Panther Armor of God

Sam just returned from a 3-day "sabbatical" of sorts with his football team.  No phones, no internet, no social media, no TVs, no parents or girlfriends..... just bonding time with his teammates in order to build their foundation's motto for the year..."FAMILY."  I don't know if the boys are so close due to taking the "motto" to heart....or if the motto came about because our boys are so close.  It's a toss-up for this momma, who has watched them grow as both teammates and friends over the years.  Doesn't really matter.  The fact is...they are close.  They are special.  And maybe I'm a bit partial, but not sure I've seen it this way before.

The three days included practice of course....but it also included fun and silly times....complete with slip & slides, egg toss competitions, archery, canoes and lots of food.  It was held at Family Farm...a local Christian day camp that has always been a favorite of my kiddos.  Sydney has been a counselor there for a couple of summers.  The camp's leader always shares with its campers from Ephesians chapter 6 about each day putting on the "Armor of God."  I loved that when my David came home from his "Daddy volunteering" time on Sunday night sharing with this with me, and Sydney popped in and told all about this chapter and what it meant.  Daddy May left an impression on my little girl.

Here is one of my favorite team pics from camp that I sorta stole from the Coach's FB page.....

Sam came home tonight and we talked a little about the week.  He was tired...and after taking a spin in momma's new car, headed home and crashed.  Much of our conversation revolved around the tragic loss of a young man and former teammate of Sam's in a car accident that also involved one of our dearest friends. Once again, our community is shaken by the loss of young life.  Leaves us with the horror much too close to home and the realization of how precious life is.  I've spent the last two days aching for the parents involved, the friends and family grieving, for the child that is fighting for her life, the young man that was behind the wheel and our sweet friend that witnessed it all.

Makes me want to hold tight to my kids and never let them walk out the door.  As I talked at length tonight with my friends about tragedy, and finding the right words to comfort, we all agreed that the ultimate protector and comforter is our Heavenly Father.  That is it.  Period.

The events of the accident and my son on the cusp of football season of his Senior Year is a great reminder of the armor of God and the protection God gives us in the game of life. So to my Sam....Listen to this!!  No football player, in their right mind, would run on to the field for a game without his uniform including all the pads!

In life, just like in a football game, we have been given pieces of armor/equipment that help to protect us.

Ephesians 6:11-13 "Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand."

Belt of Truth - Eph. 6:14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,"

Just like the football belt holds the pants up and gives security, so does this piece of the armor of God.  Truth will always give you the freedom and security to face anything that comes your way.  The belt goes around the waist, our midsection. It secures the pads around that section. Truth brings assurance into our lives thereby also bringing security into those whom we belong. I also think of it protecting us from always being led by our emotions. How many times do we refer to our midsection when we speak of our emotions - "I had a feeling in the pit of my stomach;" "I had butterflies in my stomach." We can't base decisions on our emotions, they can mislead. We must base them on the Truth of God's Word.

To my children....ALWAYS stand FIRM on God's Word.  Always.

Breastplate of Righteousness - Think of your shoulder pads.  How they protect your chest....wherein lies your heart, son.  Eph. 6:14 "with the breastplate of righteousness in place,"

This piece of God's armor protects our heart. Christ's righteousness, right relationship with God, is credited to us! Because of it our heart is protected from being led astray.  Remember, when we DO take a wrong turn, when we leave our shoulder pads off for a day or 2....we can always put them on again.  That protection is forever there for us.  God promises us that.  Each time you put them on....remember that God is protecting your heart.  He is protecting YOU.

Shoes of Peace -Eph. 6:15 "and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace."
Friday night, we shopped for your new cleats for the season.  We found the ones you wanted.  The perfect pair.  When you look down at them...remember they mean so much more. Football cleats dig into the ground and give you traction - help you stand in position. The gospel of peace - a peace with God, keeps us grounded. This peace keeps us calm and standing strong when storms come into our life. We are grounded because of the good news that we can have peace with God through Jesus Christ!

Shield of Faith  Eph. 6:16 "In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one."
This piece of the armor of God goes out before - in front. It is the first point of contact with the opposing force. Faith is the first step in standing strong for God.  Your gloves protect your hands.  Your hands that are needed for every task you are to complete.  They help you to hold on to the ball on the field....and to hold on to what is important in life.  Wear them with pride, son.

Hebrews 11:6 says "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
Trusting God is what moves us forward. Knowing and believing that He is real and active in our lives pushes the opposing team backwards....on AND off of the field!

Helmet of Salvation - Eph. 6:17 "Take the helmet of salvation"
A very important piece of the armor of God, the helmet of salvation protects our mind. It is there that as an act of the will we first choose Jesus. And it is there that we continue to consciously choose Him each and everyday. Our minds are attacked with ideas from the world, ideas that do not draw us closer to God. The helmet helps to guard our minds; it is His saving grace that purifies our thoughts.

Sword of the Spirit - Eph. 6:17 "and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
All other pieces of the armor of God are defensive. The sword of the Spirit or Word of God is offensive. Just like a football playbook, it give us direction. It gives us instruction about how to play this game of life so that we can win!  Always dig deep in the Word.  Follow it.  Believe in it.  Trust it. And most importantly, live it.  The Bible IS your playbook.

Prayer  - Eph. 6:18 "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."
Just like the football jersey covers the football pads so that they will function properly, prayer covers all the other armor and brings them together as one unit that functions together.

A football jersey also identifies which team one is playing for. Are you on God's team? Yes!  Remember your salvation, my precious Sam. Always look to God.  Pray. Listen.

Just like a football is to be thrown or carried down the field, so we are to carry the Gospel to share with others!

Sam's class has always gotten a tad overlooked.  With a strong class ahead of them, and a strong class behind them.....they've somewhat gotten lost in the shuffle.  A part of me is just a bit excited to watch them take the field and finally get noticed for the leaders they are.  This is their Senior year.  Their last chance. Their time. THEIR shot.

Good luck to the 2014 Benton Panthers and I pray for so many blessings over each of them on and off the field.  As they are led by their team of Coaches and the  Class of 2015....I hope they always remember to dress in their Armor each day....on and off the field.  With God on your side....nothing is ever impossible.  (I'm having a "Facing the Giants"  flashback here....so scream with me..."Stone Wall!!  Stone Wall!! Stone Wall!!)  I love these boys.  As in life, look to our FATHER as the head of your FAMILY.   And as I blink back tears wondering where all the time is gone.....I am so proud of where you have come and excited for where God will take you.....

Seems like only yesterday....

In Him,

Terri