Christian Living Magazine November December 2018

FREE

November / December 2018

CHURCH IN THE

Dirt

All hats welcome

STRONG

Men

They struggle too

GETTING

& Giving A good ‘syndrome’

A RICH

Christmas On a skinny budget

Blaine and Molly Lilly of Church in the Dirt in Homedale

B�essings...

Count your

Thanks for Listening!

Keeping Christ in the Center of your Holidays

941thevoice.com • 208.377.3790 • 790kspd.com

Contents November / December 2018 Features

Rudolph the Reindeer

Near-death:

New view on life

Church Bazaars

Holiday challenge: Not feeling cheery?

5

8 9

12

Randy-B Funk holding SOS Drive

13

Interfaith Christmas Concert set

13

Listening:

It’s a superpower

16

“Every new day he does not fail.”

— Zephaniah 3:5 NIV

Is healthshare the same as health insurance?

37 Black bear fight

38

Columns 6

Real Man’s Toolbox: Strong men struggle

with 10 Outdoors Dougherty: Memory season

Health: 18 Maximum Text neck

Cover Story —

Dots: 22 God ‘But God...’ moments

Church in the Dirt: Keep your hat on

Seasonal syndrome: Getting and giving

Man in the Mirror: All for men

This: 28 Consider Grace Power Packs

20 Departments Daily Bread: 24 7 Your A rich Christmas 26

Savor the Season:

30

Desert times:

32

Winning recipes God is there

Emotional exhaustion: Finding rest

Who do you look like: Image of God

34 36

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14 Understanding Relationships: Got problems?

In Each Edition 4

Publisher’s Corner: The beauty of grace

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Volume 6, Number 6 Publisher Sandy Jones boisechristianliving@gmail.com Editor Gaye Bunderson Submit story ideas, article submissions & press releases editorgaye@gmail.com Sales & Marketing Kimberly McMullen kim.bcliving@gmail.com 208-713-6357 • Scott McMurtrey scott.bcliving@gmail.com 208-841-4583 • Sandy Jones boisechristianliving@gmail.com 208-703-7860 Cover Photo Steve Jones Graphic Design Denice King Contributors Daniel Bobinski, Jewelea Clarke, Hilary Cobb, Jim Day, Dan Dougherty, RM Drury, Terry Frisk, Leo Hellyer, Evelyn Horan, Vincent Kituku, Janet Lund, Rosie Main, Gary Moore, Bethany Riehl, Dan Woodworth and Irene Archuleta Woodworth Website Design SEO Idaho Distribution D&S Distribution Christian Living is committed to encouraging and instructing individuals in their daily lives by presenting stories of people in the Treasure Valley who are living on a foundation of faith in Jesus Christ and who serve as uplifting examples to others. Views expressed in Christian Living do not necessarily represent those of the publisher.

Every effort has been made by Christian Living to insure accuracy of the publication contents. However, we do not guarantee the accuracy of all information nor the absence of errors and omissions; hence, no responsibility can be or is assumed. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2018 by Christian Living Ministries Inc. Christian Living is published every other month and is available in over 600 locations throughout the Treasure Valley, including most grocery stores, convenience stores, medical waiting areas, and churches.

If your church would like additional copies please email us today at boisechristianliving@gmail.com Annual subscriptions available for $10/year. To start your subscription or give one as a gift send your check or money order, along with complete address information, and a phone number to call in case there’s questions about your subscription to Christian Living Magazine, PO Box 867, Meridian, ID 83680.

Christian Living | November / December 2018 3

PUBLISHER’S Corner

Grace: It’s a beautiful thing

bit much to understand — but here I am at

By Sandy Jones 56 and I still here her sweet voice in my head.

So many choices. So many things I’d like to Once again I’m reminded that you never say as we close out this year. For those who know when the seeds you plant will sprout don’t know me personally, let’s just say I’ve got — I’m sure she went home believing I never the gift of gab, and if I’m not very careful this heard a word. issue could all be Publisher’s Corner! We have Speaking of seed planting, I’d like to take so much GREAT content to share with you in this opportunity to share about some of the this issue that I will be as brief as possible. seeds we’ve been planting. Five years ago Recently I was invited to be on my friends’ when we came out with our first issue, we proRocky & Cheryl Detwiler’s radio show The jected that by our 5th Anniversary we would Power of Words. It’s a unique concept where be reaching 20,000 readers in our local area. the guest picks a word and a Bible story to We gave it to God, as this is His magazine. help spread positivity. My word: Grace; my This past summer we’ve worked with some Bible story: The Prodigal Son. (Their show amazing coaches. We analyzed our readerairs at 8:30 a.m. Saturdays on 94.1 FM, and ship numbers very carefully, and are thrilled to you can listen to past shows in the archive at Sandy Jones share with you that God, Who sees the bigger 941thevoice.com.) picture, and wants to bless His followers abunI share this because as I was praying about my topic for this column I felt God’s leading to talk about His dantly, has done just that. We’re actually reaching an average of over 55,000 readers here in the Treasure Valley alone, Grace in this issue. not to mention the online readers we reach across the U.S., It’s no secret, and one I’ve addressed previously: we are Canada and 59 countries around the world. living in tenuous times. Friendships and families are blowing As the Treasure Valley continues to be one of the fastest up over things that are so far out of our control. It seems that growing communities in the nation, we anticipate another our society has forgotten that we can disagree; we can have 5,000 to 10,000 readers in the next one to two years. That different opinions yet still love each other and get along. said, we are being asked to grow our delivery further to the As we go into the holiday season and our friends and east, expanding to Sun Valley and the Magic Valley. We’ve families gather, I have to remind myself what we are told in even been asked to prayerfully consider opening in other Matthew 6:15: “But if you do not forgive others their sins, states. your Father will not forgive your sins.” I’m as guilty as the In the spirit of transparency I must admit that this blessnext guy of wanting to hold on to how others have wronged ing is why we became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit earlier this year. me, but I chide myself, as I fully believe that God has thrown Our ad sales simply have not been able to keep up with the my sin in the Sea of Forgetfulness, that it’s as far from me as distribution costs. After months of prayer, God lead us to the the east is from the west because He has forgiven me.

This is GRACE. In the dictionary it’s described as “the free right people at the right time to take this giant step into the nonprofit world. Christian Living Magazine is now able to acand unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation cept tax-deductible donations to help fill the gap. As this year of sinners and the bestowal of blessings.” comes to a close, we ask you to please prayerfully consider God gives us Grace beyond measure. In Lamentations we partnering with us by donating through our website www. are told that His mercies are new every morning. I’ve messed boisechristianliving.com to help us to bring hope, inspiration up at times in my life, and I know that I wish for a few people’s mercy; and there are those out there that probably think and a new perspective to even more people just like you.

And as I so often request — please frequent our advertisers. the same of me. Like everyone else I’m a work in progress, You see they “get” the vision of Christian Living Magazine. and am working diligently on this very thing.

They advertise with us to help support our ministry and we I’m chuckling, because I can still hear my Southern Baptist want to be sure they get the recognition they deserve. WithGrandma teaching me about trust and forgiveness. Her faout them we would never have made it through the first 5 mous one-liner: “fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, years — and we hope to be partners with them for a good shame on me,” but then she’d go on to explain that you must long time yet! forgive, but you didn’t have to put yourself in the position to Until next time... God Bless! n be harmed again. From the point of a 10-year-old it was a

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4 November / December 2018 | Christian Living

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Rudolph the Reindeer (a true account)

By Evelyn Horan When he was young, life was difficult for Bob May. He was often bullied by other boys, and at the time, he was too little to compete in sports. Sometimes, he was called names and he didn’t seem to fit in.

When Bob completed college, he married and was grateful to get a job as a copywriter at Montgomery Ward Department Store. Then, he was blessed with his little girl, Barbara. Bob and his family lived in a small apartment in Chicago, but his wife became ill and the couple’s savings was used to pay medical bills. Bob’s wife passed away just a few days before Christmas in 1938.

Montgomery Ward had asked Bob to write a “cheery” Christmas book that they could give away at Christmas to shoppers, and asked that an animal be the star of the book.

Due to the loss of his wife, Bob struggled to give hope to his daughter Barbara. He decided to make a storybook, as suggested, with a deer character, especially since Barbara loved the deer in the Chicago zoo.

Bob drew on memories of his childhood struggles and not “fitting in” with the other children as he wrote the book. The main character was a little reindeer named Rudolph, who had a big, shiny nose. Bob finished the book just in time to give it to his little girl on Christmas Day. The “Rudolph Poem Booklet,” as it was called, was distributed by Montgomery Ward during the 1939 holiday season.

The department store offered Bob a small fee to purchase the

rights to print the book, which then went on to become known as “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” Montgomery Ward distributed it to children visiting Santa Claus in all its stores. By 1946, the company had printed and distributed more than six million copies of “Rudolph.”

In a gesture of kindness, the president of Montgomery Ward returned all rights back to Bob. The book became a bestseller.

Many toy and marketing deals followed, and Bob May became wealthy from the story he created to comfort his grieving daughter.

Bob’s brother-in-law, Johnny Marks, made a song adaptation to “Rudolph.” It was recorded by the singing cowboy, Gene Autry. “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” was released in 1949 and became a great success, selling more records than any other Christmas song, with the exception of “White Christmas.”

The gift of love that Bob May created for his daughter so long ago kept on returning back to bless him again and again.

And he learned the lesson, just like his dear friend Rudolph, that being different isn’t so bad. In fact, being different can be a blessing. n

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Christian Living | November / December 2018 5

Evelyn Horan is a former teacher from California who has published articles in a number of faith-based publications. She may be reached at evelynhoran@aol.com.

REAL Man’s Toolbox

Need help? Even strong men struggle

Men, we all face a lot of distractions in our

By Leo Hellyer lives. It is very easy for us to get off track and Men, there is one very important thing to have our lives get out of focus. It is like we need remember as we proceed on the journey that a new prescription for our glasses, or maybe we God has each of us on, and that is: Even Strong just need to clean our glasses. God is available, Men Struggle. It really doesn’t matter whether eager, willing and able to take us through any we are a Tier-One operator in the military, a struggle that we may be facing. God loves us so very successful pastor and author, or a Christian much that He doesn’t force Himself upon us; He man trying to live a God-honoring life; all of us waits eagerly for us to ask Him to lead us, redistruggle from time-to-time. We must remember rect us, or carry us if that is what we need. that even as we struggle we cannot give up the It is a well-known fact that Navy Seals are fight. The fight is ours to win. tough, self-reliant men; but in reality, they need As I was preparing this column, God placed God in their lives to conquer the struggles they two books in my hands, written by two very difface in life as well. Some of the at-home struggles ferent godly men. The books are “Seal of God” that a Seal may face can be much more dauntby Chad Williams, who was a member of Seal ing than the struggles he may face in combat.

Team Seven, and “He-Motions: Even Strong Leo Hellyer But whether at home or in combat, God is there Men Struggle” by Bishop to help us conquer our T.D. Jakes, who is the struggles. Chad Williams author of many bestselling was initially responding out books and is the founder of hate, revenge, anger and and pastor of The Potter’s pride when he began trainHouse. ing to become a SEAL; then As we face our individual he found the love of Jesus journey we face many emoand he became a new man. tions, or as Bishop Jakes Chad was still a SEAL, but calls them, “He-Motions.” his heart and life followed We face success or failure, Jesus. fear or heroism, anxiety When Chad went to a or comfort, motivation or church meeting held by apathy, to name a few. Our author and pastor Greg emotions, and how we use Laurie, Greg talked about them, determine who we the story of Naaman, and will be in life. A big part of about what Jesus said in which emotions we present John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay most often depends on if we are trying to face life on our own down one’s life for his friends.” Chad realized that Christ had or through God’s strength and direction. done exactly that for him, and he turned his life over to Christ.

Without a doubt we will face many challenges in our lives. We Chad continued to serve as a Seal for a time and then left the will have physical, emotional, relational, career, and spiritual military and went into full-time ministry. challenges in our lives as a minimum. As Christian men we Just because we are Christian men, it doesn’t mean that we must remember that we don’t have to face these challenges will not face struggles in our lives. We will have challenges and alone. The Holy Spirit is with us every step of every day. We struggles. There is spiritual warfare going on for our lives on a daihave access to the God of Creation to empower us to successly basis. Satan will send abundant distractions and situations into fully face our challenges in life. Men who face their challenges our lives to test our faith and commitment. If we keep our eyes full on and straightforward are Real Men. As Max Lucado says and hearts looking toward Jesus, we will be successful in overcomin the forward to Bishop Jakes’ book, “Real Men pray, Real ing our struggles.

Men open up to friends, Real Men cherish their wives and love Read these two books, ask God to speak to you through these their children, Real Men kneel at the cross.” books, and then praise Him as you are blessed when you face your One of the many noteworthy statements from Bishop Jakes in struggles head-on. this book is, “Obstacles don’t have to be boulders in our path; We will have challenges in life, but we will be victorious over our they can be stepping stones to a higher purpose.” challenges if we face them with God’s strength and not our own. n How well we succeed in facing or overcoming our challenges depends greatly upon the attitude we have as we approach Leo Hellyer is a non-staff pastor with a local church and has been marthose challenges. Bishop Jakes also says, “Hold yourself up to ried to his wife Norma for 45 years. The couple volunteered with the Boise the light of who God intends for you to be, and look for the FamilyLife Ministry Team for 20 years. They are both employed by Boise steps He has carved into the rocks of life for you. Look yourself Rescue Mission Ministries, Norma at City Light Home for Women & Chilin the eye and dare to hope again that your dreams are still dren and Leo at River of Life Rescue Mission. Leo is also the President and Chief Firearms Instructor with Helping Hands Firearms Training LLC. If alive, still attainable. Keeping this hope alive, and pursuing it with every ounce of your strength, is what fuels your journey as you have questions about Real Man’s Toolbox, or need other assistance, Leo may be reached at silverplate426@msn.com or 208-340-5544. a man in the process of fulfilling his manhood.”

6 November / December 2018 | Christian Living

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YOUR Daily Bread

Have a rich Christmas without going broke if you must watch that football game on TV, then

By Terry Frisk invite fellow fans over to watch together and share Christmas should be a time of great joy as we a pizza during the game. celebrate the birth of our Savior. But, for many, Start planning early. Establish how much you Christmas has become the season of spending. will spend and create a budget well in advance that Some people start early and overspend their way allocates planned spending on charitable giving, through the holidays. Others procrastinate and Christmas gifts, and holiday events. Allocate your end up spending more than they intended in the gift budget to the individuals you plan to shop for panic of getting everything done in time. I tend and list the specific items you plan to purchase. to be the procrastinator. While it may seem that I keep a gift list on my smartphone that I add to you would spend less waiting until the last minute, during the year as I get ideas.

I have found that I spent more on gifts because I Put your plan in action. Make your charitawould not take advantage of sales, purchased at ble contributions first and do it early. Your church higher priced retail locations and bought items on or other charities need the funds to support their a whim just to have something for the people on Christmas activities. Shop early and complete your my list. shopping before the first of December. ThanksgivThis year will be different. Here is my plan to Terry Frisk ing is early this year, so two of the biggest sales make Christmas truly the season of celebration days (Black Friday and Cyber Monday) occur in November. If all without breaking the bank. your shopping is completed in November, you will have almost Enjoy a season of experiences. There are so many low- or four weeks to enjoy the Christmas festivities! no-cost activities during the holiday season that make Christmas Avoid using your credit card. Use cash whenever possible. special. Attend one of the many programs at local churches, musiIf you are purchasing over the Internet, use a service like PayPal cal concerts, light displays, holiday fairs or other events in your or Amazon Pay which are tied to your bank account. Bank-issued community. One of my most memorable Christmas activities was debit cards do not have the same fraud protection safeguards as an impromptu gathering of coworkers that went caroling at other credit cards, so it is not advisable to use a debit card for Internet employees’ homes. We had a great time visiting each house and purchases. gathering more participants along the way.

With the push by retailers to buy, buy, buy, it is easy to get caught Bring cheer to others. Look for ways to help others this in the spending trap at Christmas. With early planning and stickChristmas season. Volunteer to help at a homeless shelter, assist at ing to your plan, you can enjoy the holiday season and create a local food bank, serve at your church, or choose any other way you can bring joy to someone else. It can be as simple as caring for memorable experiences for others while rewarding yourself with friends’ children while they have an evening to shop or enjoy some the true spirit of Christmas and with the love in your heart as you rejoice in the birth of our Savior. Have a joyous Christmas and other activity. Then, plan an activity with the children that brings pray for peace. n joy to them.

Spend quality time with family and friends. Turn off the Terry Frisk is a partner in the firm B2B CFO, providing financial advisory television and tune in to others. Television during the holidays is services to small businesses. He also counsels individuals on personal financial filled with advertisements that push the viewers to spend. Coordinate activities that you can share with family and friends. Focus on matters through the Cathedral of the Rockies Budget Counseling ministry. He common interests and schedule time to enjoy them together. Okay, may be contacted through e-mail at terry_frisk@msn.com.

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Christian Living | November / December 2018 7

FOCUS adjustment

Almost dying leads to new view on life

near-death experience, they have a significant

By Irene Archuleta Woodworth personality paradigm shift. The transformed How well do you see? As we get older, we people become more passionate about life, have need readers, and we just don’t see as well as we less interest in material things, become more used to. I need my readers in every room or I spiritual rather than religious, more empathetic am in trouble. When life gets blurry, adjust your towards others, and lose their fear of dying. focus.

Those that return have a strong sense of needAt 2 a.m. on Friday, October 30, 2009, I woke ing to do some work or fulfilling their purpose. up with extreme waves of pain on my right 1. My first insight was on the power of side. I finally woke my husband four hours thank you. Life is so fragile and brief. later. After the doctor sent us to the emergency We think we will live forever. We all have someroom at St. Luke’s Boise Medical Center, it was thing in common: we are going to die. We may determined that I would need an emergency not know when that will be for each of us, but appendectomy. death is certain for sure.

I had had seven surgeries prior to that, and I I began to wonder, if I had died that day, had had never had a problem. But right before my I told my family and friends what they meant to eighth surgery — the appendectomy — I told Irene Archuleta me? I remembered the day I had an epiphany my husband, just in passing, “Make sure you Woodworth about my late father-in-law, Dick Woodworth, keep me alive if anything happens to me. I am and the impact he made in my life. I thanked him for being a not done yet!” part of healing my “father wound.” He became the father I This time, with this surgery, it was different. After they always longed for and needed. We cried as we shared together. removed my appendix, the worst thing that could happen in Two weeks to the day later, he died. That was our last conversurgery happened to me. I had an extremely adverse reaction sation we had together. President John F. Kennedy said, “We to anesthesia. It's called malignant hyperthermia, or fast-movmust make time to thank the people that have made a differing heat stroke. My body was getting ready to explode. It was ence in our lives.” a miracle that the anesthesiologist caught it just in time. My 2. My second insight was on the power of unity. My body became so hot they had to put my blood on ice. What my body experienced in a few minutes is what a marathon runner family and friends got the word out about my critical condition experiences after a year of preparing for his run. Ten surgeons and asked for prayer, and the prayer request went internationally. They came together in unity on my behalf. I know that I worked tirelessly to perform various life-saving procedures on was a miracle and my mission was not done yet. me for several challenging, intense hours.

Mother Teresa said, “There are things I can do that you cannot.

There are things you do that I cannot. However, through Behind the scenes I had a vision: great love we can all do great things.”

I was above the room like a bird on the rooftop looking down With this paradigm shift, I became more empathetic and on my body in a room. I saw my body lying down on a bed, experienced unity with my parents. In a period of five years I my eyes were closed shut and I was motionless. I asked myself, “Did I die, did I die?” Then all of a sudden I saw a black cloud was able to take care of both my estranged dad and my dear mom. We moved them both up to our home in Boise and I bethat began to fill the room from the top down. It was a very came their caregiver before they passed away. I am grateful for creepy and frightening, intense black. (As a color consultant, I this rare gift. Prior to this near-death experience, I could never am very sensitive to color!) have imagined I would be able to become a caregiver.

Then, I saw the strangest thing I have ever seen. I saw a I had the rare opportunity of experiencing forgiveness, love small opalescent lighted pebble start to light the room underand unity for them on a totally different level. neath my bed. I started seeing arms from their elbows to their 3. My third and final insight was on the power of hands in every color, every shape and every size. They came giving.

The happiest people are not the ones that get more; underneath me one by one and I was being held by all of they are the ones that give more. I have always been a believer them. I started hearing various languages — English, Spanin what you sow you will reap. We had just completed our ish, French and others — saying, “Touch her, heal her, save third paint and redesign giveaway worth a hundred thousand her, and deliver her” over and over again. In the meantime, dollars in goods and services to the W.C.A. (Women’s and the lighted opalescent pebble got bigger and bigger each time Children’s Alliance in Boise). That giving, and a lifestyle of another arm came underneath my body, until finally shafts of giving throughout my life, produced a powerful mighty miracle light exploded through my body and burst into the most brilfor me. liant and beautiful colors I have ever seen.

The next thing I saw and knew was waking up in ICU with Learning to focus: a breathing tube down my throat. My eyes were taped shut, Let us focus in on what I learned and perhaps it will shed and I was restrained to the bed unable to move. I looked like some light onto your life and give you some insights from a difa bruised and beat-up swollen body twice my normal size. I ferent perspective. thought I was paralyzed. I was in ICU for six days.

• The power of saying thank you: What words need I am the first person to ever survive this reaction to anesto be said to your loved ones and friends? Who has impacted thesia in St. Luke’s more than 100-year history. I received your life? Have you told them? Will your words make the difa miracle that day and was given a second chance at life, ference of life or death to someone dear to you? with a special gift. Research has shown that if a person has a

8 November / December 2018 | Christian Living

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• Unity and coming together: More than ever there is so much strife in our country. We need to come together with a passionate purpose with a common goal to make a difference in our world. Where can you put away strife in your life?

Together, with great love, we can do great things.

• The power of giving: Where can you give to others in your community? How can you make a difference in your neighborhood, your work, or your school?

The second verse of the Johnny Nash song, “I Can See Clearly Now,” says: I think I can make it now, the pain is gone All of the bad feelings have disappeared Here is the rainbow I've been prayin' for It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright) Sun-Shiny day.

Country Christmas Bazaar Fri., November 2 9am-9pm Sat., November 3 9am-3pm Greenleaf Friends Academy 20565 Academy Rd, Greenleaf, ID ‘Tis the Season Holiday Bazaar Fri., November 2 12-6pm Sat., November 3 9am-6pm Episcopal Church of the Holy Nativity 828 W Cherry Lane, Meridian, ID Christmas Boutique Sat., November 3 8:30am-3:30pm Nampa First Church Family Life Center Gym 601 16th Ave So, Nampa, ID 17th Annual Craft Bazaar Sat., November 3 9am-3:30pm Trinity Lutheran Church 8 S. Midland Blvd, Nampa, ID Holiday Bazaar Sat., November 3 9am-3pm Christ Lutheran Church 1406 W. Cherry Lane, Meridian, ID Holiday Bazaar Sat., November 3 8am-3pm First United Presbyterian Church 400 Lake Lowell Ave, Nampa, ID

How can we make a dramatic difference in our world through the insights that have inspired me? How will you incorporate the power of thank you? How will you express unity? How will you give?

I hope you will not wait until you are dying before you can see clearly. n

Harvest Bazaar Sat., November 3 9:30am-1:30pm Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church 2981 E Boise Ave, Boise, ID

Harvest Bazaar Sat., November 10 9am-3:30pm Nampa Christian Schools 505 W Orchard Ave, Nampa, ID

Holiday Bazaar Fri., November 9 9am-7pm Sat., November 10 9am-3pm King of Glory Lutheran Church 3430 N Maple Grove Rd, Boise, ID

Craft Fair Sat., November 10, 9am-4pm Bethel Church of the Nazarene 3001 12th Avenue Road, Nampa, ID

9th Annual Christmas Market Fri., November 9, 12pm-7pm Sat., November 10, 10am-4pm Vineyard Christian Fellowship 4950 N Bradley St, Garden City, ID Festival of Hope Christmas Bazaar Fri., November 9 10am-6pm Sat., November 10 9am-4pm City Hope Church 8650 W Fairview Ave, Boise, ID Christmas Bazaar Fri., November 9 10am-6pm Sat., November 10 9am-4pm Legacy Life Church 1830 N Linder Rd, Meridian, ID Annual Holiday Bazaar Sat., November 10 9am-2pm Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church 3100 S Five Mile Rd., Boise, ID

Fall Bazaar Sat., November 10, 9am-3pm Pilgrim Lutheran Church 208 SW 1st Ave, Ontario, OR Holiday Bazaar Sat., November 10, 9am-3pm Risen Christ Catholic Community 11511 Lake Hazel Rd, Boise, ID Holiday Bazaar Fri., November 16 9am-5pm Sat., November 17 9am-4pm Sacred Heart School 3901 W Cassia St, Boise, ID Souper Saturday All Church Bazaar Sat., November 17 10am-2pm Meridian United Methodist Church 235 E Pine St., Meridian, ID

Holiday Craft Bazaar Sat., November 17, 9am-4pm Middleton United Methodist Church 104 E Main St, Middleton, ID Admission: Please donate 2 items for Middleton Food Pantry Cloverdale Christmas Bazaar Cloverdale Church of God November 17 9am-3pm 3755 S Cloverdale Rd Boise Katy Nelson 503-816-3042 Holiday Bazaar Sat.,, November 17 9am – 2pm Meridian Friends Church Fellowship Hall 1021 W Pine Ave., Meridian, ID Holiday Bazaar Sat., November 17, 9am-4pm Boise New Hope Nazarene 8585 W Overland Rd, Boise, ID Christmas Bazaar Sat., December 1 9am-2pm St James Episcopal Church 315 N 3rd E, Mountain Home, ID Women’s Fellowship Christmas Bazaar Sat., December 1 8am-12pm First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ 515 E 15th North, Mountain Home, ID

OUTDOORS with Dougherty

A season when memories are made A New Season

By Dan Dougherty

A beautiful day and a cooler night, Leaves changing their color with less daylight.

The first signs of fall clearly in the air, A new season’s hunt for us to prepare!

Summer is over and scouting is done; Ammunition now loaded for each gun.

Trail cams checked and our camping site found.

Calendar posted, each date marked down.

The time to hunt had come again at last, To be ready soon, we need to work fast.

Sighting in the guns and checking the tent, Packing the camo and bottle of No-Scent.

Sharpening the knives, our hatchet and axe.

Shells, binocs, and food all put in their packs.

Boots, socks, and gloves, neatly placed in bags.

All in the pickup, with license and tags.

We headed up the day before season.

This was planned for one special reason.

We wanted to set up camp before night, And be ready to hunt at dawn’s early light.

A gentle mist had dampened the ground, Aiding the chance of fresh sign to be found.

Light filtered through trees onto our trail, A breeze-less morning concealing our smell.

By Dan Dougherty I just read an email from Gaye, our editor at Christian Living, reminding us of an upcoming deadline. In her email she stated that autumn was her favorite season. I have to agree with her, but probably not for all the same reasons. The beautiful fall colors of changing leaves, blue skies, and awesome sun- “Thanks, God!” I thought as we walked with stealth, sets is just part of it. The mild days and cooler nights make for “For nature’s beauty and our good health.” the perfect weather to be outdoors. For some of us that means God’s great outdoors was all to see. another year to enjoy Boise State football and new hunting A new deer hunt for my buddy and me. seasons.

Ever since college, deer hunting has been one of my favorite Beds of smashed grass with fresh tracks close by activities. It has provided many great memories with friends and family. The nostalgia of hunting partners now gone and As a new day sun lightened the sky. the pleasure of sharing memories with a new generation runs A slight movement just ninety yards uphill. deep within me. Hunting, especially with family, provides for One large buck, silhouetted, standing still. a very special bonding. I recently was asked, “What are your favorite hunting experiences?” I answered that I would have to write a book to tell them all, but most would have included “Bang!” was the sound from my companion’s gun. family. I am not going to write a book, but let me mention a As the deer fell dead I said, “Good shot, son!” few.

Flashing a quick grin I knew he was glad.

My wife Peggy, her father Bob Yelm, his brother Eldon and I With a smile he said, “Now go get yours, Dad!” often hunted together. We hunted whitetail in the Clearwater region. We are meat hunters and it tastes better from up there.

10 November / December 2018 | Christian Living

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While hunting on Hungry Ridge, Bob shot a recognized Ivak Copper, a friend and welding large buck. He used the 4 wheeler to get it back instructor at Caldwell High School. He stopped to the pickup. Hearing the shot and then the and came up to meet me with his son, Colton. I 4 wheeler, I met him back at the pickup. The wanted to borrow his knife, but he cleaned the buck was huge. It took both of us to get it in buck for me; Colton wanted to drag it to the the pickup. At the check station, they told us pickup, so I let him. (Jakoub got a deer that day the buck was probably around 8 years old. It too.) was the biggest they had through that year. It My son David, his friend Darren, and I were weighed 223 lbs. dressed out. Bob and Eldon hunting north of Grangeville. It was near have departed this world. Forever missed! the rut, or breeding season, when there is an My wife shot her first deer on Hungry Ridge. increase in bucks chasing does. We were putI left her at a spot where I had shot a deer the ting deer estrus from the bottle onto a felt pad. day before. I had just barely left when I heard Darren had never seen it before and couldn’t her shoot. Returning quickly, I saw her standing believe the smell. All of a sudden he whispered, over the deer with a knife in her hand, trem“Deer.” About 60 yards away, a buck walked bling. I asked what was wrong. She answered, out with its nose raised and tongue out, smelling Dan Dougherty “I’m just so excited!” She still gets somewhat the air. David whispered, “Don’t move, Dad.” excited every time she shoots one. (I do like how she looks in Using me as a gun rest, he shot it. camo!)

In church Sunday, September 16, Peter Snider showed me Hunting above the South Fork of the Clearwater near Mca picture of an elk his friend had shot. Father and son duo, Comas Meadows, I let Peggy and my son Jakoub off to hunt Bruce and Thomas Clancy, were bow hunting in the Mountain down the hill. I gave them my knife, just in case. I was headed Home area. Thomas had arrowed the bull just the day before. back into town for some gas. A couple miles down the road a What a beautiful specimen. A memory neither Bruce nor Tom deer crossed in front of me. I parked the pickup and headed will ever forget. up in the woods to see if I could get a shot. I didn’t see it, This November, I will be taking two of my grandkids up but a nice buck walked out from the other direction. I shot it north to go whitetail hunting. I hope it will be during the rut. but soon realized I didn’t have my knife. I dragged the buck No matter the outcome, it will be another cherished memory. down a short ways, near the road. A vehicle drove by and I A new season! n

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Christian Living | November / December 2018 11

NO cheer here

Facing the hard side of the holidays

I laughed. Hard. Probably for the first time

By Bethany Riehl in weeks. No one knew about that little slip and The season of Thanksgiving and Christmas everyone enjoyed the cream-laden dessert. cheer is upon us. I, like many others, love this That season? It was awful. So painful and dark. time of year. The sights. The sounds. The famThe pie moment didn’t erase the ache of singing ily time. The movies. Hello and welcome back, carols on Christmas Eve with an empty womb. AlHallmark Channel cheesiness. I’ve missed you. though it’s a very distant memory now, I still can’t But I am well aware that beneath the glittering make pie crust from scratch without my heart lights and mechanical dancing Santas on seemsqueezing. But that moment with my dad? Over ingly every corner, not all is calm and bright the years that simple gesture has become one of and merry for everyone. For many, maybe even my favorite memories. you, this is a dark season and it might take every I know many of you are hurting this season. ounce of strength to just.get.through.

Aching for lost loved ones, or family that you Two years ago, I posted something like this haven’t seen in a long time, or loneliness, or a vaarticle to my Instagram account and it resonated riety of other things. I know nothing I or anyone with many. Maybe it will resonate with you. else can say can fix it. And no date on the calenMany years ago my husband and I miscarried Bethany Riehl dar will magically pause the pain. our first baby in the beginning of November. I’ll I just want you to know that I’m praying for you. never forget the dull ache of that season. It was all I could do to Praying you feel the nearness of a Father who loves you beyond get up every day, let alone participate in all the cheer that was measure. I won’t offer you platitudes or try to shame you out of your grief with well-intended but misplaced Scripture. Jesus wept required of me. when Lazarus died. He knew that everything would turn around The night before Thanksgiving I was trying to make pie crust from scratch (why? WHY? I was a newlywed, in our first year of in just a matter of minutes, his friend would soon be alive again, marriage — ‘nuf said). After a fourth failed attempt, I threw the yet he still wept. Grief is okay. And it needs to be given room to do its thing. Grief also doesn’t play fair. crust on the floor, stomped past my husband to our bedroom, There is no other comfort I know to offer other than your Father and cried for an hour. loves you. He saves those tears; they are precious to Him because He had no idea what to do. Poor guy. they are from your heart. He is coming to make all things new. In Fortunately, I had store-bought crust in the freezer as a the meantime, I’m praying for a “chocolate cream pie moment” backup. I eventually pulled myself together, used the stinking and the right people to surround you and get you through this easy stuff, and went to bed. season and the years to come. n The next day, when we arrived at my parents’ for dinner, I was determined to not be emotional and ruin the day. Right when I Bethany Riehl loves to write stories and articles that explore the complexiwalked in the door, I tripped and dropped my chocolate cream ties of relationships and encourage readers in their relationship with Jesus. pie on the floor at my dad’s feet. He took one look at my readyShe joyfully serves in the children’s ministry at her church, teaches at a to-crack demeanor and quickly scooped up the pie, took it to homeschool co-op, and drinks more coffee than necessary to keep up with her the kitchen, and piled it high with more whipped cream to cover only-slightly-crazy life. She is the author of four Christian fiction novels the blunder. and lives in Kuna with her spunky kids and very handsome hubby.

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Randy-B Funk holding SOS Drive Tenth-grader Randy-B Funk is holding an “SOS Drive (Sock or Shelter).” He is seeking contributions of socks for needy men and women and/or pet donations to help animals at the animal shelter.

Since he was 11 years old, Randy-B has been creating annual make-a-difference promotions. In 2017, with the help of others he collected more than 4,000 new pairs of socks. This year, he is challenging students and community members to get involved and help break that record.

Sock donations will go to the River of Life Men’s Shelter and City Light Women’s and Children Shelter. People at those facilities are also in need of new underwear and hygiene supplies.

New pet donations will go to the Meridian Canine Rescue. Needed items include new pet bedding, food, and toys.

(Randy-B stresses the need for new items, not used ones.)

The SOS Drive began October 20 and will continue through December 22.

Drop off new socks or new pet supplies at the following locations: • Postal Express, 1740 E. Fairview, Meridian (Fred Meyer Complex, Locust Grove and Fairview) • Eagle Christian Church, 100 Short Ln., Eagle • GradePower Learning, 3327 N. Eagle Rd., #100, Meridian • Gateway Mortgage Group LLC, 3067 E. Copper Point, Meridian • Meridian Fire Department, 33 E. Broadway Ave., Meridian (inside City Hall) • Fred Meyer, 1850 E. Fairview Ave., Meridian (Fred Meyer Complex, Locust Grove and Fairview) • Fred Meyer, 1400 W. Chinden Blvd., Meridian (Linder and Chinden) • H3 Pet Foods LLC, 1801 W. Cherry Lane, Meridian (pet donations only) Contact Randy-B for more drop-off locations or if your business would like to be a drop-off location. He may be reached at 208-914-3793 or mcfunk48@gmail.com.

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Interfaith Christmas Concert set Mayor Tammy deWeerd’s Interfaith Council has organized an Interfaith Community Christmas Concert set for Sunday, December 9, at 6575 S. Eagle Rd. in Meridian. Doors open at 6:15 p.m., with a string quartet prelude at 6:40 p.m. The concert will begin promptly at 7 p.m.

The concert is free, family-friendly and will benefit the Meridian Food Bank. Anyone who wishes may bring a non-perishable food item to the event. Church choirs and groups from several denominations in the valley are participating in the program.

Questions may be directed to Shannon Smurthwaite, event organizer, at shannonisitalian@gmail.com.

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Christian Living | November / December 2018 13

UNDERSTANDING Relationships

Problems in your marriage? Congratulations

Just as perceptions about conflict get in the

By Gary Moore way of empowering your relationship, views In 1 Corinthians 7:28 Paul tells us that of anger also can inhibit intimacy. Keep those who marry will have troubles. Conin mind that, like conflict, anger can be a trary to Paul’s statement, we often think natural aspect of a close relationship. It may perfect marriages are those that have no seem strange that we can be polite and controubles. In our more reflective moments siderate to strangers and yet be cruel to our we know from experience that there are no partners whom we love. The reality is that people without issues or troubles. And, when closer relationships offer more opportunities you take two imperfect people and put them for anger to arise than casual acquaintances together, “human algebra” does not produce do. a trouble-free marriage. All too often we find Anger is a destructive emotion that only our relationship is too scriptural. intensifies conflict. But anger is usually a Often the way we handle problems, more symptom of some issue within the relationthan the problems themselves, can be the Gary Moore ship that needs to be addressed and possibly problem. Conflict is a natural and inevitable changed. Feelings of anger must be dealt part of human relationships. People in a relationship are with carefully and deliberately. In a moment of rage it’s going to have differences, and relations will not always be easy to say something that you haven’t thought of yet. And harmonious. And as partners become closer, these differthe problem is, the words can’t be taken back and your ences inevitably will cause some disagreements. However, partner may have a very hard time ever forgetting them. the fact that conflict exists in intimate relationships does not Remember one of the key rules of communication: Until necessarily mean that love is absent. In fact, conflict can be the emotions of the situation are dealt with, the facts don’t beneficial to a relationship if it is handled and resolved in a matter. If you or your spouse is in one of these situations, healthy way. back off — take some time for your emotions to calm According to many therapists, how effectively couples down. deal with anger and conflict is critical to their relationship Thinking through your anger is not the same thing as growth. Without effective conflict resolution skills, a cousuppressing it. Suppressed anger is dangerous to a relationple’s relationship will become stagnant and will decrease in ship because it means that there was never an attempt to vitality. Although people need to focus on improving their resolve the issue. In this case the issue will simmer beneath skills to effectively resolve conflict, resolving every conflict the surface, often causing resentment, which can poison the is an unrealistic expectation. Dr. John Gottman found in relationship. So, instead of concealing your anger or blowing your stack, be intentional about identifying the source his extensive research that, on average, 69 percent of the of your feelings and then discuss it as calmly as you can happiest marriages did not resolve all of their conflicts.

These couples learned how to deal with their conflicts with with your partner.

Most couples are afraid of the negative emotions assomutual understanding and respect. ciated with dealing with problems. A common response When you think of the word “conflict,” what images is to ignore the issue, hoping it will disappear with time. come to mind? Are these images positive or negative? The However, unaddressed problems continue to fester and first stumbling block to conflict understanding and resolution is probably a faulty perception of conflict itself. If two may eventually lead to feelings of bitterness or even hatred. individuals immediately see conflict as negative, and there- According to an extensive study by relationship educator Howard Markman and colleagues, avoidance is one of the fore avoid talking about it, their relationship will suffer. key relationship patterns that is predictive of unhappiness Conflict is common and it does not have to damage a and divorce. relationship. Rather, problems arise when couples have Problems? Congratulations. All relationships have them. not worked out a mutually acceptable way of managing Some of the keys are: identify them when they’re small; conflict. According to a national survey of 21,501 married own them; and have a way worked out to address them that couples conducted by Olson and Olson, the top five issues respects and preserves both of you and the relationship. n regarding conflict resolution for couples were: (1) One person ends up feeling responsible for the problem; Gary Moore is currently a part-time staff member at Cloverdale (2) I go out of my way to avoid conflict with my partner; Church of God in charge of Adult Education. He’s served as associate (3) Differences never seem to get resolved; pastor there for the past 11 years. He’s principal of .003 Coaching, (4) We have different ideas about the best way to solve disproviding life coaching, couples’ coaching and business coaching loagreements; (5) We have serious disputes over unimportant cally and around the country. He also does a weekly radio program on issues. And, according to the survey, most couples disagree KBXL 94.1FM on Fridays at 8:45 a.m. called Life Point Plus. He on the issue of who is responsible for a given problem. may be reached at pastorgary@cloverdalechurch.org.

14 November / December 2018 | Christian Living

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YOUR silent superpower

Listen to kids, beware of ‘schmutz’

By Janet Lund

Parents often make the mistake of thinking that teens don’t need them around as much because they are nearly grown. However, it is just the opposite.

Teens are like preschoolers. They are at the very beginning of their journey to adulthood.

Teenagers are experiencing an array of new emotions, their brains are under major construction, hormones are kicking in, and they are confronted daily with adult issues at school and with friends.

Having you available to listen is crucial.

“Hello There!”

When you look in the mirror do you ever wonder why you have two ears but only one mouth?

Having two ears makes amazing things possible: 1. You can hear sounds in stereo.

2. You can hone in on the location of a sound.

3. Your face and head look balanced.

Having two mouths? Hmm… Not pretty. Because people interrupt each other all the time, can you imagine listening to someone who The Thing About SoundJanet Lund could interrupt themselves? Oi! Schmutz…

We were given two ears and one mouth so What? You’ve haven’t heard of soundthat every morning when we look in the mirror, our reflection schmutz? Well, maybe it’s because I made it up. Here’s why. reminds us that listening is twice as important as speaking.

Sound-schmutz is to a parent what kryptonite is to Superman!

It can be very difficult to listen well when you have schmutz!

The Thing About Listening…

What is schmutz? Visually speaking, schmutz is the goo you When we listen, we learn and grow to understand someone. find on windows, your glasses, or a camera lens. Schmutz Once we receive their message we need to: makes our vision blurry. No matter how hard you try to see 1. Pause, think, and process. things clearly, if you don’t remove the schmutz you won’t see 2. Then formulate and ask open-ended questions to learn accurately. more.

Thoughts need to incubate inside of us before something What does schmutz have to do with listening? Well, no matverbally valuable can come out of us. Doing so enables us to ter how ready your ears are for listening, it’s important that connect heart-to-heart. you first remove your sound-schmutz.

But here’s the key difference: sound-schmutz is internal. It’s Listening = A Parent’s Superpower the noise going on in between your ears. Phrases like: “I’m The need for good listening skills increases once you have going to be late!” “The house is such a mess.” “I am so unorkids. As your kids grow, your skills must grow too. Your listenganized.” “I screwed up again!” “Man, I look old.” ing ear is one of the most important gifts you can give your Sound-schmutz is the negative voice in your head that keeps child. This is especially the case as they move from childhood you from hearing your child accurately. to becoming an adult.

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How To Deal With Schmutz, Part 1

It is important to pause and listen for the schmutz in your head. Recognize it exists, and then put it up on a shelf. Once you have done this, you can focus on listening to what your child is saying.

Putting it on a shelf is not denying that your schmutz exists.

Quite the contrary. You are acknowledging its presence and choosing to deal with it later.

What if you don’t? If you pretend soundschmutz doesn’t exist, it will: 1. Make you feel small, ill equipped, unintelligent, and ugly.

2. Weave negative innuendos into your child’s message.

3. Keep you from hearing your child’s message clearly.

4. Impede you from being the responsive, loving mom that you are.

5. Cause you to say something hurtful to your child.

That’s why it is so important to recognize your sound-schmutz and put it on a shelf.

How To Deal With Schmutz, Part 2

Later, during a quiet moment, take time to bring your schmutz off the shelf. Listen to its phrases, write them in a journal, reflect, and then get curious. Was something said to you today that made you feel small? Did what was said resonate with something you heard growing up?

Spend some time writing and reflecting.

It may also be helpful to talk with a close friend or a counselor about your schmutz. When you bring dark, hurtful words and thoughts out into the light, they start to lose power over you.

Clearing out the sound-schmutz takes effort, but it’s worth it.

Which Brings Us Back To Listening

Being a good listener is hard work. Being a good listener to a pre-teen or teen daughter can be more than that; it can be overwhelming. Communication between a mother and daughter can be the most volatile in the family and impacts everyone else.

That’s why I wrote “L.O.V.E.D. 5 Simple Steps to Connect with Your Teen Daughter.” It provides tools to nurture your relationship into something beautiful. It will equip you to move from arguing to understanding, and from heartbreak to hope.

The L in L.O.V.E.D. is for listening. It’s the beginning of the journey that will empower you to build a powerful heart-to-heart connection with your growing girl.

Learn more about L.O.V.E.D. at http://bit.ly/LOVED-Journals.

Remember, listening to yourself first empowers you to listen intentionally to your child. Take that first step to clear out the schmutz so you can make sure your child feels listened to and loved.

Clear your head. Quietly focus. And then listen in love. n Janet Lund is a relationship coach who specializes in nurturing the bond between moms and their teen/pre-teen daughters. She leads moms through coaching, speaking, and songwriting. Janet has spoken and performed in Canada, the United States, and Norway. Follow her on facebook.com/momkeepcalm and visit her website momkeepcalm.com for parenting tools and words of support to be a calm mom.

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Christian Living | November / December 2018 17

MAXIMUM health

Dealing with the hazards of ‘text neck’

By Rosie Main In today’s society it is hard to walk down the street or go into a store or a restaurant without seeing someone with their head down, looking at their phone or tablet. Almost everyone — including most kids — has a smart phone or some type of pocket computer on them at all times. And everywhere you turn, you see people looking down hunched over their phones texting.

This has become so prevalent today that the medical and chiropractic community has taken notice. “Text neck” is the name given to the neck, upper back and shoulder pain caused by text messaging on phones. Most people text with their head forward and looking down and many are in this position for hours on end. It is estimated that many people spend two-four hours each day looking down at their smartphones while texting, reading, sending emails and checking their social media. That adds up to 730-1,460 hours a year with their heads hunched forward and down in an unnatural position.

Unfortunately, the figures for teenagers are far worse. It is estimated that the average teenager is spending over 5,000 hours a year looking down at either a phone or handheld video games.

Poor posture while texting creates neck pain

Poor posture is the number one cause of text neck. The average human head weighs 10-12 pounds, but the more your head leans forward and down, the more stress is placed on your neck and upper back. If your head is angled down 30 degrees, the weight of your head increases to 40 pounds; and if your neck is bent down to 60 degrees, the weight of your head increases to a staggering 60 pounds.

18 November / December 2018 | Christian Living

Important functions of the cervical spine (neck)

• Allows your head to turn side to side and to look up and down • Protects the nerves that branch off the spinal cord and supply the brain and upper extremities • Acts as a shock absorber, insulating the brain from jolts and jarring knocks A healthy neck should form a natural “C”-shape curvature from front to back. In addition to the neck, there are three other natural curves to the spine that allow it to absorb vertical shock, bend and turn. However, long hours texting and playing video games with our heads in an unnatural downward position can distort the natural curves, creating detrimental effects on the neck and upper back. Over time, the neck loses its “C”shape curve and straightens into an upright position and can even reverse and curve in the opposite direction.

Problems caused by text neck

Neck pain, upper back pain and headaches are typically the first symptoms that someone with text neck will experience. But because only 10 percent of our nervous system feels pain, there can be years of degenerative change occurring within the spine before you ever feel a symptom. When the neck is pulled forward and down while texting, the joints of the cervical spine (neck) and thoracic spine (upper back) become misaligned. This can cause pinched nerves and even herniated discs.

The neck (cervical spine), along with the rest of the spine, houses and protects the nervous system, which consists of the spinal cord and the spinal nerves that branch off the spinal cord and spread throughout the body. Text neck specifically affects

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Rosie Main the nerves of the cervical and upper thoracic spine. These nerves control and coordinate the function of your brain, pituitary gland, eyes, ears, sinuses, facial muscles, heart, lungs and upper extremities.

When the vertebrae of your neck are in proper alignment, these nerves are able to exit the spine freely and function properly. The unnatural posture created by text neck changes the size and shape of the openings in the spine that the nerves use to exit. This can irritate and pinch the nerves, decreasing their ability to function properly. Symptoms resulting from this nerve irritation include: neck pain; upper back pain; radiating arm pain; numbness/ tingling into arms, hands and fingers; high blood pressure; fatigue; breathing problems; and more.

Text neck also causes significant pressure on the nerves of the upper cervical spine, which travel to the brain. Pressure or irritation of these nerves can result in headaches, migraines, difficulty sleeping, anxiety and depression.

As you can see, the effects of text neck can have a significantly negative impact on your health. Consult with a specialist, when needed, to make sure the vertebrae in your spine are properly aligned. n

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Christian Living | November / December 2018 19

Church in the Dirt A place to worship

“When I was growing up, you’d go to church and hang your hat on a hook and pick it up after service; now, I wear my hat the whole time, unless there’s prayer, and then I hold it over my heart.” ~Blaine Lilly

Above: Blaine and Molly Lilly are the co-pastors at Church in the Dirt in Homedale.

They’re also award-winning musicians. (Photo by Steve Jones) Right: The Church in the Dirt has a Lil Buckaroos for Jesus program for the littlest cowboys in the congregation. (Courtesy photo)

By Gaye Bunderson For people who attend the Church in the Dirt in Homedale, there are strings attached. Fortunately, those strings are on a guitar, and they’re the only “strings attached” you’ll find there.

“Our church is come-as-you-are — and that means more than what you’re wearing,” said Blaine Lilly, co-founder with his wife, Molly, of Church in the Dirt.

“We don’t really realize how many people fear going to church,” Molly said.

“We get people who don’t want to go to stained glass window churches,” Blaine said, while Molly explained she’s had people tell her that if they went to a church like that, “the roof would fall in.”

For those believers who thought they’d never hear of a place of worship called Church in the Dirt, rest assured it’s everything a church should be: God-inspired, Christ-centered, and full of faith as well as some darn good music.

The Lillys are longtime singers and musicians; Blaine plays the guitar and Molly plays the keyboards. They’ve entertained throughout the country, together and separately; in fact, that’s how they originally met. Both of them were performing at a Wounded Warrior Project event at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. (Blaine is originally from Texas, while Molly was born and raised in Jordan Valley, Ore.)

20 November / December 2018 | Christian Living

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with your hat on Blaine said he and Molly spoke to one other at the San Antonio event, but nothing happened. “We talked and then went on our way.”

They ultimately met up again while performing in Branson, Mo. — two years after their initial conversation. They didn’t recognize each other at first, but Blaine jokes that after he realized he knew Molly from a previous meeting, “That’s when I chased her all around the building.” A friend had told him that if he didn’t go after Molly, he was a fool.

The couple married seven months later and hit the road.

“We threw it all together really fast,” Blaine said. “We joined our ministries, and it worked out.”

That was 8½ years ago. They traveled extensively, performing country gospel-style music together.

“My daddy’s a preacher, and my granddad was a preacher — I come from a long line of preachers,” Blaine said. “I grew up in church. I always loved music, and sometimes at age 12, I was music worship leader.”

Unfortunately, musical instruments weren’t allowed in his childhood church denomination, so hymns were sung ‘a cappella.’ But Blaine taught himself how to play the guitar at age 14. “Music was the love of my life,” he said. “I wrote songs, like 1960, 1970s country music.”

Meanwhile, across the U.S. in Oregon, Molly was having her own “strict denomination” experience in another church.

It helped that her mother started sneaking out of that church and attending what Molly calls a “Spirit-filled church.” That had a pivotal influence on her, along with her brother’s salvation. Her male sibling had gotten a reputation for wild living and troublemaking in the family’s hometown, but when he turned his heart to God, Molly said he underwent a visible transformation that affected her.

Molly admits that both she and Blaine had a few of their own oat-sowing years. Blaine’s career originally started out in bars and similar venues.

“We had our wild times,” said Molly, “but we both thought there must be more to God.” Despite the limits of their youthful church experiences, a seed of faith was planted that never died. Molly eventually attended Rhema Bible Training College in Broken Arrow, Okla.

After she hooked up with Blaine, he attended the Domata School of Ministry, also in Broken Arrow.

After recording a CD in Nashville at one point, the couple was heading to Idaho to perform.

“My mom kept praying, ‘Use Blaine and Molly mightily,’” Molly said. But her mom would also insert a request in her prayers that her daughter and son-in-law would be used mightily in this area and not so far away.

Molly’s mother now lives in Caldwell, and once while visiting her, Molly said the Lord spoke to her early in the morning — He told her to get up and go for a drive. She drove to Homedale, and when she got to the small community of roughly 2,600 people, she felt a strong “turn here” message.

While she drove around town thinking “What am I doing here?”, she came upon Badiola Arena. She knew the Lord was telling her that’s where she and Blaine belonged.

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Blaine’s part of the story goes back roughly 12 years. In about 2006, he said, the Lord told him he was going to plant a cowboy church in the West. It was a profound feeling, but it left him a little baffled. He was traveling all over the country performing his music and wasn’t quite sure how a church plant vaguely “in the West” was going to come about. When Molly found Badiola Arena, suddenly he knew.

“I thought, ‘This is God’s plan.’ I felt perfect peace,” Blaine said. Things fell into place and a lot of people started getting involved in the new church.

That was two years ago. Services were held in the arena, but when bad weather set in and the arena’s heating wasn’t sufficient, Lori Badiola*, owner of the Tango Saloon / Moxie Java Bistro in Homedale, invited the Lillys to bring their church services indoors, and that’s what they did.

“The Tango Saloon is classy,” Molly said. There’s no smoking, and it’s a nice atmosphere. Church fits well there on a Sunday morning. There’s even a Lil Buckaroos program for children led by Destry Campbell, associate pastor at the church.

Molly’s mom, now 94, is a church regular also.

“This has been a lifelong prayer of my mother’s, that the cowboys would be reached for God,” Molly said.

If you’re not a cowboy, you’re still welcome at Church in the Dirt. Though many attendees love the country gospel sound that permeates the services, Blaine said some of the people who show up “probably like heavy metal.”

Also, anyone who attends may wear a cowboy hat, or any kind of hat for that matter.

“When I was growing up, you’d go to church and hang your hat on a hook and pick it up after service; now, I wear my hat the whole time, unless there’s prayer, and then I hold it over my heart,” Blaine said.

The Lillys perform their “kickin’ country” music at rodeos and fairs and have won Country Gospel Music Association awards as Vocalists of the Year — Blaine winning top male vocalist four times and Molly getting top female vocalist one time. But their emphasis is always on using their talents for God and others. Their come-as-you-are church seems to be working.

Church member Wade Black, equine instructor at Treasure Valley Community College, said: “Blaine and Molly have been obedient to their calling, and their passion and love for people is contagious. In the Kingdom it is all about surrendering to Jesus and allowing the power and presence of the Holy Spirit to work in and through our life. Blaine and Molly model this in their worship and the message spoken at Church in the Dirt.”

“Cowboys come to God, get a strong heart for God, and grow in the Word,” Molly said. “Jesus came for the ungodly, so none of us are unqualified.” n *Husband and wife Ben and Lori Badiola own the Tango Saloon / Moxie Java Bistro, as well as Badiola Arena, in Homedale.

Find Church in the Dirt’s worship times and location on page 23

Christian Living | November / December 2018 21

GOD Dots

Woman experiences ‘But God...’ moments

By Jim Day Sometimes, it seems like that the devil takes a special interest in destroying someone’s life.

But God... shows up and intervenes (God Dots).

Sometimes the way He intervenes can be painful and not make sense to us as we are living it, but when we look back, it becomes clear that He was there all along.

In this article I would like to introduce you to Carol. Carol agreed to share her story in order that God would be glorified through it. Her “BC” (Before Christ) story begins in Sunnyvale, Calif.; she was the second daughter born into a middle class family. Her father made a comfortable living working at Ford Jim Day Aerospace.

Carol’s life through high school was somewhat uneventful, with the exception that she spent one year as an exchange student in Sweden. It seems that is where her life began to derail. While in Sweden, she started experimenting with drugs and alcohol. Addiction crept into her life and found a home.

After her year in Sweden, Carol returned to Sunnyvale and her father got her a job at Ford Aerospace as he had done for her sister. Carol worked there for about a year, took a two-week vacation and never went back. Her life became all about sex, drugs, and rock and roll.

She stayed in the Bay Area, met a man and moved in with him, only to realize that he was an abusive manipulator. Her life became a living hell of torment and abuse at the hands of someone who claimed to love her. The abuse was so severe that she developed a stuttering problem and the drug use increased.

But God... gave her Mrs. PeeWee, a dog. The only real comfort she had was her dog. She loved that dog and that dog loved her.

One day, in a fit of violent rage, her boyfriend threw Mrs. PeeWee against the wall. Something must have clicked in Carol’s mind. Somehow it had been okay for him to be abusive towards her, but it wasn’t okay for him to be abusive to Mrs. PeeWee. Carol snuck some of her things out to her car, grabbed Mrs. PeeWee and ran.

By then, her mother and father had split up, and her father had moved to Georgia, so Carol went to her mom. After hearing her daughter’s story, Carol’s mom told her that she was a “battered” woman and encouraged her to never return to her boyfriend.

Carol met another man, who treated her well, and she moved in with him, but she knew she couldn’t stay.

But God... She got a job in the shipping department of a company, and with some financial help from her father, packed up her meager belongings and shipped them to Georgia, one box at a time. Once she had completed the task, she and Mrs. PeeWee took a road trip to Georgia to start a new life.

Carol met some new friends in Georgia and started using drugs again, only this time she added crack cocaine to her list of preferred drugs. At one point, she was running an errand for the company she worked for and was in a severe accident.

22 November / December 2018 | Christian Living

While at a stoplight, she was rear-ended by a guy who was driving 45 mph. His brakes didn’t work, and he could not stop or even slow down.

Her compact car was literally crushed, and they had to use the “jaws of life” to extricate her.

Severe head injuries led to Carol suffering paralyzing panic attacks. The drugs she was taking made the panic attacks worse, and she had to be institutionalized for a time.

But God... Because she was “on the job” when the accident occurred, all of her care was paid for by workman’s compensation.

Mrs. PeeWee died shortly after.

For the first time in a long while, Carol was clean and sober. Carol’s mom and sister had moved to Boise, and she decided to join them.

Carol moved in with her sister and her sister’s husband and got a job at Ore-Ida corporate headquarters.

Soon she had saved enough money to buy a nice house.

Things were going pretty well for Carol, and she met a man and moved him into her house. He had told her that he didn’t use drugs, but she soon found out that was a lie. She started using again. The couple split up, but the drugs were back in Carol’s life, and she was having a hard time supporting her habit.

Then Ore-Ida merged with another company and moved its corporate headquarters. Carol was offered a severance package and took it, but she had started hanging out with a biker and somehow he managed to take everything she had that was worth anything. Unemployed, she had to sell her house. She got another job and, to support her habit, started embezzling money. She eventually confessed and went to jail.

But God... Her sentence was three years fixed and 11 years indeterminate, but she served a nine-month “rider program” in the women’s prison south of Boise and was released. While in prison, she met a woman who had been imprisoned for a crime she did not commit. Her name was Vivian, and she told Carol about Jesus. Calvary Chapel’s ministry team came the next day, and Carol gave her life to Jesus.

For nine months, Carol poured herself into the Word of God and solidified her faith.

Carol’s mom needed care, and when Carol was released, she began caring for her mother. Carol was blessed with the opportunity to lead her mom to Jesus just two months before she passed away. God had given them complete reconciliation and Carol’s mom left her enough money to pay off the restitution to her old employer.

There was also enough left to allow Carol to attend Calvary Chapel’s school of ministry. She then went to work at City Light Ministry, overseeing upwards of more than 50 women at a time, women who had experienced some of the same things that she had lived through, and worse.

Carol decided to go to court to try to get her probation reduced. She got an attorney through a friend that only charged her half of his normal fee, and when they went before the judge, Carol was given the opportunity to share her testimony. The judge released her from probation, allowing her to be truly free 6½ years early.

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Carol would spend 3½ years at City Light, and during that time attended the College of Western Idaho for medical coding. But she never got an opportunity to put that knowledge to use. The news of her father passing away overwhelmed Carol, and she left City Light for some personal time.

But God... Sometime later, she saw a “help wanted” sign for A Caring Hand. She got hired and started caring for people in a very personal way, giving loving care to individuals in need. She has been at Caring Hand for 4½ years.

I recently met with Carol to talk to her “face to face.” There is a peace to her demeanor and a confidence. She can see where God intervened in her life even before she believed.

Her God Dots are unique to her life, but for any of you who can see yourself in any part of her story, God is there with you. Right now, He is with you.

Ask Jesus into your life. He is the only way.

Once you’ve asked Jesus in, please find a Bible-teaching church where you will find support and love. n Jim Day graduated from Meridian High School. He spent 25 years working as a pipefitter. He has been married to his wife Cindy for 31 years, and the couple has two children and seven grandchildren. He would love to hear your God Dots story, and it may be used for publication. Email him at jcday@cableone.net.

Church in the Dirt Times, dates, places & events The Church in the Dirt meets every first, third and fifth Sunday of the month (when there is a fifth Sunday) at 9:30 a.m. at the Tango Saloon / Moxie Java Bistro at 406 U.S. Hwy. 95 in Homedale.

“Shortly, we will be going to every Sunday,” Molly Lilly, co-pastor of the church with her husband, Blaine, said.

Also, church members meet every Thursday night at 7 p.m. at 324 Hwy. 95, which is the lumber yard building next to the Tango. All are welcome.

The church holds an annual Outdoor Christmas Concert (the Lillys are professional musicians). This year it will take place at 6 p.m. Saturday, December 15, in the parking lot at Badiola Arena, 402 U.S. Hwy. 95 in Homedale.

According to Molly, there will be a “huge” bonfire, with kids roasting marshmallows.

There will also be s’mores, hot chocolate, eggnog, and chorizo wraps. Santa will be passing out old-fashioned candy bags, and there will be hayrides for everyone.

For more information, contact the Lillys at blainelilly@hotmail.com or 208-504-8564 and 830-834-0994.

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Christian Living | November / December 2018 23

GETTING and giving

A seasonal syndrome that’s actually good As Christians, we are instructed by Jesus to

By Daniel Bobinski My wish this holiday season is for everyone love one another (even our enemies!). We’re to catch the getting and giving syndrome. No, I supposed to do that all year long, but during the don’t want anyone getting ill. I want people to holidays the theme seems to surround us a little truly experience God’s blessings by first receiving more. In case you didn’t know, the Greek word those blessings, and then giving them to others. for “love” used in Christ’s command is agape, This season of giving thanks and exchanging and it has nothing to do with warm fuzzies. It’s gifts sets the perfect stage for highlighting the defined for us in 1 Corinthians 13: Patience, importance of living a life of love. kindness, not envying, not boasting, being Let’s start by taking a quick trip back in time. polite (not rude), etc. In our own strength, we When I first got saved nearly 40 years ago, my can take this love only so far. For example, by pastor used easy-to-understand analogies about myself, I have a limited capacity for patience. I experiencing God in your life. One example was envy. I’m not always polite. In other words, by a garden hose. He said if the spigot was turned myself, I’m not capable of fulfilling the true, off then the hose wasn’t getting any water, and Biblical command to love others. nothing was going to get blessed, even if the Daniel Bobinski However, if my spigot is wide open and I’m nozzle was open. “The hose,” he said, “couldn’t inviting the Holy Spirit to manifest Himself in give if it wasn’t getting.” my life, then those agape (Godly love) attributes are available My pastor also said if the spigot was open but the nozzle was to me.

After all, 1 John 4:8 is pretty clear: God is love. Four closed, then the hose would have water, but nothing was getting verses later, John talks about how love can be made complete blessed. Nobody could get a drink and plants weren’t getting in us (v. 12): “No one has ever seen God; but if we love what they needed. He said that the only way for the hose to one another, God lives in us and his love is made comexperience the movement of life-sustaining water was for both plete in us” (emphasis added). the spigot and the nozzle to be open.

So, having the spigot open is one thing. But by opening the The analogy is pretty simple. If we’re not letting God into our nozzle and showing love to others, God’s love is made comlives, we’re not getting anything from Him. But even if we’re receiving from God yet not sharing what we receive with others, plete in us, because then we experience love both ways — receiving and giving. we’re not experiencing the movement of God in our lives.

When I teach on 1 Corinthians 13, I usually go around the My pastor called this “the getting and giving syndrome.” At first that phrase confused me, because I always associated the room and ask people if they have a rutabaga. Nobody ever has word syndrome with an illness. But if you look up the definition, one. Then I’ll ask if anyone has an onion. Nobody has one of a syndrome is, “A group of symptoms that consistently occur to- those, either. The point I make is that it’s impossible to give gether, or a condition characterized by a set of associated symp- others what you don’t have. To truly live a life of Christian toms.” So, although it’s unconventional, it makes sense: Get love, we need to first ask God to grow those attributes within blessed; be a blessing. If those two “symptoms” are occurring us via His Holy Spirit. And, we need to receive them before we together in our lives, then we’re experiencing God’s blessings. can give them to others. rts sta gn 9. /18 esi *D $1,9912/31 at ires Exp

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Did you catch that? We need to receive them.

God gives us patience (and all the other attributes of love) because He knows we’ll be blessed if we become more like Him. He wants us to receive it and cherish it and use it. I’ll even go so far as to say if we don’t, we’re ignoring Christ’s instruction to love God and to love others as ourselves. Think about someone rejecting a gift that you give them. Ever have that happen? If not, I’ll tell you from experience, it doesn’t strengthen the relationship. We give gifts because we want to bless someone. It’s no different with God. Oh, the joy of blessing that comes when we accept (and fully receive) the gift of patience from God — and own it. It’s like when someone who loves you dearly gives you a gift at Christmas.

That person thinks about your situation and searches hard to find the perfect gift for you. They want you to own it, keep it, and use it. That’s exactly what God wants us to do with the love He plants within us. The patience, the kindness, the politeness, all of it.

Bottom line, this holiday season I pray both your spigot and your nozzle are wide open. I pray that you’re actively seeking for God to fill you with His love, and that you are actively distributing what God is giving you. It’s getting, and it’s giving. If you’re going to have any kind of syndrome this holiday season, I pray this is the one you have. n Daniel Bobinski, M.Ed. teaches teams and individuals how to use Emotional Intelligence, and he blogs regularly on that topic at www.eqfactor.net. He’s also a homeschooling dad, a home fellowship leader, a best-selling author, and a popular speaker at conferences and retreats.

Reach him at daniel@eqfactor.net or (208) 375-7606.

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Christian Living | November / December 2018 25

MAN in the Mirror

Ministry connects men with the Master He attended churches over the subsequent

By Gaye Bunderson years but said there was never any opportunity Jim Boetjer, like many men, got his first view for discipleship about being a godly man — a of manhood from his father and, later, from his void he deeply felt. In general, he’d go to church, stepfather. The picture they presented to the sing a few songs, listen to a sermon, and then go young boy was a complicated one. home. He needed more. By age 21, he was still a “My upbringing was anything but Christian,” spiritual infant who hadn’t grown as a Christian Jim said. “My family was ‘Dysfuntional’ with a at all. capital D.” He grew up in a tough neighborhood in San His parents, both alcoholics, divorced when Bernardino, Calif. “It was amazing that I manJim was 4. His mother remarried shortly thereaged to avoid ending up in prison,” he said. On after, and Jim’s stepfather was also an alcoholic.

New Year’s Eve in 1969, he went into the Marine Jim said he did feel affection for his stepdad, but Corps, eventually becoming a corporal. When also stated, “He had no idea what it was like to he got out, a good friend invited him to church, be a dad. He had a stereotypical idea of what where, he said, “lights went on — from that manhood was about.” point, my spiritual maturity began to take place.”

Jim Boetjer He was a veteran of both World War II and That was in the early 1970s. He was 22 years the Korean War and was a Bronze Star recipiold. In 1974, he married his wife Pamela. He eventually became ent. He was disabled and suffered from tuberculosis. a police officer with the San Bernardino Police Department, and “He did instill in me the idea of taking care of women, of ultimately retired as a field sergeant. being a gentleman and a provider,” Jim said. “It’s amazing that “I spent a career spanning over 20 years, placing men in handat the core of him, he was the man who he was. He had been cuffs and watching their lives essentially disintegrate right before beaten down by life. He wanted to turn his life around but had me. I often thought what might have happened if someone had no idea how. Ever since then, I’ve been in search of the true taken the time to share the Gospel with these men and then efmeaning of manhood. I consider myself very fortunate because fectively discipled them. I don’t think they would have ended up I feel like God has had His hand on my life since I was a little in the back of my patrol car,” Jim said. boy.”

Because of the bumps in the road of his own spiritual maturity, Jim believes that God used the experiences he first had with Jim has always held a deep interest in the spiritual growth of male figures to lead him to seek out what true manhood reother men.

“I wanted to take men on a track that leads them to spiritual ally is, and He prepared Jim for his faith-based vocation. As of maturity. I had this affinity for men’s discipleship, and it was God November 2017, Jim has been the area director for Man in the leading me and molding me into what He wanted me to do. I Mirror Ministries in the Treasure Valley. had men who were very impactful in my life; they led me into Man in the Mirror is an international men’s discipleship ministry founded more than 30 years ago by Patrick Morley, the au- biblical manhood,” he said.

He’s been involved in this work for over 30 years now and feels thor of the best-selling book, “Man in the Mirror.” The group’s that, “Men’s discipleship is so important, but it’s very difficult.” mission statement reads: “We help create an atmosphere where In California, he was involved with men’s groups. “They were the Holy Spirit inspires men to engage in life-on-life disciplethe requisite small groups, but nothing to meet the core needs of ship.” According to Jim, this is accomplished through working men, to help them face the unique struggles we deal with,” he with pastors and leaders of local churches to train and disciple said. their men in accordance with Matthew 28:19-20: “Therefore go He recalled his stepdad’s point of view that men must always and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name be strong; there’s no crying, no letting your feelings out, even of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and among other men. “Men isolate themselves,” he said. “They’re teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” protective of their soft underbellies.”

God used Jim’s so-called “dysfunctional” childhood to Jim’s It’s one of the primary differences between men and women: benefit and for His purposes. women feel more comfortable with their emotions, and with “I always had questions about God, but I also had the recexpressing them. Jim said he believes, and the founder of Man ognition that God was there,” Jim said. Though his mother in the Mirror believes, that the ministry would not exist without and grandmother went to church — mostly on holidays such women’s prayers. as Easter — at his core Jim believed but lacked knowledge. “I “Man in the Mirror was born on the faithful prayers of ladies’ wondered why Jesus died on the cross — no one could answer groups,” he said. “God has been listening to the ladies.” that for me.”

His involvement in Man in the Mirror began when the minisWhen he was about 10, some Christian neighbors invited him try launched an area director initiative and sent out a nationwide to a Vacation Bible School, where he finally received what he call looking for males who felt called to men’s discipleship. Jim calls “a clear Gospel presentation.” He accepted the Lord at realized the Lord wanted him to be one of those men, but he that age and to this day is grateful for Vacation Bible Schools. was scared — at least until the Lord showed him, “I can make He said even now when he hears about VBS, he feels excited all something out of nothing, and I can use you to glorify Me.” Jim answered the call in 2013. “We’re called to be faithful men over again. and to leave the results to God. I quickly found that this is my “It was significant,” he said. “It answered my question about calling for the rest of my life.” why Jesus died.”

26 November / December 2018 | Christian Living

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He is self-funded and calls himself “a domestic missionary,” creating disciples at home rather than abroad. The ministry stays active through people who see the need to reach and disciple and partner with Jim in prayer and other support.

He and his wife have lived in Idaho less than a year, after working in the Man in the Mirror ministry field for four years in Northern California. Jim said the couple loved their lives right where they were in the Golden State but felt the Lord was nudging them away from there. Jim prayed, “Lord, if You want me to leave here, take away the love I have for this area.”

It wasn’t long before he was off to Idaho. He’s found great openness in the Gem State to Man in the Mirror Ministries.

“I’m seeing so much receptivity here. I told the men in my group in California to pray that I’d hit the ground running when I got to Idaho. The attitude to men’s discipleship here is so much different than other places — in a good way.

“Ministry to men is a lot of starting and stopping. There will be an event and everyone is enthusiastic, and then in between events, the graph goes down — there’s no next step,” he said.

Man in the Mirror is committed to better follow-up after big events, to being there on an everyday basis rather than just for the key occasions that fire people up until the embers go out soon afterward.

“We support pastors. The hallmark of what we do is help pastors and leaders in the church to disciple their men in the fashion that the Lord has given to that church, its DNA. We lay out a template, a foundation for them to use to disciple their men. It’s a biblical template. It comes down to one-on-one discipleship and relationship,” he said.

“It comes down to the reality of relationship with Jesus and one another. God is about to do something big with the men in the Treasure Valley.” n

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Christian Living | November / December 2018 27

CONSIDER This

5 Great Grace Power Packs to use

The second Power Pack He revealed to me is

By Dan Woodworth Have you ever considered the quality of your Psalm 91:14 in The Message: inner life? We all deeply desire love, joy and If you’ll hold onto Me for dear life, I’ll peace. We were all created to enjoy life. Jesus get you out of any trouble. speaks in John 10:10: Jesus promised us overflowing real and The thief comes only to steal, kill and eternal life, more and better life than we destroy, but I came so that you may enever dreamed of (John 10:10). joy and experience overflowing real and He also speaks His Living Words in John eternal life, more and better life than you 16:33 in the Greek: ever dreamed of.

I have told you these things so that in Me you How many of us experience this truth every may have peace. In the world you will have day? A few years ago I noticed that my intribulation (trouble), but take courage, I have ner life did not match what Jesus speaks. I felt conquered the world. shame, fear, anxiety and depression during Do we see that Jesus promises us that He will many times of each day. How many of you feel get us out any trouble when we hold onto Him Dan Woodworth the same way? for dear life (totally trust Him) in Psalm 91:14?

We all have! Shame is a sinister feeling. When I feel trouble many times during each day shame washes over us, the enemy will make sure we feel so I quote out loud Psalm 91:14 until I feel peace. His Living smaller, shrinking and less than. Grace makes us feel full and Words will work for me, you, anyone and everyone. complete in Christ. (Colossians 2:10) We are more than The third Power Pack He revealed to me is Romans 4:17: conquerors through Him who loved us. (Romans 8:37) You are the God who gives life to the dead and calls I passionately asked and thanked our Loving Lord for His into being the things that do not exist. revelation to me about experiencing love, joy and peace inWe see Jesus raising three people from the dead (Mark 5:35stead of the torment I felt. My prayer was: Lord, I ask You 43, Luke 7:11-17 and John 11:38-44), Peter raising a woman and thank You for revealing to me how to be transformed from the dead (Acts 9:36-43) and Paul raising a young man into the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18) instead of befrom the dead (Acts 20:7-12). ing tormented by the thief.

Since Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever He revealed to me His Great Grace Power Packs. The (Hebrews 13:8), He is still raising people from the dead. It hapnumber five in Scripture means grace. Grace is the ability to pens frequently in Africa and Asia, but not too often here in Be and Become who we were created to Be and to Do what the United States — yet. we were created to Do. In Romans 4:17 we see Abraham speaking the thing that did When we live in His grace we live from love (Being in Christ) not exist (being a father at 100 years old) and then the miracle and not for love (behavior). In other words, if we believe that of Isaac being born from his 90-year-old mother Sarah. we are worthy of His love, then we have the ability to experiAll of us face impossibilities. Do we believe that our Loving ence His love, joy and peace as our constant companions. We Lord will graciously give us possibilities by the words that we no longer need to try and be good and behave, attempting to speak?

I have experienced calling into being the things that do please our Loving Lord. not exist many times.

So have you!

The attack of our spiritual enemy produces weakness, sickOne particular instance is when we were building a mantle ness, disease, poverty, lack, debt, shame, schemes, curses, deover a fireplace. The piece of wood was twisted and unattractstruction and death. Those experiences are the thief stealing, ive, but it was exactly the size and shape that the homeowner killing and destroying. desired. I thanked Our Loving Lord for making the wood The first Power Pack that our Loving Lord revealed to me is straight and level. I then checked the mantle with our level and Deuteronomy 31:6 in The Message in the first person: Be strong. Take courage. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t it was perfectly balanced and level. Hard wood does not bend by itself. I called into being the piece of wood being straight, give them a second thought. I am your Living Lord. which did not exist. Everyone there saw that miracle!

I’m striding ahead of you. I’m right here with you. I The fourth Power Pack He revealed to me is Ephesians 3:20: won’t let you down; I won’t leave you.

Now unto You, You are the One who is able to carry Our spiritual enemy wants us weak, fearful, intimidated and out Your purpose and do superabundantly above all shamed. To combat those lies we must speak the promises of we can dare ask or imagine, infinitely beyond our our Loving Lord with His truth of His strength, courage and wildest hopes, dreams and prayers, according to Your confidence. His Living Word has eternal life and resurrection resurrection power at work within us. power to destroy the thoughts and feelings that the enemy We see His Healing Heart for us. He deeply desires to gradumps on us to shrink us. ciously give us beyond belief whatever we dare ask or think.

Listen to His Living Words in Hebrew 4:12: Do we really believe and act on this promise? I speak this The word of God is living and powerful, sharper Power Pack several times a day. He does work mightily for us, than any two-edged sword… in us and through us.

Jesus overcame the power of the devil’s words with the Even if we do not see the evidence, if we keep speaking this Word of God that He spoke in Matthew 4:1-11 when He was tempted in the wilderness. promise, the answer will come in His timing.

28 November / December 2018 | Christian Living

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The fifth Power Pack He revealed to me is Colossians 1:911: Thank You, Lord, for filling us with the full knowledge of Your will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, that we may walk worthy of You, fully pleasing You, being fruitful in every good work, increasing in the full knowledge of God, empowered with all resurrection power, according to Your glorious might unto all patience and endurance with joy.

This fifth Power Pack destroys all doubt, confusion, shame, lack, weakness, impatience, frustration and weariness. When I feel weak and small and lacking confidence, I speak this Power Pack out loud until I feel everything that He promises.

Our Loving Lord always has a solution to every problem we face. We easily forget that we are in a spiritual battle of life and death. The trick of the enemy is to make us feel and think that we created the problem and we need to solve it in our own ability.

We are in Christ and all of His authority and power have been graciously given to us to conquer any conflict.

I speak out loud these Great Grace Power Packs with My Most Beautiful Bride, Irene, our Sensational Spectacular Son, Chris, and anyone who desires to join us every morning and every night.

These powerful promises always work because He deeply desires us to experience victory in every area of our lives.

Thanks be to God who gives us the victory over

shame, sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

So then, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, since you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:57-58)

Great Grace Power Packs 1. Deuteronomy 36:1 2. Psalm 91:14 3. Romans 4:17 4. Ephesians 3:20 5. Colossians 1:9-11

These Transforming Truths always work for me and I know they will work for you! n Dr. Dan Woodworth earned his Doctor of Ministry (DMin) degree from the King’s University in Los Angeles in 2009. His passion is to encourage and empower people with the transforming power of hope and healing to become all they are created to be. He and his beautiful bride, Irene, have planted three churches. They are in the process of creating a cross/cultural, cross/generational healing community solving pressing problems in Boise and beyond. He may be reached at dan@danwoodworth.org, or visit his website at www.danwoodworth.org.

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Christian Living | November / December 2018 29

SAVOR the Season

Dinner roll recipe wins holiday contest Buttery Fluffy Cornmeal Dinner Rolls Submitted by Judy Davis TOTAL TIME: 3 Hours 40 Minutes (includes rising time) Prep Time: 25 Minutes Cook Time: 15 Minutes Yield: 2 Dozen Rolls Ingredients: 2 C milk (1%, 2% or whole) 2/3 C yellow corn meal 1½ T instant yeast ½ C (1 stick) butter 1/3 C granulated sugar 1 tsp salt 3 large eggs 5½ to 6 C all-purpose flour (see notes) Directions:

By Gaye Bunderson Twelve taste testers chose the winner in the 2nd Annual Christian Living Magazine Savor the Season Recipe Contest. “Our taste testers this time were comprised of readers, staff, advertisers and vendors,” Sandy Jones, Christian Living publisher, said.

The winning recipe is Buttery Fluffy Cornmeal Dinner Rolls, submitted by Judy Davis. “This was a recipe my mom made for Christmas and was one of our family’s favorites. I use real whole milk and real butter,” Davis said.

Second and third places were separated by only one vote. Both recipes were submitted by Glenna Tooman. They included Mint Melt Cookies (second) and Holiday Eggnog Muffins (third).

“When I discovered these pretty pastel mint chips years ago, I knew that they would make a wonderful and unique cookie, so I created this recipe to showcase both the color and the mint flavor,” Tooman said of her Mint Melts.

Thanks to everyone for their submissions. We hope you’ll try the winning recipes this year, and next year, submit one of your own for others to try.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and a beautiful Christmas. n

1. In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, warm the milk to just below a simmer; tiny bubbles will appear around the edges (this is called scalding milk). Add the cornmeal and cook and stir constantly until the mixture is thickened and bubbling. It should be the consistency of porridge before taking off the heat.

2. Pour the cornmeal mixture into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook or a large bowl (if mixing by hand) and let cool until lukewarm. Add the yeast, butter and sugar (if you dissolved active dry yeast with a bit of water and sugar until it foamed, add it now). Mix. 3. Add the salt and eggs. Mix well. Add the flour gradually until a soft dough forms. Knead 2-3 minutes.

4. Transfer the dough to a greased bowl and cover with a lightly greased plastic wrap; let rise until doubled.

5. Portion the dough into 24 equal pieces (about 2.75 to 3 ounces each) and roll into a taut ball on the counter. Place each roll on a large, rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing about an inch apart to allow for rising (on a 11x17-inch rimmed baking sheet, I fit 24 rolls on the sheet, four across, six down). Cover lightly with greased plastic wrap. Let the rolls rise until doubled.

6. Bake at 375 degrees for 14-17 minutes, until lightly browned and baked through. Remove from the oven and brush with butter while still warm.

Notes: If you need/want to use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast, change the amount of yeast to 2 tablespoons active dry and dissolve the yeast in ½ C warm water and 1 T sugar. Let the yeast mixture activate and foam (approximately 5 minutes) before adding it to the cornmeal mixture with the butter and 1/3 C sugar.

I’ve had good luck subbing in 50% white whole-wheat flour for these rolls as well (if doing so, increase the kneading time by 2-3 minutes).

Also, as with all yeast doughs, I never use the flour amount called for in the recipe as a hard, fast rule (unless a weight measure is given and then I pull out my kitchen scale). Because humidity, temperature, altitude and a multitude of other factors can impact how much flour you need in your yeast doughs, I always judge when to quit adding flour by the texture and look and feel of the dough rather than how much flour I’ve added compared to the recipe.

30 November / December 2018 | Christian Living

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Mint Melts Submitted by Glenna Tooman Ingredients: ¼ cup margarine, softened 1½ cups sugar 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 cups mini pastel mint chips (found in the bulk foods section of most grocery stores) 3 ounces cream cheese, softened 2 eggs ½ teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt

Holiday Eggnog Muffins Submitted by Glenna Tooman Ingredients:

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream the margarine and cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar, beating well. Add eggs and beat to mix.

Combine the dry ingredients; add slowly, mixing well after each addition. Add the vanilla.

(Dough will be stiff.) With a spoon, stir in the mint chips.

Form the dough into 1-inch balls. Place on a lightly greased cookie sheet 2 inches apart.

Flatten slightly. Bake at 350 degrees about 8 minutes, until edges just begin to brown.

Remove from oven and let sit on baking sheet 1 to 2 minutes before removing to a cooling rack.

Cookies will flatten and tops will crack as they cool. Makes 4½ dozen.

¼ cup butter, softened ½ cup sugar 1 egg ½ cup eggnog ½ teaspoon vanilla 1 cup flour 1 teaspoon baking powder Directions:

In a small bowl, beat butter and sugar until crumbly. Add egg; mix well. Beat in eggnog and vanilla. In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, nutmeg and salt.

Add to creamed mixture just until moistened (don’t over mix). Fold in pineapple.

Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups ¾ full. Sprinkle topping over muffins. Bake at 400 degrees for 18 to 22 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack. Serve warm. Makes 9 muffins.

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WHERE is God?

You’re in the desert but not alone

By RM Drury Are there ever times when you wonder if God is listening to you? Are there times when you wonder if God really cares about you or if He has perhaps forgotten about you?

Matthew 3:16, 17; 4:1

Picture this… Jesus has just been baptized. A holy dove descends on Him to proclaim Him as the Son of God. Folks are in awe of what just happened. They are stunned, amazed. The Messiah they have been waiting for has been announced. Jesus is ready to begin his ministry.

But wait — what does God do? God just said, “This is my Son whom I love. With Him I am well pleased.”

Matthew 3:17

And then… He sends Jesus into the wilderness to undergo loneliness, hunger, hardship and, to top it off, temptation.

Don’t you find it interesting that the way the Father chose to show love to His Son at the beginning of His ministry was to put him in the desert? Why did He do that? I think it was so that at the critical beginning of this most important time in history, Jesus would learn to depend on the Father, and the Father alone — and I don’t believe for a moment that God was not there with His Son the whole time.

Perhaps one of the reasons God places each of us in a desert of some kind now and then is so that we will learn to depend on Him in new ways. So that we will learn to depend on Him

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and Him only. So that we will turn to Him for answers, guidance, comfort or strength because we have no place else to turn.

Deserts come in different forms: sadness, loneliness, depression, financial.... and on and on.

When you are in the desert, and we all are there sometimes, be assured God is there too. He is listening. He has not forgotten you. He does care about you, for He says, “See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.” (Isaiah 49:16) Jesus’ nail-pierced hands are symbolized here. Jesus and what He did at the cross is proof of God’s love and care. I heard somewhere that God says “I will be with you” 365 times in the Bible. I don’t know this for a fact, but if it’s true, isn’t it so like God that He would speak those words one time for each day of the year?

Here’s one — no, two — “for this day” found in Isaiah 43:15: “But now, this is what the Lord says — He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel; ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead.

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Since you are precious and honored in My sheets and made a Kissing Hand book. When sight, and because I love you, I will give men a child was having a particularly hard day missin exchange for your life. Do not be afraid, ing Mom or Dad, I would pull out the book, for I am with you’...” read the parents’ note to the child while they Here’s an idea to help you remember that placed their hand on top of Mom or Dad’s paeven when you are in the desert, you are enper hand. Some days students kept their hand graved in the palm of His holy hands and you there for a very long time, but it never failed to are not alone. This idea may sound silly, (you help them through the day. can do it when no one is around) but oftenChildren have deserts too — scary dreams, times a visual reminder goes a long way toward monsters in the closet, fears of all kinds. This making something unforgettable. Here’s all you idea can help a struggling child as well. After need, just 3 easy things: talking through the idea behind the hand cut 1. A piece of paper – any kind out and actually making the project with your 2. A writing implement – any kind child, tuck that hand under his or her pillow at 3. Scissors night. They can tuck their own hand under the Here’s what you are going to do: Trace your RM Drury pillow as well and perhaps they will feel better hand on the piece of paper, cut out your hand resting their hand in God’s hand. shape, then write your name in the palm of the hand cut out.

Everyone — big people and little people — spends some Keep that hand in a spot where you see it often. time in the desert now and then. It’s good to know we are not You can write the references on it too, if you want: Isaiah there alone. n 49:16 and Isaiah 43:1-5.

When you look at the hand, you can know that this is a Roxanne Drury is a wife, mother, grandmother and retired Christian promise of God to us His chosen people, His loved ones: “In preschool teacher with a Certificate of Achievement in Early Childhood the desert, I will be with you.”

Education from Moorpark College. She is a former insurance executive When I had a preschool class, every year we did a Kissing and trainer. She has served the Lord for over 40 years in a church setting Hand project based on the book titled “The Kissing Hand” in many capacities, with most of her time spent in children’s ministry. Her written by Audrey Penn. I would have the parents trace and heart is sharing God’s Word and its life application through her blog at cut out their hand and send it in to me with a handwritten thatslifemissroxanne.blogspot.com. note to their child and a family photo. I laminated all the

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Christian Living | November / December 2018 33

FINDING rest

How to combat emotional exhaustion

By Hilary Cobb In 1974, a man named Herbert Freudenberger published a journal article about “occupational burnout.” Initially focused on burnout in the workplace, it has since spawned a body of research spanning 40 years examining why some people succeed in stressful job situations and others “burn out” quickly. Why some people can cope with difficulties and others fall apart.

Whether it’s in the workplace or your home life, there are a number of factors that can lead to burnout. All of them can impact us, but one theme I consistently see in people who are struggling is a sense of “emotional exhaustion.” Researchers have determined that emotional exhaustion often results from too many job or personal demands and a constant level of stress.

It leaves people feeling “drained,” easily overwhelmed, fatigued and they have difficulty finding pleasure in the successes they do have.

How many of us does that describe right now?

Although emotional exhaustion is often examined through the lens of the job performance, emotional exhaustion permeates every area of our lives. In a society where there is pressure to do well at your job, be the perfect parent and have a showroom-worthy home (all while maintaining friendships and your social media), it is easy to slip into a state of emotional exhaustion where you consistently feel like you aren’t doing a good enough job.

Just look at memes and articles online. There are so many cartoons and posts about people feeling wiped out, struggling to get through the day, and feeling overwhelmed by their children / responsibilities / lives. It’s no wonder so many Americans hide in their phones, video games, and pornography. We need something to take the edge off, to numb ourselves, to isolate ourselves because life just feels hard.

The beauty is that emotional exhaustion is not inevitable. Research of employees found that, overall, using positive coping skills such as seeking advice from others and maintaining a healthy sense of internal control (“I’ve got this”) was associated with lower levels of exhaustion, and using coping skills such as avoidance led to higher levels. Using this research, companies have been able to use several techniques to help their workers go from feeling burnt out to positive and in control, and I believe we can use this information to help all of us, regardless of your job title or role.

The best part? These concepts are also biblically-based.

So how do we decrease our feelings of emotional exhaustion?

Learn to prioritize. There are so many demands for our time, and we only have a limited number of hours per day. Learn to prioritize what you say yes to and find ways to simplify your day. It is okay to buy your family pizza instead of creating Pinterest-worthy recipes daily. Don’t beat yourself up if you need to buy pre-made cupcakes for your child’s party.

You don’t need to organize every social event at your job. It is okay to say no and cut corners occasionally if it gives you a moment to breathe.

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Luke 10:38-42 tells us the familiar story of our abilities. However, researchers found that Mary and Martha: seeking advice from others was one of the most “As Jesus and his disciples were on their important ways workers could reduce emotionway, he came to a village where a woman al exhaustion. named Martha opened her home to him.

So surround yourself with a community of She had a sister called Mary, who sat at people who can support you and give you adthe Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But vice. Struggling to get everything done? Start a Martha was distracted by all the preparababysitting co-op. Swap pre-made dinners with tions that had to be made. She came to him a friend. Delegate appropriately at work. Learn and asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my to ask for advice from people who love you sister has left me to do the work by myself ? but will also be honest when you are doing too Tell her to help me!’ much or holding yourself to ridiculously high ‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you standards. People you listen to when they tell are worried and upset about many things, but you that you are stretched too thin and need to few things are needed — or indeed only one. take a step back.

Mary has chosen what is better, and it will One of my favorite verses is Proverbs 15:22: Hilary Cobb not be taken away from her.”

“Without counsel plans fail, but with many Martha’s priorities not only kept her from time with Jesus, advisers, they succeed” (NLT). If you find yourself feeling but it made her resentful and frustrated. Emotional exhaustion emotionally exhausted or burnt out, build up or reach out to results from feeling like you have little control over your life your support network. and eventually leads to bitterness and resentment. Learning These are only a few techniques. Interestingly, they are not to prioritize and define your schedule can help you regain a anything new; many of us have heard these at one point or anstronger sense of control (which reduces emotional exhausother. However, too many people struggle with actually impletion). menting them and find themselves on the verge of burnout.

Adjust your expectations. There is a difference between If you find that even with taking these steps, you are still standards and overly high expectations. It is reasonable to have worn out, edgy and irritable, please seek help. Find a solid a good work ethic and be an involved, caring parent. Howcounselor, consult your pastor, meet with a mentor, spend time ever, many of the clients I see with emotional exhaustion have in prayer. unreasonably high expectations for themselves to be “perfect,” In Matthew 11:28-29, Jesus tells us: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take so when they make a mistake (they forgot to sign their child’s my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and permission slip, missed an appointment, or didn’t attend a humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” lunch meeting), they beat themselves up emotionally (“I’m a Don’t let the popular culture tell you that we were made to failure as a parent / worker / spouse”). barely make it through the day. God wants us to rest, and He Striving to be a “perfect parent” can be detrimental to your gives us the tools to do so. We just have to use them. n mental health and will contribute to a sense of emotional exhaustion, so tempering your expectations and reminding Hilary Cobb is the owner of Still Waters Behavioral Health in Middleyourself that it is okay to make mistakes can be helpful.

Find your tribe. We often view seeking help as “weakness” ton, Idaho and blogs about God, marriage and parenting at Blessed By His Love. Find her at www.blessedbyhislove.com. or that being honest about our struggles will reflect badly on

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Christian Living | November / December 2018 35

WHO do you ‘look’ like?

Be stamped with the image of Christ And that is what has created the unsettling

By Vincent Kituku curiosity whenever I hear or sing the words of The sentence “Stamp thine own image deep in Chisholm’s hymns. I wonder whether when my heart” is the closing of the chorus of Thomas people see my actions or hear my words, they O. Chisholm’s song titled, “O to Be Like Thee.” see the image of God. The song expounds on After listening and sometimes trying to mouth what it is to be like Jesus: “full of compassion, those words for more than 23 years, I found loving, forgiving, tender and kind, helping myself wrestling with the thought of how it is to the helpless, cheering the fainting, seeking the have the image of God in one’s heart. wandering sinner to find.” This is just the beStamping an image on anything can serve a ginning, even though I cannot imagine what my multitude of purposes. It can be used to establish life would be like if I had a fraction of an ounce authenticity of property. It can reflect ownership. of each of these Christlike characteristics.

There is the natural image or resemblance we The songwriter continues by adding, “lowly in see in members of the same family. Some look so spirit, holy and harmless, patient (he must have not alike that it’s impossible to tell who is who unless raised teenagers or worked with some people you have known them for a while. we know) and brave, meekly enduring cruel I have had embarrassing experiences with iden- Vincent Kituku reproaches, willing to suffer others to save” to tical twins, especially of Caucasian background. the list of what comprises a Christlike image.

In two cases I enthusiastically opened my arms to embrace a Then I take the liberty to imagine how the world would “friend” I have known and worked with only to be given that, be like if each and every person who accepts God’s plan of “Please don’t touch me… I don’t know you” look.

A childhood wound in my heart was caused by the pain of not salvation in his/her life claimed that image and portrayed the Christlike characteristics. One thing is for sure. The world being told I looked like my father. My young brother did and he would be different. That is where II Chronicles 7:14 comes in: never needed to explain his ancestry. Just looking at him some“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble one would say, “Hey, you are Kituku’s son!” That was it for my themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their brother, but I had to SAY that I was Kituku’s son. Then there came the comment or question I expected each time I told some- wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” one that I was Kituku’s son. “Oh, you look like your mother” Responsibility comes with having the image of Christ was better than the question, “Are you really Kituku’s son?” stamped in our hearts or being called by the name of God — But the thoughts of a stamped image that have colonized my Christians, in our case. We have to strive not to misrepresent mind are comparable to a practice of my business. We purchase Him and tarnish His image. n plain envelopes and then stamp them with the Kituku & Associates image with a logo (buffalo), mailing address, website address Dr. Vincent Muli Kituku, award-winning international speaker and and phone/fax numbers. After an envelope is permanently author, is the founder of Caring Hearts and Hands of Hope and Caring stamped Kituku & Associates, no any other entity, business, or individual can claim it. That stamp tells the world who the enve- Hearts High School in Kenya. He may be reached at 208-376-8724 or vincent@kituku.com. lope belongs to.

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Is healthshare the same as health insurance?

By Kyle Staton

Publisher’s note: With the recent addition of healthshare plans advertising with Christian Living Magazine, we thought we might shed a little light on what sets a healthshare plan apart from traditional health insurance. Christian Living Magazine does not endorse one over the other, as we realize that each individuals’ needs are as unique as the individuals themselves. This is merely presented from an educational standpoint. We hope it helps.

If you ever go to a car dealership, you may be initially overwhelmed by the sheer volume of cars for sale. However, as you begin to browse through the lot of sedans, trucks, and SUVs, you start to eliminate some vehicles that don’t fit the specific criteria that you are searching for in your new car. If you’re a new parent, you’re going to be looking for something with good gas mileage and safety features. A Lamborghini may be desirable, but it doesn’t meet your needs and may also be financially unobtainable. In a situation like this, a safety-conscious and fuel efficient vehicle may be a better fit both functionally and financially. In brief, there is no “one size fits all” when it comes to automobiles.

The same can be said when it comes to paying for healthcare. Factors like age, family size, occupation, medical history, and income change from person to person, and methods of paying for healthcare should reflect individual values. Someone whose healthcare is paid for by his employer may already have exactly what he needs. However, for someone whose employer doesn’t pay for their healthcare or only pays for limited services or a certain percentage of medical costs, another solution may be necessary.

That solution comes in the form of healthcare sharing ministries.

Healthcare sharing ministries have been around since the 1980s, but they have experienced major growth since the institution of the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate. Healthcare sharing members were

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granted an exemption from the mandate, thanks to the fact that healthcare sharing was operating effectively for decades before the bill was signed into law. This cost-effective method of paying for healthcare has allowed many Americans to escape ACA penalties and simultaneously live out their values of individual freedom and fiscal responsibility.

Are healthcare sharing ministries the right choice for you to pay for your healthcare? Let’s take a deeper look at the specifics, and you can decide for yourself.

First, it’s important to know that participation in healthcare sharing ministries is precipitated by agreeing to a shared belief statement. The extent and exclusivity of these statements vary by organization.

Second, when considering participation in a healthcare sharing ministry, it is also important to keep in mind that certain expenses may not be eligible for sharing. These ineligible expenses could include costs related to abortions, contraceptives, sex changes, alcohol, drugs, cosmetic surgeries, and other items that may not align with the moral and ethical values of the entire healthcare sharing community. By requiring that all shared expenses be for medically necessary procedures, healthcare sharing ministries are able to steward the shared funds to care for members’ needs.

If you are a married couple, with or without kids, healthcare sharing might be a good fit for you. Generally, healthcare sharing ministries offer different price points for singles, couples, and families, and the cost per person tends to decrease significantly in sharing plans for couples and families.

Healthcare sharing ministries exist for those who believe in taking charge of their healthcare costs with a community of like-minded members. The benefits of a healthshare approach abound, but in the end, each person must decide the best fit for himself and his loved ones. We recommend that you sit down and take a look at your lifestyle before making any decision related to your healthcare. n

Christian Living | November / December 2018 37

Was a bear fight part of God’s plan?

By Jewelea Clarke Would you fight a big black bear to save your best friend’s life? Romans 12:10 says, “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love,” but does that mean even risking your life?

Don Bollinger lived with his grandparents in Clatsop Plains, western Oregon, in 1945. These wetlands and sand dunes areas lie between the mouth of the Columbia River and Seaside, Oregon, providing proliferate cranberry bogs. Leaving the beach area led into a very dense forest in 1945.

Don and his best friend, Johnny Adair, had recently graduated from high school in Seaside. Don had received his draft notice to join the military. World War II was in progress. Don was a tall, strong young man over 6 feet tall.

Johnny’s dad, John, owned a ranch where they raised cattle.

The calves were being killed by a large black bear. On a Saturday, Johnny, his dad, sister Florence, friend William Yuilt, and Don formed a hunting party.

They set a trap for the bear using the carcass of a calf the bear had mutilated. Noise from the bear led the party to locate him. They shot. Some of their shots wounded the bear and he escaped, running deeper into the woods. Johnny, Florence, and Don ran ahead of the others after this provoked animal.

The path had a “Y” around the cranberry bog. Don went left and Johnny and Florence ran to the right.

Surprising Johnny and Florence, the bear came out of the heavy brush, ambushing Johnny. He dropped his gun when the bear attacked. Florence screamed, “Johnny, Johnny!” What could she do? She was so scared! Would Johnny die?

This big black bear bit Johnny in the head, puncturing his skull, and blood began to pour out. The bear’s mouth went from the top of Johnny’s head to the bottom of his right collar bone. Florence continued to scream, “Johnny! Johnny! Dad!” The bear was on top of Johnny when he bit him, breaking two bones in his left arm. Both thighs were punctured as the bear mauled and scratched Johnny many more times.

Don rushed to the scene and without apprehension shot the bear one time with his single shot .30-30, which did not deter the bear. For fear of hitting Johnny with another shot, Don hit

the bear with the butt of his gun three times, breaking the gun and making the bear even angrier. He kicked the bear in the stomach, again to no avail. Don put his hand out as the bear approached him and left Johnny. The bear bit Don’s hand.

The remaining hunting party heard Florence’s screams and the commotion. They bolted to find the unbelievable crisis.

Their arrival did not deter the bear. The bear was not afraid of them. He was fighting for his life too. He was going to kill Johnny.

Johnny’s dad grabbed Yuilt’s .300 Savage and shot the bear two times in the mouth as the bear prepared to assail Don. The bear dropped.

John put Johnny on Don’s back. Don ran two miles through the thick woods to the pickup to transport them both to health care in Seaside. This is an example of Don’s valor and steadfast Christian love for others.

Johnny cared for his frightened daughter. He was transported to Astoria hospital due to concern for an infection.

The bear had nearly bitten through Don’s hand, which took a few stitches. Each young man recovered with scars and very unusual memories.

Don went to see his girlfriend, Phyllis, showing her his hand and telling her about being in a bear fight. She didn’t believe him. It had to be a joke. The Daily Astorian newspaper confirmed his story to Phyllis and to the community.

Because of Don’s injury, the draft board extended his entry into World War II. By the time he went into the military, the war was over in Poland. Rather than going into battle, he went into intelligence in northern Europe. God had a plan for Don’s safety, even though it may not have seemed like it during the bear fight.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) says: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Do you trust God to lead you in his plan for your life?

P.S. Phyllis and Don have been married 70 years.

Jewelea Clarke is a resident of Caldwell, Idaho.

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