Tag: love

Finding Courage

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Finding Courage

“It takes courage to look inside yourself and even more courage to write it for other people to see.” Benjamin Sisko. I hadn’t really thought about it before, what making a public website would actually mean, what putting my deepest most intimate thoughts on paper in one blog after another for all the world to see, would actually mean. September 12th of 2004 my truck was ambushed in the downtown region of Ar-Ramadi Iraq. During the 15 minutes of absolute Hades on earth the courage of 7 men would be tested literally under fire. After the first two explosions obscured HQ 25 the first bullet hit my truck HQ 26 on the door right at head level. At that point the feelings of fear and doubt started to creep in. The bullets from the enemy AK’s where striking the truck. One RPG after another was being fired at both of the trucks. An RPG that passed just a few feet from the front of the truck, and hit a barrier near the truck blew out the front right tire of HQ 26. If the truck stops we’re all dead. If we don’t keep up with HQ 25 and were separated we all die. When the MK-19 failed and my gunner Haley had to switch over to his M-16 rifle. With no side shielding he would be completely exposed to enemy fire. The amount of courage he would show under extreme stress was nothing short of a miracle, in fact the courage of Stevens, and Watson the HQ 25 gunner/driver would stand out as heroes. What does it take for a person to show courage? “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” (Nelson Mandela) Many people in their lives are faced with incidences that will test their fight or flight response. For me September of 2016 would test my fight or flight response again. This time, for the first time my flight response would kick in, and alter my life forever. Living it seems is not for the weak. If it weren’t for close calls some people never fully realize their potential, the gift of life. 1 Chronicles 28:20 “David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished.” True Courage cannot be had without faith. We must have faith that the situation we find ourselves in is worth courage. Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” When Haley stood up and shot back the faith he would have that the need to survive, to save the lives of his crewman would win out over fear. For me my faith that God was in control is unrelenting. True courage however might be as simple as truly trusting in the Lord. Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” When we give our lives to the Lord we put our faith in Him that we will never be alone. Sometimes God has a plan for us that take us out of our comfort zone. It takes a great deal of courage to follow God. No matter the cost, to have faith, is to have courage, and that courage is the key to everlasting life.

Be Strong Against the Wolves

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We are lost and wary, we are low and sad, we feel as if the whole world is against us. Our lowest days are true test of our fortitude, our faith. The loss we feel when we are betrayed, the loss we feel when our loved ones pass. We are cheated, we are attacked but who’s doing the hurting, who’s doing the attacking? The hardships in life we face are not always hardships we have control over. Sometimes they are caused by acts more powerful then us, and sometimes it’s caused by a persons power to choose. Many ask why was I created, why am I here? The simple answer is because God loves us and he created us to know us and for us to know Him. What does that mean? Before we were born God knew us, God loved us from conception till we return to Ash. God’s hope for us is for us to know and love Him. “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” We are placed on this world with our feet in the sand. We are not alone in our walk. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” “Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me.” Never do we understand all things, but we are called to a higher understanding. We will be tempted, we will be battered, and we will be beaten for our belief. Matthew 10:16-17 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;” We will fight the war on a spiritual level. We will be attacked for what we believe, we will be hated for it, and it may come to pass that we are placed on trial for it. Matthew 10:22 “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” Do you have the strength to stand against the enemy, against the devil himself? Can you stand toe to toe and facing death choose eternal life? Never forget that this life will end one day with or without the help of the masses. Death is certain, it comes for us all, but in that death we can be certain when we die if we just believe in Christ as our Lord and Savior, we too will truly live. We shall not die an eternal death for we are saved by it.

Rearview Mirror

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Don’t let your rearview mirror be bigger then the windshield. We all have regrets and mistakes, missed opportunities. Today, leave the past where it is. Love conquers all, forgive others, forgive yourself. Hug your wives, your husbands, your parents and your children. Dont let yesterday ruin your day. We never know how much time we have. Life is short and only God knows the whole plan.

Matthew 6:34 ‘Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.’

Fighting Anxiety and Fear

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I was asked recently why I kept my social anxiety a secret. As it was said to me recently my levels of anxiety probably saved my life in Iraq. The tough part I suppose is knowing how to flip the switch on and off. When someone suffers from anxiety the ramifications can be almost to much to bare. Proverbs 12:25 “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.” Often being in or around crowds is difficult. Not being able to provide my own security, my own ability to feel comfortable is compromised. For so long it was my life to rely on others. It’s difficult to change the mindset once it’s in place. Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” When struggling as I have, diving into the word does alleviate some of the stress, some of the struggles.

What does it mean to be afraid? What does it mean to fear the things others find so easy? When the thought of going out into public alone comes up, the feeling of my chest pounding, quick shallow breaths, a throbbing in my temples is an undesirable occurrence. James 1:2-4 “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Paul who suffered long wrote many of the most well known books in the bible. Finding peace is not to replace ones feelings, it’s not that easy, but as it’s written in Philippians 4:11-13 “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Never stop fighting. Never let the world force you to give up or loose hope. Wherever you go, God is walking along side you. As we all bare our own burdens, we don’t have to bare them alone. Allow your brothers and sisters to help bare that burden. Give your heartache, your troubles to the Lord and never give up.

 

Sideline Christians

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Sideline Christian

As we move day to day in our lives we have the tendency to have a hands off approach in the lives of others. We often sit back and watch as someone follows a self-destructive path, falls into drugs, falls to depression, or worse commits suicide. Why do we sit back and rarely stand up and say anything? If we equate life as a Basketball game we as Christians have benched ourselves. We sit on that bench and we say God will take care of it, God will answer prayers, but is it that simple, of course not. God put each of us on this planet for a reason. We can look to God to fix things, to change the course of events, but truthfully, God generally has a hands off approach. That’s where we come in. IF we Christians were to actually get off the bench we could be the ones to change things. It’s not enough to pray, we pray for God to lay his hands on someone’s heart, to heal someone’s sickness, but it’s us that can be the positive effect on someone’s life. It is said that we (Christians) cannot be the one to breakthrough someone’s heart that God can do that. I challenge that notion. If a child in Cambodia never hears the words of God, is never exposed to scripture that child is not likely to know Christ. We have missions trips that go to the far reaches of the world to spread the word, but here at home, here in our own back yard, here in our families, we remain a silent observer. When Christ was on mission at one point he returned home to continue is mission. Mark 6 tells us that when Jesus went to his own hometown the people where astonished at his wondrous teachings, but quickly turned on him. Mark 6:2-6 “ And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. 4 But Jesus, said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. 5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. 6And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.” It’s often harder to preach and teach to our own families, friends, and neighbors. They often know where we had fallen short, known of our mistakes and our transgressions, but that never makes the word less true. We must always face our own failings, and not let those failings stop us from getting into the game. We are commanded by the great commission to spread the Gospel, to teach the good word, spread the good news. Doing it takes conviction, strength, and I would say preaching to your own family and friends is harder then any mission trip you may go on. Never let fear of rejection or fear of judgment stop you from doing what’s right. As Jesus said kick off the dust from your sandals and keep marching on, God is on the side of truth. In this life we are not promised an easy path, in fact we are told that for all that follow in Christ will mean our own persecution. Stand firm in your Godly convictions, face the masses, never be afraid to speak the truth. Get off the bench, and help guide those around you. Pray for guidance, pray for the sinner, pray for those around you, but most importantly never give up hope. This life is only lived once so while you’re here make a difference.

Sins and Sinful Nature

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We mustn’t let others overshadow our own sins. We are responsible for our actions. We are responsible for who we hurt, what we do, the type of person we want to be. Just because you did something yesterday doesn’t mean you are forever bound to be that person. We can never justify our sins but instead we must take ownership of it and remember who’s truly in control. Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” When Cain killed Able and that hatred of heart was first spoken of, we understand the true nature of sin. No one sin is worse or better then another, for all sin is equal footing. Galatians 5:19-21 “19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Note it doesn’t say if you only sin a little, or it’s all right to do this as long as you aren’t killing people. Sin before God and we all must answer for that when eternity is at stake. Psalm 119:25-29 “19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” King David knew his wrongdoing and suffered for it. Knowing we all sin we must always remember it isn’t just what we do on the outside, it isn’t just the good works, the words that we speak, it’s the content of our heart. Let no one question the true content of your heart.

Let everyone know God by knowing what God can do through us who are unworthy of the true gifts of Heaven. Our eternal life was bought and paid for, but do not squander the gift. Do not fall victim to the lies of the deceiver and believe that we can live a life of sin and expect to enter into perfection. We all sin, but in our hearts we must hate and rebuke the sin. Take responsibility for your own actions, your own desires, your own transgressions. Be not afraid to lay down your sins to the Lord, and help others face their own sins. Be the conduit for Christ to talk through you. Live for the Lord and let all others see Christ in all that we do.

Love, Forgiveness, overcoming sorrow

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You know what I’ve realized? I’m not weak. Struggling with emotions especially strong ones doesn’t make me weak. Luke 22:44 “And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” Jesus was under so much stress knowing he was going to die his capillaries broke. Struggling with strong emotions doesn’t mean you have little faith. We often loose the ones we love, sometimes it comes with warning, sometimes it happens suddenly. 1 Samuel 30:6 “And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.” David was promised the throne at a mere 14 years old. He would be in his late 30’s by the time he would sit on the throne. Having faith is not always easy. Knowing the promises God has made to us and having patience to see it through is very much different. Knowing the world is a cruel fallen place we must understand the nature of sin. We must understand the meaning of Gods grace and all that we have because of Gods grace. We must understand that as difficult as it may me we must know Love. 1 Corinthians 13:2 “And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.” Without love we are nothing. Without God’s love we have nothing. We are commanded to love and Corinthians explains exactly how to do that. If we are to love that also means that love must be strong enough to forgive. Forgiveness isn’t optional. Forgiveness isn’t a choice it’s a directive. When Christ died it was to pay a price that we couldn’t possibly ever pay. Luke 23:34 “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.” Ephesians 4:31-32 “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” As it is written so shall it be done. Patience is not something that comes easily. Reaching out to brothers and sisters for strength isn’t easy and it shows great trust and courage. Bare ones faults, bare ones cross and never give up on hope.