REAL PEOPLE | REAL STORIES | REAL HOPE
A Publication of Kristi Overton Johnson Ministries
Quarterly Publication Issue 1 2018
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I WAS IN
PRISON And You Visited Me.
Matthew 25:36
SEND VICTORIOUS LIVING AND GIVE THE GIFT OF FREEDOM. People everywhere are held captive. Some are in actual prisons while others are held captive by unhealthy relationships, addictions, declining health, financial hardships, or other circumstances. See the back page to discover how you can send hope and help to a captive today.
ARE YOU IN NEED OF
ENCOURAGEMENT? Our Correspondence Team is here for you. Every day, people reach out to Victorious Living through letters asking for prayers, encouragement, and mentoring to help them grow in their faith and find freedom from past and present circumstances. Every person who contacts us receives in-depth monthly Bible studies, personal correspondence from our Victorious Living Correspondence Team, and a quarterly copy of Victorious Living.
TO BECOME PART OF OUR VICTORIOUS LIVING FAMILY WRITE TO:
VICTORIOUS LIVING CORRESPONDENCE OUTREACH PO BOX 328 • STARKE, FL 32091
BE SURE YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, AND DOC# ARE CLEARLY READABLE
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FEATURES 8
This Time Can Be Different
For an addict, running away often seems the easiest way to freedom. But lasting freedom doesn’t come until you have Jesus by your side.
Dana M. Brown
10 Best Worst Thing Ever
Does God give His wayward children time-outs? You’d better believe it. Even pastors can fall prey to addictions, make terrible choices, and end up in prison. But it’s what you learn while you’re in time-out that counts. Anthony Rodriguez
20 My Greatest Victory
Despite great acclaim, worldwide fame, and a multitude of trophies, awards, and titles, soccer great Rivaldo Ferreira declares his greatest victory to be the gift of salvation, freely given to him by his Lord Jesus Christ.
Rivaldo Ferreira
24 The Masked Saint
WWE wrestler turned youth pastor turned senior pastor turned real-life masked, secret vigilante… Chris Whaley is proof that ours is a God of second chances. Chris Whaley
28 Lessons from Our Time-Out
Anthony Rodriguez’s wife shares the challenges and blessings she experienced during her husband’s incarceration. Jenny Rodriguez
On the Cover
Former FIFA World Cup Player of the Year, Rivaldo Ferreira. In this issue, Rivaldo shares his greatest victory and helps others experience the same. Photography by Tim Smith Honor Photography
HOW TO REACH VICTORIOUS LIVING Receive a Personal Copy • See this issue’s back cover • Visit kojministries.org • Call 352-478-2098 • Write to Victorious Living PO Box 120951 Clermont, FL 34712-0951 • Bulk copies available, call 352-478-2098 4 kojministries.org Issue 1 2018
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Submissions • Submit your story online at kojministries.org • Due to Internet restrictions, inmate submissions should be mailed to: Victorious Living Outreach PO 328 • Starke, FL 32091
ALL Inmate Correspondence • Mail correspondence to Victorious Living Correspondence Outreach PO Box 328 Starke, FL 32091
VICTORIOUS LIVING MISSION The mission of Victorious Living is to minister to the brokenhearted and to declare freedom for the captives through testimonials of God’s grace, love, and power in the lives of everyday people. Please consider supporting this incredible outreach of hope and freedom.
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7 Divine Deliverance
When we pray, we take on a powerful role in the work of God’s hands. We become instruments of divine deliverance.
18 A Bright Future After All
Anthony Rodriguez
Jake Hayes
19 Arrested by Jesus
When you surrender to Christ and He takes your heart captive, you find freedom.
13 God Speaks Through You
Have you ever felt the urge to speak to a stranger, to encourage or pray with them? Don’t be afraid. God wants to use you to bring hope and encouragement to others.
Avier Johnson
32 Unicorns and Sprinkles
Things won’t always be unicorns and sprinkles, but praise God, He is always good. Live like you believe it.
Tracy Morrisey
14 Peace for the Troubled Mind
God has a specific, individual plan for each of us; He is our source of strength; He will provide our needs. Let that knowledge bring you peace.
Tina Brown
33 Finding Truth in Hardship
When life makes no sense and questions threaten your peace of mind, rest assured that God has everything under control.
Renee Davis
15 How to Rejoice in Suffering
Circumstances got you paralyzed in fear? Rest in the knowledge that no matter what happens, no one can take away the promise of eternity God gives to every one who believes in Him. Erin Warren
Sarah Beckman
34 Taking God at His Word
We can’t always see God’s hand in a situation, but that doesn’t mean He isn’t there or that He isn’t working on our behalf.
Michael Clark
35 Lost Pennies
God cares about even the tiniest details…and when we look through His eyes, we will too.
16 You Have Worth
Do you carry Jesus’ name? Then you are blessed. Chosen. Blameless. Free. And loved.
Stacey Thacker
17 The Man in the Mirror
Coming face-to-face with who you really are can be life shattering… or life changing. God offers no condemnation, just restoration. Dwain Ross
A Publication of Kristi Overton Johnson Ministries
For many of us, the past taunts us daily, threatening to pull us under or back into its clutches. But the child of God is a new creation. We no longer live in our own strength, but in God’s.
Linda Cubbedge
11 Put on Your Listening Ears
REAL PEOPLE | REAL STORIES | REAL HOPE
Becky Coursen
36 Stay Put in Your Faith Chris Whaley
Opposite Page
When Anthony went to prison, Jenny and their son were also given a time-out. Jenny learned many lessons as she turned to the Lord as her strength and provider.
ISSUE 1, FEBRUARY 2018 May I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. Psalm 103:2–4 Publisher & Executive Director | Kristi Overton Johnson f Editor | Rachel F. Overton, Wordscapes Chief Photographer | Tim Smith Creative Director | Amy Zackowski, Whispering Dog Design Inc. Social Media | Sarah Ristorcelli, Orlando Content Marketing Director of Prison Correspondence | Linda Cubbedge Accounting Manager | Gizzella Guba Partnership Support | info@kojministries.org f Contributing Writers Carole Engle Avriett, Sarah Beckman, Dana M. Brown, Jennifer Camp, Michael Clark, Becky Coursen, Linda Cubbedge, Renee Davis, Rivaldo Ferreira, Jack Hayes, Avier Johnson, Kristi Overton Johnson, Tracy Morrissey, Taze Reedy, Anthony Rodriguez, Jenny Rodriguez, Dwain Ross, Stacey Thacker, Erin Warren, Chris Whaley. f Cover Photography | Timothy Smith of Honor Photography Photography Montana Burkett Photography, Spencer Shultz, Manuel Auset f Artwork Bret A. Melvin f Faithful Distributors Special thanks to Bill Coleman and Tina Brown for distributing Victorious Living in local areas in Florida and North Carolina f
Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Scripture marked ESV is taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Scripture marked NIV is taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Scripture marked NKJV is taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. All scripture is used by permission. All rights reserved.
IN EVERY ISSUE 30 LETTERS OF HOPE | Crashing into Hope
USAF Colonel Jerry Curtis was held as a POW in North Vietnam for almost eight years. His wisdom and insight will encourage you to overcome even the most dire circumstances. Carole Engle Avriett
37 KEYS TO VICTORIOUS LIVING | Ask for Help
Addictions, sinful thoughts and actions, relational issues, even physical challenges… they can make us feel alone. Don’t let Satan’s lies isolate you from the help that is available. Tell God about your problems, then talk to someone you trust. Help is there.
Kristi Overton Johnson
39 FROM THE FATHER’S HEART | So Much More
6 PUBLISHER’S NOTE You Are a Champion 12 HELP ME UNDERSTAND How to Know God’s Will 26 MINISTRY NEWS 27 FROM OUR READERS 38 OUR CONTRIBUTORS
A fresh perspective on God’s thoughts toward you. Jennifer Camp
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PUBLISHER’S NOTE
You Are A Champion
Publisher Kristi Overton Johnson’s passion is to equip and encourage people to live victoriously in every season of life. Learn more at kojministries.org.
Victorious Living is mailed to our ministry partners and subscribers. It is distributed at no charge to members of our military and in places where people need hope and help—places like hospitals, assisted living facilities, drug and alcohol treatment centers, mental health facilities, and prisons. You can help us reach new people. Subscription and distribution information is located on the back cover of the magazine. Please get involved!
Welcome to Victorious Living magazine. If you are new to our publication, thank you for taking the time to open our pages. I trust that you will be blessed by each story contained in this issue. They are real stories from real people, guaranteed to bring you real hope. Don’t we all need a little hope? I am so thankful for this magazine. It has been a blessing to many people from many different walks of life—and it is a blessing to me. It has brought great purpose to my life. I can’t think of anything I’d rather do than interview people whose lives have been totally transformed by the love of God and then help them write their stories so that others can experience that same transformation. It is a high privilege, for sure. For many of our contributors, when they tell us their stories, it’s the first time they’ve shared such intimate details of their lives. Why do they do it? Why do they open up and make themselves completely vulnerable to me? It’s for you and the thousands of others going through tough times who will read this magazine. Our contributors share their life stories because they know there is a God who is alive and active in the lives of people today. They want people to know that God cares, so they put themselves out there to help others find an everlasting hope in Him. Many people have allowed the difficulties of life and their current painful trials to lead them to the conclusion that God doesn’t care or that He is an angry, punishing god. Many feel God has deserted them; that He’s left them to figure out life on their own. I hope that, by the time you get through the first article, you will realize just how good God is and how much He wants to heal your broken heart and love you to wholeness. For this issue, I had the privilege of interviewing Rivaldo Ferreira, one of the greatest soccer players of all time. I didn’t realize at the time of our meeting
how incredibly gifted Rivaldo is as a soccer player. When I asked about his career, he humbly and quickly shifted the spotlight from his soccer success to the One he says is truly deserving…his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I Googled Rivaldo when I got home and was blown away by the impact he has had and continues to have on the soccer community. I know from experience how much dedication and perseverance it takes to climb the podium of success. But what impressed me most about Rivaldo was his passion to help people discover life in Jesus Christ. He repeatedly told me through our translator (his wife, Eliza), that of all the victories he has won, Jesus Christ is by far the greatest. Jesus saved him from death, restored broken relationships, and brought peace to his weary soul. Wait till you read how Rivaldo moved from the slums of Brazil to the top of God’s podium, where he has now found the greatest victory of all—fullness of life in Christ. And it’s a victory we can all have! Every story in this issue is powerful. If you take their collective message to heart, these stories, because of Jesus Christ, will change your life and lead you to this victory. As you’ll soon see, all our contributors are champions. No, they may not have been crowned the World Soccer Player of the Year, but they all stand with Rivaldo on God’s podium, victorious in Him. With the Lord’s help, they have overcome great trials and learned important lessons that they now share with you. I don’t believe you’ve picked up this magazine by accident. You’re holding it by divine appointment. I don’t know your trial, but I do know this—there is hope for your tomorrow. The name of that hope is Jesus. There is no enemy, no circumstance, no sin, and no addiction that He cannot help you overcome. You are not alone, and you are not defeated. You are His champion, and in Him, you will be victorious! Sincerely,
Kristi 6 kojministries.org Issue 1 2018
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photo courtesy of The Daily ReflPhotography by Spencer Shultz
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Divine Deliverance by Linda Cubbedge
When we pray for lost souls, for those who are hopeless without Christ, our prayers allow the Spirit of God to open their eyes to their need for a Savior. We are instruments in their divine deliverance from the powers of darkness.
A few months ago, I went to see Dunkirk, a movie based on remarkable events at a key turning point in World War II. The might of the German forces had pushed more than 400,000 Allied troops into retreat, ultimately landing them on the beaches at Dunkirk. The situation was grim—Allied leaders estimated only 45,000 men could be rescued before Hitler descended in full force. And then the “miracle of Dunkirk” began. Due to misinformation and other confusion, Hitler ordered a halt for his troops. A storm grounded most of his planes, yet the English Channel—the only way of escape—remained abnormally calm. Allied ships had suffered major losses, and what was available was not nearly enough to meet the need. British commanders sent out a plea for any seaworthy vessel to come to the aid of the stranded men. And they came—large and small, commercial and private. In fact, 850 private “little ships” came to the rescue, and between May 26 and June 4, 1940, more than 338,000 troops were lifted from the beaches at Dunkirk. I had heard the story before, but as I drove home, all I could think about was how helpless those men must have felt, standing on the beaches of Dunkirk, knowing they were easy targets for German bombers. They had nowhere to go, nowhere to take cover. The situation was dire—it required divine deliverance. And that’s where Rees Howells and the students of the Bible College of Wales came in. These men had spent hours on their knees in prayer throughout the war, asking God to stop Adolf Hitler and his Nazi regime. As Operation Dynamo (the evacuation) commenced, the men prayed day and night for God to intervene at Dunkirk and save their men. The prayers of these “hidden intercessors” may well have changed the course of history. As I considered the little ships—manned by regular people—that sailed fearlessly to the beaches of Dunkirk, God impressed upon me
that we, as believers in Jesus Christ, are also like little ships in the battle. When we pray for lost souls, for those who are hopeless without Christ, our prayers allow the Spirit of God to open their eyes to their need for a Savior. We are instruments in their divine deliverance from the powers of darkness. Persistent and consistent prayer is vital. James 5:16 declares, “the earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” Effective prayer does not beg or try to talk God into something. Effective prayer activates the angels of God and releases the power of the Holy Spirit to drive back the darkness and invade hearts and situations with His power and deliverance. Ephesians 6:10–20 instructs us to put on the whole armor of God so we can take our stand against the devil’s strategies. Paul calls this the good fight of faith. We are in a fight, a spiritual battle. I pray daily that God will make me armed and dangerous, filled with His Word and His power, so that I can be effective in defeating the powers of darkness with faith-filled words. I ask for a divine hunger for Him and His Word that will draw me closer to Him. You can do the same. Ask God to give you the desire to pray, to declare His Word over the lost and those who are battling strongholds. Ask for a burden for lost souls. We don’t naturally care for the lost. We don’t naturally want to pray, nor do we naturally yearn to just spend time in fellowship with the Lord. These desires come from Him. Join me in asking our God for a fresh desire to see others come to Him. Heavenly Father, deliver us from the apathy and the passivity that has invaded your people. We need Your Spirit of prayer to invade our hearts in these last days. Help us to carve out specific times of prayer for the lost, every day. Calling them by name out of darkness and into Your glorious light! In Jesus’ name, amen. V
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This Time Can Be Different by Dana M. Brown
Recently, I walked into a North Carolina detox unit, the same one a New York City judge mandated me to attend 17 years ago. The facility didn’t look at all as I remembered it, but the people—the addicts—were the same. All were hoping for the strength and motivation to get through the next seven days. Internally, they were beaten, bruised, and ashamed, but they all had a tinge of hope that this time would be different. Five or six people were gathered inside by the front door. “Is this the back of the line?” I asked. “Oh. Sorry, we aren’t in line,” a tired looking woman answered, stepping aside so I could pass. Funny how moments lost to time can come rushing back. I immediately remembered how I used to stand by that same door so many years ago. It was as if there was a magnet drawing me toward it. On the other side of that door was what I’d considered freedom. Freedom to numb the emotions that were attacking my heart and mind. Freedom from the memories of what had happened to me, what I had done, and the hopelessness I felt concerning my life and future. Freedom from uninvited and unwanted thoughts raping my mind, forcing themselves on me every minute of every day. Freedom from the physical pain that was so unbearable I would steal, attack, and manipulate everyone, even sleep with men for money, just to avoid feeling the agony…just for a moment. Surely all of it would vanish if I could just walk through that SATAN IS A door and back LIAR, AND out into the BECAUSE I world. Then maybe I’d AM A CHILD find some OF GOD, HE NO peace.
LONGER GETS TO DEFINE ME. I AM DEFINED ONLY BY MY CREATOR.
Empty peace. Dead peace. I didn’t care. I’d take any peace as long as it took me away from my pain, even if only for a moment. I was dead inside, and I didn’t want to feel it or accept it. I shook my head and reminded myself that that was 17 years ago, and I no longer need to run from my pain or seek empty peace. At the reception desk, I asked for Michelle. Soon, I heard my name. Years ago, hearing my name would have created a terrible sinking feeling in my stomach, as it meant it was my turn to be “processed.” This time, however, it was different. Hearing my name stirred excitement, not dread. I was there to give back. To love those who feel unlovable. To show them proof that the voices that say they’re incapable of change are lying to them. My mission was to shine a light in the lives of people who are living in a place that’s black as night, to use my past to help them in their present. If you would have quoted Romans 8:28 to me 17 years ago, I would have been so angry. It says, “We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” I would have wondered how in the world God could use any of the hell I was going through for my good. And I would have wondered how a loving God could’ve allowed it to happen to me in the first place. It just wasn’t logical, and I was too logical to be smart back then. What that verse said was 100 percent opposite to what I was experiencing. But now, years later, I know firsthand just how God did work all things together for my good. I am still amazed. He didn’t waste anything in my life. I stood before Michelle, the director of the
facility, and introduced myself. “My name is Dana Brown, and I have been free from addiction for 14 years. I am now a speaker and an author. I’m here today to leave some copies of my book, Desperate for a Fix, and issues of Victorious Living magazine. I want to encourage others to believe that there is hope.” I began to tell her how I had run away from that very detox 17 years ago, and then how I had begged them to allow me back in. But I didn’t get very far before Michelle interrupted me. “Yep. And there goes another one doing just that.” She nodded toward a young girl who was heading out the front door, the same one I had run through so many years earlier. She was leaving treatment early. “Can I—I mean, I’ll be right back!” And I ran out that door once again. This time, however, I wasn’t running away; I was running after a young girl I knew so well. She was me. I got to her before she drove off. I spoke to her and gave her a copy of my book. I signed it “You are valuable. Romans 8:28.” I tried to convince her to come back in, using my own story. “The policy is different now,” she rebutted. “It’ll be 30 days before I can come back.” Knowing the unlikelihood of her staying clean for 30 more days out in the world, I challenged her, “If I can convince them to take you back, will you go back in?” “Yeah,” she agreed. I went inside and begged. It was reminiscent of me begging for my own life years ago. It took no more than three minutes for the director to agree to let her back in, but during that time, the voice in my new friend’s head went into overdrive and convinced her to run. I cried for her as she drove off. Did she know she was heading toward death?
Dana’s relationship with Jesus Christ has made her a new creation. The old has passed away. She now serves God by helping others who are enslaved to addictions and past hurts.
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REAL FREEDOM COMES BY RUNNING TO THE ONE WHO CAME TO SAVE YOU, BY TRUSTING THE ONE WHO CREATED YOU. RUN THROUGH HIS DOOR, NOT THE DOOR OF THE WORLD, AND THIS TIME, IT CAN BE DIFFERENT.
Dana and her family are living proof that God is able to restore and redeem that which was lost.
On the drive home, I couldn’t help but wonder what would happen to her. Would she even live through the night? So many don’t. My resolve to be a light in the darkness grew shaky, and I wanted to give up. Could I really make a difference? Then, I remembered all those who had kept their resolve to help me. I strengthened myself in prayer. I thought about my life today and how my story could have been so different. If it had not been for all the people who stepped in to assist me, pray for me, and shine God’s light of love for me during my most vulnerable times, I wouldn’t be alive today. I am so thankful for their sacrifice. I ran often from the ones who loved me, from the very ones who could help me find freedom from my bondage. I remember one time in particular. I had just completed a detox program and rehab successfully (at this North Carolina center, in fact). All I needed to do was appear in court before the New York judge to complete some paperwork, then I would be free to rebuild my life. I was three months clean, and I felt good. But the night before my family and I left for New York, thoughts bombarded my mind. I warned my family to watch me closely, but they didn’t
understand the strength of the pull. The voices grew louder the day of my court appearance. “Run. Run! If you run now,” they urged, “you can get some dope and feel so good.” The short of the story is this—as soon as the judge said, “Time served,” I excused myself for the bathroom and ran. I ran down the courthouse stairs and jumped into a taxi. My arthritic father ran behind me, crying and yelling my name. It was a devastating image that I wish I could forget. I extended my drug and prostitution career for three more years, while completely breaking my family’s hearts. Unless you’ve been there, it’s hard to understand how something could have so much power over a person. I’m telling you, the pull is hard to resist. The effects of the drugs combine with your flesh nature, and the enemy’s lies attack every part of your being. Negative, hateful, deceptive thoughts bombard you, reminding you of all your failures. Guilt, shame, past hurts—it feels like the world is on your shoulders and you just need to escape. For an addict, running always seems the easiest way to freedom, but in reality, it just enslaves the runner further to the whims of the enemy. Satan speaks, and the addict follows. I learned the hard way that you can run out the doors of detox centers, you can run down the streets of your city, but unless you are running with Jesus, you’ll never be free, and you’ll never find peace. Without Him, you have no spiritual safety net and no weapons for the battle. I found true peace, freedom, and victory in 2002, when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior. It happened one night at my sister’s church in Greenville, North Carolina. My parents had allowed me back into their home with conditions, one of which was attending church. Now, I hadn’t been to church in probably 23 years, and I was withdrawing from methadone. My sister should have known better than to perch me right up on the front row. I must have gotten up from the pew ten times during that service to go to the bathroom, smoke a
Photography by Montana Burkett of Montana Burkett Photography
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cigarette, or pace the hallway. I had been out of the service for quite a while, when I returned to the pew and heard Pastor Van say, “If you were to die tonight on your way home, are you 100 percent certain that you would go to heaven? If not, wouldn’t you like to be?” Who in their right mind wouldn’t want to know that? I thought. So I raised my hand. Then he told those who’d raised our hands to come forward. I punched my sister in the ribs and asked, “You coming with me?” She was shocked. I met Jesus Christ that night and accepted His free gift of salvation. No, I didn’t see Him personally, but I saw Him in the face of Mrs. Diane, the lady who prayed with me, and I saw Him in my sister, who had loved me through so much pain. From that moment, I was delivered from addiction, and I have walked in complete freedom ever since. Now, I’m not saying my life is without problems. What I am saying is that, in Christ, I no longer fight my battles in my own strength. He gives me His strength and the powerful weapons that destroy every work of the enemy. (See Ephesians 6.) I no longer have to run. I don’t crumble beneath the weight of my problems. The God who is my Helper takes my heavy loads and carries them for me. He takes my anxiety and fear and gives me His peace and courage. He gives me hope. Now, instead of listening to the voice of the enemy, I hear the Voice of Truth, the Holy Spirit who counsels me and keeps me secure. He is the safety net that catches me when I fall and lovingly helps me stand. I serve a God of second, third, and fourth chances. Honestly, that’s my biggest area of freedom—simply understanding that I don’t have to be perfect. God’s got me covered. He incorporates my failures, successes, bumps, bruises, and beauty into His divine purpose for me. He truly does work all things out for good. I still make mistakes, but now my failures don’t defeat me. Instead, they’re opportunities to learn and building blocks up to where I am going. continued on page 19
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BEST WORST THING EVER Every child needs a time-out occasionally—a moment away from a scene where the child can sit and reflect on what they’ve done and, hopefully, come away with a new perspective. There came a time when, as a child of God, I needed a time-out. I needed to be put in a place where I could sit and reflect, as well as listen and learn. In 2015, God gave me that much-needed time-out in the form of a prison sentence. It was the best worst thing that ever happened to me. Would you be shocked if I told you I was the pastor of a thriving church when I experienced my time-out? Yes, a pastor. A Christian. A believer in Jesus Christ who had experienced so much grace and freedom…and who was responsible for helping others find the same. Not only that, I was the husband of a beautiful, godly wife, the owner of a profitable barbershop, and the father of an amazing son. They say sin will take you further than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay. Whoever they are, they are right. Sin always carries a great cost, and no one is immune from its penalty. Not even a pastor. Sin cost me everything. As a teen, I messed around with drugs and alcohol. My parents weren’t users, but they allowed users in our home who influenced me negatively. As a young adult, I became addicted to drugs and alcohol. My sinful addictions cost me my job and my dream of being in the Marine Corps. But then I was introduced to Jesus. I received Him as my personal Lord and Savior, and immediately, I was set free. Overnight, my desire for drugs and alcohol was gone. I was a new man. For the next four years, I walked with God, learned His ways, and shared His grace with others. God blessed me so much, but I let my guard down and allowed sin to reenter my life. In my pride, I refused to seek help. “I’ve got this,” I convinced myself. But it had me! Proverbs 16:18 says: “Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.” My sin led to a huge fall that cost me everything—my barbershop, my position as a pastor, my reputation in the community, and my health and family. Leading a growing congregation, I was experiencing a lot of stress. Being a pastor is a great responsibility, but instead of allowing God to shoulder my burdens, I took them upon 10 kojministries.org Issue 1 2018
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myself. Bitterness, anger, resentment, pride, and weariness began to set in and overtake me. But I was too “spiritual” to ask for help. My physical health began to deteriorate as well, and I experienced tremendous back pain. A friend offered me some pain pills. It seemed innocent enough. I didn’t know those pills would lead me down another costly road of addiction. They eased my back pain, but more than that, they eased every pain. Suddenly my burdens weren’t so overwhelming. I loved how those drugs made me feel, but when their effects wore off, I was a mess, more anxious and more in pain than ever. And now I had guilt, shame, and a life of secrecy to deal with. When the church leaders discovered my addiction, they removed me from my pastoral position—and rightly so. Unfortunately, however, I was never offered help. I was told to handle the situation with prayer. Now don’t get me wrong. I believe prayer is vital in a person’s journey to healing, and I believe God can heal an addict. He had previously healed
by Anthony Rodriguez
me and instantaneously taken away my desire for substances, remember? But now, God was showing me the heart issues that were leading to my destruction. Yes, I needed prayer, but I also needed godly people and programs to help me overcome. Addiction is a disease with deep roots, and these roots must be dealt with to obtain longterm recovery. In my hurt and pride, I said, “Forget the church! Forget everyone! I can do this myself.” It felt like everyone had turned against me, like the people who should have been helping me were disappearing from my life instead. The things people said about my family and me… the rejection…I was crushed. Between the very real lack of support and the hardening of my heart, my condition worsened. It wasn’t long before I was hitting the streets looking for other drugs to ease my pain. I became known as the “pistol-packing pastor.” It’s not a title
IN MY HURT AND PRIDE, I SAID, “FORGET THE CHURCH! FORGET EVERYONE! I CAN DO THIS MYSELF.”
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THEY SAY SIN WILL TAKE YOU FURTHER THAN YOU WANT TO GO, KEEP YOU LONGER THAN YOU WANT TO STAY, AND COST YOU MORE THAN YOU WANT TO PAY. WHOEVER THEY ARE, THEY ARE RIGHT. SIN ALWAYS CARRIES A GREAT COST, AND NO ONE IS IMMUNE FROM ITS PENALTY. I’m proud of today, but back then I wasn’t messing around. I was desperate. My choices as an addict led to an arrest, where I faced the possibility of 15 years in prison. You can believe I was calling out for help then. “Lord,” I cried. “You’ve got to do something! I can’t take 15 years in prison!” I considered packing up my family and running, but something inside my mind said, “Accept what you’ve done, Anthony, and rest.” On one hand, God was calling me to take responsibility for my actions and face whatever would come my way. But He was also promising me rest. Man, did I need rest. Through this timeout, God was giving me a second chance. I knew that if I didn’t take it, if I didn’t straighten up, I might never have another opportunity.
I was sentenced to three years. When the judge gave his verdict, I turned around and handed my wife my belt, wallet, and the ten dollars I had in my pocket. A heavy burden fell off my shoulders. I was going to prison, but I knew I was going to be okay; I knew God was with me. He hadn’t forsaken me, even though I had forsaken Him. Going into prison, my main concern was my family. I’d left my wife in such a predicament. Because of my actions, she was now a single mom with a home to care for and many bills to pay. She was also facing rumors and humiliation in the church. I had made such a mess of things. “God, please take care of my family,” I pleaded. And He did. In the years I was incarcerated, my wife, Jenny, earned four promotions, paid off every bill, and even purchased a new car. God showed me that my responsibility as Jenny’s husband was to maintain the marital covenant of being her spiritual covering. I had failed her; God was offering me a second chance to get it right. Husbands are called to be the protective covering over their wives, to provide love, affection, and security. This covering is like an umbrella. It protects our loved ones in the downpours of life. In my absence, I couldn’t give Jenny any of these things in the physical realm, but God allowed me to give them to her in the spiritual realm.
I prayed and fasted for my wife often. I also determined to live a holy life before God. I had to live pure for her. My unholy life had caused my family so much pain. I couldn’t do that to Jenny and our son again. God blessed our marriage and strengthened it daily. Jenny says I did more for her while locked up than I’d ever done for her while free. We treasured our time together during our on-site prison visits and phone conversations. God taught me how to listen to my wife, how to encourage her, and how to provide a safe place where she could express herself. Jenny graciously forgave me, choosing to focus, not on the man who had caused her so much pain, but on the man of God she knew was in me. She never quit believing in me, and she never gave up hope, even when the community and her own family turned against her. Not only did God bless my marriage while I was in prison, but He also blessed me with favor behind bars. The barber job I was assigned offered many privileges. God showed me that if I would choose to be faithful in the small things, He would bless me with bigger things. Can you believe He used a piece of chicken to teach me this lesson once and for all? Supper in the chow hall was at 4:00 p.m., which meant I was always hungry by the end of the continued on page 29
PUT ON YOUR LISTENING EARS by Anthony Rodriguez
on ut in pris 's time-o God in all y n o th n A st en im to tru taught h is photo was tak h T in . h s e it b d thing family vis Jenny's a g n ri u d d alls. Rea prison w of their time-out s reflection ce on page 28. n e ri e p x e
Recently, I was talking to my young son, Kaleb, about my prison experience that you just read about. Kaleb couldn’t understand how his daddy could do something that would cause him to be locked up. “But Daddy, you are a man of God.” “Yes, son, I know. But I disobeyed God.” “Why, Daddy?” “Because I didn’t have my listening ears on, and when a person doesn’t have their listening ears on, they make mistakes—even men of God. When a person makes mistakes, they have to pay a price. Daddy had to pay the price for his mistakes and go to prison. There are always consequences to a person’s choices, Kaleb.” “I don’t want to make mistakes, Daddy, and go to jail!” “You just keep your listening ears on, Kaleb, and you’ll be all right.” You’ll be all right, too, if you keep your listening ears on. Luke 11:28 says, “Blessed… are those who hear the word of God and obey it” (NIV). V
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HELP ME UNDERSTAND
Dear Victorious Living, P lease help me understand how I can know that I am in God’s will and doing what He put me here on earth to do. How can I discover my purpose? Joey Aloe Dear Joey, Knowing God’s will is easier than you think. The primary way God leads a person to know His will is through His Word. The Bible gives direction for every issue of life. His Word teaches us how to interact with people, how to think, how to give, and how to act and react. It shows us how to be a good stewards of our finances and how to have healthy relationships. It also teaches us about God’s nature and character—and that helps us recognize what is not of God. Recognizing God’s will starts with obeying what we know to be true. In the Bible, we find that God’s will is for us to love and forgive one another. We are to give generously to others and defend the weak. We are to share the Good News of Jesus Christ and use our gifts to bring Him glory and honor. We are to lay aside fear and trust Him. We are to worship and praise Him. These are just a few of the simple but profound things that bring us into the center of God’s will. God’s will becomes clearer the more we study the Word and the more we walk in obedience to it. Talking with the Lord, praying to Him, and being God-conscious throughout our day also positions us to notice when and where God is leading us. As we stay in tune with Him, we will actually feel internal nudges of the Holy Spirit leading us to do this or that. We will also begin to notice opportunities opening before us.
In life, we will often face decisions not specifically addressed in the Bible. For instance, should we take this job or that one? Should we move, adopt, go to college, have more kids, or marry this person? Every day we face decisions like these, and sometimes they can seem overwhelming. I know I have often allowed my fear of messing up God’s will keep me from making decisions. I have sat, paralyzed with fear, crying out, “Help me, Lord. I don’t want to mess up your will!” One day, as I entered this familiar mental wrestling match about not messing up, I felt the Holy Spirit leading me to James 1:5–8: If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask Him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. This passage hit me right between the eyeballs as I realized that, although I was asking God for wisdom and desiring His will for my life, I wasn’t trusting His ability to lead me. I wasn’t trusting His promise to give me wisdom to make the right decision. As a result, I was living in a world of doubt and instability that either sidelined or caused me to run around in circles when I should have been moving forward in confidence that God is not going to let me go astray. Joey, as you seek God, He will always be at work behind the scenes, directing your footsteps and orchestrating your life according to His will. God knows your heart. As long as
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your heart desires Him, God will gently move you forward, and if you need correction, He’ll gently bring that, too. Whenever I have acknowledged my need for His wisdom and desired His will above my own, He has never failed to direct my footsteps. And He will not fail you, either. As far as knowing your purpose in life…take an inventory of your life. Write down your past experiences (good and bad), as they have given you special knowledge to help others. Look at your strengths and ask yourself, what am I gifted to do? Ask yourself what brings you joy. God put gifts and talents in you so you can use them to touch the world. It’s simple. The things you enjoy doing and are gifted at doing are the very things God will use to connect you with people so that you can encourage them and lead them to the love of God. God will often use your weaknesses to impact others. The thing you don’t think you can do, the thing you want to hide and forget—those might be the very things God will use. He called Moses, who was a stutterer, to be a mouthpiece for Israel! These are my favorite moments. There’s nothing like looking over the works of your hands and knowing the truth that you didn’t do it…God did. One last thing…Don’t think you can travel too far away from God’s will to ever fulfill it. God is always ready to help you get back on track. Simply repent (which means turn around) and run to Him. It’s not about where you’ve been or what you’ve done; it’s about where you are going and what you will do in the future that matters. If you acknowledge the Lord, turn and tune your heart to His, and trust that He will lead your path, He will. V
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God Speaks through You I’d received the dreaded call to return for a second mammogram. It wasn’t the first time this had happened, but even though things had always been okay in the past, my heart still raced, and my anxiety soared. I hadn’t even heard the doctor’s report yet, but I was already mentally working through the details of my surgery, chemo, and radiation. I began asking God to show me how He could use my cancer to help someone else, then I prayed for His strength and peace because I was scared. Suddenly, as I sat in the lobby, my nervousness left me. The Lord placed a certainty in my heart that the report would be negative. Then He redirected my attention to someone else, a lady checking in for an appointment. Several people were with her, and I thought something must be wrong for her to have brought so much family support. Just as my curiosity was aroused, the nurse called my name. I was taken to a changing area and then another lobby, where I waited again. As I sat there alone, I heard someone in a changing room whisper, “Jesus.” A sigh followed, and I could feel the anxiety and fear of the woman behind the door. Moments later, she walked out and sat beside me, smiling. She was the lady from the waiting room. She introduced herself as April as another woman joined us, then the three of us proceeded to sit and wait. The silence was deafening. Out of nowhere, an intense emotion washed over me. My heart pounded, and I began shaking nervously as a small, inner voice said, “Pray with her.” I remember looking up and thinking, now?! I wanted to be obedient to the Lord, but what if she didn’t receive my prayer? What if she was offended? What would I say? Seconds passed…an eternity. With urgency in my heart, I blurted out, “The Lord wants me to pray with you.” I turned toward April, nodded to the other woman, and we all joined hands. I don’t remember everything I said, but I know I asked God to take our anxiety and give us the peace that only He could give. I opened my eyes during the prayer and looked directly at April. “No matter what the outcome,” I said, “God will be with you through it all.” I didn’t tell her, but I sensed in my spirit that her results would be positive.
There are people all around you who need hope. And guess what? The Lord wants to use you to give it to them. As I said amen, April began to cry. She hugged me, and as we embraced, she said, “The Lord sent you to me. You’re my angel.” I cried too. She told me about the lump in her breast, and then she told me about her youngest daughter who had just eloped and run off to California without the family’s blessing. Her heart was broken over her daughter, and now she was facing uncertainty regarding her own health. My heart ached for her. We exchanged phone numbers as I was called back, then I turned and repeated something my pastor had recently said. “For a sword to be strong and durable, it is placed into intense heat many times. It’s beaten and banged on repeatedly. Sometimes in life, we’re going to go through fires and intense struggles, but that’s how God makes us strong…strong in Him.” To be honest, I don’t remember saying that. But April’s mother later told me how these words about the sword had confirmed to them that I had been sent by the Lord. They had just heard a similar message from their own pastor. “I knew my prayers had been answered,” she said, “when April told me you mentioned a sword.” With a confused look on my face, I said, “What are you talking about?” April interjected, “Don’t you remember telling me about the sword?” She went on to tell me what I’d said, and it matched exactly what my pastor had preached, so I knew I had to have said it. As I wrestled with the inability to remember, her mother said, “Tracy, you don’t remember saying it because it wasn’t you speaking. It was God. You were sent by God that day to be an
by Tracy Morrisey
encouragement to my daughter. You were an answer to our prayers.” We were all in tears at that point. April’s results were positive. She’s now undergone surgery and radiation. She is doing great, and we keep in touch. Every time we talk, she tells me I’m her angel. The peace she has can only be explained as a work of God. Looking back, I know I didn’t want to pray that day. I wanted to ignore everything I felt. It would have been so easy to just walk away. But praise God, I didn’t. God wanted to speak to His child, April. She needed encouragement and hope. How amazing that God would use me to help her! There are people all around you who need hope. And guess what? The Lord wants to use you to give it to them. When God speaks, miraculous things happen. Don’t miss the chance to be a part of that. It might mean stepping out of your comfort zone, but it will be worth it. V
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Peace for the Troubled Mind by Renee Davis Many of us struggle to find and keep peace in our lives. Some days, I’m aware and thankful for the peace I find; other days I take it for granted. And then, there are the days that I’d do just about anything to have even a little sliver of it. Some days, I just need a little peaceful time— you know, like maybe some time alone for myself, or maybe the need for peace and quiet when the walls of this tiny house close in tight and magnify every little peep. There have been times when I’ve needed the peace of God—the kind that surpasses all understanding. And there’ve been days when, no matter how hard I cry, how much time I spend on my knees, how many miles I walk while pacing my cage…peace seems far from me. But…it does come. It’s my prayer that, when you’re searching (and waiting) for the peace that only He can provide, these three truths will reassure you to have faith that peace is on the way.
God Has a Plan for You
God Is Your Power Source
Believing that God has a good plan for you and your life can sometimes be difficult. Circumstances overwhelm us. We become burdened and discouraged by the confusion they can bring. But the middle of the struggle is the time to keep praying for peace. It’s not the time to give up. For me, it’s the time I remind myself of all the times before that He’s replaced the incessant warring in my mind with harmony and composure. Sometimes it takes minutes. Sometimes it takes hours. Sometimes it takes days. But I keep praying and crying out to Him…and sometimes I just plain cry. I also pull out my old journals. They clearly remind me of the many times in my life that He rescued me from the war, both in my mind and around me, and helped me find peace. If you’re not journaling, I urge you to do so. There may come a time when you’ll need to remember how hard the path to peace was and how well He comforted and kept you. That written record of His faithfulness will help bring peace by reminding you that this too shall pass, and, like before, He’ll be right there with you. No matter how hopeless your situation looks or feels, rest assured—He does have a plan for you and your life. Like the old gospel hymn says, “When you can’t see the plan, trust His unseen hand.”
Chances are, you already know that fretting and living with a chaotic mindset is exhausting and anything but peaceful. It takes a toll—emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and physically. It also impacts those around us, especially those closest to us. One way I’ve found to achieve peace is to gain power over the enemy. Yes, that’s right. The enemy robs us of peace, and his favorite way of doing so is to attack our minds. And unfortunately, most of the time, we don’t even know it’s happening. It’s important for believers to make it a continuous habit to be mindful about what we’re thinking about. If we aren’t meditating on the things of God (renewing our minds), then we aren’t tapping into God’s power. And that means we’re giving the enemy more power over us. Some self-awareness questions to ask yourself might include: What am I allowing the enemy to tell me? What have I been telling myself, calling myself? What have I been focusing on most? When I feel powerless and peace is hardest for me to find (and I finally get a clue and examine what’s going on inside this sometimes wishywashy head of mine), I realize I’ve been listening to the enemy and the voices of this world. Romans 12:2 instructs us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. In other words, we’re to focus on godly things. Renewing of the mind must be a daily occurrence—and some days, we even need a minute-by-minute occurrence. Consciously replace the enemy’s defeating, worrisome, and downright ugly thoughts with God’s thoughts and promises. This is where prayer, memorized scripture, understanding your identity in Him, and spending time in the Word proves vital. When you’ve prepared ahead for the
I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11 nkjv).
Fill your mind with God’s good words, and they will push out the bad. Then your overburdened brain and weary soul can experience much-needed peace and rest in Him.
You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You (Isaiah 26:3 nkjv).
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HOW TO REJOICE IN SUFFERING by Erin Warren
I used to struggle with irrational, improbable, and sometimes paralyzing fear. I begged God to remove this thorn, to release me from that struggle…but He didn’t. One day, while in a mom’s small group discussion, a friend shared how she overcame her fear: she memorized scripture. So I found a go-to verse and memorized it. After that, when fear crept up, I fought back with this verse: “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you” (Isaiah 26:3 NIV). Eventually, I overcame my fears, but only because I trained my mind to remain steadfast in trusting God. I practiced making the Word of God my gut reaction to any fear that may threaten to send me spiraling. We find a similar challenge in 1 Peter 1:1–12. The book was written around 60 AD, to believers who were in exile or in danger from Nero, a ruler best known for his persecution of Christians. The theme of 1 Peter is how to live a holy, godly life while under persecution or suffering. We aren’t promised a happy, perfect, worry-free life. In fact, in John 16:33, Jesus specifically told His disciples that they would have trouble in this world, and Peter was sitting in that room. He was no stranger to suffering. The years immediately following Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension were tumultuous for the first Christians, but Peter reminded them of a reason to rejoice: their salvation.
battle, you can come at the enemy with both guns blazing. You can tell him authoritatively that all that matters is what God thinks of you. Fill your mind with God’s good words, and they will push out the bad. Then your overburdened brain and weary soul can experience muchneeded peace and rest in Him. The more you plug into His power, the more peace you’ll have. You’ve got everything within you to come against the enemy’s plan of keeping you in a pitiful, chaotic state of mind. Ask the Holy Spirit, whose power is within every believer, to help you change your mindset so you can access more of His power in your life.
Peter begins verse 3 by praising God for giving us “new birth into a living hope.” In verse 4, he reminds us we have “an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade.” Then, in verses 6 through 9, he says this:
“In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not now see him, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your
The Greek word Peter used for rejoice here is derived from two words: agan, meaning “much, very”; and hallomai, meaning “jump, leap.” Together, they mean “getting so glad one jumps in celebration.” So, Peter is telling these persecuted believers to jump for joy in God’s salvation, even though they are suffering. Maybe you’re like me though—when confronted with trial, fear, or hardship, you feel paralyzed. You know what you’re supposed to do, but how do you actually do it? How do you rejoice when you’re paralyzed by your circumstances? Make it your gut reaction. Practice by rejoicing in the greatest gift God has ever given: salvation. I’m not saying you must always be happy or that you can’t grieve your circumstances. But the act of rejoicing has a way of lifting the soul. It shifts your attention from your circumstances and helps you focus on the One who saved you. No matter what happens, no one can take that promise of eternity away. No matter what you face, you can rejoice and confidently praise Him for your salvation. And that is something to rejoice in. V
faith, the salvation of your souls.” And that’s what we rejoice in. Even if we are grieved by trials. Even if we are going through the fire. Even if we can’t see Him. If we believe, we rejoice.
God Is Your Provision
My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19 nkjv). Another truth to remember when your search for peace seems daunting is that God is able. His Word says that He will supply your needs. Maybe you’re unable to experience peace today because you’re in need of something that seems so unattainable, so far beyond anything anyone can do.
Remember, with God, all things are possible. Whatever it is that’s weighing heavy on your heart and mind, whatever it is that’s causing you to doubt His plan, whatever it is that’s allowing the enemy to take hold of your mind and steal your peace—take it to Almighty God in prayer. Earnestly pour out your heart to Him. Trust that He knows your every need and that He can deliver you, comfort you, and provide for you in a way that no one else can. He has a plan for you, so tap into His power. You can be confident that He is able to provide what you need. Peace is on the way! V
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YOU HAVE WORTH I have a rather unusual maiden name. I was a child of the seventies, and my name didn’t begin to hint at my current career as a Christian author. Instead, it screamed “rock star groupie.” Let’s just say that when I put it on social media recently, my friends who hadn’t known me growing up had a good laugh. I was a Stoner. What my new friends didn’t know was that, growing up, my maiden name gave me certain privileges. At one store in town, I was more than a customer. I could walk in anytime and be guaranteed a warm welcome. The salespeople knew me and would often let me come behind the counter and “help” them. It wasn’t unusual for them to lead me over to the girls’ clothing section, point out an outfit that had just arrived, and pull down my size. They knew it by heart. With my mom’s nod, the outfit would be put in a special bag just for me. The bag also happened to have my last name on it. They were personal like that. Probably the best part of my last name was that it gave me access to the secret place in the back of the store. I could (and often did) run past the perfume counter and shoes and go straight to the desk where the boss man sat. He was always impeccably dressed in a suit and tie, busy working some deal or going over the sales for the day. But since I was a welcomed guest, he never minded my interruptions. Usually, he would ask if I had found a new outfit and whether my mom was with me. Sometimes, if he wasn’t too busy, he’d walk with me through the store and point out the best of what had come that day in shipment. When I was a little older, he gave me a job and usually stuffed my purse with more items than I sold. The reason I had special access and the invitation to be more than a customer at that store is that my name was not only on the bag, it was also on the store marquee. My granddad owned that store and several others across the state. I carried his name when I walked into the store and everywhere else I went in town. So you see, not many people laughed about it back then. Growing up a Stoner was a big deal, but I didn’t realize that for a long time. In fact, I was shocked when I realized not everyone had a well-known last name like mine. It was so normal for me because I was born into it.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world. . .In love he predestined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ. . .In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us. Ephesians 1:3–10 esv You were born into a family that’s a big deal too. Long ago, before God laid the foundations of the world, He was thinking about you and me and how much He loved us. Ephesians 3:15 ESV tells us that we receive our name from the Father, from whom “every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.” He decided from the beginning of time to adopt us as His children through His only Son, Jesus, and to write His name over our hearts.
by Stacey Thacker
Do you know how He felt about that? He delighted in doing so. His plan was for us to be part of His special family. Being part of His family brings with it blessings of untold worth, gifts we get to experience now and forever, and more importantly, access to our heavenly Father that no one can hinder. “Who am I” is a question we often ask. Many of us have sought the answer to this question fervently, and we’ve probably looked to the opinion of others for a clue. Maybe we read selfhelp books to try to answer it, or maybe we search social media for someone we want to be like and imitate them. Too often, we come away feeling as though we don’t measure up—mostly because we believe the lie that we have to be “enough” in the first place. But what does God have to say about it? Knowing His heart for us will make a world of difference in how we view ourselves and live out our story the way He planned for us to from the beginning of time. So, what does He say about us? We are blessed. Chosen. Blameless. No longer slaves. Free. Doesn’t that make you want to cry a little bit? When was the last time someone called you blessed? Has anyone reminded you lately that you are free? Oh, sweet friend, you are His. You carry His name. You are all these things and more. V
* Parts of this article are repurposed with permission by Harvest House Publishers and taken from Stacey’s book, Is Jesus Worth It? Igniting Your Faith when You Feel Like Quitting.
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could with what the Lord had given her. She made sure I graduated from high school and kept me out of trouble all my adolescent life. I was looking forward to going to college on a football or wrestling scholarship, but then I injured my right ankle, and my dream was shattered. I became deceived into thinking that the only future I had was left to sell dope. So that’s exactly what I did. As an adult, I found myself intoxicated by and addicted to my new lifestyle. It was not long before I was using the same drugs that I sold. My drug of choice was crack cocaine, but I used others too—meth, ecstasy, opium, heroine, oxycodone, Xanax, and powder cocaine.
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IT DOESN’T MAKE SENSE TO THE NATURAL MAN THAT GOD COULD I want to begin this testimony by giving thanks to my Lord Jesus Christ, who has brought me out of darkness and into His marvelous light. I am not worthy of the many gifts the Lord has bestowed upon me, especially of His gift of life. You see, I was an enemy of the cross, and I did not even know it (Romans 5:10). I was raised in a Christian family and grew up going to church. As a young person, I was convinced that I had given my life to Christ, but now I can see there was no real repentance or genuine commitment to God at that point in my life. I wanted the blessings, but I did not want to give up my old life for a new one. What I did not know was that God had already blessed me and was using those blessings to draw me unto Himself. My mother was a loving and God-fearing woman. She was a single mom with few resources, yet she took care of her three sons the best she
OR WOULD USE A LOW-LIFE, GOOD-FOR-NOTHING PERSON TO ACCOMPLISH SOMETHING GREAT FOR HIS KINGDOM. BUT HE DOES. I lied, stole money, and even took a big screen TV from my mother. I broke into a friend’s clothing store twice and took whatever I could get my hands on. I burglarized my next-door neighbor’s house and stole everything that had value for dope. To top it all off, I stole from, lied to, and cheated on my wife—yet she continually forgave me despite my shortcomings. I found I could no longer trust myself. In fact, I hated what I saw when I looked in the mirror. Who was that man? I wanted to destroy the image in the mirror. I was on a road to destruction and didn’t know how to stop.
And then I robbed a store and ended up in the county jail, facing a life sentence. The weight and burden of my sin finally became too heavy to bear. I broke down and sincerely gave my life to Christ. And do you know what God did? He gave me His unconditional and undeserved love and forgiveness. There was no condemnation or judgment for what I had done, only grace. He picked me up and shattered the mirror’s dreaded image. The Lord gave me a new identity, a new talk, a new walk, a new vision, and a new mission. Now I am a redeemed, blood- bought son of God. In 2010, the Lord called me to the ministry. I did not think that God could use a former crack addict to handle and preach the Word to His people, but God confirmed my calling and told me to trust Him. Since then, He has done some marvelous things in my life. Currently, I am a licensed minister and co-laborer with many other men of God here at Avon Park Work Camp. I have been healed, and God has used me to heal others. I have seen many men give their lives to Christ through what we are doing here at this prison. It doesn’t make sense to the natural man that God could or would use a low-life, good-fornothing person to accomplish something great for His kingdom. But He does. God chooses to use for His glory the things the world considers foolish, powerless, and despised. (See 1 Corinthians 1:27–28.) God’s Word is true, and anything that is contrary to it is a lie. My past said that I would never amount to anything good. But God’s Word says that I am more than a conqueror despite my past (Romans 8:37). Now, when I look in the mirror, I no longer see me. I see the image of Christ, and I absolutely love what I see. Jesus Christ has made me right with God. He has made me pure and holy, and He has freed me from my sin (1 Corinthians 1:30). Because of Him, the reflection in my mirror is one of a new man. Praise God! V
Share Your Story! DO YOU HAVE A STORY OF VICTORY? SHARE IT WITH OUR READERS! Your story has the power to transform lives and bring much needed hope. Here are the guidelines: • Submissions are not guaranteed to be included in the magazine. • Submission is acknowledgment of your granting KOJM and Victorious Living publication rights to produce your submission in this magazine and other ministry publications. • Photos submitted must have photographer’s and each photographed subject’s consent of use. Photographer’s name must be included. Hard copies of photographs will not be returned.
• • • •
Victorious Living does not pay for submissions. Submissions must not exceed 800 words and are subject to editing. Submit your story online at kojministries.org. Due to internet restrictions, inmate submissions should be mailed to: Victorious Living Outreach, PO Box 328, Starke, FL 32091. • Victorious Living is a free quarterly publication distributed to KOJ Ministries partners, at various distribution locations, including the prison system.
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A Bright Future After All by Jack Hayes
My childhood, as much as I can remember, was great. I spent most of my youth in a small Texas town that was sheltered from the craziness of this world. I had all the things a kid could need as far as structure…things like family dinners and movie nights. My mother instilled Christian values into my life and insisted I attend church, much to my dismay. She and my stepfather taught me right from wrong by their actions and words. Though I didn’t know it, I was blessed. As a young man, I spent my free time fishing, hiking, and playing basketball, football, and golf. When I was fourteen, my uncle took me up in his plane, and I fell in love with flying. It wasn’t too long before I had met all the requirements necessary to obtain a private pilot’s license— except one. I wasn’t yet seventeen. Also during this time, my stepfather’s job moved us from Texas to Florida. I loved that idea. Florida meant beaches and Disney World and… who wouldn’t want to go? I had a lot going for me. In fact, I had everything the world would say I needed to be a success. But the world was wrong. Though I enjoyed the perks that came with being part of my family, I was harboring a growing rebellion against authority. By the time we got to Florida, all I could think about was doing things my way. I resented the rules of my mother and stepfather and began acting out. My mother was at her wits’ end. A few weeks after we moved, I got caught smoking a joint. The
very next day, my mother put me on an airplane headed right back to Texas, to live with my father. I couldn’t have been happier. At Dad’s, it would be party time! Within three months, the school called a meeting with my dad to discuss me once and for all—but before they could make any decision, I dropped out. I showed them who they were messing with; I was the boss of me. With no school or job, I spent my time feeding my rebellious nature. I drank alcohol and got high on any drug I could get hold of. Over the next few years, I continued this behavior without remorse until it destroyed everything and everyone in my life. In 2003, I found myself surrounded by police in the parking lot of a Florida gas station. I was in a car full of stolen guns, welders, jewelry, and drugs. My life of rebellion had finally caught up with me. The courts decided a ten-year mandatory prison bid might do me some good. And it did. In prison, I had time to think about my life and my future—and I had time to figure out where things had gone awry. When I was released from prison in 2013, I was determined to get it right this time. I would live right, find a nice wife, have a kid, and live happily ever after. Well, I did get it right for a while. I got a decent job and a nice house, but something was missing. I still felt empty. And when the pressures
of life began to mount, I fell right back into the vicious cycle of addiction…this time, heroin. The courts sent me back to prison—or was it God? I like to think the one thing I was missing (God) sent me back to prison so I could discover the secret to truly living. The secret is Jesus Christ. In prison, God placed strong men of faith in my life, who pointed me straight to God. They taught me to cast my cares onto God’s shoulders and to live in His strength. For so long, I had attempted to carry the burdens of the world, but they were too heavy. I crumbled under the weight every time. With my new relationship with Jesus, however, and through the knowledge and application of His Word, I finally discovered the solid foundation on which I could build my future. Prior to Christ, I lived a life of rebellion, a life centered on me. Today, my life is centered on Christ and who I am in Him. This doesn’t mean all my struggles have gone away; I still have difficult days. But because I am living in God’s strength, life’s burdens are no longer too heavy to bear. Thoughts often arise, taunting me, telling me I’ll never have that bright future I long for; that I’ll never be able to handle what comes my way. The old me would have bowed to those thoughts and reached for a substance to numb my fear. The new me, however, remembers the truth of 2 Corinthians 12:9, and I know—God’s grace is sufficient for me, and His power is made perfect in my weakness. I’m not alone in my struggles. V
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ARRESTED BY JESUS by Avier Johnson
I was deceived at an early age into thinking I didn’t need anyone—I could live independently of everyone, especially God. This is a favorite lie of the enemy. I had no father figure in my life. I watched my mother make sacrifice after sacrifice to protect and provide for me. I didn’t like this burden on her. I quickly figured out that, if I had my own money, I would not have to ask my mother for much of anything. So I began providing for myself by gambling and selling drugs. But this “quick and easy money” landed me in jail on a drug charge at the age of seventeen. After that, more arrests came. Life became burdensome. Everything I built was destroyed. Every plan I established failed. I was tired of the life I was living, but I was so addicted to it that I couldn’t find my way out. And then, though I was deep in sin, God spoke to me. What a loving God He is to speak to me even in my rebellion! He warned me that if I continued this way of living, I would end up in prison and be separated from my family for a long time. But I didn’t listen. I didn’t need anyone, remember? Sure enough, doing things my way landed me in prison. The hardest thing about being there was the lack of peace I felt. I spent the first four years of my 15-year sentence seeking peace, joy, and happiness. But I couldn’t find it anywhere. I found temporary happiness at times, but it always left me. Thankfully, God, with His pursuing love, continued to chase after me. In 2014, after several facility transfers, I finally ended up at Avon Park Correctional Institution—a place the Department of Corrections had told me I would never go. I call it my divine detour.
JESUS TOOK CAPTIVE MY HEART. HE ARRESTED ME. I BECAME HIS PRISONER; AND I’VE BEEN FREE EVER SINCE.
There, God placed one of His servants in my path. We became acquainted and began meeting for Bible study. Each time we met, the Holy Spirit used him to open the scriptures to me. I remember the October day in 2014, when Genesis 1:26 pricked my heart. The more I pondered the fact that God had said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us,” the more I hated the man I had become. I neither resembled the image of God nor reflected Him in any way. I didn’t think like Him, act like Him, speak like Him, or love like Him. I consistently did everything opposite of what God would do. I reflected on how much God loves me and on His persistent pursuit of me. I had failed Him; He’d never failed me. Even while I was a sinner, Jesus had died in my place. He’d paid the price for my sin. I wanted to trade in my old life for the one God desired for me. I wanted to reflect His image and glorify Him. He was the only reason I was still on the earth. I owed everything to Him. I fell at Jesus’ feet in true repentance. I asked God for forgiveness for my sin and surrendered all my rights. And in that moment, Jesus took captive my heart. He arrested me. I became His prisoner; and I’ve been free ever since. V
DIFFERENT | from page 9______________________
Satan wanted me to believe that no one would hire me because I have a felony record; that I would never be a mother because I aborted three children. He convinced me that no man would ever love me because I’d been a prostitute. But you know what? Satan is a liar, and because I am a child of God, he no longer gets to define me. I am defined only by my Creator. Today, because of Christ, I am a working mother of three children. I have an amazing husband who supports me in my endeavors as an author and speaker. I travel and encourage others with my story of redemption. Before Christ, I chased drugs with unparalleled passion. Today, I chase Jesus Christ with that same passion. And unlike drugs, God has never failed me. Maybe you’re running, searching for freedom. I can tell you from experience that real freedom comes by running to the One who came to save you, by trusting the One who created you. Run through His door, not the door of the world, and this time, it can be different. V
FOR AN ADDICT, RUNNING ALWAYS SEEMS THE EASIEST WAY TO FREEDOM, BUT IN REALITY, IT JUST ENSLAVES THE RUNNER FURTHER TO THE WHIMS OF THE ENEMY. SATAN SPEAKS, AND THE ADDICT FOLLOWS.
Dana has self-published a book to share her story of redemption. She also shares her story in drug treatment centers in hopes of helping others find hope and freedom. kojministries.org Issue 1 2018 19
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t s e t a e r My G y r o t c i V a o Ferreir
by Rivald
I was born in 1972 in Recife, a city located in the northern region of Brazil. I had four siblings, and our family was very poor. We often didn’t have sufficient money for food, clothes, or other necessities of life. My only toy was my football, or soccer ball as it is called in America. I played outside in the streets with my friends. It quickly became clear that I had been given a gift to play soccer. My father dreamed I would be a professional soccer player. He supported me and pushed me to be great. But when I was 16 years old, he was killed in a tragic accident. He had been my biggest supporter. Me being a professional soccer player was a dream we’d shared together. Now that he was gone, I was overcome with sadness, and I didn’t want to continue to play without him. My mother urged me not to quit and began to support my soccer career like my father had done. So, I pressed on toward our goal. In 1992, at the age of 19, I signed my first professional contract with a soccer club in Brazil. I played in Brazil for many years until opportunities opened for me to play in Europe. My career exploded when I moved to Barcelona. In 1999, at the age of 27, I was named the World Soccer Player of the Year. I have been called one of the greatest attacking midfielders to have ever played the game of soccer. I’ve been inducted into soccer halls of fame and awarded many trophies. In 2002, I won the World Cup with Brazil. I could list all my accomplishments—there are many from my over 20-year career as a professional soccer player—but they are not the focus of this story. The focus is how my life was transformed by the love of Jesus. Of all the trophies I have received in my lifetime, the greatest has been to know Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. It is my greatest victory. I didn’t always know Jesus. Growing up, our family did not attend church; we were Catholic in name only. I married my first wife, Rose, in 1994. We had two children, Rivaldo Junior (Rivaldinho) and Thamirys. Unfortunately, Jesus was not part of our lives, and our marriage was very complicated, full of fights and mistrust. It did not last long. Eventually, we divorced, and I continued with my career. In 2003, I met Eliza, and everything changed. I remember the first time I spoke to her on the phone. She told me that she was a believer in Jesus Christ. I asked her, “Does this mean we cannot be friends?” This was the start of our lives together. I was stubborn and preoccupied with winning and being famous and collecting the things of the world. My successful soccer career afforded me fame and money. I could have anything I wanted…beautiful homes, fast sports cars like Porsches and Ferraris, and women. But I saw something different in Eliza. She had a peace about her and was very sure in her relationship with God. I had no relationship with Him and didn’t understand her commitment to her faith, so I often challenged it.
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Photography by Tim Smith Honor Photography
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OF ALL THE TROPHIES I HAVE RECEIVED IN MY LIFETIME, THE GREATEST HAS BEEN TO KNOW JESUS CHRIST AS MY LORD AND SAVIOR. IT IS MY GREATEST VICTORY.
Eliza was from a Christian family. They were very different from other people I had met. She had something that fascinated me; she shined. I know now that her shine came from Jesus. I went to church with Eliza, not because I wanted to learn about God, but because I wanted to be with her. I forced myself to go. I couldn’t see why I needed God. I had everything I needed and wanted in this world—why would I want God or anyone else interfering with my life? I knew it was important to Eliza, though, so I decided maybe I would accept Jesus later. Maybe when I was old and finished with soccer, but not now. I was a very difficult man back then. I disagreed constantly with everything people said, especially when it came to things about God. But then Jesus got hold of my heart on April 19, 2004, and everything changed. Photography by Manuel Auset
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It was a few months before Eliza and I were to be married, when I began to hear a terrifying voice in my head. It taunted me day and night, telling me that I was going to die in a car crash. For 20 days I heard this voice; it grew louder and louder with each passing day. The incredible thing is that, while this voice taunted me, a powerful desire arose within me to drive. I drove more during those 20 days than I’d ever driven in my life. Think about that…I was scared to death to drive, yet something kept drawing me back to the car. The whole time I drove, I just knew I was moments away from death. I’d remember friends who had died in automobile accidents, and my fear would increase.
Rivaldo has been credited as being one of the greatest attacking midfielders to ever have played the game of soccer. Pictured playing in Barcelona for team, Football Club Barcelona.
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MY GREATEST VICTORY | from page 21______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Today, I know it was the devil tormenting me. Who else would fill me with fear, tell me how I would die, and then put a desire in me to do the very thing that would kill me? Satan wanted me dead. He is the enemy who comes to steal, kill, and destroy every person (John 10:10). But one day while that ominous voice taunted me and fear enveloped me, I heard a soft whisper say, “My son, if you accept Me, you will not die.” I heard this invitation again on April 19, 2004. I was driving to the city where my children lived with my first wife. It was my birthday, and I was turning 32. The voice in my head was so powerful that day—I knew it was the day I would surely die. It felt like something was actually in the car, choking me, suffocating the life out of me. But then I heard that sweet voice call out to me again, “My son, if you accept Me, you will not die.” When I arrived back at my apartment, I cried like never before—more than I had when my father had passed away. I told Eliza, “Today is the day I am accepting Jesus. He is calling out to me, and I must accept Him so I can live.” We knelt together, and I repeated the prayer Eliza prayed; it was a prayer of surrender to Jesus Christ. In that moment, the spirit of fear and death left me. I’ve never heard that voice of death again. Jesus saved me from the enemy’s torment, and I am so thankful. Eliza and I were married shortly after that, on July 2, 2004. We’ve been together since, serving the Lord together, and raising our children, Rebeca, John, and Isaac, in the ways of God. Today, I know that Jesus needs to be part of the matrimony; without Him it cannot work. I think if I had known Jesus before, when I was married to Rose, we might not have divorced. But God changed my life through meeting Eliza, and I am so glad that by my transformation, God also touched Rose’s heart. She became a Christian too, and Rose and Eliza even became good friends. Unfortunately, in 2014, Rose passed away, but God gave me the opportunity a month before her death to thank her in front of all my family and friends for being part of my life and my story. When I accepted Jesus, I made a commitment to follow Him until the end of my life. God had delivered me from death, and I respected Him greatly. I decided right from the beginning that I would not play around with God like many people do. I take my relationship with the Lord very seriously. Some people say I am too strict, but I know that in my devotion to Christ, I am free. I 22 kojministries.org Issue 1 2018
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WHEN GOD SAID TO ME, “SON, IF YOU ACCEPT ME, YOU WILL NOT DIE,” HE WAS EXTENDING AN INVITATION TO ME TO FINALLY FIND LIFE. I HAD EVERYTHING THE WORLD COULD OFFER, BUT I DIDN’T HAVE LIFE. I HAD NO PEACE OR JOY. NOT ONLY DID GOD DELIVER ME FROM THE DEATH TRAP SATAN HAD PREPARED FOR ME, HE ALSO DELIVERED ME FROM THE EMPTY LIFE OF A HEART FOCUSED ON WORLDLY SUCCESS.
would rather err on the side of Christ than walk a thin line between the things of God and the things of the world. A person can’t hang on to the things of the world and live a life for God. So many people, even in the church, play around with God. They pretend to be Christians, but their lives and their values are no different than the world’s. I call these people pretenders, and I don’t ever want to be a pretender. Pretenders keep other people from knowing the true love and grace of God. I want to be a real Christian and reflect Christ in all I say and do. I want to lead people to Him through my life testimony. Therefore, I commit to know Him more and more each day so that I can teach people about His love and grace. I never want to stop growing in Him. It is my greatest desire that people see Jesus Christ in my life testimony, so they will accept Him too. But I want to warn people not to accept Jesus just to accept Him because it seems like a good thing to do. There must be a commitment behind the decision, so that change can happen. A Christian’s life must always be marked with growth and change. I don’t understand how a person can claim to be a Christian and still be the same as the day they asked Him into their life. It is impossible to not experience a changed life if the person is really in Christ. Jesus always brings a person higher and higher in Him. If a person isn’t progressing, something is wrong in their walk with God. Most likely, they are just going through the motions, pretending and playing with God. A person must get real in their relationship with God, and He will bring about the change they need. God is a rewarder of those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). He helps people overcome their weaknesses and blesses them beyond measure. But in the midst of blessings, a person must stay focused on what truly matters—their relationship with God. I have been blessed with many material things and am often in the spotlight because of
my successful soccer career. I have to constantly remind myself to look toward eternity, to keep my eyes on God, and not be drawn away by the world’s temptations. So many people fall into the trap of focusing on this life here on earth and its pleasures, but there’s so much more to life than what can be seen. When God said to me, “Son, if you accept Me, you will not die,” He was extending an invitation to me to finally find life. I had everything the world could offer, but I didn’t have life. I had no peace or joy. Not only did God deliver me from the death trap Satan
had prepared for me, He also delivered me from the empty life of a heart focused on worldly success. In Jesus Christ, I discovered true victory and a life worth living. Because of Him, I am a changed man…a kinder, more patient man, who is filled with love for God and others. There is nothing in this world that can compare to what Christ has given me. Today, all my children are saved and serving the Lord. My oldest son, Rivaldinho, is also a professional Photography by Tim Smith Honor Photography
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Photography by Manuel Auset
Photography by Tim Smith Honor Photography
Rivaldo waves to his fans as he walks off field after playing for his team, Football Club Barcelona. Rivaldo and his wife, Eliza, are dedicated to helping others find faith in Jesus Christ, as they know that Jesus is the only foundation on which a person can stand victoriously. soccer player in Europe. I had the opportunity to play with him in 2015 before my retirement that year. This is one of the personal highlights of my career. In closing, I want you to consider the invitation God gave to me. I believe that right now, He is saying the same thing to you: “My child, if you accept Me, you will live.” Are you ready to experience the full life God has prepared for you? Are you ready for fear, guilt, shame, confusion, anxiety, and hopelessness to lift from your shoulders? Jesus can do that for you. He did it for me. Again, I want to say: of all the awards, honors, and trophies I’ve ever received, the salvation Jesus gave me is the greatest. And I didn’t have to do a thing to earn it. It is His free gift. Why don’t you receive His gift of salvation—the greatest victory ever—right now? Pray with me: Dear Jesus, I ask You to come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Savior. I believe that You died for my sin and have risen again so that I can have eternal life. I want the life You have for me—abundant life here on earth and eternal life with You forever. Fill me with Your Spirit, God, and take my burdens from me. Today, I give my life to You. Help me to stay committed to growing in You so that I will constantly be changed and reflect You in all my ways. Amen. V
Rivaldo pictured with his family at Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona, Spain. His relationship with Christ helped Rivaldo become a more patient and loving husband, father, and grandfather. kojministries.org Issue 1 2018 23
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UNMASKING
THE MASKED SAINT by Chris Whaley
I grew up in a Christian home, but it would be years before I shared my parents’ faith. I was a young man with things to do in this world. I was a sickly child. I suffered for many years with chronic pneumonia as well as polio and viral encephalitis. In junior high, I didn’t even weigh 100 pounds! As you can imagine, this resulted in a lot of bullying. Thankfully, I had an incredible doctor who pushed me to never give up. Dr. Raymond LaRue made me go to the gym and work out so I would get strong. He also had the wisdom to send me to a specialty clinic, where we discovered I was highly allergic to just about everything. I started taking allergy shots, put on weight, and grew in strength and confidence. I met my wife, Verna, when I was 16. She and her sister sang in church, and I would sit in the pew and listen to their perfect harmony. It was love at first sight. I wrote her several letters before I worked up the nerve to ask her out. Because she had met me at church, she assumed that I
was a Christian and agreed to go out with me. Boy, did I have her fooled. We dated for a while, but then I did something that really broke her heart, and she moved away to attend college at Palm Beach Atlantic in West Palm Beach. I wasn’t sure if she’d ever talk to me again. Over the next year, I continually begged Verna for a second chance. I even enrolled at Palm Beach Atlantic, so I could be near her. I was relentless in my pursuit, and in September 1973, we got back together. It was during my first semester at Palm Beach Atlantic that I finally came to the faith of my parents and girlfriend. I was attending church with Verna when I heard a message preached by Dr. Jess Moody. Suddenly, a spiritual light bulb came on, and I finally understood the gospel. Before this day, every preacher I had ever heard had yelled and screamed and slung sweat three rows back to get their message across. But not Dr. Moody. He simply told stories, just like Jesus, and through the stories he told and the Word of God he lovingly preached, I finally understood the goodness of God. I gave my life to Jesus and accepted God’s free gift of salvation. And not long after that, Verna accepted my proposal for marriage. We were married May 2, 1975. We graduated a year later and moved to Central Florida to fulfill God’s call on our lives. Verna felt called to be a math teacher; I felt called to be a pastor. Verna immediately found a teaching position at her high school alma mater in Plant City; I struggled to find a pastoral position. No church wanted to hire a preacher in his early twenties with no experience. Like most pastors, I’d have to start out as a youth minister. I took a job driving a truck for Coca Cola and started searching for a youth minister position.
THE ONLY THING NECESSARY FOR THE TRIUMPH OF EVIL IS FOR GOOD MEN TO DO NOTHING. ~EDMUND BURKE
Money was tight in those early days. One day, as I was reading the Tampa Tribune newspaper, I saw an ad that I was sure would solve our financial troubles. It said, “Wanted! Professional wrestlers.” I ran to my wife. “Look at this!” Not sharing my excitement, Verna just rolled her eyes and continued grading papers. Since I was a kid, I had loved watching professional wrestling. It had helped pass all the time I’d spent stuck in hospital beds. I had seen all the moves and felt confident in my athletic abilities. So why not try? I drove to the wrestling gym in Tampa, where I met The Great Malenko, a villain wrestler from my childhood. He trained me along with the other guys who had answered the ad. I began competing as a professional wrestler in 1978. A year later, I finally got a call from a church looking for a full-time youth pastor. I decided to stop wrestling to focus on youth ministry. That is, until my wife shared the greatest news I had ever heard. We were going to have a baby! Then it hit me. How could we survive with a new addition to the family? We were barely making ends meet with just the two of us. The next day, I sat at my desk, pondering my situation. And then I thought, I get a couple of days off a week. I am still in good shape. Why can’t I wrestle? To avoid controversy at the church, I decided to wrestle under a white hood and a new identity called The Saint. Verna reluctantly agreed to my new plan. All went smoothly for a while, although it was hard to explain away my bumps and bruises. Serving as a youth minister was probably the worst experience of my life. Youth ministry
Chris’s adventures as The Masked Saint have been shared in his book, The Masked Saint, published by Morgan James Publishing. A movie was produced in 2016 under the same title and can be found at amazon.com and on Netflix.
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Chris and Verna, his bride of over 44 years.
was definitely not my calling, and the pastor and I didn’t mesh at all. I’d rather be body slammed in a wrestling ring than go through that experience again! After only a year, I was fired. Verna and I looked for a new church to attend, and I sought a new job. It took 6 years for my hurt and bitter heart to be healed from this painful experience. I avoided church leadership positions and sat sulking in a pew. During this time, however, my wrestling career flourished. I made lots of money and owned a beautiful house. I was living the dream. But I was running from God’s call on my life. I was hiding in a pew and under a wrestling hood, when God wanted me leading His people. And I was miserable. Eventually, I surrendered again to God’s call and realigned my priorities. In 1985, Verna and I moved to Texas, where I attended Southwestern Seminary to better prepare for my calling. I continued to wrestle professionally; it was a great way to provide for my family, and I enjoyed it. When I graduated from Southwestern in 1988, I accepted a position at Westside Baptist Church in Lake Wales. We moved back to Florida, and I stepped away from professional wrestling to devote myself to being a full-time pastor. It had been more than 10 years since I had first sensed God’s call on my life, but I was finally there. I’m so thankful for His patience with me. It amazes me how He didn’t waste any of my experiences from those 10 years. Instead, God has used my past in ways I would never have imagined. It began one Sunday after the service at Westside. A woman wearing sunglasses had come in that morning. I’d seen her many times before. She always slipped into a pew with her two kids well after the service had started, and she’d slip
Photo courtesy of First Baptist Orlando
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Again Fidel Sst The Cuban times I ierra—One Assassin, worked of the f without ew a mask .
out before it ended. But this Sunday, she stayed until the end. She walked over to me, lowered her head, and grabbed both of my hands. Tears streamed down her cheeks. She took off her sunglasses, and I saw two black eyes. I knew immediately what had happened and was furious. I had little tolerance for any man who would hit a woman. I told her I was going to see her husband. I went to their house and called him outside. I said, “You know, God has entrusted you with a wonderful wife and children. How dare you hurt one of these precious gifts of God? If you are so anxious to hurt people, then hurt me. Give it your best shot.” He got belligerent, and we had a few words, but he never hit her again. This incident was the beginning of my “Masked Saint” adventures. From that moment on, I found myself in the most unusual situations, helping people in ways pastors didn’t normally help. When I saw an act of injustice, something would go off inside me, and I would feel an urgent need to go to the injured person’s rescue. It could be a prostitute being abused by her pimp or an old man being pushed around by teens in an airport. The sin of injustice would stir me, and I’d find myself putting on my wrestling mask to engage those bullies. I wasn’t looking for a fight, but I was ready for one if need be. I always pointed out that what they were doing was wrong. They’d usually come after me, but because of my skill as a professional wrestler, they’d drop pretty fast. Some may not agree with my methods, but I just had to do something. I’d been taught as a child that “the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” It was a quote by Edmund Burke.
1978–1988 Th
e Masked Saint
Me and supersWWE tar, R Simmon on s.
Doing nothing has never been an option for me. The Masked Saint became a mystery around town. Who was this vigilante that would stop an assailant and then tip off police so they could be arrested? My actions attracted a lot of attention, even from local detectives. (A production company recently made a movie based on my adventures, called The Masked Saint. I’ve also written a book under the same title.) With every victorious encounter, however, pride rose in my heart. I was conquering evil on the streets, and I felt invincible. Beyond that, the church I was pastoring was thriving. My estimation of myself grew higher than it ought, and I took credit for what God alone had done. I took my eyes off Him and temporarily lost my way. How thankful I am for a loving God, wife, and church family, who helped me get back to where I was supposed to be. It’s been over 30 years since all this happened. I wish I could say I’ve walked perfectly with the Lord since, but I haven’t. I have, however, tried to serve Him to the best of my ability and stay true to my calling. God is a God of so many chances. He’s shown himself so faithful to me, despite my failures. I want you to know that, regardless of your failures, God can still make something of your life, too, and help you be who He created you to be. He is always ready to help you fulfill the call He has placed on your life. It’s never too late, not even now. All you have to do is come to God and put your life in His hands. He is ready to do a marvelous work in your life—all you have to do is let Him. V
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MINISTRY NEWS
The Process Do you need encouragement? If you are in the military, the hospital, assisted living, an addiction recovery program, or incarcerated and find yourself in need of encouragement, our Correspondence Team is here for you. Here’s what you can expect:
Send a letter to us at: Victorious Living Correspondence Outreach PO Box 328 Starke, FL 32091
You’ll receive: ✚ Welcome letter from founder, Kristi Overton Johnson ✚ Timely, prayerful responses from our Correspondence Team
Victorious Living…Real People, Real Stories, Real Hope! Filled with marvelous stories of God’s faithfulness and the truth of His Word, Victorious Living brings proof that God is alive and working in the lives of His children today. When I started this magazine in 2011, all I knew was that the Lord wanted me to start telling people’s stories, so I did. In 2013, He opened a door for Victorious Living to be distributed in the prison system. (Visit kojministries.org to learn how God turned a simple visit with an incarcerated friend into an evergrowing prison outreach that today includes monthly mentorship and personal correspondence with thousands of inmates.) Victorious Living is truly a light in the darkness. Beginning in 2018, Victorious Living will also be distributed to military personnel at home and overseas, as well as in drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers, hospitals, and assisted living facilities. We want to bring hope, help, and freedom to people who are isolated, overwhelmed, and facing challenging situations. We know that the God-stories contained in this magazine can encourage and equip people for victorious living in every season of life. Maybe after you’ve finished reading your copy, you’ll consider supporting this life-changing outreach of hope and freedom. We would appreciate your help.
Kristi Overton Johnson
✚ Monthly devotionals from Kristi Overton Johnson ✚ Personal subscription to Victorious Living magazine ✚ Prayer support from our Victorious Living Correspondence Team PLEASE NOTE: Those who write to our ministry team will receive a personal response from our team signed “Your Victorious Living Family.” Our team of writers love the Lord and are committed to encouraging you in your life journey. Due to the volume of correspondence, we are unable to assign specific writers to individuals. Also, we cannot handle legal cases, contact people on your behalf, or disperse items such as money or stamps. Please write your personal information neatly and include your DOC number if you are incarcerated. PLEASE NOTIFY US IF YOU ARE TRANSFERRED FROM YOUR FACILITY OR BASE.
e and an g magazin in iv L s. s u o alls in Texa ng Victori d prison w Kristi shari in h e b rd g wo encouragin
So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Evan is all smiles after receiving his shipment of Victorious Living to share with his fellow troops overseas.
Carry It Out. Shine Bright & Write! Please tell others about Victorious Living magazine and our correspondence outreach. Also, consider hosting a Shine Bright and Write Event at your home, church, or organization. Together, through this letter-writing endeavor, we can touch many lives! See kojministries.org for more information.
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FROM OUR READERS Every day, our Victorious Living Correspondence Team receives letters from people who love the Lord and who desire to encourage us in our faith journey. These letters lift our spirits, strengthen our faith, and spur us on to continue the work the Lord has put before us. We hope these letters will encourage your heart as well. Dear Victorious Living,
God has sent many blessings my way that are full of His love and fill me with joy. One day, God’s blessing came in a large brown envelope in my mailbox. It was from an inmate friend in Florida I had been corresponding with for years. I opened the envelope and found a copy of Victorious Living magazine and a letter from Roy. He told me that his article had been published in that issue. It contained great insight into his walk with the Lord through his many years of rough circumstances. Roy suggested that I share my writings with the magazine. So I did, and I’m thankful that my stories have been used here as well.
Dear Victorious Living,
Dear Victorious Living,
Your publication has reached not only my heart but the hearts of many other inmates around me. Thank you.
My name is Taze, and I’ve done many bad things in my life. My evil ways led me to prison. Locked behind bars, I wanted to die—and I began to plan my death. I considered killing myself, or perhaps having someone do it for me. But before I could make my plans, the thought entered my mind to go to the chapel.
I stumbled onto a copy of Victorious Living, and everything inside made me want to write to you. When I read the articles in this magazine, especially ones about people like Big James Henderson (Issue 3, 2016), I see myself. These stories give me hope. You see, my 31 years of life on this earth have been nothing short of miraculous. I’ve been through pure hell and close to certain death many times. Yet even through car wrecks, sexual abuse, a robbery at gunpoint, and being incarcerated, I’m still standing. It’s with God, I still have hope. I leave prison in just a few months. I have no destination, no job, and no help in sight. I’m nervous. I don’t want to ever come back to this place again. I hope I can use my experiences to get through to other kids, so they will turn away from a dead-end life. I know that we are all meant for more.
Reading about so many other people who have received God’s love and healing power has been a great blessing to me. I dare not say which wonderful story I’ve read here is my favorite. They are all so powerful! I am grateful that my sister in Christ, Kristi Overton Johnson, has answered God’s call to lead this publication that ministers to thousands of people.
Thanks for letting me share. I wrote this poem for you to show you how much this magazine has helped me. It is entitled “Victorious Living.”
Many of Victorious Living’s readers live in real, physical prisons, and they need God’s love and healing power. But many of the rest of us live in prisons that exist within ourselves. Some days, we live in fear, worry, anger, or emptiness. We, too, need to be set free and healed by our Lord Jesus and God’s love. Victorious Living can help anyone find that freedom and wholeness.
Clouds seemed to part, I sensed inner gates open, For I was born again. Without even knowing, I fell to my knees and Reached for the sky. Oh, the tears flowed, And I happily cried.
Thank you, Victorious Living, for the beautiful blessings of God’s love and hope through your powerful testimonies of faith. You are, indeed, a blessing from above. Lucy N. Adams
I remember the date Down to the second. As if time stood still, My every burden lessened.
I went to the chapel and listened to the guy talking. It was like he was talking straight to me. He said, “There is someone in here who wants to believe in God, but he doesn’t know what to believe.” That was me. Then something strange happened. I saw myself getting up and walking toward him. But I was still sitting in my chair. Then I felt a tear roll down my cheek. I rubbed my face. More tears came. I knew it was time to give my life to Christ. I got down on my knees and gave my life to God. I asked for forgiveness of my sin, and I received His forgiveness. God removed the filth of my past. The Bible says that if we confess our sin to Christ, He is faithful to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (See 1 John 1:9.) But God doesn’t just forgive our sin. He takes them away from us and remembers them no more! (See Psalm 103.) If Christ can forgive me, He can forgive anybody, no matter what they’ve done. Thank you Victorious Living for helping me grow in my faith and to know how to live a godly life. I want your readers to know that God loves you and His love covers a multitude of sins. So please, give your life to Christ, ask Him to forgive you, and then receive His forgiveness today. He will make you a new person and change your life for the better. I’m living proof!
Now I rest in God’s hammock, His love tender and forgiving. This every moment possible Through Victorious Living.
Taze Reedy
God bless, Karlos M.
Volunteers gather at Praise Assembly in Starke, Florida, to assemble the devotionals that will be mailed out as part of the Victorious Living Correspondence Outreach program. In addition to the inmates we’ve been serving, we are expanding our program in 2018 to include military personnel and people in hospitals, assisted living facilities, and drug-and-alcohol rehabilitation centers.
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Over and over again, I had to
forgive. The Lord showed me
it was the only way that I
would be able to move forward. Otherwise, I would perish in my own prison of bitterness.
makes it clear that forgiveness isn’t an option; it’s a choice we must make if we want God’s presence and blessing.
Lessons from Our Time-Out by Jenny Rodriguez
My husband’s “time-out” didn’t come one minute too soon! His addiction to drugs was out of control and his behavior destructive. (See his story on page 10-11.) As much as I loved Anthony, I needed him to go. I was tired of the chaos, the humiliation, the lies, and seeing the man I love act in a way that was contrary to the man of God I knew him to be. I was hiding money, car keys, everything of value in our home, and things were still coming up missing. He was stealing them to pay for his drug habit. It was terrible. We had worked so hard in our business and ministry, and now, because of his addictions, everything we had obtained was gone. We lost it all. It was time for him go. I had never lived alone before Anthony went off to prison. Suddenly, I was a single mom, trying to provide for our son while carrying a full-time job and caring for our home. Because I had some education that provided a decent job, I didn’t qualify for assistance. According to the government, I made a little bit more than I should. So, I struggled. Out of necessity, I learned to rely on the Lord. Until this point, I’d always relied on my father or my husband to provide. Now I had neither man’s support. My husband was gone, and my father had turned against me. They had both failed me. So, finally, I turned to the One who would never fail me—Jesus. Jesus became my strength and the source of my provision. He also became my dearest friend. 28 kojministries.org Issue 1 2018
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It was a very lonely time, but by God’s grace, I made it. He was an ever-present help in my time of need. I thank God for His love and His presence. He provided for me in ways Anthony or my dad never could. The more I trusted Him, the more He proved Himself willing and able. And He taught me so much. I’d like to share some of what I learned with you. Forgive Your Offender First, the Lord taught me that I needed to forgive and lay aside every offense. I was angry and bitter. Anthony’s choices had cost me everything, and I was so mad at him. But not only had he betrayed me; a steady stream of friends and family turned their backs on me too. Every day brought new opportunities to grow my anger. Visiting Anthony in prison was always an exercise in forgiveness. Talk about an unpleasant process. I would work all night as a nurse, then drive our son to visit his dad in prison in the morning, only to often have officers turn me away or disrespect me. Over and over again, I had to forgive. The Lord showed me it was the only way that I would be able to move forward. Otherwise, I would perish in my own prison of bitterness. How could I forgive a person who stole from me, lied to me, and chose a substance over me? The only answer—the same way God has forgiven me. I don’t deserve it, but He forgives unconditionally. His forgiveness is never ending. And it brings freedom. I am so thankful. The Bible
Don’t Give Up on Someone I also learned the reward of not giving up on a person. I knew God’s call on Anthony’s life. He was not the man the drugs and alcohol were projecting. I stayed focused on this truth and prayed for the real Anthony to be revealed. I knew it was God’s will for Anthony to be whole, to be healed, and to be a voice of hope for many. Today, I am reunited with this man of God and witness daily how God uses his story in powerful ways. Be Wise There’s another thing I learned during Anthony’s incarceration—the importance of carefully choosing the people I shared my life details with. I didn’t want people running their mouths and speaking negative, ungodly words over our lives. Words are powerful! I also didn’t want anyone tempting me with other relationships or telling me to give up on Anthony. God was my main confidante. Other than Him, I shared my trials only with people I knew were in agreement with what God intended for our family. Perhaps you have experienced a situation like mine. Perhaps a loved one has betrayed, deceived, stolen from, or abandoned you. Maybe someone has cost you everything. I want you to know, it’s going to be okay. That experience doesn’t have to destroy you. It doesn’t define you. In fact, your trials can make you stronger than ever. I am a living testimony that God can carry you through any situation, even a tough time-out. Trust the Lord in your circumstances. Forgive, be persistent, and be wise. God will bring blessings out of your mess. He’s promised He will never fail you. V Photography by Tim Smith Honor Photography
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BEST WORST THING EVER | from page 11____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
evening. The day I learned my chicken lesson, I didn’t have any money in my account to purchase extra food from the canteen. But there was a beautiful piece of fried chicken on the tray that I really wanted for later. So I decided to eat my dinner, then grab that piece of chicken and sneak it back to the dorm. Inmates aren’t allowed to take food from the chow hall to their dorms, but that chicken looked so delicious, it was worth the risk. I grabbed it and put it in my pants pocket, but it was so hot it burned my leg. I took it out, quickly wrapped it in a napkin, and stuck it back in my pocket. As I walked away from the table, the Holy Spirit said to me, “If I can’t trust you with a piece of chicken, I can’t trust you with anything.” I put the chicken back on the plate…turned to walk away…then grabbed the chicken and stuffed it back in my pocket. Again, I heard the Holy Spirit. “How can I trust you with more if I can’t trust you with this piece of chicken?” Dejected, I put it back uneaten and headed to my dorm. An officer stopped me. “Rodriquez,” he questioned, “why did you take that chicken?” “I didn’t. I started to, but I put it back,” I replied. “I know you put it back; I was watching you. I want to know why you put it back.” I hesitated, then said, “The Lord told me to.” The officer burst out laughing, but then I told him what I’d heard. “God said if He couldn’t trust me with a piece of chicken, then He couldn’t trust me with anything.” His countenance changed, and he asked me if I had a bowl. I said yes. He told me to go get my bowl. When I returned, he placed a piece of steak and a handful of french fries in my bowl. I started to cry. It was the best meal I’d ever had. God continued to teach me the importance of integrity, and the more faithful I became in the little things, the closer I sensed God’s presence and the more favor I received. But I’ll never forget the night I obeyed Him for chicken, and He blessed me with steak instead. One night, a sergeant called me into his office and said, “Okay, Rodriquez, I’m ready.” I was like, ready for what? “I’m ready to give my life to the Lord,” he said. He’d been watching the way I interacted with others. He had witnessed the presence of God in my life and the joy and peace God had given me, and he wanted it. I prayed with him and led him to salvation in Jesus Christ. Photography by Tim Smith Honor Photography
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Then the officer told me he’d just been promoted and would be leaving our facility. He hugged me and gave me his number. I’m not sure if you know this, but officers don’t hug inmates, much less give them their phone numbers! You’ve got to know this: God’s grace and favor knows no boundaries! Man has boundaries, but God doesn’t. He can reach anyone anywhere; He can use anyone anywhere. He’s just waiting for us to humble ourselves and invite Him into our lives. God is a gentleman. He won’t ever crash your life party. He’ll allow you to continue down your own destructive path. He’ll allow you to settle for the world’s chicken. But the moment you humble yourself and walk in obedience, the moment you become faithful in the small things, lay aside your immediate desires, and trust Him—I’m telling you, God will bring you steak! He will give you abundantly more than you could ever have dreamed or imagined (Ephesians 3:20).
YOU’VE GOT TO KNOW THIS: GOD’S GRACE AND FAVOR KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES! MAN HAS BOUNDARIES, BUT GOD DOESN’T. HE CAN REACH ANYONE ANYWHERE; HE CAN USE ANYONE ANYWHERE. HE’S JUST WAITING FOR US TO HUMBLE OURSELVES AND INVITE HIM INTO OUR LIVES.
Today I am back home with my family, thankful for the best worst thing that ever happened to me…my time-out in prison. My wife and I are faithfully serving the Lord together. We are blessed as God continues to provide new opportunities to reach people for Christ by telling our story. This article is one amazing example of that. Several months ago, I was at the barbershop where I work, and the Lord sent a young Brazilian man to my chair. Thiago beamed as he shared about God’s faithfulness in his life. As he was leaving, he gave me a magazine with his story in it. It was this magazine, Victorious Living (Issue 3, 2017). Tears rolled down my cheeks as I looked at the cover. I had seen this magazine before, during my time-out. God had sent it to me behind prison walls. He used it to bring me back to my calling. The hope and truth provided in its stories reignited my passion for God and brought me up out of a pit of despair. While I was in prison, I actually prayed for a way to share my story in this magazine. God answered this prayer by sending a man all the way from Brazil to connect me with the publisher of the magazine, Kristi Overton Johnson—who just happened to be his “adopted” American mom. A week later, my wife and I were sitting across from Kristi, sharing our story—the story you are now reading. Through this interview, we have also been invited to be an official part of the Victorious Living ministry team. We never know what God has planned, but we do know that, as we stay faithful in the small things, God will continue to give us opportunities to impact this world. The same is true for you. V
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LETTERS OF HOPE
Crashing into Hope by Colonel Jerry Curtis with Carole Avriett
NO ONE EVER EXPECTS TO ENCOUNTER TRULY DEVASTATING CIRCUMSTANCES IN THEIR LIVES. I KNOW I DIDN’T. BUT IF YOU HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD, HE HELPS YOU MEET THOSE CHALLENGES WITH HOPE. CONFIDENCE IN HIM IS NEVER MISPLACED. HE HAS REMAINED WITH ME THROUGH THE YEARS—WITHOUT HIM, I COULD NOT HAVE DONE THE THINGS I’VE BEEN CALLED UPON TO DO. – OPENING WORDS FROM UNDER THE COVER OF LIGHT COLONEL JERRY CURTIS, USAF RET. The date was September 20, 1965. The place was a war zone in North Vietnam. Rescue helicopter pilot Jerry Curtis received an SOS distress call at his base in Thailand: a fighter pilot had been shot down in enemy territory and needed to be pulled from the jungle. Captain Curtis had done this many times before, always successfully rescuing the men whose planes had been shot out from under them. But this day would prove different. This day would define the rest of his life. Jerry and his helicopter crew neared the site in North Vietnam where the pilot’s location had been detected by radio. The crew chief spotted him through the thick jungle canopy. The crew lowered the hoist, so the pilot could get into it. Then they began raising him toward the helicopter. About that time, however, small-arms fire erupted. Jerry and the crew found their helicopter plunging over 100 feet from the sky through trees, limbs, and bushes. They crash-landed on the jungle floor. The men attempted to hide, but they were soon discovered. Forty heavily armed North Vietnamese soldiers captured the airmen, stripped them of their dog tags, tied their hands behind their backs, and marched them for a week-long journey through the jungles and dirt roads to Hanoi, North Vietnam. For the next nearly eight years, Jerry endured brutal treatment, daily hunger, and the bitter loneliness of solitary confinement. Only his faith in God sustained him through the hardships of 2,703 days as a prisoner of war. Here now is a letter from Jerry to you: 30 kojministries.org Issue 1 2018
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Dear Fellow Traveler: I’m writing to you today as if you were my own son or daughter, or maybe my grandson or granddaughter. It will be straight-up talk, mixed with my prayers that you will find encouragement and hope as you read. Life is full of challenges. Difficult things happen that are completely beyond our control. You might never have been in prison like I was, but your circumstances may have made you feel like a prisoner nonetheless. You might be facing family conflicts, financial challenges, addictive behaviors, or other problems that leave you feeling overwhelmed and helpless. Or you might really be in prison as you read this article. Regardless of your situation, I know what it feels like to have all your freedom taken away, to be stripped of everything—all your possessions, all your family and friends—everything you hold dear. I was a prisoner of war in North Vietnam for 2,703 days. I’ve endured solitary confinement, suffocating heat, freezing cold, grueling physical and psychological torture, constant hunger, and extreme mental distress. So I’m going to share with you a few things I learned while I was incarcerated those long, lonely years and ask that you consider these things, no matter what your circumstances are today. First, look inside. Prison gave me a lot of time for self-examination. I thought about what I had done in the past and about what I could have changed or done better. Perhaps you can think about this too, wherever you are along life’s journey. Have you been following advice that you knew in your heart would lead you down a path that wasn’t in your best interest? Have you turned away from people who loved you? Not taken responsibility in things you knew you should?
As I lay in solitary confinement in a cell on a concrete slab, I considered all the times God had led me to the right places and the right people. And I thought about the times I had drifted away from Him. I understood completely that God was the higher authority who would always give good advice and tell me the best way to go with my life. God will do the same for you, if you ask Him. Second—and this is important—use your time wisely. Take advantage of anything available to you to learn. Explore new ideas and continue to educate yourself. Opportunities for selfimprovement abound everywhere, even if you’re reading this in a US prison. Don’t just sit around talking about how bad your luck’s been or how you have landed on hard times. I could have given up many times in prison, but I continued to pray and trust in God. And He was always there for me. As prisoners of war, we all realized we had to keep our minds active with positive influences and continue to learn as much as possible. We had no books, no pencils, no paper, nothing. Yet by carefully listening and memorizing, I learned to speak French and Spanish from prisoners who could speak those languages. After I was released, I became a Spanish teacher and taught for 12 years. No matter the circumstances, everyone has a choice in this, including you. Take advantage of the opportunities available. Broaden your scope; explore new thoughts and new ideas. Occupy yourself with things that are worthwhile. Make your time count for the better while you are alive. Third, look for the humor in your situation. Laughter really is the best medicine. We had to Drawing by Bret A. Melvin
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No matter the circumstances, everyone has a choice in this, including you. Take advantage of the opportunities available. Broaden your scope; explore new thoughts and new ideas.
look really hard in prison to find things that were funny or amusing, but they were there. In one prison camp I was in, one guy found two worms in his rice one night, and he told the others in the cells around him. Someone else counted the bugs in his rice and found three. Suddenly, we were all competing to see who had the most foreign objects in their food. A few days later, one of the prisoners suggested we award the person who found the most foreign objects in their rice by making that person King for the Day. We would give the winner a delicious— but of course, imaginary—dessert. It was amazing how that game became something we looked forward to every day. The person who won felt a bit of a victory even though it was such a simple one. One day, God showed me something else even more powerful than laughter… thankfulness. It was Christmas time, and I was really missing my wife and two small children. I cried out to God and told Him I had to have a way to endure. He had to help me find a way to survive my devastating circumstances. As I prayed, I sensed Him telling me to look around and identify things I could be thankful for. I will tell you, in all honesty, that it wasn’t easy. In fact, it was very difficult. But as I thought about it, I discovered several things I could be thankful for. First, the guards had given me a pair of sandals made from a rubber Photography by Tim Smith Honor Photography
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tire. They were about four inches too short, and I could walk in them only if I stood on my toes. But at least these sandals kept my feet up off the concrete floor, and that felt good, especially in the winter, when temperatures dropped into the thirties or in the summer, when they soared to 120 degrees. I had also been given a blue turtleneck sweater that added some warmth in the cold. When I wasn’t wearing it, I used it for a pillow. It was my best buddy for nearly eight years. I realized how thankful I was for that one sweater. Next, the guards had finally allowed me to have a cellmate. The man turned out to be the pilot I was trying to rescue when we were shot down. He was a Christian too, and we were able to encourage each other. I was so thankful for his friendship. As I thought about my situation, I realized there was much I could be thankful for, even in that miserable prison. I remembered a Bible verse I had learned when I was a child—1 Thessalonians 5:18. “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (NIV). When I really searched for something to be thankful for, I found it. It wasn’t always easy, but there was always something to thank God for. It was truly amazing how that simple expression of thankfulness would help me through another day. This can be applied to anyone, at any time and in any place.
Just reading through these reflections, you can see that I have turned to God day after day throughout my life. There have been many times that He was the only friend I had, but God has always been faithful. I can tell you that, if you turn to Him and trust Him, He will be your friend also. But He is more than a friend to me. He is my Savior. I asked Jesus Christ into my life when I was a young boy. During my late teens, I became rebellious and turned from Him, but it didn’t take long to realize how empty I felt without Him. I prayed and restored the closeness I once had with Him. If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, you can know Him today. Ask Him to forgive your past sins and to come live in your heart and be with you now. He can give you strength and comfort and peace in any situation, just as He gave me peace in prison, even though I endured dreadful, even sometimes lifethreatening conditions. Over and over again, I turned to Him during those nearly eight years. Sometimes I needed His help just to endure the next five minutes. But God was always faithful. I’ll close this letter by saying this: I didn’t choose to be captured or to be a prisoner of war. Those circumstances were beyond my control. Perhaps what you are enduring right now is not due to anything you did. Or maybe you continued on page 33 kojministries.org Issue 1 2018 31
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Unicorns and Sprinkles As an assistant Sunday school teacher, I sometimes fill in when the lead teacher is away. Recently, I was finishing up my lesson with the two young men in my class, one of whom was my younger cousin. We prayed together. I asked God to help these young men and encourage them to equip themselves daily with the armor of God so that they can fight off the evils in this world. After our prayer, I wished them a wonderful week.
When was the last time you realized that, no matter what happens, because God is on your side, everything is going to be okay?
constant construction to be the person my cousin described…but we all are, and that’s okay. I realized how wonderful yet challenging my cousin’s comment was. As a believer in Christ Jesus, I am to reflect the heart of God that is in me to all people, regardless of what I am facing each day. I’m not suggesting that every minute of every week will be 100 percent good; I am, however, stating that God is 100 percent good—through every minute and every event of every week. When was the last time you realized that, no matter what happens, because God is on your side, everything is going to be okay? Without God’s constant support and guidance, it is impossible to consistently face life with joy or authentically present ourselves as positive role models to all generations. We are responsible in front of God Himself, to reflect the love and grace of Jesus to our family, our children, our friends, our coworkers, and yes, even to complete strangers. Even in the not-soperfect moments of life. Things won’t always be unicorns and sprinkles, but praise God, He is always good! As I thought about what my cousin had said, I decided to challenge myself to be more
by Tina Brown
deliberately aware that the world is watching how I respond to the things life puts in my path. I encourage you to accept the same challenge: start today to intentionally make each day great with God. Stop complaining about what is not fair or what is not working. Go and do whatever you can about the things that need changing. The world is watching and waiting for us to decide how we will react to whatever comes our way. There are nonbelievers all around us who are waiting for the hope that you and I have living inside of us. What do children see when they look at your life conduct? Are you setting a good example for those around you? What are you doing to be a difference maker? Please join me in this prayer today: Get behind me, Satan. You will have no influence over my thoughts or actions today. By the power of Christ in me, I am choosing to have a good, God-filled day, despite the challenges, heartaches, or fears that may arise. Today, I choose to be a good example for those I meet. Though the wicked rise up against me, I will not fear. My God is good and faithful. He is my everlasting, neverfading joy and my strength forever and ever. Amen. V
My cousin’s response to my blessings took me by surprise. He responded, “I know you’ll have a good week; you always have a good week.” I laughed, but inside I thought, Oh boy, if you only knew. His comment stirred around in my mind the rest of the day. I found myself asking questions as I examined my days. Does everyone really think that I always have good weeks? Do I even believe that myself? Do my actions always reflect joy? Do I smile at every person I pass? Do I regularly help those God places in my path? Do I handle difficult situations with grace? Is my faith and trust in Christ as strong as other people think? So often I fail at these things. Oh, how I depend on God’s help and guidance each day. I am under
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did make a mistake. Maybe something you did contributed to your difficult circumstances. Regardless, never let yourself think that you must live without hope. Never believe there’s nothing you can do. You can accomplish much more than you think. Throughout life, you will have setbacks, but setbacks are not the end. If you have a dream, it’s not too late to pursue it. Look at me—I had always wanted to finish college and teach, and I was able to do that. And for me, faith and family have always been important. I’ve had a relationship with God since I was twelve years old and I realized I needed a savior. That’s when I asked Jesus Christ to live in my life. Granted, my faith has grown since then—in fact, it grew a lot while I was in prison, as you can imagine. God has been with me every day, during the good times and the worst— maybe especially through the worst times. And He is with me now. He does not always do things the way I want Him to, but I know He will be with me wherever I allow Him to be. He will be with you the same way. God brings hope into your life, no matter what you have done or what your circumstances are. I’m praying for you.
Jerry • Shared with permission by retired USAF Colonel Thomas Jerry Curtis with his biographer, Carole Engle Avriett. Curtis’s complete story of imprisonment during the Vietnam War is told in his biography, Under the Cover of Light (Avriett, Tyndale House Publishers, 2017). It is available on amazon.com or wherever books are sold. Illustrations by Bret A. Melvin.
Finding Truth in Hardship by Sarah Beckman Several years ago, friends of ours tragically and unexpectedly lost their 25-year-old son to suicide. We had watched this young man grow up. His wit, his profound intelligence, his passion, his confidence, his fortitude, his faith, and his deep love for his family were obvious to all who knew him. We were crushed. Our hearts were broken for them. We had no answers, only faith that God would provide the strength they needed in this time of great sorrow (Psalm 46:1). We know that we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37) because Jesus loves and comforts us. He shines through our darkest hours. Death doesn’t change His love; it makes it more complete, just as Jesus’ death completes us all. But still I mourned. I cried for a mother who’d experienced unfathomable loss, a sister who wanted an uncle for her daughter, a dad who longed for one more chance to share life and laughter, and a brother who wanted to look up to his big brother one more time. But I could not change their reality. I could only stand with them in their sorrow. And pray. Americans have faced much loss and hardship in the last few years. Innocent lives lost in hurricanes that devastated vast parts of Texas and Florida. Homes, property, livelihoods, and lives lost in Puerto Rico and many parts of the Caribbean due to those same tropical storms. Tragic, senseless deaths in mass shootings around the country. Decimation of entire neighborhoods and profound loss due to rampant wildfires in Tennessee, California, Montana, Oregon, and elsewhere. Many of us feel helpless. Whether the loss is personal or the collective pain of a nation, we seek answers. We may not have those answers this side of heaven, but we can stand with those we love in their sorrow. We can pray. And we can focus on the Truth.
When I read Ecclesiastes chapter 3, I am reminded that God’s truth sustains us in the hardship and sorrow of life. It does it in a way that nothing else in the world can do—not words, not meals, not tears, not our presence in a living room or amidst the rubble of someone’s life. God’s Word alone brings life and hope in moments of utter devastation. Here are just a few of the profound truths found in Ecclesiastes 3. There is a time for everything…a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance…a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak (3:1, 4, 7). He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart (3:11). Everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it (3:14). I have no answers to why my friends’ son took his life, why shooters kill innocent people, or why natural disasters wreak havoc indiscriminately. I also don’t know why you’re facing the trials that loom before you. But I do know that God has set eternity in our hearts, and His Word is filled with life and truth. I pray that His Word will help you in your hardship or sorrow; that it will help you process heartbreak, loss, and devastation in any form. And I pray that His truth will always be a salve for your wounds. V * For more guidance on how to walk with others in times of pain, pick up a copy of Sarah Beckman’s book, Alongside: A Practical Guide for Loving your Neighbor in Their Time of Trial, from your favorite local or online bookseller.
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Taking God at His Word by Michael Clark
There’s a stencil in our living room that says, “When you can’t see God’s hand, trust His heart.” It serves as a constant reminder of His faithfulness to us. When I was battling cancer, we watched my condition worsen, yet we didn’t give up. The sicker I became, the more we leaned on our trust in God’s heart and His promises toward us. We knew He was the solution to my problem and not the cause. We knew Him to be faithful, and we trusted Him to see us through that hard time, just as He had in other times in the past. Praise God, after several months, the tumor was gone, the affected lymph nodes were clean, and I was cancer free. Sometimes we can’t see God’s hand in our situation, but that doesn’t mean He isn’t there or that He isn’t working on our behalf. Hebrews 11:11 helped shaped my understanding and approach to looking to God and trusting Him, even when I didn’t see immediate or tangible results. It says, “It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed that God would keep his promise.” God promised this child to Sarah in Genesis 18:9–14. The Lord and two angels in human form visited Abraham and Sarah. During the visit, a great promise was given to them: “Where is Sarah, your wife?” the visitors asked. “She’s inside the tent,” Abraham replied. Then one of them said, “I will return to you about this time next year, and your wife, Sarah, will have a son!” Sarah was listening to this conversation from the tent. Abraham and Sarah were
both very old by this time, and Sarah was long past the age of having children. So she laughed silently to herself and said, “How could a worn-out woman like me enjoy such pleasure, especially when my master— my husband—is also so old?” Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh? Why did she say, ‘Can an old woman like me have a baby?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” The thought of having a child was laughable— humanly speaking. But as Sarah pondered her situation, she began to think about the other times God had made promises to her and Abraham, and how He had always been faithful to keep those promises. It didn’t always happen right away, but God always came through. So Sarah looked at her circumstances and decided they weren’t too much for God to overcome. Hebrews 11:11 reveals how she moved from laughter to motherhood. Sarah grew to believe God would do what He had promised. She trusted God to keep His word. Sarah had been given a dream beyond her reasoning, but she decided God was capable of making it happen, and she could trust Him to be faithful in all things concerning her. Trust is special. It is relational. Trust is most often spoken of in reference to another person. Are they trustworthy? How far would you trust them? Trust moves away from formula and looks to the person who made the promise. The quality of their character defines the weight their words carry.
Trust provides a place to anchor your belief despite the things that don’t make sense. I might not understand why my wife did something, but I trust that she has our best interests at heart. That trust gives me a level of confidence that allows my heart and mind to be at peace. It answers the “buts” and “what ifs” that otherwise bring doubt. We can be like Sarah—we can trust God fully, even though things don’t look that great because we know God will do what He said He would do. How do we know that? Because that is His character. He is faithful. It’s who He is to you and me. His promises have inestimable worth because He made them. In Genesis 21:1–7, we see what Sarah’s trust in God produced: The Lord kept his word and did for Sarah exactly what he had promised. She became pregnant, and she gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age. This happened at just the time God had said it would. And Abraham named their son Isaac…And Sarah declared, “God has brought me laughter. All who hear about this will laugh with me. Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse a baby? Yet I have given Abraham a son in his old age!” What a beautiful story…but it’s more than that. It’s how God works—then and now. Just as Sarah trusted God, you can look to Him as faithful and trustworthy. What He has promised, He will deliver. You can take Him at His word. V
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Lost Pennies by Becky Coursen
Some of the shoppers rolled their eyes and huffed and snorted; others crossed their arms and tapped their toes. The fragile old lady ahead of me in the checkout line had opened her change purse and lost her coins all over the floor. They clattered and spun into hidden spots under feet and grocery cart wheels, and disgusted sighs were audible as the cashier bent to retrieve them. The lady’s awareness of the impatient folks around her was evident as she whispered to the cashier, “Don’t bother about those pennies on the floor. It’s not a problem.” But he did bother. He picked up every one. And he leaned on the counter as he placed every single coin— “one penny, two pennies, three pennies, four pennies”—into her wrinkled hand. “I’m sorry,” he said, politely and firmly, “but it is my life’s quest to make sure that every penny in this world gets back to the place it belongs.” Time and tapping toes did not thwart such a man on his mission! This is a true narrative; I witnessed it just yesterday, and I have not stopped thinking about it since. The scene led me to consider how much of my world is out of its proper place. And the words of the cashier reminded me that the quest of Christ—who is in me—is also to make sure every rolling, scattered penny in this world gets back to the place it belongs. I’m not certain I fully comprehended what I was getting into when I took the step to ask Christ to remove my heart and replace it with His. This new heart feels the pain of the sin and confusion around me. It mourns over hellish imbalances, unfairness, and prejudice. It keeps me awake at night, laboring in prayer when a friend is lost and scared. It steals my time as it urges me to listen to the chatter of the lonely ones, and it robs me of wealth when a brother is in need. This new and living heart of Christ—when I let it rule—does not bring ease and happiness; it brings an uncanny urge and even a compulsion to fix things. This heart of Christ compels me, and there will be no rest in my world until every penny is back where it belongs. It is my quest too.
How much of my world is out of its proper place? Yet it would be an incomplete picture to focus only on the lost coins and the pressure they exerted on the cashier’s heart. Something else was evidenced when the cashier blatantly disregarded the impatient toe tappers with their tight lips ready to complain to a manager. Something else was evidenced in the calm voice of the man and the gentle aura of love and respect—it showed in the perfect, calming rhythm of his “one penny, two pennies, three pennies, four pennies.” He gave back her coins, and he also gave back her value and dignity. There was power in this man with his mission. I suspect it was a teaspoon’s sample of the power that thrust the soldiers back at Gethsemane when those toe-tapping arresters demanded to see Jesus, and Christ uttered softly, “I am He” (John 18:5). Perhaps it was a tiny drop of the power that once drove away angry toe-tapping accusers from the woman caught in adultery. I’ve always wondered what Christ was writing in the dust that day. Perhaps He was counting as He put the world back to where it belonged: “one penny, two pennies, three pennies, four pennies…”
Light is quiet and gentle, but it is powerful in driving back darkness.
And just maybe the quiet, gentle way Christ was gathering scattered pennies drove those accusers away. Light is quiet and gentle, but it is powerful in driving back darkness. The toe-tappers at my grocery store looked little and silly beside such grandeur. I was glad yesterday that those coins fell out of the old lady’s change purse, and I was glad to have been within earshot of the cashier’s kind response. I rather suspect that he—like me—belongs to the great Redeemer who bought us with a great price. When I became His, He gave me His heart, a heart that won’t rest until every little penny gets back to the place where it belongs, and everything is right again. And as my Redeemer, He gives me power and strength to see it through to the end. V
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Stay Put in Your Faith by Chris Whaley When my girls were young, I loved to take them to the beach. They would run to the water and start to play. It wouldn’t take long, however, for the currents to push them down the shoreline and away from the safety of my presence. “Hey,” I’d yell. “Come back here!” “But we didn’t move, Daddy,” they’d insist. They were certain they weren’t to blame. So, to help keep them close, I set a cooler on the beach and told them to keep their eyes on it. If they used the cooler as a reference point for their position, they could avoid being pushed down the shoreline. It worked perfectly. When they started drifting down shore, they’d make adjustments and come back to where they were supposed to be. God places reference points in our lives, too. Unfortunately, there’ve been many times when I guess you could say I took my eyes off the “cooler” and allowed the currents of the world to push me away from the presence of my heavenly Father. I’ve often looked up and found myself far from where I knew God wanted me to be. Thankfully, He has been gracious. He’s given me His Son, His precious Word, and the Holy Spirit to help keep me close. As long as I keep my eyes focused on these things, I won’t unknowingly drift away. Maybe you’ve drifted away from the presence of the Father. Maybe you’ve found yourself in a place you know you shouldn’t be. You can come back, you know. It’s never too late. Just put your eyes back on God. Walk in obedience to His Word through the strength of the Holy Spirit, and you’ll be back in His presence in no time. V
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KEYS TO VICTORIOUS LIVING
Ask For Help by Kristi Overton Johnson
As believers, we often can’t bring ourselves to ask for help. “I’ve got this!” becomes our motto. It’s almost like we see physical and emotional independence as spiritual strengths. Unfortunately, this so-called strength of not needing anyone too often becomes a downfall. Nearly every article in this issue is testimony to this truth. The reality is, apart from God, you and I haven’t got anything. We overcome our trials only through His never-ending strength, power, and wisdom. Furthermore, apart from the support of trusted people, we will often fall away in our isolation. I don’t know what you are facing today. Perhaps it’s a battle with sinful thoughts, addictive behaviors, defeating emotions, declining health, or unstable relationships. Whatever it is, take it to God. Then go to a trusted friend for help or advice. Don’t be afraid, prideful, or ashamed. A friend struggling with a pornography addiction once told me, “Satan wants you to feel like you can’t tell a soul and that if you do, everyone will reject or judge you. He wants you isolated so that you fall, and fall hard.” Unfortunately, my friend did fall hard, and he lost much because of his sin.
Isolation is the devil’s playground. Yes, some people may reject you; some may even judge you— Christians included. But so what? Their rejection or judgment is better than your destruction. If you isolate yourself in your sin, if you hide in guilt and shame, you are sure to fall prey to the enemy. He will kill, steal, and destroy everything good in your life. It’s only a matter of time. Don’t allow Satan that victory. Don’t assume that others will reject you. There are many people who will meet you where you are and love you through your struggles. Give them a chance. No matter what you’re struggling with, tell someone today. Start by telling God. Humble yourself and agree with Him that what you are doing is against His will for your life. Call it what it is—it’s sin. Yes, I know; we don’t like that word. It sounds so judgmental and condemning. But anything that is against God’s will is simply that— sin. Ask God to forgive you for falling short of His perfect standard. First John 1:9 says that if we confess our sin, God is faithful and just to forgive us of our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Did you hear
that? No sin is left out. This is our promise. John 3:17 says that Jesus didn’t come into the world to judge us, but to save us. Sin has the power to destroy us, but God will deliver us from it when we come to Him through our faith in His Son. And listen to this: God invites us to boldly approach His throne of grace, where we will find all the help we need (Hebrews 4:16). We don’t have to be afraid—God already knows about the sin in our lives. He is God; He knows everything. He is just waiting for us to own up to it so He can help us overcome it. He promises to provide a way out for every temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13). We only have to ask. Once you’ve told God about your struggle, tell someone else—a trusted friend, pastor, chaplain, coworker, or family member. Find someone who will help you stay accountable in your actions. This may require going to a program or group for recovery. I’m wondering though—could we, perhaps, be avoiding asking for help, not because we are afraid of God or the rejection of people, but because we actually like our sin? Is the problem really that we don’t want to let it go, whatever it is? If we’re honest, do we desire it more than we desire a close relationship with God? I think it’s something to consider. Sin feels good to our flesh. It comforts us and can momentarily make our problems seem far away. Letting it go once and for all may not be easy. That’s why we need help—both from God Almighty and from others. If we want God’s blessing in our lives, if we want to experience His presence daily and be used by Him, we must rid ourselves of sin and choose a life of holiness. It is impossible to walk in sin and walk with God at the same time. The paths of sin and God go in opposite directions. God’s path always leads to victory, while sin’s path leads only to destruction. Decide today, once and for all—do you want victory or destruction? Call out for help from the God who provides. The moment you do, hope and help will be on the way. V
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OUR CONTRIBUTORS CAROLE ENGLE AVRIETT
p. 30
Carole is a former writer and editor for Southern Living magazine. She leads women’s conferences throughout the United States, Canada, and Brazil, where she and her husband serve as missionaries in the summer months. Carole is the author of six books, including her most recent, Under the Cover of Light. SARAH BECKMAN
p. 33
Sarah speaks to audiences across the country as part of Salt and Clay Ministries, which she founded in 2007. Insights for Christian living can be found at her blog: www.sarahbeckman.org. You can find her book, Alongside: A Practical Guide for Loving Your Neighbor in Their Time of Trial, at amazon. com or wherever books are sold. Sarah and her husband live in New Mexico and have three children. DANA M. BROWN
p. 8
Speaker and author Dana Brown is a wife and the mother of three adopted children and two step-children. Her passion is helping others find freedom as they discover the path God has for their lives. You can find her book, Desperate for a Fix, How One Good Decision Could Change Your Life, at amazon.com or anywhere books are sold. TINA BROWN
p. 32
Tina is a licensed and certified recreational therapist. She plans and provides activities for a retirement community that stimulate physical, cognitive, spiritual, and emotional functioning. Tina is passionate about helping others thrive and enjoys sharing the love of Jesus with every new friend that she meets. JENNIFER CAMP
p. 39
Jennifer and her husband, Justin, are cofounders of Gather Ministries, where they write material that brings readers a hope-filled and honest perspective on God’s goodness and love. Visit gatherministries.com for more information. Her books, Breathing Eden: On Light, Fresh Air, and New Things and Loop: What Women Need to Know, are available at amazon.com. MICHAEL CLARK
p. 34
Michael is a minister and author who thrives on sharing hope from God’s Word in order to help others know God and experience His presence in their lives. Learn more at www.michaelclarkministries.org.
BECKY COURSEN
p. 35
Becky is an artist and a high-school English teacher. She hears God best when she is outside working in her flower beds, tending to her beehives, or spending time with her dog, Buddy. LINDA CUBBEDGE
p. 7
Linda is the Victorious Living Prison Correspondence Director. She is passionate about the Lord and leading others to Him. Linda has four children, ten grandchildren, and two great-grands. RENEE DAVIS
p. 14
Renee is most comfy where the water is salty but admits she spends most of her time at her desktop, swimming only in coffee. She writes about God’s miraculous among life’s mundane while encouraging others to find their worth in His Word, not this world. RIVALDO FERREIRA
p. 20
Rivaldo has been recognized as one of the greatest soccer players of all times. A former World Soccer Player of the Year recipient and FIFA World Player of the Year, Rivaldo says his greatest victory came when he received Jesus Christ as His Savior. Rivaldo, now retired from competition, is a sports administrator and helps develop soccer in China. He is the current president of Mogi Mirim Esporte Clube in Brazil. Rivaldo uses the platform of soccer to lead many people to Christ. KRISTI OVERTON JOHNSON
p. 37
A former world champion water-skier, Kristi is the founder of In His Wakes and KOJ Ministries. She encourages and equips people for victory through her writings, speaking engagements, and prison outreach. Kristi is the publisher of Victorious Living and a multipublished author. TRACY MORRISEY
p. 13
JENNY RODRIGUEZ
p. 28
Jenny is Anthony’s wife and the mother of their children. She is also a pastor and licensed pharmacy technician who loves to help and serve people. The Rodriguez family lives in Central Florida. STACEY THACKER
p. 16
Stacey is a wife and the mother of four girls. She is a Bible teacher passionate about encouraging women in their walks with God. Her books include Hope for the Weary Mom, Fresh Out of Amazing, and Is Jesus Worth It? She blogs at staceythacker. com and enjoys hanging out on Instagram and Twitter @staceythacker, usually with a cup of coffee in her hand. ERIN WARREN
p. 15
Erin is the women’s ministry leader at First Baptist Orlando. She is a wife and mother who is passionate about helping women discover a hunger for the truth of God’s Word. She loves Jesus and really good coffee. CHRIS WHALEY
p. 24, 36
Chris serves on staff in the senior ministry at First Baptist Orlando. He loves sharing his remarkable story to encourage people to never give up and to remind them that God is a God of second chances. He is living proof! Chris and his wife have been married over 40 years and have two daughters and five grandchildren. A SPECIAL THANK YOU
We appreciate our contributors, Jack Hayes, Avier Johnson, Taze Reedy, and Dwain Ross, who are currently incarcerated within the Department of Corrections. Thank you, gentlemen, for serving the Lord behind prison walls and for sharing your stories in Victorious Living.
Author, wife, and mother, Tracy is also a registered nurse and a graduate of East Carolina University. Her mission is to obey God’s calling in her life. Her first book, Just in Time, is available online at tracymorrisey.com, amazon.com, and barnes&noble.com. ANTHONY RODRIGUEZ
p. 10
Anthony is a family man, pastor, barber/stylist, builder, and motivational speaker who loves the Lord and serving in his community.
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FROM THE FATHER’S HEART
So Much More by Jennifer Camp
“I WILL BE FOUND BY YOU,” SAYS THE LORD. “I WILL END YOUR CAPTIVITY AND RESTORE YOUR FORTUNES. I WILL GATHER YOU OUT OF THE NATIONS WHERE I SENT YOU AND WILL BRING YOU HOME AGAIN TO YOUR OWN LAND.” JEREMIAH 29:14
Are you experiencing victorious living? Is your life filled with
purpose, love, joy, and peace? Do you have
hope for your future?
Forgiveness for your past? Strength for your tomorrow? Right now you might be thinking, “Are you kidding me? Joy, peace, purpose? Worth, strength, forgiveness? I’ll never have those things! Look at where I am! Look at what I’ve been through. Look at what I’ve done. Look at what has been done to me.” Friend, right now, no matter what your past or present, all of these things can be yours. You can have peace that passes all understanding, joy in the midst of hardship, love and acceptance despite your failures, forgiveness, and a fresh start. Your life can have purpose. It doesn’t matter if you are sitting in a mansion or in a jail cell or somewhere in between,
a victorious life can be yours TodaY!
How? Through a relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ. If you do not currently have a relationship with God, begin one right now. Romans 10:8–10 nkjv explains how: “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart…that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” As you accept what Christ has done for you and put your faith in Him alone for salvation, you are then free to have a relationship with God and experience His peace, power, presence, and love. You don’t have to do anything to earn God’s love and forgiveness. It’s yours for the asking! After you’ve received this free gift of salvation, guess what? You are then able to step into the life of victory Christ died to give you—an abundant life of peace, joy, worth, love, and purpose. As you grow in your relationship with Him through studying and applying the Word of God and by trusting Him, these things are released in your daily life.
Will you pray with me right now and receive all that God intends for you?
Dear Lord, I confess that I am a sinner in need of salvation. I thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, to save me from my sins. Thank You that He laid down His life for me so that I could have a new life in Him. I receive, by faith, this forgiveness of sin. I now give my life, my past, and my future to You. Guide my steps and speak to my heart, Lord. Amen
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I know in your head, you want words and memories to make sense. You want things to line up, and it’s tough to not have answers, to not be able to explain the reason behind this happening, the cause of this event. What if you knew more than you did? What if you could give an answer to the whys of your heart? What if you didn’t have to struggle with weakness, with inadequacy, on your own? Can you imagine where that would lead you? Do you trust how I protect your heart? I protect you; I push you forward. I lead you, but it is your choice to follow. I give you vision—just enough to see where I am and know where I go, with you. One foot in front of the other. Why do you need to know more? Do you? Do you need to know more to believe Me more? What more do you need to see to know I am here, whispering to you, loving you, guiding you? My child, you are not alone. You have what it takes, My creation, My dear one, to follow Me. You are the only one of you I’ve made. There is just one. Only one, My dear. You are My crafted jewel, My sparkling flower, My glistening water as it falls from heaven. You delight Me, child. Please don’t look away; don’t believe this is too good to be true. (Although you do feel that way to Me, you know…too good to be true.) You are radiant and captivating. You need only stand with Me, watching where I beckon you, knowing I am the sure place for your legs to stand. So rest now. And then rise up. When you choose to believe these words are true—this declaration of My love for you—you’ll be on your way to a deeper place I have for you. I have so much more for you, child. V
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St. Petersburg, FL Permit #597
GIVE VICTORIOUS LIVING People everywhere desperately need to know about God’s power, love, and grace. With your help and God’s truth, Victorious Living can bring hope to those isolated, overwhelmed, and enslaved to their past and present circumstances. Give the gift of freedom to your loved ones and to others. Your support helps us distribute Victorious Living in drug and alcohol treatment centers, prisons, assisted living facilities, hospitals, and to our military. Thank you for your support! 25 Donation You’ll receive VL for one year (4 issues). $
$ 50 Donation You’ll receive VL for one year (4 issues) and enable us to send a personal copy to someone in prison or drug/alcohol rehabilitation. You may provide the name of anyone you’d like, or we will send VL to one of the thousands on our list who have requested it.
YES! I Want to Be a Part! __________________________________________________ Your Name
__________________________________________________ Address #1
__________________________________________________ City | State | Zip #1
__________________________________________________ E-mail #1
______________________________________________________________________________________ Telephone #1
$ 1,000 Donation Enables KOJM to send one case (approximately 140 copies) of VL each quarter to a prison, rehabilitation center, hospital, or military base for one year.
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A monthly gift of 20 Provides monthly faith-based mentoring for a person in prison or drug/alcohol rehabilitation. They will receive quarterly copies of VL magazine, monthly Bible studies, and personal correspondence.
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$
A monthly gift of $ to help with KOJM general expenses. A one-time gift of $ to help with KOJM general expenses. Yes, I commit to pray for VL Outreach.
Are you interested in:
l learning more about our mentoring program for inmates and people in recovery? l having Kristi Overton Johnson speak at your church/organization?
Become a Part of the Victorious Living Family Today! kojministries.org • 352-478-2098
Recipient’s Name (if applicable)
__________________________________________________ Address #2
City | State | Zip #2
__________________________________________________ E-mail #2
Telephone #2
A card will be sent to recipients on your behalf to inform them of your gift! If you would like to send more gifts, please list information on a separate piece of paper.
r Check attached (make payable to Victorious Living) r Debit (include voided check) r Mastercard r VISA r Please automatically renew my partnership! Donation Amount _______________________________________________ Cardholder Name (please print) ____________________________________ Card Number __________________________________________________ Expiration Date ______________________ CVC Code_________________ Credit Card Billing Address (required)________________________________ Signature_____________________________________________________ If you have any questions, please call 352-478-2098. Mail completed form and Victorious Living support to: Victorious Living • PO BOX 120951 • Clermont, FL 34712-0951 Send all inmate correspondence to Starke, FL address on page 4.
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