Monsters aren't real in the way that my girls imagine them to be, but there is a real enemy. This is the reality of the world we live in, but there is also a very real God. He is strong, powerful, and well armed, and He covers those who trust in Him with his mighty shield. The enemy can be scary, and his goal is for us to be paralyzed by fear, but that is not how God intended for us to live. The protection of His shield gives us freedom to live without fear, because He has overcome the enemy. The protection of God does not make the enemy less real, but it makes the enemy powerless over us.
The Psalms speak of the protection of God's shield:
Psalm 3.3, "But You, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the One who lifts my head."
Psalm 7.10, "My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart."
Psalm 18.2, "The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."
Psalm 18.30, "As for God, His way is blameless; the word of the Lord is tried; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him."
Psalm 28.7, "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart exults, and with my song I shall thank Him."
Psalm 33.20, "Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield."
Psalm 91.4, "He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark."
Psalm 115.9, "O Israel, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield."
Psalm 119.114, "You are my hiding place and my shield; I wait for Your word."
Psalm 144.2, "My lovingkindness and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and He in whom I take refuge, who subdues my people under me."
Just as we live with the reality of a real enemy, we live in the presence of an even more real God. He holds his shield between us an the enemy, and we are safe, protected by His strength.
A fictional monster is no match for my symbolic shield, and the next day when I asked my girls why they didn't have to be afraid of monsters they said, "Because you have a sword and a shield." My two-year-old is really funny when she describes and mimics what I would do to a monster if it tried to get her. The message was reinforced when they opted to watch "Sleeping Beauty" (thankfully, they haven't exhausted this one yet) and Prince Phillip kills Maleficent with his sword and shield. They are beginning to understand that they have a strong and powerful daddy who will not let anything happen to them, even if a monster comes.
God is loving father, and He is strong and powerful. We do not need to be paralyzed by fear, because we are covered by His shield.
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Friday, April 27, 2018
Tuesday, April 24, 2018
Monsters: Part 1, by Will
Over the past few weekends with my girls, they have started to make comments at night. Each time as we get ready to watch a movie before bed, typically "Frozen" or "The Princess and the Frog" (they don't seem to realize that I own other animated kids movies), they always say "It's dark out, a monster's coming." I don't know where this has come from, but you can hear the fear in their words. It got to the point this past weekend where they wouldn't go upstairs without me because there was "something scary in our room." Trying to assure them that there is nothing there does not help. I hate seeing the paralyzing fear that overcomes my girls because of something they have imagined.
I've told them over and over, very gently as I hold them close and tight, that nothing can hurt them when they are with their daddy; that the monsters and scary things run away because the scary things are scared of daddy. They hug me tight and for a moment my comments work, but they don't seem to last very long, and the next night they are just as scared to go anywhere alone.
This past weekend I took things to the next level. I'm not going to try to convince them that monsters aren't real, you can't reason with a four and two year old that way, so instead, I'm working to show them how powerful daddy is. I may have mentioned it a few times, but I'm big fan of the ancient Greek Spartans. When I lived in Flint, Michigan I bought a Michigan State hat because it said "Spartans" across the bill (Aaron hates this hat, but it looked awesome when I wore it at Thermopylae). For a long time I wanted a Spartan shield. I'm not someone who typically collects a lot of things that just get displayed, I spent enough time cleaning up the clutter in foreclosed homes for one job I had to fill a place with stuff, but this was symbolic of who God has called me to be, and so a few years ago I found a full size replica on sale and bought it.
When I was going through my divorce, still praying for restoration, I would sometimes hold my shield in front of me, symbolically driving out Satan. At one point I felt that I was being taunted for not having a sword, and so at one point I felt God leading me to buy a sword. I had been looking at a Lakonia short sword for a while, and I would always talk myself out of it, but I really felt God leading me to buy it (He has not given me such a blessing for the custom traditionally made katana I've been looking at for years), and so recently I did. You can see a picture on my personal blog at: https://lionfighters.blogspot.com/
This past weekend, as my girls were in tears over the monsters that were coming for them, I told them that they didn't have to be afraid because daddy was ready to fight the monsters. I set them down and got out my weapons. I put my sword on, and I picked up my shield. Their backs were to the closet, where they are most afraid a monster is going to come from, and I showed them how if a monster were to come, I would take my shield and put it behind them, it covers both of them with plenty of room to spare (this thing is huge, the picture doesn't do it justice), and explained to them how I would use my sword (this didn't get taken out that close to them, it's sharp, and I'm a responsible parent). Immediately the expression on their faces changed; under my shield they smiled, and I think they began to know they were safe.
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
I've told them over and over, very gently as I hold them close and tight, that nothing can hurt them when they are with their daddy; that the monsters and scary things run away because the scary things are scared of daddy. They hug me tight and for a moment my comments work, but they don't seem to last very long, and the next night they are just as scared to go anywhere alone.
This past weekend I took things to the next level. I'm not going to try to convince them that monsters aren't real, you can't reason with a four and two year old that way, so instead, I'm working to show them how powerful daddy is. I may have mentioned it a few times, but I'm big fan of the ancient Greek Spartans. When I lived in Flint, Michigan I bought a Michigan State hat because it said "Spartans" across the bill (Aaron hates this hat, but it looked awesome when I wore it at Thermopylae). For a long time I wanted a Spartan shield. I'm not someone who typically collects a lot of things that just get displayed, I spent enough time cleaning up the clutter in foreclosed homes for one job I had to fill a place with stuff, but this was symbolic of who God has called me to be, and so a few years ago I found a full size replica on sale and bought it.
When I was going through my divorce, still praying for restoration, I would sometimes hold my shield in front of me, symbolically driving out Satan. At one point I felt that I was being taunted for not having a sword, and so at one point I felt God leading me to buy a sword. I had been looking at a Lakonia short sword for a while, and I would always talk myself out of it, but I really felt God leading me to buy it (He has not given me such a blessing for the custom traditionally made katana I've been looking at for years), and so recently I did. You can see a picture on my personal blog at: https://lionfighters.blogspot.com/
This past weekend, as my girls were in tears over the monsters that were coming for them, I told them that they didn't have to be afraid because daddy was ready to fight the monsters. I set them down and got out my weapons. I put my sword on, and I picked up my shield. Their backs were to the closet, where they are most afraid a monster is going to come from, and I showed them how if a monster were to come, I would take my shield and put it behind them, it covers both of them with plenty of room to spare (this thing is huge, the picture doesn't do it justice), and explained to them how I would use my sword (this didn't get taken out that close to them, it's sharp, and I'm a responsible parent). Immediately the expression on their faces changed; under my shield they smiled, and I think they began to know they were safe.
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Tuesday, April 10, 2018
Black holes bringing me closer to the Creator? by Aaron
Several scientists from Chile, Columbia University and Harvard University published an article in the journal Nature, discussing that they found many more black holes in the Milky Way galaxy than they first thought. Many scientists suspect that most galaxies have a massive black hole in the center; Sagittarius A is the name of the massive black hole in the middle of the Milky Way. After collecting data for many years from NASA Chandra X-Ray Observatory, the scientists have predicted that there are more than 10,000 isolated black holes surrounding Sagittarius A. This is a huge jump, because prior to these findings the number was closer to 60 in our galaxy.
Before I continue with this post, there is something you have to understand about me. I am a Nerd! I do not know much about astronomy, but I love learning about the stars, planets, moons, galaxies etc. There is so much we have learned about our galaxy and the universe, yet there is so much that we still have no clue about. As our technology advances and the equipment become more powerful, we will be able to explore more about our planet, galaxy, and other galaxies.
I personally love when articles come out about what new discoveries our telescopes have found in the universe. Each new discovery makes me look up to the heavens and say God you are awesome. I feel like God wants us to keep learning about our galaxy, because it just makes His glory shine that much brighter. Unfortunately, many of the scientists will search all their life for the answer of how the universe was created. The answer really is simple and lies in Genesis chapter 1: 14-19 “And God said, “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth.” And it was so. 16 God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. 17 God set them in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth, 18 to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day”.
God said “Let there be lights” and he placed them in the sky to separate the light from the dark. Some of that darkness probably includes dark holes (I have no idea), but the bible does not specify because it really does not matter. The only thing that matters is that we all understand that this complex universe was created because it was SPOKEN by the God. Because of that knowledge, I now can enjoy the fact that this Earth is surrounding by 10,000 black holes and a gigantic black hole in the center. The reason I can enjoy that fact is because God wanted it to be that way. He placed the stars in the sky, and made these massive planets, he made these black holes to show off his glory. I think all of this new information points straight to the power of God and how much detail He put into His creation.
I cannot wait for more new discoveries from NASA and colleges in the future. NASA is such a large organization and I believe many Christians are a part of this organization. I hope as these individuals find more discoveries that many of the believers are able to point those discoveries to the Father. Even if you are not a nerd, just look up at the sky one day and think about the clouds, the sun, the moon, the rain, the snow, the wind, the mountains, the trees and anything else that is glorious about nature. I want you to understand that God made all of these things, and it was good. God Bless!
Before I continue with this post, there is something you have to understand about me. I am a Nerd! I do not know much about astronomy, but I love learning about the stars, planets, moons, galaxies etc. There is so much we have learned about our galaxy and the universe, yet there is so much that we still have no clue about. As our technology advances and the equipment become more powerful, we will be able to explore more about our planet, galaxy, and other galaxies.
I personally love when articles come out about what new discoveries our telescopes have found in the universe. Each new discovery makes me look up to the heavens and say God you are awesome. I feel like God wants us to keep learning about our galaxy, because it just makes His glory shine that much brighter. Unfortunately, many of the scientists will search all their life for the answer of how the universe was created. The answer really is simple and lies in Genesis chapter 1: 14-19 “And God said, “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth.” And it was so. 16 God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. 17 God set them in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth, 18 to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day”.
God said “Let there be lights” and he placed them in the sky to separate the light from the dark. Some of that darkness probably includes dark holes (I have no idea), but the bible does not specify because it really does not matter. The only thing that matters is that we all understand that this complex universe was created because it was SPOKEN by the God. Because of that knowledge, I now can enjoy the fact that this Earth is surrounding by 10,000 black holes and a gigantic black hole in the center. The reason I can enjoy that fact is because God wanted it to be that way. He placed the stars in the sky, and made these massive planets, he made these black holes to show off his glory. I think all of this new information points straight to the power of God and how much detail He put into His creation.
I cannot wait for more new discoveries from NASA and colleges in the future. NASA is such a large organization and I believe many Christians are a part of this organization. I hope as these individuals find more discoveries that many of the believers are able to point those discoveries to the Father. Even if you are not a nerd, just look up at the sky one day and think about the clouds, the sun, the moon, the rain, the snow, the wind, the mountains, the trees and anything else that is glorious about nature. I want you to understand that God made all of these things, and it was good. God Bless!
Sunday, April 8, 2018
Burning the Candle at Both Ends, by Will
I finally understand that expression, and it's from personal experience. Figuratively, not literally, it would be dumb to lite both ends of a candle, how would you even use it? (There's my attempt at humor). I will say it isn't much smarter to do this figuratively.
For the past few months I've been really pushing and stretching myself. I have a goal that I am aiming for, and a pretty clear idea of how to pursue this goal. I've found certain opportunities that can set me up for success in the future, but I'm starting to really see the cost in the present. I'm really busy, a few weeks ago I slept less then 9 hours over four days, while working nearly 60 hours in that same span. I'm only 31, not as young as I used to be, but not all that old. My body is sore all the time, and I have found that I don't recover nearly as quickly as I used to, it took me over a week to recover from my 9 hour sleep week.
For a while now I've been asking myself, rather often, is this all worth it? There are no guarantees that all of this will pay off, and with the area I have to be in to be close enough and involved in the lives of my girls (a non-negotiable) the opportunities shrink dramatically. I've talked to Aaron and Jeremy a lot of about all of this, and they've both encouraged me, and reminded me that I need to begin to take some things off of my plate. I can't keep going at the pace I've been going for very long, and I've started to evaluate the criteria for doing something.
Is it essential?
Is it something I enjoy?
Does it move me towards my calling?
Does it help me become more like Christ?
Does it glorify God?
Everything is not going to fit all of these criteria, there will always be some essential tasks that I have to do that I don't enjoy doing (like studying Church History) but if an activity doesn't meet a majority of these criteria, it is not something I can allow myself to undertake.
This is not going to be an easy task for me, but I'm starting to see what my limits are, and I'm gaining more focus as I get older (I think that might be my word for the year, Focus). Focus is what is going to allow me to only burn the candle from one end. Focus is what is going to allow me to have a Sabbath, something that has been lacking in my life recently. Last weekend, when I first started writing this post, I felt the need for some alone time. I knew I would have some time Saturday morning, so I planned to spend a couple hours alone in the woods. It was colder than I was hoping, this April has been colder than normal, I took my hammock and went to the woods. I wasn't going hiking, though that normally is something that relaxes me, I just didn't have the energy to walk several miles. I put on all of my winter gear, lined my hammock with my space blanket, and relaxed between two trees for a couple hours.
That time was really needed, and really refreshing. I need more time like that in my life, and that means I've got to be more focused about the things I fill my time with. Before undertaking anything else, and continuing with any of my current engagements, I have to evaluate them, allowing my time to be focused only on the things that really matter.
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
For the past few months I've been really pushing and stretching myself. I have a goal that I am aiming for, and a pretty clear idea of how to pursue this goal. I've found certain opportunities that can set me up for success in the future, but I'm starting to really see the cost in the present. I'm really busy, a few weeks ago I slept less then 9 hours over four days, while working nearly 60 hours in that same span. I'm only 31, not as young as I used to be, but not all that old. My body is sore all the time, and I have found that I don't recover nearly as quickly as I used to, it took me over a week to recover from my 9 hour sleep week.
For a while now I've been asking myself, rather often, is this all worth it? There are no guarantees that all of this will pay off, and with the area I have to be in to be close enough and involved in the lives of my girls (a non-negotiable) the opportunities shrink dramatically. I've talked to Aaron and Jeremy a lot of about all of this, and they've both encouraged me, and reminded me that I need to begin to take some things off of my plate. I can't keep going at the pace I've been going for very long, and I've started to evaluate the criteria for doing something.
Is it essential?
Is it something I enjoy?
Does it move me towards my calling?
Does it help me become more like Christ?
Does it glorify God?
Everything is not going to fit all of these criteria, there will always be some essential tasks that I have to do that I don't enjoy doing (like studying Church History) but if an activity doesn't meet a majority of these criteria, it is not something I can allow myself to undertake.
This is not going to be an easy task for me, but I'm starting to see what my limits are, and I'm gaining more focus as I get older (I think that might be my word for the year, Focus). Focus is what is going to allow me to only burn the candle from one end. Focus is what is going to allow me to have a Sabbath, something that has been lacking in my life recently. Last weekend, when I first started writing this post, I felt the need for some alone time. I knew I would have some time Saturday morning, so I planned to spend a couple hours alone in the woods. It was colder than I was hoping, this April has been colder than normal, I took my hammock and went to the woods. I wasn't going hiking, though that normally is something that relaxes me, I just didn't have the energy to walk several miles. I put on all of my winter gear, lined my hammock with my space blanket, and relaxed between two trees for a couple hours.
That time was really needed, and really refreshing. I need more time like that in my life, and that means I've got to be more focused about the things I fill my time with. Before undertaking anything else, and continuing with any of my current engagements, I have to evaluate them, allowing my time to be focused only on the things that really matter.
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
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