Tuesday, August 21, 2012

WARFARE FROM HERE TO HEAVEN

When I saw that "arsenal" was the Peter Pollock Word Carnival this week, I thunk and thunk about it.  Then I thought I knew what I should focus on, which is the final section about First Responders, but, as I was washing dishes Monday evening, the other portions were dropped in by the Lord.  So, here goes...
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I had been the caregiver and protector of my sisters since I was about 7 years old [not that enjoyed it!]. 

 10 years old

In the Fall of 1957, when I was 12, a world-wide event took place.  I was standing in our front yard and Sputnik passed over.  Russia was our most dangerous conflicting nation, and with Sputnik's arrival this was proven to all of us.

Being in Tacoma, WA, with McChord Air Force Base, Ft. Lewis Army Base, and other military groups not far away, we were very aware of the Cold War. In school, for instance, in the 1950s and forward, we had protection practices called Duck and Cover during possible nuclear bombing. [Climbing under the desk and covering our head and closing our eyes certainly wasn't going to make a difference and protect us.]

Seeing Sputnik, knowing about the Cold War and the possibility that Russia would be striking us soon, when I went to bed, I would sometimes stare at the ceiling and think of my responsibility for my sisters.  I would plan ways to protect them and wound or kill whoever broke into our house to hurt the girls.  I didn't have a gun at that age, of course, but I would keep other "weapons" in my mind... mostly, striking with baseball bats or metal tools or knives.  I would always be on guard for those 5 girls. That was my "job".  [My parents didn't realize that was how serious I was.  We never talked about it.  But, whether they understood it or not, the responsibility had been laid on me and I had no choice but to take it.]

Several years later, life changed.  The day after high school graduation, when 17, I left home, and I was no longer perceived as the caregiver for my sisters.  I became independent and rebellious, filled with confusion, depression, and suicidal mentality [and extremely sinful] . Slowly that changed after I came to the Lord when I was 20 [or, more specifically, as He broke into my life] and I grew in Him.

I was 40 when I married my dear husband in September, 1985.  A month after our wedding, my daughter, Renae, a high school junior, began having problems with a couple of her teachers.  I was ready to fight for her, even though it wasn't necessarily the right choice.  Dave and I were standing in the kitchen, and I was fussing about this, and Dave said, with some irritation, "How long are you going to keep throwing yourself on other people's grenades?"  Flippantly, with an eye towards Renae's future, graduating from high school and leaving home for college, I answered, "Two. More. Years." 

Two years later, I was in a severe situation re: codependency treatment, described in my recent post called Breakdown.  It was deadly serious, believe me.

NOW, life has changed. In a good way.  I don't plan to grab baseball bats, knives, and guns, or toss myself on grenades. I don't swing my fists, which I did for many years. I don't think of ways to grab protection for myself or for others.  Instead, I trust my Father to draw me to the right place at the right time to protect others through prayer and spiritual arsenal weapons.  HE is the 850,000,000 Star General.  With no retirement.  And if He orders me to do something or ANYthing, it is my job to do so.  Period.

For instance.  When this topic hit today, I received an email from the leader of the First Responders group.  I've posted a few times about that organization which goes to murder sites within 24 to 48 hours after the murder has occurred. 


Two murders occurred on Sunday.  Probably/possibly connected to gangs.  Tuesday we will be at both locations to pray for the neighborhood folks, the victims families, and any other needs that come to us.  I try to not ever miss FR.  The reason?  These spiritual warfare arsenal weapons are the prayer time, the prayer walking, the speaking to people who can be held and loved and blessed.  Nothing else counts.  The Lord has so often brought the killers to the surface quickly. It is amazing.  And, some of the friends and family come to the Lord, break away from their gang connections, seek His guidance and direction for their new way of life.  I can't imagine anything much more glorious.

So, warfare will continue throughout the earth until the Lord has redeemed the world with His new arrival.  It will continue with me until I have died and gone to heaven.  BUT it is the same warfare weapons that Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and other leaders of the past OT prophetic orders:  Turn to the Lord and trust only Him.  [God has me buried in the Prophet portion of the Word right now.  Again.]

I hope I will be faithful and trust Him, and Him alone. That's my goal.

9 comments:

Sr Crystal Mary Lindsey said...

It's always a lesson isn't it? to trust... He never sleep, He knows whats best for us, and yet, we struggle to hand it over.You and I must be of similar ages. Much was expected of children back then. I too rebelled in my own way and made many wrong choices.. I praise God for now, as I can finally hand over much easier to Him, who cares for us. xxx

Sandra Heska King said...

I remember Sputnik and those duck-and-cover drills. Scary times.

"How long are you going to keep throwing yourself on other people's grenades?" Those words are going to cling to me today.

Grateful for the power of prayer. (And you were such an adorable 100year-old!)

Anonymous said...

Yes...I beleive that evil-doers will be exposed more quickly as your FR group pray, indeed!

Even though, at the time, I sure didn't enjoy my childhood and the responsibility given to me for my siblings, I know that God liberated me! He helped me to grow up, trained me and then sent me back into ugly situations to deliver those trapped in them.

It is my delight to interceded! Once he showed me that my prayers had been like a battering ram at a city's gates. Then He told me "no longer" and showed me something, like a weapon circulating in space. Now, when I prayed, it was as if a high-powered beam ( like a lasar)was activated, and with exact aim , addressed the problem. I am thankful, as I KNOW you are, to be honed as a weapon-of-righteousness and used by Him!

Floyd said...

God's brought us all a long way from our beginnings. I love the real life stories of His grace and guidance in lives, even when we don't know it.

The strong in flesh take a little longer to grasp that the strength is by and for Him. I too am one of us who fall into that category with you... It's nice to know we're not alone!

Great post.

Positively Alene said...

What a blessing to stop by your bloggy world today. I found you over at Kris's. I saw where you had stories of where you ministered on the streets years ago. I would love to share some of your stories at my place. I have a Stop for the One on Tuesdays that would be perfect.

Anonymous said...

Hi Caryjo - thanks for visiting on my blog and I am glad you did. I'm your newest blog follower and look forward to your next posts.
God bless
Tracy

Just Be Real said...

Wonderful post. I remember the duck and cover in the early sixities. This was due to Cuba though. Thank you for sharing. Blessings.

Gayle said...

We need to be walking the streets of our neighborhood praying. Good reminder! And especially going into the gang infected neighborhoods, praying bringing healing. Keep going!

Cris Ferreira said...

Jo, this work that the First Responders do is so important! I would love to see something similar here in São Paulo. I will pray about it, who knows...
Thanks for sharing!