Who am I?
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Your head reels . . . again . . . this time the torture is like the rocking of the sea sloshing about in your brain–lightning, roars of thunder, a tsunami of thoughts that just don’t belong. Trying to paddle through the waves seems like a lost cause; the driftwood of those ships have sailed. You feel like you’re drowning in the tossing and turning of all the crashing clutter. The devil loves nothing more than to steal our joy . . . our peace . . . our self. Are you giving him a foothold?
The battlefield of the mind. Like a chess board. You make a move, the devil analyzes and counters. But, we’re not seeing the whole picture. God. He’s right next to us. Forget about Him, did we? He’s much more powerful than the one who is in the world, and He’s the one fighting inside us . . . He fought for us and died for us because we are worth dying for. And, He already conquered what’s tying us down–our thoughts. I challenge you to read through 1 John. Yes, the whole book. Don’t roll those little spiritual eyes at me! =) Just grab this link, and read a few verses a day. 1 JOHN CSB. I feel like the CSB version really helped me when cleaning out my thought closet and replacing the dirty clothes in their for Christ’s garments. “Ay, that’s the rub,” replacing those thoughts the devil thinks for you with God’s glorifying thought process. Remember something. Think intentionally, with a purpose. Because empty space is a place in your head where the devil will think something for you if you don’t fill it with whatever is “true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy.” -Phil. 4: 6-8. Think upon such things.
Let me tell you, Scripture is the best sword and the only sword with which to counter the devil’s attacks. And, we do not wage war as the world does. If we did, we have lost already! But, on the contrary . . . the weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world; they have divine power . . . excuse me, let me re-emphasize . . . DIVINE POWER (in you because of Jesus . . . take it and use it!) to demolish strongholds. We demolish every argument and pretentious thing that sets itself up against the knowledge of God. AND WE TAKE CAPTIVE EVERY THOUGHT TO MAKE IT OBEDIENT TO CHRIST! Wow. -2 Corinthians 10:3-5. It’s a war out there. Are you ready?
Here’s some “whatevers” to get you on your way to spring cleaning in your brain and equipping you with the helmet of salvation and the shield of faith with which you can and will extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. -Eph. 6:10-18.
Let’s put on some armor:
Psalm 139:14, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” So remember that “Who I am and what I struggle with are not the same thing.” The truth is, you are a child of God (period, no counter arguments hold water when it comes to this truth). You may be struggling with _______, but that doesn’t mean you are _______.
Zephaniah 3:17, one of my favorites: “The Lord your God is in the midst of you, a Mighty One, a Savior [Who saves]! He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest [in silent satisfaction] and in His love He will be silent and make no mention [of past sins, or even recall them]; He will exult over you with singing.”
“The world is unprincipled. It’s dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn’t fight fair. But we don’t live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren’t for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity.” 2 Cor. 10:3-5
Okay, I’m going to make you do some work now: =)
Psalm 40:5
Psalm 92:5
Psalm 139:17
Isaiah 55:9
Jeremiah 29:11
Colossians 3:2 tells us where to fix our minds.
And some truths to pin on your wall, your door, or wherever you look. Pretty soon, wherever you think will be wallpapered with these guys:
YOU ARE WITHOUT A DOUBT . . .
New creations… 2 Cor. 5:17
Forgiven Eph. 1:7-8
Gifted with power, love, and a sound mind! 2 Tim. 1:7
Chosen to be fruitful! John 15:16
Complete!!! Col. 2:9-10
Secure…that’s an awesome one.
Rom. 8:31-39; EVEN MORE THAN a conqueror in Christ!
Confident! Phil. 1:6
Free!!! from the bonds of Satan and this world. Rom. 6;18; 8:1
Capable… Phil. 4:13 through Him who is able to give us strength!
Spiritually alive!! Eph. 2:5
God’s workmanship Eph. 2:10 created to do His good works, which He prepared in ADVANCE for us to do! He has a plan!
Welcome in God’s presence! Eph. 2:18; Hebrews 4: 14-16; 1 John 5
Sheltered/protected in God…under His wings… Col. 3:3
Valuable to God… 1 Corinthians 6:20 and Zephaniah 3:17
Member of God’s family 1 John 3: 1-2 and Eph. 2:19
God’s TREASURE 1 Peter 2:9-10
Dearly loved! Col. 3:12
Being transformed…that’s process! Sometimes we slip…then we overcome in Him 2 Cor. 3:18
An heir of God. Whoa. Talk about being royal . . . Rom. 8:17
A FRIEND of God John 15:15
God’s DELIGHT! Zephaniah 3:17!!! (Can you tell that this is one of my favorite verses?) =)
We are welcome to DRAW near to God . . . Ephesians 3:12
!!! Let’s just add a few more of those to get the point across–these Scriptures and these truths are BIG DEALS!
What verses help you in the battle against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms?
Post them below!
Ocean day III
“Taylor’s attempting to float.”
“Yeah . . . thaaaat’s not gonna work.”
Three hours of a purely clear sea, wrinkles of waves, and a rhythm of the wind, I said goodbye to the ocean today. And, yes, I cannot float. I have come to realize this sad, sad fact of my life. They tell me it takes body fat to float, of which I have none, so no floating occurs. I texted my dad, “I fail at floating.” to which he replied, “Floating is overrated anyway! Stuff that floats gets eaten.” Thanks, Dad. :)
Lessons learned on this trip?
Many.
Lesson 1: Taylor cannot float to save her life.
It’s true.
Lesson 2: Storms over the ocean are absolutely beautiful.
The lightning over the sea vibrantly whites your eyes as it hits the horizon. The black clouds corrode the sky and only the white of the waves can be seen clearly.
Lesson 3: Taylor can eat at Olive Garden!!!
This is not a big deal to you, of course, but to someone like me who can only eat a few things (my diet consists of fruits and veggies), I am very very excited about this new discovery! The vegetarian minestrone and the salad make this tummy happy. ;)
Lesson 4: If you get struck by lightning in a hut in Panama Beach, it’s just your time to go.
My mom said this in the middle of God’s light show the other day . . . where I got zapped by lightning might I add . . .
Lesson 5: Taylor can speak to dolphins.
They stare at me too . . . Nothing is quite as beautiful as looking a wild dolphin in the eyes.
Lesson 6: Creme de menthe is not just an Olive Garden thing . . . who knew!
Those little mints are elsewhere . . . devious, Olive Garden, devious.
Lesson 7: I love my life. God is amazing. That’s a duh. ;)
:)
Lesson 8: Go on a trip with just mom and you.
It’s priceless. I haven’t been on vacation in a very long time, and this is something I will treasure . . . and right before going off to college.
Lesson 9: Use the peppering pow method Dad taught me to fend off those guys.
No joke, there were a few creepers that scared me a wee bit down at the beach, but there were a lot of other classy people that outweighed the latter. ;)
Lesson 10: Even if it’s just a smile, spread some kindness to others’ lives.
You’d be amazed at the little things God uses to brighten a day.
Lesson 11: Every mood of yours is a choice.
In the midst of the freezing rain and the booming lightning, I was still having a blast.
Lesson 12: Friends and family are priceless.
Lesson 13: Water!!!!! It’s good stuff! :)
Lesson 14: Taylor does not need sun screen.
I just have naturally olive colored skin that does not burn. haha
Lesson 15: There is no speed limit in the ocean.
:)
Lesson 16: Enjoy the moment.
Don’t look ahead, don’t look behind. Enjoy right now because it will never happen again. That kinda goes along with: God gives strength for the moment, not the whole day at once. Trust Him.
Lesson 17: God’s sunsets are beautiful and close to home no matter where you go.
You can always see Him. :)
Hope you had a great time at the beach!
Ocean day I
I asked God to wake me up with the sun this morning. . . . He did. :) You know, I haven’t been on vacation is a very long time. And, with going to the doctor’s every few days for the past months, it’s such a treasure to get a break from all the IVs, injections, and so on for a while.
So, when my hand hit the door of the balcony, I almost did a flip! The ocean’s rolling waves growl and race forth and back again like in a perfectly planned pirouette traipsing upon the sand.
DAY 1! :)
Panama Beach
A rainbow umbrella greets you as you come down, toes immersed in the cotton of white sand and sea shells that span like cobblestone upon the way. Then, the sound hits, banging your ear drums. Rushing and waving, roaring and racing . . . waves.
Picture a perfect sky, so blue it makes your eyes hurt to dream about it. Clouds so fluffy angels could bounce on them for hours. And, then the sun so clear, dancing on the water that you’re sure if you could look beneath the ocean, there would be gold petals falling to the ground of sand.
Not too warm, not too cool, the waves lick your feet, then your legs, then your waist, then your arms . . . swim. Upon the sand, clear as the day before you, are the delicate drifts of the waves – their invisible wanderings contoured by the rainbow glow of sun that hits them . . . encountering the slick silver fish that race by, bumping into your heels.
Stay for a while. Rest in the rhythm of the ocean. It’s like a great heart pulses underneath it all . . . rocking you gently. God’s heart’s that way. Think about it! So many metaphors that parallel the sea and God’s heartbeat. Let your feet go, and burrow your fingers into the sinking sand that sifts around, pushing up and closing your sight from the light to hear the drifts of waves crashing against you . . . holding you. Weightless. God’s love.
Realize the sea. Time is non-existent. Life spins and spins.
The freckles pop out on my nose like crazy now. :) My green eyes sure look like they’re getting turquoise with all of the sea water. You know, when life stops whirring around like busy crazy stuff does, you get to really remember and enjoy the things you love. My passion is God, as you can tell (I hope!), and He has been teaching me about His ocean for these few moments today. Cool. Then, there’s my brain that won’t shut off for any amount of time . . . because when a writer looks out the window, you know that we’re always working with words in which to wrap an instant. Stories pour in like whirlpools flooding a river!
So, after the beautiful beach that cleared my head, shopping! And, a smoothie from Smoothie King. Caribbean Way I believe it was called, or something to that effect . . . papaya, banana, and strawberries. :) Yum! A walk down the pavilion with a new dress and sweatshirt, sipping the smoothie, shades on, and soaking up the sun makes one smile a lot. :)
Truthfully, I believe I’ve said, “I’m so happy!” about a million times. Yes! So far, so good. No doctors stalked me this far down here to draw more blood. Yay! :)
Tomorrow? Well, you know . . . I don’t know. I love not having a plan. You can do what you like. That’s a special thing to have at the moment. So many doctors have told me otherwise – you can’t . . . you can’t . . . you can’t. But, I’ve come to realize that “you can’t” measure a heart on paper. God’s wowed the doctors more than once . . . with something called life. I shouldn’t be walking around right now, but hey! God’s got something bigger planned. That brings another point to thought . . . don’t mind me, I’m just rambling away . . . As we drove through the mountains of trees and such to join the ocean, an overwhelming sensation of an impossibility yearning to become possible rammed my body. I desire more than anything to be able to run again. “You can’t,” the doctors recall. IVs would be waiting for me on that end, my small body blacking out and dying to be whole again. But, I want to. My dream is to be able to run, and not just that, but to run the marathon, to be an Olympic runner. Many have laughed at me for this, many have told me it’s impossible . . . on paper. But, I believe God is able to refresh. So, just letting Him refresh me right now. Hoping for a tomorrow to become today where running is possible. It’s my love. :)
Well, that’s all for now. Sorry if I bored you to tears.
Enjoy this moment. Breathe in each miracle. Love life. Because God loved it first.
Rhythm of Life
The sand trickles down like a soft breeze crumbling into your lungs. Your hands let every pellet loose through gravity . . . falling and crashing, rising and leaving . . . The tide reaches you.
The surf flows in and drags back out.
The wind breaks softly and doubles back to breathe again.
What is the rhythm of your life?
Something beautiful drains itself to fill itself again like . . . the ocean . . . a giant glass raining with ideas and memories to be spoken and used drop by drop.
Life is meant to be used and lost . . . dropped and dragged . . . only to return to the shore it began with . . . only to realize that it’s in going that it truly comes back to life . . .
That sand tarnished by lissome feet has been swept away, clean again, because of the raining flight and the cold-cool plight of the waves that come back again.
What is the rhythm of your life?
Do your waves wash upon the sea, trying to paw at the rocks and sands that stretch on for miles, without returning to your Ocean?
Do your waves bask in the sun, too intent on being comfortable in that large Ocean to venture out onto the beach that has no comfort or rhythm?
Listen to the ring of the ocean’s rush, shushing your hushing voice that answers its sound . . . calling to you to return your waves to the Sea . . . only to be brought back to the sand . . . only to be washed anew for another rhythmic beat . . . called life.
