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Tag: Devotional

Devotional: Learning to trust God’s Armor in all aspects of your life
Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

Devotional: Learning to trust God’s Armor in all aspects of your life

By Drake Hunter | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice During my military career, while on a special task force, I needed to qualify in "high ropes" to master rappelling from skyscrapers, steep mountains or any necessary situation. The training was rigorous in Colorado's Rocky Mountains, especially since I feared heights. Upon our arrival for training, we were introduced to the life-saving tools we would rely on. Many skills were taught and refined during this demanding experience. One particular lesson stood out — whenever a student froze or panicked high in the air, the instructor would shout confidently and with authority, “TRUST YOUR EQUIPMENT!” Most Christians are familiar with the Apostle Paul’s description of God’s Armor, referred to as “The Armor of God,” in his Letter to t...
Devotional: You, too, are equipped with a superpower – gratitude
Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

Devotional: You, too, are equipped with a superpower – gratitude

By DRAKE HUNTER | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Today, superheroes are a huge part of our culture — found in movies, video games, comic books and costumes. Many people are eager to discover heroes to admire, captivated by their astonishing powers and inspiring courage. What sets superheroes apart is their unique abilities. For example, Iron Man utilizes his genius-level intellect and cutting-edge technology, while Black Panther draws enhanced senses and strength from the mystical Heart-Shaped Herb. Wonder Woman wields her Lasso of Truth and a magical sword, the Flash captivates with super speed, and Captain America embodies justice with his iconic shield. Collectively, they represent the superpower of courage, driven by deep appreciation and gratitude. Like the legendary charac...
Devotional: Wearing the ‘Armor of Humility’ as a leader
Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

Devotional: Wearing the ‘Armor of Humility’ as a leader

By Drake Hunter | Devotional, Rocky Mountain Voice Genuine confidence can sometimes feel like a rare gem in a world filled with pride and arrogance. Interestingly, leaders in fields like the military, corporate world, education, politics and faith often struggle to find that solid confidence, especially in an age where neglect, individualism and mediocre leadership are too common. In comparison, factors like DNA, experiences, culture and authority shape our confidence only to a point. Still, the deep-rooted convictions of life establish and sustain humility and produce resilience in the long run. In the previous blog, "The Armor of Belief, Truth, and Trust," we discussed how our life is built on those Godly elements that unlock the most potent secret of leadership — humility. R...
Devotional: Reprogram your thinking to transform your life
Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

Devotional: Reprogram your thinking to transform your life

By Drake Hunter | Contributing Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Most Christians are familiar with the Great Commandment: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). We often talk about the heart — linking it to trusting God’s love — and the soul, which relates to our physical energy and strength. But what about the mind? This oft overlooked part of our being or personhood is powerful and essential to living a life of purpose and impact. Everything begins with the mind — our thoughts shape how we feel, live and respond to the world. For Christians, mindset is about prioritizing the mind over the physical. Picture it this way: The brain is the hardware, a physical tool for processing information; The mind is the software,...
Devotional: Mercy in the power of a pardon must be rooted in truth
Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

Devotional: Mercy in the power of a pardon must be rooted in truth

By Drake Hunter | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice The words "pardon" and "mercy" beautifully complement each other, leading to profound consequences and uplifting experiences. Recent discussions on political pardons reveal the true essence of mercy and underscore the importance of seeking forgiveness in line with God's principles, rather than the selfish and dishonest routes often seen in human behavior. Mercy is a vital manifestation of God’s love, and it has the power to transform lives. The key lies in having faith in God’s mercy to comprehend real mercy and recognize when pardon is justifiable.  President Joe Biden and I share a common experience — not in political views, but in the challenge of having sons who can be foolish and come from privileged backgrounds. My son,...
Devotional: Putting faith in facts
Commentary, Texas Scorecard

Devotional: Putting faith in facts

By Michael Quinn Sullivan | Guest Columnist, Texas Scorecard For far too long, we have allowed the foundation of faith to be relegated only to metaphysical "truth" rather than actual "facts." Indeed, many shy away from talking about the facts of their faith, preferring instead the personally emotive, distinctly modern and substance-free "personal truth" as a guide for conversations.  I’ve grown weary of people talking about their "truth," when what they mean is their disjointed and often irrational opinion.  For generations, we have been told to think of faith in much the same way. It is a purely metaphysical experience, something in which we can "believe" without the burden — or support — of facts. This is emotional hogwash, driven by an intellectual inferiority complex...
Devotional: Embrace the strength of meekness in your bearing
Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

Devotional: Embrace the strength of meekness in your bearing

By Drake Hunter | Devotional, Rocky Mountain Voice What does it mean to have good bearing? It's more than just your posture or how you present yourself in a room — though, that matters. At its core, good bearing is about how you carry yourself through life, particularly in the face of challenges. It's about choosing your words wisely, enduring hardships gracefully and learning from the difficulties that come your way. These lessons, drawn from trials, help to shape us into healthier, wiser people. But, good bearing isn’t just for our benefit; it’s also about influencing others for the better through the example we set in our conversations, actions and relationships. Good bearing means carrying yourself with dignity, composure and confidence — especially in the Lord. It's about ...
Devotional: Look ahead for what is to come, not into the past
Commentary, Texas Scorecard

Devotional: Look ahead for what is to come, not into the past

By Michael Quinn Sullivan | Commentary, Texas Scorecard My high school track coach was of the opinion that the defining characteristic of a good runner was not physical agility but mental focus. His most severe critique was not of a runner’s time but their form. Get the form right, and the times will follow. I’m way past my running prime, but I’ve found that admonition holds true in a lot more than just athletic competition. All these years later, I can still hear Coach Hunt admonishing us. “Don’t look at the track, your feet will find it. Don’t look back; there’s nothing there to care about! Keep those eyes forward! That’s where you’re going!” We all have an almost irresistible desire to look backward. When running, the urge is to see how close the nearest competitor is. But, ...
Devotional: Refined through trials, the gift of suffering well
Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

Devotional: Refined through trials, the gift of suffering well

By Drake Hunter | Devotional, Rocky Mountain Voice Suffering and flourishing may seem like opposites, yet they often walk hand-in-hand. Some of our deepest growth springs up from our darkest trials. Just look at Christian history: Jesus’ suffering wasn’t a detour, but a central part of His journey— and many of His earliest followers faced the ultimate cost for their faith. Their sacrifices remind us that we, too, share in Christ's suffering. When Jesus spoke of drinking of the same cup and being baptized similarly (Mark 10:39), He invited us to follow Him even through suffering, knowing that it has the power to transform us and resurrect us to a new life. So, when suffering hits, we shouldn't be caught off guard. Life inevitably comes with challenges that test us to our core. Stan...
Devotional: The power of words to transform and lift us up
Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

Devotional: The power of words to transform and lift us up

By DRAKE HUNTER | Devotional, Rocky Mountain Voice In recent months, we've been surrounded by a clamor of voices from entertainment, religion and politics. While some messages uplift and inspire, many can lead us astray. It’s crucial to remember that words might seem innocent on their own, but when woven together into thoughts, they can dramatically shape our world —- for the better or worse. Words are more than mere symbols; they carry the weight of thoughts that can transform our lives. If we truly seek healthy change, we must embrace God’s thoughts, which are thoughts of love, peace and hope, and can guide us toward a brighter future for all. This is why it’s essential to let impactful words enter our minds and shape our thinking. True transformation happens when we consciously...