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The official statement is: Major Gregory J. Fester, 41, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, died on August 30, 2005, in Iskandariyah, Iraq, where an improvised explosive device detonated near his dismounted patrol. Fester was a reservist assigned to the U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

He was building schools for Iraqi children. Gregory Fesker left behind his wife, three kids and his mom.

His daughter writes: "To Mommy, Megan, and Peyton, You all have so much to bed proud of, Dad lives through all of us. I see his smiling face in each of you every day. Dad you are my true hero and I will never ever forget the amazing sixteen years you gave me, you were always there, and I cant wait to see you again some day. Jenni"


He was killed six days before his 18th wedding anniversary, leaving behind his wife, Julie and their three children.

His wife writes: "My Beloved Gregory How I miss you every minute of the day. You were my soul mate and I thank you for the best 18 years of marriage that could be. I see you in our three loving children and I can't wait to run to you in heaven and talk with you. You were my "Lory" and I was your "Jo." I so wanted to have a reunion with you after this war , just like after Desert Storm. You are forever our Hero in everything you did here on earth for us as a loving husband, father, soldier, friend, and businessman. You always went above and beyond and put others first. You never faltered in your faith and left behind a great legacy for all of us to strive for. I always wanted to be just like you, and in your kind way you told me the same. How I miss you so. I wonder what your doing now? Love, Julie xoxoxoxo

I could tell you that Gregory Fester's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Achievement Medal, one Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, the Valorous Unit Award, the National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars, Kuwaiti Liberation Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Parachutist Badge.

But that's not what makes him the man. The army is not who will miss him; this is:

Thank you for your sacrifice - all of you.

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A friend and I have been discussing (on a regular basis) about interacting with culture (or separating from it), or the same situation in a church, etc.

One of the first times we talked about it was right after I read "A Radical Reformission" by Mark Driscoll. The exact situation we were discussing was a young woman who (whether she was or not) dressed "Goth". To be honest, right now, it's a toss up for me - to dress that way, she is identifying herself with a sub-culture that celebrates depression and darkness. But to be willing (as a Christian) to stay with that group, she may be able to reach them in a way that no other person could.

I have recently been through a bit of "stuff" with my old church (actually, for "technical reasons" my membership is still there for a very short while).

So you stay within and try to change things? Or leave and witness to the ones that you still have contact with?

I believe that it is different when you are in a church that you feel is not teaching what is right.

When you belong to a church, you don't just "go". You have a responsibility to that church. You donate time, money and resources. Maybe more importantly, you are committed to submitting to the leadership.

That's what ultimately made my decision. When I got to the point that I didn't want my money and resources going to the things that the church was giving money to, it was time for me to leave. More importantly, when the leadership is taking that church in a direction that I believe is wrong, it is wrong of me to stay, because I cannot submit to leadership I believe is wrong.

I saw a comment similar to that on another blog - that it is better to stay and witness, than to "jump the boat".

Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account.

Martin Luther is quoted as saying, "Unless therefore, I am convinced by the testimony of Scripture . . . I can and will not retract . . . Here I stand . . . I can do no other. So help me God, Amen!!!"

This man, caught between obeying the church leaders and the testimony of Scripture, refused to retract what his conscience told him was truth.

For me, caught between what the church is saying ("there, there, it's not a big deal") and what I know is Biblical, I refuse to "recant", I must follow conscience.

If I cannot cheerfully and joyfully submit to the leaders of a church, I should not be there.

In a couple of days, it will be Sunday...I'll tell the pastor of the church we're attending now that I have not received a reply to the letter to my old church, and I'll ask for my membership to be transferred.

For the sake of the leadership at my old church, it's the right thing to do.

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this was taken at Frederick Meijer Garden - they have a huge greenhouse and this was there. The greenhouse if always very hot, but that day it seemed cooler inside than outside. There was a bridal party waiting for the ceremony to start and they were all inside the main part of the building (which was quite cool), and just went outside at the very last minute. I always enjoy Meijer Garden...

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Thirteen Things about Ellen (right now)

    1. I'm pleasantly cool - Thank You, Lord, for the rain
    2. I'm really enjoying my week off, Monday it's back to school (work)
    3. I love my kids - and I'm proud of them
    4. My back yard (still) has a squash, not a watermelon
    5. I haven't had enough coffee today
    6. I've been writing about grace and faith; I'm still amazed!
    7. I had a few moments of panic when I realized that the linkeys really messed up my page
    8. I'm having other "issues" with the site, hopefully I'll get them fixed
    9. I'm a little behind on laundry (most of are, I think)
    10. I still need more coffee
    11. The last "Thursday Thirteen" I visited reminded me that I need to not only read the Bible, I need to choose a few verses to memorize
    12. My cat (Simey) is annoying me today - I think that she thinks she's starved for attention
    13. Right now, I'm going to get more coffee...

    1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

    Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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(WOW)

This is what an apology should be...

"There is no excuse, nor should there be any tolerance, for anyone who thinks or expresses any kind of anti-Semitic remark. I want to apologise specifically to everyone in the Jewish community for the vitriolic and harmful words that I said to a law enforcement officer the night I was arrested on a DUI charge.

"I am a public person, and when I say something, either articulated and thought out, or blurted out in a moment of insanity, my words carry weight in the public arena. As a result, I must assume personal responsibility for my words and apologise directly to those who have been hurt and offended by those words.

"The tenets of what I profess to believe necessitate that I exercise charity and tolerance as a way of life. Every human being is God’s child, and if I wish to honour my God I have to honour his children. But please know from my heart that I am not an anti-Semite. I am not a bigot. Hatred of any kind goes against my faith.

"I’m not just asking for forgiveness. I would like to take it one step further, and meet with leaders in the Jewish community, with whom I can have a one-on-one discussion to discern the appropriate path for healing.

"I have begun an ongoing program of recovery and what I am now realising is that I cannot do it alone. I am in the process of understanding where those vicious words came from during that drunken display, and I am asking the Jewish community, whom I have personally offended, to help me on my journey through recovery.

"Again, I am reaching out to the Jewish community for its help. I know there will be many in that community who will want nothing to do with me, and that would be understandable. But I pray that that door is not forever closed.

"This is not about a film. Nor is it about artistic license. This is about real life and recognising the consequences hurtful words can have. It’s about existing in harmony in a world that seems to have gone mad."

What I have tried to teach my kids (and others)

1) I was wrong

2) I'm sorry

3) What can I do to make sure it never happens again

4) How can I make it right with you?

It remains to be seen how the Jewish community will respond - my hope and prayer is that they will reach back.