Please help me in Iraq

I’ve now got about two weeks before I leave Virginia for Baghdad, Iraq. I write for the Air Force, so every time I go somewhere my job is a little different. To prepare for this deployment, the Air Force sent me to advanced combat training; however, I’m not quite sure what my job will consist of this time. I do know God has my best interest in mind.

One of the most rewarding things about being in the military is representing Christ overseas. The military chaplains often say that Christians in the military are forward missionaries. But understand this: I’m definitely not a trained or qualified missionary. In fact, I’m sometimes concerned I might dishonor God’s name unintentionally. I’m well acquainted with the great self struggle Paul wrote about in Romans 7. Knowing this struggle against self will, I would be horrified to “fall” in front of Muslim Iraqi – which would likely be his first impression of a Christian. This reminds me how important it is to guard God’s character when we wear it. Hey, it must be important to him too; check out the third of the Ten Commandments.

Much of my concern also comes from the military crowd I spend a lot of my time with. You probably know the stereotype: troops are obnoxious, rowdy, crude, fowl mouthed, etc. (My wife is a welcome opposite of this.) After being in the military for nine years I’ve become somewhat desensitized to raucous behavior. I still find myself resisting temptations to conform – after nine years of fighting it! I guess we’re all somewhat a product of our environment. But this is one of the reasons I love being a part of Regent. Proverbs 13:20 reads like this: “He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will suffer.” Likewise, 1 Cor. 15:33 is similar: “Bad company ruins good character.” For this reason, some of my company requires me to spend quality time in the Word and in prayer.

So, brothers and sisters, I’m depending on my wife and you to be the wise people for me to walk with. Please help me counter some of my experience in the world, and help me along with prayer. I want very much to do the will of our Father while in modern-day Babylon. But I can’t do it without you. Knowing you’re with me in prayer encourages me – so I want to do the same for you. I welcome e-mails with prayer requests, because knowing more of you personally is an honor to me (plus it builds a network for the Kingdom.)

Introduction -- preparing for Iraq

Welcome to my Blog. My goal is to glorify God, and share my faith with those who will listen. This is an interesting time for me to blog because I’m scheduled to leave for Baghdad,Iraq, in early May. I plan to document some of my experiences with the war and the military, while attending classes on line.

For the next four to six months, much of my writing (but not all) will be about my experience in Iraq -- because I'll be there. Please understand that, as an Airman in the U.S. Air Force, what I write is not likely to be objective on the Iraq war; but only a narrow window of my personal experience. I don't have overall perspective. (Who does really?) Furthermore, my opinions don't constitute endorsement of the U.S. Air Force. I write as a student, not as an Air Force representative.

I'm not writing this to report news, but mainly to offer my insights. Because I’m a moderate patriot and believe in what we’re doing, I’m likely bias in favor of our country. This doesn’t mean I won’t be fair and honest, it just means I’m human. You have my assurance though, I will post with integrity.

My primary duty in the Air Force is print journalism. As a journalist, this is not my first experience with war; I have deployed to several places in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. There, I wrote about Soldiers and Airmen who fought, and who I fought with against the Taliban. Most of my stories focus less on news and more on personalities and human interest. For example, in Afghanistan we delivered large amounts of humanitarian aid such as blankets, non-perishable foods and water. I wrote on this. (The media isn’t likely to cover events like this because they lack several major news elements that sell: conflict, suspense, oddity, sensuality and death, to name a few. Unfortunately, the media is a commercial market and, as a business, they offer news that's most in demand.)

Throughout my blogging here, I'll also offer thoughts on my current scripture reading and my passions, to include how Judaism affects you and the modern world. My next post will highlight the Jewishness of Jesus.

I welcome your comments here and hope we can all learn from each other.