What a night!

What a night! I cannot seem to have a night that goes without dreaming constantly.  I often write down some of them, only the ones that seem profound or really crazy. This evening was no different.  It began something like this:

Dream one: started off by me playing football for one team and it was decided I was hurting all the others so it was better to move up a division.  Seemed like it was still High school, but all the people were different. Jimmy my old boss was there.  Regardless it was the last game of the season and probably the last game of my career an i wanted to play whatever it took.  Woke up before we got to game time so I didn't know what happened.

Went back to sleep hoping to continue dream one.......but Dream Two began: Some thing somewhat crazy about the office and we were hiring on more people like 3 or four and of course I was concerned that we would have enough work to keep everyone busy.  I could see the office layout, nothing special but was trying to make sure we had given the new person the right next and yes we needed a new chair.  I remember speaking to the new employee (who looked a lot like the doctor character on Smallville) and he said he used "this one" at his old office.  I said Emily will order a new one for you to match the office.

Then Dream Three: we went out to a job site at the request of our client John K. and he said there were problems with the contractors work and if we could help correct.  Also there was some additional design issues we needed. In an earlier dream....wasn't enough for me to remember about it....we were asked to review another project that had a similar problem.  The stucco had an adobe look to it and it was bulging out in spots.  Any way, we are asked about how long this new work was going to take and the new guy said 4 to 5 days.  He already n]knew what he needed to do to complete the work.

And Yes there was another Dream after that but I cannot remember what it was.  I have to get up and write immediately or it is all forgotten.  Something later in the day something comes up and it is a bit of a da-ja vue but more than likely it is weeks later or even in a dream later on in the week.  When that happens it just seems like a memory within the dream.

So this is why every morning I wake up and I am tired.  I have been designing or playing football or figuring out the financial structure of my imaginary business that somewhat resembles my real business and AHHHHH why cant i have reams that are so much more relaxing.....Like on a beach or on vacation somewhere.  Nope, not me.  What do they all mean? Not sure.  Not even really sure I want to figure them out.  I can guess why I had them.  Spoke about football in my lesson on Sunday.  And I am always worried and thinking about the business.  We just lost one person after adding one and looking for a possible additional ....if there is enough work.

So with all of that said.....am I still dreaming? Dreaming about writing this blog? Maybe if I go back to sleep I will dream about what happens if I blog all the time? Nah.....I will just go to work and see if I can respond to some of the dreams questions.....all but the football....lol

Have a great day my friends....Remember to Dream!

Christmas Budget

Yep, it isn't even March yet and I am already thinking about Christmas. Well I do have to plan! Maybe a bit overkill, but it is what it is.  I guess it really started me thinking because of all the "left-over" gifts that are still around this house.  Things that were never opened, things that were never worn....still hanging in the closet. Thing that never fit but weren't even returned. Christmas decorations that never got hung up.  Maybe all of the SPENDING was just really too much. I mean, there is no sense in being wasteful.....right?

I can say, this isn't an easy subject for me, because I love Christmas.  I have always loved buying and sharing and watching everyone get excited.  I really tried this year (even though we couldn't all be together) to be very excited....not depressed, not an ol humbug. Not sure i was successful.  Over the last few years it has been more and more difficult to figure out what everyone wants, much less needs.  That doesn't make shopping any fun.  So much hunting for just the right gift but anymore it is a unrewarding task. The other issue is that the kids have now grown up and they 1) gifts are way more expensive 2) never can find their right size 3) not really sure of their likes and dislikes 4) they are not always home for the holidays anymore 5) I don't have that much money to spend 6) They don't have that much money to spend.....so.....

I just think is will be a thankless task that will just end in a bunch of money being spent.....after all, it wont be long before we will just be the grandparents house that the kids visit at some point of the day during the holidays. Maybe it is better to make the transition early and limit every one's spending.  $10 a gift per person! They will have to be creative (if they care) or at least wont matter if ten bucks is wasted. Even so, once grand kids start coming along, it means more presents.

The house is quiet these days.  I am sure that the holidays will soon follow this trend. Rather quiet than hurting someones feeling by not sharing, not caring, not giving, not having the holiday spirit, not to worry.....

Sorry this was such a blah post.....just the mood I am in these days.

Blah Blah Blah

I am sure this blog is really like so many other that are out there in cyber world.  Just ramblings of a lunatic that seldom are heard or read by very many people if any at all.  This post continues that same tradition.  After all why do something new.  I started this to get stuff out of my head so I could rest  and maybe one day look back and read my ramblings.  Maybe one day it will be beneficial for others....or at least amusing.  No real profoundness in any of these posts, just thoughts, just babbles.

I do like the thought that I can quickly jot down a thought on a somewhat regular basis and it is recorded.  Easily throw a few pictured into the mix to give it some color.  I do miss the hand writing of my architectural journals.  I have so many sketches that have never seemed to make it into the pages.  I need to do a better job of those. oh well....that is another blog on another day.

Life changes everyday and the surroundings are constantly making us recreate our thoughts and our actions.  The older I get, the more I realize that time is slipping away.  There isn't much more left.  When you are young you can waste it all on nonsense.  Now, every second is precious. "Time keeps on slipping, slipping into the future"  So true.  I understand that lyric much better now.

The one thing we can count on is that the Lord gives us a NEW day every day.  A new day to do something with or do nothing with.  I guess it is about time that I do something special with this one before it slips away as well. 

To all my good friends that may actually one day read this.  HAVE A GREAT DAY!

Preparing for War – #7 Security

Preparing for War – WEEK 7

We begin with the seventh week of our 9 week basic training course on “Preparing for War”. 

ONE - OBJECTIVE: utter destruction of enemy forces… and the will to take  every thought captive to Christ.

TWO – Offense/Defense: Sometimes a good offense is a Stronger defense. The strength is our confession that Christ is the son of God.

THREE – Mass: Concentrate our forces to overwhelm our enemy. Open our eyes to see the Lord’s army around us. We cannot do it on our own.

FOUR – Economy of Force – ‘The sword of the LORD and me!’ we do that with wisdom.

FIVE – Maneuver – Place the enemy in a position of disadvantage in your going out and your coming in. Fight the Good Fight.

SIX – Unity of Command – One unified purpose creates one unified effort provided by one unified commander.

Security – Protection of ones immediate surrounding. taking care of your people. Never permit the enemy to acquire unexpected advantage. Put on the whole armor.

Eph 6:10-18 ¹⁰ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,^[c] against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
¹⁴ Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶ above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. ¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; ¹⁸ praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

a.       Knowing your enemy is the first step in understanding how to prepare for Security. After all how can you have the right security system if you don’t know what is going to attack you.

a.       Wiles of the Devil

                                                                                       i.      Names of the Devil

1.    accuser

2.    adversary

3.   Antichrist

4.    author of all sin²

5.    Beelzebub⁴

6.    chief of the demons

7.    deceiver

8.    demon

9.    destroyer

10. devil

11. devourer

12. dragon

13. enemy of righteousness

14. evil one

15. evil spirit

16. fallen angel⁵

17. father of all lies⁶

18. father of contention⁷

19. founder of murder⁸

20. Lucifer

21. prince of darkness

22. prince of devils

23. prince of the power of the air

24. prince of this world

25. Satan

26. serpent

27. slanderer

28. Son of Perdition

29. spoiler

30. tempter

31. wicked one

                                                                                     ii.      The devil is described as a lion: fierce and predatory, always on the lookout for somebody to attack and bring down. 1 Peter 5:8

b.      Not Wrestle with flesh and blood

                                                                                       i.      Not human

                                                                                     ii.      Not of this world, but lives in this world. Prince of this world.

c.       Principalities

                                                          i.    A territory ruled by a prince or from which a prince derives his title.

                                                         ii.    The position, authority, or jurisdiction of a prince; sovereignty.

d.      Powers

e.      Rulers of the darkness (of this age)

f.        Spiritual hosts of wickedness (in the heavenly places)

b.      War

Daniel 10:10-21 ¹⁰ Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands. ¹¹ And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling. ¹² Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. ¹³ But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia. ¹⁴ Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come.” ¹⁵ When he had spoken such words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and became speechless. ¹⁶ And suddenly, one having the likeness of the sons^[c] of men touched my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke, saying to him who stood before me, “My lord, because of the vision my sorrows have overwhelmed me, and I have retained no strength. ¹⁷ For how can this servant of my lord talk with you, my lord? As for me, no strength remains in me now, nor is any breath left in me.” ¹⁸ Then again, the one having the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened me. ¹⁹ And he said, “O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!”
So when he spoke to me I was strengthened, and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.” ²⁰ Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? And now I must return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I have gone forth, indeed the prince of Greece will come. ²¹ But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. (No one upholds me against these, except Michael your prince.

c.       Football

                                                               i.      Armor.  Our equipment that we would put on every game was a process.  The first element was for obvious reasons….PROTECTION.

1.       Helmet for our head

2.       Shoulder pads for our upper body

3.       Pants with pads for our lower body

4.       Smaller items: Shoes, ankles, wrists

                                                             ii.      Process. The second part of cladding ourselves in the armor was a PROCESS. The process became a common routine that was consistently the same.  It had to be put on a certain way to achieve COMFORT.  A familiarity with my immediate surroundings.

                                                            iii.      Wrap my ankles a certain way, knee pads on lower knees, shirt underneath my pads….all needs to feel comfortable.

Eph 6:14-17 ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶ above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. ¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

a.       girded your waist with TRUTH

1.       one of the best and first exercises I always taught my players was to strengthen the stomach. Leg lifts, set ups, crunches.

                                                                                     ii.      John 4:24
God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

                                                                                    iii.      John 14:6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

                                                                                   iv.      2 Corinthians 13:8
For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.

                                                        v.    Colossians 1:4-6 ⁴ since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; ⁵ because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, ⁶ which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit,^[a] as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth;

                                                                                   vi.      1 John 3:19
And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.

                                                                                  vii.      1 John 5:6
This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth.

1.      Why waist and truth? The center of your body begins with the truth. Everything radiates outward from the center. This is part of a passage relating to the Christian standing against the clever tricks of the devil. Along with the other parts of the Christian's armor, truth is necessary and vital to 'draw things together' just as a girdle was used in ancient times to draw the clothing of the soldier in tightly, so that the soldier might have the freedom to use offensive and defensive equipment without anything getting in the way. Truth, along with the other parts of the Christian's armor is a non-negotiable item, since not to have the truth will greatly hinder the Christian, just as loose clothing would hinder the soldier.

b.      breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS

1.       Shoulder pads have the ability to protect part of the chest.  I had a cracked sternum.

                                                                                     ii.      Matthew 5:6
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.

                                                                                    iii.      Matthew 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

                                                                                   iv.      Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

                                                                                     v.      Luke 1:75
In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.

                                                                                   vi.      Romans 5:21
so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

1.      Why breastplate and righteousness? It means using righteous thoughts and behaviour to protect one's heart from being ruined by evil which is another name for sin or unrighteousness.

c.       shod your feet with the preparation of the GOSPEL OF PEACE

1.       Shoes, ankles shave my bottom of my calves for tape to provide strength when running.  My shoes I always tied super tight and made sure they didn’t come untied.

                                                                                     ii.      Romans 10:15
And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “ How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”

                                                                                    iii.      Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.

1.    Why feet and Gospel of Peace? The Gospel message is the undergirding strength that will keep our steps and path sure even while in enemy territory as many are hostile to its message.

d.      taking the shield of FAITH

1.       with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one

2.       This is a hard one because I don’t have a shield on the field that I wear….but I do have blockers. Linemen that open the hole for me in the defense. As I approach the line with the football….it is a wall. I have faith that the lineman will make me a hole.

                                                                                     ii.      Matthew 17:20
So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

                                                                                    iii.      Matthew 21:21
So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done.

                                                                                   iv.      Ephesians 4:5
one Lord, one faith, one baptism;

                                                                                     v.      1 Timothy 6:12
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

1.   Shield and Faith? The shield protects us as we take refuge behind it. 1 Peter 5:9

2.   The shield is our faith in the living God and His Word. Psalms 18:2-3

3.   To take up this shield, we must actively trust in God.

a.    looking at your circumstances and at God’s promises and deciding to rely on God. JOB

b.    knowing your weakness and God’s strength and His promises.

c.    obeying what God has commanded.

e.      helmet of SALVATION

1.       My helmet had to fit perfect.  Not a little loose….not too tight.  It sort molded to my head after a time. Can’t imagine helmet flying off. Was hit so hard once facemask cut my nose.

                                                                                     ii.      Romans 10:10
For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

                                                                                    iii.      1 Thessalonians 5:9
For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

                                                                                   iv.      Hebrews 5:9
And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,

1.       Helmet and salvation? It’s not too difficult to see the spiritual implications of the helmet. We’ve consistently noted that Satan’s attacks primarily come against our mind. And it is the helmet of salvation that protects us from those attacks. And based on what we know about Satan’s attacks both from the Scriptures and our own personal experiences, we find that just like the broadsword had two sides, the attacks of Satan also have two main sides.

The two sides of Satan’s ‘broadsword”:
• Discouragement & Doubt

f.        the sword of the Spirit, which is the WORD OF GOD;

1.       No wielding metal objects on the football field. But I did have my quick thinking and recognition. Just as a sword slices through the air…..quickly, so must you make decisions when the opponent is attacking.

                                                                                     ii.      Luke 4:4
But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’”

                                                                                    iii.      Luke 11:28
But He said, “More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

                                                                                   iv.      John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

                                                                                     v.      Romans 10:17
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

                                                                                   vi.      Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

1.       Sword and word of God?

This is a great scripture that gives us a clear picture that just as the ancient warrior was faced with fighting a battle for his life.  We also are fighting a battle for our lives…our eternal lives. All of this gear that we have to put on doesn’t do us any good…..if we don’t put it on.  And not just part of it….But we are told to put on the whole armor of God.

And unlike the athlete, who puts on the gear for game day and a few practices during the week.  We have to dawn this gear every single day and every single hour. For we do not know when our enemy will strike.

We must be ready to battle. I watched Karate Kid this weekend….bits and pieces….all three.  In the beginning when Daniel Russo was learning from Mr. Miyagi, all the initial instruction was defense.  You remember… wax on, wax off; sand the floor; paint the fence; paint the house. Daniel had to do it over and over and over to get the movements to become familiar, second nature.  Even then, Daniel asked when do I get to learn how to hit…..Offense.  Within our armor we have a sword.  God didn’t leave this out of the description because we need this to defend ourselves.  The Word of God. We use the armor to protect us against the attacks and temptations from Satan.  We use the Word of God, our sword, to vanquish Satan from our lives. Use the sword daily, so we can become familiar with its power as well.

So I tell you, put on your whole of God and fight the good fight.  If you have a need, wont you come forward as we stand and see the invitation song.