You should not be willing to die because you will not ask for help

Nothing wrong with needing help now

"Lean On Me"

Bill Withers Lyrics

Sometimes in our lives we all have pain, we all have sorrow.

But if we are wise,

we know that there's always tomorrow.

All of you who serve, putting your lives on the line for the sake of someone else, are all still just human. You have the same emotions as everyone else. 

What makes you different, is you willingly subject yourself to things others run away from. While you have more courage than most people, you also have more compassion than others, or you would not have taken on the job you did.

You spent everyday trying to make a difference. Sometimes you felt as if you failed when things went wrong. The thing you missed is that you did make a difference because if you were not there, it could have been a lot worse.

Lean on me when you're not strong

I'll be your friend, I'll help you carry on

For it won't be long

'Til I'm gonna need somebody to lean on.

Even you had limits to what you could do and sometimes, when you feel as if your strength is wearing out, that does not mean you are weak. It just means that you need to find support to regain your strength. 

The others you served with, honestly, probably go through the same struggles. Maybe they are looking to you for support, but are afraid to ask, because you have not shown you ever needed help.

All of you missed the fact that everyone you were with, were there, to save others, and that included you, as you would have for them.

You depended on the others to watch over you, as you did for them. So why is it so hard to depend on them to listen to you, as you would listen to them?

Please swallow your pride

If I have things you need to borrow

For no one can fill those of your needs

That you won't let show.

It is time to #BreakTheSilence and #TakeBackYourLife because now it is in your hands to set an example that taking care of others, was something you were willing do die for. You should not be willing to die because you will not ask for help.

You just call on me, brother, (or sister) when you need a hand

We all need somebody to lean on.

I just might have a problem that you'll understand,

We all need somebody to lean on.

Who else will understand you better than them?

If there is a load

You have to bear

That you can't carry

I'm right up the road

I'll share your load

If you just call me.

Call me if you need a friend

Police and PTSD

Vetunite.org "Mike Damon" aka (GodFather) veteran and PTSD

KTVN Channel 2 - Reno Tahoe Sparks News, Weather, Video

A former police officer says not enough first responders are asking for help

Retired police officer attempted suicide twice, now urges mental health counseling for first responders

WTSP News
Author: Thuy Lan Nguyen
February 27, 2020

He says the stigma of seeking help for mental health counseling is one of the biggest issues. "Don't look down upon our brothers and sisters who have committed suicide. In my opinion, it's a line of duty death, just like if an officer responded to a bank robbery and unfortunately got shot. It's still a line of duty death," said DiBona.

TAMPA, Fla. — Mark DiBona has more than three decades of service in law enforcement under his belt. The stress of his job pushed him into a spiral.

"I went through some very difficult times where I attempted suicide twice on the same day. I felt really alone and didn't know how to seek help," said DiBona. He shares his story openly, hoping other first responders learn from his struggles. He's now a board member for an organization called Blue H.E.L.P.

read it here

Phoenix House, a transition home for homeless women veteran's and their children

Transition home helps homeless female veterans get on their feet

CBS 46 News
Bobeth Yates
Feb 10, 2020

GRIFFIN, Ga. (CBS46) When you think of Griffin, Georgia you may think small rural community, but a Griffin nonprofit is all but small and they are making major impacts for veterans.

On Friday about 100 people gathered to witness Way Point Veterans Service Center's latest milestone.

"You pray about doing the right thing and doing good by people," said Way Point's founder Sandra Brownlee.

After two years of planning, the organization opened Phoenix House, a transition home for homeless women veteran's and their children. The project was completed with the help of Home Depot, multiple organizations and community stake holders. The house is renovated to serve five female veterans.

"Because there is no VA service centers in these rural community areas it’s just logical for me to service this area," added Brownlee.

The property for the transition home was donated by a church in Griffin, and even though the house is just for women and children, the nonprofit provides help for all veterans.
read it here

Is needing help to heal PTSD still a sign of weakness to you?

Even Jesus Needed Help

PTSD Patrol
Kathie Costos
February 6, 2020

Is needing help to heal PTSD still a sign of weakness to you? Too many believe it is, yet they do not consider it to be a wise thing to do. There is not much that can be accomplished by someone without someone else to help them, believe in them and be willing to stand by their side.

If you are suffering right now because you were willing to sacrifice your life for the sake of others, and struggling, there is something you need to be reminded of.

What if Jesus did not ask for help? The Son of God did ask for it many times.

First He asked Peter and Andrew.

Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee. He saw two brothers. They were Simon (his other name was Peter) and Andrew, his brother. They were putting a net into the sea for they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, “Follow Me. I will make you fish for men!” At once they left their nets and followed Him.

And He asked again

Going from there, Jesus saw two other brothers. They were James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They were sitting in a boat with their father, mending their nets. Jesus called them. At once they left the boat and their father and followed Jesus.

And He asked again,

Jesus Calls Simon and James and John
While Jesus was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, many people pushed to get near Him. They wanted to hear the Word of God. Jesus saw two boats on the shore. The fishermen were not there because they were washing their nets. Jesus got into a boat which belonged to Simon. Jesus asked him to push it out a little way from land. Then He sat down and taught the people from the boat.

When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Push out into the deep water. Let down your nets for some fish.” Simon said to Him, “Teacher, we have worked all night and we have caught nothing. But because You told me to, I will let the net down.” When they had done this, they caught so many fish, their net started to break. They called to their friends working in the other boat to come and help them. They came and both boats were so full of fish they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he got down at the feet of Jesus. He said, “Go away from me, Lord, because I am a sinful man.” He and all those with him were surprised and wondered about the many fish. James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were surprised also. They were working together with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will fish for men.” When they came to land with their boats, they left everything and followed Jesus.

He asked 12 to help Him in the very beginning of His mission on earth.

12 disciples list:

1. Peter
2. James
3. John

He was known as the Beloved Disciple.

He is mentioned in many places in the New Testament. He was a man of action; he was very ambitious; and a man with an explosive temper and an intolerant heart. His second name was Boanerges, which means son of Thunder.

4. Andrew
5. Bartholomew or Nathanael
6. James, the Lesser or Younger
7. Judas
8. Jude or Thaddeus
9. Matthew or Levi
10. Philip
11. Simon the Zealot
12. Thomas

But Peter ended up denying he knew Jesus. When Jesus returned to them, He forgave Peter

And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.

He knew that His life would be sacrificed, just as He knew the price He would pay for what He was willing to do. He cried. He felt abandoned by God after being betrayed by those who walked with Him and witnessed all He had done for the sake of others.

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Do you still think He will not understand you when you ASK HIM FOR HELP? Do you still think that those who were willing to die for you, will not be willing to listen to you?

Point Man International Ministries has been clearing the way for you since 1984. Is it time for Post Traumatic Spiritual Recovery?

UPDATE

Prayer for those who serve

Lord, I was willing to die for those I served with, and they were willing to die for me. Please help me to ask for help to heal, so we can help each other stay alive!

#BreakTheSilence and #TakeBackYourLife

Female Marine Veteran's benefits cut off after VA used wrong address?

Happy UPDATE

In the wake of a KARE 11 investigation exposing a Marine Corps veteran facing eviction because of a VA mistake, a judge expunges the veteran’s record.

KARE 11 Investigates: Mail sent to wrong address puts family on brink of homelessness

KARE 11 NBC News
Author: A.J. Lagoe, Steve Eckert
Published: 12:13 PM CST February 3, 2020

A Marine Corps veteran had her PTSD benefits dropped from 100% to zero after VA sent important notifications to wrong address.

LAKEVILLE, Minn. — Join us Monday night for KARE 11 News at 10 p.m. to hear Maria's story.

“That’s my daughter’s dress,” Maria Jewell said, pointing to the picture of a little red dress listed for sale on an online garage sale.

“I feel like I failed her,” Jewell said, fighting back tears, “I’m supposed to be taking care of her, it’s not supposed to be the other way around.”

Instead of celebrating Christmas by buying gifts, Jewell and her teenage daughter resorted to selling their furniture and clothes just to put food on the table and gas in the car.

The family spent the holidays fearing the looming possibility they’d end up living in a shelter.

“I did not do anything wrong,” Jewell said. “And here I sit, can’t pay my rent, facing eviction.”

Their struggles could have been easily avoided.

A KARE 11 investigation discovered she was facing homelessness all because the Department of Veterans Affairs kept sending her mail to the wrong address, even though records show they had her correct address all along.

Still, the VA blames her for the mistake.

KARE 11’s investigation of improper ER bill denials led VA Inspector General Michael Missal’s office to discover years’ worth of mail piling up in processing centers around the country.
read it here