Gladiator

After three attempts I finished watching the movie Gladiator yesterday. I recently heard someone mention it and I had never seen it. This piqued my interest and down to the library I went! My breaks in between watching the movie were not to a disinterest in the movie, but rather my schedule. This movie grasped my interest and left me thinking quite a bit. Viewing Maximas- I believe in the core each of us appreciate people of valor and integrity. We root for the good guy to win and for the bad guy to go down. I know corruption exists today, but in those days would have been shocked to see the actual brutality. As I watched the battles that ensued, my spirit realized how true this is of the spiritual world. Thankfully the Lord declares the battle belongs to Him. I have to say I closed my eyes on quite a few scenes because of the blood and gore. But, I did rejoice in seeing the sword come out- and in my spirit wanted to use the Sword of the Spirit not against people as our war is not against flesh and blood but against powers, principalities against the dark forces of this world. My heart hurt watching the scenes where people were enslaved into bondage, which ultimately would lead to their own death. My heart hurt even more realizing that this happens today- not in the physical sense but in the spiritual sense. However, today sin disguises itself as attractive, appealing, "fun" however, sin ultimately leads to death- there is nothing fun or attractive about it when the mask is removed. Another touching point of the movie was when Maximas raises up as a leader to unify the barbarians to fight together- he states we must work together to win. Oh- this is what we need to do- is truly be unified- not to operate solely; for we cannot achieve victory alone.

Realignment

A friend of mine lately has been talking of a new chiropractor. She's been telling me how this man provides a lot of education and of course physical manipulation to gain realignment. I have never been to a chiropractor; however, I have been a recipient of misalignment. About two years I had my first bout of Illiotibial Band Syndrome, which the IT Band runs along the outside of your thigh. From that tightness, I had one hip higher than the other...so I went to an Athletic Trainer/Physical Therapist who gave me stretches and exercises to complete. Lately I have been thinking of the spiritual aspect; I have heard one definition of righteousness of being in right alignment with God. Thankfully that is a relationship with His Son, but I become saddened as I think there is a misunderstanding about the word relationship. A relationship with Jesus doesn't just mean a one time prayer- it is ongoing; we need to continue to talk with Him. God has called us to a HOLY calling. "Let everyone who names the name of the Lord abstain from wickedness"- 2 Timothy 2:19. When we get misaligned we need to come back into alignment- and that may be in instruction according to God's Word; however, not knowing anything about chiropractic practice, I think of a cracking or a breaking. At times I believe the Lord allows brokenness to occur to get that alignment. Thankfully His purpose is not for pain, it's for a fully functioning spine- the stability of our body- without our spine we could not stand, turn, move- use our upper/lower extremities. O Lord- today may we be in correct alignment for Your beautiful purposes!

Spring Cleaning

This week starts my spring break week! Yay- am definitely needing a break! Of course with spring comes the tradition of spring cleaning! Although yesterday was my regular cleaning routine- dusting, vacuuming, cleaning bathroom, laundry, etc. However, yesterday I guess I was a little more thorough in my cleaning. As I was cleaning my lamp, which sets on my coffee table beside my couch, I noticed this left over residue. I had remembered that awhile back, a friend had accidentally tripped and spilled their hair gel- well some of it unbeknownst to me still remained somewhat hidden on my lamp!! So down I went to scrape it off- that residue was tricky- very sticky and somewhat hidden! Then later in the day I grasped a hold of this word that is found in James 1:21, which states "So get rid of all uncleanness and the rampant outgrowth of wickedness, and in a humble (gentle, modest) spirit receive and welcome the Word which implanted and rooted [in your hearts] contains the power to save your souls. This rampant outgrowth of wickedness in the Greek is perisseia; the meaning: residue, remains: the wickedness remaining over in a Christian from his state prior to conversion. Thankfully God's Word gives us a How To Guide- when we see this residue, we better not let it remain. This residue again could be hidden to us and rather sticky as some of it has been there for awhile. Then on the contrary we can in a humble spirit welcome and receive God's Word- His Word is the Ultimate Cleanser! Holy Spirit come and get out Your Divine Dust Rag and wipe us clean so none of that residue may remain that we may be spotless and beautiful in your sight- how you originally intended us to be!

White Tulips

Today as I went out for my morning jog I saw my first spring flowers poking out of the ground. Not only was it just any flower, but my favorite- white tulips! Perhaps 5 years ago when I was working at a nearby nursing home, one of the ladies who I was working with had been given a solitary white tulip; it was so beautiful to me. Something about that flower grabbed me- perhaps it was its simplicity, the beauty or the representation of purity. Anyway, from that excursion, I feel in love with white tulips!



Today as I saw those beautiful white tulips- I was reminded of the unseen. I'm sure if I had run by the same place one week ago, I would have not seen any flowers. However, there was a lot of growth occuring underground- I just couldn't see it! Just as faith! Don't give up in believing without seeing- for faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen. God works in the unseen and that encourages me- so be encouraged today! I felt like I was doubly encouraged with that thought paired with my beautiful white tulips!