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RE: Random thoughts from the armydude - 7/13/2006 4:05:43 PM
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armydude
Posts: 15265
Joined: 2/12/2006
From: NC
Status: online
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Today has been another great day to be alive, yet it's also been another day that the devil has tried his best to steal my joy. I am not going to get the job at the factory, and I refuse to allow this to get to me. I have been referred to a job that is right up my alley (administrative assistant), and it does not require a college degree. I've applied for it, and I'm also applying for a position with the city of Greensboro, NC. Keep praying for me, please.
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RE: Random thoughts from the armydude - 7/28/2006 8:37:00 PM
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armydude
Posts: 15265
Joined: 2/12/2006
From: NC
Status: online
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Sorry it's been so long. I've had SO many issues here. I start my new job on thursday, which is August 3rd. It's not the best job, nor the best pay, but God has blessed me with a job! PTL!
I'll be back tomorrow I hope to tell more. Thanks for everyone's prayers that has been reading my... saga.. yea.. that's it.
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RE: Random thoughts from the armydude - 12/31/2007 12:16:40 AM
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armydude
Posts: 15265
Joined: 2/12/2006
From: NC
Status: online
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It's been over a year since I posted. So much has happened, but I wanted to organize my thoughts again. If I had a New Year's resolution it would be to get organized. I've been on a good job for a year now. God has truly opened doors, and I must say I'm looking forward to see what doors He opens in the future.
God truly is a good God!
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RE: Random thoughts from the armydude - 1/17/2008 11:36:36 PM
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armydude
Posts: 15265
Joined: 2/12/2006
From: NC
Status: online
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Today I was brought face to face with a harsh reality. There are some things for which I simply do not have the answers. In six years in the army, one thing was pounded into my head almost constantly. It was the fact that, "I don't know" is not an acceptable answer. I worked with a battalion commander, company commanders, and almost every other officer conceivable. When they asked a question, they wanted an answer. I carried this over to my daily life after the army. It worked out quite well on my job because I made it my business to know what was going on. Managers would ask coworkers questions and sometimes receive a blank stare. I gave a clear, concice answer. Today I was asked a question, and my only response was, "I have no idea." Not only did I have no idea, but I had no clue where to look for an answer. Apparently nobody else did either because the question (work related) is still unanswered.
To be honest, I felt terrible that I could not answer a question. But my supervisor helped. He said, "You don't need to know everything. That's God's job." It's a new concept, and one I'll have to get used to.
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RE: Random thoughts from the armydude - 1/21/2008 1:05:20 PM
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armydude
Posts: 15265
Joined: 2/12/2006
From: NC
Status: online
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Jesus said in Matthew 5 something I misunderstood for years. It seemed like a contradiction to me.
Matthew 5:11-16
"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
It seemed like a contradiction because how am I supposed to be happy when people are ridiculing me? How am I supposed to be happy when people tell lies about me? How could I be happy if I were to have to hide to avoid persecution? See, I had grown up with the misconception that “blessed” meant “happy” in the sense that the world thinks “happy”. Yesterday at church my pastor preached on this very passage. As he was getting started preaching (he had just read the first two verses), I started writing notes for what would become this blog. Oddly enough, this ended up being the exact way the pastor was taking the message.
Verse 13 starts by saying, “You are the salt of the earth.” Well, it occurred to me that salt does many things (aside from making freshly cooked French fries tasty). It is a flavor, but in the ancient world it was much more. It was a preservative. It was very valuable in the Roman Empire which led to it being used to pay Roman Soldiers (which is coincidentally where “not worth his salt” came from).
But salt does more. Salt is an irritant (i.e. rubbing salt in a wound), but can be argued as the best thing for a cut. So while it’s doing a good thing, it’s not a comfortable experience while it’s happening.
Salt does one more thing, however, that I’ve never heard preached. Take a salt block and leave it outside. For one, you’ll be very popular with any deer in the area. But wait until it rains. I’ve seen this. The rain will wash away some of the salt, but not much. In other words, salt sticks together. Just as God’s people should be like salt in other ways, we should be like salt in this way as well.
“But if salt loses its saltiness…” How can salt lose its flavor? It’s not likely that it will happen unless it is mixed with elements that aren’t pure. Just like us. If we get too much of the world into us, we lose our effectiveness in sharing the gospel. What good are we in sharing God's love then?
Jesus went on to say “You are the light of the world.” Light does many of the same things salt does. It irritates (ask anyone who has been awakened by someone turning on a light).
Light also reveals. If you’ve been lost in the dark, or looking for something in the dark, you know this. One flip of a switch and the area is flooded with light, revealing where all was once concealed. This also shows the last use for light, although it seems obvious it needs to be said. Light disperses darkness. When a light is turned on, darkness is nowhere to be seen (except for the occasional shadow). When God’s light is revealed through us, darkness has to flee because it is revealed for what it is.
I pray that we are able let our light shine and not try to hide it so that we can “fit in.” After all, a city built on a hill cannot be hidden.
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RE: Random thoughts from the armydude - 1/27/2008 9:43:14 PM
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armydude
Posts: 15265
Joined: 2/12/2006
From: NC
Status: online
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God has done His part. Now we must do our part.
God helps those who help themselves.
I grew up believing these lies. I even believed the second statement was in the bible. (Go ahead. Look. It’s not there.) According to history, the phrase actually comes from Greek Mythology. A traveler’s wagon was stuck in the mud. He prayed to Hercules (go figure) to help him get it out. Hercules’ response? “The gods help them that help themselves.”
The sad thing is that many Christians believe that’s what God is saying to us. The fault in this theology is that it only works if we’re working. If you’re getting maximum results with minimum effort, you’ll probably not wonder if God is blessing you. But when you’re doing everything you can, and you still can’t see any improvement or progress, this theory is exposed as false.
You see, God has redeemed me, adopted me, given me a place at His table, a ring for my finger, a new name, a bright future, and a promise that He will love me for eternity (and that’s just for starters). And I did nothing to earn any of it. In fact, earning it is impossible. But I digress.
You see, if God helps those that help themselves, that means that God expects us to pull our own weight. It means that He wants us to work as though we have to do it all. One look at Philippians 1:6 dashes that.
“…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Who began a good work in you? Did you? No. God did, and He will carry it on to completion.
What about the 23rd Psalm? Throughout the psalm there are constant references as to who does the work. “He leads me…” “He restores me…” “He guides me…”
So He is the one at work? Yes, He is. And the world works so much better when we let Him run it.
As Max Lucado said, repeat this after me. “It’s not my job to run the world.” So what are we to do? Simple. We can love the One that does run the world. Or as Matthew 22:37 puts it, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” That’s your job. That’s it.
That’s it?
That’s it.
Who does God help? The one that trusts Him.
< Message edited by armydude -- 1/27/2008 9:56:08 PM >
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RE: Random thoughts from the armydude - 2/11/2008 1:19:57 PM
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armydude
Posts: 15265
Joined: 2/12/2006
From: NC
Status: online
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When I left the Army almost three years ago, I knew what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted to open my own business and work for myself. Time and time again business ideas were presented to me, and some I liked. Of those I liked I would pursue for more information and without fail every single one of them failed miserably.
During this time I tried other avenues of making a living. I worked part time jobs while I pursued a CDL, and an FCC license. Not at the same time of course. I tried to get a CDL so I could be a truck driver and actually have a career, not a job. I tried for an FCC license so I could get a career in aviation. During this time I also volunteered as a chat moderator on this very site. All the while I heard the nudge from God that I was called to do a job that at the time I really didn't want to do. Yet time after time, as a testament to God's amazing love for me, He has closed doors that led me away from doing what I have come to realize is the only thing that would bring me true joy. I am a preacher of the gospel. I have been called to do so, and now I am embracing that calling. I know. Took me long enough.
Now I look back and I see that it is a testament to God's incredible love that He knows what will make us happy. He made us, so He knows us best.
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RE: Random thoughts from the armydude - 4/5/2008 1:13:21 PM
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armydude
Posts: 15265
Joined: 2/12/2006
From: NC
Status: online
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Sometimes I wander over to the Conspiracy Central folder in this forum and look around. On my (now) old job, I would enjoy listening to the conspiracy theories brought forward by a coworker as to why we couldn't get ahead. These were entertaining, and I usually had a comeback (sparking a lively debate), but the more and more I think about it, I wonder. What is the basis of a conspiracy theory? Someone (usually someone in charge of something) wants to stay in power or wants more power (or money), so that person (or group) has conspired with other people (or groups) to get what is desired. That is the backbone of almost every conspiracy theory in existence. Every single one. What 99% of these theories have in common is the fact that the conspiracy is impossible to beat. "_______ will always get what he wants, and there's nothing we can do about it." The words are different, but the idea is the same. That seems to be disheartening. But it also raises another question for me.
Should a christian believe the concept of a conspiracy theory? Should we who believe that God is working all things to our good in turn believe that we can't get ahead because of the actions of another man? I don't think so. Romans 8:28 (KJV) says, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."(emphasis mine) We could debate on the last part of that verse for years without a clear answer, but I believe that we're all called according to His purpose. So it's not the last part that is the kicker, but the part I bolded here. According to my understanding of this verse, God is actively working all of our circumstances together for our greater good.
But still the idea behind a conspiracy theory remains. "I can't get ahead in life because of _______." You can fill in the blank with lots of ideas. But one look at Philippians 4:13 destroys that outlook IMO. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." All things? Yes. All things. The economic situation cannot keep me down because I am His child. My skin color will not hold me back because He is my Heavenly Father.
I could keep going, but the short version of this is here. My Heavenly Father is in charge. Not the Republican Party. Not the Democratic Party. Not the Illuminati. I could go on, but you get the idea. I trust that my Heavenly Father knows what's best for me. He's in charge, so I can rest knowing that nothing any man (or group of men) can do will ever change that.
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Remembering the fallen HEROES - 5/25/2008 8:07:05 AM
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armydude
Posts: 15265
Joined: 2/12/2006
From: NC
Status: online
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This memorial day, I am reminded of the plane ride from northern Iraq to Kuwait to begin the move back to the U.S. in 2003. We were watching the runway where the plane would be arriving in a few minutes. The sergeant in charge of our group said that he had just been informed that we would be traveling with the “remains” of soldiers. He asked us if this would be a problem. Someone said, “You mean we’ll be traveling with caskets, right?” The sergeant assured us that was the case. He then asked again if it would be a problem, stating that if it would, we could get a later flight or the “remains” could get bumped to a later flight. I’ll never forget the emotions that welled up inside me when I heard that same person (whom I don’t know) say, “Sergeant, those are not ‘remains’. Those are heroes. I’d be honored to share a flight with them.” That summed it up for the rest of us too.
If you can read this, thank a teacher.
Since it’s in English, thank a soldier.
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Birthday Thanks - 6/20/2008 4:48:40 PM
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armydude
Posts: 15265
Joined: 2/12/2006
From: NC
Status: online
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On Wednesday of this week I celebrated my 36th birthday. I was overwhelmed by how many people wished me a happy birthday in the forums as well as by PM and over the phone. It was a HUGE blessing. I have not taken time to do this, and this is the most appropriate time.
THANK YOU to all my friends here! You've made my birthday a memorable one!
Edited to fix title
< Message edited by armydude -- 6/20/2008 5:18:15 PM >
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A little about me... - 6/20/2008 7:23:29 PM
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armydude
Posts: 15265
Joined: 2/12/2006
From: NC
Status: online
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I was looking through some old documents that I have and I found this. Sometimes it's a good thing to remember where I've been, not only as a warning, but also as a blessing. After all, God has been SO good to me, and He's not about to stop now.
When I was in the 8th grade, a pastor came to my home to talk with my brother and myself. He was a very soft spoken pastor, and I can point out areas in my life today that he has influenced. He asked me if I knew where I was going if I were to die right then and there. I did not know. He said that unless I accepted God’s free gift of salvation, my eternity would be a terrible one. Needless to say, he had my attention. He laid out the plan of salvation, and asked me if I wanted to accept Jesus as my Savior. I did on that night in August of 1988.
Several times over the next few years, I would forget about this, and God would remind me through a church, Christian camp, or some other way. Whenever I realized that I had drifted away from God, I would beg for forgiveness, and always be delighted to realize that He had been waiting for me the entire time.
When I was deployed to Iraq in 2003, I renewed my dedication to God. This was not when I was saved initially, but it was when my salvation, and the importance of it became real to me. I believe what set it off was when the chaplain said that just across the border were people that wanted to kill us simply because we were Americans. He went on to say that the only thing that would save us was our faith in God. This hit home for me. During the deployment, I started singing in church services that were held by the chaplains. I even witnessed to a local worker, and was told by my superiors that it was a bad idea. Oddly enough the only person not offended was the local worker. He did not become a Christian (while I was there), but he did thank me for telling him the truth about what I believed.
When I was stationed at Fort Campbell, even before being deployed to Iraq, I was told by several of the church elders that I needed to give into the call to preach. My response was, “NOOOO! I’m not called to preach!” When I was deployed to Iraq, camped at Kirkuk, I took 20 minutes to explain to a chaplain that I was not called to preach. His response (I remember it word for word today) was this. “You sound like you’re trying to convince yourself.”
When I returned to Fort Campbell, Loverly and I started attending a nondenominational church off post. It was there that I asked for the chance to help the senior deacon because another deacon had been relocated by the Army. I was asking for a chance to work and was given the title of “deacon in training” (along with the work). As a deacon in training, I was responsible for working with the sound system and for alternating Sunday School lessons with the senior deacon. I also was expected to bring a scripture to the church before the message was preached. As a deacon in training, I also was responsible to be ready to preach if the pastor was not there. I was only called to do this one time. I was called on Thursday and preached that Sunday.
It was at this time that I started to get the nudge that I was doing the right thing. I would look forward to the Sundays that I was able to bring a scripture. I still denied the call to preach for several months. In July of 2005, I got the call loud and clear. I accepted that I was called to preach, but I still argued. I knew that I was not qualified, and I felt that I could take my time to become qualified. Several times from July 2005 to April 2006, I was told that God does not call the qualified, but He qualifies the called. By this time, I had forgotten what happened in July, and had actually started to go back to the life I had lived before even coming to know Christ.
In April of 2006, I went to Charleston, SC for what was billed a face to face encounter with God. I was skeptical. I did not know what to expect from whatever I would see there. But on the way down, I was reminded of what I had (quite angrily) said to God over Christmas of 2005. He had said that I was called to be an evangelist, and that I would not be happy until I heeded that call. I was angry and said, “You heal my knees and I’ll preach.”
At the encounter, God first told me that I am His child regardless of what I do. Instead of doing what I expected, which was make me want to ignore His calling, it made me want to do what He wanted. After all, I had been lovingly accepted without condition. This love made me want to make my Father happy. That night I prayed to ask for forgiveness for not listening for so long.
The first day of the encounter, I had a bad issue with my knees. We were asked to use our chairs as alters as we prayed which meant that we knelt in front of our chairs. When I tried to stand up, my knees had locked in the kneeling position. I had to have help to even get up. One of my fellow encounter participants told me that if it hurt that bad, I should just sit on my chair while everyone else knelt. I refused because I will not let myself be treated differently than anyone else.
It was late Saturday afternoon when it happened. I had knelt several times that day in prayer, and each time it got a little easier, and a little easier. Finally I was able to literally bounce up from the kneeling position. It had finally hit me. I was healed. I almost forgot my promise, but God has reminded me of it often.
I was ordained into the ministry in April of 2007. At times it’s a challenge, but it is something that I would not trade away at all.
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RE: A little about me... - 8/23/2008 10:31:41 AM
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armydude
Posts: 15265
Joined: 2/12/2006
From: NC
Status: online
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I haven't had much to say in a while, but I did want to stop by and say that God is indeed good and that He knows what is best for us. Thank you all very much!
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Random thoughts from the armydude - 
) and did not put down a church home for any of us. They seemed a bit disappointed that we were already members in a church, but they were thrilled that they could pray with us. All things considered, it was a wonderful visit. I thoroughly enjoyed their company. 
