Truth Lies Fallen in the Streets of Benghazi

 In transgressing and lying against the LORD, and departing away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.

And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.

Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment.

Is 59:13 - 15

September 11, was met with a terror attack on US citizens in Benghazi. Two months later the echoes of their blood still cries out from the ground for justice. Only those four souls know what really happened. We have several men and women claiming to come to the knowledge of the truth, all for different reasons, but only God in heaven who has received the souls of these heroic men will ultimately deliver justice. 

As I read through the stories of each of these men, I find several similarities. These men held a deep love for country, had all served in the Middle Eastern countries, believed in diplomacy and peace, were full of life and adventure and none of them ever went "through the motions" because " just OK was not enough..." in their worlds.  God bless the souls of these four men and their families left behind to search for truth and meaning in their deaths.

Ambassador Chris Stevens

Ambassador Chris Stevens was finally, quietly laid to rest in Grass Valley, California yesterday. His family insisted on a private funeral with about 30 in attendance. His father Jan Stevens said he was laid to rest among his family and his happier memories of spending time with his grandparents, swimming in the Yuba River and skiing at the Donner Summit.

Ambassador Stevens comes from rich roots with his father Jan Stevens serving as Yolo County Superior Court Judge and California Assistant Attorney General. His mother, Mary (nee Floris) J Stevens was a cellist of the Marin Symphony Orchestra and direct descendant of Chief  Comcomly of the Chinook Indian Nation. Chris's sister, Dr Anne Stevens, is a pediatrician at Seattle Children's and has set up a very inspiring website in memory of her brother, Remembering Chris Stevens.

Tyrone Woods

Charles Woods, the father of Navy Seal Tyrone Woods that also gave his life in the Benghazi terrorist attack begs for the truth on Glen Beck's, The Blaze . This father's grief is obvious, but the cuts run deeper when his answers for truth were met with what he considered were an empty handshake from President Obama and disrespectful comments from Vice President Joe Biden.

Tyrone Woods had received the Bronze Star and served as a registered nurse and paramedic. He was a mother's son, a wife's husband and three children's father.  A very nice face book page, Tyrone S. Woods, US Navy Seal Memorial Page, has been set up in his memory.

Glen Doherty

Glen's sister Kate recalls her anxiety after she receives a phone call from a friend that was concerned that Glen may have been part of the terror attack in Benghazi. She describes how she settles herself remembering him coming home from several dangerous missions in Iraq, Afghanistan and Mexico. This time, though, the outcome would be different. This time Glen would make one last trip home to Winchester where he was laid to rest. Kate's account of meeting with Vice President Joe Biden was very different. She felt he was genuine and great with her kids. She felt she was greeted warmly.

A Glen Doherty Memorial Foundation has been set up to honor his memory. Also a book written by Glen Doherty, Navy Seal Sniper, will be released in January.

Sean Smith

Sean Smith was a computer specialist that served in the US Air Force was also killed in the terror attack. It is reported that Sean left a chilling clue in a message to his on line gaming corporation, "Assuming we don't die tonight. We saw one of our 'police' that guard the compound taking pictures." These and many other warning signs, messages and concerns fell on deaf ears prior to the attack. Sean's mother, Pat Smith appeared on Anderson Cooper's 360 show frustrated that her son was being used in the political forums and tired of not receiving answers that were personally promised to her by Hillary Clinton,  Joe Biden, President Obama and Leon Panetta.

 "I begged them to tell me what happened..." "You can keep your political, just tell me the truth...."

Giving Thanks, An Attitude of Gratitude

Laura's story behind the song blessings is amazing. She talks about the process of praying for a miracle for her husband that was diagnosed with a brain tumor and the answers not always coming out the way they expected or wanted. This song was birthed out of the many trials they have endured on their journey through this.  This is especially touching as this is the first Thanksgiving we will be without our beloved brother -in -law Steve Chaffins. Many of you helped with financial support when he went to MD Houston but he lost the fight to leukemia on Jan 29th this year, but gained his home in heaven. It still makes it hard for his family left behind, especially his wife Marcie and his children.
So while you are praying today, please say a special prayer for their comfort during this time.

  Thanksgiving!

 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. Ps 100.4

 I am so excited today! I absolutely love turkey! and I will try my best to stay away from the stuffing! I am spending today at my sister's house. My mother and adoptive father will be celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary today as well. My family will be there and the weather is suppose to be good!
  There is so much for me to be thankful for so bear with me as I share a few grateful fors!

I am grateful for:

•  Cease fire in Israel Ps 122:6
• My family is all healthy Ps 91:10
• The military and military families in service for us. Ps 144:1
• God has supplied all my needs Ph 4:19
• My precious pastor Manuel Spencer who is seated in heaven showed me salvation. I Co15:11
• The multiple salvations we have seen this year. Acts 2:47

You hear a lot in the self help world about being grateful, having a journal of what you are grateful for, having an attitude of gratitude. That is all true, but hopefully we can see from above that it is true because they are using a Biblical principle. Not only is an attitude of gratitude a Christian virtue there is even a thanksgiving offering   that was established in Lev 7:12-15.

In America we have so much to be thankful for just by virtue of where God has placed us. We do have all our needs available to us, we do have religious freedoms, we do have freedom of speech and despite it all we do have a secure and operative government that we are instructed to pray for daily.

Yes I know there is poverty here, I have been well acquainted with the homeless population and there is always more works of compassion to be done, but at the end of the day we can raise our hands to the Lord and say we are blessed and thank God for all our blessings.

So give a few more hugs today, look around and know that you are blessed, if you are able to help serve others today thank God for that ability, if you have breath in your body, Thank God!

Yes you are blessed, Yes I am blessed and have a blessed Thanksgiving!

 the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those who bring thank offerings to the house of the LORD, saying, "Give thanks to the LORD Almighty, for the LORD is good; his love endures forever." For I will restore the fortunes of the land as they were before,' says the LORD. Jer 33:11