The Blog
During World War II the home front was the first and last bastion of defense. Those at home took care of business and defended their land while the soldiers were gone fighting on the front lines. We are in battles daily for our faith, we may not be on the front lines every day, but every day we are on the home front where battles small and large are waged. The home front is the place where ideas are formed, education begins, faith finds a foothold in our hearts and where we first understand that battles will come because of our faith.
We know the war is already won, but we also know that we are to be armed, and stand firm awaiting the return of the King.
Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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. Therefore put on the full armour 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. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled round your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. ~Ephesians 6:11-17
On A Personal Note
I saw Mickey Mantle play in the Original Yankee Stadium. I lived in West Germany during the Cold War. I came home from Europe in 1964 on the SS United States. Born in the last century. I’m a child of the 50s & 60s; came of age in the 70s.
I have been married almost 53 years to my best friend. We have 3 married children who have gifted and blessed us with the 10 best grands ever!
I love our family. I love when we are all together: laughing and talking and eating; chasing kiddos all around the house or playing in the pool. The noise level rocks the roof; and then it’s suddenly quiet, they’ve gone and recovery begins!
The most important thing in my life isn’t a thing. It’s Who. I know Whom I have believed. I believe in Jesus Christ, Son of God, God Incarnate, God With Us, Immanuel. I believe that He died on the cross for my sin and the sin of the world. I believe that God draws us to Himself through Jesus. I believe that the choice is ours to believe- to receive the Gift that is eternal life with Him- the price of our sin paid on thatCross. I believe in His Resurrection from the dead and Ascension into Heaven where He sits at the right hand of God and that one day He will return and all men will see and know. I believe all people have the choice receive or to reject God, and that their decision determines how and where they spend eternity.
I came to faith as a child. There was that moment, one cold Sunday morning in January when I was seven. I was compelled to stand up and declare that I believed in God in Heaven, in Jesus, His Son, who took care of all of my sin by paying the ultimate price – death- for me. I have never regretted that choice. There is something to be said here: I cannot convince you. I can only tell you that every day of my life has been, for me, a moment by moment trust in a God I cannot see, a God I cannot hear audibly, a God I cannot touch with my hands. Yet, I know that I know that He is God and that He loves me and cares for me and provides for me in many ways. Some of what I write is directly related to how I see Him at work in my life. I have learned to trust His Word and to listen when the Holy Spirit whispers to my heart. and I’m so very thankful for the freedom to talk about Jesus.
Trivial Pursuits
Books: There’s not enough room here! I’m partial to fiction- scifi in particular, fantasy runs a close second and then there’s historical fiction. A good biography has been known to turn my head and there’s something about classical literature and poetry that touches me. Non fiction- I’m always reading for information. On my nightstand: Calvin Miller’s Into the Depths of God.
Movie: The Wizard of Oz-always.
Cats: yes- they love me. What can I say?
Chocolate: absolutely
Dessert: Well, yes.
Song: Amazing Grace.
Music: Love. This may take a paragraph. I listen to a really eclectic list of music from Led Zeppelin to Coldplay to Mumford and Sons to U2 to Andrea Bocelli to Allison Kraus to Jack White, oh and I mustn’t forget the Dropkick Murphys and John Prine. My comfort music is classical music- Bach, Handel, Beethoven, Telemann, Elgar, Mussorgsky, Grieg, Sibelius, George Butterworth, etc. I’m a huge fan of Michael Card, Phil Keaggy, Switchfoot – oh the list could go on and on….
Favorite quote about music:
“Secular music, do you say, belongs to the devil? Does it? Well, if it did I would plunder him for it, for he has no right to a single note of the whole seven. Every note, and every strain, and every harmony is divine, and belongs to us.” – Wm Booth (founder of Salvation Army)
Tea/Coffee: both but I’m partial to hazelnut flavored coffee and hot tea of any variety – EXCEPT- Earl Grey (sorry, Jean Luc)
Conversation Starter: England.
Special Talent: I can make a baby smile quicker than you can say “Jack Robinson”. I’m just wired that way!
My husband says I have an opinion on everything, my daughter says I pry (I’m a nurse by profession, of course I pry!). So if you meet me, we will talk.
Oh and one last thing- I don’t get lost, I can usually get us wherever (it’s that internal compass thing)…that means I’m handy on a trip!