POETRY IN MEMORIAL DAY MOTION

Recently I connected with a former high school graduate, Jane M Fouts-Johnson through Facebook.  Jane  had come across "My Father's Voice" through a mutual friend of ours.  In a couple of Facebook message exchanges, Ms. Fouts-Johnson proceeded to tell he how envious she was that I was free lance writing because she had always wanted to try her hand at that, but from a poetry standpoint. 

"Go for it" I suggested to her.  "Have some fun and just get going".  Since our exchange, I've seen a number of her works and I must say she is well on her way to carving out a following.  Which led me to the thought this morning that it would be fitting to honor our Veterans on Memorial Day with a couple of poems which would express our appreciation for their sacrifice and commitment in serving our country.

Our troops are dedicated to protecting us. Veterans Poems express our appreciation for the men and women in uniform who guarantee the freedoms we cherish, sometimes making the ultimate sacrifice to do so. 

War is often thought to be a failure in human relations. In democratic nations however, war is considered the choice of last resort. Sometimes it is thrust upon well meaning countries in ways that makes it unavoidable.

In the face of such dire choices, the members of the armed services shoulder the load. They are the muscular arm of elected civilian governments, and they and their families shoulder the lion's share of the burden.  

But today's soldiers are more than just warriors. They are professionals who are engaged in peace keeping operations as well as nation building throughout the globe. 

If you know a veteran, whether in your family, a friend, or just an acquaintance, take a second to think about their service and let them know that you appreciate what they did or do to protect our basic freedoms.

So thanks to Jane for the idea in sharing some Veterans Poetry.  Take it away poets.....

WHAT IS AMERICA TO ME? by Irwin Dresner

A LAND OF LIBERTY, FREEDOM, AND DEMOCRACY,
THAT IS WHAT AMERICA IS TO ME.

YOU ARE AN AMERICAN,
I AM AN AMERICAN.
WE ALL ARE AMERICANS,
FROM THE HEART AND THE SOUL
OF US ALL YOUNG AND OLD.

SOME OF US ARE TOO YOUNG TO FIGHT,
SOME OF US ARE TOO OLD TO FIGHT,
BUT WE ALL DO OUR PART,
FROM THE VERY BOTTOM OF OUR HEART.

OUR FOREFATHER’S FOUGHT TO KEEP US FREE,
AND NOW IT’S UP TO YOU AND ME.

LET’S TEACH OTHER COUNTRIES ABOUT DEMOCRACY,
SO THEY WOULD NOT HAVE TO LIVE IN TYRANNY.

LET US ALL WORK FOR A WORLD AT PEACE
BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE,
OR WE WILL ALL SUFFER A HORRIBLE FATE.

LET US ALL WORK TO FIND THE SOLUTION,
TO A PLANET THAT’S FULL OF POLLUTION

OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS DESERVES A GOOD EARTH,
LIKE THEIR ANCESTORS HAD AT BIRTH.

WOULDN’T IT BE A DELIGHT,
IF ALL THE WORLD’S CHILDREN UNITE,
MAKING THIS PLANET ALL RIGHT.

LET ALL THE WORLD SCIENTIST’S GET TOGETHER,
SO THEY CAN WIPE OUT MOST ILLNESSES ALTOGETHER.

LET PEOPLE OF ALL RELIGIONS UNITE,
MAKING THIS TROUBLED WORLD ALL RIGHT

LET ALL PEOPLE TREAT ONE ANOTHER,
AS IF THEY WERE SISTER AND BROTHER

LET COLOR NOT BE CRITERIA FOR FRIENDSHIP,
BY SHOWING EVERYONE OUR FELLOWSHIP.       



Protecting Those Who Protected Us

American is this Hero by Roger Robicheau

In uniform standing tall

Ready, willing, and able
To march, the will to face all

The proudest of our service
Steadfastly meeting each call

The bravest of our country
As were those upon The Wall

Displaying awesome courage
A treasure you cannot install

Filled with total commitment
To serve us for the long haul

America know this Hero
Thank God and always recall

And my favorite from the mother of a Reservist.  It could very well be my wife talking to her two sons (Kris and Jonathan) who are in the Iowa National Guard.   

Lord, I cannot comprehend
The pain our soldiers endure
Or the sacrifice they make
To keep our freedom sure

May You dwell within them
And give them peace of mind
In their injured weakness, Lord
May it be Your strength they find

Draw them close to You
And answer their every doubt
Let them see You always near
Every time they want to shout

Only You know their thoughts
For You were always there
Never forsaking, Love abides
Always present, constant care

Silent heroes, wounded warriors
Ones that carry the pain
So I lift them up to You
To heal and make whole again

Parts of their bodies may be gone
But wholeness comes from within
You can use them, Lord
Just show them how and when

May they seek You daily, Lord
To get through life again
Embrace their hearts and minds
Wounded warriors will fight - and win

***

The enemy is now at hand
Depression, anger and pain
Use your training to face each one
And freedom from them gain

Warriors you will always be
Now fight for a different cause
The battle is the Lord's.
Think on that and pause

He's the Commander now
Your Eternal battle was won
The greatest Wounded Warrior
Was Jesus Christ, God's only Son

He lifted His eyes to God above
When pain was too hard to bear
He, too, thought he was forsaken
But God was always there

Stripes on His Holy back
Blood freely pouring down
He understands your every pain
And memories that cause a frown

He came out victorious
And can give you victory too
Rely on Him my wounded friends
Warriors, each one of you

I pray for courage and strength
To fight the battles ahead
Remember the Lord is near you
"I will never forsake thee!" He said. - by Lucy A. Cain 

On this Memorial Day be aware of those things around that have enabled you to have the freedom and security you do.  Look at the flag at little longer and appreciate all that it stands for......gaze a little longer as you pass that cemeterey and realize how fortunate we all are.  Thank you to all those that have served us.  Your memories will not be forgotten.

YGG,

John

"NO REGRETS" FOR TAYLOR SWIFT

We make far too much of celebrities.  We dress like them, act like them and in some respects become them.  Granted, I don't know what a celebrities life is like.....and I hope I never do.  All I'm saying is this.  When placed in a high pedestal situation do the right thing, would you?

I shared this post on Facebook last night about one Taylor Swift.  You know, Taylor Swift, the country singer who keeps chalking up awards for top artist almost daily.  The story follows courtesy of Fox News:

"Taylor Swift offered condolences to the family of a marine killed in action by sending flowers to his home and calling his parents.  The country singer reached out to the family of Sgt. Wade Wilson after his best friend Cpl Josh Marreel posted a YouTube video asking Swift to think of Wilson, who was a huge fan of her music.

 “This is a shout out to the one and only Taylor Swift,” Marreel said in the May 15 video. “I know you have no idea who I am, but this video isn’t about me. This is about my good buddy, Sergeant Wade D. Wilson, who was killed in action Friday, May 11, 2012 in Afghanistan. Anybody that knew Willy knew that he worshipped you. He even slept with a poster of you in between our beds in Afghanistan.

“This guy was my best friend. I know a lot of people get on here and ask celebrities to go to dances with them … All I’m asking is for you to think about him.”  Texas television station KBTX reports Swift also plans to wear his dog tags in her next video to honor the life of the fallen marine.

"THANK YOU, TAYLOR SWIFT"

The note that accompanied the flowers contained the message, “ Wade, thank you for loving my music. I won’t forget it. And I will never forget you. All my love, Taylor Swift.”  A family friend told KBTX “words cannot express what all of this has meant to our family in such a difficult time.”

Now let me take this a step farther.  Let's say Swift had brushed off the opportunity to do the "right thing".  Would she have regretted it?  In a quiet moment would she have remembered the request of a friend of  Sergeant Wade D. Wilson and thought....I should of, could of, but didn't.  We all have regrets.  Some are just bigger than others.  Here's an example:

"A great man and religious leader whom I admired often said that he had lived his entire life with no regrets. However, as I reflect on my choices, I have many regrets that trouble me. I have spent countless hours reflecting on words I said, decisions I made, or actions I took that I wish I could “un-do.”

John wrote, “If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I realize that not all of the actions I regret are necessarily sins; rather, some are unwise choices or errors in judgment. For example, I once decided to take a job many miles from my home and family, a job that kept me from participating in the joy of birthdays and many other parts of family life. For both sins and errors, God’s message is the same: It does no good to look back and wonder "what if . . ." or "if only I . . . ."

I have learned that to lead a good life — a God-centered life — it is not important to have no regrets. When I reflect on the past but keep my eyes on the future, I can see some value even in the things I regret. Our experiences, especially the mistakes we have made, can serve to make us stronger and wiser.

3:7 Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ.
3:8 More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ
3:9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith.
3:10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death,
3:11 if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
3:12 Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.
3:13 Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
3:14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.
3:15 Let those of us then who are mature be of the same mind; and if you think differently about anything, this too God will reveal to you.-Philippians 3:7-15

Don't beat yourself up over your regrets.  Learn from them and follow the right course, just like Taylor Swift did.  Swift's actions are ones any of us can do......not only if you are a celebrity, but EVEN if you're a little old church mouse.

YGG,

John   

NAVIGATING OUR STAINED WORLD

The older I get the more I try to do the right thing.  That doesn't mean I always do.  It just means I'm more aware of my actions now than ever before in my life.  Some of the reasons for following the right thinking is because I'd like to be a role model for my children.....and a bigger portion of it is because I want to be a good Christian.

I stumble for sure.....I get mad (I know it's alright to be mad some times or so my Christ Life friends would agree with me on that), I get  my feelings hurt and all due to the fact I live in this stained world of ours.  


I heard an interview this morning on ESPN of a former owner of the Philadelphia Eagles.  He had put himself into a dire situation with finances and he needed the help of several of the other investors in his group to avoid bankruptcy.  At first, they all agreed to sell their portions of the team back to him but when it came time for papers to be signed one of the friends reneged.  "If you don't sell me your stock I will be ruined", he said.  "Can't you do this for me"?  The silence from his old buddy was apparent.  He would not sell regardless of the the effect it had.  Which made me think.....nice friend.  My gosh, how callous.  And then I reflected on the times I did something of a similar notion but not so high dollar of a hit.  Yes, we live in a selfish, stained world.

Our stained world in a different manner 

WWJD.  That was a pretty popular comment years ago.  But truthfully, what would he want us to do?   The key is coming to the understanding of how we need to live our lives.  For some, those days never come about.

Today's thoughts and television interview led me to this scripture.  Hopefully it will enable you and continue to encourage me to see what God wants from us.      

1:19 You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger;
1:20 for your anger does not produce God's righteousness.  1:21 Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls. 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves.

1:23 For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; 1:24 for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like.
1:25 But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act--they will be blessed in their doing.

1:26 If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless.  1:27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.-James 1:19-27

If anything, this day was a "gift" to me.  Not only the day but what I clearly realized.  God will provide for me regardless of my situation.  All I have to do is stay on course....

YGG,

John

ONE YEAR REMOVED FROM THE PRAYER VIGIL

One year ago today was the Prayer Vigil we held for the Iowa National Guard Soldiers that were deployed in Afghanistan.  In many ways it seems far longer ago than that.  But....and that is a big BUT there remains an even greater need for our prayers of support and security for our troops.  All is not well and that's putting it mildly.  There are still Americans losing there lives in a war that has lost its course.   And that's if it even had one.  I'd like to revisit my blog one day after our event last year.  Our seeds are still in need of planting.....
 
"Your physical senses are incapable of judging whether a seed is alive or not. You cannot see, feel, hear, smell, or taste the life in a seed. There is only one way to prove a seed is alive -- plant it.

The words above speak so much truth, but as human beings we often times get in the way.  How do you know the power of the seed you plant?  You don't.  You might not ever know in your lifetime....but that doesn't mean you don't plant it.  I have a myriad of thoughts from Sunday's Prayer Vigil that was held for the Iowa National Guard troops and their families.  Foremost, though, is this.  We heard God Ask....We Obeyed.....and We Planted Seeds.  And those seeds will multiply.  I think of the thousands who heard and saw the radio and television reports of the event.   And then I think of the outreach we can have in placing parts of the vigil on You Tube.  That's where we're feeling directed.  Yes, our seeds can have far reaching effects.  But it takes us to act on those promptings.

Our Nations Colors Provided The Foundation of the Prayer Vigil

Case in point, this morning, I'm coming home from picking up my son, Jonathan.  We pull in the driveway and get out of the car as our neighbors are leaving their house.    "Saw you on TV last night", wow, that was great", the husband said.  I could say I was taken aback by his comments, but that would not even begin to put the proper wordage to it.  I was blown away.  For over two years now, we've lived next door to these people.  They hardly ever say anything to us...or any other neighbor for that matter.  When they come home, it's in the garage and down with the door, immediately.  We've tried to connect with them despite some outbursts....like our dog venturing into their yard, one of our cats killing a bird near their bird feeder and our teenage kids noise and cars.  Not once have they mentioned the yellow ribbon around the tree in our front yard, around the mailbox or on a post at the front door.  Not once, since our son deployed to Afghanistan in July of 2010.  Not once.

And then there was this.  On top of that, neighbor man, says, "my son here (helping dad and mom this morning), flys for a commercial airlines and he takes soldiers back and forth to Kuwait. When will your son get back?".  And the dialogue was off and running.  Coincidence?  not hardly!!!

There have been others and I know there will be more.  That's the neat thing.

I had a reporter ask me after the event if I thought it was a success.  "It's not up to me to say that",  I said.  I know the people that God wanted to be there, were".   Maybe I can put it into an even better perspective.  Sunday, May 15th we invited people to come to a session...kind of like a recording session.  People sang, they spoke, they prayed.  I do know the ones that attended the vigil were moved deeply.  I had more than one of the performers mention the "longing" expression of comfort many in the crowd displayed.  Yes, the Holy Spirit was there front and center.

 Now, the message is being taken forward through those that experienced the day firsthand, those that heard and saw it on the radio and television news and then the ones that will see it on YouTube and on Facebook and through My Father's Voice.

Back to a comment I made at the head of this post.  There is only one way to prove a seed is alive -- plant it.  So what's next? 

The seed of the word is planted in our heart, then the water of the word keeps it alive.  In the Bible, 1Corinthians 3:6 says "I planted, Apollos watered, and God's life makes it grow.  For our soldiers, know that people are loving on you big time.  You are in their thoughts and prayers.  Just know that there are more today than yesterday and they'll be more tomorrow than today.  Rest in that".

Those thoughts were from one year ago....and as you can see, there is still a need for our continued prayer. 
I would especially like to uplift the women that are serving in our armed forces today on this Mother's Day.  You are indeed something special. 
  

YGG,

John

WHERE IS YOUR BATTLEGROUND?

How goes your battle lately?  Is it one that is causing you great conflict.....big distress or utter frustration in your life?  Is your battleground your marriage, perhaps it's the glut of pornography you encounter or maybe it's unfair business practices?  We all have our battles....some are just bigger than others. 

If we think of our military and the battles they face, the demons seem rather obvious.  "Such is the case when it comes to the Christian life, we will either gain or lose ground. We will either win or lose. But we have to be involved in the spiritual battle. Spiritual pacifists will be knocked down, because the Christian life is not a playground, but a battleground", says author Greg Laurie.

It is up to us to fight the good fight of faith.  So we need to suit up and learn the principles from God’s Word that teach us how to be more than conquerors in Jesus Christ.  First, we need to put on the full armor of God as we engage in the spiritual battle. Ephesians 6:11 tells us, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil”

The phrase “put on” carries the idea of doing something once and for all. It speaks of permanence.  The full armor of God is not something we put on and then take off again.  We are to keep it on all the time.

Second, we need to be aware of the fact that Satan is not the equal of God. The devil would like us to think that whatever God can do, he can do, as though they were two sides of the same force.  Although Satan is a powerful spirit being, he is far from God’s equal.  You see, God is omnipotent.  God is omniscient.  God is omnipresent.  God can do anything that He wants to do, anywhere and anytime.  Satan is none of those things. He has limitations as to what he can do.

Third, we need to realize that the devil will primarily attack us in the realm of the imagination. The apostle Paul mentioned this in 2 Corinthians 11:3: “But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ”.

The devil knows that if he can get us to think about something, we are only a step away from actually doing it.  He knows that our minds are “command central.” It is here that we reason. It is here that we remember. It is here that we dream.  Our minds are the hard drive, the place where everything originates.  Satan knows that it is only a short step from a thought to an act.

Last, we need to understand that the devil works with two very close allies: the world and the flesh. “The world” is the world system that is hostile toward God. It is living for personal gratification, our own will above all else. Then there is the flesh.  When the Bible speaks of the flesh, it speaks more of the depraved, fallen human nature in which we are gratifying sensual appetites".

So when someone asks you next time, "how goes the battle?  Simply reply "God is in control".  And then trust that he is. 

A great Perspective!!!

I saw another intriguing piece from Upper Room today.  Words of wisdom from years past.  It's about dealing with the problems that we face in our world.....and the perspective we show. 

"My great grandpa’s wrinkles deepen when he chuckles.  His blue eyes reflect a schoolboy’s mischievous sense of humor. Nearly 100 years of living, through personal tragedies and historic disasters, has shaped my great-grandpa’s perspective.

He listens to my frustrations with an occasional nod.  Great-grandpa’s response reflects gentleness that often comes with age. “Well . . .” signals his turn to talk.  He pauses to complete his thought before putting it to words.  My worries for the day will be fleeting thoughts, he assures me.  He’s not minimizing my concerns; he just has a different perspective. His wisdom and peace of mind come from having always found God faithful.

Our Creator’s perspective goes back much farther than Great-grandpa’s.  It didn’t start in 1913; God’s perspective has always existed; it’s eternal.  God doesn’t minimize our struggles but sees them in light of eternity.  God doesn’t minimize our pain but sees it in light of eternal glory.  When we cannot understand why God isn’t working as we ask, scripture encourages us to trust".

Amen .


YGG,

John