The American Soldier

I read this someplace and wanted to share it with you.

The average age of the U.S. soldier is 19 years. He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country. He never really cared much for work and he would rather wax his own car than wash his father's; but he has never collected unemployment either.

He's a recent High School graduate; he was probably an average student, pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away. He listens to rock and roll or hip-hop or rap or jazz or swing. He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk.

He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time in the dark. He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must. He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional. He can march until he is told to stop or stop until he is told to march.

He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity. He is self-sufficient. He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry. He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle. He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts. If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food. He'll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low. He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they were his hands. He can save your life - or take it, because that is his job. He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay and still find ironic humor in it all. He has seen more suffering and death than he should have in his short lifetime.

He has stood atop mountains of dead bodies, and helped to create them. He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat and is unashamed. He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to 'square-away' those around him who haven't bothered to stand, remove their hat, or even stop talking. In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful. Just as his Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather, he is paying the price for our freedom. Beardless or not, he is not a boy. He is the American Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years.

He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding. Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood.  May God bless America and our American Soldiers.

"Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need.  Amen."

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What is a godly woman?

A godly woman is God-fearing, efficient, strong, knows that doing God’s will for her life is more important than doing what she wants, doesn’t take advantage of others, uses what God has given her to glorify Him, knows that she is intelligent, competent, and valuable asset to the kingdom of God.  She possesses godly wisdom, prudence, reliability, and trust.  She always speaks the truth and does not participate in gossip.

She is praised and appreciated by her family.  If she is married, she is a crowning joy to her husband.  Her husband should be a godly man with a vision and who knows how to encourage and positively influence his wife.  The two of them complement each other and their marriage is a partnership.  A true woman of God is sent by God to fulfill her roll in God’s divine plan.  She is spiritual and practical.  She applies the Word of God to her life.  She lets her light shine and does not waste time doing unproductive things or throwing pity parties.  She knows how to be content in all circumstances, how to be business-minded, and has a benevolent heart.

A godly woman thinks before she acts, knows how to comfort and encourage, accepts and give nothing less than the best, and does not let outside influences stop her or her household from achieving their full potential, because she is covered by the blood of Jesus.

Which of these characteristics describe you?

Which of these do you need to work on?

Would others say you are a godly woman?

Women of God, we are royalty!  Let’s not live beneath our stations as princesses!  We are special, because our heavenly Father cherishes us.

We should be confident that we are DORKS, Daughters of the Risen King.  God’s wants us to feel better about ourselves.  He wants us to be more excited about our future, more grateful, and more enthusiastic about our faith.  As a believer in Jesus Christ, God has given us His Holy Spirit to help us live life according to His perfect plan.

We are not perfect and all these characteristics mentioned set the bar high, but they are certainly things we are to aspire to.  Sometimes we compare ourselves with others and feel inadequate.  Here is a letter that could have been written from God that just maybe, will help change our attitudes.

Dear Woman,

When I created the heavens and the earth, I spoke them into being.  Then I created man, formed him and breathed life into his nostrils.  But you, woman, I fashioned after I breathed the breath of life into man.  Because your nostrils are too delicate, I allowed a deep sleep to come over him so I could patiently and perfectly fashion you.  Man was put to sleep so that he could not interfere with the creativity.  From one bone, I fashioned you.  I chose the bone that protects man’s life.

I chose the rib, which protects his heart and lungs and supports him, as you are meant to do.  Around this one bone, I shaped you…I modeled you.

I created you perfectly and beautifully.  Your characteristics are as the rib, strong yet delicate and fragile.  You provide protection from the most delicate organ in man, his heart.  His heart is the center of his being; his lungs hold the breath of life.  The rib cage will allow itself to be broken before it will allow damage to the heart.  Support man as the rib supports the body.  You were not taken from his feet, to be under him, nor were you taken from this head, to be above him.  You were taken from this side, to stand beside him and be held close to his side.

You are my perfect angel…You are my beautiful little girl.  You have grown to be a splendid woman of excellence, and my eyes fill when I see the virtues in your heart.  Your eyes…don’t change them.  Your lips…how lovely when they part in prayer.  Your nose…so perfect in form.  Your hands…so gentle to touch.  I’ve caressed your face in your deepest sleep.  I’ve held your heart close to mine.  Of all that lives and breathes, you are most like me.

Adam walked with me in the cool of the day, yet he was lonely.  He could not see me or touch me.  He could only feel me.  So everything I wanted Adam to share and experience with me, I fashioned in you; my holiness, my strength, my purity, my love, my protection and my support.  You are special, because you are an extension of me.  Man represents my image, woman my emotions.  Together, you represent the totality of God.

I love you,

God

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I Hate Cell Phones!

Do you have a cell phone?  If you don’t, you’re not living in the modern world.  Cell phones are nice to have, but sometimes I HATE Cell Phones!  It may not be the cell phone’s fault.  People who have them may be the problem.  Let me explain. 

When talking to someone face to face and all of a sudden their cell phone rings, what happens?  Do they continue to give you their full attention and check their phone later?  No, they don’t.  What do they do?  They answer their phone and leave you standing there.  They continue to talk for several minutes as if you were not important at all.  It is the same when they get a text. 

You’re eating in a restaurant with your friends and everyone is constantly on their phone.  They’re playing games, checking emails, texting, etc.  Again, you are left sitting there as if you were not important at all.  Whatever happened to face to face communication?  I thought it was bad when we started emailing instead of writing letters.

Since some people don’t have a home phone and only have a cell, they carry the cell phone around as if it were attached to them.  It’s always in their pocket or right beside them on a table.  They even take it to the bathroom with them.  They cannot miss a call!  How important can a phone call be that you can’t miss a call for a few minutes?

Young people and yes, older ones, too talk for extended periods of time.  This is wasteful time and of course money if you’re paying for your minutes.

When driving on my way to work, I see people on their phones.  What do you need to talk about that early in the morning?  What is that important that you can’t wait until you park your car?

Cell phones used when driving is very dangerous.  It only takes a second to lose control of your car when dialing your phone and even more dangerous is texting while driving.  Texting while driving is unlawful in some states.  They also emit some radiation and can be harmful to our health.  They have linked cancer and brain tumors to cell phone use.

People never leave home without it.  What did we do before cell phones?  We live in a time of instant access to communication, business and entertainment. 

Some people violate other peoples’ privacy.  Cell phones are misused when people use the camera to take pictures without others permission.  They can record conversations, too. 

There are places you should not use your cell phone - movies, bathrooms, churches, elevators, hospitals, meetings, funerals and weddings, planes.  You get the idea. 

When you talk on your phone, people tend to talk louder than usual.  This is very disturbing to others.  AND don’t put your phone on speaker!  Don’t multi-task by talking on your phone when shopping, banking or waiting in line in the grocery store.  This is VERY annoying to others.

As you can see, I get very agitated about cell phones and those who rudely use them.  Yes, they are useful in cases of emergencies.  But come on people, use them responsibility.   I hope this makes you stop and think when and how you use your cell phone.  AND – heaven forbid, if you forget to charge it!  You might have to wait 30 minutes for it to charge before you can use it again.

NOTE:   Wouldn’t it be great if we treated our Bible like our cell phones - Carried it with us everywhere, turned back if we forgot it, checked it for messages all throughout the day, used it in case of emergencies, and spent an hour or more a day using it?

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How To Study The Bible

 Why should I study the Bible?

The Bible is God speaking to us.  It was written by 40 different people over a period of 1600 years.  No book has ever been more analyzed or criticized yet it has been preserved over 2,000 years.  No other book has been so consistently bought, studied and quoted as the Bible.  It is the most translated book in the entire world.  It is as relevant today as when it was written.  It is ignored by those who are uncomfortable with its teaching, but still it is the central book of Western civilization.  The Bible is the most important book we will ever read.

The Bible has a message for all ages from childhood to the aged and is for all classes of people.  It tells stories of many types of people - faithful and sinful.  It tells of the fall of man and how man can repent and get right with God.  It begins with God’s creation of the world and ends with Jesus’ return to judge the wicked and reward the faithful.  In the middle it tells of how God uses different people to bring about His divine plan for mankind.  It tells of God’s miracles and wonders with many, many lessons for us to learn.

The doctrine of the Bible is Jesus Christ.  Its subject is Jesus Christ.  Its object is Jesus Christ.  Its symbols are of Jesus Christ.  Its predictions are about Jesus Christ.  Its gospel glorifies Jesus Christ.  Jesus is throughout the Bible from Genesis through Revelation. 

To reject the Bible is to reject God Himself, His commandments, and His authority.  To accept the Bible and God’s Son, Jesus is to live a life eternal in heaven.

God gave us His Word to guide us as to how we should live.  2 Tim. 3:16 – “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 

Where do I start?

So let’s get started studying.  First be sure you read it and study daily even if it is only 15 or 30 minutes.  Find a special place where you do all your studying.  It’s important to get away from distractions.  Turn off the phone and go to a quite place and shut the door.  Try to study at the same time each day.  Mark the day and time on your calendar and don’t let anything interfere with your appointment with God.  You make time to go to that hair appointment don’t you?  And you would never break that appointment so don’t break your appointment with God.  Pray before you begin and don’t forget to pray when you finish.  Ask God to help you apply what you’ve read that day.

“Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.” – Joshua 1:8

Here are several ways to study the Bible that might interest you:

#1 – Start reading the entire Bible.  Start at the beginning and read straight through.  Read 1 or 2 chapters daily or a whole book of the Bible, but be sure you read it daily.  Then you can go back later and study a book in more depth. 

I find the best time for me to spend time with God and His Word is in the morning, before I get too involved with the tasks of the day.  Then it seems that the day runs much more smoothly.

#2 – You can start your study with a small book like James or Peter or even 1 John.  Spend a couple of weeks on it and be sure to pray before you start by asking God to help you understand.  At first just read through the book several times looking for themes throughout the chapters.  Then look for how you can apply what you’ve read to your life.  Then take it verse by verse and don’t be afraid to use highlighters to mark meaningful verses or phrases. 

Also try not to look at commentaries until you’ve finished your study.  You want God to speak to you, not get someone else’s interpretation.  The Bible is sufficient enough.  God will reveal to you what you need to understand.  So give God a chance before you look into commentaries. 

When reading, ask yourself who is speaking; to whom are they speaking; what is the context of the passage; and what is the purpose.  Look up any words you don’t understand in the dictionary.  I use the internet for a quick definition. 

#3 – There are small inexpensive study books on specific topics and on different books of the Bible that you can buy at a Christian book store.  They contain daily study questions that can help.  You can study these kinds of books in a group or do them on your own.  Some are very basic and some are more advanced.  Ask the store clerk to help you decide which one is best for you.

#4 – You can join a small group Bible study group at your church, in your neighborhood or start one of your own.  This is very helpful to be involved with others as you study.  You will gain new insights and be encouraged by them.  You will see that you are not alone in understanding the harder lessons.  You will also gain knowledge from others who are stronger in their walk with God and be an encourager to those who are weaker.

#5 – Join a BSF group.  I have been in several church Bible studies over the years and I have learned many things, but the best study I have ever been in is Bible Study International (BSF).  It is an in-depth study and is throughout the world.  This is a study in more than 1,100 classes of 400,000 people in 39 countries and it includes people of all ages, races, and cultures.  Classes are held in many cities and in many different churches, although BSF is non-denominational.  It’s for people who are discovering the Word for the first time or who have had many years of studying the Bible.  Every class around the world is studying the same book of the Bible. 

When you join a BSF, you will attend a class once a week.  There are daily questions for you to answer.  Then you attend a class where you will meet with others and discuss your answers.  After class you attend a lecture on what you’ve studied which helps you to understand it even more.  You will receive written notes on the same lesson.  This is a four-fold approach to your studying.  If you don’t understand it in your daily study questions, you probably will through the discussion, lecture or notes.  No one is ever put on the spot during discussion time, but you are encouraged to share. 

BSF is not based on any particular denomination or their beliefs.  It is based strictly on the Bible.  BSF Core Values are:  values dependence on God, a passion for Jesus Christ and His people, integrity, consistency without inflexibility, excellence with humility, and caring for other with Christ’s love.

To find a BSF class near you go to their website – https://bsfinternational.org

It’s a Process

I have studied the Bible for many years and I still don’t know or understand it all – and – I never will in this life.  But as the years of study go on, I learn more each time I read and study.  It’s a process.  Every time you study you will learn something.  When you discover its power and truth, you will begin to see changes in your life.  God reveals bits and pieces along the way and before you know it, you have more and more knowledge of the Bible and a better relationship with God.  You learn who God really is.  You learn His commands and His promises.  You learn what He expects of you.  You learn about His character and how much He loves you.  You learn many lessons for your life from the stories and characters in the Bible.  You learn how God uses all kinds of people to bring about His plan and how He uses even the worst of sinners.

“Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophets own interpretation.  For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” – 2 Peter 1:20-21.

You will see through your study of the Bible that Jesus is woven throughout the Old Testament as well as the New Testament.  You will learn that God is the Creator of all things.  You will learn about the fall of man and how God provided a way for sinful man to reconcile to Himself by way of His Son, Jesus who died for all mankind.  You will learn how to pray and trust God in every part of your life. 

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” – Ps. 119:105

Are you too busy to study your Bible?  BUSY is “Being Under Satan’s Yoke”.  Satan will do everything he can to keep you busy so you think you don’t have the time to study God’s Word.  Satan knows his time is running out and he is working extra hard to keep you from Jesus.  You need to make a choice on how to spend your time.  Don’t let yourself be robbed from the lessons and blessings you will receive by reading and studying the Scriptures.

So get started now!  You won’t want to miss out on the blessings you will receive.  God is waiting to speak to you through His Word.

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