"O death where is thy sting, O grave where is thy victory?"

To read amazing interviews with warriors, check out Warrior SOS: Interviews, Insights and Inspiration, the book on Amazon.com. Here's the link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D3WO7VK

In My Father's Eyes -- What God Sees in Me

Heavenly Father’s Eyes and Me

by Jeffrey Denning

I cannot go this life alone

I need strength beyond my own.

Troubles near and troubles far

It does not matter who you are.

Everyone in time of need

Finds themselves on bended knee,

Looking up as if to say,

“Please help me live another day.”

When life ends it's mortal journey

And our body's limp and lonely,

Buried deep within the Earth

We'll discover our real worth.

In our Heavenly Father's eyes

We will see Him when He cries

For the wickedness of men

And of war, of rage, and sin.

And so it goes when in life lows

Through dark valleys we must go

Only if my eyes could see

What Heavenly Father sees in me.

He would see an imperfect man,

But He would let me know I can

Return and live with Him someday

With my family here today.

He would help me now to see

That I like Him can someday be

By relying on His Only Son

The Infinite and Eternal One.

I can have a healthy heart;

I can make a brand new start.

He can heal and comfort me

If through His eyes I view me.

Copyright - 2013 Jeffrey Denning 

I wrote this poem after having a really tough day. I was reminded of those times of desperation and prayer that I spoke of in the poem when just the day before I heard a colleague -- a former Vietnam era Marine -- point out to a younger war veteran of Iraq that he certainly pleaded for heavenly help and cannot deny it when that first bullet whizzed past his head in battle. The younger veteran admitted, almost sheepishly, that he had prayed. In times of in desperation there can be a tendency to pray, even if we normally don’t. I’ve certainly had those prayers of panic and pleading.

Feeling that I was about to fall to my certain and painful death, I have prayed. I have begged and pleaded with the Creator of the Universe more than once. I said I would do anything for Him, but “please, please help me live.” I got into a foolish situation. I feared greatly. I've tried to keep up my side of the bargain.

The interesting thing is that there are other times -- times in our lives when there are mean people or hardships -- when we wonder if the challenges we face will ever leave. We wonder if our situation will ever change. The poem embraces those times best. 

God is our loving Heavenly Father. I believe He sees all things and knows all things. He knows what is best for us and He is anxious to bless and help us. He sees in us what we cannot see in ourselves. He recognizes our potential. He feels sorrow when we do wrong and so do we. Fortunately, we can repent when we do wrong and be better tomorrow, and today. We are all sinners to one degree or another, but we can strive to be better.  

When we feel sorrow and suffering (not necessarily because of our sins, but because of our circumstances and imperfections or the imperfections of others), I believe there is a special kind of unconditional love only a parent can give us, in this case a Heavenly Parent, One who sees in us what we cannot see in ourselves. 

Our Heavenly Father has a plan for us; He wants to see us succeed. He sees what is around the corner for us. Great things are in store for us. He will help us. He will guide us. He will comfort us, but only if we let Him. God loves us. Let us love Him. 

“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”

--1 Corinthians 2:9


To read amazing interviews with warriors, check out my book Warrior SOS: Interviews, Insights and Inspiration, the book on Amazon.com. Here's the link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D3WO7VK

Buy Warrior SOS, the book on Amazon today!

Do you want to know what war is really like? 

Are you struggling with your military experiences?  Is someone you know struggling?  

Warrior SOS: Interviews, Insights and Inspiration available on Amazon full of incredible interviews from amazing people.  Each chapter highlights the stories of those who have struggled with PTSd or other challenges of war.  From care givers to operators, each page will tug on your emotional heartstrings.  Warriors will find hope and healing when reading about the PTSD and TBI from the crème de la crème of military Special Operations.  Warrior SOS, the book, highlights some of the following profiles: 

• US Army Special Forces operators on Special Mission Units, 
• US Navy SEAL,
• A USAF triple amputee survivor,
• WWII survivor of the Battle of the Bulge, 
• Lead expedition guide for Soldiers to the Summit, 
• US Marine and survivor of the US embassy bombing in Beirut,
• Veteran SWAT operators and experienced police officers with military experience, 
• The struggles of a humble caregiver, and the faith of a widow, and many more. 

In short, Warrior SOS details the war experiences of military veterans in their own words, with a focus on faith, healing and recovery. Combat veterans of Afghanistan, Iraq and other wars courageously share their stories of tragedy, injury, and post-traumatic stress (PTSD). Veterans, as well as family members and advocates, tell how war has changed them and offer suggestions to help heal the combat wounded soul.

To read amazing interviews with warriors, check out Warrior SOS: Interviews, Insights and Inspiration, the book on Amazon.com. Here's the link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D3WO7VK