Finally, a new year message!

Ken and I received this angel ornament from Gwen, Tim and the kids for Christmas.  They got it at the "Kenyan Market" at their church and it was hand made in Kenya.   The material is apparently some kind of grass or reed.  It is a lovely addition to our Christmas ornaments.  And it is a fitting picture to begin my 2018 blogging!

It is especially interesting to me since it seems that my 2018 "word for the year" has to do with angels.    Towards the end of December, it seemed that my daily Bible reading was just filled with angels and angelic encounters.  Even in the readings from the Old Testament.  So my thoughts and my attention had been turned towards angels.  And then we received this ornament.  Kenya holds a special place in my heart.   A visit to Kenya in 2004 and then receiving visitors from Kenya during later years, and staying connected with many Kenyan friends through facebook, have just grown that connection for me.  So I felt like the Lord had gotten my attention.....

2017 was a year with lots of shaking and so many ups and downs.  No matter where you looked, there seemed to be some kind of disaster or horrible event happening.  It is so easy to lose your focus and to start believing that the world has just fallen apart.   Just looking at news clips or even your facebook feed can make you say "God where are you?"  But then there are the angels.....
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I have had this blog started for 7 days and I just have not been able to finish it!  There were some interruptions, some phone calls, just feeling like my mind went blank.  But I am determined to finish this blog.  Usually when I have trouble writing a blog, there is a powerful reason that I am supposed to write the blog.  I feel that way about this one.  The subject of angels is quite controversial, even though it should not be - Angels are very biblical!  Somehow you are viewed as a real crack pot or crazy person if you dare to admit to having angelic encounters.  It would not be the first time that I was labeled like that!  So here goes..

I have had several angelic encounters over the last 30 odd years.  Several were during large worship gatherings.  Sensing and even seeing angels during worship is so powerful.  One of my personal favorite "angel evidence" is Testimony about Jason Upton's "Fly"  And then here is the actual track Jason Upton "Fly".  I actually heard about this song while at a conference with Shawn Bolz  (Shawn is the speaker at the beginning of the testimony clip)  Shawn shared his experience with Jason Upton and about this song.  The track was actually not yet released when Shawn played it for us that night.  During that time of worship, that small church sanctuary was filled with angels!  It was an amazing experience. 

I have also had several personal one-on-one encounters with angels.  Each time, it was only AFTER the encounter that I realized that this was not just a man talking with me.  A handful of times, I have seen angels sitting on top of buildings as I pass by - usually following times of worship.  I have had more than my share of dreams during which angels shared important messages with me.  After a powerful prayer time for protection over my home and children, I came home and saw a large angel standing guard over my home.  Later my daughter would tell me that she saw the angel from her second floor window! 

So to proclaim 2018 as one with angelic activity is not unusual.  What is different is the kind of angelic activity that seems to be ahead this year.  While telling my small group about this, I used the description of a video war game.  It was as if I saw two different armies engaged in a raging conflict. One an army of the light and one an army of the dark.  There were many, many more warriors on the army of light.  They were easily sending their foes running away.   The message in this is really simple.   We are engaged in a large spiritual battle - whether we realize it or not.  All of the things we see happening around us in the world are evidence of this battle.  It is quite easy to feel overwhelmed and defeated if we just look in the natural.  The key is to SEE THE REAL BATTLE!  In the Spiritual realm, the battle between the angels and the demons is happening.  There are many more angels than demons.  And the demons are not winning this war!  I believe that this year we will all have greater levels of peace and calm and more intimate times with Jesus, when we ask for open eyes to see all of the angels that are fighting for us.  There are legions of angels just waiting to be commissioned to our aid, if we would but ask. 

Every time an angel appears in the Bible, their first contact is to speak away fear.  We are fearful of things we don't understand or can't explain.  Usually angels come during times of great trouble or of great need. I believe that we only see angels during these stressful times because our natural filters of unbelief are overridden at those times. So let's restate our belief in the presence and works of angels.

My 2018 goal will be to start each day asking for an awareness of the angelic activity around me.  Instead of fear or worry for loved ones, I will be asking for the commissioning of angels to surround and protect them.  Instead of hopelessness at things happening in society, I will be looking for revelation of that great army of angels fighting for us.  When news of some natural disaster reaches me, I will be commissioning angels of mercy and comfort to that region.  Each time of worship will begin with welcoming angels into the spiritual atmosphere around me.  I am ready for all that Jesus has to reveal in 2018.  How about you?

Jesus, thank you for reminding me of your great love.  Holy Spirit, help us all to accept the presence of angels around us.  Give us grace in our unbelief.  Remind us to ask for open eyes to see just how surrounded we are by legions of angels.  Jesus continue to draw us closer to you in 2018.  Amen.

Remembering the story.....

I spent today with Susie and Gwen (and Lia, Ellie, Zeke and Anna).  As I was giving Lia a hug, I was thinking about this particular picture.  This is Gwen and I when she was just about the same age as Lia is right now.  And I remember that this picture was most likely the first picture that Doug ever took!  This was long before digital photos and you really were careful with those 24 pictures on a roll of film!  Honestly it just seems like yesterday in so many ways.  But, the years have passed....lots of years.  And here we are in this difficult year.  We spent the day mainly just chatting and watching some television with the kids.  Even that is difficult with all the commercials with children and families, babies and pregnant women.  It seems at every turn there is another reminder for our family that we are missing a very important member.  Yes, Lucas is missed.

This morning I was reading from The Passion Translation Luke and Acts.  I loved this version of the angels appearing to the shepherds....

"That night, in a field near Bethlehem. there were shepherds watching over their flocks.  Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared in radiant splendor before them, lighting up the field with the blazing glory of God, and the shepherds were terrified! But the angel reassured them saying, "Don't be afraid for I have come to bring you good news, the most joyous news the world has ever heard! And it is for everyone, everywhere!  For today, in Bethlehem, a rescuer was born for you.  He is the Lord Yahweh, the Messiah! You will recognize him by this miracle sign; you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and laying in a feeding trough."  Then all at once, a vast number of glorious angels appeared, the very armies of heaven!  And they all praised God singing
"Glory to God in the highest realms of heaven! For there is peace and a good hope given to the sons of men"

Yes, there is that word....again.....hope.  And not just hope, but a GOOD HOPE.  Christmas is really about that hope.  Last Saturday night, at the Christmas concert at Gwen's church, we saw this really funny video...... The Truth about Christmas - funny.  This is worth a watch.  You see, in the midst of our very hard year and this time of struggle to just walk through this season, in missing Lucas so much, we need to laugh.  And we also need to focus on what is really important.  Please take a moment and watch this link.  And laugh with me.  And remember that the HOPE of Christmas - the truth of Christmas - Jesus is what is really important.    I will be watching this more than one time.  Today it feels good to laugh.

Jesus, thank you for time together with family and friends.  Thank you for speaking into our situations with your Word.  Holy Spirit, thank you for using new translations and videos and Facebook and blogs to touch us and to share the Good News of the birth of Jesus.  Thank you for your love and care and for your presence with us, especially in the hard times.   Thank you for GOOD HOPE!  Amen

Another dose of hope....

It has been an interesting couple of days.  I was so grateful to gather with my prayer group friends for fellowship and prayer.  This sweet ornament was a gift from that occasion.  An angel of hope.  Yes, I really needed that message.  And now I can see that reminder each time that I look at my tree. This prayer group is such a gift to me.  I just don't know what I would do without their support and encouragement.  And of course, their prayers.

You know, it is very difficult to walk through a family crisis during a time of celebration - for everyone else.  I have been feeling this even more intensely as Christmas approaches.  Quite frankly, tonight, I would rather it just jump ahead to January.  But then, as I reflect on that thought, I realize that the last thing that I need right now is to skip the most important event in history.  The birth of Jesus - Emmanuel - God with us.  For never has there been a time that I personally, so needed Jesus with me as right now.

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So this blog did not get finished last night, since my computer completely locked up.  Ken received notification that we had "malicious mal ware" on one of our computers....guess which one!  So thankfully, Ken spent many hours last night, scanning and deleting and doing all those "techy" kind of things so that I can have a working system.  And finish this blog.  Yes, I am so thankful for a husband that can step in and help make things right for me (and my computer!)
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Yes, Christmas is a time to gather as family.  To worship and praise with the angels.  But it is also a time when the losses are much more apparent.  When that chair is empty at the family dinner, or there are no presents for that person.  So sometimes, it is just to difficult to gather.  And it is a time to consider making NEW traditions and letting go of some of the old ones.  Sometimes that is just what you need.....a new thing.

There have been many prophetic words about 2015.  All of them focus on the great blessings that 2015 will hold.  Some even talk of the repayment in double of the losses that have been suffered in the last year.  All of them proclaim that 2015 will be a New Year of Great Grace.  So, yes, I am looking forward to stepping into 2015.  There is great hope in a new year.  Hope for fulfilled promises.  Hope for new beginnings.  Hope for blessing and love.  And I am anticipating, with great hope, that new thing.  Yes, Christmas is difficult.  But the spirit of Christmas is love.  So great a love that God sent his son to live among us.  And because of Jesus' death and resurrection, there is great HOPE!   I will purpose to walk through Christmas with that spirit of love bathed in the hope of the new year.

"For God so loved the world that he sent his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."  John 3:16

Thank you for knowing and accepting us right where we are.  Jesus, you never ask us to be anything but true to ourselves.  Thank you for loving me and caring for me, even when things are difficult.  Thank you for family - for the closeness and the love.  Thank you for friends and the prayers that sustain us.  Thank you for wisdom and knowledge to repair computers. Thank you for the amazing gift of a tiny baby that brought heaven to earth.  Thank you for your great promises and the new things that bring us hope.    Amen

A bit of a throwback...Monday and an interesting dream!

So one of the things I found this weekend, while cleaning out those closets, was lots and lots of pictures.  Some had been in frames on our walls at one time.  Some were just loose pictures.  I found this great shot above and given the week...Halloween... I felt that it was appropriate!  Don't you just love the looks on those faces?  And why does it seem like just yesterday that I was watching this pumpkin carving?  Now, in typical "mom" fashion, all I can think about is that shirt that Doug is wearing!  He LOVED that particular shirt and he wore it ALL THE TIME!  I got so sick of seeing that shirt in the wash.  I was so glad when he finally outgrew it.  But I am glad that I have this photographic reminder of that piece of clothing.  I also love seeing all of the stuff on the curtains and freezer.  We certainly did display the kids artwork.  I think the kids were 6 and 9 in this picture, but I'm not exactly sure.  I'll have to check with Gwen.  At any rate, it is a LONG time ago.  But this makes me smile!

Last night I had one of those really interesting dreams.  I woke up and started writing it down so I wouldn't forget any part of it.  First of all, there were so many angels that I couldn't count them.  It was as if my eyes were opened to see what had been there all along, so when I looked out the window I just saw legions of angels.  There were so many that I could not actually take it all in.  At one point I shut my eyes because I was feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all.  But then I saw ABOVE all of these angels, a huge map like "thing" that was covering the entire sky.  It kind of reminded me of being at a planetarium when they project the constellation map on the ceiling.  That giant map was the "instruction board" for those angels.  They would observe the plans, get their assignments and off they went.  As I was watching all this activity (which was sort of like watching a very busy downtown traffic area),  several angels approached me.  They were not at all scary in any way and they were smiling at me. As quickly as they had come to me, they were gone.  I found a paper in my hand and it said  .....  'SKY SIGHT IS YOUR RIGHT ..... MAKE SURE YOUR EYE SIGHT IS SKY SIGHT"

At first I just thought, "well that's interesting".  But the more I thought about this message, the more I saw that this is a really big deal!  It was another reminder to be sure where my focus is.  And it needs to be on Jesus.  I know that I have not been expecting to see in the Spirit.   I have not asked to see angels and I have not seen them.  This dream is just an encouragement for ALL of us to be seeing what is happening in the Spiritual realm that is all around us.  And even more than an encouragement, it is our RIGHT to see into the Spiritual happenings all around us.  As I have been thinking about this, there have been plenty of reminders and nudges give to me about my EYESIGHT.  I haven't really understood what that was about.  And quite honestly right now, I just know that I need to be asking for revelation of the Spiritual Realm, and I need to be keeping on looking up!

Jesus, thank you for dreams and revelations that help us to walk through our day.  Holy Spirit, you are the communicator and the one that helps us "chew on" all that you bring to us.  Thank you for all of those ministering angels that are surrounding us and doing your bidding, Jesus.  Thank you for opening my eyes to "sky sight"!   Amen

The bad, the good and the.....GREAT!

So I didn't post a blog last night.  And the reason was, well the BAD of this post.  We have a very large open green space behind our house and a small creek that separates us from older homes on the other side.  I knew we might be in for trouble, late on Friday afternoon, when I saw a large tent and several smaller tents on one of the properties across the creek from our house.  People began to arrive around 5:00 and by 6:00 there was a LARGE, very noisy group.  The music was so loud that at 7:30 we called the police to complain and they could hear the music during the phone call!  Well, the music quieted down, for a time.  But at 11:00pm the wall of our bedroom was vibrating with the beat. I couldn't even say that I enjoyed the music, since it was all in Spanish!  And it was still going on at 11:30pm.  Needless to say it took me a long time to fall asleep and I woke up this morning with a headache.  Okay........ that is the explanation of the BAD.  And I did struggle a bit with my grateful list... but here it is   1. I am thankful for great friends and wonderful times talking over lunch! 2. I am grateful for protection during the strong storms.  3.  So thankful for my E Bible that allows me to always have a Bible with me (on my cell phone).

Now, on to the good....

Today Ken and I spent the better part of the day at his workplace!  They had an employee open house and tours of the new facility.  This is the view out of windows from the actual offices on the 10th floor of a large office building.  And this is certainly good.

It is really nice to have such a good view.  And here is Ken enjoying that view from the kitchen area of the office.   HOWEVER,  he doesn't get to spend much time here.  Unfortunately, his work space - the Metrology Lab is actually in the basement of the building.  Yes, that's right - the basement.

And here is one picture of Ken in the lab.  But that brings me to the GREAT of this day.  I loved getting to sit in the corner (I actually was sitting in the corner out of the way) and listen to Ken give guided tours of his lab.  He was able to interest everyone with the information he shared - even the littlest child.  He gave several demonstrations of the equipment that he works with every day, including one tester that measures the amount of air that will pass by the top of a pen if it were to be swallowed.  (After telling ALL of the kids that they should NEVER swallow anything, one little girl said she learned her lesson after swallowing a quarter!)  There were many more people than Ken expected.  He did his little tour 5 different times.  Yes, this was a GREAT part of today.  It is really neat to see Ken in his work place and it was good to see the interest of the many, many people who stopped down to see what actually happens on the lower level! 

Which brings me to my thankful list for today....1.  I am so thankful for Newell Rubbermaid and Ken's job.  2.  I am grateful for amazing views from 10th floor windows.  3.  SO thankful for quiet and peace tonight!

Yes, I have had a really nice birthday - today is actually the day.  Ken and I enjoyed a nice dinner out at the place of my choice - (I love Clucks and Fries!).  And now I am enjoying the quiet.   

I want to end this post with this bit of really good news......

News flash! God has sent angels with special orders to protect you! They're big and they're not to mess with! Listen to this:
"God will send His angel-messengers
With special orders to protect you wherever you go
Defending you from all harm.
If you walk into a trap they’ll be there for you...
And keep you from stumbling!
You’ll even walk unharmed among the fiercest powers of darkness,
Trampling every one of them beneath your feet!
For here is what the Lord has spoken to me:
“Because you have chosen to be My great lover,
I will greatly protect you.
I will set you in a high place,
Safe and secure before My face."
Psalm 91:11-14 The Passion Translation

Jesus, thank you for reminding us of the truth of who you are and what you have done for us.  Thank you for good days that follow bad nights.  And thank you for great endings.   Holy Spirit, help us all to appreciate the work that has been provided for our families.  Jesus thank you for those amazing angels that you dispatch to protect us.  Amen

Christmas blessings and memories

Late last night all I could think about was a very special memory I have from a Christmas Eve in 1994.  The picture above is of my sweet Lia (in red) from 2009, when Gwen used the same format for her church Christmas program.  Here is my memory for 1994.....

I found this program in the late 1980's but never had a chance to use it until the early 90's.  The idea is that it is a "no practice" Sunday School program that lets kids decide what part they play.  During those years it was quite typical to do large, performance based programs that unfortunately excluded kids who, for whatever reason, couldn't make multiple rehearsals.  Someone quite brilliant came up with this format, and I loved it!  You prepare about 6-8 simple props for each of the "parts" of the Christmas story.  A paper heart necklace for Mary, a strip of cloth that become either a belt for Joseph or a headband wrap for the shepherds, a circle of tinsel for the Angels head piece, paper headband "ears" for the animals, and simple paper crowns for the Kings (we used Burger King crowns - they were perfect!).  I finally got the chance to actually use this program in 1993 when my church and Pastor always had a simple family Christmas Eve service where the Pastor dressed as a shepherd and told the Christmas Story interspersed with the singing of Christmas Carols.  (Thanks Faith Lutheran Church and Pr. Dave Dorpat).  I set up several rows of little chairs around the wooden manger, some for the Marys and some for the Josephs.  The first year was magical.  We had about an even mix of kids choosing the parts and the front of the church was filled with the faces of the sweet children.  So many thankful Grandmas and Grandpas and moms and dads sat in the pews watching these little ones act out this familiar story.  Yes, it was a big hit.  Many said that they never thought that their children would have a chance to be in something like this.  It was a blessing.  Then, the next year, I was asked to help with the same program.  So, I willingly prepared all the props and got ready for the service.

But something really extraordinary happened during that Christmas Eve service in 1994, First of all, the weather was terrible and it looked like the attendance would be very low for this service.  It was a weekday and many families had to work and the service was quite early in the afternoon.  Pr. Dave did not seem the least bit worried.   Families started to fill the pews and the service started.  When it was time for the Marys to come forward only one little girl came to the front.  I thought this was strange since you would expect 4 or 5.  Then the Josephs were called and again, only 1 little boy came up.  We had 1 little animal and 1 angel.  And then the shepherds were called to the front.  When 6 children stood there waiting for their headbands, I realized what an amazing gift we were witnessing.  That night, Jesus reminded us all that we need to listen and hear the message of the ages.  "Fear not, for unto you is born this night, in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord". 
And then we need to drop everything and go and tell everyone what we have heard. 

I remember reflecting on that particular Christmas Eve service so many times.  You see the shepherds were really the lowest of the low in this story.  They were sitting out in the cold, in the fields, doing a job that not many wanted to do.  It was most often the youngest and the least favored in the family who drew the lot to do that job.  Yet, the most important and world changing message was sent FIRST to these common men.  I loved that the children were drawn to be shepherds.  I wanted to be a shepherd right along with them.  Thankfully, Pastor Dave also saw the miracle of this event.  He spoke at great length that night, himself dressed as a shepherd, about the gift and the reminder that we had been given through these little children.  It was a teary and wonderful service that I will never forget. 

So, today, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas.  I pray that you will all spend just a moment reflecting on those shepherds, doing their jobs and going about their business out in the fields. Take just a few breathes and then be amazed by the Good News from the angels. 

Glory to God in the Highest and Peace to all!   

Night of interesting dreams.....after my last post!

I didn't really expect to have a night filled with amazing and interesting dreams, but that sure was the case last night!  I posted a picture of a church from Aberdeen, South Dakota.  Well, in addition to being the first church where I attended Sunday school, it was also the church at which my sister Karen and brother-in-law Roy, were married!  My family's time in Aberdeen was actually very short - only about 2 1/2 years.  I started Kindergarten there.  And my mom also always talked about her "most crazy busy time ever".  This was the last 4 months we lived in Aberdeen.  In those 4 months my sister Julie got confirmed, my brother Jerry graduated from High School, and my sister Karen got married.  PLUS we were preparing to move and our house was for sale! So we had a constant parade of visitors for the various, aforementioned activities, including many aunts and uncles.  Since I was just 5 years old, I don't remember a lot of this time, but apparently there were some buried memories from that time.....

So last night I had a dream that started in the narthex of that church.  I was standing there just looking into the sanctuary.  Suddenly, it was filled with light and there was a dramatic hush that filled the building.  As I looked up, the ceiling was filled with angels and there was singing - beautiful singing in every corner.  At some point in this "dream" I realized that this had actually happened!  When I woke from this dream, I was remembering the very day this happened.  My mom was a leader for my brother Greg's boy scout troop. There was a "blue and gold" banquet that was being held in the church basement.  We were at the church before the event so that my mom could set up.  I had wandered upstairs and was standing looking into the sanctuary.  And that is when I saw and experienced this.......   Now here is the funny thing about this.  At my sister's wedding, I was the flower girl.  I had a really great dress that had a "hoop" in the skirt so that it stood out.  I loved that dress.  But when it came time for me to walk down the aisle during the rehearsal, I froze and refused to walk down.  I had always just assumed that I just got scared (I was only 5) but actually, I was remembering seeing those angels. 

Yes, there was something so special about that church.  After I heard the story of Easter for the first time at Sunday School in that church, at 4 years old, I had an amazing dream.  I was walking with Jesus in a beautiful garden.  There was a winding path that we were walking on, and there were flowers all around.   Jesus held my hand and told me that the story of Easter was true.  Every part of the story.  That he was alive and he was real.  If I close my eyes, I can still feel him holding my hand.  That dream influenced the rest of my life.  And now, I remember this amazing time of hearing and seeing the angels.   I am so thankful for that church and these memories. 

Jesus, thank you for speaking to us in dreams and visions.  I love that you speak to children and open their spiritual eyes and ears to see and hear things that adults may miss.  Holy Spirit, give us all increased and clearer vision and better hearing so that we don't miss this kind of amazing moments.  Jesus, thank you for reminding me of that amazing time. Holy Spirit, remind everyone of those special moments of seeing and hearing they may have experienced.   Continue to bless that church and all who worship there.  Amen

Added another of my favorite Christmas ornaments.  I made these angels as part of my Children's Ministry program in 1994.  My mom helped assemble them.  Special angel memory!

dreams of heavenly battles......

Over the years I have had some pretty interesting dreams.  It seems that when Jesus really wants to get my attention, he will use a dream.  I guess I have fewer "filters" when I am sleeping so the message gets through to me quicker!  However sometimes it takes a bit of time to actually understand what the message is!  In the last couple of weeks I have had some of the usual back to school dreams - you know, the showing up to school in pajama dreams, or forgetting your locker combination.  My most vivid back to school dream last week was what I call a "nanny-dream" - my current version of back to school.  I had a dream that I forgot the way to drive the kids to school.  And then when I got to the school, I couldn't figure out the car line for drop off!  I was seeing the scene from the movie "Mr. Mom" in my head, when the main character is trying to drop off his son for the first time.  Over and over his son says, "Dad, your doing it wrong!".  And of course, he WAS doing it wrong.  You see, for anyone who has never done a school drop off/pick up line, there is a right way and and a wrong way to do it!  Fortunately for me, I have actually been doing the car line for 5 years now, so it is old hat.  But thanks to this dream, my heart went out to all of those "first timers" who were "doing it wrong!" 

My dream last night was far bigger than the car line.  I had a dream about a battle that is raging in the heavens.  There was a dark cloud hanging in the atmosphere.  It looked BIG and enormous.  There were words written on the cloud - words like pain, sickness, agony.  Things like hopelessness, depression and anxiety.  There were words of doubt and fear and anger.  I saw selfishness, pride, control, ego.  And together all these things made up one very big enemy.  The amazing thing was that the source of this darkness was coming from the earth.  It was coming from dark spirits that had wrapped themselves around people.  Some of the people did not know this darkness was even around them.  But there was a strand of darkness connecting the people to the big darkness in the heavens.   Then I saw the arrival of an amazing host of heavenly warriors.  These magnificent angels had golden armour and huge swords.  They surrounded the big cloud of darkness, and as if on cue, they began to swing their swords.  Each time that the swords made a mark in the cloud, I saw the darkness around the people on earth, lessen.  It was as if the evil was losing its grip on the person.  Over and over the warriors cut through the darkness and the clouds around the people began to lift.  I saw the cords from the darkness just snap as the angels worked on and on to dissipate the cloud.  There was a moment when the darkness was gone and the warriors swords stopped and then there was singing and rejoicing as the Son came out in full force!   There was golden light just streaming down.  Simply amazing.

Today, as I have been reflecting on this dream, I realized that the war was going on for ALL people on the earth.  It was not just for a select few - those that know that they are under some kind of oppression.  The battle was raging for everyone - even those that had welcomed the evil around them.  Isn't that a great comfort?  Many of us have loved ones who are walking in scary places and dabbling in dangerous stuff.  Some of us may know people who really don't understand how very real this spiritual battle is.  Yet, we can know that the Father has sent out his heavenly hosts to do battle.

If you have been sensing a dark cloud over your family or your home, enter into this wonderful vision.  See that Jesus is sending the troops to fight this battle.  It is not yours to fight. Keep pressing in to Jesus, and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal this truth to you.  Keep looking up at Jesus, until you see the victory that is his.  Enter into the rejoicing and bask in the amazing light. 

Yahweh, thank you for using dreams to remind us of your work in the heavenlies.  Thank you Jesus for sending forth the warriors to do battle, even when we aren't aware of the war and don't know that we need your help.  Holy Spirit, draw those who are suffering under these dark clouds, closer to Jesus.  Turn their eyes to the heavens, where their help comes from!  Thank you for the celebration that is ours to enter.  Hallelujah!   Amen