Who is our Enemy?

 Written March 1, 2014:

Every day we blow it by blaming ourselves or others for our circumstances. We need to realize that the true enemy of our lives is not each other but instead we need to blame our true enemy - Satan. He walks around seeking whom he may devour according to the scriptures. We are attacked through problems, circumstances, disappointments, etc. When Satan cannot get to us then he works around us through others such as our family and friends to defeat us and mess up our life.

We all need people in our life to pray for us during these difficult battles. The worst days of my life I have reached out to friends to pray for me in order to make those days tolerable. Some days I just need a friend to listen to me when I am struggling emotionally and confused. There are people I can count on for support for my own personal tragedies because we are not meant to bear these burdens alone.

My church is a safe haven to me of family and friends I know will pray for me and be there in my time of need. I have a Bible Study group of young people that also pray for me and care for me. I serve in ministry with people that encourage me and love me in spite of myself. It is a community of grace!

A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”  Ecclesiastes 4:12

This picture was taken on Captiva Island during my niece's wedding, May 2001!

Practice Makes Perfect

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

written during Hurricane Season 2006:
When tropical storm Alberto formed in 2006, I thought it would be a good time for a practice drill to be sure we have our hurricane preparedness plan at home working. I asked Jim to show me how to work our new shutters which all we needed to do was close, pack and leave. I like the sound of that, don’t you? Anyways, we pulled the shutters together, easy, easy, easy and then I asked, why is there a lock on the handles? He said, because you need a key and then I asked, where is the key? He looked at me as if to say, I thought you had it. When you have been married as many years as we have, you don’t have to speak because a “look” speaks volumes. I looked back at him and I said, "No, I don’t have the key so where do you think it might be?" Oh brother, we failed miserably our first hurricane practice drill and a few weeks later when the next tropical storm formed we still had no key. 

My life is a lot like this story, I can have a plan on how I think it should be but if the main "key" is missing then I am left feeling stressed instead. I personally always make the mistake of trying to plan my own life because I become so wise in my own eyes. Then I realize when I can’t get it right that I just need to stop looking to myself but instead look to my Heavenly Father. 

We had to have new keys made for our shutters so hopefully the next practice drill will be smoother.....

This picture was taken at "Vizcaya" when we visited in 2012. 

There is Nothing to Fear!

Psalm 91:4-5 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flight by day.

I call news channels that are constantly trying to put fear into everyone especially those that talk up one political party and not both - news porn. I heard that somewhere and it has stuck with me. I refuse to watch any of that because I don't want them to get into my head and ruin my day. I usually get my news from comedians who are now doing podcasts and everything about world news makes it into their material. It's easier for me to handle and I can actually enjoy my day and my life. Otherwise, I might end up like Chicken Little screaming the "sky is falling" everywhere I go! 

These verses tell us that no matter what happens here on earth that God is a shield for us. We can trust His faithfulness in our lives in every situation that comes. Like an eagle covers her chicks, God covers us. We have nothing to fear because God is watching over us and will rescue us from danger. 

This picture was taken during a sunset at Evangola State Park in Upstate New York. One of our favorite places to camp on Lake Erie.