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THIS MAY NOT BE MUCH!

Aug17

Christians-in-Iraq

     Recent news about the persecution of Christian in Iraq has pierced my heart and my mind. I awake each morning thinking of the mothers and grandmothers who along with their children and grandchildren have been murdered by ISIS in Iraq! As I go about my day, I think about those families that have escaped and are hiding in the mountains hoping to be rescued and  desperate for water and food! I go to bed heartbroken because families have been murdered for no other reason than that they are Christian (just like me)!
     Fiery dart thinking attempts to persuade me that there is nothing I can do. Fiery dart thinking lulls me into a false sense of security because I am so far removed from the horrors going on in Iraq to women like me. Fiery dart thinking turns my focus onto a president and his cohorts who look the other way and do little to intervene to eradicate the ISIS and their abhorrent deeds. These thoughts, if I allow them to, will grab my focus and entrap me into thinking that because my own country is hiding in the bushes, there is little I can do to help. 

     BUT I REJECT SUCH FIERY DART THINKING AND INSTEAD,

   I am going to pray like I have never prayed before!

     I am going to urge others to pray!

I am going to research and publish on my Fiery Dart Facebook page and in this blog facts about the persecution towards Christians in Iraq!

I am going to remind my fellow believers right here in my world that our brothers and sisters in Christ in Iraq are being murdered because they believe in Christ (just like us). Fathers, mothers, children, grandparents, etc. are dying because (just like us) they are Christians!

I am going to contact the IMB and give towards helping the refugees and am going to urge my friends and fellow believers to do the same!

 “Help respond to Iraq’s refugee crisis by donating to the International Mission Board’s general relief fund or by texting imbrelief to 80888, which will donate $10 to that fund. To give through Baptist Global Response, visit gobgr.org/donate or text bgr to 80888.”

I AM GOING TO REMEMBER,

that greater is He that is in me than he who is in the world!

I am going to remember that God and God alone is our refuge and strength in times of trouble!

I am going to remember that through the prayers and acts of many these persecuted Christians will be helped and delivered!

And finally, I am going to remember that Jesus is returning (maybe sooner than we think) and will set all things right! He will once and for all rid this world of its darkness, shinning His brilliant light of peace and truth healing our land!

TRUE, THIS MAY NOT BE MUCH AND I AM ONLY ONE PERSON BUT I HAVE TO BEGIN SOMEWHERE, SOMETIME! 

What is our calling in this era of persecution? What are the fiery darts that will distract us from that calling?

Aug12

     Slowly but surely the Sleeping Church is being awakened to the horrific persecution against Christians in Iraq. Those who react with disbelief cannot deny the pictorial reports of innocent children lying dead in the arms of ISIS soldiers. Suffering and persecution seems rampant from Africa, to China, to the Middle East, and even America (remember 911?)

AND STILL THE CHURCH SLEEPS?

MAYBE NOT!

WAKE UP TO SATAN’S TACTICS TO KEEP US DISTRACTED WITH FIERY DARTS.

RECOGNIZE that Fiery Dart thinking will insure the Church remains dormant!

-Of course, the initial response for many is to pray.  But the fiery darts will attempt to convince us that praying is a hopeless effort. 

-The fiery darts will have us focus on the horrendous images in the news, on the internet to the extent that we will be overwhelmed. We will begin to despair that the evil cannot be overcome and will continue to spread, no matter what we do.

-Guilt, is one of the most effective of fiery darts. It’s poison will have us feeling guilty for every blessing that is ours, feeling guilty because we aren’t over there trying to help, feeling guilty because the fiery darts have tricked us into believing there is nothing we can do. The guilt will increasingly weigh us down with every passing day.

-We turn our eyes and thoughts away from the genocide because the fiery darts induce us to think it’s too horrible to bear. So we coil up within ourselves and hide from the evil. Besides it’s far far away from us. Perhaps, it will eventually die down and just go away!

BUT HERE IS WHAT GOD HAS TO SAY IN RESPONSE!

-First and foremost Pray!

     Especially, Christians all over the world, but especially those of us in the USA. Can you imagine anything more horrible than children being beheaded and entire Christian communities being assaulted by rape and death? I can’t. Then what would only add to this gruesome image would be for Christians to think that praying was a feeble act.

(REJECT THIS THOUGHT)

(REPLACE  THE FIERY DART THOUGHT WITH THIS TRUTH THOUGHT)

But here’s how Paul in 2 Corinthians 1:8-11 felt about prayers: 

8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers,2 of mthe affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us nrely not on ourselves bout on God pwho raises the dead. 10 qHe delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. rOn him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. 11 sYou also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf tfor the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.-

I would like to share with you a commentary made by a fellow blogger about the above verse as it relates to the heinous events taking place in Iraq and around the world.

The grievous trial that made them despair of even living was given so that they would not trust in themselves, but in the God who raises even the dead (He became their ONLY hope) AND the PRAYERS OF THE SAINTS HELPED HIM!  Can I just shout it again?  THE PRAYERS OF THE SAINTS DELIVERED A GIFT TO HIM THAT EVEN THEIR PRESENCE COULD NOT

http://robertsfamilyhope.wordpress.com/2014/08/08/awake-oh-sleeper/

Don’t know how to word your prayers? Here’s some help!

http://www.radical.net/blog/2014/08/take-action-looming-humanitarian-catastrophe/

  • Ask the Lord to awaken the world to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Iraq and to provide pathways for Christians and others to respond.

  • Ask God to miraculously protect the Yazidis and other Kurds who fled into the mountains; ask Him to provide a means of rescue and temporary homes for the refugees.

  • Pray that ISIS leaders and soldiers would experience the love of Jesus Christ and that their lives would be transformed.

  • Ask God to preserve and embolden the small remnant of believers in Mosul and Kurdistan, so that one day through their witness, every Iraqi might have the opportunity to hear the Gospel.

AND MIGHT I ADD TO FERVENTLY PRAY 2 CHRONICLES 7:14. 

You can also GIVE and here’s how!

BP: “Help respond to Iraq’s refugee crisis by donating to the International Mission Board’s general relief fund or by texting imbrelief to 80888, which will donate $10 to that fund. To give through Baptist Global Response, visit gobgr.org/donate or text bgr to 80888.” (More info here)

Christians at the polls; or not! Point No. 5

Aug7
OR, No Vote; no voice!

OR, No Vote; no voice!

Point No. 5

I can’t get to the polls on election day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiGfXr88iYE

The Fiery Dart of Excuse No. 5

I am confident that many Christians have legitimate reasons for not being able to vote or get to the polls.  These are particularly susceptible to the fiery dart that if you can’t get to the polls then it’s okay not to vote. If we do not possess the conviction that voting is a God-given responsibility, then we are prime targets for this fiery dart.

However,

If you do possess the conviction that voting is a God-given responsibility, then you will find a way to vote!  If you need someone to come pick you up so you can go vote, you will find someone who is willing to give you a ride.  If you are physically impaired, then you will find out how you can vote; perhaps by absentee ballot.  But remember, where there is conviction, there is action and you will find a way to express your voice.

And by the way fellow Christians, get out there and find those people who legitimately can’t get to the polls and offer your assistance. It’s the Christian thing to do! Remember, there are those with ulterior motives who will beat you to the punch if you don’t.

*     *     *     *

The window of opportunity to save this country for ourselves, our children, our grandchildren and future generations grows smaller every day.  But I firmly feel, if those 60 million eligible Christian voters would accept their God-given responsibility to vote, (and get registered, if they aren’t already) our beloved America could be saved! No more excuses, you hear me! Just Vote!

 

 

Christians at the polls; or not! Point No. 3

Aug5
OR, No Vote; no voice!

OR, No Vote; no voice!

Point No. 3

Our country is in a big mess. My vote isn’t going to change that.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiGfXr88iYE

The Fiery Dart of Excuse No. 3

Maybe now more than ever our beloved America is indeed in a big mess.  Christians all over the country are throwing up their hands in despair and as much as saying, ‘I quit’, apparently.  The fiery dart that their vote wouldn’t make a difference has been convincing enough to keep half of the 60 million Christians eligible to vote from making their voice heard.  Pretty powerful lie isn’t it!

However, 

Answer this question: How do things get changed in this country? If you said, voting, then you would be right. Read the history books! It’s an account of citizens who saw voting as a responsibility and allowed no one or thought to keep them from fulfilling that responsibility.  

Can you imagine the impact 60 million voters could have on turning things around in our country?

But wait a minute, that leads into my next post! Point No. 4

Christians at the polls; or not! Point No. 2

Aug4
OR, No Vote; no voice!

OR, No Vote; no voice!

 

Point No. 2

I don’t like any of the candidates. The one I like isn’t even in the running!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiGfXr88iYE

The Fiery Dart of Excuse No. 2

If you don’t like any of the candidates, then don’t vote.

If we don’t feel strongly (it’s a matter of conviction) about fulfilling our responsibility as citizens of this great country of ours by voting, then we can easily be persuaded (or should I so manipulated) to solve our dilemma by simply not voting. If ‘Me’ is the center of our focus, instead of what is good for America, then we will strive to do whatever makes us happy.  If we aren’t happy with the candidates who are running, then not voting appears to be the solution to us.

However,

Replace the above reasoning (fiery dart) with the Truth Thought below:

The video I mentioned reminds us that we should, in cases like this, vote the better choice.  And remember, if Christians get registered and vote, due to our vast numbers, our combined voices will eventually become so loud that the type of candidates we would want to vote for will get into the running. 

Tomorrow? Point No. 3

 

 

Christians at the polls: or not! Point No. 1

Aug2
OR, No Vote; no voice!
OR, No Vote is No Voice!

Here’s a run down of the 5 most used excuses for not voting

(or should I say  ‘excuses for giving up one’s voice)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiGfXr88iYE

 1. Christians shouldn’t get involved in politics. 

2. I don’t like any of the candidates. The one I like isn’t even running. 

3. Our country is in a big mess. My vote isn’t going to change that. 

4. My one vote doesn’t matter. 

5. I can’t get to the poles on election day. 

 

The Fiery Darts of Excuse No. 1:

     Because of the spiritual, moral, and financial decline of our country (especially in Her leadership), it is not too difficult a task for Satan to convince us that this is something we should want no part of. 

     Remember, Satan’s aim is to silence our voice, remove our influence. And this is precisely what is behind the planting of  thoughts such as Point No. 1!

     How is it then that such fiery dart thinking has found root in the mind of Christians? This excerpt from my book, Fiery Darts: Satan’s Weapon of Choice, may offer some insight:

By tempting us [that is Christians] to spend little time in God’s Word, our ability to recognize the lies of fiery darts is equally diminished if we give in to that temptation. In the place of God’s Truth, the world’s concept of truth begins to define our thinking. FD, pp. 23-24

THEREFORE,

     As more and more Christians allow the ‘world’s concept of truth to define their thinking’ instead of the unchanging word of God, then our beloved country’s destiny looks bleak indeed.  

 HOWEVER, 

SCRIPTURES ADMONISH US TO CHOOSE THOSE WHO WILL BE LEADERS OVER US:

 Appoint for yourselves wise, understanding, and respected men from each of your tribes, and I will make them your leaders. Deuteronomy 1:13 (HCSB)

     The idea is to choose wise, understanding, and respected people who will make choices based on the principles our country was founded upon. If Christians go to the polls often enough and in greater numbers, over time our leadership will begin to reflect those principles. Then, there will be Hope for America!

Next time, Point No. 2

Christians at the polls; Or not?

Jul28

Are You Registered to Vote?

Do You Vote?

May I share something Dr. James Dobson said about this?

 

http://defendchristians.org/news/the-numbers-dont-lie/

Dr. James Dobson rebuked Christians, “I think it is a disgrace that half the Christians in America aren’t even registered to vote, and of those who are, only half go to the polls… When we withhold our influence and participation, we yield by default to those who promote immoral and destructive policies.”

     Lots of Christians do not vote and some are even registered but do not vote! In trying to explain why a Christian would make any of these two choices, I searched the internet to see if I could find an explanation. The above is a product of that search. (By the way, click on the link provided for more insight into this voting issue.)

     On another search, I came across a video by David Barton of Wall Builders, entitled 5 reasons why Christians don’t vote. I have heard all of these justifications before and they were made by people who I feel are genuine Christians. Obviously they are frustrated, discouraged, and overwhelmed by what they see going on in our beloved country today.  All reasons to throw up your hands and quit, they feel!

    I would like to share these reasons in the next few blog posts, one by one, and draw a conclusion as to the influence of fiery dart thinking that manipulates Christians to stay away from the polls on voting days.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiGfXr88iYE

1. Christians shouldn’t get involved in politics.

     Why? Well, the obvious reason is because it’s a dirty business, and as Christians we should avoid getting ourselves dirty.  That statement does contain a bit of truth, doesn’t it! But beware! Is it truth (little-t) or Truth (capital-T)?

Satan continues to confuse us as to what is truth and what is a lie. I realized by his taking a bit of truth and wrapping it around a lie, Satan had masterfully manipulated me into considering the corrupted truth and my sensitivity toward the lie lessened with every temptation. p. 20, FD

     So, in my next post, I will delve further into reason No. 1 and hopefully expose it for the fiery dart that I believe it is!

Just Resist!

Jul16

     As some of you may know, I write another blog about being a parent of a foreign missionary, giving a transparent view of what that’s like. This post gives some insight as to what I’ve learned about fiery darts as it applies to being the mom of a missionary. 

All 9 of my treasures!

All 9 of my treasures!

 

     Every time I see a picture of my 20 month old grandson or hear his voice when his daddy calls me, I get blasted with a huge onslaught of fiery darts such as:

-my grandson doesn’t know me

-the memories I am making with my grandchildren here always exclude him

-he has no memory of our time together (when he was 3 & 4 months)

-I miss out on the milestones of his development; first steps, crawling, first words, first tooth

-I can’t hug him, or hold him, or play with him, or rock him to sleep

-etc.

 

How on earth do I find a way to get through my days burdened with these thoughts?

The main thing I do is to RESIST these thoughts. Yes, they are true but what good does it do to dwell on them? I don’t particularly enjoy being miserable but if I allow these fiery dart thoughts to rule my thinking then miserable I would be.

What do I do instead?

I recognize them for the fiery darts they are.

I reject them. (I don’t allow myself to dwell on such thoughts)

I replace these thoughts with truth thoughts.

Such as:

-Thanking God for the time I got to visit him where I held him, sang to him, and lavished as much attention on him as I could.

-Looking forward to future visits with him for he will be 2+ and might even be able to remember me some.

-Resting in the peace that God will give us a special attachment for each other.

-Being content to share in his life though packages from home, and whatever media source God provides.

-Thanking God for the relationship I have with his parents knowing they will be deliberate about making sure my grandson will know me.

     But the main thing is to accept and be at peace with the call of God on his parent’s life, and giving them all the love and support they deserve. Philippines 4:6-7 is my stabilizing force in all of this:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.-

What does a fiery dart attack look like? (Refresher course!)

Jul2
Negative thoughts produce negative behavior!

Negative thoughts came first; from that came this!

     Our little cartoon girl certainly would have been drawn quite differently if someone was trying to illustrate the result of positive thinking, don’t you think? !

 

REMEMBER,

What we think determines how we feel and what we feel influences out actions. A negative action is often the result of negative thinking!  p. 15 Fiery Darts: Satan’s Weapon of Choice.

     As I watch the destructive force being poured out upon people (Christian and nonChristian alike) via fiery darts, I am almost tempted to despair. (But I don’t give into that because I RECOGNIZE it is a fiery dart.) 

     For those of you who have a copy of my book and who read this blog, fiery darts have been exposed and you now possess the knowledge of how you have been (hopefully, it’s a past tense thing with you) manipulated.

     Of course, this doesn’t mean that you aren’t bothered with fiery darts anymore, does it? Nope, not at all, if anything the attacks come more frequently now! Well, that has certainly been the case with me.

A real life example of a fiery dart attack!

     There I stood in confrontation with a person whom I love and cherish. I had made a mistake and because of the stress that laid heavily upon this person their reaction to my mistake was blown totally out of proportion and negative thoughts (fiery darts, you see) fueled some very negative words as a result.

     At first, my response was to sincerely apologize (I was trying hard to respond, not react for I was keenly aware of the stress involved). But as the tension escalated, I soon realized that a sincere apology wasn’t going to suffice. After repeated attempts to apologize failed, I soon found myself bombarded mentally with fiery darts and I was struggling to stay afloat.  After all, I wrote a book about this very thing, I should know how to handle the onslaught (the fiery darts within my own mind), right? !

      Then, at a critical moment during our negative discourse, my confrontation partner spoke a “truth thought” that served to overpower the fiery darts swirling through my mind. Therefore, the tension slowly subsided and clarity with understanding prevailed. This confrontation ended on a positive note and the relationship between us was strengthened. 

Why?

1) Because we RECOGNIZED the fiery darts with which both of us were being attacked.  

2)We struggled to REJECT them, (not an easy task I can assure you, but we did it. Power of God’s grace, you know)  

3)Finally by REPLACING the fiery darts with truth thoughts we overpowered their negativity and peace prevailed.

Refer to my blog post on The 3 R’s of Fighting Fiery Darts from which the above was derived: http://wp.me/p1ZA1r-9p 

God, Our Logistics Coordinator wrap up!

Jun23
This my friend, is how you conquer the fiery dart of worry!

This my friend, is how you conquer the fiery dart of worry!

I am just a worrier. It’s the way I was made.  I can’t help it!

     The next time you make that statement or hear someone else make that statement, I hope you will refer to my blog posts. You see, worry is a major fiery dart! Worry will create all sorts of turmoil within your mind. That turmoil will make you vulnerable and a prime target for fiery darts that will undermine your trust and faith in God.  

     If you ever have any thoughts like the ones I opened with in this post, then plant your feet firmly in God’s Word and

1 – Recognize those thoughts for the fiery darts that they are

2 – Reject them outright for dear readers they are nothing but lies

3 – Replace them with Truth thoughts (go to your computer and type in the phrase “verses about worry” for there you will find a bunch of them. God has a lot to say about worrying) but I highly recommend,

 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:67 (NIV)

     Now that you have had the opportunity to read my last two posts illustrating, through personal testimony, why I see God as my logistics coordinator, I hope I have given you food for thought that will deflect all those fiery darts that tempt you to worry. He will prove to you, as He does for me over and over again, that He can be trusted to work all things out for my good (ooh, sounds like Romans 8:28 doesn’t it!)  That, my dear readers is a liberated way to live!