Yesterday, when I got home from work, my wife gave me an awesome gift. My new i-pod nano is "phenomenal" (to borrow a word from the honorable Tim Gabbard.) We had a few problems getting the music to load, but she stayed up all night re-loading my cd's while I slept. I am really blessed to have her in my life, and I don't know where I would be without her. She is a miracle that I get to re-live everyday.

Jonah 33 - "The Heart of War" is the new album that is ransacking my brain this morning. Man, I love this group! On their website, the speak of "stripping the religion" from the church. Powerful stuff! If you get to the bottom of the matter, we are at war constantly with the enemy, and this group gears you up big time.

Andy McKee - "Art of Motion" is a fantastic collection if you enjoy really good acoustic guitar. He is fantastic, and his playing is very fluid. He is a master of his instrument, and it shows through in the recording. Good "chill" music, and for when you want your mind to vacation peacefully.

In enjoying my new nano, I am really floored by my wife's devotion in staying up all night to copy music. She did this just so that I could get the most possible enjoyment out of the new toy that she gave me. It also makes my mind gravitate to a central question. What am I willing to do for the ones that I love. Will I do more for some than others?

My Family should certainly takes precedent over anyone else, but do they always? I let too many things get in the way of what is precious to me, and that is exactly what the enemy wants. It is never the big stuff because that is easy to recognize and defend against. The little things daily that seem to slip through the radar are what cause the most damage. Simple things like poor communication or forgotten events can absolutely wreck relationships. We trust those that we have relationships with, and expect them to not let us down. We also hold different things to be important, and with poor communication we can't identify and prioritize in order of significance.

If the enemy can drive a wedge in the family unit, he has essentially shaken our sanctuary. The home is supposed to be the safe-zone that we can retreat to for recharging. In that respect, the enemy sees the home as not a safe-zone that is off limits, but instead the main encampment for his target. In battle, the aggressor attacks the enemy encampment systematically. The first things to be taken out are the lifelines - the things that would be used to call for help. This alienates the victim and makes the victory all that much more possible. In my life, my lifeline is my family. If the enemy can drive a wedge between us, he can get me by myself so that he can attack me without my help coming to my rescue. In the same manner, he can get me away from my family so that I won't come to their rescue either.

Today, tell your family how much you love and appreciate them. We can turn the enemy on it's ear and start to systematically attack him from all sides. Hug your friends and tell them how much you appreciate them, and we can shake the enemy camp. Reach out to your enemies, and it will be the equivalent of an all out assault with dramatic results!

Be blessed and thankful for the blessing today.