Run The Race

(This post is a continuation of the previous post.  The focus is on Ephesians 6:10-17 ) From the previous post, we identified who the enemy is in this battle - it is ALWAYS satan.  Because this is a spiritual battle, we cannot fight it using merely human resources because if we do - we will lose every single time... Have you ever tried to fight this battle on your own?  I have.  It did not go well. One reason I pour my heart and soul into attending and serving at Celebrate Recovery (CR - a ministry for those with hurts, habits, hangups and addictions) is because it is a high powered training ground for fighting spiritual battle - the focus is on Biblical Principles for fighting the good fight.   Most people who show up for the first time at CR come beat up - emotionally, physically and spiritually exhausted - which is actually the perfect place to begin our training.    Ephesian 6:10 states,  “Be strong in the Lord and in the strength ...

We recently celebrated our son's 6th birthday with a Superhero Training Camp.  Our visitors arrived in costumes, and then we talked about all the things that a superhero has to do to be super.  The kids told me that superheroes need muscles, a disguise, weapons, be able to run fast, and they need a super power.  We spent the rest of the party creating disguises, learning to use "bat"arangs, chasing villains, breaking boards, learning to work smart, and working as a team.  Honestly, I think I had more fun than the kids.  It was a blast. (see pics at bottom of post!) In real life, we really need to train for battle because we are truly in a battle at all times.  We are not always aware of the battle, we don't always do a great job of identifying the enemy, but we are in a battle and it is big time.  Thankfully, a full armor with super power proportions has been provided to all of us. I will present 3 aspects of this battle over my next three pos...

20 years ago... I was living a nightmare.  At fourteen years old, I was in an extremely unhealthy and abusive relationship.  I had parents who desperately tried to protect me, yet I was so blinded and scared by this young man that I stayed engulfed in the lies and the chaos.  Fourteen years old - and pregnant. It was 20 years ago this week that I ended this child's life through abortion.  I hate saying it out loud, yet I have found healing in my honesty, and, of course, I have found connection with many other hurting women who have made the same choice at sometime in their lives. For many years after taking the life of this little one, I had dreams - and she was a girl in every single dream.  Through the years of my dreams, she grew just as she would have if she lived.  I so clearly remember a dream of her in first grade.  She had these crazy, messy pigtails, and she was getting in trouble for talking when she wasn't supposed to.  Oh, I long...

You are standing in front of a mine field.   The man standing next to you begins giving you instruction on how to cross the field, “what you have to do is take 3 steps forward, turn left.   Then take 9 steps…”   This is bothersome to you… “Why is this guy telling me what to do?   I can figure it out on my own,” you say.   He can clearly see that you are uncomfortable with his directions, so he interrupts your thoughts.  “I only give you direction because I want you to have life.”   You have no idea what he’s talking about.   He sees the confusion on your face, so he introduces himself.   “I am the keeper of this field.   Though I didn’t place the land mines out there, I watched as each one was placed.   I know every detail of this land, and I want to share with you the directions to make it to the other side.   Following my instructions may take you in a direction you did not anticipate, and it may be a longer jour...