Saturday, May 27, 2017

Principalites


Principalities





Image result for Early Morning Jog 


Early morning walks with a friend, both trying to shape our bodies into something resembling younger years, and the earth is still, quiet and dark. The light from the reflective moon is wavering through clouds as the sun sits still waiting on rotating earth to beckon her brilliance and we begin the few moments where trees watch from either side of the road. We get our breath ready for the first of many interval running minutes and I notice the white tails of rabbit’s, gone mad, racing in crazed direction, in front of us. They have no destination, just scared purpose as they go from one side of the tree forest to another. I feel the hair stand on my arms, as eerie awareness of someone watching descends and fear begins to replace running anticipation. I slowly unplug the deafening sounds of Toby Mac from my ears and listen for what has the rabbits scurry, and, I hear it. At first the sound is terrifying and I realize with slow smile forming why the rabbits fear. The echo of Owls sing chorus between the trees, speaking in tones I do not understand but comprehend. The enemy on the principality of these woods is the Owl. High in the Pine tree watching the scurry and preparing for dusty morning light feast before daylight sleep. As we exit the trees my friend turns and says, go, focus renewed, we jog, woods forgotten, lesson forming.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 6:12



As Followers of Christ, we sometimes need a reminder that we walk on the Principality of the Enemy. That morning was mine. It also served as a reminder of the God I serve. Though I walk through the valley of darkness, He is forever with me. Guarded by His angels, I have nothing to fear. This world has taught us to look for someone to blame or something to blame when the storms of life come. We want our enemy to be flesh and blood, when the bible clearly reminds us that it is not flesh and blood we wrestle against, but against all of the things we believe to only be fairy tale. Is it, so much easier to tune into television and believe in a mystical world created by writers than the very rulers of darkness our God tells of?



As we are just travelers on this earth, don’t let the enemy hold you down with fear. He is chained to this world, but we are not. Though he is the Prince of this principality, God is King and he rules over everything. Christ dying on the cross, and your acceptance of that sacrifice mean you cannot be plucked from His hands. He is your protector against the darkness. When the storms strike against you, don’t scurry like the crazed rabbits above, searching for a hiding place. Our hiding place is in Christ and His protection is forever. Call his name, the enemy will flee, it is the promise of God.

Father, my God, my Protector, my Savior, my friend, how I thank you for eyes that see beauty in the gift of this world. I pray father that strength comes with the enemy strikes fear. I thank you for angels that encompass and protect. Amen.

Saturday, May 20, 2017

Toast


Toast





Image result for plate of toast and coffee

Early morning cheese toast on a young man’s plate, crust disregarded, and melted cheesy yumminess, eaten first. Please eat your toast, from Mom, results in a boyish frown and words uttered, I do not like the brown parts. Mom forgotten, smiles at pajama clad young man’s head bowed to a video game, brown crust still untouched.

Christ reveals life in toast. We want to trim the hard and live in the soft goodness and melted bliss. It’s the crust that brings us to the blessing.  The crust is the hard baked shell that protects the tender softness as the heat turns dough into bread.

It was, after all,   the tireless pursuit from King Saul that baked a crust of leadership and warrior into King David. The harshness of bitter divorce baked around the woman at the well that led her to thirst for Savior conversation. The brutality of the cross that crusted a third day resurrection.

Savior, the baked crust is where you first form endurance and shaping to the goodness inside.

No, in all these things we are more than victorious
through Him who loved us.
 For I am persuaded that not even death or life,
angels or rulers,
things present or things to come, hostile powers,
 height or depth, or any other created thing
will have the power to separate us
from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!

Romans 8: 37-39

Enjoy your morning coffee with a piece of toast this morning. Don’t disregard the crust, it after all, is where you find the greatest health benefits.
I also recommend you read the 8th chapter of Romans. It is filled with triumph over evil.
Father, thank you for the hard times in life that bake a shell of knowledge and strength around us. For turning stories of hardship into testimonies of hope for those in need. Amen