Why Try?

You may wonder why I chose why try as my title. It seems fitting for everything that we go through in life. With family and work, marrage and kids. The task is monstrous if not scarry. That by itself is enough to kill ya. Life is just plain hard sometimes, and to be honest. There isn't a lot we can do to change it. But for a select few life isnt all that they have to deal with. Less than 1% of all americans serve in todays armed forces. Of those a great many have deployed to Iraq of afghanistan. They brought with them some extra baggage, things like PTSD, depression, anger, fear, etc. add this to life's already hechtic plate and you have in some cases a recipe for disator. There is no one in the world that will ever know what a soldier goes through not the wife or family just the ones that was there. So why the title? It is a thought that has run through my head everyday. Why do I even try, WHY! I want so much to feel different but I know I will never be the same. I and forever marked. The question is will I let these destroy me or define me?

Prayer:

Lord, I know the mistakes that I have made aren't all related to my deployment, but the why I feel deep down inside is. I want to be free. I need peace. I want peace for my family and my marrage.

In Jesus Name

Amen

Farmer of Relationships

if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14
This verse has been playing in my head for a few days now. I understand the concept that the author is trying to get across. It is simple humble, pray, and seek, then you get forgiveness and healing for your land. The thing that kinda stumped me was the land part. I am not a farmer, how does this apply? I see the analogy behind reaping and sowing, that part is easy. You sow good things you get good things, you sow bad things you get bad things. I guess the big question is this; if we are not farmers in the agricultural since then what is our crop. What are we growing? If we continue to disobey God and live away from His will. What land will be destroyed. My Friend it is simple, relationships. Relationships are what we are planting, nourishing, wanting to grow and produce fruit.
In my opinion a life void of relationship is meaningless. It holds no significant value. Without the connections that come with being in a relationship, we would be in a sad state of affairs. God wants us to have meaning full relationships here on earth. They are meant to strengthen us and make us who we are. A person's individuality is a result of relationships. Who we form those bonds with help shape who we are as a person. God understood this in the beginning, " it is not good that man should be alone, I will make him an help meet for him" It was God's intent all along that man be in a relationship with Him, and with other people.
Getting back to the task at hand. Those relationships are delicate and complex. They can take years to build, but seconds to destroy. One word or deed can tear a relationship to pieces. I believe that this scripture is meant for both people in good relationships and for those that have had a relationship destroyed. It is meant as a warning for those in a good relationship to keep God first. For those who have lost a relationship to know that God is here to mend and heal.
Looking back at my own life I have had a lot of great relationships, but I have also destroyed a few along the way. I know that if I will obey the Word of the Lord and humble, pray, and seek. Then I will know God's true forgiveness and power in my life and yours.

Lord,
Help us today to cultivate, wonderful and positive relationships, help us to not let what we think is right to interfere. Help us to humble ourselves, pray and seek. Thank You Lord for all your great gifts and tender mercies
Amen.