Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Email from Iraq

From: Jim Russell
Subject: I'm fine
Date: Thu, 23 Aug 2007 01:35:52 +0400

dear mom
i'm fine. i dont't know what stuff has hit the news, but it wasn't anyone in our unit, though it still really sucks. i'll talk to you soon.
jim

==========

Thanks so much to everyone for your prayers. Praying now for the families who won't be getting good news today and for ALL those in harm's way -- especially our armed forces:
.
Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be;through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Jesus. Those are the exact words I said when I read Jamie's email.
And I followed it quickly with a prayer for the families who are getting different news.
With love to you all - Kay S.

Clyde said...

That's good news Susan. Have been praying all day. Now need to still keep praying for those who have to receive the bad news.

Anonymous said...

Praise God that Jamie's all right!

But, let's add this:

Almighty God, Father of mercies and giver of comfort: Deal graciously, we pray, with all who mourn; that, casting all their care on you, they may know the consolation of your love; throught Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Caminante said...

OK, I have prayed for you all day. And will keep doing so daily. Thank you, Jesus, ayup.

Wormwood's Doxy said...

Susan---as soon as I heard the news, I ran here to check. What a mixture of sweet relief, and sorrow for those who didn't get good news today.

You and Jamie are in my prayers---along with all who serve in harm's way. May they come safely home SOON.

Anonymous said...

I rejoice with you, Susan, even as we all mourn for those who are bereaved.

O long-suffering Prince of Peace, strengthen us to END this and EVERY war. Amen!

Anonymous said...

Thank God and again my gratitude and admiration for all those serving in a nearly impossible situation, one that we can all pray will end soon.

We also pray for the repose of the souls who were lost and for the pain of those who survive.

May the Peace that passes all understanding bring comfort and healing to them.

A sinner saved by God's Grace

Jim from Michigan

Anonymous said...

I'm very glad to hear about Jamie, but still very sad that any parent must hear this awful news.

I wish our govt would come to its senses and end this useless war.


IT

Suzer said...

Ditto everyone's comments. I breathed a sigh of relief, but also continue to pray for those families who are facing the worst news today.

Anonymous said...

Susan - I can only imagine your relief. I'm thankful your son is well, and you both are in my prayers.

Lisa Fox said...

I did exactly the same as Doxy: Popped over here this morning as soon as I heard the news. And prayers have been ascending.

You wrote recently about how the blogosphere has made these connections so much more real. I am grateful for that.

Oh, that no more parents or siblings or partners or friends had to dread these horrid news stories from Iraq ... and all the other war-torn places in our world.

Anonymous said...

dear mom
i'm fine.

Perhaps the most welcome four words in the English language.

One can only hope and pray that the madness in Iraq ends soon.

JimB said...

That is wonderful news for you and us. And yes, it will be terrible news for others. We simply have to stop doing these things to ourselves and to others.

Praying for peace, and for the comfort of those whose news will be very sad.

FWIW
jimB

Jake said...

Good news indeed!

Prayers continuing for all those who mourn, and all who are in danger.

Elizabeth Kaeton said...

Great news. Feels like we're always waiting for the other shoe to drop. Until then, prayers of gratitude and relief ascend.

Anonymous said...

Good news. The best single thing you could do to protect your son would be to return to Biblical faithfulness, so that God will not remove His hand (which He sometimes did to unfaithful Israelites).

SUSAN RUSSELL said...

Q. Why do I post comments like the one above on this blog?

A. To remind myself -- and anybody who'd like to come along for the ride -- that such Biblical Idolatry BS didn't end with Jerry Falwell and that there really ARE folks out there who believe in a God that looks exactly like the God Christopher Hitchens describes as decidely un-great.

And if you're not watching the CNN documentary series "God's Warriors" I recommend it. Highly.