Raise the Risk

USA Hockey

April 11th, 2012 § 0 comments § permalink

Last weekend, we headed to Tampa International Airport to board a plane destined for Newark, NJ to the confusion of many. “Why are you going to New Jersey for vacation?”; “What’s in New Jersey?” they would question. It wasn’t about what was in New Jersey, but who: my godmother and her family, whom I have yet to see since my wedding ten years ago. We were overdue for a visit. We were also headed to Lower Manhattan for a day as well. My small town, Alabama wife had always dreamed of going, but never thought it was possible.

But that’s not what this post is about. We’ll save that for another time.

On Sunday evening, while we were enjoying our chicken cutlet dinner complete with perogies and my godmother’s famous garden salad, something was happening in Norway that I was unaware of. In just 24 hours, that would all change.

Monday morning we headed for the airport careful to arrive two hours early in the chance there was a back up at the security checkpoint. There wasn’t, but that was alright. “We can entertain the kids for two hours,” we thought.

That was until we noticed our flight was delayed past the time we needed to catch our connecting flight at Reagan International. After an hour or so of trying to make something happen, a United Airlines Attendant booked us on a 6pm flight back home… two hours had just turned into six hours.

This might be a challenge.

In our third hour – the halfway point – we noticed three young men in their mid-twenties talking quietly amongst themselves a few feet from us. They were obviously in great shape – all three of them looked like they could hold their own in a 3 on 3 basketball tournament… and after talking with them, I still think they can.

These men were all verterans – one a United States Marine and the other two, part of the U.S. Army. I heard one joke about something, “I’m not the first one in; you’re the Marine.” They all laughed. These three brave men fought and served in our military and paid a severe price for the cause of freedom.

Two of them had lost one leg and the other had no legs.

“What have these guys been through in the last seven years,” I wondered. What have they seen? Who have they lost? Who did they save? What’s their story? I had to strike up a conversation with them – if not for anything else, but to say thank you. So I had a raise the risk moment and stood up with my napping son in arms and sat down across from them.

“Excuse me,” I interrupted. “I have been sitting here watching you guys for some time and I couldn’t help but over hear some of your conversation. You are a Marine and you guys are regular army?” I asked. After clarification, they started telling me about their latest accomplishment – winning gold medal at the 2012 International Paralympic Committee Ice Sledge World Championship held in Hamar, Norway. They defeated Canada in the semi-finals to advance to the championship game against Korea. Canada had beat them earlier in the season so it was nice to have the opportunity to face them again… and win!

Two of them took out their gold medal and allowed my family and I to hold them. The kids even put them around their neck. They introduced themselves to me. “I’m Rico. This is Josh,” one said. “And I’m Jen,” said the other. They told me I could find out more about their sport at USAHockey.com. I knew they didn’t want to or couldn’t talk about their military experiences (although I could have listened for days) so the conversation ended just as fast as it had begun, and next thing I knew we were boarding the plane.

Most of the time, a raise the risk moment isn’t about us. It’s about being able to speak or to serve into someone else’s life and let them know they are important. Important to us? Yes. But more importantly, to God. The few minutes that I had with these men, I wanted to encourage them and bless them and to better pray for them. I ended up celebrating with them as well. Look for opportunities to hear from others taking an interest in their stories and their accomplishments. When you choose to make a lifestyle out of investing in others, you learn quickly that there is a return of equal or greater blessing.

Hollywood Preachers

March 9th, 2012 § 0 comments § permalink

I know not all of you are preachers out there, but everyone in Christ is a minister of the Gospel, and I wanted to challenge you with the words of an old friend of mine who I have never met before, but of whom I know very well.

He writes to me, “As soon as a man lets his work become a matter of mere form or routine, it sinks into a performance in which the [person] is simply an actor.” He pleads further, “…speak from your hearts, or else do not speak at all.”

How easy is it to get caught up in the work we are supposed to be doing and to quickly forget the purpose behind it? Many preachers out there abandon the reality of their role for a mere counterfeit, sometimes Hollywood version, of the real thing. We become a part in a performance seen in some of the greatest American cities, but fail to provide our audience with the man or woman God has called us to be.

Even Rick Warren will tell you not to follow his approach completely, but to use what he has learned to help you make sense of where God has called you.

Maybe the reason is because we lack self-confidence. Maybe it’s because we see their success and think that the same script will bring equal results. Maybe it’s because we’re lazy. Maybe it’s because we’re tired. Or maybe it’s because we don’t believe that God truly does want us to sing a new song and breathe something fresh on our hearers.

This week, raise the risk in your preparation for your next sermon. Before you let some other preacher provide you with a script, pray that God would give you fresh eyes and a renewed spirit to write out His words for your hearers.

Then deliver them with passion and conviction.

If you can’t, maybe you should consider another work.

Taken from http://e-uhs.efxinternet.com

My friend concludes, “If you can be silent, be silent; but if you must speak for God, be thoroughly sincere about it. It would be better for you to go back to business, and weigh butter or sell reels of cotton, or do anything rather than pretend to be ministers of the Gospel unless God has called you to the work.”

Raise the Risk Challenge:
(1) Click here and purchase The Soul Winner by C.H. Spurgeon. He is the friend I have alluded to in this blog.
(2) Preachers: Seriously evaluate your sermon prep. How much time, prayer, and energy went into it?
(3) If you spend time looking at what others do for sermon ideas, take a sabbatical and ask God to breathe fire into your soul.

Coercion Ninja

February 29th, 2012 § 1 comment § permalink

Source: Uploaded by user via Brooke on Pinterest

Admitting you are a Coercion Ninja is the first step to recovery. Say it with me, “Hi, my name is ____, and I am a Coercion Ninja.”

Communication. We either think we have it all together, or we know we do not.

⁵So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! ⁶And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. ⁷For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, ⁸but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. ⁹With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. ¹⁰From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. ¹¹Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? ¹²Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.

James 3:5-10

As I have shared before, Ron and I are completing a MAPP’s (Model Approach to Partnered Parenting) course to foster and adopt. Last night was the most pertinent information to date for yours truly. We discussed proactive parenting versus reactive parenting. In reactive parenting, we learned the art of coercion…and why we should flee this communication practice.

Perhaps you, like myself, are a unknowning black-belt coercion ninja?

Source: piccsy.com via Brooke on Pinterest

Simply stated, coercion involves trying to change a person’s behavior by casting guilt, humiliation, fear, discomfort, or other negative feelings.

Coercive Communication Practices Include:

Questioning-rapid fire 20 question style, “Where were you? Who were you with? Why didn’t you call? What were you doing?”
Arguing
Sarcasm
Force
Sudden Subtraction “You just lost your_______.” “Don’t count on getting _____ now.”
Lecturing
Threatening-”You will lose the car.” “I will call the cops.” “Don’t count on me helping you again.”
Criticizing
Despair
Silent Treatment
One-uping
Telling on your offender to others

Do you use any of the above in communicating with your children, family, co-workers, or sales-clerks? I certainly am guilty of a few of these. In fact, I think my family would make a great case study.

Perhaps, like me, the question is, “I know we can talk…but can we communicate?”

Coercive communication leads to unhealthy, unhappy and strained relationships. This leads to suspected ninja moves behind even sweet, well-meaning actions.

Source: zakkalife.blogspot.com via Brooke on Pinterest

The Bible Says

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Ephesians 4:15-16

When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

1 Peter 2:23

The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse.

Proverbs 10:32

The words of a wise man’s mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.

Ecclesiastes 10:12

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Colossians 4:6

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Ephesians 4:29

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. ³²Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Ephesians 4:31-32

Raise the Risk Challenge:

Identify 2-3, or if you are like me, 4-5, coercive communication practices that you employ and confess these to God and a trusted friend, spouse, or family member.
Meditate on the above scriptures and commit one to memory.
Pray that God will teach you to communicate clearly and lovingly with all that you encounter.

Angry Birds

February 17th, 2012 § 0 comments § permalink

(If you are viewing in a reader click here to view video.)

Sometimes I wish I could just “stop it.” Getting angry that is.

Much like people’s addiction to Angry Birds, I have a constant resurrection of angry emotions that hover near the surface.

Ron and I are going through a 10 week course so that we can become foster/adoptive parents. This is a dream that we have had for over five years as a family, and growing within us for a lifetime before “we” were.

Imagine my ultimate excitement for this dream coming to fruition. I am a planner and one to take action quickly sometimes to my own disadvantage. Therefore, the last two weeks I have been rearranging furniture, repositioning pictures within our home, and cleaning out..all in the name of preparation should a 0-2 year old show up in the next 7 months… yes hurrying up for 7 months of waiting.

When I was rearranging artwork within our home, I happened to ask Ron how he thought two pictures would look in our entry way.

Can you believe that Ron did not like my newly suggested placement of the pictures? Shocker, we disagreed on a designing issue. I am sure we are the only husband and wife to do that…

Source: recyclart.org via Freshome.com on Pinterest

Well, instead of taking his opinion in an optimal way, I immediately grew defensive and then angry. (I know, a bit of an overreaction to say the least.)

We had a cordial verbal exchange which left me in a huff. You see, Ron nor I know what exactly is going to set me off until it happens. This is not a healthy position to live in. Angry flair ups do not happen every day, but often enough that I realize my anger is a weak spot only conquered via powerful seeking of the Holy Spirit.

After the failed redesign, I left to go for a walk. As I walk I contemplate whether this anger is a byproduct of my lion/beaver, D/C (DISC profile), Type A personality? Or, can I blame it on my hot-blooded southern lineage? Either way, my anger more often than I like, continues as a weak spot that threatens to get the better of me.

By now you may wonder why you are reading my posts at all.

Did you really think I had it all together?

I hope not.

Source: whatmattdoes.tumblr.com via Elle on Pinterest

If the authenticity I choose to portray only begins and ends with capitals, commas, and punctuation then I am giving an inaccurate picture of the sinner I am and the God that I serve.

My God forgives sinners like me using imperfect vessels for His perfect purposes.

Our salvation is not an excuse for sin (see Galatians 5), but it is a grace that grows us in righteousness and away from unrighteousness.

Anger itself is not a sin. Righteous anger is an emotion experienced by God and Jesus:

The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

Psalm 86:15, 103:8, 145:8

And he (Jesus) looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored.

Mark 3:5

God’s anger brings His righteous, wrathful judgement unless abated by the prayers of His people.

The Old Testament is full of examples of the anger of God being abated through prayer. See Numbers 14 for one such example as Moses interceded on behalf of the unbelieving Israelites to enter into the Promise Land.

In addition, God’s servants showed righteous anger like that of David against the audacity of Goliath to defy ”the armies of the living God.” (1 Samuel 17:36)

Source: Uploaded by user via Erika on Pinterest

I have found that the best way for Christ-followers to combat sin and temptation is through prayer and scripture. Perhaps you also struggle with feelings of anger? If so, then may we seek to quench this flesh-born weakness of unrighteous anger with verses like these and others:

Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly. Proverbs 14:29

Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. Proverbs 16:32

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; ²⁰ for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. ²¹ Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. James 1:19-21

Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger Ephesians 4:26

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Ephesians 4:31

I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; 1 Timothy 2:8

But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth Colossians 3:8

Concerning the pictures in the foyer, I opted for tacking some of the children’s recent artwork instead of the pieces that I originally suggested. Their Jackson Pollock inspired pieces are a great fit for the space.

Concerning my anger, well that remains very much a work in progress. What ways do you combat anger in your own life?

~Brooke

Raise the Risk Challenge:

Determine a few causes of your anger. Perhaps your anger lies in perfectionism, control, or a past hurt that has not been dealt with and healed.
Seek God in prayer and then commit to memory one of the above verses as you make your anger a matter of prayer this week.
Read this very helpful, Bible-based article on Taming Your Anger and this one on 25 Ways to Provoke Our Children to Anger.
Perhaps some music to assist you as well? This one by Audrey Assad, or for the more hard-core this one by Lecrae. Enjoy.

Linking with:

Intentionality: Focus Your Energy

February 4th, 2012 § 0 comments § permalink

Intentionality.

For me this word promotes encouragement to set and obtain goals.

Perhaps even more energizing is viewing lives lived with intentionality.

In Hungry for God: Hearing God’s Voice in the Ordinary and Everyday by Margaret Feinberg, I encountered this phrase:

Don’t look where you don’t want to go.

This was the advice Margaret’s friend, Valerie, was given when attempting her first mountain biking excursion…I find it applicable to a life lived with intentionality.

If in fact we are not to focus where we do not want to go then the opposite must also be true: we must focus where we want to go. Which begs the questions:

Where do I want to go? What are my thoughts and vision set upon? Do I need to shift my thinking in some areas?

One Wednesday night a month, our middle school and high school ministries join forces for worship and Bible study during a time we call Unite. At last month’s Unite the high school students were given the opportunity to share what God put on their hearts.

I loved the intentionality of the testimonies of three students as listed below.

“I want to pray with 100 homeless people this year.”
“Please hold me accountable to gaining all attention for myself. If you see that I am drawing everyone’s attention to me, please stop me and ask me to put that energy into drawing attention to God. “
One student is joining with her peer to realize his vision for “Kneel United” a prayer concert to coincide with the Republican National Convention meeting in our backyard of Tampa, Florida. Kneel United would focus the prayers of God’s people within our country to pray as one.

Indeed this was a 1 Timothy 4:12 moment.

What movement is Christ drawing you to by the power of His word and the testimony of the saints?

Why not raise the risk with me and strive for intentionality? Determine where you want to go and press on to change yourself and the world through Christ Jesus. We are the body that Christ has chosen to bless others in this moment in history.

Life Lessons from a Child

January 25th, 2012 § 1 comment § permalink

I was addressing our leadership team about some important changes for the new year.

I was casting vision for what others couldn’t see right now but hoped they would be able to see soon. I was on the mountain top explaining what I saw for the near future concerning our ministry; they were still blinded by the mountain that stood in front of them. But soon, they too would see the huge payoff that we would experience before long in our quest for making disciples in our church’s student ministry.

And then she walked in the room.

My Little Teacher

She being my beautiful and articulate three-year old daughter. Emily was in the back of the room as I stood up front. We were separated by a sea of adults but in that moment, all she could see was, “Daddy!”

She never saw the crowd…never took notice that I was speaking to my team…never bothered to remember her manners and say, “Excuse me, daddy.” She quickly weaved her way through the maze of a carefully designed set up of tables and chairs and embraced my right leg looking up at me with a trusting and secure face. She knew everything would be okay because daddy was with her.

Wouldn’t it be great if that was reflective of our relationship with God?

Wouldn’t it be great if we never saw the crowd…never got distracted by the things that carry no lasting value…never cowered in fear seizing every moment with Daddy? Jesus’ disciple, Peter, tried to live his life that way, and little Emily, in one of her first Raise the Risk moments, was giving it her best shot as well.

The ability to focus on the Savior is what got Peter out of the boat and onto the water-turned-sidewalk (Matthew 14:29). We possess the ability, through the Holy Spirit to focus on Jesus. When we do this, like Peter and Emily, the only thing that matters is Daddy, and we are free to live outside the realm of fear allowing us to take more risks for Him because He is the only One that matters.

I learned a lot from my little girl that evening, and I pray that I will be ready to learn future lessons that teach me how to live with childlike faith.

I just need to clear the clutter in my mind and find Daddy.

Taken from Scribbles of a Cluttered Mind

Profiles in Character: Katie Davis of Amazima Ministries

January 17th, 2012 § 0 comments § permalink

There have been several moments in my life where I have met a person, read their book, or heard them speak and then decided that they would make it to the”they follow Christ and I should attend to their teaching” list. My husband is at the top of that list. That being said, Ron would indeed tell you that David Platt easily comes in at the top three! Hence, when I saw the (54 minute) video below, I knew that the “list” had grown to also include Katie Davis of Amazima Ministries and the author of the New York Times bestseller, Kisses from Katie. (There is a shorter 3 minute video introducing Katie and her book at the bottom of the post.)

Katie is a mere 23 years old and began her life in Uganda at the even younger age of 18. Fresh out of highschool, she chose to forgo the persuasions of her family to begin college and instead committed to a 10 month stent of teaching pre-school in Uganda, Africa. Through a God-honoring commitment to say yes to raising the risk, Katie now finds herself a committed life-time resident of Uganda, adoptive mother to 13 girls, adoption advocate, New York Times bestseller of Kisses from Katie: A Story of Relentless Love and Redemption, and the Executive Director of Amazima Ministries. Here is an excerpt from her book. (p. 100)

Fear. It’s part of human nature, but it’s not something we got from God. Second Timothy 1:7 says: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. ” When I imagine God creating each one of us and planting a purpose deep in our hearts, I never imagine that purpose being mediocrity. While the Bible doesn’t tell every person on earth specifically what his or her life’s calling will be, it does include a lot of general direction:

“You are to find me in the least of these. ” Yes.

“You are to leave your earthly possessions and come follow me. ” Yes.

“You are to love and serve the Lord God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself.” Yes.

“You are to go make disciples of all nations.” Yes.

“You are to show mercy.” Yes.

“You are to live a life of mediocrity and abundance, holding on tight to your comfortable lifestyle, lest you lose it.” No.

I don’t think so. “Mediocrity and abundance” aren’t there. However, mediocrity and abundance, comfort and ease, do seem to be safe choices for many people, myself included. In stark contrast, leaving our possessions, following Jesus when we don’t have a well-defined plan, and entertaining strangers– well, that does sound a little scary, But what if, just beyond that risk, just beyond that fear is a life better than anything we have ever imagined: life to the fullest.

Today, I encourage you to read Katie’s book, her blog, or her guest post here, and then ask yourself, “How should I act in response to this and in light of the gospel?” In the words of my friend Jason, “Don’t do nothing.”

~Brooke

P.S. Reading Katie’s story reminded me of past missionary, Gladys Aylward to China. To read more about here visit the Bookshelf for listed readings.

Tangled Christmas Lights

December 24th, 2011 § 0 comments § permalink

written by Ron Cooney

Christmas lights.

When properly displayed on a house or a tree or a garden, it depicts something beautiful… something to be observed… something to be admired. But most of us don’t have the time or patience to work through the process to get those lights to their awe-inspiring state. One individual who has entertained millions of us during this time of year is Clark Griswold, who is famously known for his attempt at the perfect family Christmas in the movie Christmas Vacation.

Photo taken from www.ScenicReflections.com

In one of the shorter scenes in the movie, Clark is just outside the garage with his young son, Russ. With a stack of boxes all around them, the overly optimistic father begins to lecture his son about hard work, dedication, and stick-to-it-iveness that will pay off big in the end. He then pulls out a tangled strand of lights about the size of a giant beach ball and leaves it to his son to figure out.

This got me thinking about life.

Sometimes in life we can create such a mess in our relationships, finances, career, etc. that we don’t know how to untangle what we have created. Untangling one end of the strand only seems to create another three tangles elsewhere. This can lead to frustration and anger, which can quickly lead to surrender. Often times, this surrender isn’t to the Savior whose birth we celebrate this Christmas season – instead, we surrender to the tangled mess and say, “What’s the use? It’s not worth trying.”

We also try to figure out our most complicated tangles on our own. The Bible gives us a different remedy. Study the book of Proverbs and see what the Bible says about having good counsel around you. In your attempt to untangle your mess (whether you created it or not), here are a couple of practical tips to turn that tangle into a display that others can admire:

Go to friends who will tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear.
Go to friends you know you can trust; avoid leaky faucets. A slow leak can cause a flood of rumors that entangles you further.
Go to friends/pastors/mentors/family who love Jesus and display a vibrant relationship with Christ.

In the end, it is apparent that there are few who are willing to take, as Robert Frost simply put, “the road less traveled.” This is what raising the risk is all about – taking what seems to be the more difficult path and untangling that mess for the glory of God and finding that it leads to a more simple way of living.

It truly is a life or death decision.

Raise the Risk Challenge:

Read these verses from the book of Proverbs (1:3, 4:1, 8:14, 8:33, 12:15, 15:32, 19:20). What do these verses mean? How can you apply them?
What mess do you need to untangle in 2012? Who can you confide in? Email me at rcooney@calvarybaptist.org if you don’t know where to start.

Of Christmas Without “Them”

December 19th, 2011 § 2 comments § permalink

I can still hear her voice quiver as each year she gathered her houseful of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren around the table. Just before the blessing, she would recount her love for her family and her thankfulness to God for being alive to share in the celebration of Christmas with those she loved most.

via Pinterest

My great-grandmother was a mother to five, three girls and two rambunctious boys, but known as “Mama” to most. I called her Grandmother Cost. She lived through the depression, along with her husband and children, and her life-long work ethic was a testimony to this.

Each Sunday she would prepare a home-cooked (usually home-grown) meal complete with a made-from-scratch, scrape the plate clean, chocolate cake. For any and all family that would gather to eat after church, Mama’s was the place to congregate.

via Pinterest

Her home would not grace the spreads of any fashionable magazines, but rather was a place of memories made. I can picture in my mind the brown and gold shag carpet and worn linoleum floors. Feel the coolness of rooms long ago filled with laughter and quarreling, that in the later decades remained shut to sustain heat in the main living areas.

It always felt to my childhood mind that the presence of those past memories and people, namely at that time my great-grandfather I never knew, roamed about in those rooms, but that is probably attributed to the overactive imagination of a child.

Mama worked her own garden and mowed her own lawn until her death in her mid nineties. If the Braves or Crimson Tide were playing, you could find her in her matriarchal recliner occasionally arguing with calls made.

Sunday’s you would find her at church.

via Pinterest

My Grandmother Cost knew that her days were numbered, but she did not know the number of her days. That is why with tears and a quivering voice each Christmas before grace was said and thanks was given, she would let her offspring know of her love and appreciation for us all.

When we were ready to eat, we knew that Mama would be making her yearly speech and the room would grow uncomfortable with the thought of not having her presence at the table in subsequent years. They were the words of a woman who loved and was loved and needed to tell you one more time.

As we are entering Christmas week, my thoughts turn to broken hearts that have lost loved ones this year. How they must weep with their loss. I can recount the lives that I know have passed this year. A father, husband, and cop. A daughter, mother, and sister. A friend, co-worker, Papa and dad. These are only three lives who have in someway intersected with mine, but who bring hot tears when I think of their loved ones who miss them so much.

What about us? Who is it that we need to express our love, extend our gratitude, or grace with verbalized (perhaps unsought) forgiveness this Christmas?

This may be the last Christmas… or the beginning of more meaningful friend and family-filled Christmas’ to come.

I would much rather be remembered for a quiver in my sentimental voice than have regrets that I did not say, “I love you, He loves you, and the only real decision that will matter in light of eternity is:

What did we do with Jesus?”

When the coffin is closed, when death has stung, when our time has come, what did we do with the baby born in Bethlehem? The Christ-child turned crucified Savior and finally the risen King of Redeeming Kings?

We may have some regrets as we contemplate the thought of one last Christmas or that last Christmas with the one we loved. Our Father knows that we are but dust-formed lives. He sees, He knows, and He forgives those who ask. I pray for healing in hurting hearts that may read this post. After being a wreck earlier this year, I know even more fully that it is God who numbers our days.

As we joyfully celebrate this blessed season, may we seek restoration in Him and seek to restore others who are hurting and broken over Christmas without them.

If you are reading via e-mail subscription, get out your tissues and click here to watch the accompanying music video by Matthew West.

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Raise the Risk Challenge:

Say, “I love you, I forgive you, or thank you,” to those whom God speaks on your heart.
Write a card or word of encouragement to someone who is spending their Christmas without a dear family member or friend.
Help a family in need in spiritual and physical ways this Christmas.
Watch this message by my pastor, Dr. Willy Rice.

Going the Distance

December 14th, 2011 § 0 comments § permalink

From one of the greatest risk-takers I know personally and am privileged to call a friend, Doug Garner of Going the Distance Adventure Ministries. ~Ron

Rappelling over the edge of a 100′ cliff is exciting to say the least. It’s one of those few surreal moments in life that cause you to feel fully alive. For many people, the fear of heights makes rappelling a very difficult activity – that same fear also happens to be what makes rappelling very exhilarating.

Usually an argument breaks out in your mind as you weigh the idea of an amazing experience versus the perceived risk of falling to your death. Internally you experience a storm of opposing emotions that grip your heart with both anticipation and hesitation. I’ve seen many strong men become paralyzed with fear and consider walking back down the mountain trail instead of rappelling down the cliff face. The astounding thing is that most people beat down their fears in order to risk everything so they can experience this amazing adventure.

In order to do this they have to connect onto an 11mm rope tied to an anchor, walk to the edge of a cliff, lean back and push-off… gravity and rope pretty much do the rest. The hardest part is leaning back over the edge.

It feels very unnatural because at this point, you are taking the greatest risk.

It’s also when you are taking the biggest step of faith as you put your trust in your anchor, your rope, your harness, your hardware, and even in your own abilities (not to mention your faith in God!). It’s common for the fearful rappeller to get to the bottom of the rock face after conquering their fear and let out a shout of celebration looking up and yelling, “That was awesome! Can I do it again?”

A great one-word definition for faith is risk.

As Christians, we all want to be people of great faith, but do you realize that in order to be a person of great faith you must be a person of great risk? Obedience to God is always an act of faith and it always requires an element of risk. It may not be a life or death level of risk each time, but you will be risking something – rejection, loss, hurt feelings, being misunderstood, judged, falsely accused – in order to obey.

It’s this risk, this life of faith, that makes following God the most adventurous lifestyle known to mankind. There’s nothing more exciting in life than to follow God’s call because in doing so you are setting off on a lifelong faith journey in which God will bring you face-to-face with every fear and inhibition that robs you of living out your God-breathed potential. Taking steps of faith isn’t quite as exciting as rappelling… it’s much better. There are times when God will prompt you to “lean back over the edge” and share the Gospel with a total stranger – or even more difficult, a close family member – or stand up for someone being ridiculed or ask someone out on a date or pursue a dream He has planted in your heart. In each situation you will have to connect to your spiritual rope, walk to the edge, lean back, and push-off in faith as you risk everything in order to live life to the fullest (John 10:10). As you obey each time you will look up towards God and shout in celebration, “That was awesome! Can I do it again?”

There is no greater adventure than following Jesus. Don’t retreat back down the mountain trail! Instead, raise the risk by leaning back over the edge and watch God exhilarate your soul.

Fresh at Raise the Risk

Fresh at Raise the Risk