Who Shall I Send

"Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here I am; send me." - Isaiah 6:8

Out of the myriad of choices that young men and women can make and the many opportunities presented to men of ambition; there are some that have resisted the call of the world to answer the call of God.

All Marines can remember the last hours of the crucible, when weary, worn, and exhausted they were handed the rewards of their accomplishment - The Eagle, Globe and Anchor, the symbol of excellence. So now, the Marine brothers and sisters who have left the ranks of the military to join the ranks of the ministry, will soon stand on a platform and be recognized for their hard work and sacrifice, as ministers of the Gospel.

From the Church in Oceanside, CA - We want to give a big "Euraaahh!" to Sabrina Campbell, Kweli and Sophia - (Sis. Marine - by association) Talbert, Amy Clark - (Sis. Moto), Allen Downing - (Beaker), (Wild) Rob Larson, (Rowdy) Greg Legister, and Deck Thompson (U.S. Marshal). These have entered seminary this year.

Keep up the good work - the best is yet to come!

Surprise Birthday Party!

Thankful Ponderings

Now that we are stuffed to the gizzard with turkey and savory trimmings, we are all ready to slumber in the lap of contentment. BUT,... wait! Not yet! There's so much to be done! Even as we slip into a near comatose snooze, a draft agenda for the next month is already taking form in our mind. Let's not forget the reason for which we are forming these eternal run-downs, schedules, and lists. The birthday of our Saviour Christ Jesus! Don't forget to put Him at the top!

Now having said that...

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day Dinner! Loads of food! There were two turkey's, a ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, almond stuffing, green beans w/ bacon, candied sweet potatoes, broccoli salad, strawberry and spinach salad (that was oh so good), cranberry sauce and fresh baked bread. For dessert, cherry cheese pie, cranberry walnut cheese pie, banana pudding, molasses cookies, mince meat pie, fresh fruit salad, frosted sugar cookies, brownies, ice cream and... well,... um... we forgot about the pumpkin pie. Anyway,... uh... moving on!

Each person came with a thankful spirit, of which, some felt the need to express. Being that Christ gave His life for them on the cross and giving them the life that they now have in Him. I echo these sentiments and add, however,... What if He never came? Where would we be if He'd have hung it up for the comforts of this life? How could salvation have ever come to our relief and aid had He not have accepted the cup that was set before Him? Who else is willing to take up the task and mission of 'Operation Saving Souls'? In what state would mankind be today if He had not given all that He had - for us? Answer... We would be without hope and forever lost. Condemned to eternal destruction with no way out. Wherefore, we as fellow Christians are truly grateful for the place that He has secured for us in heaven by doing so. Utmost and foremost is our gratitude for this provision of eternal life. To escape the damnation that was pending. To have this opportunity extended to us is the greatest gift in all of life. We should feel a sense of obligation and duty to repay. He saved our life! To love Him because He first loved us! This is what makes Thanksgiving Day the more worthy of celebration and laud. A day to appreciate and proclaim acknowledgement of the blessings He has bestowed on us.

So before we dash off, lets take the time to acknowledge another form of feasting. The keeping and continual maintenance of this precious gift that we have received. It was not intended to be treated like a pet rock, (that which is set on a shelf and forgotten) but it is to be cared for. To be watered daily with the Word of God without fail and to be warmed by the 'Son' and His rays of light through prayer and supplication. These are the basic 'root-iments' of salvation that cause us to flourish in the strength and power of God. Too often it is thrown aside or pushed off only to be replaced by something far less substantial which make for wimpie christianity. We oft times allow ourselves to be distracted. It is a grave and ponderous error to discredit the seriousness of the lack thereof. We must not disregard its vital urgency but, rather, cultivate and nurture the habit to pray and read God's Word at the set-off. Take time to cherish this sacrificial gift that has been committed to us. Put Him first at the top of each and every daily list. And maybe...You just might find the time to do the things that ordinarily time does not allow you to do.

Hmmmm?

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day is one of my favorite holidays. It seems to be the only holiday that has kept its serenity. The commercialization of it has not exceeded itself. It is a day dedicated to the giving of thanks which is what the Word of God tells us to do often. The love of life and family still exists on this festive day. Although, I hear tale of many families opting out from such silly, frivolous affairs as 'thanksgiving'. With the thought of Christmas being right around the corner they might say, 'It's too much trouble' and by-pass Thanksgiving all together. It is more than gathering together around a bountiful meal or salivating over that deliciously aromatic pumpkin pie (with loads of whipped topping). Thankfulness is one of life's greatest attributes and pleasures. So is the act of giving. These two words - thanks & giving - coupled together in a daily mode of life equal joy. Have you ever noticed that the happiest people you are likely to meet are the ones who give of themselves 100%? These are the same who are ever so grateful for the smallest contributions. They seem to radiate with an endless supply of the energy called joy.

Giving + Thanks = Joy!

"(As it is written, 'He has dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth forever. Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;"

- II Corinthians 9:9 - 12

If we take one or the other out then it is incomplete. When we cannot give thanks even in the hardest of times then our joy is none existent. We'll find that when in need of joy if we just start thanking the Lord for the littlest of things (often the things we take for granted) then the light of joy begins to dispel our gloom of despair.

So before we rush off at the sound of the Thanksgiving Sale 'gun', let's stop and give God thanks, show our gratitude to those we love and to those around us. Stop to be thankful. Both for the great and the small to the great and small. It makes for a great start-off of the Holiday Season!

A Veteran's Day Special Thanks To Our Military!

A Call of Duty!

This Veterans Day I found myself thinking a lot of my Gramps. He was a Navy Corpsman during three wars; World War II, Korean War, and the Vietnam War. He was in Vietnam twice. He worked with the Marines on a daily basis through out all of them. He was a husband and father to four children. I never knew all that he had given in each of these wars until after he passed. Now I wish I could tell him just how much I appreciate him and how proud I am. He gave of himself every time there was a war. Draft or no he would raise his right hand and when it was over he would do his time and exit out of the military. He was very patriotic and rose to answer the call of need whenever it presented itself. It was his purpose.

Bearing the Cost

My grandfather never spoke of the things which went on in any of the wars. So we never knew... until I decided to do a random search on the net about him. The things that I found out! I cried. I know that he was not the only one, but you just don't hear of these accounts too often. I found ships records of him being on the USS Lexington during the Battle of the Coral Sea. It told of what he and his fellow men did while being torpedoed. How they had to move the hospital (wounded and all) while under attack three times due to explosions, smoke and fire. I started to search elsewhere. Started asking questions. The things that I found made my heart surge with a love and pride that I regret I cannot bestow on the ones who truly need to hear it. BUT,... I do so here and now. Both he and his fellow servicemen have left a trail of grateful hearts and stories of the care and courage on their part; all of which he seldom spoke of. He was the very essence what every military man should be. He loved despite the difficulty that it may have presented. He earned more than just purple hearts in the doing too. He put a wounded Marine on a helicopter in Vietnam in spite of a new lieutenant's direct orders. I am happy to say that the Marine lived. He paid for that bit of care and concern, but it was no matter to him. A man's life was more important than his own rank. He had fulfilled his call of duty. He had saved a life. He did not have to speak his love or care; he knew how to act even in the face of cost.

In 1966, my Gramps faced his last war situation. A 12 year old Vietcong boy came from behind him and took aim. My Gramps would forever regret the action that he took to remedy the situation for he had two teenage boys at home. It was like killing his own son. The remorse that he felt was so strong that it sent him home to the States where he was honorably discharged from the military.

'I'm Proud Of You Men!'

On August 19th, 2003, my grandfather passed. On his deathbed, (I'll never forget
the agony that I felt when my mother told me this) he was expressing his love to each of the family that was present; just my mother, my aunt and uncle. He was sliding in and out of his memories. Lasping from the present to the past; back to the present. Mixed in his last words were 'I'm proud of you men!' My heart swelled for all Veterans as I heard this. It has enlarged immensely since to where I now am expressing it here in this little tribute to my Gramps. But it is not just a tribute to him, but to all who are involved in the cause that he strove for his whole life long. To love, have peace, and to simply care for those around you; even when you have to fight for that right to do so. A true veteran! That is why I am proud to say loud and clear for my Gramps; for all to hear...

I'm so proud of our men!

My prayers are that God bless them and keep them all!