HONORING SOLDIERS

Since today is Veteran's Day, I wanted to share with you a poem that the Lord gave me on Janaury 2, 2006. That day was the day after we heard the news that our precious nephew, Staff Sergeant Christopher Van Der Horn, was killed in Iraq. On that cold January morning, the Lord gave me another "I am" to add to the list of "I am's" that are found in the Gospel of John. That morning He spoke to my heart, "I am a soldier."

I AM A SOLDER

My boot camp was in heaven where I was trained for My mission.
My mission was to serve My country and obey the orders of My Commander in Chief.
My country was Earth and I was prepared to fight to take it back from the enemy.
My rank in heaven was a five star general, but I gave up that glory.
My glory was stripped when I reported for duty on Earth as a babe.
My encounters with the enemy were many and even began in heaven.
My enemy's mission was to take My life when I was a small child.
My enemy did not know that My main mission was to lay My life down for others.
My battle was with principalities, powers, rulers of darkness and wickedness in heavenly places.
My uniform was an earth suit made of flesh, bone and blood.
My first rank on Earth was a private, but I experienced every rank.
My commissioning service took place at the Jordan River where I was baptized.
My enemy uncovered his strategy when he tempted Me in the wilderness.
My mode of operation was to declare My Commander and Chief's words on Earth.
My victory in the wildernesss was won with the trusted Sword of the Spirit.
My enemy thought he had defeated Me when I died on the cross.
My flesh was torn and the weight of the sins of the world crushed My heart.
My burial was not accompanied with a military salute. It was at dusk.
My enemy was defeated when I rose from the tomb and ascended to heaven.
My original rank as general was restored but I will return as Captain of the Heavenly Hosts.
My duty in heaven and in hearts now is to train an army that is willing to die.

by Linda Sommer
January 2, 2006