What hangs in your heart?

Like a lot of pastor's I have a cross collection.  It's a fine way for my friends and family to share the central message of Christ and our faith with me.  I have fond memories when I look at each one and remember the person who gave it to me and why. 

One large cross hangs in the middle of the collection.  It was given to me by a dear friend with whom I have a very deep connection in the faith.  The cross is made of rough pine and has no ornamental value.  But it bears a shiny sword that hangs in the middle of the cross.  In Ephesians 6 Paul tells us to arm ourselves for battle against the devil and his demons by putting on the different central truths of the faith like armor.  The only offensive weapon in his list is the word of God which he calls "the sword of the Spirit."  What a clear message that sends.  The gospel of Christ is the the sword that kills the devil who tempts us to hate God and question his love.  The cross is of Christ cuts that enemy down! The word about the cross slaughters the guilt that so easily debilitates us too.  

The word of God that holds as it's central message "Christ crucified for us" is the sword God has put in our hands to defeat all the unbelief and wickedness that would otherwise ruin our lives.  

When I look at this cross bearing a shiny sword I think in my heart of my friend and her deep attraction to the word of God and I think about the reminder she has given me to faithfully fight with God's sword for the good of his flock and my own salvation. It hangs on my study wall but it also hangs in my heart.  

What hangs in your heart?