“Never forget that there are only two philosophies to rule your life:
the one of the cross, which starts with the fast and ends with the feast.
The other of Satan, which starts with the feast and ends with the headache.”
― Fulton J. Sheen
Be sober-minded; be watchful.
Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
1 Peter 5:8-9
(drying umbrellas, Killarney Park Hotel / Julie Cook / 2015
“When you cannot use your sword you may take to the weapon of all-prayer.
Your powder may be damp, your bow-string may be relaxed,
but the weapon of all-prayer need never be out of order.”
― Charles Haddon Spurgeon
There will days when it is best to have an umbrella at the ready…
And I’m not talking about being ready for the ever looming showers of Spring….
Our ancient adversary, the Prince of Darkness,
relishes raining assaults upon the heads of all Believers.
He does so to nonbelievers as well,
it’s just that they don’t realize what it is…but I digress.
Yet it is to the faithful who are the prime recipients…as Satan loathes all believers.
I am obviously living through a downpour at the current moment….
but I take courage.
I have always known that when God’s hand is clearly active, those times in our lives when His work is most evident and we are drawing ever closer, Satan will be relentless to severe any and all ties that bind—as He is most irritated by our drawing close and ever closer to our Lord.
It is at such times when we find ourselves victims of such never ending attacks,
that we must not be dismayed…
We mustn’t allow ourselves to be overcome by the relentless struggles and assaults…
Although that is so much easier said than done…
It is at such trying times that we must remain vigilant as well as tethered
to our faith…
To be vigilant in prayer.
Calling upon the name of the Savior…
Jesus Christ, Son of God…have mercy…
HELP…
Assist us mercifully, O Lord, in these our supplications and
prayers, and dispose the way of thy servants towards the
attainment of everlasting salvation; that, among all the
changes and chances of this mortal life, they may ever be
defended by thy gracious and ready help; through Jesus
Christ our Lord.
Amen
(prayer, Book of Common Prayer)
cookiecrumbstoliveby 
I have been so blessed by this post.
I’m so happy that you could find a blessing in my simple words—and it is heartening to me knowing that at times I can rest in that old adage…misery loves company—we must always remember that we will all find ourselves in need of an umbrella…sometimes more so than others—but we are never left standing in the rain alone 🙂
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
I haven’t said it lately nor nearly enough…but thank you Vincent
Honestly Julie you say thanks thru your posts, so much appreciation for you my friend!
I love that image of wet powder and a relaxed string. Useless, off guard………
then there is always the rrrrrrrrrrrrrest of the story. Good stuff J..
Thank you CS 🙂
I might just need to get you an umbrella as well 😉
Thanks Julie. Getting hit by a couple of downpours here at the moment so needed those words. Aware of your storms too. Blessings, David
just raining all sort of things isn’t it David 🙂
May He give you strength and peace.
He shall, and is—just being able to write as you know, and seeking nuggets of humor are key! 🙂
Yes! Blessings.
Good encouragement here. I wrote this post for a friend who has been experiencing similar assaults, much as we all have as the beloved of the Lord Jesus Christ. May He encourage your heart with His never failing love. Amen!
https://holdingforthhisword.wordpress.com/2016/04/29/shield-of-faith/
Thank you for such kind words as well as uplifting words–and for the selfish giving of encouragement— may both hugs and blessings abound 🙂
Same to you.
Where would we be without our Lord? Prayers for you, Julie, and the family as you walk through difficult times. Blessings.
Thanks Lynda—I swear—after I wrote this morning’s post and hit publish the doctor’s office called and I needed to get over to Atlanta (which is no easy feat) getting dad in ASAP as yesterday’s test results showed infection and dangerous dehydration—they needed to hook him to an IV for a couple of hours—all the while dad’s telling me he feels fine and what if they pump in too much fluid and something inside explodes—can’t help but laugh—which is always good! 🙂
Seems like when we get cl oser to God, the devil pulls out all the stops. He feels threatened by us, I’ll bet
He’s really bad like that Jarjar 😉
I read once that trials are a way of gouging out the soul, like someone gouges out a piece of wood to make a violin, so that the sweetest and best music can come forth. We are promised only enough strength for the day at hand and so it’s better not to waste any strength today on what might or might not happen tomorrow. As as for mercy, “surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” The problem is that we take our focus off these promises and look only at the problems which can seem insurmountable. You are strong in the Lord Julie and He will see you through this, and you will have grown in your faith. He is grooming you through these trials for great things! 🙂 ❤
sweet music indeed 🙂