Pure Encouragement

Remember Whose You Are / Guest Post by Jeff Boettger

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 16:00:00 +0000

“Remember Whose you are.”

If I recall correctly, I first heard those words come from my mum’s heart and proclaimed as I left for grade 12, or 12th grade. My hockey aspirations and faith journey had propelled me to a crossroads of leaving home for the first time, and I remember my father, mother, and brothers standing on the concrete porch waving goodbye.

But you were washed (cleansed), you were sanctified (made holy), you were justified (made right with God) in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:11)

That day, I reflected while I drove down the long, straight, and intermittently hilly roads on my way toward school, passing the canola fields intermixed with the ‘bush’ of the north. It’s quiet up there… minimal traffic to navigate and loads of time to reflect. Sure, I was super excited about the next step, but if I’m honest, a bit sad and scared of leaving the nest and wading into the unknown. The seas of yellow canola were almost as ripe as I was for pondering life. So, ‘Whose’ was I? Was Mum referring to being a Boettger? I think that this was part of it… but knowing Mum (and Dad too), she was going much deeper. Knowingly or not, she wisely planted in my mind and spirit a statement that has served as a plumb line for my life. Jeff, REMEMBER WHOSE YOU ARE. This was a deep encouragement, also a challenge, and now that I think of it, possibly an edict!

So… whose was I?

At that point in my life, I was 17. I grew up in the church in various denominations and affiliations, but ultimately those that professed Jesus as Savior and Lord of humankind. I made a profession of faith at age 8 at a family Bible camp, but just as most young people do, I dabbled in the pleasures of the world until my own sin brought me pain that served as a strong wake-up call. It was then, at that fork in the road, that I called out to Jesus, honestly and humbly repented of my sin, forgave others for theirs, and submitted my life to Jesus, learning what it is to walk with Him. There is a longer, more detailed story here, but the point is I was totally set free, 100% forgiven, and felt such peace from the love and grace of God!!

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8–9)

I didn’t deserve God’s grace, but that is exactly what grace is—undeserved. He accepts me (us) as I am, setting me free from sin and death, and then embarks on a journey with me/you, changing us from the inside out. What a GREAT, GOOD, GRACIOUS, AND GLORIOUS GOD He is! That is an important next step… knowing who God is. For you cannot remember whose you are unless you’ve come to a place of confession of sin, then proclamation of Jesus as the substitute for us as Savior and Lord. From here, you will learn over a lifetime who HE is, and this is a magnificent journey. So, building upon my mum’s encouragement to ‘remember whose you are,’ may I encourage and challenge you to:

Remember who HE is—know Him!

Now in my 50’s, I’ve enjoyed continuing to share life with a group of guys via a ministry called Pure Encouragement. A big part of that enjoyment has really come from being reminded of what I’ve learned about who God is, His character, and hearing it in different ways. The key points from ‘Influencers, The Journey,’ as we spend 9 months together, are all about seeing who God is through Jesus and the truth of God’s Word. Building on the foundation of grace, the Word reveals God as:

Knowing everything about us. (Psalm 139)

Caring deeply about all those things He knows about us, as a shepherd cares for his sheep. (Psalm 23 / Isa. 40:11 / John 10:11,14 / Heb. 13:20)
God is willing to help us in all these things. (Ps. 66:18–20 / Matt. 21:22 / Luke 18:9–14 / John 14:13–14)
God is fully able to help us in all our needs. (1 Cor. 1:24 / Ps. 68:35 / 1 Kings 9:4–5 / Phil. 2:13)

There are many stories where I look back on my life and see God’s amazing faithfulness to me, to my family, and to His continued work in our lives. I can trust Him in all things because His words are true, and I’ve experienced His love and grace in loss as well as gain. You can too! Just call out to Him—He will meet you where you are and with exactly what you need. If you need to excavate this to a deeper level, do a search on the names of God and what that reveals—He is so good!

Knowing who God is will give you confidence to walk daily in submission to His will and purpose. It will give you unshakable confidence, for you are a new creation and:

You are who HE says you are!

Jeff Boettger lives in Lynchburg with his family and serves as an Athletic Director within the Club Sports department at Liberty University. In his role, Jeff is passionate about investing in student-athletes, helping them grow not only in their sport but in character, leadership, and purpose. He is committed to creating an environment where competition, community, and faith come together to shape the next generation of leaders.

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The Weight I Couldn’t Carry Alone / Guest Post by Ken Hirshey

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 16:19:27 +0000

I grew up in a Conservative Church of Christ home. Worship was simple, no musical instruments, no fanfare. And the theology I absorbed was equally stark: once you were saved, you weren’t supposed to sin anymore. That was it. No room for stumbling. No space for struggle.

What I had was a very vertical relationship with God, rules flowing downward, and very little horizontal connection with others. I didn’t even know what a personal relationship with the Lord meant. Faith felt like a standard I could never quite reach, a bar set just high enough to stay out of grasp.

I was so burdened by this weight that I basically gave up and walked away from pursuing the Lord entirely during college.

That season cost me. I wasn’t the man, the friend, or the example I should have been. And for a long time, I didn’t know how to find my way back, because no one had ever shown me what the way back actually looked like.

It wasn’t a sermon that broke through. It was men—ordinary men in the marketplace who knew something I didn’t: grace.

Promise Keepers reset my compass and showed me what a Christian man could actually look like. Wild at Heart reinforced it. Then came The Journey, and with it, a revelation of the nature of my Heavenly Father that I had never experienced in all my years of churchgoing. He wasn’t a scorekeeper. He was a Father.

Pure Encouragement has become a daily anchor in this. It reminds me that my purpose and affirmation do not come from the standards of this world—from being the best athlete, the most successful CEO, or the most admired man in the room. They come from who God says I am. That single shift changed the weight I carry. It still does.

I am deeply convinced that marketplace ministries and men-focused mentoring are essential to winning back our families. Men need to step into leadership, strong and courageous, just as Moses charged Joshua before he crossed into the Promised Land. That call hasn’t changed. The battlefield has.

Action Steps: Putting On Your Armor of God Every Day

Seek a good mentor and nourish that opportunity. Don’t wait for a formal program. Look around your workplace, your church, your neighborhood. Pursue men who reflect who you want to become and show up consistently.
Build your three-strand cord. Scripture tells us a cord of three strands is not easily broken. You need all three relationships intentionally in your life:

YOUR PAUL

An older man who can mentor you, speak truth into your life,

and offer wisdom forged through experience.

YOUR BARNABAS

A peer who walks alongside you—someone who challenges

you, picks you up when you fall, and does life with you.

YOUR TIMOTHY

Someone younger you are actively pouring into—sharing your

story, your failures, and your hard-won lessons.

Pursue intentional personal development regardless of your title. It doesn’t matter whether you are an athlete, a CEO, or a college student. Purposeful growth is how you put on your armor each day. Read. Attend gatherings. Engage in ministries like Pure Encouragement that point you back to your identity in Christ.
Let go of the scorecard. If you grew up under a theology of performance—one that said saved people don’t struggle—give yourself permission to lay that down. Grace is real. Your Heavenly Father is not grading you on a curve; He’s drawing you into a relationship.
Invest in Pure Encouragement’s tools. Use the resources available to you to build a stronger relationship with your Heavenly Father. These are not extras; they are essential equipment for the journey.

The road back for me didn’t start in a pew. It started with men who were willing to be honest about their own struggles and bold enough to speak life into mine. That is the ministry of mentorship. That is the cord that holds.

Be strong and courageous. Find your Paul. Be a Barnabas. Invest in your Timothy. And let Pure Encouragement remind you every day: your worth was never yours to earn.

“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” - ECCLESIASTES 4:12

Ken Hirshey is a registered Professional Engineer and Project Management Professional with a Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering from the University of Arkansas and dual Master’s degrees in Civil Engineering and an MBA from the University of Texas at Arlington, where he helped pioneer the Management of Technology MBA curriculum. He is the Founder and Chairman of Cyntergy, a full-service architectural and engineering firm established in 1997 that has grown to over 180 professionals, making it the largest AEC firm in Oklahoma. Prior to founding Cyntergy, he served as COO at BSW International and held leadership roles at Carter & Burgess (now Jacobs Engineering), helping both firms expand into full-service architecture and engineering organizations; he began his career with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Mr. Hirshey is actively involved in professional and civic leadership, including service on the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality Board, election as a Bixby City Councilman, and board leadership with Discovery Lab, while also contributing to organizations such as Young Life, Influencers, and Hospitality House, reflecting his strong commitment to faith, community, and mentoring others.

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Distracted or Disciplined? / Guest Post by Josh Harrell

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 20:05:00 +0000

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28

What is the one thing you set out to do differently in 2026 that you’ve never done before?

Maybe it was something you wanted to accomplish, improve upon, or establish consistency and urgency in. Maybe it was chasing a championship or making it to the next level. Maybe you wanted to pursue a journey to becoming physically fit or radically changing your diet. Or you might’ve wanted to dedicate more time with your family and implement a better work-life balance. Think about every detail in your life at the moment and what you are in pursuit of. Are you at unrest and blinded by worldly responsibility? Finding your fill in earthly possessions and side-stepping God’s instructions? Are you finding yourself making excuses and spiraling in self-pity because of your circumstances? Distracted with routine and stuck in the hamster wheel of monotonous life? Whatever you are walking through, things become disjointed and disintegrated from the Lord when you are distracted! Lacking discipline goes hand in hand with being distracted from your heavenly assignment.

When you find yourself drifting and distracted from your heavenly assignment, this means an influence has wedged itself in between you and Christ. This could be your big goal, your job, your hobbies, your interests, etc. When you are not walking in constant fellowship with Jesus, beware of these influences! As 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” The enemy loves nothing more than to sabotage your mind with earthly influences that drift you away from the Holy Spirit. God desires us to live a well-rounded life in completeness and joy in Him through Jesus, but there are times when these “good” things that we are in pursuit of are no longer “God” things. The first part of Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to me…” This is the only solution to find rest in the things that truly matter, re-establish discipline, and stay in pursuit of your heavenly assignment.

So now what? I’ve gone to God feeling out of order, disorganized, tired, maybe even guilty. The good news is that GOD HAS COMPASSION FOR YOU! He loves you. He knows your heart. He desires you just as you are. Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” We can confidently go to the Lord and surrender our dependence to Him. In this moment, we must ask for awareness through the Spirit. Christ-awareness then takes the place of worldly self-awareness… and the Lord gives us rest!

Okay, so now we are given rest. So, does that mean we are to be idle and expect God to do all the work for us? A plan to get everything we want because we have now just acknowledged God? ABSOLUTELY NOT! Remember, you are on a very specific assignment, which requires discipline. Discipline is sparked within your spirit. It starts with a well-rested spirit, intimacy, and passion for Jesus. How can you chase after lofty goals and accomplishments if you are not disciplined in your walk with Christ? Are you disciplined in your worship and praise? In your prayer life and time of devotion with the Lord? God not only requires acknowledgment and surrender, but He requires action and obedience. This is not a mere act of selfish ambition anymore. To be disciplined in the Spirit, God requires sacrifice and obedience to be in oneness and completeness in Him.

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:27, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore, I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” We must run in a way that wins the prize and sacrifice ourselves in a way that honors God and gives Him the glory! We have to avoid taking a backseat once God has provided rest, vision, and instruction. We are all works in progress, but God finds great joy and blesses those who are obedient, disciplined in the Spirit, and strive for excellence for Christ alone.

Being given awareness, rest, and discipline through the Holy Spirit is something that cannot be done by man alone. 2 Peter 1:3-9 says, “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these, he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.”

God gives us everything we need to live the life He wants us to live! Your lifestyle, pursuits, or goals don’t have to be detached from God when things get messy and disorganized. When you become distracted, just turn to Him. He will give you rest, which will strongly root intimacy and passion for Him. This sparks discipline, completeness, and oneness with Christ. All God requires is for us to first go to Him.

Josh Harrell is pursuing a Master’s degree in Biomolecular Science from Lipscomb University. He resides in Nashville, Tennessee, with his wife, Emma. Josh graduated from Liberty University in 2025, where he served as the captain for the Men’s D2 Hockey Team. With Josh’s hockey chapter recently ending, God has called Josh to go in the medical field, where Josh will use his Master’s degree to pursue attending medical school and becoming a medical doctor. Josh is incredibly thankful for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He strives to faithfully pursue Jesus and lead others to him.

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The Opportunity to Suffer / Guest Post by Jamie Ramer

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 22:31:40 +0000

Coming from a Canadian hockey background, I have always been drawn to stories of perseverance through pain and suffering, whether it’s intense training that leads to a championship or someone’s ability to battle back from injury.

In light of this, I have also had a quiet admiration for those who have submitted themselves to American SEAL (Navy Sea, Air, and Land Teams) training, especially those who make it all the way through the grueling process—and even those who experience the disappointment of being eliminated.

I have read a couple of great books that tell incredible journeys and life stories: Fearless by Eric Blehm, Seal of God by Chad Williams, and even a recent Pure Encouragement blog by Corey Owens. Becoming a U.S. Navy SEAL requires passing a two-year training pipeline starting with a 10-week boot camp, specialized prep, and the grueling five-week Hell Week.

I am sure there are many points in that process where one might question the purpose of the suffering. Is it necessary? Is it helpful? Some underwater tests seem to require participants to demonstrate a willingness to stay committed even to the point of death, while at the same time taking every precaution to ensure that doesn’t happen.

The Navy clearly sees this testing and suffering as necessary to prepare future SEALs for life-or-death missions for the greater good. That doesn’t mean they enjoy the training or ask for more hardship, yet they are seen as heroes as they faithfully carry out their assignments—whether they live or die. In my life of faith, I wonder if I need to grow into more of a Navy SEAL perspective on suffering. Why is it that I can understand the purpose of suffering in sport or in SEAL training, yet still think my life as a believer should be free from it?

In recent months, I have had to face some challenging health realities that I didn’t see coming. To be clear, I know many people are facing far greater challenges than I am, but this has forced me to wrestle with my understanding of suffering and the life of a believer. Is this an unnecessary obstacle I just need to get through… or is it actually an opportunity God is using to deepen my relationship with Him?

Navy SEAL applicants are forced to trust their trainers to know what is best for them. How much more should I trust my God, who loves me and cares for me deeply? I should not be surprised by challenges. Jesus said in John 16:33:

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

As God permits or directs challenges in my life, will I allow Him to use them to help me trust, depend on, and glorify Him—and to prepare me for whatever He has ahead? I am certainly more aware now than I was six months ago that my days are numbered and my life on earth is fleeting (Psalm 40:4), whether that means 50 or even 100 years. I may have thought my future was more certain than it really was, but I’ve come to realize that I don’t need to “be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”

God does not always remove the problems in our lives. Even in the example of Job, we see that for those who draw near to Him, He provides a supernatural peace in the midst of unfathomable pain and relentless uncertainty (Consider the Lilies, p. 23). I don’t think I’ve arrived at all that God wants to teach me in this season, but I do believe I’ve grown. Part of me wants to move past this season—and I do pray for that—but I also want to embrace what God has for me in it.

Every Day Revolutionary challenged me with this: “Suffering is an opportunity. You don’t have to enjoy it, but don’t waste it.” Joni Eareckson Tada also reminds us in When God Weeps that “God uses suffering to refine, perfect, strengthen, and keep us from falling” (p. 232). If I can trust the training process and purpose behind Navy SEAL training, how much more should I trust God in whatever circumstances I face? He loves and cares for us deeply, and He is present with us no matter where we are.

Psalm 139:7 — “I can never get away from your presence.”
Psalm 46:1 — “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.”

I desire to honor and glorify God in both success and failure—whether doors are opening or I am in the middle of difficult circumstances. “Sometimes God is glorified when sick Christians get well; other times He is glorified when sick Christians die well.”

I have not arrived and am still in the midst of working through many knowns and unknowns—but God is faithful. We can experience His peace as we lean into Him and continue to entrust our lives to Jesus. In light of eternity, we have a hope that carries us through this temporary life.

Psalm 30:5 — “Weeping may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning.”

As we have passed through another Easter season, I was reminded that for Jesus, His life was not His own. He was obedient to the Father in His life, and even through His death and suffering, and as believers, we are so thankful He was. As I continue to follow Jesus and His example, I need to remember: My life is not my own.

Jamie Ramer serves as the Assistant Athletic Director with Briercrest College Athletics, which includes supporting the chaplaincy ministry with their teams. He lives with his wife, Lea-Anne, in Caronport, Saskatchewan. He is a credentialed chaplain and currently enjoys opportunities to encourage and support athletes, chaplains, and others as opportunities present themselves with other organizations and ministries.

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Prayer Day 2026

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 19:17:24 +0000

Get Encouraged! God is Moving!

We asked prayer warriors to leave a comment below about what God impressed on their heart during their prayer time. Check the comments out below!

He Equips the Called / Guest Post by Corey Owens

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 17:03:55 +0000

In the hockey world, my story is very different from most of my teammates. To understand where I’ve come from and how God has worked in my life, it helps to go back to where it all started, my childhood. I’m from a town called Swedesboro in South Jersey, and I was incredibly blessed to grow up in a family that valued a relationship with the Lord more than anything else. I have two brothers, Matthew and Joshua, and from a young age, hockey was simply something I did.

My brother Matthew was a very passionate hockey fan. My dad, on the other hand, had grown up playing baseball, so hockey was completely unfamiliar territory for him. The only connection he had to the sport was a family friend who played street hockey. Honestly, street hockey wasn’t something I enjoyed until my dad introduced my brothers and me to ice hockey. I was about twelve years old when I stepped on the ice for the first time, and I instantly fell in love with the sport. Hockey quickly became something special to me, and it gave me some of my greatest memories growing up.

In the hockey world, starting at twelve years old is extremely late in the game. However, I saw it as a great opportunity to prove everyone wrong. I quickly picked up skating at a very rapid pace and continued to get better. At this point in my life, hockey started to become my god. God was no longer the Lord of my life. Throughout the next six years, hockey was my idol. I found myself placing my identity in how I played. For most players, that is something they probably struggled with at some point in their lives.

I spent such a long time wrestling with God. I ran so far from God that by His grace alone, He took the one thing that I cherished, hockey. COVID-19 was a time when the whole world went on a pause. I started to realize that the girlfriend I had at the time wasn't the best influence in my life. Along with the crowd I was hanging around. My teammate was paralyzed in our game, and it really shocked me. I was so angry at God that he would allow something like that to happen to one of my friends.

I decided to stop playing hockey, along with losing all of my friends, because I didn't want to go out with them anymore. I was absolutely crushed that everything that I found my confidence in was taken away. Instead of running at the feet of Jesus, I decided to run to find my identity in a career. My life was dedicated to training to become a Navy SEAL. During this time, I was training every day to complete my dream to potentially compete for a spot in the selection process called BUD (Basic Underwater Demolition). Before signing a contract to go into the Navy, I did a physical examination. While I was at the physical, I failed because of a minor hearing loss. I lost all hope in my life. Everything that I once found my worth in was all gone.

At this moment, I knew something needed to change. I decided to stop running from the one thing that was going to make me whole.

JESUS!

I gave my life to Christ after a long fight. I always knew the truths, but never wanted to follow. Once I gave my life to Christ, I still struggled as God was chipping away at my old sin habits. At this time I decided to go to community college and work at a hockey pro shop. For the next two years I didn't step on the ice once.

I decided to come to an open hockey skate one afternoon with my friends. A local college team pulled me aside asking where I play. I proceeded to tell him I haven't been on the ice in two years. He expressed his interest in me possibly playing for his team. I really thought and prayed about it. God put it on my heart to go try out for the team. I worked extremely hard. I would be skating two times a day and working out. I ended up making the team and doing super well that year!

During my time there, I heard about Liberty University and what it stood for. I instantly fell in love with the school and the rink. I decided to take a leap of faith. I would be competing with kids who not only have been playing hockey their whole lives, but most of them played high-level juniors. I was in a really difficult spot. I felt like God was calling me to play at Liberty, but to be honest with you, I did not feel qualified at all.

That summer, going into the prospect camp, I did really well. I was told by the coaches that they weren't certain I was coming and that they couldn't give me an offer at the time. I decided to trust God with the uncertainty of making the team and going to a university where I knew no one. That summer, I gave everything I had to training and trusting God with the rest. At tryouts, I played my heart out for the Lord. The last night approached, and I was just excited to know if I was going to make it or not. After tryouts, I had a meeting with the coaches and they expressed to me that I would have to pray about it one more day. Finally, the next morning, I got the call that I made the team. I was so excited and extremely blessed.

During my time at Liberty, I have grown as a man, and my faith has grown with the Lord. I am so thankful for all of the memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. I write you this story in hopes of giving you light. In life, we are going to seem unfit for the job, team, relationship, etc., but I am here to tell you that when God calls you to be somewhere, you NEVER quit.

God does not call the equipped, He equips the called.

There are so many times in my life where I did not feel worthy or qualified for where God was calling me to be. I hope you find strength in the Lord even when it may be really hard to trust in Him.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” - Joshua 1:9

Corey Owens is from Swedesboro, New Jersey, and is a graduate student at Liberty University pursuing a Master’s in Business. He serves as the Assistant Captain of the Liberty University Men’s D2 Hockey Team and is also a Spiritual Leader at Liberty University. Corey is passionate about helping others find their identity in Christ and encouraging others to live boldly for Jesus both on and off the ice.

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Purpose in the Waiting / Guest Post by Rachel Shaw

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 20:09:12 +0000

Waiting.

Have you found yourself recently in a season of waiting? Maybe you are waiting on an open door or job opportunity. Maybe it’s the desire to be married or to have healing from an injury or sickness. You’ve continued to seek, pray, and ask, but still nothing has changed. You might have asked why God has not answered your prayer.

Is there purpose in the waiting?

One of my first seasons of waiting came the fall after I graduated high school. I had just ended a toxic relationship that spanned over several years and, as a result, brought great heartache. I also walked away from a cheerleading scholarship that would have paid my full college tuition (you can imagine the turmoil my parents were going through). I was feeling lost and confused. How did I end up here?

At a young age, I had accepted Christ and was raised in a godly home with parents who loved Jesus. However, I had allowed so much of the world to disciple me about love, purpose, and value through music, movies, and my peers. In many ways, I thought and looked just like the world. As the late theologian Voddie Baucham has said, “We cannot continue to send our children to Caesar for their education and be surprised when they come home as Romans.” I had unknowingly become Roman.

As the fall was coming to an end, I was feeling broken with no direction. I had been reaping the fruit of what the world had offered (Galatians 6:8). I desperately needed the Lord. Even over the fruitless and often shameful years, I knew He had never left me. As His Word says in 2 Timothy 2:13, “If we are faithless, He remains faithful—for He cannot deny Himself.” The Lord was bringing me to a place of confession and repentance while drawing me back to Himself. He had forgiven me.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

I still didn’t have direction because my heart and mind had spent years “set on the things of the flesh” (Romans 8:6). I needed to be renewed and transformed (Romans 12:2) before I would have direction. What appeared as waiting was really God renewing me from the inside out.

I began to seek the Lord by studying and meditating on Scripture. Little by little, God was sanctifying me, starting with my mind. His Word brought truth and healing. It exposed so many of the lies that I had believed for so many years. It brought peace and life where there used to be darkness and shame. It did not happen overnight but took time.

Waiting.

As Paul wrote in Philippians 4:9, it also took practice. Through practicing the daily study of Scripture, my knowledge of who God is began to grow—knowing He is sovereign, He is gracious, He is faithful, He is love, He is long-suffering with us, He is King, and He reigns.

As my knowledge increased, so did my trust in God. I think for most of us it’s hard to trust someone we don’t know. When you come to know God, you love Him. When you love Him, you trust Him. I could trustfully receive what He had next for me, but also accept what He may not give.

In His perfect timing, God did open the next door for me. Through His Word, prayer, and the commitment of my parents, God made a way for me to go to Liberty University (something that had never been on my radar before), where I would go on to meet my wonderful husband and where we still reside to this day.

What are some things we can do while waiting?

First, seek Him. Seek Him not just for His hand but for who He is. As David wrote in Psalm 27:8, “You have said, ‘Seek My face.’ Your face, Lord, do I seek.” How do we seek to know Him? By reading and studying His Word (Psalm 119). Meditate upon who He is—faithful, loving, merciful, holy, gracious, and so much more (Philippians 4:8). Spend time each day alone with Him in prayer. Seek to know Jesus more (John 8:32–33).

Next, trust Him and His timing. I once heard Elisabeth Elliot share in a lecture what she does when she has a great need or desire that has continued to burden her. She said she will physically get down on her knees, cup her hands, and offer it up to God. She surrenders it to Him. Then, when fears or doubts start to arise, she simply tells herself, “Oh no! That is not mine anymore. I have given it to God.” Give it to Him. With confident trust, let us receive what He gives and be willing to lack what He withholds. He is worthy to be trusted.

“You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed upon You, because he trusts in You” (Isaiah 26:3).

Finally, we obey. Where does God have you today? What has He placed before you right now? Whatever He has given you to do, do it well. Do it faithfully. Do it for His glory.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

If you are not already, find a place in your church to serve. Is there a mission or someone you know who is in need? Give generously. Luke 16:10 writes, “One who is faithful in very little is also faithful in much.” Be faithful where God has placed you today as He prepares you for the next season.

I want to encourage you today, friend, to wait upon the Lord. God’s Word tells us in Psalm 25:3, “Indeed, none who wait for You shall be put to shame.” Your waiting is not in vain. There is purpose in the waiting. Seek Him. Trust Him. Obey Him.

Rachel Shaw serves as the Director of Operations for CORE Apologetics, a ministry dedicated to equipping disciples and engaging thoughtfully with those who have doubts about the Christian faith. She is married to Dr. Ben Shaw, President of CORE Apologetics, and together they have three children.
Rachel is a graduate of Liberty University and a two-time World Cheerleading Association (WCA) National Champion. She has worked as a physical trainer for Liberty University’s Men’s Ice Hockey Team (ACHA Division I) as well as for MMA fighters. She also holds a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

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The Only Play That Matters / Guest Post by Dan Bartel

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 20:21:19 +0000

Recovering from foot surgery has me sidelined from my normal activity. ‘Tis the season for college bowl games and NFL playoffs, which I usually pay little attention to. However, being confined to a recliner this year, I have watched more football than in the previous decade combined. This has reminded me of my life in the 80’s and early 90’s that was dominated by a marginal football career.

Today’s TV coverage affords hearing the QB’s snap count and calling out audibles. Back in the day, the way a QB let us know that he was changing things up was by yelling two words, “OMAHA, OMAHA!” Why a town in Nebraska known only for corn and steaks was the word used to change the play, I do not know, but it did get our attention.

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever ABIDES in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5, ESV)

It dawned on me that our Heavenly Father, the Vinedresser, our Creator, and Sovereign Play Caller has but one play he wants me to execute. While the Playbook may include 66 books, they all point to the effectiveness of one single play - Abiding in Christ. The Playbook describes how player after player sought to change the play for some presumed benefit with dire consequences. Then, it describes the times seemingly mediocre players stuck to abiding and accomplished incredible feats. David, Gideon, Joshua, Moses, Mary, Peter…all trusted God when life’s circumstances seemed so overwhelming.

Rocky Fleming closes a book with this statement, “If there’s one thing that Gabe and I want you to remember from this story, it is: "ABIDE, ABIDE, ABIDE!"

Often, I feel like the Sovereign Play Caller calls a time out, and I jog to meet Him on the sideline where He says, “Remember the game plan?” I sheepishly nod in agreement. “Son, no matter what you think, feel, or even see out there, it’s Abide on 1, you got that?” “Yes, Coach,” I reply with limited conviction. “Son, it’s not just this time but every time. Understand?” “Sure, Coach.” Then, as I run back out on the field, my mind is racing and thinking back to all the plays in which I failed at my assignment, and I think it’s better to just yell, “OMAHA!” and give the ball to someone else, someone far more qualified than I. When in the huddle with my brothers, I say, “Coach says it’s ABIDE on 1, no matter what…ready, break!” Walking up to the line and getting under center, it’s hard not to see how the linebackers are lined up for a full-out blitz, and fear sets in. How about just a quick pass? Why does it have to be this slow-developing play of abiding every time? The defense knows the play, and I’m going to get creamed. What if I just slip off into the crowd, find a comfy bleacher, and simply cheer for someone else?

So what is it going to be, ole boy? “OMAHA” or “ABIDE"? This isn’t a one-and-done deal, as I am coming to realize. Every day when I get up, I’d better review that Playbook because it is the only play that will bear success, no matter what I see facing me. I remind myself that my Coach knows everything and is extremely gracious and that He cares too much for me to ever shout me down. I remember that He is not just on the sidelines but is willing to step on the field and is more than able to handle all the giants I see just on the other side of the line. The Playbook is extremely frank that “ABIDE on 1” is my only hope. Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5, ESV). Calling “OMAHA” will fail. Why don’t I just trust the process? I have seen “ABIDE on 1” work miraculously before for me and others, time after time.

That rascal, the devil, knows well the effectiveness of ABIDE and how foolproof it is; he has built his whole defense strategy around getting me to check down. His only hope is to try distraction, intimidation, seemingly easier options, loss of comfort, doubt, fear, shame…whatever it takes for me to abandon running “ABIDE on 1”. I need to be ready and resolute about the Coach’s decision. No ifs, ands, or buts about it, it’s got to be “ABIDE on 1”. Ugh, this is hard.

So what is it going to be, ole boy, the play clock is winding down?

Dan Bartel leads the California chapter of Souly Business. Since launching the first California retreat in 2017, he has helped create space for men to encounter God, grow in faith, and step into greater leadership and purpose.
Visit https://soulybusiness.com/ to learn more.

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What God Did in 30 Days by Pure Encouragement

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 12:28:49 +0000

Be Encouraged! God is Moving!

Share in the comments how God moved in your life through the 30 Day Identity Challenge. What did He teach you? How was your faith strengthened? In what ways did the challenge impact your daily walk with Him? Your story matters, and your words may be exactly what someone else in our community needs to hear!

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The Truth Battle by Pure Encouragement

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 20:18:18 +0000

Every believer is engaged in a battle, whether they realize it or not. But this battle is not primarily against circumstances, people, or even habits. It is a truth battle.

At the core of nearly every struggle with confidence, fear, shame, or insecurity is a false belief about who God is or who you are in Him. Left unchecked, those beliefs quietly shape your thinking, influence your choices, and slowly rob you of the victorious life Christ has already secured for you.

Many of us carry unspoken “I am” statements—lies that feel true because they’ve been repeated for so long:

I am overlooked.
I am behind.
I am exhausted.
I am insignificant.
I am not good enough.
I am inadequate.
I am a failure.
I am a mistake.
I am overwhelmed.
I am unloved.
I am unforgivable.
I am stuck.

Some of these lies are loud. Others are subtle. Some feel obvious, while others hide beneath the surface, shaping how you show up, what you expect, and what you believe is possible.

I am…
I am…

But the most dangerous lies are the ones left unfinished, the ones you never question.

And this is where the truth battle begins.

Jesus said, “You shall know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). Freedom does not come from trying harder or fixing yourself. It comes from believing rightly. When truth takes root in your mind and heart, it produces freedom, strength, and courage. When lies take root, they produce fear, striving, and insecurity.

Many believers live their lives striving for significance and security, trying to earn approval, prove worth, or avoid rejection. But when you know who you are in Christ, you live from significance and security. Your value is no longer fragile or dependent on performance. You move through life grounded, confident, and free.

Scripture makes it clear that transformation begins in the mind. Romans 12:2 tells us not to be conformed to the patterns of this world, but to be transformed by the renewal of our minds. That renewal doesn’t happen accidentally. It happens intentionally, by confronting lies and replacing them with truth. As your thinking changes, so does your discernment. You begin to recognize what aligns with God’s will, what is good, acceptable, and perfect, and your life follows suit.

This is why understanding your identity in Christ is not optional. It is foundational.

No One Is Stuck

One of the most damaging lies people believe is that they are stuck. Stuck in old patterns. Stuck in fear. Stuck in the way they think or respond. But Scripture directly contradicts that belief.

The Apostle Paul writes, “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:4–5).

Strongholds are not about a lack of effort or willpower. They are built on arguments, false narratives, and beliefs that oppose God’s truth. Notice the language Paul uses: arguments, opinions, thoughts. This reveals something crucial. The real issue is not power; it’s truth.

Jesus already holds all authority. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Every argument, every thought, every opinion ultimately submits to Him. That means you are not fighting a power battle; you are fighting a truth battle. And truth always wins.

When you stand on God’s promises, strongholds begin to crumble. Lies lose their grip. The mind is renewed. Psalm 119:160 declares, “The sum of your word is truth.” God’s Word is not partially true or situationally true; it is fully and eternally true. And because God’s truth never fails, no one is beyond change. No one is stuck.

Just as light always overcomes darkness, truth always overcomes lies. But truth must be believed, spoken, and applied.

Winning the Truth Battle Daily

Winning the truth battle is not about perfection, it’s about consistency. It’s about daily choosing to align your thoughts with what God says rather than what your emotions, past experiences, or the world tell you. Over time, those daily choices create lasting transformation.

Victory in the Christian life doesn’t begin when circumstances change. It begins when belief changes. When truth becomes your foundation, you stop reacting from fear and start responding from faith. You stop striving for approval and start resting in identity. You stop living small and start walking boldly.

If you feel stuck, weary, or worn down by false beliefs about who you are, you don’t have to stay there. Freedom begins with truth, and truth is available to you right now!

Take the 30 Day Identity Challenge
- This challenge is designed to help you win the truth battle one day at a time by grounding you in what God says about who you are in Christ. Through daily Scripture, reflection, and intentional truth, you’ll begin replacing lies with freedom, confidence, and peace.
Download the Stronghold Buster Worksheet
- If you’re struggling with recurring thoughts, lies, or incorrect “I am” statements that are attacking your identity and destroying your confidence, we invite you to walk through our Stronghold Buster Worksheet. It will help you identify false beliefs, confront them with God’s Word, and actively take thoughts captive in obedience to Christ.

The truth battle is real, but so is the victory! And when truth takes hold, living a confident, victorious life in Christ IS possible!

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His Plan is Greater / Guest Post by Brooke Olson

Thu, 25 Dec 2025 16:40:13 +0000

God’s plan for you is bigger than your most concrete plans. My life has been a true testament to that.

I grew up planning my whole life, and from a young age, I had dreams of playing college hockey one day. I held onto those dreams so tightly until I got to an age where I realized that maybe that wasn’t going to be a reality for me. I told myself that I started too late, I wasn’t skilled enough, played the comparison game, and eventually shut down my hockey dreams. I decided to just plan my life around a career, and before my junior year of high school, I decided where I was going to attend school and how my life was going to go…or so I thought.

“You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.” — Proverbs 19:21

Have you ever made a plan that didn’t work out? How did you feel? What did you learn, and did you see that God’s plan turned out for the better?

When Plans Fall Apart
As my senior hockey season ended, I felt lost, wondering who I really was and what my plan was now that hockey was over. Something didn’t feel right, and little did I know that what I thought was the end was only the beginning for me.

One day after a game, an opportunity was presented to me to fly from my small town in northwestern Wisconsin to Lynchburg, Virginia, to try out for the Liberty Women’s D1 Hockey Team. I had never heard of Liberty University, nor did I think playing college hockey was in my future. Thankfully, I was surrounded by a coaching staff and my family who encouraged me to look at the opportunities around me and pray about it.

I took a chance on Liberty, and the second I stepped on campus, I knew that this was where God was calling me to be from the very beginning. Everything I thought was my future was gone in the blink of an eye, and a new plan that the Lord had laid before me was set into motion—better than I could have ever imagined.

At first, I struggled to let go and second-guessed if it was just me thinking that the Lord was calling me there. God quickly made it clear to me that He knew the path for my life from the very beginning and knew the desires of my heart. Although I was trying to plan it all out, He had everything fall right into place. I didn’t have to give up on my dreams of continuing to play hockey or my career.

Faith, Community, and Calling
Faith has always been a huge part of my life since I was young. Everything I could have ever wanted, I found at Liberty in an environment that is very uncommon in the hockey world. I have been blessed with amazing teammates who are incredible role models for me. Since the very beginning, the Lord has been shining through them and into me. They have encouraged me and breathed life into my faith journey.

Because I trusted God’s plan, doors opened that I never could have imagined. This year, I was encouraged to become a devotional leader on our team. Through this opportunity, God has shown me how to lead and glorify Him in the sport of hockey—guiding teammates who are new to faith and others who are growing in their journey.

Another door opened through hockey was the opportunity to attend a mission trip to Vietnam this past summer. It was life-changing and opened my eyes to God’s work throughout the world. It put everything into perspective—how God had perfectly aligned my life to this point so I could glorify Him by sharing my faith in another country.

God can see every detour and weaves beauty into the unexpected things in our lives.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart… and He will make straight your paths.” — Proverbs 3:5–6

Learning to Trust Daily
I had to release my grip on controlling my life and trust God’s loving hand to shape my future. I am assured that no path is wasted when walking with God by my side.

God’s direction often becomes clearer when we surround ourselves with people who help us see what we cannot on our own. Friends and family have spoken God’s truth into my life and helped shape me to trust Him. When we focus too much on tomorrow, we can miss what God wants to do today.

Staying consistent in reading God’s Word has been essential for me. It helps me hear His voice, especially when life gets busy and distractions grow loud.

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go.” — Psalm 32:8

Finding quiet time to pray has also helped me grow closer to the Lord.

“Come near to God and He will come near to you.” — James 4:8

The Bigger Picture
God has created a masterpiece for each one of us. We see one piece of the puzzle; He sees the whole picture. What feels like a setback may actually be a setup for something far greater.

“For we are God’s masterpiece.” — Ephesians 2:10

If you are struggling with uncertainty, trust that God is working behind the scenes. His timing, His purpose, and His ways are higher than ours.

Pray that God will help you trust His plan, strengthen your faith, and align your heart with His will. Remember that He has plans to give you hope and a future.

I am deeply grateful for who I am today and the life I’ve been given because I chose to surrender and trust the Lord. Once I did, He brought people and circumstances into my life that led to greater joy and fulfillment than I ever imagined.

The apostle Paul reminds us in his letter to the Romans,

“From him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever.” — Romans 11:36

Nothing we have, no circumstances we’ve been given, no talents we possess on this road with Christ have been entrusted to us for our own glory. They’re all from him, through him, and to him.

Brooke Olson is a student at Liberty University studying Therapeutic Science and pursuing a career in Occupational Therapy. She is a member of the Division I Liberty Women’s Hockey Team and was part of the 2025 National Championship team. Brooke grew up playing hockey and comes from a family rooted in the sport, with both of her younger brothers also playing. When she’s not on the ice or in the classroom, she enjoys hiking, hunting, and spending time outdoors. Brooke is passionate about faith, athletics, and encouraging others to trust God’s plan—even when it looks different than expected.

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Living For Christ / Guest Post by Caleb Wilson

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 18:31:02 +0000

I grew up always being involved in some sort of competitive sport. From a young age, I learned to take my value and stability from my athletic performance. I wasn’t a naturally gifted athlete when I was younger, so I worked hard to earn the approval of others and prove myself, yet with little success. I competed in cross country and track from sixth grade through high school, but it wasn’t until my junior year that I decided I really wanted to chase the opportunity of running in college. That was also when I stepped into triathlon. My dream was to run D1 for Liberty University. I didn’t realize it then, but that decision also became the moment I attached my entire identity to my performance.

Throughout my upperclassman years, I lived in a constant battle of identity and spiritual warfare. I always pushed myself too hard, ended up injured, and then spiraled into bitterness and resentment. Eventually, I stayed healthy long enough to become a decent runner, but I knew I wouldn’t be fast enough to run D1 at Liberty. Still, Liberty is where I wanted to be. When I learned about the LU Triathlon team, I decided I would try to race triathlon in college so I could still compete there. But even that decision was driven by the need to prove myself, and it kept me in constant inner turmoil.

During my senior year, I got injured again, this time right before conference, and couldn’t run in any championship meets. I vividly remember the night I was told I wasn’t cleared to compete. I told my dad that if I couldn’t race, compete, or run anymore, I didn’t care to live. My entire identity and joy came from performance. I made everything about me, what I could do, what I could achieve, not about others or about God. Even so, I still hoped to get healthy before college tryouts so I could walk on to the LU Triathlon team, but I spent that entire summer making no progress.

Later that summer, I went to a Christ in Youth (CIY) church camp with my youth group. There, the Lord confronted all the arrogance, ignorance, misunderstandings, and idolatry I had been holding onto. The camp focused on identity, relationship over religion, and committing to work for His Kingdom, not ours. I experienced some of the deepest conviction of my life. I had to decide whether I would obey God’s call to fully surrender, even if it meant never stepping foot on another racecourse again. I eventually said yes. I committed myself to discipline, devotion, and serving His Kingdom, even though I didn’t know what that would look like.

For the next two months, God refined me and held me to that commitment, proving it wasn’t just an emotional camp moment. Every day, I woke up choosing to be okay if I never competed again. When I arrived at Liberty in the fall, tryouts came, but I still wasn’t healthy enough to participate. It crushed me, but I remembered my commitment and told God I was at peace. I laid the entire dream at His feet: “If this is Your will, I’m done.”

Looking back, it reminds me of Abraham being asked to sacrifice Isaac. Right as Abraham lifted the knife, God called out, “Stop!” God tested Abraham’s obedience but never intended for Isaac to die. In a similar way, God asked me to lay down the sport completely. And right when I surrendered it for good, He said, “Stop.” I had learned what He wanted me to learn, and now He was ready to turn it into a blessing.

That blessing came through a call from Coach Heather Gollnick, who said she was willing to give me a chance. She let me do a swim time trial, since that was all I could still do, and then put me on the roster so I could start seeing the athletic trainers. I agreed, did the swim trial, began rehab, and slowly got healthy. As soon as I started healing, my athletic performance climbed to a level it had never reached before. I grew both as an athlete and as a person.

At Liberty, we have Spiritual Shepherds and Spiritual Leaders/Disciple Makers who help build the spiritual culture of the team. After everything God had done in me, my coach asked if I would serve as the next men’s spiritual leader. I felt conviction to say yes. My entire sophomore year became a journey of learning how to disciple others and help Christian boys become Godly men. I made mistakes along the way, but I continued to grow. I prayed boldly that God would use me in uncomfortable situations to shape the team for His glory, and He did.

Now I’m a junior on the LU Triathlon team, and God has used me in incredible ways. I don’t receive recognition for much of what I do, but I don’t need it. Seeing the growth in the guys I love is reward enough.

God wasn’t calling me to give up triathlon forever. He framed it that way because I needed my identity to shift completely. The sport still isn’t mine. It’s a gift God allows me to steward. My job is to use it fully for His purposes, knowing He would be completely righteous to take it away tomorrow, and I could live with that because I’m no longer living for myself.

As Christ-followers, we are placed where we are to do His work. Being an athlete is temporary. Serving His Kingdom is eternal. Since my identity shifted, I haven’t relaxed, I’ve redirected my energy, motivation, and drive toward Kingdom work with even greater intensity. Don’t fall into complacency. Don’t fall asleep spiritually. Don’t let the enemy dim your light or keep you from being fully devoted to Kingdom work. Be intense and intentional about your faith. Commit to God’s work with the same passion the disciples had, the passion that made them willing to die for what they believed. Pray that God would remove anything in you that is not of Him, and remember what Paul wrote in Philippians 1:
“He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

Caleb Wilson is from Bargersville, Indiana, and is in his third year competing for the Liberty University Triathlon Team. This past spring (2025), he helped lead the men’s team to an 8th-place finish at Nationals. God has used Caleb to become increasingly influential in the endurance sports community through the opportunities He provides for Caleb to minister to and disciple other athletes, both within the LU Triathlon team and beyond.

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The Kindness That Changes Everything / Guest Post by Josh Sherley

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 13:41:32 +0000

Romans 2:4 — “Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?”

Have you ever taken a moment to really think about the power of this verse? Over the last few months I have, and it continues to blow my mind...and here's why.

This verse is completely counterintuitive. My rational mind would think that God's law and harsher punishment is what will make people change their way and ultimately repent. In fact, this kind of thinking has even shaped some of my parenting. Increasing the severity of the punishment until I get the change in the behavior that I desire. But I think at the root of it...it's just that. A change in behavior, but not a change in heart.

God's grace and kindness is ultimately what changes a heart and transforms lives! It is His kindness, His forbearance and His patience that is meant to lead men to repentance!

So now the all-important question is, "Have I experienced His grace and kindness that has changed my life?" I strongly believe that most people are taking the riches of God's kindness, forbearance and patience for granted. Unfortunately, many people are like the 9 lepers who experienced grace and the kindness of Jesus, but never came back to worship and praise Him!

Luke 17:11-19 "While traveling to Jerusalem, he passed between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten men with leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and raised their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” When he saw them, he told them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And while they were going, they were cleansed. But one of them, seeing that he was healed, returned and, with a loud voice, gave glory to God. He fell facedown at his feet, thanking him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus said, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Didn’t any return to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And he told him, “Get up and go on your way. Your faith has saved you.”

All 10 men received grace and the kindness of Jesus, but unfortunately only one Samaritan man was truly changed by the grace he experienced. May we be the ones who don’t just experience God’s kindness, but respond to it. May we be the people who return, fall at His feet, give Him glory, and allow His grace to transform our hearts—not just our behavior.

Because when we fully receive His kindness, it leads us to true repentance, deep gratitude, and a life of wholehearted devotion to our King.

Josh Sherley is a former California State Wrestling Champion and Fresno State Football athlete. Most recently, he has left a successful marketplace career in Commercial Real Estate to be one of the Regional Directors with Influencers Bakersfield, a Christian Ministry focused on empowering people to abide in Christ. Josh loves Jesus, sports, and he also serves as a Board Member with Pure Encouragement.

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Shifting Focus to What Lasts / Guest Post by Dan Huntington

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 16:45:52 +0000

Once upon a time, I was quite serious about my running. I mapped out my training schedule at least 3 months in advance. I picked out the races I would run, my recovery days, my hard days, and my easy days. With 5 kids and a full-time job, I had to schedule tomorrow’s training today to make sure I could get it in. Many times that meant hitting the street at 5 a.m. (or earlier) before the busyness of the day set in.

In addition to focusing on my training schedule, I modified other things to ensure that I was running at my best. I changed my eating habits to support my goals. I stopped playing other sports that might impact my running. I bought the best shoes for my different types of training and high-dollar racers for race days.

My level of discipline for that 12 months surprised me and those around me. What was my goal? I wanted to qualify for and run the Boston Marathon. That was 24 years ago. My wife framed the finisher’s medal and my number. The result of her kind gesture is sitting on a shelf somewhere around here. Maybe my kids will appreciate it for a couple of minutes before they throw it out after I’m gone.

What’s my point? Is there anything wrong with pursuing our passions with diligence? Of course not, but do I pursue God with that same level of discipline and commitment? Is the bulk of my daily routine the pursuit of temporal goals or eternal goals? Am I storing up treasures on earth or in heaven? Jesus says in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” That can be a tall order.

Paul says in Philippians 1:21, “To live is Christ, to die is gain.” Most of us lean on the second part of that verse. But what does Paul mean when he says “To live is Christ”? Paul is saying that for the believer, Jesus is our focus, our main motivation, and glorifying Him our primary goal. In Philippians 3:7-8, Paul says, “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”

What am I to do with these verses and so many others that clearly teach me how I am to live? Can I just commit to using brute mental strength to change my priorities? My goals? My daily life?

Personally, I’ve tried the “grit my teeth, gut it out, and obey” strategy, only to fail over and over again. As I said earlier, I’ve demonstrated in my life that I have the ability to live in a very disciplined manner, yet I have struggled with the discipline of eternal before temporal. What, then, is the answer?

In John 15:1, Jesus says, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.” In John 15:4, He says, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.”

So, abiding is the answer, but what does abide actually mean? Bibledictionarytoday.com defines “abide” this way: “It represents a continuous connection with God, signifying loyalty, commitment, and faithfulness.” The only way that I know of to cultivate that continuous connection is through daily time with Him. For me, prayer along with time in His Word initiates, amplifies, and sustains that continuous connection. Just like in running, that daily training is resulting in personal development for me. It is allowing me to abide in Him more and more. Through that abiding, I see my goals shifting from temporal to eternal.

If you struggle with making daily time with God a priority in your life, pray that God would give you a love for just that. While you wait for Him to change that part of your heart, this is one time where “gritting your teeth, gutting it out, and just obeying” will reap huge benefits.

Dan Huntington lives north of Atlanta with his wife of 35 years and their five children, ages 20 to 31. He serves as a captain with Delta Air Lines and has known Gary for 14 years, having first connected through FCA Hockey. Dan’s deepest desire is to abide in Christ fully and faithfully, relying only on the power of the Holy Spirit.

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Saying Yes to God / Guest Post by Wendi Lawlor

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 20:59:30 +0000

God is on the move, and I am humbled to be part of His work through Pure Encouragement. Every week, I see lives transformed, athletes discovering freedom in Christ, men and women walking in victory over fear, and communities being strengthened through discipleship, prayer, and truth.

Since joining the staff in January, I’ve been continually amazed by the stories pouring in. The testimonies I hear daily are powerful reminders that God is changing lives through this ministry. Honestly, I never imagined I’d get to be part of something so incredible. Yet here I am!

When God called me into this work, it required deep surrender, laying down my ego, pride, credentials, and financial goals. At the time, I was a 10-year military veteran with 25 years in higher education and running my own business. Everything seemed set up for me to continue down that path. Yet, God was asking me to release it all for something greater, something He had prepared that was far better than anything I could have imagined.

He was right. Today, I’m using the very same gifts and talents I once used in the world, but now they’re being used for His purposes. Though it’s cost me some worldly pleasures, what I’ve gained far outweighs anything I gave up. This has become the most fulfilling and purposeful work of my life - a true privilege to be part of. As I often say, I don’t have to do this job….I get to do this job!

With that said, my passion continues to grow for this mission to strengthen and encourage people to live confident, victorious lives in Christ and I long for others to experience the same freedom and joy I’ve found. As I near the end of my first year with Pure Encouragement, I’m excited for what’s ahead: being part of our first-ever Giving Day on November 6th, continuing to walk alongside the incredible Women's Community, and helping prepare for the 2026 30-Day Identity Challenge.

I want to invite you to join this mission with the same spirit of faith and obedience by sharing four meaningful ways you can be part of what God is doing through Pure Encouragement.

1. Pray for the Mission

Everything we do begins with prayer. I’m learning daily how vital it is to stay deeply rooted in prayer, and I am inviting you to join us in that mission. Would you take a moment to pray for this ministry, especially for the lives being reached through Journey Groups, Confidence Groups, and our growing network of athletes, coaches, men, and women walking with Christ?

Pray that God would:

Strengthen His people to stand firm against fear, anxiety, and sin.
Provide the resources needed to expand the work.
Send the right team members to help carry the mission forward.

When the people of God are strong, the gospel goes forth in power. Your prayers make that possible.

2. Share the Vision

One of the most powerful ways you can help is by spreading the word. Maybe there’s someone in your circle, a friend, pastor, teammate, or business owner, who would be inspired to get involved.

Tell them about Pure Encouragement and the mission to help people live confident, victorious lives in Christ. Share the Giving Day link or forward this blog to someone who would love to be part of this movement. Every share expands our reach, and every new connection opens the door for another life to be changed!

3. Give Boldly and Faithfully

On November 6th, we’re trusting God to provide $220,000 through our first-ever Giving Day. We hope that it will help us:

Hire new staff to strengthen and expand our reach.
Upgrade curriculum and resources for groups nationwide.
Launch a national weekly livestream to equip and encourage believers.
Host live events that strengthen communities and ignite faith.

Would you pray about giving on November 6th or making a pledge for 2026? If God leads you to give, praise God! And if He leads you elsewhere, praise God for that too. Every gift given in obedience fuels His Kingdom work.

4. Get Involved and Help Reach the Nation

There is too much at stake for the people of God to live under the weight of fear, anxiety, and defeat. Through the Spirit, we are more than conquerors in Christ. Together, we can continue building a ministry that strengthens, equips, and sends believers into the world with confidence and victory.

Join our Prayer Team, get involved in Men’s Journey or our Women’s Community, take the 30-Day Identity Challenge this January, or host a 6-Week Confidence Group in your home, church, or team. Each of these opportunities will not only deepen your roots in Christ but also multiply impact.

When people are strengthened, families are restored, teams are unified, and the gospel spreads with boldness. I hope you’ll join me and get involved!

As I look back on the path God has taken me on, from the military to education to ministry, I can see how every step was part of His preparation. What I once viewed as a sacrifice has become the greatest blessing of my life. God is truly on the move, and I’m so grateful to be part of His work through Pure Encouragement.

My prayer is that you too will experience the same joy I’ve found in stepping out in faith and saying “yes” to whatever God is calling you to. He wants you to be part of His story. Remember, being part of His mission isn’t something we have to do… it’s something we get to do! What a privilege it is to join Him in the work He’s doing to transform lives and strengthen His people.

“By the Spirit we put to death the deeds of the body.” — Romans 8:13
“When the people of God are strong, the gospel goes forth in power.”

Wendi Lawlor is a military veteran, educator, and communication coach with a Master’s in Communication from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. For more than 25 years, she has taught communication and public speaking in higher education while equipping individuals to grow in confidence, clarity, and purpose.

With decades of experience in leadership, instructional design, and team development, Wendi now serves on staff with Pure Encouragement, using her gifts to strengthen and inspire others to walk boldly in faith and live out their God-given purpose.

She and her husband, Moe, have been married for 32 years and are grateful parents of three sons, a daughter-in-law, and another soon-to-be daughter-in-law. Wendi loves investing in people, sharing stories of transformation, and seeing lives changed through encouragement, truth, and the power of Christ.

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Carpe Diem: Using Our Gifts for God’s Glory / Guest Post by Brad Newburg

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 11:00:00 +0000

Every competitor knows the importance of knowing your role and playing it well. A team only thrives when each player embraces their assignment and gives their best effort for the good of the whole. The same is true in the body of Christ. God has uniquely gifted each one of us, and He calls us to use those gifts diligently and faithfully.

Romans 12 reminds us: “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them…” (Romans 12:6-8 NKJV). Whether it’s serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leading, or showing mercy, our gifts are not meant to sit on the sidelines. They are meant to be lived out with diligence and zeal.

The Bible makes it clear - time is short. “What is your life? It is even a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes” (James 4:14). We’re reminded to “wake from our sleep” because “salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed” (Romans 13:11). Jesus Himself said, “The Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matthew 24:44).

That means the time to use our gifts is now. Peter urges us: “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (1 Peter 4:10). The work of God’s kingdom is not something we put off for a more convenient season. Jesus said, “We must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work” (John 9:4).

Because the days are urgent, we can’t live with complacency. Hebrews 10 challenges us to “consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together…but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (vv. 23-25).

This isn’t the time to shrink back. As Hebrews 10:39 boldly declares, “We are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.”

Instead, we are called to live with zeal and fervency: “Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord” (Romans 12:11).

Jesus gave us a clear warning in Mark 13: “Stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come…lest he come suddenly and find you asleep” (vv. 35-36). The Lord has entrusted each of us with work to do, gifts to use, and people to serve.

This is the essence of Carpe Diem - seize the day! Matthew 11:12 reminds us that the kingdom of heaven is advancing, and it takes courage, faith, and action to step into it.

God has placed gifts in your life for a purpose. Maybe it’s teaching. Maybe it’s encouragement. Maybe it’s leading or showing mercy. Whatever it is, don’t bury it. Don’t wait for the “right moment.” The time is now.

Offer your body as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2), fueled by His Spirit, and play your role with diligence and joy. When we each do our part, the body of Christ grows strong, the mission of God advances, and the name of Jesus is lifted high.

Carpe Diem. Seize the day. Use your gifts. And play your role well for the glory of God.

Brad Newburg was born and raised in Bakersfield, California, and attended SDSU, where he met the love of his life and now wife of 18 years, Christy. After college and starting a family in San Diego with two beautiful children, God called Brad in 2014 to return with his new family to Bakersfield, where his faith journey would soon begin.

Two years after returning, the Lord captured Brad's heart through a ministry called Influencers, and it was then that he not only found Jesus as His Lord and Savior, but He began to learn what it meant to walk with Him. Now, whether in his role as a husband, father, Vice President of Trinity Safety Company or as a board member of one of 4 different ministry (Influencers Bakersfield / Black Gold Christian Baseball League) and/or marketplace non-profit organizations (Nobody Fights Alone / Californians for Energy and Science), He seeks to focus His life on abiding in Christ to live out the Great Commandment and Great Commission. Since the day He met the Lord, God has called Brad to tell the world about Christ and to be fisher of men to seek the lost so that they may be found in Christ and come alongside them to walk with them in His ways.

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Playing for a Greater Goal / Guest Post by Callie Shanahan

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 19:11:16 +0000

Growing up playing competitive hockey, I attached my self-worth to my performance and what others thought of me. That’s a common trap in sports — when you’re praised and complimented for playing well, you feel valuable, but when you’re benched or have a bad game, you feel like you don’t measure up. For me, when I played poorly, I would beat myself up and see myself as inferior. When I played great, I was on top of the world.

I poured thousands of hours into training, and hockey quickly became the most important thing in my life. All I cared about was getting better and getting to the highest level I can and being the best I could. By the time I reached college, it was the center of everything in my life. Looking back, Jesus should have been my top priority, but instead I made hockey my idol — without even realizing it.

That all changed at the end of my sophomore year. After a tough season, I dislocated my kneecap not once, but twice, and needed major surgery to reconstruct a ligament in my knee. It felt like a nightmare. I had been ready for a “redemption year,” and suddenly I was staring at the possibility of missing most of the season, if not all of it. How could this be? This curveball was thrown at me, and I crumbled. I even considered walking away from the game. I questioned if this hockey thing was really meant for me, or if this was a sign to stop. Seven months away from the ice — the longest break of my life — felt unbearable. I didn’t know who I was away from the sport. Everyone always associated Callie with hockey, and it was fully my identity at that time. What would I do if I’m not at the rink training or working out?

But what I thought was the end of my hockey career turned out to be the turning point of my life. During rehab, I felt drawn to open my Bible again. I had grown up Christian, but I was lukewarm in my faith. My Sundays growing up were spent at the rink more than Church. As I began to read, God completely shifted my perspective like never before. I realized that everything on this Earth is temporary and fleeting — except for a relationship with Him. I discovered that my identity isn’t defined by performance, praise, criticism, or even a sport, but by Jesus Christ alone. And I finally understood how dangerous it is to let anything, even a good thing like hockey, take priority in my life over Jesus.

I fully believe God took away hockey to pull me closer to Him, since it was such an idol in my life. Nothing should ever come before Him, and I am forever grateful for that adversity.

By His grace, I was able to return to the ice earlier than expected and play half of my junior year. But this time, I played with a completely different outlook. My confidence was stronger than ever — not because of performance, but because I knew who I was in Christ. I realized that the platform I had from hockey was to bring glory to God, not to myself. What I thought would break me actually built me, both physically, mentally, and spiritually.

In the end, what seemed like a career-ending injury became one of the best things that ever happened to me. It saved my life. A few months after returning to the ice, I gave my life fully to Jesus.

God truly does use hard situations for good and for His glory. Romans 8:28 reminds us: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

When we put our identity in sports, success, or anything other than Christ, it will eventually crumble. But when we root ourselves in Him, we find unshakable confidence, lasting joy, and true life. Adversity is a part of sport and life, but can be used for good and God’s glory. When adversity comes now, I know who I am in Christ and realize that a sport doesn’t define me as a person. I play hockey for Him and compete for Him now, instead of getting praise from coaches, teammates, and fans. My goal is to make Him known through my sport - which gives me so much freedom that I am no longer competing for myself.

Callie Shanahan is from Commerce, Michigan, and was recently drafted 28th overall in the PWHL to play for the New York Sirens. She played four years of college hockey at Boston University, where she also earned a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations. While hockey has been a central passion in her life, her deepest love is for the Lord. She believes God has given her this platform to spread the Gospel and share His love with others.

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Faith Anchored in the Resurrection / Guest Post by Ben Shaw

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 19:00:02 +0000

What does ice hockey have to do with Jesus’ resurrection?

At first glance, probably nothing, and to most people, it sounds totally unexpected. But what if I told you that the world’s leading expert on Jesus’ resurrection was actually the first men’s ice hockey coach at Liberty University?

I was just as surprised to learn that myself.

Before transferring to Liberty, I was a student at Florida Atlantic University. Someone suggested I check out Liberty, but at the time, I had no interest - until I heard they had a hockey team and an amazing rink on campus. That got my attention. I emailed the coach, got accepted, and ended up making the team.

One day, I was walking on campus with our goalie, Dalton Stoltz, when he introduced me to the former hockey coach, Gary Habermas. I thought to myself, “It’s nice to meet the old coach, but I’m confident the team is better now than it was then!”

In any event, I continued playing and going to classes as a marketing major.
Fast-forward to my senior year. I enrolled in a class called Christian Evidences, and one of the required readings was a book titled The Case for the Resurrection, authored by Gary Habermas and Mike Licona.

Wait… what? The former hockey coach wrote a book on Jesus’ resurrection?

I was stunned. As it turns out, Habermas is far more than a coach. He’s a globally respected resurrection scholar who has written dozens of books, published multiple journal articles, and participated in multiple debates with scholars across the world.

As I began pursuing a PhD, I was fortunate enough to become Habermas’ research assistant. Together we studied and worked on several projects. Our major project was his multi-volume series on Jesus’ resurrection called On the Resurrection. The first volume is over 1,000 pages (!) and covers historical methods and evidence for these facts! The second volume is slightly shorter and covers alternative theories. I was the editor of the third volume, which contains over 7,000 footnotes! While such rigorous study and depth are not for everyone, we should all certainly be encouraged that there is such an overwhelming wealth of resources available to us regarding the foundation of our faith!

Habermas is particularly known for developing the “Minimal Facts Approach” (MFA) to Jesus’ resurrection, which is the most popular approach used today. It is a common ground approach that uses (1) facts that are highly evidenced with multiple lines of historical reasoning and (2) data that is widely agreed to be historical by scholars of all backgrounds—believers and unbelievers alike! The MFA allows for a powerful historical case for Jesus’ resurrection that can encourage believers and plant the seeds of the gospel for unbelievers.

What are these “Minimal Facts” (MFs)? You may be very pleased to learn that you already know most of them:

Jesus died on the cross
The disciples had experiences of the risen Jesus
The disciples were transformed and willing to suffer/die
The skeptical James, the Lord’s brother, became leader of the Jerusalem church
Paul converted from being a persecutor to a preacher of Jesus

I doubt many of these facts, with the possible exception of James, are new to you. However, what may be new to you is the fact that these are minimal facts. This means that these are historical facts that have (1) multiple lines of supporting arguments using historical critical methods and (2) are widely accepted by virtually all scholars, including skeptical ones!

Understanding the historical reality of the resurrection is incredibly powerful for disciples. It grounds our faith in an incredible event in which Jesus has conquered death. As we learn these facts, we are better equipped to share with others the reason for the hope within us (1 Pet. 3:15).

What about those who are doubting the resurrection or unbelievers? You may be surprised to learn that the major alternative theories to Jesus’ resurrection cannot explain or account for the MFs! Alternative theories often include views like the disciples stealing the body, or they hallucinated, or made up the whole thing. These theories have repeatedly failed to account for the core facts of Jesus’ resurrection.

Regardless of our external circumstances- trials, temptations, or tribulations - the reality of the resurrection stands firm. This can bring both comfort and conviction, but either way, it is an event that does not change. It is an anchor for believers, and without it we would be lost (1 Cor. 15:13–19). It is little surprise that Paul refers to Jesus’ resurrection as "of first importance” in 1 Corinthians 15:3.

That’s exactly why Pure Encouragement is partnering with CORE Apologetics to host a 6-week seminar on The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus. Together, we’ll dive into these Minimal Facts, explore why alternative theories fall short, and discover why the resurrection is truly the anchor of our faith. The course began Monday, but it’s not too late to join us! The first session was recorded, so you can catch up easily and jump right in with us next week. Don’t miss this chance to grow in confidence, be equipped to share your faith, and experience the life-changing power of the resurrection.

Click here to learn more or sign up—and come ready to be encouraged, challenged, and equipped!

Dr. Ben Shaw is the President of CORE Apologetics and has worked alongside Dr. Gary R. Habermas—widely regarded as the world’s leading expert on Jesus’ resurrection—for more than a decade. He served as editor of a recent nearly 1,000-page volume with Dr. Habermas on the resurrection of Jesus, which included over 7,000 footnotes.

Dr. Shaw has authored or co-authored more than two dozen publications and has presented at conferences and universities, including the University of Virginia. He has also taught at Liberty University and Colorado Christian University. Outside of academics, Dr. Shaw is a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

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Inspiring Story of the Month Featuring

Sat, 13 Sep 2025 15:17:00 +0000

Brad Newburg knows what it means to wander far from God...and to be brought back by grace. Growing up in a faithful Christian home, it seemed natural that his life would follow a path of faith. But by the age of 15, Brad made his own choices, walking a worldly path for more than 20 years. “I didn’t give my heart to the Lord until I was 35,” he admits. “I thought I knew what life was about, but I was chasing emptiness without even realizing it.”

Through those years, there was one unwavering presence, his parents and in particular his mother, Peggy. “She was constantly praying for me, even when I was in the darkest places of my life,” Brad says. “She reminded me over and over that God loved me, and she never stopped believing I could be brought back to Him.”

That faithfulness would soon come full circle. In 2020, Peggy suffered a severe back injury requiring complex surgery. The recovery was grueling, and during a particularly dark moment, she refused to eat for or drink for almost a week. When she finally called Brad, she confessed something that would shake him to his core: “Son, I don’t want to live anymore. I’m going home soon.”

Brad recalls the surge of desperation and prayer that followed. “God put it on my heart to remind her of His truth, all those moments when she had prayed for me, all the ways He had worked in our lives,” he says. He began to speak life over her, reminding her of God’s promises. “I prayed, and I said, ‘Mom, He is still with you. He has never left you.’" And in that moment, she interrupted me through tears, when she said, "He’s in the room.”

Brad watched as his mother engaged in a conversation with God, confessing her forgetfulness and recommitting her life to Him. “I remember hearing her say, ‘I remember the day you showed me my heart. I give my life back to you, Lord,’” Brad recounts. “And then she said to me, ‘Son, I love you. I need to go get something to eat. God’s not done with me yet.’ That was a moment of pure awe for me.”

Months later, Peggy faced another surgery, even more severe than the first. She is now physically limited, unable to walk, but her faith shines brighter than ever. “Every time I see her, she says, 'He’s worthy. In Him, I can do all things. He will purpose this pain. He’s not finished with me yet,'” Brad shares. “She is walking with the Lord through one of the greatest trials of her life, and in doing so, she inspires me to cling to Christ in every circumstance.”

Brad’s personal journey of faith naturally led him into ministry with Pure Encouragement. After being introduced to Gary Steffes through the discipleship ministry Influencers, he witnessed the birth of Pure Encouragement and soon stepped into helping men discover their true identity in Christ. Today, Brad invests in others through Journey Groups, Confidence Groups, and prayer initiatives, walking alongside men as they learn to live confidently from who God says they are. He’s currently participating in a six-week Confidence Journal group, declaring daily truths such as: “I am a chosen son of God. I am part of a royal priesthood. I am made new.” For Brad, it all comes down to transformation at the heart level. “It’s about living from the inside out,” he explains. “When the heart is transformed first, it guides our will, our emotions, our thoughts, and our actions. That’s where true, lasting confidence and victory come from.”

Brad’s story, woven together with his mother’s miraculous recovery, stands as a powerful testimony to God’s grace and the finished work of the cross. “Everything we need to live godly lives has already been given to us,” he says. “It’s not about striving in our own strength. It’s about knowing Him intimately and walking confidently in the victory He has already won.” His journey reminds us that no matter how far we wander, God’s grace is always able to restore, heal, and transform us from the inside out.

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From Edinburgh to Eternity: My Journey of Faith / Guest Post by Stuart Brown

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 15:54:33 +0000

We all have a story, and for many of us, it’s a winding road full of detours, struggles, and lessons learned the hard way. Some people seem to walk a straight path toward faith, while others, like me, take the long way around. My story began in Edinburgh, Scotland, but it has taken me across continents, through military service, family joys, personal failures, and seasons of loneliness and ultimately into the arms of Jesus Christ.

I was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, into a family that didn’t attend church very often. God wasn’t really part of our daily lives, and faith wasn’t something we talked much about. Like many teenagers, I grew restless under the authority of my parents. By the time I turned 18, I wanted independence more than anything. In 1979, I joined the Royal Air Force ( I REALLY DID NOT THINK THROUGH THE AUTHORITY THING BEFORE THAT DECISION), eager to escape and prove that I could stand on my own.

The Air Force taught me a lot about discipline, responsibility, and hard work. But it also reinforced the world’s idea of what a man should be. In those years, I worked hard — but I also partied even harder. Success was measured by what you achieved, how tough you looked, and how much fun you could pack into the weekends. Deep down, I thought I was becoming the man I was meant to be. In reality, I was running from God and building my identity on things that wouldn’t last.

In 1991, just after the first Gulf War, I married for the first time. Not long after, I was blessed with two wonderful children who would always remain a source of joy and pride for me. Life seemed to be moving forward.

By 1996, I decided to leave the Air Force behind and move to the United States in search of a new beginning. I was ready for a fresh start, but I didn’t realize how much my life was about to change.

In November of 1997, just a year after arriving in America, someone knocked on my door and introduced me to Jesus. It’s amazing how God sometimes sends people at just the right time. That simple knock became the turning point of my entire life. For the first time, I began to truly see who Jesus was and what He had done for me.

Even with this new faith, the road wasn’t smooth. By 2000, my first marriage ended in divorce. Looking back, I can see how much pride and ego played a role in that outcome. I refused to seek counseling because, in my mind, “men don’t do that.” I thought admitting I needed help was a weakness. How wrong I was. That decision cost me dearly.

After the divorce, I spent 19 years living on my own. They were years filled with activity — but also with emptiness.

During those years, I threw myself into church life. I attended services three times a week, memorized scripture, and stayed busy in ministry. I drove buses to pick up kids for Sunday school, took youth to summer camps and ski trips, chaperoned soccer matches and volleyball games, taught Sunday school classes, ushered faithfully, and went soul-winning door to door several times a week.

On the surface, it looked like I was a strong, faithful Christian. To others, I probably seemed like someone fully devoted to God’s work. But inside, I was running on empty.
What I didn’t realize then was that I had slipped into a performance-based Christianity. I believed that the more I did, the more God would love me. My worth was tied to my service. If I missed a responsibility, I felt guilty. If I served well, I felt like maybe God would finally approve of me. But the truth was, no matter how much I did, I never felt the joy and peace that only comes from knowing God’s unconditional love.

In 2019, God wrote a new chapter in my story. I remarried a wonderful Christian woman who has been an incredible blessing in my life. Together, we found a new church home where people loved me for who I was, not for what I did.

That was a game-changer. For the first time in a long time, I began to experience grace through the love of others. Still, I wrestled with self-doubt. I often asked myself: Why would people or God love me? What do they see in me?

Slowly, God began peeling back the layers of lies I had believed for years. Through His Word, through the encouragement of my wife, and through the acceptance of my church family, I began to see the truth: God’s love is not conditional.

The greatest shift in my life has been realizing that Jesus already did it all. On the cross, He cried out, “It is finished.” That means the work is done. I don’t need to perform to earn God’s approval, because in Christ, I already have it.

Today, I’m learning to see myself the way God sees me:

I am a new creation.
I have a new heart and a new mind.
I am born again.
I am loved.
I am completely forgiven.
I have eternal life.
I am clothed in Christ’s righteousness.

These aren’t just words on a page. They are promises from God’s Word. They are truths that I cling to when doubt creeps in, when old habits of performance whisper that I’m not enough, and when the enemy tries to remind me of my failures.

As Romans 8:1 declares: “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.”That verse has become an anchor for me. My past mistakes, my pride, my failures — they no longer define me. Christ defines me.

My journey is ongoing. I know I won’t change overnight. There are still days when I struggle with old ways of thinking. But I’m learning to walk in the truth of who I am in Him. I am not striving for God’s love anymore — I am resting in it.

And that has made all the difference.

Stuart Brown was born in Scotland and served 17 years as a Royal Air Force Flight Engineer before retiring. He has been a follower of Christ for 28 years and is married to his wife, Julie, with whom he shares a blended family of four children. For the past six years, Stuart and Julie have built their life together in Florida, where Stuart works as an active real estate agent with RE/MAX Elite in Melbourne.

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Greatest of All / Guest Post by Dr. Ben Shaw

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 17:02:15 +0000

Who is the greatest ice hockey player of all time?

The answer is clearly Alexander Ovechkin, and for at least two reasons:

He leads the NHL in all-time goal scoring.
He is one of the all-time leaders in hits/checks.

Right now, I’m sure most of you are nodding your head in agreement with me. However, there may be a few—just a few—who are thinking about how entirely wrong I am and that someone else is a better player.

The point of asking the question was not to start a debate about who is the best. Rather, it is to show that the question and our answers to it are normal, natural, and commonplace. If it is this easy to do in sports, how much more can we do it with our Lord Jesus?

Of course, for us, we are not just talking about Jesus, but living faithfully for Jesus (Eph. 2:10). Being able to share with others why Jesus is not just the “greatest of all time” but also Lord is important. Giving reasons for Jesus as our hope is something we are commanded to do and is called apologetics (e.g., 1 Pet. 3:15).

While apologetics sounds like a strange word, it has nothing to do with apologizing, arguments, or academics. It is simply giving a reason or a response. Whether we are giving a reason for Ovechkin being the best hockey player or Jesus as Lord, both discussions involve apologetics.

So those of you getting ready to type up why I am wrong about the best hockey player in the comments—I’ll look forward to reading the apologetic you give for someone you think is better than Ovechkin (though I doubt you’ll have any).

Christians use the word apologetics because of 1 Peter 3:15, which says:

“Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense [apologia] to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.”

The word defense here is where we get our word apologetics from. There are some important takeaways from this verse:

We are to be “always” ready, not sometimes or occasionally. This means taking the time to train to have core reasons memorized so that you are always ready to share them. To be ready, we must be prepared.
We are to be ready to share “everyone.” This includes believers, unbelievers, and even ourselves when necessary.
1. Believers: If John the Baptist can have questions about Jesus, it is more than reasonable that believers today will have them (Mt. 11:1-19).
2. Unbelievers: When we share with others, they will ask us questions, and we need to be ready to answer the core questions (Acts 17:18-31).
3. Ourselves: Sometimes in moments of doubt, anxiety, or temptation, we need to remind ourselves of these truths (Phil. 4:6-9).
Sharing the hope we have assumes we know the hope we have. As believers, we do not check our brains out when we follow Jesus (Mt. 22:37). It is true that our faith is more than mere intellectual assent, but that does not mean that truth and reason are by any means irrelevant either!

Jesus explains why others may ask us about our hope in Matthew 5:13–16:

“You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world… Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

We should be living faithful lives of obedience that allow others to taste (salt) and see (light) that the Lord is good (Ps. 34:8). As they see the good works we do as faithful servants of Jesus, they may ask us why is it that we are doing these things? Why are you serving others? Why are you sacrificing your time? Why are you forgiving? Why do you give your money? These are all questions that are ultimately about Jesus. This also leads to the potentially convicting question of “Who is asking you?” If nobody is, why not?

One of the most important apologetics for Christians—not only as a starting point for sharing the gospel but also for giving a reason for our hope—is Jesus’ resurrection.
In 1 Corinthians 15:1–3, Paul says that it is:

Part of the gospel
Has the power to save
Is of first importance

Paul then spends an entire chapter showing the reality and significance of Jesus’ resurrection.

But is it true? Did Jesus really rise from the dead and conquer death?

The answer is yes — and the resurrection remains one of the best apologetics for believers, despite nearly 2,000 years of critical inquiry and investigation. As Gary Habermas and Mike Licona point out:

“Christians should be delighted to find that the evidence for Jesus’ resurrection is extremely compelling, even when using only a small collection of strongly attested historical facts to support the event.”

In short, there are good reasons the resurrection has remained persistent for 2,000 years — and why alternative theories have repeatedly failed.

If you wanted to share with others:

The hope you have in Jesus and
The reason for the hope you have (1 Peter 3:15)

…how would you go about doing so? Would you point to the gospel, which has the power to save and is of first importance?

That’s exactly what Paul does in 1 Corinthians 15. Jesus’ resurrection proves that He is the good King and the coming Judge. Acts 17:30–31 reminds us that the resurrection is not just a past event, but has future significance:

“God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.”

At the end of the day, debating who the greatest hockey player of all time is may be fun, but it doesn’t change eternity. What truly matters is being ready to give a reason for the hope we have in Jesus.

That’s why I’m inviting you this fall to join me as I partner with Pure Encouragement for a 6-week live course on one of the most critical foundations of the Christian faith: the resurrection of Jesus.

Together, we’ll walk through the Minimal Facts Approach, developed alongside Dr. Gary Habermas, one of the world’s leading scholars on the resurrection. Each session will be recorded and available for replay for up to 90 days, so you won’t miss a moment.

CLICK HERE to learn more or sign up. Come ready to be encouraged, challenged, and equipped as we dive deep into the truth and life-changing significance of Jesus’ resurrection!

Join Us September 15th!

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Identity Crisis / Guest Post by Breton Lindoff

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 09:21:59 +0000

Proverbs 16:9
“The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.”

Who are you? What’s your identity?

Growing up in a hockey town and country of Canada, hockey quickly became my first love. I can remember Red Deer, Alberta, being a very competitive city between two major cities: Calgary and Edmonton. I was blessed with teammates, friends, and family who inspired a very competitive nature.

I can also remember the era we were in with Gretzky, Messier, and Grant Fuhr/Bill Ranford. The star-studded dynasty in the city of champions: the Edmonton Oilers, which has been my dad’s favorite team for my lifetime.

In the early ’90s, my family started billeting for the Western Hockey League’s Red Deer Rebels (which is sort of a mini NHL, except junior age 16–20), and almost every player that lived with us was drafted to the NHL. I naively thought, “That’s just how it’s gonna happen for me.”

I was blessed to grow up playing at some top levels for my age group in both hockey and baseball. My identity, for as long as I can remember, was wrapped up in being “a hockey player” or “an athlete.” I loved the significance it held, the way it felt, and how people treated me for just getting to do what I loved. Although I lacked size, it never stopped the dream of one day playing professionally.

Those feelings soon faded as my final junior year ended and my hopes of playing even Division 1 in college were non-existent. I had a few smaller college offers, but not full scholarships. I watched several of my teammates move on to play hockey at the college level, and some even pro… but for me, I was done at 20 years old. I was done done. In fact, I wasn’t even sure who I was anymore. I had spent the majority of my life identifying as an athlete and a hockey player. I had invested my entire self-worth and significance in a game—a fleeting game. If I wasn’t a hockey player, then what was I? Who was I supposed to be?

I don’t think hockey teaches kids anything about what we’re supposed to do when it’s over.

My dreams faded… along with my zest for life.
That is where my spiritual journey began.
I wondered why God failed me.
I felt depressed, empty, and hopeless.

I tried to find my new identity and significance in something other than hockey and other than God… but all was fleeting and an emotional roller coaster of worthless or unhealthy pursuits.

Looking back, I think God allows people to be tested to find out what they put their trust in.
I had to ask myself if my faith was authentic or if I was using religion like a good luck charm, hoping it might help, but lacking real conviction.

The truth is, I was going through the motions.

It took me until I was 25–26 years old before I realized my way of living life wasn’t working out that well. There I was with the same elementary or middle school-age understanding of faith. I never worked on it, yet expected it to grow. It is no wonder God felt so distant. I had not made any strides in His direction; it wasn’t a good relationship. And that my faith was not personal at all.

I will never forget watching a YouTube interview with the captain of the Arizona Coyotes, Shane Doan, who was asked about being known as “a strong religious guy,” and he said he did not like that title and corrected the interviewer by saying, “My faith is a personal relationship with Jesus, just like my everyday loving relationship with my wife and my kids.”
God used his words to hit home, and I knew I needed to make a change.

As I began to trust God and try to make changes to put Him first, I watched my life transform. Did I deserve it? No, not at all! Nothing I can ever do is deserving of His grace. I deserve nothing good for the bad choices I have made, yet He calls me clean because of what Christ has done. And because I chose to put my trust in Him… He exchanged my sin on the cross and gave me another chance. I’ve come to realize that God’s willingness to give us another chance fills me with a sense of reverence and obedience, born out of His love. As I experience this love, I’m drawn to know Him better as the giver of every good gift. This journey of sanctification fills me with gratitude and shapes my path.

Proverbs 3:5
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.”

As we grow, God wants us to grow physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually. We must move beyond simply repeating the same simplistic prayers and seek to deepen our understanding of God.

I now consider trials God gave me as consequences of my sin, but I also believe it was God’s way of finally getting my attention. It came in the forms of my lost identity, failing health (allergy-related), failed relationships, or even my career choices and dreams after being laid off from work in the 2008 recession. It took complete trust and surrender of my life in exchange for God’s way. He took my materialistic identity, my securities, and any sort of fleeting significance I thought I had in order to give me true perspective. Everything is fleeting in this life, except the love of God, the love we reflect to others, and having a true relationship with Christ.

I believe without a shadow of a doubt in the power of Christ and what can happen when we exchange our ways for His. When we stop rationalizing our sinful nature and start to seek Him, love Him, and keep His commands, we are able to better listen to His word, obey, and trust Him to guide our steps.

Jeremiah 29:11–13
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”

2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

For me and the path God brought me on, I will be forever grateful.

He never stops chasing us—even when we fail or fall short and make mistakes. I am so grateful that I trusted His promises in His Word. I am even grateful for the consequences God allowed me to face so that I would be willing to understand that I was a sinner who desperately needs a Savior.

Even though my dream to play in the NHL never came to fruition, God gave me something so much better. He gave me a new life, a new identity, a renewed sense of purpose, and He gave me a peace that’s almost unexplainable. He gave me a zest for life. He gave me joy that my life was missing. He gave me hope, and He even opened doors in this life I never thought were possible at my age.

Romans 8:28
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.”

At 28 years old, God opened new doors for me to go back and play nearly every level of professional hockey. I played for parts of 7 seasons in the minors in the United States in the FHL, SPHL, the now-defunct CHL, several short call-ups in the ECHL, twice signed short pro tryout agreements in the AHL, was practice goalie for the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2012 lockout season, and even played in several leagues and countries in Europe.
This time it wasn’t about self-identity or significance in a fleeting game, but rather it was about being grateful for the opportunity to try and honor Him by doing the best I could. He gave me an authentic faith, He gave me more friends and the fellowship of other Christian athletes, and He gave me a renewed understanding of what it means to work on my spiritual health rather than just physical and emotional well-being.

Hebrews 5:14
“But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.”

I thank God every day for the life He’s given me and the journey He put me on—for the family He raised me with, for the careers He’s allowed me to pursue, and for all the amazing people God put in my work life and personal life. And for my amazing wife, Katie, whom He allowed me to meet through mutual friends. Though I still stumble and make mistakes, God’s presence brings me peace, and He guides me in the correct direction.

James 1:4
“Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

Why is our identity so crucial in Christ?
Human nature needs God… we were created for God and for doing good.
Without purpose, we slowly unravel and become mired in depression, anxiety, and a potential never-ending list of physical and emotional symptoms.

But through Christ, He’s given us a non-fleeting eternal purpose and peace.
We are chosen, adopted children of God.
We are a new creation.
We are unconditionally loved.
We are on a new mission.

If you are reading this and feel numb like something is missing, or are feeling empty, like you are on your own—how I used to feel… and if you want to make a change,
I encourage you to just start with baby steps like I did:

Romans 11:29
“The gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”

Pray! If you have trouble praying, you can start by asking God to help you with your unbelief. From there, just try and learn who Jesus is. For me, one of my first prayers was, “God, please help me to fear You and to keep Your commandments.” Proverbs 8:13 says, “To fear the LORD is to hate evil. I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech.”
Write down things in your life that you know you want out of your life. What things are potentially harming you and others close to you? Make a list of the things you know you need to stop doing.
Write down things in your life you know are good and will make a lasting impact. What do you need to start doing that will help you grow closer to God and mature? Ask God to help you accomplish these.
Start each day with a consistent daily devotional. Whether you read or listen, soak up God’s Word by any and all means you can.
Surround yourself with people who are following Jesus! An easy place to start is to ask someone who has earned your trust, who you know has a personal relationship with Christ, for prayer and help to find a community that is seeking to put God first. This will strengthen you as you walk. Consider joining the Pure Encouragement community. This ministry is meant for everyone, just to encourage and inspire one another in faith.
Put on the Armor of God. Ephesians 6:10–12 says: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Sin is the enemy’s game plan that separates us from God’s plan for our lives. Seek to understand that there’s an enemy who does not want you to trust in Christ. He will do everything he can to deceive, distract, and discourage you from wanting to better your life. So armor up! On our own, we don’t stand a chance.
Take accountability for your actions.
Work on self-control and have faith that God will help guide you.
Remember that “Good people don’t get into heaven; rather, forgiven people get into heaven.”

10. In the words of Gary Steffes: “I can’t wait to see what God does! Here we go.”

Breton Lindoff, born in 1983 and raised in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada, grew up as the middle child in a loving Christian home where faith was modeled by his devoted parents and supported by encouraging siblings. A former professional hockey goaltender, he played for the better part of seven seasons, with a career highlight of training with the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2011–2012 NHL lockout. After retiring, he continued to pursue high-level sport by training in skeleton for two seasons in Whistler. Breton now works as a crane technician and heavy equipment mechanic in the Operating Engineers Crane Union. He is a proud uncle and husband, married to a beautiful, God-fearing woman from Texas, and lives out his faith with quiet strength, discipline, and integrity both on and off the job.

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Every Conversation Counts / Guest Post by Carter Duffin

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 22:07:34 +0000

For a hockey coach, summer is an exciting time. Even though we aren’t in the rink every day, our focus shifts from the daily grind to building, planning, and connecting—and often has me charging my phone two or three times a day. The recruiting drive for the next season begins during the late stages of last season, and as the Head Coach of a Christian College hockey team, these recruiting calls are a massive opportunity to connect with players from all backgrounds.

After a successful first season on the ice as the Head Coach at Briercrest College, I was determined to achieve success off the ice. I was excited to dive into a full summer of recruiting and start building relationships—some that might last for a single phone call, and others that will hopefully grow for years to come. With this in mind, I wanted to challenge myself to ensure I didn't miss the chance to plant a seed in every 'first call.'

Recruiting for a Christian college is unique. It's fun to truly have the opportunity to be open with my faith, but it also demands turning over every stone, asking hard questions, and being encouraging at every turn. In a word, it requires being BOLD. The world of Junior hockey can be a dark world, filled with earthly distractions and the temptation to take the easy way out rather than follow God's call. My mission in this process is to find young men who want to grow in their faith and follow Jesus, regardless of their background or past.

During the past school year, I was fortunate to spend time weekly in the Word with Wes Olmstead, one of our college's professors. Wes had a profound impact on me, challenging me to dig deeper—to find things new, familiar, or previously unknown, and to let those lessons impact my life and help me bear good fruit. We spent the first semester reading and re-reading the Gospel of Matthew. Purposefully re-reading the book always provided new insights that became apparent on each reading. One of the parables we focused on was the 'Sower and the Seeds' in Matthew 13. The key lesson from this parable is that we don't know the condition of someone's heart when we share the Gospel. Jesus didn't set a prerequisite on who could come to Him; only that they must hear, understand, and receive the Word. This is why He calls us in the Great Commission to share the Gospel with everyone:

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

I remember my first 'official' recruiting call of the summer clearly. I had talked with previous coaches at the college, and coaches of other sports about their approach to recruiting calls. The player on the line was someone I had briefly coached in Junior A hockey a few years prior before he was traded. During that short time, I never stepped up to speak to him about Jesus, but I could tell there was 'something different' about him and his character. Years later, I was eager to reconnect and see if Briercrest would be a fit for him.

About forty minutes into a great conversation about our hockey program, logistics, and school, I had a moment of self talk - similar to in a movie when you see a character have this self-discussion while life just pauses. I faced a clear choice:

1. Wrap up the call and save the 'faith talk' for later.

2. Be bold, bring up Jesus right now, and gain insight to his heart. I had challenged myself not to miss these opportunities, even if I only got one call with a player.

I chose the latter, brought up my faith, and opened the door to the Gospel.

The call was made easy when he replied that he already knew Jesus and was actively seeking Him! That moment was incredibly encouraging and solidified my approach. Since then, I've had many more recruiting calls, ranging from players eager for Biblical Studies to those who have never had any real exposure to Jesus in their lives. Honestly, those are the calls I now look forward to most—the conversations with young men who say, "I think there's a God, but I don't know what to do with that," or "I've never really thought about it before."

I feel incredibly fortunate for the position I'm in. Not only am I the Head Coach of a college hockey team, but I have the opportunity to call players from across Canada and the USA and know that I get to bring up Jesus in every single call. I don't always know where those seeds of faith will land or how quickly they will grow. But maybe, someday down the road, a player I only spoke with once will remember "that one coach who talked about Jesus." I don't know what your situation is as you read this—whether you have the chance to share Jesus with a coworker, a teammate, or a family member. But I want to encourage you: when that opportunity arises, share boldly. Don't worry or be anxious; the Holy Spirit will give you the words. We can trust that at the right time and in the right way, the Holy Spirit will guide what we say and how we say it. The challenge I leave you with is this: pray for wisdom, wait on Jesus, and be obedient to His call. Sometimes we only get one conversation with someone—let's not let them miss the opportunity to know Jesus. It’s an exciting and powerful thing to share the Gospel boldly, knowing He has your back.

"And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say." Luke 12:11-12

Carter Duffin, originally from Red Deer, Alberta, Canada, is the Head Coach of the Men's Ice Hockey team at Briercrest College. Before coaching at the collegiate level, he spent eight years coaching Junior A hockey across Western Canada. Coach Duffin has a heart for developing young men through the game of hockey, and he strives to win not only on the ice but also in his and his players' daily lives—just as Jesus won every day.

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Seeing Clearly / Guest Post by Ruth Smith

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 17:13:57 +0000

Yesterday, I had cataract surgery on my right eye. In just a couple of weeks, I’ll have the left one done too. But for now, I’m living in an unusual reality: one eye clouded with cataracts, and the other suddenly able to see with clarity.

What a shock that first moment was - seeing through my cataract-free eye. Everything was brighter. Whiter. Cleaner. Light reflected off the floors and walls like never before. The tablecloth I thought was beige was actually a soft, creamy white. The yogurt container wasn’t yellow-tinted; it was crisp and clean. And those walls I had “carefully” chosen the paint color for? They weren’t cream—they were white! The clarity was dazzling. So much so, I sometimes had to close my eye to rest from the brightness.

In that moment, I was struck by a powerful thought: This must be just a glimpse of what heaven will be like.

Scripture tells us that heaven has no need for the sun or a lamp because God Himself is the light. And after experiencing how intense and pure this physical light felt, I was overwhelmed thinking of what it will be like to step into the radiant presence of God, who wraps Himself in light and reveals all things in truth and glory.

Then, I looked through my left eye, the one still clouded by cataracts, and everything felt dim again. Hazy. Like a fog or a dirty lens filtering my reality. And that’s when it hit me:

That’s what sin does.

It dulls our perception. It clouds the truth. It makes what is wrong seem normal. Until the light shines in, until we see through God’s lens, we don’t even realize what we’ve been missing. The contrast is sharp. Just as I had adjusted to the darkness without realizing it, our hearts can adjust to sin, too… unless the Light breaks in.

This whole experience brought 1 Corinthians 13 to life for me:

“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face.” (1 Corinthians 13:12, ESV)

Right now, our vision, our understanding, is limited. Even the best glimpses we get of God and His truth are filtered through a fallen world. But one day, all will be revealed. One day, we’ll see clearly. One day, we’ll see Him face to face.

That’s the hope we carry. That’s the clarity we long for. In the meantime, we keep walking toward the light, letting Him illuminate our hearts, our sin, and our steps.

And when the day comes that we step into His presence - free from sin, full of joy, and wrapped in light - what a day of glory that will be!

Hallelujah!

Ruth Smith is a lifelong Bible teacher, musician, and encourager. She leads Bible studies in her home and online for women around the country and has faithfully served in music ministry for decades. She has also been active in prayer and policy ministry through Concerned Women for America and Moms in Prayer, and spent years teaching Child Evangelism Fellowship classes to children. Ruth finds joy in sharing the gospel, welcoming others into her home, and making music. In her spare time, she enjoys swimming, walking, reading, and dancing with her grandchildren.

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Striving For God / Guest Post by Lillian Ainsley

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 19:29:04 +0000

Being an athlete for the majority of my life, I know what it means to work hard and make commitments. But my first semester and season in a new state with new coaches and a team full of strangers was difficult. Even as an extrovert, I found myself constantly thinking about how I would fit into this team. How could I compare to a group that already seemed so connected? The other first-year students found friends on the team faster than I did, and I wanted to belong so badly.

When I arrived at Olivet Nazarene University, my coach told us to choose a “word of the year,” something to focus on not only in swimming, but also in our studies and everyday life. I chose Strive. I wanted to prove that I belonged on the team, and to do that, I had to strive. Striving at practice was easy: work hard, finish the sets, and push myself beyond the limits. But I also needed to strive in every part of being on the team, cheering, participating in team activities, and building relationships. As the season went on, whenever practice felt too hard, I would think to myself, “To be better, I must strive!”

Still, I wondered how I could strive in life and in my relationship with the team. To strive in my studies meant not procrastinating and staying focused. But striving in my relationship with Christ and with the other girls was harder. Balancing a new social life, swimming, and school was overwhelming. But I truly wanted to commit to my word of the year. To strive for Christ meant joining Bible studies even when I felt like I had no time and stepping out of my comfort zone to lead a study with the women’s team. Preparing for that study pushed me to dive into God’s Word. As I did, I realized what striving really meant: focusing fully on something greater than myself. Even though the study was about leaders in the Bible, God used it to lead me to my goal. The girls showed so much support. Through His Word, God helped me connect with the team. The more I absorbed His truth, the more I realized this was what I had been striving for all along.

As the season continued, even though I had built strong relationships, I still wanted to prove I belonged. I wasn’t as fast as the top girls, even though I was working hard. Then I injured my shoulder and was told not to use it for a few days. I had to start therapy with the trainer. I worried: How can I strive in my sport if I can’t even swim? I didn’t want the team to think I was slacking or giving up. But the opposite happened. The women on the team showed me constant kindness, checking in and encouraging me. Their support made the team feel like a true family. God used my injury as a living example of how to live like Him, and my team became the example.

To strive is to love the people around you. Even though my word was Strive, I realized God was striving to reach me and hold me secure. My team strived to love me and show me I belonged. As a freshman, hundreds of miles from home in a place where everyone was a stranger, I learned that striving means more than chasing accomplishments. Striving for God means loving Him, knowing Him, and knowing His people. Next year, I want to reflect the character of God and strive to be more like Him as I face new challenges.

Lillian Ainsley is a sophomore at Olivet Nazarene University in Illinois, originally from Palm Bay, Florida. A lifelong athlete, she has been a competitive swimmer since the age of 10. Lillian is pursuing a degree in Multimedia Communications with dreams of becoming a travel journalist or reporter. With a heart for missions, she has spent the past three summers serving abroad and hopes to return to Ecuador as a missionary intern after graduation. She also proudly claims four brothers and one beloved “sister” dog.

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