Hello Friends:
Back from the Philippines a couple weeks ago. Not planning on going out for another exercise for a couple months. As for this time of year, if it weren't for all the Americans over here I wouldn't have had a Thanksgiving. But luckily there are enough, and there are turkeys on Okinawa, so everything worked out.
Here is a letter that I just wrote to a friend of mine who is on this mailing list. I felt this should be the update that I sent out;
hopefully it will minister in some way...
Thank you for the Thanksgiving greetings. They are appreciated, as was your last email to me, to which I have yet to respond. So here it goes...
I agree with you about writing, especially letters (emails nowadays). I actually had a revelation about this some time ago; hear me out. I think the reason writing letters (electronic or snail, whichever you prefer) can be so powerful at times is because of the fact that over half of the New Testament is just that, letters from Paul to his beloved friends and churches. God used letters SIGNIFICANTLY in history (His-story) to spread the Gospel message, and for Paul or other disciples to share deep, marvelous truths about Jesus Christ. No wonder there is such power in the pen! Just as reading some of those biblical letters can rejeuvenate the soul, or give you any other type of thrill of emotion, reading letters written between friends in Christ, sharing love, truth, growth, can do much the same thing by the power of the Holy Spirit (see Ephesians 4:3-4, which talks about the fact that the same Spirit is in me, you, and all believers, amen!). I was so excited when that thought first came to me! Let me know what you think.
I'm really excited for you. Per the last email you sent me, it seems like you are doing life right now in a very whole, and worthwhile way. Putting Jesus first always makes things pan-out (probably because that is a biblical Truth ;) Romans 8:28), even if the road seems difficult or impassable at some points. God bless as you continue to strive towards that end. That is where Philippians 3:14 always comes into play for me - press on towards that Goal!
As for me, I'm just trying to do life right now too. In my recent spare time I earned my SCUBA license, which is awesome for a place like Okinawa where the reefs are alive and well, teeming with fish and other sea creatures. I was surrounded by a school of hundreds of barracuda on my first dive in the ocean! It was one of the coolest things I've ever experienced. I'll be going to mainland Japan in mid-December for an officer exchange program with the Japanese - don't know what to expect other than it is going to be a really cool experience. And when I get back from that I get to go right to the pistol range to do my annual pistol qualification. This is all motivating for me.
Other amazing news is that there is a Marine in my platoon who recently recommited himself to Christ while I was in the Philippines, and another Marine who I recently shared the Gospel with in a way that was very relevant to him and his current life situation. The second Marine received it well, and is taking baby steps. I'm praying for him and his wife for their hearts to be softened, and for the Reality of Christ to impact them in all its glory. Please pray for them, as well as the rest of my platoon, and for me to be the platoon commander that God wants me to be. Amen!
That should do it for now. Thanks again for writing. Keep things in check over there at Hope College; don't do anything I wouldn't do. Take care until next time... end of letter.
This is the end of my message to you now... hope and pray you had a good holiday; Lord knows we have lots to be thankful for. Please email and let me know how you are doing. I would love that a lot.
In Christ,
2ndLt Steven R. Haack
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