Amber Albee Swenson's Blog, page 3
October 16, 2017
If you’re going to battle, then at least take a weapon
What if the annoying, insulting, obnoxious people in your life aren’t the problem?
What if there was a better way to deal with them?
There is.
It’s called prayer.
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).
Pray these people come to a knowledge of the truth; that all their ways be ways of love; and that your grace, even amidst the opposition they throw at you would be a powerful witness pointing them to God.
What if there was a better way to deal with them?
There is.
It’s called prayer.
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).
Pray these people come to a knowledge of the truth; that all their ways be ways of love; and that your grace, even amidst the opposition they throw at you would be a powerful witness pointing them to God.
October 1, 2017
Happy Sunday!
Today’s reminder:
You have plenty and you have enough to share.
See: Deuteronomy 15:11, Hebrews 6:10, Hebrews 13:16, Luke 6:38, Proverbs 3:27, Proverbs 19:17, Luke 12:33-34, Matthew 25: 35-40…and a whole lot more!
October 25, 2016
When what you're reading keeps you thinking
My daughter asked, um, begged me to go to the library and check out some books on the Holocaust for her to use for a report for school. While perusing the selections I picked one up for myself: "Ultimate Price: Testimonies of Christians Who Resisted the Third Reich" selections by Annemarie S. Kidder.
I was reading about Alfred Delp and came across this passage: "For Delp, people in the Western world were being tossed to and fro between two extreme worldviews: that of an individualistic, self-seeking materialism resulting in capitalism; and that of a collectivist Bolshevism that reduced the person to a mere number and resulted in communism. A third way had to be found."
Gulp.
Delp was describing Germany in the thirties and early forties, and yet, it seemed so true to America today. So many failed to see what was happening in front of them and those who did felt helpless to change it. Those who took action were imprisoned and many died.
It certainly makes one think, and pray, for a better outcome here.
I was reading about Alfred Delp and came across this passage: "For Delp, people in the Western world were being tossed to and fro between two extreme worldviews: that of an individualistic, self-seeking materialism resulting in capitalism; and that of a collectivist Bolshevism that reduced the person to a mere number and resulted in communism. A third way had to be found."
Gulp.
Delp was describing Germany in the thirties and early forties, and yet, it seemed so true to America today. So many failed to see what was happening in front of them and those who did felt helpless to change it. Those who took action were imprisoned and many died.
It certainly makes one think, and pray, for a better outcome here.
