Jul
22
Fear of Dying
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Excellent or Praiseworthy is posted on Monday and Thursday nights. Then He said to them all: “If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me will save it.” [...]
Jul
19
Excellent or Praiseworthy is posted on Monday and Thursday nights. Editor’s Note: In memory and honor of my Mom, who passed away a year ago, I am re-posting this writing from last summer. Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints. — Psalm 116:15 She was a strong woman. Perhaps [...]
Jul
12
A Higher Level of Readiness
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Excellent or Praiseworthy is posted on Monday and Thursday nights. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. – I Peter 3:15 We met with them over lunch—such an impressive couple. He returned two months ago from a year’s deployment, and [...]
Jul
8
Happily Ever After?
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Excellent or Praiseworthy is posted on Monday and Thursday nights. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. — Matthew 5:3,4 In just about every artistic rendering of a soldier’s homecoming, be it a song, a movie or a television [...]
Jun
24
Editor’s Note: Excellent or Praiseworthy is privileged to post a devotional written by Heather, oldest daughter of Angus and Denise McColl, the family whom I wrote about in an Excellent or Praiseworthy posting entitled, “What Would It Look Like?“ I asked Heather if she would share some reflections on her experiences with her Dad’s deployments [...]
Jun
21
Moving Experiences
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Excellent or Praiseworthy is posted on Monday and Thursday nights. The LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. — Psalm 121:8 Some PCS moves you anticipate—others come as a surprise. Some moves are a relief—others are a burden. But no matter if you have faced “good” moves or “bad” moves, [...]
Jun
14
Askin’ for Trouble!
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Excellent or Praiseworthy is posted on Monday and Thursday nights. If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength! — Proverbs 24:10 Think back to your childhood for a moment. After doing something you would come to regret, were you ever told by your parents that you were “just askin’ for trouble” [...]
Jun
10
Excellent or Praiseworthy is posted on Monday and Thursday nights. Editor’s Note: While not every deployed couple has children at home, the themes and applications in this writing are common in long-distance relationships. Behold, children are a gift of the LORD. . . . — Psalm 127:3 “I’m not there! What can I do about [...]
Jun
7
Choosing Hope
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What is it that you hope for? Perhaps it is the safety of your spouse, or for an easy transition after deployment, or for a certain assignment. Or could it be that you have been walking in difficulty for so long that you are finding it difficult to hope at all? If you find your faith giving way to doubt, you are not alone.
May
20
Family Values
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Excellent or Praiseworthy is posted on Monday and Thursday nights. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home [...]