Assertive Creations

AC Weekly – April 15, 2026

Rick A Knock — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 13:03:22 GMT

Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior, Lord, and King!

We continue today with our goal of bringing you something each week that is beneficial, uplifting, and encouraging. We hope something we share may brighten your day. And if you think it might brighten someone else’s day, please share it with them also!

Inside This Edition:

1. Faith Foundations

2. Faith and Politics

3. Philippians 4:8 Sharing

4. News and Events

5. Making a Difference

1. Faith Foundations

Scripture:

Romans 15:4 (BSB)

“For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.”

Consider:

God has always intended His Word to be a steadying place for His people. Long before any of us were born, He was already shaping the history that would teach, anchor, and encourage every generation that came after. Scripture is not simply a record of what happened—it is a living testimony of who He is: faithful, patient, and purposeful.

Think of Scripture as a lighthouse on a rugged coastline. The storms may be fierce, the waves unpredictable, and the night long, but the light remains steady. It doesn’t remove the storm, but it gives direction, courage, and the assurance that safe harbor exists. God’s Word shines with the same constancy—guiding, correcting, strengthening, and reminding us that hope is not wishful thinking, but a light anchored in His character.

Paul writes these words to a community learning how to live together in unity, patience, and mutual encouragement. He reminds them that the Scriptures were written not only to inform but to form them—to shape endurance in trials and to cultivate hope that does not collapse under pressure. The stories of Abraham waiting, Moses persevering, David trusting, and the prophets speaking all become part of our story too. Their endurance becomes our encouragement; their hope becomes our inheritance.

Every generation faces its own storms, but the same Scriptures continue to speak. The endurance of those who came before strengthens those who come after. When we open the Word, we join a long line of believers who found courage in God’s promises. And as we endure with hope, we become part of the ongoing history of God’s people that will provide hope, courage, and guidance for those who will follow us.

Let the Scriptures be your lighthouse today. Sit with them long enough for their steady light to rise above the noise, pressure, and uncertainty. Allow God’s past faithfulness to shape present endurance and future hope.

Discussion Question:

How do the examples of those who came before provide hope for those who follow?

Please join the discussion on our Assertive Creations Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/AssertiveCr.

2. Faith & Politics

In this section we discuss political & social issues from a Christian perspective. This week we reflect how we as Christians can respond to political fatigue with hope and endurance.

Consider:

Political life often feels like a cycle of urgency—new conflicts, new frustrations, new reasons to brace ourselves. In seasons like these, it’s easy for people to feel politically exhausted. Romans 15:4 speaks into that fatigue with a steadying reminder: God has been forming His people to deal with life’s challenges long before any of today’s pressures existed.

What endurance looks like in public life

Endurance in Scripture is not passive. It is the steady, patient commitment to keep walking in truth, compassion, and integrity even when the environment around us is strained. In political contexts, endurance might look like choosing not to mirror the hostility of the moment, refusing to dehumanize those who disagree, or continuing to seek the common good even when the path feels uphill. Scripture trains the heart to stay steady when the world feels unstable.

Encouragement that does not depend on headlines

Paul reminds the church that encouragement comes not from the rise and fall of circumstances, but from trusting in God’s faithfulness. For people navigating political tension, this means hope does not have to wait for perfect leaders, perfect policies, or perfect outcomes. Hope grows from remembering who God has been across generations—faithful, patient, and committed to shaping His people through every era. That kind of encouragement frees individuals to engage without despair, cynicism, or fear.

Hope as a public witness

Hope is not naïve optimism; it is a posture shaped by God’s character. When people carry that kind of hope into political conversations, it changes the tone. It softens defensiveness. It opens space for listening. It reminds communities that disagreement does not have to become division. Hope becomes a quiet but powerful testimony that God is still at work, even in places where frustration runs deep.

Romans 15:4 invites people to let Scripture form the way they move through political life—not by giving talking points, but by shaping endurance, encouragement, and hope. When these qualities take root, they create room for gentler conversations, wiser decisions, and a more gracious public presence.

Discussion Question:

How might someone’s political engagement change if their primary source of encouragement came from Scripture rather than from political headlines and the shifting tone of public discourse?

3. Philippians 4:8 Sharing

Each week, we share something in the spirit of Philippians 4:8. It is hoped that something shared here may bring a ray of hope and encouragement to someone who needs it, and that these stories will inspire each of us to do what we can to make a difference in the lives of those God sends our way.

This Week’s Feature

This week’s feature comes from a moment of simple, human kindness that grew into something extraordinary. An aging pizza‑delivery driver, known in his community for his conscientious work and gentle spirit, was surprised with a $100,000 tip after a video of his careful, respectful delivery went viral. People from all over the country contributed—not because he asked, but because they saw dignity in the way he carried out an ordinary job and wanted to honor it.

What made the moment beautiful wasn’t the money itself, but the recognition of a life lived with quiet integrity. In a world often drawn to loud achievements, this story reminds us that kindness still notices the unnoticed, and that ordinary faithfulness can stir extraordinary generosity.

YouTube video:

You can find more uplifting and encouraging features on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/AssertiveCr.

While you’re there, if you’ve found something else that’s uplifting and encouraging, please share it with the rest of us! Life is better when we encourage one another.

4. News & Events

AC Facebook Groups

Our two Facebook groups are up and ready and waiting for you.

Makers Making a Difference

This community is for Christian makers, creatives, and designers who want their work to make a difference. Share your craft, your process, and your ideas. Meet and collaborate with other makers. Ask questions, offer answers, and learn from the shared knowledge and experience of everyone here. This is a space where we grow together, support each other, and create with intention. You can find this group at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/acmakers .

Storytellers Making a Difference

This is a community of Christians who believe that stories, illustrations, and everyday conversations can change lives. Our goal is to create stories that help turn moments of curiosity into meaningful conversations that can communicate truth with clarity, creativity, and confidence. You can find this group at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/acstorytellers .

Store News & Discount Code

The Assertive Creations Merch Store features T-shirts with exclusive AC designs that can’t be found anywhere else. We will be expanding to more product lines in the future. All merch is organized by both topic and assertiveness level (AL Series) so you can find exactly what you’re looking for.

Topics include Christian, Patriotic, Political, and Holiday, all from a Christian perspective.

AL Series includes Day Brighteners, Gentle Persuaders, Conversation Starters, and Bible Verses, with Bold Truth Statements coming soon.

You can save 20% on your first order by using discount code WELCOME20. You can save on future orders by using the current discount code included in our AC Weekly emails.

The Assertive Creations Merch Store Discount Code for April 2026 is:

(See Email.)

This code is good all month, can be used multiple times, and combines with free shipping to USA on orders $35+. Please note that this is a private code for our subscribers. While we don’t want you to share the code, we DO want you to encourage people to subscribe at assertivecreations.com. That way they can get the code together with all the uplifting goodies we send each week.

5. Making a Difference

This Week’s Challenge: Smile at Someone

A genuine smile is a small act with surprising power. It communicates warmth, safety, and connection — even to strangers. Smiling can lift someone’s spirits, ease tension, and create a moment of shared humanity in a world that often feels rushed or disconnected. It costs nothing, takes a second, and can brighten someone’s entire day, including your own.

It’s Shine Time!

Thank you for joining us. We hope that something we share will make a difference in your life and in the lives of those around you. All of us at Assertive Creations wish you a wonderful week filled with countless opportunities to be blessed and to be a blessing to others. Keep looking for the good – it’s there. And when you find it, share it with someone who needs it. We’ll all be better for it!

Until next time, let your light shine!

You can make a difference.

AC Weekly – April 8, 2026

Rick A Knock — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 13:01:29 GMT

Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior, Lord, and King!

Inside This Edition:

1. Faith Foundations

2. Faith and Politics

3. Philippians 4:8 Sharing

4. News and Events

5. Making a Difference

1. Faith Foundations

Scripture:

Deuteronomy 29:29 (BSB)

“The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.”

Consider:

Some verses feel like standing at the edge of a vast horizon—beautiful, mysterious, and humbling all at once. Deuteronomy 29:29 is one of those places. It reminds us that God holds realities we cannot see, understand, or even imagine, and yet He has also given us everything we need for faithfulness, trust, and daily obedience. The hidden things are His; the revealed things are gifts meant to shape generations.

This verse gently reorders the human impulse to grasp for answers. Israel was about to enter a land filled with uncertainty, and God did not hand them a map of every future detail. Instead, He gave them Himself—His covenant, His words, His promises. The same pattern appears throughout Scripture: God reveals enough to walk faithfully, but not so much that trust becomes unnecessary. Moses affirms this again later when he tells the people that God’s word is near them, in their mouths and hearts, so they may do it (Deuteronomy 30:14). The emphasis is not on deciphering mysteries but on living what has already been made clear.

The New Testament echoes this rhythm. Paul writes that “we know in part” and “see in a mirror dimly” (1 Corinthians 13:9,12), yet he also insists that God has revealed what is essential through Christ and the Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:10). Jesus Himself reassures His disciples that the Father knows what they need before they ask (Matthew 6:8), inviting them into trust rather than anxiety. Revelation is always purposeful—never trivia, never spectacle, always formation.

And then there is the generational note: “for us and for our children forever.” What God reveals is not merely for personal comfort but for communal shaping. It becomes a legacy—truth handed down, lived out, embodied in ordinary faithfulness. The hidden things remain safely in God’s hands, but the revealed things become the steady ground beneath ours.

Discussion Question:

How might a community’s faith deepen when it focuses on practicing what God has revealed rather than speculating about what He has not?

Please join the discussion on our Assertive Creations Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/AssertiveCr.

2. Faith & Politics

In this section we discuss political & social issues from a Christian perspective. This week we reflect how we as Christians can respond to uncertainty.

Consider:

Some political seasons feel like standing in a fog—loud voices, strong opinions, and endless predictions about what might happen next. Deuteronomy 29:29 offers a surprising kind of calm in moments like these. It reminds us that God holds mysteries we cannot see, control, or decode, and yet He has also given us clear, revealed truths meant to shape how we live, speak, and treat one another. The hidden things belong to Him; the revealed things belong to us and to our children forever.

This verse gently shifts our posture. Instead of trying to master every unknown, it invites us to practice what we already know: humility, justice, mercy, patience, and love. These are not partisan values—they are revealed ones. We may disagree about how to practice these things, but we should not disagree on their importance.

What if Christians became known for faithfully practicing what God has revealed? What if the Church’s political witness was marked by:

humility instead of certainty,
patience instead of panic,
integrity instead of expediency,
compassion instead of contempt,
and trust instead of fear?

These are not partisan traits. They are Christlike ones.

Deuteronomy 29:29 reminds us that God has not asked His people to carry the weight of omniscience. He has asked them to carry the weight of obedience. And that obedience—lived out in public, online, and in community—can become a generational gift: “for us and for our children forever.”

In a world of conflicting views, God invites His people into a slower, steadier way. The hidden things remain safely in His hands. The revealed things are more than enough to guide our words, our votes, our conversations, and our hopes. If we rest in that balance, political engagement will become less frantic and more faithful, and our steady presence will become a source of hope and guidance for others.

Discussion Question:

How might a community’s political conversations change if its members focused less on arguing about the unknown and more on practicing the revealed character of Christ?

3. Philippians 4:8 Sharing

This Week’s Feature

A Vintage Vending Machine That Dispenses Kindness

In Michigan, artist Andrea Zelenak transformed an old vending machine into something extraordinary: a “Kindness Challenge” dispenser that releases small envelopes prompting simple, intentional acts of kindness. Thousands have participated as the machine travels to festivals and public spaces, each person receiving a gentle nudge to brighten someone else’s day. The project is rooted in the belief that one small act can ripple outward into a wave of goodness.

Or watch the YouTube video:

You can find more uplifting and encouraging features on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/AssertiveCr.

While you’re there, if you’ve found something else that’s uplifting and encouraging, please share it with the rest of us! Life is better when we encourage one another.

4. News & Events

AC Facebook Groups

Our two Facebook groups are up and ready and waiting for you.

Makers Making a Difference

Storytellers Making a Difference

Store News & Discount Code

Topics include Christian, Patriotic, Political, and Holiday, all from a Christian perspective.

AL Series includes Day Brighteners, Gentle Persuaders, Conversation Starters, and Bible Verses, with Bold Truth Statements coming soon.

You can save 20% on your first order by using discount code WELCOME20. You can save on future orders by using the current discount code included in our AC Weekly emails.

The Assertive Creations Merch Store Discount Code for April 2026 is:

(See Email.)

5. Making a Difference

This Week’s Challenge: Take a Short Walk

A 10–20‑minute walk can reset your mind, reduce anxiety, and improve your overall mood. Movement increases blood flow to the brain, helping you think more clearly and respond to challenges with greater calm. Walking outdoors also reconnects you with nature, which has been shown to reduce stress and increase feelings of well‑being. When you’re centered and refreshed, it’s easier to show up more fully for the people around you.

It’s Shine Time!

Until next time, let your light shine!

You can make a difference.

AC Weekly – April 1, 2026

Rick A Knock — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 13:03:16 GMT

Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior, Lord, and King!

Inside This Edition:

1. Faith Foundations

2. Faith and Politics

3. Philippians 4:8 Sharing

4. News and Events

5. Making a Difference

1. Faith Foundations

Scripture:

Ecclesiastes 3:11 (BSB)

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men, yet they cannot fathom the work that God has done from beginning to end.”

Consider:

There is a quiet steadiness in Solomon’s words—a reminder that God’s timing is not merely different from ours, but wiser, deeper, and woven with a beauty we often only recognize in hindsight. The Teacher looks at the seasons of life and sees a God who is not hurried, not reactive, and not improvising. Instead, He is shaping everything—joys, delays, detours, and even the long stretches of waiting—into something beautiful in its time.

And yet, God has placed something vast within the human heart: eternity itself. We carry a longing that no season on earth can fully satisfy. We sense that life is bigger than what we can see, that purpose stretches beyond our understanding, and that God’s work is far more expansive than our present moment reveals. This longing is not a flaw—it is a gift. It keeps us searching, hoping, and lifting our eyes beyond what is immediate.

Ecclesiastes invites us to rest in the tension: God is doing more than we can fathom, and that is not meant to frustrate us but to anchor us. The beauty of His timing and the mystery of His purposes are not obstacles to faith—they are invitations to trust. Even when we cannot trace His hand, we can trust His heart.

Discussion Question:

How might someone’s perspective shift when they view their current season through the lens of God making “everything beautiful in its time” rather than through the pressure of their own timelines?

Please join the discussion on our Assertive Creations Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/AssertiveCr.

2. Faith & Politics

In this section we discuss political & social issues from a Christian perspective. This week we reflect on the political divisions in our nation and how we as Christians can respond.

Consider:

Politics has a way of convincing us that the world is divided into “us” and “them,” and that righteousness lives only on our side of the line. Scripture, however, has a way of unsettling that certainty. It reminds us that every person is made in God’s image, that every community carries both wisdom and blind spots, and that no earthly platform fully captures the heart of God.

Followers of Jesus have always lived in the tension between two kingdoms — the one we vote in and the one we belong to. The first asks for our loyalty; the second offers transformation.

When we look at today’s political landscape, we can see glimpses of biblical truth on both sides:

One side may emphasize justice, compassion, and care for the vulnerable — themes Scripture elevates again and again.
Another may emphasize responsibility, moral order, and the value of tradition — themes Scripture also honors deeply.

But Scripture also challenges both sides:

Compassion without wisdom can become favoritism in the name of love.
Order without mercy can become law without love.

And somewhere in the middle of all this, Christians are called to something harder than choosing a side: We are called to examine our assumptions, listen with humility, and let God’s heart shape our political posture more than our political tribe.

What if the Church became known not for its outrage, but for its honesty? Not for its alignment with a party, but for its alignment with Christ?

Political conversations don’t have to be battlegrounds. They can be places where we practice the fruit of the Spirit — patience, gentleness, self‑control — even when we disagree. Especially when we disagree.

Maybe the most countercultural political act a Christian can perform today is simply to listen long enough to understand, and to speak slowly enough to be heard.

Discussion Question:

Political divisions today can get ugly fast, with former friends and even family members parting ways over political differences. How can we, as Christians, discuss political issues in a way that allows us to disagree without being disagreeable? How can we genuinely seek to understand the other person’s point of view?

3. Philippians 4:8 Sharing

This Week’s Feature

From Orphanage to Olympic Ice: 19‑Year‑Old Double Amputee Leads Team USA to Paralympic Gold

Kayden Beasley’s life began in a Chinese orphanage, born without lower leg bones and facing a future filled with uncertainty. But everything changed when he was adopted at age three by a loving North Carolina family who gave him stability, encouragement, and a place to belong. That foundation became the launching point for a journey no one could have predicted.

At 13, Kayden discovered sled hockey—an adaptive form of the sport that immediately revealed his natural talent. Coaches noticed his drive and skill from the start, and he quickly rose through the ranks. By 19, he had earned a spot on Team USA, competing in the 2025 World Para Ice Hockey Championship and then the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics.

In Italy, Kayden played in all five games, scoring three goals and adding an assist as Team USA secured yet another gold medal. His story has inspired teammates, coaches, and young athletes across the country—proof that obstacles can become fuel, and limitations can become launchpads.

You can find more uplifting and encouraging features on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/AssertiveCr.

While you’re there, if you’ve found something else that’s uplifting and encouraging, please share it with the rest of us! Life is better when we encourage one another.

4. News & Events

AC Facebook Groups

Our two Facebook groups are up and ready.

Makers Making a Difference

Storytellers Making a Difference

Store News & Discount Code

Topics include Christian, Patriotic, Political, and Holiday, all from a Christian perspective.

AL Series includes Day Brighteners, Gentle Persuaders, Conversation Starters, and Bible Verses, with Bold Truth Statements coming soon.

You can save 20% on your first order by using discount code WELCOME20. You can save on future orders by using the current discount code included in our AC Weekly emails.

The Assertive Creations Merch Store Discount Code for April 2026 is:

(See Email.)

5. Making a Difference

This Week’s Challenge: Drink More Water

Hydration is one of the simplest ways to improve your physical and emotional well‑being. Drinking enough water boosts energy, supports brain function, and stabilizes mood. And when you feel better physically, you may find that you’re more patient, more focused, and more compassionate toward others. Carrying a reusable bottle also reduces plastic waste, making this small habit beneficial not only for you but for the environment and everyone who shares it.

It’s Shine Time!

Until next time, let your light shine!

You can make a difference.

AC Weekly – March 25, 2026

Rick A Knock — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 13:01:59 GMT

Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior, Lord, and King!

We continue today with our goal of bringing you something each week that is beneficial, uplifting, and encouraging. We hope something here may brighten your day. And if you think it might brighten someone else’s day, please share it with them!

1. Something to Discuss

Scripture:

Hebrews 11:3 (BSB)

“By faith we understand that the universe was formed by God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.”

Consider:

From the very first sentence of Scripture, God reveals Himself as the One who speaks reality into being (Genesis 1:1–3). Hebrews 11:3 pulls back the curtain even further: creation is not merely an event but a revelation of God’s invisible power, wisdom, and intentionality (Romans 1:20). Nothing we see is self‑originating. Everything rests on a foundation we cannot see but can trust.

A painting can be breathtaking—the colors, the texture, the story it tells. But every canvas rests on a frame the viewer never notices. The frame doesn’t draw attention to itself, yet without it the artwork collapses. Hebrews 11:3 reminds us that God’s unseen word is the frame behind the canvas of creation. What we see is beautiful, but what holds it together is even more profound.

Faith begins not with understanding everything but with trusting the One who stands behind everything. The writer of Hebrews invites believers to anchor their confidence not in what is visible—circumstances, resources, outcomes—but in the God whose unseen word brought galaxies into existence. If His invisible command can uphold the universe, then His promises can certainly uphold a life.

When a person lives with this kind of faith—trusting the unseen frame rather than the visible canvas—it shapes how future generations interpret the world. Children, friends, and communities learn to see creation not as random but as purposeful, and to see their own lives as held by a God who speaks order out of nothing.

Today is an invitation to rest in the God who forms realities from what cannot be seen. Faith is not pretending; it is perceiving the deeper truth beneath appearances. As you move through the day, let the beauty of creation remind you of the faithful frame behind it all.

Discussion Question:

How might someone’s perspective shift if they began viewing the visible world as resting on God’s unseen word rather than on chance or circumstance?

Please join the discussion on our Assertive Creations Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/AssertiveCr.

2. Something to Share

Each week, we share something in the spirit of Philippians 4:8. This week’s feature reminds us that there’s still good in the world:

This Week’s Feature

Goodness From Across the Pond:

A determined schoolboy with a “can‑do” attitude has officially recycled one million aluminum cans, donating the proceeds to charity and inspiring his entire community. His long‑term project began as a small personal challenge and has grown into a local movement encouraging others to join in environmental stewardship and generosity.

You can find more uplifting and encouraging features on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/AssertiveCr.

While you’re there, if you’ve found something else that’s uplifting and encouraging, please share it with the rest of us! Life is better when we encourage one another.

3. Something to Know

AC Facebook Groups

Our two Facebook groups are up and ready.

Makers Making a Difference

Storytellers Making a Difference

Store News & Discount Code

Topics include Christian, Patriotic, Political, and Holiday, all from a Christian perspective.

AL Series includes Day Brighteners, Gentle Persuaders, Conversation Starters, and Bible Verses, with Bold Truth Statements coming soon.

You can save 20% on your first order by using discount code WELCOME20. You can save on future orders by using the current discount code included in our AC Weekly emails.

The Assertive Creations Merch Store Discount Code for March 2026 is:
(See Email).

4. Something to Make a Difference

This Week’s Challenge: Start the Day With Gratitude

Beginning your morning with gratitude sets the emotional tone for the entire day. Simply naming three things you’re thankful for — big or small — shifts your focus from what’s missing to what’s present. This practice strengthens resilience, reduces stress, and increases your capacity for kindness. When your heart is grounded in gratitude, you naturally interact with others more patiently and generously, creating a ripple effect of positivity in your home, workplace, and community.

It’s Shine Time!

Until next time, let your light shine!

You can make a difference.

AC Weekly – March 18, 2026

Rick A Knock — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 13:02:27 GMT

Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior, Lord, and King!

1. Something to Discuss

Scripture:

Psalm 19:1 (BSB)

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.”

Consider:

The psalm opens with a picture so familiar we often forget to notice it: the sky stretched above us like a living canvas. David tells us that this everyday backdrop is speaking—declaring, proclaiming, testifying. Without a single word, creation becomes a storyteller, pointing us toward the One who made it. The message is simple but steady: God is not hiding. His glory is woven into something we see every day.

The heavens become a kind of open invitation. Every sunrise, every shifting cloud, every quiet night sky whispers that God’s presence is not fragile or distant but generous and near. The world around us becomes a reminder that His fingerprints are not tucked away in rare moments but brushed across the ordinary rhythms of life.

This theme echoes throughout Scripture. Paul writes that God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—are clearly seen through what He has made (Romans 1:19–20). Jesus points to the birds and lilies as everyday witnesses of the Father’s care, inviting His listeners to see God’s heart in the simplest parts of creation (Matthew 6:25–30). Creation becomes a chorus, each part singing the same refrain: He is here, and He is good.

There is also a generational thread woven into this verse. The same sky that spoke to David speaks to us, and it will speak to those who come after us. God’s glory is not confined to a moment in history; it is carried forward in the rhythms of creation, offering each generation a fresh chance to see Him.

Perhaps today God is inviting someone to pause for a moment—not to escape the world, but to remember the One who holds it. The quiet testimony of the heavens can steady a restless heart and draw it back toward the life He desires for His people.

Discussion Question:

When someone notices the sky—whether a sunrise, a storm rolling in, or a quiet stretch of night—what might that moment reveal about how God is trying to steady or encourage them?

Please join the discussion on our Assertive Creations Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/AssertiveCr.

2. Something to Share

Each week, we share something in the spirit of Philippians 4:8. This week’s feature reminds us that there’s still good in the world:

This Week’s Feature

When 4‑year‑old Grayson Mulligan left his beloved teddy bear on a Southwest Airlines flight from Dallas to New Orleans, his family did everything they could to track it down. They called baggage claim, TSA, and every lost‑and‑found office they could reach—but the bear never resurfaced. What could have ended as a heartbreaking loss turned into something unexpectedly beautiful.

Southwest employees decided to step in. If they couldn’t find the original bear, they would create a new friend with a story of his own. The airline sent Grayson a brand‑new teddy bear dressed as a Southwest “employee,” complete with photos of the bear “working” around the airport—helping with safety checks, greeting passengers, and preparing for his “assignment” to meet Grayson. The package arrived with a note explaining the bear’s adventures and how excited he was to join Grayson at home.

Grayson named his new friend Jack, and his mother said the gesture turned weeks of sadness into joy. It’s a reminder that kindness doesn’t always restore what was lost—but it can create something unexpectedly meaningful in its place.

Note: The “Read more” link is worth checking out. The pictures are absolutely adorable!

You can find more uplifting and encouraging features on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/AssertiveCr.

While you’re there, if you’ve found something else that’s uplifting and encouraging, please share it with the rest of us! Life is better when we encourage one another.

3. Something to Know

We now have two new Facebook Groups.

Makers Making a Difference

Storytellers Making a Difference

Store News & Discount Code

The Assertive Creations Merch Store is now open. It features T-shirts with exclusive AC designs that can’t be found anywhere else. We will be expanding to more product lines in the future. All merch is organized by both topic and assertiveness level (AL Series) so you can find exactly what you’re looking for.

Topics include Christian, Patriotic, Political, and Holiday, all from a Christian perspective.

AL Series includes Day Brighteners, Gentle Persuaders, Conversation Starters, and Bible Verses, with Bold Truth Statements coming soon.

You can save 20% on your first order by using discount code WELCOME20. You can save on future orders by using the current discount code included in our AC Weekly emails.

The Assertive Creations Merch Store Discount Code for March 2026 is:
(See Email).

It’s Shine Time!

Until next time, let your light shine!

AC Weekly – March 11, 2026

Rick A Knock — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 13:03:00 GMT

Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior, Lord, and King!

1. Something to Discuss

Scripture:

Ephesians 6:2-3 (ESV)

“Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”

See also (Included at bottom): (Deut. 4:40; 5:16; 5:33; 6:3; 6:18; 12:25; 12:28; 19:13; 22:7; Jer. 7:23; Jer. 38:20).

Consider:

Throughout Scripture, God repeats a simple, tender refrain: “that it may go well with you.” From the laws of Deuteronomy to the warnings of Jeremiah and the promise carried into Ephesians, God reveals that His commands are not arbitrary rules but are expressions of His deep desire for our flourishing. Obedience is not a transaction we make with Him — it is alignment with the way life is meant to work. When we walk in His ways, we step into the goodness He has always intended for His people.

And this promise stretches beyond our own lives. Again and again, God ties obedience to the well‑being of “your children after you,” reminding us that faithfulness plants seeds that outlive us. Even His warnings come from a Father’s heart, calling His people back so that life, peace, and blessing can take root again. And in Christ, the invitation remains: walk in His ways, trust His heart, and discover that His commands lead not to burden but to life — life that goes well, life that blesses others, life that reflects the goodness of the One who gave it.

Discussion Question:

What are some commands that people might initially see as being too restrictive, and how could those same commands be understood as expressions of God’s care?

Please join the discussion on our Assertive Creations Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/AssertiveCr).

2. Something to Share

Each week, we share something in the spirit of Philippians 4:8. This week’s feature again reminds us that there’s still good in the world:

This Week’s Feature

A pair of skiers at Palisades Tahoe were making their way across deep snow when they noticed something strange: the tips of two skis barely poking above the surface. They stopped immediately, started digging, and uncovered a man who had been completely buried by a snow slide. Their quick instincts and willingness to interrupt their day saved his life.

What stands out is how ordinary people, without any special equipment or training, became exactly the help someone needed at exactly the right moment. It’s a reminder that attentiveness and compassion can turn a normal day into a life-changing one.

There’s something deeply hopeful about the way strangers step in for one another, especially when no one is watching and no recognition is expected.

You can find more uplifting and encouraging features on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/AssertiveCr.)

While you’re there, if you’ve found something else that’s uplifting and encouraging, please share it with the rest of us! Life is better when we encourage one another.

3. Something to Know

We have two new Facebook Groups that will be a lot more fun and beneficial when we get more members. If you know someone who may appreciate one of these groups, please send them over!

Makers Making a Difference

Storytellers Making a Difference

Store News & Discount Code

The Assertive Creations Merch Store features exclusive T-shirt designs that can’t be found anywhere else. We will be expanding to additional product lines in the future. All merch is organized by both topic and assertiveness level (AL Series) so you can find exactly what you’re looking for.

Topics include Christian, Patriotic, Political, and Holiday, all from a Christian perspective.

AL Series includes Day Brighteners, Gentle Persuaders, Conversation Starters, and Bible Verses, with Bold Truth Statements coming soon.

You can save 20% on your first order by using discount code WELCOME20. You can save on future orders by using the current discount code included in our AC Weekly emails.

The Assertive Creations Merch Store Discount Code for March 2026 is: (See Email). This code is good all month, can be used multiple times, and combines with free shipping to USA on orders $35+. Please note that this is a private code for our subscribers. While we don’t want you to share the code, we DO want you to encourage people to subscribe at assertivecreations.com. That way they can get the code together with all the uplifting goodies we send each week.

It’s Shine Time!

Until next time, let your light shine!

Other Scriptures:

1. Deuteronomy 4:40 (ESV)

“Therefore you shall keep his statutes and his commandments, which I command you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may prolong your days in the land that the Lord your God is giving you for all time.”

2. Deuteronomy 5:16 (ESV)

“‘Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may go well with you, in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.”

3. Deuteronomy 5:33 (ESV)

“You shall walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you shall possess.”

4. Deuteronomy 6:3 (ESV)

“Hear therefore, O Israel, and be careful to do them, that it may go well with you, and that you may multiply greatly, as the Lord, the God of your fathers, has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey.”

5. Deuteronomy 6:18 (ESV)

“And you shall do what is right and good in the sight of the Lord, that it may go well with you, and that you may go in and take possession of the good land that the Lord swore to give to your fathers.”

6. Deuteronomy 12:25 (ESV)

“You shall not eat it, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, when you do what is right in the sight of the Lord.”

7. Deuteronomy 12:28 (ESV)

“Be careful to obey all these words that I command you, that it may go well with you and with your children after you forever, when you do what is good and right in the sight of the Lord your God.”

8. Deuteronomy 19:13 (ESV)

“Your eye shall not pity him, but you shall purge the guilt of innocent blood from Israel, so that it may be well with you.”

9. Deuteronomy 22:7 (ESV)

“You shall let the mother go, but the young you may take for yourself, that it may go well with you, and that you may live long.”

10. Jeremiah 7:23 (ESV)

“But this command I gave them: ‘Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. And walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you.’”

11. Jeremiah 38:20 (ESV)

“Jeremiah said, ‘You shall not be given to them. Obey now the voice of the Lord in what I say to you, and it shall be well with you, and your life shall be spared.’”

12. Ephesians 6:2-3 (ESV)

“Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”

AC Weekly – March 4, 2026

Rick A Knock — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 06:01:33 GMT

Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior, Lord, and King!

With all the bad news in the world today, we want to provide something each week that is beneficial, uplifting, and encouraging. We hope something here may brighten your day. And if you think it might brighten someone else’s day, please share it with them!

1. Something to Discuss

Scripture

Genesis 3:4–6 (BSB)

“You will not surely die,” the serpent told her. “For God knows that in the day you eat of it, your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” When the woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom, she took the fruit and ate it…

Devotional

God instructed Adam and Eve to not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and He warned that if they ate from it, they would die. This warning wasn’t meant to restrict, but to protect — a boundary drawn by a Father who knew what would unfold if His children stepped outside the life He designed for them. The serpent’s lie wasn’t simply about the fruit; it was an assault on God’s character, a whisper that God was holding something back, that His ways were not for their good.

The moment becomes a picture — a single stone dropped into a still pond. The ripples move outward, touching everything. Sin is like that: a small act that seems contained, but its effects travel far beyond the moment. The serpent promised opened eyes, but what opened instead was a wound that would echo through generations. The choice in the garden wasn’t just Eve’s and Adam’s; it became the fracture every human heart now feels.

And yet, through it all, the thread of Scripture holds together. The same God who warned them in love would later call Israel to walk in His ways “that it may go well with you,” and Christ Himself would come to undo the lie that God is withholding good. The invitation remains: trust the heart of the One who made you. His boundaries are not barriers to joy but pathways back to life.

Perhaps today, God is inviting you to notice the whispers that question His goodness — the subtle suggestions that His ways are too narrow, too costly, too limiting. Let this passage remind you that every boundary He gives is rooted in love, and every call to trust is an invitation into wholeness.

Discussion Question:

What messages in our culture tend to make people question God’s goodness or His boundaries, and how can we respond to these messages?

Please join the discussion on our Assertive Creations Facebook page.

2. Something to Share

Each week, we share something in the spirit of Philippians 4:8. This week’s feature reminds us that there’s still some good in the world:

This Week’s Feature

Earlier this week, dozens of strangers in a small town came together to surprise a man battling cancer by forming a parade of classic cars outside his home. People who had never met him showed up simply to bring joy to someone who needed it. Engines rumbled, chrome gleamed, and for a few minutes, the street outside his house looked like a celebration instead of a place of worry.

What made the moment beautiful wasn’t the cars themselves, but the kindness behind them. These were busy people with full lives, yet they paused long enough to say, “You matter. You’re not alone.” It’s the kind of goodness that doesn’t make headlines often, but it quietly restores something inside us.

There’s something deeply human about showing up for someone who can’t repay you. It reminds us that compassion still has weight in the world, and that ordinary people can create extraordinary moments.

Original Source: https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/dozens-of-strangers-form-parade-for-man-with-cancer-driving-classic-cars-past-his-home-for-one-last-surprise/ (goodnewsnetwork.org in Bing)

You can find more uplifting and encouraging features on our Facebook page. While you’re there, if you’ve found something else that’s uplifting and encouraging, please share it with the rest of us! Life is better when we encourage one another.

3. Something to Know

We now have two new Facebook Groups.

Makers Making a Difference

Storytellers Making a Difference

Store News & Discount Code

The Assertive Creations Merch Store is now open. It features our own line of T-shirts with exclusive designs that can’t be found anywhere else. We will be expanding to more lines in the future. All merch is organized by both topic and assertiveness level (AL Series) so you can find exactly what you’re looking for.

Topics include Christian, Patriotic, Political, and Holiday, all from a Christian perspective.

AL Series includes Day Brighteners, Gentle Persuaders, Conversation Starters, and Bible Verses, with Bold Truth Statements coming soon.

It’s Shine Time!

Until next time, let your light shine!

Storytellers Making a Difference

Rick A Knock — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 03:04:56 GMT

Storytellers Making a Difference is the Assertive Creations Facebook community for Christians who believe that stories, illustrations, and everyday conversations can change lives — no matter where you are on your storytelling journey.

In this group, we practice the art of persuasive storytelling — sharing personal stories, illustrations, analogies, and conversational approaches that help truth land gently and powerfully.

If you want to grow in how you communicate, connect, and guide conversations, this is your space.

Check it out!

Walking Talking Bible Project

Rick A Knock — Sun, 08 Feb 2026 17:06:34 GMT

The Walking Talking Bible Project is a Biblical Literacy and Discipleship series with a primary focus on discipleship (walking), and a secondary focus on evangelism and teaching (talking). Its goal is to plant God’s Word deep in our hearts and minds, so we’ll always have it with us wherever we go. Each weekly module includes a thought-provoking cartoon from The Sheep and the Goats Side by Side, our original cartoon series that we use to teach biblical truths, challenge assumptions, prompt discussions, and encourage Christian thinking.

You can find the series at walkingtalkingbibleproject.com.

Makers Making a Difference

Rick A Knock — Sat, 07 Feb 2026 05:03:37 GMT

Makers Making a Difference is the Assertive Creations Facebook community for Christian makers, creatives, and designers who want their work to make a real difference. Whether you’re crafting by hand, designing digitally, building products, or shaping ideas, we invite you to be part of our group built around creativity, collaboration, and Christian values.

Share your craft, your process, and your ideas. Meet and collaborate with other makers. Ask questions, offer answers, and learn from the shared knowledge and experience of everyone here. This is a space where we grow together, support each other, and create with intention.

Check it out!

Be strong in the Lord

Rick A Knock — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 20:17:59 GMT

Why We Need to Suit Up

As Paul concludes his letter to the Ephesians, he instructs them to

“be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power,” and to
“put on the full armor of God.”

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Eph 6:10-12).

He describes the armor as having several components, saying:

“Stand firm then,

with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,
with the breastplate of righteousness arrayed,
and with your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace.
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
And take the helmet of salvation
and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints” (Eph 6:14-18).

He concludes this section by urging them to “Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will boldly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it fearlessly, as I should” (Eph 6:19-20).

This was good advice for the Ephesians, and it’s good advice for us, too. Before we go out to engage the culture with the gospel, before we make any earnest effort to strengthen ourselves, our families, our churches, and our communities, we need to put on the full armor of God. In other words, before we speak up, we need to suit up. After all, we don’t want to end up like the sons of Sceva (Acts 19:13-15).

How We Suit Up

Belt of Truth

We must know the truth and never compromise it, whether to avoid conflict or in an attempt to make the message more appealing.

Breastplate of Righteousness

As believers, we have the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and we continue to gain confidence as we are increasingly conformed into His image.

Gospel of Peace

Knowing the peace the gospel brings gives us the confidence and determination to stand firm against the forces of wickedness that will come against it.

Shield of faith

Our faith grows each time we obey God, trust Him, and experience His faithfulness.

Helmet of Salvation

Being confident in our salvation makes us less susceptible to Satan-inspired doubt. While obedience doesn’t save us, it can contribute to increased faith and assurance of salvation.

Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God

When Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, he tried to tempt Jesus by quoting Scripture. Jesus rebuked him by quoting Scripture back to him. As our command of Scripture increases, we become more resistant to false teaching and demonic deception.

Prayer

The power of prayer and the need for prayer cannot be overstated. Before we engage in any task, we should bathe it in prayer, trusting God for both the goal and the outcome, and everything needed in between.

Resources

Daily Bible Reading

The 2026 Daily Bible Reading Schedule will be posted in December 2025.

The Walking Talking Bible Project

This course consists of 208 weekly modules and can be started at any time. Each module contains a memory verse, connecting passages, and a study guide, along with several questions and a cartoon to serve as discussion starters. The online modules are available for free here.

New For Veterans Day

Rick A Knock — Sun, 09 Nov 2025 01:49:41 GMT

A043 - Freedom is Not Free - Flag and Eagle Patriotic T-Shirt

Wear this shirt to remind everyone that freedom is not free, and that we owe a huge thank you to the men and women who sacrificed so much for our freedom.

For more information, check out the item on our store website.

You can find more designs in our Veterans Day Collection.

New For Our Nation's 250th Anniversary

Rick A Knock — Sat, 08 Nov 2025 22:07:48 GMT

A175B - USA 250 Years • Patriotic Presidential Seal T-Shirt

Get ready to celebrate the USA’s 250th Anniversary, also known as the Semiquincentennial, on July 4, 2026. This event marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

For more details, check out the item on our store website.

AC Shiner Challenge 2026

Rick A Knock — Sat, 08 Nov 2025 19:48:55 GMT

The first AC Shiners Challenge of 2026 will be announced in early spring 2026. This will be your opportunity to share any new and innovative witnessing tools and methods you’ve come up with and to learn from others what they’ve come up with too. Together, we can make a difference! Stay tuned for more information.

AC Creator Challenge 2026

Rick A Knock — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 21:25:38 GMT

The first AC Creators Challenge of 2026 will be announced in early spring 2026. Gear up for competition and collaboration and get ready to design impactful materials for our Shiners to take into the world. Together, we can make a difference.

Theme(s) and guidelines will be posted on our website and social media, as well as being sent by email to our subscribers. Stay tuned for more information.

Welcome to Assertive Creations

Rick A Knock — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 00:38:44 GMT

Welcome to Assertive Creations! We’re glad you’re here.

You’re currently on our main website. It serves as a community hub and a place to pool ideas, encourage one another, and learn from each other’s experiences. By sharing in this way, we can all sharpen our skills and increase our effectiveness.

Our merch store carries products with graphic designs that explore topics of faith, patriotism, and politics from a Christian perspective. We have t-shirts that can turn you into one of the coolest walking billboards anyone has ever seen!

Our t-shirts are not just clothing - they’re smart cultural engagement tools.

Day Brighteners are designed to be encouraging, uplifting, and completely uncontroversial. Brightening someone’s day is never a bad thing, and it may open a door to talk with them later.
Gentle Persuaders are specially designed to share truth in a (mostly) non-confrontational way.
Conversation Starters are designed to get other people to speak first (usually by asking questions), allowing you to respond in a more comfortable, natural manner.
Bible verse designs are for those who want to step out in faith.

You can check them all out at our merch shop. If you see something you like, you can save 20% off your first order with promo code WELCOME20. Plus, you’ll automatically get free shipping to U.S. addresses on orders over $50.

Also, please sign up for periodic updates on our main site and at the store. Our main site shares valuable tips on assertiveness and being salt and light in the world, while our store sends monthly emails containing insider news, exclusive discount codes, early product releases, and more. No spam.

Again, we’re glad you’re here. We hope you’ll join us in our efforts to strengthen our families, churches and nation.

Together, we can make a difference.

Let your light shine!