3/3/2005

Archives for: March 2005
03/03/05
05:28:14 pm, Categories: Camp Life, 799 words
March entries
"The beginning of a 1000 mile journey begins with a single step."Chinese saying.
So I begin my diary to keep a record of my life. Since I was a young teen I began to keep various diaries and journals that have helped me immensely to stay focused on life's important matters and my personal goals. Because of my frequent travels to different countries and various parts of the USA, it is with some sadness that I must say most of these records of my personal life have been lost. Looking at it from a positive perspective, I can only be grateful to God for that which is eternal and that the soul which is saved by the Lord Jesus Christ can NEVER be lost! It is my desire to dredge my memory and try to highlight the most important events of:
1] My very happy childhood growing up in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.2] My teen-age years going to school and travelling in Africa and Europe.3] My further travels over-seas after high school and the American West where I heard the Good News of the Gospel for the first time.4] My college years5] My further travels and ministry in Europe6] My call to active duty for the "War on Terrorism" and being stationed in Indiana, USA
Three Major Goals for this Diary-
1. To understand myself: past, present and anticipate the future by making wise plans [based on God's guidance, prayer, filling and leading of the Holy Spirit, etc.], Phil.3:13,14.
2. Help me be observant and remember lessons God teaches me in life and profit from every experience, good and bad.
3. To really be FOCUSED for a better FUTURE. It is my desire to be a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ and take up the cross daily and follow Him [Luke9:23,24]. I want to delight and be happy in the joy of being His child [Psalm37;Phil.4:4] and to accept the fact that suffering is definitely a part of the life of Christ [II Tim 3:12; John 15:19]. Thru suffering I know I need to be a stronger Christian. It's hard at times but so necessary and afterwards we can become the disciples God want us to be.
Well, dear friend, how about starting a diary? It will help you! You will have much better perspective on life and what truly matters. Please write me about your decision!
As I close for this day from the Camp, I want to say it has been a typical free day for me:
1] I arose early at 0600. I immediately turned the Lord in prayer and His Word. After showering and dressing I had several cups of hot "English Breakfast" type tea with milk and honey.
2] After inquiring at the medical clinic if my help was needed, I took a short walk for exercise and returned to my room to spend more time in prayer, personal study, listening to Christian radio and in general, some quiet meditation.
3] My barracks room is quite small but very adequate. This morning as I sat in the comfortable chair I enjoyed seeing the sunshine stream thru the upper window. I turned the "man-made" light off and then focused on the special light God created for us. Around the room I have put beautiful colorful pictures reminding me of God's creation. I also have bible verses on the walls to help me memorize and hide God's Word in my heart[Psa.119:11]. I share the room with Sgt. Michael Fischer, who is Jewish, but like myself has trusted Christ as his Lord and Saviour [Yeshua Ha'Mashiya]. "Mike" is a quiet, kind Christ-like brother who has been a great roommate to me. More about Mike later!
4] The rest of the day has been spent taking care of corospondance, bills, cleaning and various other necessary daily functions. I plan to exercise in the gym tonite and also perhaps watch some historical videos I rented from the nearby public library.This afternoon I walked around the base and stopped at the tennis court area behind the chapel where there are some picnic tables. I took out a large biography of Winston Churchill by the late American historian, Wm Manchester. I just finished the vol.I, covering Churchill's life till almost 60 years of age [1932]. Now,I am looking forward to vol.II! What I particularly admire and find encouraging about Churchill is that he was a very determined man with definite goals in life. He was also largely self-educated and well read, which are also traits I have tried very hard to emulate over the years!!!
5] The days are indeed often melting into each other as I have my working routine at the medical clinic and then spend a day off typical of today. I have been here just over 6 months and anticipate another year of medical, military service.
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