This past week I was thankful for the gift of another birthday.  It is amazing how my perspective has changed about getting older.  I used to dread certain aspects of aging and now I look forward to all that God has planned for this day and every day to follow.  Recently I was thinking about the scriptures that tell us to put on the whole armor of God. Eph. 6:10-18 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand firm.  Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.  In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.” 

These verses have captivated my heart as I know they have a clear picture of how we are to suit up by faith for the battlefield of life.  I remember sharing with a neighbor, years ago, he was a motorcycle policeman and had gotten off his motorcycle to give someone a ticket and was hit by another car passing by.  He said he normally takes his helmet off but this time he didn’t.  It made the verse about the helmet of salvation become very real as his wearing his helmet saved his life.  I love the fact that for many of us battling, we desire to have victory and that comes through Christ and the word of God.  I don’t want to just play defense but to have an offensive attack against the enemy.  The scripture is very clear that our weapon is the sword of the Spirit or “The Word of God.”  I love when people tell me there is no cure or that this cancer is terminal, to go to the Word.  “With God all things are possible” or “By His stripes we are healed” or simply “to count it all joy.”  The last verse has been on my heart, as years ago I asked God how I could truly expect joy in my life.  I was a Christian but I was not living clothed in the armor of God.  He led me to a very simple outline of my priorities if I lived for Jesus first, others second and self last, I could expect true joy….Jesus, Others, You!  I have been seeking to experience this ever since.  This past week as I was reflecting on these verses of the armor of God, there came a realization.  When we are part of God’s army, clothed in His armor and about His assignment we lose all self identity.  We are covered and you can only see our eyes and our actions.  We no longer live for self but for our Savior.  We are simply the vessel He uses to advance His kingdom.  Count it all joy is much about losing our self focus and focusing on Jesus and others before ourselves.  I am thankful for many of you who have joined us to focus on the Lord and the least through our ministry and especially to join us as a BridgeBuilders 300.  We are now at 135 BridgeBuilders 300′s of people who are praying for my healing and are giving $100 per month to H.I.S. BridgeBuilders.  This is another example of so many who are giving of themselves to be in God’s army to take back our inner cities one soul and one street at a time.  Please pray about joining us as we are almost half way to our goal.  You may join by contacting Mary Anderwald at 972-715-8401 (manderwald@hisbb.org) or Laura Fechner 972-715-8441 (lfechner@hisbb.org).  

Medically, I feel great and am thankful for God’s continued sustenance.  The treatments from Germany are definitely diminishing the side effects from the Tarceva.  I am grateful for each day and this continued journey of counting it all joy as I continue to learn to be clothed in the armor of God and about His agenda and not mine.  Thank you for your love and prayers.