Who do you think would win a fight between a pitbull and a poodle? Before you pick the aggressive pitbull and say the docile poodle doesn't have a chance, you might want to consider a news report coming out of the Swedish TT news agency. They are reporting that a poodle attacked a pitbull in Southern Sweden and wounded the dog and its owner.

The poodle's owner defended the action of the dog saying the poodle was friendly until the pitbull showed signs that it disliked the poodle. The pitbull felt the wrath of the poodle when it went on the offensive. Trying to rescue the pitbull, its owner stepped in between the dogs and got bit on her leg by the poodle.

Though I would never encourage aggression of any kind, you have to admire the Napoleonic courage of the poodle. The reputation of the pitbull didn't keep it from standing its ground and fighting.

Too often we let Satan's reputation precede him and paralyze us. We hear stories of demonic possessions and Satanic power and timidly choose to ignore his attacks. We're afraid to confront injustice or to speak a positive word about our faith.

Under our own power, we might face defeat, but we are not fighting Satan with poodle power (though don't underestimate the power of the poodle), we are fighting him with the power of the blood of Jesus-the one who has overcome the world!

John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."

In Muslim countries, following Christ can be costly. One believer was ambushed while walking down the street. A gas bomb exploded at his feet, burning him on his face and upper torso. Other times, the radicals have doused believers with sewage and destroyed their property.

In May of 2001, radical Muslims fire-bombed the homes of four West Bank believers. One of the occupants of one of the homes was a teenage girl who received third-degree burns over most of her body.

But these real dangers don't stop "Phillip" (name changed for security reasons) from reading and proclaiming the truths from the scripture. "In this beloved book," Phillip said as he picked up an Arabic Bible, "it says the cross costs."

—the Commission, January/February 2002, p. 36; 40 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson

Matthew 16:24 "Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.'"

In his book, A Bold Fresh Piece of Humanity, Bill O'Reilly writes, “True courage is not about being fearless; it’s about overcoming fear, going ahead with something worthwhile even though you’re terrified.”

--A Bold Fresh Piece of Humanity, Kindle- Highlight Loc. 625, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson

Joshua 1:7 (KJV) “Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.”

One of the untold stories from the unfolding crisis at the Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan revolves around a group of workers facing the disaster courageously because of their faith in Jesus. Seven of the workers are also members of the Fukushima Daiichi Seisho Baptist Church. Scott Eaton, director of a disaster assessment team sent to Japan after the quake and Tsunami once attended and taught at the same church. He described many of these people in the church as his dear “family.”

Eaton says one of the men who now bravely facing the radiation once ran away from the plant in fear. The church ministered to the man. After becoming a Christian, he returned to work with a smile, carrying his Bible. He was no longer afraid, and instead determined to work hard to solve the problem and convicted to share the good news of Jesus with his coworkers. Eaton says the workers and their families are aware of the possible consequences of working close to high and potentially lethal doses of radiation.

--At least seven Japanese Christians are working at crippled nuclear plant, http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2011/s11040024.htm?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter, April 5, 2011

Did you ever want to do something courageous? Is there some part of you that would like to accomplish something great? Would you like your loved ones to remember you as someone who accomplished something for the Lord, or for your fellow humans? What do you think about when you think of those kinds of things? Perhaps you imagine doing a great humanitarian deed, or maybe being part of a movement of God. Does any of that get you pumped?

A 31-year-old California man said that after he saw the movie Drive, he was inspired to do something meaningful. ” During the Frys.com Open he had the courage to do something he called, “courageous, and epic.” He threw a hot dog at Tiger Woods.

--Sports Illustrated, October 24, 2011 P. 16 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

Philippians 3:13 (NASB) Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,

Sometimes a church, or an individual, must risk something in order to accomplish the task pleasing to God. It is much too easy to take the path of least resistance, and if that is all we ever do, we would have left undone the challenging tasks. I like what Neil Simon said, “If no one ever took risks, Michelangelo would have painted the Sistine floor.” --Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

Acts 4:19–20 (HCSB) “But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it’s right in the sight of God for us to listen to you rather than to God, you decide; (20) for we are unable to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

During the Global Leadership Conference, founding and senior pastor of Willow Creek Community Church, Bill Hybels encouraged attendees to build “a fantastic culture” in the organizations they head. He said everyone who steps into a role of leadership discovers that it demands a lot of strength. He warned that leaders must be willing to offer apologies for their mistakes and always be aware that some people helps build organization, while others work to tear it down. He gave the example of how a family came to him after he worked to establish a care center where Willow Creek could provide for those in need. A woman told him that the center was her family’s only hope. He said those words caused him to think about how close he came to dropping the vision before it started. Hybels said, “Every significant vision that God births in you is going to put your courage to the test – you can count on this.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Bill Hybels: Leadership Takes Courage to Carry Out God's Big Visions, by Jeff Schapiro, http://www.christianpost.com/news/bill-hybels-leadership-takes-courage-to-carry-out-gods-big-visions-101874, Accessed August 9, 2013.

Joshua 1:9 (CEV) I've commanded you to be strong and brave. Don't ever be afraid or discouraged! I am the LORD your God, and I will be there to help you wherever you go.

When Gilles Cyr, a Canadian man walking through the woods, was attacked by a black bear it was a frightening experience. “When I opened my eyes it was on top of me—. . . . it’s crazy the way it growls. I thought I was dead.” When the bear opened its mouth to bite him, Cyr grabbed its tongue and held on to it. The shocked bear backed away and Cyr escaped with superficial wounds.

It takes courage to grab a bear’s tongue. David displayed that courage when he grabbed the beard of a bear that was attacking him. I pray that should I ever encounter a dangerous situation I will have the courage to act. --Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

1 Samuel 17:35 (HCSB) I went after it, struck it down, and rescued the lamb from its mouth. If it reared up against me, I would grab it by its fur, strike it down, and kill it.

In, David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants, Malcolm Gladwell writes, “Courage is not something that you already have that makes you brave when the tough times start. Courage is what you earn when you’ve been through the tough times and you discover they aren’t so tough after all.”

David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants, by Malcolm Gladwell, Loc 1634

1 Corinthians 16:13 (HCSB) (13) Be alert, stand firm in the faith, act like a man, be strong.

In Shattered Dreams, Patrick Mead writes, “Following God involves courage, but not risk. Once you’ve settled that you will follow God no matter what, you have nothing to lose; you’ve already surrendered your hopes, dreams—even shattered ones—to Him. You’ve determined that you don’t just want to know God’s will; you want to follow it, regardless of the consequences.” –Jim L. Wilson

1 Corinthians 16:13 (NKJV) ‘Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.’

For more information on Shattered Dreams, go to http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1505351596/fm082-20

In Facing Your Giants, Max Lucado writes, “How long since you ran toward your challenge? We tend to retreat behind a desk of work or crawl into a nightclub of distraction or a bed of forbidden love. For a moment, a day, or a year, we feel safe, insulated, anesthetized, but then the work runs out, the liquor wears off, or the lover leaves, and we hear Goliath again. Booming. Bombastic. Try a different tack. Rush your giant with a God-saturated soul.” --Jim L. Wilson & Ev Hardee

Deuteronomy 31:6 (TLB) Be strong! Be courageous! Do not be afraid of them! For the Lord your God will be with you. He will neither fail you nor forsake you."

Rick Nelson, 61, was walking his dog near his Ontario home when a 300-pound black bear charged him. The mama bear was only defending her cub but she bit Nelson in the chest and face. Rick had been a featherweight boxer in his earlier days and he struck the beast in the teeth with a right-hand jab, following that with an uppercut to the bear’s snout. The bear retreated into the woods. Nelson commented, “I hit it hard and I hit it perfect. I’m really glad that bear walked away. And I’m really glad I did, too.”

King David had a testimony of the day he fought a bear bare handed. That mark of physical courage was a forerunner of the spiritual courage he showed in standing for God in the face of the Giant. I hope I have the physical courage of a Rick Nelson, and the spiritual courage of a King David. –--Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell.

1 Samuel 17:34–37 (HCSB)“ David answered Saul: ‘Your servant has been tending his father’s sheep. Whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock, ³⁵ I went after it, struck it down, and rescued the lamb from its mouth. If it reared up against me, I would grab it by its fur, strike it down, and kill it. ³⁶ Your servant has killed lions and bears; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.’ ³⁷ Then David said, ‘The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.’ Saul said to David, ‘Go, and may the Lord be with you.’”

University of Rochester quarterback Daniel Bronson’s biggest play was not on the football field. The 21-year-old junior was leaving a restaurant when he saw a man run past a 73-year-old woman and snatch her purse as he passed. Bronson began chasing the man, who dropped the purse but keep running. Bronson kept running too and tackled the man and held him until police arrived. Bronson and his girlfriend’s father and brother who helped hold the man all received a Citizen’s Recognition Award from local authorities. He said, “I chased him a little over 100 yards and jumped on his back. I rode him to the pavement because I didn’t want to hit the concrete.” After the ceremony, he added, ”I guess someone put me in the right place at the right time.”—Jim L. Wilson & Jim Sandell

Psalm 31:24 (HCSB)“Be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord.”

Sometimes we can be afraid of following Christ in the way we know is right. God has made us, the church, as his outpost in a dangerous world. If we fail to encounter our world, seeking only our safety, we miss the high mark set for us.

At Penn State University there is an Outing Club. Students who join the club look forward to hiking, canoeing, and camping expeditions. However an assessment of risk management study has announced the club’s activities “are above the university’s threshold of acceptable risk.” The University has banned the Outing Club from any outdoor outings. Campouts in the gym may be safer, but somehow they lack the satisfaction of the real thing. The church that camps out on its campus and does not confront the world, likewise misses the real thing. —Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell.

Why are we in danger every hour? I face death every day, as surely as I may boast about you, brothers and sisters, in Christ Jesus our Lord.

When three-year-old Lydia became afraid to go to daycare because she was being bullied, Batman came to her rescue. Lydia’s mother Erica became concerned because daughter kept coming home with from daycare with bruises on her face, and one day with a black eye that she would not talk about. Erica put up a social media post asking for advice, which was seen by local EMT Jack Ashbury. Asbury has a costume and often impersonates Batman in his spare time. He contacted the family and agreed to walk Lydia to school for a few days. When they arrived, Asbury sat in circle time and then knelt down and told Lydia she was going to have a great day. He also told her classmates that he would be back to check on her. After two days, all the kids began calling Lydia their best friend. Asbury told reporters the reason he took up the role in his free time was because of the superhero’s mission to help people. He chose Batman because he is the example of “an ordinary man becoming a superhuman even without powers.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin’s deception.

A surprised witness in Russia captured a video of three courageous people traveling down a local river on a chunk of ice. The video was filmed near Novokuznetsk, shows the trio standing on several pieces of ice floating down the river. The people appeared calm and did not seem to consider themselves to be in danger. The people even waved to the photographer as he shouted out to them. —Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

A New York woman investigating a cold draft behind her bathroom mirror discovered an entire empty apartment behind the wall. Samantha Hartsoe said she removed the mirror and found a large square hole into a dark room. At first, Hartsoe was afraid to go in, but changed her mind. She said she could not, not know what was there so she investigated and found a vacant two-story apartment. She expected to find somebody there, but only found trash bags, an uninstalled toilet, and an empty water bottle. Hartsoe said she made sure the front door to the vacant apartment was locked before she returned to her apartment. She contacted maintenance to patch the hole in her bathroom wall and said a representative from the management office planned to investigate her discovery. –Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

When the SpaceX capsule returned safely to earth in September 2021, returning four amateurs after a three-day journey in space, the group made history as the first space tourists. The four crew members included a billionaire who paid for the trip and his three guests who hoped to show that ordinary people could travel into space and back by themselves. Among those on board was 29-year-old Hayley Arceneaux, a physician assistant at St Jude’s hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Arceneaux, the youngest American in space, used her trip to raise money for the hospital which is dedicated to helping children suffering from cancer. Arceneaux is the youngest American to travel in space and the first person to wear a prosthesis in space. She encouraged others by reminding them that though she was once a little girl going through cancer treatment, if she could travel in space, anyone could. The crew spent six months training to manage any emergencies in space, but SpaceX said there were never any concerns in the flight. As the mission concluded, SpaceX Mission Control radioed, “Your mission has shown the world that space is for all of us.” –Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

https://www.klove.com/news/tech-science/spacex-dragon-splashdown-trailblazing-tourist-trip-orbiting-the-earth-ends-25775