The Battle

There is a battle right now in the heavenly realm.

Last week we learned about Spiritual Warfare. Peter Warren, the man who runs the YWAM Denver base along with his family, was our teacher. He is so wise and full of knowledge. It was a great week of so much learning. He was organized and very well put together the topic. He was willing to answer any question and told us what he believes, but told us to go find the truth for ourselves. Our class was honored to have him speak, because he often doesn't speak at YWAM Denver, usually just other schools.

Peter spoke about how knowing about spiritual warfare isn't the most important thing, but extremely important in the mission field. Each person is built with the knowledge of God, they just don't understand it. That is why there is so much worship in other things or gods. We spoke about how war was declared on God. And the possibilities of why we are here on earth along with Satan. It was quite interesting to hear the different theologies. I'm not much of a theology fan, but I love to hear what people think.  One thing I found extremely interesting and I love it is the different types of God's will. So often, people believe everything is in "Gods will" but I personally can't believe that God planned for horrible things to happen to people. I can't believe that my God would make someone and plan for them to be a murderer, rapist, ect. So, the thought is there is two types of will. 1. Boulema-What is determined. (creation, Jesus come to die, flood) 2. Thelema- God's wish/pleasure (everyone to love, no hatred, [His desires])  It was good to put words to the thoughts that I already had, but I didn't take the time to look for answers. We talked about how nobody can limit the power of God, but He limits himself. He wants to swoop in and save everyone, but there is a choice He gave us. He gave us the choice to choose him or not. And in that there is free will. We just have to recognize that the Lord wants to use each and everyone of us.  Just as God is unlimited, the devil is limited. He can only work in the places people allow him to. He isn't everywhere at once, he can only be one place at one time. His main weapons against us is deception, fear and accusation. Demons are another thing we took time to learn about. We also talked about theologies of where they came from. Those, I'll let you ask me about if you're interested. We spoke a bit about angels and their place with us and in the heavenly realm. Then we talked about our Weapons of Warfare. What an interesting thing. We are brought into this war, and so few people know about the war.

Weapons

• righteousness
• truth
• peace
• faith
• salvation
• word of God
• praying in the spirit
• Praying with the mind
• discernment
• unity
• your testimony
• verbally bind the enemy
• symbolic acts of obedience
• praise

So far spiritual warfare was one of my favorite topics. I love learning about things that I feel are taught so little in a church. Yes, we always are aware of the devil in church, but what about the battle? Why do so few people speak about the battle in church. We need to be educated and willing to fight. We have so much authority, it's been given to us, and we should be using it.  So, that's what I've been learning. It's been awesome.

I've been feeling much better. Lots of prayer and slowly getting healthy again. I have a tickle cough (a tickle in my throat causing me to cough, one of my little gymnast used to say that). And boogers for days! But, feeling much better!  However, many of our DTS has been or is getting sick. So, that's something you all could be praying about. Also, I have officially paid for everything here at DTS! I was extremely blessed by you guys. And once again, I can't thank you all enough. Thanks to everyone who has been supportive in any way.  Missing friends and family back home and cooler weather. But, I can't say that I'm ready to go home.

I got to go to the zoo with some friends this weekend! I had a blast. I went with some awesome friends, Jess, Karlee, Sascha, and Drew. We enjoyed a time away from the base and lots of animals. Basically, anytime we are able to get off the base for a bit it's a blessing. The base kinda sucks you in but I can't complain, its a great place. I play lots of cards and enjoy many laughs with friends. We have a good coffee place just a five minute walk or so from the base that I enjoy. And YWAMers get discounts, so that's awesome. I have gotten closer with people as the weeks have flown by. I can't believe I'm in week 10 of DTS. It's so insane, but at the same time it feels like I've been here forever. It has become a home to me. And I have so much family here. People I know will be in my life forever. I'm learning a lot about myself and hoping to know more about what I will be doing in the future before DTS is over. We'll seeeeeee.  But yeah, it's a great experience.

Here's some pics...they are all mixed up and some are old pictures that I just got.