Dec 26, 2008

Psalm 136 in Revision

Psalm 136 in Revision

The Lord has blessed us with life
His faithful love endures forever.
He brought love into our lives
His faithful love endures forever.
He sent His Son to die
His faithful love endures forever.
A sacrifice for each one’s sins
His faithful love endures forever.
All who would accept His sacrifice are saved
His faithful love endures forever.
He rose up from the grave to new live
His faithful love endures forever.
And now sits on the throne, interceding for us with the Father
His faithful love endures forever.
He’s given love and friendship to us
His faithful love endures forever.
Both His own and through others
His faithful love endures forever.
Families that love and care for us
His faithful love endures forever.
He left His promises for us
His faithful love endures forever.
He left His Spirit in the earth
His faithful love endures forever.
Gave us His Spirit, Who dwells in us
His faithful love endures forever.
He gave us the gifts of His Spirit
His faithful love endures forever.
He is always willing to forgive and help us forgive
His faithful love endures forever.
Merciful, good, and gracious is He to us
His faithful love endures forever.
His miracles He displays in the earth
His faithful love endures forever.
He is worthy of all our gratitude and thanks
His faithful love endures forever.
From the time the sun rises
His faithful love endures forever.
Until the time the moon gives way to the sun
His faithful love endures forever.
He hears our prayers and knows the desires of our hearts
His faithful love endures forever.
His peace is here for all of us
His faithful love endures forever.
In our distress, He is there for us
His faithful love endures forever.
He is faithful to bring faithful people into our lives
His faithful love endures forever.
He opens our hearts to those He knows we need
His faithful love endures forever.
He draws us to those He knows we’ll learn from
His faithful love endures forever.

Nov 11, 2008

Veteran's Day: Thank You

On this particular veteran's Day, there's a lot on my mind. A lot that I'm grateful for, and a lot of people I'm grateful for.

My great uncles Joe, who parachuted into Normandy on D-Day and was one of very few survivors in his unit. One of his brothers was in military intelligence at the same time. My step-grandfather, who was in Korea. My aunt Sandy's parents, who were career military, going back and forth between Germany, Japan, and the US for over forty years. My Dad, who spent time in the Navy. Friends like Decha and Brady, who have both spent time in Iraq. Some of my professors, and people from church who served in the military at various times. Bill, who was like a second father to me and died a few years ago; the very thought of whose funeral brings tears to my eyes in an instant.

There are so many people who have served in the military; are serving. And many of them are or were there voluntarily. People like those still based in Japan, in Germany, Afghanistan, Iraq, Saudia Arabia, various parts of Africa, and across the US doing their best to help keep the rest of us safe. People who have been maimed in the line of duty and who still keep on keeping on, some of them. People who go to protect us and then the government, in some cases, pulls the rug out from under in terms of mortgage issues, threats to have their families thrown out into the street for sometimes minor offenses such as inadequate landscaping (yes, I've seen this occur).

There are those of us who honor, respect, and cherish the vets in our lives. Sadly, not everyone shares the gratitude. Here in our area, there was a family who put a sign up on their terrace thanking veterans. It was a true thank you, but it was also a lesson for their children in thankfulness. And you know, someone vandalized that family's home because they showed their appreciation... before the night was over. This family decided to keep their sign up even after cleaning the paint up as well as they could. Gratefulness isn't a partisan issue, or at least it shouldn't be. Thanking the veterans for all they have done on behalf of those of us who never had to face war eye to eye... that isn't something that should be for Republicans only, or Democrats only, or Independents independently. It's something we should all do, isn't it?

Today in class, my prof, who is a veteran, refused to have a moment of silence when someone suggested one. instead, he asked people in the class about their loved ones who have served and who are serving currently. This is the same man who brought his hat with him from the days he was in the war... and left it in the truck. He couldn't put it on due to the emotions he was facing. He is one of the people I respect the most, not merely for doing his duty in the war, but for being honest and open about his experiences; for helping others through their stuff, even though it's trauma of other sorts. This is a man who voluntarily travels the world to help people; a man who, despite all that has happened to him, helps other people who have faced war, even though he doesn't generally work with veterans.

I think more about my great uncle, who was one of many vets told, once they came home, not to discuss with anyone their experiences. It was nearly forty years later before he spoke to anyone about it. And a few years ago, he went back to Germany. He went to the barn where his parachute landed, and apologized to the grandchild of the person whose chicken he stole because there were not enough provisions. He went to his former bunker. He went to the beach. He met with others who were there, and he was given a tour of the Normandy area in a General's jeep, led by said general, as s thank you for all he did. While he was there, a little boy who looked up to him dearly for all he had done gave him a tour, along with my Aunt Bev who went with him; then when he went back a year later with my Grama and step-grandfather the little boy came back to see him, though he lives in another country.

I think of the stories I have heard from others; the stories I have read; the stories of those who never made it home, and I wonder about how much different life would be if they had refused to go; refused to help. I wonder how things would be today if the Nazis had won the war, or if Korea had won the war, and I wonder how things will turn out in Eritrea, in Iraq, in Afghanastan, Iran, Korea, Gerogia, Russia, and so many other places where problems are arising or where people are trying to resolve said issues.

But I also think of those who were not sent, for whatever reason. Those President Clinton refused to send to Eritrea while much of the population there has dwindled; where the children are soldiers; where the artists are told they must fight. These same artists, some of them asked to enter the US, and you know, sadly, Clinton refused, citing the need for art in Eritrea despite the war. I'm sorry, but that's a cop out. If it were a country with money or a country that Clinton thought more highly of, he would have done something, and that infuriates me. There were very few troops to help, and when they were sent, it was nearly too late to help anyone. The troops were not at fault in this; their comander in chief, however, left much to be desired. I hope the same will not be the case come January for anyone who is in need of help, but time will tell.

Some complain about the reasons behind the Iraq war, and they have validity behind some of those complaints. But the thing is, we cannot change the past; we are where we are in how things are going. Many brave and sincere troops are doing their dangdest to help the people of Iraq to become independent once more, now that things have begun to settle down since the surge. And while mistakes have been made there, as well as other places, that is no reason to be bitter toward troops; toward veterans. Toward people we should be grateful to for their submission to their leaders, and sometimes for going against those leaders in order to make the best decision for what is happening. Many military right now are upset about how things have gone; are going, but can you really blame them? Many military persons decided to join pre-9/11, even though many also joined post. Either way, most of them are doing their very best; many have darkened the soil of lands they never got to leave, out of love and care for the people of America, and for the freedom of oppressed peoples.

On this Veteran's Day, I am grateful. I am humbled. I say thank you, once more. And I say another prayer for the people that have done so much. Not just the John McCains and Joe Tolberts of this world; not just for the Bradys and Dechas, but for all who serve with a willing heart and with love. Thank you. From the bottom of my heart.