ALEXJONES.BIZ

In my Churches Men’s Small Group we have often discussed prayer and our individual prayer life. I have always been one that seems to pray on occasion, when I feel it is needed or when asked rather than being fervent. I can’t explain why I choose not to be knee-deep in prayer on a regular basis. I, like most everyone, have the need for daily prayer in regards to family, friends, work, etc. So why do I procrastinate so? It’s not just my prayer life but that is the topic for now and I do not have time to go into my wonderful character flaws.

Before the Christmas Holidays my wife said something to me that made me think about this topic. She said “Thank you for the way you take care of me.” At first I thought, “Wow! I really appreciate that” and I did. It’s just that she has, to my knowledge and limited memory, not shown her appreciation to me quite like that before. It made me think. It’s like saying “I Love You.” I know she loves me even though she doesn’t say it every single day and nor do I. I guess that is why I felt so overjoyed at her appreciation. As I said back to her “Your Welcome. You are my Joy and I love to do it.”

Later a friend posted online a link to a personal blog about “Praying for Your Husband Head to Toe.” I went to the link and enjoyed reading it. So I searched to see if there was one for husbands to pray for their wife. I found that the writers husband also had a personal blog in which he posted “Praying for Your Wife from Head to Toe.” It seems the wife created a poster for each that suggested how to pray for your spouse head to toe which included scripture. I’ve since learned that there is a book written by Sharon Jaynes, Praying for Your Husband Head to Toe.

So I plan to adopt the below prayer guide for my wife each day.

Pray for Her Brain. Pray that God would mold her into a capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman and would keep her thoughts centered on whatever is true, lovely, right, pure, noble, and worthy of praise. (Proverbs 31:10; Philippians 4:8)

Pray for Her Eyes. Ask God to give her eyes of compassion, so she could see others as He sees them. (Matthew 9:36; 1 Samuel 16:7b)

Pray for Her Ears. Pray that she would listen for God’s still, small voice and would remain ever attentive to the His promptings. (Matthew 11:15; 1 Thessalonians 5:19)

Pray for Her Mouth. Ask that God would fill her mouth with skillful and godly wisdom, that the law of kindness would remain on her tongue, and that she would only and always speak the truth in love. (Proverbs 31:26; Ephesians 4:15)

Pray for Her Heart. Pray that God would fill your wife’s heart with love and respect for you and with tender patience toward your children. (Ephesians 5:33; 1 Thessalonians 2:7)

Pray for Her Arms. Ask God to gird your wife with strength, making her arms strong and firm. Pray that He would bless the work of her hands and that she would do her work cheerfully, as unto Him. (Proverbs 31:17, 31; Colossians 3:23)

Pray for Her Womb. Pray that God would bless the fruit of her womb by giving her children who walk in truth. (Psalm 127:3; 3 John 1:4)

Pray for Her Legs. Ask God to strengthen and sustain your wife, so that she can walk and not faint and not tire of doing good. (Isaiah 40:31; 2 Thessalonians 3:13)

Pray for Her Feet. Pray that her feet would be shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace so that she might faithfully pursue righteousness and love. Ask God to lead her in the path of wisdom and truth and to keep her foot from stumbling. (Ephesians 6:15; Proverbs 21:21; Proverbs 4:11-12)

The other day someone asked me if I were going to wear my military ribbons on Veterans Day. I honestly never considered it and didn’t actually think it was appropriate. So I set out to learn more about it and the options afforded me as a Veteran. Reading a few articles with so many people not understanding Veteran status made me want to ensure that I was considered a Veteran. However after reading several articles on the subject as well as the US Code, I have learned a few things.

Under Federal Law a Veteran is any person, who served honorably on active duty in the armed forces of the United States. (Discharges marked GENERAL AND UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS also qualify.) That pretty much sealed it for me, I am a Veteran! In regards to being considered for Veteran benefits the VA describes a Veteran in the US Code Title 38-Veterans’ Benefits section 101 (2) The term ‘‘Veteran’’ means a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable.

I also found that prior to September 8, 1980, there was no minimum length of service necessary to be considered a Veteran for most VA benefits. However, for an individual who enlisted after September 8, 1980, there are now certain minimum length of service requirements. The general requirement is either 24 months of continuous active duty or the “full period” for which the service member was called or ordered to active duty.

I recently learned that on May 23, 2012 Gov. Phil Bryant signed Senate Bill 2461 authorizing a “Veteran” designation on Mississippi driver’s licenses. The process involves a verification of Veteran status with the MS Veterans Affairs Board. The next step is to take your verified paperwork to the drivers license bureau and obtain your new license with the Veteran designation. Few know that a Veteran does not have an official ID indicating they are a Veteran. Our only proof is a copy of our discharge document DD-214 we received upon discharge from the armed forces.

Now that I have ensured my Veteran status, on to the question at hand. Beginning with Veterans Day 2006, the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) encourages all military Veterans to wear their medals and decorations during Veterans Day (November 11th) and other patriotic holidays (such as Independence Day – July 4th, and Memorial Day – May 30th). According to the VA, Veterans don’t need to wear their medals only if they’re in a parade. “Wear them when you go play golf. Wear them when you go to the store. Let America know that you took that oath and served.”

Each Military branch has their own regulations on when and how to wear them. The Army says that former members of the Army (including active duty, reserves, or Army National Guard), may wear medals on “appropriate” civilian clothing on Veteran’s Day, Memorial Day, and Armed Forces Day, as well as at “formal occasions of ceremony and social functions of a military nature.” “Appropriate” civilian clothes includes clothes designed for veteran and patriotic organizations, such as VFW or American Legion uniforms. The Air Force says that honorably discharged and retired Air Force members may wear full-size or miniature medals on civilian suits on appropriate occasions such as Memorial Day and Armed Forces Day.

The Navy regulation authorizes the wear of miniature medals and Miniature Breast Insignia on civilian evening dress (white tie) or civilian dinner dress (black tie) in the same manner as for dinner dress jackets. The Marines say that decorations, medals, appropriate ribbon bars, or lapel buttons may be worn on civilian clothes at the individual’s discretion. Individuals should ensure that the occasion and the manner of wearing will not reflect discredit on the award. The Coast Guard allows the wear of miniature medals with civilian evening dress (white tie). You should wear them in the same manner as prescribed for Formal Dress uniform, and with civilian dinner dress (black tie) in the same manner as prescribed for Dinner Dress uniforms.

After reading all this I feel that simply wearing my ribbons on everyday clothing would be considered inappropriate and maybe even disrespectful. So I will work on Veterans Day with the hope that all military personnel in harms way be safe and secure. It is because of our Active Military and Veterans that every American has the opportunity to pursue the American Dream. And it is because of them that we are still the most exceptional nation on earth! God Bless our Armed Forces, Veterans, and God Bless America!

I’ve never really had a huge desire to own knives. I’ve had several pocket knives in my life but none that have meant anything to me. In the past few years I’ve been given several knives as gifts. Now they’re not expensive knives but they are unique.

My favorite is one my father-in-law gave me. It is Case Sod Buster Jr. I’ve not carried it around so I can keep it in good condition.

I even purchased a nice Gerber Gator Machete.

Recently my wife and I received some Colt knives as gifts. She was given a Colt® Lady Colt® Lockback with a pink smooth bone handle. It is very nice and came in a simulated rayskin gift box.

I was given a Colt® Titanium Mini Trapper with black smooth bone handle. It came in a nice Collectables box.

I have no real desire to purchase more knives but I would like one in between a pocket knife and my machete. Maybe this United Cutlery Bushmaster Survival Knife.

My Son surprised me yesterday with work done on my Dad’s Hamilton U.S. Military Issue GG-W-113 Wrist Watch dated Nov 1978. I really love this watch but have not worn it as it had this huge military wrist band on it.

My Son replaced the band with a smaller military replacement band which is much easier and better looking to wear. Thanks Wes!

Personally I disagree with the President making a proclamation to fly US flags at half-staff for the Boston tragedy OR the Waco tragedy. Yes they were tragedies but they do not fit the standards set forth for that action. The same goes for Governor Christie similarly signing a proclamation to fly the US flags for the death of Whitney Houston. It doesn’t fit. If we’re going to perform this act of respect it needs to be as it is outlined.

The President should follow the same restrictions as set forth for Governors of the U.S. states or territories. They are authorized by federal law to order all U.S. and state flags in their jurisdiction flown at half-staff as a mark of respect for a former or current state official who has died, or for a member of the armed forces who has died in active duty. The governor’s authority to issue the order is more restricted than the president’s and does not include the discretion to issue the order for state residents who do not meet the criteria.

1. After the death of a current or former president or president-elect.
2. After the death of a current vice president, current or retired chief justice, or current speaker of the House of Representatives.
3. From the day of death until interment of an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, a secretary of an executive or military department, a former vice president, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, or the governor of a state, territory, or possession.
4. On the day of death and the following day for a Member of Congress on Memorial Day until noon.
5. Upon presidential proclamation.
6. To honor a member of the U.S. Armed Forces who died on active duty.

My opinion on the following;
The remembrance of the 9/11 attacks, yes because President George W. Bush approved legislation requiring the United States flag to be lowered to half-staff on all Federal buildings to memorialize fallen firefighters. The death of Pope John Paul II, I don’t see the one Pope being that significant to the U.S. The Space Shuttle Columbia disaster in 2003, yes. The victims of Hurricane Katrina, no. The Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, uh..no. The deaths of Coretta Scott King and Rosa Parks, most definitely. The Virginia Tech shooting, no. The Fort Hood shooting, yes. The funeral of Neil Armstrong, yes. The death of Libyan Ambassador Chris Stephens, yes. The 2012 shooting in Aurora Colorado, no. The 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, no. The 2013 Boston Marathon bombings, no.

There are so many tragedies that we did not fly flags at half-staff because they did not fit. Examples are the Calif. teen who died after being struck by softball or the Canadian teen who hung herself after being raped. The President should follow Title 4 of the United States Code each and every time.

Just my $.02.