Issue 1 | 2024

ISSUE 1, JANUARY 2024
CONTENTS
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STEPPING FORWARD
Taste and See
BY KENNY MUNDS
When God’s Will Is Hard
BY KRISTI DEWS DALE WITH
KRISTI OVERTON JOHNSON
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Three Cs That Can Transform
Your Life
BY KRISTI OVERTON JOHNSON
Close, Clean, Confident—three words that
can lead to a stronger relationship with
Christ. Draw close to God and stay clean
before Him through prayer and confession
and be confident in who you are in Christ.
after hearing these words, Lauren learned
that her husband, renowned BMX racer
Dave Mirra, had taken his own life. This
promise from Matthew 14:27 and the
foundation of faith she and Dave had built
together are what got Lauren through the
days and months that followed.
COVER STORY
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Give God Your Grief
FEATURES
20
Moving Beyond Justice to
Mercy
25
BY CHRISTINA KIMBREL
Sit with Jesus
BY SHERIDAN CORREA
TRANSFORMED
LIVES
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Head to the Cross
THE STORY OF STEPHEN BARBEE
Preacher’s kid Stephen Barbee rebelled early
despite the bright prospects before him.
Alcohol, drugs, and reckless behavior dragged
him right down into the pigsty next to the
Bible’s prodigal son. In his own strength, he
failed to stay clean, but a true surrender in
prison brought healing and purpose to his life.
THE STORY OF DEBRA MOERKE
Foster mom and lay chaplain at a local jail,
Debra Moerke faced the unthinkable when
one of her foster children was murdered
by her mother—who then called Debra
for prayer and counseling. Only through
the power of Christ in her was Debra able
to move beyond her desire for justice to
extend the mercy offered through the
saving blood of Jesus.
PHOTO BY AMY ELIZABETH PHOTOGRAPHY
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Draw Close to God in Grief
BY LISA APPELO
Difficult times can make it seem like God
is far away. Here are ten practical ways to
draw near to Christ in suffering.
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Build an Unshakable
Foundation
THE STORY OF LAUREN EVERETT
“Don’t be afraid. I am here.” Mere hours
ON THE COVER
Could you forgive
someone who
murdered the one
you loved? Debra
Moerke’s story is a
living testament to
how unconditional
love and relentless
obedience can
transform even the
darkest of nights into
mornings of hope.
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Trains, Bullies, Cops…and Jesus
THE STORY OF JERRY HOWARD
At ten years old, Jerry dodged a train…and
the adrenaline rush that followed kept him
playing chicken for the next two decades.
Jerry’s daredevil nature merged with natural
leadership qualities, and he looked good…
right up until everything fell apart. But
that’s when he turned to God, and today, he
teaches CEOs and other executives to lead
like Jesus in the marketplace.
The Beauty in Forgiveness
BY STEPHANIE M. CARTER
When Stephanie learned her cheating
husband’s mistress was pregnant, she went
off the deep end. Hurt and anger became
hatred. Suicidal thoughts became murderous
ones, but as she cried out to God, all she
heard was “Forgive them.” When she finally
surrendered to that command, she found
freedom and purpose for her pain.
IN EVERY ISSUE
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Publisher’s Note
Roll Back the Rug
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Want to Know Jesus?
I’m Saved...Now What?
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Ministry Info/Resources
VICTORIOUSLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
Issue 01 / 2024
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