Where Would We Be Without Our Vets?

Last Wednesday was Veteran's Day. I appreciate this annual reminder to be sure that we are all thinking about and expressing gratitude to those who put their own lives on the line for each of us. Where would we be without them?

This Veteran's Day was more meaningful to me personally than all those that have come before it. It was probably because I have several close brothers in this church who are serving, plus my brother-in-law, Tom, who is a helicopter test pilot in Iraq.

Hopefully most of you have met Beau Floyd. He and his wife Kim became a part of our young adults ministry about a year ago, and Darlene and I have grown to love them like a son and daughter. So, when Beau was shipped to Afghanistan, where he underwent some very dangerous and harrowing assignments (probably more dangerous than most of us knew at the time), Darlene and I spent a very nerve-wracking five months praying for him daily and hoping for his safe return.

And so it was that we experienced a huge sense of joy and relief, a month ago when he did indeed return in one piece. Knowing Beau and what he was going through, praying for him all the time, made the sacrifice that young men and women are making on our behalf come so much more alive to me.

God has truly blessed our church with a lot of heroes in the service. In addition to Beau there is Ken Hallender (whom I think of as the quintessential warrior); and two others that I am aware of -- Tim Bonner and Jerry Thomas. Plus several others who are active duty but not currently serving overseas.

One thing I learned during Beau's deployment is how much it means to these guys to know that their families, left behind, are being well cared-for. So please be sure you are reaching out to the spouses and children of these servicemen each week. Make sure that if they have any needs, even simple things like mowing the lawn or changing smoke detector batteries, that these are getting met. Let them know you are praying for them, and find out what their specific requests are.

I wanted to close by reprinting a cool message that our friend Lynn Maynard sent this week, a chapter which has very specific application to our warriors in the service. I know it was very meaningful to the Floyds during Beau's deployment ...

"On this Veterans Day, let's all say "Thanks to our vets!" and remember to pray for all those currently serving."

Psalm 91 (NIV) --

*       1.  He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
*       2.  I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."
*       3.  Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence.
*       4.  He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
*       5.  You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
*       6.  nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
*       7.  A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
*       8.  You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.
*       9.  If you make the Most High your dwelling -- even the Lord, who is my refuge --
*       10.  then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.
*       11.  For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;
*       12.  they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
*       13.  You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
*       14.  "Because he loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
*       15.  He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.
*       16.  With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation."

- Larry