Editor’s Note: “Nobody but a soldier knows what war is really like, but the next best thing may be reading Donovan Campbell’s Joker One.”  from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends . . . . This is my command: Love each other.” — John 15:12,13,17

The “price.”

What is the price of a life? What does a friend cost? What should I expect to pay for love, trust, selflessness, competence, or unflinching professionalism?

“I practiced the words that I wanted to say to (a) mother about her son. Her son was a hero, I wanted to tell her, and he died defending others, children who couldn’t defend themselves . . . . and he never quit on his team . . . .

We missed him . . . .

Then, suddenly, I was there, in front of her, and I couldn’t say anything at all. For a time, I looked at her, and she at me, and then I broke down sobbing . . . . I couldn’t speak coherently, and the only thing I said, over and over again through my sobs was this: ‘I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.’

Then, though I couldn’t see, so I can’t describe exactly what happened, (she) was hugging me . . . . and I wrapped my arms around her and cried and cried until I couldn’t cry anymore.

I don’t remember if she said anything to me, but when the moment passed, I felt some measure of absolution. . . .Some things I will never understand, but I accept that now, and I no longer demand full comprehension as the price of the pursuit of excellence.  So I’ll keep putting one foot in front of the other as best as I possibly can until my mission on earth ends and God takes me home.” (p. 307)

February, 2004: An “inexperienced platoon sergeant and a jealous lieutenant” were tasked to lead a “whole clutch of boot Marines” into combat—combat that, in today’s terms, can best be described as the irregular warfare of jihad in the urban swelter of Ramadi, the capital of the Sunni-dominated Anbar province of Iraq. Combat that, at best, is unstable, unjust, atrocious, and intolerant to the weakness of the human spirit.

Donovan Campbell, the commander of Joker One and author, describes himself as an “ . . . . ordinary young man who once made the choice to serve” who tells the story of “his men” —a true story told “with love and heartfelt emotion from the inside out.” (p. 10)

Their gripping story weaves a mesmerizing tapestry of incapacitating heat, fatigue, and pain with an Arabian Nights mystique. Set on the Euphrates River, we read of far-away places called Butchers’ Area, The Provincial Government, Saddam Mosque and Cemetery; mixed with all-American sites called Route Michigan, The Racetrack, Industrial Area, and North and South Stadiums. The disciplined and specialized nature of these Marines’ mission necessitates a Glossary of Military Terms—written in the book so that we, the protected, can understand a little of what their service entails. That mission is so elusive yet sacred that these men protect the lives of children who may carry weapons against them. And they work to establish self-governance for people who may, in our own very human nature, sell them out to ruthless terrorists.

It’s a love story. But not a “romantic” kind of love story. Campbell’s is a love story because it testifies to obedience, discipline, and servants’ hearts inclined to inscribe the Great Commandment on the inside of their helmets, or tattoo it to their chests. For us non-combatants, this love story convicts our servant spirit. Yet for Joker One, the 40-man infantry platoon of 2^nd Battalion, 4^th Marine Regiment, the seven months from late February through early September of 2004 comprised a lifetime.

It’s a story of a family under fire. From raising catfish in a water tank, to birthday celebrations, to make-work episodes of digging and filling sandbags, to long-distance phone calls with family members thousands of miles away . . . . to death.

It’s a story of faith. It’s a story of forgiveness—of grace.

“(My wife) . . . . reminded me that God wasn’t a cosmic slot machine that came up sevens every time for the pious believer. He doesn’t guarantee us health and prosperity, or even safety . . . . in this life. All He guarantees you is your relationship with Him in the next.” (p. 191)

Joker One is our story . .. . if we choose to live it.

“On September 9, 2004, Joker One loaded up into trucks and prepared to head out of the Outpost for Junction City en route to the United States and home.  We were leaving with fewer than we came, and the knowledge sat heavy on me as I hopped into the cab of my vehicle.  However, we had done our very best, and we loved one another with everything we had.  In the platoon, we had created something much greater than any of us, something that I hoped we would take with us for the rest of our lives.  In Ramadi, we had made mistakes and paid the price, but to the fullest extent possible we had cared for those whom war always traps between bad and worse.” (p. 303)

Work Cited:

Campbell, Donovan, Joker One: A Marine Platoon’s Story of Courage, Leadership, and Brotherhood (New York: Random House, 2009)

Questions to Share:

1. Donovan Campbell says he wrote Joker One so others would know of the magnificent performance of his Marine platoon “in an environment that demanded more than they should have been able to give.” (p. 309) In what ways are you being called to give more than you ever thought you could during this war?

2. Write down two ways you see your spouse giving sacrificially. Take the time to tell them (or write them) how much you appreciate their service (whether home or downrange).

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD is the Rock eternal. —Isaiah 26:3,4

In a recent conversation with a chaplain concerning Christian radio stations in our area, he shared with me that Chuck Swindoll is his favorite radio Bible teacher. I could only agree, as my family has been the recipient of many years of good teaching from this wonderful pastor/teacher on the daily radio broadcast of Insight for Living. In thinking about my all-time favorite messages of Pastor Swindoll’s, I came to the conclusion that his teaching on “worry” was probably the best I had ever heard on that sticky subject. And it has stuck with me through the years. . . .at least in my memory if not in my actions. According to my study, this message was first preached in 1990 and entitled Christ at the Crossroad of Anxiety. I would like to share what I transcribed from the recording of that timely sermon, as perhaps there is something in it which would help you in these days of deployment anxiety:

“I worry when I add, subtract, multiply, and divide.

I worry when I add . . . . when I add more things to an already full schedule; when I add pressure to my image, thinking my image and my reputation are involved in this. I worry when I add your expectations to my agenda. I worry when I have to live up to what you want me to be. There’s enough ‘Otter’ in me to want to please you and therefore there’s enough worry in me to haunt me when I don’t. I don’t want your criticism, but I receive it and I worry because I don’t fulfill your expectations of me as a man, as a pastor, as a teacher, as a friend, as a model . . . . and I want you to know I’ve put that to rest because that makes me angry. . . . angry at me, angry at you, angry at God, angry at life, angry at ministry. I worry when I add to what I already have to be (and I confess to you it is my own addition. . . it’s not yours). So I will live as best I can the balance of my life worrying less—I hope to come to the place someday where I can say worrying not at all—about what you think or whether it fulfills what you want in me. I have to please my God with the time and energy and gifts that I have been given. For me to add more to that is to make more of life than it was designed to be, and I will be an anxious man. I worry when I add.

Second. . .I worry when I subtract . . . when I subtract God’s presence from my crisis; when I subtract His timing from my desires; when I subtract prayer from my day; when I subtract perspective from the moment of difficulty. . . every time, I worry. If I miss the perspective that anxiety strangles from me, I find that I am caught up in doubt—that makes me doubt. Peter Marshall has a great line in one of his prayers as he refers to doubt coming “like the morning frost to blight my faith.” Isn’t that put well? “Doubt comes like the morning frost and it blights my faith.” When I forget . . .when I subtract God’s presence from this accident that I had, or may have; when I subtract God’s presence from this calamity, this piece of bad news, I worry. When I subtract God’s presence from my grown children’s lives I worry about my children, and it makes me doubt.

Third. . . When I multiply . . . when I multiply my problems by inserting my solutions too rapidly I worry, ‘cause they don’t work; when I look for a way out instead of the way through; when I multiply my fears with imagination. You may not do this, but I do it. It’s what I call my “what if statements”, my “but maybes” or “this could happen” line. “What if they think this”; “maybe that will happen, too”, and that makes me afraid. When I multiply I become afraid because it gets enormous enough to be the monster with claws.

And fourth. . . I worry when I divide . . . when I divide life into the secular and sacred; when I divide my day into thinking this is the Lord’s part and this is my own business. And that makes me forget. . . .

I worry when I add, and it makes me angry. I worry when I subtract, and it makes me doubt. I worry when I multiply, and it makes me afraid. I worry when I divide, and it makes me forget. . . .

What is of such great comfort to me and is perhaps the best antidote for worry in my life is to remember and to remind myself, who’s in charge here? Who’s in control, after all, on this road of life?

What is it that has you anxious? When you identify it now, do you think He’s not big enough to take that thing?”

That is what Chuck Swindoll has to say about worry and anxiety. What does God have to say?

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

“Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.” Lamentations 3:21-24

“Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown in to the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:25-34

“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

The assurances of God’s sovereignty, God’s presence, God’s peace, and God’s love are the prescriptions for a troubled heart. Those assurances are available to us—every single day, in His Word!

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me.” John 14:1

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27

Questions to share:

1. If you have a tendency to worry, which one of the four ways listed above do you struggle with the most? Consider memorizing the verse below which could help steer you away from the consequences of anger, doubt, fear, or forgetting God’s omniscience. For example:

“We speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.” 1 Thessalonians 1:4

“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast.” Psalm 139:7-10

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” Isaiah 43:1b-3a

“I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember Your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all Your works and consider all Your mighty deeds.” Psalm 77:11-12

2. Take the challenge of Philippians 4:6 (see above). Make a list of those things which are troubling you—and take them to the Lord in prayer. Share with your spouse what those things are so that you can pray together. And do not forget to thank Him for those circumstances which seem (to you) to be difficult to understand—“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

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.” —Luke 9:23,24

I was intrigued by the title of the book I saw in my local bookstore, probably because of its shock value. The title was How to Ruin Your Life by 40, and written by a favorite author of mine, Steve Farrar. I knew there would be something valuable in this book for me, for many reasons.

And since I’m especially bad about reading the end of a book first (so I know how it turns out—if it’s worth reading) . . . I was particularly grabbed by a closing section in the book entitled “The Greatest Fear.” Could you guess what this author believes is “the greatest fear?”. . .

“It is common knowledge that the greatest fear of men and women today is the fear of death. It usually appears as number one on top ten lists of people’s greatest fears. This is understandable. We do not know when our last breath will be or for what reason it will cease, and this hanging ignorance of the end leaves many in a lingering tension. But there is one fear that always fails to make the top ten lists, and yet, it may be the biggest fear of all: It is the fear of dying to one’s self.” (p. 131)

Certainly as military members we are sensitive to the subject of death and dying. We understand sacrifice. We are prepared, or as Christians we should be. But the daily burden of unselfish living—putting others’ needs above our own in every circumstance—how exactly do we do that? That is called “dying to self,” and I think the author has a good point in raising this matter as a “fear.”

Years ago Bible scholar and pastor/teacher Dr. John MacArthur taught about “dying to self” in a sermon from his daily radio program, “Grace to You.”  He said that his favorite teaching on the subject was a lengthy paragraph from an anonymous writer—and he kept it on his desk as a daily reminder of what Jesus calls us to do in Luke 9:23,24, “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.” I telephoned Dr. MacArthur’s staff after hearing this teaching—it challenged me to the core—and they emailed me what he said over the radio . . . which I will pass on to you:

“When you are forgotten or neglected or purposely set at naught, and you sting and hurt with the insult of the oversight, but your heart is happy, being counted worthy to suffer for Christ—that is dying to self. When your good is evil spoken of, when your wishes are crossed, your advice disregarded, your opinions ridiculed and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart, or even defend yourself, but take it all in patient loving silence—that is dying to self. When you lovingly and patiently bear any disorder, any irregularity, or any annoyance, when you can stand face to face with waste, folly, extravagance, spiritual insensibility, and endure it as Jesus endured it—that is dying to self. When you are content with any food, any offering, any raiment, any climate, any society, any attitude, any interruption by the will of God—that is dying to self. When you never care to refer to yourself in conversation, or to record your own good works, or itch after commendation, when you can truly love to be unknown—that is dying to self. When you see your brother prosper and have his needs met and can honestly rejoice with him in spirit and feel no envy nor question God, while your own needs are far greater and in desperate circumstances—that is dying to self. When you can receive correction and reproof from one of less stature than yourself, can humbly submit inwardly as well as outwardly, finding no rebellion or resentment rising up within your heart—that is dying to self.” —Anonymous

Whoa! I’m afraid I just can’t do that!! I know I can’t do that, and am afraid I will disappoint those who think I can! I’m afraid when the time comes, when unselfishness is absolutely required of me—that I will fail miserably! I’m afraid to admit there are desires within me which take precedence over the needs of others and obedience to my faith! Count me in—I’m afraid of the requirements of “dying to self!”

But the promise of Scripture is if I die to myself, that Christ actually lives in me—and with Christ nothing is impossible! Maybe there’s hope for me! Galatians 2:20 reads, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” So with Christ living in me, I might actually be able to demonstrate the impossible—I might actually be able to demonstrate His “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22,23)

Staying in the book of Galatians we read, “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:24, 25) And further teaching on this is in Romans 6, for example in Romans 6:11: “In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” I am set free not only from the power of sin and guilt, but also set free from the fear of “dying to self.” It is in dying to my own selfish nature that I am alive in the power of the Holy Spirit to truly live, to truly love.

What does this have to do with deployment? Everything. In and of ourselves we will not be able to stand up under the extreme demands of fighting this global war on terror. We will focus on the unfairness of it all. We will fear the unknown. We will let anger have the day, and we will take it all out on our spouse—the one we are supposed to love the most.

It is only in the power of the Holy Spirit, living in us, that we will have the ability to conquer bitterness, fear, anger . . . selfishness. And by thinking of our spouse and their struggles we can encourage them during this time of separation. We are set free to serve one another in love—even when apart. We can ask the tough questions, like “How are you today?” “Do you know how much I love you?” “How can I pray for you?” And in doing that we are facing our fear . . . the fear of dying to self. And having faced that fear, we can truly begin to live.

Work cited:

Farrar, Steve, How to Ruin Your Life by 40 (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2006)

Questions to Share:

1. Do you believe that, in your marriage, you have been successful at living out Philippians 2:3,4: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

2. During this deployment, how can you serve your spouse in love, considering their needs?

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 that came from being the oldest of seven—no doubt a rowdy bunch. Perhaps it came from growing up during The Great Depression and having to work hard at home. Perhaps it came from having two pretty strict parents who expected a lot from their kids.

She was strong even in the days when it wasn’t the “norm” to be a strong woman. She got her business degree in 1933 and left rural Virginia at age nineteen to head to Washington, D.C. for that much-desired government job with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Because she came from a devout Methodist family, her first priority was to find a good church to attend—and that’s where she met my Dad, at Mt. Vernon Place Methodist Church. They married in 1939—and not long after that she became a wartime military wife.

Their duty stations aren’t recognizable on lists of military installations today—long since closed. They would include Hondo Army Air Field in Texas and Romulus Army Air Field in Michigan, and the stories she would tell of these locations make me think that our experience in the military was very “cushy” in comparison. She would make long-distance moves alone with small babies when there was no interstate highway system, no air-conditioning, no disposable diapers, no car seats and no McDonald’s. And the Army had to come up with some unusual ways to create maternity wards close to the bases—hence the reason my brother was born in a psychiatric hospital (at least that’s the way the story goes).

Since rationing was a reality during World War II, she would tell stories of how she would make sure there was enough coal for heat for the times that Dad would be able to come home between flights. Similar stories about tires, food items, and ice were shared—but the things I remember most were the stories about her friends.

Some things never change—what would we ever do without the friends that we make during our military assignments?  When family is far away, it’s the friends we make in “remote” locations who are there to see us through the tough times of military service—and who help celebrate the joyful times. My Mom’s friends became her real “family.” She had friends who got her to church, who helped with babysitting, who gave her advice about new locations, who helped when help was needed—and who took the edge off the loneliness which accompanied war-time service. My Dad was a great letter-writer, but the reality was communication in those days was sporadic at best.

I still have those letters. They are in “The Trunk.” My parents’ letters are filled with the small details of life in those days—and even some romance. They would often write each other of dreams for their life together when the War was over—before Dad eventually got out of the military and became a civil servant in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, then a pharmacy professor, until he died in 1977. The skills which she developed in forming friendships during her military days served her well as they moved our family around the country in those years which followed. Each and every year she faithfully sent out the “Christmas letter” to all of those friends, and we even traveled to keep those relationships vibrant. I watched that tradition, and I learned. Maintaining friendships takes intentionality. And it’s worth it.

Some of those friends of hers are still alive today, but very few. My Mom just passed away, ninety-four years old and weak. The strong woman that she had been succumbed to the damage caused by strokes, and the Lord took her home. Her faith was strong to the end, and many a night my husband and I tucked her in with a recitation of The Lord’s Prayer, the 23^rd Psalm, and to the tune of “Jesus Loves Me.” During her last days our dear nurses referred to her medical condition as “non-responsive,” but she would join us with a word or two of those familiar verses from deep within her memory. Her faithful friends were able to say “good-bye” and “I love you” to her thanks to the modern technology of speaker phones.

Looking back, I remember that when she would come to visit us during each assignment—all over the world—she would reinforce our relationships with our friends by joining into their lives as well. She was “Grandma” to more than just our kids, and a great chocolate-chip-cookie-baker and cinnamon-roll-supplier to blocks of military housing. She knew that our friends were important and would be our “family” during most of our military career. As we mourn her death, we are not alone as she knew our friends and loved them.

But most importantly, she knew and loved the Lord. Jesus Christ was her Lord and Savior, and we know today she is in heaven with Him, with my Dad, and with the saints in Glory. Our son flew home from his overseas military assignment to join with our family at her funeral last week. He wove Scripture together for this beautiful prayer which he shared at the closing of her service:

Dear Lord, we thank You for the opportunity today to celebrate the life of my Grandma. Thank You for the blessing that each of us had—to know her and experience her love and encouragement for us as a mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, a teacher, and most of all, a friend. We praise and thank You that “You created her inmost being, You knit her together in her mother’s womb.” Indeed, “she was fearfully and wonderfully made,” and “all the days ordained for her were written in Your book before one of them came to be.” We rejoice that throughout her life, “You searched her and knew her…You knew when she sat and when she rose; You perceived her thoughts from afar…You discerned her going out and lying down…You were familiar with all her ways.” Her skills and talents, her spirit and love, her encouragement and faithfulness that blessed us—all of these things were fashioned and given by You. And we are thankful that throughout all the victories and trials of life, You are always there—“Your hand always guided her, Your right hand surely held her fast.” So tonight we celebrate my Grandma’s life and rejoice for her “work produced by faith, her labor prompted by love, and her endurance inspired by hope in You our Lord, Jesus Christ.” By and through Your grace, she “fought the good fight, she finished the race, and she kept the faith. . . now there is in store for her the crown of righteousness, which You, O Lord, will award to her on that day.” And all of this is possible, through the love and gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who though He knew no sin, became sin for us, gave Himself up on the cross, and then conquered death so that even though death still takes us from this life, by faith, we may live with You, the lover and creator of our souls, through all eternity. Thank You for redemption, thank You for grace, thank You for unending love, and thank You for the gift of all of these born out in the life of my Grandma. “For from You and through You and to You are all things. To You be the glory forever! Amen.”

These verses shared from Psalm 139, 1 Thessalonians 1, 2 Timothy 4, 2 Corinthians 5, and Romans 11 were ones she knew well. We have her Bible, well-worn and well-loved. They say a worn-out Bible is the sign of a person who is not. For years that would have been true of my Mom. But her days were numbered, and since God’s timing is always perfect—He took her home. Thank You, Lord, for the blessing of my Mom. She was a great military wife—a great Mom, and a great military “Grandma.” To You be the glory forever!

Questions to Share:

1. Look around you—which of your friends in the military do you think you will continue to keep up with in the years ahead?

2. Take a moment to pray and thank God for the gift of these special people in your life.

As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”  He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”  Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to Him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?”  “Lord, I want to see,” he replied.  Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.”  Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.”  — Luke 18:35-43

Can you put yourself in the shoes of a blind man sitting by the wayside and begging?  I cannot. However, I would imagine he must have felt he was in an “impossible” situation. As a blind man, he must have always been dependent on others to lead and assist him through life. How miserable would life be dependent on the mercy of others?

“Others.”  Many times “others” have disappointed me more than I care to share. The “others” I thought I could count on during my “impossible” situation, were nowhere. Even my closest “others” deserted me when I needed them the most. “Impossible” situations can cripple us through our own emptiness, pain, sorrow, heartache, and hopelessness. Hopelessness can be so overwhelming, you can barely breathe. You feel as if you have been left sitting by the road as life passes you by pretending not even to notice. Begging? Yes, begging that the pain will stop. Begging for the long, dark night to fade as the brightest of a new day dawns. Begging for “why this or why that.” Begging and pleading to find some way out of this “impossible” situation.

“When your doorbell rings” as mine did, announcing your beloved son had been killed in combat, it is as if your life is like a crystal vase dropped on the floor, instantly shattering into a million pieces. Who can put all the tiny, broken pieces crying out with pain and sorrow back together again? Can you? I could not. I found myself in an “impossible” situation just like the blind man. Without my permission, I was made to sit by the wayside, begging as a blind man. My sight blinded by my pain.

When your doorbell of life rings, no matter what it may bring, the “real you” answers the door. Your doorbell might ring announcing financial devastation, a serious illness, divorce, death, false religion, depression, or addiction. In the midst of your broken and helpless situation you have a choice to make. You could become angry, bitter, curse God, and even walk away from Him. “Others” may encourage you to be mad—after all, they think you have the right—look how God allowed “this” to happen to you. If God were good, then He would not have allowed this in your life, they say. “Others” lead you to believe you are entitled to enjoy a blessed and favored life, of course, without pain or sorrow.

Or, on the other hand, in Luke 18 we read how Bartimaeus (so named in the account in Mark), a blind man sitting by the wayside begging, heard Jesus was passing by. Instantly he began to cry out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Despite discouragement from “others,” he cried out even more.

Suddenly, JESUS STOPS. Jesus asks Bartimaeus a very specific and personal question, “What do you want me to do for you?” He answers, “Lord, I want to see.” And Jesus says to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Him . . . .

Likewise, you can choose by FAITH to surrender in the midst of your brokenness, admitting to yourself and then crying out, “Jesus, have mercy on me. You are my only hope in the midst of this ‘impossible’ situation.” Just like the blind man, it seems I sit helpless by the wayside of my life, blind as to how to heal my wounded heart and put the pieces back together again. As with Bartimaeus, the blind beggar, when by FAITH we surrender our needs and cry out to Jesus for help, God WILL listen, hear, and see us in our “impossible” situation.

Brokenness and heartache can blind you spiritually. In your “impossible” situation it is imperative that you receive your “spiritual” sight. Jesus is the ONLY ONE who can open your spiritual eyes so that you can see HIM and HIS sovereign control in your life. Never, never underestimate God, even when you cannot feel, hear, or see Him. He is in control to accomplish His perfect will and His purpose.

As Jesus was passing by, He heard my desperate cry in the midst of my “impossible” situation. Jesus stopped. He asked, “Miss Jackie, what do you want me to do for you?”  I said, “Lord, I want to receive my spiritual sight. Open my eyes to see YOU.”  Then Jesus said to me, “Receive your spiritual sight: your FAITH has saved you.” Immediately I received my spiritual sight and followed Him with passion and purpose, glorifying God. My prayer continues to be that others will see and give praise to Him.

Jesus is passing by. Will you cry out to Him?

Questions to Share:

1. What is the “impossible” situation you are experiencing right now?

2. How can you “see” God working in your life, your spiritual life, right now?

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 we wanted to hear how they were adjusting. We also wanted to hear what God had taught them in that year apart, because God is always at work. We knew what they had to share would be something we could pass along to others—they are just like that.

Their preparations for the deployment were extensive. They had tried to think of everything, although he added that the plumbing problems, termite infestation, and car trouble were not something they expected!  But because of good financial planning and excellent communication skills they were able to get through these challenges—and could smile about them . . . now.

Here are some of the plans they made and executed:

• They went to the Weekend to Remember marriage conference before he left, and even took some friends from their post;
• They sought out small group Bible studies on marriage, and even led some at the post chapel;
• They established communication plans with their cell phones and computers—hoping to take advantage of every opportunity to connect;
• He had her schedule and their child’s schedule written down on a planner so that he could picture in his mind the “where” and the “when” of their days;
• She crafted an emergency plan in case something would happen to her, complete with phone numbers, medical information and prescriptions, her child’s school contacts, and his schedule;
• They had two copies of a couple’s devotional, Moments with You, so they could share their readings each day;
• During the early days of his deployment, when his unit was remote, he did “The Deployment Dare” (see sidebar of ExcellentorPraiseworthy). . . . faithfully journaling his thoughts and actions;
• And on the days he could telephone, they would pray together.

Do they sound like the “poster children” for being “deployment ready”? The smiles, the laughter and the joy as they told stories at our lunch together led us to believe that all of their preparation time really paid off.

But that’s not all. As she said, “We thought we were making preparations, but in reality God was preparing us.” A few months into the deployment, he had the wonderful opportunity—a divine appointment—to speak to one of his fellow soldiers who wanted to know more about the Lord.  Because God had prepared him, the Holy Spirit brought to mind Scripture and truth to share with one who said he wanted to know about Jesus “because I want to get saved!” After that, worship times at sea and in the desert were followed by discipleship studies.

It was after he returned from deployment that she had her turn to share the gospel—with the wife of this same soldier, brought together by “coincidence” at a unit picnic.  The wisdom and love demonstrated by our couple had not gone unnoticed by those in their unit . . . . and when the opportunity came—they were ready to share where their peace, joy and hope came from.  Because of their faith in Jesus Christ, forgiveness of sins, and promise of eternal life together in heaven they could live victoriously, even during the geographic separation (loneliness & danger) of deployment.

Are you ready? As a Christ-follower, are you ready to share your faith with someone who is honestly seeking “the way, the truth, and the life?” (John 14:6)

While you are packing your bags and saying your good-byes, don’t forget to pray for the people with whom you will come in contact during the year apart. They might need to hear what you have to share . . . . about the good news of Jesus Christ!  Be ready . . . .

Questions to Share:

1. Being ready to share your faith starts with having faith to share. Tell your spouse about your decision (when, where, why, etc.) to become a Christian, a Christ-follower.

2. Was there someone who told you about Jesus Christ which led to your salvation decision? Say a prayer of thanksgiving to God for their bold witness. Pray also for that same boldness to share with someone else, so they might know your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

3. If you have not made that decision, but desire to know more, go to 4spirituallaws.com.

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 commercial, we are left with an emotional high that tells us all is well again. But if military wives assume their reunion with their husbands is a fairytale ending to their separation, disappointment is almost sure to set in.

“I have seen way too many military wives build up a fantasy in their minds about what life will be like once their husbands are home—and then be destroyed when this fantasy was not a reality,” says National Guard wife Mary Whitlock. Mary says the hardest part of war wasn’t her husband’s deployment; it was when he first came home. His multiple concussions, exposure to constant combat and chlorine gas resulted in loss of short-term memory and an extremely heightened sense of anxiety which resulted in frustration and anger.

When author (Hope for the Home Front) and Navy SEAL wife Marshele Carter Waddell’s husband returned from Iraq with only a broken leg, she praised God for his safety. “Now, months later, I sense that his leg is the least of our concerns,” she says. “He is healing outwardly, but his soul walks with a limp.”

As Marshele’s husband goes through War’s aftermath—the invisible wounds of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder—she and her children used to have little more than patience, devotion, and hope in their arsenal to help him win this battle on his home turf. She describes the experience this way:

“Life tries to return to what it was before, but can’t. He fights against the relentless surf trying to move back to the sandy, safe shore but is drifting further . . . . swept out by a current of guilt, memories too painful to speak, questions too difficult to ask, the suffocating guilt of watching others die when he lived instead, the helplessness of not being able to save a friend, the naked ache of being so far from home, from love, from security, living in a dusty hell under fire at all times, fighting for what seemed an ungrateful and divided nation.”

But since then, Marshele has teamed with others from Military Ministry to write a new book which addresses the feelings and concerns of wives of PTSD sufferers. When War Comes Home is a helpful manual—a powerful gift to those who are facing despair and want to recover hope for their marriages and their lives. It followed the publication of the popular book The Combat Trauma Healing Manual, published by Military Ministry in 2007. Both of these valuable books are for sale online from militaryministry.org

Ecclesiastes 3:1-3 says, “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven:  . . . . A time to kill, and a time to heal . . . .” And Who is the Healer?  In the Old Testament, God was also called “the Lord Who Heals.” One of Jesus’ many names in the Bible is “Physician,” a name well-suited for one who performed so many healing miracles on both the physical and spiritual levels. While God works through modern medicine and counseling to heal the war’s injuries of body and mind, we can also entrust the healing process directly to Him, the Author of Life itself. As we pray for healing for our spouses, we can also be praying for large doses of patience for ourselves.

Prayer written by Marshele Carter Waddell: “Lord, I cannot see the wounds caused by my husband’s war-zone experiences; but, You can see them. Only You can heal him. Help me to come to You and to trust You to intercede for us when I cannot find the words. I ask for prayer partners who will remember to pray for us, come what may. I need someone to talk with, Lord, someone who has dealt with this before. Please provide Godly counsel and direction.” In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Questions to Share:

1. Have you thought of God as a healer? In what ways can you remember Him healing you from hurts, fears, and discouragement?

2. How can you help each other recover from the wounds of war—whether they be emotional or physical?

Jocelyn Green is an award-winning freelance writer and author of Faith Deployed: Daily Encouragement for Military Wives (www.faithdeployed.com), from which this devotional was reposted (and updated) with permission from Moody Publishers.  She is also the co-author of Battlefields & Blessings: Stories of Faith and Courage from the War in Iraq & Afghanistan. She and her husband Rob live with their two children in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Therefore, if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. —John 8:36

I opened my email first thing this morning and read a message from a sweet military wife whose husband is in Afghanistan. She had enjoyed the prior posting, “God Bless America”—especially Celine Dion’s rendition of that famous song. She closed her comment with, “I’m so thankful for America, a free country that allows me to know what true freedom is in Christ!”

Then I picked-up the morning newspaper and saw a pastor’s column in the “Living” section which was entitled, “True Independence is with Jesus Christ.” Beautifully written, he shared, “My real independence day was July 5, 1993. It was the day that I truly invited Jesus Christ into my heart and pledged to live the rest of my life honoring him. I was raised in church, but wasn’t free. July 5, 1993, was the day my Lord took away the guilt of my past and encouraged me to look toward my future. . . .Since that day, I discovered that real freedom is not allowing sin to dominate my life any longer. Real freedom is knowing and pursuing my God-given purpose while I live on this Earth. . . . Today, I plan to celebrate the holiday with family and friends . . . . but I won’t just be celebrating our country’s freedom. I will also celebrate Jesus freeing me from my past, my sins, my own selfish ways, the opinions of others and so much more. There is nothing like freedom in Christ. That’s what true independence is all about.” Rev. Kevin Swann, The Daily Press, July 4, 2010, p. 5.

But that wasn’t all—I next opened “Facebook,” just to see what had happened overnight. There was a posting from a Guard chaplain which read, “Great message heard at church (must have been at the EARLY service!). Pastor said real FREEDOM is found in Jesus Christ. I say, AMEN! No matter what happens in the world, everlasting freedom is given to those who have trusted in Jesus Christ as Lord and Master.”

Yep, I got the message! Three timely reminders, lest I forget on this holiday celebrating our blessed nation’s birthday, that true freedom is found in Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ alone. What a gift of grace from our Heavenly Father who gave His Son, that we might be truly free:

“To the Jews who had believed Him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’” — John 8:32

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” — II Corinthians 3:17

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” —Galatians 5:1

“To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve His God and Father—to Him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.” —Revelation 1:5,6

Questions to Share:

1. What 4^th of July celebrations do you remember from the past?

2. Share with your spouse your testimony of when you were set free from the bonds of sin by the shed blood of Jesus Christ. If you have not made that decision, join with Pastor Swann and make today your personal independence day. Go to http://www.4laws.com/laws/englishkgp/

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD . . . . — Psalm 33:12

It’s a song, a famous song, but did you know that it really is a prayer? A prayer that we’ve all heard sung at athletic events, on the steps of the U.S. Capitol by our congressmen on September 11^th, at the reopening of the stock market the following Monday, at church services during war and peacetime, at Republican and Democratic national conventions, on radio and television programs, in movies, and at patriotic rallies throughout our country and on foreign shores. Its words burn in our hearts because the lyrics ring true. . . .and the musical score combined with those words bring goose-bumps each time we hear or sing this beautiful prayer.

I am speaking of “God Bless America,” written by Irving Berlin in 1918 and originally performed by the one-and-only Kate Smith in 1938. Irving Berlin wrote it for a camp show while serving in the Army in World War I stationed at Camp Upton on Long Island. The show’s producers decided not to use it in 1918, but twenty years later Berlin offered it as the answer to a request he received for a patriotic song which Kate Smith could sing to commemorate the anniversary of the Armistice ending World War I. It was an immediate sensation with her debut radio performance in 1938. . . . and has been a national favorite ever since.

Irving Berlin, born Israel Baline, was five years old when his family immigrated to the U.S. from Siberia in 1893. He had a great appreciation for his adopted homeland of America—his patriotism was authentic. After his military service in World War I Berlin went on to a successful career, known for composing such hits as “White Christmas,” “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” “Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” and “Cheek to Cheek.” When World War II began, Berlin considered it an honor to compose and perform patriotic songs for military stationed around the world (often close to battle zones). At war’s end, President Truman awarded Berlin the Medal of Merit for his courageous contribution to troop morale.

As you bravely serve our great country this 4^th of July. . . .both at home and deployed, we pause to consider these lyrics, beginning with the original spoken introduction, as a prayer lifted to remind us of our personal and national need for God:

While the storm clouds gather far across the sea
Let us swear allegiance to a land that’s free.
Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,
As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer:

God bless America,
Land that I love.
Stand beside her and guide her
Thru the night with the light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans, white with foam.
God Bless America, my home sweet home.
God Bless America, my home sweet home.

On this national holiday, thank you for your brave and sacrificial service to our dear country, which we love. Your duty is making an eternal difference in the lives of many, both at home and across the sea. May God bless you. May God bless America.

Work cited:

From en.wikipedia.org: Kate Smith, “God Bless America,” and Irving Berlin.

Larkin Spivey, Battlefields & Blessings: Stories of Faith and Courage from World War II (Chattanooga: God and Country Press, 2009), p. 216.

Questions to Share:

1. Take these lyrics and pray for our nation, especially during these times of war.

2. How has God blessed America? How can you pray for God to continue to bless America?

Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. — Exodus 20:8

Like most of you I have been TDY or deployed more times than I can count—away from my own family and my church family. One of the temptations during those times apart is to “excuse myself” from opportunities to worship. . . because I want to “relax” or “don’t know what church to go to” or “afraid of different worship styles.” However, those of you who love your local fellowship, as I do, know that to miss a Sunday is like missing a meal. It makes you hungry for the next opportunity to worship God with your Christian family. And when I am in an unfamiliar place, I have found that God is faithful and will provide for my spiritual needs if I rely on the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Because I have developed this discipline of finding a church in which to gather with fellow Christian brothers and sisters, I was recently blessed with one of those unique opportunities to get out of my “comfort zone” and experience a wonderful time of worship and fellowship while on the road.

The value of corporate worship: “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” — Hebrews 10:25

I prayed that God would lead me to a house of worship on Sunday in New Mexico, and He blessed me beyond my expectations. Although an unlikely “match” from the outside, inside the church I entered felt like home. This fellowship seemed to be an incredible reflection of my church in Georgia. I saw and met people who were very much like the people back home. I saw one older gentleman with a ready smile and a kind word who obviously loved all the beautiful children running around and I said to myself, “That is Brother Ron!” I saw a man who was hugging and greeting everyone and I said to myself, “That is Brother Dave!” It was obvious to me that these people were part of God’s family and I felt right at home even though the demographics and style of worship were vastly different than at my home church.

God’s faithfulness and goodness: “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. — Psalm 23:1-3

Have you known people who float around and never take root in a local fellowship because they are trying to find a place that fits their expectations? When I got married 8 years ago, I tried that approach to finding a church and it was a miserable failure. I was putting my preconceptions about what worship should look like ahead of listening to where the Holy Spirit was trying to lead me.

There is one thing that I finally got hold of which changed my life. Jeremiah 17:7 says “But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him.” I started to trust the fact that God wants what is good for me. He wants to lead me in the paths of righteousness. He doesn’t want me to wander in the desert of ineffectiveness. He wants me to be in fellowship with Him and other believers and He provides abundantly when I ask. As Jesus said in Matthew 7:11: “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!” And finding a church family is indeed a good gift!

Obey and receive the blessing: “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” — James 1:22

So learning how and what to ask for is only the first part. The second part is the action flowing from our trust in God’s love for us. Did I want to get out of my comfortable bed, get dressed and go to a fellowship I knew nothing about? Did the temptation exist to just go back to sleep. After all, who will know? I’m not affecting anyone except myself, right? To be honest, I did give it a second thought. But these rationalizations are all straight from Satan. Look at the blessing I would have missed had I sacrificed Christian fellowship for a few more minutes of leisure! I can only receive the blessing when I listen and do as the Holy Spirit directs me. Let me encourage you—when TDY or deployed—look for a community of Christ-followers with whom to worship. Perhaps this will be at the chapel where you are deployed. Remember this verse from Isaiah 58:11: “The LORD will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame.” Whether in the desert or traveling on a TDY, trust God to lead you to worship.

Questions to share:

1. During this deployment, have you prayed and looked for Christian fellowship opportunities?

2. Is there an area of your life where you have not fully trusted God and His plan for you?

3. Do you need to pray for the strength and courage to do the work God has laid out in advance for you to do?

4. An added benefit to worship while away from home is that your new experience will give you something to share with your spouse—by email or phone. Take a moment to exchange memories of a time of worship away from home.