Deciding to make a difference in the world can be a daunting task and quite overwhelming to say the least! Where does one start, or what can he actually do that will impact people in a positive way? Many fear failure or that their contribution to society won’t even make a ripple, much less a wave.

My dad once told me a story about a man throwing starfish back into the sea. The story goes like this…

“While walking along a beach, an elderly gentleman saw someone in the distance leaning down, picking something up and throwing it into the ocean.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, picking up starfish one by one and tossing each one gently back into the water.

He came closer still and called out, “Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?”

The young man paused, looked up, and replied “Throwing starfish into the ocean.”

The old man smiled, and said, “I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?”

To this, the young man replied, “The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them in, they’ll die.”

Upon hearing this, the elderly observer commented, “But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can’t possibly make a difference!”

The young man listened politely. Then he bent down, picked up another starfish, threw it back into the ocean past the breaking waves and said, “It made a difference for that one.” – author unknown

Life is a lot like this story of the young man tossing starfish back into the ocean one at a time. God is not asking us to save the whole world, but He is asking us to do something that will impact someone close to us. You see, the young man was not able to affect every starfish, but the ones he came into contact with, he grabbed and threw back in the ocean, saving them from death and destruction.

Another example of this is the story of the Good Samaritan in the Bible (Luke 10:25-37). This parable shows us that we can make a difference in people’s lives that come across our path. It really is simple, and it is a choice. Two religious people did nothing for the wounded man, while the Good Samaritan saw him along the roadside and went out of his way to help him and see that he recovered. In a sense, he threw a starfish back into the sea. He couldn’t help everyone, but he did make a difference for the man that entered his world.

Human trafficking is a huge issue, affecting virtually every country in the world. In fact, there are 1.2 million children a year sold into slavery for the first time – that’s one child every 26 seconds! So where does one start to make a difference? How can any one person change this massive injustice against humanity? Almost 7 months ago, I started working for an organization called Destiny Rescue. They are a Christian non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing children that have been sold into sexual slavery, providing aftercare for those that have been liberated and preventing many others from entering this horrendous industry. This past year, Destiny Rescue rescued 215 children from sexual slavery or exploitive situations and already in 2013, they’ve rescue 61 children throughout various countries around the globe. The goal for 2013 is to rescue 400 children.

Just this past week, 7 children gave their lives to Christ and 18 others were baptized, professing to the world that they are followers of Jesus Christ!

Destiny Rescue isn’t changing the whole world, but they are making a significant difference in these kids’ lives. And I’m the same way! I don’t have a bunch of qualifications with tons of credentials behind my name. I have simply been given the ability to write. One day, an opportunity presented itself and I walked through the open door. Now I am a voice for precious kids that can’t speak up for themselves. I am using my gifts to help those that have come and will come across my path – I am throwing starfish back into the sea, one at a time.

And many of you that support what I am doing financially are doing the same. Together, we are impacting kids all over the world, one child at a time! We might not be able to change the whole world, but we are definitely changing the world for kids that enter Destiny Rescue’s care! I see from firsthand experience the joy on these children’s faces and the hope that has been instilled into their hearts! Yes, together, we are truly making a significant difference.

Thank you for your financial giving, your prayers and support!

It has been way too long since I last wrote a blog, but better late than never!

A lot has happened over the past several weeks. I am learning my role within Destiny Rescue as their senior copywriter and manger of social media. The first major responsibility was to write the content for the brand new Destiny Rescue website. Their old website was outdated and didn’t allow for interaction between supporters, friends and those potentially interested in knowing more about Destiny Rescue. This was a huge undertaking, but God graced me to meet the challenge. I spent many long hours in meetings and behind a computer coming up with creative content that could really tell Destiny Rescue’s story in a compelling way…and I’m very thankful it turned out really well! God is using my gifts of writing and communicating to help promote the work of Destiny Rescue worldwide. I am learning that we each have a part to play, and together, we can make a significant difference in the fight against human trafficking and the forces of darkness!

After that big project was completed, I wasn’t quite sure how to move forward in my new role, but through much prayer and asking God for direction, He began to give me insight into what my next steps would look like. I sat down with key leaders within Destiny Rescue and began strategizing how to best leverage media to get the word out about Destiny Rescue to the public and faithful supporters so that they can know what’s going on overseas in the project nations. Since the beginning of 2012 until now, we have rescued 178 children from sexual slavery and sexually exploitive situations and have just over 1000 children in our care. We are growing at a fast pace these days, which is exciting and stretching all at the same time!

I also became responsible for all of Destiny Rescue’s social media and strategies, which has been a great learning experience. Facebook, Twitter, the DR blog and Instagram have kept me busy!

With all my growing responsibilities, it became too much for any one person to handle, so I began building a team of volunteer writers to help me with the large writing load. It has been really rewarding seeing the writing/ media team develop over the past several weeks. I am learning to work through others…so grateful for the team. We can do so much more as a group than we can individually!

Destiny Rescue also just opened a brand new Destiny Café & Restaurant that offers rescue girls good paying jobs as baristas, cooks or waitresses. They are excelling at their new found skills, which will help them earn a good wage, pulling them out of poverty and vulnerable situations. The food is amazing and the atmosphere is so inviting too. Take a look at some of the pictures from the Grand Opening.

On a different note, Destiny Rescue is giving me many opportunities to preach, as well. God moved in powerful ways during those Nights of Worship and even on a Sunday morning…many children and adults responded to God; some even accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior for the first time! I just love how God can use our past to help pull others out of the pit of despair and offer them hope, forgiveness and God’s healing touch!

Despite my busy schedule, I am able to get out and have fun. I’ve had some incredible opportunities to travel into the mountains of northern Thailand and see some of the most spectacular scenery on earth! And I was able to travel to Laos to get my visa renewed. That was an experience in itself for sure! I even joined a soccer league with other Destiny Rescue staff. It is a ton of fun and I look forward to the nights we get to play against other teams!

Looking back thus far, I totally see that God prepared me for this specific season! God took me through so many situations and experiences prior to moving to Thailand that made me ready for my current role with Destiny Rescue. God prepared King David to fight Goliath by having him fight a bear and a lion. And God used my former writing experiences, leadership positions and trials to help me step into this season successfully. God has perfect timing in everything. If we will just relax and trust God instead of trying to figure everything out, we will eventually see that God has our best interest at heart and is guiding our every step. Don’t get frustrated if He is not moving in your timeframe. His ways are higher than our ways and He is going to use your present circumstances to prepare you for your future. That’s how God works. The Bible teaches us that God works all things out for our good to those that love God and are called according to His purpose.  God gives us enough grace to face each situation and season victoriously. Lean on Him and watch Him fulfill the dreams He placed in your heart!

There will be more insights and blogs to come in the days ahead. I am praying for you…please pray for me, too!

Do you feel like you’ve made one too many mistakes for God to use you? There’s good news; God uses messed up people to accomplish His purpose on earth. He actually wants to use you…yes, you! And He wants you to experience His unconditional love and acceptance, too. He can take the shattered pieces of your life and turn around and make something beautiful out of them. There’s more. He chooses to use the most unlikely vessels to display His power through. Read Cory Nickols latest inspirational article from the Good News: Cracked Pots, and discover how God shines brightest through cracked pots!

Read: Cracked Pots

God’s Grace Is Enough

Thank you for your support and prayers! Together, we’re making a huge difference in Thailand. Two weeks ago, I was asked to speak at a church in Thailand and shared a message on how God’s grace is enough! It doesn’t matter what storm you are facing, what failure you have committed or what addiction you’re struggling to overcome; God’s power is bigger and can carry you through your insurmountable circumstance. I spoke about my own personal failures in life and how I didn’t think God could love me after doing some of the things I did. But God reached down into my world and embraced me; He forgave me and gave me a second chance at life! His grace was enough. You see, before the foundation of the world began, God knew sinners needed a Savior. He came to set sinners free and reconcile us back to God. The Bible says, “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs” (Matthew 5:3 NLT). When we understand that there is nothing good in us that deserves a relationship with God and we realize we can’t earn His love and favor, but must receive it freely by faith, we are blessed! God had to bring me to that place. It wasn’t because of my good performance that God was pleased with me. Instead, it was because I placed my complete confidence in the One who was good enough – Jesus Christ. I couldn’t just read about His amazing grace in a book either. God wanted me to understand it at a much deeper level – a level that I would never forget! When we come to that place, it changes us forever!

And just like God carried me through my difficult time, He will carry you through yours too! Lean on God and trust Him. We are more than conquerors in Christ!

At the end of the message, I gave an alter call and at least 8 people made first time decisions to follow Jesus Christ. It was a little unusual using an interpreter, but in a strange way, it felt completely normal. God gave me the grace or ability to walk by His Spirit the whole time! I was so amazed at how God could use my story to touch someone else and help them find God – to God be the glory!

Finished Destiny Rescue’s new website 

I also am pleased to announce that we finished the new Destiny Rescue website. It took a lot of hard work and many long days to complete, but it is finally done! There was a great team of people that put forth a valiant effort to meet our deadline and we did it! Obviously, a website is always growing and changing, so the work is never fully done, but for now, we reached our first milestone! You can check out the new website at www.destinyrescue.org.

Live With An Eternal Perspective

Also, just over a week ago, I was in a motorcycle accident going between 40 and 50 mph. I was driving home late one evening after getting coffee with some staff members and decided to take the back way to my house. As I was driving, I ran over this little metal piece lying in the road and it made a little noise, but I couldn’t tell if it had popped my front tire. Not noticing anything wrong, I continued to drive my bike. About 100 yards later, my front tire blew out and I lost control of my bike, causing me to hit my head and shoulder against the concrete pavement. I then continued to skid on my back for another 30 feet. Gratefully, I was wearing a helmet and had decided to put on jeans and shoes. Unfortunately though, I was only wearing a thin t-shirt and scraped my whole back up! I started yelling for help, but thought to myself, “Who is going to understand what I am saying…I live in Thailand!!” Then all of a sudden, some other staff members that went to the café with me happened to be going home the same way that I did. They stopped and helped drive me back home where I got all bandaged up. I eventually went to the hospital and found out that I did not break any bones….Praise God! One week later, my scrapes are healing and my shoulder is feeling much better, as well.

Reflecting back on the night, I was amazed at just how fragile life can be and how in a split second it can be over! The Bible says, “How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone (James 4:14 NLT). I am learning to appreciate each moment and be grateful for the time I do have on this earth. Each day we live is a gift from God. Let’s make the most of it! A good question to ask ourselves is: What am I living for? Am I living with an eternal perspective or am I living for momentary gratification? I want to encourage you to live for God today while you still have an opportunity to make a difference! I also realized that God still has a purpose for my life and as long as He has work for me to do on this earth, then I will be here! It’s comforting to know my future is in His hands…and so is yours!

“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord” (Psalm 150:6 NASB).

Destiny Rescue Night of Worship

This past Friday night in Chiang Rai, Thailand was a night to remember. About 200 Prevention & Rescue children, staff and a few other adults packed into a church pavilion area for the Destiny Rescue Night of Worship. We worshiped the Living God with all our hearts and many of the children jumped up and down shouting praise to God for what He has done in their lives. It moved me deeply knowing that many of these children have come from such horrible situations, but now have the opportunity to dream again and fulfill their God-given destinies!

Other parts of the night included playing games with the kids, watching several skits and beholding several boys as they participated in a hip hop dance off. They really did an incredible job…I was completely amazed…some were doing back flips, handstands and contorting their bodies in ways that made Gumby look anti-flexible! And while this was happening, the girls were screaming and taking pictures…yes, screaming and taking pictures! I wish each of you could have seen it!

I felt very privileged because Sakay, the Destiny Rescue Thailand country manager, asked me to speak at the event. As I prayed about what to preach on, God put a message on my heart to share titled: God Is Bigger Than The Storm You Are Facing. I explained how God brought me through a difficult storm in my life – the storm of depression. The depression was so strong that I couldn’t get out. I turned to family, friends and others for help, but nothing seemed to work. In fact, it got worse and worse. At my wits end, I cried out to God with all my might and He heard my cry. He pulled me out of the depths of despair and set my feet on the solid Rock. Later, I learned that God takes us through storms for a purpose and when it has accomplished its mission, then God calms the raging winds.

God moved in a powerful way and touched a lot of people, encouraging them to trust God when life doesn’t make sense!

In the end, it was an incredible night of fun, fellowship and communing with God!

Volunteer Work Day

The very next day, staff and children participated in a volunteer work day at Destiny Rescue’s new Prevention Property location. We cut down overgrown brush, pulled weeds, limbed up trees and hauled all of it into two huge piles on the edge of the property. Just in case you didn’t know, it’s rainy season here, which means it rains every day, sometimes all day! And it rained right before our work day started…can you say, MUD! It was everywhere, including all over me! I felt like a big kid again, stomping around in my work boots, instigating a mud war! Would I do something like that?

The new property is going to be amazing. Several buildings for children to live in, a huge open field for playing soccer and other sports and the best part of all, it has a basketball court!! It looks like I will have to teach them a thing or two about basketball! They can teach me about soccer and I’ll teach them about the game of basketball. Sounds like a fair trade to me!

I just wanted to say Thank You for your continued prayers and support and may God continue the deep work He began in you.

These past few weeks have gone by extremely fast. I have been on a tight deadline to get the new content done for Destiny Rescue’s brand new website, which is scheduled to launch mid-September. To be honest, it was quite a daunting task to begin writing nearly 40 pages of content for the website in such a short time frame.  Yet, every time I prayed about it, God gave me a supernatural peace despite the pressure to get it done. Not only that, He gave me the creativity and brain power to stay focused, stay on task and on schedule!

I am reminded of a passage in the Bible when God specifically chose certain individuals to design and construct the Tabernacle. The Bible says, “Then Moses told the people of Israel, “The Lord has specifically chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. The Lord has filled Bezalel with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts. He is a master craftsman, expert in working with gold, silver, and bronze. He is skilled in engraving and mounting gemstones and in carving wood. He is a master at every craft. And the Lord has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach their skills to others. The Lord has given them special skills as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple, and scarlet thread on fine linen cloth, and weavers. They excel as craftsmen and as designers” (Exodus 35:30-35 NLT).

God anointed and empowered Bazalel and Oholiab to design and build elements for the Tabernacle and gave them insight on how to train and lead others to do the same thing. In other words, God equipped the two of them to carry out His plan for their lives.

Similarly, God has called me to write and use the gifts He has given me to help others – to free people from bondage, to be a voice for the voiceless and offer hope to those who are down trodden. And He has empowered me to write all the web content for Destiny Rescue’s new site and has given me the creativity and wisdom to tell their story well.  The crazy thing is, I recall in high school and even college how I got all stressed out over having to write a paper. I even changed to a different English class in college because I had a 10 page paper due the same week!

I look back and stand amazed at how much has been accomplished in such a short amount of time. Simply put, God empowered me to do it!

God doesn’t just empower a select few; He empowers anyone who will walk with Him in humility and learn to lean on Him for help…and this includes YOU and me! He has given you certain skills and abilities, and He has supernaturally graced you to accomplish various tasks and assignments that He already preplanned for you! The key is to lean on Him for assistance and not strive in the flesh.

I want to encourage you to ask God for His help in discovering your purpose and what your gifts are. After all, He created you. He has made you unique and special and the world needs you! It doesn’t need another carbon copy of someone else, but it does need YOU! So relax, and enjoy becoming the person God created you to be.

And remember, what God has called you to do, He has already given you the grace, skills and ability to accomplish it!

Cory’s new place

The past two weeks have been incredible and very stretching. I am living in a completely new culture, a new house, and have a new job. I also am learning how to drive a motorcycle and navigate a brand new city in a country that drives on the opposite side of the road. Not to mention, I am learning to drive in all types of weather…including torrential downpours…yes, one of them was even this evening on my way to a soccer match. I was completely drenched…maybe that’s an understatement…swimming in the streets might be a better description!

Yet, despite all the stretching, it has been amazing! One thing is for sure, I love my new house!

When my house mate and I entered our new place, it needed some tender loving care: painting the inside, cleaning bathrooms, sweeping up the floors, trimming the hedges, mowing the lawn and putting a kitchen sink on the inside of the house (most Thai families place their kitchen sinks on the outside because of the types of food they cook…interesting).

In fact, there is much work still to be done. We need living room furniture, a kitchen table and I need a dresser and wardrobe to hang and put clothes in. Plus we need tons of miscellaneous items. None of this can be accomplished in a single day. Simply put, I am learning to be patient and do what I can little by little.

A Banana Tree in my backyard

In the same way, God takes His time in “cleaning house” in our lives. In other words, there are some things He changes or fixes in us almost immediately when we become Christians, but there are other character flaws deep down on the inside that God takes time to remove and help us reflect His nature. The Bible says, “I will send terror ahead of you to drive out the Hivites, Canaanites, and Hittites. But I will not drive them out in a single year, because the land would become desolate and the wild animals would multiply and threaten you. I will drive them out a little at a time until your population has increased enough to take possession of the land” (Exodus 23:28-30 NLT)

In our lives, we can get so focused on what isn’t right within us that we miss all the things that God has actually changed over the course of our walk with Him. Enjoy the journey and lean on God moment by moment. He will help you overcome every “enemy”, character flaw or challenge within you. And rely on His grace when you don’t do it all perfectly. The moment we accepted Christ into our lives, we became right with God. Our sin has been paid for. However, becoming a mature Believer and one that reflects God’s nature takes time. You’ll even get some bumps and bruises along the way. So, relax and enjoy the journey.

My new living room

I’m embarking on a new season and a new adventure, much like Joshua faced when Moses died. God called him to lead His people into a new land filled with vineyards, pastures and cities overflowing with milk and honey. Would there be battles and challenges? Yes, but God was with His people through every trial.  The one thing God reiterated time and again to His leader was to be strong and courageous because fear has a way of knocking the wind out of us, so to speak, or keeping us from moving forward with confidence. No wonder God told him to have courage!

I’m sitting in my hotel room in Bangkok, Thailand getting ready to enter a new culture with new surroundings, meet new people and have to learn a whole new language. And just like God told Joshua to be strong and courageous, He is saying the same thing to me. God has called me to help set children free from human trafficking – to be a voice for the voiceless and take a stand against injustice. I will be making my way to Chiang Rai, Thailand this afternoon where I will be living for the next year or more, writing for Destiny Rescue – a Christian non-profit organization dedicated to freeing children from human trafficking.

With all the new environments, surroundings and people, fear has tried to come over me as I take steps forward. Yet, God keeps reminding me that He goes before me, just as He did for Joshua and His people entering the Promise Land.  God’s perfect love casts out fear. He gives His people peace when they fix their eyes on Him instead of their surroundings!

I sit anxiously anticipating the days ahead with great faith and expectation because God goes with me and is for me. I look forward to meeting new people, rescuing children who can’t deliver themselves and being the hands and feet of Jesus to all God brings across my path. And, I look forward to working for Destiny Rescue and all the amazing staff that risk their lives on a regular basis. 

I am also reflecting on the past 2.5 years I lived in Fort Wayne, IN. It was an incredible time of growth, building amazing friendships with so many great people and doing life with my amazing family! I am truly blessed and realize I could not be where I am at today without them helping me along the way!

So I press on in this next season, encouraged by the words of Jesus, “And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life” (Matthew 19:29 NLT).

Many stories to come in the days ahead!

Have you ever been afraid to step out and do what God asked you to do? Sure, we all have. But, what if you never get out of the boat? You might never walk on water and experience all the good things God wants to do in and through you. Read my latest Good News article: Fearless Faith and be encouraged and inspired to step out and take risk! God-like faith is when we lean on God with absolute dependence, not trusting in our own ability or comfort zone, but on God’s power and strength! An extraordinary, adventureous life is on your horizon. Will you step out and seize it?

Read Fearless Faith  now.

Do you know what a mirage is? It’s something that appears real or possible, but in actuality, it’s not.

Just recently, I had a very vivid dream about a situation that appeared real, but wasn’t. In the dream, there was an evil being standing between me and my destination. Every time I tried walking towards it, it would make intimidating faces causing fear to overcome me. This, of course, kept me from moving forward down the path toward the place I intended to go. Several times this happened to me with the same result, but then, a thought popped into my head – this can’t be real.  Mustering up some courage, I took a stick and swiped at the evil being in my path, and to my amazement, it went straight through it. In other words, it wasn’t really there at all – it was only a mirage! I decided to take a risk and walk through the evil being. As I approached it again, it made the ugliest, scariest face I had seen yet. It tried to get me to turn back, but I just kept saying to myself, “I believe, I believe, I believe.” It could do nothing to me and I walked on past it!!!

I realized that the evil being wasn’t real, even though I perceived it to be. As I took steps of faith toward my destination and believed the truth, I was able to walk past it.

So many times in our Christian life, the Enemy plants lies in our minds that aren’t true, but we believe them none the less. In fact, they keep us immobilized from ever stepping out to trust God. We know we should move forward, but the Enemy puts on a big front that looks intimidating and very real. We think to ourselves, “There’s no way I can overcome this or get through this trial.” Instead of taking risk and walking into our destiny, we sit on the side of the road full of fear!

The Israelites did the same thing before entering the land God promised to give them. God sent 12 spies into the land of Canaan and they each brought back a report. Two of the spies were very optimistic, but 10 of them brought back a negative report. This is what the majority of them said, “We are not able to go up against the people [of Canaan], for they are stronger than we are. So they brought the Israelites an evil report of the land which they had scouted out, saying, ‘The land through which we went to spy it out is a land that devours its inhabitants. And all the people that we saw in it are men of great stature. There we saw the Nephilim [or giants], the sons of Anak, who come from the giants; and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight’” (Numbers 13:31-33 AMP).

The Israelites saw themselves as grasshoppers in the sight of their enemies. They failed to realize that God was with them and had just defeated the most powerful nation in the world at that time – the Egyptians. They forgot that God had parted the Red Sea and He was with them to succeed with His plan and purpose for their lives! Instead of seeing with eyes of faith, they let fear and the lies of the Enemy overtake them. In fact, all those 20 years old or older would never enter the land God desperately wanted to give them, accept Joshua and Caleb – the two spies that came back with a positive report!

When the entire older generation had died out, God was ready to take the younger people into the Promise Land. The nations that currently occupied the Promise Land were actually terrified of the Israelites. The Bible records, “And she (Rahab) said to the men, I know that the Lord has given you the land and that your terror is fallen upon us and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were on the [east] side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. When we heard it, our hearts melted, neither did spirit or courage remain any more in any man because of you, for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.”

Wow, the people currently inhabiting the land God wanted to give His people, the Israelites, were terrified of them because they knew that God fought for them! Yet, the Israelites let fear and lies consume them so that they refused to trust God and receive the good land God wanted to give them!

Just like in my dream, what appeared real was not really real at all, it was a mirage. Don’t let lies creep in and keep you from experiencing God’s very best. Take steps of faith regardless of how you feel. Believe God and trust Him by faith and watch God cause you to step into all the good things He has for you! If you have been on the side of the road for a while, I want to encourage you to get back up and keep walking forward with God! His mercies are new every morning and He can even use your past failures for great good! Keep walking, keep trusting, keep believing by faith and not by sight! The obstacle between you and your God-given destiny is only a mirage. Step past it today!