She Who Waits...

The Eye of the Storm

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:02:00 GMT

"Sometimes God calms the storm, and sometimes He calms the sailor." - (unknown)

Wonderful Words of Life

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:46:00 GMT

Sing them over again to me, wonderful words of life,

Let me more of their beauty see, wonderful words of life;

Words of life and beauty teach me faith and duty!

Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life!

Christ, the blessèd One, gives to all wonderful words of life;

Sinner, list to the loving call, wonderful words of life;

All so freely given, wooing us to heaven!

Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life!

Sweetly echo the Gospel call, wonderful words of life;

Offer pardon and peace to all, wonderful words of life;

Jesus, only Savior, sanctify us forever!

Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life!

--Philip P. Bliss, 1874

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Shadow Soldiers; A Veteran's Day entry

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 15:55:00 GMT

"We all have images in our mind’s eye that defines what we think a certain type of person or a certain vocation must be like. Very few members of John-Q-Public ever have the opportunity to see what an enlisted Soldier, an NCO, or an Officer of the US Armed Forces is really like. Too much of our knowledge is formed by Hollywood and the TV networks, even in this age of alternate media reporting. Maybe more strides have been made during my lifetime to correct this problem than ever before.

Yet, I think a fully-orbed view of who the citizen soldier “is” may be too much for people to grasp. Additionally I think it is too traumatic for them to grasp. Because, if they did then they would have to care, and if they cared then they would have to do something about it. By “something” I don’t mean carry a sign, write a congressman, or forward an email. No. I mean they would really have to do something tangible in the same manner as when your three year old says “please, I am hungry” — and the cost of actually doing something is for some of them too high. Far too high. So it is easier to idealize our Soldiers, our Officers, and the like by casting them in the role of sinner or saint. In that way the observers can embrace as much or as little as they can afford to embrace." - D. Bryan Shackelford

The Elusive Finish Line

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 13:34:00 GMT

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." -- Hebrews 12:1-3

Truly He Taught Us To Love One Another

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 13:30:00 GMT

Oh Holy Night is probably my favorite hymn of all time. It is usually only sung during the Christmas season, but it’s message is timeless. This Christmas I am singing with a small group in my Church and this is one of the songs we are preparing for our Christmas program.

I was humming the tune and singing the words that brought my recent study of Acts chapter 15 to life:

   “Truly He taught us to love one another. His law is love and His Gospel is peace. Chains shall he break for the slave is our brother, and in His name all oppression shall cease! “

Acts 15 is where we read of the first Council of the Church, the Council at Jerusalem. It opens up with our brother Paul disagreeing sharply with Judaizers who believe that Gentile believers must be circumcised. In this Chapter Peter, who is also present, stands at the Council and says the most beautiful, life affirming and convicting words I have read so far in the study of this book of the Bible. Peter states in Acts 15:9-11

   “He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

Affirming because of the beautiful and passionate proclamation of salvation through grace alone. Convicting because of the times in my own walk with the Lord that I have acted like one of the Judaizers. I have at times in my life put a chain, a yoke of slavery, on another and did not even realize it.

This yoke of slavery that Peter talks about in the passage is a standard of justification through the observation of the law. This is a standard that those making the demand had not been able to keep, themselves. Why would they want to enslave another in the very thing that had held them captive for so long? Yet, we do this to one another in the Church when we withhold grace and love, and in its stead we offer slavery and oppression to our brother or sister via judgement and forgiveness denied.

In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus says,
   “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

A right view of ‘self’ and the need for salvation through the grace of Jesus Christ is an effective way to quickly let go of the yoke and burden of slavery we try and place on another. We have all sinned, and the smallest infraction of the law carries with it the same penalty as the most heinous -- separation from a Holy God. Never think more lightly of your own shortcomings than you do of the shortcomings of others. Oh how quickly we cling to the Cross when our own sin and shame is revealed! Should we not want the same grace, forgiveness and restoration for our fellow brother and sister in Christ?

Is there a sister you are bearing a grudge against? Are you angry with your husband and you have not made steps to make it right? Is there someone to whom you are denying forgiveness? Who’s yoke are you offering? The yoke of slavery or the yoke that is light?

As this Christmas hymn reminds us ‘... He appeared and the soul felt its worth!” May we also feel the worth of the souls of those we are called to love!
More ...

Moms, Dads, do you remember?

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 23:40:00 GMT

I was chatting with a friend when an analogy came to my mind about how I would feel when I saw Mike for the first time after 7 months of deployment. He was slated to come home in November for his first mid-deployment leave during the troop surge of 2007. I told my friend that the emotions, feelings, and anticipations are a lot like when you are in the delivery room at the hospital.

Remember all of those firsts?

Moms and dads, do you remember?

Remember when you heard that first little cry that signaled to you that your baby was doing well and was strong and healthy? Remember when you held your baby for the first time? You had never met this little person face to face, but he fit snug in your arms as if your arms were created solely to hold him.

I can remember knowing him the first time I saw him, and knowing that I loved him beyond words and earthly measure. I remember leaving the hospital with him and then having to face that first fever, first cut, scrape, bruise, break, bloody nose and stitches. I remember it all.

I also remember that strange urge that over came me the day he was born. This silly urge that so many parents relate to. I remember counting his fingers and toes. I needed to see that he was alright. It had nothing to do with the measure of love I had. He could have been born with too many or too few -- I would not have, could not have, loved him any more or any less. I just needed to see that he was OK, and I needed to know if he had anything evident that would indicate a challenging path ahead for him.

I am already dreaming about the airport terminal when he comes home. I can hear his laughter, I can hear his voice, and when I hug him he fits in my arms in a way that feels as if they were fashioned solely to hug him and welcome him home. I remember his first cut on the battlefield. I know I will need to "count his fingers and toes" in a symbolic way. It's not a matter of a measurement of my love for him.

I love him the best way I know how... I can not love him more and will not love him less. I just want to touch his face, hug his neck and see him eat and watch him rest. I will remember, in the not so far off future, all of the new "firsts" we will face with this life changing experience called war.

More ...

She who laughs last gets to turn off the lights and lock the doors.

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 23:13:00 GMT

Whence comes this idea that if what we are doing is fun, it can't be God's will? The God who made giraffes, a baby's fingernails, a puppy's tail, a crooknecked squash, the bobwhite's call, and a young girl's giggle, has a sense of humor. Make no mistake about that. --Catherine Marshall

The powerful act of submission

Fri, 01 Jul 2011 09:35:00 GMT

Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. Ephesian 5:22

Bonding, Resiliency and Brotherhood

Mon, 02 May 2011 22:40:00 GMT

"Love is not affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person's ultimate good as far as it can be obtained."
— C.S. Lewis

Weeping, Enduring and Joyful Mornings!

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 00:31:00 GMT

"Let us beware of rebellion against the Lord. Circumstances are of his choosing, because He wants to bless us, to lead us (even through the wilderness) out of Egypt, that is, out of ourselves. Settle the complaint with God, and it will settle other things. Be offended with God, and you will be offended with everyone who crosses your path." - Elisabeth Elliot

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