David Noel's Blog: The Centurion

Book 2 of The Centurions series is now out!

"The Werewolf's Gift" takes place about six months after "The Dragon's Prophecy". Portia and Brendan are participating in a Centurion holiday tradition known as Wintering. They and a small group of squires and handmaidens get to travel to Nordhaven to spend the Christmas holidays at the Centurion castle there. The problem? A mysterious man named Thorliek and his army of werewolves have plans for Germania and Francia, and the Centurions in Nordhaven are in his way.

To make matters worse, the children of the Black Dragon are still out there, and they have their part to play in the coming war!

Check it out on Amazon now!
The Centurions: The Werewolf's Gift

We are hard at work and hope to have our second book in The Centurions series out in time for Christmas! Its title is The Werewolf's Gift. We follow Portia and Brendan as they travel north to visit her grandfather, The Duke of Saxony, at the Centurion castle at Nordhaven. It is the Christmas Holidays but something is going to get in the way of their celebrations.

We invite everyone to visit our newly redesigned website at AlethePublishing.com

If you want to find out what happened to one of the baby dragon's who escaped, sign up for our newsletter: The Centurion's Call

Finally, if you just want to learn a little bit more about the World of the Centurions check out our world building site at World Anvil! The World of the Centurions

The second piece of equipment in the armor of God is the breastplate of righteousness. It was the first piece of armor put on and the last one taken off, if Roman soldiers thought they might be attacked during the night they would even sleep with it on.

What is this righteousness that we should put on first thing in the morning and not take off all day? Righteousness is living in a right relationship with God. We are sinners who can't be righteous on our own BUT as 1 John 1:9 tells us, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Since we can't live a sin free life we must live a life that is honest and open before the Lord. We can't harbor secret sins and convince ourselves that they are not really sins, or that they are no big deal. God forgives freely and cleanses us with his grace and mercy but we must acknowledge those sins and turn away from them instead of trying to shield them in our hearts. This is when we walk in a right relationship with God and he will put the breastplate of righteousness upon us.

When we are told in Ephesians 6 to put on the full armor of God, the first item listed is the belt of truth. Historically, the belt was the foundation of the armor and, in the days before elastic waistbands and zippers, it was essential for holding even one's everyday clothes inn place.

So what is this truth that serves as the foundation of our spiritual armor? It is not telling the truth to others (though that is important). It is not even telling the truth to ourselves (people who lie to themselves are doomed to failure). It is the fundamental truth of God's existence, his nature as a God who knows us personally and loves us. The truth that Jesus Christ is his Son who died on the cross for our salvation and then rose again from the dead as proof that he had power over death. The truth that the Holy Spirit lives within us and that he strengthens us, guides, us, and encourages us. The truth that the scripture is God's word to mankind about who he is and what he has done for us.

This is the truth that serves as the foundation for our spiritual armor and the place for us to set our feet as we fight the spiritual battles before us.

Have you ever seen a person, even a Christian, who seems to be perpetually unsure of what they believe? Who can't seem to make up their mind on a course of action and who keeps dithering back and forth? This is someone who has not put on the belt of truth and their armor and weapons keep shifting in unpredictable ways at the most inopportune moments. Put on the belt of truth and be ready to stand your ground in the spiritual battles to come.

I love the quote "Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about, be kind." (Brad Meltzer). We are all fighting secret battles that other people don't know about. It can be with ourselves, with our own thoughts or bad habits, with family or friends, or our our arch enemy in school or at work. The question is, how do we face these battles and how do we treat others who are fighting their own battles? Can we stand steadfast in our own battle and be patient and understanding of others as they struggle with theirs? Coming from a Christian perspective I like the analogy of putting on the armor of God to help me stand my ground and fight my battles. If I am sure of my footing it is easier for me to be patient and supportive of others since I am not fearful and stressed myself.

Next: Putting on the belt of truth