An Opportunity to Trust God

My nine year old and her friend played to their hearts content one day last summer. Living on a ranch can be a pure blessing to the young at heart, but it can also be a mother’s worst nightmare. Our three children have seen and experienced country living to the fullest. What that means is you trust, pray, and have a great big dog like our ferocious killer dog, Chase, who follows the children everywhere they go.

One day last summer as it was getting near dusk, I stood on the front porch and called one of my daughters and her friend to come in. I could hear their joyful laughter as it carried them to our front gate. The little friend came skipping in first and then, with a mother’s worst dread, I watched my daughter freeze in fear. Abigail stood motionless in the gateway as a 4 foot rattlesnake crawled over the tops of her bare feet. There was nothing I could do to rescue her this time. It was in God’s hands. Abigail did exactly what she had been taught to do and God did the rest. He closed that ole rattler’s mouth just like with Daniel and the lion’s den. After I got the children safe inside, God’s spirit overcame this momma and like Samson, I slayed that rattlesnake, but not with my bare hands of course. To this day, Abigail has a jar in her room containing the snake's 6 rattlers! The jar reads, “Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go”. Joshua 1:9

If we had our choice, we would probably choose to go through life without any struggles. Who wouldn’t want life to be easier? But life doesn’t always go the way we want it to. There will be times of sadness, frustration, and disappointment. Like it or not, our struggles actually serve as a purpose. They help us grow and develop into more faithful people. It’s an opportunity to trust God. Moses faced many setbacks in life, yet each challenge turned into a new opportunity to allow God to work through him as a leader of the Israelites. From being saved as a baby, to living in the desert for forty years, to leading millions of people across the dry bed of the Red Sea.

Some people’s faith is tied to their circumstances. When their circumstances are good, their faith is up. When their circumstances are negative, their faith is down. Just like the ever popular scripture in Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see”. Faith makes things possible, not easy. One of the hardest things to understand is that faith will not instantly deliver you out of every problem. Instead, your faith will carry you through the problem.

As for me, I am still a work in progress. My aim is every time I face a challenge whether great or small, I am going to look at it as an opportunity to trust God. As much as I would like to take away my children’s troubles, I must instead teach them how to look for the hand of God in the midst of their troubles. Teaching them how to think, react, and develop through tough times. If we aren’t willing to persevere, adjust, and grow, we might just miss some special blessing that God has prepared for us. How about you?

Mighty God, you are faithful! My trust and confidence is in You. Cause my faith to continue to grow and help me to be a faithful witness. In Jesus name, Amen.

Carla Henson

Series: Modern Faith Heroes

Often, we see, hear, or read about life events that shape, strengthen, or challenge people’s faith. The bible is full of faith stories from the beginning to the end and they inspire us to continue onward with our journey and are essential in our faith development. However, every once in a while we encounter a faith story that we are a part of and it transforms our lifestyle, thinking, and being.

I met George when he was in his late 30’s. He had just begun his journey with the Lord and was “on fire”, as he often put it, for Christ. One day, he came and informed me that he wanted to preach the gospel and had enrolled in Sunset School of Preaching. I was apprehensive at first because I knew tuition, a major life change, and the fact that George had not been engaged in formal studies for nearly 20 years would be big obstacles to overcome. Eventually, I realized that it was only fitting for preaching to be the next phase of his journey. I couldn’t think of anyone better suited to spread the “Good News” than George. He kind of had a way of capturing your attention while speaking.

George was aware of the obstacles he faced, but he never let those things dampen his spirit. I still remember the way he would smile when he talked of the challenges he faced and would say, “It’s not my will but God’s will” or “My faith is in my heavenly Father because I know he will provide”. His heart was set on preaching the gospel. Then, one Wednesday night at church, George approached me with some bad news. He had a tumor. They were going to operate and he would have to endure several rounds of chemotherapy after surgery. It would be the strong chemotherapy that weakens the body to the point that walking from the bed to the kitchen is difficult and nausea is a daily occurrence.

But George endured and with an attitude that was Christ-like. He never wavered and never doubted. After recovering from chemotherapy, he went on to attend and graduate from Sunset School of Preaching. Afterwards, God led him to the missionary field. He spent time in South America and eventually Alaska. He spread the gospel and touched many lives including my own. Not long after George landed in Alaska and to many folks sorrow, the cancer returned and George passed away.

So why is this story special you ask? Many people have cancer and overcome many obstacles in the process…you say. Yes, they do. However, I don’t know if they do so with an understanding of their relationship with God and God’s purpose for them. George understood perfectly. You see, George was constantly asking me to pray for him. Every conversation I had with him ended with a prayer request. But, he would never ask me to pray for the cancer to be removed, he would only ask me to pray for his faith to be strengthened. He would say, “I not afraid to die because it is not my will but God’s will. I’m not a rich man and I don’t have a lot of material possessions to pass along, all I have is my faith”.

He passed along a faith that was as rich as a king’s treasury and stronger than any army. I miss George del Bosque, but I’m thankful God placed him in my life. He still inspires me to journey onward, no matter how bleak the future looks. .

While Paul was in prison in Rome, he penned these words in a letter to the Philippians. “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two…“ Philippians 1:21-23

Father, grant me vision to see past the obstacles. Bless me with courage to carry on and endure the setbacks. May I be mindful of the honor it is to endure these hardships for your cause and remember those who have endured and gone on before me. In Christ, Amen.

Todd Adams

Dublin, TX

Series: Modern faith heroes



A friend recently said something along these lines to me, “Don’t get me wrong but sometimes I’m a little jealous of people like you who have a strong redemption story.” We went on to discuss how I envied his story, one of choosing the better path instead of one that often led to pain and even destruction. Yet, my path is my story and my story is one that I already see God using because in all my bad decisions, I still had faith that God was going to use me somehow.

I read Hebrews 11, stories of people who had great faith and think I would never be listed with them. Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Moses, David, Rahab; people of a deeper faith than I imagine myself possessing but I look at my life and know I couldn’t have survived without faith. I have done things that often leave me surprised I’m still walking this earth but here I am. Why? Why did God choose Noah to build the ark? Why did God give Abraham a son after Abraham took matters into his own hands? Why did God allow David to remain a king after David killed Uriah? I think the answer partially lies in the fact that these people still maintained faith in God. I think there’s another part of the answer also - God never lost faith in his children.

I have broken most of the “rules” for being a good Christian. I have sinned in multiple ways and yet God didn’t strike me dead. I have spent years loving the idea of God but not loving him with all my heart and soul yet God didn’t walk away. He maintained his faith in me and always hoped I would come back to him. As I’ve wondered many times why I’m still alive, I can’t help but think that through it all, I never lost faith that God was God, the Lord. Today, I’m starting to reap the benefits of that faith. I’m starting to see how God is using my poor decisions from the past to reach others who think God can’t love them and who won’t love themselves and belief that God is running to them, arms wide open, ready to embrace the one who will come home.

The story of my unending faith in God is a good story. The story of God’s overwhelming faith in me is a story of redemption and reconciliation with my Savior, the greatest story I can ever imagine.

Grace and peace to you.

Jeff Jones

Decatur, Texas

A Mother’s Faith

Series: Modern Faith Heroes

My Niece, Janice Sue Crowell, has become my “faith hero”! Several months ago, Kasey and Janice Sue’s eleven year old Son, Kory, was diagnosed with Adrenal Cortical Carcinoma. The pathology report showed that the site where the tumor was removed still had some cancer cells. The tumor leaked some during the removal and Kory has been treated with eight rounds of chemotherapy. I would like to share excerpts from daily updates Janice Sue posted on Care Pages provided by Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston.

“Kory has a great attitude and we pray he will continue to have the strength and courage to fight this battle, of course, with the help and healing that comes from the Great Physician. Please lift up all our family in your prayers during this time. We know this will be a huge challenge for all of us, but we know our God is good and He will not give us more than we can handle. We also know, that with God all things are possible! “

Those of us who have traveled this journey with Kory and his family have been richly blessed. Janice Sue has specifically shared their need for prayers. “We are so very blessed to have prayer warriors to call on to lift us up in prayer, especially in difficult times. Thank you for helping us through this trying time. We love you and appreciate your love, support and encouragement. Will keep you posted on all the latest twists and turns of this trip! Like on a huge roller coaster, we will stay seated, keep our hands in the car, will stay strapped up and PRAY the ride is over soon. (You can scream on a roller coaster ride, right?)

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. DO NOT BE ANXIOUS ABOUT ANYTHING, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil.4:4-7) “Cast ALL your ANXIETY on him because he cares for you.” (I Pet.5:7) I will be reading these scriptures often over the next couple of weeks, as reminders not to be ‘anxious’ about anything. We are so grateful for all of you who are enduring this journey with us. Your prayers, love, support and encouragement have made this cross easier for us to bear! We love you and so appreciate EVERYTHING you have done for Kory and our family.”

Kory has a great sense of humor and has made this journey very entertaining at times. On one of his visits to the doctor, he wore a shirt that read: “DOCTOR’S NOTE” Dear Teacher, This patient has been diagnosed with AMAZING AWESOMENESS! Please keep him away from HOMEWORK, as it would irritate his AWESOMENESS! PS. There is no cure, so he will have to be AWESOME FOREVER! (You may guess, a gift from his Nanny)

There are many “faith stories” along this journey, too numerous to share. However, I would like to share this one which begins, “The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zep.3:17) “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Ps.37:4) God blessed Kory with his heart’s desire to throw out the first pitch of the 2011 baseball season for our McNeese State University Cowboys. We give our Lord God all thanks and praise for allowing him this honor. “Kory Crowell” even had his name in lights on the scoreboard. Kory did a great job throwing out the ball, especially for someone who just finished eight rounds of chemo and had spent the last two days in the hospital. He was given plenty of steroids this last trip to the hospital, so maybe that helped his throw. HA! We told him it would all be good as long as they didn’t drug test him first. After he came off the field, two little boys ran up to him wanting to know how one is chosen to throw out the first pitch of the season and Kory said, “It’s easy. Just catch cancer and go thru eight rounds of chemo.” Only our child! Thank you for all the prayers for Kory and us. Please join us in thanking God for His abundant blessings He has so richly bestowed on Kory.”

“Father, You know our hearts and the gratitude we feel for Your grace, mercy and healing for Kory. We praise You for the faith Kory and his family have shared throughout this journey. We pray your continued blessings upon this precious family and the doctors who are involved in Kory’s treatment. Thank you for loving us, for holding us close, and for the hope that is ours in Christ Jesus. In His name we pray, Amen.”

Jan Alderfer
Stephenville, Texas

Opportunistic Faith

Series: Modern Faith Heroes

“Captain Happy to the rescue,” my father yelled as he flew into the room.

As young children, my brother and sister and I laughed on many occasions because of our father’s spontaneous antics. He was our personal super hero, expressing his fatherly love in enjoyable ways. His acting illustrated the significance of his fatherly role – our protector, our leader, our rescuer. These fond memories reassured us that he cares. Now, as an adult, I realize my father’s faith shaped his life and, consequently, his life influenced others’ faith. He continues as an inspiring spiritual example, “living by faith.”

As a high school coach, my father included boys of “color” on his early-sixties track teams, even though cultural prejudice dictated separation. As a school administrator, he managed calmly and fairly in stressful situations. When rules and expectations were undergoing significant change, he held firm to unchanging godly principles. Adolescent boys regretted his discipline. But, years later, they appreciated his willingness to get involved. Lives have been changed because of my father’s opportunistic faith.

In the eleventh chapter of Hebrews, the writer sets a high standard for life in Christ, “faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (v.1). The faith role models knew, “God had planned something better for us” (v.40). Every case in the forty verses described real people who were obeying and doing and living in practical ways, seeking to please God.

Some people talk about faith in idealistic ways. This point of view, though hopeful, is impractical, only seeing things as they think things should be. All too often, talking about faith, without living faithfully, results in a judgmental attitude and an unwilling spirit.

Real life situations are unpredictable and often difficult. God calls people of faith to put into practice the belief in their hearts. True faith isn’t just talked about, it is seen in action. Faithful people get involved and are willing to pay the price for obedience. What are you doing with your opportunities to live faithfully? Seek to please God, thereby inspiring others to change.

Prayer
Our Heavenly Father, we know you are worthy of our faith. We also know you reward those who earnestly seek you. Please help us to see the great cloud of witnesses surrounding us. Help us to be participants, not just spectators, in your plans. Help us to live with opportunistic faith. We pray in the name of Jesus, the Pioneer and Perfecter of our faith, Amen.

Carl Smith
Stephenville, Texas