Trail Mix - Ingredient Number Two

       A few days ago we talked about ways to sustain our energy for living the Christian life -- for doing the right thing and staying in step with God.  Just as the mix of dried fruits and nuts (trail mix) is good food for hikers to take with them on their treks, so we need good spiritual food to give us sustenance as we live the Christian life.   

       We discussed the importance of prayer.  Prayer keeps us close to God.   We should never under estimate the importance and power of prayer.  Having a way to talk with our Heavenly Father brings great comfort and joy.  

      It is said prayer is how we speak to God and reading God's word is how He speaks to us.  This is true.  The Bible is God's message to us and for us.  
        So it only makes sense to say the second ingredient of our spiritual trail mix is the study of God's word.  Again, I'm not revealing some deep dark secret here.  We all know how helpful studying the scriptures can be.  We fortify our souls through Bible study.         
      As we study and learn of Christ and His ministry, we gain encouragement from the example He set for us.  We also gain an understanding of His immeasurable love and mercy.  The story of Christ is truly a story of love.  

       The only way we get to Heaven is through Christ.  Jesus says, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).   The only way to know Him is to read His story ... to read of all the good He did ... of His great compassion and love for us.  The only way to know what He expects of us - and He does expect us to obey Him -- is to study the scriptures.   
       The Bible is a great tool for us.  We study to find out God's truth.  If we love Him like we say we love Him, why wouldn't we want to find out what He is saying to us?  I must admit, sometimes I fall far short in this area too.  
      We need God's word to keep us on the right path.  As we read examples from the great characters recorded in the Old Testament, we learn what it means to love God  -- to walk with Him.  We learn from otherwise quite ordinary people what faithfulness and obedience is.  And we learn about the majesty and splendor of our Creator.  These writings encourage us -- give us strength and hope.  
       The writings of the New Testament give us the wonderful story of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  They also give us instructions for living a righteous life in the Christian age.  We shouldn't depend only on our minister's lessons to know what to do or to keep us in touch with God.  This is a personal responsibility.  
       Any relationship must be nurtured in order to be maintained and to grow.  Building a friendship with someone means learning about them and spending time with them.  Additionally, spending time in the scriptures allows us to grow our relationship with God.
      We find peace and calm in knowing we are striving to live as Christ would have us to live.   We gain that living hope Peter mentions in 1 Peter 1:3.  We draw comfort and joy from knowing God rewards those who diligently seek Him.  (Hebrews 11:6). 
      I listed Bible study as the second ingredient in our spiritual trail mix and yet prayer and Bible study go hand in hand.   Both are essential.  Both are commanded (ah, but one must read the scriptures to know this).  Both are extremely beneficial.  And they work better together.  Truly they do.  
      For many of us, the Bible never gets old.  Those inspired words never lose their relevance.  We never stop learning.  Each time we study, we can find some new treasure - some new lesson -- some new way to apply the Truth to our daily walk.  We live a better life when we follow God's word.
     Knowing this doesn't mean I always find time to study my Bible on a daily basis.  I allow myself to get distracted by the busyness of  everyday living.  I make excuses for myself (and that is what they are -- excuses).  But even confessing this doesn't make it entirely right.  It is up to me to make it right. 
      I can tell you though -- my day goes better when I spend time with God through Bible study and prayer.  I know I need to do better and I know it is never too late to start doing the right thing!  Besides, who gives me (us) our time anyway?  
      Our very life comes from God.  He is the one who gives us our day.  Doesn't it make sense to give part of it back to Him?   The benefits are strength and energy to keep going.  
      
      After all, there are great rewards in staying on the trail.

           "And let us not grow weary of doing good, 
            for in due season we will reap, if we faint not."                                                                                                  (Galatians 6:9)

Christ above all things, 
Robin 

   

      

Trail Mix - Ingredient Number One

      Trail Mix -- is defined as "a mixture of seeds, nuts, and dried fruits eaten as a snack especially by hikers"  (Merriam-Webster on line dictionary).   Except nowadays, I think trail mix is eaten by many folks who do not hike at all.  It is sold in vending machines across the country .... and if you are anywhere near a vending machine, the chances are you aren't out on a hike, right?  
       Trail mix is an energy food easy to store and carry.  The mixture contains carbohydrates which give a quick boost of energy and "good" fats in the nuts provide sustained energy.  I can see why it became popular for hikers and those who spend a lot of time outdoors working or playing.  
      Many find it very tasty as well.  For this reason, it is a fairly popular snack food regardless of the activities in which we participate.  So what does Trail Mix have to do with anything here? 
     Well just like hikers need energy to sustain them on their journey, so we need spiritual energy to sustain us on our Christian journey.  Three key ingredients for spiritual trail mix are: the study of God's Word, prayer and Christian fellowship.  These three simple components make for a wonderful journey through life. 
    This isn't anything new.  We hear it frequently from our ministers and Bible school teachers.  We all know what is necessary for a successful Christian life.  So some might be thinking, why bring this old information up - yet again?  
    Well, we need to be reminded of the basics - or at least I do!  And we must ask ourselves honestly, how often do we make use of this Christian "trail mix?"  Do we regularly put all three together on a consistent basis and draw on the energy it provides?  Do we practice what we know to be true?
     As I think of these "ingredients" I realize discussing all three in one post would make for quite a lengthy dialogue. So I guess I am committing to a "series" here.  Individually, each one of these basics are highly beneficial.  Together, 
they pack a powerful punch!  Together they give us the necessary nutrients to make it for the long haul!! 
      I don't say any one of these is more significant than any other.  All three are very necessary.  Each ingredient plays a vital role in the Christian life.  And yet I have to start somewhere or I don't get started at all.  
    Prayer is so important.  Prayer truly makes one feel closer to God.  I can't imagine my life without prayer.  And yet, I know I should pray more often.  Sometimes I get totally preoccupied with other things and forget what is truly important.  
     Talking with God should be one of the priorities in our daily lives.  Praying reminds us to depend on our Father. When we approach the throne room in prayer we are communing with Him.  We are truly close to God when
 we pray.  
     Our choice to pray means we choose to come to our Heavenly Father.  We are making a conscience choice to be with Him - really with Him.  Our Creator strongly desires to be with us; but He wants to long for closeness to Him.  
     From the moment our children are born, we want to be with them.  We want to take care of them -- to provide for their every need.  We love holding them and bestowing our love upon them.  They depend on us ... and when they are very young they are very attached to us.  
    As children grow older, their worlds get a little bigger and it isn't all about Mommy and Daddy anymore.  They become more independent.  Yet they still come to us in times of trouble -- we are still the care-givers and the problem solvers.   And we still love them just as much and long to be with them -- and to make them happy.  
    By the time our children become teenagers their worlds are even larger and they have learned to do so many things for themselves.  Their needs for us become fewer and fewer; they spend less and less time with us.  But our love for them hasn't changed.  It never changes.  We long for just a few minutes .... just a few .... to be with them, to talk to them.  Any time we have with them becomes time we treasure.
      As much as we love our children, God loves us ever so much more!  He only wants to be with us -- to hear from us -- to have us ask Him for anything.  HIS LOVE NEVER CHANGES.  We might walk away from Him.  But He stands and watches and waits for us ... just like the father of the prodigal.  God has always only ever wanted to be with His children.  
      Prayer puts us in fellowship with God.  As we pray - we learn to seek Him.  Our love for Him grows stronger and our faith in Him ever increases.  We desire to please and obey Him.  
      Prayer changes us.  The more we pray the more we change  - for the better.  And talking with our Father makes life here on earth better -- easier.  It gives us the strength to go on until we can be with Him forever.
     Christ our Savior prayed throughout His life and right up to His death on the cross.  He communed with God all night long before He chose the twelve apostles.  He prayed before He fed the five thousand.  Christ prayed to His Father before He brought Lazarus forth from his tomb.  
        Jesus prayed frequently.  He spoke of the importance of prayer and taught His disciples to pray.  He even prayed for His future followers.  Read John chapter 17 and one can't help but be touched by our Lord's heartfelt prayer.  Then He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane and finally on the cross He lifted up His voice to His Father. 
       If prayer was important to Christ, what makes us think it's not?  How can we possibly imagine we can get through life without it?   
     Jesus never used the term "trail mix."  But He certainly knew prayer was needful for strength to keep us going.  If one ever needed proof  of this, it is found in Luke 18:1.

     "And He told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart."  
      
Christ above all things, 
Robin Whitley
   
      

Two Sides of a Coin

      A few days ago something happened at work which gave me an idea for a post.  I wrote it down and stuck the paper in my purse so I wouldn't forget.  I try to do this as soon as I can because ideas pop into my head throughout the day.
    Thinking about the incident on my way home, I realized there was more than one way to look at what happened - more than one lesson to be gained.  Many situations are like that.  It's like the old phrase - "two sides of the same coin."
       Reflecting on that phrase led me to another train of thought -- oddly enough -- about that phrase.  So when I pulled into my driveway- before I ever got out of the car - I pulled coins out of my purse.  I rummaged around until I found a penny, a nickel, a dime and a quarter.  I wanted to look at all of them. 
     My curiosity was piqued.  I never really thought about it before, but I wanted to see the motto "In God We Trust."  I wanted to know if those words were printed on the same side of each denomination.  Most everyone probably already knows this, but just in case -- "In God We Trust" is on the 'heads' side of all the coins.  
    So there I was sitting in the car looking at the money in my hands as if I had never seen it before.  And yes, the two sides of each coin are different -- but part of the same coin.   Each one presented two very distinctive views -- and yet both views were of the same object.  
     Life is like that.  Circumstances - events - situations - are like that.  Decisions are like that.  These are all intertwined with one another.  The decisions we make lead to consequences and events occurring in our lives.  Circumstances and situations bring us to decisions we must make.  
     If we trust in God, we will present a totally different view of ourselves to the world than if we do not trust Him.  When we trust our Heavenly Father our lives will reflect that trust (or faith).  We will think and act differently.  With our faith intact, the life events we face are easier to endure.  Those around us will see our peace and our perseverance.  
     Trusting in God will lead us to serve Him.  We will seek to know Him.  We will learn to love and obey Him.  Others will see our good works and glorify our Father.  When we show our love for others they will get a glimpse of God's love for mankind.   Our unspeakable joy and constant hope is the surest sign of the confidence we have through Christ. 
     That's the best side of what our life can be.  When we have no trust or faith - when we don't share our joy and our hope -- when we don't live our faith with good works through love -- well then that's the other side of the coin isn't it?  
      It is our life -- our choice.  We have the power to make that decision.  We can choose to trust in God -- or well we can decide not to.  We all have one life - God gave it to us.  He created us.  But we still have the power to pick our side. 
      
       "Those who know your name trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you."  (Psalm 9:10 NIV)

     "But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation."   (Psalm 13:5)                     

   One more:  
  " Many are the woes of the wicked but the Lord's unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in Him."                                                                                          (Psalms 32:10)     
Show the best side of life.  

Christ above all things, 
Robin Whitley





       

Icing On the Cake

      It was Friday night.   Another wonderful week at Maywood Christian Camp was almost in the books.  All the sermons were preached -- all the Bible classes taught.  Throughout the week many surrendered their lives to Christ.  It was a busy week full of fun and spirituality.  Our directors do a great job of balancing the two.   
       We waited at the pavilion for our evening activities to begin.  I looked over to see a dear friend with tears in her eyes.  I thought something was wrong, so I quickly walked toward her only to discover these were tears of joy.  Her grandson was about to become a Christian by putting on Jesus through baptism.  Martha had been praying about this for a while.  She was so happy and proud for him! 
       I smiled and said, "Well, this is just like icing on the cake!"  She laughed through her tears and we hugged each other tightly.  It is always great news when someone decides to become part of God's family.  The news is even sweeter when it is someone you already know and love.  
      The night just kept getting better.  Another of her grandsons and one of her nieces made the same decision to obey the gospel call.   It was truly a glorious night for God's kingdom!
     Later, I wondered if my "icing on the cake" statement was somewhat frivolous or somehow inappropriate.  Those young people made a very important decision which I hope will affect the rest of their lives.  It was not my intention to make light of that in any way.  
     But on second thought, maybe it's not such a frivolous analogy.  After all, the Master Teacher compared faith to a tiny mustard seed and the kingdom of heaven to a lost coin.  He used familiar objects to teach valuable spiritual lessons. 
     Now let's think about "icing on the cake."  Have you ever watched a young child eat cake?  Most of them go for the icing first, eating all of it off the top.  Some children eat only the icing and never touch the cake.  Why?  Well -- one reason could be that the icing is the sweetest (and for many the best) part of the cake.  
     This is why I no longer feel the comparison was frivolous.  Because you see, the sweetest and best part of Maywood Christian Camp is bringing precious souls to Christ.  That is why adults choose to give a week of their vacation to serve as counselors or cooks or Bible class teachers -- for the growth and glory of God's kingdom.  
     Christian fellowship is wonderful.  Watching young children make friendships for a lifetime is heartwarming.  Our camp friendships are important to us adults, as well.  Learning to be a good sport and sharing in good clean fun with one another create special memories that stay with us forever.  This is good stuff.  This is our cake.  
      The spiritual side of camp is still the best part.  We are privileged to see young people begin their spiritual journey as new Christians.  We are honored to watch their growth in Christ from year to year.  We study with them and we pray with them and we are thankful for God's saving grace.  
      The young people I am with during the week at camp teach me as much as I ever hope to teach them.  They have tender hearts ready to love.  They have strong hands willing to serve.  
      Knowing the other staff members are just as dedicated to help these young people grow in Christ is a great encouragement to me.  So when I witness a baptism ... when I see another life surrendered to the Savior... well it really is like icing on the cake for me.  It is the best possible icing on the most delicious cake!!
      There are various ways to serve God.  Many other works bring glory to Him.  All kinds of different events bring young people to Christ.  God blesses each work meant to honor Him - whether for the young or the young at heart.   
    So much can be done to make a difference in God's kingdom.  He can use us in the most wonderful ways if we are only willing!  In the context of service -- there are lots of cakes out there -- and many flavors of icing.  
     God made us all with different personalities and talents.  I challenge you to find your icing on the cake!  

Christ above all things, 
Robin Whitley 
                
       

      

Ideas from a Stapler

      Only about 3 more weeks until June 18th.  That is the day the third session of Maywood Christian Camp begins!  It is one of my favorite weeks of the entire year.  I love serving as a counselor there!  It will be here before I know it.
      Today I've been working on night time cabin devotionals.  I like to use object lessons so I can give the girls some little something to help them remember the devotional. The other day, I came across some mini staplers left over from what I gave as extras to some family members at Christmas.
      This afternoon, I remembered I used Bible verses to go with some of my "extra" gifts.  I kept I list of the scriptures and went to find them.  Then I began to think about the lessons in our class book at Maywood for this year.  My mind began to spin as fast as a merry-go-round.  :)
      Now - well, here we go!
      
      A single piece of paper is not hard to tear into two pieces, right?   But the more pieces of paper you put together, the harder it is to tear them.  A stapler holds pieces of paper together.  It keeps them from getting pulled apart.  
     Usually when we use a stapler, we are keeping papers together that have something in common.  Maybe they are the pages of a tax return.  For a school teacher they may be pages of homework assignment from each student in class.  For someone in business, it may be a financial report or parts of a sales pitch to be given.  
      The papers need to be kept together.  If we lose one page of the presentation, it won't be complete.  It would be the same way with the tax return ... and if we lost part of that we might be in trouble if we were audited.  The staple binds the parts together to make it a whole.  The stapler is the tool used to bring the pieces to together.  
       As Christians we need to stick together.  We are stronger when we do.  Just as one piece of paper can easily be torn, we are not as strong alone as we are together.  The more Christians put together working for a common goal, the stronger we are.   In His infinite wisdom, Jesus died for and built the church so we could draw on the strength of one another.  
      The early Christians understood this principle.  The book of Acts speaks often of the close fellowship ... the strong bond the believers had with one another.  Acts 2:46-47 says they were together every day.  In Chapter 4: 23 -31, they prayed together for the boldness of the apostles to preach and teach.  And in Acts 4:32 - 37, the sold their possessions and shared all things with one another as they each had need.   Their bond was very strong.  
      Another thing the early church shared was a strong belief in prayer.  I already mentioned they prayed together in Acts chapter 4.  However, this wasn't the only time the church came together to pray.  Acts 12 records the martyr of James (the brother of John) as well as the imprisonment of Peter by Herod.    
     Consider one short but very profound verse,  Acts 12:12 "When this had dawned on him (Peter), he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying."   So much can be gained from this single passage!!  
     First of all, the closeness of the believers is clearly evident - even in the face of persecution.  They didn't surrender their faith.  They didn't call it quits.  They weren't in their own homes afraid and alone.  Instead they gathered together -- there were "many" of them in one place and they were praying.  
      Secondly, Peter knew where to go.  As soon as he awakened from his trance, he immediately went to the house of Mary.  Why did he go there?  How did he know other believers would be there?  Peter knew they would be together because that is what the early church did.  They simply had the habit of communing with one another.  Have we forgotten the importance of fellowship today? 
     Thirdly, I find it somewhat incredible Peter knew exactly to whose home to go.  Not only did Peter seek out other believers, he knew where to find them.  This speaks volumes about the faith and courage of Mary.  If Peter knew where the church would be, it was highly likely Herod's men would know also.  At least it probably wouldn't take them long to find out.  
     Mary's hospitality played an amazing role in the events of that night.  She no doubt was a strong influence among the disciples of Christ in the first century.  Peter knew the kind of woman Mary was.   Obviously, she had opened her home to the believers on more than one occasion, else how would Peter know to go there?  
      The lessons from our Maywood class book this year are on the power of one.  I personally think the lesson of Mary in Acts 12:12 is a wonderful example of the power of one.  She enabled the church to meet together and remain united in their faith and in prayer.  She helped disciples stick with each other.  She allowed herself to be used as a stapler.        Mary knew the power of prayer and hosted a prayer group in her home.  I am honored to be part of a prayer group too.  We are not "many" as described in Acts 12; but we have come to understand the power of prayer.  
      These individuals are amazing women of God and every day I am thankful to be part of them!  We have been sticking together for about five years now.  We know how much stronger we are when we are together.  
     As part of this group, each of us has gained a certain spiritual maturity.  We are stronger today (together) than we were (apart) five years ago.  Our prayers have helped us hold on to Christ through some pretty tough times and we remember to praise God through our victories.  As one of them posted on face book a few weeks ago, if you aren't part of a group like this -- find one.  
     So earlier I said the stapler was the tool used to bring papers together and the staple was the thing used to hold them together.  Well, it may be kind of a far stretch for some to see .... but Christ is the stapler.  His loving sacrifice is the tool God used to bring us together.  The church is the staple that holds us together.   Our love and fellowship together keep us united in purpose and praying together increases our faith and strength.  Think about it.  :)

      Let's stick together.  We need each other.       
      "And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.  And He is the head of the body, the church."
                                                                             Colossians 1:17-18
      
     "And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."      Colossians 3:14
  
Christ above all things, 
Robin 

Food for Thought -- Truth for Food

      It was lunch time and I was hungry.  I decided to go to the local Japanese restaurant.  Now, I don't like all Japanese cuisine - but I do enjoy the hibachi chicken.  The restaurant had some customers; but it wasn't too crowded that day.  I was looking forward to enjoying my meal.
     I ordered and was waiting for my food when I noticed a group of four sitting two or three tables further up the row from me.  The group consisted of a man and woman with a teen aged girl and boy.  The only one I had a clear view of was the young man.  
      The waitress brought them a plate of appetizers.  The young man looked at it rather dubiously.  The others began to dig in to whatever the dish was.  I don't think he planned on trying the appetizer.  Not wanting to stare, I distracted myself with other things as I waited for my order.  
      A few minutes later I looked back over to the young man.  I watched as he took a bite of something.  He had the strangest look on his face as he held in his mouth what was apparently new and strange to him.  It was definitely a look of uncertainty.  
     He was aware his companions were watching him, so he tried to control his reaction.   At least he didn't immediately spit it out in disgust.  There was no gag reaction; but by the look on his face all kinds of thoughts raced through his mind.  He chewed slowly.  It seemed as if he was trying to decide if he liked the taste.  
      My order arrived and I concentrated on my own dish.  But as I was eating I couldn't help but think about what I just witnessed.  Suddenly a thought occurred to me.  
    The young man had approached his food hesitantly.  Maybe sometimes we do the same thing with God's word.  Maybe we think we have this faith thing down pat.  We love God and we pray and we study.  
    Yet, some instructions in the Bible are totally foreign to our human nature.  Maybe our obedience only goes so far.  Are there certain commands that don't "taste" quite as good as others?  It's easy to say we aren't going steal by robbing a bank, but how often do we rob God by failing to worship Him as we should.  Sleeping in or going to the lake is easy, but getting up early on Sunday morning might not be as appealing to us.  
      We may do good things for others, but we may want to pick and choose who those "others" are.  God says we are to do good everyone.  (Galatians 6:10)  What about gossip?  We must be very careful with this one.  Curiosity about something or someone can lead us into gossip before we even realize it.  Yet, a rumor can be very destructive.  
      What about bitterness over the promotion we wanted but someone else got?  Perhaps we are holding to a grudge because someone said something to us years ago.  Maybe we think we've laid those old hard feelings aside and suddenly something comes up that makes us angry all over again?  Yes, that's a struggle for me, too.  
      These are real life issues we face every day.  Finding God's word more or less palatable on particular days could often be a reflection of the temptations we face.  It's like a friend of mine said that her preschool son told -- "sometimes it's just easier to be bad."   Yet, we cannot give up the good fight of faith!!  
    If we keep feeding on the word of God, these instructions in righteousness will become easier to digest.  The more we learn of Christ the more we will want to be like Him.  The truth will taste better and better to us.  
     Yet, many folks don't want to recognize the authority of Christ in any way, shape or fashion.  Unlike the young boy who was so uncertain about the new food he was tasting -- they have an instant gag reflex.  They completely reject the love of Christ.  
      It is the same now as it was during Christ's ministry.  Remember the events recorded in John 6?  In this chapter that Christ declared “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in shall never thirst.” Thus began a conversation many could not understand. 

     The Jews grumbled.  They doubted Him because they knew Him.  They knew His earthly family, so it was very difficult for them to think He was "the bread that came down from heaven" (v. 41).   They simply could not see Him as one sent from God, let alone His only Son.  

      Even some of His disciples said it "was a hard saying."  Christ continued, "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all.  The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life" (v. 63).  After this conversation many of His disciples "no longer walked with Him" (v 66). Figuratively (and spiritually) speaking, they had a gag reflex.  

     How sad that must have been for our Savior!!  It is sadder still for those who turned away.  Can you imagine the despondence in His voice as Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you want to go away as well?"  

      It was Peter who answered, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and come to know, that you are the Holy One of God" (vs. 66-69).   Peter and the others didn't find the words of Christ repulsive.  They may not have fully understood the meaning of Christ's words; but knew He came from God and they wanted to continue to feed on His word.  

      The question for us today is whether or not we will choose to feed our souls on the Bread of Life?  Will we take in spiritual nourishment for eternal life as quickly and easily as we do for our physical bodies?  OR will we reject what is offered to us.  

      In John 6:51 Jesus said,  "I am the living bread that came down from heaven.  If anyone eats of this bread he will live forever.  And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh."   He died that we might live with Him forever.   That is pretty appetizing to me!

     

      "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!

        Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him." 

                                                                                    (Psalm 34:8)

        

Christ above all things,

Robin Whitley

    

      

A Hard Fightin' Soldier

      Two nights ago I was having a wonderful night.  We just finished the monthly ladies' devotional at our congregation.  My mom and I lingered for a while talking with the hostess and enjoying a little extra fellowship.  As we said our final good byes, I looked at my phone and suddenly the night began to change.  
      I often mention my prayer group.  I am honored to be part of that group of very faithful and wonderful Christian women.  We have a group text set up.  Through this we stay in close communication with one another.  
     Tuesday night when I looked at my phone, it was sad news.  News that required immediate prayer.  One of our sister friends had collapsed and was unresponsive.  An ambulance was on the way to her home.  I was so thankful Mom drove us home so I could read the texts that were coming fast and furiously.  
      Only a short time later we learned our sweet Angie was gone.  I knew I would miss her.  She had a tremendous impact on my life.  Yet, I could not be sad.   She won her battle with the world.  God called my sister friend home.  Victory was hers.  We praised God!  
     See Angie would be the first to tell anyone she spent part of her adult life in the church and part of it participating in worldly things.  I can relate to that.  I did not always walk with God either.  
      But a few short months ago, Angie took up her Christian armor once again and became a brave soldier for Jesus.  She fought the good fight of faith valiantly.  She faced a lot of hardships ... a lot of temptations, but she thanked God for her troubles.  I heard her pray that.  Can you imagine?  James tells us to do it; but I don't think I ever actually heard anyone say those words in a prayer.  Angie did. 
     She also thanked Him for keeping her alive long enough for her to come to her senses and quit "being so hard-headed" (her words).  She was thankful for another chance to live and serve her Savior.   
      And she REJOICED!  Through all of her troubles and all of her heartaches ... she rejoiced.   She praised God in her trials and she rejoiced in His mercy and grace.  She was always so joyful to be with her church family!  She rejoiced as she pleaded with God to give her strength and help her conquer her demons.  
      Angie prayed for and encouraged others.  She often told us how much she loved and needed us.   She told us how thankful she was for us.  She had a tender and loving heart.         She urged us to stay strong - reminding us that we were all in this together and she pleaded with the Heavenly Father to give strength, comfort and peace to others she knew were hurting.   She asked God to "put a hedge row of protection"  around her sisters.  
     My friend took up God's armor and boldly marched into battle every day.  She was "strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might."  She stood against the devil's schemes.  She knew, probably better than most, who she fought against ... who the enemy was.   And she stood firm.  
     She wore the breastplate of righteousness and did her best to do right by every one.  She wore the belt of truth and was honest about her past ... and tried to get others to change as she had.  She stood ready with the gospel of peace .. longing for peace in her life and wishing the same for those she loved.  
      Angie had taken up the shield of faith and it covered her life.  She was so thankful for God's forgiveness as she wore the helmet of salvation,  knowing Christ had died for her and was standing with her helping her fight every battle.  She was armed with the sword of the Spirit, the word of God, as she turned to the scriptures time and time again.  She studied her Bible and encouraged others to seek the truth.  
      Lastly, but certainly not least, she prayed and she prayed.  She praised God.  She thanked God.  And she pleaded with Him for love and peace.  Tuesday night my sister... my friend ...  a very hard fighting soldier ... won her war.  She fought her good fight of faith .... and finally had her peace.  
      The next morning when I thought of Angie and the reality of her death began to take hold, these are the two passages that kept coming to my mind.  
      "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 firm."  (Ephesians 6:13) 
      
      "When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:  
        'Death is swallowed up in victory. 
        O death, where is your victory? 
        O death, where is your sting?'  (1 Corinthians 15:54-56)

     I thank God for my friend ... my hard fighting soldier. 

Christ above all things,
Robin Whitley