Hear an interview (go to top nav bar marked Radio Show) with Rachel Sherburne of Military Ministry by Campus Crusade. In today's incredibly stressful times our military needs their services worse than ever. Please share this interview and give to Military Ministry as they help deal with the mounting problems of today's military and their families. The Ft. Hood shootings is just an added affront to the worries they already have. This Thanksgiving and Christmas make a point of helping our brave soldiers by helping provide for their emotional, spiritual needs--it is only fitting as they sacrifice to keep us living in the land of the free.
I, one of the millions of beneficiary of the awesome service I take for granted most of my day would like to extend my help in the solution to our heroes suffering with PTSD. It is late at night as I write this after having played over and over "USA Today" written by Rod Stone.
It is another awesome song like God bless the USA that will fill one with a grateful heart. Thank you for sacrificing for me and my family. I place the following things together in hope that it will lift you up. The only thing I know is to point you to the One who also helps me make it through. I hope you already know him as your Savior but if not remember John 3:16 --For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life. He is just a prayer away.
My days are nothing like yours but I hear the Battle is in the Mind and so I start with a blessing from God's word for you.
This was written by a warrior like you,David, about the God that knew him and loved him.
Psalm 103
Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.
Here are videos showing how much He loves you!
I offer you the same way I handle my stress and no, it is probably nothing compared to yours but in my mind my problems too, looms large. I pray that God would protect your mind from the lies of the enemy that seeks to destroy you. Remember the battle is in the mind and you need to ask God to help you take your thoughts captive. God's Word will help you do that.
2Cor 10:3-5
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh (for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds), casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ; (ASV)
If your family is also suffering look into the series of books Stormie O'Martian has written which gives absolute proof to the power of praying to our awesome God. There is a book for your wife to pray for you and one for you to pray for her and over your children and for single people too. I have used them and there's something wonderful in realizing you don't have to be a perfect anything when you can give to an awesome merciful God--all things are possible with Him. Take some of your stress and give it to Him as he is able to take it off of you. Then remember laughter doeth good like medicine. Find some uplifting movies that will make you laugh. I plan to post some funny videos on here for you--so check back. May God bless you and shine his face upon you and your loved ones.
Here is a website that has great resources for PTSD--for Military Ministry of Campus Crusade. They are a ministry we need to support in prayer and please consider giving to them for this Christmas.
Here's a simple but true thing I have found that works--be fully dependent on Him and here's one of the most beautiful song I have ever heard that makes me grateful I can depend on him. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
Please tune in 10-17-09 and listen online to a program on this issue. We need more people aware of this issue so please share and get others to tune in and /or listen to the podcast that will be available on this issue dealing with the revised rules of engagement that are tying the hand of our soldiers.
It's always sad to read about the death of any soldier like the one of Lance Cpl. Joshua Bernard who lost his life on Aug. 14th in an ambush in Afghanistan. But I don't remember reading about one so young (21 yrs old) yet described as a "Holy Man" by his fellow soldiers.
George Washington said "While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian." Indeed Lance Cpl. Joshua Bernard bore that character.
I asked the Lord for a word today after I had read his story in the Sunday paper and when I opened my Bible it opened to 2Cor Chapter 5
Verse 1 says "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."
That was an awesome scripture for all of who believes in Jesus Christ. Joshua believed and without a doubt he is glad he knew his Savior. He probably wants all his friends to come to know the Savior he knew so well that gave him a servant's heart after all that's the greatest tribute to our Lord and that is to be like Jesus. He was the greatest servant of all.
Joshua saw it was his duty to serve God and country. I am sure the seeds he planted in the lives of the men he was around will someday sprout and they too maybe called "Holy Man"--what an awesome thing that would be. Joshua I am sure would like that.
He was described as humble, unassuming and shy yet in contrast he was also the point man for his team and he was known for his determination to get the job done. 2Cor 5:11 talks about the fear or "awe" of God. The fear or awe of God gives Christians uncommon courage in face of life's troubles as it did Paul of Tarsus and I believe Joshua had this also from what his fellow soldiers described.
Let us remember to pray for his family also as they continue the fight. His father, John Bernard, had sent (weeks before his son's death) a letter to lawmaker. This was in regard to a recently revised rules of engagement that state troops, can fire at an area if they are receiving fire and are in imminent danger, but if it's possible for them to move away from the area, they are to do so.
He states "our troops are nothing more than sitting ducks." What a way to fight is that? Joshua's father feels this attributed to his son's death. John Bernard said "they're being fired upon and being told they can't fire back in fear of hitting civilians, which means Marines can die and ultimately can't protect civilians because they can't fire at the bad guys. "
"It's not that they want to go out and kill women and children, but they can't fight like this."
Joshua's father has demanded change so no more troops are in unnecessary danger. They are fighting a war and they can't do it with their hands tied which is basically what seems to be happening more and more.
Let's honor the memory of his son by contacting our Congress in support. Call 202-224-3121. There are many concerns about our economy to call Congress on --but this is also of high importance. Our brave men and women deserves us to also fight for them. It's the least we can do. After all they give their lives for us. Thank you Lance Cpl. Joshua Bernard for a life well lived serving God and country. Hope we can do the same.
Here is an example of the problem our soldiers are dealing with:
Let’s briefly revisit the ROE. We have discussed the standing rules of engagement, the theater-specific rules of engagement for Iraq, and even the rules on the use of force. Our problems with the existing ROE and RUF are legendary, and include the insurmountable initial problem that they are constructed around defensive operations and personal and unit self defense and include no discussion or guidance for offensive operations. This is why General Kearney wanted to charge two Army snipers with murder for targeting a Taliban commander who didn’t happen to be holding a weapon.
Insurgents learn to game the system, as this event shows in Ramadi, Iraq, as reported by David Danelo.
The vehicle commander, Corporal Ronnie Davis, is in front of me holding a pair of binos. Three other Marines peer down a street where Mujahideen have been firing at us from multi-story buildings scarred by gunfire and explosions. While we exchange fire with the Muj, other observation assets available to 1 st Battalion, 6th Marines are mapping enemy positions for future operations.
“That’s the same two guys. They’ve crossed back and forth four times,” Corporal Davis announces, referring to a pair of unarmed Iraqis who have run for cover. Because these men are unarmed, the Americans under the Rules of Engagement are not allowed to shoot at them—even though gunfire is coming at us from that direction.
Get the picture? The insurgents had emplaced weapons, fired them, dropped them, run to the next station and picked up another weapon, fired, and were repeating the process as long as they wanted. The Marines couldn’t return fire because they never saw the insurgents run across the street holding a weapon. Go to site with this info
City On A Hill Radio Show will be doing an interview with a lawmaker on this issue as our brave men and women needs all of us to fight for them too.
Friday, November 6, 2009 at 04:28AM