This is your Friday Refresh brought to you by Liberte Ministries.

Visit TravislovesHaiti.com to find out how you can supply Bibles to those who long to read the word of God and learn more through a visit to your church.

Winter can be tough. Especially for those who have recently experienced loss...and even for those who have experienced it many years ago.

Darkness and depression seem to go hand in hand. Many people in the northernmost state of Alaska experience depression during the long months of very little sunlight.

It reminds us of just how important that big ball of fire is in the sky.

Links mentioned in this episode:

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This is your Friday Refresh brought to you by Liberte Ministries (travisloveshaiti.com).

Visit TravislovesHaiti.com to find out how you can supply Bibles to those who long to read the word of God and learn more through a visit to your church.

Here in the south cool breezes are starting to blow, leaves are starting to fall, and holiday songs have started filling the air. There will be plenty of Christmas decorations going up and Holiday movies being watched on TV.

Kids and adults around the country are starting to figure out what they want for Christmas. Retail stores are amping up and advertisement for all the things you want and need are already coming through loud and clear. The desire for more things is almost insatiable at times.

But don’t forget the holiday we celebrate this month. It stands, in my opinion, in stark contrast to the holidays that comes after.

Thanksgiving is not about consuming but about appreciating.

Links mentioned in this episode:

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This is your Friday Refresh brought to you by Liberte Ministries (travisloveshaiti.com).

Visit TravislovesHaiti.com to find out how you can supply Bibles to those who long to read the word of God and learn more through a visit to your church.

As you listen to this you may be trying to come down off a sugar rush or wake up after a long night of trick or treating and Halloween movies. Either way, I hope you found some fun with your family and friends.

Speaking of family and friends I just want to make a plea for anyone listening to understand that you have people around you who love you. Whether you realize it or not.

My heart has been extremely sad to hear recently of several people…some even as young middle schoolers who have chosen to take their life.

It is impossible to know all the reasons why people ultimately choose suicide, but it usually boils down to something they are trying to communicate, control, or avoid.

If you feel alone, like there is no one to listen, I promise you there are. Keep asking. Keep telling people until someone helps you. Speak to a school counselor. Speak to a parent. Speak to a minister. Speak to a friend. Text or call 988

Links mentioned in this episode:

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This is your Friday Refresh brought to you by Liberte Ministries (travisloveshaiti.com).

It has entertained me.

In some moments it has touched me down in my soul commanding all my attention.

Yet in other moments it has simply hung around in the background of life barely being noticed.

It has been my lone companion on many road trips.

But it’s also been present for every large gathering I’ve ever been to…from crowded worship halls to packed stadiums to excited conferences.

It is one of the first things that soothes a new born baby.

It is one of those things that bring peace to a dying person.

And it’s no wonder.

Even our heart keeps a rhythm. Just a few months after conception the heart starts beating. It’s the very sign of life.

Links mentioned in this episode:

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This is your Friday Refresh brought to you by Liberte Ministries (travisloveshaiti.com).

Visit TravislovesHaiti.com to find out how you can supply Bibles to those who long to read the word of God and learn more through a visit to your church.

Thursday night I was invited to attend the Faulkner Benefit Dinner in Montgomery, Alabama.

It was a really spectacular night for many reasons. There was fantastic food, some amazing singers, great waiters and waitresses consisting of students from Faulkner, and great fellowship with friends from all over.

They also honored several adoptive parents of Alabama by allowing them their own walk of champions during the middle of the event.

But of course the event could boast of one of its biggest crowds because the main speaker of the evening was Nick Saban.

Senator Katie Britt entered with Nick Saban and spent the next hour asking him questions about football, family, priorities, and retirement. I was excited to attend because of football.

Links mentioned in this episode:

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This is your Friday Refresh brought to you by Liberte Ministries. Visit TravislovesHaiti.com to find out how you can supply Bibles to those who long to read the word of God and learn more through a visit to your church.

I grew up watching the A-Team. Can’t tell you how many hours Travis and I pretended to be Hannibal, Murdock, Face, or B. A. Baracus. Of course one the most famous, oft repeated lines of the show was said by their leader, Hannibal: “I love it when a plan comes together.” Usually after some wild plan that they concocted ended up working out for the good guys as a way of resolving some injustice done. The intro to the show stated: if you have a problem, if no one else can help, and you could find them maybe you can hire the A Team.

Links mentioned in this episode:

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This is your Friday Refresh brought to you by Liberte Ministries. Visit TravislovesHaiti.com to find out how you can supply Bibles to those who long to read the word of God and learn more through a visit to your church.

What would you consider as the most powerful word? I’m sure there are plenty of arguments in the world over which word might carry the most weight.

I know on some lists break them into powerful words that convey values or meaning in life: love, faith, wisdom, purpose, and peace.

Others list words that are powerful in vocabulary: formulate, describe, or summarize.

I want to give you a word that I have come to realize is extremely powerful. It is only three letters. It’s not a word that blows you away with its eloquence.

Links mentioned in this episode:

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This is your Friday Refresh brought to you by Liberte Ministries. Visit TravislovesHaiti.com to find out how you can supply Bibles to those who long to read the word of God and learn more through a visit to your church.

They often appear with laughter

They show up at the beginning

Links mentioned in this episode:

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This is your Friday Refresh brought to you by Liberté Ministries and TravisLovesHaiti.com!

What does it take to make a difference?

I suppose you could do a quick search online and come up with a variety of answers.

There are thousands of stories of people who have done some great deed to make lives better.

On the Ben and Travis podcasts we support works like Liberte that make a difference by helping kids who are less fortunate than so

Other things like Walk for Water that supplies fresh water to people who otherwise have to walk up to four miles round trip to find it.

But there are literally billions of stories around the globe that will never be heard.

Links mentioned in this episode:

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This is your Friday Refresh brought to you by Liberte Ministries. Visit TravislovesHaiti.com to find out how you can supply Bibles to those who long to read the word of God and learn more through a visit to your church.

A couple of years ago I came across a small pamphlet called “the cookie under the doormat.”

The interactive story inside goes something like this:

Think about two kids. You pick the ages and the gender in your mind. They are simply for ease called A and B.

The first day A and B bring you a cookie. They both want it and you have to decide who gets it.

Of course you want to either break it in half or say neither but that isn’t allowed. You must choose.

Links mentioned in this episode:

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm