6:12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual `hosts' of wickedness in the heavenly `places'.
This is a reprint of one of my first blogs on MyChurch. I thought maybe my new friends here might like it.......
Recently I gave this small icon (found on a website that allows free distribution) to a new member of our church's blog, as a "blog-warming present." It has Tolkien's character Gandalf' declaring, "You cannot pass!" (as a traffic sign, LOL) to Melkor's dark spirit called The Balrog, Durin's Bane. The Balrog attempted to stop the fellowship of the rings' passage to safety on a bridge across a great chasm.
Here is Gandalf's speech (and my favorite scene):
"You cannot pass," he said.. ..."I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the Flame of Anor. You cannot pass. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udun. Go back to the Shadow! You cannot pass."
According to Tolkien's vision, the "Silmarillian" informed both the mythology of "The Hobbit", and "The Lord of the Rings." It contains the following information.*
Ilu'vatar - was Middle Earth's God of Creation (Ea), and the....
Ainur were Ilu'vatar's created holy ones or angels who were given part of the mind of Ilu'vatar
the Flame of Anor - the name of the light given to the Ainur
the Secret Fire - is the Holy Spirit, the power that holds Ea together, giving life and substance to Ilu'vatar's creation.
Udun- source of the dark flame, possibly Hell, and possibly the darkness of the cast out spirit called Melkor, who called himself the Dark Lord of the Earth.
Truly, Gandalf's mighty battle with "The Balrog" one of Melkor's dark spirit beasts caused Gandalf to later be so changed that his hair and beard turned white and he was slow to recognise his old companion's and friends. Many consider Gandalf to be a Christlike figure. One who is changed (resurrected?) after a battle pitched deep in the bowels of Middle Earth. However, I think there is a simpler idea at work here.
Like Tolkien's Gandalf we need to resist the Devil and wield the power of God's Holy Spirit within us as we battle principalities and powers.
5:8 Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour,
6:12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual `hosts' of wickedness in the heavenly `places'.
After our battle to stop Satan's schemes against our families, church, and ourselves, all the while wielding the power of God's Holy Spirit, we should come out of that battle, changed and unrecognizable as a New Creature, closer to the God of our creation. We could even extend the analogy to leaving old acquantances and situations that chained us to sin and the celebration of it.
Remember we can only do that battle in and through His power. Ephesians 6 shows us the armor which God would have us equipped with.
Say with me to those powers and principalities, "You cannot pass!" --in the power of Jesus' blessed name!
BTW this picture was taken in the middle of my friends. It is only ONE CORNER of the Room! And it is the only group shot I have so far. Maybe you would like to contribute some shots that I missed here? Insert them in your comment!
Bro' Todd, klowning around!
Kathy and Cathy and Duck out back with the Sarsparilla!
Taken late Friday night after Stu let me drive his trike...
I forgot that you can't lean on a trike and fell off! LOL
But, don't worry...The trike wasn't hurt! Er...... and I just got road rash.
More Pix to Come...
I've got a Big Screen TV for "Video Burnout."
This screen is setup with my "MyChurch" favorites. Don't go away from this room though.
For those that don't want to spend all their time watching TV there is the Pool Table:
The guy who sold me this table was German and he does not communicate very well --he keeps trying to hustle people by asking them if they want to "win money?" Don't fall for it! LOL
Or play Ping Pong ...
(Sorry, no "Round Robin" that computer-guy really is beatable! )
I even have a Video Game...
Please wait for Kick The Klown to load -It will come in after it runs the advertisements (other game screens!)