The end of 2014

Hello World,

Boy, am I thankful. I am thankful for this beautiful world that gets smaller and smaller everyday. I am thankful for the capacity to type and for dogs to cuddle and a warm place to sleep. I am thankful for my husband, cooking for me right now. I am thankful for this moment to exist and breath.
I have been so incredibly blessed this year.

I started it in Utah. We had planned to tour in the States from that February.Then we went back to France as a huge old shock. It was an abundant-over-the-top-extra joy and the story to tell about it is one that I'll never get tired of telling. Here's the link to that awesome story. It was with immense pride and joy to find out that the wonderful lady we trained and lived with took on the reigns of leadership after we left. We came to the States this June and have spent the last six months here. We reopened an old area, and had an amazing time of it. We trained up a girl who's parents were in Covenant Players back in the 80's! Our first second generation CPer, pretty neat honor there.

I want to write more (no, I really mean that)  AND let you into my world more, about what the prayer needs are, and what I'm seeing and experiencing. Since I started sewing bags out of denim and other materials, my diary has been pretty much ignored, so maybe writing here will actually keep me writing.

I do plan on sharing things I've read in the Bible that jump out to me, or just nudge me into thoughtfulness. I was reading about when Jesus rose from the dead, and the thing that nudged me was how the angel rolled the stone away and sat on it. Maybe there's an immovable rock in your life, but it's not permanant to God. He can send one of his angels to roll it away. The physical image of this simple triumphant stance  just resonated with me, and I don't seem to be able to put it into words. But maybe that's okay. Maybe this image is meant to touch someone who reads this, and give some spark of faith and confidence to the One who CAN handle the things we can't.

Be blessed and Happy New Year!

The Little Huge Blessing

In Covenant Players, we have our own lingo, words, abbreviations and stuff. That's been established a few times by now, I'm sure. CPCC is Covenant Player Covenant College. It's our training time and it's a wonderful time. It's intense and together and full. We are knitted together in a way unlike anything else, because we are taking classes and putting together plays and learning lines and cooking and cleaning and joking and rubbing shoulders and our iron sharpens the next person's iron. I may be running out of sense.

On Saturday something happened that I haven't actually told anyone yet. So, I'm telling you this story of my little blessing first. It was hot. Of course it was. This is Southern California in July. I went for a walk to get some mountain dew at a gas station and look at my script. Near the gas station is a 99 cent store, and I looked around and wished that I could think of something someone needed. I prayed for the chance to be a blessing to someone. Either through a smile or some kind of divine appointment of some kind.  Anyway, when I finally did get to the gas station,  they didn't have mountain dew, at least not as a fountain huge option. I wasn't going to give up so easily. I went to a fast food joint and joked with the lady that I was disappointed in that station because they didn't have any dew, and that was the only thing I wanted to have. She smiled and got me a cup. I asked how much it would cost, and she just shook her head and walked away. I was so surprised. I went to fill up the drink, and looked back, and there was no one available. As I sipped my drink and walked out through the parking lot. I started to laugh and then to cry and went back and forth as the Lord just touched my heart through this seemingly small blessing. He really does care, and he says the same thing back- I want to bless you! I want to show you how much I love you through small little things like a soda. I felt His love so near, I felt like his arms were around me and like I had just gotten the Christmas present that I had been waiting for since October.

I'm not okay.

I'm not good enough. I'm not where I need to be. I start too many sentences and thoughts with the word "I."
I am haunted by some things, that aren't as bad as what others have been through...

okay, time out-
We can't compare what we know in our heads to be "not as bad" or "painful" as other peoples. That is just not worth the time it takes to express that thought. Other people have it worse, but so what? You have valid emotions and your heart ache is equal in God's heart to anyone elses. 

And we're back.

I am in public ministry. I have been stuck into the lie that being where people can see me means I can't say that I'm not okay. There's nothing like being home with family to show you for who you really are.

I am impatient and have unforgiveness and anxious about things I can't change. I have entitlement issues. I have abandonment issues. God is working in me, and is using my emotional reactions to show where my beliefs are. I am going to let His grace be sufficiant. Maybe if we shared our weaknesses with each other more often, we wouldn't feel so trapped and alone. Maybe we could go up and ask for prayer without shame, or ask our friends. Maybe we wouldn't wait until we felt totally "holy" to pray for someone else.

God is doing big things and I don't know about you, but I'm not going to let my weakness stand it the way. I am going to boast about it because it is the only way to depend on His strength.

I'm not good enough. I am an admitted, forgiven sinner that is loved by the Creator, who died on a cross to redeem my soul. Because He saw that I was WORTH it.

I'm not where I need to be. Now that right there is a lie. I am where I need to be. I am deeply desiring to feel the arms of Jesus around me. I am seeking to lose everything that holds me back from being there.

Back in America, with grace to think about.

We made it back here. Back to the country of my birth. It's amazing how weak, confusing and painful it is to be pushed out of a comfort zone. Being in transition means being knocked out of everything you have worked to do and become, means being seperated from the people who know you best, who can vouche for who you are and what you mean to them. It feels like going from someone to noone. Of couse family and friends know who you were, and there will be time for them to get to know who you have become.
Another unfortunate affect of transition, of going back is how easy it is to revert to a much less evolved version of yourself.

Vacation mind is enmity to God. It doesn't have to be, but if often is. It's selfish, entitled, and lazy. It's idolizing rest and freedom and being "off the clock and off of life" and is easily enraged when those things are taken away. Either wanting that abundance of freedom to just let go is an idol, or being in the midst of it, and letting boredom become a way of life in that time is.

We who have grace can really lose track of what that grace means, and what it cost. We can construct a really beautiful idol that takes up the most space in our thoughts, conversation and search history. We can let the grace sit in the shadow of that thing, gather dust and eventually only become a faded funeral marker.

I have been thinking a lot about idols and I am so convicted that the things that cause the biggest reactions inside of me, that errupts out in my thoughts, words and actions, those are my idols. The things I think I deserve the most, the things I allow myself to worry about, the things that cause me to lash out in anger, these are the signposts to my idols.

If we call ourselves Christian, we wake up each morning to reaffirm our commitment to Him. We watch our thoughts and our words and our actions because we love him. Because the gospel is not something that is only for "those people who obviously need it." We are ALL "those people." The gospel is the only way to keep ourselves from getting rotten inside out. Grace is the cross we didn't deserve. Grace is a perfect life lived in really uncomfortable circumstances. Grace is the King washing dusty, poop stained feet. Grace is the opposite of a vacation mindset. Grace says, "I have received too much. What can I give you?" Grace see's the hurting heart inside EACH human, not just the ones we like or agree with, and loves them. Loves.

Grace will save me from myself as I navigate a culture I don't remember, as I miss my beloved family in Europe, and as I look to the future. Grace costs too much. Idols are worthless and too heavy and they weigh down all of life.
 Let us throw off and far away every thing that hinders and holds us back  and run with endurance, stamina and joy the race set before us, keeping our eyes only on Jesus, the finisher and perfecter of our faith, our life, our grace made flesh.

Well, Has It?

"Has the arm of the Lord been shortened?"

This phrase has come to my mind and I felt like I should write about it. This is a rhetorical question asked in Old Testament times, when people doubted. When people couldn't see that God of course was strong enough and big enough to take care of their problems. I think it's a good question for us to keep asking ourselves. I know I need to.

As drastic change approaches me, I get more creative. I feel the need to make something to mark that I am here, that I was here. I haven't been as creative, I've been sorting silly scraps into different envelopes. I have a pretty extensive scrap collection. They are in envelopes from old birthday cards and photo printing places. Scenes, people, art, things, animals. I have thought of maybe using these scraps as writing prompts, pull one of each and write a story. Maybe I'll get to that one of these days. But when I am in my "scrap world" it's cathartic to trim edges, to put together the different colors and textures that the camera has captured. It's my world and when I add pages to the leather book I've been adding to on and off for over 6 years, I feel like I have accomplished something. I am pretty dang proud of this leather book. It was made with cardboard, twine, (Michael's twine!) and those little cardboard pieces you sometimes get when you buy underwear. The leather was added by a wonderful host in Germany. It's the underside of a car leather sample.It's soft and real and was expertly glued with expensive craft glue. It's pretty and even, which I'm not able to do. I can't cut a straight line if my life depended on it.

I started my first book when I was graduating from High School ten years ago. This is my third one. I have a lot of memories and time and money invested in them. (in scouring photo albums and making copies of pictures at Kinko's) They are mine. They represent so much of my life and so many of the memories and emotions that make me who I am.

I can't even imagine how sentimental my God must be. He must look at our scars, inside and out remembering each thing as if it just happened. He knows the story behind each picture, He knows the person behind each face. He knows the hopes, dreams, disappointments and desires of the world. His power may seem stunted in our limited view, but if we could only see the big picture. I heard or read recently that God moves globally. He doesn't change something for the sake of inconveniance of one person. When He moves, He does things that work for the best to bring as many people as possible to His love and assurance.

Has the arm of the Lord been shortened? Is He less able to do things now than before? Has the God who created the universe, who stopped waves with a word, who has brought peace to the most violent hearts shrunk?

The next time I start doubting the plan He has for my life, I'm going to ask myself that.

Open doors

I think I am getting a point. A point that people have tried to teach me, that I probably have taught to someone else at some point. (I'm good at knowing things in my mind and passing knowledge on without taking it into my own heart, sometimes.)

God IS in control. Doors open because He opens them. It's been a lot of stress for me, not knowing what will happen as we go back to the States (again) this Summer. Next month. But as far as getting bookings go, as far as there being a unit to do these bookings, He will do it. Or He won't. But if he chosses to not send a unit, and we have to reschedule the programs until later, it will be because that is what is best.

I am so much more content in the knowledge the He does care. He cares about every moment that I reach out to him. That  involving Him in every detail of my life is a beautiful and powerful thing. My strength is not enough. His strength is all I need. It's simple, it's complicated, it's beautiful, it's true.

Something worth reading

Hello World,

I have been trying to find out what I am supposed to do with this blog. It's funny how I can look at the flags and see which country has visited here, but I can also feel like it doesn't actually matter when I don't know what people actually read or take away from it.

But, I know it doesn't matter what others do, it only matters to be faithful to what God has given me. And He has given me so much. I have been trying to implement a change of thinking that has been pretty revolutionary. To not think of things in terms of deserving them, or expecting them. I can apply that here, I suppose. Not each post is going to be my favorite, or will be filled with the deepest thoughts, but it's better than nothing. It's better than not writing.

But what is real writing when there is is no soul searching, no inner bleeding. It's so easy to spend the time blabbering and saying nothing. Being safe. But you are reading this blog right now, whoever you are, because the Lord ordained this time.

While writing this, reflecting on what it was that God had for me to share- I found this.

  http://northkoreanchristians.com/atrocities-north-korean.html

Please take the time to read and learn about our brothers and sisters in North Korea. They need support.

You are blessed to be a blessing. Not to sit on a pile of riches and wish for more stuff to be propped up into a comfortable position.

A longing soul is nothing without a responsive heart

We, the world, the human's currently with  physical hearts beating, have needs. Have hearts, and desires that we have turned off, or given up on. From the CEO at the top of the ladder with the 10,000 dollar tie, to the homeless man sitting on the curb outside the bank with the slimy teeth, there are needs. But the homeless man has something the CEO doesn't. An outstretched hand. He is ready to receive something. His need is apparent, and the hurt in is mouth, and the body that needs more nutrition and care than it receives is just as empty as his heart is without Jesus. The CEO has the same knawing hunger in his heart. 

The hunger that says, "There has got to be more."

I challenge us who call ourselves Christian to stand up and search the eyes of everyone we come across for the need that is screaming inside of them. To meet the physical needs, and to pray for the desire that only God can satisfy. When our hearts long to see love and justice, they will beat with the Lord's heart. 

Only then will our souls be satisfied, when we look past ourselves and love our neighbor as ourselves.

Facing the Facts: Creation

Here we have another guest blogger- my husband! I am so blessed that he took the time to share from many hours of research and a heart for people to know what to say and be confident in it. I hope it blesses many people!

Hello, my name is Mårten, and I have the imponderable joy of being married to the lady who normally writes this blog. As a result of some recent talks I've had, I decided to write this blog about debating and discussing the Bible from a scientific perspective. This is to help the people who want to talk about the Bible, but do not know how to react when people try to refute them with science. My goal is to give you a basic understanding of the scientific arguments you might encounter, and give you some different possible counterarguments. I have to warn you that this will be quite long, so if you are short on time, I would recommend just skimming the first part and skipping to the end. But I would appreciate it if people not only read the whole thing, but comment with feedback if you think any of my arguments are flawed or need clarification. Now, let's just jump right in:

Fact: As far as science can tell, the Universe is several Billion years old.

This keeps a lot of people from discovering the Bible, because it seems to be contradicted on the first few pages. I want to look into some ways to reconcile this fact with what is written in the Bible.

The first question most Christians would want answered is this: Can the science be wrong?

The short answer is yes, but it is highly unlikely and it would be hard to argue it unless you really know what you're talking about. You should also be aware that you are highly unlikely to ever convince anyone of anything more than the possibility that you might have a small chance of being correct. Which would still be a victory, albeit a small one. Now, here are some arguments which could be useful:

Most dating methods are built on certain assumptions, which cannot be proven. The ones you would most likely encounter in an argument are nuclear dating methods, such as Carbon dating. These are methods where you estimate an object's age by measuring the amounts of radioactive materials in it. The big flaw with those methods is that it assumes the original amount of the measured substance, and does not take into account the possibility of outside forces damaging the material.

Ice- and wood-coring is a more precise aging method, where they compare layers in the wood or glacier ice to count seasons, and date things that way. However, wood coring cannot reach further back than at the very most 10 000 years, so it isn't much of an issue here. Ice coring could potentially reach much further back, but it again requires a big assumption: there is no proof that there has only been one melting season and one freezing season per year. It is clearly possible that several separate ice layers could form in a single year, and because of that the dating gets more and more insecure the deeper you get.

On a similar level, we have the strata of the Earth's surface, where it is again argued that depth equals age. However, this is once again riddled with assumptions. Since none of the other dating methods I've mentioned can be considered exact, it makes the strata by themselves meaningless. Most dating processes these days follow a simple positive feedback loop: An approximate age is assumed because of the stratum in which an object was found; dating tests are made with the purpose of proving that theory; once a test shows a number which fits the assumption, that is seen as confirmation of the age of both the object and the stratum. The strata by themselves can possibly prove that one object is older than another, but not by how much.

The most complicated issue is starlight. Through mathematical triangulation, we can measure the distance from the earth to any given star visible in the sky. Some of these stars are several billion light-years away from us, which means that their light would have needed several billion years to reach us. While this is the most difficult argument to counter, it is not impossible. Several leading physicists, for example John Moffat, have proposed the idea that the speed of light might, in fact, not be constant. Instead, light traveled far faster in the early stages of the universe than it does now. This theory is not very popular in the scientific community, mainly because it contradicts the majority of modern physics, but it is a possibility. As mentioned above, it will be hard to convince anyone that you have anything more than a faint possibility of being right, but that would still mean that they listened to you, and hopefully you would be able to move the conversation onto more meaningful things.

Now, even if the person you're speaking with (or even you yourself) remains unconvinced about the age of the world, that is not necessarily a problem. What you need to do is change the focus to the following points:

First, the exact age of the Earth or the universe are not specified in the Bible. The numbers that young Earth theorists use are all approximations and extrapolations based on the numbers that are mentioned in the Old Testament. However, the Old Testament fills a double role as historical document and symbolic moral teaching. Sometimes the former is more emphasized, sometimes the latter. For instance, we cannot know for sure that all of Moses' major life events happened at exactly 40 year intervals, because the numbers used in the Hebrew tradition have an inherent symbolism which make the symbolic number sometimes seem more real than the actual number. Likewise Job's story, while considered a historical document, is so full of symbolism and moral lessons that it is listed with the poetic books of the Bible rather than the historical ones. Thus it is possible to read the early chapters of Genesis entirely as a lesson, not as fact.

If that answer doesn't satisfy you, you can take it a step further. It is possible that the story is partly symbolic, but still mostly accurate. According to Psalm 90:4, God has a different view of time than we do. So if we allow the term “day” to stand for a variable amount of time, how does the Bible match the science? Let's do a “day by day” walk-through:

First, it does mention that there was water on the earth before anything else was created. If we allow for that to be symbolic (water is after all the source of life), we can go more literal with the rest.

Day one: God says “Let there be light”, and there is suddenly light as from nowhere. This sounds like a description of what is often referred to as “the Big Bang”, which the scientific community recognizes as the beginning of our universe.

Day two: God creates the sky. This matches up with the time period right after the Big Bang, when the universe expanded rapidly. It is also the time when smaller atoms, such as the ones in our atmosphere were formed.

Day three: God separates dry ground from oceans, and creates vegetation. This marks the largest deviation between Biblical chronology and scientific theory. The stars and sun should have formed before the Earth. However, moving past that, and looking only at the Earth itself, this still holds fairly well with the scientific models.

Day four: God creates Sun, moon, and stars. As mentioned above, this should be before day three.

Day five: God creates animal life in the oceans and the air. Again, most scientific models place the oceans as the place where life began. As far as flying lifeforms go, they probably appeared later. On the other hand, most models now claim that dinosaurs were more like birds than lizards, so I'd be willing to give half a point for that.

Day five: God creates life on land. This too fits the models.

Day six: Humans are created. And again, science has no objections.

All in all, the Biblical creation story differs from current scientific models on maybe three points. To my knowledge, no other antique (or even medieval) creation theory has that rate of accuracy. This was written thousands of years before humanity had anything to help them comprehend the scientific reactions behind the events, so slight simplification should not really disqualify it, in my opinion.

However, all of this is mostly pointless arguing. The way I see it, you can compare the Biblical text to a three-course meal at a luxurious restaurant. In that comparison, the creation story would not be the main course, not the appetizer, nor even the dessert. It would be the tablecloth. It is part of your first impression, and it affects your visual enjoyment of the meal, but it does not change either the taste or the nutritional value of the meal. When you are offered an appetizer of forgiveness and understanding, a main course of unconditional love, and a dessert of abundant grace and blessing, all for free, should the look of the table setting be the deciding factor? I believe that there is a use for these arguments (otherwise I wouldn't have written them), but only as a way to pave the way to share the Gospel of God's love. If you debate to win an argument, you will lose souls. I pray that God will bless us all with wisdom to know what to say, and what not to say, when these situations come up.

The Meeting

I am so happy to share this from my wonderful aunt. Be mightily blessed!




The Meeting

As I walked down the street I saw you sitting on the bench.
Your face was leathered and lined. 
I started to pass you by, another elderly person after all, and I really didn't have the time.
But something inside of me made me stop; we both had something to give.

I saw you walking down the street, your face so fresh and young.
Your eyes were filled with the light of youth and the promise of life to come.
I sensed you hesitating as our eyes met. And in those few seconds a lifetime passed me by.
I wanted to tell another living soul the feelings buried deep inside of me. I may be old and the body has changed…..I look in the mirror and see my grandfather….how did it happen so fast? But I still count. I still have so much to give. My mind is alert and my heart is willing to share.

We sat in silence for awhile and then we began to speak. The words tumbled out.
One spoke of the future and its hopes and dreams. The other spoke of the past and its fulfillment's and disappointments.
One gave to the other the richness of experience. The other gave the gift of sharing. And in that time both hearts were touched.
As I walked on down the street I thanked God for stopping me. I knew the time I had spent with you would change my life forever. Never again would I pass an elderly person as someone who doesn't count. You shared with me your heart and soul and filled my heart with love for my fellowman. Your wisdom was a blessing. And you, my new friend, know that you still have much to give.
As you walked on down the street I thanked God for stopping you. You made me feel worthwhile again. Never again would I judge the young as cold and unfeeling. And you, my new friend, know that you have so much to give.

Now I’m sitting on the bench and my face is leathered and lined. How did it happen so fast? I remember back years ago to the day I first met my friend, now long gone. And I realized how much he gave me through the years.

Then I saw you walking down the street, your face so fresh and young………………


By: Ella Call

Back in Europe..... What?

This explanation has been very long in coming. We are back in Europe. After a wonderful mission full of miracles and provision and growth in the French language, our hearts full of what God had done, and excitement for the future State-side, (and more than a little sadness at leaving our family in the European campus behind) my husband and I enjoyed a memorable, blessed Chrsitmas with my family in Utah. I was able to reconnect with family in ways I didn't even dream. I sorted some transition issues in my heart and identified far too many ways I am still painfully in need of growth and renewal.
We bought a phone. A shiny one. We settled and were excited for a long drive to California and the chance to work on those friendships we had tentatively developed at the 50th anniversary celebration of Covenant Players.
Then we got a phone call from our supervisor. Kind of a big deal to get a call from Germany (which never feels far in my heart, no matter how long the plane ride is). My husband looked somber and serious. My first thought was- Did somebody die? My second thought was- Did we make some terrible mistake as leaders that they need to let us know about? When the phone was passed to me, and the question was put forth, that we were needed to come back, I cried immediately. I held myself to together until the call was over and I numbly agreed to pray and get back within 24 hours. I couldn't say anything for awhile, safely nestled in the arms of the partner in ministry, I bawled my face off. (Thus endeth the poetic classiness of this blog.)
We were in a funk. We didn't know what to do. We felt that we ought to say yes, but we didn't feel like it was meant to be. (You know, Christianese talk- we didn't feel "called." We were totally mature and fasted and prayed the rest of the day. No, that's a lie. We divulged ourselves in multiple forms of total distraction and let the hours slip by. Finally, we were in bed, realizing, oh yeah. We've got to talk about this some more. We should. We don't want to. Okay, that's been said. What new thing can we add to this repetitive conversation? What does God have to say? Mårten had the idea to open up the bible, eyes closed, finger down, and see what God would say. This is not a method we had tried before, but we sure were ready for it. He opened up his bible first to-
2 Samuel 19:36-37a (if you are interested about the 'a' signifying importance, look it up, it's kind of funny.
"Your servant will cross over the Jordan with the king for a short distance, but why should the King reward me in this way? Let your servant return..."

I took the bible and put my finger down on  Jeremiah 31:5
"Again you will plant vineyards on the hills of Samaria, the farmers will plant them and enjoy their fruit."

At this point we were laughing and crying, and I wasn't really sure which was which. I handed the bible back to him and said, "One more time!" He opened it up to 1 Corinthians 16:10-11
"If Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am. No one then, should refuse to accept him. Send him on his way in peace so that he may return to me. I am expecting him along with the brothers."

We looked at each other filled with awe that God would speak to us so clearly. With a big smile, my wonderful Swede looked at me and said, "Well, I guess we are going!" I figured that we should email our supervisors right away and not make them wait. It all changed quickly, but the quick change in our hearts, the willingness and the joy to do ministry has been a real gift from the Lord. I have always had to fight fear, but I have many courageous plans. I am blessed to have this "extra" time with my family here, so everything I get to experience with them just feels like bonus.

To be perfectly honest, I feel like most of what I get in life is bonus. I get to do meaningful work with the purpose of building the kingdom of God. I get to do something I love with people I love. Plus there's a beautiful blonde two year old that calls out my name with ego boosting joy everyday. There are even more ways that I am blessed, but this is already getting pretty long as it is.

Please pray for:
-More missioners! People that will grow to be leaders, who will delve into a language and a culture with enthusiasm and faith. People who will be teachable and responsible.
-Our supervisors around the world as they work on assigning units.
-Our hearts to grow with passion for our areas. For eyes to see the needs and to respond to it by accepting the decision our supervisors make.

The Armour of God

This blog post was written by my aunt. I am so glad to be able to share her words. Thanks, Ella, for letting me share your words.

THE ARMOUR OF GOD

HELMET OF SALVATION
The mind is where the enemy attacks. Salvation is the beginning of our walk with God and the beginning of concentrated attacks on our mind. When we put on the helmet of salvation we are protecting our mind from the lies of the enemy.

BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
The breastplate protects the heart. From our heart flows love and praise to God. If we do not walk in His righteousness then we open the door to the enemy to fill our heart with things of the earth that take us from the throne of God.

HAVING OUR LOINS GIRTH ABOUT WITH TRUTH
There is only one truth, His name is God, and His Word is Truth.

HAVING OUR FEET SHOD WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF
PEACE.
The wording of this part of our armour is very significant. We do preparation towards the completion of fixing a meal for the hungry. In this case are we required to prepare ourselves in the knowledge of the word of God to share the gospel with the spiritually hungry?
Also, the word “shod” is important. A horse has its hooves shod. They are not covered, but attached. Our feet are shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, to “walk” to those who do not know Jesus. We are to go to them, not wait for them to come to us.

THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD
Do we use the sword in offence, or defense, or both? As we begin our walk of salvation we use it in defense to protect ourselves as we fill our mind and heart with the word of God.
As we grow in God and begin to walk the path He has set before us, we also use the sword in offence as we stand in the gap for others.

ABOVE ALL, TAKING THE SHIELD OF FAITH, WHEREWITH YE SHALL BE
ABLE TO QUENCH ALL THE FIERY DARTS OF THE WICKED
This is such an awesome part of our armour. Why does God tell us “above all”? Does it have something to do with the word faith, and the importance of faith in our lives? Is it because the shield is something that we can move at will and cover that which is in danger at any given moment?
I once heard an evangelist from South Africa speaking. His name is Mr. Barnard. He went by Pastor Barney. One night in September of 2004 he was talking about the verse, faith cometh by hearing, by hearing the word of God. I had often wondered why “by hearing” was repeated. Pastor Barney explained it beautifully. He said faith cometh by hearing, and then he pointed to his head. Then he said by hearing the word of God, and he pointed to his heart. There is such truth in that. We have to allow the word of God to go from head knowledge to heart knowledge.
As you read the word of God do you ever have one word or a phrase kind of jump out at you? Then you read it again and it is like it has been buried in your heart, like it has become a part of you?
Or maybe you were reading Gods word and something you didn’t understand suddenly became so clear, and you know that you have seen the truth that God was trying to impart into your heart?

That is what happened to me when I was reading this portion of the armour of God. He led me to read it over again, and the word ALL [the fiery darts of the wicked] jumped out at me. And then that wonderful word went from head knowledge to heart knowledge. The enemy knows each one of our individual weaknesses. That is where he will attack us. God was showing me that it doesn’t matter how big the attack, or how often they come, that we have everything we need in our armour to defeat the enemy. The shield of faith that God has given us can quench ALL THE FIERY DARTS OF THE WICKED.
Look at the word quench. We quench our thirst with water. Jesus is the water of life. It is through him that we have received our salvation. What better way to quench FIERY darts, than with the very water of life? It is through salvation that we have the right and authority to defeat the wicked.
Ephesians 6: 10-18