Things that surprise me and things that don't

2 Corin 10:3-5 3For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

I happen to be one of those people who are not shocked by the shocking and most shocked by the expected.

That probably makes no sense to you.

Yesterday, a war was raged. All God's army under attack. Not at all surprised by the battle that soon became war. Not at all. Sad, but not surprised. See, I know that when those who love Jesus, and a God who loves us, when they work and they serve and they love, satan's blood, it boils. And little by little, he tries to get in, he tries to get secrets started, he tries to get into hearts, he tries to embarrass us, he tries to belittle us, he tries to use our weakness against us, but the thing is that when we Unite! against him, when we go straight to God for our power and our weapons (which the biggest one is love), when we rally together, when we pray, when we talk to each other, when we LOVE, we cannot, I mean, we will not lose. I can't tell you the details, but please, if you have just one minute, just pray for those involved. God knows every detail, and He WILL take care of it all.

Isa 54:17 no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me," declares the LORD.

I had a great birthday, I spent it with "my kids". They must have said happy birthday a gazillion times. They sang, and hugged me! it was amazing. Phyllis made me a pillow for the couch that says "count it all joy" (James 1:2) and gave me a gift certificate for Weight Watchers (I asked for it). I was surprised by one gift I received. I actually cried, and they weren't tears of joy. They were the kind of tears you cry when it occurs to you that the people around you either just really don't know you, or they don't care to. I was... shocked. Like fall of my chair, klunk my head, shocked. But as I am typing this, I am realizing that it was satan's plan again. Knock me off center, one degree at a time, and before I know it, I've done a 180 and I'm going the wrong direction. Jerk. But my feet, they are firmly planted.

2008 started at Grace Adventure camp, and giving and receiving grace and love is the great adventure.



Eph 6:10-20 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
19Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.