Living Miracle

When I was born everything appeared normal. I behaved like any healthy baby would. As time pasted something began to happen. I lacked energy, my pulse and heart rate were very high. After having multiple ultrasounds it was discovered that there was a hole connecting two incorrect chambers in my heart. This meant that my heart was having to work harder because some blood that was sent out wasn't properly oxygenated. If I had grown any older with that condition I would have died because my heart would not have been able to supply enough blood to my body. Now that the problem was identified it did not make things much easier. I was put on a machine to enrich the oxygen going into my lungs, and I was scheduled for surgery. A few ultrasounds later it was discovered that there was an additional hole. This one was not as serious. It connected two chambers that were not as critical. The hole still should be patched just the same. Through this entire process I was covered with prayers by my family and friends. Everyone was hoping for a miracle. The day came and so does my earliest memory. I can remember laying in that bed and watching the white ceiling tiles and the occasional light pass by as I was wheeled into the operating room. The doctors put me to sleep and when they opened me up they were in for a surprise. The last ultrasound I had showed two very distinct holes with no signs of healing. When they stared into my open chest with their own eyes they saw something else. The hole connecting the two chambers mixing oxygenated and un-oxygenated blood was completely healed. The other hole had the beginnings of scar tissue forming over it as well. They removed the forming scar tissue and sealed the hole, but the real reason why opened my up was already resolved. G-d answered my families prayers. The doctors still cannot explain how it happened.

Now because of the holes my heart is stronger and so is my faith; G-d planted something in my heart during that operation. The problem that once would of been the death of me is now the reason why I boast of my FATHER. Miracles still happen I am a walking, living, breathing, miracle. Part of me did die that day, but not the part that was supposed to. The part of me that was going to live for myself is gone. I am left with a scar running down my chest from that operation. It is a constant reminder in my life that every breath I take is a gift from G-d. I am determined to live every breath for G-d and do everything I can to show the love that I was shown. I have looked death in the face and felt G-d's strong hand pull me into his protection. I am now on a mission from him to be his hand to others.

Sword of the Spirit

The idea of the armor of G-d shows up in the Bible in the new testament, Ephesians 6:10-18. There are six pieces to the armor; belt, breastplate, greaves, helmet, shield and finally a sword. The sword is called the sword of the spirit; G-d pours out his spirit to his people on Pentecost, meaning that they did not have it before then. The armor was incomplete. After the fall, at the beginning of Genesis, we see G-d take his people and bring them through a long process to rely on him. He places them in the promised land with the goal of the world seeing them and through them seeing him. He does not call them to go into the world and spread his message; he calls them to stand their ground and use the shield of faith they have been given to hold off evil and be a refuge, shalom, for those hurting people that came to them. 

This leads to them being captured and ruled over on many occasions because the land they where on was vitally important to trade routes between many of the global powers of the day. A good place to show their belief to others, but also a very dangerous one. When Israel is captured and the people cry out in agony, G-d did not sit back he sent his spirit out to one individual each time. We see this in Judges. The spirit of G-d came into an individual and they became a leader that exhibited great power either physically or spiritually. They all received unique gifts from the spirit. Gideon showed great courage and tactical knowledge in defeating his enemies. Samson was given physical strength. Each time the judge would use the gift of the spirit to rescue the hurt and broken people and bring them back to G-d. 

At pentecost Jesus told us the mission had changed. The sword would no longer be given to one person. We would all receive it, we all have the power that once only a few judges possessed. Jesus through his death on the cross took the whole race of mankind back as his own. Our job is to now storm the gates and the fight the evils that we encounter in this world and bring his children back to him. All people are rightfully his once again, the hurt and the broken need to be rescued. Pick up your sword, and use the gifts you have been given to allow G-d to transform you into a warrior,  judge, assassin, soldier in his army.  

Zealot Assassins and The War is Coming

     I thought that I had already posted this week, but someone informed me that was not true. So here is the post that was supposed to come out yesterday. My apologies. I am still in the process of moving over from my old blog. With the start of "The War", this month, I will be posting all of my weekly posts here.

     Recently I finished reading the book Zealot by Reza Aslan. This book does have it's faults and shortcomings; the author is not that creditable. The setting of the time period to which Jesus arrives does reinforce what I have learned from my time in Israel. The painting that Reza shows of Jesus as a zealot is something that I disagree with, but the historical Jesus is someone that we never can really know because there are very few references to him. The idea of assassins on a mission for G-d was something that stayed with me after I finished the book.

     We often picture the armor of God as that of a Roman soldier, a common image to the people of Jesus day. They were an unstoppable force. And likewise that is what the Church became as it spread across the globe. Today Christianity can be found in almost every country. There is a problem with our tactic as a roman army though, today we have sent conquests to everywhere possible using the unstoppable force.

     We need to become Assassins. Christianity must stealthily infiltrate and change the hearts of individuals using the same tools we where given by G-d, now just in a different form. It is much more difficult for Christianity to have the massive conversions we saw in the old days. Today we are called to infiltrate; the government, schools, our workplaces, the lives of those around us and change the world one person at a time. Missionaries go to counties where they must be secretive; countries where they could be killed for their faith. This is not a new idea, Christianity has always called for it's followers to live every second for G-d. The idea that the armor has taken a new form shows that the message of the Bible cannot be stopped.

     The world appears to have taken on the tactics of the roman legions in the sense that Christianity is being singled out and attacked from many sides. The world is locking the shields of it's control together in order to block our efforts to spread God's redemption. The only problem with their defense is they are too late, we are already inside. Christianity must exploit the weak points created and get more "assassins" into positions of influence and power because the Church was not called to simply live on this world. It was formed to reclaim a world stolen from it's creator.

    Also I would like to just add that my short video series the war will be starting up this month. The videos follow the same theme as the book I wrote for NANO this summer.

Intro: The Bible is a story about G-d and his redemption plan for his people. This plan we see in the Bible through the eyes of humans like ourselves, but what did the plan look like to the angels and demons? What caused "The War" and how does mankind get involved? How are we fighting it and most importantly what is the outcome? The idea of these videos is to pull back and look at the story of the Bible in the context of G-d's infinite time and space. To see the events of the Bible and maybe, time permitting, years after. I have yet to cap the series so we shall see just how far and long it will go.