Rocky Mountain Voice

Author: Drake Hunter

Devotional: Perseverance – Keep Climbing! It’s Worth It!
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Devotional: Perseverance – Keep Climbing! It’s Worth It!

By Drake Hunter | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Ever found yourself halfway up a mountain thinking, Why did I do this? Your legs burn, your lungs gasp, and your motivation runs dry. The summit seems distant, and the parking lot below is tempting. This is perseverance—when quitting looks easy, the reward for pressing on is greater. “But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” – Matthew 24:13 (ESV) Many compare salvation to climbing God’s mountain. Jesus said, “Follow Me” before ascending the Sermon on the Mount. Salvation is a gift, freely given, not earned. But the journey of faith—becoming more like Christ—is an actual climb. Perseverance is faith in motion, a steady pace, and a determination to keep going. Let’s see how perseverance, the fifth panel of the helme...
Hunter: Suit Up! The Helmet of Salvation — Sanctification: No Pain, No Gain – Spiritual Workout
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Hunter: Suit Up! The Helmet of Salvation — Sanctification: No Pain, No Gain – Spiritual Workout

By Drake Hunter | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Every meaningful relationship requires effort, whether in marriage, parenting, or professional life. A thriving life doesn’t just happen; it takes work. The same principle applies to our relationship with God. Many recognize that salvation is a gift—freely given, not earned. And that’s true! Through Christ, we receive Justification, Adoption, and Regeneration—the objective and subjective aspects of salvation and all are freely granted, forming the footprint or foundation of our salvation. But here’s where it gets real: there’s an ongoing aspect of salvation called sanctification—and that, my friends, is where the spiritual sweat kicks in. Sanctification is the divine workout regimen for every believer, requiring daily effort, enduran...
Devotional: Embracing new life through regeneration
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Devotional: Embracing new life through regeneration

By Drake Hunter | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice The Helmet of Salvation, an essential part of the spiritual armor described in Ephesians 6:10-18, is not merely an image to visualize. It symbolizes the protection and assurance we gain when we respond to God's call for a new life—or a rebirth of reality—a new existence where we shed the old self and embrace a new reality that transforms our religious experiences into a deeper and more profound humanity in every aspect of life. The question is: will you answer the call?  Ring! Ring! Ring! Ah, the sweet sound of an incoming call. Well, at least it used to be. Nowadays, when my wife calls, I hear "Oh Sherrie"  by Journey (yes, I’m that guy). But no matter the ringtone, every call presents a choice—answer it or let it go to voicema...
Devotional: Adoption, the inheritance stored in God’s eternal trust fund
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Devotional: Adoption, the inheritance stored in God’s eternal trust fund

By Drake Hunter | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Imagine this: God’s promises are like a special trust fund—a wonderful gift from a loving Parent. This trust fund isn’t about what we do or how much we achieve; it’s all about His endless grace.  Think of it as our eternal inheritance, a beautiful treasure we receive when we become part of God’s family through faith in Jesus Christ.  Here’s the comforting part: to really enjoy everything God has to offer, we just need to learn how to tap into this divine trust fund. When we do, He can bless us with even more treasures, filling up the heavenly bank account we’re building for eternity! Romans 8:15 says, “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brou...
Devotional: Suit up for the battle of your mind with Justification
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Devotional: Suit up for the battle of your mind with Justification

By Drake Hunter | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice After serving more than two decades in the U.S. military, I’ve learned that the fiercest battles aren’t fought with swords or shields, they’re fought in the mind. Every day, we wrestle with doubt, anxiety, guilt and the rackety voices of culture telling us who we are (or should be). The enemy, who isn’t flesh and blood, knows that if he can get us to question our standing before God, he can shake our confidence, weaken our faith and make us ineffective in every area: intellectually, physically, morally and spiritually. That’s why the Helmet of Salvation, a crucial part of our spiritual armor, isn’t just a theological concept, it’s the bedrock of thinking and living. The Bible’s familiar warrior, the Apostle Paul, says plainly: ...
Devotional: The six panels of the Helmet of Salvation
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Devotional: The six panels of the Helmet of Salvation

By Drake Hunter | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice What truly defines our humanity? Is it our intelligence, our emotions or perhaps our knack for brewing the perfect cup of coffee? While many creatures display intelligence, experience deep feelings and even utilize tools — just think of a beaver constructing a dam or a squirrel cracking a nut — there's something unique that sets us apart. It's our ability to seek meaning, make moral choices, and pursue right, equable relationships and justice (purpose). Unlike animals that rely on instinct, we possess the gift of self-reflection, wisdom and the power to shape our reality through our decisions, provided we choose to channel that power for good. Yet, despite having this gift, we often make a mess of things. Poor decisions, unclea...
Devotional: Learning to trust God’s Armor in all aspects of your life
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Devotional: Learning to trust God’s Armor in all aspects of your life

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

By Drake Hunter | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice The screaming and whirling of the drag as I set the hook into what I hoped would be a whopper rainbow was unforgettable. The trout surfaced and then nearly pulled me in the river, waders and all, and that was enough. I was "hooked", you could say. OK, maybe it wasn't a "whopper" and maybe it didn't exactly go down like that. Maybe the trout was the size of the fish Deion Sanders catches in that commercial with Nick Saban. It felt like a whopper to this novice, and I had "the bug" you could say for fly fishing. That's why I'm like a kid in a candy store this week. The 23rd annual Denver Fly Fishing Show is making its return to the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center from Friday-Sunday, Feb. 21-23. The Fly Fishing ...
Devotional: You, too, are equipped with a superpower – gratitude
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Devotional: You, too, are equipped with a superpower – gratitude

By DRAKE HUNTER | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Today, superheroes are a huge part of our culture — found in movies, video games, comic books and costumes. Many people are eager to discover heroes to admire, captivated by their astonishing powers and inspiring courage. What sets superheroes apart is their unique abilities. For example, Iron Man utilizes his genius-level intellect and cutting-edge technology, while Black Panther draws enhanced senses and strength from the mystical Heart-Shaped Herb. Wonder Woman wields her Lasso of Truth and a magical sword, the Flash captivates with super speed, and Captain America embodies justice with his iconic shield. Collectively, they represent the superpower of courage, driven by deep appreciation and gratitude. Like the legendary charac...
Devotional: Vision is not just a cliché, but requires action
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Devotional: Vision is not just a cliché, but requires action

By DRAKE HUNTER | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Vision is not just a buzzword, it's a crucial aspect of effective leadership — here, there, and everywhere. Let’s examine its true meaning and how it can empower us to lead with purpose and meaning. Unfortunately, vision has lost its meaning and purpose today; it has become clichéd. Phrases like “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” “You can't see the forest for the trees,” and the ever-popular “Where there is no vision, the people perish” are overused. People frequently discuss vision, but few truly understand its significance and power. Let's not underestimate the power of vision. It's not just a passive idea or a fleeting dream; it's a force that can empower us to understand and reason our purpose and meaning in life. When a...