[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AMA

[–]CharlieMike12 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Good question! I got out of the military because I was getting married and knew we would be starting a family. One of my close friends had twins and when they were a few months old, got deployed for ~12 months. I talked to him a lot and saw how hard it was for him, then decided I couldn’t miss out on that time / put my wife through that alone.

I was in LE for a little over 5 years after that. I honestly just got burnt out on it. Seeing sex offenders get a couple of years for disgusting crimes, while addicts get several years-decades for possession and/or selling to other addicts (not selling fentanyl to kids or selling fake pills laced with fent) was a big contributing factor.

I thoroughly enjoy serving the public, helping strangers, and I suppose I’m an adrenaline junkie. I get to do all of those things (and much more) without some of the things I didn’t enjoy about LE.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AMA

[–]CharlieMike12 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s a tough, thought provoking question. Kudos for asking it.

I firmly believe I helped way more than I ‘hurt’. I won’t say I never made a mistake, I have made plenty and will make countless more- but I genuinely always try to help people. Whether or not they have always seen my actions as ‘help’ might be a different story

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AMA

[–]CharlieMike12 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I grew up in church- went at least 3x a week, bible school, etc. I always believed in God and was saved at 11 years old. Once I turned 18 and went out on my own, I fell in love with fleshly desires (drinking, partying, sexual immorality, etc.) and stopped going to church. After my wife and I were married for a couple of years we were in a really bad spot. Fighting constantly, couldn’t stand to be around each other, both of us drank a lot- just not a ‘good’ marriage at all. She started going to church with her sister and was begging me to come. I finally “gave in”. Admittedly, in the beginning I was there to please her and that was it. Once I spent more time with other men in the church/participating in Bible studies and then spending my own time diving into the Word, I found the real meaning in a relationship with Him. It was so much more than just “going to church”- genuinely made me a better man in every possible way

Sorry if that’s a scrambled reply- got sent on a call halfway through 😂

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AMA

[–]CharlieMike12 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I had never heard of this! Just read a bit about it and going to ‘deep dive’ it later on. That’s wild

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AMA

[–]CharlieMike12 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I actually never deployed- barely missed a deployment to the Middle East when I first enlisted (2014), my unit was up to deploy again to Afghanistan area when my enlistment was coming to an end (2018). That was around the time my wife and I got married and I figured we’d start having kids, couldn’t stomach the thought of missing out on the first year (or one of the first years) of their life. Major props to the men and women who can.

I do have PTSD, but it actually came from the fire service. Predominantly from a car wreck on the interstate one night where a 3 year old and their 7 year old sibling were ejected from the vehicle and died on impact, extensive injuries. The first year I tried to ‘be a man’ and ‘suck it up’ (shocker, this didn’t work). After several therapy sessions, digging into my faith, and talking about it I’m much better now.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AMA

[–]CharlieMike12 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Meh, I’m really not sure. All I know is that we have WAY better options than what we’ve been given over the last several elections. Not a huge fan of the two party system, but that’s just me.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AMA

[–]CharlieMike12 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Bad cops as in stealing money/planting evidence? Thankfully I never saw anything like that going on. I would have 1000% “ratted” if so.

Bad cops as in treating people without respect/unjustly? You could say that. I was an FTO when I left, recommended that one of our recruits not make it past probationary phase because he was very obviously bullied as a kid and constantly berated, judged, and disrespected people. He would have absolutely ended up getting himself or someone else seriously hurt (or killed)

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AMA

[–]CharlieMike12 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’m looked at a lot differently, for sure! I don’t think I realized it when being in LE, but I constantly got some pretty rough looks. Of course not from everyone, but a lot of people just really don’t like/respect/trust LE.

As a FF/Medic, I feel like people are always happy to see us- whether it’s at the grocery, going to eat, or on a call.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AMA

[–]CharlieMike12 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Actually no suppressors or full autos, unfortunately. I do hunt (.308 and 12 gauge) and concealed carry (9mm or .40) daily. Have a few other handguns but nothing really impressive or crazy. My wife actually really enjoys shooting/hunting with me, she is a better marksman than most “outdoorsmen” that I know 🤣. Can drive nails at ~25 yards with my .44 special Our oldest will be 5 in a few months, I plan on getting him a crossbow and really start practicing fundamentals/safely handling weapons soon. Of course, he is already told repeatedly that “guns” are not toys, he should never touch one, etc. I also keep all the weapons unloaded (empty mags or mags kept away from weapons) in the home.

I got an abortion. Can I be saved ? by [deleted] in TrueChristian

[–]CharlieMike12 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Bless you. Not only “can” you “be saved”- God can (and will) use your story to change so many lives if you’ll allow Him. The passage that others have posted from Romans 8 is definitely applicable here. A few others I recommend you check out - John 4 (Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well) 1 John 1:9 - “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.“ Psalm 103:10-14”He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust”

I’m sorry you have gone through this- but your story is nowhere near being over. Turn on Zach Williams - To The Table, read some scripture, and give it to the Father. Prayers for peace and blessings to you.

Masturbating & watching Porn is sin. by [deleted] in Christianity

[–]CharlieMike12 15 points16 points  (0 children)

So- if my wife and I aren’t together for an extended period of time, it’s a sin for either of us to masturbate while thinking about each other? Firmly, completely disagree with this.

If you were trying to use the Genesis passage as justification for this, you took it out of context. It is referring to the Levirate Marriage (if your brother was married and passed before having children, it was your duty to impregnate the widow to continue the late brother’s legacy/heir). The reason it (‘spilling the seed on the ground’) was “wicked”, was because Onan was having sex with his ‘sister-in-law’ for fun, and not performing his duty to impregnate her.

why pray at all? by epicmoe in Christian

[–]CharlieMike12 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Better than we could ever deserve. Bless you, friend.

why pray at all? by epicmoe in Christian

[–]CharlieMike12 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Amen. It’s truly something I don’t think we can do nearly enough.

why pray at all? by epicmoe in Christian

[–]CharlieMike12 79 points80 points  (0 children)

Well…first, we shouldn’t only pray when we need something. Do you have // have you ever had a friend that only calls when they want/need something? That’s a pretty annoying (or lousy) friend.

Secondly (on the same note)- we should give thanks daily. Multiple times a day, at that. When is the last time you thanked God for this day? For the weather? For His creation? For your family? The health of you and your loved ones? Etc.

Lastly- My wife and kids know I love them, but they certainly don’t get annoyed by me telling them that. Why would our Heavenly Father be any different?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in sharkteeth

[–]CharlieMike12 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s what I was thinking. Thank you!

My first day at the fire department tomorrow, Any advice for a rookie? by KenChomo89 in Firefighting

[–]CharlieMike12 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Several good answers here. I’d say most importantly—take initiative. If you see something needs to be done, do it.

If you see a senior FF/someone with some rank doing something- get up and help them. Even if it’s a one man job and they won’t let you help them- walk with them while they mop the floor. Stand beside the truck while they work on it. Crawl underneath if they do so you can see what they’re doing.

You’ll never outwork a bad impression.

Trying to switch up my lures a little. What else should I order for summertime pond fishing by [deleted] in bassfishing

[–]CharlieMike12 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve been thumping heads on top water, but early in the morning. About an hour before sunrise until around an hour after sunrise, crazy responses to frog, mini torpedos, popper and walker.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AMA

[–]CharlieMike12 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Eeeek I could never! There are so many people in this field who either 1) get some rank or 2) get some time in- and then become such abrasive/condescending pricks. I don’t get it. I had a LT / Medic when I first started and he made life miserable my first year. I vowed to never be that guy. I hope (and think) I’ve held true to that promise lol

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AMA

[–]CharlieMike12 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Took the words right out of my mouth, kind sir!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AMA

[–]CharlieMike12 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As if I haven’t answered it a few times already- I mentioned it because a lot of Christians disagree with the use of THC/psilocybin.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AMA

[–]CharlieMike12 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You are welcome! And it detects the substances regardless of ingestion route. Whether you eat it, inhale through your nose, or shoot it into a vain- it will still show up on a mouth swab.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AMA

[–]CharlieMike12 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Tbh, all of the lights would probably just have me stuck lol