Battle Ready

The Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² 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. ¹³ Therefore 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. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  ¹⁸ And 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 Lord’s people.

Ephesians 6:10-18

As Army spouses, we’re familiar with armor.   It takes up space in our homes, and we move it from one duty station to the next.  Perhaps you’ve even tried it on yourself?  It goes with our husbands (spouses) downrange to protect them as they face an enemy that is known, tangible and seen. 

As we stay behind and manage the home front, our enemies aren’t as tangible and many are unseen.  However, we are in need of armor…it’s just a different kind of armor…the armor of God.  Only the amour of God is sufficient for the fight, we can’t do it on our own…and we’re not meant to go it alone. 

By David Ward, 2007

So armor up WONDER WOMEN (and men) with…

the belt of truth

the breastplate of righteousness

feet fitted with the readiness from the gospel of peace

the shield of faith

the helmet of salvation

the sword of the spirit

Spiritual attacks during a deployment (and in life) are a given.  Why wouldn’t the enemy take advantage of such a ripe opportunity?  There’s the temptation of loneliness, depression, infidelity (physical or emotional), pride, jealousy, feeling overwhelmed, doubt and fear.  And, I’m sure you can add a few others.  When we put on the armor of God we rest knowing we’re not in the fight alone.

Once we put on our armor and are battle ready, we’re reminded in verse 18 that we’re to “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.”  It’s God’s strength that will win the battle, not ours; we need to invite him into our struggles.  And just to make sure we don’t get too wrapped up in ourselves, Paul reminds us to “always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”   Spiritual battles are happening all around us, so once you have got your struggle(s) of the moment under control and made sense of it, keep your armor on and step in beside a friend.

It’s about the Kingdom, so don’t forget to put on the full armor of God each day along with that great pair of shoes (or in my case, scarf).  It’s character that wins this battle not brute force.

What are you struggling with spiritually right now?  What attacks are your friends under at this moment? 

Watch over your heart with all diligence,
for from it flows the springs of life.

Proverbs: 4:23

Blessings

Sarah

Share My Calling

During my courtship with David, most of which took place while he was deployed in Iraq, we came to a point where we both knew that the other was God’s best for us.  All very exciting for two people in their mid 40’s each stepping into marriage for the first time!  In the midst of the joy and excitement my husband called and told me he needed me to really pray about our union.  He wanted me to understand that I wasn’t just marrying him, David, but a man God called to not just to be in the Army but to be an Army Chaplain.  He wanted me to be certain that God was not only calling me to marry him but to marry his God- given calling.  If I didn’t feel marrying an Army chaplain was God’s call on my life, David felt we should part ways. 

I did take three days to get with God.  Marrying David, the Army Chaplain, would mean I’d leave my job of 8+ years as Children’s Ministry and Community Life Director at Trinity Church in Greenwich, CT; leave an area I’ve lived in for over 22 years; and say goodbye to all my friends to move where he was stationed - Ft. Riley, KS.  On top of that, David promised this calling would mean I’d have to be flexible…giving up a date night because there’s a soldier in need, or setting our problems aside for a time while he helped others deal with theirs.  God called me to be a chaplain’s wife, and we marked the moment before God on Thanksgiving weekend, November 27, 2009.  Yes, David was right, flexibility is essential in this calling. 

However, I believe there’s a calling for me within David’s calling.  Yes, being a wife is a calling in and of its self, but I feel he has a broader calling for me as well.  God doesn’t call one spouse into a journey and not have a plan for the other. 

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

Ephesians 2:10

God has a plan; he’s set out a course for me to run with perseverance.  My part in this relationship is to be quiet and hear his still small voice so that I can answer his call.  For now, David’s call as an Army chaplain allows him a consistency of duties but in different locations.   My call in Kansas is different from the plans he has for me in Baumholder, Germany.  Frankly, determining and navigating God’s call has been more difficult in this new life I find myself.  As a single working woman I was use to thinking in terms of “job,” with a paycheck, benefits, etc.  I’ve had to alter my perspective over the last year; although a job could be in God’s plans down the road.  After much prayer and discernment with my husband, I’m finding the path God has laid out for me during this season.

If you’re struggling in this area, don’t lose heart.  He hasn’t forgotten about you; he’ll anoint you.  Keep listening to God’s still small voice; he’ll direct you to the path he’s chosen just for you…in this time and this place.  Don’t ignore the call; you’ll miss the opportunity to be a blessing to those in your midst. 

 

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:6

What’s God’s calling on your life within your spouse’s call?  Are you struggling with your spouse’s call?  What are the heart issues in relation to this?

Blessings

Sarah

Refinement

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith– of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

1 Peter 1:6-7

I gather with a group of women twice a month for Bible study, and for the next couple of weeks we’re meditating on the above scripture and the refinement that God is doing in us.   Honestly, I think he’s refining me daily, but there are seasons when the refinement heat gets turned up…and I can feel him slowly beginning to turn the heat up on me! 

Peter wrote his first letter to believers in today’s northern Turkey around 64 or 65 AD.  He was probably in Rome witnessing the persecution of believers.  When I’ve read this scripture in the past I tend to compare myself to the suffering of persecution saying, “Well, Sarah, it’s not like you have ever “suffered” in the way Peter is talking about.  Again…me missing the point!  The trials God walks me through thus far haven’t been me “suffer” because I’m a Christian.  However, he has and will take me through trials where my faith is refined...bringing me to my knees and causing me to focus on the only One who can provide encouragement and strength. 

What trial are you going through right now?  In the past I’ve gone through loneliness, depression, disappointment in those I’ve trusted, and times of great refinement in my character.   Currently, I’m going through a difficult and long separation from the love of my life trying to navigate the huddles that keep popping up.  There’s no illusion here...God’s going to use this year-long separation from my husband to do some “heartsmithing.”  It’s already beginning, and I sense the greatness of it’s magnitude. 

Peter warned his readers that “now for a little while” they may have to suffer. But like fire refines gold, so trials refine faith.  He’s essentially saying the trial of our faith is more important than the goldsmith’s trial of his gold.  It’s said that a goldsmith waits till he sees his face is reflected in the gold, and then he knows it’s ready to be taken out (if you’re a goldsmith, let me know if this is true).  God wants to see his face reflected back when he looks at me. Right now his image is probably VERY hazy when he looks at me, thus I’ll be getting dipped in and out of the hot refiner’s fire for a life time.  I’m human, so I reluctantly submit to his refining, although I know whatever character trait (s) he’ll work on in me over the next year will be for the purpose of reflecting more of him and less of me to the world, which is my heart’s desire.  Christ will get the praise, glory and honor!

Lord, please grant me courage and obedience to submit to your good and gracious refining work. 

What is God “burning off” in your life right now?  What character qualities do you see God developing in you?  As you meditate on this, I’d like to suggest you take a listen to the song “Refiner’s Fire.”

Blessings

Sarah

PS:  I get the sense he’s going to be working on my pride…big time!

(Image found on Google images without attribution.)

Grow Where I'm Planted

This week begins my year-long journey of navigating a new normal.  I’d like to think my sadness is special, but the fact is…it’s not!  A friend of mine posted on Face Book the day he deployed, “For over 200 years soldiers have been answering the nation’s call.”  When I read it I thought yes he's right, and for over 200 years spouses have said good bye to their loved ones and moved forward navigating life without the ones they love by their side.  This gives me encouragement that I can do it too.  My goal is to try and navigate the year with dignity and grace; so, I need a plan.  And, I’m going to need more than just a little help.

While working on my Bible study and reading a couple books this week, the same scripture kept popping up giving me comfort and encouragement.  I love when God chases after me like this…making sure I don’t miss His point (which I’ve been known to do in the past).  In reading Jeremiah 29 several times this week, I was comforted by verse 11,

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

I’ve read this scripture numerous times, and I was reminded as I reread the passage this past week of the context in which God was speaking to the Israelites - they were exiled in Babylon (an exile that would last 70 years).  What I heard the Spirit whispering in my ear was not only does He want to prosper me, give me hope and a future; He plans to bring this about even in the midst of difficult circumstances.  He’s telling me, as he did the Israelites, to get on with life…don’t just survive it, thrive in the midst of it.  In other words, He wants me to grow where He’s planted me.  

Yes, I know…easier said than done…I hear you.  However, God being God, He gives the “how to” in the next few verses (12-14).

Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity

These verses encourage me to move forward; at the same time, they’re a reminder that my best laid plans may not be God’s plans for me.  If He’s going to grow and prosper me, I have to be an active participant in His plan…I need to meet him half way.  I’ve learned the hard way that it’s much easier to get on board with God’s plan than it is to expect Him to get on board with mine.  Frankly, my plans haven’t always been “God’s best.”

He’s placed me here at this time and in this place for HIS purpose.  As I grieve and process saying good bye to my husband for a season, I’m spending more time in prayer and trying to sit quietly to hear His still small voice…listening to how He wants to grow me personally, and my marriage despite the physical separation.  What’s His plan for me this year?  What do I need to be doing (or not doing) to help Him bring the plan through to completion?  I’m still figuring it out, but I’m excited to make some plans (I love planning); however, I’m going to check in with God first.  I’m reminded of the saying, “If you want to make God laugh, just tell Him your plans.” 

The challenges of life are inevitable, and no matter the circumstances, no matter how big or small the hurdles may seem, God wants to prosper and grow me through them…he wants to prosper and grow you through yours as well.   As you listen to God, what’s He telling you?  Partner with Him…wherever He’s planted you is where He intends to grow you.

Blessings
Sarah

PS:  I think I forgot to mention…it probably won’t be a cake walk…growing pains and all!

Renewed Curiosity

I want to renew my spirit of curiosity and passion for Jesus!

This past Thanksgiving we went to visit friends in Switzerland, and during our stay a little kitten (about five-six weeks old) found us.  My husband, the cat lover, was smitten; admittedly, so was I.  So now we have a three month old kitty named Oliver.  Well, it was named Sophie for about three weeks, but that’s a whole other story.  Oliver usually follows me everywhere I go in the house and wants to be in the middle of it all; he’s a very curious kitty.  ("Curiosity killed the cat" may actually apply someday.)  The other day Oliver was “helping” me do laundry.  After I put the laundry in the front load washing machine, which he wanted to jump into with the clothes, he stood on his hind legs and watched the water and clothes move, meowing, looking back at me, and pawing the door.  As I stood and watched him it hit me…I wish I were as curious and excited about God as he seems to be about everything. 

I’ve been a Christian for a long time; admittedly, some of life has been spent trying to run from God.  This week the memories of falling back in love with Jesus washed over me in the laundry room; my heart yearned for the excitement, joy, curiosity and wonder of that time.   It was a time when I devoured the Bible and was constantly referencing it through the day, and it seemed I was always on my knees in prayer.   I still do these things, but I realized I don’t do them with the same passion and wonder.  I want to be as curious about God’s Word as I once was; my soul is yearning to know God even more deeply.  If I want to know Him more deeply I need to renew my curiosity about Him.  God is relational and created me in His image, He desires a deep and passionate relationship with me.  If I’m not chasing after Him, my life feels a little less than.     

This past year in particular, I’ve allowed the busyness of my life to get in the way of spending time with Him.  For me, it’s a slippery slope.  Along the way I’ve let the little aspects of life creep in and become a greater priority than God.  Yes, I still open my Bible, pray, and worship…but not as if it was the most important part of my day.  So, now I’m on a quest to renew my curiosity in my Creator and Savior.  Perhaps this desire in my heart is in preparation for challenges ahead when I’ll need to feel His nearness in palpable ways. 

What’s my plan you ask?  Good question!  For now, it means I’ll spend more focused time in the Word and on my knees in prayer.  It’s a start and I’ll go from there.

How curious are you in God at this moment?  Any words of wisdom or suggestions that have helped you renew your curiosity and passion for our Lord and Savior?  Books?  Practices?  I’d like to hear from you.

And if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,
then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.

Proverbs 2:4-5

Blessings

Sarah

Peace

In the midst of a conversation the other day a person said to me, “I want the sense of peace you have.  How can I get it?”  What an opening, right?  My response was, “You caught me on a good day.  Come see me tomorrow, and we’ll see if the peace is still there.”  My initial somewhat flippant remark did lead into a discussion on the source of the peace that flows in and out of my heart on a daily or sometimes minute by minute basis…Jesus.   However, this discussion led me to think more deeply and broadly about what peace means to me, and it’s two-fold. 

Yes, the peace I exhibit on occasion has its source in Jesus; however, it’s the relationship with Him that fortifies my peace. 

…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.   And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

This is one of my favorite verses.  In the church I attended while growing up the pastor used the second part of this verse as the benediction each Sunday, and it gave great comfort to hear it prayed over me.  I wish having it read over me each week was all it took to have “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding.”  There are days when I wake with a great sense of peace in my heart, but mostly it takes a bit more on my part.   For me, I need to be in communion with God. 

com·mun·ion n.

1. The act or an instance of sharing, as of thoughts or feelings.

2. Religious or spiritual fellowship.

What does communion with God look like for me?  It’s reading His Word, going to Him in prayer, and listening to the Holy Spirit so that His plan can become my plan on a daily basis.  It means being in fellowship with others to worship and hold each other accountable in righteousness.  A friend shared this quote with me not that long ago, “Peace is not being without noise, trouble or hard work.  Peace is being in the midst of the noise, trouble and hard work and being calm at heart.”  It’s easy to be at peace when life is calm; my challenge is a peaceful heart in the midst of challenges and chaos.  What about you?  For me, it takes extra effort to be in communion with God when the challenges start to mount. 

Which leads me to the other component of peace.  Being in relationship means the flow must go both ways… it’s not just about MY heart.  Dang it, I wish it were all about me!  God’s peace isn’t just for my heart, but for those around me – there’s a justice component to God’s peace.  In the book of Isaiah, the prophecy is of Jesus as the Prince of Peace.  If I’m in communion with God I can be part of His plan for peace, but I can only know His plan if I’m listening for direction from the Holy Spirit.  Perhaps there’s a reason Philippians verse 6 talks about prayer prior to mentioning God’s peace in verse 7?  I’m just saying!  There’s a prayer attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi that reminds me…it’s not just about me.

The prayer of St. Francis
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

 

Yes, I pray for “world peace” wishing I weren’t prepping to send my husband off to war.  However, as I’m listening to the Spirit, I believe what it being whispered in my ear is to keep working on the peace of my own heart, and to be a source of His peace for others in my midst…

to love where there is hate

to pardon where there is injury

to lend faith where there is doubt

to give hope where there is despair

to bring light where there is darkness

to give joy where there is sadness

to console

to understand

True peace to me is offering the peace God gives me to others even in the midst of the challenges and chaos of my own life.  Some days I succeed, and more often than not I fail.  Each day is a new opportunity to step more confidently into HIS peace plan. 

What does peace mean to you?

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

John 14:27

Blessings

Sarah

(St. Francis of Assisi Icon by Robert Lentz, OF)

A Window of Faith

Today is New Years Day 2011.  It’s a time I usually take a moment to look back and celebrate the blessings as well as examine the areas of my life that haven’t gone as I expected or hoped.  Mostly though, I look forward into the New Year to hope and dream of its exciting possibilities.  

Yesterday I found myself staring out the kitchen window overlooking Baumholder Germany feeling thankful to be living here; however, tears started rolling down my eyes.  Perhaps a few where for the amazing blessings of 2010, but the tape that was playing in my head was “this is the year of deployment.”  Thus, I start 2011 feeling some sadness and dread.  

When David and I married just over a year ago, I entered into this life-long partnership knowing I was being called by God to be an Army Chaplain’s wife.  Since we are in a midst of a war it meant deployments and separation – I knew this.   I knew 2011 would be a year of deployment the moment we got word that we were PCSing to Germany.  Now the time is soon approaching, and I can’t procrastinate any longer.  There’s much to do, even if I have to do it with tears running down my face.   There’s a will to be updated; a couple more powers of attorneys to be obtained; new brakes for the car; items to be purchased; footlockers to be packed and addressed for Afghanistan; and a discussion to take place confirming David’s desires if the unthinkable should happen.  This doesn’t seem fair, but it’s my life…so how will I handle this?

My desire is to thrive, not just survive this year with a bit more joy, dignity, and grace each day.  I’ve always disliked the saying “He never gives you more than you can handle.”  YES, He does!  He just doesn’t give  more than can be handled without Him!  So I enter 2011 knowing that I can’t handle being separated from my husband for a year (with one 15 day leave) without HIM guiding me each moment; and I certainly can’t do it with any measure of joy, dignity and grace.  I’ve never needed my faith more than I do now.  Faith that I can thrive and not just survive the year; faith that God will go before, beside and behind David as he goes about fulfilling his call to minister to soldiers while at war; faith that this deployment will bring us, as a couple, closer together and not tear us apart; and faith that I can be a support to other spouses who remain here in Baumholder.  Faith – a confidence/trust/belief in God and in His promises as made through Christ and the Scriptures.

When you have come to the edge of all light that you know and are about to drop off into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing one of two things will happen: there will be something solid to stand on or you will be taught to fly.  Patrick Overton

I’m betting  there’s a solid foundation for me to stand on when the day arrives when David departs and I step from a light I’ve known into an unfamiliar darkness, I pray that from the solid foundation from which I stand I’ll learn to fly in new, unexpected and amazing ways.  

So a blog...a way for me articulate this journey I’m on to others; a means of complimenting a Bible study I’ll be leading for spouses during deployment; but more importantly, it’s for me. It’s an opportunity for me to gain some discipline in writing, a goal I’ve had for sometime; and to share how God is working and revealing Himself on this journey.  

With some sadness, trepidation, and hope, I enter 2011 with faith that it will be a happy new year.   Faith is the window I desire to look through each day to view the world.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
 Hebrews 11:1 

Blessings
Sarah