As you must have heard by now, we will be sending 30,000 more of our troops into the battle against terrorism, some arriving in Afghanistan by Christmas. I am grateful that my son will not deploy until next Spring and we will enjoy Christmas together here at home.
As I write this today about 1,000 of our Marines (as well as some Afghan troops) are taking part in operation "Cobra's Anger" in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. This operation is designed to disrupt the supply lines that provide explosives for the IEDs that so often kill and maime our fighting troops.
Here we are at home, in the midst of our holiday season. We have enjoyed Thanksgiving and look forward now to celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus. As you enjoy gatherings with family and friends, remember our troops and their families. Perhaps (if you live close to a military base) you could invite a soldier for Christmas Dinner or to attend church with you or maybe you have a little extra money to buy a gift or two for a family struggling to make ends meet while their loved one is deployed. If you hurry you have time to adopt a soldier overseas and send a Christmas box. Certainly, you can lift our military to the Lord in prayer. It costs nothing and is the most important thing we can do.
However you can help, please do. They are sacrificing so much for us.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Friday, November 6, 2009
Fort Hood
By now, I am sure you all have heard of the terrible shooting rampage at Fort Hood yesterday afternoon.
It is always hard to think of our military men and women in harm's way, but to think something like this could happen on one of our own military bases here at home is harder still, endangering not only our troops, but families and visitors to the base. The details are...of course...still coming and it may be some time until we hear all the circumstances of the incident and what led the shooter to do what he did.
So often (at times like this) we are briefly confused and don't know what to do next. We want to help, but are so far away....then it hits us...we can pray. Although that should indeed be our first thought, it often takes a a few minutes to realize that praying is the most important thing we can do as Christians.
Prayer does make a difference. It is our first defense in trouble and a powerful weapon against the enemy.
Heavenly Father...we lift our precious soldiers and families at Fort Hood up to You today.
We pray for courage and strength as they move through the days and weeks ahead...some grieving the loss of a loved one or comrade, others in the hospital with wounds being attended to. We ask for you to be in every detail of the efforts of the doctors and nurses who will attend to the wounded and that Your presence is felt by all those involved.
We praise You for the police, military security, and first responders that came to the aid of those in need and for the brave policewoman that was able to stop the shooter, though being wounded herself.
Thank you for the people off base in the neighboring towns who have come out in numbers to help in any way they can. Thank you too for keeping the schoolchildren safe during the shootings.
We ask that every plan of the enemy to try to break the spirits of our troops would be thwarted and that this massacre will only make those in charge stronger in their resolve to provide a higher level of security that will keep our bases safe for those serving and their families.
I ask an extra measure of strength for those deployed that have family and friends at Fort Hood.....for them not to be distracted from the tasks in front of them and that they are able to leave their concerns at Your feet, knowing that You are watching over their loved ones at home.
We ask this all in the precious name of Jesus.
"Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on you with My righteous right hand."...Is. 41:10
It is always hard to think of our military men and women in harm's way, but to think something like this could happen on one of our own military bases here at home is harder still, endangering not only our troops, but families and visitors to the base. The details are...of course...still coming and it may be some time until we hear all the circumstances of the incident and what led the shooter to do what he did.
So often (at times like this) we are briefly confused and don't know what to do next. We want to help, but are so far away....then it hits us...we can pray. Although that should indeed be our first thought, it often takes a a few minutes to realize that praying is the most important thing we can do as Christians.
Prayer does make a difference. It is our first defense in trouble and a powerful weapon against the enemy.
Heavenly Father...we lift our precious soldiers and families at Fort Hood up to You today.
We pray for courage and strength as they move through the days and weeks ahead...some grieving the loss of a loved one or comrade, others in the hospital with wounds being attended to. We ask for you to be in every detail of the efforts of the doctors and nurses who will attend to the wounded and that Your presence is felt by all those involved.
We praise You for the police, military security, and first responders that came to the aid of those in need and for the brave policewoman that was able to stop the shooter, though being wounded herself.
Thank you for the people off base in the neighboring towns who have come out in numbers to help in any way they can. Thank you too for keeping the schoolchildren safe during the shootings.
We ask that every plan of the enemy to try to break the spirits of our troops would be thwarted and that this massacre will only make those in charge stronger in their resolve to provide a higher level of security that will keep our bases safe for those serving and their families.
I ask an extra measure of strength for those deployed that have family and friends at Fort Hood.....for them not to be distracted from the tasks in front of them and that they are able to leave their concerns at Your feet, knowing that You are watching over their loved ones at home.
We ask this all in the precious name of Jesus.
"Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on you with My righteous right hand."...Is. 41:10
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
A Sad Anniversary
Today is the 8th anniversary of the beginning of the war in Afghanistan and it is very sobering to think of the casualties we have suffered in those 8 years.
I would ask you to pray today for our military troops serving their tours there now and the ones that will be undoubtedly following them in the months ahead. They are serving in a very dark place against an enemy that has no regard for life...not ours...not their own. Pray too for their families waiting here at home as we know that the military families serve our country just as their loved ones do.
In the news the last few days we have heard of the request for 40,000 more troops to be sent to Afghanistan and the debate that naturally follows such request. God knows the needs there and my prayer is that those in charge seek His wisdom and direction in making any decisions either for or against that request. I pray that the Lord will protect our troops, that they will be able to serve with integrity and honor, that more will be drawn to God through the difficult times they face, that they will be victorious in their efforts, and will return home safely to their families at the end of their tours.
God Bless...
Carol
I would ask you to pray today for our military troops serving their tours there now and the ones that will be undoubtedly following them in the months ahead. They are serving in a very dark place against an enemy that has no regard for life...not ours...not their own. Pray too for their families waiting here at home as we know that the military families serve our country just as their loved ones do.
In the news the last few days we have heard of the request for 40,000 more troops to be sent to Afghanistan and the debate that naturally follows such request. God knows the needs there and my prayer is that those in charge seek His wisdom and direction in making any decisions either for or against that request. I pray that the Lord will protect our troops, that they will be able to serve with integrity and honor, that more will be drawn to God through the difficult times they face, that they will be victorious in their efforts, and will return home safely to their families at the end of their tours.
God Bless...
Carol
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
VJ DAY
Today is the anniversary of the "official" signing of the surrender of Japan which ended World War II and I think of my parents today as my dad (a Navy SeaBee) served in the Pacific Theater and was away from home for a solid 3 years during the war.
Mom often tells the story of how she heard the war had ended. She and some girlfriends had taken a short (week-end) trip up to Old Orchard Beach. They were sitting by the water when a woman came running down from one of the cabins yelling..."The war is over! They signed the papers today!"
Mom says she and her friends jumped up and danced around the beach hugging, laughing and crying along with others there that day.
Dad didn't get home until early December, but just knowing that he was coming home at all and before Christmas gave Mom a renewed hope and enthusiasm and much to be thankful for that holiday season.
Do you have a homecoming memory to share?
We would love to hear from you.
Carol
Mom often tells the story of how she heard the war had ended. She and some girlfriends had taken a short (week-end) trip up to Old Orchard Beach. They were sitting by the water when a woman came running down from one of the cabins yelling..."The war is over! They signed the papers today!"
Mom says she and her friends jumped up and danced around the beach hugging, laughing and crying along with others there that day.
Dad didn't get home until early December, but just knowing that he was coming home at all and before Christmas gave Mom a renewed hope and enthusiasm and much to be thankful for that holiday season.
Do you have a homecoming memory to share?
We would love to hear from you.
Carol
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Praying With Heart
When I was watching the news the other day my heart was aching for the young men and women that have fallen in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. I am not an intercessor and seldom seem to find the words I am feeling in my heart to cry out to God for their pain, their lives, their very souls...the family anticipating the homecoming at the end of the deployment only to be shocked and lost at the news of their loved one not coming home at all or coming home wounded by the physical, emotional and mental scars of war.
I have discovered lately that God doesn't need the words we bring to prayer as much as He longs for us to just bring our hearts to Him...open....broken...before the throne. Whether or not we utter a single word aloud, He hears and answers our prayers. Sometimes we don't understand the answer or it doesn't come when or how we think it should, but you can be sure that it does come.
Try it as you lay your head down tonight on your pillow...before you drift off to sleep, even after you have had your quiet time or devotionals with your family. Just rest in the knowledge that the Lord hears the heart of your prayers as well as your words.
"God of peace, guard the hearts and minds of our soldiers in Christ Jesus. Help them to cast every anxious feeling on You so that they can experience Your rest. Help them to fall asleep quickly and let their sleep be recuperative even if it is short in duration. As they deal with inconsistencies in sleep times, shift changes, temperature and environment, keep them from feeling stress; help them to adjust. We speak 'peace, be still' over each and every soldier. (Philippians 4:7; 1 Peter 5:7; Mark 4:39)" Sandra Higley
I have discovered lately that God doesn't need the words we bring to prayer as much as He longs for us to just bring our hearts to Him...open....broken...before the throne. Whether or not we utter a single word aloud, He hears and answers our prayers. Sometimes we don't understand the answer or it doesn't come when or how we think it should, but you can be sure that it does come.
Try it as you lay your head down tonight on your pillow...before you drift off to sleep, even after you have had your quiet time or devotionals with your family. Just rest in the knowledge that the Lord hears the heart of your prayers as well as your words.
"God of peace, guard the hearts and minds of our soldiers in Christ Jesus. Help them to cast every anxious feeling on You so that they can experience Your rest. Help them to fall asleep quickly and let their sleep be recuperative even if it is short in duration. As they deal with inconsistencies in sleep times, shift changes, temperature and environment, keep them from feeling stress; help them to adjust. We speak 'peace, be still' over each and every soldier. (Philippians 4:7; 1 Peter 5:7; Mark 4:39)" Sandra Higley
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
In the Garden
My husband (Keith) loves to garden. He likes the feel of the earth in his hands and watching the seeds grow into healthy plants that yield beautiful flowers and fresh vegetables for us to enjoy. He waters his garden faithfully and protects the plants from the hail we get in our area during the early summer. When he has a year that the garden doesn't produce the expected result , he is discouraged and frustrated for a few weeks.
Then, in the dead of the following Winter...when the ground is frozen and we are surrounded by snow covered mountains...he begins scouring the seed catalogs and gardening magazines looking for a different vegetable he hasn't tried or a new gardening tip. He carefully maps out the garden on paper, making sure each plant will have room to grow and plenty of sunshine. He is full of hope once again and is sometimes amazed at his success when we have plenty of fresh vegetables to share later on in the year.
Our lives are gardens too....the ones that the Lord has planned even before we were born. He has carefully laid out what each garden will look like and already knows of the thistles, rocks, and weeds that we will encounter along the way. He walks with us through our gardens, mending our wounds from the bite of the thistles and helping us pull out the weeds of sin, and toss the rocks of discouragement aside, so that our gardens can grow to their full potential. We need only accept the gift, paying attention to what we plant and what we cast aside in order to stand right in the middle of a garden more beautiful than we could ever imagine in the end.....or should I say...in the beginning?
Until next time...
Carol
Then, in the dead of the following Winter...when the ground is frozen and we are surrounded by snow covered mountains...he begins scouring the seed catalogs and gardening magazines looking for a different vegetable he hasn't tried or a new gardening tip. He carefully maps out the garden on paper, making sure each plant will have room to grow and plenty of sunshine. He is full of hope once again and is sometimes amazed at his success when we have plenty of fresh vegetables to share later on in the year.
Our lives are gardens too....the ones that the Lord has planned even before we were born. He has carefully laid out what each garden will look like and already knows of the thistles, rocks, and weeds that we will encounter along the way. He walks with us through our gardens, mending our wounds from the bite of the thistles and helping us pull out the weeds of sin, and toss the rocks of discouragement aside, so that our gardens can grow to their full potential. We need only accept the gift, paying attention to what we plant and what we cast aside in order to stand right in the middle of a garden more beautiful than we could ever imagine in the end.....or should I say...in the beginning?
Until next time...
Carol
Friday, June 5, 2009
Flying The Colors
My husband and I live in a small community about a mile from Ft. Carson, CO. We have 6 children, all grown, 3 are veterans and our youngest is currently serving as a US Marine.
There is a heartshaped patriotic wreath hanging on our front door, which contains a small american flag that waves to passersby. We do have a beautiful full size americn flag that we hang occasionally on the stand at the front of our house, but sadly, we don't hang it often enough. My excuse for that is the amount of strong winds we get at our place and the fact that we have to keep replacing the attachment that holds the flag every so often from the beating it takes.
My point in saying all this is to remind you (as well as myself) that there are 2 days this month that we need to make a point of flying our flags high.
Tomorrow...June 6th...is the 65 anniversary of D-Day when the allied troops landed on the beaches of Normany and began the end of WWII. Of course, many men lost their lives that day, even before landing on the beach and there were many bloody battles to follow.
June 14th is Flag Day. The day commemorates the adoption of the US flag, which happend on 6/14/1777 by a resolution of the Second Continental Congress. President Wilson later issued a proclamation that officially established June 14th each year as Flag Day.
We live in a stressful world and the business of day to day living often gets in the way of some of the simple things we can do to show how grateful we are to live in a country that allows us the freedom to openly disagree with each other as well as with our government, a country where we are free to travel where we want and when we want, where we are still able to worship in any church we choose...or not at all
Please join me in flying the colors this month and taking a few moments to say a thank you for all of our many blessings.
Carol
There is a heartshaped patriotic wreath hanging on our front door, which contains a small american flag that waves to passersby. We do have a beautiful full size americn flag that we hang occasionally on the stand at the front of our house, but sadly, we don't hang it often enough. My excuse for that is the amount of strong winds we get at our place and the fact that we have to keep replacing the attachment that holds the flag every so often from the beating it takes.
My point in saying all this is to remind you (as well as myself) that there are 2 days this month that we need to make a point of flying our flags high.
Tomorrow...June 6th...is the 65 anniversary of D-Day when the allied troops landed on the beaches of Normany and began the end of WWII. Of course, many men lost their lives that day, even before landing on the beach and there were many bloody battles to follow.
June 14th is Flag Day. The day commemorates the adoption of the US flag, which happend on 6/14/1777 by a resolution of the Second Continental Congress. President Wilson later issued a proclamation that officially established June 14th each year as Flag Day.
We live in a stressful world and the business of day to day living often gets in the way of some of the simple things we can do to show how grateful we are to live in a country that allows us the freedom to openly disagree with each other as well as with our government, a country where we are free to travel where we want and when we want, where we are still able to worship in any church we choose...or not at all
Please join me in flying the colors this month and taking a few moments to say a thank you for all of our many blessings.
Carol
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