Supernatural: Spiritual Warfare

Supernatural: Spiritual Warfare

Since we were able to dream and imagination a world outside of ourselves, we have entertained the Supernatural.

...Just to name a few. But what are we really dealing with here? Is this knowledge or entertainment or a little of both? How much of what we see in movies is real and how much of it is ripped right out of the oldest story known to man? Well the truth is - both. Horror movies, mystery novels and even rock music all glorify the battle at hand: spiritual warfare. Indeed there is a battle for lost souls. Some are aware of this and do what they need to do to protect themselves. Others seek wisdom to learn of these spiritual pitfalls and make a diligent effort to avoid them. And then there are those who worship this way of life and make it a religion. Then there is the small percentage of the world that just doesn't care one way or the other and thinks all the preceding groups are just nuts. Well, no matter what you believe, the facts are the facts. We live in a "fallen" world away from universal peace and good will and our media allows us to expose every corner of our spirit - light and dark. 

 

You are never pretty enough, skinny enough, strong enough, smart enough, tall enough, short enough you will never be "perfect" why? Because there is an unseen force that is embedded into the modern mind that without buying their product or paying for their service, you will not achieve perfection.

And then there is the obvious...

Guns...

...Cars

 Money...

and Sex...

 Without it even being said, we all know that there are more worldly desires out there in competition for our soul. Now, I left out addictions such as alcohol, tobacco, narcotics, and the abuses or extremes we press upon ourselves. Mainly because well it's self explanatory. Those things we impose upon ourselves only we can blame ourselves for. Those things that are pressed upon us by the world and its ways are things of an unseen force.

Spiritual Warfare:

The Big Principle: How you "THINK" will determine - How you "LIVE".

The Battlefield of Spiritual Warfare is "OUR MIND".

2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 Peter 5:8-9

It is the thought process that drives, directs, shapes, molds, and creates your reality. It starts with you. Keep a "sober" mind and a "sober" path will be created before you.

The unseen force of evil is a living breathing being with the intent to kill, steal, and destroy. And the enemy of man seeks you out like a lion on the prowl in the wild. The enemy is an opportunist.

So let's just say I subscribe to this point of view...how would I know if I am being "Spiritually Attacked"?

1. Failures lead to DESPAIR. When your will is weak, your guard is down and it is easier to be tempted to do something hurtful and harmful to yourself and others. (Zechariah 3:1-4)

2. Uncertainty leads to DOUBT. When you start to question yourself and second guess your best judgment, you know right, but do wrong, whatever your definition of right and wrong is, you go against the grain and break your own rules and/or the rules and principles you naturally uphold. Becoming indecisive gives "evil" and "opportunity" to sink in. (Genesis 3:1-5)

3. Ambitions become DISTRACTIONS. Guard your mind, body, and spirit. They are the core of you. When they are weak, you can become ill and illness can lead to death. Gain, sew and reap wisdom. (Genesis 3:6)

4. Anger becomes DIVISION. We have all at one point or another said or done something in anger that we regret. This is exactly what the "enemy" looks for to break you down and destroy your relationships and devour your life - breadcrumb by breadcrumb. Anger is hasty, but evil is ever-so-patient. And will wait for you to fall and then kick you when you are down. (Ephesians 4:26-27)

5. Desires become DECEPTION. It is perfectly natural to desire material things: food, clothing, shelter and other necessities of life. Too much of anything will destroy you from the inside out. (Matthew 4:1-11)

6. Anxiety becomes DREAD. Take time to pace yourself in life and in spiritual matters. Getting ahead of yourself will only force you to fall over your own feet and hit  the ground. Getting ahead of your teacher will only force you to miss something of grave importance that you needed to learn. You may regret jumping ahead when you realize that you missed the whole point, the whole message, the bigger picture. (Hebrews 2:14-15)

Sometimes, it's just US! We carry the weight of the world on our shoulders. Sometimes, it's just our own baggage pulling us down and holding us back. That's when you have to do what some people will not: 

GET OUT OF YOUR OWN WAY

James 1:14

Yes, believe it or not, we tempt ourselves and cause ourselves to fail. It's not bad enough we have the world trying to take us down and the unseen forces of evil trying to eat us out, but now we have to protect our eyes, ears, and hands from seeing, listening, and idling in unhealthy destructive actions and behaviors. (Phew! Sounds like a lot of work!

Well, the activity of Warfare is RESISTING and DRAWING NEAR.

Here are your basic tools:

Draw Nigh

Seek and Sew the Truth

Ask and Receive

James 4:7-8 ; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 ; Psalm 8:2

In conclusion, I leave you with this: 

Protect yourself and the ones you love by bringing them up in love, life, and wholesome fulfillment. When you think you know it all, ask yourself what is it I do not know and more knowledge will come to you.

- DeMaster Thomas-

Author of Dreamweaver: Diary of a Fallen

Ephesians 6:10-17

Eye Of the Bee Holder

We have touched on this before that lust is the cotton candy of the eye. But just like anything sugary sweet, too much of it will eventually make you sick and could possibly kill you. No, not 6 feet under per say, but physically, emotionally and in the most damaging way, spiritually; it can destroy every moral fiber. That is why I cannot stress to you how important it is that if you still find it hard to look past what you see and dive deep into what you feel, please take the time to regroup, rethink and refresh. Your mind, body and spirit will thank you. Not to mention, those close to you will thank you, like your lover, spouse, friends and associates. As for singles, quality and caliber speaks volumes in your character when your physical desires are reserved for the right time.

It is merely a misconstrued notion that true desire comes from pleasure in the flesh. However, it is true that to please the soul is divine. Love making is an art, not an exploitation. This is by design; on purpose for a purpose. Procreation not recreation. When you enter into a healthy and whole relationship with your partner, the physical becomes temporary and the emotional becomes permanent. Another way to say it; sex is temporary, love making is permanent. One is physical, the other is emotional.


Love making is more than an outward expression of feelings for one another, it is a way of communicating a deeper connection to each other. From this great unity, a miracle can happen. We are fruitful and multiply, creating a special being, through love. Just as man was created in love, so shall we reproduce "in love."

 But choose wisely and heed that you do not enter marriage with unusual doubts, unrealistic ideas or unattainable expectations. These are ingredients for failure. The marriage bed is the only place for the art of love making and should be treated with decency and respect. It is the want of the flesh that perverts and distorts the true nature and beauty of this sacred bond between man and woman. There is nothing wrong with starting over.

For those of you who are already in committed, monogamous relationships, if you are looking to rekindle that spark between you, this is one of many constructive ways to do it. (No pun intended.)  Remember how exciting it was to anticipate being with your lover and friend for the first time? Revisit this. And this goes for new couples as well. Start out traditionally, as nature intended. Don't worry, the exploration and learning or relearning of each other will come later. (Again: no pun intended.)

Traditional love making rekindles a youthful spark that if done right, will feel new again to you and your body. This is where romance, foreplay and infatuation finds its way into the picture as well. It may not be your first time, but it will feel like the first time and in some ways, you fall in love, literally, all over again. If you have struggled with sex addiction, porn addiction, promiscuity, polygamy, self-consciousness, low self-esteem or any other issues that keep you from truly making love, then you may need to work deeper and harder on yourself first and then work on the love making with your partner. And there is help for all of these issues and more, you just have to want it bad enough and change will find you.

Love making can be a joyful, profound experience when mind, body and spirit come together in two people that truly love each other. And when you reach this climax, you will feel a rush of indescribable pleasure that no sex can bring. As the saying goes, use your heart and not your eyes. Know who you are in love and spirit; not just in flesh. And then ask, do I love you or do I lust you and hopefully the heart will reply, I love you.

I'm DeMaster Thomas and this is Real Living

Table for One, Please

Table For One

A short story by: DeMaster A. Thomas
#091201400P

Welcome back to Solitude. "Table for one?" The hostess says. "As usual," I reply wittingly. I order the same thing everyday; tossed salad and scrambled eggs. I get my regular spot by the window...sit and stare into the traffic. The busy city streets blends nicely with the skyline in the distance. My mind wanders with each gaze and bite, with random thoughts of life and how bad this actually tastes.

I came up with a number of reasons of why my life was the way it was at this moment. Did I choose this path or did the path choose me? Were my actions in life proactive or reactive? What if God has something else planned for me and I just haven't found it? In the end, we learn and grow from each experience. The eggs settle as a touch of gas passes through my mind...

Scattered thoughts tell me that it is a combination of all of the above-and more. After all, I have family and friends that have overcome some pretty serious obstacles in their lives. And I am simply amazed at their ability to move forward with such strength and perseverance. It is calming and brings a smile to acknowledge their accomplishments.

Come to think of it, I've learned a lot from the people around me and yet here I sit...alone...still searching for whatever it was I was looking for. I know that it was not to be alone. Again. Or was it?

  Hey, here I am! It reads, "never married, no children". Laughing to myself, I'm thinking, yeah and no career either to chip away at the lonely hours of the day. Bachelor-hood has engulfed me. "Check please? Thanks," I say with half a smile. The waitress is attractive and expresses pity for me behind her eyes. Can't help but laugh a little every time the check comes...wow, how cheap it is to live alone. Yep. Alone in a life that is simple yet unique. It was mine and no one could take that away from me. I have overcome my own share of trials and obstacles and lived to tell. Love, laughter and peace were daily ingredients in my recipe for life. And for that, I am thankful. 

 
Then, I realize-wait. I am still me. I am not defined by a job, social status, physical build or level of intelligence. I am a direct reflection of the soul within. Underneath a blanket of depression, there is a light of pure joy. And with that warm reminder I choose, at this moment, to throw that hurtful blanket away.

This is my bed of memories and I don't have to lay in self pity. I can make a fresh clean path, starting today. I just have to choose to. I sign the check and grab my coat to leave, smiling the whole way through. I decide at this very moment, it's okay to dream. It's okay to believe in myself and be truly happy with my accomplishments.

It's okay to be a bit awkward and misunderstood. It's okay to be - me. After all, who else can I be? No one else is as good at being me than I am. On that note, I head out the door of the deli and promise myself from this day on, I will do things differently...starting with ordering the house special of the day.