SCARS IN LIFE
(from the Internet, author unknown. ALTERED BY DRS)
Some years ago, on a hot summer day in south Florida, a little boy
decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole that was behind his house. In a hurry
to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes,
socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam
toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore.
In the house, his mother was looking out the window. She saw the two as
they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, she ran toward the water,
yelling to her son as loudly as she could.
Hearing her voice, the little boy became alarmed, and made a U-turn to
swim to his mother. It was too late. Just as he reached her, the 'gator reached
him.
From the dock, the mother grabbed her little boy by the arms, just as the
'gator snatched his legs. That began a very incredible tug-of-war between the
two.
The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother was much
too passionate to let go... (SHE HAD THE HEART OF A WARRIOR... OF A MOTHER
FIGHTING FOR HER YOUNG
A farmer happened to drive by, heard her screams, raced from his truck,
took aim, and shot the 'gator.
Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy
survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. On his arms,
there were deep scratches where his mother's fingernails dug into his flesh, in
her effort to hang on to the son she loved... SHE WOULD NOT QUIT... SHE WOULD NOT
LET GO!
The newspaper reporter, who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked
the boy if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. Then, with
obvious pride, he said to the reporter, "But look at my arms. I have great scars
on my arms, too. I have them because my Mom wouldn't let go."
================================================================
You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. Maybe
not from an alligator, but the scars of painful incidents. Some of those scars are
unsightly, and have caused us deep, seemingly permanent, emotional wounds. But, some
wounds, my friend, are because God (THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF) has refused
to let go. In the midst of your struggle, He's been right there, holding
on to you...
AND HOLDING YOU UP FOR SURVIVAL!
The Scripture teaches that God loves you. You are IMPORTANT TO HIM. He
wants to protect you, and provide for you in every NEED. But, sometimes, we
recklessly wade into dangerous situations, not knowing what lies ahead. The
swimming hole of life has it's peril ~ and we know that the enemy is waiting to
attack. That is when the tug-of-war begins. If you have the scars of His love on you,
be very, very grateful. It is not His nature to let you go.
HE WAS THERE IN THE TWIN TOWERS ON 9/11... AND IN EACH OF THE
AIRCRAFT...
HE WAS IN THAT LONELY FIELD IN PENNSYLVANIA...
HE WAS AT TRIPOLI... ANZIO... NORMANDY... GUADALCANAL... IWO JIMA...
THE CHOZEN RESERVOIR WITH THE FROZEN CHOSEN... IN EVERY BATTLE
FOR THE RIGHT, HE WAS THERE!
HE IS ON EVERY BEAT... IN EVERY PATROL CAR...
HE IS WITH THE SNIPER... THE DIVER... THE PILOT...
HE IS AND HAS BEEN WITH EVERY ONE OF HIS PEACE KEEPERS IN EVERY
PLACE THAT THEY HAVE EVER BEEN... AND EVER WILL BE... INCLUDING
FALUJAH ALL WEEK. FREEDOM AND LIBERTY ARE PART OF HIS BUSINESS.
(JOHN 8:32)
HE SET UP HIS AUTHORITY IN WHICH YOU FUNCTION AS PEACE KEEPERS...
AND HE MEANS FOR YOU TO HAVE AND USE THE WEAPONS OF DISCIPLINE
AND WAR TO SECURE FREEDOM AND PROTECT IT BY WHATEVER JUST
MEANS NECESSARY. YOU ARE HIS MINISTERS OF RIGHTNESS.(ROMANS
13:1-6)
FREEDOM AND PEACE ARE COSTLY AND IT DEMANDS A SPECIAL BREED OF
PERSON TO BE THE PEACE KEEPER TO SECURE THEM... SOMETIMES AT
THE COST OF INJURY, PAIN, BLOOD AND LIFE. HE PROVIDES THE WAY TO
AND FOR FREEDOM... AND WE ARE THE MEANS OF OBTAINING IT AND
KEEPING IT.
==============================================================
ALVIN YORK WAS SUCH A MAN. HE WAS A BACKWOODS, LIVE OFF THE LAND,
PASSIONATE MAN. THINGS DID NOT GO AS HE DESIRED AND HE STOOD TO
SPEND TIME INCARCERATED BECAUSE OF HIS PASSION FOR HIS DREAMS
AND HIS ANGER AT THOSE DREAMS BEING THWARTED. HE JOINED THE U.S.
ARMY.
IN THE ARMY HE THRIVED ON THE LIFE THAT OTHERS HATED. HE WAS
CONSIDERED TO BE ODD, STRANGE... EVEN OFF HIS ROCKER, CRAZY.
HE HAD PEACE WHEREVER HE WAS
HIS UNIT WENT TO WAR IN WW 1... HE AND HIS WHOLE UNIT WERE PINNED
DOWN UNDER MURDEROUS FIRE FROM ENEMY MACHINE GUN
EMPLACEMENTS... TO MOVE WAS TO DIE... TO STAY WAS TO DIE. ALVIN WAS
A HUNTER IN THE BACKWOODS. HE HUNTED WITH A RIFLE TO PUT FOOD
ON THE TABLE... TO MISS A SHOT WAS TO GO HUNGRY. HE WAS A
MARKSMAN.
AS HE CONSIDERED THE PINNED DOWN, DANGEROUS, DEADLY POSITION
OF HIMSELF AND HIS COMRADES AND SAW THEM BEING HIT AND WOUNDED
OR KILLED... HE FORMULATED A PLAN. HE WOULD CRAWL UNTIL HE COULD
FLANK THE GUNNERS AND SEE IF HE COULD GET IN A SHOT AT THEM.
BEING THE ACCOMPLISHED STALKER THAT HE WAS FROM HUNTING
EXPERIENCE HE ACCOMPLISHED A GOOD POSITION... RUBBED A LITTLE
SPIT ON HIS RIFLE SIGHT TO CLEAR AND SHINE IT... THEN HE GOBBLED
LIKE A WILD TURKEY. UP POPPED AN ENEMY GUNNER'S HEAD... AND THE
GUNNER WAS QUICKLY DISPATCHED FROM THIS LIFE BY A SINGLE SHOT,
THE SAME AS HE HAD DONE WITH MANY A TURKEY WHO RESPONDED TO
HIS TURKEY CALL.
HE REPEATED THIS ACTION UNTIL THE MACHINE GUNS WERE SILENCED
AND HE CAPTURED ALL THE ENEMY TROOPS ACCOMPANYING THE ENEMY
GUNNERS IN THEIR TRENCHES... AND SAVED THE LIVES OF HIS COMRADES
WHO HAD BEEN PINNED DOWN BY THE ENEMY FIRE.
WHEN ASKED HOW HE DID IT HE EXPLAINED IT FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF
A GOOD HUNTER. WHEN ASKED WHY HE TOOK THE CHANCE... HE SAID IT
WAS TO SAVE HIS FELLOW SOLDIERS... SOMETHING TO THE EFFECT, "I WAS
JUST DOING MY JOB."
HE KNEW HOW... HE KNEW WHY... HE WAS MAKING PEACE AND SAVING
LIVES... EVEN IF IT MEANT TAKING A CHANCE OF INJURY OR DEATH TO
HIMSELF... EVEN IF IT MEANT KILLING A FEW ENEMIES TO SAVE A LOT OF
ENEMIES AND HIS OWN FELLOW SOLDIERS. HE WAS A PEACE MAKER...
PEACE KEEPER... WARRIOR.
===============================================================
COST THIS WEEK...
===============================================================
PoliceOne.com (Sat., 11/06/04)
Officer down - 11/08/2004
Deputy Sgt. Thomas Bowman - [Walla Walla, Washington]
===============================================================
COURTESY OF;
Captain Mike Williams
Training Division Commander
Chattanooga Police Department
Officer Shot, Suspect Killed in Struggle
By Kristin Smith
Web produced by Christine Lasek
November 11, 2004
Detroit police are investigating a shooting that involved two officers
early Thursday
morning. Officers were called to a home for a domestic disturbance, but a
scuffle
inside left the suspect dead and an officer wounded. Detroit police say
an officer
from the 12th Precinct shot and killed a suspect after an intense
struggle. The
man was suspected of breaking and entering into his ex-girlfriend's home.
The incident occurred on Detroit's northwest side around 1 a.m. early
Thursday
morning.
Dutch police arrested two people after a violent 14-hour stand-off at a
house in
The Hague, in which four officers were wounded by a hand grenade.
Wisconsin: Agent had tireless devotion to duty. Family, colleagues mourn
state
officer killed on the line of duty.
http://www.jsonline.com/news/metro/nov04/274044.asp
Kentucky: Unknown Gunmen Open Fire On Police.
http://www.wave3.com/Global/story.asp?S=2553780&nav=0RZFT1pL
================================================================
IRAQ (VIRGINIAN-PILOT, SAT., 11/13/04)
U.S. TROOPS KILLED - 30
COALITION TROOPS KILLED - 1 BRITISH
U.S. TROOPS WOUNDED - 171
TOTAL U.S. TROOPS KILLED - 1158
TOTAL U.S. TROOPS WOUNDED - 8458
================================================================
I Received a letter from a Marine in Iraq this week. His message lays
heavily on
my thoughts. His message also inspired me to think still further about
the reality of
the battlefield... wherever your battlefield happens to be. There will
always be
fatalities in war... (whether in homeland security or on a foreign field)
and the reality
of death and dead bodies sooner or later. Some young Peace Keepers have
never
been near a dead body... never seen and smelled the accompanying odors...
these
things assault the senses the first time the experience takes place.
Often there is a
reaction of illness and nausea... even temporary debilitation.
Death is a remote possibility in the minds of the young... and never
thought on if it
can be avoided. Even when training brings it to attention the experience
of details
or photos are quickly pushed out of consciousness and buried under many
other
concerns... until the first sobering, up close and personal reality is
forced upon
them. Then often it does not sit well... especially if it is a buddy, a
friend or
someone of close relationship. Then the frailness of human life becomes
reality
all too quickly but along with that also comes the proof of how tough a
person can
be when the chips are down and action for survival or victory is
necessary. Often
we also learn that the human body can survive a lot of damage, STILL
FUNCTION
and recover... or be killed by what looks to be a non-serious wound.
Wherever
there is life death is not far away. THIS CYCLE HAS BEEN THIS WAY FOR A
VERY,
VERY LONG TIME... AND THE CYCLE WILL CONTINUE LONG AFTER YOU AND
I ARE NO LONGER PART OF IT. My Ops Manual for Life says, "...IT IS
APPOINTED
UNTO MEN (ALL PEOPLE) ONCE TO DIE..." (HEBREWS 9:27)
DO YOUR BEST... SERVE IN YOUR BEST EFFORTS... WE ALL HAVE AN
APPOINTMENT TO KEEP WITH OUR GRADUATION FROM THIS LIFE AND IT
WILL COME TO US IN HIS TIME FOR US IF WE DO THE BEST WE CAN DO...
AND PUT OUR TRUST IN HIM, HIS PLAN AND HIS WAY. HE WILL SEE TO THE
REST THAT WE CANNOT DO... AND FORGIVE US OUR MISTAKES AS WE ASK
HIM TO FORGIVE... (MATTHEW 6:9-13, 1 JOHN 1:9). "FOR HE HAS NOT GIVEN
US A SPIRIT OF FEAR, BUT OF POWER AND LOVE AND A SOUND MIND.
(2 TIMOTHY 1:7)
I had seen a number of dead friends and relatives by the time I was a
recruit in
the Virginia State Police... but I remember my first close encounter...
and it was in
a training film... but it still made me queasy. Then in Basic School
they took us to
the Medical College of Virginia to view an autopsy. The Medical Examiner
made
this experience up close and personal. He passed body parts around to
each
of us in a lab tray. The body was that of an old man who had smoked all
of his life.
The autopsy was done in an old, open amphitheater and we were all close
to the
doctor and his work.
The body was skinny, bent and wrinkled. We witnessed the full autopsy...
every
single detail. I will never forget the sights, the textures, the
smells... and this body
had been soaked in formaldehyde for some time before we saw it. Hands on
reality is a tough teacher... but sometimes the only one we get to
experience.
Not much warm up or warning... Suddenly it is there. I have seen bodies
of all
ages in every kind of condition since that first experience. After a
while you learn
to handle it... maybe you never get used to it... but you learn to handle
it.
Such is the reality of the battlefield whether in homeland security or on
a foreign
field. Sometimes I have to tell myself, " this too shall pass."... and
continue until
it is over and behind me.
Battle also becomes very different when it is real and not just
training...
no matter how realistic the training is. To hear a bullet whiz by is
sobering reality.
To hear the sounds of battle in your own ears... whether it is arresting
someone
who is resisting and trying to overcome you... an attack by an enemy on
your
guard post... or the carrying the battle to an enemy who is dug in or
barricaded
and knows that you are coming... you must prepare your mind, spirit and
body
as best you can before hand or you may not survive. That is why all
training for
Peace Keepers should be as realistic as possible. You become a true
veteran
after your first baptism of fire or fight where you struggled for
survival and victory...
AND THAT FIRST FIGHT MAY SEEM LIKE HELL BEFORE THE VICTORY IS
ACHIEVED!
THE RESOLVE INSTILLED IN EACH RECRUIT... THE RESILIENCE POUNDED
INTO THE BODY... THE TOUGHNESS OF MIND AND SPIRIT... PREPARATION
AND ATTITUDE. THIS IS OUR PLACE IN LIFE TO OCCUPY AND FUNCTION
THEREIN... WE MUST LEARN THAT VERY QUICKLY. IF IT IS NOT OUR PLACE
IN LIFE WHEREIN TO FUNCTION WE ALSO MUST LEARN THAT VERY QUICKLY
... USUALLY FLUNKING OUT IN BASIC SCHOOL OR LEAVING VERY SHORTLY
THEREAFTER.
ONE WHO IS CALLED TO IT AND KNOWS IT CAN FUNCTION WELL IF TRAINED
WELL... CAN EVEN FUNCTION THERE IF NOT TRAINED WELL BUT THEN THEY
MUST OBTAIN EDUCATION BY TRIAL AND ERROR... EXPERIENCE,
EDUCATION WITHOUT PREPARATION, TAKES LONGER AND CAN BE COSTLY
IN THE PROCESS. WE MUST KNOW THAT WE CAN DO IT ON THE INSIDE OF
US BEFORE WE CAN EVER PROVE IT IN DAILY LIFE AND ACTIONS.
PEACE KEEPERS/WARRIORS COME IN ALL SIZES, ALL COLORS AND BOTH
SEXES. IT IS NOT HOW WE APPEAR ON THE OUTSIDE THAT MAKES US
EFFECTIVE (THOUGH SOMETIMES IT HELPS). WHAT COMES FROM THE
INSIDE AND CONTROLS THE OUTSIDE... THAT IS WHAT MAKES US
EFFECTIVE. TRAIN YOUR THINKING AND YOUR SPIRIT. THEY ARE YOUR
KEYS TO LIFE, SURVIVAL AND VICTORY.
FIGHTING FOR LIFE, LIBERTY, PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS AND FREEDOM
IS A COMMITMENT THAT GUARANTEES LIFE. YOU OFTEN MUST INITIALLY
GIVE UP YOUR PEACE AND LIBERTY TO OBTAIN PEACE AND LIBERTY FOR
OTHERS. THIS IS WHERE THE ATTITUDE, EFFORTS AND ACTIONS MUST
COME FORTH FROM US AS THEY WERE DISPLAYED IN THE STORY OF THE
MOTHER, HER SON AND THE ALLIGATOR. AS LONG AS THERE IS LIFE AND
BREATH YOU DO NOT GIVE IN.
EACH OF YOU ARE WHERE YOU ARE AS YOU READ THIS ARTICLE BECAUSE
THAT IS WHERE YOU CHOSE TO BE... OR YOU CHOSE TO LET SOMEONE
ELSE TELL YOU TO BE THERE BECAUSE YOU WERE WILLING TO GO WHERE
NEEDED. I AM REMINDED OF TWO OF THE ISRAELITE SPIES IN THE OLD
TESTAMENT.
TWELVE WERE SENT OUT TO SCOUT THE PROMISED LAND OF CANAAN.
WHEN THEY RETURNED TEN SAID, "NO WAY... THEY ARE TOO STRONG FOR
US." TWO SAID, "THEY ARE JUST PEOPLE THAT WE HAVE BEEN TOLD TO
DEFEAT AND REMOVE FROM THE LAND... WE CAN DO IT BECAUSE OF THE
LIVING GOD." THE CROWD BELIEVED THE TEN AND THEY WANDERED
AROUND THE DESERT ANOTHER FORTY YEARS. NONE OF THOSE WHO
BELIEVED IN DEFEAT WOULD EVER ENTER THE PROMISED LAND... BUT
THE TWO WHO BELIEVED THEY COULD AND WOULD ENTER THE PROMISED
LAND (THE TWO SPIES WITH THE RIGHT ATTITUDE) OUTLIVED THE
UNBELIEVERS... THEIR NAMES WERE JOSHUA AND CALEB.
JOSHUA BECAME THE LEADER IN MOSES' PLACE. CALEB WAS EIGHTY
YEARS OLD. WHEN THE AREAS TO CONQUER WERE GIVEN OUT TO THE
TRIBES CALEB SAID," I WANT THE MOUNTAINS WHERE THE GIANTS LIVE."
THAT BECAME HIS ASSIGNMENT AND HE WENT AND CONQUERED THE
GIANTS AND TOOK THE MOUNTAINS AS HIS LAND... BECAUSE HE BELIEVED
HE COULD EVEN WHEN MOST OTHERS, EXCEPT JOSHUA, DID NOT BELIEVE
ANYONE COULD ENTER THAT LAND AND WIN IT FOR THEIR OWN USE.
GOD GAVE THEM THE LAND BUT THEY HAD TO GO IN AND DISPLACE THE
CURRENT OCCUPANTS OF THE LAND AND REMOVE THEM IF THEY WERE
GOING TO OBEY ORDERS.
SO IT IS WITH US TODAY. FREEDOM HAS BEEN HANDED DOWN TO US BY
THOSE BEFORE US WHO FOUGHT FOR IT AND SECURED IT. NOW IT IS OUR
TIME TO FIGHT TO KEEP IT SECURED. IF WE WANT IT WE MUST BE WILLING
TO PAY THE COST FOR IT. EACH OF YOU ARE NOW COMMITTED TO THAT
ACTION... SECURING FREEDOM AND ALL OF ITS CONSTITUENT BENEFITS.
THANK YOU... ETERNALLY I THANK YOU. MY COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF AND I
THANK YOU, LOVE YOU AND APPRECIATE YOU.
IF AN ENEMY MUST BE DEFEATED THEN WE MUST KNOCK HIM DOWN AND
OUT AND KEEP HIM DOWN AND OUT... OR THERE WILL BE NO LIBERTY.
IF WE ARE NOT WILLING TO DEFEND IT, THEN IT WILL NOT LAST. IT WILL
FADE FROM THE EARTH.
BE CAREFUL IN THE FIGHT. TAKE THE BEST POSSIBLE CARE OF YOURSELF
UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES. REST WHEN YOU CAN BUT DO NOT BE
CARELESS. SOMEONE MUST ALWAYS BE ALERT, WATCHFUL AND
SUSPICIOUS... SOMEONE MUST ALWAYS BE ON GUARD WATCHING OVER
THE RESTING AND WATCHING OUT FOR THE ENEMY. AS YOU DO ALL OF
THIS BE SURE AND TAKE CARE OF YOUR INNER PERSON JUST AS WELL SO
THAT POWER WILL BE THERE WHEN YOU NEED IT. YOU DO YOUR PART IN
THIS AND MY COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF WILL SEE TO THE REST.
"...ACT JUSTLY, LOVE MERCY AND WALK HUMBLY WITH YOUR GOD" ( MICAH
6:8 NIV).
CALL OR WRITE IF I MAY BE OF ANY ASSISTANCE. THANKS TO ALL OF YOU
WHO HAVE WRITTEN IN THE PAST WEEKS.
WITH THE DEEPEST OF LOVE, CARE, CONCERN AND RESPECT FOR ALL
PEACE KEEPERS AND ALL OF THOSE IN THE SUPPORT SYSTEMS...
Be Blessed (a condition to be envied by the world), Be Successful. Be
SAFE.
Chaplain D.R.Staton, VBPD (Don, C1), VSP ALUMNI, 757-431-2190
SENIOR CHAPLAIN & CERTIFIED POLICE OFFICER SERVING AS
Director of Volunteer Chaplains, IN GOD I TRUST, IN CHRIST I LIVE!!!
FOR HIM... FOR YOU... WITH YOU I SERVE... chpln1@juno.com
3709 Beacon Lane, Virginia Beach, VA 23452