We have discovered that several of the men in our group are avid duck hunters. During our discussion last night concerning surrendering to God and being "all in", one of our group members made a wonderful analogy; surrendering to God is like duck hunting!   A duck hunter prepares for his adventure; wakes before dawn, puts on waterproof waders, goes out to the duck blind, loads his guns, uses a duck call to entice the birds; and then he waits, the hunter knows he has done everything in his power to have a successful hunt, now he must wait and trust that the birds will come and his shot will find its target. The hunter may a have a wonderful hunt and he may bag many ducks; the hunter also knows that he may sit for many hours and go home empty handed. If a hunter is focused on what he thinks he wants (only shooting a duck) and does not surrender to the process, he will be miserable if the hunt is not "successful". According to the men in our group, ultimately, it doesn't matter whether or not the hunter shoots a duck (although that is always great!); just the experience of sitting in God's creation and enjoying the beautiful sunrise, with a friend or family member, is amazing. When the hunter surrenders his agenda (shooting a duck), the hunter is rewarded with the pure joy of the experience; spending time with a beloved son or uncle. Surrendering to God and being "all in" means letting go and trusting that God desires only the very best for each of us.  You may not receive what it is that you think you desire (shooting a duck), but the rewards can be even greater (the beauty of the sunrise and time with your family).

One of our group members shared an amazing story of how what went into his mind affected his attitude. This man commutes many hours per day. After starting the r12 study, he purchased an audio book about Christianity. He has been listening to this book during his commute. Last week, his car was hit by another car; the car that hit him was un-drivable. Instead of reacting in a "worldly" way (with anger and frustration), our group member gave the other drive a ride home. His heart changed based on what went into his mind - amazing!

Just recently I found out my father had passed away. We don't know how he died or who was with him. His death brought back a world of hurt memories for me.  As a child I was raised for the first 8 yrs. of my life on a reservation in Arizona, spoke the native tongue was dirt poor but very happy, we were sold to a man I never knew or seen in my life, my father, brought here to ca. and began to live in a world I never knew existed, a life of physical, mental, verbal and sexual abuse. I became an alcoholic at the tender age of 9 was one for over 40 yrs. I eventually forgave him for all that happened. I started attending a small church and so I thought I was a good Christian, at first I was but then I fell back into my life of alcohol and drugs. But since starting this r12 study it has shown me that this is a life of lies the drinking and saying it is okay to have one or two or five, that God will always forgive. But this is not the case for me, for the first time in my life I am truly being taught and taking in what God wants for me and that He loves me. I am loved in such a way that when I do, do things that are wrong I just want to die because I have hurt Him, I have never truly known how genuine love felt like in my life from a Father that Loves me the Way my Heavenly Father does. I have surrendered to Him, it is tough to brake an old cycle of life that I had lived for so long but with my Heavenly Father I know I am going to make it this time and for the rest of my life. I have a husband that I have been married to for 31 years and he keeps me in line with God's word and assures me of how much God loves me and everyone else.

I was going to start yet another affair today.  It had been planned, we had met for drinks.  Today we were going to meet at a hotel room.  But the conviction of the Holy Spirit, through your spoken and written words, stopped me.  Since this series started, the Holy Spirit has been speaking to me.  First it was a very small voice that I ignored. (I want what I want, and I'm not going to listen to you)  Then it was a debate in my mind that I tried to dismiss.  (You deserve this; you do so much for everyone else)  Finally it was God himself who said to me, "Choose this day, who you will follow.  My way leads to life, your way leads to death."  It became overwhelmingly evident that my choices were killing me. (James 1:15) I was headed toward death, but this past Sunday I chose to surrender it all.  I chose life.

You have taught me that God wants what is best, even for me. (Romans 12:2)  He loves me and cares for me.  I don't think I ever really "got that" before.  Maybe I did on an intellectual level, but I never believed it for my life.  Instead, I have pursued what I thought would fulfill me.  I have looked for love through countless affairs; I have looked for satisfaction on the Internet.  I have never been faithful to my spouse.  It has brought me great shame.  It has choked off my relationship with God, my family and my community.    This past week I realized for the first time that I am an addict.  I don\'t like that word, especially when it is used to describe me, yet it fits.  "Persistent compulsive use of a substance known by the user to be harmful" (-Webster). That is the control sex and pornography have on me.  I now realize I am powerless to stop it.  I can't just try harder to be faithful.  I have no self-control when it comes to this issue.  My battle can only be won by choosing life, by choosing to surrender my life to God.  I have always focused on my behavior (be a better spouse), not on my thinking (renew my mind).    The love, peace and acceptance I crave can only come from God.  I get that now.  What I put into my mind is the key.  I have been reading James this week, as you suggested.  Not because I have to, but because I want to.  I want God to talk to me. I want God to stand by me in my struggles. I need him to fight this spiritual battle that rages in my mind.  God loves me and wants a relationship with me.  His Word shows me what the relationship looks like.  God has been so faithful to me, even as I pushed Him away and openly sinned against Him.  His love for me is overwhelming, despite my shortcomings.  I want to pursue Him, because He has always been there for me.  I want to be faithful to Him, because He has always loved me.  I want to offer my body as a living sacrifice, because it is my spiritual act of worship to Him.

I'm not sure where this will lead, but I am ready for the journey.  I am looking forward to reading his Word, not because I "should" but because it is the best way to get to know Him.  I am looking forward to praying, not because it is required, but because I want to talk with Him.  Chip, I realize you get hundreds if not thousands of these emails.  Each one slightly different, but all having the same theme of loss, despair and hopelessness.  I also have a sense that you have been asking God to bring about a revival in your congregation.  I believe God is answering your prayers and I am but one of thousands going through the same transformation.  Thank you for speaking God\'s Word so clearly.  Thank you for your message of hope for the hopeless like myself.  Your message, through the power of the Holy Spirit, has changed me profoundly.    Although I prefer to not use my name at this point, please feel free to use my story, and please pray for me.  I have a long hard journey ahead.  By the way, I am a woman in her 40's, not a man.  This addiction can affect anyone.

Chip - Thanks again for your R12 resource! We had 25 or so Rams and their wives together for study this fall and went through each of the R12 studies and built wonderful community. It has been a trying year for them on the field but their fellowship was very important to keeping them together and united.

Thank you for being a great resource. Here are some of the comments they shared:

" I like the homework that encourages us to get into the Word during the week, on our own"

"Penetrating questions for group discussion"

"R12 is a great overall message of what a Christian should look like. Knowing our strengths and weaknesses and being real was our favorite lesson. All too often people try to be like someone else when God has given them different gifts"

"We enjoyed your Romans 12 study. It pushed both of us and challenged us to go more in depth in our Christian faith. We really enjoyed your stories"

All in...  in STL,

Rick

I'm all in!!!!

I just want to sincerely Thank you for your ministry it has blessed my life tremendously. I have experienced more growth than ever since listening. I am committed to the R12 challenge! I believe in you and your ministry. My family and I will continue to keep you in prayer!  God Bless YOU!

I was so blessed by your teaching & I am all in!  I am so ready for this as I still seem to have a hard time letting go of my singleness & desire for a husband.  I know that is limiting my heart in doing God's will & hearing from the Lord. 

Thank you & bless you for your teachings!

Just wanted to thank you for your message. I have been having concerns about

What direction to take with my job. I've been so worried as it will affect the life of my family greatly. I want to sign the bottom of my check and just truly trust that God will take care of my family and me. Please keep me in your prayers! I love listening to your radio program and pray that God continues to greatly bless your ministry!

I'm all in.  I have given it all to God. What a peaceful blessing. Thank you all for being there for me. I am separated and am trying to restore my marriage. My husband says he has already moved on and cannot trust me. I want to talk to him about how awesome God is and how he has changed my life. He has chosen to be involved with another woman. What can I do besides praying for him and giving it over to God? 

Again, thank you so much for being one of Gods messengers. I am truly grateful.