”“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”“
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭28‬-‭30‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Great Org!!

”Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.“
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Trust is a word most of us don’t throw around lightly. In combat, we trust in our own training, the training of our crew, the customer, the intel, the equipment, etc. Remember your first time in combat, then flash forward to your last. As our level of experience grows, we are able to function through chaos with a mindset and demeanor that is unteachable, it is only earned from the experience we gain through hardships, victories, defeats, “close calls”, good decisions, bad decisions, etc. I can think back through my Christian journey the same way. From where I started, to where I am today, all of the hardships, victories, defeats, etc., prepared me for today. Today I have a choice. I can go through life, with a “hair on fire” attitude; overreacting, overthinking, and trying to do things my way. Or I can walk with confidence and trust that He has a plan for me, and through the hardships, he has strengthened and emboldened me, preparing me for victory in His name. I pray I do it better today than yesterday. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

”Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.“
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The Hero Treatment program is a rehab facility here in Louisiana that treats veterans recovering from drug and alcohol addiction as well as PTSD. I just wanted to celebrate a victory in our community, 3 guys were baptized yesterday. They voluntarily left their life of addiction to pursue sobriety and recovery through the chain breaking, healing power of Jesus Christ.
”Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,“
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭103‬:‭2‬-‭4‬

I want to share a couple of verses that showcase the reality and understanding of who Jesus is through the eyes of the disciples. They shared their testimonies throughout the Roman Empire and beyond, in the synagogues and in the streets. They were beaten, ridiculed, and imprisoned, yet they carried on. One by one they were gruesomely executed, holding on to their faith until the last breath. With the knowledge of their brothers execution, they did not waiver in their mission. What they saw, they couldn’t keep to themselves, regardless of the cost. If you strip it down to the bare minimum act, they were killed for sharing “their” truth. With the literal risk of life and limb, how many of us would have just stopped sharing? What they saw in those 3 years had to be told. It removed the need to hold on to this life; they saw eternity. If you struggle with faith or believing, try starting here.

”That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.“
‭‭1 John‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I just wanted to give a quick shout out to @EMayers with The Jesus Pattern Page on FIV. We are always looking to sharpen our skills and broaden our knowledge, especially when it comes from the unique experiences and knowledge only found in our community. Eli will be leading and mentoring me through a 21 Day Challenge offered through The Jesus Pattern website www.thejesuspattern.com to facilitate the never ceasing journey of spiritual growth. Fall In Veteran has been instrumental in connecting our causes and collaboration in future endeavors. “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17 NIV