when i find myself in the Word, i dont ever want to find my way back out.
reading john eldridge's book 'fathered by God'. ...pulls a lot of thoughts out of me. and as i figure things out about myself, i will share them. for we are never alone in our struggles.
in the descriptions and words he shares on a man's 'warrior stage' he says, "the warrior must learn to yield his heart to nothing. not to kill his heart for fear of falling into temptation, but to protect his heart for nobler things, to keep the integrity of his heart as a great reservoir of passionate strength and holy desire."
he then also says, "there is a warrior in you, by the way. however it has been handled up to this point in your life, it can be restored, recovered, and made strong."
no woman can raise a warrior, or make one out of a man in her life. it is not what she has been equipped to do. so what then does a woman do in war time? what aid does she offer to encourage and strengthen the warrior's heart?
she is not a warrior herself, no matter how willing she may be.
there is Christ alone we stand together under, He is our Banner and our Battle Cry and our King.
so as a woman i need to learn the authority and power in the name of Jesus the Christ, the Anointed Holy One of Heaven. i may not be a man, but women sew the flags they fight under. He is my Banner. I desire to sew diligently.
how often women have sewn banners that lie of peace time and soft hands. they lie of Jesus' warrior status and call him weak. meek is not the same, for He will never break a bruised reed and He will never snuff out a flickering wick. this is the most beautiful strength!
let the men rise under the banner of the Risen Lord, Commander of the heavenly hosts and Redeemer of Israel.
i shall strive to be such a woman. i will sew diligently.
6/4/11
bedazzled shackles are still ugly.
this is a word from the Lord to me, and because it speaks so close to my heart i'm sure someone else is w/ me.
so be encouraged!
this is what the Lord has declared to me:
"what benefit is it to decorate your shackles? you carve and engrave delicate patterns, you add jewels and stones. pretending they are an ornament changes nothing about the fact that they are a testimony of your slavery.
be careful not to make them appear too beautiful, for they are covered in your blood. they cause your wounds, making the patterns a scar to your wrists.
be careful, for someday the King will come to call you away from your bondage - holding the key to your shackles. will you be able to leave them behind? or will you try to stow them away to remember their shinny lies?
as your wounds heal, you are prone to forget how deep they cut you and how much of your life they have claimed. chains are chains, and they proclaim your master. these are no bangles that you might play as if you were royalty!
you have been called out. you ARE royalty. leave these old bonds for your crowns of gold, and see the inheritance of the Prince is waiting for you. the throne room of heaven is open that you may enter and call the Mighty King, 'father'.
yet you do not enter.
you sit in the dark and play with your 'bangles' and wonder why you are still lost in your chains."
so be encouraged!
this is what the Lord has declared to me:
"what benefit is it to decorate your shackles? you carve and engrave delicate patterns, you add jewels and stones. pretending they are an ornament changes nothing about the fact that they are a testimony of your slavery.
be careful not to make them appear too beautiful, for they are covered in your blood. they cause your wounds, making the patterns a scar to your wrists.
be careful, for someday the King will come to call you away from your bondage - holding the key to your shackles. will you be able to leave them behind? or will you try to stow them away to remember their shinny lies?
as your wounds heal, you are prone to forget how deep they cut you and how much of your life they have claimed. chains are chains, and they proclaim your master. these are no bangles that you might play as if you were royalty!
you have been called out. you ARE royalty. leave these old bonds for your crowns of gold, and see the inheritance of the Prince is waiting for you. the throne room of heaven is open that you may enter and call the Mighty King, 'father'.
yet you do not enter.
you sit in the dark and play with your 'bangles' and wonder why you are still lost in your chains."
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