The Ripple Effect of God's Grace

The ripple effect of the Lord’s love and grace in my life is truly amazing. Every step and turn of this earthly journey is filled with dangers, temptations, worries, illness, "baggage" and trials. I am only now recognizing, through God’s grace, that the more I focus on Him and pray on giving up those trials, worries and "the baggage" to Him, the more help and relief He gives me. More sign posts come into view.

His grace is everywhere. All I have to do is pray for His guidance and His will be done in my life. No longer is my journey a lonely inward drive on a dry, desert road with no navigation points in sight. It has become a road of beautiful vistas, rivers, snow capped mountain views and blooming flowers. The further I journey down that road of faith with Him the more signs He reveals.

The stone of good news dropped in the desert forms a dust cloud that dissipates in the wind. Or that same dust cloud can soon build into a storm that will obscure and obliterate everything in its path. That same stone of Christ dropped into a pond forms a ripple that spread the good news outward, endlessly intersecting other objects along the way forming new ripples.

He does not let me journey alone. The outward ripples of faith in Christ from the love of my life Valerie and my children are always close and multiplied. If only I could constantly let those ripples wash over me and flow within me instead of pulling my head below the surface to avoid them. God’s will be done, I can.

How could I know, by extending a hand of support to Scott and Tanya in their time of trial with Ethan's cancer, that their ripples would wash back over me? Their faith, love of Christ, scriptures, comments, and posts on the hospital Care Pages for Ethan, is helping me cope with Sam being in danger in Iraq.

The more I travel with Him, the more ripples are revealed. More road signs, waypoints and believers come into view to make my journey easier. The more hands I extend, the more hands are extended to me.

Like the lyrics of one our favorite Christian songs…

Our God is an awesome God….

Jay
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Scott and Tanya’s post on CarePages,
March 09, 2007 at 07:41 AM EST

1 John 5:14 (NIV)
"This is the confidence that we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we have asked of him."

Tour of Anchorage

Gretchen Russell Chamberlain
You are one, truly amazing...GIRL!!!!!!

40k Women's Freestyle (24.8 miles)
Cross-country Ski Race
March 4, 2007

Place #174 Gretchen Chamberlain 5:26:09.8

Isaiah 40:29-31
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will ski and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

"God is Our Refuge and Strength.."

Psalm 46 (NIV)

God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.

God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.

Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Come and see the works of the LORD,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.

He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear,
he burns the shields with fire.

Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."

The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Army Hummer

Saturday, March 3, 2007 1:24 PM

Mom, Dad,

Sounds like you both had a great weekend together.

Work is busy. I've gotten into a routine, and hopefully the next 17 days will fly by. I've been getting up early the last two days and working out before coming into work, that really really helps my day, then I don't feel guilty when I miss an afternoon workout, and evening workout. I ride the stationary bike for 20 min, then run on the treadmill 20 min, and finish lifting weights for 30 min or so. I was just getting real burned out running laps around the FOB everyday, even though the tread mill never was my favorite.

Wish I was at home now to watch the Iditarod, but maybe next year...

I love the picture of Mom with the Army Truck. That truck looks a lot nicer then the hummers we drive around Iraq, with a lot less armor, and guns...

Love, Sam

Sapper Platoon Leader

Subject: Sapper PL in April
Sunday, March 04, 2007 2:10 PM

So tonight, LTC Balcavage, my current Battalion commander, talked with LTC Roth, the BSTB (Brigade Special Troops Battalion) Battalion commander, and I guess they're planning on moving me to BSTB in April, to be a platoon leader finally. I will take over for Lt Hintz, as 1st Platoon Leader, A Co, BSTB. That platoon is stationed at FOB Falcon, just south of Baghdad, near the "green zone", and they work solely for 1-40th CAV, 4-25th, so I would be in the same brigade, but assigned to one battalion, and task organized to work for another.

I'm sure that sounds confusing, but its actually a good thing, the other two platoons in the A Company (Sapper Company) work for the Brigade, meaning they go all over the battle space and have several "bosses". Being solely attached to 1-40th CAV means I work for just one battalion commander and his infantry/cavalry, battalion.

Not sure yet what the date is, he just said April, that could be the begining of April, or whenever I get back from leave...

Talk to you later,
Love, Sam

“Be still and know that I am God…”

CPT Dan Hardin
Chaplain 1-501st PIR
FOB Iskan, Iraq
March Geronimo Newsletter

“Be still and know that I am God…”
When I get in to situations that are difficult, God often recalls scripture to my mind or brings someone across my path carrying His word. The words, “Be still and know that I am God” are found in the Psalms and in the prophets. They bring me great comfort in times of trouble.

We all know Iraq is a dangerous place. But danger is everywhere. Trouble is everywhere. Sickness, disease, problems with children, betrayal, the temptations of this world, and challenges exist in everywhere. When times of trouble come, I get nervous. Sometimes in my naiveté and immaturity I wonder what I did to get God upset. I don’t like it. And I confess, I get fidgety- full of nervous energy. It is almost like I need to do something in my apparent helpless state. So I rush around looking for answers. I cry out to everyone and God in panic. It is about that time when I hear that still small voice inside of me saying, “my son, be still- let me handle it.”

One of the greatest things about being in relationship with God, besides being forgiven and accepted, is to know He is in control and He has a plan and purpose for our life. I love to hear those words, “Be still and know I am God.” In that moment, I find peace and strength to endure. The problem does not always go away in the way I would like or in my timing. However, I find the resources to manage and thrive in the stress.

I encourage you to respond to the voice of God in your moment of need and troubled hour. Relax. Give it to Him. When you have fulfilled your obligations and did all you can do, trust him. He cares for you and watches over you. He is a present help in times of trouble. Give him your stress and worry. Lay your burdens down at the feet of the Lord and allow his grace, love, and mercy to flow into your life situation.

The Geronimos and I really appreciate your love and support. Keep the prayers going up- they are working miracles over here. Keep the emails, letters, and care packages coming over- they are life to us. May God bless you richly and keep you until we are reunited.

Iditarod Start, a Fur Piece Away From Iraq

(Click photos to enlarge)

Check out the handheld radio and ear piece. I am guessing he is one of the local hams who were helping with communications for the race.