Rocky Road

Rocky Road..  No, not the ice cream, but another kind of rocky road.  Life here reflects traveling on a rocky road in so many ways.  Not only are most roads not paved (some being worked on), but each situation offers resistence in some way.  Yes, a rocky road is one you can drive, walk, or ride a bike on, but it can also easily give you a flat tire or a turned ankle.  Iraqi people don't know what life is like on a smooth road where you have so many turns you can venture on to.  When I get home, I will think about them as I pass turns while driving. 

Also, the mental road here is no doubt rocky.  We have similar routines each day.  Some are routines that we hope to never repeat after this deployment.  Fellow troops moving on in death, sadness and despair as we mourn them, being away from our loved ones for so long, our hope for the Iraqi people in their plight for liberty which we take for granted, living here so close to others that the 'funk' gets passed around over and over, tempers, frustration, power struggles, and many things we have no control over. 

Despite the rocky road, we press on in the hope that liberty will prevail.  If we don't help others in the world, then who will?  For those who disagree with me, just please continue to stay home and take care of your affairs.  I have no bitterness towards anyone, and when someone downs our mission here, I feel even more of an obligation to share freedom with others.   The 1,700+ troops who have died here will not have died in vain.  Someone commented in my blog that if I die here, that it will be for nothing.  Interesting that someone who is not here, and probably never was, can say that and feel so sure its true.  I am a big boy, so comments like that roll off my back.  Not only are you taught in basic training how to defeat the enemy, but also how to control your attitude and frustrations.  I really feel for those in previous wars who came home and were called names like 'baby killer'.  Have you noticed major wars early in the century were pretty much black and white?  Have you noticed that now many wars are grey?  Why is this?  Maybe its because we are acting now, before it gets black and white and people like Hitler don't get to a point where they can take over the world.  Did you know we are the 9th largest military in the world, and 7 of the top 9 are not necessarily our friends?  Just food for thought. 

I think a lot here about my spiritual life and where I am with the Lord.  Its also been a rocky road in my soul.  Sometimes He and I walk together in my journey, and sometimes I lose sight of Him and keep trucking through life with no compass.  If you have read the story book, The Carpenter and the Unbuilder, I have felt like the Carpenter just as he built a home along the way.  I do feel comforted today by the fact that I was chosen by God to walk this rocky road in life. 

Below is from my morning devotional book..

HE CHOSE US

Through water and the spirit the disciple of Jesus has been bonded to his elder Brother, entered into God's family, become a son of the new covenant, and been given immediate access to the Father's lap.  "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.... Before the world was made, he chose us in Christ, to be holy and spotless, and to live through love in his presence, determining that we should become his adopted sons, through Jesus Christ" (Eph 1:3-4). 

The problem is:  either we don't know it; we know it but don't accept it; we accept it but are not in touch with it; we are in touch with it but do not surrender to it.

"He predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will."  Epehsians 1:5

Which one are you? 

1. Don't know you are chosen?

2. You know you are chosen but don't accept it?

3. You accept it, but are not in touch with it?

4. You are in touch with it, but not surrendering to it?

Either one, Jesus is under a tree waiting patiently for you.  Yes, He also has a glass of cold water for you. 

Comments

[BW]

Great post, thanks for sharing and serving. Stay safe, what you're enduring is bringing you to a place of completion in God (James 1).

BW

[Donna]

I am sorry that some don't understand and think anything you do could possibly be "in vain". But for men like you, we would have no freedom. As it is, we have sold out our freedom so we don't have to take responsibility for ourselves. What you do is not in vain unless we allow ourselves to truly separate God from our society and our government. But for you, we could face the same atrocities people in Iraq endured until just 2 years or so ago. Thank you, Shawn, for doing what you do. God bless you and your fellow soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen and Coast Guardsmen who stand between us and our enemies. We are grateful for each one of you.

[Chrys]

Thanks for sharing the pictures, Shawn.
May God continue to bless you in your work to secure freedom for people in other lands, a freedom that we here take for granted. Happy 4th of July!

[Darrell]

Hey, it's July 4 here in the states, and I wanted to make sure I stopped by the blog to thank you and all vets for your service to our country. We appreciate the independence that we have, and know why we have it. So, thanks.

[membrain]

I just wanted to drop a line to let you know that as a Canadian I appreciate what you and those serving with you are doing not only for the country but for the world. This conflict is far bigger than most realize. Thank you for your sacrifice and your service. Godspeed.

[dlhiltz3[email protected]]

You said: "Did you know we are the 9th largest military in the world, and 7 of the top 9 are not necessarily our friends? Just food for thought."

I wanted to know, as I am in the military, where did you get this information? It is very interesting. I think this puts things into perspective. Your entire post brings a wonderful perspective.

Thank you for this post and your blogsite overall. Thank you for sharing.

I will be praying for you and the rest of the US Military.

Please email me with the source, if possible.

[Donnie]

Whoops. My mistake for my previous post.

[Steve]

Hi,
It's great to meet a cool dude like you. I was cruising and checking out Blogs, which is totally new for me. Not sure if this will work. If it does, I hope to come back and hear more from you.
I listened to a discussion about why WW2 Vets didn't want to talk about their experiences. The conclusion is that most Vets felt like their job in the war was not important. Some may have been at a critical place and time but they felt like their action did not impact the outcome of events.
As a Christian, your every step is ordained. I pray that He looks over you.
Steve

[newport driving school]

Great post!Rocky Road looks delicious!Rocky Road is one of the sweets I’ve come to appreciate living in the UK.