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September/October 2026
SISTER’S Promise
A harmonious ministry
JESSE IACOVELLI Decorated in grace
A MIRACULOUS
Constitution ‘If you can keep it’
SHOW HIS LOVE TO ALL Especially the rejected
DON’T FEAR THE FUTURE Instead, embrace it
Sister’s Promise members, left to right, are Donna Hayes, Elaine Eoff, and Margaret Witt
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Contents September / October 2026 “Come close to God [with a contrite heart] and He will come close to you...”
Volume 15 | Number 5
— James 4:8 (AMP)
FEATURES
COLUMNS
BRIEF:
COVER STORY
2026 fall prayer walk a family event, with food
13
God’s Great Earth: So many fish!
Culture & Faith: 22 History, A magnificent document
Steadfastness: Its full effect
6
Encouraging Words: Law and politics
“I Get To!”®: Your view of you
Jesse Iacovelli: Decorated in grace
24
His work: No hand-me-downs
27
Unbarred hearts & homes: God’s ‘open door’ policy
28 Real Man’s Toolbox:
8 10 14
Digging Deep: Don’t fear the future
18
The Renegade Psychiatrist: Loving rejected people
26
Season of change
30
IN EACH EDITION DEPARTMENTS Sister’s Promise:
Ministering in harmony
Publisher’s Corner: Help my unbelief
16 Bible Blanks:
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A group of these…
4 Understanding Relationships:
5
13 Biblically
12
Relationship walls
Responsible Investing: Little white box approach
COVER PHOTO By Paul Hey
CONTRIBUTORS
Larry Banta, Steve Bertel, Daniel Bobinski, Rick Chromey, Tom Claycomb III, Roxanne Drury, Joan Endicott, Doug Hanson, Leo Hellyer, Eric Hentnik, Rosie Main, Dave McGarrah, Gary Moore, Mark Naito, and Bethany Riehl
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Christian Living is committed to encouraging and instructing individuals in their daily lives by presenting stories of people in the Treasure Valley who are living on a foundation of faith in Jesus Christ and who serve as uplifting examples to others. Views expressed in Christian Living do not necessarily represent those of the publisher. Every effort has been made by Christian Living to insure accuracy of the publication contents. However, we do not guarantee the accuracy of all information nor the absence of errors and omissions; hence, no responsibility can be or is assumed. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2026 by Christian Living Ministries Inc.
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Christian Living | September / October 2026 3
PUBLISHER’S Corner
Lord, I believe; help my unbelief
unbelief, if I were to be transparently honest. I, too, Recently a pastor friend, Jimmy Hutchings, did a had been “tested to exhaustion”, “bruised by disapsermon titled “I do believe, help my unbelief” that pointment; worn down by waiting; scarred by years really spoke to me. His quotes used in this column of unanswered questions.” Coming out on the other are done so with his permission. side to a new normal, where for the first time in my “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark life, I was living alone. In all my years, I’ve never 9:24b NKJV) lived alone. It comes from the parable in Mark 9:23-25 NKJV I never doubted for one moment that God has where a boy’s father came to Jesus asking for healing for his possessed son. always, and continues to, love me. He proclaims Jesus said to him,“If you can believe, all things that loudly – He sent His one and only Son to die are possible to him who believes.” for each and every one of us – but I was emotionImmediately the father of the child cried out ally exhausted to the point of being numb. Realizing and said with tears,“Lord, I believe; help my this I had begun to pray, asking for clarity and relief unbelief!” from this numbness. After all, He has not released When Jesus saw that the people came running Sandy Jones me from the calling He placed on my life nearly together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to fourteen years ago – I desperately needed to be able it,“Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and to think clearly, and see life plainly again… and he had my pastor enter him no more!” friend, Jimmy, send me the recording of the sermon he delivered to “Have you ever believed something and yet doubted at the same his congregation on Sunday, August 2. time?” Jimmy challenged his congregation. Dear reader, if this speaks to your heart, please let me reassure Jimmy continued, “Maybe at one time you believed that God you that God has not moved. He knows you. He knows your heart. loved you, but that life had become so hard that you wondered if He He hears you. He knows you’re getting tired, or that you’re already had forgotten you. If you’ve ever felt that way on some level, then exhausted. Please trust me when I tell you this: while I believe that you have something in common with today’s story.” “He [this father] had faith, but his faith had been tested to exhaus- I am now on the upswing, I also know that there are lessons I’ve learned in this most recent part of my journey. I encourage you to tion; it had been bruised by disappointment; worn down by waiting; hold fast to the fact that He IS still on the Throne, is still in control, scarred by years of unanswered questions.” “His faith wasn’t dead, it just simply was tired. And that’s where and He has a plan for you – don’t let go of the hem of His garment. a lot of people are at today. They’re not trying to run from God, If you would like to hear Jimmy’s full sermon, you can do so by gothey’re actually trying to hold on to the smallest little scrap from the ing to https://youtu.be/zW8H-wKUnTM?si=zgzu-THFfSGYg1d0. hem of His garment. They still come to church. They still know the I ask often, and it is with the greatest sincerity – please frequent Bible. They may still whisper prayers, but there are days when the our advertisers and thank them for supporting Christian Living heart is saying, ‘Lord I know You can, I’m just struggling to believe Magazine. If it weren’t for their support we simply wouldn’t exist. that You will.’” We love them and think you will too! Jimmy reminds us all that, “A weak faith in an Almighty God is Until next time……. n still stronger than any confidence placed in the things of the world. Faith is not the absence of doubt.” Again, this sermon really spoke to me. Honestly it’s been a really Informative, long 3 years, and the last 7 months of trying to come to grips with Entertaining my new normal had taken a toll on me. A toll on my thought pro& Inspiring cesses. A toll on my perception of reality. And yes, I worried, a toll Listen “Live” on my faith. or as a “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” Podcast! I heard Jimmy utter these words at the beginning of his sermon, and my ears perked up, something stirred in my heart. Could I possibly not be the only one who felt this way? Isn’t that just like the enemy? He lies to us, and then he tells us we’re alone in this, so all too often we hide it both in shame and fear. Many people reached out to check on us throughout Steve’s illness, and even beyond his passing to see how we/I were doing. I developed a mantra of sorts, because it was too hard to come up with a unique response to each query. The mantra was true, and accurately represented how we/I were making it through each day. “While we don’t know what today holds, we know that God is still You’ll find Christian Living Spotlight on the throne; He’s still in control, and we just need to be faithful to Saturdays at Noon MST do what He has called us to do in this season of our lives.” on 94.5 FM KSPD - Boise’s Solid Talk station! I believe in God. I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s one and only Listen “live” at www.790kspd.com or Son. I believe in The Holy Spirit. Completely and undeniably. And Subscribe & Listen on your favorite streaming service! yet, I’d become afraid to pray, to ask for certain things, due to my By Sandy Jones
4 September / October 2026 | Christian Living
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UNDERSTANDING Relationships
Recognizing your personal relationship walls
The problem is we tend to isolate ourselves from Many of the thoughts in this issue’s column come our spouse and, instead, we run to others to fill those from Debra Fileta. We all come to our marriages with important emotional needs. We often turn to our walls – barriers we possess in need of being broken or family, friends, or even acquaintances, and they taken down. Things we’ve used to protect ourselves, become the people we open up to rather than the to defend ourselves, and to keep us from getting hurt. person who is most important in our lives. And, once Unrecognized, these walls make a huge impact on the we share our emotions with someone outside our quality of our relationships. marriage, we have less of a need to share them within Sigmund Freud identified 17 patterns of behavior the marriage. So, the more we vent to others, the less people exhibit to defend themselves. He referred to we find ourselves desiring or needing to share our them as “defense mechanisms.” Some of these are hearts with our spouse. Beware of innocently building healthy and some are unhealthy. Unhealthy defense a wall of isolation between you and your spouse. mechanisms are ways of interacting and behaving that The Wall of Denial. If isolation is failing to share are damaging to our relationships. In this category are our emotions with our spouse, then denial is when isolation, denial, withdrawal, invalidation, displacewe fail to take responsibility within the context of ment, fantasy, and passive aggression. These traits are our conflict. Have you ever been in an argument and often so ingrained in us that we have no idea we’re Gary Moore convinced yourself that this situation has absolutely doing them until someone points it out (namely, and nothing to do with you? Or that you have done nothmost often, our spouse). We have unknowingly built so ing wrong? If you can answer yes to that problem, then you carry the many walls to protect ourselves, but in doing so, we end up harming our wall of denial. Every single problem, conflict, or argument we face in relationships and keeping our loved ones out. our marriages has something to do with us. We might play a huge role Let’s look at four of these. in some situations, and in others we might play a smaller role, but in The Wall of Isolation. Isolation is a common wall we tend to build every conflict that involves two people, both people must ultimately around ourselves. We know how we feel; we just choose not to share those feelings. This wall is found most in those moments when something take responsibility for their portion for there to be a healthy resolution. Every dance, no matter how good, bad, or ugly, always has two dancseems wrong, but no one is willing to talk about it. Maybe we choose to hold back feelings, or maybe we’ve never learned how to express them. ers. Don’t allow yourself to be fooled by the wall of denial, because it But either way, feelings are the deepest part of a person, and the less we will prevent you from moving toward healing. Continued on page 7 share them with each other, the more isolated we begin to feel. By Gary Moore
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Christian Living | September / October 2026 5
ENCOURAGING Words
Worldview clarity: law and politics By Daniel Bobinski
This is the fourth installment in my series on the biblical worldview. So far we’ve covered Theology (Who is your God?), Psychology (Who are you?), Biology (Where did you come from?), Philosophy (What is real?), Ethics (How do we determine right and wrong?), and Sociology (How should we organize society?). In this issue we’ll tackle two more facets of a worldview: law and government.
What Is Government Supposed to Do?
Once we understand where law comes from, the next question naturally follows: What is government supposed to accomplish? According to Scripture, government exists to promote justice, restrain evil, and maintain public order. Romans chapter 13 describes civil authorities as servants of God who punish wrongdoing and encourage what is good. At the founding of America, in his essay Federalist Where Does Law Come From? No. 51, James Madison wrote, “If men were angels, Suppose a state’s legislature votes to legalize someno government would be necessary. If angels were thing that’s always been considered wrong. Does the vote suddenly make it right? Now let’s flip it. What if to govern men, neither external nor internal cona government makes it illegal to do something that’s trols on government would be necessary.” always been considered acceptable? Does making Daniel Bobinski Said another way, government is necessary besomething illegal suddenly make it immoral? cause human beings are sinful. However, the biblical These are debatable questions, but a more fundaworldview says that government must remain limited. The same sinmental question is, “Who has the authority to define justice?” ful nature that makes government necessary also makes concentrated In a biblical worldview, the ultimate lawgiver is God. Human political power dangerous. governments may pass laws, but the real issue has to do with moralAmerica’s founders understood this well. That’s why they designed ity. With that, you’ve probably heard people say, “You can’t legislate a system of divided powers and separated our nation’s judicial, legismorality.” That statement may sound logical, but it’s wrong, because all laws are based on morality. The real question is, “Who’s morality lative, and executive authority. One question often asked is, “Should Christians become involved are we going to legislate?” in politics?” Personally, I’ll let the founders answer that question. If laws merely reflect the opinions of politicians, judges, or society’s Records show that 55 of the 56 men who signed the Declaration majority, then they can change whenever public opinion changes. of Independence had strong Christian affiliations, and 11 of the 13 Today’s right can become tomorrow’s wrong. Scripture presents a original states required office holders to publicly declare a faith in different picture. God’s laws flow from His character, and since God biblical principles. does not change, His moral principles do not change, either. Their reason for this requirement was not to create a theocracy. The Bible teaches that God reveals His moral law in two ways: They simply believed that someone was more likely to be ethical and general revelation and special revelation. Romans chapter 2 tells us that God has written His law on the moral in the performance of their duties if they believed in an allhuman heart. This is general revelation. Even people who have knowing God who was aware of their motives and intentions. never opened a Bible possess a conscience that bears witness to basic Christians in politics should never create a theocracy. A Christian’s moral truths. This is why virtually every civilization recognizes that participation in politics is about protecting the liberties of and pursumurder, theft, and perjury are wrong. ing justice for all people – because all people are made in God’s But conscience alone leaves gaps. It tells us theft is wrong, but not image. how a society should structure courts, weigh evidence, or punish proportionately. That’s where special revelation comes in. Scripture Why Unified Thinking Matters gives us specifics that conscience cannot. Law and politics are inseparable because one naturally flows from As an example, the Ten Commandments name concrete dos and the other. If law is merely a human invention, then government don’ts. Then there’s the Mosaic law, which establishes actual legal becomes society’s highest authority. But if law originates with God, protections, such as one standard of justice for rich and poor alike (Leviticus 19:15). It also sets limits on retribution. An “eye for an then governments must be accountable to Him. eye” created a cap on punishment, thus curtailing escalation. Personally, I believe Christians should avoid two opposite errors. The biblical worldview permeated early American culture, which One is withdrawing from public life as though politics doesn’t matis evidenced by our founders taking extra care to state that rights do ter. The other is treating politics as though it matters more than the not come from government, but from our Creator. gospel. Unfortunately, a growing number of people are taking the opFollowers of Christ should vote thoughtfully, engage respectfully, posite position, saying rights come from government. The problem pursue justice faithfully, and always remember that no political with that? If governments create rights, they can remove those rights party, elected official, or government program will ever accomplish whenever they want. what only Jesus Christ can do. Consider how law factors into non-biblical worldviews: Our hope rests in the King whose justice never changes, whose • Secular humanism generally treats law as whatever the state authority never fails, and whose kingdom will never end. n declares it to be. • Marxism sees law as a weapon of class struggle. By the way, if you’ve missed the earlier installments in this series, • Postmodernism (critical theory) often views law as merely a you can find them under the “Columns” tab at ChristianLivingpower structure imposed by those in authority. Mag.com. Just search for “worldview.” • New Age thinking makes each individual the final authority. As you can see, without a transcendent Lawgiver (God), justice Daniel Bobinski, Th.D., serves as Education Director at the ultimately belongs to whoever possesses the greatest power. When Biblical Studies Center in Boise, Idaho. Reach him at Daniel. that’s the way laws work, law no longer restrains power; it beBobinski@BoiseBSC.org. comes power.
6 September / October 2026 | Christian Living
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Personal Relationship Walls Continued from page 5
The Wall of Withdrawal. The wall of withdrawal is the tendency to run away instead of deal with the issues that need to be dealt with. It’s that “fight or flee” mentality when we’re faced with a difficult situation and must make a decision on how we’ll handle it. And typically, there are two kinds of people in this world: those who fight and those who flee. Fighting is an important part of a healthy relationship because fighting is a natural consequence of two different people becoming one. And fighting can be done well. What is more concerning in a marriage relationship is a person who is constantly fleeing uncomfortable emotions or evading difficult conversations. People who never argue or disagree are typically people who are withdrawing and avoiding conflict rather than dealing with it head-on. But you can hold back the hard conversations for only so long before the dam of bitterness breaks and the floods of contempt destroy your marriage. Continually withdrawing from a relationship is far more dangerous than any conflict could ever be because it can signify fear, an inability to deal with difficult emotions, or even apathy. Don’t let the wall of withdrawal keep you away from the most meaningful relationships in your life. The Wall of Fantasy. Fantasy is another subtle wall we tend to build around ourselves, quietly running to it when life gets too hectic to handle. Fantasy simply means anything we use to escape from the reality of life. It can be sexual in nature and blatantly harmful, like pornography or sleazy romance novels. But it can also be something more benign and “acceptable,” like working too much, spending too much, or eating too much. It can come in the form of something meaningful, like a hobby, ministry, or career. It can be something less meaningful, like social media, video games, or binge-watching Netflix. But one thing is clear about the wall of fantasy: it allows for something less important to take the place of what’s most important – your marriage. It’s an outlet for escaping from reality when you should be engaging in reality. It’s found in those moments when you know you should be talking, communicating, and interacting, but instead you choose to escape. Beware of the wall of fantasy, because it often creeps in and takes over in such a subtle and unrecognizable way. Recognize your walls so that you can deal with them and have a healthy marriage. n
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Christian Living | September / October 2026 7
GOD’S Great Earth
So many fish they’re begging to be caught By Tom Claycomb III
Tom’s neighbor, Dave Kohler, uses a down rigger which helps him get down deeper to the kokanee. (Photo by Tom Claycomb III)
8 September / October 2026 | Christian Living
Okay, you’re going to have to show me a little grace on this article. I’ve had to cover pressing topics since January so I haven’t been able to write a peep about fishing since the November/December issue. So I’m going to be like a squirrel running around an acorn tree trying to gather all the acorns in one pass! Outdoorsmen are over-the-top blessed to live in Idaho. I’ve had some awesome fishing trips before, but this year was truly over-the-top. Let’s cover some of the highlights. Before I start though, let me list a few frustrations. I planned on hitting the crappie 2-3 times per week this spring, fishing for walleye, turkey hunting, and the list went on and on. There were so many good things going on that I didn’t get to hit the fishing as hard as I wanted. I guess that’s not a bad thing – it just seems like there’s not enough hours in the day. I got selected to be one of the writers to tour the Pulsar/Sellmark plant, then hog hunt on their ranch with their thermal gear. How could I turn that down? Then at the last minute, I got asked to do two seminars and a demo at the Sawtooth Survival Gathering up in the Sawtooths. Then I had to hit the Professional Outdoor Media Association Convention that was held in Minnesota this year. Then I helped with a Rodeo Bible Camp over in Colorado. In May, I attended the Scooter Youth Hunting Camp, which takes a lot of planning. Then in July I had to hit the iCAST Show in Orlando, which is the largest fishing show in America. I helped out lining up the Treasure Valley Men’s Conference, which was held August 29 at The Center at the Canyon County Fairgrounds. I had four people setting up outdoor booths so it had an Idaho outdoor flavor. Ed Sweet oversaw the Turkey booth, Scott McGann the Elk booth; Jim Combe did the old Winchester and old trap display, and I did the Knife booth. We held some great drawings: elk hunter, turkey hunter and a knife package, as well as a drawing for a Swedish handforged ax. So this event took a lot of time. And the list goes on and on. It’s all good BUT the crappie were attacking kids at the school bus stops and I needed to be doing my civic duty to thin them out! So in a nutshell, this year the fishing has been awesome, but I haven’t gotten out as many times as I wanted to. Well, let’s hit the highlights.
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On my first crappie trip I took a couple of the 2-3 of those trips; but then at the end of August Bowden boys that I go to church with. We caught after the TV Men’s Conference, bow season something like 168 fish. Three days later I took their opened. Then I drew a coveted Owyhee bull tag. dad and their 12-year-old brother. We netted 268. Then on top of all of the above, Katy expected About 10 years ago me and Ron Spomer netted 243, me to mow the grass at least once this summer, which at the time was the most I’d ever caught. as well as plug holes in the roof and other minor A few days later I took Orin and his son. I got held distractive tasks like that. up helping my daughter so we didn’t get a jig into the CHRISTIAN TIP #11: I love the old saying, water until 6:15. I thought, “Well, the fishing should “I’ve found out the harder I work, the luckier I be good, but we won’t set any new worldwide reget.” But I’d like to add to that: “I’ve found out cords.” Tom Claycomb III the busier that I am, the more opportunities I But by 7:30 we were hitting them pretty good; and pass by and never see.” by about 8:30 I told them, “Let’s try to break the new Used to be that at the SHOT Show I’d schedule record of 268 and get 275.” We hit that by 9:15. So I told them, breakfast meetings, more meetings every half hour all day, and 2-3 “Let’s hit 300.” We needed to pull up and take off by 9:30 so we could hit the dock and get the boat loaded. We netted 300 in 3 hours deals after the show. Now I try to keep a few minutes free every day for God to intervene. and 15 minutes. Unbelievable! Here’s the kind of stuff I’m seeing. I took a 10-minute break to I’ve had some awesome crappie fishing trips in Idaho/Oregon before, but this year has been incredible. As I type this, I’m trying to run up to the press room for a cup of coffee. A guy at the table had the logo of a knife magazine on his shirt, so I asked if I could write get a few articles submitted so I can slip in one more crappie fishing trip tonight. If you’ve never crappie fished, you’ve got to go. We have a knife article for him. Well, this guy was also an editor, so he roped in a guy passing by and told him to give me an assignment. Wow! I large numbers and they’re great eating. worked several assignments while on a 10-minute break. To add to the chaos, the kokanee bite has lit up, as if fishermen So hit it hard, but don’t be so busy that God can’t intervene, or weren’t already busy. My neighbor Dave and I went two weeks ago that you run right past opportunities or someone who is hurting. and had a lot of hits, but had trouble netting them. Then in July (I’m trying to work on this myself.) n while I was at iCAST, Dave called and said he had smoked ‘em. I flew home and we took off the next Wednesday and really got into them and limited out. I’ve got to hit them once more – but then For more information about anything in this column, contact what about backcountry backpacking/flyfishing? I want to do at least Tom at tomclaycomb3rd@gmail.com.
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Christian Living | September / October 2026 9
HISTORY, Culture and Faith
A miraculous Constitution, ‘if you can keep it’
Franklin believed those events bore the unmisOn June 28, 1787, America’s future hung takable fingerprints of Divine Providence. by a thread. The Constitutional Convention in PhiladelThe question phia had reached a feverish pitch. For nearly Then Benjamin Franklin asked a sobering six weeks, delegates had argued behind locked question: doors over the future of a loosely confederated “Have we now forgotten that powerful group of thirteen states. Large states demandFriend?”5 ed greater representation, which the smaller Quoting Matthew’s Gospel, Franklin continstates resisted. Northern interests clashed with ued, “If a sparrow cannot fall to the ground Southern concerns. Political philosophies without His notice, is it probable that an collided, while personal pride and regional empire can rise without His aid?”6 Essentially, loyalties threatened to overwhelm the common if Divine Providence had guided America good. through a revolutionary war, why would these The delegates initially assembled in May to delegates now attempt to establish a nation revise the Articles of Confederation. Instead, without Heaven’s wisdom? they found themselves confronting far greater Franklin recommended that each day’s questions. Could thirteen fiercely independent proceedings begin with prayers seeking “the states become one nation? Could freedom assistance of Heaven” upon their “delibsurvive without restraint, civility, and order? Photo: Wikimedia Commons erations.”7 Not every delegate likely shared Could a stronger national government be created Franklin’s theology. But it’s clear the oldest Founder had without sacrificing liberties? reminded his colleagues it’s impossible to build a civic and orderly By late June, frustration filled the room. Some delegates questioned whether the Convention should continue. Others wondered if republic without reliance upon a Higher Intelligence. it might be better to adjourn and admit failure. The response Many felt if the gathering collapsed, the American experiment in Franklin’s proposal was never adopted by the Constitutional self-government might fall with it. Convention. No chaplain was appointed, nor did the delegates The turning point begin each day with prayer. Yet less than two years later, the First That’s when the eighty-one-year-old Benjamin Franklin slowly Congress under the new Constitution did precisely what Franklin rose to speak. had recommended. One of its earliest acts was the appointment of Franklin was the elder statesman of the Convention. Age and official chaplains to open each day’s proceedings with prayer – a illness prevented him from speaking at length, forcing him to have tradition that continues to this day. another delegate read his remarks. Yet whenever he stood to speak, Within days, the Convention recessed for the Fourth of July the room listened. Few Americans possessed greater influence or celebration. Delegates returned home to visit family, attend church, international stature. and reflect upon eight years of American independence. When they For weeks Franklin had watched the Convention drift toward reconvened in Philadelphia, the difficult issues remained. Large failure. states still argued with small states. Northern delegates still negotiEvery day seemed to produce more disagreement than progress. ated with Southerners. Strong personalities still clashed. Yet the Delegates spoke past one another. Old friendships strained under Convention gradually entered a different season. political pressure. The unity forged during the Revolution appeared Instead of walking away, the delegates stayed. Instead of defending to be slipping away. only regional interests, they increasingly searched for national solutions. The Connecticut Compromise resolved the question of repThe observation resentation. Agreements emerged concerning the executive branch, Franklin began with an observation every delegate recognized as while the framework for the federal judiciary gradually took shape. true: The Convention had been “groping” blindly “to find political One by one, obstacles that had seemed insurmountable gave way truth,” he stated. Even worse was their inability to distinguish that to practical solutions that no single delegate – or even one political 1 “truth” when it was presented. That’s when Franklin asked a quesfaction – could have crafted alone. tion that shifted the focus from politics to Providence: “How has it happened, Sir, that we have not ... once thought of The signing humbly applying to the Father of Lights to illuminate our under2 On September 17, 1787, thirty-nine delegates signed the Constitustandings?” tion of the United States. Franklin reminded the delegates it wasn’t too many years ago, in They signed – not because they agreed on everything – but bethe struggle for American independence, the Continental Congress cause they agreed on enough. had begun its sessions with prayer. “When we were sensible of danAmong those delegates was Dr. Benjamin Rush, one of the most ger,” he recalled, “we had daily prayer in this room for the Divine brilliant minds of the Founding Generation. He knew their convicProtection.”3 tions, rivalries, ambitions, and faults. He understood how unlikely Those prayers, Franklin insisted, had not been mere ceremony. it was that such a diverse collection of personalities could produce Nearly every man present had witnessed what he called “frequent a document capable of uniting thirteen fiercely independent states. instances of a superintending Providence” favoring their cause. To Rush, politics alone could not explain what had happened in Their prayers, he declared, “were heard” and “graciously anPhiladelphia. swered.”4 Years later, Rush reflected upon the Convention with words that To the old Philadelphia printer, those words were not pious have echoed through American history: rhetoric. They were history. The Revolution had succeeded against “I do not believe that the Constitution was the offspring of inspiraastonishing odds. An inexperienced army had defeated the most tion, but I am as satisfied that the Union of the States, in its form powerful military on earth. More than once, the cause of indepenand adoption, is as much the work of a Divine Providence as any of dence appeared hopeless, only to survive. By Dr. Rick Chromey
10 September / October 2026 | Christian Living
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the miracles recorded in the Old and New Testament.”8 Rush was careful. He did not claim the Constitution was written by God’s finger, like the Ten Commandments (Exodus 31:18). Rather, he believed Divine Providence had worked through imperfect men to accomplish an extraordinary purpose. In his understanding of history, that is often how God works – not by removing human weakness, but by accomplishing His purposes through it. Whether one agrees with Rush’s conclusion is, of course, a matter of historical interpretation.
Political systems change. Governments rise and fall. Constitutions are revised, abandoned, or swept away by revolution. Rush concluded that human brilliance alone could not explain the outcome. He believed, along with other Founding Fathers, that another Hand had quietly guided the Convention through its darkest days toward a result few thought possible. Consequently, as the delegates finally emerged from Independence Hall on September 17, Philadelphia socialite Elizabeth Willing Powel approached Benjamin Franklin with a simple question that has become one the most memorable exchanges in American history. Dr. Rick Chromey of“Well, Doctor,” she asked, “what have we got – a republic or a monarchy?”9 A miraculous document “A republic,” Franklin replied, “if you can keep it.” n But history presents another remarkable fact. The Constitution completed in Philadelphia that September remains the oldest written Dr. Rick Chromey is a historian and theologian who speaks and national constitution still in continuous operation anywhere in the writes on matters of religion, culture, and history. He’s a Lewis world. Since 1789, Americans have governed under one Constituand Clark historian for American Cruise Lines (Columbia and tion. Venezuela and El Salvador have each adopted thirty-six. The Snake rivers) and leads overseas Bible and church history tours. Dominican Republic has written thirty-two. Thailand has had Rick and his wife Linda live in Star. www.rickchromey.com twenty. France has had fifteen. SOURCES: 1. Benjamin Franklin, “Speech in the Federal Convention,” June 28, 1787, in The Papers of Benjamin Franklin, vol. 45, digital edition, sponsored by the American Philosophical Society and Yale University; reprinted in Max Farrand, ed., The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787, rev. ed., 4 vols. (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1937), 1:450. 2. Ibid., 1:451. 3. Ibid., 1:451. 4. Ibid., 1:451-52. 5. Ibid., 1:451-52. 6. Ibid., 1:452; cf. Matthew 10:29 (KJV). 7. Ibid., 1:452-53. 8. Benjamin Rush, quoted in John F. Watson, The Annals of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania in the Olden Time, enlarged ed., vol. 1 (Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co., 1898), 457. 9. James McHenry, entry for September 18, 1787, in Bernard C. Steiner, ed., The Life and Correspondence of James McHenry (Cleveland: Burrows Brothers Co., 1907), 29–30.
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Christian Living | September / October 2026 11
BIBLICALLY Responsible Investing
A plan for both Bible reading and investing
The little white square concept can be applied The sheet of paper has white lettering on a black to planning for the future financially. Regularly background and is sized to slip nicely between pages investing towards your future financial goals is a of my Bible. In the top left corner is printed Revival wise pursuit. When saving for retirement, set up from the Bible and in the top right corner Julyan automatic monthly investment to a Traditional December 2026. Below them, across the top, are IRA or Roth. Quarterly, you will receive a statefour headings of columns listed left to right labeled ment showing the amount you have invested and Date, Worship, Wisdom, and Witness. Each column the overall value of the investment. The statement has 80 rows on the front side of the page with an can serve as your little white square, giving you additional 80 rows on the back side. Everything is in satisfaction that you are taking financial steps for small print to fit on the page. your future. Likewise, invest regularly towards The Date column lists dates and days. The Worother financial goals such as buying a house, a ship column lists chapters and verses from Psalms, while the Wisdom column lists chapters and verses vehicle, or college for your children. Imagine from Proverbs and the Witness column lists chapters the satisfaction you will get when down the road and verses from the rest of the Bible. For example, you can look back and see all the proverbial little in one row is listed 9/15 Tues under Date, Psalm white boxes you’ve checked on the way. Doug Hanson 106:40-48 under Worship, Proverbs 22:15-16 under Reading through the Bible in a year can seem Wisdom, and Acts 17-18 under Witness. overwhelming if we don’t have a digestible plan. In front of each Wisdom, Worship, and Witness Scripture reference is a little white square. After reading the specific passage, I grab Investing for our financial future can also seem intimidating, unless we take regular, doable steps. So, let’s apply the little white my pen and carefully fill in the white square, showing that I’ve read box approach to our Bible reading and to our financial futures, the passage. I feel satisfaction when I meticulously fill in the square with ink. Don’t get me wrong, reading Scripture is the highlight, but starting today! Excuse me now, but I need to check one more box I view filling in the little white square as the exclamation point! Over on my Scripture reading! n time I can look at the sheet and see the squares I’ve filled in and feel confident that I’m consistently and deliberately reading through Doug Hanson is a financial advisor with Christian Wealth God’s Word this year. Management in Boise, Idaho providing biblically responIn Worship, I read verses speaking of God’s glory and power. In sible investment advice to Christians. For more information, Wisdom, I read encouragements of how to live life well, and warnvisit investforthegloryofgod.com or contact him at ings for those who don’t. In Witness, I read God’s unfolding story doug@christianwm.com or (208) 697-3699. across Scripture of creation and redemption. My success in reading the Bible in a year hinges, however, on reading it regularly. When I Investment advisory services provided by Creative Financial miss a day or two, I make it up quickly before I fall too far behind. Designs, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor. Securities are ofAnd this is where the power of the little white box comes in. It chalfered through CFD Investments, Inc., Member FINRA & SIPC. lenges me with what I haven’t read and rewards me for what I have! 2704 South Goyer Road, Kokomo, IN 46902, (795) 453-9600. I’m looking forward to the end of the year when I see all the boxes Christian Wealth Management LLC is not affiliated with CFD filled in, knowing they represent consistent time in God’s Word, being impacted by Scripture daily. Investments, Inc. or Creative Financial Designs, Inc. By Doug Hanson
12 September / October 2026 | Christian Living
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2026 fall prayer walk a family event, with food Image by Alexey Hulsov from Pixabay
The Caldwell Fall Prayer Walk will be held Saturday, October 17, starting at 3 p.m. at the Caldwell Memorial Park. People may stay at the park to pray if that is their preference. “We walk around downtown Caldwell, starting at the park, then we move on to the police department and continue on to city hall to pray for the mayor, city council members, and other leaders,” said prayer walk organizer Arlene Robinett. Following the stop at city hall, the group moves on to Indian Creek Plaza to pray for Caldwell businesses, then it is on to the fire department to pray for firefighters. The list of prayer recipients also includes schools and colleges, all students, teachers, bus drivers, and secretaries. Continued Robinett: “We pray for a day shelter, for food insecure people, and for all peoples from all walks of life to have a good life. We pray that the gang members will be ministered to and find Jesus in each of their lives so they’ll become good citizens. We pray for all government leaders and for our country to have God be number one in priority in America. We pray for a revival across our land.” Finally, the prayer walkers return to the park for a potluck meal. This year, fried chicken and water will be provided. This is a family event for people of all ages, stressed Robinett. For more information, call or text her at (208) 391-8516. n
BIBLE BLANKS by Steve Bertel
Fill in each answer, one letter per square. Then arrange the letters in the highlighted squares to reveal the name of … IN THE GNT, ONE OF JESUS’ PARABLES FEATURES A GROUP OF THESE 1. The Apostle Paul said: “The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the ___ of ___.” OF
2. Proverbs compares a ___ ___ to “a north wind that brings unexpected rain… ” 3. What the ark was built of
4. Second Timothy reminds us that “All Scripture is given by ___ of God …”
IN THE GNT, ONE OF JESUS’ PARABLES FEATURES A GROUP OF THESE… ANSWERS: 1. ARMOR of LIGHT (Romans 13:12) 2. SLY TONGUE (Proverbs 25:23) 3. CYPRESS WOOD (Genesis 6:13-14) 4. INSPIRATION (2 Timothy 3:16-17) And in the GNT, one of Jesus’ parables features a group of … YOUNG WOMEN (Matthew 25:1-11)
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Christian Living | September / October 2026 13
“I Get To!”® Choose my view—about me, too! Dear Young at Heart, this is the fourth in the“ I Get To!”® series with GiGi & Joy. I pray you personally enjoy these, while also sharing these stories and life lessons with the little ones you love, as well. May it connect with all ages, offering moments of compassionate conversations that serve to ground every heart, regardless of age, in the timeless truths of God’s Word. ~ Joan
By Joan Endicott
Joy leaned against the worn wooden fence, resting her chin on her arms as she watched Gideon chew. The big, gentle horse lowered his heavy head, blowing a soft, warm breath against Joy’s open hand to politely ask for another apple slice. “It feels like everyone in the world has an invisible label on them,” Joy whispered quietly, handing him another piece. “Like, ‘that girl is the pretty one, the boy running fastest is the best athlete, and the one humming is the greatest singer.’” GiGi stood beside her, gently brushing hay from Gideon’s thick mane. Joy let out a sigh, her AI generated art submitted by Joan Endicott shoulders slumping. “People are always putting those shiny tags on each other. But when I look at myself, GiGi... I don’t see any tag at all. It just makes me feel like maybe I’m not really that good at anything.” GiGi patted the horse’s strong neck. “Do you know what Gideon’s name means, my love?” Joy shook her head. “It means mighty warrior,” GiGi said softly. “But the man named Gideon in the Bible didn’t feel mighty at all. He felt like the smallest, weakest person in his whole town. But it didn’t matter who people thought Gideon was, or that he didn’t have any shiny labels to show them. God’s label was the only one that mattered, and God looked right at his heart and called him a mighty warrior.” Gideon nudged Joy’s empty hand with his soft velvet nose, completely unaware labels even existed, simply grateful for her kind heart. Joy left a soft kiss on Gideon’s broad forehead. Then, with arms wrapped around each other, they walked slowly back to the garden swing, soaking in the bright patches of color. GiGi reached out and took both of Joy’s hands, looking right into her eyes. “Oh, my sweet girl,” GiGi whispered. “Labels are just tiny, sticky things people use when they don’t know just how big and beautiful each person really is. But those labels are a trick. They make us think we have to earn our place in the world.” Joy sniffled quietly. “But what if I don’t have a thing I’m best at?” “Do you love looking at a beautiful sunset?” GiGi asked. Joy nodded. “Does the sunset have to be good at math for you to think it’s wonderful?” “No,” Joy said, a tiny smile touching her lips. “It’s just a sunset.” “That’s right,” GiGi smiled softly. “And what about Princess? Does she have to win a trophy for us to want her sleeping right here on our laps?” Joy thought of her sweet pup. “No. We just love her because she’s Princess.” “And that is exactly how God loves you,” GiGi said gently. “His love has absolutely nothing to do with what you look like or what talents you have. He doesn’t love us less when we make mistakes, or more when we do great things. We can’t do anything to earn His
14 September / October 2026 | Christian Living
love—it’s already there—and it never changes. He loves you simply because that is who He is, and you are His.” GiGi gently squeezed Joy’s hand. “Do you remember one of our favorite stories about the little wooden people called Wemmicks?”* Joy nodded slowly. “The ones who spent all day giving each other stickers. Gold stars for the pretty or talented ones, and gray dots for the ones who made mistakes, or couldn’t jump very high.” “And do you remember Punchinello?” GiGi asked softly. “He was covered in gray dots,” Joy whispered, her eyes fixed on the grass. “He thought he wasn’t a good Wemmick because of what other people said about him.” “But then he met a friend named Lucia,” GiGi reminded her. “Do you remember what was so special about her?” Joy’s eyes brightened a little. “She didn’t have any stickers at all! The stars and the dots just fell right off her.” “Yes,” GiGi smiled. “Punchinello wanted to be just like her, without any shiny stars or gray dots. So he went to see Eli, the woodcarver who made him. And what did Eli tell him?” Joy took a slow breath. “He said the stickers only stick if you let them. And that Punchinello was special just because Eli made him, no matter what the other Wemmicks thought.” GiGi’s warm smile comforted her. “Exactly, my love. Our Creator feels the exact same way about you. The labels people try to stick on us don’t matter—unless we let them.” “But these feelings feel so HUGE, GiGi! Even if I don’t want them to matter… it feels like they still do!” Joy’s voice caught in her throat. GiGi held her close. “I’m so sorry, angel-girl. I feel those huge feelings, too, and it’s painful.” They simply sat for a while. Then, GiGi hummed softly and finally asked, “Do you know what fickle means, Joy?” Joy grinned. “No, but it rhymes with tickle!” She reached down and tickled the bottom of GiGi’s bare feet. They both warmly welcomed the laughter. GiGi caught her breath and smiled. “It means that even though our feelings are very real to us, we cannot trust them to be true.” She tapped Joy gently on the nose. “Feelings feel big and powerful, but that doesn’t mean they are telling the truth.” “Remember the other night when I told you I saw a huge shadow of something on the garden wall?” Joy nodded, her grin returning. “And we went outside with the flashlight and found out it was just that little stone turtle sitting on the stump in the flowerbed!” They both chuckled. “That’s right,” GiGi said. “The yard light was hitting him just right, and it stretched his shadow all the way up the wall. My first feeling of being scared was very real! The shadow tricked me into thinking something was there that wasn’t.” GiGi gently tucked a piece of hair behind Joy’s ear. “Our feelings can be just like that shadow. They look and feel huge in our minds, and they can make us feel very small or afraid of things that aren’t real. But when we shine the light of God’s truth on them—well, we see things for what they are.” “Yeah, a silly little turtle!” Joy laughed. Joy let the truth wash over her as the swing swayed gently back and forth. It felt nice not to need a shiny label. Yet, as she looked down at the wildflowers scattered through the garden, another tangled thought floated in. “Sometimes I look at other girls and think how pretty they are… and I’m not,” she said quietly. “And others are way more talented. Then I feel like there isn’t much special left for me.” GiGi drew her closer. “Oh, sweetheart, I understand. Comparison whispers that someone else having more means there is less for you. But God’s goodness never runs out.” She let the quiet hold them for a moment. “Sometimes those funny little feelings make us think God’s gifts are like one small pie—if someone gets a big piece, there won’t be
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Joy looked from the red flower to the little purple enough for us,” GiGi said. “But someone else’s one. beauty doesn’t take away yours. Their gifts don’t “So I get to be glad for the wonderful things God make your gifts smaller. Someone else shining does gave them, and be glad for the wonderful things He not make your light grow dim.” gave me, too.” Joy picked a tiny purple flower growing beside a GiGi rubbed Joy’s back. “Yes, my love. Just like tall red one. lighting someone else’s candle takes nothing from “So the tall red flower doesn’t steal any beauty yours, someone else’s beauty or gifts never take from the little purple one?” anything away from yours. God’s goodness is never GiGi smiled. “They can both be beautiful at the divided into pieces—it overflows to each of us. same time because God imagined each one different“And He gives us all those wonderful blessings so ly. And you know, flowers never compare themselves we can be a blessing to others,” GiGi added softly. to each other. The little purple flower doesn’t look “When a cup overflows, it means there is more than up at the tall red one and wish it were taller. It just it can hold—so much that it spills over to everyone brightly blooms exactly as God designed it to.” Joan Endicott around us. God’s love, joy, and hope are like that. Joy studied the tiny petals resting in her hand. “I Isn’t that just like our loving God?” (from Romans 15:13) almost didn’t notice this one.” Joy smiled as she handed GiGi the purple flower, leaning into her. “Does being smaller or harder to notice make it less beautiful?” “Then ‘I Get To’® choose my view—about other people, and about GiGi asked. Joy shook her head. “No. It just means I needed to slow down and myself, too.” really look.” “And what a beautiful view that is,” GiGi whispered as she kissed GiGi’s eyes softened. “Sometimes we need to do that with ourselves, the top of Joy’s head. too.” * Reference: You Are Special by Max Lucado. n Joy was quiet. “What do I do when those feelings tell me I’m not as good as someJoan Endicott is a keynote speaker, coach, and author. Her faith-cenone else?” she asked. tered message, “I Get To!”®, has encouraged people in over 30 coun“When you start hearing those thoughts,” GiGi said, “ask yourself, tries to make a simple shift in perspective and discover the miraculous Is this feeling telling me the truth? Feelings may visit us, but they life they already have. To receive a FREE copy of her book and ongodon’t get to decide what is true. We get to answer them with what ing encouragement, visit JoanEndicott.com and follow @JoanEndicott. God says and tell those ugly lies to leave us alone—’cause this isn’t their home!” Dear readers, thank you for your encouraging words about the GiGi & “And God says He made me wonderfully,” Joy said. Joy series. Please email me with what you’re enjoying and any ideas for “He certainly does.” future topics at Joan@JoanEndicott.com.
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Christian Living | September / October 2026 15
Glory to God
Sister’s Promise: Ministering in Harmony “Gospel music is in our souls, It’s always been a part of our lives.”
~Elaine Eoff
The three members of Sister’s Promise include, from left, Donna Hayes, Margaret Witt, and Elaine Eoff. (Photo by Paul Hey)
16 September / October 2026 | Christian Living
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COVER STORY By Steve Bertel
Dozens of Bible verses encourage us to praise and glorify God through our music and singing. Many are in the Book of Psalms. Verses like Psalm 9:2, “I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.” Or Psalm 9:11, “Sing praises to the Lord who reigns in Jerusalem. Tell the world about his unforgettable deeds.” And that’s exactly what Sister’s Promise, a Caldwell, Idaho-based female gospel trio has been doing for years. They perform everywhere from small country churches to large concert halls. And their audiences have ranged from several dozen to several hundred to several thousand. “Gospel music is in our souls,” said Elaine Eoff (pronounced “oaf”). “It’s always been a part of our lives.” In fact, it’s been a part of their lives for decades. Elaine is 81. Donna Hayes is 71. And Margaret Witt is 64. All three were raised in the Treasure Valley, back when dirt roads and family farms and grange halls were commonplace. “I started singing when I was a little kid,” Margaret recalled. “My mother used to play a lot of old Southern gospel records when I was growing up. And I just loved that music! I couldn’t get enough of it. I wanted to sing all the time!” “I used to go around the house singing, even before I could barely talk,” said Donna. “I started playing violin when I was in the fifth grade, started piano lessons a few years later, and starting playing and singing in church a few years after that. Music was everywhere in my family. I think it was almost genetic.” Ditto with Elaine. “I would listen to the radio and sing to it. I’d sing with my sisters. I’d sing with my aunt. I’d sing with my mother.” And she’d sing in church – both as a soloist or with her teenage friends. “I learned to harmonize in our church,” she added. (By the way, she’s known affectionately as “Miss Elaine,” a throwback from her Texas roots. “We lived in Texas for some fifteen years. My family, friends, and everyone there just called me ‘Miss Elaine.’ Years later, when I taught at West Canyon Elementary School in Caldwell, the students there started calling me ‘Miss Elaine.’ So that just became my name!”) They all agree their longtime musical talents have been gifts – blessings – from God. All have been soloists and previous recording artists; Donna and Elaine are both songwriters; Donna is a music teacher and church choir director; Elaine is a vocal coach and keyboard instructor; and Margaret has performed with many church music teams. So how did they meet? Well, some may say they met by accident. The women say it was all part of God’s plan. For six years, from 2005 to 2011, former Treasure Valley Christian radio station owner Steve Sumner organized the weekly Gospel Jubilee (originally known as Gospel Opry) which, according to the trio’s promotional poster, celebrated “the gospel by bringing together music lovers from various churches in the Treasure Valley.” The concerts were held at the Nampa Civic Center in its 640-seat theater. At the time, each woman was performing pretty much on her own. “One day, when Steve was looking for people to perform as groups on stage, he put the three of us together. So we started singing in the Jubilee as a trio,” Margaret explained. “Steve was the catalyst for bringing us together, but it was really God’s doing. And we just ‘fit.’” Elaine added. During their Jubilee years, the trio either opened for or performed in the same shows as a number of nationally-known gospel/country singers who came to the Treasure Valley to perform at the event, most notably Grammy- and multiple Dove Award-winning recording artist Dottie Rambo; Lulu Roman, of “Hee Haw” fame; Stella Parton, Dolly Parton’s sister; and Barbara Fairchild, who began her career as a country singer with the 1973 #1 hit “Teddy Bear Song.” “And then, when the Jubilee disbanded in 2011, we just carried on as a trio,” said Margaret.
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But, when they started practicing together and thinking about performing together, the women knew they needed a name. “We were familiar with the [nationally-famous Southern gospel trio] The Ruppe Sisters, now known as just The Sisters. They have amazing harmonies, amazing voices,” Margaret stated. “And, at the time, we happened to be singing a song about promise. So I asked the girls, ‘What do you think about the name Sister’s Promise?’ We all liked it. So that’s what we started calling ourselves. We aren’t blood-related like The Ruppe Sisters, but we are sisters in the Lord.” That was back in 2011. And the “sisters” have been singing professionally together ever since. As for their musical style, Margaret described it this way: “We do gospel for sure. We also do Southern gospel favorites. And patriotic numbers as well.” In fact, according to Donna, they have some 100 songs in their repertoire. “Everything from old standards like ‘Farther Along’ and ‘Are You Washed in the Blood?’ – we have a great three-part harmony on that one – to more contemporary favorites like ‘I’ll Keep on Praying’ and ‘Daystar (Shine Down on Me)’.” They perform throughout the Treasure Valley at church services, funerals, memorials, senior care centers, “Summer in the Park” events, at Boise Rescue Mission fundraisers, and even at patriotic gatherings honoring military veterans. “I worked at the Salvation Army for quite a few years, and we’d do annual veterans’ programs there,” Donna said. “I was on the organizing committees, and also emceed the events” – in addition to performing with her friends. “After the shows, people would call us, asking us to perform at other veterans’ events as well.” Their concerts are true family affairs. While the women are performing on stage, in the spotlights and in front of audiences, their husbands are working behind-the-scenes, handling equipment set-ups, running the sound board, and handling all the lighting and engineering logistics. “The guys are wonderful in supporting us,” Elaine pointed out. The women don’t actively promote themselves on social media; they don’t even have a website. Most of their bookings and appearances have come through word-of-mouth. In addition, they’ve recorded three CDs – two of gospel selections and one of Christmas songs – but they handle all the marketing themselves, offering the CDs for sale during their public appearances. “We sing whenever God opens the door,” they said. “And He’s been faithful in opening doors for us.” To date, the largest event where Sister’s Promise has performed was at the annual God and Country Festival in Nampa in 2021. “We sang ‘The National Anthem’ and performed a number of songs in front of thousands of people there!” Elaine and Donna recalled. But, regardless of the venue or audience size or whom they have shared the stage with, the trio’s performances are always a ministry. “It’s important for us how our music can minister to people – not only through our singing, but by [our songs] touching people’s hearts,” Elaine stated. Donna agreed. “Our main goal is to minister to people, to get The Word out, and to comfort those in our audience who may be going through tough times. In fact, people have come up to us after our performances to tell us how our songs have really blessed and uplifted them.” And even though, through their music, they’ve comforted and touched countless audience members, they remain humble. Or, as Elaine put it, “We’re just local country girls singing praises with all of our hearts.” “Yes,” Donna added. “We’re sisters in the Lord embracing God’s promise of salvation. To all of us.” n
Christian Living | September / October 2026 17
DIGGING Deep
Don’t fear the future – anticipate it
three nations, but drawing in the surrounding Every day the headlines seem to grow darker. Wars Middle Eastern nations as well. The military moveand rumors of wars, rising global tensions, economic ments, strategic alliances, and ideological hostility in uncertainty, natural disasters, and moral confusion the region align with incredible precision with what dominate the news cycle. When we open our phones the prophets foretold millennia ago. I’m reminded or turn on the television, we are bombarded with a again: we are living in Bible times. constant stream of crises breaking across the globe. It’s these kinds of ingredients, layered on top of the From shifting geopolitical alliances to fracturing sopolitical division and disappointment all around us, cial structures, the world feels increasingly unstable. that cause us to wonder: Will I ever live in a world For many, conversations about Bible prophecy that offers real peace and security? Humanity has have become intertwined with fear, speculation, tried for centuries to construct lasting peace through and endless attempts to connect current events to diplomatic treaties, international alliances, and pothe end times. It is easy to become overwhelmed by litical movements, yet every human effort eventually the sheer volume of alarming commentary, leadfalters under the weight of human sin. ing many believers into a state of chronic anxiety or The Bible says, “Yes.” Real, lasting peace is comdespair about where human history is heading. ing, but it will not be brought about by human diYet when the New Testament speaks about Christ’s Pastor Dave McGarrah plomacy or global government; it will be established return for His Church, its emphasis is remarkably by the Prince of Peace Himself when He returns to different. Rather than inspiring panic, the promise of reign. the rapture is presented as a source of hope, comfort, and joyful anDeep inside us, there is a sense of something more in life that drives ticipation. The primary purpose of prophetic Scripture is not to drive us on. No matter what experiences you’ve had, no matter how wonus into survival mode or cause us to retreat from society in fear. It is derful they were, they were just a glimpse of what is still ahead. Even not intended to fuel anxiety about tomorrow but to anchor believers our best moments on earth – moments of profound joy, love, beauty, in the certainty that Jesus Christ will keep His promise. or accomplishment – leave an underlying whisper that there must be When the apostle Paul instructed the believers in Thessalonica something greater. You are homesick for a place you have never been regarding the Lord’s return, he concluded with a clear directive: before, and that place is Heaven. You were wired this way. “Therefore comfort one another with these words” (1 ThessaThe Bible says that God has put eternity in our hearts (Ecclesiastes lonians 4:18). Prophecy was given to steady our hearts, clarify our 3:11). There is a sense inside of us that there is more to life than this. purpose, and remind us that history is firmly in God’s hands. That’s what keeps us moving forward. We were created for an eternal We just returned from a short but significant trip to Israel. There relationship with our Creator, which is why finite earthly pleasures is an undeniable gravity to walking through the land of the Bible, can never permanently satisfy our souls. where ancient history and contemporary prophetic fulfillment It’s something like the homing instinct we see in the animal intersect. While I was there, I had a chance to stand on the Temple kingdom – salmon making their way upstream with unshakable Mount and gaze at the Mount of Olives. Looking across the Kidron determination, or the swallows that return every year to San Juan Valley toward that iconic ridge, it is impossible not to feel the weight Capistrano. It’s a homing instinct that drives them. Without maps of redemptive history. or compasses, these creatures navigate thousands of miles across vast It was on those very slopes that Jesus wept over Jerusalem, where distances because their Creator coded an innate destination within He prayed in agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, and from where He ultimately ascended into heaven. I found myself recalling the end- their very nature. We have the same thing, but ours is a homing instinct for a place times briefing Jesus gave His disciples in Matthew 24-25 – and it was we haven’t seen yet. It is a homesickness for Heaven. Until that day, a meaningful thing to consider what He said, while standing right nothing will completely satisfy our lives. Every longing we experience where He said it. for perfection, justice, wholeness, and unbroken fellowship is actuThat briefing was heavy with hope, but also carried a warning ally a yearning for our true home. No matter what happens to us on about how we ought to be living our lives now. Jesus did not give His earth, it pales in comparison to this great hope. disciples a breakdown of future events merely to satisfy their curiosThe apostle Paul wrote: “For our present troubles are small and ity; He gave it to shape their character and sharpen their vigilance. won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly He repeatedly urged them to watch, be ready, and remain faithful outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the stewards while waiting for His return. troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that I came away with that on my mind, while the current situation in cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the Middle East was making plenty of noise in the background. The the things we cannot see will last forever” (2 Corinthians 4:17–18). word everyone was using – Iran, the U.S., Israel, and every news This is the hope of believers – the hope of a place called Heaven. outlet covering it – was “escalation.” Meaning we should expect an Paul did not minimize human suffering, but he possessed an eternal ongoing and increasing involvement with Iran, not limited to those By Dave McGarrah
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perspective that contextualized every trial. In light of eternity, even the heaviest earthly burdens become lightweight and temporary. There is a better world ahead. There is something greater than what we’re experiencing now. This is what Jesus was talking about there on the Mount of Olives. And that briefing on the Mount of Olives raises a question I get often – what did Jesus actually say to His disciples that day about the rapture, the Tribulation, and the Church? It’s one of the most misunderstood passages in all of prophecy, and some teach that Jesus said the Church will endure the full seven years of Daniel’s 70th Week, Great Tribulation included. This view often creates unnecessary dread among Christians, leaving them fearful that they will have to endure the terrible outpouring of divine wrath described in Revelation. I don’t believe that’s what the text says – the Scriptures consistently teach that believers are saved from the coming wrath of God (1 Thessalonians 5:9), and that Christ will rescue His Bride before the final period of judgment falls upon an unbelieving world. I’ve written a companion piece walking verse-by-verse through Matthew 24-25 to show why. Knowing that our redemption draws near shouldn’t cause us to step back from the world, but rather to press in with greater urgency and love. We are called to share the gospel, serve our communities, and reflect the light of Christ in an increasingly dark culture. You and I are here for “such a time as this.” God intentionally chose for us to live in this exact generation, equipped with His Spirit and His Word to make an eternal impact. Live with great expectation! Do not let fear paralyze your faith or steal your joy. Why? Because you can almost hear the footsteps of the Messiah! n Under the leadership of Dave McGarrah, Master Minded Ministries has spent nearly two decades reconnecting believers with the deep Jewish roots of their faith. Through educational outreach, immersive trips to Israel, and the interfaith radio program The Teacher (Rabbi) and The Preacher, the organization actively bridges the gap between Christian and Jewish communities. By combining advocacy with leadership development in partnership with groups like Christians United for Israel, McGarrah’s ministry continues to foster stronger biblical understanding while standing firmly in support of Israel. The flagship event, Tuesday Night Live, returns on September 8 at 6:30 p.m. and is held at Nampa Christian High School.
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TECH & Faith
Tech in your body … just science fiction?
It will be tough at first as you find yourself wanting to News flash! Flip/smart/portable phones, etc. are all grab your mini-computer, but day after day you will “mini-computers” that happen to have phone capabilifind life starting to happen. ties. The bonus is you will start your journey on learning The question is: would you allow someone to put how to live without so much screen time; and when technology, like a mini-computer, into your body? we’re asked to put technology in our bodies because the Most will say no…absolutely not! mini-computers no longer exist, you will be ready! But when it does happen, I think most will [do it] and When I’ve talked to people who have done this I’ll explain why. More importantly, I’ll explore how it experiment, they always say the same thing: “It was will affect your faith journey. so nice not to be tethered to that mini-computer. I felt God continues to challenge me in my own personal such peace.” journey with screens. If you have not heard my past stoAfter that period, people want to remain on this jourry, I’ll share it again in brief... When I was a single guy ney of peace and have deeper relationships with others. (over 20ish years ago), when Apple first came out with Recently, my family and I have dove into the Word. the iPod, iPad, iTV, iPhone – I had all of those! It was One study was around what is important to God. In prior to everything being so connected and seamless, that we discovered that humans are the most important and this was during a period of time when I told people thing to Him. In Genesis 1:26 from NKJV, it reads, Mark Naito I was “busy” and had no time for additional ministry “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image...” things like singles groups, serving ministries, etc. And at the same time, don’t forget who rules this world Sure, I was a product marketing manager (worked long, 12-hour days is not God but satan. Ephesians 6:10-20 reads “…for we do not wrestle at times) for an international company based out of France that had an against flesh and blood, but against the rulers of the darkness of this operational company in the U.S. And I sang in the choir at Kingdom age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places…” Life Christian Church in Milford, Conn. But I still had time to do other However, the world keeps telling us – and especially with screens – that things – if I eliminated screen time. we have little to no value. The “third person” – mini-computers – has What could have happened? Could I have eliminated some of my more value and importance. Just look around you in the store, restaulonely times? Could the Lord have opened up more doors for His work? rant, your family, and even your church community. There will ALCould I have experienced more miracles in my life? These are just a few WAYS be a smartphone/flip phone/screen present. things that COULD have happened. Scripture says to “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). I’m sure many know this, but companies and the government have Another study we did was about peace in the storm. In Isaiah 26: “In been using technology that has been implemented into humans, accordthat day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah: ‘We have a ing to an article in the magazine, Artificial Intelligence: The Second strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks’.” Wave. It is being used to perfect the ability for humans to function as In Isaiah 26:3: “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds a mini-computer (cell phone) – or any technical device we use today – are steadfast, because they trust in you.” inside our bodies. So, if we need to look up something, we just say, “I am These Scripture verses are something we are promoting to make your interested in finding out more information on ‘xyz’,” and up pops in your home a sanctuary, and minimize the screens within them. We all get vision some information to glance at and then decide where to go from screens outside of our homes. So why bring them into our homes? there. My hope is that you continue to eliminate the things that easily distract What? That’s science fiction. How is that possible? you – even with good content – so that the Holy Spirit can move in your And how does that affect our relationship with the Lord? life and provide more opportunities to experience His love. And in this Think about this… In trying to type up this article to be emailed to journey you will see more of His work and hopefully join in on what He the editor of this magazine, I’ve already checked my email, did a quick is already doing. internet search for a church, and unsubscribed from a few unnecessary Remember… Choose in-person relationships over screens and put the email communications. But my only intention was to write up this article mini-computer away. n and email it off since I’m a day past the deadline. However, in the past when I’ve handwritten the article, I am only Mark Naito is passionate about helping people by seeking ‘root focused on writing the article with a periodic bathroom or snack break. cause’, providing result-oriented solutions and good outcomes. My challenge to you? Take a two-week break from your personal screen time, starting at when you clock out until the next day. And on the His passion has always been to empower others to be educated to make their own informed decisions on what makes sense for weekend take a 100% break. themselves or their family. He started Navigating Tech Family What you’ll find… You’re forced to find things to do, and I would have a list of things ready. For example, have a physical journal with pen, toward that goal. He is a family man with a beautiful wife and kids and loves doing life with his family in the outdoors. He may have some communication games like Ungame, get sticky note pads for around the house and out of the house, and get ready to live life again. be reached at mark@navtechfam.com. By Mark Naito
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WHEN trials come
‘Let steadfastness have its full effect’
By Bethany Riehl My parents used to have this sign that made me giggle immaturely every time I saw it: This Too Shall Pass Why did it make me giggle? Because the parents that I inherited my immaturity from had it posted in their bathroom. Forgive me for beginning this article with such a crude joke. What can I say? It’s the beginning of the ‘ber months and I’m giddy for the school year to start and our routine to be back in place. What I have to say isn’t crude at all. About a year ago, sitting in a circle with our life group, we were discussing what it takes to cling to the Lord through a trial. The phrase quoted above was mentioned (and I held my immaturity in check, don’t worry). The words “get through it” kept coming up, until finally, a man in our group spoke up and silenced us all. You know the type – he sits quietly, listening, and almost never says anything and when he does, it’s immensely profound? Yeah, it was that guy. That night he said, “What do you mean, ‘Get through it’? Hardship is not something thrown into our path that we’re supposed to get around or bear with until we’re past it; it’s part of the course set before us. We need to run it.” I blinked. He was absolutely right. Recently I read an update for a family we have been praying for in a very hard situation. They stated that they don’t want to “hit the eject button” on this trial but want to “let steadfastness have its full effect.” ( James 1:4) Isn’t that just exactly what our prayer should be in difficulty of all kinds? That we would be shaped and purified and come through our trials more like Christ? Have you ever heard the story of a woman going to a silversmith to better understand Malachi 3:3? (“He will sit as a refiner and
purifier of silver…”) She asked him if he really had to sit there and watch the silver in the fire. He answered yes, he did. It had to be in the flames long enough to be purified, but not so long that it was destroyed. When she asked how he knows when it’s purified, he answered, “When I can see my face reflected in it.” God uses this imagery often in Scripture. He even says, “The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the LORD tests hearts.” (Proverbs 17:3) We were made to reflect Him. To glorify Him. For our sake He does it this way sometimes – through difficulty. To be like Christ is the highest aim for fullness of joy, contentment, and peace. But He does not take His eyes off of us. He is not out to destroy us, only purify. Christian, we should have more hope, joy, and assurance than anyone on earth. Jesus promised us that in this life we will have hardship – more so if we belong to Him. After all, our Savior endured immense suffering, beyond all of our imagining, on the cross. But He also promised those who belong to Him eternal life. “For this light, momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:1718) This doesn’t mean that we don’t feel the weight and pain of suffering. Read the psalms – David is very open about his pain and fear and weariness. But again and again he reminds himself of God’s character. He abounds in grace, mercy, patience, and love. Psalm 145:9 declares, “The LORD is good to all, and His mercy is over all that He has made.”
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When Christians suffer, we can remember one very precious thing: Jesus bore our suffering on the cross as well as our sins. One pastor compared it to a cupbearer drinking wine before the king. Our good and gracious Savior drank the cup of our suffering before it ever came to us. He knows our every burden, fear, and hope. (“Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows…” Isaiah 53:4a) And nothing – not a single molecule on this earth or in the heavens Bethany Riehl – is outside of His sovereign control and will. And what He wills is for our good and His glory. When we pray to be more like Christ, God is gracious to answer. And that will include suffering as He Himself suffered. But just as He is now seated at the right hand of God, we also will one day be with Him, in a place where there is no more suffering. Our risen King has already accomplished this great victory and someday soon, we will enjoy it in His kingdom with Him. For now, there is a course set before us. It’s different for everyone and sometimes you’ll hit a steep hill and really have to grit your teeth and dig in to get to the top. And sometimes at the top, there’s another hill to climb. Other times you’ll walk through flat, pleasant trails that offer rest and reprieve. One day we’ll fall at His feet and catch our breath at last, having finished our race. Until then, know this – He’s with you always (Matthew 28:20), He’s endured your suffering already, bearing the full brunt of if before it ever reaches you, and He will not leave or forsake you. We might not know why what is happening is so, but we know Who He is. And we can rest in His perfect character. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1) n Bethany Riehl lives in the Treasure Valley with her husband, kids, and a dog. She writes articles and fictional novels when she can, and her one desire is to point others to the love and sufficiency of Jesus Christ.
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JESSE Iacovelli
A body decorated with symbols of grace
Jesse Iacovelli sits with his dog, Gimli, at Farewell Bend Park in central Oregon. Jesse, his wife, and their children now live in Star, where Jesse works as a faith-based tattoo artist. (Photo by Taylor Iacovelli) By Gaye Bunderson
Throw away all the tattoo stereotypes that course through your brain, and instead, hear about Jesse Iacovelli, a man who says of himself: “I am covered head to toe.” His body may be a version of a fully tattooed man, but his spirit is 100% connected to Christ. By his own admission, he was not raised Christian as he was growing up, many of those years in Phoenix and Philadelphia. “I came from no religious background,” he said. But he became a Christian in 2018, following a spiritual search that included Catholicism, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and other religions. He describes himself as an inquisitive person who needs an explanation for everything. “If you say the sky is blue, I can see that it’s blue, but I want to know WHY it’s blue,” Iacovelli said. His ultimate exploration of Christianity started with the same inquisitive I-need-to-know-all-about-it mindset. It also started when he met a girl, Taylor, who is now his wife. Taylor was quick to invite him to explore her Christian faith. A committed church-goer, she asked Jesse, “Can I talk to you after church?” He replied by asking, “Can I go to church with you?” That day was a pivotal Sunday for the couple – and especially for Jesse. “It was like the pastor was talking to me,” he said. There was an altar call that day and Jesse didn’t hesitate to go forward: “I marched up there!” He remembers it as a positive experience, but he still had questions – hard ones, such as, “Why do babies die?” and “Why do kids get cancer?” He met the right pastor that day – a man who did not shy away from difficult questions, but who invited Iacovelli to meet with him regularly, throw all his hard questions at him, and he would use the Bible to supply answers. Iacovelli was about 25 at the time and is now 33; he believes the pastor who helped provide him with so many answers to his questions is now retired. But back then, when the pastor would provide a Scripture to guide the young man, Iacovelli would write it down, then go and read the full passage. “I literally went and studied it at home,” he said. “He discipled me, and I gave my life to Christ. For everything I asked him, he had a scriptural answer.” Iacovelli lived much of his life in Pennsylvania, where his father owned a tattoo shop. Subsequently, his son had always been interested in tattoos, and in someday being a tattoo artist himself. But the beginnings of his life were not easy and didn’t set him on any kind of course to become the Christian he is today. “I came from an abusive, drug-filled, separated household. I lived with my mom, a severe alcoholic, where I was physically and emotionally
24 September / October 2026 | Christian Living
abused. When I was 10, I was getting so physically abused that I packed a blanket in my school backpack and stopped and got water at a 7-Eleven; then, when school was out, I slept in the playground. But I look at it now as ‘God was watching out for me’.” A buddy of his alerted his own mom to Jesse’s situation. The woman came to him at the playground after school and said, “I don’t want you staying outside anymore.” She sat down with him and told him, “You are welcome in our home. You can live there, be there, no questions asked, you are welcome there.” The woman’s name was Diane, and Iacovelli still talks with her to this day. “She saved my life,” he said. When young Iacovelli’s mom got wind of the arrangement, “She came over and started screaming at Diane: ‘You’re not going to take my kid!’ I said, ‘I’m going to stay here!’ I wouldn’t go home and bear the brunt from my mom.” He would occasionally stay at his mom’s house … until one time when he was 13. She kicked his bedroom door in, gripped him by the neck, and started screaming at him. He was uncomfortable telling the next part of the story and said, “I don’t want to sound like I abuse women, but this one time, I slapped my mom in the face – only that one time and that changed it.” Iacovelli told his mother he was going to go live with his dad; he did, and the reason his mom didn’t prevent it was because his father paid her child support, so she said okay and didn’t make a fuss about it. She basically took the child support payments and let Jesse go. He said that even to this day she has chosen a life of drugs over a normal life. Neither of Iacovelli’s parents have said much about his new life of faith. He continues to be estranged from his mother and said his father is an easygoing man who allows others to make their own choices about what is right for them. His dad did tattooing since 1994, but he is now retired. Iacovelli is trying hard to be the parent he never had. He and Taylor now have two sons and a daughter. “We’re giving the kids the life I never had as a child. We are working to build a great life and marriage for our kids’ sake.” Taylor is a registered nurse and Iacovelli works daily at a tattoo shop, as he always planned. He calls the fact he was able to work for a Christ-centered shop in the Treasure Valley named Atonement Tattoo a “divine appointment.” He had moved West, starting in Chandler, Ariz., where he worked for Salt & Light Tattoo and had asked the owner, “How do you do this in a setting so demonic?” The tattooers at Salt & Light told him he was free to share his testimony. They were comfortable with their faith, and the owner himself told him, “‘I’ll bring you on and you can use my station’. I found out there was a home for believers that were tattooers; they could express their faith through art and not so much the demonic. I won’t put any tattoo on somebody that goes against the Bible.” He then came to Oregon and Idaho. “Through tattooing, I ran in the same circle of friends [as the owner of a local tattoo shop]; some of my buddies told me to reach out to a guy named Matt. When I called him, he said he had just spent 30 minutes to an hour praying about opening a faith-based tattoo shop called Atonement Tattoo.” After Iacovelli got the job at Atonement, he was adamant about what he would tattoo on skin and what he wouldn’t. And he was backed up by his new employer. “I quit at a shop I was at when a lady wanted a tattoo of a burning church,” he explained. “I told her, ‘I can’t to that.’ The owner said, ‘Just do the tattoo, then you don’t need to be here’.” So he quit. “I knew I was going to be a tattooer since I was 4 years old. I left that shop.” He said he went through a phase when he asked himself, “Do I really want to do this?” He explained that, “Tattoos can be demonic; it’s all about being a free spirit, and things like crystals.” Now, at Atonement Tattoo, he is once again free to pursue his love of skin art. Is there really art involved in tattooing? Well, Iacovelli knows all the terms necessary for his works of skill, creativity, imagination, and even beauty. Such as:
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• Black and gray realism: “It’s like if you took a color photo of a flower in your garden, I can make it into a black and white tattoo onto your skin. I’ll make anything as long as it’s not satanic; and I won’t make a tattoo of anything worshiping the creation rather than the Creator who made it all.” • Neo traditional: “It includes every color under the sun. It’s not traditional but exaggerated. You don’t just have, for instance, a plain brown horse.” • Fine line lettering: “You use a very fine needle. It’s calligraphied writing. You’re taking the alphabet and making it elaborate. It’s like graffiti. My background in Philadelphia helps me with the graffiti look – there was a lot of graffiti there!” When he first started going to church, he admits he made others uncomfortable with his prolific body art. “It’s kinda funny,” he said, “when I first started going to church, I got side eyes [a sidelong glance expressing disapproval or even contempt] and many ‘you shouldn’t be here’ looks.” But a shift in at least one couple’s focus happened while Iacovelli did tats at Salt & Light. “While I was working at the Salt & Light shop, there was a couple who would look at me, and then look away; they were getting tattoos. Eventually, the man came up to me and said, ‘You go to Scottsdale Bible [Church], don’t you? Can we go outside and talk?’” Surprisingly, the man wanted to apologize to Iacovelli, telling him, “I had seen you at church, and in my flesh I was judgmental. Then you gave your testimony during a service and it broke my wife and me. We felt in our spirits that we had been judgmental, and that we were wrong.” They were sincere in their apology to that point that, “They were crying and giving me hugs.” said Iacovelli. Jesse, Taylor, and their children just moved to the local area about eight months ago; they moved into their home in Star two days before Christmas 2025. Atonement Tattoo is based in Star. As of early June, the couple was church-hopping in search of a church home, and they were excited about a Calvary Church coming to the community of 20,000 to 25,000 people. They hoped to find a church comfortable with tattoos, or at least willing Jesse Iacovelli of Star to learn to be comfortable. For those who haven’t seen Iacovelli in person, he is easily recognizable when one knows that, by his admission, he has “all loves both tattoos and his Christian faith, so he sorts of stuff” inked on his body. But before anyone hops on the judgment train, be informed that his tats include the followcombines the two to make ing, in his own words: “My back has historical events of Jesus’ life; my head has Golgotha, and I have a crown of thorns on my body art that glorifies head. I also have a sacred heart on the very top of my head.” God. He draws from His wife is adorned with a small tattoo that says, “Be still,” from a favorite psalm. While his children aren’t old enough for the Bible for his topics, tattoos yet, and they maintain a fully judgment-free outlook on them as kids do, they nonetheless enjoy their dad’s body art in such as John 19:25 and a very typically childlike way. “When they ask, I let them get a marker and color on my tattoos,” their father said. n Isaiah 11:6. (Photo provided by Jesse Iacovelli) Jesse Iacovelli can be found on Instagram @Jessetattooer.
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Christian Living | September / October 2026 25
THE RENEGADE Psychiatrist
The power of love toward rejected people
for them so they end up wandering the streets. They It was the last stop of that long Christmas day. It end up in jails, nursing homes, prisons, and homeless started about 3 a.m. and now it was about 8 p.m. shelters. Some of the more fortunate are able to get I had preached Christmas messages in several vilinto a caring group living situation in which they can lages in southern India earlier in the day and now get the needed medications and help they need – and finally I was at my last stop. We parked the Jeep someone who actually cares for them. Most larger and entered into the humble dwelling. This was a cities have a Christian city mission, working with the special village. All those living there were suffering from leprosy and this had caused some rather homeless, drug addicted, and mentally ill. We have severe deformities in the people. the Boise Rescue Mission that started in 1958. The I was at first taken aback, not sure how to restaff, motivated by love, deals with all kinds of bizarre spond, but the love shown toward us as we entered and difficult behaviors. Using the available resources overcame any doubts that I had about joining for medications, therapy, and addiction treatment, them. I preached a short message about the meanmany of these lives are transformed by the power of ing of Christmas and Jesus’ humble beginnings. love. We shared communion with them. Deformed hands with missing fingers, some with no fingers Stabilized on medication, many severely mentally at all, reached for the communion elements, which Dr. Larry E. Banta ill are able to improve to the point that they can lead we helped them with. These people were truly productive lives even if not able to work. One of my rejected by society but fully accepted in God’s Kingdom. The love former patients, suffering from schizophrenia, spent much of his the missionaries and local pastors showed for these folks was powerful and transforming. I was impressed by this and wanted to emulate life working with churches to help them understand and deal with the severely mentally ill in their congregations. There are programs this type of love: loving those whom the world had rejected. through Christian Medical and Dental Association (cmda.org) and Over the years in work/ministry I was led into opportunities to the American Association of Christian Counselors (aacc.net) to assist work in orphan care, foster, and adoptive care. I also served those with severe persistent mental illness, as well as many with incurable congregations in meeting the special needs of those afflicted by these neurologic illness. My mission statement gradually became: To serve disorders of the brain. Though not suffering from leprosy, many feel Jesus by reaching out to the rejected and abandoned of this world, as though they are. God’s love can change that! showing them God’s love and mercy. God’s love is truly active and powerful. It reaches to the lowliest 1 John 4:7-8 says: Dear friends, let us love one another, for love places on earth and to the high and mighty. It brings healing and comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and forgiveness, transforming lives, giving meaning and purpose, creatknows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because ing disciples from even the deepest depths of darkness. God is love. In past articles we have considered joy and peace. Now let’s con“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you sider this powerful transforming love, another part of the gift of the with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ Holy Spirit we see in Galatians 5:22. Those of the world tend to love may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, those who love them and tend to ignore or hate the others. God’s being rooted and established in love, may have power, together love goes above and beyond, even as far as loving one’s enemies and with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and pursuing the ones the world ignores. high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that God first demonstrated this kind of love as shown in 1 John 4:9: “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:16-19). love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son As Christians, we are to be known by our love: the incredible, as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” powerful love that comes only from God. It is not just a feeling but Let’s take a look at some ways that this powerful love has transit is active, transforming lives and cultures. This amazing power is formed lives. Though there are so many examples and stories, there remains a great need to reach out to these unreached people groups. available to us through the Holy Spirit as we put our trust in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. One important outreach is care of orphans and abandoned Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and children. They come into care timid, full of anger, fear, and defensive from the trauma and separation from parents. They were not with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and even thought of as human as they lived on the street; no one cared greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your about them. It takes a while but soon many of these damaged souls neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on respond to the active love and care given to them in a Christ-centhese two commandments” (Matthew 22:37-40). tered orphanage. The ones who express this love are the caregivers God’s power is manifested in the love demonstrated by His diswho, at great emotional and personal cost, love these children even ciples. We must allow His great love to shine in our lives to transform though treated hatefully by them. us and those around us. n The children gradually respond by attaching to the caregivers, gaining confidence, learning to play and to be what children need to be. They have the opportunity, after seeing God’s love in action, to Dr. Larry Banta is an author of several books, a retired psychiaaccept His love and forgiveness. In my experience, some as adults re- trist, and a former missionary. He served in India, Mexico and turn and give back to the home by becoming caregivers themselves. Kenya. He and his wife, Evelyn, a counselor, travel together to I was privileged to watch this transformation in countless children provide consultation and training in various international locaover the years; I could see it was only God’s power and love in those tions. A helpful resource for working with foster and adoptive homes that made the difference in them. children is “Help for the Hurting Child” by Dr. Banta and availAnother area which is often neglected is the severely and chroniable on Amazon. cally mentally ill. Many states have stopped providing adequate care By Larry Banta
26 September / October 2026 | Christian Living
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HIS WORK in us
God doesn’t deal in hand-me-downs
By Roxanne Drury Reflecting the Inside Out Do you remember those days of getting new What we wear externally has no bearing on what clothes for school? How pleased and excited we God is cultivating inside of us. When we “put on were to wear them on that very first day! Somehow, Christ” and surrender to Him in prayer, the inside change eventually shines outward – reflected in it made the whole upcoming school year feel bright a happy heart, a joy-filled spirit, love for others, and full of promise. kindness, hospitality, and the unique good works He But when you think about it, new clothes are prepared for us. merely external. They dress the outside, but what We don’t need to fear the inner changes God is about the inside? making. You are not a hand-me-down creation; you Quite often, my “new” clothes were “new-to-me are His intentional masterpiece, being renewed for clothes”. Oh, it was still exciting, but there was His glory! always the deep-seated dread that someone would notice they were hand-me-downs. On the inside, Key Takeaways I carried a secret fear of being exposed – lingering • Surface vs. Heart: External upgrades only anxiety that I wasn’t wearing the real thing. change appearances, but God’s transformation Roxanne Drury Here’s the good news: God doesn’t offer superfiredefines our identity from the inside out (Ezekiel cial make-overs or hand-me-down fixes. He makes a 36:26-27). profound promise in 2 Corinthians 5:17: “If anyone is in Christ, he • No Hand-Me-Down Faith: God doesn’t give us second-hand is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has grace or leftover purpose; in Christ, every believer is a completely come.” new, intentional creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). • Visible Fruit: True spiritual renewal begins internally in prayer and grace, naturally flowing outward through kindness, love, and New at the Core good works (Matthew 5:16). God’s work in us, once we are “in Christ”, changes everything. Those changes don’t just sit on the surface – they happen deep down Think About This inside us, at our very core. Unlike temporary clothes, God promises 1. Have you ever tried to fix an “inside” heart issue using “outside” a total, transformational work at the heart of who we are. temporary solutions? How did that work out? Through faith in Jesus, God recreates us with intention and pur2. Is there an area of your life where fear is holding you back from pose. Ephesians 2:10 explains: fully embracing the new thing God wants to do in you? “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good 3. How can you allow the inward work of the Holy Spirit to show works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in up in your outward actions toward others this week? n them.” What Jesus did on the cross makes this inner transformation Roxanne Drury is a wife, mother, grandmother, and retired Christian possible. Yet, much like my childhood fear of hand-me-downs, we preschool teacher who served the Lord in children’s ministry for over sometimes resist God’s spiritual renewal out of fear or uncertainty 45 years. She has written a group study guide on Psalm 23, as well as about His plans. other books. She may be reached at glorylandbooks@gmail.com.
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Christian Living | September / October 2026 27
UNBARRED hearts & homes
God works best through an ‘open door’ By Eric Hentnik
Open doors. Seems like God wants to use them in our lives. And it appears they can present themselves in all sorts of situations. Maybe an opportunity we should capitalize on, a way we could reach out to someone, or perhaps even allowing someone to bless us. All of these involve open doors of one type or another. Sometimes, a single story can include all of these, and more. Consider Crystal’s story of how a loving and faithful God made use of some open doors. Raised on the sunny California coast, the carefree beach lifestyle reached out to her at a young age. Before she knew it, she was a teenager dropping out of high school and experiencing the good, not so good, and occasionally, the ugly, that often comes with that life. Eventually, Crystal married a wonderful man named Dan and had three children that she would love for the rest of their lives. Through God’s providence, Crystal had a dear friend named Traci. Traci came to faith in Christ and shared the priceless good news of the gospel with her friend Crystal, who also called on the name of the Lord for forgiveness of her sins and experienced joy in Christ. She and Dan enjoyed providing an open door to all sorts of people who needed a hand, as they welcomed people into their lives as family. Sadly, Dan was taken from her by cancer at too young an age. Crystal’s life went on with some good times, but with the passing of her husband, deep challenges came her way as well. Sometimes, due to naïve choices, and at other times, “life” happening, Crystal experienced some dark and hopeless times. At times she felt like the Lord had abandoned her, but perhaps it was actually that she didn’t want to surrender to Him. Eventually, Crystal’s situation left her out of decent options: angry, frustrated, broken, and in total despair. She was offered an opportunity to come to Meridian, Idaho. And sometimes, an open door is, well… a literal open door; like the one on the bus that wasn’t supposed to let her on without her identification, which had just been stolen with all her luggage as she tried to leave California. Praise God for literal open doors! Sadly, her plans in Idaho did not go as Crystal had anticipated. She found herself with meager resources and no readily available opportunities. Even worse, it was winter, and life without a coat is not pleasant at 16 degrees, which was the low for that January night in Meridian. Crystal found herself walking down Fairview Avenue when she noticed a bright blue and white sign that said, “Westside Bible Church”. A church; maybe someone there could help? She knocked on what turned out to be an open door straight from the Lord. A friendly lady named Nancy “just happened to be there” doing some decorating. Could Nancy possibly help at all? Well, Nancy’s decades on the mission field had prepared her to tackle whatever came her way. A coat? Well, look, there’s one hanging right here that should fit you pretty good. (Never did figure out who that coat actually belonged to…) But Nancy didn’t stop there. She was able to get Crystal in touch with one of the pastors, Eric, and his wife, Jennifer. They took Crystal out to dinner to get to know her better and discern what “doors” they might help her open. They heard a little of Crystal’s story. Here is some of their own: Eric and Jennifer had helped plant a church in Las Vegas, served there for a few years, and had reached out to people in tough spots before. They had also travelled the country during Eric’s military career and had bumped into many people in rough situations. But how do you know when you are supposed to step in? How exactly do you help? When should you show caution? What are you even equipped to do? When is God perhaps tapping you on the shoulder to be His open door? Those are just some of the questions Eric and Jennifer struggled with. After trying to quickly read a woman they had just met, talking between themselves, and fervently seeking God’s wisdom, they asked Crystal if she would like to stay in their home with them for a while. It seemed to them that the Lord wanted to present an open door to Crystal. They didn’t have a large home, but they did have a small guest
28 September / October 2026 | Christian Living
bedroom. It was definitely not high living, but it seemed far better than her other options. Crystal chose to take them up on their offer. Funny thing about open doors… sometimes the door is actually in the heart of the receiver. Crystal could have turned down the offer and kept her heart closed. She’d been hurt plenty of times before. In pride or fear, she could have turned the couple down and just “toughed it out” like she had so many times before. But perhaps God is looking for humility on our part. Maybe we need to drop our pride and crack that door to our deeper parts so we can better experience God’s grace and blessing. Perhaps that’s a good principle for some of us to ponder. Interestingly, what started out as a “soft place to land for a while” has turned into a wonderful two-year stay. Crystal has become like a sister to Jennifer and Eric, whose families are far away. She has walked through other open doors to find full-time employment, sometimes working three jobs at a time. More importantly, she has grown in her gratitude, joy, and appreciation for the priceless truths taught in God’s Word. And at various times of the week, you can find Crystal walking through the open door of Westside Bible Church to make sure there’s plenty of hot coffee to help promote a lively discussion in Sunday School. She wants to help maintain that open door so others can experience the healing she herself received in various ways through the love of The Body of Christ. God has given Crystal a heart to want to give back. She realizes He has blessed her and she wants Him to bless others through her. She has long had a dream of operating a food truck business. She owned and ran a restaurant years ago and loved various parts of that. Over the last few months, the Lord has provided the open door Crystal has longed for, and she has completed all the steps to make good on her business dream. She plans to operate her food truck, “Ma’s Craveable Connections”, (Crystal’s grandson Christopher loves to call her Ma!) in the parking lot of Westside Bible Church at various times throughout the week, as well as doing special events and catering. Part of her business’s mission statement reads, “Ma’s Craveable Connections exists to bring glory to God, encourage healthy relationships, and provide truly craveable foods!” Helped by Jennifer and Eric, Crystal hopes to put smiles on faces as she brings truly craveable creations to the Treasure Valley. She wants to share a taste of each of their roots: barbeque and banana pudding from Jennifer’s Texas home, Philly cheese steaks and Boston crème cheesecake from Eric’s northeast roots, and Crystal whirling her spatula creating something special for everyone. Most importantly, they deeply desire God’s open doors as they offer prayer and the forgiveness of Jesus to people they meet through their business. God apparently enjoys the Open Door metaphor. In the book of John, Jesus declares, “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved…” Jesus isn’t made of wood and doesn’t have hinges, but He is the only door to eternal life. He stated, “No one comes to the Father but through me.” Have you walked through God’s gracious open door? Have you humbly and sincerely confessed with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believed in your heart that God raised Him from the dead? He offers love, life, forgiveness, freedom, and His amazing grace to whosoever will come. And if you have already put your faith in Christ for eternal life, are you looking for God’s open doors around you? How about seeking opportunities to share the gospel with the people He brings your way? Are you asking The Holy Spirit to work through you to provide an open door for someone in need? It sure seems like God wants to use open doors in our lives and it’s an impactful way to honor Him and further His Kingdom. n Note: Eric Hentnik is one of the pastors at Westside Bible Church. He and his wife Jennifer opened their door to Crystal and helped her get her feet back on the ground. Eric is the author of this article and knows from personal experience what it means to be an open door.
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MAXIMUM Health
Don’t neglect the value of balance, mobility
reaching overhead, or getting up from the floor When most people think about longevity, they become more difficult. Restricted mobility can also think about healthful eating, taking supplements, place additional stress on joints and contribute to or exercising regularly. While those are all imaches, pains, and injuries. portant, one of the most overlooked predictors of Balance is equally important. Every year, falls healthy aging is something much simpler: balance are one of the leading causes of injury among and mobility. older adults. The good news is that balance can be The ability to move confidently, maintain stabilimproved at any age. Just like strength and endurity, and stay active throughout life plays a major ance, balance responds positively to consistent role in preserving independence, preventing training and practice. injuries, and maintaining overall quality of life. In Simple activities can make a tremendous differfact, research continues to show that mobility is ence. Walking on uneven trails, standing on one one of the strongest indicators of long-term health foot while brushing your teeth, practicing gentle and vitality. stretching, performing balance exercises, and parThink about the activities that make life enjoyticipating in strength training can all help improve able in communities like Boise: hiking the trails, stability and coordination. biking, golfing, gardening, playing with grandRegular movement also supports another imporRosie Main children, walking the dog, or simply enjoying the tant aspect of health: longevity. Studies consistently outdoors. All of these activities require a foundation of balance, show that individuals who maintain physical function and mobility coordination, strength, and mobility. tend to remain independent longer, recover more quickly from illUnfortunately, modern lifestyles often work against us. Many ness, and enjoy a higher quality of life as they age. people spend hours sitting at desks, driving, or looking at screens. One area that many people overlook is the connection between Over time, muscles become tight, joints lose mobility, and balance mobility and confidence. When individuals feel steady and capable, begins to decline. These changes may happen gradually, but they they are more likely to remain active and engaged in the activities can significantly impact how we move and feel as we age. they love. This creates a positive cycle: movement improves mobilMobility refers to the body’s ability to move joints through their ity, mobility improves confidence, and confidence encourages even more movement. full range of motion with control and stability. When mobility Continued on page 31 decreases, simple activities such as bending down, climbing stairs, By Rosie Main
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Christian Living | September / October 2026 29
REAL MAN’S Toolbox
A season of change most will go through family reunions around funerals. Which is true. Guess what, men? A season of change is upon us. As with all seasons of life – in fact, all events of life The beautiful green leaves on the trees are going – if we will take the time to look, there is Scripture to change color and fall off the trees. The weather available to guide us through each and every chalis going to feel brisker. We are going to see more lenge that we experience. My wife, Norma’s, Life Christmas items in the stores. Just as God gave us Verse (which I like so much it has become my Life different seasons in our natural environment, He Verse) is Philippians 1:6. gave us different seasons in our human existence. “For I am confident of this very thing, that He This edition of Real Man’s Toolbox is going to who began a good work in you will perfect it until provide you with some extremely valuable tools that the day of Christ Jesus.” you will be very happy to have when you experience Men of God, if you find yourself in the position an event you’ll need them for. I am currently going where I find myself – concerned about all the rough through a season of my life where I am using these edges, the shortcomings, the failures – remember tools to process my way through. Philippians 1:6. God will be perfecting us, until He On December 28, 1972, I married my beautiful, calls us home. Yes, we have a responsibility to do loving, caring, understanding, forgiving, 18-year-old our best on our journey, but He is right there with wife. On July 11, 2026, my wife of 53 years and 195 Leo Hellyer us, perfecting us, every step of the way. days entered a new season of her life: she entered The other main Scripture, among many more, her eternal life and is now living in the presence of that we need to search out and apply to our lives God Almighty. She has finished this marathon of life, and now she is during difficult seasons is Ecclesiastes 4:12. receiving her reward. I am so overjoyed for her. She now has a new “And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist body that does everything she wants it to. She is now with God, her him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.” family, friends, and students who preceded her in death. I am sure Christian men, even though we have a God-given responsibility to lead, remember, we do not have to do so in a vacuum. We do she is grinning from ear to ear. not have to do that alone. To be as successful as we can, we need to This change of season has not been as joyful, however, for her friends, daughters, grandchildren – and myself. As a family we were have a rope of many strands. Each of us needs to have a collection of different men we can call upon when we are facing challenges. If we somewhat joking and saying that when you are younger you have will take the time to think, most of us have a collection of acquainfamily reunions around weddings, and when you are older you have By Leo Hellyer
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tances, friends, relatives, co-workers, bosses, Christian men in leadership, and pastors, at our access. Pride, when exercised properly, is a great trait that can build motivation. But we cannot be so proud that we feel we must handle everything on our own. Most of the time, this type of pride leads to stress, anxiety, health challenges, broken men, and damaged relationships. By the grace of God, I had some forceful men in my life (and a few appropriate, caring women) who called my bluff and made it clear that I needed to accept help from others. I am hard-headed, but I do have some valuable lessons learned through the passing of my lovely bride. None of us knows when our last moment on earth will be. Take advantage of every moment you have with people you care about. Is there someone in your life that you have thought, “I really need to get in touch with …”? If so, quit thinking about it. Do it! If you have someone in your life who is approaching the end of their season here on earth, take time to be with them. Time is precious. They will appreciate as much time as you can spend with them. Reminisce with them about the good times. Pick the right times to have the difficult discussions as well. Make amends, if that is needed. Don’t get to the end of someone’s journey and think, “Oh, I wish I had asked about…” or “I wish I had said…” The last few days with my precious Norma, we covered a lot of ground – we talked together, we laughed together, and we cried together. Do not overlook the importance of having close friends of your loved one come and see them near the end. This more than likely will result in needed closure for your loved one, and a smoother journey into God’s arms. Men, stay close to God, know who the foundational men (and women) are in your life. Be humble, accept and reach out to others, and build a strong rope to face those huge challenges. I dedicate this column to my lovely bride of 53 years and 195 days, Norma Willis-Hellyer. Thank you, God, for bringing Norma into my life. n Leo is a widower who was married to his wife Norma for 53 years, and who has served with Boise Rescue Mission for over 26 years.
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It’s Always The Right Time
Value of balance, mobility Continued from page 29
A simple daily routine can go a long way. Consider incorporating: • Daily walks • Gentle stretching • Balance exercises • Strength training two to three times per week • Mobility exercises for hips, shoulders, and ankles • Recreational activities that challenge coordination and movement The goal is not perfection. The goal is maintaining the freedom to do the things you enjoy for years to come. At the end of the day, longevity isn’t just about adding years to your life – it’s about adding life to your years. By investing in balance, mobility, and movement today, you’re building a foundation for a healthier, stronger, and more active future. Your future self will thank you for every step you take today. n For further support with your health goals or more information, go to MainHealthSolutions.com.
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