I will be leading a few of us men through the 6-part study.  This is a great book and takes a very accessible approach to winning the war against us, usually starting within our thoughts. Louie Giglio's "Don't Let the Enemy Have a Seat at Your Table" isn't about literal enemies, but rather the negative thoughts and lies that infiltrate our minds, hindering our relationship with God and impacting our lives. The book provides a framework for recognizing, rejecting, and replacing these destructive thoughts with truth. Here's a summary of the key concepts: The Table of Your Mind: Giglio uses the metaphor of a table to represent our minds. We have the power to choose who sits at that table – what thoughts we entertain and dwell upon. The "enemy" refers to Satan and his tactics of deception, trying to plant seeds of doubt, fear, shame, and condemnation in our minds. Lies the Enemy Tells: The book identifies common lies the enemy uses, such as: You'r...

A Podcast on Living Out Your Faith:

The story of Gideon, tucked away in the book of Judges (chapters 6-8), offers a powerful metaphor for finding the strength to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges. Gideon himself wasn't a sculpted hero but an ordinary farmer threshing wheat in secret, hiding from the oppressive Midianites. Yet, God calls upon Gideon to be the unlikely champion who will liberate Israel. Here's how this narrative can guide us in finding our own "Gideon": The Underdog Anointed:  Unlike warriors like David or Joshua, Gideon lacked confidence. He questioned God's choice, stating, "I am the least in my family" (Judges 6:15). This resonates with the times we feel inadequate, the Gideon residing within ourselves feeling too small for the battles we face. But just as God declared to Gideon, "The Lord is with you, mighty warrior" (Judges 6:12), we can discover a hidden strength – a wellspring of courage waiting to be tapped. Divine Recognition: God app...

  In my last post, I talked about finding redemption in the broken places. Today, I want to delve a little deeper – into the nitty-gritty of living each day knowing God is in control. Now, don't get me wrong, it's not always sunshine and rainbows. Life throws curveballs, the news can be overwhelming, and sometimes you just want to scream into the void. But that's where faith comes in. It's not a magic wand that whisks away problems, but it is a foundation, a steady hand to guide you through the storm. So, how do we navigate the day-to-day knowing God's got the wheel? Here are a few pointers that have helped me: Start your day with Him:  Before the chaos of the world crashes in, carve out some quiet time for prayer and reflection. Read a scripture passage that resonates with you, write down your worries and anxieties, and simply listen for that inner peace. Practice Gratitude:  Even on the toughest days, there's always something to be thankful for. A warm cup of ...

Life threw me a curveball, one that left me bruised and confused. I grew up in a storm – a storm of abuse that clung to my family like a shroud. My brother, good guy that he was, just couldn't escape the darkness. He chased fleeting comforts, leaned on people who wouldn't hold him up, all the while the enemy whispered sweet nothings in his ear. Codependency, they call it – relying on the wrong people for love, a trap that slowly choked the life out of him. He never found his faith, and that's a burden I carry with me to this day. But even in the wreckage, there's a chance to find hope. My brother's struggle, the pain that shadowed our family – that's the fire that forged my faith. I saw firsthand the destruction that came from chasing fleeting shadows, and I clung all the harder to the teachings of Christ. That's what redemption is all about, you see. It's taking the broken pieces of your life and offering them up to God. It's letting Him mend the cr...

Even in our freedom gained through true salvation, maintaining faith that God's plan is still in effect in the face of extreme adversity is difficult.  We are on the training range and the battlefield simultaneiously.   Ephesians 6:13 does not say put on part of the armour of God, but the whole armour of God.  I may still piecemeal my armour but I am learning that God hast to be at the center or actions become mine, not his.   It is a unique perspective to think that when we are on the offense we need to be in a position of surrender. Selfish revenge is not what God had is mind when he said Vengeance is mine. Romans 12:19 -21: Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave iti to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but ov...