Circumstances to Character
Excellent or Praiseworthy is posted on Monday and Thursday nights. Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. — Hebrews 11:1 For many of us, we know what the Bible tells us about…
The Jake DeShazer Story
Excellent or Praiseworthy is posted on Monday and Thursday nights. Editor’s Note: December 7th is the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. In remembrance of that world-changing event, this devotion is posted to tell one of God’s great redemptive…
Putting on the Armor
I don’t know about you, but as a soldier the thought that I might lose any ground to an adversary makes me dig deeper, ball up my fists and redouble my efforts to fight and win ... As bad as physical defeat is, Paul tells us in his letter to the Christians at Ephesus that the physical battles we face are a diversion. The reality is that the physical battles we fight are caused by the spiritual battle that is going on in the background. These days we are getting more and more accustomed to fighting a physical enemy that uses tricks, lies, ambushes, coercion and terror to try to destroy us. Our physical enemy is merely following the lead of our spiritual enemy---the difference being that our spiritual enemy can also penetrate our homes and directly target our families.
Thanksgiving Reminders
Excellent or Praiseworthy is posted on Monday and Thursday nights. "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 Our family has a tradition of gathering…
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…
In His Hands
Sometimes it’s a refreshing spiritual exercise for me to link several ways God has led His people to creatively convey His truth. I recently heard JJ Heller’s song “Your Hands”: “When my world is shaking, Heaven stands . . . When my heart is breaking I never leave Your hands.”
Your Tears Matter to God
I would be surprised if you have gotten through this deployment without any tears. Tears when your spouse left; tears during the long months of separation; tears at special occasions when your loved one’s presence is especially missed . . . tears matter. Tears matter to God.
A Look at Parenting During Deployment
Excellent or Praiseworthy is posted on Monday and Thursday nights. Editor’s Note: I asked Diana Juergens, author of Wife of a Soldier, A Journey of Faith, to share with me her thoughts on parenting during deployment. Rich and Diana are…
Counter-Fear Tactics
As Sonja held down the fort while her husband Jason was deployed, she quickly saw the need to go on the offensive against spirits of fear, worry, resentment, anger and bitterness. Instead of waiting for discouragement to invade and occupy her home, she countered it at every turn by wielding the Sword of Truth: God’s Word.
Where Do I Go?
Where's our next assignment? Where do we go next—or do we get out? Ever asked those questions? Of course . . . it's part of being in the military. We seem to routinely assess our current assignments, and then decide what the options are for our next move. Of course filling out a "dream sheet" can bring out negativity in all of us—with the cynical attitude that we will NOT get what we put down as first, or even last, choice!