His Schemes

“Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11, CSB)

 Just as it is paramount to protect yourself emotionally at the beginning of each new day, so it is crucial spiritually to put on the full armor of God each morning. We must hold firm to Christ's teachings as today’s society is convincing us to adopt even more non-biblical practices.  In this age of moral relativism, many people hold to the idea that there are no absolutes in our world. The Bible is our standard for reality. 

 

When the Apostle Paul was writing Ephesians 6:14-17, he was thinking of a Roman soldier dressed in armor. If anyone had intimate knowledge of Roman weaponry, it was Paul because of his frequent imprisonments. He had viewed many Roman soldiers fully equipped from head to toe.

 

The rise of the Roman Empire was due to the well-equipped Roman Soldier who was trained in strategy, weaponry, defense, and understanding the enemy. Using the Roman Soldier's armor as a visual example, below is an explanation of Paul’s message:

 

1.      “So stand strong, with the belt of truth tied around your waist…” (Ephesians 6:14, ICB)

The Roman soldier put a wide loin belt (with loops) around his waist that held such objects as a sword, darts, ropes, and a ration sack. When the soldiers conquered a city, they would empty ration sacks to make room for gold and jewelry. The belt was tied in several places to stay in place, so that no matter how the soldier moved the belt was always in place with weapons at the ready. If the belt were not on straight, this would cut down on efficiency in battle (and may even cost him his life).

The belt was the first thing that the soldier put on. Just as God’s commandments are first thing a Christian must put on. Without the belt of truth, we have no foundation on which to base our warfare with the enemy. As we get everything that is untruthful out of our lives, we become more like Jesus (and safer from spiritual attack).

2.     “…and having on the breastplate of righteousness.” (Ephesians 6:14, BRG)

The Roman’s armor design proved to be light weight, with ease of movement, and protection from blows. This breastplate was attached to the belt by leather thongs passed through rings on the bottom to keep it solidly attached. One key area the Soldier's breastplate protected was the heart. It is a weapon of defense against all those slanderous accusations, and outrageous strategies of the devil. We are righteous in God's sight because of what Jesus’ death and resurrection has done for us. Spiritually, we need to protect out hear from the enemy.

 

3.     “Above all, take up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” (Ephesians 6:16, TLV)

 

The Romans had a long, rectangular, knees-to-chin shield which protected from arrows and spears and could be knelt behind during an arrow barrage. It was quite a bit heavier and clumsier that the smaller Greek circular shield; but there was a series of exercises, a manual of arms, designed to give the soldier flexibility and strength in the use of the shield. Groups of soldier who were besieging a town could form close together and hold their shields over their heads to make a huge circle to protect the group from fiery arrows.

 

The Roman shield stands for the faith of the believer in the promises of God. The value of faith lies not in the person exercising it, but in the person whom the faith is in. Faith is something that all people possess and use every day. Remember it is God that fights with you, and that is your protection. Focusing on God’s faithfulness can block temptations that attack us.

 

4.     “And take the helmet of salvation…” (Ephesians 6:17, TLV)

 

The Romans had the best helmet of the ancient world. Many other nations used helmets of cloth wrappings, animal hides or bones, or hooves. The Roman helmet had chinstrap, visor, and came down to cover the back and sides of the neck. Officers' helmets had a ridge on top on which was mounted plumage or some sort of brush, depending on the rank. The parts of the Roman helmet were: a lining of leather, softened for comfort and good fit; the helmet itself which was a bronze cast for the soldier (or iron alloy for officers); a metal crest for the plume; and a chinstrap. The highest ranking officers had gold and silver alloy helmets for parade dress.

 

The helmet of salvation protects our thoughts because Satan accuses and lies to us. The greatest battlefield is in our minds. This is the area that the enemy wants to attack the most. One key area he wants to damage is our assurance of salvation. We must be on guard on what we let run free in our minds. Satan has blinded the world, and he will do the same to the unsuspecting or careless Christian. We must have a clear mind to be discerning in all situations.

 

5.     …and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:17, TLV)

 

The Apostle Paul  spoke of one of five different types of Roman swords. This one was a two-edged sword with the end turned upward. It inflicted much more damage than the other swords. Not only was it intended to kill, but also it could rip the enemy's insides to shreds. It only needed to penetrate the enemy a depth of two to three inches to mortally wound him.  Another advantage to this sword is that the soldier did not have to turn his sword around to inflict damage to the enemy. It cut in two directions. This was seen as a very deadly and powerful weapon.

 

The Bible is a powerful personal weapon. When Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, He quoted His Father's words with authority. Consequently, each word was like a sword-blow to Satan's head. All believers are ambassadors of Christ. God speaks with ultimate authority in the universe. When we speak the Bible according to His will, there is no power in the universe that can overtake Him. The sword of the spirit is the Word of God. We must become skilled in using the scripture,

6.    “… Your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” (Ephesians 6:15, NIVUK)

 

Some historians credit footwear as one of the greatest reasons why the Roman army was so victorious over its enemies. The Roman soldier was equipped with footwear that had spikes on the soles, and provided them superior posture in battle on uneven terrain.

 

In martial arts, the stance is the most important move and is what is practiced first. God’s peace will help you to stand unmoved by the devil's lies. It will protect you when you walk through the rough places in the heat of a battle. These spiritual shoes represent the willingness to share with others the message of salvation. It’s important to understand the truth about Jesus well enough to explain it to others because this helps you remain strong in the midst of battle. [i]

 

“We’re not waging war against enemies of flesh and blood alone. No, this fight is against tyrants, against authorities, against supernatural powers and demon princes that slither in the darkness of this world, and against wicked spiritual armies that lurk about in heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12, VOICE)

 

 

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[i] Sources used:

·        “6 Pieces of Armor for Spiritual War” by Joy

·        “Full Armor of God” http://www.christianarsenal.com/Christian_Arsenal/Full_Armor_of_God.html

 Inspired by Tom and Juli Critser

Thinner and Smarter

“Cell phones these days keep getting thinner and smarter... people the opposite.”  (www.coolfunnyquotes.com) 

Forget excessive fast food consumption, playing too many video games, or viewing extreme amounts of TV. None of this compares to the unhealthiest habit of them all sweeping the world today. It’s called cell phone addiction. It’s not uncommon for the people in our lives to take a backstage role to the virtual reality of technology. Some people believe there should be a usage limit to their cell phones (and tablets). Be honest, are you addicted to your cell phone? Maybe the information below can help you return to the better version of you.

The statistics below for cell phone addiction are something to consider:

 

1.      40% of the population is addicted to their cell phones.

2.     58% of men and 47% of women suffer from Nomophobia (the fear of being without a cell phone).

3.     44% of the people have stated that they become very anxious when they lose their phones and become phoneless for an entire week.

4.     More women (76%) used their cell phones in the bathroom as compared to men (74%).

5.     80% of eighteen to twenty-four-year-olds sleep with their cell phones right next to them.

6.     63% of people who use gadgets before their bedtime have stated that they did not get proper sleep during the week.

7.     68% of all adults have an irrational fear of losing their cell phone.

8.     72% of people state that there is a very little chance that they will ever move five feet away from their phone.

9.     7% of individuals state that excessive cell phone use caused them to lose a relationship or job.

10. For every 100 hours that you spend talking on the phone, you increase the risk of brain cancer by as much as 5%.

11.    Most cell phone addicts will experience phantom vibrations (a false belief that your phone has received a notification, even though it has not).

12.   One in four people will not put their cell phones on silence before going to bed. (These are the people who then have to wake up in the middle of the night whenever they receive a notification or get a call.)

13.   95% of people have stated that they text, browse the web, or watch TV in the hour before finally falling asleep. (This habit affects sleep patterns.)

14. One in two people say that if they wake up in the middle of the night without any reason, they will check their phones.

15.  Parents who spend more time with their cell phones have a greater tendency to shout at their children.

16.  An average person checks their phone one hundred ten times a day, while the more addicted check their phones as much as nine hundred times a day.

 

These characteristics could mean you are a cell phone addict:

1.      When you meet people with the same phone, you can only talk about the phone.

2.     You broke it, and it feels like you lost a friend.

3.     You feel a brief moment of panic when you touch your pocket (or grope to the bottom of your purse) and it’s gone.

4.     You have alarms telling you when to do everything in your life.

5.     You have thirty different apps installed. And use them all.

6.    You reach for your cell phone first thing in the morning.

7.     You read about your phone on your phone.

8.     You use your cell phone when you are bored.

9.     You’ve cut back on necessities to afford your $100 a month cell phone bill.

10. You’ve got text neck. This is an overuse of the head, neck and shoulders. It comes from excessive strain on the spine from looking in a forward and downward position at a cell phone (or other electronic devices). This can cause headaches, neck pain, shoulder and arm pain, and compromises breathing.

11.   You’ve spent more on accessories than on your phone.

12.  Your full cell phone battery charge barely lasts the day.

The simple solutions can assist in ending cell phone addiction:

1.      Don’t allow your cell phone to cause you to lose sleep at night.

2.     Engage in real human contact with friends and family.

3.     Establish cell phone-free zones during various time periods (like mealtime) for at least two hours a day.

4.     Set certain times throughout the day to check your cell phone.

5.     Start the first thirty minutes of your day with positive practices (that don’t involve your cell phone).

6.    Stop shacking up with your cell phone at bedtime, and get a real alarm clock.

7.   Turn off your cell phone at least an hour before bed (unless there is a dire legitimate need)

8.   Turn your cell phone off when you get into your car to avoid the unsafe practice (of texting while driving).[i]

“There are 4 billion cell phones in use today. Many of them are in the hands of market vendors, rickshaw drivers, and others who've historically lacked access to education and opportunity. Information networks have become a great leveler, and we should use them together to help lift people out of poverty and give them a freedom from want.” (Hillary Clinton)

HAPPY JULY 4TH!

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[i] Sources used:

·        “10 Signs That You Are Addicted to Your Phone for Sure” (http://www.thewindowsclub.com/signs-that-you-are-addicted-to-your-phone)

·        “25 Surprising Facts about Phone Addiction” (http://www.addictiontips.net/phone-addiction/phone-addiction-facts)

·        “Addicted to Your Mobile Phone? 5 Ways to Beat Your Phone Addiction” by Tova Payne

·        “Nomophobia — 5 Steps to Ending Your Smartphone Addiction” by Dr. Josh Axe

·        “Definition of Text Neck” (http://text-neck.com/definition-of-text-neck.html)

·        “The 6 Signs of Cell Phone Addiction” by Jacqueline Whitmore

·        “Top 10 Signs of Cell Phone Addiction” by Nick Mokey

 

 

 

The Explanation

“When we remember we are all mad, the mysteries disappear and life stands explained.” (Mark Twain)

Mental health problems affect everyone. Can you tell the difference between a mental health myth and fact?

Myth: Mental health problems don't affect me.

Fact: Mental health problems are actually very common.

In 2014, about:

1.     One in five American adults experienced a mental health issue

2.     One in ten young people experienced a period of major depression

3.     One in twenty-five Americans lived with a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression

Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States. It accounts for the loss of more than 41,000 American lives each year, more than double the number of lives lost to homicide.

Myth: Children don't experience mental health problems.

Fact: Even very young children may show early warning signs of mental health concerns. These mental health problems are often clinically diagnosable, and can be a product of the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors.

Half of all mental health disorders show first signs before a person turns fourteen years old, and three quarters of mental health disorders begin before age twenty-four.

Unfortunately, less than 20% of children and adolescents with diagnosable mental health problems receive the treatment they need. Early mental health support can help a child before problems interfere with other developmental needs.

 

Myth: People with mental health problems are violent and unpredictable.

Fact: The vast majority of people with mental health problems are no more likely to be violent than anyone else. Most people with mental illness are not violent and only three to five percent of violent acts can be attributed to individuals living with a serious mental illness. In fact, people with severe mental illnesses are over ten times more likely to be victims of violent crime than the general population. You probably know someone with a mental health problem and don't even realize it, because many people with mental health problems are highly active and productive members of our communities.

 

Myth: People with mental health needs, even those who are managing their mental illness, cannot tolerate the stress of holding down a job.

Fact: People with mental health problems are just as productive as other employees. Employers who hire people with mental health problems report good attendance and punctuality as well as motivation, good work, and job tenure on par with or greater than other employees.

When employees with mental health problems receive effective treatment, it can result in:

1.   Lower total medical costs

2.   Increased productivity

3.   Lower absenteeism

4.   Decreased disability costs

 

Myth: Personality weakness or character flaws cause mental health problems. People with mental health problems can snap out of it if they try hard enough.

Fact: Mental health problems have nothing to do with being lazy or weak and many people need help to get better. Many factors contribute to mental health problems, including:

1.     Biological factors, such as genes, physical illness, injury, or brain chemistry

2.     Life experiences, such as trauma or a history of abuse

3.     Family history of mental health problems

People with mental health problems can get better, and many recover completely.

 

Myth: There is no hope for people with mental health problems. Once a friend or family member develops mental health problems, he or she will never recover.

Fact: Studies show that people with mental health problems get better and many recover completely. Recovery refers to the process in which people are able to live, work, learn, and participate fully in their communities. There are more treatments, services, and community support systems than ever before, and they work.

 

Myth: Therapy and self-help are a waste of time. Why bother when you can just take a pill?

Fact: Treatment for mental health problems varies depending on the individual and could include medication, therapy, or both. Many individuals work with a support system during the healing and recovery process.

 

Myth: I can't do anything for a person with a mental health problem.

Fact:  Friends and loved ones can make a big difference. Only 44% of adults with diagnosable mental health problems and less than 20% of children and adolescents receive needed treatment. Friends and family can be important influences to help someone get the treatment and services they need by:

1.   Reaching out and letting them know you are available to help

2.   Helping them access mental health services

3.   Learning and sharing the facts about mental health, especially if you hear something that isn't true

4.   Treating them with respect, just as you would anyone else

5.   Refusing to define them by their diagnosis or using labels such as "crazy"

 

Myth: Prevention doesn’t work. It is impossible to prevent mental illnesses.

Fact:  Prevention of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders focuses on addressing known risk factors such as exposure to trauma that can affect the chances that children, youth, and young adults will develop mental health problems. Promoting the social-emotional well-being of children and youth leads to:

1.     Higher overall productivity

2.     Better educational outcomes

3.     Lower crime rates

4.     Stronger economies

5.     Lower health care costs

6.     Improved quality of life

7.     Increased lifespan

8.     Improved family life[i]

“I am tired of hiding and I am tired of lying by omission. I suffered for years because I was scared to be out. My spirit suffered, my mental health suffered and my relationships suffered. And I'm standing here today, with all of you, on the other side of all that pain.” (Ellen Page)

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[i] Adapted from: “Mental Health Myths and Facts” (https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/myths-facts/index.html)

 

 

The Power of One

“No matter how long your journey appears to be, there is never more than this: one step, one breath, one moment...Now.” (Eckhart Tolle)

Have you ever experienced times in your life when one bad thing after the other kept happening? Does it ever feel like your Loving Heavenly Father is out to get you? When we find ourselves in a disastrous situation, our outlook will control how we view our experiences.  Having the right attitude increases the possibility we will use our emotional resourcefulness wisely.

It is a fact of life that pitfalls can exist in every area of life (whether they are of the man-made or natural variety). Life can be outside our control. You are not alone in wondering how long it will remain upside down. Often God’s reply to the “how long” question His children ask is to trust His wisdom, and to wait patiently for Him with every ounce of faith you possess.

“How long are you going to judge unfairly? How long are you going to side with wicked people?” Selah. Defend weak people and orphans. Protect the rights of the oppressed and the poor. Rescue weak and needy people.   Help them escape the power of wicked people. (Psalm 82:2-4, GW)

“As long as you live, keep learning how to live.” (Lucius Annaeus Seneca)

How do you patiently wait for the Almighty with the little amount of faith that you have?

How long will you forget me, Lord, forever?  How long will you hide your face from me? How long will I be left to my own wits; agony filling my heart daily? How long will my enemy keep defeating me?  Look at me. Answer me, Lord, my God. Restore sight to my eyes.

Otherwise, I’ll sleep the sleep of death, and my enemy will say, “I won.” My foes will rejoice over my downfall.  But I have trusted in your faithful love. My heart will rejoice in your salvation. Yes, I will sing to the Lord because he has been good to me. (Psalm 13:1-6, CEB)

1.   Trust in the Heavenly Father’s unfailing love for you.

“If you want favor with both God and man, and a reputation for good judgment and common sense, then trust the Lord completely; don’t ever trust yourself.” (Proverbs 3:5, TLB)

“We cannot always trace God's hand but we can always trust God's heart.” (Charles Spurgeon)

2.   Rejoice in Jesus’ salvation freely offered to you.

“Christ suffered and died for sins once for all. He never sinned and yet He died for us who have sinned. He died so He might bring us to God. His body died but His spirit was made alive.” (1 Peter 3:18, NLV)

“What is your assurance of salvation? [It is] the promise of God's Word. If God says it, that settles it, because God cannot lie. You can trust the promise of God's Word.” (Rick Warren)

3.   Consider the Almighty’s goodness constantly. (It could make you dance for joy.)

“Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the Heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.” (James 1:17, NLT)

“A saint is not someone who is good but who experiences the goodness of God.” (Brennan Manning)
“Wondrous is the strength of cheerfulness, and its power of endurance. The cheerful man will do more in the same time. [He] will do it better, [and] will preserve it longer than the sad or sullen.” (Thomas Carlyle) [i]

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[i] Inspired by the sermon “Cries of the Heart: How Long Will This Last?” (installment two)  Sunday, June 25, 2017 Pastor Dave Jansen, CenterPoint Gahanna Church Gahanna, OH.

 

Additional sources used:

·        “10 Ways to Cope When Bad Things Happen” (http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/10-ways-to-cope-when-bad-things-happen)

·        “9 Ways to Cope When Bad Things Happen” by Celestine Chua

 

Love, Loyalty, and Gratitude

If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans." (James Herriot)

Animals are one of the greatest things on Earth, and yet we often fail to appreciate them in all their forms. Every day, new species and life-forms are being discovered all across the globe, and they bring with them an ever increasing spectrum of variety.

Many animals have their own unique identities, and these traits have always proven fascinating to us. From fierce to playful, instinctive to trained, animals play a vital role in the world we live in. They bring out both the best and the worst in people, and a person’s attitude towards animals can often be a strong indicator of their nature.

What do the animals really think
of man and his modern ways?
Busy and tired, no time for joy
a grind from morning to night.
Has he forgotten the beauty and love
all creatures were given for free?
What do the animals really think
of life in the modern world?
Has man forgot the touch of the earth
its moist and fertile soil?
Where are the flowers, crops of wheat
man through the ages has grown?
No longer a care of everyday life
someone else will take care of the fields.
What do the animals really think
of man rushing around by car?
No time to walk, breath fresh clean air
see the bright blue sky above.
What do the animals really think
of man’s cold modern ways?
How luckily they are to be who they are
not part of man’s modern ways.

"Animals are more than ever a test of our character, of mankind's capacity for empathy and for decent, honorable conduct and faithful stewardship. We are called to treat them with kindness, not because they have rights or power or some claim to equality, but in a sense because they don't; because they all stand unequal and powerless before us." (Matthew Scully)[i]

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[i] Sources used:

·        “What Do the Animals Really Think” by Patricia Walter

·        https://www.poetryinnature.com/poems/nature/animal/

This animal poetry topic was suggested by previous co-worker and blog member, Debra Williams