THE BATTLE LINES ARE REDRAWN

As the 2,800 Iowa National Guard soldiers and their families begin their post-deployment lives we need to become active in our thoughts and actions in ways our communities can come alongside and provide support.  Today, I'm not quite sure what that will look like, but I do know we need to now, more than ever, pray for the road we are about to embark on.  

"Happy is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage.
The LORD looks down from heaven; he sees all humankind.
From where he sits enthroned he watches all the inhabitants of the earth--
he who fashions the hearts of them all, and observes all their deeds.
A king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.
The war horse is a vain hope for victory, and by its great might it cannot save.
Truly the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love,
to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine".-Psalm 33:12-19

This past week has provided me an opportunity to see God at work.  I've seen people with little association with the National Guard wanting to come alongside and help.  If I haven't told you before, our church, Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines is bringing a satellite church to the Johnston-Grimes, Iowa area.  The "start-up" missions team of the church feels a calling to support Camp Dodge and the soldiers which is right down the street.  Ironic, huh?  Now realize, the church is not even scheduled to open its doors until early Fall.....but God has placed the need of these soldiers and families at their feet and they are moving.  In the coming weeks, the Johnston-Grimes group is hopeful of sharing some pretty special things....stay tuned.     

If you have any ideas that you'd like to share on the subject of support feel free to connect with me at jksportsmissions@gmail.com   Maybe you'd like to put something together for your community and you are inquisitive...that would be cool.  Anyhow.....as I mentioned in the headline, "The Battle Lines Are Redrawn".  It's time to earnestly pray for the soldiers, their families and God's direction in providing HOPE.

Is there a mission awaiting you on this earth?

UNBELIEVABLE.....
   
A little over nine months ago, we launched, "My Father's Voice".  Today, I had a visitor from Tunisia, which marked the 98th country to check us out.  The reason I am saying this is, according to "Google", there are now 196 countries in the World.  So, that means that we've reached the half-way mark!!!!  Here is a list of the countries that have hit the blog. 

Afghanistan
Albania
Argentia
Armenia
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bangladesh
Bahrain
Belarus
Belgium
Bulgaria
Brazil
Cambodia
Canada
Cayman Islands
China
Costa Rica
Colombia
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
Egypt
Finland
France
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Guam
Guyana
Hong Kong
Hungary
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jersey
Kenya
Kuwait
Latvia
Lebanon
Lithaunia
Luxembourg
Macedonia (FYROM)
Malaysia
Mexico
Moldova
Morroco
Mozambique
Namibia
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Netherlands
Netherlands Antilles
Nigeria
Norway
Pakistan
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Philipines
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Qatar
Romania
Russia
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sri Lanka
Suriname
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Thailand
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
Vietnam
Zimbabwe

YGG,

John