Captain Russel Rippetoe served our country in Operation Iraqi Freedom.  When he had served in Afghanistan, he saw so much death that it drove him to find solace in Scripture. 

In Iraq he wore an emblem on is neck with an American flag on one side, and Joshua 1:9 on the other, “Don’t be afraid or dismayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”   

As he was leading his troops in Iraq, a car approached and a woman exited the car and cried to the U.S. soldiers, “I’m hungry!  I need something to eat and drink!” 

Rippetoe didn’t want to endanger his troops, but he wanted to meet this woman’s possible needs.  As he got close to her the driver of the approaching car let off a bomb, killing the captain. 

A few days before he had written in his diary, “Think about what Mom and I talked about: all things happening for a reason, and God knows the reason.” 

Captain Rippetoe is now in heaven, wearing crowns of righteousness because he served his country, he gave his life to help a strange woman, and he centered his life on God’s word. 

Sunday I’m preaching on “Freely Revel in God’s Word” from 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5.  We’ll look at “Live in the Word,” 3:14-17; and “Proclaim the Word,” 4:1-5.  Timothy was raised in God’s word by a godly grandmother and mother.  Then, when Paul visited his town, he gave his life in order to spread God’s word to the world . 

As we prepare for Vacation Bible School for children, youth and adults July 13-17, 5:00-8:00 p.m., let’s learn to live in God’s word.  And let’s encourage others to do so.  Please invite people to Sunday School and worship this week and VBS next week.  It can make a difference in eternity! 

Love, 

Jim Meek