A PIECE OF MY HEART...preparing for warfare

This is truly a post that represents a piece of my heart. As I write this, my heart is aching because it has been over 3 months since I have seen my son. I was thinking about the next time that I will be able to hug him, and look into his face. 9 months will pass before I am able to do that again.

Many of you who are regular readers here at WOMEN TAKING A STAND, know that my second-born son is serving our country overseas. He is an airman with the Air Force. He is currently stationed in South Korea.

I wish I had a dollar for every person who has said to me, "at least he isn't over in Iraq". If each person paid me a dollar for saying that to me, I could send Jeremy a pretty nice care package. :)

Not to take away anything from what our troops are doing over in Iraq, but can I say that Iraq is not the only place that our troops lives are put on the line.

Can I tell you what my son has been doing the past couple of weeks....

training exercises.

I don't mean push ups, running 10 miles or doing a bunch of jumping jacks.

training exercises for chemical/biological warfare.
training exercises for when and if North Korea attacks.

Please do not tell me that I am "lucky" that my son is not in a dangerous place. Every single member of our armed forces, whether it is Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Korea, or the United States puts their lives on the line so we can live freely and safely. There is no safe place from the enemy.

• How is it that an enlisted man or woman will give so much for their country?
• Why do they sacrifice for our freedom?
• How can they put our safety above theirs?
  

BECAUSE....

• The battle must be won!
• The cause is worthy fighting for!
• They love and are faithful to their country!

We, as Christians, can learn so much about fighting the battle from our soldiers. While they prepare for chemical/biological warfare - we as Christians should be prepared to fight spiritual warfare.

EPHESIANS 6:11 "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."

WHY SHOULD WE TRAIN FOR BATTLE?
EPHESIANS 6:12 "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."

HOW DO WE TRAIN FOR BATTLE?
EPHESIANS 6:14-18 "Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, (15)and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (16) above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. (17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; (18) praying always with all prayer and supplication for all the saints."

In order to win, we must be prepared.

WHAT PREPARATION HAVE YOU MADE FOR THE BATTLE?

HERE ARE SOME PICTURES FROM SOUTH KOREA

THAT I THOUGHT YOU'D LIKE TO SEE...

Jeremy after a cool bike ride in south Korea!

Jeremy (he's the American!) with his groupies!

Jeremy hanging out with his friend Lee from the local orphanage.

The Buddha that the Korean people worship.

People run to get a seat at Dr. Cho's church The Yoido Gospel Church

One of 21 services at Dr. Cho's church - 20,000 attend this service

Dr. Cho's study on the mountain where he prays.

2 CORINTHIANS 10:3,4 "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. (4) For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds."

ARE YOU EQUIPPED TO FIGHT THE ENEMY THAT LURCHES IN YOUR WORLD?

AND THAT'S A PIECE OF MY HEART TODAY;