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Tag: Spiritual Growth

Frontline Peace: The Fight for Reconciliation
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Frontline Peace: The Fight for Reconciliation

By Drake Hunter | Commentary, Elevating Life Church Be angry, and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. ~ Ephesians 4:26-27 ~ One of the most common—and most misunderstood—beliefs Christians carry is this: Avoiding conflict is an act of love. It sounds spiritual. It sounds peaceful. But it isn’t what Jesus teaches. Jesus does not command silence in close relationships—He commands reconciliation. And when we confuse avoidance with love, we quietly surrender ground the enemy is more than happy to occupy. Let me take you back to my younger Air Force days. I had just been stationed in Germany. I was a brand-new Christian—excited, sincere, and still very immature. I had started going to church and was building ...
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Accountability & Encouragement — Growing Strong Together in Prayer
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Accountability & Encouragement — Growing Strong Together in Prayer

By Pastor Drake Hunter | Commentary, Elevating Life Church Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds… encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.  ~ Hebrews 10:24–25 ~ As I write these words, Sherrie and I are again in the hospital, where we've spent the past 22 days experiencing a whirlwind of emotions and events. Each day presents new challenges—tests, treatments, setbacks, and small wins. The breathtaking sunrises over the Rocky Mountains seen from the hospital window serve as a constant reminder of hope. Your prayers have been our foundation during this journey. Your thoughtful messages, encouraging calls, and steadfast support showcase the true spirit of Christian unity in action. Sp...
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Growing Up in Prayer — Why It Matters for the Armor of God
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Growing Up in Prayer — Why It Matters for the Armor of God

By Pastor Drake Hunter | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests   ~ Ephesians 6:18 ~ This week, our family celebrated a special milestone: my 9-month-old grandson, Thommy-boy, said his very first word—“Baby.” Moments like that remind us how wonderful life can be even during tough times. Later, I thought: What if, ten years from now, that was still the only word he could say? We’d all see that something was seriously wrong. Growth means expanding language, forming deeper connections, and improving our ability to communicate. Remember, prayer is the strength of a united relationship, whether it’s marriage, friendship, work, community, or even an Army—an Army of God ready to fight.  At this ...
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Victory in Christ — The Calling of a Child of God
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Victory in Christ — The Calling of a Child of God

By Pastor Drake Hunter | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  ~ 1 Corinthians 15:57 ~ Let’s explore the Reason, Grace, Truth, and Revelation behind the Calling of God’s Children. Reason – Understanding the Call Every follower of Jesus has two callings—a Primary Calling and a Secondary Calling. Your Primary Calling is not about what you do, but who you become. It’s the call to be a child of God. Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). That’s not a task—it’s an identity. This is where victory begins: when we turn our hearts over to Jesus, remove the beam from our own eye, and allow Him to create a new life within u...
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Preparing for Battle — The Full Armor of God
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Preparing for Battle — The Full Armor of God

By Pastor Drake Hunter | Commentary, Elevation Life Church “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” ~ 1 Peter 5:8 ~ When Peter wrote these words, he wasn’t describing a paranoid state of mind—he was describing a prepared one. Being alert and sober-minded means living fully awake—alert in God’s love and clear-minded in Christ’s truth. I learned that lesson the hard way after my time in the Air Force. When I retired after two decades of service, I thought I was good to go. I’d been trained to stay sharp, follow procedures, stay mission-focused, and even trust in God. But mentally and spiritually, I let my guard down. I believed I was living for Christ, but in truth, I was livi...
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The Whole Armor: Where Humanity Meets Holiness
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The Whole Armor: Where Humanity Meets Holiness

By Pastor Drake Hunter | Commentary, Elevation Life Church Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  ~ Ephesians 6:11 ~  Are you a half-dressed soldier in the Lord’s Army? During my time in the Air Force, one lesson stuck with me: readiness is everything. There’s no such thing as being partially prepared for a mission. I’ll never forget my time at Camp Bullis during a maneuvering field exercise early in my career. A few of us airmen decided to “lighten the load.” We figured since it was just training, we could ditch some of the gear—vests, helmets, gloves—just to stay comfortable. “It’s not real combat,” we told ourselves. “What’s the harm?” Then came the surprise inspection and a simulated attack. We were comple...
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The Shoes of Peace: Stepping Into Purpose Instead of Panic
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The Shoes of Peace: Stepping Into Purpose Instead of Panic

By Pastor Drake Hunter | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ~ Colossians 3:15 ~ During my time in the Air Force around the year 2000, I had the wonderful opportunity to work as a high-ropes instructor for youth in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The high ropes courses were built to challenge people beyond their comfort zones — encouraging them to trust their harnesses, stay level, and keep moving with confidence. One day, I decided to take my son Jeremiah to one of the courses. We thought it would be a wonderful father-son adventure — a fun activity we could enjoy together. But as soon as he stepped onto the line, everything suddenly shifted. Fear overwhelmed him. Anxiety took ...
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The hardest place to practice peace is where it’s needed most
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The hardest place to practice peace is where it’s needed most

By Pastor Drake Hunter | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” ~ Matthew 5:9 ~ Over the past few weeks, we’ve explored how planes and trains remind us to rise above and stay on track, and now, with automobiles, we see that peace isn’t meant to stay parked—it’s meant to move and spread wherever we go. During a trip to Florida, Sherrie and I experienced just how true this is. We reserved a car through a lesser-known rental company that promises convenience and low rates but often hides headaches in fine print. From the moment we arrived, it was a nightmare. We had planned to rent an SUV to make travel easier for Sherrie, who, as many know, is battling Stage 4 brain cancer and finds it hard to move around. But when...
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The Shoes of Peace: Walking in Peace
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The Shoes of Peace: Walking in Peace

By Pastor Drake Hunter | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  ~ Philippians 4:7 ~ Last time, we talked about putting on The Shoes of Peace—being ready. But shoes aren’t just for standing still or being set, like in the phrase “Ready, set…” They’re for moving forward. They’re for GOING! This week, we’re lacing up and stepping into what it means to walk in peace. Let’s GO! When I travel with my wife, Sherrie, again, who is facing health challenges due to Stage 4 Brain Cancer, things can get chaotic—and I’m 100% willing to navigate it with her. Airports and train stations are usually the most intense. Announcements blare over the loudspeakers, people dart like fish in...
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Ready, Aim, Fire: How the Shoes of Peace Keep Us Steady During Chaos
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Ready, Aim, Fire: How the Shoes of Peace Keep Us Steady During Chaos

By Pastor Drake Hunter | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns! ~ Isaiah 52:7 ~ Last week, Sherrie and I were traveling to Florida. Many know my wife has Stage 4 brain cancer, and because of that, she’s mostly immobilized. When we travel, she needs a wheelchair, and I do everything I can to make the process easier for her. On this trip, we had a long layover at the airport in Maryland. When it came time to board our connecting flight, the attendant announced over the speaker, “We’ll now begin boarding those needing assistance.” That should have been our cue to show care, patience, and offer help. Instead, i...
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