WAS YOUR CHRISTMAS A "GIVING" ONE?

We're not that far removed from Christmas that we shouldn't take away something from the Holiday.  Something that will make us a better person, a more tolerant one or maybe just one with a little more compassion. 

I was struck by our friend PV2 Pete's assertion of people not coming to his aid this Christmas in the way of a care package or money.  If you recall, he was rather miffed no one had "given" to him.  By his account, it was all to real to see that he could use some help. 

A good web friend, Rick Nielsen, shared a story with me the other day.  One that sure impacted me.  I thought of the times I've stuck my hand out to someone....and how little acts can make such a BIG difference in the lives you encounter.  Here is Rick's example.... 

Two weeks before Christmas a nine-year-old girl was walking and sliding down the street with her friend.  The two of them were talking about what they hoped to get for Christmas. They stopped to talk to an old man named Harry.  He was on his knees pulling weeds from around a large oak tree.  Harry wore a frayed, woolen jacket and a pair of worn garden gloves.  

There are a many, many Harry's among us.....

As Harry responded to the girls, he told them he was getting the yard in shape as a Christmas present for his mother, who had passed away several years before. His eyes brimmed with tears as he patted the old oak.  "My mother was all I had.  She loved her yard and her trees, so I do this for her at Christmas."   His words touched the girls and soon they were down on their hands and knees helping him weed around the trees.  It took the three of them the rest of the day to complete the task. When they finished, Harry gave each of the girls a quarter.  "I wish I could pay you more,"  he said.  "But it's all I've got right now."

The girls had often passed that way before and as they walked on they remembered that the house was shabby, with no wreath, no Christmas tree or other decorations to add cheeriness.  There always was just the lonely figure of Harry sitting by his curtain less window. The quarter seemed to burn a hole of guilt in the one little girl's mind as they returned to their homes.  The next day she called her friend and they agreed to put their quarters in a jar marked "Harry's Christmas Present."  They began to seek out small jobs to earn more.  Every nickel, dime, and quarter they earned went into the jar. 

Two days before Christmas, they had enough money to buy new gloves and a Christmas card for Harry.  Christmas Eve found them singing carols on Harry's doorstep. When he opened the door, they gave him the gloves, wrapped in pretty paper, the card, and a pumpkin pie still warm from the oven. With trembling hands, Harry tore the paper from the gloves.  Then to their astonishment, he held them to his face and wept.

One little act of kindness went a long way for those two little girls.  Think they won't grow up with a tremendous gift of giving?  Who will be your Harry next Christmas?  Is it that grumpy neighbor of yours that you have trouble connecting with?  Or is it that little old lady you see at the mall walking ever so slow, almost aimlessly?   Stop and think.  This would be a good time to look around....

YGG,

John

PV2 PETE'S JOURNEY FOR HELP-PART 9

PV2 PETE'S JOURNEY FOR HELP IS A LOOK-SEE AT THE THOUGHTS AND HEART OF A YOUNG SOLDIER WHO RETURNED TO IOWA FROM DEPLOYMENT TO AFGHANISTAN.  HE IS FACING SOME REAL STRUGGLES INTEGRATING INTO "NORMALCY".  HIS STORY, WHILE UNIQUE, IS ONE THAT MANY OF THE 2,800 THAT DEPLOYED IN JULY OF 2010 AND RETURNED HOME THE SUMMER OF 2011 ARE EXPERIENCING IN ONE FORM OR ANOTHER.  


"So, how was your Christmas?", I asked PV2 Pete as we sat down at Panera Bread to kick the tires on the Holidays.  "Did you get a chance to spend some quality time with the family?  And did you make it to church?"  This was our first meeting since Christmas and I was curious if his experiences were good ones.  I was hoping they were good times in the worst way.....or perhaps I should say, in the best way.

"Well, I can't say they were all bad, but I sure wish they would have been different, you know?",  he replied.  I was hoping for some miracle to take placeand it didn't.  And when I say miracle, I mean, from the standpoint of somebody offering me a job, a care package of clothes and money or something.  I was really thinking God was going to show me this Christmas how "giving" some people could be.  And that never happened.  I was hurt.  Angry.  In fact, I yelled at God for letting me down!!

I was disappointed in Pete's remarks...but I'm not sure where that discouragement fell.  Was it at Pete, the people that could have done something or God.  So, with that in mind, I slowly tried to respond to the young man sitting across from me.  "Aaaah, yeah", I started.  "Pete, you know disappointments are something we have to learn to deal with.  I can tell you about those that I've had, but I'm not sure what purpose they'd serve.  Just know that I have.  But you can't let that rule your thinking, at least from a negative perspective.  Remember when you were a little kid and you wished for something on Christmas, something that you had to have know matter what?   And you do recall the years those wishes came true and the years they didn't?  Well, that's kind of the same thing. 

"You're right, sir", he said.  "I hadn't thought about it from that standpoint.  That helps.  You know as much as I wanted a miracle, I can learn from it not taking place.  Next year, I can do something different and surprise somebody that needs help.  If anyone knows what it's like to be let down, it's me.  I know my mouth gets me in trouble once in a while because I'm so quick to react.  I'm going to put the "bad" feelings I had this season to good use. 

As Pete and I continued to visit, I found my mind wandering to the other Iowa soldiers who were experiencing their first Christmas at home since deploying to Afghanistan.   How many had similar disappointments?  How many showed their disgust with words or actions they later regretted?  And how much of a learning tool would this Christmas be for the ones that will  follow?   Looking at Pete, I marveled at the  quick assessment he had of his situation.   Despite the hurt Pete felt....he also experienced tremendous growth.  And it came to me....if we could only keep our mouths half-open and our thoughts in the right place. 

A Solider Wishing For Something Too....

"Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.  We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.

When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.  Or take ships as an example.  Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.  Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.  The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind,  but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.  Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.   My brothers and sisters, this should not be.   Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?   My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs?  Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water". -James 3:1-12

YGG,

John

A FAMILY CHRISTMAS JOURNAL: REMEMBERING 2010

One year ago this Christmas, our family was experiencing something much different than this. In 2010, our son was in Afghanistan doing mission work with 2,800 other Iowa Guardsmen far, far away from our sight and touch.  This season, Kris is back in the states and moving along a road to "normalcy"....if there is such a thing. 

To say we are ecstatic in his presence would be underscoring the emotion.  I'm not sure there's a word that actually do it justice.  Imagine the biggest sugar high possible and that might suffice.  But as ramped as we are, there are many, many other families who are experiencing what we did last Christmastime.  Far, far toooooo many......

I'd like to take you to my thoughts one year ago.  Remove our family from the equation and replace it with any other soldier or family member that has one serving our country.  Their situation is eerily similar to ours, the longing of being with a loved one on the Holidays.  Let's go back in time.....   

Dear Sonpo:

What can I say that will help you get through the lonely times this Christmas?  How can I make you feel like you're part of the family, right next to the tree opening gifts, but knowing that you're not?  Where can I reach you in your heart that I haven't before to let you know how much your loved?  When can I imagine what you are going through and have it make more sense to me?  Why have these last five months seemed like five years?

Those are just some of the questions I'm thinking about this Christmas time, son.  I know our situation is not unique.....there are thousands upon thousands of other military families feeling many of the same things.  That in itself is some relief, but not nearly enough.  You know, when you decided to enlist, I knew there would be things that we'd have altered in our lives.  Some for the good...and some not so good.  I'm sure you've thought that too.

I had someone ask me the other day what I remember most about you.  Wow, if that's not a question that would bring the tears, huh?  Well....here is what I said.  I think of the great big hands you had when you were born.  They were such big suckers....like they didn't even belong to you, you know.  And as I think more about that question, I have come to a revelation of sorts.  God equipped you with those big hands for a reason.  He knew you'd one day be placed in situation that you'd have to know how to "handle" yourself.  Hands and handle, get it.  Yup, I think those big mitts are there for all that you are experiencing this year and the need for you to have the tools to do that.  With that being said, I also hope that those same hands are being used for other things while in Afghanistan.  Things like helping your other soldiers in the unit, giving a helping hand to an Afghan civilian....just being there, handy in so many ways.

So, I'm going to pray for you son, that God would use you these last seven months to make a difference.  Not just serve your time, but to make a difference and do things right.  I'm going to also ask that you come to some definites in your life that you'd like to tackle once you get back to the states.  Those are some big prayers I know....but I think it's time.  This year will have been a great educator for you and for us.  We will all be changed.  The questions that I asked earlier will have more meaning when this deployment is completed.  I'm excited to see where this takes us all.  I hope you are too.

You know, this journaling thing is great.  It gives a person an opportunity to dream and hope and wish and share. Almost like a bucket list, or at least a little bit like one.  Let's try something together shall we?  Let's you and me, together, like in giving me a "hand", wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Holiday Season.   And that someday, our holidays will be spent with our soldiers at home, safe, secure and loved.
Merry Christmas Sonpo....

223 days or 32 weeks to go however you look at it!  Praying for your safety, son.  Praying for you daily......

Love, Dadpo


A Rock and a Strong Foundation


A PRAYER FOR OUR SOLDIERS..

Lord God, so long as we are on earth, though we do not want war, times will come and come again where we must stand and fight.  Lord God, every generation has paid this high price for freedom in some way and now it is our turn.  Lord God, bless each and every military member and family who so valiantly serve this nation and the world, drawing the line and saying no more to those who would exact terror on the rest of us and force us to submit to their way of life or be killed.
 
Lord God, draw each and every soldier and their families closer to You this Christmas.  Give them greater understanding of who You are and the mission they serve – for our battle is not against flesh and blood but against the principalities and powers in the heavenly places.  Lord God, show Yourself to them, help them understand how You protect, how You provide and how they can trust in You.
 
Lord God, be with the families. Send Your angels not only to those on the battlefields, but every family at home this Christmas who has someone they love deployed and especially be with our Gold Star families.. Stand by them and be their comfort this Christmas as they journey through the loneliness of grief.  Lord God only You can reach deep inside where the hurt is and slowly, slowly bring the healing.  Give each of them a purpose from You which helps them keep going, though often it is the hardest thing they have ever had to do.
And Lord God, be with each of our wounded warriors.  Heal them spiritually, emotionally, as well as physically.  Give their doctors great wisdom and give them comrades beside them so they may encourage one another.  Bless also each of our veterans and let them feel Your love around them this Christmas.

Merry Christmas all.  May you see God's glory today and every day thereafter.

YGG,

John



PV2 PETE'S JOURNEY FOR HELP-PART 8

PV2 PETE'S JOURNEY FOR HELP IS A LOOK-SEE AT THE THOUGHTS AND HEART OF A YOUNG SOLDIER WHO RETURNED TO IOWA FROM DEPLOYMENT TO AFGHANISTAN.  HE IS FACING SOME REAL STRUGGLES INTEGRATING INTO "NORMALCY".  HIS STORY, WHILE UNIQUE, IS ONE THAT MANY OF THE 2,800 THAT DEPLOYED IN JULY OF 2010 AND RETURNED HOME THE SUMMER OF 2011 ARE EXPERIENCING IN ONE FORM OR ANOTHER


I could tell even before I asked the question to PV2 Pete.  It was apparent from the way he was carrying himself, that things weren't any better.....hopefully they weren't worse.  But still, I needed to ask the question.  "How you doing, Pete.....what's up?", I slid out.  "Sir, not a whole lot better.  It seems wherever I go, people are so tied up in this and that.  It sure doesn't seem like anyone has any time for me", he offered.  "How so?", I asked back.  "Ok, for example, I went to the Christmas Cantata this weekend at church.  I saw two people from the Care Core area and neither one acknowledged me.  I was like five feet in front of them and they acted like I was invisible.  Didn't give me the time of day.  I tried to get their attention, but it was like they were in their own little Christmas world and couldn't be bothered", he offered.  "I'm already half...no more than half-upset at the rudeness of the director in not getting back to me about cancelling our meeting last week.  "Hey, I'm not asking for the world, just some common courtesy and follow through, you know?", he said.

I thought about Pete's last comments long and hard.  Yes, he had a point.  I've experienced the same type of behaviors he listed......most of us have at one time or another.  Often times the more in need you are, the more sensitive you are.  Little things become big things, then they become elephant-like.  "Pete, let me ask you a question", I said.  "What would you want done for you if you were them? 

"Well first off, I would never, let someone down.  If I said I was going to do something, I would darn well do it", he suggested.  "And more importantly, I would try and offer Hope to anyone who I met with.  "But what if you couldn't?", I asked.  "What if you let someone down.....through no fault of your own.  Maybe your workload was so overwhelming that you were about to explode. Or maybe you had reached a point where you couldn't help yourself any more than someone else.  Then what?"

As Pete and I talked further he was able to see some things he hadn't realized before.  A different picture of his situation was beginning to emerge. "You know sir, this helped alot today", Pete said.  "I've been wanting someone to wave a magic wand and make it all better.  But what I really need is someone to direct me down the right track and after that, then it's up to me.  I'm beginning to see things from another perspective.  Thanks, this is awesome".     

The remainder hour of time together at Panera Bread sped by quickly.  We both savored the taste the mocha drinks left on our pallets.  And the people watching that day was excellent.  We saw a varied group to say the least. This was the best time we'd spent together in our short two month friendship.  We'd made some real headway in communicating.  His situation and my understanding of my own were clearer to us both.  Yes, clarity was emerging......    

Events look different when viewed in retrospect.  Many of us are living in one of those times right now.  Are you greatly troubled, wondering what the future holds?  In times of uncertainty, we may not see an angel as Mary did, but I believe one is there.  I believe that God is with you and with me, and we may recognize it more in uncertain times than in ordinary ones.  Certainly God has more of our attention then.  Often, only in retrospect do we see that God was there, working in the midst of our uncertainty.  God is with us, at Christmastime and always.

God is working in the midst of our Uncertainty

Last week, I spoke with Chaplain Wayne Van Dekrol of Osklaoosa, Iowa.  The Chaplain was part of the 2,800 Iowa Guard delegation that returned home this summer from duty in Afghanistan.  He had some very candid remarks about reintegration. "I'm pretty bored being back", he told me.  "I haven't been able to replace the adrenalin rush that took place while we were doing our mission work.  It's been hard for me to get excited about anything....and I know that's bothers my wife.  We're moving into the Holiday period and that's going to be a very crucial time for all the troops.  Depression and suicide and very common", he mentioned.  

It was amazing to hear the Chaplain speak so openly.  I couldn't resist thinking...if a pastor is struggling with these life issues, how much more difficult could it be for others?  To PV2 Pete, Chaplain Van Dekrol and the other 2,798 Soldiers it bears reinforcing some words that were mentioned above, because they speak the truth.  GOD is working in the midst of our uncertainty...at Christmastime and ALWAYS.


YGG,

John

PV2 PETE'S JOURNEY FOR HELP-PART 7

PV2 PETE'S JOURNEY FOR HELP IS A LOOK-SEE AT THE THOUGHTS AND HEART OF A YOUNG SOLDIER WHO RETURNED TO IOWA FROM DEPLOYMENT TO AFGHANISTAN.  HE IS FACING SOME REAL STRUGGLES INTEGRATING INTO "NORMALCY".  HIS STORY, WHILE UNIQUE, IS ONE THAT MANY OF THE 2,800 THAT DEPLOYED IN JULY OF 2010 AND RETURNED HOME THE SUMMER OF 2011 ARE EXPERIENCING IN ONE FORM OR ANOTHER.  

Life has its ups and downs doesn't it?  No one knows this better than PV2 Pete.  He's had his share of downers in the last week.   That's really disappointing for him and.... me.  I've gotten to know this young man very well and I wish the best for him.  But he's struggling and that's the tough part to see.

A week ago today, Pete was to have had a meeting with the Care Core Director at his church.  Was.  For reasons unknown to him thus far, the get together was cancelled.  No explanation and no follow up from his support person.  Pete put a call into the church office on Friday, but he still has not heard a word.   And that hurts because he needs that interaction.

But that's not the half of it.  Pete is still out of work.  The possible job offer of several weeks ago never materialized.  Something about the company he was talking to having to look at the budget after the first of the year.  So that was a bummer.  Which means he's still on unemployment.

"I hate sponging off the government", Pete said to me.  "I want to work in the worst way.  But so many jobs out there pay so little.   I'd have to be making $15 dollars an hour to match the take home I get from state money.  That sucks.  And then the Holidays are coming..........."

This was a much different Pete than I had spoken to a little over a week ago.  Then, he seem encouraged.   He'd started to read the "Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren and he seemed happy.  At least was starting to seem happy.  Then these disappointments.  As we talked I saw frustration oozing from him.

"You know, sir, I didn't think I could ever think of doing anything irrational, but lately, those thoughts have been coming into my head", Pete related.  "I can see how one gets there.....it doesn't take all that many  disappointments heaped on top of themselves to get there.....especially if you feel no one is there to help"

Those were some difficult words to hear...ones that frankly, I could relate too.  "Pete, I'll always be there for you", I said half choking back what I was saying.  "I'll help wherever I can and whenever I can.  I will not be a catch and release friend.  You can count on that, okay?  Tell you what.  I know you haven't been in a reading mode for the last several days, but let's the two of us read Chapter 2 of the "Purpose Driven Life" and then get together.  Let's say Friday at 6:30 p.m. at your favorite spot, Panera Bread.  Deal?  "Deal", said Pete.  "And I will buy".

As I hung up the phone a myriad of thoughts were dancing in my head.  The words change and changing kept pushing themselves into my conscious....which led to this:

Despite our efforts to be awake and alert, we are often more "not" than "ready."  It's like every birth.
Parents can never really be prepared for change as radical as the change every baby brings.  It's also like  death.  We may have had months, even years, to prepare, but when the one we love takes that last breath, it still hits us as if from our blind side.  It's like hearing the doctor say, "It's cancer."  Maybe you've walked that road with others.  But when we need others to walk it with us, it's different in a way we cannot get ready for.
Life comes to us whether we're ready or not.  There will always be surprises we can't anticipate and demands we can't prepare for.   I suspect that's why one of the names of the Holy One is Immanuel, which means "God with us."  Or, as the Voice of heaven said to the apostle Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you" (2 Cor. 12:9). Faith is trusting that God's grace is and will be enough.  That is as ready as we'll ever be.


"Ready or Not?

 YGG,

John

Up Next:  The next chapter for PV2 Pete on his journey to help.

ONE SOLDIERS WORDS TO SANTA

While thinking of Christmas, I can't get my mind off my most recent blog concerning two college professors attitudes towards our troops and the presents they receive from those who support their efforts.  Michael Avery of Suffolk University and Thomas Walker of Iowa State University have come out in recent days blasting the gifting of our soldiers. 

I have to think neither one of these educated individuals have a son or a daughter, a relative or a friend who has ever served our country.  Because if they had, they'd realize the loneliness each of our soldiers realize at Holiday time.  And how they long for home and for family and a sense of security....that things are all right.

The LEAST we could do is send a present

A Facebook friend,  Michael Ethan Endress, passed this along several days ago.  Michael is stationed overseas.   His family Christmas will come in June when he returns home.  Perhaps the significance of postponing a family Holiday can bring some understanding of what is lost and most likely, never made up.  Absence in this case has another meaning all unto itself.   Perhaps from his words you can see a glimpse of what our soldiers long for and the sacrifice they make.  

Twas the night before Christmas, and he lived in a crowd, in a 40 man tent, with warriors so loud. I had come into the tent with presents to give, And to see just who in this rack did live. I looked all about, and a strange sight I did see, No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree. No stockings were hung......, just boots close at hand, On the locker hung pictures of far distant lands....... He had... medals and badges and awards of all kind, And a sobering thought came into my mind.

For this place was different, it was so dark and dreary, I had found the home of a Soldier, this I could see clearly.  The Soldier lay sleeping, silent and alone, curled up in his rack, dreaming of home.  The face was so gentle, the barracks in such good order, but not how I pictured a United States Soldier.... Was this the hero whom I saw on TV?  Defending his country so we all could be free?

I realized the families that I've seen this night, owed their lives to these Soldiers who were willing to fight. Soon round the world, the children would play, And grownups would celebrate a new Christmas Day.  They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year, because of the Soldiers, like the one lying here.

I couldn't help but wonder how many lay alone,  on a cold Christmas Eve, in a land far from home. The very thought brought a tear to my eye, I dropped to my knees and started to cry.  The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice, "Santa, don't cry, for this life is my choice."  "Defend my country this day, the peace do I keep."

The soldier then rolled over and drifted to sleep, I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.  I kept watch for hours so silent, so still,  and we both shivered from the night's cold chill.  I didn't want to leave on that cold, dark night,  This guardian of honor so willing to fight.  Then the Soldier rolled over and with a voice soft and pure, whispered, "Carry on Santa, it's Christmas ... All is Secure.

So to the Professor Walker and Avery's of the world, refrain from the dribble you've passed our way.  Here is hoping that the gifts sent to our troops are at an all-time high.  Because they've earned them.....

"If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out loud and not be answered"-Proverbs 21:13

YGG,

John 

DON'T TREAT THE TROOPS, SAY PROFS

An article published Monday from Ames, Iowa has caused a big stir across the country.  The controversy is coming from remarks by a colleg professor, who has found that he might have misspoke.  Frankly, I have to question the intelligence of a college professor that uses their platform in this manner. As you'll see later on in this blog,  it's not the first attempt at such reasoning, if that's what you want to call it.  His thought...let's be critical of the sending of holiday care packages to our American soldiers serving overseas.

Wednesday, the Des Moines Register reported this:  The Iowa State Daily story that started it all was feel-good feature about College Republicans from across the state who hoped to spark some cheer in those spending the holidays thousands of miles away from home.

Thomas Walker, a lecturer in an intensive English program, intended to draw attention to misplaced national priorities that favor excessive national defense spending over assistance for the neediest Americans, and a lack of concern for returning veterans. But he made his points with a partisan flair that has instead ignited conservative criticism, and propelled his letter across the internet.

Tweets from the National Review Online, a mention from conservative talk radio hosts and posts on FreeRepublic.com have voiced sometimes profane outrage over the letter, and called out the phrase “eleemosynary travesty” as an example of ill-advised thesaurus use.

“Necessities should be doled out to people who really need them and who might get them if not for the hundreds of billions of dollars being funneled to the Pentagon in the greatest squandering of money on the planet. If anything, Republicans should sympathize with veterans struggling to find employment, a challenge that may daunt the discharged soldier, who might wish he had reenlisted,” Walker wrote.  He continued: “Soldiers are to Republicans as fetuses are to them: prized. But once out of the womb-like army, Republican solicitude for hapless veterans goes where extracted zygotes go.”

Where would you put your treats anyway?

The American Legion posted a level-headed response today on its blog predicting the letter will backfire. “Frankly, I think you will lead 10 people that wouldn’t be as likely to send a care package to do so, and for that I thank you, even if that clearly wasn’t your intent.”

Matt Strawn, chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa, summed up the general sentiment in a Twitter message sent Tuesday, “What a disgrace.”

On November 23rd, we had a similar take.  It was then that a New Hampshire lawyer, currently serving in Afghanistan, resigned from his job as a law professor at a Massachusetts university after a colleague wrote in an email that sending care packages to U.S troops serving overseas was "shameful."

U.S. Army Reserve Maj. Robert Roughsedge, a Hampton resident, has resigned his position teaching law at Suffolk University in Boston, after a fellow professor, Michael Avery, sent out an email to university colleagues attacking the school's efforts to collect and ship care packages to U.S. soldiers serving on foreign soil.

"I was disgusted, but not surprised," Roughsedge said in an email to the New Hampshire Union Leader from Afghanistan. "Professor Avery is a radical."

Fox News reported Avery wrote in his email, "I think it is shameful that it is perceived as legitimate to solicit in an academic institution for support for men and women who have gone overseas to kill other human beings. Why are we sending support to the military instead of Americans who are losing their homes malnourished, unable to get necessary medical care, and suffering from other consequences of poverty? As a university community, we should debate these questions, not remain on automatic pilot in support of the war agenda."

I find the words of these two professors, Walker and Avery, appalling.    I'd have to think the two of them  also had no problem with our government refusing to pay the troops last winter when there was the threat of a government shutdown.   It might be fitting to count the hours our men and women commit to our country each day.  In essence, their on guard 24/7.  They work through holidays and they do it with little sleep...all for us.  Sending packages of love and appreciation seems like the least we can do.

If you must complain about the war professors, look a different way.  You are way off base here.  That's as good as educated guess as I can offer.

YGG,

John

PV2 PETE'S JOURNEY FOR HELP-PART 6

PV2 PETE'S JOURNEY FOR HELP IS A LOOK-SEE AT THE THOUGHTS AND HEART OF A YOUNG SOLDIER WHO RETURNED TO IOWA FROM DEPLOYMENT TO AFGHANISTAN.  HE IS FACING SOME REAL STRUGGLES INTEGRATING INTO "NORMALCY".  HIS STORY, WHILE UNIQUE, IS ONE THAT MANY OF THE 2,800 THAT DEPLOYED IN JULY OF 2010 AND RETURNED HOME THE SUMMER OF 2011 ARE EXPERIENCING IN ONE FORM OR ANOTHER.  

PV2 Pete and I met for coffee Thursday at his favorite "watering and watching" hole, Panera Bread.   Pete told me he enjoys going there because it helps him forget some of what he's going through.  "I like to people watch and Panera is a great place to do that.....you see all kinds.  Some are real knock-outs, if you know what I mean", he referenced.   "Yes, Pete, I do", I said.  "Perhaps we best move on to other subjects", I said smiling.

If you'll recall at our last writing, Pete had a meeting with the Care Core Director at his church.  The exchange went surprisingly well, according to Pete.  At least for starters.  Not more than five minutes after he met with his support person, we ran into each other.  For over an hour we talked about a wide-range of topics.  At  the end, I felt prompted to mention to Pete to pick up a copy of Rick Warren's book, "A Purpose Driven Life".  I was curious of he had.  "Pete, were you able to hit the library and get Rick Warren's book", I inquired.  ""Sure did...made it through the first chapter Monday night", he said.  "And it's got me thinking alot", he added.  

Return to Normalcy?....it has its Purpose

As Pete and I continued our conversation, I could see he was intrigued by the book.  For it's in those first foundational words, that Warren captures ones curiosity.  For us all, here are some of the questions from  that first chapter:                 

Have you ever wondered about, or felt confused about, the purpose of your life?

Being confused about your purpose in life is not a bad thing. It is actually something that can awaken a desire to seek the truth about who we are and why we’re here.
 

One of the wisest men in history, King Solomon, who ruled the nation of Israel after his father, David, was confused about his purpose in life. He once wrote, “I, the Teacher, was king of Israel and I lived in Jerusalem. I devoted myself to search for understanding and to explore by wisdom everything being done in the world. I soon discovered that God has dealt a tragic existence to the human race. Everything under the sun is meaningless, like chasing the wind” (Ecclesiastes 1:12-15 NLT).

A lot of people are surprised to find out that such statements are in the Bible, and that God himself would be blamed as being responsible for our meaningless lives. But the key to Solomon’s observation is where he places the seat of this wisdom as being “under the sun.” Solomon is saying that if he looks at our human existence trapped on this planet and tries to explain it using human reason and accomplishments “under the sun,” that he can’t come to any better conclusion than life is meaningless.

What ways have you tried to discover your life’s purpose that haven’t worked?

Have you ever wondered if a good deal of advertising appeals to the need we all have for purpose and meaning in life? Buy this car, drink this beer, go to this school, wear this make-up, purchase this insurance and you will have meaning in life. (…and for everything else, there’s MasterCard.)

The real truth about human nature never changes. Almost 400 years ago, Blaise Pascal, a brilliant French scientist and philosopher explained the dilemma of human existence as a God-shaped vacuum in the center of the human heart—a need for God that He placed there that won’t be satisfied by anything other than God Himself. In Pascal’s own words:

What else does this craving, and this helplessness, proclaim but that there was once in man a true happiness, of which all that now remains is the empty print and trace? This he tries in vain to fill with everything around him, seeking in things that are not there the help he cannot find in those that are, though none can help, since this infinite abyss can be filled only with an infinite and immutable object—in other words, by God Himself.

Why do you think people try to discover their life’s purpose without turning to God, their creator?

Let’s think about some answers on this one:
- If I turned to God I might lose control of my life.
- God might take away all my fun.
- If there is a God, He’s definitely bigger than me and probably has some demands on my life.
- We always want to do things ourselves. Theme song: “I Did It My Way.”
- We want to be in control of our own destiny.
- We are afraid of God, we don’t know God, or we find God too mysterious.
- We think God’s idea of purpose is probably pretty religious and definitely boring.
- We like religion about as much as we like politics; we don’t want to get into a discussion about either one.

"That's a lot to soak in, isn't it?", I asked Pete.  "Are you finding it something that can help you keep your priorities straight?"  "Maybe", he shot back.  "I know I've never encountered anything like this before, so it's different......exciting but scary", he said.  "Yup, that makes sense.  But keep reading and see where it takes you.  I think you'll like what you read", I offered back. 

PV2 Pete and I parted company shortly thereafter.  Our next meeting would be early next week after a get together with his Care Core Director (Friday).  I couldn't help but smile as I hopped into my truck.  Some days are better than others.....and this had been one of those.  It had some real purpose.

YGG,

John