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| Pressing On.... In the face of fear |
| 07/22/2010 |
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| By MARCIA DAVIS-SEALE
Young Jake's back.
For a few days he was lost&somewhere on the streets, along the rural roads, in the wild.
In his fear, he bolted toward all that he feared most - being hurt, homeless, alone, hungry, scared, vulnerable, and in danger. He ran from the dark and unknown into the dark and unknown.
He'd already suffered terrible loss.
And afraid of more loss, he created that loss for himself, needlessly.
He took off July 3 in a dead run to nowhere as the night fell and the fireworks show commenced out at the lake.
He ran away from those who would love him, care for him, and support him in his grief and fear, and help him walk out of it and into the future.
Daily they looked for him, prayed for his safe return, drove through the countryside, and hoped for a phone call reporting that the youth was safe-that someone had spotted Jake's silky head of rusty-blond hair and his lean frame in flight along the highway toward town-and the caller would be returning Jake safely home soon.
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| Shields of Strength |
| 05/18/2010 |
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| His girlfriend, who would later become his wife, brought him back to the sport by writing a Bible verse - "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" - on his ski handle.
"It encouraged me to see that, just to know that maybe I didn't have to fear, to know I didn't have to live in it, that I could overcome it," said Vaughan, who, despite damaged equipment and an injury, jumped farther than he ever had before at the '96 championships.
"I got the gold medal, which was great, but the real trophy was that change in my heart," he said. "That applied not only to ski jumping but to everything in my life."
As a personal reminder, he had Joshua 1:9, another verse of encouragement, inscribed on a dog tag. As others began noticing the memento, he created more and started sharing the tags, nicknamed Shields of Strength by his brother, with friends and strangers. |
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| Shields of Strength: words of inspiration |
| 05/18/2010 |
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| They're called Shields of Strength, and many Soldiers carry them into battle. But don't start thinking about heavy armor or high-tech protective equipment. These shields, measuring two inches by one, are most often inscribed with Bible verses. Many have flags, personalized unit crests and prayers. And their popularity has spread even outside of the military - reaching more than 3 million Americans since the concept was launched in 1997. |
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| Ski champion's message of courage gives soldiers |
| 10/20/2005 |
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| In the mid-1990s, Beaumont
native and national
water-ski jump champion
John Kennedy "Kenny"
Vaughan was a man consumed
with fear. He allowed it
to control his life so much that
it nearly quenched his dreams.
Vaughan gave up the chance
to reach for the stars because
he was afraid to fail. |
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| Soldiers Find Strength in God's Word |
| 04/05/2004 |
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| By Lee Webb
CBN News Anchor
The shields are the creation of Kenny Vaughan, a champion water ski jumper, who overcame his fear of competition by trusting God's Word. |
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| Hawaiian Church Donates Inspirational Dog Tags to Troops |
| 01/01/2004 |
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| U.S. Army Spc. Sean Kimmons
25th Infantry Division Public Affairs
SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii--Around the necks of soldiers deployed in Iraq are their military dog tags. They go where the soldiers go and are their identity in peace and war. |
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| Bible's words a 'Shield of Strength' for soldiers |
| 11/29/2003 |
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| By Bobby Ross Jr
ASSOCIATED PRESS
A "Shield of Strength" hung on the chain around Capt. Russell B. Rippetoe's neck when the Army Ranger and two other soldiers were killed in a car bomb explosion at an Iraqi checkpoint. |
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| 'Shields of Strength' provide hope, comfort for soldiers |
| 11/27/2003 |
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| By Bobby Ross Jr.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
A"Shield of Strength" hung on the chain around Capt. Russell B. Rippetoe's neck when the Army Ranger and two other soldiers were killed in a car bomb explosion at an Iraqi checkpoint.
The 1-by-2-inch shield, which Rippetoe wore along with his military dog tags and a Christian cross, displayed a U.S. flag on one side and a quote from Joshua 1:9 on the other: "I will be strong and courageous. I will not be terrified, or discouraged, for the Lord my God is with me wherever I go." |
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| Scripture tags offer hope, comfort to soldiers in Iraq |
| 11/15/2003 |
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| A "Shield of Strength" hung on the chain around Captain Russell B. Rippetoe's neck when the Army Ranger and two other soldiers were killed in a car bomb explosion at an Iraqi checkpoint. |
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