Spiritual War Fare

You prepare a feast for me

in the presence of my enemies.

You honor me by anointing my head with oil.

My cup overflows with blessings.

Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me

all the days of my life…

all the makings for an incredible cashew pesto…

I had many a conversation with many a son and daughter of God, this past 2023. In almost every case, nearly without fail, people are embattled. In some cases, deeply so.

It makes sense, because we do have an enemy, and he is not “flesh and blood”. Our enemy is a soul-realm-enemy, but the fact that he operates in the soul and cannot kill our body doesn’t make him less dangerous. It makes him more dangerous.

A few weeks ago, and true to our yearly tradition, Tim and I watched the old Christmas movie “It’s a Wonderful Life”. The same line always grabs my full attention, every year - the opening bit when the two angels are having a conversation:

Franklin: A man down on Earth needs our help.
Clarence: Splendid! Is he sick?
Franklin: No, worse, he's discouraged.

…breakfast.

We’ve all heard of “MRE’s” - Meals Ready to Eat - used by our military. The Institute of Medicine did a comprehensive study of humans under combat conditions and determined that service members (who were classified as highly active persons between the ages of 18 and 30) typically burn about 4,200 calories a day, but tended to only consume about 2,400 calories a day during combat, entering a negative energy balance.

If not addressed, this negative energy balance can prove to be dangerous for national security. It occurs when service members fail to consume full portions of their rations. The reason for this? Usually great stress, and discouragement.

In other words, the provision has been made for the warrior. It has been meticulously measured and portioned for their highest good and for the achievement of victory. But if the warrior becomes discouraged or distracted and won’t eat it, eat all of it, he will weaken over time.

I will never forget walking in on this scene (see above image). It was a table prepared for me on a chilly autumn day in mid-October in Woodstock, Vermont. I had spent a glorious (but laborious) week teaching women in a beautiful workshop facilitated by Laura McCollough of Art and Faith Creative

On this particular evening, we convened at a beautiful red barn, owned and run by the historic Woodstock Inn. We’d spent some time walking the property before being called to dinner, and by the time we were summoned inside I was cold and hungry. The barn doors slid open, and smiling staff beckoned.

Just look at what met my gaze.

The aroma of the food was the first thing I noticed. After that, I saw how every detail had been meticulously prepared beforehand. You better know I relished every bite.

Hey you. You, there, in the absolute thick of it. You with the four small children. You, who just retired and your fixed income won’t cut it. You, caring for your aging dad. You with the newborn. You with the diagnosis. You who just made a sickening discovery. You who feels betrayed or abandoned.

Eat.

Your Heavenly Father saw all this chaos coming, before it ever landed on your door. He designed your “MRE” - sufficient to the day.

But you gotta sit down and eat it. Eat every single thing on the plate.

You must relish that sermon. Read the chapter of that book. Hear the word of the Lord in the lips of that friend. Buy the flowers. Open the sketchbook. Take the walk.

Feed your soul on what is true and beautiful before you wither up.

Let this blog post be your appetizer.

PS. I love you.

My Podcast Interview with Matt Tommey

My interview with world-class sculptor, artist, author and mentor Matt Tommey of The Thriving Christian Artist is LIVE!

Matt is a good interviewer, and asked me all my favorite questions. So in this interview, I get to talk about how understanding the “righteousness of God” can put anyone “in their right mind”. Understanding righteousness as being the gift of God will connect you to your creativity like nothing else can.

What is “righteousness”? My layman’s definition is simply “to be made to be as I ought always to have been” as sheer gift. It is not a condition or state of being that I can attain, or earn, or deserve.

Sound intriguing? Below you will find the video version of this powerful message - one that I particularly carry for women “in the middle”.

If you are somewhere between the ages of 45 and 99, and have a deep yearning to freely be creative, yet are feeling the pressure of caring for aging parents while encountering your own health challenges, perhaps you are dealing with multiple losses, and/or difficult adult children, plus the responsibilities of your job. “The middle” is an indistinct period of time, but is discerned by its pain points.

This interview is my gift to you.

Well, mine and Matt Tommey’s gift to you. You can also get just the audio version by doing a quick search for “Matt Tommey/Thriving Christian Artist” wherever you get your podcasts.