Stand for Something

I'm sorry, but I have to say it. All the stores who have decided to say happy holidays instead of Merry Christmas have down right offended me. They say they don't want to offend anyone? Well I'm offended. I'd also bet that the majority of Americans are also, considering that according to a poll taken more than 80% of them are believers. So have we come to this; worrying about the feelings of the minority while outright offending the majority?

I was reflecting on some friends I have lost in this war against evil. Gorge Patton once said, "It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who have died; Rather we should thank God that such men lived." I am truly grateful for those brothers and sisters who have given their lives for all of us. All the faces that haunt me comfort me also. What haunts me is not the fact that they died, but how some of their deaths could have been avoided. Mistakes made - the desire to have been there just a few moments earlier with the foresight to prevent them. The regret... The hope that we will finish the damn mission so it was not all for nothing. All of you at home don't see why it is so important to finish what we have started. When the moment of decision is made to go to war, the only option is complete victory. If you truly care about the lost, you will understand why we must finish what we have started. Otherwise those who gave all, gave for what? Conviction is paramount in war - right or wrong, see it through! You don't need all the details in your living room, this would make any normal human being want to quit. That is why we send the troops, those who have the heart to withstand the battle, the horror, the blood, and the pain. All so you don't have to. Understand that; naturally you want to pull out, but we can't afford to, not now. "People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." Think about that for a while and maybe, just maybe you may begin to understand what we see?

The Fog of War

Many times I have been cought in some rather tricky situations. One thing I have always been grateful for is that God gave me the ability to remain calm in the worst situations imaginable. I cannot count how many hair raising encounters I have faced in my life. Every time I encounter one I always notice that most people present are staring in shock or wondering what to do. The current situation has them lost in space, it's as if they have lost thier ability to think or funtion. In my carreer as a soldier I have learned a motto to follow, NCO's (Non-Commisioned Officers) make it happen. A long time ago I chose to never stand by and do nothing because the situation in which I found myself was just to horrible or shocking. Make a quick assessment of the situation, determine what needs to be done, get people moving, then lead by example. This approach has saved a few lives, and I'm proud of that. Often times afterward, I would think about what had happened and how I responded. I would commit to memory those things that were good, and forget the bad and move forward better than I was before. But until this photo I never really had any idea what it looked like, action in the midst of chaos. I would like to thank AP Photographer Ken James, also a good friend of mine, for coming along on this particular mission to the bombing of the Al Sadeer Hotel in Baghdad Iraq. The destruction was tramendous. Many people were injured, no one was killed but the bombers themselves, thank God. As you can see, some of the Iraqi soldiers were "lost in space" so to speak. Not in the picture were some of my soldiers doing the same thing, looking shocked wondering where to begin. The picture was snapped as I began to do what Infantry Leaders do best, chew butt, and get soldiers moving. It's not often that people can get a good look at what soldiers do from day to day. I just thought I'd share this with you. The evil here was whatever possesed the bombers to think that what they did would actually be a good thing to do. The hotel was filled with americans, none of which were killed. If you ever wonder if there is a God, maybe this example may help. Despite their very best efforts, the terrorists were unable to end anyones life but their own. I must also add that two men were in a guard shack that was struck by the vehicle full of explosives, and they were knocked out, but otherwise unharmed. God is in charge and I'm thankful for that. God spared those people, and he spared me when I was hit by the insanity of a terrorist whose mind was warped by the powerful forces of evil within this dark world. May God have mercy on their souls, and I pray that he can help us to change the world from it's evil ways and let us work to accomplish his plan for us all.

The fog of war is a term to label the confusion that exists in combat. As we wage war against the forces of evil within this world we must understand that confusion is all around us. Pray, seek guidance and wisdom, don't be afraid to ask for help. When lost, confused, and you don't know where to turn, or where to begin to undo the damage done, hit your knees, tell it like it is, and ask for help. You will be amazed at the results.

The Armor of God

My thoughts on Ephesians chapter 6, specifically 10 thru 20. As a soldier for my country I had to learn how to use many different weapons to accomplish any mission I could ever be assigned. From my hands to naval gunfire and everything in between, I had to become an expert in the use of various weaponry and learn which weapon was most effective against whatever I was facing. I also had to learn how to use various safety equipment to defend against the enemy and their ploys to defeat us. As I transition from being a soldier for my country to becoming a soldier for God, I find comfort and encouragement in these passages. They speak my language, as a soldier, and give me strength. It tells me that it is not man who is my enemy, but define the true enemy of all humanity. Things like truth, rightousness, faith, salvation, and the word of God are all spiritual weaponry that we must learn to understand and use. Let us not forget prayer and the power it has. When overwhelmed with life's problems this is one of the places you can turn to recieve strength and comfort. Remember that God has given us supernatural power against Satan and his evil demons by giving us his holy spirit within us and his armor surrounding us. Also remember that Jesus told Peter "On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." Matthew 16:18

Also, the reason I find comfort in these passages is because it was written by Paul from prison. The man was in chains and he still kept his faith. There are many of us who would probably be tempted to doubt God and lose faith under lesser circumstances. So for me, when it gets rough, I try to remember to turn to God, put on his armor, and pray. Then realize that I'm not alone and that to be part of a church means that I have others to help me and lift me up. Be a blessing to others and when you are down, maybe they can be a blessing to you.

The Bible is your sword, the more you learn of God's word, the better you may use it against your enemy. The rest of God's armor is for your protection, so stand strong and if you need help, ask and you shall recieve. That's about as simple as it gets, now read it and be encouraged, lol.