The 3rd Power

By Scott W. Ventrella

Have you been searching for a connection to God outside of the church? Do you struggle to find the structure and discipline to practice your spirituality in a meaningful way? Or maybe you've drifted from your faith, but are in need of a spiritual boost?

In this ever-changing world ––at a time where it seems we need God and guidance the most ––many have abandoned their faith and institutional religion.

Many people identify as Christians but have adopted a watered-down version of it. Others have forgotten the most important teachings of Jesus. However, as Christians, we have been given the great gift of faith! We are capable of following the light––of allowing Jesus to guide us along our journey in life.

Christian leadership coach Scott Ventrella's latest book provides a simple yet powerful framework to lead us through these tough times, using faith to connect with the divine. Filled with anecdotes as well as practical tools for reconnecting to yourself (Me Power), your community (We Power), and God (Thee Power), The 3rd Power allows readers to explore a deeper relationship with the divine – whether it's a re-connection with God or allowing Him in for the first time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: CrossLink Publishing
• Release date: Nov 15, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393496243

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The 3rd Power

The 3rd Power

THE FAITH FORMULA TO SOOTHE THE

SOUL AND RESTORE THE SPIRIT

Scott W. Ventrella

CrossLink Publishing

Copyright © 2019 Scott W. Ventrella

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed Attention: Permissions Coordinator, at the address below.

CrossLink Publishing

1601 Mt. Rushmore Rd, STE 3288

Rapid City, SD 57702

Ordering Information:

Quantity sales. Special discounts are available on quantity purchases by corporations, associations, and others. For details, contact the Special Sales Department at the address above.

The 3rd Power/Ventrella —1st ed.

First edition: 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Scripture quotations marked AKJV are take from the Holy Boble, King James Version, (1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version) (Public Domain).

Scripture quotations marked BSB are taken from The Holy Bible, Berean Study Bible, BSB, Copyright ©2016, 2018 by Bible Hub. Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked CSB are taken from the Christian Standard Bible, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked ESV are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright © 2000; 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked GNT are taken from the Good News Translation® (Today’s English Version, Second Edition) Copyright 1992 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked CSB are taken from the Christian Standard Bible, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the Holy Bible, King James Version (Public Domain).

Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked NIRV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version®, NIrV® Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (RSV) are taken from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked WEB are taken from the World English Bible (Public Domain).

To the memory of my mom, Jane Isabelle Romano Ventrella, who taught me the faith— not only by her words, but even more so through her actions.

2/25/1929 – 6/23/2018

Contents

Acknowledgements

Introduction

The Power of Faith—Believe in Unseen Potential

A Perplexing Paradox

The 3rd Power

Me Power

We Power

Thee Power

Part 1

Me Power

Chapter 1

Spiritual Fitness

Internal Warfare

The Spiritual Fitness Assessment

Faith Commitment

Types of Christians

Rate Yourself

Faith Practices

Prayer

Scripture and Inspirational Material

Religious Services and Faith-Based Events

Faith Activation

Unique Talent

Spiritual Gifts

Core Values

Chapter 2

Change Your Life by Changing Your Mind

The Power of Positive Thinking

What Do You Know about Positive Thinking?

Examples

Changing How You Think

Negative Self-Talk

Self-Limiting Beliefs

Truth in Thinking

Chapter 3

The Platinum Standard—Your Personal GPS

The Platinum Standard

Lie or Lose Your Job

Gauging Your Integrity Standards

Part 2

We Power

Chapter 4

Peaceful Coexistence

Barriers to Loving Our Neighbors

Supreme Coexistence

Treat Others as You’d Like to Be Treated

Who Will Throw the First Stone?

Chapter 5

Serving Others

The Customer Concept

Who Are Our Customers?

Identify Your Customers

Classify and Rank Your Customers

God and Self

Vital Few

Important Several

Useful Many

The Law of Supply and Demand

Quantity vs. Quality

Expanding Your Resources

Understanding Customer Needs

Pulse Check Survey

The Survey as an Initiation Device

Interview

Observation

Wowing Customers

Recovery Strategies

10 Secrets to Winning Customers for Life

Chapter 6

Building High-Touch Relationships in a High-Tech World

Communication as a Two-Way Process

Managing the Communication Process

Preparing the Appropriate Environment

Remove All Possible Distractions

Choose the Right Time and Place

Avoid Impromptu Discussions

E-Communication Tips

Communication Skills

Empathetic Listening

Heart

Undivided Attention

Ears

Eyes

Open- vs. Close-Ended Questioning

Defining Terms

Managing Disagreement

Step 1: Define the Difference

Step 2: Discuss Options

Step 3: Bring to Closure

Providing Feedback

Positive Feedback

Corrective Feedback

Part 3

Thee Power

Chapter 7

What It Means To Be a Christian

God the Father and Creator of All

Original Sin

The Devil/Hell

The Devil’s Job

If I Were the Devil . . .

God’s Promises

Jesus Christ

Jesus’ Birth

Jesus’ Life

Early Childhood

Jesus Prepares for Public Ministry

Jesus Begins His Public Ministry

On the Road with Jesus

Jesus’ Death

The Mystery of Suffering

Jesus’ Resurrection

The Holy Spirit

Heaven and Eternal Life

What Happens to Our Bodies?

Good News for Foodies!

Chapter 8

Getting to Know God

The Stages of Spiritual Growth

Attraction

Dating

Marriage

The Power of Prayer

Prayer ACTS

Adoration

Contrition

Thanksgiving

Supplication

A Springtime Lesson on Patience

Prayer Insights and Tips

There’s No One Formula

Rely on the Holy Spirit

Make Prayer a Habit but Not a Routine

Match the Intensity of Prayer with the Gravity of the Situation

Pray and Worship in Spirit and Truth

Create or Enter a Setting Conducive to Individual Prayer

Engage Regularly in Communal Prayer (Community Worship

Engage in Both Verbal and Non-Verbal Prayer

Appreciate the Sounds of Silence

Chapter 9

What Jesus Teaches Us: Seven Key Themes

Love

Faith

Simplicity

Repentance

Judging Others

Wolves and Weeds

Meekness, Not Weakness

Who the Meek Are Not

Focused Energy

Redemption

Chapter 10

Faith Works!

Unbroken

Saul and the Road to Damascus

The Prodigal Daughter

Turning Evil to Good

About the Author

Acknowledgements

This book has been many years in the making. Though only one name appears on the cover, many have helped me along the way—thus, exemplifying We Power at its best. Two people, in particular, played crucial roles from start to finish. A very special thank you to MeiMei Fox and Eileen Burke for providing editorial assistance, particularly in the early days. Their ideas and insights helped shape the book, which proceeded through many iterations over time. In addition to their editorial work, they both shared their talents as gifted and accomplished writers. Their input was invaluable.

When writing the final manuscript, I decided to forego re-reading or proofing the work. I was concerned it would slow me down and lead me to overthink and overwrite every sentence and paragraph. As a result, I decided to hand the work over to a professional copy editor. Thanks to my friend and literary agent, Patti DeMatteo, I was introduced to Joe Kraynak. Joe assisted on many different fronts—everything from formatting and organizing to clarifying thoughts and concepts. He was a pleasure to work with and helped me cross the finish line and deliver a final manuscript in presentable form. I’m grateful for his help.

I am especially thankful for friends and acquaintances who agreed to be interviewed as I was developing the core ideas and content for the book. (I don’t think they knew what they were getting themselves into!) The following people generously shared their own faith walk and provided me with input and feedback on the material: Suzanne Douglas-Harris, Kristen Hoban, Tehri Gasparrini, Kate Jacullo, and John Papa.

Though they were unaware of it at the time, up to that point, I had been relying on Me Power and found myself in stuck mode. Conducting the interviews provided much needed outside inspiration and clarity of thought and direction. With that outside help, I was able to get back on track.

Thanks also to Rick Bates, Managing Editor of CrossLink Publishing, and his staff for believing in the potential of this book to change lives.

The writing process is long and arduous, punctuated with a series of highs and lows. During the low periods, I found encouragement from two very close friends — Deanna Brown and Jack Navarro. Somehow, they knew when I needed a friend the most. I can’t thank them enough.

Of course, my wife, Catherine, and our kids, Jennifer and Andrew, are a constant source of support and encouragement, providing the impetus for all I do. They’re my reason.

Finally, I thank Almighty God, Thee Power, for His guidance throughout this process. I am eternally grateful. It is my hope that this work has glorified His name.

Introduction: The Power of Faith—Believe in Unseen Potential

Are you feeling heavy? If so, you’re not alone. With all the bad news swirling around it’s easy to grow despondent and anxious. But as Christians, we have no reason to be all doom and gloom. We have been given the great gift of faith, particularly faith in Jesus Christ who came to us as the light of the world:

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life

(John 8:12 NIV).

With 24/7 news coverage streaming to our TVs, computers, and smart phones, along with the constant and often heated commentary and discussion via social media, becoming pre-occupied (if not obsessed) with the latest news cycle is far too easy. Thank God we have an option; we can tune out all the bad news and tune in to the Good News provided by our Christian faith. Jesus promised new life and salvation for those who believe and follow Him. He gave us the Holy Spirit to guide us through difficult times, leading us to a peace which surpasses all understanding. Christians who are committed to, and practice, authentic Christianity can rejoice in knowing that those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint (Isaiah 40:31 NIV).

Since the dawn of time, people have been proclaiming that the end of the world is near. In fact, some of Jesus’ own disciples, as well as many of the early Christians, believed that His return would occur within their lifetimes, bringing the end of the world with it. Given the current state of affairs in our world, many people feel certain that we are living our last days and that Armageddon (the final battle between good and evil prior to Judgment Day) is imminent.

Regardless of whether or not you believe in Doomsday, few would argue that we are living in a time when the world has become an increasingly terrifying and overwhelming place. The nightly news is akin to a horror movie—except for the fact that the blood, gore, and mayhem are real. Here is just a small sampling of the events taking place around the world, in our country, and in our homes:

School shootings across the country, including the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in Newtown, Connecticut, where 26 were killed (20 of whom were children), and Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida killing 17 students.

Suicide bomber kills 22 people, mostly young children, attending an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England.

Terrorists using a car and knives attack people on the London Bridge, killing seven, wounding many more.

Increasing attacks on Christians around the world, killing 7,000 last year alone according to Open Doors USA, an international organization that tracks and brings awareness to Christian persecution. The killings have been brutal, afflicting young and old alike. On Easter Sunday in 2019, suicide bombers killed hundreds of innocent people in a series of six coordinated attacks in Sri Lanka. Three of the bombs were detonated in Christian houses of worship.

Closer to home, a gunman opened fire on a crowd of concertgoers on the Las Vegas Strip, killing 58 people and injuring more than 850 others.

On Easter Sunday, 2017, 74-year-old Robert Goodwin was shot and killed by a man for no apparent reason, who filmed and streamed the killing to Facebook Live and later took his own life.

Other acts of violence shared on social media include sexual assault, murder, and suicide. A 12-year-old girl in Georgia recorded her own suicide by hanging via the Live.me app.

The suicide rate in America is at a 30-year high.

Death by opioid overdose is at epidemic proportions—49,068 deaths in the U.S. in 2017 alone. In that same year, the number of deaths involving all drugs exceeded 72,000.

In addition, people are struggling with job insecurity, economic instability, shrinking medical benefits, an aging population, and increasingly hostile public discourse. Finally, a widespread sense of disillusionment with government and politics, corporations, marriage, the public education system, the church, and other formerly reliable institutions prevails. As a result, people are feeling anxious, insecure, and fearful with a bleak view of their future. As one Millennial put it, The world has gone off the deep end. We’ve seen better times.

A Perplexing Paradox

On 9/11, my friend Bridget was working at the World Trade Center on the 95th floor of the South Tower. As she was checking her voicemail, she suddenly heard the loud whine of an airplane. Looking up, she saw it hit the North Tower. Along with many of her colleagues, she decided to exit the building, immediately via the stairs.

While on her way down, at approximately the 54th floor, the second plane hit her building. In that moment, she knew without a doubt that they were under attack.

Bridget expected panic to ensue. But instead, she noticed that most of the people making their way down the long, dark staircase were calm. Most were praying, saying The Lord’s Prayer or Hail Mary under their breaths. Although she believed in God, she rarely prayed and said she didn’t pay God much attention. But in that moment, she turned to God for comfort. She prayed the entire way to the ground floor.

As she exited the building, Bridget saw bodies hitting the ground. Emergency personnel told her not to look around—the surrounding scene was too gruesome.

Only moments after she was whisked to safety, her building collapsed. Ninety of her coworkers died that day.

The horror of her experience on 9/11 brought Bridget back to faith, as it did for many other people. I witnessed a surge in attendance at noon Mass that day. Normally, I would see about 30 people in church; that day, the church was jam-packed, with over 150 people in attendance! The following Sunday, the pews were filled again. People across the country flocked to houses of worship. They were shaken back to their faith. My dad, a World War II veteran, used to say, There’s no such thing as an atheist in a foxhole.

In especially dark periods of history—during wars and famines, economic downturns such as the Great Depression, and pandemics—people have turned to their faith in God for comfort and reassurance. Given the trouble the world is experiencing today, you would think that people would once again turn toward faith for solace and hope. Think again. Amazingly, Christianity in America is in sharp decline. Consider the following statistics based on a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center:

The percentage of adults who describe themselves as Christian has dropped by close to eight percentage points in seven years to 71%.

Over the same period, the number of those not affiliated with a religion has jumped from 16% to 23%.

Among the non-affiliated, 31% include atheists, agnostics (doubters), and those who don’t believe in anything in particular.

The 3rd Power

For this reason, I have felt called to write this book. Simply put, The 3rd Power is a message to all Christians—including those in name only, seekers who are new to Christ’s teachings, and those who have fallen completely away from religion—to deepen their faith.

People need God now more than ever. But instead of moving closer to Him, they are distancing themselves from and abandoning their faith. To be clear, it is they who are abandoning God; it is not God who is abandoning them. People lose faith and stray from formal religion for many reasons—a growing mistrust of religious institutions; hypocritical behavior on the part of so-called Christians; a culture that glorifies wealth, power, and beauty; a chaotic world that can make God seem distant, uncaring, and uninvolved; or simply a bad case of complacency or apathy.

Recently, I was running with my friend, Matt, who had been out of work for quite a long spell. He finally landed a job in New York City. Knowing he was a Christian, I asked him how his faith in God had helped him through the many months of unemployment.

Actually, I decided that I no longer needed God in my life, Matt replied. I realized that I could handle my life just fine without His help. And as you can see, all is good.

A colleague of mine said something similar to me one morning over coffee. I don’t need to go to a building with incense and candles every week to worship God. I can experience Him while hiking in the woods or fishing on a lake.

Clearly, we can experience God through nature—after all, He created it! But worshipping the creation instead of the Creator can actually distance us from God and weaken our understanding and appreciation of how God works with us and through us to attain fulfillment and bring His Kingdom to fruition. Without religion, we can experience some level of spirituality in nature, but we lose the framework of scripture study, prayer, and worship that helps us maintain alignment with the Divine.

Of course, religion can drive a wedge between us and God, unintentionally or intentionally. Well-meaning, but poorly prepared, church leadership may inadvertently drive people from the church by failing to engage the congregation and provide for members’ spiritual needs. Worse, throughout history, religion has been abused and misused for self-service instead of for the service of God and His people, giving the word religion negative connotations for many people. Those who corrupt religion for their own gain perform a great disservice to true believers by pushing them away