Armed4Battle would like to congratulate Victor Torres for being honored by Strathmore’s Who’s Who for demonstrating outstanding leadership, accomplishment and dedication in his professions. Victor has distinguished himself as a successful professional counselor, published author, public speaker and professional arm wrestler! This is his 18th National or International award.
Many people enter life maimed or abused since they can remember. It’s as if the world is against them and that especially includes one’s family of upbringing. We don’t have a choice as to our family of origin. No family is perfect and some families are healthier than others. We must take the good with the bad, learn to adapt, survive, learn from our experiences and forgive those who hurt us along the way.
Clearly, our faith help us to weather the many storms that aim to derail us, but for many people, they don’t find faith until later in life, especially if they were not raised in a religious home. Life is often a struggle to find peace within ourselves and that peace does not come until we make a commitment to live for the Lord wholeheartedly so we can move from merely surviving to thriving and accomplish all that God has called us to be. Our manner of thinking will often determine how far we will go in life, how much we will accomplish and how healthy we will live.
“A Prince or a Pauper?”
The following is an excerpt from Victor’s first book, Armed for Battle and Destined for Glory! It is available through his website, Armed4Battle.com and Amazon.com. His manuscript won two international awards from the Global E-Book Awards as it was a finalist for “Best Autobiography” and “Best Christian E-Book–Non-Fiction.” Enjoy!
“A Prince or a Pauper”
Originally Written on April 20, 2002
by Victor Torres
How many of you were raised with no purpose in living
In a world that’s lost, dying and unforgiving?
Who told you that your thoughts and feelings didn’t matter?
Whose words cut you to pieces and left you bruised and battered?
Who brainwashed you since the early days of your youth;
Labeled you a pauper and presented it as the truth?
Who said you were insignificant and gave you no hope;
And dared to leave you dangling at the end of your rope?
You were lied to, My friend, since the days of your childhood.
Now, you question the lies and accusations; as you should.
I formed you, indeed, as My perfect creation,
And destined you for greatness as part of My holy nation.
Many of you are “throwaways” who were treated like dirt
At the hands of fathers or mothers who inflicted much hurt.
But, I’m above the dirt, the hurt and all those raw deals.
I’ve come to lift you out of the mud; I am the God Who heals.
You’re a treasure your parent forgot to open, My dear prince;
And only through believing My Word will you be convinced
That you’re worth more than all the gold that I’ve created.
It’s time, child, that you forgive all those that you’ve hated.
It’s not about what happens to you, but what happens in you.
You are not a fateful product of your milieu,
But a product of how you respond to your surroundings.
I made your environment your training ground; your boxing ring.
Though this life is your boot camp, it is not your home.
You must overcome the role of a victim, lest you roam
Aimlessly through the wilderness, as did those before you;
Who died short of “the promise” and settled merely for a view.
I’ve made you awesome and you’re the glory that covers the earth.
You’ve been called to greatness, according to your spiritual birth.
You are a prince, not a pauper; the head and not the tail.
Rise above the ashes, dear one; you will succeed and not fail.
Let Me heal the little child in you, so I can sow new ground.
There is a king and priest in you waiting to abound.
I am calling you to rise up and shake the dust off your feet.
As a prince or princess I’ve called you to overcome defeat.
I am strengthening your spirit to go for the gold.
I’m doing a new work in you, which leaves no room for the old;
And besides creating you equal among all the races,
I took the liberty to seat you in heavenly places.
I have awakened you now to your new identity.
No longer will you live in impoverished extremity.
A beggar mentality does not equate with My name.
There’s no room for a pauper, my prince, in My Hall of Fame!
Heartache is a part of our everyday lives. It is part of the human condition. In the same manner in which we experience happiness, peace and joy, we also will experience heartache, sadness, disappointment, loss of loved ones and broken relationships. We take the good with the bad, the happy with the sad experiences and times of jubilee as well as disappointment.
No one leaves this earth without having suffered loss. People will come in and out of lives. Some will stay longer than others. But there is a lesson to be learned from all who enter our lives. What have these people taught you? Have they taught you about unconditional love, the importance of laughter, the value of making a heart-to-heart connection rather than just existing in your head? Have they taught you about the significance of learning how to forgive others, including yourself?
Healed of a Broken Heart!
Life is full of lessons and we must learn from everyone, if we are to grow into the person that God has called us to be? Growth, of course, is painful at times, especially when it involves learning more about ourselves. What have you learned about yourself? Have your loved ones told you that you are domineering, controlling, judgmental, insecure? Have they told you that you are rough around the edges, too opinionated or critical of others? You don’t really know how you come across to others until you ask someone who really knows you, “How do you see me and what areas do I need to work on?”
No man or woman is an island. You need others to help you take an honest look at yourself. It’s called, “taking inventory and being accountable.” Sometimes, this requires seeing a professional counselor or therapist, a pastor or mentor who possesses much wisdom in the area of relationships and healthy communication. But you have to be willing to humble yourself in order to grow.
No one ever arrives. In other words, no one ever experiences perfection on this side of eternity. We all have blinds spots and we can’t see them all. That’s why we need others who we can trust to lovingly point out those areas of darkness in us so we can acknowledge those areas. Then, we should take those areas of weakness before the Lord and ask Him to help us to die of our selfish ways daily so He can do a new work in us. Fortunately, the Apostle Paul encourages us in Philippians 1:6 when he declares, “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” We are a work in progress as we give our Master Builder permission daily to prune our rough edges so we can more accurately reflect His love in us to others.
It is reassuring to know that we are not in this race alone. The Lord sends us messengers often to help us along our way. Just remember not to turn those people away when you know they are a God-send. Sometimes, we have to humble ourselves in order to receive a word from the Lord. 1 Peter 5:6-7 reminds us, “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”
Be encouraged, my friends, and take one day at a time. Each day is a new day to learn more about yourself and others and to mature into the person that God has called you to be. You will suffer loss and heartache, but the Lord will always lift you up as you seek Him and receive the messengers that He sends your way to help mend your broken heart. You are called to finish the race with joy, not heartache, and the only way to do that is to draw from God’s strength so you face your burdens head on. And remember, you are not called to be an overcomer by yourself. Galatians 6:2 reminds us to, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
The True Making of a Champion: Building Strength and Character Through Adversity
Now Available Through Kindle
Introduction
What is the true making of a champion? What comes to mind in describing a winner in a society that highly values professional sports, athletic competition and a world that is in dire need of true role models? Would it be holding a coveted Super Bowl or World Series trophy? Would it be embracing a Most Valuable Player or a Cy Young Award? Would it be winning a Teacher of the Year award? How about a Volunteer of the Year Award?
Our society has all kinds of ideas of what constitutes a true champion. Professional athletes are revered for their athletic abilities. Businesspeople are esteemed for their extensive knowledge of products. Financial planners are respected for their knowledge of what life insurance has to offer. Stockbrokers are respected for their ability to help customers reap profits through stocks and bonds by knowing when to buy and sell in an unpredictable stock market. These people are considered successful by societal standards and are champions in their own right.
Who are some of these champions we admire who have reached the pinnacle of success? How about Bill Gates, Warren Buffet or Rupert Murdoch? How about super star professional athletes who are now successful businessmen such as Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Roger Staubach, John Elway or Nolan Ryan?
Perhaps you know other champions who have not quite reached this stature but are successful in their professional fields. They may have achieved success in real estate, business investments or network marketing. You may very well know them and be in awe of their accomplishments and their ability to make wise choices.
Are these truly champions we should revere? What is it about them that you are attracted to? Is it their ability to acquire wealth, their good looks, their reputations, fame or possessions that captures your attention? These people made many sacrifices to get to where they are today and understandably so. They were bold risk-takers and were not afraid to stand alone and follow their dreams when others criticized their innovative ideas.
What is the true making of a champion? Is it the underdog who overcomes a life of poverty and becomes college-educated, gains distinction in his profession and gives back to his community? Is it a victim of bullying who survives the blows he was dealt and goes on to inspire others who had similar experiences? Is it a victim of abuse who finds the courage to leave an unhealthy relationship and discovers that her self-worth is really valuable?
Or is it someone who dedicates himself or herself to ministry so he or she can reach victims of sex trafficking, abuse, neglect, homelessness, unemployment or broken relationships? Or how about a woman raised in the projects who becomes a business executive and builds a community center for underprivileged youth as an alternative to gang affiliation?
In this book, I will take you on a path that will explore what is most meaningful in life. You are valuable and precious in Heaven’s eyes and you have little time to waste because you don’t know how much time you have left on this earth to follow the career or ministry path that you are destined to follow. We will look at principles that will help you explore what true success is all about while using pertinent illustrations to encourage you to become the champion that you are destined to become.
A champion’s heart belongs to anyone who is willing to wrestle against forces that dare to keep you from reaching your full potential. You are destined for greatness, my friend, and I encourage you now to read on so you can find out what helps people overcome misfortune with a proper mindset. Open your heart and mind so you can be molded into the champion that longs to be discovered. My prayer is that you will build strength and character through adversity through The True Making of a Champion.
Armed4Battle would like to announce that Victor’s 3rd book, was released today by Amazon.com It is entitled, “The True Making of a Champion: Building Strength and Character Through Adversity”
His first 2 books, “Armed for Battle and Destined for Glory” and “Perfect Love Casts Out All Fear” won 4 international awards through the Global E-Book Awards. Victor’s books have twice been a Finalist for best Christian E-Book of the Year, a Finalist for Best Autobiography, and a Finalist for the best E-Book in the Religion/Faith Non-Fiction category.
Building Strength
Victor is committed to helping broken people experience emotional freedom in their personal lives and relationships because he believes that no matter what tragedy that one has experienced, it is not God’s will for someone to have to suffer indefinitely. God is into healing His people so that they can help others who are also hurting and in need of emotional healing.
And Character
Armed4Battle would like to encourage you to purchase a copy of “The True Making of a Champion: Building Strength and Character Through Adversity” to help you in your journey to emotional healing. Stay tuned in for more updates coming soon!
Through Adversity!
Victor’s books are available through his website, Armed4Battle.com and Amazon.com.
Life is full of ups and downs. We all experience joyful as well as sad times and some people embrace more sorrowful times than others with amazing courage. But when a young person is faced with the inevitability of death, we mourn for them because we know they will never experience the fullness of their days. That young person will never know the joy of graduating from high school or college, getting married, having children or the opportunity to use their God-given talents with full measure to bless the world around them.
Such is the case with Athena Orchard, a 12 year-old who was afflicted with bone cancer at twelve years of age. She lived a year after her diagnosis, but in that year she showed amazing courage, lived life to the fullest, blessed others by sharing wisdom beyond her years, loved unconditionally and left this world with such grace and passion that she left those around her in awe of her indomitable spirit. Her courage was unwavering as she passed from life to death here on earth and from death to life on the other side of eternity into her loving Father’s arms.
Young Athena Orchard Displayed Amazing Courage Until the End!
She taught us about happiness and enjoying the journey and not just finding pleasure in finally arriving at one’s destination. In a beautiful letter that her father found after her passing, she stated, “Love is not about who you can see spending your future with; it’s about who you can’t see spending your life without.”
We need to treasure the insights of those who have lived a lifetime in just a short amount of time. We were blessed to be in their presence while they were with us. They served as our role models. We need to remember their courage, embrace it, and model it to those who desperately need it. Whether one is young or old, courage is a gift from God that we must seize when we are given the opportunity.
Armed4Battle.com would like to announce that Victor’s book, “Perfect Love Casts Out All Fear,” will soon be released on audio through Amazon.com. We are trying to accommodate those of you who don’t have time to read but do have time to listen to a life-changing book while traveling or in the privacy of your own home.
“Perfect Love Casts Out All Fear” by Victor Torres on Audio Coming Soon!
Victor’s book, “Perfect Love” on Audio will help you to confront fears that hinder you from overcoming difficult issues from your past, roadblocks in your present circumstances and dreams that will launch you to pursue your future with rekindled passion. Victor will help you to identify negative coping mechanisms, how to replace them with valuable tools that will carry you from a desert wasteland and emotional graveyard to a paradise that embraces abundant living, lasting peace and bountiful joy.
Victor Torres, Author of “Perfect Love Casts Out All Fear”
“Perfect Love” will teach you how to bravely weather the horrifying storms of life, how to slay fear and pursue pure love in your relationships and teach you how to secure your emotional freedom as you are empowered to seek a rendezvous with your divine destiny. You will learn how to pass from emotional death to life, embrace courage & honesty and pursue greater faith in coming to terms with matters of the heart.
Also, “Perfect Love” is a winner of two international awards through the Global E-Book Awards:
Dan Poynter’s Global E-Book Awards Finalist, Medal Winner for Book, Perfect Love Casts Out All Fear/ Best Christian E-Book, 2014)
Dan Poynter’s Global E-Book Awards Finalist, Medal Winner for Book, Perfect Love Casts Out All Fear/Religion/Faith Non-Fiction, 2014)
Armed4Battle would like to announce that Victor’s 3rd book will be released soon and likely before the end of the summer. It is entitled, “The True Making of a Champion: Building Strength and Character Through Adversity!”
His first 2 books, “Armed for Battle and Destined for Glory” and “Perfect Love Casts Out All Fear” won 4 international awards through the Global E-Book Awards. Victor’s books have twice been a Finalist for best Christian E-Book of the Year, a Finalist for Best Autobiography, and a Finalist for the best E-Book in the Religion/Faith Non-Fiction category.
Building Strength
Victor is committed to helping broken people experience emotional freedom in their personal lives and relationships because he believes that no matter what tragedy that one has experienced, it is not God’s will for someone to have to suffer indefinitely. God is into healing His people so that they can help others who are also hurting and in need of emotional healing.
And Character
Also, Victor’s 3rd book is in the hands of his graphic designer and almost ready for publication. Armed4Battle would like to encourage you to purchase a copy of “The True Making of a Champion: Building Strength and Character Through Adversity!” to help you in your journey to emotional healing. Stay tuned in for more updates coming soon!
Through Adversity!
Victor’s books are available through his website, Armed4Battle.com and Amazon.com.
Bullying in the United States has become such an out-of-control epidemic that too many children are choosing to deal with it through suicide. Just days ago, another teen chose to end her life when her classmates shot a video of her while she was showering without her knowledge. As soon as she found out about it being posted on Snapshot, a common social media outlet for young people, she became visibly upset and expressed her grave concern to her mother. Her mom was ignorant of what was really going on and before she could make sense out of what just happened, her daughter went into her mother’s purse, took her mom’s gun with her into the bathroom and killed herself.
Her aunt later learned about the revealing video of her victimized niece after she went on social media and was messaged by concerned teens. This family is devastated and crying for justice. What has this world come to when a child is not even safe in his or her own home? Please note that this suicide victim was betrayed by classmates in the privacy of her own home. When she realized that she would no longer be able to face her peers without public shame, she apparently saw no other way out.
Stop Bullying!
As helpful as social media is in many ways, including helping people to connect with long-last friends, too many irresponsible kids are ruining other peers’ lives, and in many instances, contributing to their suicides, by shaming them in front of the whole world. What has become of our society when it has become too easy to ruin someone’s life through technology? Why aren’t there more controls in place to prevent such atrocities? What will be the punishment for all those teens who were involved in filming and posting this cruel video that ruined and ended a child’s life?
Regardless of what the court system decides, another promising teen has been lost who will never graduate from high school, college, or get married, have a family and start a promising career. And how many more children will die before America wakes up and sees that the cost of social media is too high if it’s killing teens by the thousands?
Armed4Battle.com
The fact of the matter is, there is big business tied to social media and the mindset of business is that there will always be the risk of losses with any business venture, which includes human lives. If you don’t believe me, just take a look at the millions of abortions that have taken place in our country. Since Roe vs. Wade passed in 1973, 58 million children have been aborted. If you think this conflict is simply between conservative and liberal forces, think again. It has a lot to do with big business. The medical profession and pharmaceutical companies have become rich at the expense of 58 million murdered babies.
I bring this topic up because more innocent children are dying in record numbers via social media. This empire is well aware that children are dying at the hands of bullies who apparently pay no heed to their conscience. What have the CEO’s of social media done to curtail cyberbullying? Who has stepped forward to make it more difficult for anyone to post a revealing video of an innocent victim. The time is ripe for a total upheaval of how social media is run before more of our children are sacrificed to social media. Also, we need stiffer crimes that will send someone to prison for life who contributes to someone’s suicide, so bullies will think twice before posting something on social media that will ruin someone’s life and the lives of their loved ones. Why? Because as it stands right now, it’s too easy to ruin someone’s life.
