Veterans Day, and something to think about...

Hi all,

I don't know why, but this Veteran's Day has hit me harder than before. It's true that my service was only just shy of 11 years, and it's also true that I wasn't placed in harms way during my time on active duty. But that doesn't mean that my friends weren't. Or that people I'd known and laughed with are no longer here to be honored.

I've spent the morning watching the History Channel and saw a show entitled, "Band of Bloggers" about young men and women serving our country in Iraq and Afghanistan who took the time to write their experiences down and post them on the web for all to see. It inspired me to go out and search for some of these blogs, and found, much to my surprise, that the military has blocked most of them, and that the simpering left-wing journalists have all taken a dim view of their efforts. But I did find one. And on that blog, I found a tribute to a young soldier who gave the ultimate sacrifice so I can sit here in my home, isolated from danger, warm, sheltered, and with my family. His name was Sgt. Eddie Jeffers, and he also blogged. The following is the last thing he wrote. My heart goes out to Sgt. Jeffers' family. Thank you for your sacrifice. This needs to be read by every American.

And I think that MY life is unhinged... I should be ashamed.

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Hope Rides Alone
By Eddie Jeffers

I stare out into the darkness from my post, and I watch the city burn to the ground. I smell the familiar smells, I walk through the familiar rubble, and I look at the frightened faces that watch me pass down the streets of their neighborhoods. My nerves hardly rest; my hands are steady on a device that has been given to me from my government for the purpose of taking the lives of others.

I sweat, and I am tired. My back aches from the loads I carry. Young American boys look to me to direct them in a manner that will someday allow them to see their families again...and yet, I too, am just a boy....my age not but a few years more than that of the ones I lead. I am stressed, I am scared, and I am paranoid... because death is everywhere. It waits for me, it calls to me from around street corners and windows, and it is always there.

There are the demons that follow me, and tempt me into thoughts and actions that are not my own...but that are necessary for survival. I've made compromises with my humanity. And I am not alone in this. Miles from me are my brethren in this world, who walk in the same streets...who feel the same things, whether they admit to it or not.

And to think, I volunteered for this...

And I am ignorant to the rest of the world...or so I thought.

But even thousands of miles away, in Ramadi , Iraq , the cries and screams and
complaints of the ungrateful reach me. In a year, I will be thrust back into society from a life and mentality that doesn't fit your average man. And then, I will be alone. And then, I will walk down the streets of America, and see the yellow ribbon stickers on the cars of the same people who compare our President to Hitler.

I will watch the television and watch the Cindy Sheehans, and the Al Frankens, and the rest of the ignorant sheep of America spout off their mouths about a subject they know nothing about. It is their right, however, and it is a right that is defended by hundreds of thousands of boys and girls scattered across the world, far from home. I use the word boys and girls, because that's what they are. In the Army, the average age of the infantryman is nineteen years old. The average rank of soldiers killed in action is Private First Class.

People like Cindy Sheehan are ignorant. Not just to this war, but to the results of their idiotic ramblings, or at least I hope they are. They don't realize its effects on this war. In this war, there are no Geneva Conventions, no cease fires. Medics and Chaplains are not spared from the enemy's brutality because it's against the rules. I can only imagine the horrors a military Chaplain would experience at the hands of the enemy. The enemy slinks in the shadows and fights a coward's war against us. It is effective though, as many men and women have died since the start of this war. And the memory of their service to America is tainted by the inconsiderate remarks on our nation's news outlets. And every day, the enemy changes... only now, the enemy is becoming something new. The enemy is transitioning from the Muslim extremists to Americans. The enemy is becoming the very people whom we defend with our lives. And they do not realize it. But in denouncing our actions, denouncing our leaders, denouncing the war we live and fight, they are isolating the military from society...and they are becoming our enemy.

Democrats and peace activists like to toss the word "quagmire" around and compare this war to Vietnam . In a way they are right, this war is becoming like Vietnam. Not the actual war, but in the isolation of country and military. America is not a nation at war; they are a nation with it's military at war. Like it or not, we are here, some of us for our second, or third times; some even for their fourth and so on. Americans are so concerned now with politics, that it is interfering with our war.

Terrorists cut the heads off of American citizens on the Internet... and there is no outrage, but an American soldier kills an Iraqi in the midst of battle, and there are investigations, and sometimes soldiers are even jailed... for doing their job.

It is absolutely sickening to me to think our country has come to this. Why are we so obsessed with the bad news? Why will people stop at nothing to be against this war, no matter how much evidence of the good we've done is thrown in their face? When is the last time CNN or MSNBC or CBS reported the opening of schools and hospitals in Iraq ? Or the leaders of terror cells being detained or killed? It's all happening, but people will not let up their hatred of Bush. They will ignore the good news, because it just might show people that Bush was right.

America has lost its will to fight. It has lost its will to defend what is right and just in the world. The crazy thing of it all is that the American people have not even been asked to sacrifice a single thing. It's not like World War Two, where people rationed food, and turned in cars to be made into metal for tanks. The American people have not been asked to sacrifice anything. Unless you are in the military or the family member of a service member, its life as usual... the war doesn't affect you.

But it affects us. And when it is over, and the troops come home, and they try to piece together what's left of them after their service... where will the detractors be then? Where will the Cindy Sheehans be to comfort and talk to soldiers and help them sort out the last couple years of their lives, most of which have been spent dodging death and wading through the deaths of their friends? They will be where they always are, somewhere far away, where the horrors of the world can't touch them. Somewhere where they can complain about things they will never experience in their lifetime; things that the young men and women of America have willingly taken upon their shoulders.

We are the hope of the Iraqi people. They want what everyone else wants in life: safety, security, somewhere to call home. They want a country that is safe to raise their children in. Not a place where their children will be abducted, raped, and murdered if they do not comply with the terrorists demands. They want to live on, rebuild and prosper. And America has given them the opportunity, but only if we stay true to the cause, and see it to its end. But the country must unite in this endeavor... we cannot place the burden on our military alone. We must all stand up and fight, whether in uniform or not. And supporting us is more than sticking yellow ribbon stickers on your cars. It's supporting our President, our troops and our
cause.

Right now, the burden is all on the American soldiers. Right now, hope rides alone. But it can change, it must change. Because there is only failure and darkness ahead for us as a country, as a people, if it doesn't. Let's stop all the political nonsense, let's stop all the bickering, let's stop all the bad news, and let's stand and fight!

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So, the next time you want to pipe up and complain about the war, and about the lousy political brew-haha that it's become, remember that someone has bled and died so you can be safe enough to do just that.

Something to think about.

Where has the time gone?

WOW

I can't believe how much time has passed since my last posting. I should be ashamed, but I'm actually feeling simply overwhelmed that life seems to be passing me by!

I should have been keeping this up and going but I haven't had the will to do so. I've been fighting my AS and all the crap that comes with it, and Chris is in school full time! She seems to be doing better at life than I am, and has been invited to be part of the "big brain" club at school. It is a national honors society, very hoity toity, and very much deserved. Chris is still pulling an 4.0. She's my hero.

This is going to be short... I'm just starting back... but I cannot believe that the year is almost already gone... Next, will be a rant about where Thanksgiving disappeared to in the American consciousness.

Cya

To ALL the world... including HIM

Yesterday while I was waiting for my bus, a young man with long hair, messy clothing, and a full beard sat down next to me. I had my nose stuck in the bible reading from Titus, and briefly considered if I should witness to him, but suddenly found myself grateful I had my MP3 player on and could disappear behind the music - "Besides," I reasoned, "what would HE want with the Gospel? - It'll just offend him." so I carefully avoided his eyes.

Suddenly through my Vivaldi, I heard him asking me, "Are you attending seminary or something?" while pointing at my open bible and notebook.

Feeling surprised and a little annoyed, I removed my earbud to answer him in the negative, when I noticed a well worn and used pocket Gideon's New Testament open in his hands to the book of Romans! After offering a weak, "No," I said, "just spending time in the Word, You?" while nodding to the bible in his hands.

He smiled at me through his thick beard and said, "Nah, just cruzin' through Romans," and began tucking his small bible into the pocket of his backpack right next to his worn copy of "My Utmost For His Highest" by Oswald Chambers! "Actually," he continued, as he stood up for his bus, "I love all of Paul's letters, I can't get enough of them!" With that, he turned and boarded his bus and was gone.

Convicted in my heart, I looked down to where my thumb was keeping my place in the bible, and it rested next to this verse in Titus 2:11 - "For the Grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to ALL people." I looked up and watched the bus pull away and realized that I'd judged this young man unworthy to receive what Jesus Christ had freely given me, based on his appearances alone.

Suddenly tears stood in my eyes and I realized what a hypocrite I am, and how it was actually ME - not this young man - who needed the offered grace. God had taken me down a peg, and reminded me that His grace is for ALL people, including unkempt, long-haired young men with full beards, and even fuller smiles.

Abba Father, keep me humble. Keep me unhinged... so you can fill me to overflowing with your grace, In your name, Jesus, AMEN!

A dream come true!

Hi all,

Many of you who know me, know that I've always wanted a mandolin. Ever since I started to play guitar, and especially since I began listening to bluegrass music, I've wanted a mandolin. Well, I've finally done it!

Since my father's passing, I've wanted to do something with some of the money that he left us that would be special, that would last, and especially, something that would keep on giving. So, I went out and finally picked up a beautiful natural-wood, solid mahogany mandolin made by Morgan Monroe. NO, I don't know how to play it. But then, I didn't know how to play guitar when I picked one up second-hand 25 years ago! Now, some people may argue that I still can't play guitar either, but I get around!

Thank you Dad for your continued generosity, even from beyond the grave. I give you my word that I'll learn this instrument to your honor. I miss you so much, and I pray that you'll be pleased with my choice of memorial.

Here are some pictures of what it looks like!


So, while I don't know how to play YET, I have something to give me hope and motivate me. Again, thank you Dad, and thank you Chris for understanding how important this was to me. I love you both, and especially you Chris. I am most blessed among men! I love you!

A musically unhinged life!

Coming Soon.... ISRAEL!

Well,

I've finally gotten off my butt and have pulled out all of my pictures from my trip to Israel in 2001. At the time I was an Assistant Pastor on staff with Calvary Chapel Salt Lake City. While I'm no longer affiliated with that particular fellowship, this trip was one of the highlights of my life.

I am starting the process of scanning in my photos from the trip (BIG motivation to ensure that I get CD-ROMS made of all my pictures next time... not just hard copies!), and I'll soon be transcribing my journal entries from my trip, and scanning in the drawings that I made in my journal.

Be patient... it will take me some time to do it... but as I get a page done, and the associated pictures scanned in, I'll post them. So, like the old news paper serials of the day, you'll get to see the trip unfold.

Here's a taste:

The Roman Theater at Biet Shean

At this site, I found many pieces of broken Roman glass. It has an amazing opalescent quality to it. I would never have known to look for it had Pastor Terry not told me to kick through the loose dirt and keep my eyes open. I found some really nice pieces... thanks Pastor T.

More later.

This is truly a life unhinged!

I Don't EVER wanna do that again!

I just spent the most miserable night I've ever had...

Here it is, JANUARY, one of the coldest months of the year, and our power went out last night at 7PM. My sister Jeannie and her family had just been down visiting for the afternoon, and had just left when we lost power... well, it got COLD and it got cold FAST!

We called and checked with the power company and every time we'd call, they tell us another three or four hours before the power would be restored! Well, they finally got it back on this afternoon at 12:45! ALMOST 18 HOURS WITHOUT HEAT!! I didn't think it was going to be that bad, until I got up this morning and could see my breath! There was frost ON THE INSIDE of my windows! I couldn't believe it! I looked at my meat thermometer and it was only 38° in my house!

Thankfully we have a gas range, so all of the burners were turned on, a fire was started in the fireplace and still, we couldn't get warm to save our lives! Well, the powers been on now for an hour, and it's finally getting bearable in here.

The worst part of the equation is, we now have two frozen pipes in our house! When I asked the power company who was going to pay to have them thawed, they told me that it wasn't their responsibility... we'll see about that! I had layer upon layer on today and I was still shivering.

Another thing that sucks is with AS, once you get cold, you end up hurting most of the day... or even into the next... I'm in a LOT of pain today... all I can say is better living through chemicals!

Talk about a life unhinged? Stay tuned for updates to the power saga!