Our youngest son Andrew gave me motivation and inspiration for the subject of this post. He is an awesome kid.

Despite our tendency to want someone else's role, we each need to accept the assignments in life that we ourselves have been given. We can't excuse ourselves from our obligations simply because we lack someone else's abilities. This is especially important to remember if we're members of the body of Christ. If we're a "foot," for example, we must not say, "Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body." In Christ, it is God who has apportioned the various abilities: "God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased" (1 Corinthians 12:18). It is not good to question God's organization of the body.

The "body" is an apt metaphor for Christ's followers because a human body is an organism where each member is needed. Some parts of the body seem to get more publicity, but no part is without an important use. And it is when all of the parts work together healthily that the body functions as it was intended to function. Christ, of course, is the head, "from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love" (Ephesians 4:16).

Humility means that we try to see ourselves just as God sees us. When we do this, we will not think too highly of ourselves (Romans 12:3), but neither will we think too lowly of ourselves. It is just as wrong to deny our abilities and dodge our duties as it is to be poisoned with pride. God is not pleased when we complain about the assignments that He has given us. And it is not humility but false humility that causes us to "badmouth" ourselves and the tools that are in our toolbox. My wonderful wife gently in love reminds me of this from time to time, as I my self have this weakness. In truth, God has given to each of us the abilities that He has because those are the resources we need to do the work that belongs to us -- right where we are! It's tempting to think that we could do a better job if we occupied someone else's place, but that is probably not true. If we won't serve Christ where we are, then we wouldn't serve Him anywhere else.

I Peter 4:13

But rejoice that you particapate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed.

Devotion to God during times of difficulty presents some special challenges. There is, of course, a sense in which it's easier to seek God when we're beset with problems. (Indeed, times of crisis are the only times that some people seek Him.) But in another sense, it's harder to love God with any warmth of affection when our circumstances are such that He seems far away. What should we do about our devotional life when we're passing through some ordeal of suffering or emotional barrenness?

As much as possible, we should hold on to our regular daily times of devotion. Doing this is not easy, as we all know, but it's important to try. Difficulty, especially tragedy, almost always involves a disruption of our regular daily schedule. But if, for example, we normally devote ourselves to a few moments of prayer at the beginning of each day, it's important to try to maintain that habit even on the hard days. When crisis makes an appearance in our lives, if we can hold on to any semblance of our usual devotional discipline, it helps us to meet our challenges in a stronger way.

We should not forget to be grateful. Simply because we, at a given moment, may be experiencing something of the bitterness of life, that does not mean that God is not still on His throne, ruling with benevolence and grace. Even on our darkest day, there is still much more to be thankful for than there is to regret. During painful times, it's especially important to try to maintain our perspective and recognize that our pain is not the whole truth about life in the world (or even our own life in the world). We need to give thanks to God every day, and not just on the pleasant days.

We should persevere. The fact of the matter is, God is never far away from us. Not really. It's just that we feel like that at certain times. At those times, we must make up our minds to maintain our faith and obedience, knowing that seasons of spiritual dryness and desolation are only temporary. In time, the feelings that we want to have about God will return. Meanwhile, God is still God! Even when our feelings waver, our love for Him must not.

If we truely trust God, then we must understand that the only way to the glory He seeks to develop in us, is from the path that He has put us on.

Wow, What a joyous Christmas and New Year.

I sit and just bask in the after glow of all the great times of the past 2 weeks. I know it is crazy having to run here and run there, and that at times it can create it stress and friction. But , when I look back on it all, I wouldn't change a thing. Except possibly spending more time with each of our families. All the nieces and nephews and now Grand niece and a Grand nephew. I sit and marvel at how God builds even more room in my heart for each one. It is scary what a sap I am going to be as a Grandfather. Day to day it is easy to get caught up in children getting on your nerves, it is so nice to get outside of that and get fresh perspective on what an amazing blessing they are.I bless and praise God for the bounty of precious family my wife and I have.I pray everyone had a blessed and joyous Christmas.

When I think about all that Christmas means, it is easy to get caught up in how commercial it has become. In how there are times when it seems to be dominated by a spirit that is anything but Christ's. I am also surprised by how easy it is to put the blame for that on all the "other" people. You know the ones who don't really believe in what He came to do and be. The ones who see it as just an opportunity to even out their bottom line for the year, or to take advantage of the sentimental suckers. Those people are out there to be sure, and this world will have them always. That hasn't changed just since I have been here. History and God's Word assure us that it has been that way since the fall. Grant it technology and advancements may make it seem more prevelant. But the truth is in me, in what I choose to focus on. Truth is that I will find that which I am truely looking for. I am completely amazed that when I simply be still and focus on my Lord that Christmas Spirit comes quickly and easily back once again. His promise is trustworthy and it works all year long.

Merry Christmas to all and for all year long.

A poem I found very special and wanted to share. I feel so proud and secure that our Nathan will be protecting us.

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the
sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light.
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
that separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
 
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."
 
"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."
    
LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN
30th Naval Construction Regiment
OIC, Logistics Cell One
Al Taqqadum, Iraq