Strongholds....

...of my own making? Some! See verses: Ps 27:1 Samuel 22:2 Joel 3:16 and 2 Cor 10:3-5.

Strongholds can be negative or positive in our lives. They can be of our own making or a situation that falls onto us for no reason except it just life. David said in Psalm 27 that b/c God was his stronghold he never had to be afraid.

God is a positive stronghold, fortress, refuge in times of trouble. I have called out to Him many times in my life and as always, He answers. Just recently I called out to God as I laid face down on the carpet in my bedroom. Praying the fear I was experiencing would be washed away in the light of His glory and grace. (no, I am not about to strike out with song) After 15 mins of praying on the floor completely embraced and free w/God I got up went to bed and that ugly head of fear, unknown, spite, hurt, emptiness VANISHED!
"The Lord is my light and salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid." Ps 27:1

A definition of a negative stronghold is anything that exalts itself in our minds, pretending to be bigger and more powerful than God. (Beth Moore, Living Free)

WOW!~ I do that every time! Every time a stronghold takes possession of me, I allow it to be bigger than what I KNOW GOD IS! When B.Moore used the word PRETENDING it really woke me up. That is all these negative strongholds do....they pretend! And if their pretending is successful enough then satan (not a type-o, I never cap his name) is victorious!

So my job is to remember the God of Israel who gave me power over negative strongholds. May He be victorious!

Found a poem, picked it up...

...found a poem I wrote about my momma during one of her Emergency room/hospital stays this past spring. I want to journal my thoughts as I get them so I don't forget this journey, called Alzheimer's we will be on. (so plse endure my bad-poetic license)

YET: (4-29-10)

What do I do? What can I say?

Yet, how to respond, protecting her so fray.

She is frail , yet strong. She is kind and soft.

And she will always try to right a wrong.

Her mind is like mush, yet maybe only for a time.

It hurts my heart to see her decline.

"I know that girl." yet my name she does not recall.

I'm scared to think this might be the start of it all.

Two more children is her mark in this world.

Yet as I watch her drift, she struggles to uncurl.

Uncurling from the twine of yarn n her head.

Yet, knows when to laugh as she lay in her bed.

What happens next we are not so sure.

Yet, her three children trust in God who does lure.

He holds her in His arms tonight.

Yet, it is He who offers her life.

What do I do and What can I say.

Yet to once more give her to God,

it is the only way.