I arrived at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Warhorse in March 2006. That was one of the more dangerous provinces since it was split 50 percent Sunni and 50 percent Shiite. When the tension grew between the religious factions the violence grew as well. FOB Warhorse was surrounded by major Iraqi roads on three sides. The Tigris River was on the other side and on the far side of the bank there were nothing but palm trees.
We were getting our stuff out after we arrived and I paused long enough to look up at the gate on the north side of the base and watch a convoy going by. There was an IED (improvised explosive device) that exploded on the convoy right in front of the base. The device had been planted at the front gate between the two guard towers. It hit an explosive ordinance truck and fortunately, no one was killed. But it shocked me that they could put an IED at the front gate of an American base between two guard posts.
When you feel like things are happening out of your control it is unsettling. Not only was it right under our noses, but it gave us the sense that no where was safe.
No matter what happens, Lord, I know all glory, majesty, power and authority are yours. Please keep me from falling. May I enter your glorious presence with great joy, knowing I am completely righteous in your eyes because of the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for me.
“To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.” (Jude 24–25)