A Visual Look At Spiritual Warfare

"For 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."

Ephesians 6:12

Yesterday our youth group did a wonderful music program called "Free in Christ". They did a similar version of the skit/song that you will see a link too. It is POWERFUL! I ran across this video back in the fall - it was right after one of our youth took his own life. Which, made this all the more moving. This is a MUST to see.

Please take time to watch this clip. I tried and tried to put it on my site so you could just watch it from here --- but those of you who know me, well --- you aren't surprised that I couldn't figure out how to do it!

The video is a little slow in the beginning, but hang on! You will be so glad you watched.


http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=ee73e63418003b47d7d5

We are God's Workmanship Part II

You are who you are for a reason

You are part of an intricate plan
You are a precious and perfect unique design
Called God's special Woman or Man

You look like you look for a reason

Our God made no mistake
He knit you together within the womb
You are just what He wanted to make

The parents you had were the ones He chose

And no matter how you may feel
They were custom designed with God's plan in mind
And they bear the Master's seal

No, that trauma you faced was not easy
And God wept that it hurt you so
But it was allowed to shape your heart
So that into His likeness you'd grow

You are who you are for a reason
You've been formed by the Master's rod

You are who you are, beloved
Because there is a God

We are God's Workmanship

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Ephesians 2:10

God’s plans were prepared before we were born! Not only does Eph. 2 tell us that but so does Psalm 139:16 “ Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written before one of them came to be.”

But, we have a choice to make. We must decide to spend our time discovering and aligning ourselves with the purposes of God OR doing what we want to do ---- and then being “good church folk”, asking God to bless it!

There is a precious couple at our church with a powerful testimony and I want to share that with you today.

This couple struggled with infertility for years. I remember being on a Sunday School Class retreat and I was pregnant with my first, which was a struggle for us as well, and she and I had a very long discussion on evening about doctors, and testing and God’s plan and God giving you the desires of your heart ….. it was intense. And I remember feeling her pain and praying often after that for her and her husband.

At the time of this conversation, they had been struggling around 6 years. Well, several more years passed. They had continued their journey of medications and procedures – only to have them fail. Then one day they realized that they had never really given their situation over to God. They had been tying everything on their own --- never once asking God if that was what God wanted for them. They had not been praying over God’s direction for their family. They had taken matters into their own hands, and as I mentioned earlier, wanted God to bless it.

As a couple, they cam to the realization that they NEEDED God and put their desires in God’s hands. After 11 years, (and with out medications) she conceived and discovered that she was pregnant on Christmas Day! But, this is only the beginning of their testimony. This sweet couple was blessed with a son. And, when their son was only 3 years old – it was discovered that their only child, the child they had waited on for 11 years had a malignant brain tumor.

The amazing thing is that this couple never questioned “Why, God?” They had settled that years ago. Once they made the decision to involve God --- to earnestly seek His will for their family and not their own (before their son was ever born!), they knew that IF God blessed them with a child that this sweet baby had been hand picked by God to be placed in their loving care. They understood that God never makes mistakes and He has a reason for everything He creates.

That young couple fully understood 2 things:
1) We are God’s masterpiece, His workmanship
When God created their son, Jackson – God did not create a broken child. Yes, Jackson had a brain tumor. Yes – I have a child with severe anxiety. Yes – my adorable nephew who is 3 years old is deaf, can not speak and just learned to walk. BUT, those things did not occur because God was not paying attention the day He knit them together. Those children are a one of a kind masterpiece – the same as you and I.

2) God created us fully equipped in Christ to handle what His will requires
Jackson’s mother shared that weeks before his diagnosis, she knew something wasn’t right to the point where she was restless. And on the day that the news came she was obviously not prepared to hear something so devastating, but at the same time - with her nursing background and with her God given “motherly intuition” she knew Jackson’s results could be serious. And now, looking back, they see how God was equipping them to handle this storm.

As of today, Jackson is cancer free. However, for 5 years he must have an MRI every three months. His next MRI is May 13th.

Can you imagine living your life in 3 month cycles? For me, instead of counting my blessings like them – I would be counting down the days until the next poor report ( I can be negative that way!).

But, they take life one day at a time. Knowing God has a plan and only God knows their future. As for their future, they recently found out they are expecting again! And you will never believe when?!? She is due in December.

As we seek to hear God’s voice and discover His plan --- we must believe that He has a sovereign plan. And this is not anything that we can accomplish by our own power. This is a divinely created purpose for our life that can only b accomplished through us by His power.

No kidding - this is a true story!

"In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."

Romans 8:37

This past Wed. I spoke to an AWESOME M.O.P.S group (Mother's of Preschoolers). And, I used one of my favorite messages. The bottom line of the message is - We need to spend time alone with God daily. It was easy to direct that to group of preschool moms because out of all the people on the planet they are the ones least likely to EVER be alone. I mean come on, they even have little people follow them into the bathroom!! Talking about no privacy! Thus, the calling of a mom with young kids:)

I also talked about BUSYNESS, feeling pressure to be Super Mom and told them this personal story about how having to much on your plate can really catch up with you!!

I have two girls, my 2nd grade daughter, Savannah who attends Madison Creek and a 6 year old daughter, Cassidy who was in a pre-K class at Gene Brown Elementary.

So two girls, two separate schools, but in the same county. And – every year the schools have a county wide drug free week called Red Ribbon Week. And during the course of this week the kids get to wear something different and fun each day (like silly unmatched socks, sunglasses and so on.).


So – I receive my two notes from each school explaining the week’s dress code. Some days the girls dress the same and some days are different. You guys know where this is headed I’m sure!
Ok – it had been an unusual week and I had been doing a pretty good balancing act until Thursday. That’s when Cassidy (my younger daughter) and then my baby boy came down with a stomach bug at the same time!! I’m rushing around on Thursday knowing that it’s going to be a long night. I’m getting as much prepared for Friday as I can. And, I look at the paper telling me what Savannah is to wear on Friday and it’s called “Wacky Tacky Day”. Which means, you are to purposefully not match any of your clothes. The crazier and more mismatched the better.

Well, I yell upstairs to Savannah so she can help me by finding her own clothes -- and she has a blast in her closet finding the coolest mismatched outfit she can find for the next day. Stuff like that is really up her ally. She has a red sock, a blue sock, a green paisley skirt, an orange shirt and has laid out some eccentric hair accessories.


I was right. Thursday night was horrible. I’ve had 0 sleep and I’m driving Savannah to school in a daze and as she gets out of the car --- I think, “Uuh – That’s strange. Not many people dressed up today.” and I’m off!

And it was not until oh – 15 min. before Savannah was to get off the bus that afternoon, while I was disinfecting our kitchen – I really stopped and looked at the Red Ribbon Week schedule posted on my fridge and I could have died!! You guessed it. It was not “Wacky Tacky Day” at Savannah’s school. It was sports apparel day. “Wacky Tacky Day” was at Cassidy’s school, but she was sick so didn’t go to school that day. And, to make things worse for Savannah --- they had an assembly in the gym for the entire school K-5th grade. And she was the line leader for her grade and had to walk in front of everyone around their gymnasium.

It was an honest mistake, but one that was made because I was overwhelmed, rushed, frustrated and didn’t even slow down enough to read the correct sheet of paper posted right on my refrigerator.


Now, I could maybe get away with saying I had sick babies and that could happen to anyone (trying to make myself feel better). But, the truth of the matter is my calendar of craziness the Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday before my babies were sick on Thursday was the root of the problem. Because I had so many things crammed in to my schedule for the entire week – when the unexpected happened – the bottom fell out!

AND after this weeks talk and this fabulous reminder ---- I DID IT AGAIN!!!! This morning, Savannah is all dressed up this time. She's in gold dress shoes, a skirt and blouse matching accessories and as we pull in the parking lot she says - "Mom, I'm supposed to have on my class T-shirt and tennis shoes! We are running a marathon today!!!"

God keeps me around for entertainment I'm sure of it!!! How is it that one person can be so scattered yet try so hard to not be!!

Once again, I realize my need not just for HIM daily, but moment by moment!! "God, through you - who loves me so much - that is the only way I will ever the able to conquer my daily schedule! I'm so thankful that You have not given up on me yet!!! Amen!"

FYI Parents of kids in public schools

Please go to http://www.missionamerica.com/ and read what the next homosexual activism has planned.

This is an event for April 25, 2008. The Nashville area schools that plan to participate are:

HILLSBORO HIGH SCHOOL
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR MAGNET
PEARL HIGH SCHOOL
NASHVILLE SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS

There is information on how to become proactive. It is time for Christians to Speak Up!!!!!!!!!!!!

PLEASE look in your area - I know people all across the States read this, find out what schools in your area will be participating.

Disney Pics

You can't take a trip to Disney without spending time with Mickey!

OK - I really do try to watch my spending on souvenirs while on vacation, but who could pass up these Mickey Mouse shades!! What a cutie:)

The girls LOVE Mulan. This was a rare treat! She is not around the park often, so to see her was extra special.

Savannah has been over the "Princess" thing for a few years now, but for some reason was fascinated by Cinderella. So much so that she is already declaring that she wants to dress up like Cinderella for the church Harvest Party in October!

Yes - my kids either have on matching clothes OR the same color scheme most days - BUT, especially while on vacation!!! By the way, we celebrated Cassidy's 6th B-day while we were down there (thus the cupcake shirt). The park gave her a special button to wear so all the characters were quick to wish her a Happy Birthday.

We were just at Disney in October (if you are planning a trip - ask me anything! I feel like it's our second home!!) and we didn't make it to Sea World. We went this time and it was great! Did you know they have one of the best roller coasters in the world??? Who knew!

Cassidy's favorite ride, Splash Mountain, was at Magic Kingdom. The kids rode it 1,000 times (or so it seemed!). The last time they took a spin, I sat out with Jamison. While I was waiting - I met Bret Favre's wife!!! No kidding! Evidently, good ol' Bret was just a few logs back behind Russ and the rest of the family. She was sweet as she could be!!

One of our favorite rides (including Savannah who is just 8!) is Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom. It's a roller coaster that goes forwards, backwards and upside down! You've got to try it!!

Since it was Spring Break for the entire USA the week we were there (crowds were insane!), we took advantage of the Extra Magic Hours which means we could stay at the park until 1:00AM. Most people are not that crazy - so the park was no where near as crowded during that time. We are a family of night owls so it worked for us! The kids would sleep till 10AM and we would go back to the park after lunch. They feel asleep nearly every night on the bus back to the hotel.

Here are some grumpy kids -- not ready to go home! We were leaving MGM/Universal Studios to hit the road for the 12 hour trip home:(

What's been the hold up?

"I will put My Spirit into your children; My blessings will be like a stream of water flowing over your family. One will say, 'I belong to the Lord,' another will write on his hand, 'The Lord's'."
Isaiah 44: 3, 5

Oh how I LOVE that verse. I have it written on a tile (you have to see it to make sense - it's a small tile like you would have on your kitchen back splash and the Is. 44 verse on it --- a crafty friend made it!). Anyway, the tile is on a stand and it's in the center of all my kids photo's on a table at the entrance of my house.

I look and see that it's been a month since I last blogged! YIKES!!! I have two reasons 1) no computer and 2) KIDS! We spent 8 days in Disney (which you will see more than you ever wanted to in just a minute!) and they have consumed me more than normal. And, they have shared many funny and thought provoking stories that I'm sure will wind up in a future blog or speaking engagement.

So, since my time is brief - I wanted to just post some pics for family and friends of our recent trip. Those of you who really have missed me - THANK YOU! Your e-mails have been so encouraging to me and I REALLY want to get back to this devotional/blog thing. So - say a prayer that I will be able to get a new computer soon. It's going to cost as much to fix the old as to buy a new one. AND - after this trip to Disney, I just don't have hundreds of dollars stashed under my pillow!

ENJOY the Disney pics on the next post:)