2012 EOD Memorial Ceremony honors fallen warriors

2012 EOD Memorial Ceremony honors fallen warriors

is it happy or crappy heart day?

Keep the explosions at work

So friend, what are your thoughts on Valentines day? Do you get excited or bitter? Are you joyfully celebrating or trying to forget? I know for a long time I had it all wrong and I was bitter. Every commercial showing velvety roses and gooey assorted chocolates was a reminder that I was lacking something. I would become cynical at the romance movies.

What was my problem? I guess you could say it all came down to fear. I had an idea or saw someone else's interpretation of love in action and noted each time that mine looked different. My fear was that he didn't care about me. I feared it so much that I made a full time job of looking for it.  I threw those hurts in my heart at my husband and he interpreted it in ways that said " he did not have what it takes" . That kind of stuff keeps a guy from trying.

Warrior has said things in the past like " I just can't win" and I hated hearing that. You know something, it was true. If he did do something I graded it too small or felt in my attitude that if he loved me he would have went an extra mile. I showed ungratefulness and I didn't make him feel like a hero.

He wasn't perfect and he has made mistakes. But my expectations were far too grand. I expected him to do what only God can do for me. To know me deeply and anticipate my needs. To rescue me from myself and think ahead and warn me. To have a plan and to never fail. What I am describing is a Savior not a husband.

Now that I fully know the difference I can really celebrate a deep love for my husband. I am more in love with warrior than I ever was. I am trying hard to stop my expectations and just see him as he is. He is incredible. I still battle that fear, but I take it to God.

I will show you what that looks like:
Lord,
I feel forgotten and unloved. I don't understand why my husband didn't think about (be specific here). Show me how to be a wife with this situation, it really hurts and stinks. Open my eyes and if I am wrong show me. Make this marriage as you want it.
In Jesus' name,
Amen

Can I tell you that more than once God has rocked my world after something like that! Give him your stuff. He wants it and he can make something really beautiful out of the ugly. Give him the deep fears and hurts because He and only He can make something brand new.

Check out this link: http://www.incourage.me/?author=31 the author Ann Voskamp gets a woman's heart. She is a huge overcomer and speaks hope into marriage. This link explains too well why we get so angry and what we are really saying. Love her!

Lord,
I am specifically asking for blessing for the hearts of the wives that love these EOD  men. You know where each one of them are and what they are dealing with. Help us to see our husbands with Your eyes. Lord sometimes all we see are commercials and romance movies and not a real breathing person that You love. Restore our thinking when it has gone wrong. Bless these homes and let these ladies see the love that you and their husbands have for them.
In Jesus' name,
Amen

Warrior, if you are reading this. I need to say that you are my hero and I am so sorry for holding you to expectations that I invented. I love you and I like who you are.

Initial sucess or total failure?

This familiar motto does not describe my marriage. I heard on the radio (www.lote./) this week that the divorce rate after deployment is now at 80%.
It hit me in very deep places. In places not frequently talked about. Places of truth. It so could've been me. Yes, we were that close. But we overcame and we were renewed. I want to scream at people that it is possible. To tell them that God is bigger than this and it can be fixed. Do you feel like your marriage is a failure? I have been there. Praying hope and wanting to send you encouragement. I get the hardship of an EOD marriage, at least from the wife side. It can be good and I plan to show you how. Will you renew your mind?

Lord,
You are bigger than statistics and You desire to rebuild families. Give hope to any EOD marriage that is ready to give up. Speak Your healing restoration into hurting hearts. All this is possible with you.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Believe me friend, whatever you are facing it can be good. Maybe not easy but good.

learning

Recently my husband and I were in a room filled with people who had been on deployments. We each had the chance to talk about the experiences from active duty/spouse perspective. We never shared rank or job. I really wanted to. As others talked about their hardships it was clear to me that we had it longer or harder. I have a big problem with this from time to time.
After the event my husband and I got real about our issues.

Why do we feel angry when this stuff comes up. Sometimes it doesn't sound fair. Sometimes we want compensated. Sometimes we feel that people just don't get it. We tend to nurse that wound and it keeps us divided from others. God knows what He has called us to do and He has been so faithful in our every need. I know I need to stop comparing.

Matthew 5:3
Blessed is the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed means more than being happy. It is something that is beyond our circumstances. Poor in spirit is the opposite of what I described of myself here. It is not being all about me. It is not downgrading others.

God showed me that there are people in fear and pain and it doesn't matter how they got there. What matters is that He can fix it if we let Him.

Lord,
I pray that you soften my heart to others. I struggle with this sometimes. I know that You are in my situation and that You have a plan. Fill me with a compassion that only comes from You. I ask that You bless all the EOD people and wherever they are running let it be to You. You are bigger than anything we face.
In Jesus' name,
Amen

waiting

Are you waiting with anticipation to open gifts? Or maybe for something else.... I have a friend so very anxious to have her baby in her arms for the very first time. Are you like me anxiously awaiting the reunion with your spouse?

Thinking about that makes me wonder about those people for centuries that waited for a savior and yearned to be reconciled with God. He came, for real. We celebrate that by waiting for our gifts as a symbol of those waiting for the savior to be born.
I believe that God is waiting for us to receive Him. Our yearning for things can not compare to His yearning for us. He loves you that much and He is waiting.

Isaiah 9:2-6 (ESV)
5(K) For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire.6(L) For to us a child is born, to us(M) a son is given;(N) and the government shall be(O) upon[b] his shoulder, and his name shall be called[c]Wonderful(P) Counselor,(Q) Mighty God, (R) Everlasting(S) Father, Prince of(T) Peace.

Lord,
I pray for EOD families everywhere to see You this Christmas. I pray that they see the effects of Your miracles in their lives. Help us all push past the daily stuff to see what is real and important. Open our eyes to those that may be hurting so that we can show them kindness. Show us how to accept the gift of Your HUGE love and remove things that keep us from You. I just pray a covering over this population of people. Let them live as the dearly loved children that they are.
In Jesus' name,
Amen

We still Hold These Truths

weak belief

How is it that God can move huge mountain in my life and show me His power and down the road I can doubt. In that moment of victory I feel I will never again be afraid or insecure. Then again in a new situation I try to budge a big rock in my own strength forgetting that the battle is His and He cares.

1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Lord,
Help us to measure our obstacles against Your strength and not our own. Grow our belief where it is weak and show us Your truth.
In Jesus' name,
Amen

Meet Me In The Meadow: Pray This…

Meet Me In The Meadow: Pray This…

Harvesting the Soul: Peeling Away the Layers that Bind Me

Harvesting the Soul: Peeling Away the Layers that Bind Me

Got Cake

I heard an awesome illustration this week. It was saying how we are like cakes. We want to have that finished dessert right now. But adding ingrediants take time. How much would you like to devour a cup of oil? Not so much.

When God adds the right ingrediants for our lives. Sometimes He removes the things we thought the recipe called for. Then He has to beat the batter to make it smooth. We need to be willing to his stirring. We then have to take the heat of a trial before we are done. Be a fragrant offering during the baking time. What comes out of you when the heat is on?

So much of our life is baby steps and we fail to see we are in process.

Psalm 27:14 (New International Version)
14 Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

Father,
I am amazed that You see us already as a finished product. You know where we are going and You have an amazing plan for us. Show us how to include You in our everyday. Help us to believe that this day is just one ingrediant of a bigger recipe. I pray that You strengthen and protect all of the EOD family grow them in real faith.
In Jesus' name,
Amen

Used to be

I used to be a party girl. I am happy that I never had the opportunity to be on a reality show. There are things I have done in my past that I am not proud of. I am so far from that person that I am freed from it. I don't have to cover it. Jesus did that. I have no shame. This is for real.

Ephesians 4:22You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;

Father,
I thank you for the lessons I have learned and the peace You have brought to my life. I am grateful for the new person you have made me to be. We have all made mistakes and for some people they are still wearing the heaviness of bad choices. Lord, I pray that anyone that feels that sees that You have a way to take that off of them. Show them that Your grace and mercy are very real. Let the people of this EOD family have a hope for a future. Let them be new people in You and show them the path to that freedom.
In Jesus' name,
Amen

not shaken

Have you gotten to a place where a bump in your day doesn't throw you out of balance. Trusting God is sovereign can do that. It is like storing up for winter. The things you meditate on and absorb strengthen you for tough seasons. Like sports conditioning. Get spiritually strong and things will not be able to move you.

Psalm 16:8
I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Lord,
Show us how to abide in You. Grow us where we would falter without You. You always make a way out of temptation. You always make it clear that we can choose Your path. Let us clearly discern Your plan. Show this EOD family that they can endure and not be shaken.
In Jesus' name,
Amen

Praise!

I'm going to be open today because I feel like my heart could explode with gratitude. Warrior is in a location with no church and no one to really talk God with. I had prayed for a door to be open and for God to put someone in his path to encourage him in his new walk.

I can't imagine going even a few weeks without a deep conversation about what God is doing for me. I accepted His will. I knew that God had a plan and that the outcome was going to be good. God is so faithful and so amazing. He never leaves us hanging or without a way.

We had a few days of comm blackout... no communication. I am sure all of you have been there. I had moments of discouragement and a list of things that could've easily held me down. I mostly pressed on.

Today warrior called and said that a chaplain is going to be stationed at his location. This is the first time that area has ever had a Chaplin and there is going to be some cool book study thing going too. When I hear warriors voice I feel like I can fly. When I see God answer pray I am so in awe I don't even have the words to respond! God, You amaze me! You never fail! Thank You Lord!

Psalm 66:6
Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works in man's behalf! He turned the sea into dry land, they passed through the waters on foot- come, let us rejoice in him.


Lord,
I thank you for always making a way. I love what you are doing and I'm grateful that You let me see this blessing. I know so many times we don't see You working. Grow our faith to know You are involved. I pray that more of this EOD family grows to know You. I pray that they learn to rely on Your strength in all circumstances. Bless them as they do their jobs. Protect their minds, hearts, souls and bodies. I pray for the families teach them how to seek Your comfort. I thank You and praise You for this answer to prayer.
In Jesus' name,
Amen

EOD member drops bomb on Guinness World Record

EOD member drops bomb on Guinness World Record

Picked Last

So, thinking about David. You know, the little boy in the bible that killed the giant with a sling and a stone. There is so much more to his story. An important prophet was to go to David's father and announce one of the sons as future king.
The prophet saw potential in the older brothers and God told him that it was not one of them. Finally, he asks the Dad is this all the boys you have. The Dad answers well, the youngest is tending sheep. The Dad doesn't even see the potential.

This just really made me think.... David becomes a very important and powerful king. He was the one. But what if he did not live with humility in his younger years. What if he had never been last pick with the brothers. Did God need to let him live that experience so He could call him to do big things? David is also the writer of Psalms. He loved God bigtime and credited Him for all of his success. Would he have done that if he were always first string?

1 Samuel 16:11 (New International Version)
11 So he asked Jesse, "Are these all the sons you have?"
"There is still the youngest," Jesse answered, "but he is tending the sheep."
Samuel said, "Send for him; we will not sit down [a] until he arrives."

Father,
We have all had a moment where we have been picked last or felt rejected. Let us believe that those things have a big purpose. I pray that you bind up the wound and bring it freedom that can only come from you. You allow things to bring us to bigger places. Show us how to let you turn our hurts into Your glory. I pray that you take old burdens off and put on new thoughts.
In Jesus' name,
Amen

the prize

Do you ever wonder what your motive is? What is the thing that keeps you doing what you do? Would you do it if no one took notice? Would you do it if there was no reward? Sometimes rewards in this life just don't feel big enough. They can leave us empty and thinking " did I do all of this for that?" So, what are you doing it for?

Colossians 3:24
since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Father,
Let our motives match Yours. Grow us in believing that You have made us, chosen us and have a plan for each of us. Show our feet where to go, we need Your direction in all things. I pray guidance for all the EOD people. Let them find the silence in their day to hear Your still small gentle voice. Your ways are beyond what we can imagine for ourselves. Make our expectations big as our hope grows in You alone.
In Jesus' name,
Amen

Excellent or Praiseworthy

Excellent or Praiseworthy

EOD at Work3.mov

Defuse Newsletter (click to download) - Untitled

Defuse Newsletter (click to download) - Untitled

“Jesus Scope?” Trijicon ACOGs marked with ‘Bible passage’ since at least 2006 « Weaponized Culture

“Jesus Scope?” Trijicon ACOGs marked with ‘Bible passage’ since at least 2006 « Weaponized Culture: "Weaponized Culture
Commentary on the Confluence of War, Technology, and CultureFeeds: Posts Comments “Jesus Scope?” Trijicon ACOGs marked with ‘Bible passage’ since at least 2006"

just curious, what are your thoughts?