Victory is ours!
A big congratulations goes out to the Kouts basketball team, for winning the 2019 Porter County PCC tournament. This is the first time Kouts has won the PCC tournament since 2011. The Kouts basketball team worked hard all season to earn their place in the tournament. The win on January 24, was not a single victory, but a victory for a team with a goal in mind, working together, to earn their right to be called champions. There were times during these championship games when victory seemed an unreachable goal, but with perseverance, camaraderie, along with team spirit, they reached their goal and retrieved the keg from the other team, and the championship trophy. This victory would not have been possible if they had taken their eyes off of the prize, or had not worked together against a common foe. The waiting is over and the title “champions” has come home to the Mustang corral.
The same can be said about another championship win. This battle was fought by my brother, who beat cancer, but was overcome by the preventative treatments, given to ensure the cancer would not return. It too was a long hard battle, with tiny victories along the way, but with occasional setbacks. Throughout his fight, Dexter never took his eyes off the prize. He believed with all his heart, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13. In the end he could proudly say: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:” II Timothy 4:7, “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” Philippians 1:21. His, is a victory over death, not the first death of the body, but the second death of the eternal soul. He knew no matter the outcome, he would win in the end, and victory would be his. My brother Dexter L. Graves went to be with the Lord January 23, 2019, after a battle valiantly fought against the after effects of cancer treatments.
As parents it is important that we teach our children about a battle that is waging every day of their life. Show them in the Bible where they need to put on the whole armor of God to be prepared to fight this battle for their eternal souls. Explain to them how life is fleeting, but the reward of eternal life is everlasting. Help your children understand to be absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord, if they know Christ as their Savior.
We as authors, often use conflict to help our readers develop an affinity with our characters. In the real world, conflict of one type or another is a daily occurrence. There is an evil that is ever present and vying for ownership of our souls. This is our daily battle that no one can fight for us, and only we can gain the victory in this fight, with the help of Jesus Christ.
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
I John 5:4
For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.
Deuteronomy 20:4
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Ephesians 6:12-13
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
I Corinthians 10:13
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
I Corinthians 15:55, 57