Star Wars: God's Grace and Redemption - SHAWN A. AKERS - CHARISMA MAGAZINE

Josh and me at a Star Wars convention in Orlando in 2012. (Akers family)

Star Wars: God's Grace and Redemption

12/16/2015 SHAWN A. AKERS  charisma magazine

I was 11 when the first Star Wars movie, A New Hope, came out in 1977. You can do the math on my age.

I instantly fell in love with the film and the ones that followed. Although I was 17 by the time the third one—Return of the Jedi—premiered in 1983, I hadn't grown out of it. They were all riveting, especially when we discovered that Darth Vader turned out to be Luke Skywalker's father and Leia turned out to be his twin sister. It was high drama at its best for a kid like me.

But oh how the years have passed quickly. With the stresses and responsibilities that come in life—marriage, children, bills to pay and so on—I sometimes feel as though I completely lost touch with my inner child a long time ago—in a galaxy far, far away.

Shed no tears for me, however. It's my son who has paid the price. He's now 11 years old and, through all of these years, I have not allowed myself to connect with him on his level. I can't begin to tell you how sad that is and how much I deeply regret it.

With God, however, it's never too late to repent. It's never too late for redemption. "In Him we have redemption through His blood and the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace" (Eph. 1:7).

With the release of this weekend's newest adventure in the Star Wars saga, The Force Awakens, I have been afforded an opportunity to redeem myself with Joshua. He loves all the Star Wars movies, and he's still young enough to be smitten with Star Wars Lego. He has built many things—but that's another story.

This past weekend, Josh and I sat down and watched five of the first six Star Wars movies together. We had watched some together previously, and I had taken him to a Star Wars convention three years ago. But the excitement for me faded away. This, however, was a great time for us to bond and for him to ask me questions about the movies concerning things he didn't quite understand. I did my best to enlighten him.

Josh's passion for the Star Wars movies is obvious, but Josh is also a very godly young man, and he is aware of the biblical parallels between good and evil. We talked about how Satan wanted to be like God and how God expelled him from heaven, similar to Anakin Skywalker wanting to keep his wife from dying—something only God can do—in episode three. Anakin couldn't have those powers, so he turned to evil.

However, I like to believe that it was God who redeemed Darth Vader at the end of Return of the Jedi. Of course Darth Vader never professed Christ, but he realized the dark side (Satan's kingdom) could be overcome. It's never too late.

And you know the rest of that story.

Despite my past behavior, I don't believe that I am or have been a bad father. I won't condemn myself because Romans 8:1 says, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." But I also know I could do much better.

With the rekindling of the Star Wars saga, I have been given a second chance to connect with my son and to get to know him better. I cherish the opportunity and can't wait to take him to see The Force Awakens. Who knows what surprises—and thrills—lie before us?

I believe it also gives me a chance to connect with Josh spiritually and to help him become even more of a godly young man than he already is. I am very proud of him for his openness to the Word and his voracity in following Jesus.

Has your relationship with your children waned? Are you struggling to connect with them? Ask God to help you find something—a passion of theirs—that you can share. Like a good friend, get to know your child all over again and revel in their company. It will melt your child's heart and bring lasting benefits.   

"A wise son makes his father glad" (Prov. 15:20).

And as I always like to say, "there is that." 

Shawn A. Akers is the online managing editor at Charisma Media. He is a published poet and published a story about Dale Earnhardt in NASCAR Chicken Soup for the Soul. You can read his blog here. To sign up for his newsletter, "Step Out of the Boat," and other Charisma newsletters, click here. You can also listen to his podcasts, theJavelin Sports Show, on the Charisma Podcast Network.

For a limited time, we are extending our celebration of the 40th anniversary of Charisma. As a special offer, you can get 40 issues of Charisma magazine for only $40!

NEW from CHARISMA: Do you want to encounter the Holy Spirit and hear God speak to you? Increase your faith, discover freedom, and draw near to God! Click Here

For Every 40, There is a 41 - SHAWN A. AKERS CHARISMA MAGAZINE

For every season of frustration, God has a season of breakthrough for you. (iStock photo )

For Every 40, There is a 41

12/9/2015 SHAWN A. AKERS  charisma magazine

Have you ever had those times when you've doubted God and said to yourself, "He just doesn't care about me?" If you're honest with yourself, the answer is a cowering "yes."

Ashamedly, I know I have. Probably too many times to count.

There are times when the expectations of life don't match reality, and frustration sets in. It's a time when the enemy can steal your confidence and your joy. It's easy to become stressed and doubtful of God's Word.

For me, that's when divine appointment comes. God knows how to deliver a good word at just the right time, and He did it recently through my pastor, Ed Garvin, who preached a sermon called "Reality Check: When Expectations and Reality Collide" (the sermon starts at 16:20).

We all know the story of Joseph and the trials and tribulations he went through during his young life, before he became an extremely influential man. However, I had never heard it preached this way before.

Joseph was a man of destiny, and he sensed that at a very early age. He was convinced, as Pastor Garvin said, "that his tomorrow held greatness." Indeed it did, but little did Joseph know of the hardships he would endure before he reached that potential.

After his brothers unexpectedly turned on him and sold him into slavery, Joseph served a man named Potiphar, and he began to find favor with his master. Yet God knew better than Joseph that Joseph wasn't ready for his destiny. Joseph still had ego issues with which he had to deal, and more trouble loomed on the horizon.

Because Joseph shunned her sexual advances, Potiphar's wife accused Joseph of sexually attacking her, and Potiphar had Joseph thrown into prison. According to Genesis 39:2, "The Lord was with Joseph," yet he was imprisoned. Sound familiar? The Lord is also with you, yet your trials and tribulations overwhelm you.

Most of you know the rest of the story: Joseph languished in prison for many years, but was brought out by Pharaoh because of the gift God bestowed upon him to interpret dreams. Joseph then became, as Pastor Garvin put it, the "second most influential man on the planet" and realized his destiny. In other words, something incredible happened between Genesis chapter 40 and Genesis chapter 41. Joseph matured in the Lord. Romans 8:28 says, "We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."

Sound familiar? For every 40, there is a 41.

• God rained his judgment upon the earth for 40 days and 40 nights. On the 41st day, a rainbow appeared and God vowed never to destroy the earth again.
• The Israelites wandered through the desert for 40 years. In year 41, they reached the Promised Land.
• For 40 days, Goliath hammered on the armies of Israel. But on the 41st day, David showed up and slew Goliath.
• For 40 days and nights, Jesus fasted and prayed in the wilderness. On the 41st day, Satan left Him and the angels ministered to Him (Matt. 4:11).

For every season of difficulty, there is a season of destiny. So what should you do during your season of difficulty in order to help find your season of destiny? As Pastor Garvin says:

1. Recognize it as God's course of preparation. You need to be refined.
2. Respond to the needs of others. Stop the "woe is me" mentality and focus on others who need help.
3. Resist the urge to compromise. Keep your integrity and don't take shortcuts.
4. Remain patient in the process. As Joyce Meyer says, "the longer you complain about your situation, the longer you will remain in your wilderness."
5. Realize your "41 moment." It's coming. God wants it for you so badly.

Joseph needed wisdom and humility, and it took 13 years of tribulation to find it. I've been through a similar process. But thankfully, a good friend has prophesied over me that my time is coming, if I remain faithful to the Lord. Thank you for the good word, Kathy DeGraw.

Unlike Joseph, hopefully it won't take 13 years for you to have your rough edges sanded. But you can rest assured God knows exactly when you are ready to fulfill your destiny and He won't pull you out of your season of testing—or your 40—before He feels you are ready. Get ready to fulfill your destiny.

And as I always like to say, "there is that."

Shawn A. Akers is the online managing editor at Charisma Media. He is a published poet and published a story about Dale Earnhardt in NASCAR Chicken Soup for the Soul. You can read his blog here. To sign up for his newsletter, "Step Out of the Boat," and other Charisma newsletters, click here. You can also listen to his podcasts, theJavelin Sports Show, on the Charisma Podcast Network.

For a limited time, we are extending our celebration of the 40th anniversary of Charisma. As a special offer, you can get 40 issues of Charisma magazine for only $40!

NEW from CHARISMA: Do you want to encounter the Holy Spirit and hear God speak to you? Increase your faith, discover freedom, and draw near to God! Click Here

Happy Anniversary: Breaking the Generational Curse of Divorce - SHAWN A. AKERS CHARISMA MAGAZINE

Patty and me, Dec. 5, 1997. (Shawn and Patty Akers)

Happy Anniversary: Breaking the Generational Curse of Divorce

12/4/2015 SHAWN A. AKERS  CHARISMA MAGAZINE

Divorce is a generational curse that has haunted my family lineage. It takes more than two hands to count the couples on both sides—at least the ones of which I'm aware—who have been through the divorce ringer.

And yes, I can be counted among them.

But that is why I thank God every day for my wife, Patty. God has allowed us to break the generational curse of divorce on our family and bury it.

Patty is an incredible gift from God, and I'm tremendously grateful for her patience, her love and even her courage to put up with a wretch like me all of these years. It is my second marriage, and it has lasted for 18 years as of Saturday, Dec. 5. Where has the time gone?

I realize what many of you out there may be thinking. 1) By being divorced, you are breaking God's laws and committing adultery. Our readers have had a field day with this subject in past posts on charismamag.com, and I would hazard a guess that this one will draw a great deal of discussion as well. 2) How did you break the generational curse when you have been divorced yourself?

So, let me address both of the above thoughts:

First, indeed I am well aware of Matthew 5:31-32, when Jesus said, "It was said, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.' But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to commit adultery. And whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery."

Indeed, Jesus never wavered on that point. There is no other scriptural reference to an acceptable divorce, save one. In 1 Corinthians 7:15-16, Paul writes, "But if the unbeliever departs, let that one depart. A brother or a sister is not bound in such cases. God has called us to peace. ... For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?"

Despite my efforts for more than a year to keep our marriage together, my ex-wife told me in no uncertain terms—in a letter no less—that she wanted a divorce. At the time of our divorce, I suspected my ex-wife had duped me for five years about her faith in Christ. I have since learned from her family that my suspicions weren't unfounded.

Therefore, I "let the unbeliever depart." I was not bound in my case. That has since been confirmed in my heart not only by God, but also by evangelist Jimmy Evans, who, along with his wife, have headed the marriage ministry of Marriage Today for nearly 35 years.

Most likely, my only alternative to preserve the marriage would have been to deny Christ. That would have been much worse than a divorce.

This brings me question No. 2, "How did you break the generational curse when you have been divorced yourself?" Several years ago, Patty and I participated in a deliverance ministry at our church called The Cleansing Stream. It is an eight-week series of classes that prepares and disciples participants to receive healing and deliverance.

During the final weekend retreat, both Patty and I, through the power of the Holy Spirit, broke the generational curse of divorce in our families. It is an ugly word and situation that our children, Rachel and Joshua, won't ever have to endure. We trust in God's wondrous promises.

For help in breaking generational curses, read this great article from marriage ministry pastor Larry Huch.

I am far from perfect. Because of my behavior, there are many times Patty could have demanded my departure from our home. But thank God that Patty has put up with me and that God has transformed me so much in our 18 years together. Our marriage has been prophesied over—that it continually will be bent and stretched—sometimes to the limit—but that it will never break. I revel in that prophecy.

I know many people who suffer through the same generational curse. But it doesn't have to be that way, and we do not have to put up with Satan's lies and deceptions about our marriages. On our charismamag.com site, there are many great articles by strong ministry leaders in both the Spirit-Led Woman and New Man sections that can help bolster your marriage and fight for it, even in the hard times. Please peruse both sections and read the great wisdom put forth from these ministry leaders.

So Saturday isn't simply another anniversary for an "old married couple" such as Patty and me. It is a celebration of longevity and the celebration of a continually broken generational curse that will never again haunt my family. I may not be an expert on marriage, but 18 years is a long time and I might have learned a thing or two.

Thank you, Patty, for your love and patience, and for being such a wonderful wife. You need to hear that more often; and you will. Through God's grace, our life together will keep getting better and better each year. Happy Anniversary, babe.

And praise You, Jesus, for broken generational curses.

"As the bird by flitting, as the swallow by flying, so the curse without cause will not alight (will have no effect)" (Prov. 26:2).

And as I always like to say, "there is that." 

Shawn A. Akers is the online managing editor at Charisma Media. He is a published poet and published a story about Dale Earnhardt in NASCAR Chicken Soup for the Soul. You can read his blog here. To sign up for his newsletter, "Step Out of the Boat," and other Charisma newsletters, click here. You can also listen to his podcasts, the Javelin Sports Show, on the Charisma Podcast Network.

For a limited time, we are extending our celebration of the 40th anniversary of Charisma. As a special offer, you can get 40 issues of Charisma magazine for only $40!

NEW - Life in the Spirit is your Spirit-filled teaching guide. Encounter the Holy Spirit, hear God speak to you, and enjoy timeless teachings on love, mercy and forgiveness.LEARN MORE!