Here’s a blog that I started a while back but I’m just now getting it online:
As God’s fellow workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For he says,
“In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:1-2
Well, I am here in Iraq. Getting here was pretty wild, with the longest air flight I’ve ever taken, hanging out in the Dubai Airport, and then taking a military flight into Iraq. I’ve traveled quite a bit this past year, and I’d venture to guess that about 75% of my flights have been delayed or cancelled. However, I’ve always gotten home in time, haven’t missed any deadlines, and usually sailed through airports smoothly. I always pray for “favor” when I travel…what does that mean? Well, to me that means finding the helpful ticket agent, not the grumpy one, who is willing to go the extra mile or bend the rules a bit to fit common sense…it means not being hassled by customs in a foreign country when you might not be the most popular guy in the airport…it means that your outbound flight is delayed just long enough for you to run from your late connecting flight. It may sound little, but it really helps…
I have been blessed by “Favor” so many times that I can’t even count them. I stopped in to Barnes & Noble before I left for Iraq (one last grande half-caf latte…) and sat in the little cafe reading a newspaper. I was in uniform, and a man came up to me and wanted to pray for me. I said, “sure!” and he began to pray. The funny thing is, he didn’t pray for my safety, didn’t pray to bring me back soon to my family, didn’t even pray to “smite the Muslims,” he prayed that I would enjoy Excellence and Favor.
That blew me away.
And even better, from the time I stepped foot in Iraq, I have seen Favor, and from what people tell me, I’ve done well too. :) I have been blessed with opportunities that you wouldn’t believe… I’ve been selected for positions of leadership and honor without even asking or even realizing at first… and I hope I’ve done my duty with excellence. And through all that, I’ve had supernatural protection and strength to get me through my tours in Iraq.
Continue to pray for me and my family, that we will enjoy “Excellence and Favor.” I’ll pray the same for you…