Shield of Faith...

"Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out."  [Ephesians 6:13-18, The Message]

“Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.”  This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it.  This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers. [1 Timothy 4:8-10, NLT]

Are you experiencing darkness...void...brokenness...insecurity...uncertainty...weariness...weakness... exhaustion...loneliness...adversity?  Are you struggling without purpose and searching for answers, when you don't even know the questions to ask?  Have you turned away from Truth, Righteousness, Peace, Faith and Salvation? 

OR

Are you preparing your mind for battle?  Are your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the Gospel of Peace?  Are you training yourself to be godly, to be holy - set apart - reflecting the Glory and Image of the The Way, The Truth and The Life - who is Christ Jesus!  Are you covered with the full armor of God?

It is so easy to get caught up in the darkness, worry, fear, and doubt of our continued struggle. But consider it pure joy when the enemy is working against you...for you must then be working against him!  Spiritual warfare is real y'all!  And just in case you don't know...when you are advancing the Kingdom of God by your thoughts, your actions, your words and expressions of Faith - the evil rulers and wicked schemes of this world will come against you!  So above all...pick up the "shield of faith" - the armor to the armor - and keep going...press on...finish well the course He has set before you!  Greater things are yet to come!  Stand firm, be ready and hold tightly to His Promises, for...

God is who He says He is!

God can do what He says He can do!

I am who God says I am!

I can do all things through Christ Jesus - who is our strength!

The Word of God is alive and active in my life!

{taken from Believing God by Beth Moore, emphasis mine}

And in the midst of chaos over the last two weeks...an incredible blessing of truth in a quiet moment was revealed through the words above, as I picked up Believing God and found this "shield of faith"!  And little did I know that these 5 statements of Truth would transform Kelly and my perspective and posture in ways unimaginable! 

The past two weeks have been full of struggle, and the wicked schemes of the enemy have been intense!  The physical, emotional, mental and spiritual fight over the last year has left a wake of exhaustion, weariness, and a swirl of fears! Sleep deprivation was (and is) upon us...but not just from Jackson's 4 months here on earth!  The sheer intensity of this past year's fight has come barreling down on us - and we hit the wall last week!  BUT GOD...

For He poured out so generously on us through Jesus Christ our Savior, as He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit [Titus 3:4-5]...and Renewal is upon us!  Praise be to the God of Hope - for by the Grace, Peace and Strength of our Savior, Redeemer and Lord...we have bounced back!  But, I want you to know that we would not be standing today if not for the Power and Promise in Prayer!  God's perfect provision in His Grace and Mercy continue to sustain us, as He walks with us through the struggle!  He is Faithful!  And as we fix our eyes on Christ alone, we hold firm to the Promises of the Resurrection and the Life! 

We trust and believe that our battle is not against flesh and blood...but against the enemy -  the prince of this world.  And as we stand and fight in the Name of Jesus - we must continue to prepare, hold firm, and be ready for battle with our shield of faith and the full armor of God!

UPDATE: Over the last two weeks our time has been intentional and focused on the foundation, structure and lifestyle changes necessary in our "new normal"!   Again, I believe the transition from 2 kids to 3 would be overwhelming under normal circumstances - as zone defense is a completely different from man to man!  Being outnumbered requires an different style of communication and relationship as parents - and Kelly and I have had to relearn all of our "normalcies", which has been a challenge for two first-borns!      

Jackson - has been a handful!  He has been extremely fussy, not sleeping well - especially during the noise and motion of Carter and Jordyn's day.  The transition and change in routine of "boot camp" have been difficult...but then again training - physical or spiritual - is not intended to be comfortable!  God never said it would be easy...and He never said that we could do it alone!  But He did promise it would be worth it! 

The curve ball came on Tuesday, of last week, when Jackson had his follow up appointment and echo with his new Cardiologist.  During our visit with Dr. Aurora, Jackson's echo showed that his tricuspid valve continues to have a "mild to moderate" leak.  The leak is slightly better since the Glenn surgery, but there has not been a significant change.  He is "ok" and stable right now, but as he grows and his body demands a more effective circulation and oxygen flow - the valve function in its current state, will not be sufficient.  So...we enter yet another "waiting period" over the next 12-16 months.  His team of doctors will closely watch this insufficiency and determine the appropriate steps as we get closer to the third open heart surgery in the series at or about 2 years old.  The valve function can and may improve over time - holding firm to the promise that all things are possible with Christ, who is our strength - or it may need to be surgically repaired or replaced.  Again, the worse case scenario was discussed as we continue to "prepare for the worse and remain hopeful for the best"!

And then knuckle ball was thrown last Thursday!  We received a call about 2pm from Dr. Aurora with his opening statement "I know this conversation is going to catch up off guard!"  That is never a great way to start a convo!  Here - after two days of conversation and conference with the team...they determined that Jackson's EKG may possibly have shown that he may be experiencing a cardiac arrhythmia or condition of abnormal electrical activity in the heart.  The doctors can not confirm or deny an issue from the normal EKG reading...so they admitted Jackson back into the hospital today, and placed him under general anthesia this morning at 7:30am for a series of tests, including an esophageal EKG and possible Cardiac Cath.

Obviously, with Jackson only having a single ventricle system - everyone is proceeding with extreme caution... as arrhythmias can be life-threatening - causing cardiac arrest, sudden death or predispose Jackson with the potential for a stroke.  Arrhythmias can also be very minor and more of an annoyance...and it this point, they have no idea as to the severity - if at all - to his condition.  (The series of test are currently underway, as I am writing and updating this blog from the same-day waiting room at Children's Hospital.)  We will keep you posted...

As for the rest of the family...Miss Jordyn is finally over a terrible head cold, fever, congestion and cough!  She too had not been sleeping well last week, but has a renewed energy this week!  She has been absolutely hilarious, and is really starting to express herself vocally - including the whole hand on the hip attitude.
Carter is doing great...and adjusting to the new schedule/routine of life in zone-defense!  He continues to amaze us with his example and care as a big brother - and just yesterday, he noticed that Kel was tired and struggling with a headache.  He came over to her, and told her that he would take care of Jackson and that she should go take a nap!  His compassion is absolutely awesome, and we are so excited to see how God continues to work in his life!  He continues to ask incredible questions about God, and of Jesus' death and resurrection (still amazed that he uses that word in perfect understanding) surrounding the Easter season.  His faith is absolutely amazing! 
And talk about faith...Kelly continues to be a rock!  She is absolutely incredible...and continues to provide an awesome foundation in our home!  She has been under attack - no doubt - but continues to stand strong and hold firm!  There is nothing more amazing than watching her love in action for our kids!  I definitely married up and am so blessed! 
Douglas is Douglas!  I am doing well (thanks for asking!), and I have gotten back in the saddle with work - and we are absolutely blessed to serve along side an incredible team of prayer and faith warriors!

LATEST UPDATE:  We just talked with Dr. Beerman...Jackson is out of the Cath Lab and heading to the recovery area!  The esophageal procedure went extremely well, and they were able to determine that he does NOT have the Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) rapid heart, arrhythmia condition they were fearful of.  The pacing/electrical side of his heart looks absolutely, wonderful!!!   How Awesome is our God!  Jackson will be in recovery for a couple of hours as the anesthesia wears off...and we should be home early this afternoon! 

Thank you for your continued love, prayers and support!  God does give us things that we can not handle on our own...but in Him and surrounded by His body, we can continue to wade through the struggles, holding firm to His promises!  There is a tremendous power in and through the prayers of His people...and though our circumstances may not change, the condition and attitude of our heart changes as we present our requests before His Throne of Amazing Grace! 

All Eyes on Jesus!