Fresh Manna2007© by Pastor Tim Burt
http://www.freshmanna.org

Today’s Fresh Manna was written by one of my dear friends and fellow Pastors who is also a military Chaplin and about to be deployed to Iraq. I hope it will bless you!
In His Love,
Pastor Tim

“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1

Paradox: A seemingly contradictory statement that may nonetheless be true.

Here’s my current paradox as it pertains to our pending deployment: I can’t stand the thought of leaving, and at the same time, I can’t wait to leave.

I sometimes guilty for thinking that way, because in my mind it may be interpreted that I might actually want to be away from those most important to me. Nothing could be further from the truth! Duty calls, and the motive for leaving is to complete the mission and get back home! I’m pulled between the two concepts – wanting to stay vs. needing to go – and have trouble finding middle ground or a happy medium.

No one wants to leave certainty and comfort for danger and a hardscrabble existence, but we also can’t stand idly by when our comrades have served with honor and need to be spelled. Recently I was talking with a friend about the war in Iraq. We concluded that most people are anti-war. The difference is that soldiers have to have a jump off point where they understand that after all options have been exhausted, when evil will not relent, armed force must be implemented. War is ugly, and among the least desirable of all possible options. But capitulating to or not confronting evil is even less desirable. Soldiers do the job that others can’t or won’t, and pray every day for war to end. It doesn’t mean we like it, but we do it. And because we’re doing it, we want to do it well, with honor, and while looking out for each other.

I know that in all things, God’s promises are with me. He promised to never leave me or forsake me. He promised a plan to prosper and not to harm me. He promised to meet my needs according to His riches. In spite of the challenges or combat, because I live IN HIM, and BY FAITH, I walk free from any condemnation that tries to say that I’m abandoning my family or forsaking my responsibilities. In fact, not only am I standing up for the cause of freedom, I’m walking out the great commission – taking the good news of the Gospel to the ends of the earth. As I do, I stand confident in God’s promise to watch over me, and my family, no matter where I am.

Prayer of the day:

Today I pray for the Platoon Sergeants of 2/147 AHB. I pray that they would be rooted and grounded in God’s love. As they lead their platoon and manage their mission, soldiers, and equipment, may they be given over to His wisdom and guidance. I pray that no one under their influence would go astray in manner or behavior, knowing they can turn to their competent and willing leaders for help, assistance, and assurance. I pray that they would seek God’s protection and rest confidently in His ability, because He will not turn His face from those who return to Him.

In His service,
CH (CPT) Buddy Winn
Battalion Chaplain

In His Love,
Pastor Tim Burt
http://www.freshmanna.org

Published by Pastor Tim Burt
Copyright© 2007
All rights reserved.