Defeated Foes

March 8, 2016March 10, 2016 ~ Roxanne Jackson ~ Leave a comment

Brass Mousetrap il_570xN_524461584_4w11 While watching a movie one evening, I saw something move behind the television. It was a mouse. To say that I was disturbed by this sighting is entirely true. It is also entirely understated. I ran to the kitchen. Standing by the counter talking to my sister, I saw it again creeping out from behind the china hutch. That mouse was running amuck in my house and terrorizing me. I screamed. My sister screamed too, though not just in sympathy for me. My scream startled her and she cut her finger, quite badly. Blood was pouring all over the place due to blood thinners she was taking so she had to get off the phone. Realizing that a shotgun would be overkill and a broom insufficient, I did what any red-blooded American girl raised in the suburbs would do. With tears in my eyes, I grabbed my jacket and purse and went shopping.

Hubby to the Rescue

My husband was home when I returned and laying traps for the furry intruder. My hero had arrived and I could relax, or at least try. The next morning, we found the mouse stuck to the glue board. Running around my house, that mouse seemed gargantuan. So when I saw it, I was surprised that it was so small and pitiful. Though squeaking madly and trying desperately hard to unstick itself from the board, its fate was sealed and he would be destroyed. His reign of terror had ended and the furry, squeaky-voiced marauder would be no more.

Greater Enemy

We have an enemy, the enemy of our souls. He is running amuck in this world and terrorizing whoever he can and by whatever means he can (health, finances, children, ministry, etc.). He is not squeaking though. Our adversary goes about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. So we must be sober & vigilant and we must utilize the special weapons that we have been given for this fight, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.” 2 Corinthians 10:4. While it is good to have people to turn to for help, we must not forget to call on God for “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1.

How About You

Are you struggling with battles of your own? Are you exhausted, worn, fearful that you can’t take much more? Don’t quit, you’re not alone. Consider these words of encouragement “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10.

Remember, though Satan may be running amuck in this world and roaring like crazy, he is a defeated foe. His reign of terror will soon end and the enemy of our God and our souls will be no more. Praise the Lord!

God bless you and keep you,

Roxanne

Mousetrap photo compliments of: https://www.etsy.com/shop/StylishPiggy

Rebel Chickens and Children

February 24, 2016March 8, 2016 ~ Roxanne Jackson ~ 2 Comments

Penny Portrait Penny is the sweetest little chicken. She follows me around the yard and meets me at the car when I come home from work. She found a dirt pile one day and it fast became her favorite place to be. She rolls around in it and works the dirt into her feathers. It doesn’t look appealing to me but it’s both cleansing and relaxing to her. I prefer a warm bath and candles myself, but to each chick her own I guess.

While outside one morning a storm worked its way toward us. I tried to get Penny to her coop but she wasn’t having it. She wouldn’t follow me and ran away when I tried to grab hold of her. The wind kicked up and rain began to fall. No matter what I tried she wanted nothing to do with leaving that pile of dirt. I went inside and asked God to protect my stubborn chicken.

Penny Hutch

Make-shift Shelter

Once the rain subsided I found Penny holed up in the remnants of a rabbit hutch that some animal had torn apart. “Well, have you had enough?” She stared at me. “Come on, let’s go home.” Without hesitation she crawled out of the hutch and followed close behind me to her coop. I opened the door and she stepped in without a fuss. It’s amazing what a storm will do to bring a chicken to her senses. While that hutch provided a small measure of shelter from the wind and rain, it provided no safety at all from predators.

Rebellion & Bondage

Not wanting to stay within the parameters God set for them and refusing to follow Him, the children of Israel chose to run away from God and live according to the dictates of the culture. He gave them instruction on how to live to ensure a peaceful and prosperous life and to protect them from danger but they wanted no part of it. They were taken captive by a cruel enemy, suffered great deprivation and lived in bondage. God did promise them a way out, “and they shall no longer be a prey for the nations, nor shall beasts of the land devour them; but they shall dwell safely, and no one shall make them afraid.” Ezekiel 34:28. It would be 70 years before they would be released but they would be ready to follow Him.

What is it about the dirt piles of this world, the lure of the forbidden that we find so appealing? We have a kind and faithful shepherd that offers green pastures and still waters yet we want dirt. He longs to gently lead us but it often takes a storm to get our attention. “But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil.” Proverbs 1:33. It’s amazing what a storm will do to bring us to our senses.

How About You

Have you found yourself drawn to someone or something that you knew wasn’t right for you, only to end up in disaster? Are you there right now, holed up in a place you were never meant to be? God has offered Himself as a place of refuge. “Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies; In You I take shelter.” Psalm 143:9.

God bless you and keep you,

Roxanne

Predator-Proof

January 26, 2016March 8, 2016 ~ Roxanne Jackson ~ 3 Comments

20160125_092158[1] Strange tracks ran from the driveway straight to the chicken coop. I couldn’t recognize them from the house but got a better look when I opened Penny’s cage in the morning. The tracks encircled the entire coop and within them were paw prints. Claw marks were on the side of the coop and on the nest box. I’m not sure if the marks and prints were from a dog, a coyote or what but something had a hankering for a chicken dinner. “Better luck next time dog-breath, this coop is predator-proof!” I’m sure that’s what Penny was thinking. She was safely perched in her condo waiting for me to release her.

This was not the first time. Out in the country where we live, dogs roam freely sometimes and more than one has made its way to Penny’s coop. They bark and scratch and make Penny nervous but they can’t get to her. In fear, she flies squawking into her condo and is safe. Seeing the paw prints around the coop this morning, I was reminded of the account of Daniel in the lions’ den.

Trapped

Conspired against by jealous princes, Daniel was forced to obey a temporary ordinance designed to trap him or to remain faithful to his God. Daniel knew the decree mandated that no one but the king could be worshipped for 30 days, yet he chose to pray to his God as he had always done. Daniel was caught. Displeased with himself for signing the decree that could not be altered, Darius had no choice but to command that Daniel be thrown into the den of lions.

So Close and Yet So Far

Daniel was facing the lions. Were they circling him and licking their chops? Were they roaring and swiping at him with their paws? As near to them as he was, Daniel was quite out of the lions’ reach. The king rose early the next morning, ran to the lions’ den and called for Daniel. Daniel responded, “My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me.” Daniel. 6:22. Though unseen to Daniel, God was as real to him as the lions that stood before him; and far more powerful.

We are all faced with troubles in this world. Sometimes the danger is very real and right before our eyes. Sometimes the enemy is unseen and working in ways we are unaware of. Many times the fear is of our own making. God has not left us unprotected and alone. He has provided a means of safety and rest if we will but trust Him. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1.

What about You?

Have you ever been so distressed and scared and felt you had nowhere to hide? Maybe you have forgotten all of the times God has provided for or protected you in the past. Whatever the lions may be for you, remember as Daniel did, you do have a place to run. “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” Proverbs 18:10

God bless you and keep you,

Roxanne

Read more about Daniel in the lions’ den in Daniel, chapter 6.