Dear Family and Friends,

Monday I had a  spiritual heart attack-

CPR couldn’t save me, but the Shield of Faith did!

Monday was hard – gray film smothering. Ice-cream promised relief, and I fell for it.

“The Shield of Faith”

In my Writer’s Workshops at Greenhouse Co-School, we begin class with “The Shield of Faith,” a Bible verse I write on our mirror, a student reads, and I role play. Homework includes reflecting on the verse: “What?” “So What?!” and “Now What?”

Why?

I want to give students a good gift. I can’t give everything they need, but one thing I know: But God!

The enemy aims fiery darts straight for the heart, attacking us with lies – tempting us to act on what we see or feel rather than on what God says.

It’s easy for me to role play the “heart attack.” I know the enemy’s fiery darts all too well – the belittling whispers, prideful poison, and enticing invitations.

And I also know the power and protection of the Shield of Faith,  “But God… .”

On the last day of class, we gather in front of the mirror and I  say, “If you don’t remember anything else from our year together, remember this: “But God! 

“But God…”

said, knows, raised, promised, has shown, chose us, gives more grace, comforts, had mercy, is stronger than…, will never forget, redeems, has surely listened, is the strength of my heart, is my King.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

Monday night – my daughter Jacqui texted: Remind yourself what you teach your students every week – hold up your shield of faith to extinguish the flaming arrows of the enemy.

Tuesday morning – quiet time – my Shield of Faith, God’s truth healing and protecting my heart:

And hope will never fail to satisfy our deepest need because the Holy Spirit that was given to us has flooded our hearts with God’s love. Romans 5:5 (Voice)

Wednesday morning – I want to give you a good gift.

Do you hear the enemy’s whispers, poison, invitations? How is he attacking your heart? He masquerades as light, but his offers smother in a gray film, stealing, killing, destroying.

Let’s lift our Shields of Faith. As dearly loved sons and daughters of the King – even with wobbly knees and shaky voice -let’s stand firm and speak truth, “But God!”

Don’t forget to raise the shield of faith above all else, so you will be able to extinguish flaming spears hurled at you from the wicked one. Ephesians 6:16 (Voice)

Praying we know Him more and more as our Shield.

Love, Becky

(who -by faith- is lifting her Shield of Faith and floating in the Living Water of never-failing hope and “dearly loved.”)