Relationships

Thank God for relationships. All kinds: moms who care for us, close friends who cheer us up and give us good advice (not just the stuff we want to hear), brothers and sisters for their unending support, the cashier at the grocery store, the new guy at church, the faithful neighbor who just mowed your lawn for the third time because he noticed you were having a rough week.

This past week I have met so many new faces and have enjoyed getting to know all different kinds of people. Every human is certainly unique. God did not use a cookie cutter when he created us! Yet we all share one thing in common: We all were created to give God the glory.

Praise God for his faithfulness and for calling us to be the salt of the world. May every encounter you share this week be a testimony of your faith. May we be lights in a darkened world!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Parable of the mule

Once there was a farmer who owned an old mule. One day the mule fell into the farmer's well and the farmer heard the mule 'praying' or whatever mules do when they fall into wells.

After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the mule, but decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving. Instead, he called his neighbors together, told them what had happened and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery.

Initially, the old mule was hysterical! But as the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling and the dirt hit his back, a thought struck him. It dawned on him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back HE COULD SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP!

This he did, blow after blow. "Shake it off and step up...shake it off and step up...shake it off and step up!", He repeated this to encourage himself. No matter how painful the blows, or how distressing the situation seemed, the old mule fought "panic" and just kept right on SHAKING IT OFF AND STEPPING UP!

It wasn't long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, STEPPED TRIUMPHANTLY OVER THE WALL OF THAT WELL! What seemed like it would bury him actually helped him...all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity.

THAT'S LIFE! If we face our problems and respond to them positively, and refuse to give in to panic, bitterness, or self-pity ...THE ADVERSITIES THAT COME ALONG TO BURY US USUALLY HAVE WITHIN THEM THE VERY REAL POTENTIAL TO BENEFIT US!

"Remember that amateurs built the ark. Professionals built the Titanic." Remember that FORGIVENESS -- FAITH -- PRAYER -- PRAISE and HOPE...all are excellent ways to "SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP" out of the wells in which we find ourselves! Also, remember, more importantly, that when God is for us, who can be against us!

Prayer works! He's real.

Amazing story. A lady I just met has a difficult life. Her husband was deployed to Iraq last Fall and she has been caring for her daughter, Sydney, who struggles with major health issues (since she was 20 weeks in the womb). I share with you this story through a letter from the husband (to remain anonymous):

Earlier I went on an old friends Myspace page and could easily see he found God. He had a country song by George Straight playing. It was talking about how he "Saw God today!". Later as I went to my office in Iraq, I sort of noticed the sun was shinning, sky was clear, no BOOMS! Just a few Apaches over head. I wasn't really looking forward to what ever today was going to bring my way, but it would be another day down soon enough. I got to my desk to see if I had any bad guys to look into. Nope! Fumbled around with some college, and checked all my emails. Then the phone rings. It's my wife. Like normal everything stops. Then, well, I saw God today.

My little Peanut, Sydney, as you know was born with some kidney issues. One has been dead for some time, and she needs surgery to remove it, take out other things, and then repair her bladder. This was to take about three surgeries each about a month apart. I said I saw God today. I also said, "WAS to take three surgeries!".

My wife took Sydney in for some test and ultrasounds a few days ago. The doctor called her today to fill her in on what he found. He saw God too. Sydneys "Dead" kidney is working at 90%, producing urine, and his words, "cant explain it, she couldn't look better". She'll still have to have her bladder repaired, but that can wait, and is no where as serious as the kidney issue.

I know alot of people have been praying for her. Most I don't even know. I wish I did though. I prayed each night that God would take care of my peanut. That he would see that she would be fine. I knew all along she would be OK, that she would have to have the procedures, and then off to her normal life. But, for her to have to go through it? It hurt. I trusted in him, and again he has not let me down. My wife has been at home with her. Since I deployed she has had to stay in the hospital a number of times. My wife is the strongest individual I have ever known!

So, after I hung up I made my way to the chapel. I walked in the same sun, under the same clear sky, and still saw the same Apaches over head. Thing were obviously a bit different this time. My sunglasses were on, but my cheeks weren't dry, and I didn't care! I had to be alone for a moment. Had to do things my way. I had to get it out. Now, I had to get it out to you! Prayer works! He's real.

Rollar Coaster Ride

I'm so tired of my emotions fluctuating so much. One minute I'm fine and trusting in the Lord and the next minute I'm crying missing my beloved. Life is hard, but God is good!

Yet, I wouldn't trade these last two months for anything. My Jesus has been my all in all. His name is so SWEET and my relationship to Him has become so intimate.

Missing you all, Joey:)

ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS