evil is not contained to the middle east. but surely we know that.

ISIS is not a new ploy. the enemy just decorates it as such with an increased amount of fear.

shootings in schools and malls and theaters and corner stores and homes.

a woman beheaded in the midwest.

air traffic control set fire.

we are growing more suspicious.

women and children, under threats and extreme brutality, are commanded to denounce their God.

airport security is tighter, not for the fun of it, but because of the reality of the times.

our school will elaborately celebrate a day honoring the dead, but my children are forbidden to pray aloud to the Living God.

gone are the white picket fences.

it was pretty while it lasted. it's not just a mere image to this generation.

my first thought of a white picket fence is the one that surrounded the home in Father of the Bride.

idealistic. charming. fairy tale. american.

the three foot, rather, decoration, is opened by friends and family only.

the occasional milkman and mailman.

neighbors stroll by and wave, but respect the white picket fence.

that little fence couldn't keep a home secure any more than the pokey little puppy.

times have changed, but you know that.

God has not.

i love the security of my own home and even as i type such a thing

i know many of the human race lack both security and a home.

i click the keyless entry device twice just to know that the van is definitely locked.

i love security. my white picket fence.

those who don't trust in Jesus, where do you put your hope on days you read bad news or feel unsafe?

why do my conversations with you echo your fears when it comes to security and the times we are living in?

those of us who trust in Jesus with our eternity,

we don't hesitate to pray for our brothers and sisters experiencing persecution and that God would bless america

 when what we're asking is for God to keep it over there and keep us from any harm.

let's call it what it is - a fear of man. not a fear of God.

i have camped out in 2 Kings 19 this week.

Hezekiah prays, "O Lord, God of Israel, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Give ear, O Lord, and hear; open your eyes, O Lord, and see; listen to the words of Sennacherib has sent to insult the living God."

Hezekiah knew they were up against a powerful and evil king.

he was up against a wall that seemed impossible.

he had an opportunity to let fear consume him and shake his stance upon the firm foundation, his hope in the Living God.

so he cried...

now, O Lord our God, save us, please, from his hand, that al the kingdoms of the earth may know that You, O Lord, are God alone.

there is one powerful and effective way to battle fear and it's not found in white picket fences.

gone are the white picket fences.

i get it. they're cute and american and we want to know something cute and american can save us.

we want to live comfortably behind our fences while watching network shows and movies that depict violence.

folks, let's open our eyes to see and open our ears to hear.

evil surrounds us. not just there, but here.

the way to battle fear is found in Him.

"I {God} call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying His voice and holding fast to Him, for He is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that at the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Issac, and to Jacob, to give them." {Deuteronomy 31.19-20}

gone are the white picket fences. but that's okay. they aren't needed anyway.