101st Post

Since I missed the big 1-0-0, I decided to celebrate my 101st Blog Post. Yay!! Haha, actually, I have kind of a serious post. Just some thoughts out of the plethora that swarm around my mind...

Here is a song called Run, by Addison Road. Its a song I just heard -- literally listening to it right now -- and the words are EXACTLY what I have needed to hear this week and especially the past few days. We are in a battle, I've been told. But so many times I find myself looking down at my weary, sweat-drenched body -- wounded, slashed by the enemy's fiery arrows -- wondering how I ever got to this point -- without armor. Sadly, I look down at myself and at first, I am like a deer blinded by headlights. What? You mean, that's why I'm depressed? That's why I can't seem to see the truth in this fog? That's why I have forgotten the "Ebenezer" landmarks that God has allowed, taught me through and chosen me for in the tracks behind me? Oh God, how I desperately need you. I need you, yet I'm having a hard time finding you.

Run

Stoplights, breakdown, we cry, last try
Worlds collide, time to decide
Where you want to go in this great big world
Where you want to go in this great big world

Stuck here too long in this sad song
Lost on a street, everyone has
Vanished and you're all alone
But you don't know where to go
Yeah you're all alone
And you want to go home

(CHORUS)
Run just as fast as you can
Run, 'til you reach the end
Where the fallen finally land
And your world starts over again
Run

Next page, new day, finding my way
Stumble upon the strength to move on
I am not alone in this great big world
And you are not alone in this great big world

(CHORUS)
Run just as fast as you can
Run, 'til you reach the end
Where the fallen finally land
And your world starts over again
Run

Run now don't you look back
Run towards the light straight ahead
Where the lost souls make a beautiful sound
And new life is finally found
Run

Your free, free falling
A new beginning
This is our time

(CHORUS)
Run just as fast as you can
Run, 'til you reach the end
Where the fallen finally land
And your world starts over again

Run now don't you look back
Run towards the light straight ahead
Where the lost souls make a beautiful sound
And new life is finally found
Run

Ephesians 6:10-20 (New International Version)

The Armor of God

¹⁰Finally, 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.

STRUGGLE to be Set Apart

I have always struggled with my quiet time. Mostly because I haven't disciplined myself long enough to see it sustained. I will be going great for a little while and then one day I forget, or I try to read it and it doesn't make sense or seem to resonate, or I reach the stage of little compromises. "I'll do it before going to bed" -- and I know that I'm exhausted before I go to bed -- why would I try to work my brain that late?? Some people can do it - I can only do it and get something from it if I read something earlier and have chosen to walk in His Spirit that day. If not, it becomes so easy to not read it.

What do you do to coach yourself when you're realizing you're missing the mark? Specifically, with Bible Study and Prayer? What do you do to speak encouragement and motivation back into your mind and heart? What do you do? It's not about that invisible "check mark" you get when you're finished, its about spending time with God and connecting with Him. How do you prepare your mind and heart to spend time with him?