It takes courage to do what they do and, whether or not it is legal in America to mix faith and our military today, we know that many of them get their courage from their faith. I wonder how many prayers have been said on battle fields over the years as these amazing men and women have done all they could; some giving nearly all they have, some giving their lives for our country and for us.
Jesus said in Luke 11:21, “When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:”
"Almighty Father, whose command is over all and
whose love never fails, make me aware of Thy presence and
obedient to Thy will.
Keep me true to my best self, guarding me against
dishonesty in purpose and deed and helping me to live so
that I can face my fellow Marines, my loved ones, and Thee
without shame or fear.
Protect my family.
Give me the will to do the work of a Marine and to
accept my share of responsibilities with vigor and
enthusiasm. Grant
me the courage to be proficient in my daily performance.
Keep me loyal and faithful to my superiors and to
the duties my Country and the Marine Corps have entrusted
to me. Help
me to wear my uniform with dignity, and let it remind me
daily of the traditions which I must uphold.
If I am inclined to doubt, steady my faith; if I am
tempted, make me strong to resist; if I should miss the
mark, give me courage to try again.
Z
16 comments:
Z - I - also - salute the Marines.
And I thank them for what they do for us. For putting their lives on the line so we can be free.
My best friend came to faith in the Marines.
Last Sunday I attended a Friends of Israel dinner with some friends.
The speaker was the founder of Heroes to Heroes,Judy Isaacson Schaffer.
http://www.heroestoheroes.org/
I talked to her a bit later about some of the mechanism for the healing that her group brings to PTSD victims and a large component is prayer.
If our warriors don't feel they need God during battle, many find they need Him after battle.
My best friend came to faith in the Marines.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Amen.
Thank you Z ... and Semper Fi.
Thanks to all Marines for their service...they are the few, the proud the Marines.
"“To observe a Marine is inspirational, to be a Marine is exceptional.”
And Mustang...your avatar is that of a Marine Officer...what rank did you retire at? O5?
Indeed, Semper Fi.
Sue, you're so right. What a bunch of amazing people. I want to say MEN because I'm not a 'girls in the services' woman, but I tip my hat (helmet?) to the women, too.
Marines just means MEN to me :-)
Ed.... I hope your friend isn't arrested for having come to faith IN the Marines :-) If you know what I mean!
I'd LOVE to hear that story if you remember any details.
Bless you for your comment about 'after battle' because we sure have a terrible lot of soldiers hurting afterwards, mentally and physically.
They need Jesus.
Mustang....when you say "Semper Fi" to ME, I look at my certificate right here above my computer (you know the one!), which Mr. Z had framed for me, and I am humbled beyond description.
Your quote is so important.
I looked for a long time for a verse that was just right for our Marines, our men of valor...I found many in Scripture but thought the one I settled on was a good one...don't you?
Apparently, I read also that Reagan used that quote in reference to our military.
Imp....
GREAT quote there...thanks for that; PERFECT!
God bless you ALL.
And GOD BLESS OUR MARINES forever.
NEVER let them feel our country does NOT have their backs. NEVER may they feel those "friends" they are laying down their lives for are not their friends.
Amen.
@Z:
Ronald Reagan -
“Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference. The Marines don’t have that problem”
Sue, you know, you often make excellent comments that make me think differently about some things; not a different viewpoint, but a different slant of MY viewpoint and I appreciate that. You make me curious, and that's a good thing.
I do want to say, however, that "free" means picking our own healthcare and not having a law for every single thing like banning 'too hot coffee' at fast-food stores because ONE person got hurt by hot coffee...or trying to ban large Cokes, or a media that's not telling the truth in order to cover their pick of president, or the possibility of an armed civilian corps.
Do you think my health care having changed this week via a letter (after 35 years of my policy..remember, Obama said if the policy is older than his Act, it won't change; MINE JUST DID!) and being told what I HAVE TO HAVE in my policy now and how much it's going up, is FREE? I LOVED my policy; I never saw ONE BILL for Mr. Z's illness. I was safe SAFE, with my policy. I feel unsafe now.
I am at the mercy of my employers' insurance as of 2 months ago and feel very nervous about what might happen to THAT, frankly. I do NOT feel free. I feel nervous.
I'm not trying to be belligerent or upset you but I am legitimately curious.
Thanks, if you come back.
I'm not fighting with you, I promise; I'm only curious.
I'll be gone much of the day and hope to hear from you.
thanks, Sue.
Oh, Imp!
Couldn't you just WEEP at that fabulous sentiment.
He was so right.
But then, he always was.
Thanks.
And thanks for YOUR duty and that of your brother's.
@Z:
I've read that California's exchanges are pretty good at matching their offerings against private coverage.
@Z:
Thank you...I will pass that on to my brother too....count on it. Mine pales next to his and any Marine.
Imp, I think you're right...I am given two options and both mention THE ACT but I believe that, legally, they have to.
But,neither option was "you're out of here and go beg Obama"..that's true.
Except, what's NOT on the paperwork is what I'll be paying now IF I had to select one of their options and you can rest assured that when I call on Tuesday and happily (and a bit nervously) cancel, I will ask what it would cost FIRST. Just to see.
Thanks for that reminder; I think you're right.
And THANK YOU for passing that on to your brother; he deserves it.
You both do.
Z: see Rita's post on health care and my comment. I don't want to go off topic too far by pasting it here.
She has a great post.
Finding the words which can express the depth of gratitude in my heart, to the Marines, and all heroic Veterans is difficult.
So may I simply say, thank you, and God Bless You, always.
Semper Fi!Thank you for this beautiful post, Z.
@ Imp
I retired as a LtCol ... former enlisted man (Private through Gunnery Sergeant), up through the warrant officer ranks to CWO4, and then commissioned as a first lieutenant.
Thank you for asking.
Semper Fi
@Mustang:
Now I understand the 'Handle". I'm speechless...thank you for responding.
Quite a story there, I'm sure.
Again, Thanks for your service.
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