Rating 

from James Klassen

A friend gave me this CD the other day. As I was listening to it, the Lord brought me to tears by reminding me of a personal example of how powerful encouragement can be. Just yesterday I was on the ski hill training toward my “impossible dream” when I saw a beginner skier under the chairlift slowly scrambling face first down the hill. She was obviously frightened out of her mind. I asked Jesus if I should take that run (a different run than I was training on) to help her. He didn’t answer me but I was moved by compassion “just in case” she might still be there. She was, and with some confident words, I was able to calm her down, get her equipment on her and send her down the hill on her feet. A hundred people had probably skied past her. It just took a kind, strong word and someone else to believe in her to get her to stand up again. I went on to have the best day of my life. Actually . . . one might expect that kind of instant Karma reaction, but I actually had my worst day in years. I had too much speed going into my next jump and dropped out of the sky onto a painful flat landing. After that nothing worked and I felt like I had never skied before in my life. I am currently flat on my back recovering and trying not to get down on myself for messing up and missing critical training time. As I was listening to this message today, the Lord showed me that I am just like the lady I encouraged, and my brothers and sisters who are committed to pray for me are there to help me get back on my feet. Banning would refer to my experience yesterday as a “test of discouragement”. This is one of the dozen things I needed to hear in his message. I am so encouraged right now to keep pushing toward my dream. Not because my dream seems more possible all of a sudden. It seems less possible than ever. I am encouraged because I just learned that I can expect to experience this kind of discouragement if I am on the path God has for me. That is the thing I need to know more than anything. Is He with me or am I doing this on my own? The high personal cost and terrifying nature of my pursuit would be completely futile if this is just my own thing. Banning has helped me understand that the things the enemy could use to get me down, are exactly what I can expect if I am on the right path. Thanks Banning. You rawk. This is just what the Lord knew I needed. Sincerely, James Klassen.