Am I Prepared?

Each day, the impression grows stronger that believers must prepare themselves physically and mentally for the spiritual battle that is about to come upon us.  Americans in general, but particularly I speak to American believers, are too self-indulgent and self-seeking to withstand the harsh realities of spiritual warfare.  Our enemy will use our bodies and our minds against us, just the same as he will use our spiritual beliefs against us.  Actually, he may not assault our spiritual beliefs as much as our bodies and our minds.  We may be quite assured in what we believe, but if we are not steeled for the physical and mental torture that could come upon us, our beliefs will become secondary to our physical and mental comfort.  This is my fear.

Unlike others, I don’t believe we need to prepare to battle with guns and other physical weapons of war.  We don’t fight against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual powers of darkness.  Sometimes that battle is waged spiritually, the enemy demonizing our beliefs, creating depression in ourselves or suspicion of others.  But more often, the battle is waged physically and mentally, conducted by his followers here in the world that we see.

In America, believers have not yet faced physical torture for their faith.  But that time is coming.  There is already growing intolerance for Christians among the ruling class.  Mark my words, it will continue to increase exponentially; right now, I see it more in mental attacks, but physical persecution is the next step.   

Am I strong enough to stand? 

Thanksgiving Eve

It is a beautiful day.  The sky is clear, the air cool.  There is a slight breeze that almost makes it sweater weather – but not quite.

And I am thankful!

Tomorrow may be a stressful day, as we participate with the church in feeding 500 people who are less fortunate than we are.  (I don’t think it should be too hard to find those people, given the economic conditions).  I was appointed a leader of those who are to serve the meal, actually dip the food onto plates, as well as make sure things are kept clean, and people are helped along.  It’s stressful because I don’t really know a lot of them very well.  But, after tomorrow, we should know each other quite a bit better, I should think!

And I am thankful!

Financially, this was a good year.  We didn’t get rich, by any account, but we really have more than enough.  Business was good, even with the loss of the pool company as one of our customers. 

And I am thankful!

We were blessed with the birth of Lilly, David’s daughter.  Such a beautiful little girl!  We were worried about our visit with David this year; our relationship has not been good the last few years.  But we had an excellent visit; I had such a good time getting to know Stephanie, Katy, Emily, and, of course, Lilly.  But I really enjoyed being with David, and seeing him interact with Stephanie and his girls.  He is a good man.

And I am thankful!

We were also blessed with the birth of Cade, Elizabeth’s son.  What a joy!  We were able to fly out to Colorado and visit with Elizabeth, Bernard and Cade, and that was such a good visit.  Elizabeth is a good mommy.

And I am thankful!

And there is so much more!

And I am thankful!

Let There Be Life

Every Sunday, Mike asks us to reflect for the week upon his sermon, and that’s what I’d like to try to do here.  This is really for my benefit, but if it helps you in some way, I’m happy about that.  You may not agree with everything I say, you may not agree with the points that Mike has made … that’s okay.  Disagreement and dialogue are tools for growth, and I know I have a lot of growing to do!

First, I want to present the outline of Mike’s sermon.

LET THERE BE LIFE

"You shall not murder.”

Exodus 20:13

WHAT THIS COMMAND IS NOT ABOUT:

It is not prohibiting killing ANIMALS.

Genesis 9:3, “Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.”

It is not prohibiting capital PUNISHMENT

Leviticus 24:17-18, "If anyone takes the life of a human being, he must be put to death. Anyone who takes the life of someone’s animal must make restitution – life for life.”

Romans 13:4, “For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.”

It is not prohibiting going to WAR

Ecclesiastes 3:8, “…a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.”

HOW THIS COMMAND APPLIES TO THE FAMILY

God says NO to SUICIDE

Romans 14:7, “For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone.”

Job 14:5, “Man’s days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed.”

God says NO to MERCY KILLING

Job 12:10, “In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.”

God says NO to ABORTION

Psalm 139:13-16, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”