The Cornelius Project

This morning I read the story of an 11-year old girl named Esther. And how she was recently brutally r***d …

Esther and her family live in the Democratic Republic of Congo. She’s one of 9 children. She and her family are Christians.

The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) attacked her village this past January. They killed many, and then abducted Esther and her mother (and 3 other relatives).

They took Esther and her mother into a nearby forest, where they then sexually abused and r***d her and her mother.

Esther required much medical attention, as did her mother.

Her mother was r***d “by four men successively,” leaving her terribly wounded and her body “deformed.”

Esther and her mother credit the Lord for sparing their lives. And they’re even asking God to forgive their attackers.

I don’t think I could do that …

Colonel Grossman is going to host his own church safety seminar. He’s calling it THE BULLETPROOF HOUSE OF WORSHIP SAFETY CONFERENCE.

It will be next April in Mt Vernon, Illinois (87 miles east of St Louis)

Check out the website - and be sure to get on his email list so he can send you an occasional email reminding you about the conference

Click below

MT VERNON, ILLINOIS - APRIL 24-26, 2025 "We’ll come together and learn how to Better Protect our Congregations, and how to be Victorious in Spiritual Warfare!"

Did I ever share the story of how I helped the Arkansas Razorbacks football team win a game … ?

It was September 14, 2002. Arkansas was playing South Florida at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.

My daughter, Katey, and I had sideline passes thanks to a connection we had (this was actually the third time I’d had the privilege of being on the sidelines for a Razorback game)…

Here’s what happened…

The first quarter ended with no score, despite Arkansas being a team that should have easily taken the lead. We just couldn’t seem to get into the end zone.

One of my all-time favorite Razorbacks was the quarterback, Matt Jones, number 9.

As the second quarter progressed, our offense struggled, and we had to punt again. Matt Jones came over to the sideline and settled into his usual spot next to the phone connecting him to the press box and the offensive coordinator.

That’s when I felt it was time to step in. Matt needed some “encouragement.”

A couple of weeks earlier, I had read an online quote from Matt Jones about perseverance and giving your all in every game. I was so inspired by his words that I made a copy and kept it in my wallet.

Now was the moment to share it with Jones. I approached him and started a conversation…

“Mr. Jones, I apologize for interrupting, but I wanted to let you know that I carry a quote by you in my wallet. It’s really motivating. Would you like to read it?”

“Sure,” he said. I handed him the quote and stood quietly as he read it. When he finished, he looked at me with a determined spark in his eyes and said, “Thanks. I’m READY now!”

I went back to my spot and watched the game. On the very next possession, Jones led his team down the field. From the 21-yard line, he took the snap and threw a pass to his left. The receiver caught it and ran into the end zone!

I was thrilled. As a matter of fact, I was so excited that I called my dad, a devoted Razorback fan who was watching the game on TV.

“Dad, did you see that touchdown pass?”

“I sure did,” he replied.

“Well, I played a part in that.”

“What do you mean?” he asked.

“I went over and had a good talk with Matt Jones. I got him all fired up.”

We shared a good laugh. Arkansas ended up winning 42-3.

Now, there’s a spiritual lesson in this…

Things seem grim right now: our economy is unstable, there are wars abroad, crime on our streets, and a lot of uncertainty. Today, nearly 100 people will take their own lives.

Despair is palpable, even among believers.

This is the perfect time to do what I did for Matt Jones: offer encouragement!

It’s the perfect time for a … quote …

And that quote can come from the Highest Source available: The Word of the Living God.

Scripture repeatedly instructs us to “encourage one another.” This is a practice we desperately need… RIGHT NOW…

So today, instead of criticizing political opponents, complaining about current difficulties, or focusing on what’s wrong, choose to use the power of your words to ENCOURAGE YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN THE FAITH.

Remind them of their identity in Christ.

Remind them that no matter how dark things seem, we are “children of the light.”

Remind them that even if it feels like many are against us, “they that are for us are MORE than those who are against us” (2 Kings 6).

Looking at the “scoreboard” may give you the impression that we are behind - but we are not! The fact is, we are winning. Know this: our Heavenly Father has NEVER been in a contest or conflict that He did not come out victorious.

And we are “in Him,” and because we are, we … will … triumph …