I have been home now since Friday night the 12th of September. Just a few more days and I head out again and rejoin the military family I am now a part of.
Coming home has been a truly wonderful thing for me. Just putting my toes in the sand, going to my Church, singing along with our worship team (it's the best in the world), seeing friends and especially spending time with my wife and kids.
Emily's Birthday was wonderful and we all had a good time celebrating together. I got to watch Evan play baseball on Sunday and that too was a blessing. Our team lost, but that didn't seem to matter to any of us.
It is so nice to have a home. Some place where you feel comfortable, where you can relax knowing you are among those that love you and care for you.
Thanks to all my friends for kindness to me and my family.
God bless you all and God bless and keep my family.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
9-11 We Must Not Forget!
As I sit in my hotel room at 8:46 am eastern time, and listen and watch the events of that tragic day repeat themselves, I still feel the same intensity of hurt, anger & pride I felt that day in 2001 when I sat in a conference room just outside Washington, DC.
I was trapped in DC for the next three days fortunate enough to be staying in a friends apartment just blocks from the Capitol. I remember praying to get home for my daughters 4th birthday on 9-15, & at the same time wanting so badly to stay & some how help. That sense of helplessness is one that will allows be with me & I am certain is shared by all who love this great country and watched in horror as terrorists committed such horrific & cowardly attacks on this place we love.
As we remember the brave fire, police & emergency medical personnel who gave themselves in heroic efforts to save innocent Americans, please don't forget the soldiers who continue to give of themselves, their families and their lives.
The war on terrorism is not over. Please remember & do not be lulled in to the same false sense of security you may have found yourself in on 9-11, 2001 at 8:45am.
WE MUST NEVER FORGET!
By the way, I did make it home for my daughters birthday. I made it home because a friend was willing to make the journey to get me in his personal car at a time when all forms of public transportation were standing still.
Thanks David, you are a true friend.
I was trapped in DC for the next three days fortunate enough to be staying in a friends apartment just blocks from the Capitol. I remember praying to get home for my daughters 4th birthday on 9-15, & at the same time wanting so badly to stay & some how help. That sense of helplessness is one that will allows be with me & I am certain is shared by all who love this great country and watched in horror as terrorists committed such horrific & cowardly attacks on this place we love.
As we remember the brave fire, police & emergency medical personnel who gave themselves in heroic efforts to save innocent Americans, please don't forget the soldiers who continue to give of themselves, their families and their lives.
The war on terrorism is not over. Please remember & do not be lulled in to the same false sense of security you may have found yourself in on 9-11, 2001 at 8:45am.
WE MUST NEVER FORGET!
By the way, I did make it home for my daughters birthday. I made it home because a friend was willing to make the journey to get me in his personal car at a time when all forms of public transportation were standing still.
Thanks David, you are a true friend.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
As He Is
In a day and time when shopping is almost akin to therapy, we will usually find the clearance aisles loaded with products and people. There we can also see the "As Is" items-something is wrong with them, so we get them at bargain prices, take them home and fix them up. Imagine how God has taken us "As Is," full of flaws and imperfections. He has purchased us far above a bargain price, for it cost Him His only begotten Son. How immense is God's love for us that He would choose us for His own, cleanse us through and through, and transform us from "As Is" to As He Is." So if we ever feel like anything less, we can call to mind what God has fixed us up to be in Christ Jesus-a pearl of great price-for now we are the children of God.
Leticia Skelton
Remember our God delights in His children. You are loved!
Leticia Skelton
Remember our God delights in His children. You are loved!
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Deployment as an act of worship
Today Pastor Waters spoke to a congregation largely preparing to deploy to Iraq. Scripture reading was from 1 Corinthians 10:31, "So whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." He spoke eloquently and very much too the point. He spoke of great sacrifice, death & fear. He acknowledged the great respect he has for our soldiers pointing out that God's word says, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13).
Pastor Waters then reminded us that nothing we can do will get us to heaven apart from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Wow! That means that, even though our soldiers are willing to lay their life down for one another, they won't go to heaven without the knowledge and belief in the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
I guess it is sometimes understandable how some believe that earthly goodness will get you to heaven. However, we know the way, the truth & the light.
I am proud to say that there are many believers in our military, however, there are those that do not believe and really need our prayers. These are not good people, in many ways they are great people, yet their salvation uncertain.
Please pray for the truth to be revealed to all who are blind by the ways of this world. Pray for God's will in Iraq and His will in our lives as we pray that God will use us according to His will for His glory. If you Love the Lord you will suffer. May I count my time away from my beautiful wife and kids as my sacrifice for Jesus. Use me Lord according to Your will & bless my family with Your comfort & care.
God bless you all & God bless the USA. I love this country!
Pastor Waters then reminded us that nothing we can do will get us to heaven apart from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Wow! That means that, even though our soldiers are willing to lay their life down for one another, they won't go to heaven without the knowledge and belief in the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
I guess it is sometimes understandable how some believe that earthly goodness will get you to heaven. However, we know the way, the truth & the light.
I am proud to say that there are many believers in our military, however, there are those that do not believe and really need our prayers. These are not good people, in many ways they are great people, yet their salvation uncertain.
Please pray for the truth to be revealed to all who are blind by the ways of this world. Pray for God's will in Iraq and His will in our lives as we pray that God will use us according to His will for His glory. If you Love the Lord you will suffer. May I count my time away from my beautiful wife and kids as my sacrifice for Jesus. Use me Lord according to Your will & bless my family with Your comfort & care.
God bless you all & God bless the USA. I love this country!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Thankful
Today was one of those days. They don't come along much, but ocassionally I have one of those days where I just miss my family and friends so much I forget about all of the blessings in my life. I feel miserable, or make myself feel miserable, and just don't want to do anything accept mope. Then you call on those that understand, right?
Well the first person I called understood perfectly well and basically put me in my place. She doesn't care much for mopers and helped me to remember how grateful I am, or should be, to be in the position I am in. That person is my wife, Nancy. God uses her regularly to put me in my place and I don't mind admitting it. In fact, I am grateful for it.
The second person is one who understands great suffering yet never let's it get in the way of worship. Tommy & his wife Claire have been through the ringer and always seem to come out fine on the other side. I don't mean to say that everything turns out rosy, but they have achieved something many never will. They are content with their situation whatever that may be at the moment. They would love for things to be different, but they never complain and are always a blessing to others. They know that God is in control. I know they are a blessing to me.
Tommy, Claire, I love you both and I am glad God has put you in my life. I will continue to pray that God blesses you and heals you.
Well the first person I called understood perfectly well and basically put me in my place. She doesn't care much for mopers and helped me to remember how grateful I am, or should be, to be in the position I am in. That person is my wife, Nancy. God uses her regularly to put me in my place and I don't mind admitting it. In fact, I am grateful for it.
The second person is one who understands great suffering yet never let's it get in the way of worship. Tommy & his wife Claire have been through the ringer and always seem to come out fine on the other side. I don't mean to say that everything turns out rosy, but they have achieved something many never will. They are content with their situation whatever that may be at the moment. They would love for things to be different, but they never complain and are always a blessing to others. They know that God is in control. I know they are a blessing to me.
Tommy, Claire, I love you both and I am glad God has put you in my life. I will continue to pray that God blesses you and heals you.
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