Supporting the USA Troops - How can I ...???

[shinedupon]

I have been praying for the troops in the Middle East and have felt a burden to contact anyone fighting in the "War on Terror" (ie. radical jihadist Islam).

What is the best way to do so?

I would like to be able to reach out to specifically a Christian soldier and send them a word of encouragement and a care package. Are we able to mail them stuff directly or perhaps contact an overseas Chaplin who would in turn contact a Christian serviceman?

I know this may stir up some 'political' feelings in some folks as this is an international web forum, however the lives of coalition troopers on the ground - and not ideologies – is what I wish to address here.

 

[prophecystudent]

I have been praying for the troops in the Middle East and have felt a burden to contact anyone fighting in the "War on Terror" (ie. radical jihadist Islam).

What is the best way to do so?

I would like to be able to reach out to specifically a Christian soldier and send them a word of encouragement and a care package. Are we able to mail them stuff directly or perhaps contact an overseas Chaplin who would in turn contact a Christian serviceman?

I know this may stir up some 'political' feelings in some folks as this is an international web forum, however the lives of coalition troopers on the ground - and not ideologies – is what I wish to address here.

I just sent an email to a lt. Col. that I exchange email with from time to time. I asked him for his suggestions regarding how you can contact members of our armed forces to convey your support.

I do not want to give out his email address until he agrees.

I am pretty sure he will provide at least a couple of answers to your request.

Fred

PS

Thanks for caring about our troops.

Fred

 

[lilymarie]

Hi!

How wonderful to hear that!

I have a friend, and she and her husband adopted a soldier in Iraq.

I just put a call into her, left a message, and hopefully she will get back to me with some info for you soon. I hope she and I don't play the phone tag thing, and keep missing each other's phone calls.

As soon as she calls back, I'll post the info here, but it could be called: operationadoptasolider? But, I am not sure, so I'll wait 'til she calls me back!

I think it is a wonderful thing to do as well!

She told me that the soldiers get only one pair of boots, so they made sure the soldier got another pair of shoes, and a few other nice things they sent in the care package! They actually got a letter back!

Hopefully, I'll find out more concise information for you.

 

[BohemianMare]

Between four cousins who have served a total of seven tours so far in Iraq, I can tell you the wives and children behind our servicemen need our prayers and support as well. If you know anyone whose husband (or wife) is serving, it's a great help to bring over dinner for the family or babysit the kids so Mom (or Dad) can get some "me" time when it's needed.

Of course I'm all for sending the troops items, letters, encouragement, etc., but I wanted to bring up the families are in their own sort of combat situation as well. That's why it's so important, whether we agree with the reasons for the war or not, to support our troops and their loved ones until each and every one is home!

 

[KillerV]

Ya know I didn't even think of that! whoa..thats a wonderful idea! I hope someone can get some information on this!

 

[lilymarie]

Hi All,

My friend just called. She's been busy with school finals!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyhow, the website my friend and her husband got involved in is www.operationac.org.

They are sending out care packages this weekend again, with some nice letters and surprizes in there, too!

Check it out. It doesn't seem necessarily "Christian" per se as the person in the original post wanted, but then who knows you might just send a letter to a soldier who needs to be shown the love of God no matter what belief they hold, and that would be awesome!

I only had a brief chance to go over the website, but if anyone checks into it, let me know if you like the website.

My prayers are with the troops that they come home soon!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Godslilgurlalways]

I think this is a good idea, I am not sure how you can find out about this if you know any veterans or troops that are home for a while like in the negiborhood you might can ask them. I know in school last year in Middle school each year we wrote to a troop and sent them a care package you were allowed to give your address the ones that I wrote I never got a letter could be many reasons why most don't that is when you go throught the school like we did. But I still was happy doing it knowing that it touched someone's live even if I didn't know it and that was good enough for me

 

[prophecystudent]

Sorry for the delay, but my friend has been doing a lot of traveling. He responded this morning. The information is below. Three great sites to contact.

(http://www.americasupportsyou.mil/americasupportsyou/index.aspx)
(http://www.uso.org/)
(http://www.anysoldier.com/)


Feel free to pass these on to everyone you know. Our troops deserve our best support and prayers, as do their families.

Fred

 

[shinedupon]

Hey thanks for the info prophecystudent. I was away traveling for the 4th --- THANK GOD ...and our troops FOR FREEDOM! --- and was glad to see these replys when I got back.

However I was hoping to see a site for the support of a CHRISTIAN soldier.
I know they ALL need our support, but I would personally would like to send encouragement to a brother christian whom I could send a word of fellowship and encouragement to.

 

[billytk1]

Hey thanks for the info prophecystudent. I was away traveling for the 4th --- THANK GOD ...and our troops FOR FREEDOM! --- and was glad to see these replys when I got back.

However I was hoping to see a site for the support of a CHRISTIAN soldier.
I know they ALL need our support, but I would personally would like to send encouragement to a brother christian whom I could send a word of fellowship and encouragement to.

why in the heck would you not want to reach out to anyone? did Jesus not eat with sinners? or did i get a version of the bible that was wrond and he only went to people who dod not need converting? i may be a redneck, but as christians it is our job to "spread" his word, that means to all, not just a few we deem appropriat.

 

[prophecystudent]

why in the heck would you not want to reach out to anyone? did Jesus not eat with sinners? or did i get a version of the bible that was wrond and he only went to people who dod not need converting? i may be a redneck, but as christians it is our job to "spread" his word, that means to all, not just a few we deem appropriat.

Editted to add:

When I posted this, I didn't realize it would post this quote with my response. My answer is intended for the original poster. I agree with your sentiments entirely. Fred
===========================
ORIGINAL POST

I understand the desire to interact with Christians in the military, however, I think the need is greater than that.

You can do a lot more good if you simply do what you want to do but not limit it to Christians. Your input could well lead some of those guys to the Lord.

There was an old soldier once who said, "There are no atheists in foxholes".

I encourage you to follow your heart, but perhaps more so than you seem to wish at the moment. No criticism intended here, either.

Fred

 

[Groce]

Well I'm not in Iraq or Afghanistan, but I can tell you what helps me the most. (I am in Korea, unaccompanied tour) If you have a family member of a solider, take care of them. I can count the times my wife was feeling down and someone from church helped us out. Thats the best thing that can be done in my opinion, take care of our family.

 

[shinedupon]

why in the heck would you not want to reach out to anyone? did Jesus not eat with sinners? or did i get a version of the bible that was wrond and he only went to people who dod not need converting? i may be a redneck, but as christians it is our job to "spread" his word, that means to all, not just a few we deem appropriat.

Editted to add:



I understand the desire to interact with Christians in the military, however, I think the need is greater than that.

You can do a lot more good if you simply do what you want to do but not limit it to Christians. Your input could well lead some of those guys to the Lord.

There was an old soldier once who said, "There are no atheists in foxholes".

I encourage you to follow your heart, but perhaps more so than you seem to wish at the moment. No criticism intended here, either.

Fred

You are BOTH are failing to understand the difference in giftings that were given in the amount the Holy Spirit so chooses.

There is a difference between a heart for evangelism and heart for pastoring or sheparding. Where I know we are all called to spread the word, there are some who are led very enthusiastically to evangelize; while others desire to edify the saints.

We are not all eyes, all hands, and all ears but we are all members of the same body.

Why do some have a heart to stand on the street corner and shout the gospel, others wish to serve youth, some visit the elderly, some wish to do maintenance in the chruch, and yet others go into prisons?

Some have a heart for worship, others a gifting for prayer, some are called to teach. Do you see the differences?
Not the one is not better then the other - ALL are necessary. All are led differently.

Please don't bash me for desiring to reach out to a Christian soldier. I feel the Lord has put that on my heart and that is what I am sticking with!!

I personally desire to communicate, support, pray for and encourage a CHRISITAN SERVICEMAN in the Lord. Christianity is what I know and a believe I can try to help someone who is a Christian.

 

[billytk1]

You are BOTH are failing to understand the difference in giftings that were given in the amount the Holy Spirit so chooses.

There is a difference between a heart for evangelism and heart for pastoring or sheparding. Where I know we are all called to spread the word, there are some who are led very enthusiastically to evangelize; while others desire to edify the saints.

We are not all eyes, all hands, and all ears but we are all members of the same body.

Why do some have a heart to stand on the street corner and shout the gospel, others wish to serve youth, some visit the elderly, some wish to do maintenance in the chruch, and yet others go into prisons?

Some have a heart for worship, others a gifting for prayer, some are called to teach. Do you see the differences?
Not the one is not better then the other - ALL are necessary. All are led differently.

Please don't bash me for desiring to reach out to a Christian soldier. I feel the Lord has put that on my heart and that is what I am sticking with!!

I personally desire to communicate, support, pray for and encourage a CHRISITAN SERVICEMAN in the Lord. Christianity is what I know and a believe I can try to help someone who is a Christian.

no, I do know the diffrence in gifts, but i also know that we are all told to spread the gospel, not just to people who are easy to talk to, do they need to hear it as well? yes. but we are also to tell it to people of all backgrouinds, i met a man once who went into a muslime college, he spread the gospel, when ask if he was afraid, he said "yes, but i figured that i could try, once......"

that is the way we all need to be, we can all spread Gods word, once.......

 

[Entertaining_Angels]

You want to support soldiers? Offer support to their family back home. Offer to change the oil in their car. Offer to mow their lawn. Offer to babysit. Offer to help. And, actually don't just give a general offer because many of us feel strange calling and taking people up on those offers. Let them know that you have Saturday free and would like to mow that lawn or whatever.

And, offer to pray.

 

[shinedupon]

no, I do know the diffrence in gifts, but i also know that we are all told to spread the gospel, not just to people who are easy to talk to, do they need to hear it as well? .....that is the way we all need to be, we can all spread Gods word, once.......

I dont wish to get into a heated debate on this subject but I fail to realize why you are insisting that I am wrong for feeling led to specifically support a christian soldier.

AGAIN... I do understand that the Word says that we are called to spread the Gospel. There is no disagreement there.

What this thread was about was edifiying a christian soldier. Not someone who is easy just to talk to. If that were the case I just need to show up in church any day of the week

There are nine ministries of the body which the main "fivefold" help to perfect.
These being prophesying believers, teaching believers, exhorters, helps/givers, administrators, speakers of tongues, interpreters of tongues,

...and mercy givers who give support to non-believers, and deacons who give support to believers (who may be neglected/needy)

If someone has heart of a deacon and another has the heart of a mercy giver - I feel it is dead wrong to try to force someone into a ministry that they are not called into.

I simply feel I would like to reach out to a believer who is calling out to the Lord and perhaps could use a little encouragement.

If another believer back at home with us wants to reach out specifically to a nonbelieving soldier then I think that is fantastic!

 

[billytk1]

...and mercy givers who give support to non-believers, and deacons who give support to believers

If someone has heart of a deacon and another has the heart of a mercy giver - I feel it is dead wrong to try to force someone into a ministry that they are not called into.

i agree it is wrong to force someone into doing something that they cant do, but if you can openly speak of God with other "Christians" and not with the people who does not know him, well those people need to check themselfs, do i talk to other Christians, sure, but it is just as important if not MORE important to plant those seeds in non-belivers, regardless of what title you wear. i am not a "mercy giver", that is Gods job to give mercy, and i will probably never be a "Deacon" as most people can not get over how i belive, i did not go to church as a child, my folks did not attend and did not belive it was important for me, so all i have is the bible, and it says to spread the word, it does not say "mercy givers who give support to non-believers, and deacons who give support to believers"

ASV
Ac 13:49]And the word of the Lord was spread abroad throughout all the regionnotice how it was not told to a certin group? all the solders would like to hear the gospel i belive, but you do what you do and i will do what God told me to do.

 

[billytk1]

here is what i found in a search for deacons, i found no mention of "mercy givers"

NSV

Php 1:1 - Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus that are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

1Ti 3:8 -Deacons in like manner [must be] grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

1Ti 3:10 - And let these also first be proved; then let them serve as deacons, if they be blameless.

1Ti 3:12 - Let deacons be husbands of one wife, ruling [their] children and their own houses well.

1Ti 3:13 - For they that have served well as deacons gain to themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

 

[shinedupon]

I am not speaking of church/man given titles. I am speaking of a heart attitudes.

I also did not quote scripture in my post. I was refering to the context of Acts 6:2,3, 1 Tim3:8-13 and Rom 12:8

i agree it is wrong to force someone into doing something that they cant do, .

Thank you for agreeing with me ...but it isnt a matter of "cant", its a matter of the heart

do i talk to other Christians, sure, but it is just as important if not MORE important to plant those seeds in non-belivers.

I am glad YOU have a heart for evangelism, however if this were true for ALL christians everywhere EVERY Pastor of a church should quit his job and become a traveling evangelist

We are ALL called. SOME are called to be Prophets, SOME are called to be Teachers, SOME are called to be Apostles, SOME are called to be Evangelists & SOME are called to be Pastors.

Again heart attitudes - not man made titles

i am not a "mercy giver", that is Gods job to give mercy,

...it is not "God's job" only to show mercy. WE are to give mercy!

 

[shinedupon]

here is what i found in a search for deacons, i found no mention of "mercy givers"

ROM 12:

5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us let us use them, : if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.


Perhaps I should have said "mercy show-ers" - those who minister to non-believers

The job of a deacon is to serve the orphans, widows and needy believers. If a serviceman 'needs' encouragement because he is 'poor' in spirit and well being, then I can only assume he falls into this area - and needs comeone with the heart of a deacon.