Tuesday, November 18, 2008

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;


10 comments:

Jennifer said...

Laurie, I am so proud of Jeremy for serving our country and each one of us on a daily basis. We wouldn't have the freedom that we have if it weren't for men and women willing to put themselves in harms way for our freedom. I know you are proud of your son but also miss him terribly. My prayers are with you and your family, not just Jeremy but the family he has left behind including his beautiful wife, Rachel.

Thank you for a great, heartfelt post tonight and challenging each of us to step up our game in the battle that lies ahead of us.

Peggy said...

Blessings Laurie...what an honor to have such a wonderful son & the desire of your heart to have him home & give him a big hug! I'm sure you miss him alot but are ever so pleased with his sacrifice to protect our freedom. Thank you Jeremy and all military serving throughout the world! Of course, this is a piece of your heart!

The comparison to our warfare was
excellent! Many of us forget the training we need to exercise, the how & the why we should train and who are adversary is & his daily tactics. Our strategies must be kept guarded also & not forsaken.
Our allegiance to Jesus must be as strong as that of our troops to our country! His banner over us is Love! May His banner fly high over our troops & His protection until each one is safely home! Prayers lifted for your son's time serving!
We must stay alert & in prayer!

Anonymous said...

Hey Laurie,
This was a really touching post. I know that we are all missing Jeremy very deeply right now. But I am so glad that God is in control of everything - including Jeremy's safety. I take comfort in that. I tell myself that if it's his time to go that God will take him home to heaven whether he is here or there in Korea...although I do get a little worried about him sometimes, especially during the exercises.

Oh, and another thing that you will love is that I think he is trying to come home for a visit in May! :) I know that May still seems so far away, but it will be nice to have him here for a while. I think he is wanting to come around the time of my college graduation, which is the 9th. I'm not sure if he has gotten the leave approved by his superiors yet, but I will keep you updated.

I love you very much.

Love always,
Rachel

Blessed Among Women said...

Wow, I am also proud of Jeremy. You're right about Iraq not being the only place our troops put their lives on the line. Oh the Buddha just made me sick... those deceived people. North Korea is a heavily persectued area for Christians. I don't think South Korea is as bad,but I'll be praying for your son.

LAURIE said...

ATTENTION READERS:
I just wanted to bring attention to the comment left by anonymous - signed Rachel - that is my daughter in law, she is married to my son Jeremy and has been apart from him since one week after they were married. Do you not sense her sweet spirit? When you think of my son Jeremy and offer a prayer up for him - will you also pray for his beautiful bride Rachel. Separation of the heart is not easy. THANK YOU, LAURIE

Esthermay Bentley-Goossen said...

BEAUTIFUL!
I sense a strong, mature woman in Rachel.... To know and worship and trust a SOVEREIGN GOD is of the most comforting experiences we can have in this lifetime. God is absolutely in control of everything - including Jeremy's safety and the safety of every military person in ALL parts of our world. I take comfort in that too. God's Will is perfect.
... I can only applaud [with great emotion] all servicemen and their wives - this is of the GREATEST sacrifices we can make to live in freedom!
~esthermay

Laurie Ann said...

Thank Jeremy for me for serving our country and participating in these exercises to keep us safe. Bless him. And bless you! I know you miss him.

Great post! Loved the Scripture!

Lisa @ The Preacher's Wife said...

Hey Laurie!

Will you send me your email address? I need to send something to you...:))

thepreacherswife1@aol.com

thanks!

Lisa

Minister Mamie L. Pack said...

Laurie,

As a military wife, I too get the comments when the times come for my husband to be deployed. Often times, I may have no idea where he is or what he is doing. I just constantly uplift him and all those that are with him in prayer while trusting that God will bring them all safely home. I also pray for all the family and friends that are behind awaiting their return. May God continue to keep you and your daughter-in-law.

with blessings,

Minister Mamie

Laura said...

I am praying for you. I know it is so tough and you miss Jeremy so badly. I can identify with that! My husband said the other night, "It'll be a year since I've seen our son when we all get to Texas to be together." Wow! And I thought 6 months was bad!

You're a wonderful encourager to many! Me being one of them!!
Love you,
Laura