"Warzone".

“Be self- controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of suffering” (1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV).

The winter in Iowa was extremely rough. Although I grew up in Switzerland, the weather here in the Midwest caught me by surprise and I had to get used to the extreme weather conditions. One day I thought I could leave my house and walk down the road without a cap on my head. Within 5 minutes my ears were nearly frozen stiff. Also in my home I often had to protect myself by wearing warm clothes, woolen socks, and blankets. For months it seemed I had gone through much adaptation and change. And then one day in March I stepped outside well armed with a warm coat, gloves and a shawl and what happened? At once there was such a pleasant temperature in the air and I didn’t need this protection anymore. I was suspicious at first because I had been so alert all the time. But it was true, I didn’t need this protection anymore, and I tell you, that was such an awesome relief.

It is a fact that as believers we stand in a warzone. We need to wear our spiritual armor all the time and fight each day battle after battle. We resist and overcome our enemy by the blood of the Lamb. We get used to this lifestyle of a warrior very much like I did with the weather conditions. But there is this place in His presence where you can come freely and let go of your weapons and leave your armor behind. This is a realm where you can fellowship with the LORD Jesus Christ in absolute freedom and security. I pray for you, you mighty warrior of the LORD in shining armor. May you be always drawn to come back to that place of rest after a battle and spend time with your wonderful King.

Have a wonderfully blessed day!


Suzanne Tanner

“I Will Bring Back To Life”

“Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible’” (Matthew 19:26 NIV).

I have to tell you quite an amazing story which will make you believe that with God all things are possible.

Back when I was living in Switzerland I bought a pricy Swiss watch which I just treasured. After a few years however, to my great disappointment it stopped working. The jewelers in Switzerland told me that I had to send the watch to the original manufacturer and they quoted a repair cost of $ 400.00. Because of this unexpected expense my husband and I had to decide against the repair.

And so I put my watch in the drawer and there it remained for about 1 1/2 years. I had lost hope that this watch would ever be working again. Then shortly before Christmas of 2009 my husband told me that he had an incredible gift for me. “I would never guess what it would be” he said. “It was too great, too amazing and too wonderful for me to imagine” he added. I stopped trying to figure out what it could be. Then Christmas morning arrived and I opened my present. There was my most beautiful Swiss watch brought back to life! I held it in my hands and had no words on my lips but just cried and cried. My husband knew how I missed my watch and he made a way to bring it back to life. Our local jewelers here in Iowa made it possible and charged my husband in the end only for a new battery and not for the repair.

This story reminded me so much of God’s love and that with Him all things are possible. He will open the heavens for you and He will shower you with all of His goodness. I encourage you today to put your trust in Him and to know in your heart that He means it so well with you.

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Suzanne Tanner