The Armor of God

The armor of God is a metaphor used in the Bible to describe the spiritual protection that Christians can have against the attacks of Satan. It is described in the book of Ephesians 6:10-18.

The six pieces of armor are:

• Belt of truth: The belt of truth represents the importance of living a life of truth and honesty. It is the foundation upon which all the other pieces of armor are built.
• Breastplate of righteousness: The breastplate of righteousness represents the righteousness of Christ, which is imputed to us when we believe in him. It protects our hearts from the attacks of Satan.
• Shoes of the gospel of peace: The shoes of the gospel of peace represent the message of the gospel, which brings peace to our hearts and minds. They help us to stand firm in the midst of spiritual battle.
• Shield of faith: The shield of faith represents our faith in God. It protects us from the fiery darts of the enemy.
• Helmet of salvation: The helmet of salvation represents the salvation that we have in Christ. It protects our minds from the lies of Satan.
• Sword of the Spirit: The sword of the Spirit represents the Word of God. It is the most powerful weapon we have against the enemy.
• When we put on the full armor of God, we are prepared to stand against the attacks of Satan. We can be confident that we will be victorious because God is with us.

Here are some additional thoughts on the armor of God:

• The armor of God is not something that we can put on and forget about. It is a daily battle, and we need to be constantly on guard against the enemy.
• The armor of God is not a magic bullet. It will not protect us from all harm. However, it will give us the strength and courage to face whatever challenges come our way.
• The armor of God is not something that we can earn. It is a gift from God, and we receive it by faith.

If you are a Christian, I encourage you to put on the full armor of God. It is the best way to protect yourself from the attacks of Satan and to live a victorious life.

Should Christians Visit Cemeteries?

Christian theology does not explicitly dictate specific practices regarding cemetery visits or expressions of grief. However, there are some principles that may be helpful to consider:

1. Respect for the dead: Christians are called to show respect for the deceased and honor their memory. This can be done through acts of remembrance, such as visiting the gravesite, placing flowers, or engaging in prayer.
2. Comfort and healing: Visiting the graves of loved ones can be a way for Christians to find solace, remember the person they lost, and reflect on their own mortality. Grief is a natural part of the mourning process, and it's okay to experience a range of emotions while visiting a cemetery.
3. Avoiding excessive focus or unhealthy attachment: While visiting cemeteries and mourning is a valid expression of grief, it's important to guard against excessive fixation or attachment that could lead to an unhealthy preoccupation with the deceased or hinder the process of healing and moving forward. The goal is to find a balance between honoring the memory of the loved one and continuing with one's own life.  When God, in his providence — which is always wise and just and good and, toward his people, always loving — takes away a member of the body of Christ, a member of the family, God is saying, “You don’t need this person anymore — not in the way you did before. I will be your supply. I will meet every need of yours in Christ Jesus.” So, if our visit to the cemetery is an ongoing expression of “I need you; I can’t live without you,” that’s an expression of distrust in the promises of Christ.
4. Another form of unfaithful response you might take would be coming to the cemetery to do penance for all the ways you can remember that you failed the person who has died. You feel guilty, and you think that perhaps if you show enough sorrow at the graveside, it will make up for the wrongs that you did. And the problem with that is that Christ does not teach us to deal with our failures and our sins that way. He understands our failures and our guilt feelings.  Every one of us at the graveside of someone we loved is going to feel this: we’re going to feel a sense of failure; we’re going to remember all the ways we could have loved so much better — yes, we will. But the solution to that painful problem of guilt is not more hours of penance in the cemetery in the rain, but more trust in the all-sufficiency of the blood of Christ.
5. Avoiding ancestor worship: Ancestor worship involves attributing divine qualities or offering worship to deceased ancestors, which is inconsistent with Christian theology. It's important to distinguish between honoring the memory of loved ones and engaging in practices that cross into the realm of worship or belief in their spiritual influence over one's life.

Determining when cemetery practices become overly maudlin, ancestor worship, or a wasting of time is subjective and can vary among individuals and cultures. It is helpful to consider whether these practices are hindering personal growth, relationships, or spiritual development. If the focus on cemetery visits or grief becomes excessive to the point of neglecting other aspects of life or distorting one's faith, it may be worth seeking guidance from a pastor, spiritual advisor, or counselor.

Ultimately, the key is to approach cemetery visits and expressions of grief with a sincere heart, seeking comfort, healing, and the strength to continue living a life that honors both the memory of loved ones and one's relationship with God.

Why are Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) better investments than actual property?

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) are investment vehicles that allow individuals to invest in a diversified portfolio of income-producing real estate assets, such as apartment buildings, commercial properties, and shopping centers. Here are some reasons why REITs might be considered better investments than actual property:Diversification: 

1. REITs allow investors to gain exposure to a diversified portfolio of real estate assets, which can help to reduce risk. By contrast, owning a single property can be risky because it is exposed to fluctuations in the local real estate market, changes in interest rates, and other factors.
2. Liquidity: REITs are traded on stock exchanges, which means that investors can easily buy and sell shares in the market. By contrast, selling a physical property can be time-consuming and expensive, especially if there are few buyers in the market.
3. Professional Management: REITs are managed by professional real estate investment managers who have expertise in managing properties and maximizing returns for investors. This can be especially helpful for investors who lack experience in managing properties.
4. Access to Larger Assets: REITs provide investors with access to larger, more expensive properties that would be difficult to purchase on an individual basis. This can help to diversify a portfolio and provide exposure to different markets.
5. Potential for Higher Returns: REITs are required by law to distribute at least 90% of their taxable income to shareholders in the form of dividends, which can provide investors with a steady stream of income. Additionally, some REITs may offer the potential for capital appreciation as well.

However, it's important to note that investing in REITs does carry its own risks, including market and economic risks that can affect the performance of the underlying real estate assets. As with any investment, it's important to conduct thorough research and consult with a financial advisor before making any investment decisions.