Pilgrims Deployed
Excellent or Praiseworthy is posted on Monday and Thursday nights. Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD . . . – Psalm 33:12 Each year we celebrate Thanksgiving in the tradition of the Plymouth colony’s harvest at the…
“Wax On, Wax Off”
Excellent or Praiseworthy is posted on Monday and Thursday nights. “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” — Hebrews 12:11…
Stay Close and Clean
Whenever our pastor prays for church members heading out on travel—or off to college—or deployment—he prays for the Lord to keep them “close and clean.” What does that mean? Close and clean? Clearly our pastor’s prayer is not just for those venturing away from our church on assignment—it is for all of us.
When Someone Asks How They Can Pray for You
Recently, I asked Chaplain Koeman’s wife Benita, founder of OperationWeAreHere.com, to provide me with a similar list of prayer requests that would apply to the spouse of a deployed military member. If you are that spouse of a deployed husband, you may not think you need to read this list of prayer requests yourself– but wait! Next time someone asks you how they can pray for you, share this list with them; it’s quick and easy. Better yet, print out both lists of prayer requests (his and hers, so to speak) and see if your church will create an insert to put in the bulletin so the congregation knows how to support you both in prayer.
Veterans Day Prayer
Excellent or Praiseworthy is posted on Monday and Thursday nights. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. — John 15:13 Chuck Swindoll, one of our favorite preachers, loves to tell stories…
How to Pray for Your Military Man
The Bible tells us that “The prayer of a righteous man [or woman] is powerful and effective” (James 5:16). So what are you praying for? Most, if not all of us, pray for our husbands. But do you know exactly how to pray for your military man’s unique needs? I asked Chaplain Scott Koeman, when in Afghanistan, for some specific things we can be praying for. Here is the insightful list he shared with me:
The ABCs of Long-Distance Parenting
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…
“The Submariner Treatment”
Excellent or Praiseworthy is posted on Monday and Thursday nights. 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 Gaping Hole in the Door
Coming from living overseas to stateside proved a challenge with small children, but they considered themselves doing pretty well under the stress. Jason went on ahead and moved them into their new quarters while Melinda visited her mom and dad with the kids. You would think that would work out well . . .but tiredness, more separation, and cranky children all added up for an explosion of emotions a few days after Melinda rejoined Jason in their new (well, not so new and not so nice) quarters. A complaint here, a criticism there, a little nagging, physical exhaustion, not to mention the regular reintegration issues that crop up and . . . Wham!!—Jason made a fist and punched their bedroom door leaving a gaping hole . . .
PTSD Prayers of King David
Excellent or Praiseworthy is posted on Monday and Thursday nights. Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief. My life is consumed by anguish…