How to Shutdown a Bar

The spiritual world is very real.
Demons and angels are all around us. They are constantly at war and we, God's prized posession, are in the thick of it. But don't worry, we can combat against those of the unseen world, but only with God's help.
Let me share a real life example.
My aunt and some of her friends when to a bar, not to drink, but to support a band that was playing. As they walked in, a cold, dark feeling came upon them. Because they all had God inside them, they instantly recognized the sinister, demonic presence. It was a dirty place, a bad place, a place someone could get killed and no one would notice. It was dark, not only physically, but spiritualy. Something was there. Something watching them.
My aunt and her friends stayed for the full performance, sitting close together and watching their backs with smiles and encouragement to the band. Once the band's music was done, they left in a hury. As they walked outside, my aunt noticed about a hundred people were waiting outside. Why? Because they knew my aunt and her friends were different. Although they probably did not know specifically what was different (aka God) they kept their distance. So, my aunt and friends left, glad to be out of that dark please and wondering what the spirits were up to that night. I would have loved to see what the angels and demons were doing. Because light cannot be with darkness, the warriors of evil must have had the worst night of their lives!
Let's imagine it for a moment, shall we? My friends walk in and every demon turn with a start, drinks half slipping from their hands. An angel steps closer to my aunt and a second draws a sward to warn a wide eyed demon. Every dark spirit steps back, ever angel steps forward. The group of God fearing people sit down and a wall of golden glowing angels surrounds them. The demons step back, the boss-demon frantically talks to his head of security. "We'll run out of business with them here! I want them out! I want them out now!" But they could do nothing to get rid of my aunt, friends, and angelic protection. And you know what? The demons were unable to keep the bar open.
Only two weeks after the angel posse came, the bar shut down.
Darkness can't handle the light, even if it just comes for a visit. The most amazing part to me is that my aunt and friends were not there to cast out demons or even on a spiritual matter. They came to support a band. That's it. And just that reason, the darkness couldn't handle it and had to shut their doors.
That makes me happy. Do you see the might of God in His people? God enables His followers to be strong no matter where they go. I hope this is an encouragement to you as well.

God, I'm Cold

I’m living in a shop. Let me rephrase that, I am still living in a shop. And it’s winter, and its cold, and there’s snow and slush, and ice, and I’m living with my coat always at hand. Am I complaining? No! I’m simply stating facts.

But, I must say, I’m cold.

My fam and I can’t go sledding and come home to a nice, cozy, warm house and defrost with hot chocolate in front of a fire. There’s no house, I don’t know which box our hot chocolate is in, and the only fireplace is the burn barrel outside, which would defeat the purpose. So now what? What do we do? Do we huddle together and curse the snow?

Nah. That wouldn’t do anything.

A few weeks ago, I ran some errands with my mom. I was warring wool socks and boots, but my feet were cold. I remember sitting in the car, staring at my feet, and wondering if gasoline or cesarean, when poured on my feet, would heat my little toes faster. That’s when I decided something, something I had to set in my mind. I decided I would be fine being cold.

There’s no escaping the cold, it’s wherever I go now, and there’s no use being an icicle about it and throwing fists at the sky. I decided to be cold, decided to be fine with it, and decided to not blame God, or anyone else for that matter.

And God is good. He had friends give us space heaters and a HUGE trailer to live in for a few months. Without those things, I don’t know how my family and I would be right now.

Praise God! He always provides!

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

The other day I went with some friends to watch an epic story that was polluted with bad writing, too much green screen, and added details that weren't in the book. If you disagree, that’s fine. We’re all entitled to our own opinions.

But I’m not here to talk about the story itself, I want to talk about the truth within the fiction.

If you haven’t seen The Hobbit yet, it’s about a hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, and a bunch of dwarves, whose names I won’t say because they all rhyme and sound too much alike, and a wizard, Gandalf the Gray. They’re journeying to a mountain to get a royal awesome gem, but a few things stand in there way: orcs that hate them, elves that are mad at them, a Darkness that’s tracking them, and a dragon who wants to eat them. There’s fighting, magic, wearied creatures, a powerful ring, and a lot of short, stubby dwarves and a frizzy haired hobbit. If you want to watch the trailer, click here.

During the film, I found myself asking God if I could go into that world of adventure and magic.

“You are,” God said. And you know what, He’s right.

We are all in a world full of adventure, darkness, wearied creatures, and power (not necessarily magic but a paralleled form to it). There are unseen creatures, crazier than Hollywood could ever imagine, who track us, just like the orcs, or protect us, like Gandalf. There are powers in this world, not always in the form of a magic ring or wizard’s staff, but it is there none the less. A good power, the Light, God’s might, and the Creator’s superiority. And, where there is good, there is evil; a darkness, the Devil’s schemes, and Satan’s tactics that infection of our sick world.

But there are defenses.

One scene from the movie reminded me of this fact. Gandalf, a powerful wizard, was fighting The Darkness; it looked like a bunch of black mist that had a deep, creepy voice. Gandalf made a force field and The Darkness could not enter. With God, we can have a force field and a defense against the evilness of our time. But we must stand firm and not give in, unlike Gandalf. He was captured and put into a cage. We, too, can be put into cages, our armor and weapons stripped from us. “So stand firm then” (Ephesians 6:14a).

How? You will need:

·         The belt of truth (just as belts hold up pants, truth holds up our lives)

·         The breastplate of righteousness (to keep the knowledge of our cleanliness in our hearts)

·         Shoes of peace (as to walk in peace daily)

·         Shield of faith (because Satan had a hard time penetrating us if we fully rely on God)

·         Helmet of salvation (so we can have a sound mind and are firmly confident in being set free)

·         And the sword of the Spirit (which is the Bible)

Read Ephesians 6 for more details.

And that’s what makes fiction true because not all of fiction is real fiction. Some parts are truth.

You see?

A Mime’s Release

Reckless like a child who cannot keep still under the eyes of the universe, he creates worlds of chaos and is disdained. The man cursed to silent acting and invisible props watches and waits, for the lovers kiss to set him free from his ghostly mine face, black gloves, and suspended.

She listens to them laugh at his gestures, sitting by and by, watching him, waiting for lover’s embrace. None to come until the recklessness overtakes her, after she transforms; a silver moon moth in the shadow of night, into thunder bravery and strength. Before the mob she flies, her dress waving like the desperate sea, to the silent actor. She ignores their jabbing words, ignores the stares, ignores the watching world. She ran to his side, wrapped her thin arms around his painted neck. Her lips of scarlet touched his of painted black. Their hearts intertwine like great tree roots coming together in unity.

And he was released, and he was let go and his voice returned. The invisible chains clattered to the ground. He was free and kissed his love with longing and fire and passion and spring joy. They left the crowds, the taunting mobs. He washed his white and black, never again to ware. His face, new and alive, looked more like a man then a mute mime.

And he embraced his dear, his love, his life, and they left the streets of actin and she left her lonely seat and life began at last.

Be With Me

My heart aches for the kingdom

for the golden ways

and God's peace without fathom

which continues all the days

To be with Him, so loving and light

and finally find my way home

With Him, my life is sweetly right

His tough rich like a honey come

But I am here

where there is shadows and pain

and blood and tear
and sins cover everything with distain

I long to find You
Oh, my wonderful God among the stars
to see Your face and view
the passion and love lined by Your scars

I am here, for a time or two
but I still want to feel Your hand
to see the only thing true
until I ascend to a celestial land

Smile down upon me
make my heart soar
Bless me with joy so free
and peace of heaven's shore

Be with me as I trudge this land
until I go home and tough Your hand

Eastern Oregon Ninja

I'm a ninja!
Don't laugh! I really am! Let me explain.
My mind is crazy and it can go on mental vacations with and without me asking it to. My imagination's very vivid, so much so I can day-dream about something and, latter, be like "What was that grate TV show I was watching? It was really cool full of action and suspense?" And then I remember I just imagined it all. The deeper I go into my imagination, the less I am in the real world and the harder it is to turn it off and return to the real world. Trying to sleep is real fun (I hope you sense my sarcasm) because I can't sleep when my brain is singing "Extraterrestrial" by Katy Perry and playing the music video.
I will be honest, it can be, and most often is, very difficult for me to stay in the present; meaning it is a battle to stay in the real world, be aware of what is going on around me, and not mentally go somewhere else.
So what do I do to keep myself "here"? God told me what to do. He reminded me of ninjas and how they learn how to do all these crazy movies and do flips over their opponents and have the stealth of a cat! But first, they have to do something that isn't physical. They must first and foremost have mental stability, peace, and control. In most of the action, karate, rock em' sock em' movies, what's the first thing a sensei teaches their student? It's not how to stretch before working out, not how to punch, or how to through a ninja star. They always teach how to take a deep breathe, quiet their thoughts, worries, fears, concerns, etc. and be calm. To simply be at peace within one's self. Then! They will be able to win the battles they face for they have already won the battle of their mind. 
So, that's what God said I need to do. I must learn how to "be still and know that He is God" (Psalms 46:10a). How? By:

1. Admitting I need his help to keep my thoughts calm.
2. Practice "being still and knowing".
1. Go to a quiet place.
2. Reach out to God.
3. Focus only on him.
4. Just sit and simply be.
5. Always, always, always! be thinking of God. Don't just have an empty mind, that's not what we're shooting for. An empty mind is a prime target for Satan because emptiness can be filled with whoever gets there first. Satan will leap on you and fill that void with himself. That's fatal. Think of God. Play a song in your head. Play a song in real life and listen to it. Reside scripture. Anything to keep God as a focus and your mind full.
3. Be "still and know he is God" all day long. You don't have to be in a meditating state all day, but keep him in mind, allow him in, and give him control. That's when the victory comes.

"But, Heather, that's to hard! I've got nasty habits already and it's going to take forever to fix it all!"
Great! So start now so that you'll reach forever sooner! When is now a good time to change?
God want's us to have a peaceful mindset, not one that's running all over the place like a toddler in a candy shop. Be still and know he is God today, right now even. Don't think I've got this figured out, so let's do it together.
Let's learn how to be ninjas! 

 

Watchful Writers

I'm going to let you in on a little secret . . .
Are you listening? Lean in closer, I don't want anyone else to hear. You ready?

You are being watched.

Not just by the government, God, and your nosy neighbor, but by writers.
As a writer, I constantly am on the look out for wearied people, quirky conversations, and odd events to put into a book. Why? Because a book isn't believable if believable things don't happen. Therefore, a writer must have a HUGE collection of real life weirdness for inspiration. For example I memorize conversations that are amusing so that I can put it into a story someday. If I see a customer who's odd, I watch and listen to them so that I'll have a new personality to base a character off of.
One time I took my watchful ways to an extreme. My s'ittle l'is (aka little sis) and I went to Wal-Mart with earbuds and a note book. We put in the earbuds and pretended to shop REALLY close to other people. By the way, the earbuds weren't plugged into anything and we weren't shopping. We were there to listen. Dialogue is a very key part in character development. What better why to learn how to craft such a delicate factor of a story then to listen to every day people during their every day lives?
I still have that note book of conversations by the way.
So watch yourself! You're being watched by the writers around you! You can't see us, but we can see you! We are everywhere! Beware!
BEWARE!

You Know You're in a Red Neck Town When . . .

I have been thinking about my hometown.
Several things take place that are normal for me and others who have grown up in this hick little valley. But then, I remember that most people don't live in Eastern Oregon in a town of fifteen hundred people. I've decided to make a list of all the "normal hick" things that go on in my town, but I'm not sure if they happen in cities and things like that. If your town is like mine, way to represent the red necks!

What you will fine in Eastern Oregon:

• When driving, one must slow down for:
• Tractors
• Dear
• Antelope
• Cows
• People riding horses
• I have been selling pizzas for a year and so far 3 people have come in with pistols on their hips, 1 was a guy and 2 were woman. By the way, none thought anything of it. 
• Someone's lame if they haven't shot a gun before (I'm not lame).
• Hunting is an excused absence in high school.
• No one responds when:
  • A gun is fired.
  • A hunter drives by with his or her kill in the back of the truck.
• When I was a kid, a police man tried to play basketball from his police car. (He missed. The ball went straight up, straight down, and smacked onto his hood. I didn't laugh because I was worried he'd arrest me for laughing at him or something.)
• The only statue in town, of a regal woman in a toga, has had a pare of green boxers covering her head for the past 3 days. (That's just wrong!)
• There's a truck with a compartment on it's back and red letters stickered along it's side: The Local Slaughter House.
• 1 building doubles as the post office and the bar in a nearby town.
• In the middle of an intersection was an choked outline of a dead person, as if it was a crime scene.
• The local library opens at 11 and, very often, there are several people waiting outside for the doors to be unlocked. Yeah . . . there's nothing else to do.
• 1 movie theater for 5 towns to share. Within the 1 theater are 4 screens. That's it.
• My town is the "the big town" around here. Why? We have a Wal-Mart.
• The closest mall is 2 hours away.
• Wheat, sunflowers, alfalfa, and other agriculture fields surround each town in the valley.

There's a lot more hick stuff that goes on, like mud wrestling, cow tipping, graffiti on trees, and so forth, but that's enough for now.

Comment about the bazar things that happen in your town or city!

God’s Going Away Party

            “Come on, Gab! We’re going to be late!”

“Coming! Coming, Michael!” Gabriel ran to his friend’s side and Michael shook his head with a smile. “What?”

“You forgot a present.”

“Ran out of time. Let’s go.” The two walked down a city’s sidewalk towards a glass skyscraper.

“You forgot a present for your boss.”

“I’m sure he’ll be fine with it.” Gab shrugged. “Besides, he doesn’t really need anything.”

Michael nodded. “True. True.”

They walked across the street and up to the tall building. A banner was strung over the entrance which read: We’ll Miss You, Jesus! Michael and Gabriel made their way to a humongous room filled with colleagues, friends, family, and neighbors. Balloons were strung along the walls and everyone was eating dinner at circular tables throughout the room. Presents were stacked along a far wall beside a stage. Upon the stage was a table at which three men, dressed in silky suits, sat and faced the crowd. One was old and crowned with snowy hair, the second was a small man with glasses, and the third was a man in the prime of his life. The three talked among each other as they ate.

Gabriel and Michael grabbed a plate of food and found a seat among friends. A woman saw Gabriel’s hands were empty. “Where’s your present, Gab?”

He frowned. “I’m here. That’s present enough.” The table laughed.

The young man seated on stage rose to his feet. The room became still as all attention was directed to him. He walked to the center of the stage and took hold of a microphone. “Good evening. Thank you for coming to my going away party.” The throng applauded and Jesus smiled. “I do not know what you have or have not been told; therefor I will tell the basics of my mission. Mankind was created to live with us. I want them to come home, we want them home.” He motioned to the two men seated on stage. “And they want home as well, but don’t realize it. Because they are dark creatures, they cannot live with our purity. And, as we all know, man cannot purify himself. Therefore someone else, someone pure and righteous in every way, must atone for their wrongs. In doing so, they can become clean.”

Gabriel’s eyes widened. “He’s not going to be punished for them?” Michael did not respond as his eyes lay fixed on his boss.

“Thus.” Jesus lifted his chin. “I will go to earth and die in mankind’s place.” A murmur rose from the room, mouths dropped open, and eyes widened.

Gabriel shook his head. “I can’t believe it. Him? Die?”

Michael nodded. “It makes sense. Death is the result of sin. Someone’s got to die.”

“Yeah, but. . . .” Gabriel looked at Jesus. “I didn’t think he would be the one.”

Jesus cleared his throat and the room calmed to a hush. “It is a double mission in a sense. I am going to earth to die and cleanse the land as well as reveal God to man on an intimate, personal level.”

One from the crowd stood. “When you go to earth, do you want me to come and blow my trumpet and shake the earth to its core? Certainly man will listen to you with such an entry.”

“Yes!” A second stood. “And I can accompany you with my chariot of fire! They will finally fear you, as they should, Sir!”

“Will you enter the earth with fire and lightning?” A third stood. “If you want to reveal God to them, and you want man to believe you, meet them with earthquakes and natural abnormalities to prove you are God!”

Jesus shook his head. “I will enter the world of men as a man.”

Gabriel’s eyes widened. “Really? That’s risky, don’t you think?”

Michael grunted. “He could get hurt in that fragile body.”

The crowd began to share their ideas. “Then go as a king!”

“Yes! Yes! Humans listen to others of noble standing. Be a king!”

“Or a warrior, or scholar!”

“Indeed, if you truly want man to put their faith in you, come as an honorable man of valor! Something they will instantly follow.”

“These are all worthy ideas.” Jesus raised his hand. “But not my path. I will enter the world as a fetus in a womb, just like any other human.”

The throng was taken back. “A fetus? A child? But, but you will have to undertake childhood, learn to speak and walk, go through puberty, and all those tiresome human things?”

Jesus nodded. “That is the point.”

“But will the mission begin when you’re born?”

“It begins when I am thirty earth years old.”

A member of the audience gasped. “That’s a pretty long time. Why not just come at thirty?”

“Because I want to know what man goes through.” Jesus smiled. “I want to relate to any and every situation they face.”

Some in the crowd nodded, others were not sure. “Well, whose family will you be born into?”

“A king’s family? Surly that.”

“Or a general of a highly position?”

“What of a religious leader’s household? That would be good.”

“No, no, my friends.” Jesus shook his head. “I will be born into a carpenter’s family and be raised in Nazareth, Jerusalem.”

The room was silent. All eyes were wide. No one spoke for a long moment. “But. . . .” Someone shook their head. “But Nazareth is not a respected town. And carpenters are lowly blue collar people! Man will, most likely, deem you as mad! Crazy! Possessed! A good man, perhaps, but nothing more!”

A woman shook her head. “Why, Sir? Why go in such a fragile, risky human form, as a child no less! Be born into a family no one pays attention to and be raised in a town nothing good comes from?”

Jesus grinned and His eyes sparkled. “I will go into the very world I created, but the world will not recognize me. I will go to my own people, and even they, sadly, will reject me. But! To all who believe in me and accept me, I will give the right to become my children. To them I go to. Also, I want to go to their level, stand on their ground, in their dirt, and see the world though their eyes. I will save them, in more ways than one.” The mass said nothing as each mind spun. “This vital mission of mine will begin tomorrow morning.”

Gabriel leaped to his feet. “Sir! Do you need someone to announce your birth! I can! I forgot a present for you today so, well, I can sing about your birth in the skies! I can inform specific humans about your appearance, or no one at all! Please. Let me do something.”

Jesus grinned and nodded. “I have something for you.” Gabriel smiled. “Meet with me after the party. We’ll talk.”

“Yes Sir!” Gabriel bowed and reseated, a grin lit his eyes.

“Now, are there any more questions?” Jesus looked across the crowd. “No? Enjoy the remainder of your evening and I will return home in thirty-three years. It won’t feel long.”

“Not to us.” A spectator shook her head. “But to you, that’s like an eternity.”

Jesus smiled. “It will be worth it. Thank you again for coming tonight!” Jesus set down his microphone and turned to sit once more. Those in the crowd stood as one. Jesus stopped and faced them. The multitude knelt to one knee and bowed in unison. Jesus put his hands in his pockets and looked at his two seated companions upon the stage.

The elderly man and his small friend stood and walked to Jesus’ side. “I’m proud of you, Son.” The aged man laid a hand on Jesus’ shoulder.

The smaller man stood on Jesus’ other side. He looked up at his two partners. “Go give them a Mary Christmas.” 

      

Christmas Music Sucks

Who else is getting sick of Christmas music? Yeah. I thought so. If you’re loving all the slow mellow songs about fat Santa and walking through stinking cold weather (or even crazier, riding in a one horse open slay so that the cold slaps you in the face!) then kudos to you.

I, for one, am done with it. I think the kids in the picture here share my feelings. I work at a pizza place and hear a Christmas song on the radio once every fifteen mines. Have you noticed it’s all the same five songs, just sung by different people in different ways?  Yeah, yeah . . . they’re the oldie classics and a tradition. I’m just saying someone should make up new Christmas songs that are not about snow, wishing someone a happy time, or Santa. (Now that would be a good Christmas tune.)  

After listening to sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo many Christmas songs, I asked myself why they annoy me so much. Why do songs that sing about happiness and cheer grade on me? Am I that cynical? Songs about giving to others and our world being happy for a change bothers me? What’s my problem?

Then! I figured it out!

It’s not that all Christmas music is annoying, it’s the ones that aren’t about Jesus are irritating. Christmas is about Jesus no Santa (Saint Nick died a long time ago but everyone forgets that). “The Night before Christmas” “Dashing through the Snow” and “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas” are all good songs, but they have nothing to do with Jesus. He’s the very reason for Christmas! Those songs are empty. They don’t have the oomph Christ has in them and without that sparkle of God they’re just plain old songs.

What do you think?

Comment below and let us all know! :)

(Oh, and um . . . I guess there’s one non-Jesus I LOVE! It’s Carol of the Bells by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra! Ahhhh! I love it! I’m listening to it RIGHT NOW! Wanna hear it? Click here! You'll love it!)   

We Have To Change

I heard an interesting story you should hear.

It was about a high school basketball team and their tradition of chanting before each game. The chant is thought of and said by the players without any coaches, reffs, or any other adult supervision (instantly, a red flag). Most of the time, the chants are typical teenaged boys’ stuff, but one game, they decided to do something new. They came up with a two word cant:

F***en Jesus.

They all thought it was a good idea and said it before a game. What do you think the game’s outcome was? Did they win? Did they cream their opponents and walk off the court with victory?

No.

They lost.

A smart player on the team, who did not participate in the curse/chant, suggested to not repeat it at the next game. Thankfully, the rest of the team agreed.

How stupid. Did they seriously think they would win after dishonoring and cursing the name of God? I am concerned for the young people of our time. They do not have the fear of the Lord. They think God’s name is a game and it can be tossed around like a basketball! It scares me. It makes me sick!

I’m not the only one disturbed by it. Just listen to Jeremiah 13: 25b-27 and instead of God talking to Israel, imagine God talking to the people of today:

“You have forgotten me, putting your trust in false gods. I myself will strip you and expose you to shame. I have seen your adultery and lust, and your disgusting idol worship out in the fields and on the hills. What sorrow awaits you, Jerusalem! How long before you are pure?”

I don’t want to sound all fire and brim stone-y, but we gotta shape up! God’s still here! His attitude about idols (whatever has the #1 spot in our life) hasn’t changed! And he sounds real livid as he’s talking to Jerusalem! He’s not going to let disrespect slide!

We have got to change, people.

Including me.  

Their Pain, My Shame

We curse the world and those who curse

Who wish to die, to take, to kill, to harm

We give them names so much worse

Based on their words and dark charm

We say, “I am perfect and good

I tower above these lowly fiends!”

But those ‘lowly’ are misunderstood

We are blind to their ‘behind the scenes’

He who makes others life hell

Has a hell of his own

Locked away in a guarded shell

Masked by a threatening tone

Her seductive smile and foxy flatter

Has crushed hearts of frail glass

But her own was beat to lumpy batter

Until she had to wear a mask

What makes you above their pain

Who placed you perfect and true

They need a comforting cane

To support their wounds, old and new

They wear a mask of perfection

Or show the world “who’s bad”

But inside there is an infection

Of shy, hate, fear, anger, and sad

Why are we letting them wither

In the heat of the harmful past

When we can help them better

And show them joy that will last

LOL!

Do you want to laugh? Here's something that will make you laugh out loud!
Click here!

Overcomers with God

Do you have a curtain song that, when it comes on the radio, it really annoys you? There’s nothing wrong with it, it’s quite catchy if you stop and think about it, but the song just gets on your nerves.

I have a song like that. It’s a Christian song. (What?! She doesn’t like a Christian song?!) It’s called Overcomer by Mandisa. The song basically starts out by describing a typical morning and how nothing’s going right. Then it leaps into the chorus about we’re overcomers with Christ.

For a long time I didn’t know why this song bothered me. What’s wrong with singing about how strong God is and we can overcome with Him? I finally figured it out: I didn’t feel like an overcomer. I felt, deep down, the song was for people who are overcomers, who have their walk with God all figured out (whatever that means), and, you know, have the most churchy-brownie-points. Totally people not like me. Also, if I’m an overcomer, how come I can’t overcome my temptations? How is it that I keep lousing my personal battles if I’m such an awesome overcomer for God? Why do I feel distanced from my Lord? How come? Answer that one, Mandisa!

I dug a little deeper to find the heart of my little dilemma. As I thought about it, God let me in on a little secret. “Hay,” He said. “Remember how people can’t do anything without Me? So, this applies too. You’re not an overcomer because you overcame something. You’re an overcomer because I overcame it all.”

Is that cool or what?! We don’t have to do anything! We just have to be “born of God” to “overcome the world” (1 John 5: 4a). That means me! That means my brothers and sisters in the faith! We’re overcomers! Not because we did anything special (because we all know we never can). God did. He has always done it all.

We are lowly creatures. We were made out of dirt for heaven’s sake! We cannot overcome. We cannot be victorious in life. We cannot do anything. Go outside. Take a look at the dirt. It is doing anything? Can it save itself? Can it make anything great? No! That’s why we need God. Desperately. Daily. Hourly.

I for one must let go of the lie I cannot overcome. I can and am overcoming daily because of one fact and one fact alone; God is with me.

Now it’s your turn to say it. Come on. Say it out loud with me.

“I am an overcomer!”

I can’t hear you.

“I AM AN OVERCOMER!”

Believe it. Take hold of it. Own it. You know why Satan’s always telling us we’re not good enough, we can’t do anything right, we won’t win, and can never be an overcomer? It’s because he’d soil his red panties if we had confidence in who God says we are. I’m serious. He would.

Just ponder that for a while.

I’m going to listen to Mandisa’s Overcomer now because I AM an overcomer!