When a Warrior Focuses on Humanity

I was looking for a contact’s name on Ft. Hood’s website and saw links to several really neat articles. We have troops stationed in Africa helping them build an infrastructure. Kenyan officials visited West Point… we have people everywhere doing so many great things.

I clicked on this article because the picture was so touching. A female Sergeant is smiling down while she holds a tiny Afghan baby boy who is curiously looking up at her. The article is touching. They discovered this little boy just a few months old with all sorts of medical complications AND malnourished. The medics took him in and are providing around the clock care as he recovers from surgeries. He is still with them and is now 7 months old. If he was left alone, not only would he have died before he turned 1 year old, he probably would have been left in on an empty mat with no one to hold him and hug him. Babies NEED affection, humans need connection. I always imagine soldiers as hard warriors, with rough edges, decked out in gear and guns. This is a nice image of a different kind of warrior.

I get annoyed when people say why not be a missionary in America, people need you. YES, they do, desperately and we have soooooo many programs in place and available and most of the time those programs and resources are abused or just plain unappreciated. PLUS, I’m here 50 weeks out of the year, what’s two weeks loving on someone in another country? What’s so wrong with spending our time and money to rescue the rest of the world from death and destruction?

I’ll get off my soap box now – point is, this is a really touching article and I thought you would enjoy reading what our troops are up to over there.

Follow this link for the story:
http://www.army.mil/-news/2009/03/11/18092-special-ops-medical-troops-help-sick-afghan-baby/



Excerpt from the article:
In the meantime, Ramazan, now 7 months old, has found nothing but warmth and affection from the CJSOTF-A medical troops. Caregivers said the wide-eyed baby loves to be held and played with; thankfully, there are always troops on hand to shower him with hugs and kisses."Ramazan's presence here showcases the 'softer' side of Special Operations, the side that focuses not on kinetics, but on humanity," said a medic who helps provide extensive around-the-clock care for the baby.

Walk in Boldness and Truth

Sweet Cheli,

My sister, my dear. I'm not sure what happened yesterday but please don't apologize to me. Your heart sounds like it is in enough turmoil. You did not do me wrong by needing to hear a friendly voice. I only wish I could have been available. Last night was weird. I was so incredibly tired I could hardly drive home. I came straight home, washed my face and fell asleep on my couch. I never even made it to my bedroom. My phone was still on silent the whole time so I missed all your calls.

One message said you felt like I don't support your heart for missions....

Cheli, that is FAR from the truth.

Keep this fire burning- your tender and merciful heart is exactly what will take you to the nations... but hear this: you still have preparation to do. God can still use you today- and has already used you- but if your heart is truly called to the life of a missionary, then you have MUCH growing and preparation to do. Of all the things you could be doing right out of high school, and of all the colleges and universities you could have gone to... the Lord opened doors for you in San Angelo. Imagine all the doors he will continue to open for you so that you may fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel for His name's sake. All I know is that I went to college with one intention... and the Lord created in me an entirely new spirit and restored my joy in the fullness of His strength and sovereignty. I may never have seen God the way I did and do now if it weren't for the people I met at A&M. I may not be where I am now if it weren't for the paths I chose with my major, my job, my friends...

You already have a heart for people and for sharing your joy and your purpose. Going to school won't change that- nor will it trap you or keep you from fulfilling that dream. You WILL travel to many places... but for now, God needs you to be exactly where you are. He still has some preparation and teaching for you.

Your flesh is weak, last night proves that... but your flesh will always be weak. You felt discouraged and you responded with alcohol and a blade. You MUST understand before you allow your thoughts to go any further- that God is the only reason you have any hope or joy- He is the reason for your joy, your blessings- He will pursue you and restore you and lift you up in HIS kingdom in His time.

Take deep breaths- my continual prayer for you is strength of heart and faith. Rest in truth that you cannot see. Run from this darkness- command it to leave you. Flee from this place of pain- it has no right or authority to hold you. You are a child of God- walk in that light....

Boldness. That's my word for you. You have a fiery passion beyond your own comprehension- embrace that passion and use it to glorify the Lord. Refuse any thoughts that are focused on you. You are a child of God and as such you have power and authority- you have purpose, strength, love, joy, peace- all these truths are yours to claim- so claim them. Look deep inside your pain. Are your questions directed to how 'you' feel, and how 'you' can be happy instead of how God can and will be glorified no matter what?- because no matter what happens to you, you know God will never leave you nor forsake you that He will bind up your broken heart and put within you a Spirit of Joy.

I whole heartedly support your heart for and call to missions- go every chance you get- but do not go because you want to or because you think it is neat or fulfilling. Go because God's word has spoken to you- Go because the LORD has commanded you to- even if that means you may die, or be sick, or lose all that you have and know. Go because God told you to.

Let Him prepare your heart and your faith.

Cheli, your response to this call in your heart last night had everything to do with your pain and nothing to do with His glory and majesty and power over this world.

Let God take care of you- Let God rescue you.

I love you always and forever!! You are my sister and my friend. Nothing can separate you from the Love of God- NOTHING, and because our friendship is founded and grounded in that truth- you, my dear, are forever my friend.... no matter what you say or do.

I mean it!
love and hugs,
joy

Rest ... He's God.

I love you too Cheli-

Rest.

I know life is crazy around you but you MUST find rest and security in knowing that God is always with you, always protecting you, always providing a way for you...especially a way out of trouble.

Until you are able to rest in God- until your heart, mind, and soul finds comfort in knowing He's in control... you will feel overwhelmed, and pained, and sad. REST in His unchanging love.

Fear and anger puts up walls and blocks you from seeing what God is trying to teach you and where He is leading you. He's speaking to you, open your ears and your heart and listen.

Be still- He's God.

Community is Necessary

To a friend who kept going home from college every weekend her freshman year. She said she needed to come home and get a hug. I kept encouraging her to stay there and to build relationships. She was struggling with being angry at God for different cirucmstances in her life and was having a hard time getting past the pain of knowing she had been upset with and even yelled at God.
----------------------

Darling girl,

You have more strength than you realize. I AM praying for you. I'm glad you are staying there this weekend. You're not missing out on a chance to get a hug... you're gaining a beautiful chance to deepen relationships there. I'm so proud of who you are and what you are striving for.

Do not feel bad about yelling at God. MoM says, everyone who is truly walking with God has come to that point some time or another in life. He still loves you. He knows your heart. You WILL have peace.

Moments have come your way, joys, people, friendships... and more will come. Don't rush them and don't push them away either. TRUST in TRUTH. TRUST that God is providing for you and preparing a way for you.

I love you very much and I care so much about you. You are my precious little sister and my heart is in constant prayer for you for: Learning, teaching, growing, peace, joy, love, understanding, trust, FREEDOM.

I won't even be here for the next few weekends. So you see, it's good for you to remain there. You need time and opportunities to meet people there to share life with. Take time to build community... community is necessary for your growth and your encouragement.

Chin up- confidence- and let your confidence come from the truth you live in.

a million hugs,
joy

Fall in Love with a Warrior

Hear this as I say it with all the love in my heart. I love you. So many people in your life love you... not just me. Look around you. Remind yourself of all the friendships you've made over the years and remember the blessings you live in. I wish I could pick up everything and just come visit any time I wanted to but I can't. Please don't ever think I'm ignoring you or that I don't care about you. Neither of those are anywhere near truth.

I have life here that needs me and that I need. Everyday my mind renews itself to the idea that I'm nothing without Christ. All my hard work and my words... all my sweat and tears... it's all worthless if it's not glorifying the Lord. My flesh is weak, a lot, and I'm constantly resting on God. I used to be afraid of the unknown but now I embrace it. I KNOW my God loves me, guides me, and has a perfect and pleasing plan for me- as His child- as His ambassador- as a reflection of His character... and not to bless me simply because I'm me but to bless me so that I may turn around and BE A BLESSING with the purpose of praising the Lord.

I am not enough for you.... I need you to hear the truth and sincerity of that statement. I fear you are teaching yourself to place a heavy amount of your happiness in me and I will never be enough. I can love you, and talk to you, encourage & counsel you, and pray for you and I plan to continue to do those things... but I will never ultimately be enough to fill you or to renew you or even to give you strength and confidence. I can speak only truth into your life. I can pray and battle your fears with you and for you but the conviction and teaching of the Holy Spirit in your life, that is what will build you, mold you, shape you into the character of Christ.

God will reveal Himself to you as you discover more about His love, His heart, His desire for you in His kingdom... fall in love with Him- know His heart- put your entire self into knowing Him and making Him known not just to speak words or say what people may want or need to hear- KNOW God and make Him known. Fall in Love with a mighty warrior - Fall in love with God Almighty.

I'm falling asleep at my computer- I hope this makes sense. I love you sister. I'm praying for you continually.
j.joy

Rejoice in Trials?

I rejoice in trials... and I finally know what Paul means when he writes about that in scripture. YOU are God's child. You bear His name, therefore HE WILL PROTECT and guide you. You see, as a little version of His heart here on earth, it's impossible for Him to leave you to flounder. It's impossible for him to leave you.

These times when you are standing in the fire- rejoice and listen to what the Spirit is telling you. Spend your prayer times in fasting. Several times in scripture men would separate themselves and go into prayer and fasting so they could talk to and spend time with the Lord without distraction.

Fire refines you. He's making your heart look more like His.

Do you have an older woman in the church who can counsel you??? We are not created to be refined alone. We NEED fellowship and support...literally... when we feel like we're going to fall.

In Exodus there is a story of when Joshua led the Israelites out to battle and Moses when to the top of the hill with the staff of the Lord in his hands. Moses raised his arms up in prayer while Israel battled... and Israel prevailed. Moses arms were heavy and tired and he let them down. When he did this the enemy began to prevail over Israel. So Aaron and Hur slid a rock beneath Moses to sit on and they each stood on his sides, holding his arms up - and Moses held his hands up in prayer and praise until the sun set.

Don't you dare let your arms down. And find you some warriors who can physically be with you.

Surround yourself with the Lord.

I Couldn't Sleep...

Hey Chels,

I couldn't sleep.

I'm not thinking about anything in particular ... in fact, it's probably that I'm thinking about all kinds of things that my mind can't just rest.

I came home exhausted and ready to crawl into bed. I got to spend this evening with my dear friend Becky. Yesterday was her birthday so she invited some friends over to her apartment courtyard to BBQ with the neighbors. Becky is a special girl. She and I are very much alike.

Becky really wants to know her neighbors and to share her life with them. She was so pleased to spend time with them AND her friends together in community.

I got to thinking about how my heart works, how God wired me. I'm someone who loves to be connected. I live life with a lot of people and some I'm closer to than others, of course, but I genuinely want to know and to learn from every person who enters my life... if even just for a moment.

I used to be so intentional. I'm realizing more about myself every day. I tend to cram so much into one day... so much that sometimes people get left out. It's not that I want to ignore any one of them... I just want to be near all of them... and so I end up spreading myself too thin.

I don't ever want you to feel ignored. Yes, I'm busy and I have my own life going on and I have a job and family who needs me sometimes... but know you are and always will be special to me. No matter how busy I get or how far apart we are, KNOW without a doubt that you will always come to my mind and I will always smile. God had our paths cross at a very specific time in life. Almost a year ago actually now that I think about it.

Maybe we won't get to talk every day and share life’s deepest thoughts but I DO faithfully believe God connected us so we could both see TRUTH in action.

NEVER ever feel left alone. NEVER ever feel unloved. ALWAYS know you are protected, ALWAYS know you are loved, ALWAYS know you have power in the joy of the Lord.

If you love God and remain in Him, then He'll remain in you... and you will be one. (John 17 I think) Perfect love casts out fear (also scripture) so allow calm and joy to fill you to the brim. If God is in you, then every inch of you is light and reflects light. So when scripture says 'whatever you do, whether eating or drinking, do it for the Lord' it's because He is in you and you are in Him and so you are one with His spirit... and so when you go through life... good, bad, ugly, scary, wonderful... you bring God with you... as a part of you, like the skin that covers your bones- you are the same.

Matt had a beautiful Sermon last week about what it looks like to be connected to Christ and what it looks like to drag Him through the dark places in our lives. I don't want to drag my Christ in any dark places in my life that's for sure. It sure gripped my heart and reminded me of my perspective on life.

http://media.austinstone.org/

You, my Cheli, are very special to me, but because God and I are one, you are special to me because God loved you first... and showed me how much so we could love you together.

I'm sorry I cannot always answer my phone. I'm not always the best at returning a phone call to anyone... good thing the president never calls me. I just thought of that. Never feel like I'm gone or too far. If anything, our bond in Christ keeps us closer than anything.

Have a blessed day... all day.
.joy

The Lord is a Warrior. Warrior is His name.

A letter to a friend whose struggle was with being unable to rest in God's grace:

Hey sweet girl. I got your email and will write you a longer message but for now I will say this:

The Lord still has you in His grip no matter how far away you feel from Him. He is mighty and just, kind and loving but He is also a warrior fighting for your heart, mind and body.

Choose your actions carefully. In all you do, choose to Glorify God. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Where your heart dwells, your mind will dwell and your mouth will speak the same. What is your treasure in life?

Psalms 16:11
In the presence of the Lord is found the fullness of joy

Thy Kingdom Come

SUMMER 2007

Cheli...sweet sister of mine.

I left Zambia just a few days ago wondering why I wasn't filled with tears like the rest of my friends. I was sad to go and would go right back there if I could.

I was writing my latest note of God's pure love and protection over us as you were sending me your note of pain and despair...and hope. Tears immediately filled my eyes as I read your words. We never leave the battlefield... whether in the desert of Africa or right here at home. I am praising God for your ability to see Him through words... and from the story of someone you don’t' even know. But you see we do know each other. We both have pain. We've both been tricked and held down by chains and have needed freedom. I'm always amazed, never surprised, by the ability and power of the Holy Spirit within us.

You are amazing my little Cheli. The truth you see has not been revealed to you by flesh and blood but by the power of the Holy Spirit. I am in prayer for you tonight and right now...right this moment. I pray that you will receive a renewed strength in Jesus' name. I pray that you not only realize your freedom in Christ but that you FEEL free in Christ.Thank you for sharing your heart. Thank you for trusting me that much. I love you my sweet sister. I love your joy and your tears.If my trip to Africa was only to save your heart and comfort your heart...then it's all been worth it. I'm praying for healing.

BIG TIME HUGS,
jenjoy

How Can You Trust a Chair and Not Trust God?

My heart's response to a friend who was struggling with self pain, self doubt, and missed joy:

Cheli- These thoughts do not own you.

Step outside yourself for a moment- Do you trust God to take care of your life? Do you trust that He will restore your strength and fill you with joy. I so wish you were sitting next to me at church today. Truth was spoken in full.

My prayer for you is that you will take all that you hear and read in scripture- that you will take those truths and - trust in them- that by believing in and trusting in them you may have life in Jesus' name. And by life I mean, the fullest blessing in human existence.

Full life is found only in Jesus Christ- it is not enough to know God loves you and to believe in him. I believe in my kitchen chair to hold my weight but when I sit in it without wavering- that's when I actually trust in the chair to hold me without breaking to pieces and I sit in chairs all the time without a second thought- no doubts- just down I go and they all hold me just fine.

Do not simply believe in God or just know truth- for even the demons believe that Jesus is God and that He is the Messiah (why do you think they try so hard to keep the world [you] from joy?).

TRUST in God, TRUST in His truth... trust is what sets you apart Part of you does trust Him. I know because I've seen you build relationships and encourage friendships from the most random places. You trusted that you could open up to me and share your pains, your insecurities, your fears, your tears... and God has been with us every moment. He is the common bond between us.TRUST God- Do you trust Him to fulfill your life?

I love you- I love you so much- I'm praying for you and fighting this battle. The Holy Spirit is within you fighting this battle for you- this spiritual war- not against flesh and blood but against the lies of this world and the lies of the enemy.

I love you my sweet sister- I love you Cheli

I Love You With the Overflow

When it comes to the Lord and Truth I will never lie to you! Never ever. I do not intend to lie to you about anything else ever either- when I say I love you, I mean it- I mean it with everything within me... nothing can change that. I love you not with what I have and with what I, Jennifer Joy Tsosie, knows... I love you with the overflow of my love for my God- I love you because He first loved me.

He pulled me out of darkness- He restored my strength- He continues to do so every day of my life. I have so many faults, and catch myself in the midst of sin- selfishness, anger, comparison... when my heart catches it, I'm ashamed- when I allow these things to capture my thoughts, I remove thankfulness... I block myself from seeing the blessings and the character the Lord is building in me. I'm not perfect- and my life certainly is not perfect. The hope and joy I offer you, I got from God. I still struggle- a lot. I'm constantly reminding myself, I AM significant, I AM secure...

I love my life and the course God has brought me on- I have not always been able to say that- and wasn't until recently that I actually say it and believe it. There is no limit to the time a person will come to this understanding. Me, it took 24 years (almost 25). But it may take someone else 1 year, or 2 days- God is in control.

Rest in confidence that one day this will all make sense to you- God is not to be completely understood but to be experienced- Live with Him, Live in Him, Live because of Him.

One of these days you will be able to shout undoubtedly and whole heartedly- I LOVE MY GOD WITH ALL MY HEART- HE RESTORES MY STRENGTH- OH MY GOODNESS I AM IN LOVE WITH HIM!

love,
jenjoy