20240327

"I have no desire to die on hills that look nothing like Calvary." ~ Jackie Hill Perry 


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20240326

We can all learn to cherish things a little bit more

“Those who celebrate war have never participated in it. Those who have participated in war never celebrate it”. ~ unknown

While i am a military veteran, having served for twenty two years, i am blessed in that i never served in an area where the oxygen to lead ratio was never higher than a gun range.  This means that i have never been in close proximity to where the affects of war are experienced first hand.  However, i have paid attention to demonstrations, to after action reports, been in close (but safe) proximity to high explosives, and other... more graphic, sources.  

I grew up being influenced with the propaganda of the glories of war.  At one point i idolized the 'glories' of battle.  Eventually, i learned what the military is ultimately for.  When those in "power" are unable, or unwilling, to find other ways to achieve what they want, or what their country "needs" (real or perceived), military conflict is the last result.  Or it should be.

While there is a lot of boasting, and joking at other branches expense, there is a real comradery built up between those who have gone through incredibly hard things.  Be it physically, or mentally, or both.  I do not know of a single veteran who cherishes war, but they all have amazing memories of the men and women of who they served with.

There is a lot to be said, and so many applications, about not being quick to judge another until you have been in that person's shoes.

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20240322

Time keeps on slipping, slipping, slipping, into the future

"Surprise, Speed, and Violence of Action." ~ Combat arms motto 

When i was a young man, i was aimless.  I would not stay at a job for more than three of four months.  Eventually, potential employers noticed the pattern and it got to a point that even part time jobs were an option.  Top of the "Want Ads" in the newspaper was "Army National Guard".  There was so much i didn't know then, but to cut to the point here, the Infantry, particularly a "Heavy Weapons, Anti-Tank Infantryman" are not trained for very many civilian careers.  Fortunately, i am blessed in that, God was starting me on a journey that would straighten out a very wayward young man.  

While i have learned over the years that my "quote of the day", is not applicable in day to day civil life, i still do remember how it is.  But, also, i wrote a whole lot of "checks" as that young man.  Checks against the "account" of my body.  And, my body has decided to come collecting.  So, there is not a whole lot of "speed" left. 😄

Not a day goes by that I'm not smacked back into reality.  ~ Alyson Murphy 

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20240320

Grace initiates, not our effort

 "When you find a spark of grace in the heart, kneel down and blow it into a flame." ~ Charles Spuregon

I struggle as a father to be a consistent encourager, but i try to find the thing(s) that are good within my children's situation to praise them.  To encourage them.  In a similar way, when us older Christians see younger brothers and sisters in Christ struggling.  We need to remember that we also struggled.  That we STILL struggle.  Breath in to them the grace that God breathed in to you.  While we are at once justified, we must walk out our justification day by day, step by step, breath by breath.

"But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ — by grace you have been saved — and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."  (Ephesians 2:4-10, ESV)

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20240315

Our testimony and our pride

I have been talking with an associate of mine, about our respective Christian testimonies.  As we were reviewing certain times of our lives, where we overcame difficulties, we both felt that it could come across as boastful.  "Look at what we have over come."  "What we have done."  That sort of thing.  But upon reflection, those are the times we can brag, because it is especially in those times, God has been good.  He has provided our strength.  He has provided the path.  He has provided the endurance.  Even if we came out the other end covered in debris, dust, cuts, sores, bruises, and a tear stained face - He was with us.

Be unashamed of your testimony, but remember to give credit where credit is due.

"I am the vine; you are the branches.  Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."  (John 15:5, ESV)

"Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them."  (Psalm 139:16, ESV)

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Daily Ramblings

 “Never take counsel of your fears.” ~ Stonewall Jackson 

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20230817

 So many ramblings come to mind.  Ah, the joys of ADHD.  I am also out of practice, so i will just dive in.

As i begin to ramble write i have set my expectations to the audiance of just one.  Well, two, counting myself.  I just want to be an open book, but at the same time, not too revealing.  This is, after all, a public forum.  I believe that when i was posting more prolifically, blogging was a fairly popular means of being a "influencer".  Now with platforms such as TikTok, the writing and reading form is a lot less popular.  I am sort of counting on this.  Just like most others, i struggle with my own pride, and i really don't want this to become a temptaiton for myself.

As a Christian, i know my focus should be on Christ all the time.  However, like most 'laymen' my day to day goings on are filled with distractions.  With competing interests.  To the best of my ability, i attempt to conform my thoughts on how to view these things through the lens of what i know, and learn, of the Bible.  But, i am not always successful.  To my personal dismay.

I have several post concepts that i am working on... "Effective Communication". "Regarding a Biblical Soul", more thoughts on "The Big Cats of the NFL", Shadowrun, and more.  I have no idea what will make it to fruition,but... it's a (re)start for me.

If anyone stumbles across this blog, i hope it produces fruit in your life, and does not feel like a waste of your time.

God Speed

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