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Endurance for the Journey, Featured, His Word

Made in God’s Image

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May 20, 2025

- Endurance for the Journey, Featured, His Word

Dear Friends of Endurance: As we continue on our journey through the Discipleship Handbook, we shift from understanding the importance of having a high view of God to now understanding that we are “Made in God’s Image!” Think about that for a moment, God created man in His own image! It is absolutely amazing to me but it is also very convicting to me when I think of how I’ve looked and treated others in the past at times and not seeing them as being “Made in the Image of God.” However, theses days it is a much different story. I remind myself that we are ALL made in His image!



Made in God’s Image

Then God said, let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness …
So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them. And God blessed them.
And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply
and fill the earth and subdue it …”
GENESIS 1:26-28 (NIV)



In Genesis 1:26-28, we see that God created man and and woman in His image, after His likeness, and gave them dominion over the earth.


So what does it mean to be made in God’s image? Primarily it means that we are created with the capacity to know and reflect God to the world. We were given by God spiritual, moral, and creative capacities to first and foremost be able to know, love, and worship God. We were also given these capacities to reflect the goodness and character of God by the way we take care of God’s creation and interact with others. As a mirror clearly reflects an image, so we are made to clearly reflect God out into the world.



Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground
and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life,
and the man became a living creature.
GENESIS 2:7 (NIV)



It was God’s breath – God’s own energy and life – that gave Adam life. God breathed life and spirit into Adam through His Spirit, the Spirit who is the breath of God and gives life to all things. Unlike other created creatures, man has the ability to commune with God and to exercise dominion over the earth. When God breathed life and spirit into Adam, he was perfectly whole and integrated, working in harmony with God.



REFLECTION: How do you see and experience the “image of God” (Imago Dei) in yourself and others, and the reality that we are more than just physical beings?



On the journey with you,
Jan & Dave Dravecky

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Endurance for the Journey, Faith, Featured

Deeper Dive One True God

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April 26, 2025

- Endurance for the Journey, Faith, Featured

Let’s take a deeper dive into God’s own words about God as the Sovereign Creator and one true God.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
GENESIS 1:1

The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
PSALM 19:1

Since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities –
his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen,
being understood from what has been made,
so that people are without excuse.
For although they knew God,
they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him …
ROMANS 1:20-21

“For I am God, and there is no other; I am God and thee is none like me,
declaring the end from the beginning
and from ancient times things not yet done,saying,
‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.'”
ISAIAH 46:9-10

The God who made the world and everything in it –
he is Lord of heaven and earth – does not live in shrines made by hands.
Neither is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything,
since he himself gives everyone life and breath and all things.
From one man he has made every nationality to live over the whole earth
and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries
of where they live. He did this so that they might seek God, and
perhaps they might reach out and find him,
though he is not far from each one of us.
For in him we live and move and have our being …
ACTS 24-28

REFLECTION:
When you consider the power of God revealed in these verses, how does it impact you?

On the journey with you,
Jan & Dave Dravecky

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Endurance for the Journey, Featured

The Fear and Reverence of God

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April 14, 2025

- Endurance for the Journey, Featured

Dear Friends of Endurance:
As we continue with our journey through the Discipleship Handbook, we are confronted with the “fear” of God. During my early years of growing up I recall having an unhealthy view of the “fear of God.” I actually thought that God was someone you couldn’t get close to. Years later when I became a follower of Jesus what compelled me to put my trust in Jesus was His desire to have a personal relationship with me! No longer did I feel I couldn’t get close to God because He was to be “feared” but He actually calls me His Friend and I am His.


Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom.
PROVERBS 9:10 (NLT)



Anytime someone encounters God in the Bible, they fall flat on their face in fear; which is actually an appropriate response if you consider it.

This type of fear, however, should not drive us away, but draw us in. In C.S. Lewis’ classic book The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe, one exchange between Susan and Mr. Beaver captures this idea of the kind of fear and wonder that draws you in:

“Aslan is a lion – The Lion, the great Lion.”
“Ooh,” said Susan. “I’d thought he was a man. Is he quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion.”
“Safe?” Said Mr. Beaver. “Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good.”

We are told in Proverbs that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” Proverbs 9:10. This fear of God is by nature humble, recognizing that God is God, and we are not. When we have humble reverence for God, we are ready to receive and follow His instruction, which leads to abundant life and a life well lived.

As you set your mind and heart upon the all-powerful Creator with humility and reverence, you will find yourself taking the first big step towards knowing God and discovering your purpose and unique calling.



REFLECTION:
When or where do you most often experience this type of humble fear and reverence for God? How would you describe what it feels like?



On the journey with you,
Dave Dravecky

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Endurance for the Journey, Featured

A High View of God

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April 14, 2025

- Endurance for the Journey, Featured

Seven Truths About God



When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers –
the moon and the stars you set in place –
What are mere mortals that you should think about them,
human beings that you should care for them?
PSALM 8:3-4 (NLT)



In Exodus 3:14, when Moses asks God to name Himself, God replies, “I AM WHO I AM.” There is so much foundational truth about God packed into this one name. Here are seven truths about God we discover from this name: He is independent and self-existent, with no beginning and no end. Before the earth and universe existed, He existed in absolute reality -There was no reality before Him, and no reality exists outside of Him creating it.God contains within Himself unbounded and unlimited resources of energy, life, and power.
He is the Source of all things, and depends on nothing to have His being , to support Him, or to counsel Him.
He is free and able to do all that He pleases (omnipotent), and nothing or no one can thwart His plans.
He alone defines what is true, right, beautiful, and good, and knows all things (omniscient) all truth beauty, and goodness find their ultimate source in Him alone.
He is eternal and unchanging and present everywhere (omnipresent). He is “the yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). In John 4:24, Jesus says, “God is spirit,” which means that He is non-material, not confined to space or distance or natural processes, and present everywhere. He fills the universe as the waters fill the seas. Nothing can even come close to comparing to Him, as Isaiah 40:17 says, “All the nations are as nothing before Him.” The immense vastness and glory of creation simply testify and point to His Divine power and majesty (Romans 1:20).
He is worthy to be praised. Nothing is worth more than God.

O Lord, our Lord, Your majestic name fills the earth!
PSALM 8:9

REFLECTION:
Which of these “I AM” truths about God impact you most and why?



On the journey with you,
Jan & Dave Dravecky

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Depression, Endurance for the Journey, Featured

Helping a Friend Who is Battling Depression

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October 4, 2024

- Depression, Endurance for the Journey, Featured

Spiritual Support

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other
so that you may be healed.
The earnest prayer of a righteous person
has great power and produces wonderful results.
JAMES 5:16 (NLT)



Prayer is a powerful weapon in the battle of depression. One of the most troubling symptoms of depression is the lack of emotions and feelings. That numbness often occurs in your friends relationship with God – your friend can sometimes feel that there is a cement ceiling between them and God. Knowing that someone else is standing in the gap for them in prayer can be especially encouraging.

* Follow up on your prayers, “I’ve been praying specifically about (fill in the blank). How is that going?

* Read to them the Scriptures pertaining to King David’s struggle and deliverance from depression and the prophet Elijah’s struggles with depression after a great spiritual victory. (King David – Psalms 6, 31, 32:6-7, 38, 40:1-5, 42, 51:17, 103) (Elijah – 1 Kings 19:1-18)

* Encourage your friend by letting them know that God’s Presence isn’t dependent upon their feelings. God will never abandon or forsake them. (Deuteronomy 31:6, Joshua 1:9, Psalm 9:9-10, Psalm 40:1-3)

* Offer to pray with your friend, especially when he or she hits a recovery road block or needs an injection of hope and encouragement. Always guiding your friend to the Ultimate Source of True Hope and Healing – Jesus.

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion.
Stay alert and persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
EPHESIANS 6:18 (NLT)



On the journey with you,
Jan Dravecky

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Depression, Endurance for the Journey, Featured

Helping a Friend Who is Battling Depression

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October 4, 2024

- Depression, Endurance for the Journey, Featured

EMOTIONAL SUPPORT

So speak encouraging words to one another.
Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this,
no one left out, no one left behind.
1 THESSALONIANS 5:11 (THE MESSAGE)



You can also offer your friend much needed emotional support.
Here are some suggestions:

Learn about depression so you are better able to understand what your friend is experiencing, why he or she may be reacting in certain ways and what to expect while your friend is in treatment.

It’s okay to ask someone who is battling depression how they are feeling. However, if you ask, stick around to really listen. Your friend needs to know that you aren’t just asking out of courtesy but that you really care about how he or she is doing. Don’t dismiss negative and disparaging remarks. Your friend is being honest. It’s okay, however, to gently respond with truth-based and hopeful comments. However, if your friend or loved one makes comments that are self-destructive, seek immediate help. Depression can be life threatening.

Initiate activities with your friend that he or she likes, especially if those activities involve physical exercise such as golfing, swimming, hiking, etc.

Don’t be forceful with your friend about participating in social events and activities. Encourage but don’t push. You may cause your friend to feel overwhelmed or guilty. One woman described her depression as the equivalent of driving a car down the freeway in first gear. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t use a higher gear. Don’t expect your friend to drive faster than he or she is capable.

Offer encouragement and praise when your friend takes positive steps towards recovery such as joining a support group, exercise or art class.



On the journey with you,
Jan & Dave Dravecky

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Depression, Endurance for the Journey, Featured

Helping a Friend Battling Depression

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September 17, 2024

- Depression, Endurance for the Journey, Featured

Practical Support

Share each other’s burdens …
GALATIONS 6:2 (NLT)

The most important practical thing you can do for a friend who may be depressed is to help him or her get both a medical and a counseling evaluation to create a treatment plan. The sooner treatment is started, the sooner the depression will be relieved. You can also help your friend in the recovery process. Here are some suggestions:

Encourage your friend to complete the entire course of treatment (counseling, medication, etc). Many people battling with depression want to quit treatment when their symptoms begin to improve. However, stopping treatment prematurely can result in a worsening of symptoms and a longer recovery.

If your friend’s symptoms aren’t improving after a few weeks, encourage him or her to consult their physician and/or counselor again as treatment plans often need to be adjusted, especially if the plan includes medication.

If your friend is struggling to keep treatment appointments, offer to accompany him or her.



On the journey with you,
Jan & Dave Dravecky

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Counsel, Endurance for the Journey, Featured

Accepting Wise Counsel

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September 5, 2024

- Counsel, Endurance for the Journey, Featured

The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters,
but one who has insight draws them out.
PROVERBS 20:5 (NIV)



Counseling taught me to be a better communicator. By learning how to listen and communicate, I was then able to start to identify and verbalize how I was feeling deep down inside – it has been a lifelong process for me. I began to learn to process with my wife what was going on inside – my feelings and thoughts. That enabled us to become more understanding and supportive of each other.

Not only has learning to communicate my feelings been a huge blessing and further step to my maturity, but the double blessing was that our marriage and love for one another continues to grow.

While it was very hard at first to admit that I needed the help, I am so thankful for the guidance I began to receive from our Christian counselors who are guided by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. The whole initial inner process took months but was so worth the effort and time because I could have never done it on my own.



It is difficult – if not impossible –
to turn on the light of objectivity by ourselves.
We need guidance from the Holy Spirit
and usually the honesty, love and encouragement
of one other person who is willing to help us.
ROBERT MCGEE THE SEARCH FOR SGNIFICANCE



Thank God that the process, while it is difficult and takes work, is not one we face alone. We are God’s children so be assured that He will gently and lovingly guide us each step of the way.



You guide me with your counsel,
leading me to a glorious destiny.
PSALM 73:24 (NLT)



On the journey with you,
Dave Dravecky

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Counsel, Endurance for the Journey, Featured

Receiving Godly Cousel

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September 5, 2024

- Counsel, Endurance for the Journey, Featured

All this comes from the Lord almighty,
wonderful in counsel and magnificent in wisdom.
ISAIAH 28:29(NIV)



I understand how Christians can be skeptical about the emphasis some people put on using a counselor as a substitute for seeking wisdom from God – the God who is called “wonderful in counsel and magnificent in wisdom” – but none of our Christian counselors ever led us away from seeking God’s wisdom. Instead, they shared with us the Godly wisdom from the Word of God while they taught us to examine our lives to make sure we were living the life God would have us live.

The Bible encourages us to seek out wisdom and search for understanding as one would “search for it as for hidden treasure” (Proverbs 2:4). That is what we were doing in seeking Godly counsel without the understanding we gained, we would not have made the changes that helped us come out of depression.



The purposes of a man’s heart are deep waters,
but one who has insight draws them out.
PROVERBS 20:5 (NIV)

On the journey with you,
Jan Dravecky

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Endurance for the Journey, Featured

Compassion

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August 14, 2024

- Endurance for the Journey, Featured

Be happy with those who are happy,
and weep with those who weep.
ROMANS 12:15 (NLT)



The ministry of Endurance was birthed out of our compassion for those who hurt because we know the need for compassion when one is going through the valleys along life’s journey. And we know where the source of all comfort comes from: “God is our merciful Father and source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) We love how Henri Nouwen shares what true compassion really looks like:

“Compassion asks us to go where it hurts, to enter into the places of pain, to share in brokenness, fear, confusion, and anguish. Compassion challenges us to cry out with those in misery, to mourn with those who are lonely, to weep with those in tears. Compassion requires us to be weak with the weak, vulnerable with the vulnerable, and powerless with the powerless. Compassion means full immersion in the condition of being human.”
BY HENRI NOUWEN



Finally, all of you,
be like minded, be sympathetic, love one another,
be compassionate and humble.
1 PETER 3:8 (NIV)

Excerpted from “You are the Beloved” by Henri J.M. Nouwen
To receive Henri Nouwen’s Daily Meditations go to henrinouwen.org


On the journey with you,
Jan & Dave Dravecky

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"The journey of our suffering was not hopeless. Through it we discovered the power of endurance - not in our own ability, but in the comfort, encouragement, and hope that God provides"

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