Last Entry For A While......

Ok, I know most of you who are regular readers, maybe I should say regular "checkers" of my blog will experience something that is NOT so irregular. I will be off my BLOG for a few weeks. Ha, Ha, Ha, I know what you're saying right now, so what's the difference? Ok you're right, I am not always the best at keeping my BLOG up to date. "Touche!"

So here is the deal:

I have been experiencing problems with my computer as of late and it will be going in for repairs. (The DVD drive is not working)

Over two years ago Pastor Paul and I purchased these computers for use here at the church and fortunately to the credit and foresight of our wise pastor, we purchased the three-year full replacement warranty.

The only problem is that they do not do major repairs at the store, so they will be sending it out for at least two weeks. I also hope this will not translate into what I experienced with my van reapairs all last year. YIKES!

The Good thing is that my very gracious pastor who will be going on vacation soon has offered the use of HIS laptop while he is gone... What a guy.

All in all, I will be away from my normal technological comforts for at least a couple of weeks and this will translate into no BLOG. So give me until at least the 1st week in July before you check back.

Another good thing about this is that this will allow me to experience a "fast" from my computer, so pray for my withdrawal symptoms while I am offline........

See You Soon!

-John Martinez

Silent Respect

1 Year ago on June 6th 2007, I was commissioned into the Idaho Army National Guard as a 2LT to serve as a Chaplain.


25 years ago today on June 6th 1983, I entered into the Army National Guard as a PFC Private First Class and started Basic Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina to serve as a band member in the 44th Army Band Stationed in Santa Fe New Mexico.

64 years ago today on June 6th 1944:



(According to Wikipedia) The Invasion of Normandy was the invasion and establishment of Allied forces in Normandy, France during Operation Overlord in World War II. It covers from the initial landings on June 6, 1944 until the Allied breakout in mid-July.It was the largest seaborne invasion at the time, involving over 850,000 troops crossing the English Channel from the United Kingdom to Normandy by the end of June 1944.Allied land forces that saw combat in Normandy on June 6 came from Canada, Free French Forces, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In the weeks following the invasion, Polish forces also participated and there were also contingents from Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Greece, and the Netherlands. Most of the above countries also provided air and naval support, as did the Royal Australian Air Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force and the Royal Norwegian Navy.


My dad, uncles, and grandfather and several cousins are veterans of foreign wars. My dad fought in World War II and Korea.

I know that people are courteous and call me a veteran, but there is a huge difference between these ones that have actually done the fighting and someone like me who puts on the uniform.

Please understand, no disrespect for all those in uniform who stand READY to defend; I do the same, but there is a silent respect we have for those who have already been there.I feel awkward at times when someone comes up to me and says thank you with a tear in their eye. But I was told by another soldier once that they are saying thank you through me. So I feel honored to accept their appreciation.

"Full Battle Rattle"

The past few days have been a great start the Annual Training event I have been a part of with the National Guard.

Our training site has been set up and we are here on what is called the "OTA" (Orchard Training Area) just south of Boise. Everywhere we go we are required to wear full body armor and Kevlar as well as our weapon. No exceptions! Even to the Latrine! This is what is affectionately referred to as "Full Battle Rattle".

I have to admit that it is fun to "Play Soldier" when there is no real threat, but I also do realize that the training is for a real purpose. We will be deployed and this training will have a real purpose.

I am reminded of Ephesians chapter 6 following after verse 10 where the Apostle Paul urges the believers to be ready for battle. There was not a question of whether the believers would engage in battle, this was already a given. The real issue was who the enemy truly was. In this case which is true for us today, the enemy is not in a Bradley Tank or an IED (Improvised Explosive Device), but it is a spiritual power, principalities. We are fighting against the evil and dark forces that can cause us to sin destructively and fall from the faith and destroy our witness in the community and those we influence.

So in order to be a successful Soldier of the Cross we have to be prepared to do battle. This means that we have to be in "Full Battle Rattle". It is called the The Full Armor of God and it includes an array:

We have to ...Gird your waist with TRUTH,

The breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS,

Feet shod with the preparation of the GOSPEL of PEACE,

The sheild of FAITH,

The helmet of SALVATION,

The sword of the SPIRIT,

And pray always in the SPIRIT.

-John
(Soldier of The Lord)