Currently...

Due to my lack of time to write a post recently, I've decided that from now on I'm going to try to write a "currently" post. This will consist of what I am currently reading, writing, listening to, etc. Feel free to share your own as well in the comments below. =)

Currently Reading...

• "There You'll Find Me" by Jenny B Jones

Incredible book so far by one of my favorite Christian YA authors. If you have an interest in Ireland, music, romance, and possibly vampires, then check out this book by clicking the link above. The genre, by the way, is YA contemporary Christian fiction. It is not a Christian version of Twilight. In fact, it has nothing to do with vampires. Well, maybe just a little bit... ;)

• The Message Bible

I think the Message Bible actually does a pretty good job at presenting scripture in a more up-to-date perspective and language, but still is able to keep the original idea the same. This can sort of be compared to two preachers who are preaching on the same topic and saying the same sort of stuff, but one preacher preaches in more of modern way that will relate more and capture the attention of those who may otherwise have fallen asleep through the sermon of the other pastor. I don't use the MSG Bible as my main translation, but it is definitely one of my favorites to read, especially when I am confused about a certain passage.

Currently Wearing...

Boots. Many boots. And cardigans from Anthropology. =)

Currently Watching...

• Courageous. Oh my goodness, you have got to go see this movie! It is definitely one of my new favorites. Very emotional, but also very humorous. I loved it.
• This video on Youtube of a 29-year-old hearing for the very first time.

Currently Working On...

• Editing Purple Moon
• Making journals! I will hopefully post more about this soon.

Currently Listening To...

• Needtobreathe new album "The Reckoning"
• Switchfoot's new album "Vice Verses"
• My Taylor Swift Pandora station. =)

Currently Drinking...

• Pumpkin spice lattes =)
• Coffee from Italy

Currently Visiting...

• Susie Magazine
• Erynn Mangum's blog
• Girls, God, and the Good Life

Currently Looking Forward To...

Thanksgiving, my birthday, winter break, Christmas... my favorite time of year =)

~~~

What is it that you're currently reading, listening to, watching, working on, etc.?

Fighting The Spiritual Battle

If you've been reading my blog, I'm sure you know by now that I love fall. There isn't anything about this season that I don't like... that is, except one. And that is football.

I don't enjoy watching football - not because I'm not a big sports enthusiast (which is true) nor the fact that I don't know what's going on in the game (which is also true), but simply because of how obsessed some people become when pulling for their team to win. I've just never really "gotten" this whole concept. Why is it that some people put all of their faith into a certain team, and then are completely destroyed when they might lose a game or two?

The answer is actually pretty obvious. It's because everyone wants to be on the winning team. No one likes to feel defeated. What's the point, then, in people putting so much time and energy into rooting for their favorite football team, when they don't even consider the fact that they might be losing the ultimate war—the spiritual battle within?

This spiritual battle is not a sport, nor is it the kind of fight you might watch on television while eating popcorn. It's real. And it's the only competition that will count in the end if you win or lose. Because it could cost you your life. For eternity.

But people don't get this. It's a very easy thing to forget, considering it's a spiritual thing rather than a physical thing. However, we need to remember that as long as we're on this earth, we're in a battle. Our opponent is very powerful, but as long as we're on God's side we can never and will never be defeated.

It's so easy, though, to become distracted in the physical realm with the physical games. It's because it's the only thing that we can see with our physical eyes - the only ones that we have open. Distraction is one of Satan's greatest tricks in becoming victorious. However, having your spiritual eyes shut is like a football player standing around in a game with his eyes shut. The other team could easily sneak by him without the guy even realizing it. If we don't open our eyes and prepare ourselves spiritually, we may not be strong enough for all that Satan might try to throw at us.

So to prepare ourselves for these battles, we must:

• Soak ourselves in God's Word daily, confessing scriptures and praising Him throughout the day.

This is our weapon, and according to Hebrews 4:12, it is "sharper than a double-edged sword". Satan becomes very weak when we step into God's presence.

Open our spiritual eyes.

Think about it. Why is it that we traditionally pray with our eyes shut? So that we don't become distracted on all that's going on around us. It is very easy to lose focus during these battles.

Pray throughout the day and without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

One reason it's so easy to lose focus on God is because our attention is focused on the physical things in our lives that we can see. However, we must continuously talk to God in order to keep our attention fixed on Him and on the spiritual realm. The good thing is, you can completely trust that God won't let His team down. Just keep in mind that you may go through some tough seasons feeling beat up and weak. You may even be tempted to give up and quit, forfeiting your victory. However, 2 Timothy 6:12 says:

"Fight the good fight of faith, grabbing hold of the life that continues forever."

So call a time out to regain your focus and then keep on pressing forward, fighting the good fight of faith. And when Satan attempts to deceive you with his lies in an effort to convince you that you're too weak to continue, just remind him that the ending score is already established. =)

"Our fight is not against any physical enemy;
it is against organizations and powers that are spiritual.
We must struggle against sin all our lives,
but we are assured we will win."
~Corrie Ten Boom