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Burdened by 2025
One of the heaviest loads we bear as humans is grief. Grief is defined as “intense emotional suffering caused by loss, disaster, misfortune, etc.; a deep sadness.” The word comes from the Latin root meaning “to burden,” emphasizing the extreme weight of grief. As a Christian, we tend to reflect on a dark valley, like the one mentioned in Psalm 23. But we also must understand that grief is not an event, but a process. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross defined five stages of grief to include denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Those who suffer loss or devastation may experience all of these stages, or they may transition from one to another or alternate between them. Everyone grieves differently.
As Christians in the U.S., and more specifically Central Texas, we have had a rough few months filled with grief, loss, and devastation!! Not only did our hill country experience one of the largest floods in history, but we lost over 130 people among multiple communities along with dozens of homes, stores, and a surreal way of everyday living here in the Texas Hill Country. We will never return to how things used to be, and we will forever see the scars on the land and on the hearts of the people.
Our country has also suffered from the loss of four influential Christian men who made a significant difference in the lives of millions of people across the world. These losses include John MacArthur on July 14th, James Dobson on August 21st, Charlie Kirk on September 10th, and Voddie Baucham on September 25th. We know that each one of them was welcomed into Heaven and told, “Well done my good and faithful servant.” Unfortunately, we still feel pain and loss because they are no longer here to lead us, guide us, and teach us.
We all have a right to grieve for those we love and cherish. Even Jesus wept for his friend, Lazarus. Crying, resting, reflecting, and sharing memories aids the healing process. We are called to show each other grace while we grieve and express sadness. Grief causes bitterness, emptiness, numbness, exhaustion, and helplessness. But Jesus knows our grief, and He knows our pain, because He has experienced it all. I encourage you to not hide in the valley while you grieve but to take small steps toward the peak of the mountain. While grief is a process, every step you take looking upward will allow you to reach the mountain top and see the journey behind you. We may walk through many valleys in this life but that means more mountain top views when we reach our destination.
I know this season may feel foggy and confusing, but God gives us clarity in His word and through His love. Lavish in them both! We may not understand why we have lost so many great people this year or why we go through natural disasters that devastate families and kill children, but we are told not to lean on our own understanding but to trust in Him and to follow His path that leads us through the valley up onto the mountain top. Know that this season will pass and joy will come in the morning. Let us lift up prayers for our country and for those impacted by the floods in Texas.
Ginger Turner is the Founder and Director of Warriors for God Ministry. She has a Master’s Degree from Liberty University in Marriage and Family Therapy, is a Board Certified Mental Health Coach, and a Christian Life Coach. Ginger recently released her first book, Warrior Through Grace, about the childhood trauma and life experiences that led her to becoming a Warrior for God. Ginger, her husband, and three children reside in the Hill Country of Texas where she teaches and counsels couples, young children, and teenagers. Her focus is on enriching marriages and families, suicide awareness, and coaching the community on Whole Body Wellness. Ginger loves the Lord and lives every day for Him, serving Him in whatever capacity He sets on her path.
My Story was Not Over
It was May 27th, 1998, and I felt like I was living in a deep, dark trench. I was finishing my sophomore year of college but had lost all awarded scholarships because of my heavy drinking and doing drugs nearly every night and weekend. My boyfriend had come home to tell me that he was seeing someone else and I felt broken. It had been less than two years since my brother hung himself because of his own darkness and desperation, creating such anger inside me that nothing I knew could calm the rage. The walls seemed to be caving in on me and I felt so alone. I couldn’t run to my mom and disappoint her. I had pushed away most of my friends, so I had no one to turn to. Plus, I couldn’t stand being a burden on anyone. The only thought that made sense for immediate relief was to escape this life. Through hysterical crying, I tore apart the bathroom cabinet looking for anything that could numb the pain. All I saw was Tylenol, Benadryl, and Aspirin. I found nothing that could really help the intense heartache. “What if I took them all?” I started opening all the packages and bottles and counting their quantities. “This might do it,” I thought. I shoveled a handful of pills into my mouth and swallowed. I put my mouth under the faucet, drank, swallowed, and repeated the process until the bottles were empty. I slid down the wall to the bathroom floor, hugged my knees, and waited. Then my cell phone started ringing. It was a friend of mine I had grown up with. “Hey, I’m having the baby. We are at the hospital, and I need you here,” she said. She was going into labor a few days earlier than her due date, so I listened to her instructions. “What do I do now?” I questioned myself. I had already started to feel a burning in my stomach, but I had to be there for my friend. I forced my finger down my throat and leaned over the toilet to attempt throwing up. All that came out was yellow bile that caused stinging in my throat. It would take me twenty minutes to get to the hospital, so, “Maybe I’ll be okay,” I thought. I grabbed my keys, ran out the door, and raced to the hospital.
Once I arrived, they had already admitted my friend into the delivery room, and she was pushing. I went from pacing the room to holding her hand and encouraging her. As the intensity of labor pains grew and pushing continued, my head was spinning. I pulled up a chair to maintain my balance, but I was feeling sick and very dazed. Once the doctor said the baby was crowning, I leaned over my friend’s bent knees to witness the life being born and I slowly drifted to the floor. The nurse assisting the doctor grabbed my arm and ushered me to the bathroom where I vomited a majority of the toxins being held in my stomach. The nurse returned to my side and walked me out into the hallway and handed me a cup of water. As I sat in a chair to collect my thoughts and calm the dizziness, I heard the baby’s first cry.
While I missed out on the birth of the baby, I had been spared of extreme pain and possibly my own death. I thought, “I am such an idiot!! Why would I throw my life away over someone who didn’t love me and why would I hurt my mom all over again by killing myself?”
Because of my lack of faith at the time, I didn’t see the full picture of what God was doing. A few months later, my friend lost her husband to a sudden heart attack, and she became a single mom to that sweet baby. I was there to provide support and love them both as she struggled with extreme grief. I was able to step away from drugs and find meaning and purpose for my life. I had friends at work who started introducing me to God and the salvation He offered through His son, Jesus Christ. In 2002, God provided a moment in an airport for me to run into a man who became my husband, who eventually became the father to our three children. In January of 2003, I gave my life to Christ at a Walk to Emmaus retreat. To think, I almost missed out on those moments!
When I hear of someone attempting suicide, or who has died by suicide, my thoughts go to that day I sat on the floor of the bathroom struggling in my grief and loneliness. I remember the darkness I felt and how I thought there was no way out. But then…God showed me that we are all created for a purpose, and we have a job to do here on this planet. Until He calls us home, we get to serve and find joy in His creation. Yes, this life He gave us is not easy and we often walk through the valley of darkness, but He helps us reach those mountain tops where we can look back and see the victory and glory in those trials we experienced. We stand at the mountain top with such appreciation for life and all that He has provided.
I pray that you can make it through the temporary pain and heartache so that you can make it to the mountain tops. I pray that you can be aware of those around you who are willing and able to help you, or that you can look through your pain and see those who need you and your presence in this life. Your story is not yet complete!
Ginger Turner is the Founder and Director of Warriors for God Ministry. She has a Master’s Degree from Liberty University in Marriage and Family Therapy, is a Board Certified Mental Health Coach, and a Christian Life Coach. Ginger recently released her first book, Warrior Through Grace, about the childhood trauma and life experiences that led her to becoming a Warrior for God. Ginger, her husband, and three children reside in the Hill Country of Texas where she teaches and counsels couples, young children, and teenagers. Her focus is on enriching marriages and families, suicide awareness, and coaching the community on Whole Body Wellness. Ginger loves the Lord and lives every day for Him, serving Him in whatever capacity He sets on her path.
Trauma Lesson
“For every soldier who serves in a war zone abroad, there are ten children who are endangered in their own homes.” – Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk
My final spring semester started today for graduate school and the course Crisis Counseling has my attention and focus as I dive into understanding trauma and the impact on individuals. I can’t help but reflect on my own trauma as I read through the pages of the text, realizing that I am part of the statistics, but questioning how my experiences can help others heal from their own crises.
1:5 Americans are sexually molested as a child; 1:4 are beaten by a parent; 1:3 couples engage in physical violence; 1:4 grew up with alcoholic relatives; and 1:8 witnessed their mother being beaten. Consider these numbers along with the cases that have never been reported. Think about the people who experience these traumas and never receive help or counseling. These situations leave individuals feeling shame, numbness, anger, humiliation, etc. At the same time, these individuals may miss out on intimacy, joy, or even healthy immune systems.
I say all this to bring awareness to the situation and ask for your mercy and grace as you encounter people each day. You never know what people are facing, what they have gone through, or how lost they are in the life they live. Trauma physically changes their brains and debilitates them from actually seeking help when they need it. Sometimes, it takes a kind and gentle person to come alongside them, hold their hand, and be with them in the pain. Most of the time, they simply need a listening ear.
My plan for this semester is to share what I learn or what I think would help others. Often times, the awareness alone can cause people to seek help or even to help another person. Today, be aware that trauma actually changes the physiology of the brain, intimate relationships, ways of communicating, behaviors, and steals the joy from people. Trauma is not something to “get over” or turn off like a switch.
Christ is called the “Wonderful Counselor” and can be a source of healing for any who follow Him. Think about the trauma He experienced as those who once loved Him turned their backs on Him, accused Him of lies, and tortured Him to death. In James 1 we are called to find joy in the trials we experience. Essentially, those trials make us stronger as we turn toward God for healing and strength. Taking those trials and helping others who experience similar pain is also our calling. That task also involves courage and humility.
Ginger Turner is the Founder and Director of Warriors for God Ministry. She has a Master’s Degree from Liberty University in Marriage and Family Therapy, is a Board Certified Mental Health Coach, and a Christian Life Coach. Ginger recently released her first book, Warrior Through Grace, about the childhood trauma and life experiences that led her to becoming a Warrior for God. Ginger, her husband, and three children reside in the Hill Country of Texas where she teaches and counsels couples, young children, and teenagers. Her focus is on enriching marriages and families, suicide awareness, and coaching the community on Whole Body Wellness. Ginger loves the Lord and lives every day for Him, serving Him in whatever capacity He sets on her path.
Back to School
One of the wonderful things scripture has taught me is that our brains have endless capabilities! We can continue learning and expanding our knowledge until we die. Solomon wrote in Proverbs 1:
“for gaining wisdom and instruction;
for understanding words of insight;
for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,
doing what is right and just and fair;
for giving prudence to those who are simple,
knowledge and discretion to the young—
let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance—
for understanding proverbs and parables,
the sayings and riddles of the wise.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
As Christians, it is our duty to know scripture and connect to God through the Word. This may include memorizing scripture for our sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6) or being open to learning about other people we come into contact with. Regardless, knowledge is power in this dark world!
I say all this because our family is a family of learners. I started my second master’s degree program in August to become a Licensed Professional Counselor and now Heath begins seminary TODAY so that he can pursue a pastoral position in the church. As of this fall, everyone in our family of five will be attending a Christian school of some sort, three of us in a university setting that is focused on discipleship and ministry for Christ.
Why is this important to us? Because we are Warriors for God and the stronger we are equipped with the sword of the spirit and belt of truth around our waist, the more we can help the lost and minister to the broken of this world. Heath started his first course today and is already learning about discipleship and how we are to serve our communities. He loves the in depth knowledge of scripture and the emphasis on making an impact on the world, with all glory to God.
We ask for your help in this endeavor! We have been told that as we pursue God’s work and service, we will be attacked more than ever. Satan does not want more Pastors in this world of his who will aid in bringing more people to Christ. Satan does not want us to succeed at anything God-like or Christ-centered. So we ask for your prayers along this journey and hope you will find encouragement as we update you along the path.
Ginger Turner is the Founder and Director of Warriors for God Ministry. She has a Master’s Degree from Liberty University in Marriage and Family Therapy, is a Board Certified Mental Health Coach, and a Christian Life Coach. Ginger recently released her first book, Warrior Through Grace, about the childhood trauma and life experiences that led her to becoming a Warrior for God. Ginger, her husband, and three children reside in the Hill Country of Texas where she teaches and counsels couples, young children, and teenagers. Her focus is on enriching marriages and families, suicide awareness, and coaching the community on Whole Body Wellness. Ginger loves the Lord and lives every day for Him, serving Him in whatever capacity He sets on her path.
Impact of Fatherlessness on a Son
The following paper was written by Hailey Turner, junior at Wilson Hill Academy.
The Impact of Fatherlessness on a Son
Visualize a scenario between a son and father. Together, both the son and father engage in activities such as going out for fishing, playing soccer, or go-karting. The father is able to contribute to the emotional needs of the son by creating a relationship and providing guidance. When a son has no present father, they miss out on the experiences and bonding. The son does not have the emotional, physical, or spiritual guidance that a father figure has to provide. Therefore, the emotional, physical, and spiritual absence of a father figure will negatively impact the development of a son.
It is essential to define the various figures involved in order to comprehend the concept of fatherlessness. A father is a male parent who gives discipline, sacrificial love, and guidance to his son. In addition, fatherlessness consists of physical, emotional, and spiritual absence. Physical absence is when an individual is not physically present with someone. Emotional absence is the lack of responding to emotional needs and expectations. Spiritual absence is the lack of holding to religious morals and beliefs. Fatherlessness is a crucial issue since one in three children around the world live in a household without a father. Additionally, 24 million children are growing up without a biological father in the home. Another factor to consider is that fifteen percent of U.S. men will father children with more than one woman.
After defining all the terms associated with fatherlessness, it is best to comprehend the arguments about the absences of a father. A son’s development will be negatively impacted by the emotional, physical, and spiritual absence of a father figure. Physical absence causes the son to suffer with the lack of guidance and masculinity from a father figure. Emotional absence of a father figure produces emotional disorders. Spiritual absence relinquishes the responsibility of Christian morales.
The son’s development is likely to be hindered by the physical absence of a father. The physical separation between father and son causes the son to lack guidance and masculinity from the father figure. Homer, the author of The Odyssey, explains one of the aspects of physical absence with Odysseus and his son Telamachus. For the first part of the book, Odysseus was not present in the beginning of Telemachus’ life. Homer dives into the character of Telemachus. It is written, “You must not stick to childhood; you are no longer just a little boy” (1.295). Telemachus’ lack of guidance and discipline from a father causes him to display immature behavior. Telemachus is also unable to drive the suitors away from his home. It is written, “I cannot fight against them; I would be useless. I had no training” (2.60). Furthermore, the suitors call out Telemachus, “Telemachus, you stuck-up, willful little boy” (2.87). As this epic poem reaches the end, Telemachus and Odysseus fight alongside each other against the suitors. Afterwards, it was exclaimed by a slave, “Odysseus has come! He is right here inside the house! At last! He slaughtered all the suitors who were wasting his property and threatening his son” (23.1). Odysseus’ physicality provides protection and the masculinity that helps Telemachus mature to a man. The presence of a father helps a boy become a man. The author of Fathered by God, John Eldredge, discusses masculinity and a boy’s journey to manhood. It is written, “This we must understand: masculinity is bestowed. A boy learns who he is and what he’s made of from a man. This can’t be learned in any other place. It can’t be learned from other boys, and it can’t be learned from the world of women” (Eldredge 6). This development is also witnessed in a father pushing his son to college. It states, “We can see the apparent power of a biological father’s presence when it comes to pushing boys out of the house and toward becoming contributing members of society” (Where is Dad?). The true presence of the father sets the path for his son as a role model. The physical presence of a father helps show the son how to respond to situations, boundaries, respecting others, etc. that prepares the son for adulthood. It states in Scripture, “Teach a youth about the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Prov. 22.6).” Therefore, the physical proximity of a father figure aids a boy in maturing into a man by bestowing fatherly masculinity.
Inconsistencies in father and son relationships can lead to the son being unable to act on relationships later in life. Emotional absence negatively impacts the relationship between father and son, and it also leads to emotional disorders. Emotional disorders such as anger, rebelliousness, low self-esteem, depression, and antisocial behavior cause issues to the son’s development. Gary Smalley and John Trent, the authors of Hidden Value of a Man, discuss the emotionally absent father. It states, “Our super-technology and glass enclosed workplace don’t cater to children, and they don’t build the father-son bond. An average father working 60-plus hours a week will usually do so away from the house, and his work involves matters that are far beyond a son’s comprehension. What’s left is for Mother to try to tell the son what Dad does and who he is instead of the boy getting to view it himself” (1.118-119). The father becomes so self-involved in his career that he neglects and depends on the Mother to sustain a certain bond with the son. There are also times this emotional absence leads to emotional abuse. John Eldredge, author of Fathered by God, writes about the emotional abuse between father and son. It states, “The boys who endured years of emotional abuse, being yelled at night after night, ‘You are a worthless piece of crap.’ Whatever the details of the story might be, the boy is robbed both of his father and of the deep fundamental blessing that he is the beloved son. It is the evil one’s first and most devastating blow against the soul of a man” (Eldredge 57). Scripture also guides men when it says, “Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so they won’t become discouraged” (Col.3.21). A father is supposed to create a relationship with his son by cherishing and guiding them to adulthood. It is written in The Hidden Value of a Man, “Many men who grew up with a hole in their hearts never emotionally grow out of childhood. In many ways, by missing out on the affirmation of a father or other significant male figure, they never “close the loop” on childhood and can remain emotional adolescents” (2.121).
Spiritual morals are a key factor in leading children to a spiritual lifestyle. The absence of spirituality has an impact on the responsibility and role that a father plays in a son’s development. In today’s society, the lack of spirituality is shown in men where they are driven by lust and temptation. Spiritual absence proceeds to having children out of wedlock. The author of The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis, speaks of this aspect of lust clouding judgment. It is written, “In the second place any sexual infatuation whatever; so long as it intends marriage, will be regarded as ‘love,’ and ‘love’ will be held to excuse a man from all the guilt, and to protect him from all the consequences, of marrying a heathen, a fool, or a wanton.” (18.97). This is driven by the sexual desires of people to pursue marriage to cloud judgment from bad behavior. It also states, “As a result we are more and more directing the desires of men to something which does not exist–making the role of the eye in sexuality more and more important and at the same time making its demands more and more impossible” (20.107). Therefore, a man’s real sacrificial love, responsibility, and commitment supersedes desire and lust for women. The author of Be A Man!, Fr. Larry Richards, talks about the responsibility of men. It states, “Men’s responsibilities, however, go beyond the bedroom. Men today often do not want to take responsibility for their own actions” (Richards 151). In many circumstances, men choose to be absent during and after pregnancies because they do not want to have the responsibility. In the United States, about 4 in 10 births are to unmarried women (At Risk Children and Youth). “Most men, especially if they are Catholic, completely disregard the teaching on birth control for one reason: they don’t want to say no to themselves. They think, ‘If I want to have sex, if I have an itch, I should be able to scratch it.’ They want to have sex when they want to have sex, and they don’t want the consequences” (Richards 99).
Although the absence of a father impacts the son in many ways, it could be argued that the absence of a father is beneficial for the son, especially if the father fabricates a toxic environment. In this circumstance, toxic masculinity could produce challenges that disable the son emotionally. This leads the son to not be vulnerable in their emotions. Furthermore, the son is better off with a single parent, such as their mother, because unconditional love is more important in the healthy development. It states in Scripture, “Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not conceited, does not act improperly, is not selfish, is not provoked, and does not keep a record of wrongs” (1 Cor. 13.4-5). Therefore, the son is better off without a toxic father because all they need is unconditional love to grow up to be a stable young man.
Considering all that has been said thus far, arguing against the idea of fatherlessness, it’s possible to question how to resolve the issue of absent father figures. Fatherlessness consists of physical, emotional, and spiritual absence. Physical absence causes the son to suffer with the lack of guidance and masculinity from a father figure. Emotional absence of a father figure produces emotional disorders. Spiritual absence relinquishes the responsibility of Christian morales. In order to prevent fatherlessness from continuing, a father needs to accept his responsibilities as a parental leader and form relationships with his children. Furthermore, a father needs to hold morals and avoid sex before marriage.
References
Eldredge, John. Fathered By God. Thomas Nelson, 2009.
Lewis, C.S. The Screwtape Letters. HarperCollins, 2001.
Richards, Fr. Larry. Be A Man! Ignatius Press, 2009.
Smalley, Gary, and John Trent. The Hidden Value Of A Man. Focus on the Family Publishing, 1992.
The Holy Bible. Christian Standard Bible. Holy Bible Publishers, 2017.
The Odyssey. Translated by Emily Wilson, edited by Emily Wilson, W.W Norton & Company, 2018.
Wilcox, W. Brandford, et al. “Where Is Dad? … .” , Society for the Advancement of Education, Sept. 2022.
Hailey Turner is a senior in high school at Wilson Hill Academy, a classical Christian school. She helps with Warriors for God when called to serve and writes many discussion boards and papers throughout her school year that she submits to Warriors for God for consideration, hoping she reaches a reader who needs to hear what she has researched or what she has discovered in one of her courses. Hailey loves the Lord and works every day to use her talents and abilities to serve Him. Hailey plans to graduate in May 2025 and attend college in Texas where she will pursue a degree in Wildlife Management/Animal Science.
Emotional Exhaustion
I write this mostly to those task-oriented, high-A personalities out there who, like me, can run ragged and deplete your energy quickly and feel emotional, physically, mentally, and spiritually exhausted!! So consider a question for me – “WHY?” Why do you do what you do and work so hard to the point of driving yourself into the ground?
Most of us who do this truly feel passionate about what we do and we WANT to make a difference in the world. We consider others before ourselves and rarely take a moment to breathe and rest for our own sake. Therefore, I want to share some insight I recently read in my master’s program that I found REALLY helpful!
Whether you are a Warrior for God or a Warrior for the World, you may feel like every day is a battle. You wake up early, get your day going with a quick breakfast, and then jump into a task list that seems to never end. You may pack lunches for your kids, go off to work 8-10 hours, or stay home and work crazily to make your home perfect, prepare dinner, clean the kitchen, and then help everyone with their homework before getting them to bed. You collapse into bed around 11:00pm and consider your efforts for the day and think, “Maybe tomorrow I can make some time for me.”
Burnout consists of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and decreased personal accomplishment. I feel the crucial element here is the emotional exhaustion because without our brains functioning properly and thinking clearly then we fail in more than a dozen ways. If we are depleting ourselves then we must recharge by taking a moment to be still, read a good book, or take a walk. If we are social butterflies then that may look like spending a weekend with friends – away from the mundane chores. The key here is that we cannot extend ourselves past what we have available!!
What happens when we start hating our life or what we do each day? Bitterness and resentment may kick in and we become irritable with those we love. If we start to depersonalize our lives and our purpose in our day then it becomes easier to feel emotionally exhausted (see above). How do we continue to show compassion and love what we do? We look for the positive in every moment and every person in our lives. We take the time and appreciate the little things that we experience. Sometimes, it even helps to change things up a bit. Packing the same lunches every day for your kids? Include a love note in their lunch tomorrow with something you love about them. Tired of the office setting? Rearrange your office, add some color, spruce it up with some vibrant colors, plants, or positive sticky notes around your desk/room.
“I’m the worst mother ever!” “I’m such a terrible friend.” “Why can’t I do anything right?” These are automatic negative thoughts (ANTs) that pop into our mind, also known as lies or fallacies, when the above two symptoms start to creep into our lives. You have to overcome these ANTs with truth and logic! What is so special about your presence in this world? You question what the answer is…? Did you know God created each and every human being for a purpose? He did! The Bible even says, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'” (Jeremiah 29:11) Also, Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Our paths, our purpose, our reason for living was decided before the beginning of time. What you are doing means something because God has you where you are supposed to be. When the time comes for you to do something else, God will open another door. Take joy in the day and appreciate the blessings of this life that God has provided. The more you appreciate what you have and realize HOW God has blessed you, the more you will love what you do each day.
Burnout is a real problem in America because we are still striving for the American Dream. At the end of the day, all that matters is that we honor God in what we do, we make Him our priority, and we love others as we should love ourselves. The rest will fall into place.
Ginger Turner is the Founder and Director of Warriors for God Ministry. She has a Master’s Degree from Liberty University in Marriage and Family Therapy, is a Board Certified Mental Health Coach, and a Christian Life Coach. Ginger recently released her first book, Warrior Through Grace, about the childhood trauma and life experiences that led her to becoming a Warrior for God. Ginger, her husband, and three children reside in the Hill Country of Texas where she teaches and counsels couples, young children, and teenagers. Her focus is on enriching marriages and families, suicide awareness, and coaching the community on Whole Body Wellness. Ginger loves the Lord and lives every day for Him, serving Him in whatever capacity He sets on her path.
Happy Birthday, Brother!
Today would’ve been Keith’s 53rd birthday. Even after 28 years past his suicide I still acknowledge his birthday and still grieve for him. My children are reaching those mature years of their lives when they ask questions about him and “what ifs”. “What if Uncle Keith was here, Mom? Would he be a good uncle? Would he play baseball with me? Would he teach me how to draw better?” I love being asked these questions because it gives me a moment to reflect on how life would be if he hadn’t taken his life at 25 years old. I love daydreaming about him playing with my kids and making them laugh like he made us laugh.
My daughters both have his handwriting and his talent for drawing and doodling. Their notebooks and journals are filled with pages of their notes in perfect penmanship and doodles of flowers, faces, block letters, and trees. My brother’s notebooks that I saved look similar, filled with his many characters he created, his block letters, and quirky sayings.
Death anniversaries, birthdays, holidays, and milestones can bring a flood of emotions each year and uncover the wounds left unhealed of loss and sorrow. The fact is that we live in a world with fleeting moments where life is unpredictable and uncertain. I’ve heard the term of paper walls and think looking at life as if it contains paper walls represents the magnitude of uncertainty for tomorrow. James 4:14 says, “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”
So we must live each day with gratitude. When gratitude and grace are combined they are considered a gift. It is through God’s grace that we can enjoy His creation and look around us and see the beauty of His handiwork. If you struggle to find gratitude, consider starting a gratitude journal that you write in each day so you can appreciate the many blessings God has provided.
My brother lived every day with gratitude, but a darkness greater than we can understand stole his joy in the matter of a few minutes and took him down a path of no return. He felt as if he had no one to turn to and his guilt and grief were too much to bear. Lies took his life and left us with a void that will never be filled.
Happy birthday, Keith. I will forever live in the moment for you!
Hard to Live in the Present
In the depths of my counseling courses this semester, I came across a beautiful excerpt by H.J.M. Nouwen that I want to share with you:
It is hard to live in the present. The past and the future keep harassing us. The past with guilt, the future with worries. So many things have happened in our lives about which we feel uneasy, regretful, angry, confused or, at least, ambivalent. And all these feelings are often colored by guilt. Guilt that says: “You ought to have done something other than what you did; you ought to have said something other than what you said.” These “oughts” keep us feeling guilty about the past and prevent us from being fully present to the moment.
Worse, however, than our guilt are our worries. Our worries fill our lives with “what ifs”: “What if I lose my job, what if my father dies, what if there is not enough money, what if the economy goes down, what if a war breaks out?” These many “ifs” can fill our mind that we become blind to the flowers in the garden and the smiling children on the streets, or deaf to the grateful voice of a friend.
The real enemies of our life are the “oughts” and the “ifs.” They pull us backward into the unalterable past and forward into the unpredictable future. But real life takes place in the here and now. God is a God of the present. God is always in the moment, be that moment hard or easy, joyful or painful. When Jesus spoke about God, he always spoke as being where and when we are. “When you see me, you see God. When you hear me you hear God.” God is not someone who only was or will be, but the One who is, and who is for me in the present moment. That’s why Jesus came to wipe away the burden of the past and the worries for the future. He wants us to discover God right where we are, here and now.
This speaks such truth in how society is NOT these days. We worry so much about the future and dwell on the past that it destroys relationships and causes anxiety. If you are struggling with being present in the moment, here are some exercises to try:
- Sit quietly for ten minutes and pay attention to your breathing. Be aware of the rhythm, the sensation of your chest moving, and the flow of air in and out of your body.
- Practice centered prayer and meditation. This involves sitting quietly in God’s presence and releasing distracting thoughts. As one thought pops into your brain, try saying, “God, I give this worry to you. Please take it from my plate.” This may take longer if you have a lot of distractions. You are in control of your thoughts and can tell them to go away, even if it takes one by one.
- Eat your meals mindfully today. Pay attention to the portion on your plate, the amount on your fork/spoon, and then the taste and texture in your mouth. What sensations do you feel in your mouth or through the rest of your body? Slow down and pay attention.
- Wash your hands with warm water and focus on the temperature of the water and the sensations of the soap and water over your skin. This could also be a good time to wash dishes. 🙂
- Try putting sticky notes on your bathroom mirror, entrance doors, inside the car on the windshield, on your computer, or your fridge that simply ask, “Are you aware?” to remind yourself to be aware of the present moment and everything around you when you see the reminder.
I hope these little things help you!
Healed People Heal People
Someone once said that “hurt people hurt people, but with God’s grace, healed people heal people.” I find this all too familiar and true! Paul advised in Romans 12:19-21 that we should not take revenge but instead leave room for God’s wrath. “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink…Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” We DO NOT have to use the excuse of our past experiences to define who we are. We should not! We have all been wronged in some way but instead of holding on to resentment, fear, anxiety, sadness, or hatred, why not use that energy to help other people? As we help others, we heal our own pain and our own wounds. We are able to make sense of our adversities as we walk with others in theirs. After enduring sexual abuse as a child, domestic violence among parents, suicide of family and friends, and separation from a spouse, I have been able to help others through the same toils. God presents challenges throughout our lifetime for a purpose. James 1:2-3 tells us to “consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of may kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” As a broken clay pot becomes stronger once molded back together with gold, we are made stronger through our trials. Then, we GET TO help others through their struggles.
As a counselor-in-training, I have learned that we are called as human beings to lift others up in a seat of honor as they hurt. Just as Jesus healed the sick, the blind, and the broken-hearted, we are called to do the same as followers of Christ. Galatians 6:2 says to “carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” If we truly represent Christ, then our actions and our aid to others should represent that decision. 2 Corinthians 2:15 reminds us that “we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.” This is why HEALED people HEAL people. They have been through the muck and now they are willing to carry someone else through it.
As you look around today, are you part of the hurting people or the healed people? If you are hurting, then who can you look toward for healing the wounds of your soul and of your heart? Are you willing to ask for help? If you are part of the healed people, who are you helping? How are you serving God?
Ginger Turner is the Founder and Director of Warriors for God Ministry. She has a Master’s Degree from Liberty University in Marriage and Family Therapy, is a Board Certified Mental Health Coach, and a Christian Life Coach. Ginger, her husband, and three children reside in the Hill Country of Texas where she teaches and counsels couples, young children, and teenagers. Her focus is on enriching marriages and families, suicide awareness, and coaching the community on Whole Body Wellness. Ginger loves the Lord and lives every day for Him, serving Him in whatever capacity He sets on her path.
I know what it’s like to go to war…and be free!
In the middle of counseling training a few weeks ago, one of my peers reflected on a piece of testimony I shared about my childhood abuse and it made me really think. She said, “You know what it’s like to go to war, and be free.” The truth behind her reflection resides in the experience and the outcome. Yes, I feel like my childhood was a battlefield where I ran in fear from monsters and predators who wanted to hurt me or those I loved. I lived in a state of fear and concern for my life and my mother’s life. I ran away several times thinking I could find refuge, but was pulled back time and time again to endure the unsafe environment. I went to war during my adolescence while battling the overwhelming pressure of sex and drugs and fought hard to resist it all. Then I faced the war of grief from losing someone to suicide that I cherished more than life itself. While I continued in the war of life, I searched for peace. I wanted to be free from the battlefield!! It was not until I attended Walk to Emmaus at 25 years old that I finally felt freedom. I realized that God had a plan for my life and it involved the battle I had faced previously, and the war I could continue to face in the future. You see, becoming a Christian did not give me the freedom. I became free when I accepted the truth that God was the general in the army I fought with and He was leading the war to victory. As I stayed on the battlefield enduring numerous toils and tremendous adversity, I remained free because I knew everything that happened was for a purpose, which also allowed me to honor my general.
It’s easy to quit and give up and let others fight the fight, right? We can walk away from adversity and accept the consequences with a broken heart or negative attitude. OR….we can persevere and pursue goodness and truth in the midst of the pain. Why are you here in this moment grieving? Why are you here broken-hearted? Why does it hurt so bad? These are reasonable questions from reasonable people. God knows you are hurting and He knows you can barely get by another day. This war is hard! I can tell you, though, that there is peace coming. There is a calm after the storm. Hebrews 12:1-2 says to “throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Keep breathing, keep standing, keep your head up and allow God to work alongside you, for you, and through you.
I pray that you can find freedom from whatever war you are facing today. I may not have experienced exactly what you are going through but I do know pain and suffering, something I can relate to in many ways. If you need a soldier to walk through the pain with you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.
Ginger Turner is the Founder and Director of Warriors for God Ministry. She has a Master’s Degree from Liberty University in Marriage and Family Therapy, is a Board Certified Mental Health Coach, and a Christian Life Coach. Ginger, her husband, and three children reside in the Hill Country of Texas where she teaches and counsels couples, young children, and teenagers. Her focus is on enriching marriages and families, suicide awareness, and coaching the community on Whole Body Wellness. Ginger loves the Lord and lives every day for Him, serving Him in whatever capacity He sets on her path.
Warrior News – March 2024
We have exciting news to share with you this month as God opens doors for our ministry to help more people throughout the country. Take a look at our updates and let us know how we can help you or your church/community.
Do We Engage or Do We Avoid?
This morning, I sit in my classroom reflecting on a conversation I had with a man at the Passion Conference I attended last week. It was my third day serving, and I was already worn out from the early morning start and the two late nights before. I was mentally and physically exhausted! The day before, Ben Stuart from Passion City Church, had delivered a phenomenal message from Mark 4 about the Parable of the Sower and the Seed. He expressed the difference between two groups of people, believers and unbelievers, and having discernment regarding those we interact with and helping them in their darkness. Sitting in the corner of the break room that morning, my eyes inspected the room where I had tucked myself away from everyone. I saw a man standing next to one of the trash cans, his head down, his eyes heavy, and his mouth frowning. He paced the floor around the trash can, then looked up to lock eyes with mine for a brief second, and then turned his back to me. I had to get back to work so I considered my options, throw my trash away and return to my post or throw my trash away and check on the gloomy stranger. As I walked toward the trash can, the man turned around to face me. God opened the door for me. We exchanged pleasantries but I felt the overwhelming need for more. He had a different logo on his shirt than the rest of us, so I asked how he was serving at Passion, and he said he was part of the clean-up crew. I asked him about the ministry he worked for, and he explained the program he had been in for 4 weeks was the option the judge gave him to avoid prison. The ministry he was attached to offered him rehabilitation and an opportunity to get back on his feet after making some bad choices. I continued to engage because I could tell he wanted to keep sharing his story. He had been in the restaurant business for 15 years when COVID hit in 2020. The restaurants shut down and he was unable to find work to sustain him. He became desperate, made wrong decisions, and ended up facing time in prison. The judge gave him two paths to choose from and he knew that if he ended up in a cage, his life would never be the same again and the path would be dark. As he shared his story, I sensed such optimism and hope in his voice. He said he didn’t want to be trapped because he had a desire to serve and help people. He didn’t want to be the victim in his story. I loved that! He told me about the uncertainty he had in his life of where he would end up since his program carried on for 17 more months and he really wanted to improve his situation by the end. We talked for a few minutes before he was summoned by his crew to move out to their project assignments, but I asked if I could share a verse with him before he left. I gave him Psalm 25:4-5 that says, “Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths, guide me in your truth and teach me. For you are God my Savior and my hope is in you all day long.” I had him repeat it back to me and then we shook hands and went our separate ways. Psalm 25:4 helped me through one of the hardest parts of my life so I memorized it for the day when I needed to share with others who should hear it. I use it often!
Do we engage or do we avoid? I heard God urging me to approach the gloomy stranger and I listened. I stepped out of my comfort zone, and I listened and heard. How can we engage more people this year and hear their stories, their joys, or listen to their pain? We are here for only a season, and we should take every opportunity to serve Him and be His hands and feet. I pray that you have the strength to step out boldly.
Ginger Turner is the Founder and Director of Warriors for God Ministry. She has a Master’s Degree from Liberty University in Marriage and Family Therapy, is a Board Certified Mental Health Coach, and a Christian Life Coach. Ginger, her husband, and three children reside in the Hill Country of Texas where she teaches and counsels couples, young children, and teenagers. Her focus is on enriching marriages and families, suicide awareness, and coaching the community on Whole Body Wellness. Ginger loves the Lord and lives every day for Him, serving Him in whatever capacity He sets on her path.
God is Leading You
Even if you are not reading your Bible daily, God is leading you and guiding you each and every day with people, choices, and opportunities He puts in front of you. In our society we have learned to react instead of think and respond, so when it comes to decisions to make we tend to choose the best option that fits our wants and immediate pleasure. Instead, wait….and talk to God to see how He guides you. Is this decision, choice, or opportunity in front of you going to glorify God? Will it utilize the talents and gifts He has given you?
Consider praying today for God’s guidance in all that you do. Psalm 25:4-5 say, “Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior and my hope is in you all day long.” When you start each day with this beautiful Psalm, you are reminded that God is there to guide you and lead you in all that you do!
As a Warrior on the battlefield of this world, we must learn to respond to Satan’s attacks with fierce intensity but with the virtues God has instilled in each of us. If a soldier in war reacts too quickly and is unprepared, he is more than likely going to be injured or killed. Going into battle with knowledge and training will prepare us for Satan’s schemes and tactics. Knowing God is there with us gives us courage to face the enemy. How can you be more obedient to God’s calling today and prepared to be a Warrior for God?
Forgiving the Abuser
When I was five years old, I was sexually abused by a family member. The abuse occurred for two years until the predator moved away, but the occasional visits and family get-togethers remained stressful and brought me extreme anxiety. I didn’t report the abuse until years later, and by then the evidence was lacking and accusation less believable. I held onto that secret and pain for four years before I had the courage to tell anyone, all the while thinking that I was the problem and cause of my pain. I first shared my trauma with a school counselor, who then asked me to demonstrate the abuse with dolls while being recorded on camera. It was a humiliating experience for me. Even worse, family members, including my parents, turned a deaf ear to the accusations and acted as though it never happened. Once the authorities were brought in to investigate, and since years had passed since the abuse, a case could not hold its ground and was thrown out.
My parents never spoke to me about the abuse but showed their disappointment in their faces, which I considered as disappointment in me. I never received counseling or therapy for the trauma so I could never reveal details or process the experience with anyone wiser than me. Shortly after the case was dissolved, my father died and a new kind of grief took control.
Jesus said, “Come to me all who are weary and heave laden, and I will give you rest.” It wasn’t until I became a Christian in my early adult life and found comfort in Jesus that I was able to be healed from my childhood abuse and trauma. I couldn’t overcome my fear or anxiety of men until I relinquished my pain to God and allowed Him to heal my heart. I wasn’t able to forgive my abuser until I understood through counseling courses in college that most predators have endured similar abuse in their past without healing or restoration, and they act on their constant fears and struggles by hurting others. While that is no excuse for my trauma, or make it right for child abuse, I knew that I was not the cause of the abuse and could let go of the wound of guilt.
Parents never want to hear that their child has been abused or harmed in any way. The look of disappointment that my parents expressed was toward their own guilt and shame of not being aware of threats in their daughter’s life and not preventing the situation. That guilt is very common. Parents must be more protective of their child’s environment, whether it be friends, family, or inside the church. As a parent to three children now, I am cautious of who my children are around, especially when they are alone, because I don’t want history to repeat itself on my watch.
Therefore, I urge those who have experienced trauma in their childhood to look up for their healing. Look to God to help you mend the wounds and to seek forgiveness of your predator. Holding onto the anger and resentment will continue to block your full potential as God’s Warrior. Don’t be afraid to share your story with others. You never know who else might be holding onto trauma, thinking no one else would understand. Since I have started sharing my testimony, many others have been able to share theirs and begin healing their wounds.
Ginger Turner is the Founder and Director of Warriors for God Ministry. She has a Master’s Degree from Liberty University in Marriage and Family Therapy, is a Board Certified Mental Health Coach, and a Christian Life Coach. Ginger, her husband, and three children reside in the Hill Country of Texas where she teaches and counsels couples, young children, and teenagers. Her focus is on enriching marriages and families, suicide awareness, and coaching the community on Whole Body Wellness. Ginger loves the Lord and lives every day for Him, serving Him in whatever capacity He sets on her path.
Youth Suicide
Take two minutes this evening and think about a young person in your life that could be struggling with depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts. Maybe they haven’t seemed themselves lately. Pray for them. Pick up the phone and call them or schedule a time to have coffee together. Help them to feel and know they are loved!!
We are in the middle of a mental health crisis in our world and young people are farther away from Jesus than they’ve ever been in history. Fewer and fewer children are attending church or youth groups. Families are busier than ever and fight daily for time together. When they are together, phones, TV, social media, and other distractions rob them of QUALITY time.
More than 2.7 million youth in U.S. are struggling with depression, and suicide has become the 2nd leading cause of death among 10 to 24-year-olds since COVID. There were 6,600 suicides in 2020 alone among this age group.
Consider that 150 million people live in an area where there is a mental health professional shortage and they are not even able to ask for help from local sources!!
We must step up, TODAY, and help our young people. They are STARVING for our attention as parents, friends, counselors, coaches, and family members. We have to turn this mental health crisis around and help the ones who are struggling to be heard.
Ginger Turner is the Founder and Director of Warriors for God Ministry. She has a Master’s Degree from Liberty University in Marriage and Family Therapy, is a Board Certified Mental Health Coach, and a Christian Life Coach. Ginger, her husband, and three children reside in the Hill Country of Texas where she teaches and counsels couples, young children, and teenagers. Her focus is on enriching marriages and families, suicide awareness, and coaching the community on Whole Body Wellness. Ginger loves the Lord and lives every day for Him, serving Him in whatever capacity He sets on her path.
Does God Exist?
In life, there is a moral code, the universal law that governs the safety, security, and goodness of humanity. Laws that state to not lie, steal, and murder. The moral code stems from the divine creator and the universal lawgiver, God. From the beginning, God created man in His image to live in goodness as His creation. When sin entered the world through Adam and Eve’s fall, so did the immorality of their character. The proof of morality is one of the three fundamental ways to prove God’s existence, as He is the ultimate and universal lawgiver. Morality is what modern society treats as right and acceptable, but that is not exactly what morality was supposed to be. Modern society’s treatment of morality leads to many loopholes in the system of morality. The moral argument for God’s existence says that God exists because He is the best explanation for the fact that there are objective moral truths. Moral truths that things such as stealing, murder, and lying are wrong. Some might argue that even if morality in itself is objective, there is no need for the existence of the source. Christians ought to disagree, because of the understanding of morality. Man is made in the divine creator’s image. The Creator is a rational and good being. As man is made in the Creator’s image, man holds the characteristics innately given by the creator, which is morality. The modern society’s definition of morality to their selfish philosophies leave loopholes in the meaning of true morality. Chapter four of C. S. Lewis’s book, “Mere Christianity” discusses what lies behind the law, which can be summed up into three suppositions: (1) there is a universal law and thus a universal lawgiver (2) the universal lawgiver is a transcendent being (3) the universal lawgiver is God. Only God is omnipotent and omniscient, and thus only He could create the moral code. In stories like McCorvey, the morality set by God can also be how He is revealed.
The first supposition states that there is a universal law and thus a universal lawgiver. In modern society, liberalism has separated from God, implying its moral code is inevitably flawed and problematic. In the separation of God, there is no true morality, only the immoral and pseudo philosophies and sciences that govern the fallen world. Where society separates from God, there is destruction. Hitler wanted a perfect society with his anti-Christian beliefs, and thus he murdered millions of Jews. Modern liberalism and the perspective of morality are similar to that of evolution, that anything is good if it contributes to survival. True morality, in which God reveals Himself, is the code that keeps humans safe and secure and good as God’s creatures. Morality points to a lawgiver, a chief judge, not subjective reasoning to better the me-ism philosophy. The chief judge is God, who will judge all in the end. In Exodus 20:2-17, God gives Moses the Ten Commandments, the non-negotiable rules to keep from crossing the line. These non-negotiable commandments inspired the statutes that constitute the United States. The chief judge has given man the innate knowledge of morality, and the chief judge will return. God is the universal lawgiver and the ultimate chief judge for mankind, governing and protecting His people with laws that aren’t subjective but objective to the truth.
The second supposition is that the universal lawgiver is a transcendent being. In order for God to be the perfect and ultimate universal lawgiver, He has to be omniscient and omnipotent. He is above human knowledge and capability. Mankind only knows what God has revealed to them, and even then there is both general and special revelation, thus some things are only revealed to specific people. Morality is set in stone and is under the governing authority of God who is perfect and without sin. The objection to God’s perfection and goodness in terms of morality is the entering of sin. The first objection is that God is powerful and good but evil somehow exists (God chooses not to reveal this to mankind). The second is that God is able to rid evil but chooses not to thus He isn’t good. The last is that God wants to but can’t. These objections have led to many theological questions about God’s sovereign power and the existence of evil in this world. The blemishes of morality and the existence of suffering have no part in the goodness of God, but the existence of sin has brought on evil in the world. The transcendent being is God is why true morality exists and is another component of how morality is proof of the existence of God.
The third supposition is that God’s existence is the cause of morality. Without God man doesn’t exist, but in the hypotheticals that man does derive from evolution and not the divine creator, the knowledge of good and evil would be flawed and would not exist. How does one determine that murder is wrong without the known consequence of being the image bearers of God? How would one know if stealing is wrong, isn’t stealing basically communism? How did the moral code come into existence without the existence of pure good? Without God, the world is pure evil and is a void in the universe, a black hole. Without God, man is left to total depravity and hopelessness. The moral code set by God is the sign of His goodness and His proclamation to His people to be like Him in His goodness. Murder is wrong because it is an act of harm to the innocent image of God. Lying is wrong because God is a being of truth. Stealing is wrong because God is the provider. God is the chief ruler and judge. He granted man free will but holds humanity accountable by supplying the boundaries of morality.
Morality is written in the blueprints of mankind, the innate code brought into existence by God, for He is perfect in His goodness. When Adam and Eve fell the existence of sin came into the world. The existence of morality is then the existence of God, for morality isn’t subjective to modern society’s narrative of it, as the treatment of things that are seen as right and acceptable. Just because it is acceptable doesn’t make it good, take, for example, abortion. Almost fifty years ago, in 1973, Roe v. Wade ultimately led to the legalization of abortion as a woman’s right and a form of healthcare in turn to rape and other harmful situation for the mother or child. Abortion is the ending of a pregnancy, a human life, which is inevitably murder. Though it is morally horrific and wrong, as it goes against the sixth commandment, it is accepted and seen as right in modern society. The moral code is the proof of God’s existence and a way in which He reveals Himself, even Norma McCorvey (“Jane Roe”) ended up keeping the pregnancy and in 1995 she was baptized by the director of the anti-abortion group, Operation Rescue and she was converted as Christian. McCovey declared that she was pro-life and regretted her role in the horrific case. Without the existence of morality, man would be left to total depravity and darkness as hopeless creatures, in the constant struggle like the demons that inhabit the broken world. God reveals Himself through His divine goodness, the moral code man then follows.
Gianna Turner is a student attending Reformation Bible College in Sanford, Florida. Gianna graduated last year from Alpine Christian School in west Texas with a passion for knowing more about theology and Scripture. She attended a Christian Counseling Conference in 2021 and discovered her purpose in life is to work with children and help them with childhood trauma and their development. She writes for Warriors for God in her free-time and shares her college papers in order to lend her college wisdom to our readers.
An Exegetical Paper on Romans 3:9-11
In Romans 3:9-11, Paul writes, “What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin; as it is written: “There is no righteous person, not even one; There is no one who understands, There is no one who seeks out God.” In this passage, Paul is writing to the reader that no one is greater than the other and that all are under the condemnation of sin, they are all deserving of death and no one is righteous than the other. The Jew is no better than the Greek, and vice versa. Christ came to save all; man, woman, and child.
Romans is in the New Testament canon, taking place shortly before Paul’s visit to Jerusalem with the gift of the Gentile congregation (15:25; Acts 24:17)1. The book of Romans is a letter and is known for the use of rhetorical questions (e.g. 3:8; 6:1; 7:7; 9:14). Romans is useful in understanding the big picture because it references and illuminates the promise of the Gospel revealed in the Old Testament. It is first revealed through the fall of Adam, showing the need for a savior (5:12––21), God’s promise to crush Satan’s head under the feet of Eve’s promised seed, which is Christ. The gospel continues to be revealed in Soli Deo Gloria, found within Abraham, where God proclaims the message of justification and faith alone. Paul insists all throughout his teaching that the Gospel does not destroy the Mosaic Law but establishes it. Jesus is the promised seed through David and is the One all the prophets look to and proclaim. Romans is the document showing Jesus as the promised prophet, priest, and king of Israel and the savior to all.
The chapter in the discussion of Romans is chapter three, verses nine to eleven. The chapters previous to three open with an introduction and Paul’s purpose to visit Romans and how the just shall live by faith and not of works (legalism and the use of Jewish law as a way of salvation). Paul references Habakkuk 2:4, “The righteous shall live by faith” in verses sixteen and seventeen of chapter one. Paul writes in chapter one verses eighteen to twenty-seven about God’s wrath on the unrighteous, which is then concluded in chapter two verses one to sixteen, where he writes of God’s righteous judgment. In verses seventeen to twenty-four of chapter two, Paul calls out the Jews and how they are just as guilty as the Gentiles (this is further explained in chapter three). The first eight verses of chapter three are on God’s judgment defended and thus introduce verses nine to eleven, how all have sinned and that God will judge all regardless if they are Jew or Gentile. The next section, containing the verses discussed, is on how all have sinned. The sections and chapters subsequent chapter three verses nine to eleven are on God’s righteousness through faith and how boasting is excluded by the law of faith. This continues how no one is greater than the other because all are sinful and it is by faith in Christ not by works that man is redeemed. Chapter four is on how Abraham was justified by faith, even before he was circumcised. Abraham was not the heir of the world because of his works and circumcision but by his faith in God, he was given a promise that goes beyond generations.
In Romans 3:10, Paul quotes David’s Psalm 14:1-3 and Psalm 53:1-3. Psalm 14:1-3 states, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they have committed detestable acts; There is no one who does good. The Lord has looked down from heaven upon the sons of mankind to see if there are any who understand, Who seek God. They have all turned aside, together they are corrupt; There is no one who does good, not even one.” Psalm 14 is a Psalm of the foolishness and wickedness of people, not just the Jews or the Gentiles, all people are. The fool, like the Jew, denies the existence of God, but in the context of the New Testament canon, they deny Christ as savior which is seen as practical atheism because they are unable to see beyond the ignorance of their true salvation. Paul uses Psalm 14 to demonstrate this in how foolishness points to the lack of morality and not necessarily the lack of intellect. Like the fool, the Jew isn’t just oblivious to the goodness of God but to the salvation brought by Christ. “There is no righteous person, not even one; There is no one who understands, There is no one who seeks out God;” Man is sinful and corrupted by evil, and is unable to be saved on their own, in the New Testament, the legalism of the Pharisees and the belief of works is shown in the Israelites. They are lost in their own ignorance as Christ as savior and are unable to see the light that is He who saved.
Paul opens the passage with a question, “What then? Are we better than they?” In this context, the Jews were prideful as the chosen people and thus were unable to see the truth that Christ is the savior and that their way to salvation was through works. Luke Timothy Johnson states in his commentary on Romans that “ Paul’s next question is extraordinarily difficult to interpret, not only because its text and punctuation are uncertain but also because Paul’s use of language is obscure.” The relationship between the “What then?” and the “are we better off than they?” is a series that is not quite answered through Paul but through David in Paul’s reference to Psalm 14 in the subsequent verses.
In most of the commentaries on Psalm 14, it is seen as a “last days” Psalm, meaning that the contents will come to pass in the future. The first line is notably a reference to Sennacherib who stated, “Do not let Hezekiah deceive you into thinking your God will save you. The other gods did not save their nations: are you thinking your God will save you?”. Sennacherib hints that he and his men do not believe in ‘god in the entry or they do not see God as the savior, hence he is a fool and has committed the unforgivable sin of blasphemy. In relation to Psalm 14 and Sennacherib, the Jews reject Christ as the savior and thus they are regarded as fools because (a) they do not believe and (b) they still think they will be saved based on their works and not their faith in the savior. Verse nine is then seen as a negative-positive relation for the lines “Not at all;” and “for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin” because Paul is negating that the Jews are better than the Greeks when in reality, they are just as flawed and other God’s wrath because of their sin, like the Greeks and the Gentiles who reject Christ. Johnson continues to state, “A final resolution appears impossible. Fortunately, Paul’s following words do throw some light on his intended meaning, for he places Jews and Greeks once more on equal footing.”
Verses ten and eleven are a progression to the reference of Psalm 14, where Paul quotes, “There is no righteous person, not even one; There is no one who understands, who seeks out God.” This verse is a catenae, or a “chain.” Such catenae are usually organized thematically or by means of word linkage. Here the phrase “there is not one” is repeated five times in 3:10-12, and once more at the end (3:18). verses eleven and eighteen in the entirety is a breakdown of man’s true nature of corruption, beginning with “There is no righteous person” in verse eleven. Beyond verse eleven to verse eighteen, Paul states, “They have all turned aside, together they have become corrupt; There is no one who does good, There is not even one. Their throat is an open grave, With their tongues, they keep deceiving, The venom of gasps is under their lips: Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet are swift to shed blood, Destruction and misery are in their paths, And they have not known the way of peace. There is no fear of God before their eyes.” What follows after verse eleven says, “But you die as men.” Whence also the following is written in Genesis, “And God reconsidered that he had made man upon the earth; and he regretted it in his heart and God said: I should destroy man, whom I have made, from the face of the earth.” Connecting the question then asked in verses nine to verses ten and eleven is a Ground because it concludes Paul’s point that the Jews are not better than the Greeks, they are equal in the eyes of God for both parties are corrupted and sinful; man is corrupted and sinful. It is by faith, through faith, in Christ alone that man is saved.
Romans 3:9-11 is applicable to the modern-day Christian in how it proclaims the truth that it is by faith alone and not by works that man is saved. There is no way to Christ other than the Gospel that proclaims the truth. It is foolish to believe that it is by works or that only the Jews will be saved through their good works because they are the chosen people. Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice and it’s believing in him that will save man, not the works. “We are no better than they? Not at all;” Jesus came to save all, not just the Jews, not just the Gentiles, he came to save all. There is no one more righteous than the other, there is no one who is knowledgeable of all things, there is only Christ who is the most righteous and the most knowledgeable, and thus he is the perfect savior to man.
Gianna Turner is a student attending Reformation Bible College in Sanford, Florida. Gianna graduated last year from Alpine Christian School in west Texas with a passion for knowing more about theology and Scripture. She attended a Christian Counseling Conference in 2021 and discovered her purpose in life is to work with children and help them with childhood trauma and their development. She writes for Warriors for God in her free-time and shares her college papers in order to lend her college wisdom to our readers.
What is the Gospel?
John 3:16 is the decree of the Gospel proclaimed by Jesus Christ. It is so simple even a child could grasp it. So, what is the Gospel? Well, the Gospel is summarized into three suppositions: (a) God is holy (b) We are sinful (c) He (Jesus) alone is our substitute.
The first supposition one must know is that God is the ultimate, the Arche, the Aseity. He created the world and all things in it for His glory, and humans were of His image, the Imago Dei. Apart from God, man is nothing. In Psalm 19:1, David writes, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” The second thing to understand is that man is a sinful being. In the beginning, God established a covenant with Adam, to be fruitful and multiply, to dominate the creatures, but to not eat of the Tree of Good and Evil. Adam failed to keep the covenant with God, plunging his prosperity into sin, leaving man hopeless, lost, and under the wrath of God. With that said, the third and last supposition is that, in mercy, God has provided a substitute which is Christ. He came to overcome the curse and to undo what Adam did and he did what Adam failed to do. Through His passive and active obedience, Christ accomplished the work of redemption on our behalf. He took upon Himself our sin and gave us His righteousness. He is the ultimate sacrifice, the lamb of God. Through repentance and faith in Christ alone, man was given salvation. Man’s faith is justified by the propositions and the truths of the Gospel (notitia), mental assent and affirmation of those propositions (assensus), and an entire trust in those propositions and in the Person of Christ, who is at the center of the Gospel (fiducia).
John 3:16 is the embodiment of the Christian faith, but the second verse, verse seventeen, is just as important, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.” All those in Christ are appointed His ambassadors, apologists, to proclaim the good news of the Gospel, to proclaim that God is making all things new, and to proclaim that God is all in all.
Gianna Turner is a student attending Reformation Bible College in Sanford, Florida. Gianna graduated last year from Alpine Christian School in west Texas with a passion for knowing more about theology and Scripture. She attended a Christian Counseling Conference in 2021 and discovered her purpose in life is to work with children and help them with childhood trauma and their development. She writes for Warriors for God in her free-time and shares her college papers in order to lend her college wisdom to our readers.
January 2023 Newsletter
Warriors for God is so excited to release our first newsletter! We hope you will take the time to read about what our ministry is passionate about, what we’ve been up to, and what we plan to do in 2023. We love support, we appreciate shares, and we would LOVE to hear from you and know how we can help you this year!
Our Detox Adventure
My perspective on health was extremely influenced by my two body-building brothers I admired during my childhood. I saw them eat tons of protein and cut out junk food to build muscle to achieve their ideal bodies. When I lost my brother to suicide, I put my health on the back burner as dark depression and anger consumed me for several years. When I married and started having children, my perspective was revived and refined as I read books about proper nutrition and exercise to insure a healthy baby in the womb. I worked extremely hard to maintain my body weight, including hours a week in a gym during and after having my children. However, nothing challenged my perspective of dieting as much as when my mother found out she had cancer. Since she had not maintained a healthy diet or regular exercise in her sixties, cancer was a battle she fought hard and eventually lost. I realized that healthy bodies have a better chance of fighting disease, and that is exactly what I needed to maintain.
I never possessed a sweet tooth, but I was notorious for skipping meals, for several days even, as I buried myself in work. With an intense interest in suicide prevention and mental health, I dove into books by Dr. Amen who taught me that nutrition and exercise are not only favorable for a healthy body, but also for mental health. I became obsessed with the brain and the fascinating aspects of how all systems in the body rely on a healthy brain, which rely on proper nutrition and protein.
Then, my daughter developed a lump in her throat when she was only 11 years old. We met with three different doctors and had the fluid inside of the lump drained and analyzed to make sure it wasn’t cancer. None of the doctors could give a definite diagnosis but mentioned terms like goiter, thyroid cyst, and hyperactive thyroid but told us to wait a few months and see if it goes away. Fast forward 4 years and the lump remains. We moved to the Texas Hill Country where we have access to more doctors and were recently told by a specialist that she should have it removed, along with her thyroid. He made it sound like it was the only option.
After researching my family’s medical history, I discovered that thyroid issues are prevalent on my mother’s and father’s side. I had my thyroid checked and discovered that I have an overactive thyroid, which is why I have a rapid heartbeat several times a day and my right hand shakes. While my friends advised me not to pursue the surgery option for Hailey at such a young age of sixteen, I feel like I am running out of options! I started looking into natural healing options.
Dr. Don Colbert published a book in 1979, called “Toxic Relief”, that described the overwhelming impact of toxins and preservatives on a human body. He went into great detail about the ingredients in food, even fruits and vegetables, that have changed our society and their health. He offers a natural way of detoxing the body, beginning with a liver detox and then a three-day juice fast. This book and its instructions have proven to prolong life in cancer patients, end or alter heart disease and diabetes, and reset the thyroid.
I’m not sure if this will work for Hailey but it’s worth a shot in lieu of surgery! I figured the best thing for a mother like me to do is to try it first. As Hailey begins her own detox over Christmas break, I can guide her through any struggles she faces as she withdrawals from caffeine and sugar. Fortunately, I have been a pretty healthy eater since my mother passed away from cancer so the only thing I have missed is honey in my tea every morning. Drinking Green Tea without sweetener has not been very satisfying!
I started juicing seven days ago, terrified at first. Dr. Colbert explained the misery of a character in his book – waking up in the morning, dragging herself to the kitchen to make her juice, laboring over the washing and chopping of fruits and vegetables, terrified of the flavor to come. But as she touched the finished concoction to her lips, a burst of flavor hit her tongue, and she was completely satisfied with the taste. I have experienced the exact moment from the fear to the eye-opening flavor as it hit my mouth. I look forward to it every day, and really look forward to this weekend when I get to fast on juice alone, relying heavily on prayer and God to help me through the three days lacking solid food.
Jesus fasted in the desert for 40 days. The Bible says that Jews fasted often throughout the year and relied on fervent prayer to get them through the time. “Juice fasting creates an alkaline environment for your body’s cells and tissues so that they can start releasing waste products through your body’s various channels of elimination” (Dr. Colbert). Fasting also boosts energy cells and rejuvenates a person physically, mentally, and spiritually.
So I leave this thought with you today. If it is a fact that your diet impacts the cells in your body, premature aging, sickness, chronic fatigue, arthritis, mental illness, attention and focus, heart disease, cancer, and so much more then why aren’t you consuming better products in your diet? Your body is being attacked every day by air pollution, toxins in water supplies, preservatives in your food, and dozens of chemicals wreaking havoc on your systems. Do me a favor and do your own research. Become aware of the foods you are ingesting into your body. Maybe that research alone will change your habits like it did for me. This is just one more step to become a stronger Warrior for God!!
Ginger Turner is the Founder and Director of Warriors for God Ministry. She has a Master’s Degree from Liberty University in Marriage and Family Therapy, is a Board Certified Mental Health Coach, and a Christian Life Coach. Ginger, her husband, and three children reside in the Hill Country of Texas where she teaches and counsels couples, young children, and teenagers. Her focus is on enriching marriages and families, suicide awareness, and coaching the community on Whole Body Wellness. Ginger loves the Lord and lives every day for Him, serving Him in whatever capacity He sets on her path.
A Warrior for God
In Biblical times, a Warrior for God was one who followed the hundreds of laws set forth during the time of Moses, including the sacrifices required throughout the year. It was a daunting task! When Jesus spoke to the Pharisees, He explained that the laws were to be replaced with one simple task….”to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). When He died for our sins, He provided a way out of the law and into grace, simply by believing in Him. In John 14:6, Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” When we set our eyes on Jesus and believe in Him, we become Warriors for God.
A Warrior wears their Armor daily. This involves beginning the day with prayer and meditation on God. Ephesians 6:10-18 provide a list of armor a Warrior needs to prepare for battle, every single day. We have the Belt of Truth buckled around our waist – the scriptures that we read and memorize daily. This truth is always on our hearts when we are attacked on the battlefield, because we will be attacked! Psalm 119:11 tells us to “hide the word in our hearts” so that we do not sin against Him. Scripture helps us fight the temptation of sin and the devil’s schemes.
In today’s world, we are surrounded by temptation! Our iPhones, television programs, music, and even some churches are feeding our minds and hearts with lies and treacherous things. The world has justified sin for cultural changes…that times have changed and innocence has changed. Not true!! Sin is still sin and truth is still truth! A Warrior for God stands for principles of truth that our found in the Bible. Those truths include honoring one another; being obedient to God, parents, and authority; honoring marriage; saving the lives of children and babies; and filling our hearts and minds with goodness.
Ephesians 6:13 says repeatedly that we must stand in our Armor of God, standing firm in the values God has instilled in us as Christians. When we fall away from Biblical truths we are jeopardizing our faith, as well as our children’s future. Warriors for God do not falter in their focus on God. This life is a race for us all and we must set our eyes on the path before us! Hebrews 12:2 reminds us of the sin that hinders and entangles us and how we must throw it off to “run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” Consider what Jesus endured on the cross for us, so that we may be free and receive mercy. Warriors for God appreciate His sacrifice and honors it daily in the way they live.
Warriors for God live their lives with targets on their back. As their faith grows, as they disciple to others, and while they worship God, Satan is devising schemes for them to fall. 1Peter 5:8-9 reminds us to “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” We are to resist him and stand firm in our faith.
Suit up in your Armor each day, knowing that Satan will attack. God will be on the battlefield with you through His Holy Spirit inside you. Remember, the war has already been won, and we are on the winning side!!
Grief is Not an Event
The holidays can be challenging for those who have experienced loss. A deep sadness clouds our minds, hardens our hearts, and steals our joy during a season that is meant to represent peace and hope. Grief is not an event where pain can be switched on or off, but instead a process we all must walk through to experience healing. The grief process can take years and it cannot be avoided without feeling bitter, empty, or numb.
The grief stages usually consist of denial or shock, release of emotions, guilt and anger, and then acceptance. A healthy grief process involves true friends who provide support and love through the grieving process. Such friendships will ultimately help the person who has experienced the loss to reorganize and reconnect with the world.
When I lost my brother to suicide, I didn’t grieve properly because I was focused on the pain and void in my life. I drowned myself in work and bad behaviors to avoid the process completely. I was left with a hardened heart, extreme anger, and depression. It wasn’t until years later, when I focused on God and His purpose for my life, that I started to heal properly and accept my brother’s death. When I lost my mother to cancer a few years ago, the grief process was managed by my faith in God and His plan, friends who loved me, and knowing that my grieving was going to be a process required to heal my broken heart.
Psalm 23 says God will comfort those who are walking through the valley of the shadow of death. During the days and weeks of mourning, God will never abandon us.
Ginger Turner is the Founder and Director of Warriors for God Ministry. She has a Master’s Degree from Liberty University in Marriage and Family Therapy, is a Board Certified Mental Health Coach, and a Christian Life Coach. Ginger, her husband, and three children reside in the Hill Country of Texas where she teaches and counsels couples, young children, and teenagers. Her focus is on enriching marriages and families, suicide awareness, and coaching the community on Whole Body Wellness. Ginger loves the Lord and lives every day for Him, serving Him in whatever capacity He sets on her path.
Choose Joy
Are you facing challenges in your life right now? Jesus told his disciples in John 16:33 that they will face trouble and persecution but reminded them that He has overcome the world. When we focus on the pain and the struggle we are experiencing, we aren’t focused on God. When we aren’t focused on God, we tend to lose sight of the joy around us. Remember that God is in control, and while it may be hard to realize it now, He will be with you as you experience every challenge and struggle. Focus on Him and what He is doing in your life in this moment. Choose joy!!
I remember when I was sitting at my mother’s bedside a few years ago, and I was watching her struggling to breathe because the cancer in her lungs had consumed them. I prayed in every moment that God would heal her and relieve her pain but every day seemed to get worse. I was so focused on her pain and my heart ache that I could not find joy in the moment. One day, I opened my Bible and read Psalm 116 that speaks about thanksgiving and deliverance from death. While my mother could not avoid her death, I could provide joy to her in her final hours. I chose joy and spoke to her about life and how much I loved her. I decorated her hospital room with beautiful flowers and splashes of her favorite colors. She was surrounded by joy and love which set her heart at ease. Her final days were peaceful and I found joy in being with her through every last breath she took.
If you are struggling today, consider the positive things surrounding you and focus on them instead. If you know someone who is struggling, be a vessel of joy for them and find a way to encourage and love them. It’s crucial to switch the mindset from doom & gloom to joy & gratefulness. Meditate on three things you are grateful for today and see how your perspective can change.
Ginger Turner is the Founder and Director of Warriors for God Ministry. She has a Master’s Degree from Liberty University in Marriage and Family Therapy, is a Board Certified Mental Health Coach, and a Christian Life Coach. Ginger, her husband, and three children reside in the Hill Country of Texas where she teaches and counsels couples, young children, and teenagers. Her focus is on enriching marriages and families, suicide awareness, and coaching the community on Whole Body Wellness. Ginger loves the Lord and lives every day for Him, serving Him in whatever capacity He sets on her path.
“Get Up”
The chorus of this song came to me after a friend’s husband passed away and she could not work her way out of the valley of the shadow of death. Bitterness and grief consumed her, and for months I wanted to tell her to just Get Up. But the rest of the song never came to me.
Years later another friend was going through a difficult trial with her young son. He had been gripped by sin and darkness, and was actually arrested and removed from his home. My friend was lying on the floor in her son’s room, in tears, when she heard God tell her to Get Up. She heard it, audibly. She obeyed, and she was moved to stomp her feet in anger at the enemy and tell him he would NOT win the battle over her son’s heart and his soul. She stomped her foot and told him to leave. Another friend witnessed a terrible cracking sound inside the house, light flooded into the room, and she felt God’s presence sweep the house, tearing through the stronghold that had been invited in by her son. She shared this story with me, and after hearing her say Get Up, I knew immediately God intended the song for her. He was faithful and filled in the rest of the song that had escaped me for so many years. It became her anthem for that season, her victory cry.
(Music & Lyrics owned by Caroline Luna)
Warriors for God encourages our visitors and followers to share this song with others who may need to hear the words and have a reminder to be strong, Get Up, and know that God is with you and with Him all things are possible! These lyrics have helped many people through the struggles of life and turmoils they’ve experienced.
Caroline Luna lives with her husband and three children in Alpine, Texas. She started on her Warrior path when she served as the Head of School for Alpine Christian School and took the safety and well-being of the whole campus to heart. She (along with Ginger) led the staff in a daily attack on the spiritual forces at work against the school and she trained for physical threats as well. She is a licensed attorney and a certified handgun instructor for Texas License to Carry and NRA Pistol, but more interestingly, she is a former worship leader who still loves to play guitar and sing His praises. Thankfully she has been able to fight most of her battles with a bible and/or guitar in hand and not her other weapons of choice.
Parents!!
Let me share some data with you that may encourage you to change some things with your children.
- Gut health impacts brain health. If your family is consuming junk food or things that cause inflammation of the gut then their brains are not at their fullest potential.
- Are they looking at screens an hour or less before bed? Blue light has proven to hinder REM which is crucial to good rest
- Are they getting 8 hours of sleep each night? If the brain is tired then they can’t focus well during the day.
- Are they taking vitamins? Include Omega-3 foods into diet, vitamin C & D, B-12, & probiotics
- How much screen time do they have each day? Are they going through tech detox on weekends and getting outside and spending time with family or friends?
- What kind of exercise are they getting? Walks, running, sports? This is crucial for whole body health!
Consider your family’s emotional, physical, spiritual, and mental health and how you can work together to improve these aspects together. Have a meeting and set goals and discuss the important of each of these to your family.
Warriors for God is here to coach you through the process if you need help. We want you and your family strong and ready for battle.
Ginger Turner is the Founder and Director of Warriors for God Ministry. She has a Master’s Degree from Liberty University in Marriage and Family Therapy, is a Board Certified Mental Health Coach, and a Christian Life Coach. Ginger, her husband, and three children reside in the Hill Country of Texas where she teaches and counsels couples, young children, and teenagers. Her focus is on enriching marriages and families, suicide awareness, and coaching the community on Whole Body Wellness. Ginger loves the Lord and lives every day for Him, serving Him in whatever capacity He sets on her path.