Friday Foto Friends: Hidden in the Secret Place

Good Friday morning from Still Waters Pond! It's time for some Friday Fotos! Wasn't sure what I would have to show you that I hadn't already posted earlier this week, but then this beautiful Red Shouldered Hawk flew into our pine tree just outside the back porch overlooking the pond, and stayed long enough for me to catch a few pictures before he flew away.

If you think he looks like he is hiding from something, you may be correct.

 

 

There were several big crows flying around and pestering him and loudly cawing back and forth to try and drive him away. So he flew into this tree and crouched down under the branches to get a little bit of cover from their onslaughts.

Sadly I felt like I could identify with him, although hawks are predators and he may have been too close to the crow's nest...that I don't know...but they sure did make a racket and let him know that they didn't like him in their territory under any circumstances.

Sometimes we feel like we are being hammered by the enemy and we just need to hide away for a while  until they get tired of yelling at us and go away.

And then, when we feel like the coast is clear...when it seems safe enough to stick our neck back out there and look around...

We take one last quick look, and then take off as fast as we can for the next safe limb, farther away from their jeers and intimidating swoops that were intended to strike fear in our hearts and minds so they could feel more powerful than us.

We look for a safer spot where we can get a better look at our enemies and prepare for our next move, which in the case of this hawk was a flight across the pond to a more protected vantage point further away.

King David had similar experiences with his enemies, and this is what he wrote in thanks and praise to Almighty God for His protection:

Psalm 27:5-6 NKJV

"5. For in the time of trouble

He shall hide me in His pavilion;

In the secret place of His tabernacle

He shall hide me;

He shall set me high upon a rock.

6.  And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me;

Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle;

I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord."

Psalm 28:6-7

6. "Blessed be the LORD, 

because He has heard the voice of my supplications!

7.  The LORD is my strength and my shield;

My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;

Therefore my heart greatly rejoices,

and with my song I will praise Him."

Perhaps we needed this lesson from the hawk today to give us encouragement and hope. It certainly spoke to my heart, and I hope it will to you as well, in case you ever find yourself feeling like this hawk probably felt.  I know we usually think of the hawk as the enemy, but not in this scenario. He was being bombarded by the loud, noisy, "know it all" crows. They were the bullies, taunting him and being obnoxious and very disturbing.  The hawk really had no other recourse to defend himself except to find a place of refuge for a while until they got tired of pestering him. The hawk took the low road...he hid himself for a little while until they gave up, and then his head "was lifted up above his enemies" and he could move on to safety.  I actually found myself rooting and cheering for the hawk.  I was happy to see him escape those pesky crows and get to higher ground where he was safe. I think I heard him give a victory cry as he flew across the pond and foiled the plans of those who sought to harm him. 

Notice that the scripture verse above says "my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me"... (Psalm 27:6).  To me this means that God literally lifted up King David's head above his enemies.  God gave him the strength and power to overcome the evils that surrounded him on every side.  David knew that without God's help he was helpless. He acknowledges that it is the LORD who is his strength and shield. "My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped."  May we also recognize that it is God who gives us our strength and shield in the time of trouble...and put our trust solely in Him.

"And with my song I will praise Him."

Just some good food for thought for us today as we deal with the enemies of our lives.

Keep looking up toward heaven...God always has a better plan.

Happy Friday!!

 

Life All Around Us

As I sat in my "Secret Memorial Garden" the other day, I noticed this male Cardinal in the tree nearby. Picture is a little blurry because he was trying his best to hide from me, but he stayed close by.

Maybe he was protecting his youngsters from this Red Shouldered Hawk, who was doing some hunting on the ground next to the swollen pond...

 I almost missed seeing him. It is amazing what you can see when you just sit quietly for a while and observe nature...and observe life in general...

 Isn't he handsome?

 He flew up into the tree, and then he was watching me!

 Contemplating his next move, I am sure...

 He kept me in his view and then he flew...

 Then I noticed the male Cardinal was back at the birdbath in plain view, imitating Bobby the Squirrel...making like a statue. Perhaps he was also quietly observing life around him.

We took a walk in our woodsy walking place, and I've been noticing some very large mushrooms growing overnight it seems, with all of the rain we've been having.

 This very big, fat, and wet mushroom was wider and bigger than my size 9 shoe.

It was so heavy with moisture that it could barely stand up among the deer moss.

We also discovered this what appeared to be a "Yellow Bellied Slider" turtle crossing the dirt road where we walked.

I believe he is a water turtle, but he was a pretty good distance away from a small lake that was further down the road, and he wasn't headed in that direction. So I don't know where he was going, but I let him go on his way. I figured he knew what he was doing and I certainly didn't.

 I just hope he made it back to safety or wherever he belongs.

I posted this picture of this cut dead tree HERE before, but I wanted to share it again. To me it looks like a baby in utero, waiting to be born, it was cut off before it had a chance to be born.  Sadly, that happens way too often in our society...just another observation about life.

This is a section of that same tree that fell out of the side of the tree when it was cut down...the tree was obviously dead, but these lines tell the story of it's life,

 much like the circles on the tree when it is cut across the trunk.  I wonder what stories the lines/circles of our lives will tell someday?

Again, there was life going on even around that which was considered dead...

And speaking of life: There is MUCH life going on in this bird house!  The parent Tufted Titmouses are very busily going back and forth in and out of this birdhouse, feeding their young...

This is the best action shot I could get of one of the parents either leaving or entering the birdhouse.

There must be a very hungry brood inside, as both parents are extremely busy keeping them well fed these days. I hope I get to see the babies when they come out.

And speaking of hungry...there has been a LOT of water bird activity around our pond now that the rains have come and filled it back up.  This Great Blue Heron is a frequent visitor, and he seems quite pleased with the fresh new places that are available for him to hunt these days.

  Just cruising along, singing a song.  I actually did hear him make quite a loud squawking sound as he lifted up from this position

and flew up to the nearest tree

And then he/she appeared to be bowing for his/her audience, spreading out her "skirt" wings as if in a very formal curtsey to the Queen,

 And then proceeded to stand there on that skinny tree limb just like this for a very long time. I assume he/she was drying out her wings and taking a sunbath, but it was kind of comical to watch.

Last night we had quite a wild thunderstorm, which dumped a lot more rain on Still Waters Pond, but then afterwards the sun came out and the reflections on the water were so magnificent, I just had to clap and praise the Lord for more of His beauty.

 It almost looks like autumn, but actually it was just the way the sunlight was shining on the trees. I called this "On Golden Pond". 

In closing I will share parts of the Psalm we read this morning in our devotions:

Psalm 98

1.  "Oh, sing to the Lord a new song!

For He has done marvelous things;

His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory.

2.  The Lord has made known His salvation;

His righteousness He has revealed in the sight of the nations.

3.  He has remembered His mercy and His faithfulness to the house of Israel;

All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

4.  Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth;

Break forth in song, rejoice, 

and sing praises.

5.  Sing to the Lord with the harp,

with the harp and the sound of a psalm,

6.  With trumpets and the sound of a horn;

shout joyfully before the Lord,

the King."

Let us join in singing to the Lord, for He HAS done marvelous things, and He HAS gained the victory!

We just need to trust in Him and stay focused on what God is doing in the midst of this current world's situation. 

7.  "Let the sea roar, and all its fullness,

The world and those who dwell in it;

8.  Let the rivers clap their hands;

Let the hills be joyful together before the Lord;

9.  For He is coming to the judge the earth,

With righteousness He shall judge the world,

and the peoples with equity."

Death is Swallowed Up in Victory! (Repost)

Click here for The Easter Song,sung by the 2nd Chapter of Acts

Easter Song

Keith Green

Hear the bells ringing

They're singing that you can be born again

Hear the bells ringing

They're singing Christ is risen from the dead

The angel up on the tombstone

Said He has risen, just as He said

Quickly now, go tell his disciples

That Jesus Christ is no longer dead

Joy to the world, He has risen, hallelujah

He's risen, hallelujah

He's risen, hallelujah

Hallelujah

Hear the bells ringing

They're singing that you can be healed right now

Hear the bells ringing, they're singing

Christ, He will reveal it now

The angels, they all surround us

And they are ministering Jesus' power

Quickly now, reach out and receive it

For this could be your glorious hour

Joy to the world, He has risen, hallelujah

He's risen, hallelujah

He's risen, hallelujah

Hallelujah!

Reposted from Easter Day, 2010...

I wonder how many of you sang the familiar hymn, "Christ the Lord Is Risen Today...Alleluia!" at your Easter service this morning.  I know I did, and I cherished every word and phrase of this beloved song.  It tells the whole story of Christ's resurrection... I don't think Charles Wesley will mind if I reprint the words here for you to ponder:

"Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!

Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!

Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!

Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!

Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!

Fought the fight, the battle won; Alleluia!

Death in vain forbids Him rise, Alleluia!

Christ has opened Paradise. Alleluia!

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!

Where,O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!

Dying once, He all doth save, Allleluia!

Where's thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!

Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!

Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!

Made like Him, like Him we rise; Alleluia!

Ours the cross, the grave, the skies.  Alleluia!"

I will borrow the words to another familiar hymn to further my point today:

"Death cannot keep his prey, Jesus, my Saviour! 

He tore the bars away, Jesus, my Lord!

Up from the grave He arose,

With a mighty triumph o'er His foes;

He arose a victor from the dark domain,

And He lives forever with His saints to reign!

He arose! He arose!

Hallelujah! Christ arose!"

(Christ Arose, by Robert Lowry, 1826-1899)

In reciting these words for you above, I am stating my battle cry..."Christ the Lord is Risen Today"..."Where, O death, is now thy sting? Where's thy victory, O grave?"...and  "Death cannot keep his prey...Jesus, my Saviour...He tore the bars away...Jesus, my Lord!"......"He arose a VICTOR from the dark domain, and HE LIVES FOREVER WITH HIS SAINTS TO REIGN!"

We have a victorious Savior...and because Christ is a living Savior...we too shall overcome this life and be resurrected to life eternal.  But we don't have to wait until we die to have eternal life...That is something that starts right now...but, as our pastor taught us this morning...

"We have to die first to have a resurrection."...We have to die to self, die to the desires of this world, die to the things that hold us back from living the life God intended us to live...bad habits, fear, doubt, anger, jealousy, unforgiveness, bitterness... we need to let these unhappy feelings, memories, and unwholesome thoughts perish from our minds and hearts, and instead embrace a resurrection of love, forgiveness, hope, trust, and faith in God...and

"let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom..."

(Colossians 3:15-16)

 We have a choice...we can continue to live as though we have no hope of the resurrection...or we can embrace the resurrected life right now...by faith in our risen Saviour, Jesus Christ...Who LIVES...and is preparing a place for you and me right now so that we can be with Him forever in Paradise...(see John 14: 1-6)

I've already made my choice...what about you???

What Easter Means To Me - Updated from Easter 2014

4/20/2019: I's been FIVE years since I originally wrote this post for Easter.  But the message is still the same five years later, and I expect it will always be this way...the closer I get to heaven...the more excited I get...because of what Jesus did for us on Calvary...but especially because of what He did for us on Easter morning...When He came out of the tomb...victorious over death, and ensuring for all believers LIFE EVERLASTING!!  Praise God!!!!    Please read on...

Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane
Stained Glass Window-First Presbyterian Church, Ocala, FL.

I originally wrote this post for Easter 2014.  A lot has changed in our lives since then* (For the update on this please click on this link, written 5/25/2014), but even though our son has since passed on to heaven, (May 25, 2014) nothing has really changed in how I view Easter.  It is even more significant and precious to me now, knowing that I have a son waiting for me in heaven someday.  

What Easter Means To Me
(Originally written 4/18/2014)

Because I have a precious son standing on the threshold of heaven’s gate, Easter has a lot more significance to me this year.

Fouryears ago we received some shocking news regarding our son...a diagnosis so grim that it struck fear into our hearts and caused us to ask, "Why Lord? What good could possibly come from this assault on our son's body?  We didn't know what kind of plan God had...and as a mother, to be honest, I truly did not want to see our son go through all the suffering and pain of fighting the formidable foe of cancer.  It just didn't seem fair.  But don't stop reading here...

On the day after the crucifixion, Jesus' mother and his disciples were hiding and afraid. They did not understand what was happening, even though Christ had tried over and over again to tell them what was going to take place, but their hearts were broken, their eyes were still blinded by doubt and confusion, and they just couldn't see how anything good could come out of His death.  They did not realize that God had a plan… 

On Easter morning all of God’s creation was waiting...waiting for the Easter sunrise...waiting for God to show them the next part of His plan…not realizing that they would soon hear an angel proclaim the astounding message,

"Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen!"

(Luke 24:5-6)

The angel reminded the disciples of what Christ had taught them about His death and resurrection, and then “they remembered His words…” 

Perhaps they then remembered what Jesus told them in John14:19~

“A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me.

Because I live, you will live also.”

And then His words all began to make sense…both to His disciples…and also to me. When Christ said “It is finished” as He died on the cross, death became a conquered foe. That was not the end of the story, but the beginning.   When (and if) my son loses his earthly battle against this vicious cancer, that will not be the end of his story, but the beginning. As he passes over that threshold, heaven’s gate will open wide to receive him joyfully.  Isaiah 25:8 says, “Death is swallowed up in victory!”  “O Death, where is your sting? O death, where is your victory?” (I Corinthians 15:55)

Since “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son so that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16), I can stare death in the face and not be afraid of saying goodbye to my son when the time comes. Because of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, my son will also live. And so will I. And so will you.

And that’s what Easter means to me.

Our son Matthew, just a few months before he entered heaven's portals

I just found this video of  a very special  Easter song, "He's Alive!" by Don Francisco, which is sung from the perspective of the Apostle Peter.  I think you may appreciate it.  I remember singing this song back in the late 70's...  "He's Alive! He's Alive! He's Alive and I'm forgiven, heaven's gates are open wide! He's Alive! He's Alive! He's Alive!"    Hallelujah!  That is what Easter is all about!!!

Victorious New Horizons ...Renewed for and New Year

This was originally posted on January 1, 2016, but the message is so wonderful for this New Year of 2018 I wanted to share it again.  I can't believe that almost a week has already gone by since New Year's Day...already the year is flying by too quickly!  My goal is to make every day truly count for God's Glory in some way.  It's so easy to get caught up in the mundane that we forget to relish and treasure the divine beauty and activity that is swirling all around us every moment. I pray that God will open my eyes to see His glory even in the most ordinary places.  How about you? Let's endeavor to do that in this New Year...and before we know it, we'll be rejoicing in His extraordinary brightness and beauty rather than dwelling in the ordinary dullness of our minds...

Original Post 1/1/16:

"The Lord is my strength and song,

And He has become my salvation;

He is my God, and I will praise Him;

My father's God, and I will exalt Him."

Exodus 15:2

The above verse is entitled "The Song of the Redeemed" in my Bible...and indeed it is part of a larger "song" which Moses and the children of Israel sang to the Lord after they had escaped Pharaoh and his army through the Red Sea.  It is a song of victory and triumph over their enemies...

"I will sing to the Lord,

For He has triumphed gloriously!

The horse and its rider

He has thrown into the sea!"

(Exodus 15:1)

We have just closed the door on the year 2015   2017..and opened the bright and beautiful window into the year of 2016.  2018 ! Perhaps there are some of us who may feel much like the Israelites in that we have escaped our captors, whether they be unhappy memories from the past, or a tedious taskmaster of a job that kept us from enjoying the freedom of time with loved ones and friends.  Or perhaps some have suffered serious illnesses or debilitating handicaps and the new year brings hope and promise of healing and wholeness.  

There are many who are lonely and have lost loved ones or have been separated from friends or family for various reasons...and now you may be seeing the glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel that God is restoring relationships and/or bringing hope for new friends or possibly even someone to love...

Often we stand on the threshold of a new year and ponder just what might be awaiting on the horizon. We tend to be a bit tentative as we take baby steps into the future, fearing that the joy we have bubbling up inside of us is a false hope, and that some disappointment will jump in to keep us from reaching our desired dreams.  I am sure that the children of Israel had many such fears as they approached the raging Red Sea with the chariots of their enemies hot on their heels. But go back and read what Moses said to the people in Exodus 14:13-14 ~ 

"Do not be afraid.  

Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, 

which He WILL accomplish for you today.  

For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. 

The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace."

Notice especially what he said, "DO NOT BE AFRAID.  STAND STILL, AND SEE THE SALVATION OF THE LORD."  I take this to mean that as I approach this new horizon of uncertainty, I need to put my trust in the One Who loves me so much that He died for me...Jesus Christ our Lord...and be assured that He, the LORD, will fight for me...and I will not have to do anything except walk in faith as He guides me each step of the way....

"Who is like YOU, O Lord, among the gods?

Who is like You, glorious in holiness,

Fearful in praises, doing wonders?

You stretched out Your right hand;

The earth swallowed them.

You in Your mercy have led forth 

the people whom You have redeemed;

You have guided them in Your strength

to Your holy habitation."

Exodus 15:11-13

Yes, today is the dawning of a glorious new year...and by faith we will reach those new horizons much like the children of Israel of Moses' day with victory and great joy!

"I will sing to the Lord,

for He has triumphed gloriously!

The horse and rider 

He has thrown into the sea!"

(Exodus 15:1)

Amen!!!

Friday Foto Friends: "I Will Send Hornets Before You..."

Hello Friends! Today is Friday Foto Friends day, and I'm a little late in getting on here. 

Hornet's Nest...story to follow

 Fridays are busy for me.  We leave early in the morning to go meet my brother-in-law about an hour + drive away to pick up my mother-in-law for the weekend.  She stays with us Friday-Monday, and then we do the same trip again.  My mother-in-law is 93 years old, and has dementia. Some days are good, but most days are not so good nowadays.  Our weekends are very challenging...but we are glad that we are able to help and are thankful that so far we are able to keep her with us at home.  Not sure how much longer that will last with the way the dementia is progressing here lately...so we take it one day at a time and thank the Lord for the strength He gives us to keep going.

Last night "Hurricane Hermine" passed through our state, and we heard it come roaring through around 3:00 a.m., with lots of rain and wind.  We weren't too sure what to expect when we woke up this morning, but thankfully there was NO significant damage around us.  A few trees down here and there, and lots of puddles, but we are far enough inland that we were pretty well protected from this particular storm.  Thank you, Lord!

So, this afternoon, in between the little "feeder-bands" of fast moving rain-showers that kept popping up when you'd least expect it, even when the sun was shining...I grabbed my camera and attempted to take a quick walk around our neighborhood....and just as I got far enough away to be too far to run back, it started raining again...so my walk-about was short lived and wet.

However, as the rain started to fall I was startled to notice this huge Hornet nest hanging from a tree nearby that I've never noticed before, even though I walk past that spot almost every day!

Yikes! I'm sure glad I didn't run right into this thing!!!!!! Here's a close up showing one of its inhabitants:

Amazing!!! Isn't God's creation always awesome? Even though this would be a rude awakening if I accidentally bumped into it...it is still an outstanding work of art, designed by our Master Designer Himself! This got me to wondering if hornets are ever mentioned in the Bible.  In checking the references for hornets I was surprised to discover that there are three scripture references that talk about the hornet!  For your information they are: Exodus 23:28, Deuteronomy 7:20, and Joshua 24:12.  They all are speaking of the same event from different perspectives, and this time the hornet is actually being used as a tool of God to help the children of Israel to go in and possess the Promised Land.  I recommend that you read these chapters to get the whole story, but listen to this narrative from Deuteronomy 7 regarding God's great love for His chosen people: Deuteronomy 7:8   "But because the Lord loves you,  and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers,  the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand,  and redeemed you from the house of bondage,  from the land of Pharaoh king of Egypt... And then read on down to verses 17-20, where they are told the following: "If you should say in your heart,  'These nations are greater than I;  how can I dispossess them?'   You shall not be afraid of them,  but you shall remember well what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt:  the great trials which your eyes saw, the signs and the wonders,  the mighty hand and the outstretched arm, by which the Lord your God brought you out.   So shall the Lord your God do to all the peoples of whom who are afraid.  Moreover the Lord your God will send the HORNET among them until those  who are left, who hide themselves from you, are destroyed." Wow!!! God actually used the hornet to drive out the Hivite, Canaanites, and the Hittites  as well as several other enemy groups of people from before the children of Israel (see Exodus 23:28, Joshua 23:11-12) so that they could enter in and possess the promised land! Are there times in your life that you wonder if God is aware of your need or your fears?  Do you ever doubt that He could have any possible way to knock down your enemies and open the path before you so that you can move ahead in your life to victory?  I know I've often questioned how God could ever solve my problems and make a way out of what appeared to be no way.  And yet, here today, we see that God can use even a little hornet...a feisty and fierce insect, to drive away whole nations of enemies and "deliver their kings into your hand..." (Deuteronomy 7:24).   Imagine that!!!  If God can do that, and He DID do that, then why should we doubt that He will take care of our needs??? Praise God for His marvelous ways He takes care of His children every day!! Now, fly on over to see what my other friends are sharing today on Friday Foto Friends #43.

"He Who Began a Good Work in You Will Be Faithful to Complete It!!!"

Philippians 1: 6 "Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.."

Do you sometimes find yourself wondering if anything good will ever be accomplished in your life?  Have you ever felt like giving up and calling it quits before you barely got started on some major project or plan because you felt inadequate for the task at hand, or you envisioned insurmountable odds looming against you? If so, you are in good company!  I believe we have all been there at one time or another in our lives...sometimes during the minor events...but mostly at the times of serious circumstances or monumental decisions that could change the course of our whole future.

I am thinking about David, the Shepherd Boy, who, when he was just a young lad, was anointed to become the King of Israel.  If we were able to look back in time and get a  picture of David at the time of his anointing, we would probably scratch our heads and wonder what God was thinking in choosing someone of his stature to be King.  But I love visualising David standing before the Philistine giant Goliath...this is the  David that God could see...a young man who could stand before a giant with just five smooth stones and a sling, and declare to him,

"You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin.  But I come to you in the NAME OF THE LORD OF HOSTS, THE GOD OF THE ARMIES OF ISRAEL, whom you have defied.  THIS DAY THE LORD WILL DELIVER YOU INTO MY HAND, and I will strike you and take your head from you.  And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is A GOD IN ISRAEL.  Then all this assembly shall know THAT THE LORD DOES NOT SAVE WITH SWORD AND SPEAR; FOR THE BATTLE IS THE LORD'S, AND HE WILL GIVE YOU INTO OUR HANDS!"  (I Samuel 17: 45-47)

If you ever went to Sunday School as a child, you know how this story ends...yes, David slays the Giant with his five smooth stones and a sling, but primarily he accomplished this amazing feat with his faith and trust in the Lord...it is that confidence that slew the giant. 

If you are up against a giant of a struggle in your life today...where is your confidence?  Is it in your own ability to persevere and stand strong...or do you recognize the fact that your own strength is small in comparison to the obstacle you may be facing?  I know for myself, in my own strength I can do nothing.  My abilities are weak at best...I want to lay down and quit all too often...but this is the confidence that I have:

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might." Ephesians 6:10.

"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...." Ephesians 6:13

And finally: "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me."  Philippians 4:13 

Lord, We are up against a giant right now in our family...but we know that through Christ, we can stand strong in the face of this enemy.  We know that You are our shield and our defender, and there is no enemy who can withstand Your power.  In the Name of Jesus, our Healer and Defender, we claim victory over this enemy today.  We give You praise and glory and honor, for Who you are...and we commit this battle into Your mighty hands. Amen and Amen.