To War

It has been fifteen years since we were attacked on 9/11. It's been seventy since the Pearl Harbor bombing. And it's been one hundred fifty since we actually had a war fought inside our borders. We have enjoyed unmatched national peace with regard to wars and battles. I personally am entirely unfamiliar with the self-denial and sacrifice that are required for a tribe or nation to be victorious in a battle. One of my grandfathers talks about the rationing during World War II, and how his mother would send him and his sisters in separately to get rations so they'd have two chocolate bars. My sister shared with me recently that women started shaving their legs here in the States because all the silk was being used for parachutes. And I read an article shortly after the switch to Daylight Savings Time this year which stated that one of the arguments in favor of inaugurating DST was to have more resources for our troops in WWII.

Well, I say I am entirely unfamiliar. In fact, the call to follow Christ is a call to war. Not war against another nation or group of people, but against evil at work in this fallen world and against the evil in our own hearts. I have been wrestling mightily with my heart in recent weeks as the Lord has graciously revealed sin in my heart. It is hard. It is painful. It is war. And the only way to win is to fight the pull for comfort and ease, and to follow the Savior's example of trusting the Father. Dear Christian, keep fighting! To War!

Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
Matthew 16:24

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
Ephesians 6:10-13
 
For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.
Romans 7:15-25

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Romans 8:1-4
 

SSDD

You've probably heard the phrase "same sh** different day". Based on my title, you're probably expecting me to moan about how the same unpleasantness keeps happening in my life day after day after day... but you would be wrong.

A couple years ago, I wrote a blog titled Thank You and spoke briefly about the value of expressing thanks. But this basic event repeated itself with a different kid earlier this week. And I started thinking about how quick I am to get stuck on the yucky stuff, and just skim over the good things. Like when my children are laughing together. Or that I woke up without pain. Or having the strength and brainpower to tackle today's list. Or a chat with a friend. Or sunshine instead of rain (or vice versa!). Or pumpkin spice everything! ;)

Did you know that when you make an effort to be thankful, it is very difficult to be bitter or angry or otherwise unhappy? We sometimes play a game where we take turns listing things for which we are thankful. (Inevitably video games and food are mentioned. =)) It sounds kind of goofy, but just speaking things for which we CAN be thankful cultivates feelings of thankfulness. But more than anything that I listed so far, if you have placed your trust in Jesus Christ for salvation, you can be thankful that you have been redeemed from your sins and have a future with Christ! And if you have not, and you are reading this, there is still time for you to join us in our hope because you're alive. So go practice some thankfulness!

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:15-17

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
 
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!
Psalms 107:1