My interaction with the different branches of the armed forces is varied. My dad served two years in the army before he married mom, but rarely talks about his experience. As I was growing up, I can remember airmen from Whiteman Air Force base occasionally dropping by to look at the area that ran through the farm where the cable line was buried, eventually connecting to the then active missile silo just north of the farm. Over the years I've had numerous students, fellow church members, or parents of one of the school students serve in the military. Having them come back safely from their overseas tour and share their experience has been a blessing, an eye-opening encounter, and a time for reflection on how truly fortunate I am to be living in America all rolled into one. And who can miss the planes. In Arkansas, the noise of a C-130 alerted me to its presence, while a quickly moving shadow on my parent's farm ground foretold the presence of the B-2 Stealth bomber overhead.

Tuesday marks the 90th anniversary of the ending of World War I, "the war to end all wars." Fighting ceased on November 11, 1918, at 11:00 a.m. between the Allied nations and Germany. The actual treaty to officially end the war wasn't signed until a little over seven months later in Versailles, France. Even though at the time, it was felt that WWI was "The Great War," we can say that since then we have engaged in other combats with greater intensity and loss of life to fight for a moral cause.

Each of us has been enlisted into the Lord's army on the day of our baptism, the day the Holy Spirit entered into our heart and planted that seed of faith. Being a member in this Christian army varies in our day to day interactions with family, friends, and co-workers. We sometimes boldly fight for the cause while other times we are AWOL. It's easy to stand up for what is right when others are around to defend the actions and words that are being spoken for the welfare of the kingdom. It's a lot tougher when one feels they are the only one on the front line and everyone else has retreated.

However, the commander of the army daily empowers each of us to serve Him for the betterment of His kingdom. He opens the door and equips us to be the defenders of His Word. He would like all people to enter into the gates of heaven, and He has asked each of us to be the ambassadors to go and share the message. This sharing gets a lot easier when one is outfitted for service through daily devotions, interacting with other Christians in Bible study and worship opportunities, and prayer, growing closer to Him and understanding His battle plan.

Please join me in accepting the orders from our Spiritual Commander to go where Jesus wants us to go, to share the story far and wide, because we have been equipped to be a member of the Lord's army!

Enjoying the ride,

Jane

I may never march in the infantry, ride in the cavalry, shoot the artillery. I may never zoom o'er the enemy, But I'm in the Lord's Army.

I may never dress up in army clothes, Wear a helmet on my heard, wear boots around my toes. But I will go where Jesus wants me to go, Cause I'm in the Lord's army. Yes sir!