Veteran Ambassadors for Christ

09/09/2026

God’s Prophets: His Servants and Witnesses

Throughout Scripture, biblical prophets were God’s servants, specially called to be His witnesses and messengers. They were not simply people who predicted future events. Their primary calling was to faithfully proclaim the Word of God to His people.

God often sent His prophets during times of crisis, spiritual decline, rebellion, and uncertainty. When His people wandered from Him, the prophets called them back to faithfulness. They confronted sin, warned of its consequences, reminded the people of God’s covenant, and proclaimed His promises of mercy and redemption.

The Old Testament prophets served as intermediaries between God and His people. They received God’s message and were entrusted with the responsibility of delivering it faithfully. Their authority did not come from their own wisdom, political influence, or popularity. Their authority came from the God who called and sent them.

Amos expressed this truth:

“Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.”
— Amos 3:7

The prophets were often called to speak difficult truths to people who did not want to hear them. They were not called to tell people what they wanted to hear; they were called to tell them what God wanted them to hear. Their faithfulness was measured not by popularity or acceptance, but by their obedience to God's calling.

The message of the prophets ultimately points us toward Jesus Christ. Their warnings about sin, their calls to repentance, and their promises of restoration all form part of God's unfolding plan of redemption.

The prophets remind us that God still calls His people to be faithful witnesses. We may not be Old Testament prophets, but as followers of Christ, we are still called to speak truth, stand for righteousness, encourage repentance, and proclaim the hope found in God.

Being God's witness is not always easy, and it may not always make us popular. But our responsibility is not to make the message comfortable—it is to remain faithful to the One who gave us the message.

God's servants are called to faithfulness, not popularity; obedience, not applause; and truth, not compromise.

09/09/2026

In 1841, James H. DeVotie, pastor of Siloam Baptist Church in Marion, took a vague idea for a men’s college and made it a reality.

09/09/2026

The Camden Police Department is heartbroken to announce the tragic passing of Officer Michael “Bone” Andrews, who was killed in an off-duty motorcycle accident last night.

Officer Andrews was more than a police officer; he was a friend, a brother, and a valued member of our department family. He was truly a character, and his personality and presence brought something special to everyone who knew him. He will be deeply missed by his fellow officers, friends, and the community he proudly served.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Officer Andrews’ family and loved ones, as well as his brothers and sisters in law enforcement, during this incredibly difficult time.

Please keep the Andrews family and the entire Camden Police Department family in your prayers as we mourn this tremendous loss.

Rest easy, Bone. You will be sorely missed and never forgotten.

09/09/2026

09/09/2026

Titus 2:2 reminds us that spiritual maturity is not measured simply by age, but by the character developed through a life of walking with God. Older men are called to be self-controlled, worthy of respect, sensible, and grounded in faith, love, and endurance. These qualities are not merely personal virtues—they are a testimony to younger generations watching our lives. God calls mature men to lead by example, demonstrating that faith remains strong through trials, love remains steadfast, and endurance remains faithful when life becomes difficult. Our greatest legacy may not be what we accomplish, but the Christlike character we leave for others to follow.

09/09/2026

🇺🇸 WE’RE STARTING TO BUILD OUR 2027 CORE TEAM

Something big is taking shape for The Honor Network and the United States Honor Flag in 2027.

Actually, several things.

Next year is shaping up to include major national events, Honor Flag missions, community engagements, and an extended period of travel across America.

And one project in particular has us very excited:

A 10-CITY NATIONAL TOUR with an amazing new national corporate sponsor.

We’re keeping the identity of the partner and most of the details under wraps for now, but here’s one hint:

This is not an RV manufacturer, dealership, supplier, or traditional RV-industry vendor.

It is, however, a major national brand with a very natural connection to Americans traveling the open road.

The tour will bring together RVs, first responders, veterans, families, communities, and the United States Honor Flag at locations across the country.

And now we need to start building the people side of it.

We’re looking for a small group of 2027 Core Volunteers who may want to travel with us, help operate events, solve problems, coordinate logistics, meet people, move equipment, represent the mission, and occasionally help us figure out what exactly we were thinking when we came up with all of this.

We’re especially interested in individuals or couples who are:

• Retired or have significant flexibility to travel
• Comfortable being on the road for extended periods
• RVers or experienced road travelers
• Full-time RVers are especially loved. You already understand that “home” is wherever you remembered to put the leveling blocks.
• Dependable, adaptable, organized, friendly, and comfortable jumping in wherever needed
• Interested in helping us build something from the ground up
• Available for portions of 2027, several stops, or possibly a much larger part of the journey

We will likely develop multiple Core Volunteer Teams in different parts of the country, because this mission is getting bigger than any one group can cover.

But if we could find a few people or couples who wanted to travel with us from stop to stop and become part of the same traveling core team?

That would be pretty incredible.

The areas we expect to be particularly important for 2027 include:

Texas • Oklahoma • Kansas • Nebraska • South Dakota • Iowa • Missouri • Illinois • Colorado • Utah • Arizona • Idaho • Oregon • Washington • Georgia • Alabama

If you live in or around one of those states, you may be sitting right in the middle of where we’ll need help.

This is still volunteer service, and nobody should expect to retire twice because of us.

However, for selected Core Volunteers participating directly in tour operations, some mission-related expenses may be provided, including fuel and other approved travel support where appropriate.

Most importantly, we’re looking for people who understand that this isn’t really about driving around the country.

It’s about what happens when we get there.

Meeting families.

Honoring heroes.

Working beside first responders.

Bringing communities together.

Carrying the United States Honor Flag into places and moments that matter.

And helping build something we intend to keep growing for years to come.

We’re not looking for hundreds of people.

We’re looking for a small number of dependable people we can start getting to know, planning with, laughing with, trusting, and eventually looking across a parking lot at after 14 hours and saying:

“Well… that somehow worked.”

There is no commitment at this stage.

If you read this and think:

“I could see us doing this.”

Send us a private message.

Tell us a little about yourself, where you live, whether you’d travel individually or as a couple, your RV or road-travel experience, special skills you might bring, and what your availability could look like during 2027.

Something remarkable is being built.

Before we build the road, we’re building the team.

THE HONOR NETWORK
United States Honor Flag
One Flag. One Nation. All Heroes.
Honor with Action.

09/09/2026

Accepting Reality and Choosing Our Response

A Biblical Counseling Perspective for Veterans, First Responders, and Their Families

Veterans and first responders often live in a world where circumstances can change in an instant.

A call comes over the radio.
An alarm sounds.
A vehicle arrives at a scene.
A person is injured.
A life is lost.
A mission changes.
A fellow service member or partner does not come home.
A career ends.
A relationship changes.
A body no longer does what it once did.

For those who have served, there can also be the difficult transition from a highly structured environment back into civilian life. The rules, expectations, responsibilities, and even the way we see the world can change.

Sometimes the most difficult battle begins after the uniform comes off.

One of the important principles in biblical counseling is learning to distinguish between what has happened, what we feel about what happened, and how we choose to respond to what happened.

We cannot always control our circumstances.

But with God's help, we can learn to respond to them in ways that are truthful, wise, and honoring to Christ.

Accepting Reality Does Not Mean Approving of It

For someone who has experienced trauma, loss, betrayal, injustice, or profound disappointment, the word acceptance can sometimes sound like surrender.

It isn't.

Biblical acceptance does not mean saying:

"What happened was okay."

It does not mean:

"It didn't really matter."

It does not mean:

"I shouldn't be affected by it."

And it certainly does not mean:

"I have to forget it."

Acceptance begins with acknowledging reality.

This happened.

It hurt.

It changed me.

I cannot go back and change the past.

That may be a difficult truth to face, but refusing to acknowledge reality can keep us trapped in a constant battle with something we cannot change.

Joseph experienced betrayal, abandonment, slavery, false accusations, and imprisonment. None of those things were good.

Yet when Joseph eventually looked back at what his brothers had done, he could say:

“You planned evil against me; God planned it for good.”
— Genesis 50:20, CSB

Joseph did not call evil good.

He recognized the evil for what it was.

But he also recognized that God was not absent from his story.

That distinction is important.

What Happened to You Is Not the Same as Who You Are

Veterans and first responders can sometimes carry experiences that become deeply connected to their identity.

"I'm a cop."

"I'm a firefighter."

"I'm a soldier."

"I'm a Marine."

"I'm a first responder."

Those identities may be meaningful and honorable.

But for the Christian, there is an identity that goes deeper than the uniform, badge, rank, position, or career.

You belong to Christ.

Your identity is not ultimately determined by the worst thing you witnessed, the worst decision you made, the call you wish you could change, the injury you suffered, the career you lost, or the person you could not save.

Your identity is found in Christ.

Paul wrote:

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!”
— 2 Corinthians 5:17, CSB

What happened to you may be part of your story.

It does not have to become the definition of your story.

You Cannot Change the Past

One of the heaviest burdens people carry is the desire to go back and change something.

"If only I had gotten there sooner."

"If only I had made a different decision."

"If only I had recognized the warning signs."

"If only I had said something."

"If only I had done more."

Hindsight can be a cruel teacher.

We evaluate yesterday with information we did not necessarily possess yesterday.

The past can teach us, but it cannot be relived.

David understood this reality after the death of his child. He prayed while there was still hope, but after the child died, David arose, washed, and worshiped.

His servants were confused.

David explained:

“But now he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back?”
— 2 Samuel 12:23, CSB

David recognized a painful reality:

He could not change what had already happened.

There are moments when acceptance means releasing the question, "What if?"

Not because the question is unimportant, but because continuing to live inside an unchangeable past can prevent us from faithfully living in the present.

Your Feelings Matter—But They Are Not Your Master

Biblical counseling does not require us to pretend that painful emotions do not exist.

The Bible is filled with people who experienced fear, anger, grief, disappointment, loneliness, and sorrow.

The Psalms are filled with honest expressions of pain.

Jesus Himself wept.

Emotions are real.

But emotions are not always reliable guides for what we should believe or do.

A veteran may feel disconnected.

A first responder may feel angry.

A survivor may feel guilty.

A spouse may feel forgotten.

A retired responder may feel useless after leaving the job.

A person may feel abandoned by God.

Those feelings deserve to be acknowledged and brought before God.

But we must be careful not to allow our emotions to become our authority.

Feelings tell us something about what is happening inside us. They do not necessarily tell us what is true about God, ourselves, or others.

That is why Scripture must remain our foundation.

Reaction Versus Response

There is an important difference between reacting and responding.

A reaction can happen almost automatically.

A response involves intentionality.

Someone says something that reminds us of an experience, and anger rises.

Someone questions our actions, and defensiveness takes over.

A family member does not understand what we experienced, and we withdraw.

Someone violates our trust, and we decide we will never trust anyone again.

These reactions may be understandable.

But biblical counseling asks a deeper question:

What will I do with this reaction?

James tells us:

“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.”
— James 1:19, CSB

That does not mean anger is never justified.

It means anger should not automatically become our master.

There is a space between what happens to us and what we do next.

That space is where wisdom, self-control, prayer, Scripture, and the Holy Spirit can make a difference.

Accepting What You Cannot Control

Veterans and first responders are often trained to take action.

Assess the situation.

Identify the problem.

Take control.

Protect.

Respond.

Solve.

Those skills can save lives.

But one of the challenges after leaving the field is recognizing that not everything in life can be controlled or fixed.

You cannot control another person's choices.

You cannot control how someone responds to your service.

You cannot control what people think about you.

You cannot undo yesterday.

You cannot guarantee tomorrow.

You cannot make everyone understand what you experienced.

And you cannot control every outcome.

Proverbs 3:5–6 tells us:

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Trust requires recognizing that God sees what we cannot see.

Sometimes faith means taking action.

Sometimes faith means waiting.

And sometimes faith means releasing something into God's hands because there is nothing more we can do.

Acceptance Does Not Mean Doing Nothing

There is another danger in misunderstanding acceptance.

Some may hear this message and conclude:

"I just have to accept things and do nothing."

No.

Biblical acceptance does not eliminate responsibility.

If something needs to be corrected, seek correction.

If someone needs to be confronted, confront them appropriately.

If an injustice needs to be addressed, pursue justice.

If a relationship needs reconciliation, pursue reconciliation when appropriate.

If you need help, seek help.

If you have harmed someone, take responsibility.

If someone has harmed you, appropriate boundaries may be necessary.

The Christian life is not passive resignation.

It is faithful obedience.

Nehemiah saw the broken walls of Jerusalem.

He did not deny the reality.

He did not pretend everything was fine.

He prayed.

He planned.

He acted.

Acceptance identifies reality. Wisdom determines the appropriate response. Faith trusts God with the outcome.

You Are Not Required to Carry Everything Alone

One of the greatest dangers for people accustomed to being strong for others is believing they must always be strong themselves.

Veterans and first responders are often accustomed to being the person others depend upon.

But Scripture gives us a different picture of Christian community.

Paul tells believers:

“Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
— Galatians 6:2, CSB

Sometimes strength looks like helping someone else.

Sometimes strength looks like admitting:

"I need help."

That is not weakness.

It is humility.

God often works through His people.

A trusted brother or sister in Christ, pastor, biblical counselor, mentor, spouse, fellow veteran, fellow first responder, or qualified professional may become part of God's provision during a difficult season.

Seeking appropriate help is not a failure of faith.

We Can Grieve What We Cannot Change

Acceptance does not eliminate grief.

You may grieve the person you lost.

You may grieve the career you once had.

You may grieve the physical abilities you no longer possess.

You may grieve the family relationship that changed.

You may grieve the person you were before a traumatic experience.

You may even grieve the expectations you once had for your future.

Grief is not necessarily evidence that your faith is weak.

Jesus wept at Lazarus's tomb even though He knew Lazarus would live again.

Christian hope does not eliminate present sorrow.

It gives sorrow a different destination.

We can grieve with hope.

Jesus Understands Suffering

Perhaps one of the most important truths for a suffering veteran or first responder is this:

Jesus is not distant from suffering.

Hebrews tells us:

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses.”
— Hebrews 4:15, CSB

Jesus experienced rejection.

Betrayal.

False accusations.

Physical suffering.

Abandonment.

Grief.

Injustice.

And ultimately the cross.

He understands suffering in a way that goes beyond intellectual knowledge.

That means when we bring our pain to Christ, we are not bringing it to someone who does not understand.

We are bringing it to our Savior.

Choosing a Christ-Centered Response

When something difficult happens—or when an old experience is triggered—we can pause and ask:

1. What is actually true?

Separate facts from assumptions, fears, and interpretations.

2. What am I feeling?

Name the emotion honestly rather than allowing it to operate in the background.

3. What can I control?

Identify your responsibilities and actions.

4. What can I not control?

Release what belongs in God's hands.

5. What does Scripture say?

Allow God's Word—not merely our emotions—to shape our thinking.

6. What response honors Christ?

Ask not simply, "What do I want to do?"

Ask:

"What would faithfulness to Christ look like right now?"

7. What is the next right step?

You do not always have to solve the entire problem today.

Sometimes the next step is simply the next faithful step.

Pray.

Listen.

Apologize.

Forgive.

Set a boundary.

Ask for help.

Have the conversation.

Rest.

Serve.

Wait.

Trust.

We Cannot Always Choose What Happens—But We Can Choose Our Response

This does not mean that choosing a response is always easy.

For someone carrying the effects of trauma, loss, moral injury, betrayal, or years of accumulated stress, responding differently may take time.

Growth is often a process.

Sanctification is a process.

Healing can be a process.

There may be setbacks.

There may be difficult days.

But the presence of a struggle does not mean the absence of God's grace.

Paul wrote:

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.”
— 2 Corinthians 12:9, CSB

Our goal is not to become people who were never hurt.

Our goal is to become people who learn to bring our hurt to Christ.

Not people who never experience anger, but people who learn what to do with anger.

Not people who never grieve, but people who learn to grieve with hope.

Not people who never struggle, but people who learn to trust God in the struggle.

A Final Word to the Veteran or First Responder

You may not be able to change what happened.

You may not be able to change another person's actions.

You may not be able to restore yesterday.

You may not be able to make everyone understand.

But you can choose what you do today.

You can choose truth over distortion.

You can choose forgiveness instead of bitterness.

You can choose wisdom instead of impulsiveness.

You can choose self-control instead of uncontrolled reaction.

You can choose humility instead of pride.

You can choose community instead of isolation.

You can choose prayer instead of pretending you are fine.

You can choose to seek help instead of carrying everything alone.

And above all, you can choose to trust Christ.

Acceptance says, "This is where I am."

Honesty says, "This is what happened, and this is what I am feeling."

Wisdom asks, "What is my responsibility?"

Faith says, "God is with me here."

And obedience says, "With God's help, I will choose a response that honors Christ."

You may not get to choose every circumstance.

But you can choose where you take your circumstances.

Take them to Christ.

“Cast all your cares on him, because he cares about you.”
— 1 Peter 5:7, CSB

The uniform may come off.

The badge may be retired.

The mission may end.

The career may change.

But God's faithfulness does not retire.

The One who was with you in the crisis is still with you in the aftermath.

And whatever chapter you are living today, you do not have to face it alone.

09/09/2026

09/08/2026

Drawing on principles from recent Sunday School lessons, I would like to share the following reflection.

Confronting Doubts — Jesus Demands a Decision

Skepticism abounds. It has been almost fifty-seven years since Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, yet there are still people who believe the moon landing was a hoax. Nearly every news story today can provoke skepticism about what is true, what is false, and whom we can trust.

Doubt and skepticism are not necessarily bad. In fact, they can be healthy when they cause us to investigate, ask questions, and seek the truth. But skepticism becomes dangerous when we become so committed to our doubts that we refuse to accept the truth, even when the evidence is right in front of us. That was the problem Jesus encountered. Many people witnessed His works, heard His teaching, and saw the evidence of who He was, yet they still refused to believe. Their skepticism kept them from experiencing the life He offered.

What are some things you encounter that lead you to doubt or become skeptical?

1. Honest Doubt Should Lead Us to Investigate the Truth

Matthew 11:1–6 (CSB)
When Jesus had finished giving instructions to his twelve disciples, he moved on from there to teach and preach in their towns. Now when John heard in prison what the Christ was doing, he sent a message through his disciples and asked him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” Jesus replied to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor are told the good news, and blessed is the one who isn’t offended by me.”

Matthew 11:1–6 reminds us that even faithful people can experience moments of doubt, uncertainty, and discouragement. John the Baptist was imprisoned and facing difficult circumstances when he asked Jesus if He truly was the promised Messiah. Jesus did not condemn John for asking the question. Instead, He pointed John toward the evidence. The blind were seeing, the lame were walking, the sick were being healed, the dead were being raised, and the Good News was being proclaimed.

Jesus' response would have reminded John of the Old Testament promises concerning the Messiah. Isaiah had foretold that when God's salvation came, the blind would see, the deaf would hear, the lame would walk, and the good news would be proclaimed to the poor. Jesus was showing John that the evidence pointed directly to Him.

Our circumstances may sometimes cause us to question what God is doing, but honest questions should move us toward Christ, not away from Him. Faith does not require us to ignore our questions. It calls us to bring those questions to Jesus and examine the evidence of who He is, what He has done, and what He continues to do.

How would John have understood Jesus’ reply in verses 4–5 based on his knowledge of the Old Testament?

How should we respond to our honest doubts about Jesus?

2. Preconceived Ideas Can Keep Us From the Truth

Matthew 11:16–19 (CSB)
“To what should I compare this generation? It’s like children sitting in the marketplaces who call out to other children: ‘We played the flute for you, but you didn’t dance; we sang a lament, but you didn’t mourn!’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”

Matthew 11:16–19 challenges us to recognize how easily people can reject the truth when it does not fit their expectations. John the Baptist was criticized for being too strict, while Jesus was criticized for associating with sinners. No matter what God did, some people found an excuse to reject Him.

The problem was not simply a lack of evidence. They had already seen and heard enough to respond. Their preconceived ideas had become more important to them than the truth standing before them.

We can fall into the same trap. Sometimes we develop an image of who we think God should be, how He should work, or how He should respond to our circumstances. When God does not fit our expectations, we may question Him rather than question our expectations.

Jesus reminds us that wisdom is vindicated by her deeds. Truth ultimately demonstrates itself through its fruit.

How do people's preconceived notions about God cause them to miss what He is doing?

3. Seeing the Evidence Demands a Response

Matthew 11:20–24 (CSB)
Then he proceeded to denounce the towns where most of his miracles were done, because they did not repent: “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented in sackcloth and ashes long ago. But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were done in you had been done in S***m, it would have remained until today. But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of S***m on the day of judgment than for you.”

Matthew 11:20–24 reminds us that witnessing God's work brings with it a responsibility to respond. Jesus confronted the towns that had seen many of His miracles yet refused to repent. Their problem was not a lack of evidence; it was their unwillingness to respond to the truth they had been given.

The more clearly we see the truth, the greater our responsibility to respond to it. God's grace, His Word, the testimony of changed lives, and the evidence of His work should never be taken for granted. God's patience should never be mistaken for permission to remain unchanged.

Jesus pronounced a warning to the cities that had been given greater opportunities to witness His miracles.

How does this warning apply to you?

Conclusion — Jesus Demands a Decision

Matthew 11 challenges us to examine what we do with our doubts. Honest doubt can lead us to investigate the truth. Preconceived ideas can cause us to reject the truth. But once we encounter the truth, we must decide how we will respond to it.

Jesus did not leave people with the option of remaining comfortably neutral. John had to decide whether Jesus was truly the Messiah. The crowds had to decide whether they would accept Him despite their expectations. The cities that witnessed His miracles had to decide whether they would repent.

The same is true for us.

We can question. We can investigate. We can wrestle with difficult circumstances. But eventually, we must confront the evidence and decide what we will do with Jesus.

Jesus demands a decision.

Will we allow our doubts to drive us toward Him, or will we use our doubts as an excuse to reject Him? Will we allow God's Word to challenge our expectations, or will we reshape God to fit what we want Him to be? And when we recognize the truth about Jesus, will we respond with repentance, faith, and obedience?

The greatest danger is not having questions. The greatest danger is seeing the truth and refusing to respond.