The shepherd promises and delivers joy, peace, provision, love, companionship, discernment, faith, fellowship, and blessing. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. – I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.”– John 10:11,14 Faith is Built on Promises Kept Love alone cannot drive out fear. Love alone does not produce faith. Faith is built upon a foundation of promises made and promises kept. Faith believes that the Master knows me better than I know myself. Do you show up every day? Are you focused on your Master? Do you offer obedience reflexively or go blindly about your business when God is trying to speak with you? Some people think of God as little more than a provider of gifts or a blessing machine. They’re happy to pay a little attention

to Him as long as gifts arrive regularly. Stop the goodie train and these folks are liable to seek a new cookie connection. Satan tries to lure us away from our Adonai, our Master and Lord, by offering enticing cookies as bait. If he can keep our attention focused on the treat he can draw us away from the safety of the

fold. One of the first lessons parents teach small children is to never take candy from a stranger. Children must learn to evaluate the giver before accepting what is offered as a gift. When relationship with God is based on the value of gifts there is no place for faith. When tribulation comes, and it will

(John 16:33), the believer who seeks the gift and not the Giver has nothing to stand upon, to shelter under, or to cling to. “My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” – Matthew 11:30 Obedience to the Master All of God’s revealed truths are sealed until opened by obedience. You will never open them through philosophy or thinking. Let God’s truth work by immersing yourself in it, not by worrying into it. The only way you can get to know the truth of God is to stop trying to ferret it out and be born again. If you obey God in the first thing, He will move you seamlessly on to the next. As a New Creation in Christ you are different; something more than what you were. Your spirit is now more than mortal because of the indwelling Spirit of God. Many of your actions are the result of this real mortal-immortal spirit, not simple conscious obedience to Adonai, your Master. Are you afraid of the times we live in? Do you have enough faith in anyone to lead you to safety? Jesus Christ will come to lead you home at just the right moment. Do you trust Him enough to put fear behind and follow? Obedience is a product of relationship, not the rational evaluation of a request that has been considered and deemed reasonable. When Jesus calls, your ‘Yes’ will save. The promises of a worthy master are certain. “Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor

be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9 For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” – Hebrews 13:5 The longer you walk with Jesus and the greater your love for Him grows, the more automatic obedience becomes. Conscious decisions become fewer as you and He walk in one set of footprints in the sand. Your faith and familiarity with His character, His rhythms in your day, and His ability and commitment to deliver on every promise made become routine, automatic, and obedience to His will becomes reflexive. When your Shepherd calls, you turn and follow. No thought. No doubt. Just your habit of faith in a proven Master. My Master Has Scars in His Hands and Feet There is nothing more fundamental in the Christian life than devotion to the Person, Jesus Christ, and appreciating how total His commitment is to you. He loved you first. The Good Shepherd is not recognized because He carries a crook; any man can carry a crook. My Shepherd, my Adonai, is the Shepherd with scars in His hands and feet. If you follow a leader through one trial successfully you might be disposed to follow again. If you follow the same leader one hundred times and are successful every single time you will begin to have faith that every obstacle or lesson will be concluded successfully. Is your faith in Christ the result of a supernatural leap? No. Faith is a gift from God as well as the reasonable result of a

history of experience that Christ is faithful in each and every trial. No obstacle is too great. The Bible is consistent. God is consistent. Relationship with Jesus Christ is a consistent blessing of progressive mastery of skills and blossoming faith. New Creations move continuously toward the blessed state of life without fear. The logical and reasonable source of their faith is the mastership of Jesus Christ who shepherds without reserve. There is no greater commitment than “to the death.” Jesus died to keep His promise. He is the most worthy Master. Blessed are you who know the name of God - Adonai. The Master knows you better than you know yourself. He is the answer to every doubt, insecurity, and problem in your life. A master who isn’t above all, everywhere, and unchangeable cannot deliver on the promise of eternity. Adonai, our Master and Lord, is omnipotent, omnipresent, and immutable. Do you know His voice? Call out, “Master, Adonai!” Jesus will answer, and bring you home. ~

path. Author of a growing list of book titles, Lynn says, “With every passing year I discover that fewer things in life are relative and that most gray areas are imagined. Most things truly are either/or, good/bad, or black/ white. Nothing is separate from anything else; not your business, your family, politics, or your relationship with Jesus Christ. Peace, joy, contentment, and security are yours when you remain focused and committed. Simple faith in the person of Jesus Christ lets you boldly live without fear. The world is a mess. No news there, right? But life is simple when you follow a worthy Leader. The closer one’s walk with Christ, the easier it becomes to discern between right and wrong choices.” Seeking connection with readers and audiences, Lynn Baber shares illustrations drawn from time served as an introverted preteen, an extroverted teen, a figure skater, a college drop-out living in an unfinished basement, a non-traditional college graduate, two-time grad school drop-out, successful business consultant and motivational speaker, an All rights reserved. abused wife, a cherished wife Permission to print once is given of thirty years, an anti-politician to faithfilledfamily.com in politics, a community leader, Lynn Baber, October 2014 equine professional, and child of God. Lynn Baber Bio After careers as both a business To learn more about Lynn and her and equine professional, messages, visit www.LynnBaber. Christian author Lynn Baber com, her Amazon author page, retired as a National and World or www.AmazingGraysMinistry. Champion horse breeder com. and trainer. From horses to “contending for the faith” every The message begins, “God has message is based on God’s a sense of humor and wastes Word. Lynn shares simple truth nothing.” even when it’s not the popular

The Origins of

Halloween H

alloween is a widely celebrated holiday throughout the world. It is celebrated by the young and old alike, and involves dressing up in costume. The young go “trick or treating”, and the adults usually attend a wide array of festivities. Often, when Christians are convicted that celebrating alloween is not godly, they justify their behavior by saying that they are not dressing up as anything demonic, or it’s just harmless fun. However, they ignore the fact that the Bible expressly forbids us to participate in anything evil (Ephesians 5:11). The truth about Halloween is that it is indeed a pagan holiday celebrating the dead, and even if you are participating in it without the “ghoulish” element, you are still part of it, and are still sinning. So how did this “celebration” seep into Christian existence?

According to History.com, Halloween originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, where people lit fires and wore costumes to ward off ghosts. Eighth century Pope Gregory III designated November 1st as All Saints’ Day honoring all saints and martyrs. Unfortunately, All Saints’ Day incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The Celts celebrated their New Year on November 1st which marked the end of summer and the harvest, and the beginning of the dark, cold winter which was associated with death. Celts believed strongly that the night before their New Year the boundary between the living and the dead became thinner. On October 31st they celebrated Samhain when they believed that ghosts returned to earth. They also believed that these ghosts caused trouble and damaged crops. They were

also convinced that they made it easier for the Druids to make predictions about the future. To mark the event, Druids created sacred bonfires where people gathered to burn crops and animals as sacrifices to Celtic deities. Often the Celts wore costumes (usually animal heads and skins) and attempted to engage in fortune telling. The Celts believed the souls of the dead roamed the streets and villages at night. Since not all spirits were thought to be friendly, gifts and treats were left out to pacify the evil and ensure next years crops would be plentiful. This custom evolved into trick-or-treating. There was much superstition amongst the Celts associated with this time of change including the belief in fairies, and that the spirits of the dead wandered around looking for bodies to inhabit. Since the living did not want to be possessed, they dressed up in costumes and paraded around the streets making loud noises to confuse and frighten the spirits away. Additionally, the New Year began for the Celts on Nov. 1st so the day of Samhain was believed to be a day that was in neither the year past or the year to come. Since it was in between, chaos ruled on that day. Often, people would pull practical jokes on others as a result. Pope Gregory later expanded the festival to include saints and martyrs moving the previous observance of All Saints’ Day from May 13 to November 1st. In the 9th century, Christianity had influenced the Celtic lands and blended with Celtic rites. In 1000 A.D. the church made November 2nd All Souls’ Day which honored the dead in an attempt to create a related church sanctioned holiday. This new celebration included the Celtic traditions, but also incorporated dressing up in costumes such as devils, angels, and saints. In America, in the late 1800’s, Halloween was molded into a holiday about community and get-togethers as opposed to ghosts, prank, and witchcraft. By the turn of the century, parties for children and adults became the norm. Parents were encouraged to remove all frightening or grotesque elements out of their Halloween festivities. By 1920, Halloween retuned to a secular holiday by returning to parades and town-wide parties for entertainment. Vandalism became a common occurrence on Halloween. Trick or treating was also revived at this time, and was seen as an inexpensive way for a community to share in the festivities. By the 1950’s vandalism became

limited, and Halloween became directed at the young. Today, Halloween has become the country’s second largest commercial holiday. The Jack-O-Lantern originated out of Irish folklore about a man called Jack who tricked the devil into climbing a tree. Once the devil was in the tree, Jack carved a cross on the trunk preventing the devil from descending. The devil made a deal with Jack not to allow him into hell after Jack died if Jack removed the cross from the tree. After Jack died, he couldn’t go to either hell or heaven, and was forced to wander the earth with a candle to light his way. Originally, it was placed in a turnip to make it last longer. Later, when the Irish immigrated to America, the turnip was replaced by the pumpkin, and brought about the superstition that black cats were reincarnated spirits with prophetic abilities. Despite the attempt of the church to make a pagan holiday more “holy”, Halloween still morphed into a celebration of the dead. Instead of converting the unsaved into Christians, the reverse happened: pagan rituals infiltrated Christianity. Today we still dress in all sorts of ghoulish costumes, collect candy, and celebrate the day with horror movies and the occult. Furthermore, Christians deceive themselves into believing that even if they don’t dress up as anything evil, celebrating this holiday is fine because they aren’t doing anything evil… per se. This is a deception. Just because you aren’t dressed as a ghoul doesn’t make celebrating this pagan holiday any less sinful in nature. You are still a participating in something evil. You are still engaging in a day that celebrates the dead, and all of the superstitions surrounding it. You may deceive yourself into believing that it’s just for the fun of it, but how is celebrating the demons and Satan fun? What would God say to you if you justified your actions to Him? Instead of celebrating what is holy, you have chosen to celebrate a day that was meant to honor evil. Sounds like a contradiction. So what do you do on Halloween instead? Simply choose not to celebrate it. Halloween has roots in paganism, and in its heart is evil. At the core, it is a day that celebrates the dead. Ultimately, the decision is yours: You need to decide whether God would be pleased with your decision- honestly pleased, no deception involved. If your answer is that He wouldn’t be, then choose to stay home. You will be rewarded for your obedience.

The

Identical: Interview Blake Rayne By Lisa Carter

Website: Theidenticalmovie.com Release Date: In theaters nationwide Genre: Meet Hollywood’s newest singer, songwriter, and actor, Blake Rayne. Blake was content to spend his days in Columbus, Ohio writing songs and making music. He and his band performed at various venues while passionately pursuing his love of music. So passionately in fact, that it was his love of music that led him to move to Nashville, Tennessee. There he sought out a studio in which to record his music. Shortly after moving to Nashville, Blake encountered a meeting with someone that changed the course of his life dramatically and it would never again be the same. Blake Rayne had landed the lead role in the movie and delivers a stellar performance. He plays the dual roles of Ryan Wade and Drexel Hemsley, twins at birth. The movie’s focus is on Ryan who, after he is grown, faces a challenge between becoming what his father has always wanted him to be, and following

his own heart. Blake strongly identified with Ryan’s passion to pursue music, and even says he loves music so much, “I would do it for free.” Faith Filled Family Magazine had a chance to briefly chat with Blake the star of the movie, The Identical. Faith Filled Family: Blake, please tell our audience the story of how you were discovered for this role. Blake Rayne: This is a crazy story, Lisa. I was in a rehearsal studio in Nashville with my band and lo and behold, Yochanan Marcellino was there. He’s the executive producer. He produced the music from the movie, that’s how we met. He didn’t even have a full script at this moment in time but we got to talking, and he said, ‘You know, I don’t know if you can act, but if you can, I want to put you in the lead role in this movie.’ And that’s how it happened, I mean it’s just dumb luck, I guess, you know? Faith Filled Family: Did you think you were dreaming? That must have felt like a dream come true. Blake Rayne: I’ve been blessed

with

with a lot of dumb luck in my life, I admit that. But this one definitely tops most of it. I guess it’s just being at the right place at the right time. Faith Filled Family: What were you doing just before? Blake Rayne: Just writing songs, I had my own band. I’m a singer and songwriter. Faith Filled Family: Is your music similar to the rock and roll sound of music in the movie? Blake Rayne: The music from the movie was all written by Jerry Marcellino. He produced Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 in the Motown days. It’s all authentic period sounding music so it sounds like it’s from the 50’s and 60’s. My music is very much more modern, Indie rock sounding music, but I’m a music buff. I love it all. It was an honor to be involved with this project with everyone involved you know, Jerry Marcellino for crying out loud, that’s amazing! Faith Filled Family: Is recording your own music something you’d still like to do? Blake Rayne: Yeah, I will always have music in my life, and always write songs. Music is one of those things that I’d do for free because I enjoy it so much. Faith Filled Family: Sounds like you’re very passionate about it. Blake Rayne: Yeah, and I feel very fortunate to be able to make a living doing it. Faith Filled Family: I read where you’re also an artist, is

that correct? Blake Rayne: Yeah, a little bit, you mean as far as my painting and drawing? Yeah, it’s kind of a hobby. I actually got to draw a picture of me and Erin Cottrell who plays my wife, Jenny in the movie. The scene got cut but I got to draw a picture, I think it’s kind of fun. Faith Filled Family: Tell us about Blake Rayne the individual. Blake Rayne: I’m kind of one of those people who, a lot of times I’m looking from the outside in. I live life kind of happy-go-lucky but at the end of the day, I feel I’m one of those people who’s been blessed. I feel I try to put my heart in the right place in the will of God, and when I do that,

I’ve been very lucky. He opens doors. I’ve been very blessed along the way. I’m very passionate about what I do. Certainly very passionate about music, writing and performing and this acting has just opened a whole new sandbox to play in. I want to do it more and that certainly was aided by the fact that I had an opportunity to work with some amazing actors and actresses such as Ray Liotta, Ashley Judd, Erin Cottrell. They really helped me along the way, they showed me the ropes and what it is to be an actor or actress, how to be on set, and definitely how to be a professional in what you’re doing so a lot of credit goes to them. Faith Filled Family: Everyone did an amazing job in the movie. And you’ve also done some Elvis impersonations over the years? Blake Rayne: Yeah, you know it’s funny. That’s how I got involved in music. I used to build websites for a living and on a dare by my mother of all people, she heard of a contest and she actually said, ‘I dare you to do this.’ I was a lot younger. My mother and I have a little competitive thing. I thought, ‘I’m going to show her up and enter this contest,’ and I did, and I actually won. I didn’t know it back then but it was just the door opening and I got involved in music. I learned a lot about music and how to perform while performing as Elvis. Eventually, I learned to say I want to be able

to be myself and go out there and write my own music. I took that leap of faith and have been blessed ever since. Faith Filled Family: Isn’t that an example of God ordering your steps? Because doing Elvis impersonations is a form of acting, and you didn’t see yourself acting in a movie, but you were kind of acting in a way all along while you were doing that, and studying that craft. Blake Rayne: You know, there’s such a long story that I can’t even begin to get into it of how you could look back on my life and from the moment where I just said, ‘okay Lord, show me the way,’ that is a major theme in this movie. But it’s not like I was able to make any of this happen. I think that’s the tagline of the movie and my life is evidence of that so it was an honor to be a part of this project. Faith Filled Family: From your perspective, what is the main idea of The Identical? Blake Rayne: In my opinion, it is just what real love is about, redemption, and relationships, to be with your parents, and to be with your loved ones. At the end of the day, it’s about following your dreams. If your heart’s in the right place and your relationship with God’s in the right place, then generally, that feeling that you get, it’s there for a reason. He put it there. All you have to do is follow it. It’s kind of like, we want to control so much in our life but when you just step back and you say, ‘God, I’m going to let you control this,’ then things start

happening. It gets crazy and you just hold on. Faith Filled Family: What’s next for Blake Rayne? Blake Rayne: I don’t know. I really don’t have a clue. The one thing that I’ll always do like I said before is to continue to write music, and play music. I would love the opportunity to continue with acting. I’ve found I have such love for it and passion to get involved in acting. It’s cool to be involved in something that you’ll never be able to master. You’ll always be able to find something to strive for to get better all the time. I love that. When you can just dedicate your life to something, it’s fun and you’ll never master it. I hope the doors open for that and if they do, it will be amazing. But as of right now I’m just really promoting this movie. It’s been a great journey for me because as a first time actor everything has been new to me so I’m just like a kid in a candy store. Many thanks to Blake Rayne for taking time to talk with us. It is my prayer that he enjoy that ‘candy store’ feeling many times over, while performing his music, and portraying many more roles in film. He is blessed to be pursuing his passions. What about you? What are you passionate about? Sadly, many live life without ever realizing what their passions are. Is that really living? Some may struggle as Ryan did between passion and planning. Ryan’s family had his life all planned out for him. Will God lead you in a completely different direction than what your parents had envisioned for your life? Would He lead you to leave one path that seems right at the time such as seminary school, to embark upon a singing career? I don’t know. I do believe, however, that sometimes parents choose their children’s paths. They may have the best intentions, but it may not be the path God has chosen. The Word of God says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Prov. 22:6 KJV). The Word comes to remind us parents that our children may not always choose the path we would like, but we can trust God that once we have done our part, He will lead them in the right direction. Only He can lead them down the right path, at the right time.

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