Hey, just checing in to open up a bit. 

 Anyway, thankfully I’m getting back in touch with some people, and I’m still waiting to go back to school (I’m apparenly on a…six day weekend due to being sick and a snowday).  I’ve been thinking some, and on the computer (too much, I think I might be addicted).  I’m getting back to praying,  and trusting. 

 I’ve been trying recently on connecting some things you see in video games and the teachings of  Scripture.  For instance, Masterchief can be used as a figure to teach Ephesians 6:10-19. 

First, a soldier like Masterchief must always know who he’s fighting.  If he started killing marines instead of Covenant, he would screw up the mission and the people he was supposed to protect he would have destroyed.  In the same way, we must recognize that our fight is not with athiests or Muslims or other denominations, but the demons and Satan who has decieved them.  We are to pray for, love, and fight for Muslims, athiests, and anyone else who doesn’t trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.   

His helmet is a picture of the helmet of Salvation, which guards our minds against the lies and whispers of the Enemy.  When MC has his helmet on, he can see how strong his shield is, if there are enemies or allies near-by, see his weapon and ammo, know were he’s shooting, and (important!!!) hear his orders.  In the same way, the Helmet of Salvation clears our minds, and allows us to discern our surroundings and to focus and understand the Word (our sword) and keeps a clear connection with God (our commander who gives orders).  When wear e focused on him and can understand his word and put it into practice, we have discernment so we can know truth and find who is trustworthy or not. 

 Masterchief’s armor (called MJOLNIR Mark VI) is representative of the Brestplate of Righteousness.  See, his  armor doesn’t just protect him, it gives him augmented speed, strength, and reflexes.  In the same way, the BoR gives us the heart the Lord, His Righteousness in us.  It is through this that we are given the power of will to act in righteousness, as God would.  This goes for the Readiness that is the Gospel (boots) as well. 

Our Shield of Faith is represented well by Masterchief’s energy shield.   See, any shield is a soldeir’s firstline of defense against his enemy’s attacks.  If the brestplate is attacked, it can only take a few hits before it buckles.  On the other hand, a shield, such as Masterchief’s, can take a brutal beating, long enough for him to get to safety.  In the same way, we must hold up our faith in order to guard us against attacks on our trust in the Lord.  But, in the misdst of battle our faith can get low, and that is why we must always spend time alone with the Lord, to re-build up our faith just as Masterchief’s armor re-charges, and He makes ours even stronger than before! 

Now, finally, comes our only weapon, and it’s a powerful one at that, the Sword of the Spirit.  Masterchief uses tons of weapons (as anyone who’s played the game knows), but they are absolutely essential to victory in battle.  However, his weapons run out of ammo often, just  as the shield, so he must re-load or find another weapon to replace the former, especially if that weapon is not appropriate for the opponent (an assault rifle against a tank probbably isn’t the best choice).  In the same way, we must always keep reading the word of God, keeping it in our memory and our hearts.  Also, we must understand  what scriputre is useful for each situation.  We need the Holy Spirit to understand which one to use when  (which brings us back to the Helmet of Salvation).