He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. (Colossians 1:15-19)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=_e4zgJXPpI4

How cool.  Here are some more images I found.

Especially these last few days.  I found myself at LifeLight last night.  To be honest, I wasn’t very excited about it and didn’t really want to go.  I met up with some friends and as we are talking, I turn around and hear the speaker at the Main Stage to hear Billy Grahm’s grandson say “You might not know why your here, but God knows why your here.  I laughed inside.  ”I’m just here to see some friends and then head back home” and “Whatever God, your not the reason I’m here today” I said to myself.

As you can probably guess, I was wrong and God did have something in store for me.  Well, I hooked up with another friend and our destination was the Souled Out Stage, but our path took us to the Coffee House tent.  I was instantly captivated by the worship found there.  God started to speak to me.

You see, A few days ago, I said a prayer much like the one said in the Video.  I asked God to do what ever it takes to make me more like His son.  I guess he doesn’t take long to get started.

Anyways, back to LifeLight.  I find myself drifting and thinking about the things I think about.  I wish so much that it God’s will was easier to discern, or maybe more to the point, easier to follow.  I think I spent the entire night wrestling with God and a good deal of it in tears.  I ask God to change my life, and when He starts, I resist.  Even now, as I right this post, I think about the paths that are set out before me, wondering which one I’ll walk down.  I hope it’s the right one, and I pray for strength to make the right decisions.  I pray that God would continue to chisel, no matter how much I struggle and try to run away.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRzltLYy9xk

Ephesians 6:10-18 says:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor 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 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. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around 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. 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 saints.

This passage talks about how we should put on the full armor of God in order to take our stand against the devil’s schemes.  Well, yesterday and today I left my shield at home.  I wasn’t able to stand against the devil’s schemes.  I failed quite badly actually.  Just days after my last post about how God has given me strength to stand up and fight, i choose to not stand up and fight.  The strength doesn’t do any good if your not going to use it.

A while back, I was thinking about this passage.  I saw the importance of the sword, how in battle swords are used not only offense, but also defense.  They are used to make advances, but can also be used to block attacks, in close range fights.  At the time I didn’t understand the need for the shield, I thought, why not just defend with the sword.  It occurs to me now, the sword isn’t much good against any army of archers, who attack from far off, firing many arrows at a time.  Another thing just occurs to me now.  All the archers fire at once, they don’t go for accuracy, they just fire a lot and hope one of the many hits the target.  Sounds like the devil to me.  He fires everything he has and hopes one of his tactics work.  We can defend our selves with our shield, just stand behind it, but with out it, well, a sword might stop one, but not much more than that, if that.

I do ask for your prayers though.  Pray that I would continue to be strong and pick up and wear the entire armor of God.

Peace to you,

Adam

Let me tell you, the guy is strong.  What was originally planned as a week long challenge for myself quickly turned into 2 weeks, which turned into 4 weeks, all they way up until now of win after win.  Of the three battles I mentioned above, this is the one that was the hardest for me and the one I focused on the most these last few weeks.

The other two I’m fairing better than I have before, in fact.  I’ve only sinned a few times total since I made war on them.  Thats far fewer than most DAYS previous.

One other thing, Since I have made war against these struggles, the temptations have never been greater.  It feels like every few minutes, satan is throwing something at me trying to get me to fail.  But Jesus was their beside me every step of the way.  I’ve held on on to Him with all of my strength and cried out to Him on so many occasions recently.  He is there every time.

I encourage you to make war with the sins you are struggling with, to cry out to Jesus and ask for help and strength.  I promise you He will, He’s just waiting for an invitation.

Donuts for the Class

There was a certain Professor of Religion named Dr. Christianson, a studious man who taught at a small college in the Western United States. Dr. Christianson taught the required survey course in Christianity at this particular institution. Every student was required to take this course his or her freshman year regardless of his or her major. Although Dr. Christianson tried hard to communicate the essence of the gospel in his class, he found that most of his students looked upon the course as nothing but required drudgery. Despite his best efforts, most students refused to take Christianity seriously.

This year, Dr. Christianson had a special student named Steve. Steve was only a freshman, but was studying with the intent of going onto seminary for the ministry. Steve was popular, he was well liked, and he was an imposing physical specimen. He was now the starting center on the school football team, and was the best student in the professor’s class.

One day, Dr. Christianson asked Steve to stay after class so he could talk with him. 
”How many push-ups can you do “
Steve said, “I do about 200 every night.”
”200 That’s pretty good, Steve,” Dr. Christianson said. “Do you think you could do 300 ”

Steve replied, “I don’t know… I’ve never done 300 at a time.”
”Do you think you could ” again asked Dr. Christianson.
”Well, I can try,” said Steve.
”Can you do 300 in sets of 10 I have a class project in mind and I need you to do about 300 push-ups in sets of ten for this to work. Can you do it I need you to tell me you can do it,” said the professor.

Steve said, “Well… I think I can…yeah, I can do it.”
Dr. Christianson said, “Good! I need you to do this on Friday. Let me explain what I have in mind.”

Friday came and Steve got to class early and sat in the front of the room. When class started, the professor pulled out a big box of donuts. No these weren’t the normal kinds of donuts, they were the extra fancy BIG kind, with cream centers and frosting swirls. Everyone was pretty excited it was Friday, the last class of the day, and they were going to get an early start on the weekend with a party in Dr. Christianson’ s class.

Dr. Christianson went to the first girl in the first row and asked, “Cynthia, do you want to have one of these donuts ”

Cynthia said, “Yes.”

Dr. Christianson then turned to Steve and asked, “Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Cynthia can have a donut ”

“Sure.” Steve jumped down from his desk to do a quick ten. Then Steve again sat in his desk. Dr. Christianson put a donut on Cynthia’s desk.

Dr. Christianson then went to Joe, the next person, and asked, “Joe, do you want a donut “
Joe said, “Yes.”
Dr. Christianson asked, “Steve would you do ten push-ups so Joe can have a donut ” Steve did ten push-ups, Joe got a donut. And so it went, down the first aisle, Steve did ten pushups for every person before they got their donut. And down the second aisle, till Dr. Christianson came to Scott.

Scott was on the basketball team, and in as good condition as Steve. He was very popular and never lacking for female companionship. When the professor asked, “Scott do you want a donut ” Scott’s reply was, “Well, can I do my own pushups “
Dr. Christianson said, “No, Steve has to do them.”
Then Scott said, “Well, I don’t want one then.”

Dr. Christianson shrugged and then turned to Steve and asked, 
”Steve, would you do ten pushups so Scott can have a donut he doesn’t want ” 
With perfect obedience Steve started to do ten pushups.

Scott said, “HEY! I said I didn’t want one!”
Dr. Christianson said, “Look, this is my classroom, my class, my desks, and these are my donuts. Just leave it on the desk if you don’t want it.” And he put a donut on Scott’s desk.

Now by this time, Steve had begun to slow down a little. He just stayed on the floor between sets because it took too much effort to be getting up and down. You could start to see a little perspiration coming out around his brow. Dr. Christianson started down the third row. Now the students were beginning to get a little angry.

Dr. Christianson asked Jenny, “Jenny, do you want a donut “
Sternly, Jenny said, “No.”
Then Dr. Christianson asked Steve, “Steve, would you do ten more Push-ups so Jenny can have a donut that she doesn’t want ” Steve did ten….Jenny got a donut.

By now, a growing sense of uneasiness filled the room. The students were beginning to say “No” and there were all these uneaten donuts on the desks.

Steve also had to really put forth a lot of extra effort to get these pushups done for each donut. There began to be a small pool of sweat on the floor beneath his face, his arms and brow were beginning to get red because of the physical effort involved.

Dr. Christianson asked Robert, who was the most vocal unbeliever in the class, to watch Steve do each push up to make sure he did the full ten pushups in a set because he couldn’t bear to watch all of Steve’s work for all of those uneaten donuts. He sent Robert over to where Steve was so Robert could count the set and watch Steve closely. Dr. Christianson started down the fourth row.

During his class, however, some students from other classes had wandered in and sat down on the steps along the radiators that ran down the sides of the room. When the professor realized this, he did a quick count and saw that now there were 34 students in the room. He started to worry if Steve would be able to make it. Dr. Christianson went on to the next person and the next and the next. Near the end of that row, Steve was really having a rough time. He was taking a lot more time to complete each set.

Steve asked Dr. Christianson, “Do I have to make my nose touch on each one ”

Dr. Christianson thought for a moment, “Well, they’re your pushups. You are in charge now. You can do them any way that you want.” And Dr. Christianson went on.

A few moments later, Jason, a recent transfer student, came to the room and was about to come in when all the students yelled in one voice, “NO! Don’t come in! Stay out!” Jason didn’t know what was going on.

Steve picked up his head and said, “No, let him come.”

Professor Christianson said, “You realize that if Jason comes in you will have to do ten pushups for him ”

Steve said, “Yes, let him come in. Give him a donut”
Dr. Christianson said, “Okay, Steve, I’ll let you get Jason’s out of the way right now. Jason, do you want a donut ”

Jason, new to the room hardly knew what was going on. “Yes,” he said, “give me a donut.”

“Steve, will you do ten push-ups so that Jason can have a donut “
Steve did ten pushups very slowly and with great effort. Jason, bewildered, was handed a donut and sat down.

Dr. Christianson finished the fourth row, then started on those visitors seated by the heaters. Steve’s arms were now shaking with each push-up in a struggle to lift himself against the force of gravity. Sweat was profusely dropping off of his face and, by this time, there was no sound except his heavy breathing, there was not a dry eye in the room.

The very last two students in the room were two young women, both cheerleaders, and very popular. Dr. Christianson went to Linda, the second to last, and asked, “Linda, do you want a doughnut ”

Linda said, very sadly, “No, thank you.”

Professor Christianson quietly asked, “Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Linda can have a donut she doesn’t want ” Grunting from the effort, Steve did ten very slow pushups for Linda.

Then Dr. Christianson turned to the last girl, Susan. “Susan, do you want a donut ”

Susan, with tears flowing down her face, began to cry. “Dr. Christianson, why can’t I help him ”

Dr. Christianson, with tears of his own, said, “No, Steve has to do it alone, I have given him this task and he is in charge of seeing that everyone has an opportunity for a donut whether they want it or not. When I decided to have a party this last day of class, I looked at my grade book. Steve, here is the only student with a perfect grade. Everyone else has failed a test, skipped class, or offered me inferior work. Steve told me that in football practice, when a player messes up he must do push-ups. I told Steve that none of you could come to my party unless he paid the price by doing your push ups. He and I made a deal for your sakes. Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Susan can have a donut ” As Steve very slowly finished his last pushup, with the understanding that he had accomplished all that was required of him, having done 350 pushups, his arms buckled beneath him and he fell to the floor.

Dr. Christianson turned to the room and said. “And so it was, that our Savior, Jesus Christ, on the cross, plead to the Father, ‘into thy hands I commend my spirit.’ With the understanding that He had done everything that was required of Him, he yielded up His life. And like some of those in this room, many of us leave the gift on the desk, uneaten.” Two students helped Steve up off the floor and to a seat, physically exhausted, but wearing a thin smile. “Well done, good and faithful servant,” said the professor, adding “Not all sermons are preached in words.”

Turning to his class the professor said, “My wish is that you might understand and fully comprehend all the riches of grace and mercy that have been given to you through the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He spared not only His Begotten Son, but gave Him up for us all for the whole Church, now and forever. Whether or not we choose to accept His gift to us, the price has been paid. Wouldn’t you be foolish and ungrateful to leave it laying on the desk ”

- Author Unknown

… be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor 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 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. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around 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. 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 saints.

Actually, video next :

www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWNJL15Q4SI

Edit (2009.07.18):  I noticed the video I originally posted here no longer works, so I’ve changed it to this one.  Same song, just different video.

And finally, I leave you with the Warriors Creed.  I’m not sure who wrote this or even where I got it from.

Warriors Creed

I Am a Soldier

Author unknown

I am a soldier in the army of God.
The Lord Jesus Christ is my Commanding Officer.
The Holy Bible is my code of conduct.
Faith, Prayer, and the Word are my weapons of Warfare.
I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience, tried by adversity, and tested by fire.

I am a volunteer in this army, and I am enlisted for eternity.

I will either retire in this Army or die in this Army;
but, I will not get out, sell out, be talked out, or pushed out.
I am faithful, reliable, capable, and dependable.
If my God needs me, I am there.

I am a soldier. I am not a baby.
I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed up,
pumped up, picked up, or pepped up.

I am a soldier. No one has to call me, remind me, write me, visit me, entice me, or lure me.

I am a soldier. I am not a wimp.
I am in place, saluting my King, obeying His orders,
praising His name, and building His kingdom!
No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards, candy, or give me handouts.
I do not need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for, or catered to.
I am committed. I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around.

I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside.
I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit.
When Jesus called me into this Army, I had nothing.
If I end up with nothing, I will still come out even. I will win.
My God will supply all my needs. I am more than a conqueror.
I will always triumph. I can do all things through Christ.
Devils cannot defeat me. People cannot disillusion me.
Weather cannot weary me. Sickness cannot stop me.
Battles cannot beat me. Money cannot buy me.
Governments cannot silence me, and hell cannot handle me!

I am a soldier.
Even death cannot destroy me.
For when my Commander calls me from this battlefield,
He will promote me to a captain.
I am a soldier, in the Army, I’m marching, claiming victory.
I will not give up. I will not turn around. I am a soldier, marching Heaven bound.

There are four kinds of soldiers:
1. Active Duty: Serving the Lord faithfully, daily, and on duty 24-7-365.
2. Reserve Status: Serving only when called upon, or twice a year: Christmas and Easter.
3. Guard Status: Backing up the Active Duty group.
4. AWOL! Absent With Out the Lord.

Which kind are you? Be an army of one for an audience of One.

I stand today, and I offer all that I am to this king, the King of glory.  I stand today, offering all that I am to this lord, my Lord.  Today, I stand before my God.

Everywhere I look around me, I see a war.  A war of good and evil.  There are battles every day.  There are battles every minute.  It’s real, and we are all apart of it, whether or not we want to be.  I’m sick and tried of caving in to the other side.  I’m sick and tired of walking away from my God.  I’m sick and tired of letting satan win these battles.

The devil has already lost the war, so why do we let him win the battles.  No more.  No more.

God the Father offered something to us.  We live in sin, we live for ourselves.  He said their were consequences for doing such things, death.  But then He did the unthinkable.  He offered His son, and poured out His wrath on Him.  His son’s name is Jesus, the Christ.  He said for whoever would believe in His son’s name, He would give the right to become children of God, children born of God.

So what can we do, how can we possibly respond.  The only thing I can think is to offer our hearts so completely go God, to offer our lives as a living sacrifice.

Today I stand to fight.  Today, I vow to shake everything that can be shaken.

I am a soldier.
Even death cannot destroy me.
For when my Commander calls me from this battlefield,
He will promote me to a captain.
I am a soldier, in the Army, I’m marching, claiming victory.
I will not give up. I will not turn around. I am a soldier, marching Heaven bound.
(excerpt from Warriors Creed – I am a Soldier)

People get ready!  Jesus is Coming!  Will you stand with me today?  Will you fight beside me for the King?