REAL PEOPLE | REAL STORIES | REAL HOPE
A Publication of Kristi Overton Johnson Ministries
Quarterly Publication Issue 2 2018
s n o i p m a Ch for
God
I WAS IN
PRISON And You Visited Me.
Matthew 25:36
SEND VICTORIOUS LIVING AND GIVE THE GIFT OF FREEDOM. People everywhere are held captive. Some are in actual prisons while others are held captive by unhealthy relationships, addictions, declining health, financial hardships, or other circumstances. See the back page to discover how you can receive this magazine while simultaneously sending hope and help to a captive today.
ARE YOU IN NEED OF
ENCOURAGEMENT? Our Correspondence Team is here for you. Every day, people reach out to Victorious Living through letters asking for prayers, encouragement, and mentoring to help them grow in their faith and find freedom from past and present circumstances. Every person who contacts our Victorious Living Correspondence Team receives in-depth monthly Bible studies, personal correspondence, and a quarterly copy of Victorious Living.
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VICTORIOUS LIVING CORRESPONDENCE OUTREACH PO BOX 328 • STARKE, FL 32091
BE SURE YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, AND DOC# ARE CLEARLY READABLE
FEATURES 8 A Better Way
We can try to impress God with our own efforts…or we can lay our efforts down, draw close to God, and find He loves us just as we are. Luiz Duda Lustosa
14 From Dope to Hope
One choice, one day, one breath at a time is how Tim Ryan found victory over the addiction that cost him everything. Tim Ryan
18 Don’t Go It Alone
Angry at God for allowing the circumstances that surrounded him, McKenzie was determined to pull himself through the sea of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts that threatened his life. He quickly found self-effort wasn’t enough. McKenzie Brockington Jr.
20 Champions for God
Friends and fierce competitors, teenagers Anna Gay and Neilly Ross talk to Victorious Living about the one thing in life that brings true joy, worth, peace, and purpose. And it isn’t world titles, world records, money, or fame.
Kristi Overton Johnson
24 Miracles Are Real
God used a faithful middle school teacher to change the life of a troubled youth in ways neither expected, even when all seemed lost. Nancy Hunter
On the Cover
World champion trick skiers Neilly Ross (left) and Anna Gay take a break from training to share with Victorious Living the true source of their strength.
Photography by Timothy Smith Honor Photography
HOW TO REACH VICTORIOUS LIVING Receive a Personal Copy • See this issue’s back cover • Visit kojministries.org • Call 352-478-2098 • Write to Victorious Living PO Box 120951 Clermont, FL 34712-0951 • Bulk copies available, call 352-478-2098 4 kojministries.org Issue 2 2018
ALL Inmate Correspondence Mail correspondence to Victorious Living Correspondence Outreach PO Box 328 Starke, FL 32091
VICTORIOUS LIVING MISSION Victorious Living encourages hearts and equips minds through testimonials of God’s grace, love, and power in the lives of everyday people. Please consider supporting this incredible outreach of hope and freedom.
7 Want to Be First? Be Last Look for ways to serve others and love them to Christ. It’s not as difficult as you think—opportunities are all around you. Kevin Jack
11 I Finally Got It
Alcohol took everything from Scott— his job, his family, his freedom. It wasn’t until he decided to do things God’s way that he found freedom in Christ.
Scott Oberst
12 There’s So Much More
Don’t be satisfied with the commonplace view of God. Be an adventure seeker—God has so much more waiting for you. Nate Miller
13 Release the Guilt
Too often, we get lost in guilt and regret over things that God has already forgiven and forgotten. Forgive yourself and lose the guilt. Peace and freedom and the absence of condemnation is yours for the asking. Kristi Overton Johnson
16 Seconds to Impact
“God, help me!” That three-word prayer saved Navy pilot Jim Porter’s life—and taught him invaluable lessons about life.
Jim Porter
27 I Got Off the Dock
Inmate Kenneth Johnson shares the fears and doubts that kept him from accepting Christ—and the prayer that brought him the gift of eternal life.
Kenneth P. Johnson
28 Don’t Miss the Beauty
REAL PEOPLE | REAL STORIES | REAL HOPE
A Publication of Kristi Overton Johnson Ministries
Every person God has created is unique and wonderfully made—even when they don’t meet the standard expectations of our world. Kristi Dews Dale
29 Spencer: My Inspiration
Spencer’s focus on the simpler things helps keep Neilly grounded when life around her gets crazy. Neilly Ross
31 Cling to Hope
God allows suffering in our lives to help us grow. When we trust Him through it, we find He is the hope that does not disappoint. Erin Warren
32 Learning to Trust: Lessons from My Grandson
The only way any of us comes to know and trust someone is by spending quality time with that person. Just as Meme Linda longed for her grandson, Hank, to warm up to her, so God waits for us to turn to Him. Linda Cubbedge
34 A Knothole of Revelation Witnessing can by tricky. Too often we memorize a spiel and expect people to listen, but the world doesn’t need our agenda. Learn to present the authentic love of God. That’s what changes people. Kenny Munds
35 Say Yes, Today
It isn’t the size of our works that pleases God; it’s our faithfulness to the tasks He puts before us.
Tracy Morrisey
ISSUE 2, MAY 2018 Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. Psalm 37:5 Publisher & Executive Director | Kristi Overton Johnson f Editor | Rachel F. Overton, Wordscapes Chief Photographer | Timothy Smith, Honor Photography Creative Director | Amy Zackowski, Whispering Dog Design Inc. Social Media | Sarah Ristorcelli, Orlando Content Marketing Director of Prison Correspondence | Linda Cubbedge Accounting Manager | Gizzella Guba Partnership Support | info@kojministries.org f Contributing Writers McKenzie Brockington Jr., Linda Cubbedge, Col. Jerry Curtis (Carole Engle Avriett), Kristi Dews Dale, Anna Gay, Kent Hartshorn, Nancy Hunter, Kevin Jack, Kenneth P. Johnson, Kristi Overton Johnson, Luiz Duda Lustosa, Nate Miller, Tracy Morrissey, Kenny Munds, Scott Oberst, Jim Porter, Neilly Ross, Tim Ryan (Jocelyn Carbonara), Erin Warren f Cover Photography | Timothy Smith Honor Photography f Photography Des Burke-Kennedy, David Crowder, Bill Doster, Russell Gay, Rob Goldberg Jr., Mike Hrubes, Jim Jacquess, Marlen Lizeth Luna, A Man in Recovery, Todd McClennan, Joey Meddock, Tim Moran, Nautique Big Dawg, Dan Oliver, Josh Palma, Max Ryan, Sara Davis Photography, Spencer Schultz, Timothy Smith Honor Photography, Vincent Stadlbaur, Word of Life Island f Artwork Bret A. Melvin f Faithful Distributors Special thanks to Bill Coleman and Tina Brown for distributing Victorious Living in local areas in Florida and North Carolina Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Scripture marked NIV is taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Scripture marked NKJV is taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Scripture marked TPT is taken from The Passion Translation®. Copyright © 2017 by BroadStreet Publishing® Group, LLC. All scripture is used by permission. All rights reserved.
IN EVERY ISSUE 3 0 LETTERS OF HOPE | The Power of Remembrance
Sometimes you wonder if anyone cares; if anyone remembers you. Even if no one else does, God does. He’s written your name on His hands. Colonel Thomas Jerry Curtis
3 6 KEYS TO VICTORIOUS LIVING | Keys to Victory
Thirteen world-class athletes share important bits of wisdom that have helped them achieve victory.
3 9 FROM THE FATHER’S HEART | Floating Feather Rest in your Father’s arms; float like a feather in the stream of His will.
6 PUBLISHER’S NOTE An Anchor of Hope 1 0 HELP ME UNDERSTAND Teens and Depression 2 6 MINISTRY NEWS 2 7 FROM OUR READERS 3 8 OUR CONTRIBUTORS
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PUBLISHER’S NOTE
An Anchor of Hope
As a professional water skier for over twenty years and the world record holder in women’s slalom from 1992–2010, Kristi Overton Johnson took to the waters of the world with passion, perseverance, and a desire to impact the world of water skiing. This wife and mother of three now focuses her passions and experiences to encourage and equip people for victory in every season of their lives through Victorious Living magazine.
In a world of chaos and uncertainty, my desire is that Victorious Living will be an anchor of hope to you. I don’t know how you’ve come across this magazine. Perhaps you are waiting for news in a hospital reception area, serving our country overseas, overcoming addictions in a treatment center, or serving time behind bars. Every day this magazine speaks hope into places like these, to people facing trying circumstances and overwhelming odds. Our stories give proof to our readers that no situation is too far gone. No life is too far gone, either! There is always hope. Perhaps you’ve stumbled across Victorious Living at an event or place of business. Partners of our magazine leave them in the most unique places. Or maybe you’ve discovered us at a water ski event. Our spring edition of Victorious Living is distributed throughout the summer at various water ski venues. As you’ll see, this issue is filled with inspiring and refreshing stories from water sports enthusiasts. Why water sports? It’s because for over 30 years, water skiing was my passion, and I want to share the beauty of the sport and its competitors with you. Regardless of how you’ve come to Victorious Living, I’m thankful. My prayer is that each page will speak hope into the lonely, discouraged, broken, confused, or defeated parts of your soul. I love Hebrews 6:18–19. It says, “So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.”
Each story in this magazine tells of a person who has fled to God for refuge. In His arms, they have found great confidence that there is hope for their tomorrows, no matter what the world or their circumstances seem to say. You know what is awesome about having hope in God? Well, for one thing, it never fails. God’s promises are true—God cannot lie. His promises are a strong and trustworthy anchor for your soul, your mind, your will, and your emotions. Are you ready for something strong and trustworthy, something that will never fail you? Are you tired of your thoughts and emotions being tossed about on the uncertain and destructive waves of this world? Are you exhausted from external circumstances dictating your choices? Friend, there is an anchor that can securely hold you and keep you from being overcome and tossed about. Your sea of uncertainty cannot move that anchor of hope. Claim it today. Isaiah 43:1–3 serves as an anchor of hope to me. It says: “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.… For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” Never forget—God knows you by name. He is calling out to you today, through these stories, to remind you that He hasn’t forgotten you. He sees you, knows you, and loves you. And He has a plan! “I know the plans I have for you,” He says. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). There is no wave, no river, no sea too big for God. Anchor yourself to Him! Sincerely,
Kristi
Kristi poses with Neilly (left) and Anna (right) at the US Masters Water Ski Tournament banquet, where both have received scholarships from In His Wakes, a water sports ministry founded by Kristi. See Neilly and Anna’s story on page 20. 6 kojministries.org Issue 2 2018
photo courtesy of The Daily ReflPhotography by Joey Meddock
Want to Be First? Be Last by Kevin Jack
My parents provided a wonderful spiritual foundation for my life. Mom and Dad were selfless servants of others and great examples of faith. Mom made sure my sister Amy and I understood the importance of the Bible and how to apply it to our lives. Amy influenced my spiritual life, too, by teaching me how to pray and comforting me when I was afraid or going through a hard time. But it was a long time before my family’s faith became my own. I didn’t have a personal passion for God when I was young. I went to church because it was what we did. To me, Christianity was just a tedious routine. You went to church on Sunday, prayed before meals and bedtime, and if you were a Super Christian, you went to church Wednesday night—and that was it. I focused instead on becoming a competitive water skier, writing and performing music, getting my education, and simply enjoying life. Of course, those things weren’t wrong in and of themselves, but I was doing them without God in mind. Eventually, I got off course and made some decisions that could have easily landed me behind bars. One day, as I thought about the things I’d done, I was overcome with guilt and shame. I was disappointed in my life choices. I was far from the person I had been raised to be, and I knew I wasn’t who God wanted me to be. But as I wrestled with these emotions, I felt God telling me, “It’s okay. I forgive you.” Overwhelming peace flooded my being. God’s love completely wrecked me as I finally understood that God loved me. He knew me intimately—knew every mistake—and yet He had forgiven me. That encounter changed my life. With a fresh understanding of His love, I was able to turn my life around and make better choices. I became passionate about this God whom I had previously known only from a distance. I yearned to know
Photography by Mike Hrubes
“WHOEVER WANTS TO BE FIRST MUST TAKE LAST PLACE AND BE THE SERVANT OF EVERYONE ELSE.” MARK 9:35 more about Him, to worship Him, and to share Him with others so they could know Christ’s love and forgiveness too. I wanted to be real, to tell others about God as honestly as I could, to be fully authentic— as a friend, husband, teacher, athlete, son, brother, and even a stranger. I set out to create these relationships with others by serving them. People are hungry for authenticity. They need to know that somebody really cares. It’s hard to tell others about a God who loves unconditionally if we don’t take the time to show them His love ourselves. We have to love people to Christ. I looked for tangible needs that I could meet, so I could demonstrate the humility and love of Christ. For example, I learned that inmates are often released from jail in the middle of the night, and many have nowhere to go. Some have no shoes or shirt; they’re hungry. So my friend and I decided to meet those needs. We purchased shirts and sandals, filled coolers with bottled water and hot dogs, fired up a grill, and began to feed and clothe those newly released people on the street outside the jail. We were there most weekends from 8:30 Saturday night until 3:00 Sunday morning. Some people avoided us, but most came right over. They were thankful for this act of kindness. We didn’t even have to bring Christ into our conversations, because somehow they knew His love was the reason we were there. “You must be a Christian or something to be doing this,” they’d say. And then we’d share what Christ had done for us. Life provides endless opportunities to demonstrate God’s love. Hurting people are all
One of Kevin’s passions is writing music. His original song, “His Name,” can be downloaded on iTunes.
around us, waiting to know that God sees them, hears them, loves them, and forgives them. We can demonstrate this love through service, just like Jesus did. He went to the hurting, the lonely, the discouraged—those seeking to hide their pain. He loved them and met their needs. He met them right where they were, without judgment. The only people He criticized were the religious ones who proclaimed to love God but denied Him—both by what they did and what they didn’t do. We don’t run blindly into dangerous places or situations, but we do remain open to new ways God might have for us to demonstrate His love. This requires us to move out of our comfort zones. As Christians, we’re often afraid to go to those dark places, but when we don’t, we miss the blessing of being there when God touches others with His grace. Many people don’t follow Christ because they are afraid of Him. But if they’re afraid, then they don’t know who God is. They don’t understand how much He loves them. We need to model that love, to demonstrate Jesus’ selfless, overwhelming love through our service. Make it your goal to find ways every day to serve others and love them to Christ. It’s not difficult—just open your eyes. Opportunities are all around you. It’s such a rich way to live. V
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A BETTER WAY by Luiz Duda Lustosa
I grew up in Brazil in an athletic family. My sister played in two Olympic games, my brother was a well-known Brazilian coach, my father played beach volleyball, my stepfather was a professional soccer player, and my mother ran track and field. So as a youth, it was only natural that I would be involved with sports. I competed in swimming, soccer, basketball, and volleyball. Eventually, I became a professional indoor and outdoor volleyball player in Europe. Today, I am a volleyball coach and personal trainer. I guess you can say sports are forever in my blood. Ironically, it was through sports that God got hold of my heart. My uncle held sports camps every year in Brazil. Youth from various countries would come to this camp that was supported by a local Presbyterian church. I began going to and working in these camps at 10 years old. Every year, I would hear about Jesus. When I was 12 years old, I felt God inviting me into a relationship with Him. I was at my uncle’s sports camp, sitting around a campfire with my friends while someone shared about Jesus. When the speaker asked if anyone wanted to follow Jesus, many people responded by going forward. I wanted to go—I wanted to accept Jesus into 8 kojministries.org Issue 2 2018
my life, but I didn’t. I was stubborn and afraid. What would people think if I walked forward? There was such a big fight going on inside of me. I remember hearing an internal voice say, “You don’t have to go down there.” So I didn’t. I went back home and continued with my life. Not long after, I found myself being drawn to God once more. This time I was at my church’s summer camp. Just like before, we were all sitting around a campfire while someone shared about Jesus. When the leader finished, he asked if anyone wanted to give their life to Jesus. This time I didn’t wait. In front of everyone, I gave my life to God. I can still remember the unbelievable sense of peace that overwhelmed me. Everything in my life suddenly became different…so alive. Back home, I immediately told my mother about my decision and shared Jesus with her. Even at 12, I wanted other people, especially those I loved, to know Him too. In my early teenage years, my sister, who was a professional volleyball player, suggested I get serious about her sport. At that time in Brazil, the sport of volleyball was recruiting new players. My sister was certain I had the necessary
skills to be successful. I got an invitation from a club in Sao Paulo to try out for their team. So, at the age of 14, I moved away from my family and attended a school where I could live, study, and play volleyball. My skills developed quickly, and I made the club’s team. I played there for five years. During my time in Sao Paulo, I kept asking God to bless my volleyball career. I desperately wanted to be on Brazil’s national team. I worked hard and lived a godly life. I was convinced that if I was good, if I worked hard, and if I made sure everyone knew I was a Christian, then God would reward me with what I wanted. I was very performance oriented in my relationship with God. To make sure everyone knew I stood for Jesus, I put the Star of David on my uniform. I got bullied for this action. I wasn’t ashamed that I was a Christian, and I wanted everyone to know it—but my motives were off. Looking back, I can see how offensive my actions were to people. I was very loud about my faith, but I didn’t have the love of God to back up my professed Christianity. Therefore, all people could see was the star on my chest and an arrogant person. They didn’t see Christ. Today, Photography by Timothy Smith Honor Photography
Duda competed professionally for six years on the national volleyball team for Portugal.
I WANTED TO ACCEPT JESUS INTO MY LIFE, BUT I DIDN’T. I WAS STUBBORN AND AFRAID.
(right) Today, Duda shares his volleyball expertise with students at The First Academy in Orlando, where he serves as the head volleyball coach for the boys’ team, pictured here with Malik Byrd.
I know that Christ’s love in us is what draws people to Him, not our statements or proudly displayed symbols. I was so very legalistic, very rule oriented. As I said, I was convinced I had to work hard for God’s blessings. But despite my efforts, I failed to get what I wanted. I didn’t make the Brazilian team. It was very confusing for me. Other players who hadn’t worked as hard as me and who didn’t live a godly lifestyle got promoted, while I stayed at the same level. It made me angry, and I had to ask: “What’s this about, God?” It just didn’t seem fair why they got good opportunities and promotions, and I didn’t. I was, after all, the one living for Him. I was very immature in my relationship with God back then. I didn’t understand anything about His grace and love. I didn’t understand it wasn’t about what I could do, but what He had already done for me on the cross of Calvary. I couldn’t do anything to impress God or cause Him to bless me. I still can’t. I can only come to Him in faith. After five years in Sao Paulo, I was invited to play in Portugal. There, doors began to open. I played on a team that consistently moved up the ranking list. Very soon, I made the Portugal national team and quickly grew famous in that region. But my time in Portugal was difficult. I was very isolated there, as I had little support for my faith and was away from my family. I was also going through a divorce. But it was in this place of isolation, in my loneliness, that I heard God’s voice for the first time. He said, “You are My son, and I know your name.” In my loneliest moment, God spoke to my heart, reminding me that I wasn’t alone. He saw me, and He knew everything that was going on in my life. I grabbed a piece of paper, wrote down God’s words, and put them on my wall. Habakkuk 2:2 says, “Write my answer plainly on tablets so that a runner can carry the correct message to others.” I knew I needed to keep God’s words of encouragement in plain sight. I needed the correct message about who God was and who I was in Him. He was my Father, and I was His son. He loved me and knew me by name. Whenever I felt tired and weak, I would look to God’s words on that wall. They became my strength. This revelation helped me lean on God more, instead of on myself. I began to pray regularly every day and ask God to help me. I became so close to Him. As the scripture says, the more I drew close to Him in prayer, the closer He drew to me (James 4:8). God was so gentle with me. He never pushed Himself on me or condemned me for all my mistakes. God doesn’t condemn you for your mistakes, either. Maybe you’ve been legalistic. Maybe you’ve tried to earn God’s favor to gain your own promotion. If so, I want you to know that there is a God who sees you, loves you, and knows you by name—and right now, He wants to show you a better way. He’s inviting you to lay down your efforts and come to Him. Draw close to Him, and when you do, God will draw close to you. He will fill you with His love and grace, and that will bring you peace and blessing. Through Him, you can be a light to this dark and dying world. V Photography by Timothy Smith Honor Photography
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HELP ME UNDERSTAND
Dear Victorious Living, P lease help me understand how to help my child. She is struggling wit h depression and anxiety, and she’s become addicted to cutting. I don’t know what to do! ~Amy
Dear Amy, I am not a doctor or an expert in these matters, but I can share what I know from my own experience. As a preteen, my daughter became extremely anxious, deeply depressed, and used cutting to release her pain. For two years, my wife and I sought help for her. We prayed, and we took her to Christian counseling, yet she remained in her emotional prison. We had many dark days and wanted desperately to pull our daughter out of her misery. But we couldn’t. Then, one day, she had a breakthrough. It came when she met a dear woman who had a close relationship with the Lord. God used this lady to minister to the dark pain in my daughter’s heart, and she was healed. She is now helping others. I praise God every day. Looking back, I can see many things that helped our family get through the darkness. I can also identify something that didn’t help, too. Let’s start with that. It didn’t help when I said to my daughter, “Baby, just don’t think about those negative thoughts. Put a smile on your face and be happy. God loves you, and we love you. Life is good.” This was probably the worst advice I could give her. She couldn’t snap out of depression any more than I could flap my arms and fly! The feelings she was experiencing were real, and discounting that truth was harmful to her healing. Now on to what helped us…
GET EDUCATED
MAKE SURE SHE KNOWS SHE’S LOVED
I had never experienced depression. Neither had I ever helped someone through it, so I needed to learn. Focus on the Family provided a lot of valuable information that helped me recognize the signs of depression and taught me life-saving steps to take. Google “Focus on the Family/Teens and Depression” to find information to help you understand and help your teen.
We had many dark days, but through every one, we determined to make sure through our words and actions that our daughter knew she was loved and that we weren’t mad at her. We constantly assured her that nothing she could ever do would cause us not to love her.
GET COUNSELING
We learned in counseling the importance of maintaining open communication with our daughter. She learned that when she started to feel anxiety, had depressing thoughts, or wanted to injure herself, she could to come to us and not be judged. We provided a safe place for her to express herself.
When I said earlier that we went to counseling but my daughter remained enslaved to depression, I did not mean to imply that counseling doesn’t help. It does. Our licensed Christian counselor gave us wonderful advice and specific tools that helped us in our journey. In fact, we continue to use these tools to this day. Don’t be deceived; depression is a serious matter; it needs to be addressed by a professional.
REALIZE YOU ARE NOT ALONE According to Focus on the Family, 28 percent of adolescents will experience depression of some sort. Reach out to others to provide the support you need. My wife and I surrounded ourselves with a strong community of believers who were praying for us and our daughter. These were safe people who laid judgments aside.
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ESTABLISH OPEN COMMUNICATION
IDENTIFY THE UNDERLYING PAIN Through the lady the Lord sent to our family, we were able to uncover the underlying pain that was tormenting our daughter. She had been bullied at school and had had an online encounter with an older man who was preying on young kids. Depression is caused by chemical imbalances and can stem from past pain and traumas. Those traumas must be uncovered, acknowledged, addressed, and forgiven, so the Lord can heal them.
ENJOY THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITIES My daughter loves horses, so I found a local horse rescue organization. My daughter identified with these abused horses, and the interaction with them was emotionally therapeutic for her. It kept her active and kept her mind engaged on positive things.
SEEK THE HELP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT God knows the pain in your child’s heart. Ask Him to reveal it to you and your child. The Bible says that our war is not against flesh and blood. It’s not against our children. It’s against demonic forces that seek to kill and destroy us. Learning about spiritual warfare is important. Praying is an important element of this war. As a parent, you have authority over your child in the spiritual realm and against the dark forces that come against your family. Learn about your authority in the Bible and take it.
DON’T LOSE HOPE We experienced many dark days that could have overwhelmed us all. But by staying close to God and trusting His promises for our daughter, my wife and I were able to stand courageously. God was with us as we walked through the difficult waters of depression. Today, we are on the other side of that storm. God will take you through to the other side too! Today, our 13-year-old shares with thousands her story of overcoming depression, anxiety, and cutting. God healed my daughter. He touched her and set her free. Now that is something to shout from the mountaintops! God is alive. He still does miracles, and He can do one in your family too. Prayerfully, Kent Hartshorn, a partner with Victorious Living * Editor’s Note: This article is not intended as a substitute for the medical advice of a physician. Readers should seek the advice of a medical professional in matters relating to health, particularly with respect to any symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention.
I Finally Got It Jesus changed my life. Here’s my story. I grew up in Fort Lauderdale. I was the kid who always worked and played hard. I knew I could be anything I wanted to be if I just put my mind to it. I loved sports and exercise. I pretty much had a normal childhood…except for the physical and mental abuse I endured from my father when he was drinking. That abuse led me to a life far from what I had dreamed of as a child. I never knew real love from my father. I only knew broken bones and fighting with him. He was very physical, and I was scared to death of him. The abuse grew worse as I got older. My sister escaped the turmoil of our home by leaving for college and marrying soon after. My mom did her best to hold our family together. She smoothed over the bumps and made everyone feel loved. She took us kids to church on Sunday, and I attended occasional youth activities. But church was just something I did; God was nothing more than someone I called on to get me out of trouble. There was a lot of pain in my heart because of my father’s abuse, and early in my teenage years, I became a binge drinker. It helped mask my pain and confusion. It also seemed fun at the time. When I was sober, life was good. People loved Sober Scott. It didn’t hurt that I could fix just about anything. My friends’ parents loved me! But when I drank, it always ended badly—for me and everyone around me. Alcohol and my self-centeredness ruined every good relationship I had. Because of my substance abuse, I had numerous run-ins with the law in my teenage years. To straighten myself out, I enlisted in the Navy immediately after high school graduation. I hoped military life would change me. It didn’t. In the Navy, I continued to use alcohol to the extreme. Because of an injury, I was honorably discharged in 1979. The drinking and drugging continued, and I racked up six DUIs. In 1982, I was
by Scott Oberst
sent to prison. It wouldn’t be the last time. Not long after my release from my first prison term, I met the girl of my dreams, got married, had two great kids, and moved to England. I was doing very well and was known by those in the community as “the Yank plumber.” I had picked up the plumbing trade from my father. It seemed everyone liked me. But lo and behold, I patted myself on the back and picked up a drink…and then another…and another. Drinking ruined that life within four years. My wife, understandably, divorced me, and I ran back to the States. Unfortunately, I brought me with me. And the cycle continued. Because of my behavior while under the influence, I ended up back in prison for four more years. When I got out, I did a little of the church thing, got healthy, and swore I wouldn’t drink again. I went to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, did the steps, and tried to stay in control of my life, but it wasn’t long before I was right back at the bottle again. And again, I ended up in prison. The cycle kept repeating itself. It’s a wonder I’m not dead because of the life I led. I had great work habits and had so much to offer to the world, but when alcohol entered my system, everything good about me went right out the window. Alcoholism caused me to be unemployable. It caused me to lose everything precious to me and to break every promise I ever made to anyone. I wanted to be different, but I wanted to fix my problem my way. It never dawned on me that I couldn’t fix myself. I didn’t know yet that Jesus was the only One who could release me from my alcoholism and its underlying cause, pain. Programs are great—I believe they are essential to a person’s healing process—but without God, the program’s success is temporary at best. God’s healing is eternal. It was during my most recent prison
sentence (30 years for burglary) that I finally realized something had to change. Society was tired of me, and I was tired of me. I decided it was time to be teachable; to do things God’s way. I finally asked God to take the controls of my life and to teach me a new way to live. That was in 2000. To help me in my journey, Mom got me a new Bible. I got myself involved in every program I could. But something was still missing—a personal relationship with Jesus. In 2003, behind prison walls, I found this missing piece through a fourday program by Kairos Prison Ministries that teaches inmates to walk closely with Jesus. During this event, God moved on me like never before. Through His Word and the Kairos team, the Lord showed me real love. I wanted this love, and like the men of Kairos, I wanted to bring God’s message of hope and love to others like me. At that event, I put my faith and trust in Jesus, and I’ve been following Him ever since. Praise God, He has removed from me every desire for alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, and many other character defects. For the past 15 years, I have served the Lord behind prison walls. Currently, I am incarcerated at Avon Park Correctional Facility. I’ve facilitated many programs and have done my best to help others see that Jesus is the answer to all of life’s problems. Admittedly, I am a work in progress. I’m grateful that God isn’t done with me yet. One day, when I’m on the other side of these prison walls, I hope to continue to impact the world for Christ and be the man I always wanted to be. I know as long as I keep Jesus first, it’s possible. All things are possible with God! V
SOCIETY WAS TIRED OF ME, AND I WAS TIRED OF ME. I DECIDED IT WAS TIME TO BE TEACHABLE; TO DO THINGS GOD’S WAY. kojministries.org Issue 2 2018 11
There’s So Much More by Nate Miller
As a person who loves adventure, I have at times paid a heavy price in my pursuit of new challenges and discoveries. I have experienced countless breaks, cuts, sprains, and muscle pulls riding motorcycles and mountain bikes. I’ve fallen off a rock cliff and shattered my arm, rolled my snowmobile down a mountain, crashed violently on water skis and wakeboards, and nearly drowned from surfing wipeouts. I can’t fail to mention multiple near-death experiences while snow skiing off cliff areas. (By the way, if you ski past a sign that says, “extreme cliff danger,” that’s exactly what it means.) Anyone who knows me would agree: this is just a small sampling of my epic-adventure fails. I am well acquainted with the extreme neck and back pain that follows my misadventures, but…I just have this insatiable desire to explore nature. In fact, I’m willing to risk just about anything to experience more. But I am just as driven to explore the nature of God and to experience more of Him, too. The truth is, we all have an innate desire to know God. It’s just a matter of whether we will seek to fulfill it. Will we seek Him fully with heart, soul, strength, and mind? Will we risk it all for Him? Or will we keep playing it safe, settling for the imitations of this world? How boring! God wants us to seek more of Him. Hebrews 11:6 says, “He rewards those who sincerely seek him.” How amazing is that? As we desire more of God and seek to experience all that He has for us, we will always be led to greater rewards. There is an adventure awaiting each of us. I love Psalm 85:13: “Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps” (NIV). God has prepared a path of adventure that leads right to His hidden treasures. Adventures await us, filled with great unknowns and discoveries. We just have to get off the safe, well-beaten path of this world to find them. He doesn’t hide these treasures so we never find them and become discouraged, but so that we can experience the joy of discovery. As
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a father, I remember playing hide and seek with my kids. I would hide just long enough for them to be excited about the search and the discovery of where I was located, and then I’d let them find me. It was like a treasure hunt with a bountiful reward—and it’s the same for those who take the time to seek God. God promises that if we seek Him, we will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13). No matter where you are, He is there. How much of God do you want? Are you satisfied with just enough, or are you following the desire He has placed in you to want more of Him? First Corinthians 2:9–12 says, “ ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.’ But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us.” God has so much more He wants to reveal to you by His Spirit! I have never been disappointed by going on an adventure with God and seeking His treasures. You won’t be either. I pray that you will discover the joy, deliverance, and peace He has waiting for you along the path He has prepared for your feet. V
Nate on some of his many epic rock-climbing and snowmobiling adventures. His passion for nature keeps him seeking more, as does his passion for getting to know God’s personal nature.
Nate Miller has made it his life mission to help others discover a lifetime of adventure with God. Nate and his wife, Ivy, travel across the country each summer going from event to event where they help people discover victory, hope, and purpose through the watersports outreaches of In His Wakes, an organization founded by Victorious Living publisher, Kristi Overton Johnson. Learn more about this unique and exciting ministry that touches thousands of lives at inhiswakes.com.
Release the Guilt It was just a little after 5:00 a.m. I fumbled my way to the bathroom, knowing that in a few hours, I’d be encouraging the hearts of incarcerated women in a local jail. “Lord, I need to know what You want me to say to these ladies,” I prayed. Two words dropped into my spirit. “Forgive yourself.” “A perfect subject,” I thought. Many of the inmates I’d meet that day probably struggled with guilt in some way. I was excited to tell them about forgiveness and about the importance of being free from guilt and shame, so they could move forward with God. But the Holy Spirit redirected me. “It’s not just for them…it’s for you, too. Forgive yourself, Kristi.” It’s hard to explain, but somehow, in that brief moment, God took me on a tour, showing me some of the ways I subconsciously condemn myself every day. My eyes focused first on my scale—a big ol’ doctor-style scale with metal weight balances. I suddenly realized how much that scale taunts me, reminding me of the weight I’ve gained and the unhealthy foods I often eat. “Forgive yourself for not weighing what you used to,” the Holy Spirit whispered. Next, my eyes shifted to a framed picture of my son, Ty. For months, that photo had remained wedged between the bathroom scale and the wall. Another whisper came: “Forgive yourself for not hanging that picture and for not having a perfectly put together house.”
by Kristi Overton Johnson
We’ve lived in our home for seven months now, and it still isn’t in order. Everywhere I look, I’m reminded of things I haven’t yet done. It makes me feel unsettled, and frankly, it makes me feel like a failure. God continued to speak to me through that picture, this time through my toothless, thenfive-year-old son, Ty. “Forgive yourself for all the mistakes you have made as a mother.” So many times, I’ve wished I could go back and do things differently as a mom. Lastly, my eyes shifted to a bronze plaque, also waiting to be hung. “Be still and know,” it says. It’s a reminder from Psalm 46:10 to be emotionally and mentally still—to remember that God is in control. “Forgive yourself for all the times you’ve failed to be still, to trust Me. Forgive yourself for not already being in the Word this morning and for not having a message already prepared.” God knew the pressure of self-judgment that had been building within me that morning. And all before I’d even brushed my teeth! Oh, how I long to be an excellent wife, mom, ministry leader, housekeeper, Christian, friend, and daughter. I long to be healthy and to live a life of impact. Every day I strive for perfection, yet I fail in so many ways. Still—God loves me enough to remind me that it’s okay to not be perfect. “I forgive myself, Lord, for all these things.” I said. The heavy weight of guilt lifted, and peace settled in its place. I was free and better positioned to go forth and love others. Jesus commands us to love others as we love ourselves (Mark 12:31), but it’s hard to do that when we’re overwhelmed with guilt. Guilt causes us to focus on ourselves and our shortcomings instead of on our Savior and His love. That kind of makes guilt an idol, doesn’t it?
Did you know that God is not the source of guilt and condemnation? Guilt and condemnation are tricks of our enemy. Satan wants us to wallow in feelings of unworthiness and failure, to constantly judge and compare ourselves to others so we feel less than. He doesn’t want us to know how special we are to God; he certainly doesn’t want us to realize that God can use us despite our imperfections. Satan wants us to feel like we just don’t measure up. But God says differently. Even in our sinful, imperfect state, we are worth everything to God—even the life of His precious Son (Romans 8:32). While we were yet sinners, Jesus died for us (Romans 5:8). What condemns you; what taunts you? Guilt? What do you need to forgive yourself for? Not being perfect? Not finishing that Bible study you started months ago? Maybe you’ve hurt a friend or let someone down. Are you upset because you weren’t chosen for something, maybe because you aren’t as talented as someone else or don’t have a degree? Maybe you blame yourself for the loss of your job. Maybe you haven’t achieved your goals or your marriage is failing or your child has abandoned God. Maybe you’re in an abusive relationship, and you can’t let yourself leave. Maybe you’re gaining weight, struggling with addiction, or maybe you’re just not able to do what you used to do. We could make lists all day of the ways we deny the gift of freedom God offers us. Listen—whatever it is that stands between you and that gift, you should know it is not from God. He’s already forgiven you. Forgive yourself. Lose the guilt and find God’s peace, so you can love yourself and, ultimately, love others as God intends. V
Kristi is dedicated to helping others find freedom from guilt and other deadly emotions so they can experience a victorious life. Pictured here sharing her story of freedom at a recent event in North Carolina. Photography by Marlen Lizeth Luna kojministries.org Issue 2 2018 13
e p o H o t e p o D m o Fr I DUG DEEPER INTO MY RECOVERY. I NEEDED MY HIGHER POWER, BECAUSE TIM RYAN WAS AS LOW AS THEY COME. AS I GOT CLOSER TO GOD, I DISCOVERED THAT HE DIDN’T SEE ME AS LOW AND WORTHLESS. HE SAW ME AS HE SAW ALL HIS CHILDREN: I HAD VALUE AND A PURPOSE.
Tim’s passion for turning tricks on the water was no match for the tricks he turned to get high. His addiction cost Tim everything he loved…his family, career, freedom, and his dream of becoming a professional water skier. Here, Tim poses while barefoot skiing.
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“There is a God, and His name is not Tim Ryan.” Those are the words I eventually uttered as I found myself in a cold prison cell for a crime I had committed. For years, I’d lived as if I were God. Except, instead of creating things of beauty, I birthed chaos. Instead of helping others, I was a major source of suffering for those I loved, including my saintly wife and four beautiful children. Sure, I had it all together on the outside. I had a beautiful house with an expensive boat sitting on the lake. I had a great job in downtown Chicago—well okay, jobs, since I seldom kept one for long. Once, when I still thought I was God, I jumped on the desk of a female coworker and said something pretty crass. I thought I was untouchable because I always made my company lots of money. So yeah, I was high on myself—and a lot of other things. I would love to blame my parents for my descent into addiction. But I can’t. They were good Catholics who raised me right. They adopted my brothers, sister, and me and showed us real love. They supported my waterskiing—which allowed me to become nationally ranked. I loved getting up on the lake and skiing barefoot, showing the world my tricks. I loved that almost as much as the tricks I pulled to get high—and the beer and drugs I consumed as soon as I got off the lake. Those years of “Tim as God” stopped when my heroin addiction led me to seek just one more high—and that left me on the side of the road in my car, unconscious. I woke up on a gurney with a lot of yelling around me. The nurse said, “I think you killed two people.” And guess what I thought: At least they don’t have my blood and urine; I can beat this thing. It would be hours before I’d learn that, while I hadn’t killed anyone, I had put four people in the hospital, including a nine-month-old baby. God started chipping away at me. I began to realize that maybe I wasn’t in control after all. But I still didn’t see things clearly. I dabbled at recovery, but I did it so I could find a way to
by Tim Ryan with Jocelyn Carbonara drink and drug responsibly. That thing called “sobriety” didn’t sink in with me. Why would I want to do that? I liked my drugs more than sobriety. I had no problem talking to God— except I did all the talking and no listening. I kept telling Him how things would be instead of asking Him how I could be of service. I remember lying dopesick in the bathtub one day. My oldest son, Nick, walked in and plopped something down on the counter. “Here, Dad. This ought to help.” Looking over, I saw a bag of heroin. My heart dropped. “Nick, you shouldn’t be doing this crap.” “Don’t worry, Dad. I’m only dealing a little. Besides, you’re a successful drug addict.” His words stopped my pulse. How could my own son think there was such a thing as a successful drug addict? Sure, I was successful as measured by income. And I was a drug addict. I couldn’t wrap my head around it. But I took his bag of heroin and stuffed my dopesickness for another day. In a matter of weeks, Nick and I were doing heroin together. I offered it to his friend. The kid refused. God was protecting him. I wish I could say the same for Nick, whose choices were pulling him down a path of destruction. As I faced trial, something began to stir in me. I began to see that I was not in control. Tim was not God. In researching the options for prison, I learned that Sheridan Correctional Center in Illinois had a strong recovery program. I have to get into Sheridan, I told myself. It became my new obsession. I have to recover…or I will die. For the first time, I realized I was already dying. On the way to my sentencing, I bought 60 bags of heroin. I snorted ten on the way and tried to stuff the rest in my jacket and various places where no one would find them. Yet I desperately hoped that when I got to jail, I could detox properly. “Three-three-one,” the judge said. I had no idea what that meant, but my attorney said it meant I had seven years. With good behavior, I could be out in 18 months. “God, I need you,” I prayed. “And I need recovery.” A lot of people wanted to get into Sheridan, but not all of them were serious about recovery. God was protecting me—and my
“Whe re therethere is is ho life, pe.”
Tim Ryan at a recent book-signing event for his biography, From Dope to Hope. As a leading advocate for addiction recovery, Tim is a hope dealer to thousands across the country. Tim has been featured in many media outlets including Fox News’ Varney and Co. , The Doctors , and The Steve Harvey Show. He is also the outreach director for Transformations Treatment Center. Photography Courtesy A Man in Recovery Foundation
heart. By what I now see as a miracle, I got into Sheridan. And I got a cellmate whom God knew would nurture my recovery. I called him Big Perk. He was a known gang member. He could bench 500 pounds. And he was serious about recovery. We spent countless hours talking about the things God could do in our lives. We wanted to start a ministry to help those stuck in addiction and violence. Perk’s own son had been shot by gang members. Hope pulsed through my veins, replacing the heroin that had scarred them not long ago. I lived and breathed those 12-step meetings. I saw how God had been with me the entire time. Though I had denied Him, He hadn’t abandoned me. I realized He’d always given me a choice—to walk away from Him, into destruction, or toward Him, into His promises. I began to see beyond myself for the first time. God could not only save me, He could help me serve others. It was not a concept I’d considered before, and it gave me a new reason to live. I began to put together plans for a nonprofit, A Man in Recovery Foundation. I would help people out of addiction and into hope. Perk and I often talked into the wee hours of the morning about our recovery and the things we’d do when we got
out. I had found a purpose beyond serving myself. As my spiritual life took form, my physical world began falling apart. “Tim, I’m sending you something,” my wife said on the phone one day. Oh, goody, I thought. I love packages. But she anticipated that I’d be clueless, so she told me, “I want a divorce.” My heart fell out of my body, but I could not blame the woman. I had caused us to foreclose on our beautiful home. I had neglected her and the kids. My sweet and innocent daughter had to experience her 12th birthday while her daddy was in prison. I was a loser, by all worldly accounts. I dug deeper into my recovery. I needed my Higher Power, because Tim Ryan was as low as they come. As I got closer to God, I discovered that He didn’t see me as low and worthless. He saw me as He saw all His children: I had value and a purpose. The time came for me to be released, and I knew it would be tough to maintain sobriety. I also knew that if I didn’t, I would not make it. I clung to sobriety like I used to cling to drugs. The difference was, this time, my life was getting better. I had found something I’d never had before—hope and the love of a community who loved God more than themselves.
As my foundation took shape and I began reaching out to help other addicts, my own son began slipping further away. Nick was in and out of jail for various drug-related offenses. At one point, he seemed to be turning a corner. “Dad, we can go speak around the country and help people out of addiction,” he stated. I could not have been more thrilled. Months later, I got a call from my ex-wife. “Nick’s in the hospital,” she said. “He’s overdosed.” My blood stopped. I dropped my coffee and jumped into the car. We walked together into the ER and down the hall toward his room. A chaplain walked out, and I knew in that moment. After what seemed like an eternity of being shuffled around by doctors, I went to see Nick. Tubes still hung out of his mouth, but the machines were silent. He was gone. Nothing could prepare me for losing a child to an addiction that I knew I not only hadn’t helped stop, but I had helped to feed. In that moment, I could have ignored all the work that God had done in my life and reached for my drug. Instead I told myself, “I need to get to a meeting.” And I did. At that meeting, I shared what had happened. Things started to shift. People were moved toward sobriety when I shared my story. The newspaper continued on page 17
Photography Courtesy Fox News & The Doctors
kojministries.org Issue 2 2018 15
Seconds to Impact
I should have been killed in a plane crash on January 22, 1971. I was flying a Navy T-28 Trojan aircraft on a training mission as an instructor. The weather was horrible; a storm was moving up into the area from the Gulf of Mexico. All aircraft were recalled to land except me. I was ordered to complete my 2.6-hour flight as I graded my two students flying solo in close formation. We completed the flight and were ready to land just as the storm reached the field from the south. We couldn’t get in, so the controller instructed me to see if we could beat the storm by flying around and entering the field from the north. As we approached from the north, I could see that if we made it, it was going to be very close. I increased my airspeed to rapidly get into position with my two students, but they suddenly disappeared into a cloudbank. I lost sight of them at a 40-knot closure rate, and I was directly behind the two aircraft and at the same altitude. I radioed the lead student and asked if he could still see the ground. “Barely, Sir,” he replied as I flew into a complete whiteout. I had less than ten seconds to react or I knew I would hit them. I closed my throttle, activated my speed brake, and hung a hard left turn to avoid the collision. As I was doing this, I continued talking to the students, instructing them to make an immediate right turn and telling them what they needed to do to get out of the storm. With zero visibility, power off, speed brake down, and in a high angle of bank left turn, I was completely out of balanced flight. I lost control of the airplane. My left turn and instruction for the students to turn right had avoided the collision, but my problems were not over. My actions and instructions saved the students— when I had them turn right, they flew out of the
storm to safety, but I had turned directly into the worst part of it. I experienced a pilot’s worst nightmare, vertigo. Vertigo is a temporary spatial disorientation during which you completely lose your bearings. The senses give wrong information to the brain, and you cannot tell up from down. It is utter confusion, to put it mildly. I could not read the instruments and couldn’t see outside the cockpit. By this time, I had retracted my speed brake, but everything I did only accelerated my descent. My altimeter spun closer and closer to zero. I tried everything to stop my descent, but nothing worked. I knew I had to bail out, but just before I initiated bailout procedures, I glanced at the altimeter and saw that I was already below 1,000 feet. My parachute would not open before I hit the ground. I would have to stay in the airplane, struggling to gain control, until I hit the ground. And that was literally a few seconds away. I pressed my ICS (intercockpit system) button, which is normally used to communicate with a pilot in the rear seat, and I prayed out loud. I said in a loud clear voice, “God, help me!” I know He would have heard me without the ICS, but I think I just wanted to hear the prayer myself. With the engine noise in the T-28, you can’t hear without a microphone and headset. God’s answer came instantly. It was like He raised a shade and instantly closed it—but in that split second, I saw the ground directly out the left side of the cockpit and real close to me. That moment of clarity instantly cured my vertigo, and I knew I was in a 90-degree left turn with my wing vertical to the ground. I rolled right, and as I did, I was able to read my instruments. I was still in a complete whiteout, but the vertigo was gone.
Jim preparing for his first solo flight in the US Navy.
Jim pictured on his first solo flight in a T-34 Mentor, March 1966.
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by Jim Porter
Praise the Lord for answering that three-word prayer! It took several seconds for the aircraft to respond, and I watched as my altimeter passed 500 feet, then 400 feet, still descending. It finally leveled off at 300 feet above the ground and began to climb. The nightmare was over—I had control of the aircraft and was climbing. I climbed higher and higher, thanking God the whole time. I was still in the storm, but without vertigo. I decided not to turn until I saw blue sky and sunshine. I didn’t care which way I was heading or how high I had to climb. When I finally came out on top, I was over Crestview, Florida, flying at 5,000 feet. My students had turned out of the storm safely and were circling the oil refinery at Jay, Florida. They had to stay at 900 feet to be below the storm. I prayed again that God would help me with what I had to do next, which was to reenter the clouds and descend again in zero visibility to join up with my students. I did that with no trouble since the vertigo was gone, but I’ll admit it was uncomfortable. I got a little nervous as I neared 900 feet, not able to see until I got below the cloud ceiling. The storm lingered over the field, so we couldn’t fly to our base. We were very low on fuel by this time. All the airfields along the coast were closed. My squadron got permission for us to fly to Maxwell AFB in Montgomery, Alabama, but we did not have enough fuel to do that. I elected to declare a low-fuel emergency, chose a closed Navy field near Brewton, Alabama, and led my students to a safe landing there. When I radioed the tower to let them know I was going to land at Brewton, the tower operator said, “You can’t go there; the field is closed. The crash crew has already left and locked the gate.”
Jim pictured with his mother, Grace, in front of a T-28 Trojan airplane. He was flying a T-28 Trojan when he faced the lifethreatening storm described in his story.
When your life is spinning out of control, ask God for help. He is always in control.
My last words to him were, “I don’t need a crash crew. I need a runway. Out!” We landed safely, and late that afternoon, the storm passed. They opened the field for us as we took off and flew back to home base at Whiting. I learned some lessons that day, that I’d like to share with you. When your life is spinning out of control, ask God for help. He is always in control and will help you get right-sideup. He makes no mistakes. God will direct you, but you must ask Him to do so and then follow His leading. He has already promised that if you ask Him, He will direct your path. God clearly showed me my situation, and I followed the only way out of it without crashing. He’ll do that for you as well. Thank God for your victories. I had reached the end of my ability to salvage my situation. My efforts were not working. I asked God to help me, and He did. God is due all the credit for our victories in life. There will always be another storm to face. The storms of life certainly come to all of us, but God gives the courage to go on. I didn’t like the thought of it, but I had to reenter the storm and fly down through it to get back to my students. I prayed again and asked God to help me through it a second time, and He did. I did not experience vertigo that time and made it safely through the storm. Don’t be afraid to face your storms. You are not alone; you will emerge on the other side victoriously, with God leading the way. V
DOPE TO HOPE | from page 15_____________________________________________________
me o c note... s e e... do rican v a y r w ve le ur Recolike a h e a gent lik s e m It co You must be to walk into it, even when it feels unnatural.
willing
ran a big article on Nick, and his funeral was packed. His loss brought people to recovery. Doors opened for me to tell our story in bigger ways. God was somehow using the most painful and broken parts of my life to build something beautiful. The pain of losing Nick never leaves me. I carry his ashes around my neck as a reminder that everything I do must be with recovery and God at my core. I know that one bad decision could put me right back where I was. Recently, I walked back into Sheridan—but not to be placed behind bars. I went to minister to those who were there. It wasn’t the first time I’ve been there since I was released, but I was the first ex-prisoner they’ve ever had speak. God continues to bring opportunity for me to share my story through the ministry He has built for me. I am honored to have been invited to the 2016 State of the Union address. Real Leaders magazine named me one of their 100 Visionary Leaders of 2018. I’ve been featured in Newsweek, HLN, Fox News, The Steve Harvey Show with Dr. Drew, The Chicago Tribune, USA Today, and more. I have a book—From Dope to Hope—that thousands of people have read. I speak nationally and help guide people into recovery. A&E aired a special about my work called DopeMan. I am the national outreach director for Transformations Treatment Center. But none of it is me. It’s Him. God speaks through me, and any resulting good thing is because of Him. I’m known for saying, “Where there is life, there is hope.” If you are wondering if there is hope for you, look at my life. I lost everything. Only when I surrendered my life and will over to God did I find the love and purpose I needed to know. And let me say, sobriety does not suck. Recovery does not come like a hurricane, taking over everything you are in an instant. It comes like a gentle wave, that at first you might not notice. You must be willing to walk into it, even when it feels unnatural. You must trust Him. The road to recovery is not easy; it feels shaky at first. But it is the road to life. One choice, one day, one breath at a time—God wants to recover your life. He wants to give you hope to live another day, to contribute to others’ lives in positive ways. It doesn’t matter if you are free or in prison for life, He wants to make your life matter. My life had meaning, even when I was behind bars. Yours can too. Cling to your recovery, cling to Him, and watch Him change your heart and life. V
Jim in his official US Navy photo. Photography by Max Ryan
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Don’t Go It Alone by McKenzie Brockington Jr.
I CONVINCED MYSELF THAT I WAS TOUGH ENOUGH AND KNEW ENOUGH THAT I COULD HANDLE EVERYTHING ON MY OWN. Some time ago, I went through a period of deep anxiety and depression. It got so bad that, for a brief time, I contemplated committing suicide. I had experienced several traumatic situations, one right after another. Instead of practicing what I had been preaching to others, however—things like trusting the Lord with all your heart and not leaning on your own understanding—I did just the opposite. I allowed my pride to govern my responses. I convinced myself that I was tough enough and knew enough that I could handle everything on my own. Everything! By the time I was ready to acknowledge that I couldn’t handle those things alone, it was too late. Through my pride, I had allowed Satan into my life, and he was bombarding my mind with thoughts aimed to destroy me. “You know, you really don’t deserve all this stuff you’re going through,” he would say. “If God loves you so much, why is He allowing you to go through all this mess? If things get any worse, you might as check out of here and go be with the Lord, seeing as how you already know where you’re going.” Satan’s deception was very subtle; he knew it wouldn’t take much to permeate my entire mind.
AS I HUMBLED MYSELF BEFORE GOD, HE GAVE ME THE STRENGTH TO RESIST THE ENEMY AND HIS LIES.
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I have to admit, Satan’s lies appealed to my natural senses. Why would a good God allow me to suffer such hardships? Why shouldn’t I check out of this life and head to my heavenly home? I was so tired of the fight. Looking back, I can clearly see that Satan’s aim was to take me out—to steal, kill, and destroy my life. It’s his plan for every believer. Satan knows he has no claim over those who are born-again believers, for they have been sealed in Christ unto the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30). But even though he can’t get us—because he can’t get us—he does everything he can to make us ineffective for God’s kingdom. He is determined to shut us up any way he can. And that includes tricking us into taking our own lives. Satan’s main tactic against God’s children is to get us to question God’s love for us. He tries to convince us that God’s promises aren’t for us, that He has abandoned us, and that we have no hope. He also attacks us with sickness and other physical trials, all with the intent that our thoughts and energies will be focused on our circumstances, and not on God. Now, I have taught others that the stronger the test that God allows, the more confidence He has in our ability to endure it. I’ve reminded people
that God has promised He won’t allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able to bear, but with every temptation He will also make a way of escape for us (1 Corinthians 10:13). I knew that. I’d preached it. But when it came to my own life, it was a different story. By the time I admitted I couldn’t handle the things I was going through on my own, I had been diagnosed with an advanced case of anxiety and depression. The doctors told me I was too far gone for any solution other than medication. And I was determined not to go there. I was furious that God had allowed this to happen to me. I was a prime example of those written about in Proverbs 19:3, who ruin their lives through their own foolishness and then pour out their anger on God. I refused to take antidepressants. I believed taking them would be acknowledging that I was losing my mind, and I was never going to do that. Taking pills seemed to me to be an act of weakness. So I devised my own solution to my problems. I never once consulted God or considered for a second that medication and doctors might be something He could use to help me. Instead, I did things my way, and my way gave Satan an even stronger foothold in my life. I began drinking wine and smoking marijuana to help me relax. My anxiety was so bad that I couldn’t sleep for more than two or three hours at a time. I also couldn’t eat. I was too nervous. I justified my self-medication methods, convincing myself that it was okay for me to use these things to help me sleep and eat better. It was for my health. But Satan knew my former battles with drugs and alcohol, and he knew that bringing these substances back into my life would open a door for my destruction. His plan worked. It didn’t take long for my addictions to rear their ugly heads. Then came the guilt. I’m telling you, the guilt and addictive behavior quickly outweighed all my previous issues put together. Now I was really angry with the Lord. Photography by Timothy Smith Honor Photography
Before this depression thing came up, I had been clean for 27 years. Twenty-seven years! I just couldn’t understand why God would “allow me” to fall into yet another cycle of addiction after being clean for so long. In my eyes, everything that happened to me was His fault— everything. I reasoned that, being a sovereign God, none of this would have happened if He hadn’t allowed it. Crazy, isn’t it, that I would blame God for causing me to become addicted again? Did I really blame Him for putting the wine glass to my lips and the joint in my mouth? Yeah, I did. In my deception, I began to bargain with the Lord. “Okay, Lord,” I said, “if You take away this anxiety and depression, I’ll stop smoking this pot.” After all, I wouldn’t have broken my sobriety if He’d have protected me like He was supposed to. It was His fault. Well, as you can imagine, that didn’t work out too well. Things got progressively worse. I continued to blame my struggles on God, and again, suicidal thoughts attacked my mind. Praise the Lord, I didn’t succumb to them. God, in His great mercy, gave me the strength to endure. With never-ending patience, He called out to me, even in the midst of my rebellion and pride. What a good God He is! Looking back, I can see that my trials did not lead to my downfall and suffering. I know for certain God didn’t desert me. There was no lack of protection on His part. Rather, I allowed my own spirit of pride to deceive me into thinking that I was strong enough and that I knew enough to handle life in my own strength. I learned the hard way that I have no strength outside of God’s. It’s only in His strength that I can do anything (Philippians 4:13). Apart from Him, I can do nothing (John 15:5). Praise the Lord, when I finally stopped blaming God and trying to negotiate with Him, when I humbled myself before Him, He lifted me up (James 4:10). He lovingly gave me a place of refuge. He became my source of strength. He became, as He always was and is, the ever-present help in my time of need (Psalm 46:1). You know what else happened? The devil and his depression and anxiety lost their hold on me. James 4:7 says, “Humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” As I humbled myself before God, He gave me the strength to resist the enemy and his lies. And that’s when I found victory and peace. The enemy was defeated. You may not have experienced the same level of depression and anxiety that I did, but I’m sure in some way you can relate, even if to a small extent. Have you felt overwhelmed by life’s circumstances? Have you felt like God has abandoned, forgotten, or held out on you? Have you been tempted to face life’s battles in your own strength, agreeing with Satan’s lie that “you’ve got this”? Or have you listened to Satan’s lies that say, “It will never get better. You might as well check on outta here”? If that’s you, please learn from my story. Don’t attempt to face your trials on your own and in your own strength. That leads to nothing but loneliness and despair. Instead, let God help you, and let others help you too. If you need medical help, get it. Don’t attempt to go through this journey of life alone. Ask for help. Accept help. Don’t cut short the life that you’ve been given. Live it with and for Jesus Christ. V Photography by Timothy Smith Honor Photography
McKenzie, now free from depression and suicidal thoughts, helps others find freedom from whatever enslaves them.
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Champions for
God by Kristi Overton Johnson
Every sport has them—young athletes who rise to the top with such power and grace that it boggles the mind. In the sport of water skiing, Anna Gay (18) and Neilly Ross (16) are two such athletes. Already, these teens have each been crowned world champions and have won every major water-skiing title in the trick event, an on-water version of gymnastics. In 2015, the water-ski community was put on notice that there were some new kids on the block when Anna, at the age of 15, won the 2015 World Championships in Mexico, while Neilly, then 14, captured the silver. At the most recent 2017 World Championships in France, Neilly came home with the gold. The two have traded the number one world ranking position back and forth, each pushing the other and their competitors to new heights. But more impressive than their accomplishments on the water is their character. These two aren’t just beautiful faces with amazing talents to water ski; they are beautiful to the core. From the top of the podium, they reflect a spirit of humility, perseverance, kindness, joy, peace, and purity. They are strong in faith, wise beyond their years, and willing to take a stand when the rest of the world settles for conformity. They have courageously chosen the road less traveled, though very few go with them. When I asked if they’d like to share their faith in Victorious Living, they immediately responded, “Yes!” Even after I explained to them the possibility of judgment and criticism from others who don’t share their faith, they were still committed and excited to share their faith stories. In a moment you’ll see why. These two champions have discovered the one thing in life that can truly bring joy, worth, peace, and purpose. And it isn’t world titles, world records, money, or fame. ~Kristi
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Timothy Smith Honor Photography
KRISTI: For years, you two have been each other’s greatest competition, yet you remain close friends. Tell me about your friendship. ANNA: I’ve known Neilly my whole life. Our dads went to college together and competed in water skiing at a world level. Through the years, our families have grown close—we’re like family. Neilly’s like a sister to me. She understands all that I go through as an athlete, student, and Christian. And she even understands what it’s like to have your father as your coach. (Laughs.) It’s so nice to have someone you love standing with you, someone who honestly wishes you well and isn’t hoping you fall. NEILLY: Sure, there’s a rivalry between Anna and me, but it’s a good one. We push each other to be better, on the water and off. I’m a better skier because of her, and I also have a stronger relationship with Jesus Christ because of her. We want the same things in life, so we keep each other grounded, accountable, and focused.
KOJ: When did you two first learn to water ski? Was having a water ski career always on your radar? NR: I started water skiing when I was two. My dad was a slalom skier, so my early years on the water were focused on that discipline. But then I learned to trick ski. Anna and her family taught me, and that changed everything. Tricking was my true passion, although I continued to compete in the slalom event. You know something is your
passion when no one can pull you away from it. I’ve always wanted to be out on the water, logging more sets. I loved it; I still do. AG: I learned to ski at age two also. I did it because it was what my parents did. My mother and father are both world-class skiers, so it was natural that I would ski too. But when I was six, I caught the ski bug for myself. I developed a love for the sport, the people, and just being out on the water in general.
KOJ: Not only do you two train and compete at a world level, you are also involved heavily with school and volunteer activities. How do you balance it all? NR: Water skiing in general has made me aware of the need for time management skills in every area of my life. I try to be very conscious of where I spend my time; and that I spend it on something worthwhile and important to me. To do this, I have to know my priorities and keep them in check. I have learned that, with good focus and time management, I can do way more than I think I can. I believe a lot of people underestimate what they could accomplish if they’d just put forth the effort and manage their time well. AG: I agree. Life in general is a balancing act. I can’t do everything at one time, so I have to make choices. For me, I evaluate my priorities every day and determine what I need to focus on for that day. Some days I need to focus more on my studies, so I put them first. Other days, I need more on-water
I have learned that, with good focus and time management, I can do way more than I think I can. I believe a lot of people underestimate what they could accomplish if they’d just put forth the effort and manage their time well.
Photography by Des Burke-Kennedy
Anna soars through the air at Moomba Masters in Melbourne, Australia.
time to prepare for an upcoming event. I try to be flexible and give myself the grace and space to do what needs to be done. Like Neilly said, if you put your mind to something, you can achieve more than you know. You just have to schedule it out, manage your time, and make choices that will lead you to your goals.
KOJ: You two have accomplished so much. You’ve reached every goal you’ve ever set for yourselves. You’ve won every title possible on the water, and you’re so young. What have you learned about accomplishments, achievements, fame, and trophies? Are they everything you thought they would be? NR: Anna and I never imagined we’d get this far, this young. Already, we’ve each accumulated US Masters titles, World Championship titles, and set world records. When I was little, I hoped I’d be the best trick skier in the world…someday. I continued on page 22
Neilly has flipped her way to every major title in the women’s trick event. Pictured here in a practice set on her home lake near Orlando.
Photography by Vincent Stadlbaur
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CHAMPIONS FOR GOD | from page 21_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
never dreamed that someday would come before I’d completed college—but it’s already happened. It’s all been very strange. You think being a world champion will totally change your life, but it doesn’t. It might bring you happiness and excitement for five minutes, and then it’s like, what now? I’ve already learned that if your whole life is wrapped up in accomplishing some title or goal, you’ll never be happy. You’ll always be chasing something, but you won’t know what you’re chasing. You’ll think, “If I can just win this tournament (or accomplish this or that), I’ll be happy.” But you won’t. Accomplishments can’t make you happy, they only put you in a cycle of ups and downs, and there is no end to the cycle. AG: Yeah. I remember when I won the world championships in Mexico. I was 15, and suddenly I was standing on top of the podium with Neilly by my side in second place. Someone came up to me and said, “Do you realize that you are the world champion?” Evidently I didn’t look excited enough. It wasn’t that I wasn’t happy; it was just that it wasn’t what I had expected. As I took it all in, I suddenly realized that water skiing isn’t everything. It’s so fleeting. It can’t bring me lasting joy. There’s no joy in life if all I am working for is a medal and the title of being number one.
KOJ: So what have you found that brings you lasting joy? What is life truly about? AG: It’s simple: it’s Jesus. He’s the source of my joy. He’s my strength. He’s what this life is all about. After my gold medal in Mexico, I realized that, although I enjoy water skiing, I didn’t want to do it for me or for trophies. I wanted to do it
for God. I wanted to glorify Him with my talents. I wanted to share His love with my peers and hopefully impact lives through the platform I have in this sport. God gave me this life and all these resources, abilities, and opportunities. It’s the least I can do. NR: Same with me. After I won my World Championship title in France this past September, I knew there had to be more to life than accumulating water ski medals. I have a greater purpose. My mindset has changed in the last few years. My focus isn’t about being the greatest skier anymore; it’s about making what I do, on the water and off the water, count for God. Like Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” (NIV). Skiing isn’t everything; it’s a tool to touch lives. I’m so thankful that at end of the day, skiing isn’t what fulfills me. God is. He is always with me, and He loves me. Unlike a medal or title, He will never disappoint or fade away.
KOJ: I have walked the same journey you two are walking right now—like you, I experienced early success in water skiing. I was ranked number one in the world when I was still a teen. I too had a parent as my coach, and my family was heavily involved in water skiing. I also share your faith, and I know it isn’t easy to stand strong as a Christian. I so admire you both for standing for your faith and moral convictions so early in life. I wish I could say that I did the same, but I didn’t. I was so eager to have people like me that I often
gave in to pressure. I didn’t want people to think I was “different,” so I joined in the crowd and went against my own convictions for the sake of people. How do you stand strong? I know the pressure that comes at you. AG: It’s not easy for either of us. There are temptations and pressures around every corner, and we don’t always stand perfectly. We are human and make mistakes. But with God’s help, we try our best. And when we do fail, God helps us get back on track. People don’t always understand our belief in God or the choices we make. Sometimes they pressure us to join in, or they make fun of us. Last year at a ski event in Poland, some people said I thought I was better than them because I’m a Christian. I don’t even know how to respond to a statement like that. I don’t, by any means, think I’m better than anyone else. I just want to live a life that is in line with my beliefs and moral upbringing. It’s how my family raised me. It’s important to me. NR: I don’t think I’m better than anyone, either. Nor do I judge the decisions of others. It’s just… the things of the world aren’t important to me. They aren’t going to move me forward, so I don’t want them in my life. Honoring God with my life choices is what is important to me, and I do the best I can. And no, I don’t always get it right. When people do poke fun, I wouldn’t say their remarks don’t hurt. They do. But I guess that’s just part of living a Christian life. Thankfully I don’t have to face it alone. God is with me and gives me strength. My parents are also there to help. My mom is such a source of comfort to me. She shares scriptures with me all the time, reminding me who God is and who I am in Him. She helps me keep everything in perspective.
KOJ: How does your faith help you in life? Why is it so important to you that you would choose being made fun of over giving into pressure? AG: My faith means everything to me. It helps me every day. It brings purpose and peace. Studying the Bible and applying it to my life helps me know how to handle situations on and off the water. It helps me know how to relate to people in a godly manner. It also helps me know Anna is all smiles after winning the women’s trick event at the 2015 World Championships in Mexico with her best friend, Neilly, in second. 22 kojministries.org Issue 2 2018
Photography by Russell Gay
Photography By Spencer Shultz
Anna (left) and Neilly both learned to water ski at the age of two and have shared many common experiences on the water. Already as teens, both have captured every major title in the sport of water skiing for the trick discipline.
times. But I’m trying to realize that my worth, in God’s eyes and in my parents’ eyes, isn’t based on my performance.
Anna in a practice run for the slalom event. She is one of the world’s top water skiers in all three disciplines: slalom, trick, and jump.
God in a personal way through His Son, Jesus. God is always with me. He loves me. This comforts me. Unlike people who push me away and hurt me with their actions and words, God never hurts me. He never abandons me. Life isn’t always good. It’s not always easy. But God helps me through every situation. NR: My faith keeps me strong in heart. God is so present in my life; I sense His presence everywhere I go. I can be standing on a water-ski dock, ready to take to the water, and I pray to God. Overwhelming peace fills me up. It’s amazing. I know that He is standing on that dock with me. As Isaiah 43:2 says, He is with me as I pass through the water. I am never alone. He is my source of strength. He alone gives me the peace and ability to ski in confidence. Because of my relationship with God and the way He encourages my heart, I have stopped looking at life as a series of coincidences. God is always at work in my life. Nothing is by chance. He sends me daily encouragement, reminding me that He sees me, loves me, and cares about what I am going through. I can be having a problem, and the Lord will send someone or a scripture, sometimes even by way of Pinterest, to lift me up. That particular scripture will speak exactly to what I am going through. I know all these things are God sent.
KOJ: Have either of you fallen into the trap of letting your performance on the water dictate your sense of self-worth? AG: Oh yes. Social media creates a big temptation to get caught up in being “Anna the skier.” I noticed this a couple of years ago. I was getting a lot of attention on social media and in magazines. It felt good to hear people say, “Awesome job, Anna,” and comment on my skiing abilities. I enjoyed seeing myself on social media posts and reading all the comments. But then I noticed I began to look for those comments. I was waiting with my phone in hand, ready to read what people said about me. I was even posting pictures so people would applaud me more and more. It was addicting. Finally, I came to my senses and did some soul searching. I asked myself why the comments of people were so important to me. I discovered it was pride. I was far from the humble person I wanted to be. NR: I am often tempted to find my worth in my performance. I don’t like not performing well; I feel like I am disappointing my parents, even though I know I’m not. They’ve sacrificed so much for me to be a great skier. Water skiing isn’t cheap! So I put a lot of unnecessary pressure on myself to do good, just so I can please other people. I’m very hard on myself at
I want to be known as someone who not only dedicated herself to her sport but who was “different.” I want to be a reflection of Jesus Christ.
KOJ: You two will be listed in the record books long after you retire. How do you want to be remembered in this sport? NR: I want to be remembered for the small acts of kindness I try to do for the people I encounter each day. I’ve been very fortunate. God has blessed me with achievements that have placed me at a level of real recognition, even though I’m young. I hope my life will serve as a testimony that honors God; that I can serve as an example to others as I continue the path and keep the faith. AG: I want to be known as someone who not only dedicated herself to her sport but who was “different.” I want to be a reflection of Jesus Christ. Of course I want to be thought of as a good skier, but I believe that God gave me this gift as a way for me to spread the gospel. I want others to know that there is a God who loves them and who will help them; I want them to cling to Him. Having a strong relationship with God is more rewarding than any title anyone can ever win. V
At the 2017 World Championships in Paris, France, Neilly, age 16, was crowned world trick champion Also pictured, Erika Lang (left) and Natalia Bernikava (right).
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MIRACLES ARE REAL—Even Today I believe in miracles—not just the ones the Bible tells us about, but the ones that happen today that are most often labeled coincidence. I can’t tell this story of faith, hope, and love without giving credit to my heavenly Father. More than 20 years ago, I was a middle school teacher in a small town with its fair share of troubled youth. I had a passion to help these students, and it’s one that still burns within me. But the day Anthony Conyers, a small, unkempt boy, walked into my classroom was the beginning of a life-changing journey that brought him from a shy student to my loving son. Any teacher will tell you, if you get a student in the middle of January, there’s a story that comes with the kid. Tony had been placed in foster care, and the first miracle we experienced was that our lives crossed in the first place. He was from a town 15 miles away, and he was only in my class for three months. But that was long enough for him to burrow deep into my heart. I knew life had been horrible for this little boy, but it wasn’t until many years later that I learned just how bad things had been for him. He tried hard to hide his past, but he was keen enough to know my concern was genuine. I found the foster home he was in to be lacking many of his and his brother’s basic needs. Tony and I bonded tightly in the few months we had and continued to keep in contact, exchanging letters through a guidance counselor at his school. I lost contact with Tony the next school year, because he withdrew from school and moved to another county when his mom was released from prison. I thought about him often and was shocked when I received a phone call a year or so later, telling me Tony had been arrested. Our school resource officer had also bonded with this child and had heard on the local news that four youths—including Tony—had been arrested for a murder in a neighboring town. I couldn’t believe it until I turned on the television and saw him, handcuffed, being led into the back of a police station. I can’t explain the emotions I felt that day, but I knew I had to contact Tony. I assumed that no one else would be there for him, and I was right. He was a 14-year-old kid who’d been with the wrong people at the wrong time. I didn’t know the details, but I knew I had to let him know that someone still cared. I was not allowed to visit the juvenile 24 kojministries.org Issue 2 2018
facility he was in, but I could write him letters. We wrote back and forth for a short while. He was adjudicated as an adult because of the seriousness of his charges and was soon transferred to our county jail. At that point, I began weekly visits and maintained them for more than three years before he went to trial. As we talked on filthy phones through Plexiglas etched with initials and doodles from years of jailhouse visits, I got to know how amazing this kid really was. I couldn’t help but compare how seldom he complained, compared to my students at school and even my own two teens at home. We were given one hour to visit, and sometimes I struggled with things to talk about to get his mind out of incarceration and back into the world I was in. I read several books to him, and he remembers them even today, including the voices I used when reading The Indian in the Cupboard. We laughed a lot. I watched him grow from that 14-year-old boy to a young man heading toward his 18th birthday during those visits. I experienced much frustration, as door after door was slammed in my face while I tried to help this kid. He wasn’t charged with killing anyone, but he was charged with being there when someone else did.
by Nancy Hunter
We never discussed what happened. I knew we were being recorded every visit, and I didn’t want to jeopardize his case. I only knew what I heard on the news and read in the papers. Tony was charged with principal to murder. He was with three older boys when they broke into a home they said they assumed was unoccupied. But there was someone in the home. An elderly gentleman lost his life that night. I was told that Tony was on the porch when this all happened and that he didn’t know about it until later that evening. To be honest, I didn’t know what to believe, but I couldn’t give up on the kid I sat across from week after week. We saw God move in our lives when my mother met Tony’s birth mother where she was incarcerated. My mom was a pastor who had a prison ministry that met once a month with a group of women at Lowell Women’s Prison. One day, an inmate asked for prayer for her son who was incarcerated and awaiting trial. As she spoke, my mom realized that she was speaking about Tony. Mom told her that I had been visiting him each week, and Mary, Tony’s mother, wrote to ask me to contact his attorney. I explained that the attorney wouldn’t speak to me because I was not his family. She then offered to give custody of Tony
Nancy has written countless letters to her son, Anthony since his incarceration in 1999.
Photography by Timothy Smith Honor Photography
to me. It took months for the paperwork to get from her to Tallahassee and then back to me, but I eventually took legal custody of the kid I had been taking care of anyway. By this time, Tony was nearing his trial date, but still, my phone calls to his attorney were not returned. Tony went to trial and was found guilty. When I heard he’d received life, for the first time in my life, I felt an overwhelming sadness that wouldn’t go away. I had spent my life helping children and was used to seeing positive results. I had never felt so helpless. I began writing letters to anyone I thought might help us. Door after door was slammed in my face, or I was ignored all together. In the meantime, I kept writing Tony letters of encouragement to help him survive in an environment that I knew just enough about to make me worry. As always, his letters and phone calls were all about trying to make me feel better. I stayed on him to continue his education but soon discovered that option was not available to someone serving life. Another miracle happened when someone at the prison gave him a GED book to study, even though he wasn’t allowed to take the classes. The best gift I ever received in the mail was Tony’s GED certificate. The note attached said that his scores were the highest the test administrator had ever seen. Years passed, and my kid became a man. We continued exchanging letters and phone calls to keep in touch. In one letter, Tony thanked me for always being there for him and not giving up. He said I acted more like a mom than a teacher. I reminded him that his birth mother had given me custody, and from that moment on, he began his letters with Dear Mom, rather than Dear Mrs. Hunter. Around this time, I transferred my teaching job from the middle school to our local high school. I taught freshmen, and Tony began writing letters to my students for me to read at the beginning of the semester. He encouraged my students to think about their choices and how the consequences Photography by Timothy Smith Honor Photography
Nancy helps a young Anthony with his homework. Nancy first met Anthony when he came into her classroom mid-school year. It wasn’t long before her role changed from teacher to mom. A recent picture of Nancy and her son, Anthony during a visit in prison. Now 34, Anthony has been incarcerated since he was 14 years old.
of bad choices could affect their lives forever, just as they had his. His story grabbed the hearts of my students, and I used it with every new group that walked into my classroom. Tony’s letters have had such an impact on my students over the years. Many have told me that those letters directly changed the way they looked at life decisions. Things began to change when I received a phone call from a New York City news reporter. She was doing a story on kids who were serving life in prison for crimes they’d committed when they were younger than 16 years of age. I consider this lady to be our angel. She helped us realize that there were others in the world who thought Tony deserved another chance. The miracle in all of this was that she chose Florida to do her investigative study and picked two young men out of almost 300 to focus on—and one was Tony. This reporter got my name from his sister and came to interview and film me reading one of Tony’s letters to my students. She went to South Florida and interviewed Tony for her piece. And she sent me an email that made my heart skip a beat. She said that after meeting Tony, she couldn’t get him or his story out of her mind. She told me she had a friend who was an international attorney, and that she was going to speak to him about Tony’s case. Miraculous is about the only word I can use to describe the next part of our journey. The attorney
this reporter was speaking of was John Lauro. At first, he told us there wasn’t much he could do, since Tony was already sentenced and serving life. Months went by, and then one day, at the end of school, my phone rang. The call was from New York, and the excitement in the reporter’s voice was evident. She was in her newsroom and had just received news that the United States Supreme Court had decided that a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole for a juvenile was unconstitutional. Neither of us knew exactly what that meant for Tony, but within weeks, she had talked with Attorney Lauro. Then she gave me his cell phone number. I must admit, I knew nothing about John Lauro when I made that first call, except that he was genuine and willing to do what he could to help Tony out. Later that evening, after our conversation, I Googled his name and realized just how blessed Tony was to have this celebrated and much-honored attorney willing to take on his case. John’s staff immediately began researching and investigating Tony and his case. He went to meet him, then called to tell me he was determined to do all he could to help after getting to know Tony. Within weeks, he sent three wonderful, supportive attorneys to my house to learn everything I could tell about Tony and our journey together. Over the next several months, John kept me informed on everything that was going on with the case. continued on page 37 kojministries.org Issue 2 2018 25
MINISTRY NEWS
The Process Do you need encouragement? If you are in the military, the hospital, assisted living, an addiction recovery program, or incarcerated and find yourself in need of encouragement, our Correspondence Team is here for you. Here’s what you can expect:
Send a letter to us at: Victorious Living Correspondence Outreach PO Box 328 Starke, FL 32091
You’ll receive: ✚ Welcome letter from founder, Kristi Overton Johnson ✚ Timely, prayerful responses from our Correspondence Team
Victorious Living | Real People, Real Stories, Real Hope! Filled with marvelous stories of God’s faithfulness and the truth of His Word, Victorious Living brings proof that God is alive and working in the lives of His children today. When I started this magazine in 2011, all I knew was that the Lord wanted me to start telling people’s stories, so I did. In 2013, He opened a door for Victorious Living to be distributed in the prison system. (Visit kojministries.org to learn how God turned a simple visit with an incarcerated friend into an evergrowing prison outreach that today includes monthly mentorship and personal correspondence with thousands of inmates.) Victorious Living is truly a light in the darkness. Beginning in 2018, Victorious Living will also be distributed to military personnel at home and overseas, as well as in drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers, hospitals, and assisted living facilities. We want to bring hope, help, and freedom to people who are isolated, overwhelmed, and facing challenging situations. We know that the God-stories contained in this magazine can encourage and equip people for victorious living in every season of life. Maybe after you’ve finished reading your copy, you’ll consider supporting this life-changing outreach of hope and freedom. We would appreciate your help.
Kristi Overton Johnson
✚ Monthly devotionals from Kristi Overton Johnson ✚ Personal subscription to Victorious Living magazine ✚ Prayer support from our Victorious Living Correspondence Team PLEASE NOTE: Those who write to our ministry team will receive a personal response from our team signed “Your Victorious Living Family.” Our team of writers love the Lord and are committed to encouraging you in your life journey. Due to the volume of correspondence, we are unable to assign specific writers to individuals. Also, we cannot handle legal cases, contact people on your behalf, or disperse items such as money or stamps. Please write your personal information neatly and include your DOC number if you are incarcerated. PLEASE NOTIFY US IF YOU ARE TRANSFERRED FROM YOUR FACILITY OR BASE. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE FROM OUR TEAM WITHIN ONE MONTH, IT MEANS EITHER WE DID NOT RECEIVE YOUR LETTER, WE COULD NOT REPLY BECAUSE WE COULD NOT READ YOUR NAME/DOC#, OR YOUR FACILITY HAS REJECTED OUR CORRESPONDENCE. WE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO REPLY.
d an gazine an Living ma s rida. u o lo ri F to in ic ng V n walls so ri p d Kristi shari in h g word be encouragin
So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Waiting in the hospital reception area while her husband undergoes heart bypass surgery, this lady finds hope and encouragement in the pages of Victorious Living.
Carry It Out. Shine Bright & Write! Please tell others about Victorious Living magazine and our correspondence outreach. Also, consider hosting a Shine Bright and Write Event at your home, church, or organization. Together, through this letter-writing endeavor, we can touch many lives! See kojministries.org for more information. 26 kojministries.org Issue 2 2018
Photography by Todd McClennan
FROM OUR READERS Every day, our Victorious Living Correspondence Team receives letters from people who love the Lord and who desire to encourage us in our faith journey. These letters lift our spirits, strengthen our faith, and spur us on to continue the work the Lord has put before us. We hope these letters will encourage your heart as well. Dear Victorious Living,
Dear Victorious Living Family,
After discovering one of your magazines behind prison walls, I decided to write to you. It wasn’t long before I received a beautiful, handwritten letter from your correspondence team. And it came at just the right time! Tears flowed as I read the encouraging note, along with the powerful verse from Isaiah 41:10. It says, “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” In my moments of despair, doubt, fear, and worry, that verse always, always, always appears.
Thank for your magazine and for the personal correspondence. I look forward to your quarterly publication, monthly devotions, and personal letters. I wanted to share with you something I have learned behind prison walls.
I just wanted to say thank you to the member of your Victorious Living correspondence team who wrote to me. It means the world to me that they would take time out of their busy day to send an uplifting letter to me, a stranger. Whoever you are, God has abundant blessings for you and your household. Since you lifted me up when I needed it, God will exalt you and show you favor. Thank you for your love, patience, and kindness. It is truly refreshing. Together in Christ, Raphael
I Got Off the Dock by Kenneth P. Johnson
Sometimes in prison, it’s easy to think about the future and ask ourselves what we want to do when we get out. We wonder where we will go, what goals we’ll achieve, and what jobs or careers we want. We forget about the unconscious decisions we make during a normal day. I am learning to stay focused throughout the day, to be conscious of all my decisions and not focused so much on the future. This helps me be refreshed in God’s presence and not be overwhelmed. I’m also learning how to put on my spiritual armor every day and take up my shield of faith, just like it says in Ephesians 6. Athletes would never take on a competition without warming up and putting on their padded uniforms. Yet as Christians, we often face the world and our enemy totally unprepared and uncovered.
I think back to my competitive days. I stretched, twisted, turned, and ran around to get ready for the game. I studied the plays and suited up to protect myself. Similarly, reading God’s Word, praying, and thanking God keeps me warmed up and ready to tackle any situation together with Him. Walking in His Word and trusting in it also protects us and helps us fight our battles. I want to encourage your readers to remember this: Stay in the present with God, and He will give you His presence right where you are. I have been sending you prayer requests; one of them is that my roommate would find the Lord or at least acknowledge Him. God is answering our prayers. He asked me for the first time the other week if I would mind praying with him. Of course, we prayed together! A few nights ago, he asked me again. God is good, isn’t He? Thank you for partnering with me on this prayer. Continue the great work, Victorious Living. May God bless you! Until next time, Jonathan
I became a convict in 1987, in my 40th year of destroying myself in sin. Prison was not a nice place. I arrived as a new inmate, and the predators watched me get off the transport bus. If you have read Victorious Living for any length of time, you know what prison life can be. In prison, the last place I wanted to be was church. Yet I found myself spending hours in the chaplain’s library. Many afternoon and evening services found me in attendance. Jesus was calling, standing at my door as He promises: “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in” (Revelation 3:20). The thing I feared most was the baptismal tank. It would be too cold. Maybe a fungus would be thriving in the water. I could experience heart failure in the process and become flotsam. Maybe a host of hecklers would yell “hypocrite” at me as the chaplain plunged me under the water. How embarrassing that would be—after all, I’m in prison! One day, I confessed my faulty fears and asked some Christian brothers to lay hands on me for healing of those fears. I asked them to pray that I would open the door and let Jesus come into my life with power. A week later, as water skier Kristi Overton Johnson would say, I “got off the dock” and into the water. I was baptized into Christ’s church, and no one criticized. The life jacket that Jesus promised held me up. That day I became free. A new life began! But even better than all that, if I were to die today, I know for sure that I would go to heaven to be with Jesus for eternity. Jesus’ words in John 6:47 are what this convict is trusting for His eternal life: “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes has eternal life.” You can have this, too. Thirty years ago, I realized that what I was doing for God was falling short because of my sin. So I repented of my sins and transferred my trust from myself to Jesus Christ—from what I had been doing for God to what He has done for me on the cross. To receive eternal life, you must transfer your trust from yourself to Jesus Christ alone. You can do this right now. Confess to Him your sin and shortcomings. Invite Him to enter the door of your life and become your Savior. Then thank Him for your gift of eternal life. V
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Don’t Miss the Beauty by Kristi Dews Dale
“They were relentless,” her Sunday School teacher said. My heart ached as the teacher described my daughter being cornered at church by a brother and sister who were new to the Sunday School class and who had never seen a child who was missing a hand. My five-year-old daughter tried to explain to them that God had made her special in this way. But they persisted. “You’re creepy and scary. Why do you look like that?” The teacher intervened several times, but the kids wouldn’t stop their jeering. Finally, the mother and teacher talked to the pair, explaining to them about differences in people. They stopped being cruel to my daughter, but the damage was done. And it didn’t take long for me to notice. Because of my daughter’s undeveloped hand, I usually alter her long-sleeved clothing to fit her properly. But the next Sunday, my daughter wanted to leave the sleeve long, so that the fabric would fall over her arm and conceal the missing hand. My heart sank. We adopted our daughter when she was one, and we have watched her grow into a confident, beautiful, and joyful child. Every day we have encouraged her and built her up for these very moments that we knew, sadly, would eventually come. We have explained to her friends that she can do almost anything they can do; she just has to do it a little differently. Our family, extended family, and friends have come alongside us to make our daughter feel special. But as she gets older and we are forced to release her into the world, she will be faced with these hurtful moments more often. Perhaps you’re reading this and thinking, “How could those kids have been so mean? That’s awful!” But if we are honest with ourselves, haven’t we all judged someone for how they looked? Dressed? Talked? Judged them for the color of their skin? For their disability? No, maybe we didn’t back them into a corner and yell hurtful things to their face, but in the secret spaces of our brains, we did nearly the same. And maybe like these kids, we didn’t even feel bad about it. All people, including people with special needs and disabilities, are wonderfully made—as is all of creation. A God who “counts the stars and calls them all by name” is a detail-oriented God (Psalm 147:4). He doesn’t make mistakes. Moreover, He is a planner. God knows the plans He has for each of us (Jeremiah 29:11), and He says, “Everything I plan will come to pass” (Isaiah 46:10). He made a plan for our world before time began. And all of us are part of that plan. We all have a race set before us to run (Hebrews 12:1). 28 kojministries.org Issue 2 2018
Photography By Sara Davis Photography
I may never know until I reach heaven why my daughter was born without a hand, but I can tell you what I have learned from parenting a child with a disability.
People with special needs and disabilities bring joy to our world. They find happiness in everything, and that happiness is contagious. Strangers smile as they watch my daughter push a tiny shopping cart around the grocery store, giggling as she goes along. She is determined to fill it to the brim with groceries to help her mama.
They teach us endurance. I watch my daughter hurtle forward over and over, attempting to learn a cartwheel in gymnastics class. And over and over again, she falls. But she gets up…and she gets up…and she gets up. How many times have I given up or wanted to give up when frustration and hardship blocked my path? Yet here she is, persisting in her goal and trying her hardest. It’s a lesson we all need to learn.
They are patient. I was told early on by hospital staff to let my daughter struggle to do tasks by herself. Watching a two-year-old with one hand learn to dress herself and not help her was hard. But she patiently learned to accomplish this task, along with so many others.
They are full of love. You can see it on their faces. They have enough love for every man, woman, and animal on the planet. They are overflowing with this gift, and it is a blessing to the world.
Spencer:
MY INSPIRATION You’ve read my story on page 20. I want to tell you that much of my inspiration comes from my thirteen-year-old cousin, Spencer, who has Down syndrome. Spencer’s disability has never caused my family to treat him differently, but the rest of the world is not as accepting of him. Most people’s reaction toward Spencer is to avoid or exclude him, but that means they miss seeing the kindness in his heart and knowing the amazing kid he is. Witnessing the harsh reality of Spencer’s life has made me aware of the ignorant and sometimes cruel world that we live in. I am so grateful God allowed Spencer into my life, because it has given me an awareness of those who may not be considered “perfect” according to society’s standards. Because of him, I have a greater understanding that we are all created in the image of God. All Spencer needs to be happy is for someone to say hello to him or to include him in a game. The little things make such a big difference to him. He reminds me to enjoy the simple pleasures of life when I’m tempted to get swallowed up in the pressures of the world. I only wish you had the opportunity to meet Spencer. He would inspire you too, no doubt! But you know what? There are people like Spencer all around you. Take the time to speak to them, love them, and interact with them—your life will be richer for it. V
by Neilly Ross
Our cover feature, Neilly Ross, poses with her brother Charlie (right) and her biggest inspiration, her cousin, Spencer (left).
People with disabilities and special needs possess so many qualities that God values. The very ones I just shared are listed in Galatians 5:22–23: “The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Oh, if I could have just half of the qualities that my daughter exhibits every day! It’s time we embrace each other’s differences—it’s the differences that make us beautiful. Think about it. A forest filled with only oak trees would certainly bore the eye. But a forest with a variety of trees both big and small, sporting brilliant green, red, and golden leaves adorns the landscape. People with special needs and disabilities adorn our world. They are gifts from God. All people are gifts from God. Every person from every race. Every generation. Every nation. Everyone! Don’t miss out on the beauty of others. Learn to embrace and appreciate each tree in the forest. And don’t forget to pass this truth on to your children. V
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LETTERS OF HOPE
the power of Remembrance
by Colonel Jerry Curtis with Carole Avriett
WHERE DO WE TURN WHEN THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS? DOES GOD CARE WHEN WE FACE DIFFICULT TRIALS? CAN HE REALLY HELP IN TIMES OF NEED? THESE ARE QUESTIONS WE OFTEN ASK WHEN DESTRUCTIVE EVENTS CONFRONT US. WHEN WE AREN’T FOCUSED ON THE ONE WHO WILL HELP, WE OFTEN FIND OURSELVES WONDERING IF ANYONE REMEMBERS US AND IF ANYBODY EVEN CARES? Bret A. Melvin
The date was September 20, 1965. The place was a war zone in North Vietnam. Rescue helicopter pilot Jerry Curtis received an SOS distress call at his base in Thailand: a fighter pilot had been shot down in enemy territory and needed to be pulled from the jungle. Captain Curtis had done this many times before, always successfully rescuing the men whose planes had been shot out from under them. But this day would prove different. This day would define the rest of his life. Jerry and his helicopter crew neared the site in North Vietnam where the pilot’s location had been detected by radio. The crew chief spotted him through the thick jungle canopy. The crew lowered the hoist, so the pilot could get into it. Then they began raising him toward the helicopter. About that time, however, small-arms fire erupted. Jerry and the crew found their helicopter plunging over 100 feet from the sky through trees, limbs, and bushes. They crash-landed on the jungle floor. The men attempted to hide, but they were soon discovered. Forty heavily armed North Vietnamese soldiers captured the airmen, stripped them of their dog tags, tied their hands behind their backs, and marched them for a week-long journey through the jungles and dirt roads to Hanoi, North Vietnam. For the next nearly eight years, Jerry endured brutal treatment, daily hunger, and the bitter loneliness of solitary confinement. Only his faith in God sustained him through the hardships of 2,703 days as a prisoner of war. Here now is a letter from Jerry to you: 30 kojministries.org Issue 2 2018
Dear Fellow Traveler: Today, I’d like to talk to you about the power of remembering. Remembering became a constant subject for those of us who were in captivity during the Vietnam War. But it’s something we’ve probably all thought about at some time in our lives, because everybody likes to be remembered. You receive an unexpected card in the mail or a phone call from a friend you haven’t heard from in a long time, and it makes you feel special. But when I was a prisoner in Hanoi, North Vietnam from 1965–1973, I wondered if people in the United States remembered those of us who were in captivity. Sometimes, I was so lonely, my mind played tricks on me. I even wondered if my own family thought about me or if maybe they were beginning to forget me. When we finally returned home, we were overwhelmed to learn about an amazing “remembrance” campaign that was underway. It began when some of the prisoners’ wives, mine included, began producing metal bracelets with the name of a prisoner of war (POW) or a soldier missing in action (MIA) engraved across the cuff. They sold the bracelets for a few dollars to cover production costs, then they asked the buyers to wear their bracelets until “their” prisoner returned home. I was astounded by the program. I was even more amazed after my return home when people mailed to me the actual bracelets they had worn for nearly eight years with my name on them—family and friends, yes; but also, complete strangers. Even today, nearly 50 years later, I still receive bracelets with my name. In fact, just a few weeks ago, someone returned one to me. They were in the process of moving from one house to another and came across the bracelet with my name engraved on it in an attic storage box. They began a search and finally found how to send it to me. You can
Since his release in February 1973, Col. Curtis has received over 600 engraved bracelets from people across the nation who prayed for him by name during his time as a POW in Vietnam. These bracelets served as a reminder for people to remember soldiers who were MIA and POW until their return.
imagine my surprise when I opened the small box and saw it. It brought back all the memories again of what those bracelets meant to each of the POWs when we got home. To date, I’ve received over 600 bracelets, and I’ve tried to answer each one with a personal note. No one understands what it means to be remembered better than I do. When I was in prison, lonely and unsure if anyone was thinking about me or cared about me, I would remember what the Bible says. The truth is, even if we think there’s no one else in the world who remembers, God always does—and He wants us to know that. One of my favorite verses that I counted on in prison was Isaiah 49:16. It says, “See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands. [You] are continually before me.” That’s almost like the POW/ MIA bracelets, isn’t it? God never forgets us—even though we may forget Him sometimes. Think about that—Jesus Himself has our names engraved on the palms of His hands. That means He knows my name, my circumstances—my very life is etched across His palm. I am that important and that close to Him. And so are you. In Psalm 103:13–14, King David reminds us that, not only does God remember us, but He understands how weak we are: “The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. He knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust.” We’ve all given in to our weaknesses; we’ve all had times when we didn’t live up to the ideals we Photography by Timothy Smith Honor Photography
The unfailing promises of God’s Word enabled Col. Curtis to survive almost eight years as a POW in Vietnam. Remembering God’s promises was an anchor of hope for the colonel and other captives.
would like. But these verses help us understand that God knows all about those times—and He’s still ready to help us grow in strength and wisdom, to overcome weaknesses, and to conquer our failings. God uses the beautiful rainbow we see in the sky after a storm to show us that He has not forgotten us. In Genesis 9:13, God says He placed the rainbow there so we would recall His promise that He would never destroy the earth again by flood. But perhaps the most incredible moment in the Bible where we witness the power of being remembered occurred during the final few minutes of Jesus’ life on earth. Jesus was nailed to the cross, and there were two thieves crucified there too—one on His right side and one on His left. Both heard and witnessed all that was happening. One of the dying men, after hearing Jesus clearly say He forgave those who had turned against Him, looked at Jesus and said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:4–43). “Remember me.” With those two words, the dying man received everlasting life, because if Jesus remembers a person, he or she is never forgotten. Photography by Timothy Smith Honor Photography
What an amazing concept! Even if we feel there’s no one left on earth who thinks about us or cares for us, there’s Someone we can ask to remember us, and He will! And this is not just anyone—Jesus is the ruler of the universe! When that thief died on the cross that day, he awakened in paradise. He’d probably never done anything in all his life that was religious or in line with what most people think of as “living a good life.” Yet, because he turned to Jesus and asked to be remembered, he instantly received the promise of eternal life in heaven. Jesus didn’t tell the thief he’d have to prove himself worthy; He simply said that on that very day, that poor, destitute robber would be with Jesus Himself in paradise. But there’s another important aspect of this remembering business: God wants us to remember Him, too. The Bible makes it clear that when we remember Him, God releases blessings from heaven—more than we can ever imagine— and He gives us the power to meet our daily challenges and life’s difficulties. How does this work? As we remember God, believing His Word and trusting Him, He comes to us with blessings, wisdom, and strength. When we turn to Him, relying on His ways and praying for His guidance, He opens doors for us. He turns our battlefields into blessings. Throughout my life, God has been my friend. Sometimes He’s been the only friend I had. He has always been there for me—and He will be there for you. When you ask God to remember you, and you trust Him to do that, He will help you. Sometimes I think back on those years I spent in prison. I won’t kid you—that time was not easy. We suffered and had many moments of feeling down and helpless. But I kept remembering God, praying to Him and, yes, even praising Him. Sometimes I would sing hymns I remembered from church or from youth groups, and they helped me remember Him. And that filled me with new hope that God would remember me. And He did…the same way He’ll remember you. Just ask Him. I’m praying for you today.
Jerry
Thoughts from Colonel Thomas Jerry Curtis with author Carole Engle Avriett. Read more about Jerry’s prison experiences in his memoir, Under the Cover of Light, available on Amazon or wherever books are sold. V
Cling to Hope by Erin Warren
It’s been a hard week. A really hard week. And in the midst of the mess and all the emotions that came with it, I lost sight of God. I took my eyes off Him and locked eyes on my circumstances. I lay in bed, trying to pray but instead found my mind swirling with coulda, woulda, shouldas. Then, on Thursday, I walked into my son’s chapel presentation and saw five cards across the stage with big, bold, red letters: T-R-U-S-T. The theme was “trusting God when it’s hard.” Timely. As his teacher introduced the theme, she said they were going to tell the story of Abraham. The first girl stepped up to the microphone and said, “God promised Abraham that his descendants would become a large and mighty nation. God always keeps His promises.” Timely again. In Romans 4, Paul talks about Abraham and shows us how he was called righteous because of his unwavering faith. In fact, verses 20–21 put it this way: “Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this, he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.” I’ve read this passage often, but I’m embarrassed to admit that I’ve often misunderstood it. This time, studying it, I saw the grace in it. Abraham wasn’t perfect, but he trusted God when the situation seemed impossible, hopeless, confusing, and hard. I watched these sweet kids share, one by one, how they trust God when it’s hard— in the dark, during spelling tests, during competitions, during math quizzes, when they’re scared. I watched as they retold the story of Abraham with conviction. I listened as they quoted scriptures, including the verse that I go to first when I’m wavering in trust: “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock” (Isaiah 26:3–4). continued on page 33 kojministries.org Issue 2 2018 31
Learning to Trust: Lessons from My Grandson This past November, my youngest son, Tyler, and I traveled to North Carolina to visit my middle son and his family for Thanksgiving. I had not seen my grandson, Hank, since he was a couple of months old, and he was turning one on Thanksgiving Day. I could not wait to hold him, squeeze him, and layer on some Meme kisses. When we arrived, Tyler and I made our way through the front door and then, finally, we were face-to-face with precious little Hank. Grandmother Gini was holding him. She came close to pass him to me, but Hank held on tight to her. I totally understood. Hank had not seen me in so long—he had only heard my voice over the computer and phone. He knew me only from a distance. I realized that I had to allow Hank to warm up to me, at his pace. He had to get to know and trust his Meme Cubbedge from Florida. The next morning, we got on the floor with Hank and played with his toys. Tyler and I had so much fun watching him crawl around and pick out
certain toys that made noise or played music. Little by little, Hank began to relax and enjoy Meme and Uncle Tyler. Before long, I was feeding him, changing his diapers, reading books to him, and even rocking him when he was ready for a nap. Before he went off to sleep, I laid Hank down in his crib, closed his bedroom door, and went downstairs. My middle son, Clint, and his wife, Lindsey, have one of those baby monitors with night vision so they can watch Hank while he sleeps. Watching him from the kitchen, I could see every move he made. He jibber-jabbered and tossed and turned until he found his comfortable spot and fell into a deep sleep. It was precious. I’ve realized recently that the Lord used my little grandson to teach me something about my relationship with my heavenly Father. He reminded me of how I’d had to be so very easy around Hank. I couldn’t force him to let me hold him. Even though Hank is my grandson, part of my bloodline, this didn’t make him trust me.
WE FIGHT FAR MORE BATTLES THAN WE NEED TO, SIMPLY BECAUSE WE IGNORE THE PERSON AND POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT; WE LEAVE HIM OUT OF OUR LIVES. 32 kojministries.org Issue 2 2018
by Linda Cubbedge
Hank had seen pictures of me and had heard my voice on the phone. He’d even heard my name mentioned over and over. But we hadn’t spent time together. It wasn’t until we did that our relationship began to flourish. In fact, the only way any of us can come to know and trust someone is by spending time—real time, focused time—with that person. The Holy Spirit reminded me that, just like Hank, I needed to go through a process of getting to know and trust Him too. God patiently waited for me to cry out to Him. He never pushed Himself on me, but He was always watching, ready to draw me close. Just like I watched baby Hank, God watches me closely too, waiting for me to cry out to Him. And when I do, He comes to my rescue. He picks me up, loves on me, and helps me grow. I invited Jesus into my heart at a Billy Graham Crusade when I was ten years old. I knew something happened inside of me as I responded to the invitation to accept Christ. That day in January of 1961, I became what the Bible refers to as “born again.” (See John 3:3–8.) But, like Hank, I was an infant…a baby in my faith. I started going to church and reading the Bible, but getting to know God wasn’t a priority in my life. I went through the routine for a while but eventually stopped going to church and reading my Bible altogether. Sure, I still believed in God, but He wasn’t first in my life. He wasn’t even second or third. Honestly, He wasn’t important to me for many years, and it breaks my heart to even say that. After I graduated from high school, I pursued other things, and I left God out of all of it. I wasn’t doing bad things—I was spending my time being a wife and a mama, working and playing softball— but in my busyness, I neglected to nurture my faith walk. Praise God for my praying mama! I’m certain that because of her faithful prayers, I began to attend church again and to draw closer to God. (Mothers and fathers, don’t give up praying for and setting an example of faith for your kids. They will come home to God.) I began to draw close to Him through studying His Word on my own, going to church, attending Bible studies, praying, and watching the faithful lives of others like my mother and grandparents. All those things helped me know God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit better…and I learned to trust Him.
CLING TO HOPE | from page 31_____________
Many seek the gifts of the Spirit, yet fail to seek the Giver of these gifts. When you and I purpose to talk with the Holy Spirit, when we ask Him to tell us more about Jesus, He will. At first, baby Hank was leery of his out-of-town grandmother. But after spending some quality time with his Meme, little Hank was eager to snuggle right up in her lap.
Our heavenly Father can be trusted. You just have to get to know Him. You have to study His Word. There’s no way around it. The more you know the Word, the more you will know God and Jesus. After all, John 1:1 tells us Jesus is the Word. Did you know the Lord has given us someone very special to help us understand the Word of God? He is the Holy Spirit. (See John 14:16–17.) Many people know about God the Father and His Son, Jesus, but they often ignore the person of the Holy Spirit and forfeit all He has to offer. For so long I, like many other believers, thought of the Holy Spirit merely as a heavenly influence, a kind of breeze, floating in and out of my life. The reality is that the Holy Spirit is God, and He lives in us, equal with the Father and the Son (1 Corinthians 3:16–17). Jesus Christ Himself depended fully on the Holy Spirit while on this earth; how much more should we? It was in the power of the Spirit that Jesus preached (Luke 4:14), prayed (Luke 10:21), and forgave those who killed Him (Luke 23:34). And it was through the power of the Holy Spirit that Jesus brought healing into people’s lives (Luke 5:17). I am so thankful for the Holy Spirit’s role in my life. He teaches me how to live a Christian life and helps me become more like Jesus. The Holy Spirit is my Source of wisdom, power, and strength. He is my Comforter, Counselor, and Help. He guides me into all truth. He fills me with joy and peace, even in the most trying circumstances. The Holy Spirit unveils God’s Word to me and helps me know the will of God and His voice, as well as the love of His Son. He teaches me from the inside out because He lives within me, just as He does every believer. (See John 14–16.) We fight far more battles than we need to, simply because we ignore the person and power of the Holy Spirit; we leave Him out of our lives. We try to solve things with our own ideas or strategies without asking the Holy Spirit for His wisdom and His strategies. And we struggle.
Zechariah 4:6 says, “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord.” We need the help of the Holy Spirit to accomplish anything worthwhile on this earth. The Holy Spirit will also help us mature spiritually, so we can stand strong in this world. Galatians 5:16–17 from The Passion Translation says, “As you yield freely and fully to the dynamic life and power of the Holy Spirit, you will abandon the cravings of your self-life. For your self-life craves the things that offend the Holy Spirit and hinder him from living free within you. And the Holy Spirit’s intense cravings hinder your old self-life from dominating you.” The Holy Spirit empowers us to live out a victorious life of faith. Are you tired of trying to live for Jesus but falling into the same old traps of defeat? Get to know the Holy Spirit. A person who knows the presence of the Holy Spirit will always glorify and magnify the Lord Jesus Christ. You can begin today to walk in close communion and fellowship with the Greater One within you. He will develop the fruit of His Spirit that abides in you—things like love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23). He will make you a new person. Many seek the gifts of the Spirit, yet fail to seek the Giver of these gifts. When you and I purpose to talk with the Holy Spirit, when we ask Him to tell us more about Jesus, He will. Your love for the Lord Jesus Christ and your heavenly Father will deepen and, even greater than that, you will believe that God loves you and He is for you, not against you. And you will long for Him more and more. Just like Hank longs for Meme. Like the hymn writer, Daniel Iverson, I pray that the Spirit of the living God will fall fresh on me every day. I pray that for you, as well. “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all” (2 Corinthians 13:14). V
Then with tears welling in my eyes, I watched my son share his testimony about trusting God during his daddy’s sickness. For the last two years, my husband has endured a battle against a chronic disease. It’s been tough on our entire family. It required us to make changes and live life in a new way— changes that were sometimes hard for an eight-year old to grasp. But God has drawn us near. He’s deepened our faith in the valley. And He didn’t just work in my life or my husband’s life; He used the hard journey to draw my son closer to Himself as well. I walked out of there with renewed strength. I asked myself, “what are the promises God has given me? What am I fully convinced God will do because He promised?” Here’s the list I came up with: • I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). • I am not condemned (Romans 8:1–2). • I am covered by the blood of Jesus (Colossians 1:21–22). • He never leaves me or forsakes me (Deuteronomy 31:6, 8; Hebrews 13:5). • He is working good in my life, even when life isn’t good (Romans 8:28). • He forgives me (Colossians 1:13–14). • He has made me part of a beloved family (Ephesians 2:19–21). • My worth is found in Him, and He is conforming me to look more like Him (2 Corinthians 3:18). • I am alive in Christ, no longer dead in my sin (Colossians 2:13–14). • He made me a masterpiece and has a role only I can play for His kingdom (Ephesians 2:10). • He gave me His armor to fight the devil (Ephesians 6:10-20). I have clung to the promise found in Romans 5:3–5 these last few years—the promise that the suffering in our life will help us grow. It will build endurance and deepen our character and lead us to hope—and not just any hope, but a hope that doesn’t disappoint. My son’s class was able to tell the story of Abraham because God kept His promise. I’m sure it was hard sometimes for Abraham to keep trusting, but that’s what difficulty does. It builds trust—a trust that our God will do what He promises. V
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A Knothole of Revelation
by Kenny Munds
I’d just finished performing an afternoon program at a Florida correctional institution. An inmate approached me and introduced himself. He went on to say how much he enjoyed my songs. As he spoke, I reached into my back pocket for the little booklet I’d been trained to use when leading people to Christ. When I saw an opening in the conversation, I started in on my trained presentation. Immediately he stopped me and said he had already gone through that booklet with another ministry team member that morning. “Could we just talk a little?” he asked. I put the booklet back in my pocket, and he began to tell me how he had studied theology at a well-known Christian college and had worked in ministry for several years. “I know all the lingo you guys use—I’ve even used it myself, but it never meant anything to me, personally. I never really got it. You see, I’m one of those intellectuals who believes if I can’t see it or touch it, it’s just not real.” He paused, then said quietly, “I wanted to believe and thought I did at one time, but it didn’t happen.” As he spoke, I listened carefully for the Holy Spirit to give me the words to say to this man that might break down his wall of resistance. It was tempting to grab my little booklet and just blurt out scriptures, but I didn’t. Instead, I decided to remain silent while I waited to hear from God. I didn’t have to wait long. Suddenly, a picture flashed in my mind of a beautiful wooden house. The only thing missing was a door. Off to the side, lying on the ground, was a door that appeared to have been discarded. Then I saw the reason why—it had a huge knothole right in the center. In my vision, I saw this man walk over to the door. He began to carve out the knothole. When he had finished removing it, he reached over and picked up a window that fit perfectly into the opening. He finished installing the window, and then he attached the door to the house. It was finished; the construction was complete. I had no idea what the vision meant, but I said to him, “Sir, I believe God has shown me something I need to share with you.” I told him what I had seen in my vision. He winced as if he’d been struck a blow. Tears welled up as he said, “I really need to think about that.” Then he thanked me and turned and walked away.
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I didn’t push him any further because I knew that somehow, something I had told him struck a nerve in his soul. God had told him what he needed to hear in a way far beyond any practiced words I could have said. Now, I’m sure some trained soul winners might criticize me for how I handled that opportunity, but I believe there are times when the conventional approach should be set aside long enough to hear from God and meet the person where they are. Whatever that vision meant, God had met that man where he was and had spoken to him in a way that only he would understand. By no means am I saying not to use scriptures. The Word of God is powerful and will not return void. Just be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, for He may prompt you to use a different approach. Look at the life and ministry of Jesus—He witnessed to every person in a different way. His message of salvation was always the same, but it was presented to each person in a different manner.
“When you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.” Jeremiah 29:12–13 Too often we follow a trained pattern. Yes, that pattern can be effective, but it can also come across as lacking authenticity. It can make people feel like they’re just part of our agenda. The world doesn’t need to be our agenda; it needs the authentic love of God. It’s God’s love that changes people. Jesus loved people. He had time for them. He didn’t go to them with an agenda, He went to them with love. And He always had a listening ear. He listened to His Father and spoke only what He heard Him say. John 12:49–50 tells us this clearly: “I don’t speak on my own authority,” Jesus said. “The Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it. I know his commands lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say.” He also listened to those He ministered to and responded with authentic conversation. We should, too. Now, if you’re one of those “intellectuals,” let me challenge you. Don’t depend on what you can see or touch. Reach out in faith; you’ll get your answers. God will turn every knothole of doubt into a window of revelation. Give Him a chance to show you who He is. V
Say Yes, Today For years, I prayed for God to use me in a special way to change hearts and win souls for His glory. I sang in the choir, worked in the nursery, and taught toddlers on Wednesday nights, but I still questioned my purpose. Was I really making a difference? Was I doing everything God wanted me to do? I doubted myself at every turn, and I allowed Satan to convince me that I could never do enough in the eyes of the Lord. In my mind, my works were small in comparison to what others were doing for Him. I continued serving faithfully, yet I never felt fulfilled. Deep in my heart, I yearned to do more. Finally, through prayer, daily Bible study, and gaining wisdom through my mentors, God showed me that it isn’t the size of my works but my faithfulness in doing whatever He sets before me that pleases Him. I remember a dear friend saying, “Tracy, show God you can do the little things, and in His timing, He’ll give you the bigger things.” Sounds like Luke 16:10, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much” (NIV). God taught me that little things do matter. They prepare us for the bigger things…yet I don’t know if we’re ever fully prepared. That’s where faith comes in. The time came for God to trust me with more. When He revealed His purpose for me, boy, did I not feel prepared! I should be happy right? Be careful what you ask for. My daddy had passed away just a couple of months prior to the profound night when the Lord made my purpose known. I was rocking my precious daughter to sleep and having my prayer time. Suddenly, I was overcome with emotion. Filled with excitement and fear, I shook all over. It was a moment like no other. There are times in life when you just know God is speaking to you. He speaks through different means to different people. In my case, the Holy Spirit placed a thought in my mind, a feeling in my heart, and an urgency in my soul. God wanted me to share the testimony of my daddy’s battle with addiction. He wanted me to share intimate details about my incredibly dysfunctional family—but most importantly, how He worked through all of that for our good. The Lord was very clear in that
by Tracy Morrisey
He wanted me to share it all in a book. A book?! I’m a nurse of over twenty years. I don’t write books. I don’t even like to read, truth be told. Maybe God had stopped at the wrong house that night. Isn’t it just like us humans to always doubt? I prayed for guidance, discernment, and that God would…maybe…send down a bolt of lightning to let me know this was of Him. I just couldn’t see how I could write a book. A couple of nights later during my prayer time in the same room, the Lord revealed more to me, along with the title of the book, Just in Time. I had my confirmation. I knew I had truly heard from the Lord. And now, I had a job to do. The rest of that year is a blur. I worked a fulltime job and spent the rest of my time writing. Even with all the technology around me, I chose to write out the entire book on paper. It was my devotion time with the Lord. At times, it was a struggle. I felt inadequate, incompetent, and downright unworthy. It’s easy to get discouraged when you’re thinking about your own limitations. But I learned that God’s strength and capability are limitless. His strength was made perfect in my weakness. Prayer got me through those moments of doubt. God never failed to give me the encouragement I needed. In May 2015, Just in Time by Tracy Morrisey— me!—was published. I’m still in awe of what God did. I may have penned the words, but truly, God was the author. Many hearts have been changed by reading this book. It has won souls for God’s kingdom—and that was my prayer! But amazingly, writing with God was also a healing experience for me. God set me free from so much pain.
Are you searching for your purpose? God’s will for everyone on this earth is to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. For me, this meant serving in a nursery, singing in a choir, serving a meal…and writing a book. How you do it might be different, but one thing is for sure—it always involves telling someone else how God has worked in your life. Many people will never make it inside a church to hear a sermon, but through your testimony, through your words and your acts of love, they can hear and see the love of Jesus and come to know Him. When God comes to you and reveals your purpose, you’ll have a choice to make. You can choose to obey, or you can say no. You’ll be overcome with many emotions—fear, excitement, doubt, peace—but if you trust Him, He’ll be with you through every step. And your yes will be the most fulfilling sacrifice you will ever make. Say yes, today! V
There are times in life when you just know God is speaking to you. In my case, the Holy Spirit placed a thought in my mind, a feeling in my heart, and an urgency in my soul. kojministries.org Issue 2 2018 35
KEYS TO VICTORIOUS LIVING I have been blessed to meet many world-class athletes in a variety of sports over the years. I’ve also experienced being a world champion myself in the sport of water skiing. I’ve found that every champion has common traits. Traits like discipline, sacrifice, perseverance, mental focus, positive mindset, commitment, teachablity, and vision. Interestingly, these same traits bring victory to a person’s life. I reached out to some dear friends who are world-class competitors and asked them to share their keys of victory with you. Below are these keys, as well as one of my own. Apply them to your physical, emotional, and spiritual life, and you’ll discover victory in every area and in every season.
~ Kristi
KRISTI OVERTON JOHNSON World Champion Water Skier
Learn from your mistakes; make corrections and move forward with your head held high. Victory doesn’t come to those who live in a sea of regret or defeat. Forget about what might have been, get a vision about what can be, and then move toward it.
ANNA GAY
EMILY COPELAND DURHAM Ninja Warrior Finalist X-Games Champion Wake Boarding
Change the way you think about yourself and your situation. Make it your practice to not allow any thought in your head about yourself that God wouldn’t have about you. You aren’t a victim; you are a victor equipped by God with everything you need to win any battle.
SHAUN MURRAY
BOJAN SHIPNER World Class Water Skier
Focus. Passion. Dedication. Have a goal. Surround yourself with a strong support system. These are the keys to becoming a champion. When you know that you’ve done everything and given everything you can to reach a goal, you will be a champion regardless of the scores.
NEILLY ROSS
World Champion Water Skier
X-Games Champion Wake Boarding
World Champion Water Skier
In all you do, remember that people are watching how you respond. Your responses prove your character and show the world the person you truly are.
Let your joy be found in the journey, not in your performance or the results. If praise of man and accolades are your main motivations, you’ll quickly burn out.
Never allow what you are feeling to dictate your choices. If you let them, your emotions will cause you to spiral out of control.
World Class Water Skier
KC WILSON
World Champion Water Skier
JEFF RODGERS
KAREN TRUELOVE
Lay aside excuses and quit casting blame. Don’t always try to be better than everyone else, but never stop trying to be the best you can be.
Be prepared. Be patient. Be strong. Do everything with passion and purpose. Make the most of every opportunity.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Surround yourself with people who give you energy, not take it away.
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Pro Water Skier
MIRACLES ARE REAL | from page 25___________________________________________________________
DEENA MAPPLE
World Champion Water Skier In everything you do, hold close to your heart these 3 Cs and 4 Ds: confidence, concentration, consistency, determination, dedication, desire, and devotion.
REGINA JACQUESS World Champion Water Skier
In your quest for success, don’t forget to encourage others and treat them with respect. Remember the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you’d have them do unto you.”
GREG DAVIS
Enduro National Motocross Champion You must first believe you can be victorious. If you don’t believe it, you’ll never see it. Once you get a vision of success, reach for the stars. You may not get there, but you’ll never come up with a handful of dirt!
I marveled at the fact they seemed to leave no stone unturned. For the first time in many years, I didn’t feel alone when it came to my kid. I knew God had sent me the best, and my gratitude for His blessings is indescribable. One of the best parts of the time we spent awaiting the resentencing hearing came when Tony was transferred back to our county jail to be available for court there. I visited him each week, and we picked up our conversations through the jailhouse phones that looked the same, smelled the same, and had the same static as before. The only difference was I was talking to a 32-yearold man now, instead of the kid who had stared across at me all those years ago. The same grin, the same sparkling eyes—but now they were accompanied by a manly voice and muscles. We still shared the same sense of humor that had made us giggle like little kids. The biggest difference was that we now shared hope that there might be an answer coming for all those years of prayer. On September 8, 2016, Tony’s hearing finally began. It was an incredible experience. The team John Lauro had put together was phenomenal. For two days, I sat amazed as expert witnesses and regular citizens testified on Tony’s behalf. Attorneys who were brilliant, caring, and on top of every aspect of this trial gave Tony their all. A counselor from the Orlando Salvation Army met with Tony before the trial and testified that Tony was guaranteed a place in the program there for a year to help him adjust to life outside prison. My former students testified how Tony’s story had changed their lives. After all those years of feeling alone in trying to help my son, I now felt supported and blessed beyond words. I prayed silently as the judge reentered the courtroom after his deliberations at the end of the second day. The room was full of hope and support. Honestly, I was afraid to let myself imagine Tony walking out of that county jail. I had to remind myself to breathe. I couldn’t make myself look up when the judge began to speak. And when he did, it wasn’t what I wanted to hear. Tony’s life sentence, with no chance of parole, had been reduced to 27 years. At first I couldn’t focus on anything but the disappointment on the faces of those around me. We all watched as Tony was led out of the room by a bailiff, then we left in courtroom in silence.
Timothy Smith Honor Photography
Karen remains steadfast in her faith that God will perform a miracle for her and her son, Anthony
At the beginning of this story, I told you I believed in miracles. I still do. I also believe that I must trust God’s timing. Tony grew up behind bars—he’s been incarcerated since he was 14 years old. Many of those years were spent as a lifer, with no chance of ever getting out. For so many years we had to live in faith; we had no real hope that Tony would be released. But that is no longer the case! I am constantly amazed at the man he is today, but I don’t believe his heart and mind were ready for freedom. God is now allowing him to grow and plan with a different path in view. I believe that God has given us this time to learn to live a life of hope. Tony has served 19 years of his sentence and, just like any nagging mother, I constantly remind him of the world available to him if he keeps making good decisions. God has proven Himself to us over and over again, and He is not through with us yet. You may have read Proverbs 3:5–6 before, but I want to encourage you to see these verses as a promise meant just for you. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths” (NKJV). V
Thank you to our contributing photographers: Kristi Overton Johnson photo by Rob Goldberg Jr.; Emily Copeland Durham photo courtesy of Word of Life Island; Bojan Shipner photo by Dan Oliver; Anna Gay photo by Spencer Shultz; Shaun Murray photo by Josh Palma; Neilly Ross photo by David Crowder; KC Wilson photo by Bill Doster; Jeff Rodgers photo courtesy of Nautique; Karen Truelove photo by Des Burke-Kennedy; Regina Jacquess photo by Jim Jacquess; Greg Davis photo by Tim Moran. kojministries.org Issue 2 2018 37
OUR CONTRIBUTORS MCKENZIE C. BROCKINGTON JR.
p. 18
McKenzie gave his life to Christ in November 1989, while waiting to be sentenced in federal court for possession of cocaine. McKenzie became an ordained minister while behind bars and served the Lord during his ten-year sentence. Today, McKenzie serves the Lord in free society and is in the process of publishing his first book, For His Name’s Sake. LINDA CUBBEDGE
p. 32
Linda is passionate about the Lord and leading others to Him. She is Victorious Living’s Prison Correspondence Director. Linda has four children, ten grandchildren, and two great-grands. COLONEL JERRY CURTIS
p. 30
Col. Curtis was held as a POW in North Vietnam for almost eight years, His wisdom and insight encourages many to overcome even the most dire circumstances. Col. Curtis writes his regular column, “Letters of Hope,” with the aid of his biographer, Carole Engle Avriett. KRISTI DEWS DALE
p. 28
Kristi is a wife and the mother of four amazing children. She holds a master’s degree in public health and is an adjunct business instructor at a local college in North Carolina. Kristi is passionate about encouraging others with Christ’s love. ANNA GAY
p. 20
Anna learned to water ski at the age of two and began competing at the age of six. In 2015, she won the World Championships in the women’s trick discipline. As Anna travels the world competing, her goal is to make an impact for Christ. Currently, she is a senior in high school and plans to attend college in the fall, where she will pursue a degree in medicine. KENT HARTSHORN
p. 10
Kent is a professional knee boarder with ten national titles and three Ryder Cup World Championships. He is a board member of In His Wakes Ministry. Through his daughter’s experience with depression, Kent and his family gained valuable insight and experience that enables them to help other struggling families.
THEY HAVE DEFEATED HIM BY THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB AND BY THEIR TESTIMONY. REVELATION 12:11
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NANCY HUNTER
p. 24
Nancy recently retired from teaching and now spends her time working with troubled youth in her community. She has been named Lake County Florida’s Teacher of the Year, Lake/ Sumter State College’s Distinguished Educator of the Year, and was one of five teachers given the Distinguished Educators award by the University of Florida in 2013. Her passion is to help teachers develop relationships with children who seem unreachable. KEVIN JACK
p. 7
Whether competing at a world-class level in water skiing, teaching math and science to fourth graders, writing music and leading worship, or ministering behind prison walls, Kevin seeks to demonstrate and share the unconditional love of God. He is a worship leader for Kairos Prison Ministry and is married to his best friend, Kathryn. KENNETH P. JOHNSON
p. 27
Kenneth serves a life sentence at Union Correctional Institution, Florida where he teaches men to share the gospel through the Evangelism Explosion ministry, then encourages them as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. He completed his theology degree by correspondence and enjoys writing articles to encourage fellow inmates. KRISTI OVERTON JOHNSON p. 6, 13, 20, 36
A former world champion water skier, Kristi is the founder of In His Wakes and KOJ Ministries. She encourages and equips people for victory through her writings, speaking engagements, and prison outreach. Kristi is the publisher of Victorious Living and a multipublished author. LUIZ DUDA LUSTOSA
p. 8
Duda is a Brazilian native who now lives in Florida. For over 20 years, Duda was a competitive volleyball player, playing 10 years in Europe. He competed in European and World Championships, representing the country of Portugal. Today, Duda shares his expertise while serving as the boy’s volleyball coach at The First Academy in Orlando. NATE MILLER
p. 12
Nate is the president/director of In His Wakes. He and his wife Ivy live in Bend, Oregon. Contact Nate at nate@inhiswakes.com to learn more about the In His Wakes water sports outreach. TRACY MORRISEY
p. 35
Author, wife, and mother, Tracy is also a registered nurse. Her mission is to obey God’s calling in her life. Her first book, Just in Time, is available online at tracymorrisey.com, amazon.com, and barnes&noble.com.
KENNY MUNDS
p. 34
Since January 1998, using Hebrews 13:3 as his guide, Kenny has taken the Good News of God’s love and forgiveness into prisons all across America. To find out more about his ministry, go to kennymundsministry.org. SCOTT OBERST
p. 11
Scott is currently incarcerated at Avon Park Correctional Facility. For the past 15 years, he has served the Lord behind prison walls and has facilitated many programs to help other inmates understand that Jesus is the answer to all life’s problems. One day, when he’s outside prison walls, Scott hopes to continue to impact the world for Christ. JIM PORTER
p. 16
Jim and his wife of over 50 years reside in North Florida. They have 5 children and 13 grandchildren of their own, and were foster parents to over 70 newborn babies, keeping them from birth until adoption. From 1965–1972, Jim was a naval aviator; his last two years, he served as a flight instructor. Jim is the president of the Men’s Barn Meeting and founder of Trophies of Grace. For more information, visit mensbarnmeeting.com. NEILLY ROSS
p. 20, 29
Neilly is passionate about using the platform God has given her in the sport of water skiing to impact her peers. Neilly is the 2017 World Champion, 2017 International World Waterski Federation Female Skier of the Year, and the 2017 US Masters Trick Champion. TIM RYAN
p. 14
Tim is a recovering heroin addict, convicted felon, father, keynote speaker, and national thought leader on recovery and addiction. He is the national outreach director for Transformations Treatment Center, director of A Man in Recovery Foundation, and is regularly featured on national media for his truth-talking solutions to the opioid epidemic. His mission is to help one addict at a time find lasting recovery. See TimRyanSpeaks.com. Mr. Ryan’s article was made possible by his ghostwriter, Jocelyn Carbonara, of SpiritusCommunications. com. ERIN WARREN
p. 31
Erin is the women’s ministry leader at First Baptist Orlando. She is a wife and mother who is passionate about helping women discover a hunger for the truth of God’s Word. She loves Jesus and really good coffee.
FROM THE FATHER’S HEART
Floating Feather My precious child,
Are you experiencing victorious living? Is your life filled with
purpose, love, joy, and peace? Do you have
hope for your future?
Forgiveness for your past? Strength for your tomorrow? Right now you might be thinking, “Are you kidding me? Joy, peace, purpose? Worth, strength, forgiveness? I’ll never have those things! Look at where I am! Look at what I’ve been through. Look at what I’ve done. Look at what has been done to me.” Friend, right now, no matter what your past or present, all of these things can be yours. You can have peace that passes all understanding, joy in the midst of hardship, love and acceptance despite your failures, forgiveness, and a fresh start. Your life can have purpose. It doesn’t matter if you are sitting in a mansion or in a jail cell or somewhere in between,
Your life is so precious to Me. I know your innermost concerns, thoughts, and desires. Rest, My child. I want you to know that life isn’t about what you can do for Me. It is about what you can do with Me. It’s about communion—our being together every moment of every day. It’s about sharing our day and experiencing life together with absolute trust between us…total confidence. I have made it all so simple. Think of a feather floating down a stream. It doesn’t struggle. It simply allows the movement of the water to direct it, and the current takes it around every obstacle it meets. As you do life with Me, you will be like a feather. I will take you where you need to be. I will help you go around every obstacle in your life and give you joy in your journey. Never forget. You are My beautiful feather. You are unique and one of a kind. I love you so much. I am always with you. All My love, Your heavenly Papa V
a victorious life can be yours TodaY!
How? Through a relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ. If you do not currently have a relationship with God, begin one right now. Romans 10:8–10 nkjv explains how: “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart…that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” As you accept what Christ has done for you and put your faith in Him alone for salvation, you are then free to have a relationship with God and experience His peace, power, presence, and love. You don’t have to do anything to earn God’s love and forgiveness. It’s yours for the asking! After you’ve received this free gift of salvation, guess what? You are then able to step into the life of victory Christ died to give you—an abundant life of peace, joy, worth, love, and purpose. As you grow in your relationship with Him through studying and applying the Word of God and by trusting Him, these things are released in your daily life.
Will you pray with me right now and receive all that God intends for you?
Dear Lord, I confess that I am a sinner in need of salvation. I thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, to save me from my sins. Thank You that He laid down His life for me so that I could have a new life in Him. I receive, by faith, this forgiveness of sin. I now give my life, my past, and my future to You. Guide my steps and speak to my heart, Lord. Amen
kojministries.org Issue 2 2018 39
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JACKSONVILLE, FL PERMIT #1795
GIVE VICTORIOUS LIVING People everywhere desperately need to know about God’s power, love, and grace. With your help and God’s truth, Victorious Living can bring hope to those isolated, overwhelmed, and enslaved. Donate now to receive your own personal copy of Victorious Living and give the gift of freedom to your loved ones and others. Your support helps us distribute Victorious Living in drug and alcohol treatment centers, prisons, assisted living facilities, hospitals, and to our military. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! 25 Donation You’ll receive VL for one year (4 issues). $
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$ 50 Donation You’ll receive VL for one year (4 issues) and enable us to send a personal copy to someone in prison or drug/alcohol rehabilitation. You may provide the name of anyone you’d like, or we will send VL to one of the thousands on our list who have requested it.
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$ 1,000 Donation Enables KOJM to send one case (approximately 140 copies) of VL each quarter to a prison, rehabilitation center, hospital, or military base for one year.
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$ A monthly gift of 20 Provides monthly faith-based mentoring for a person in prison or drug/alcohol rehabilitation. They will receive quarterly copies of VL magazine, monthly Bible studies, and personal correspondence.
A monthly gift of $ to help with KOJM general expenses. A one-time gift of $ to help with KOJM general expenses. Yes, I commit to pray for VL Outreach.
Are you interested in:
l learning more about our mentoring program for inmates and people in recovery? l having Kristi Overton Johnson speak at your church/organization?
Become a Part of the Victorious Living Family Today! kojministries.org • 352-478-2098
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A card will be sent to recipients on your behalf to inform them of your gift! If you would like to send more gifts, please list information on a separate piece of paper.
r Check attached (make payable to Victorious Living) r Debit (include voided check) r Mastercard r VISA r Please automatically renew my partnership! Donation Amount _______________________________________________ Cardholder Name (please print) ____________________________________ Card Number __________________________________________________ Expiration Date ______________________ CVC Code_________________ Credit Card Billing Address (required)________________________________ Signature_____________________________________________________ If you have any questions, please call 352-478-2098. Mail completed form and Victorious Living support to: Victorious Living • PO BOX 120951 • Clermont, FL 34712-0951 SEND ALL INMATE CORRESPONDENCE TO STARKE, FL ADDRESS ON PAGE 4.