Dear Faith Family, 

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places, (Ephesians 6:12). 

For some reason, fifty plus squirrels have chosen our backyard as their final resting place. It began with the composite Adirondack chairs surrounding the fire pit. Apparently, they’re delicious! Who knew? It escalated when the wonderfully warm accent lights leapt from the trees above to the ground below. Guess they were afraid of heights? The common denominator proved to be the never stop growing teeth of the beloved tree rat. 

Once the herd was thinned to a manageable size, I foolishly assumed that the troubles were over. The lights could shine in victory.  The chairs could heal. The war was over. I had established my obvious dominance. A peace treaty penned in rodent was on the presses! The lights reattached on the west side of the fire pit invited an end around attack on the east side of the fire pit. The east lights are down! The peace treaty? Its dying breath offered up smoke signals of warning from the fire pit! 

Here’s my point: the war ain’t over! Our enemy is rodently ruthless. How often are we lulled to sleep in the quiet only to be awakened by the old end around attack on an unguarded front? A breech in relationship? A job crisis? A hiccup at school? A mechanical failure? 

Paul’s message in Ephesians 6:12 is present and active. The wrestling match keeps on going! The war ain’t over! Paul’s answer? Suit up. Keep putting your armor on: His truth, His righteousness, His gospel of peace readiness, His faith, His salvation, and His Word. Are you protected in His armor today? 

Is your armor is still hanging in the closet or resting on the bed table? Time to suit up! And pray. This isn’t a one and done. It’s everyday.  

The rodent war recently received new armament, new firepower (insert Tim, the tool man guttural grunt here)! Are we daily receiving fortification from the Word of God? 

Suit up, 

Pastor Karl