Walking In His Light

 

There is a common expression used in the US military these days and it is, "We Own The Night."

The United States Army deployed night vision goggles in mass quantities at the beginning of this war. Many times it gave us the advantage we needed in our current theatre of operations. Most of the time insurgents or terrorists do not possess good night-fighting equipment. Foolishly they have tested us when the sun went down and discovered a deadly truth. In our world those walking in darkness cannot compete with those walking in the light.

Spiritual warfare is a lot like fighting at night. Those with the ability to see the spiritual battlefield clearly can locate and defeat the enemy of our souls. Those of us who do not possess good spiritual vision, light to walk in, often stumble around in the dark and present themselves as easy targets for the enemy.

John 8:12, "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

John 9:4-6, "As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. ⁵While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

John 1:9, "The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

Are you walking in the light? By faith? Trusting in Christ?

 

 

Advent Hope

What do you anticipate? When is the last time you longed for something? Many, Many times in the Bible God's people found themselves in a situation that made them long for deliverance from their situation. Many times God's people are portrayed as calling out to Him, seeking him…longing, waiting, hoping.

The first topic, the first focus of the Advent season is hope. We celebrated it this last Sunday. It is always the Sunday preceding Thanksgiving. And so we lit a candle of hope.

What do we hope for? Why in all of Christendom have we lit this candle for all these years? What do you hope for?

Is it presents? A certain present? A little something to make the journey here a little better, a little sweater, a little neater?

The Scriptures that we use as a guide for our lives indicate over and over again that hope and expectation are a part of our journey. Hope is not a concept that we now let go of because Christ has come. We are to be a people filled with hope. Hope because He is coming again. Things are not as they should be. This world is not our home.

As we enter this Holiday season we want to search out hearts to see if we are a people who reflect this hope.

If we have lost hope, if we have stopped looking forward, Why?

Worldliness, a fixation on this age, material possessions, money and joy here in the present may be one reason your life is no longer characterized by hope. We must remember It is foolishness to die holding onto what you cannot keep in exchange for what you cannot loose.

Another reason is sin, guilt and shame. Maybe some of us do not long to see our coming King because we are afraid. We know from the scriptures that there is nothing He does not know. If we have stooped to hiding in the shadows we have begun to fear the brilliance of His light.

It is our admonition that you strike the match and light the candle of hope in your life and world. Let the world see His forgiveness, cleansing, and restoration in your life. Let them see you once again long and look forward to the return of your King.

Let this Advent Season and reflection be a time of renewing the hope that needs to be present in the hearts of His people.

 

Lips and Lives

Read Romans 10:1-13

 

It is easy to demonstrate that actions speak louder than words. We speak volumes about what we believe and who we are through our actions. Even though this is true, "confession with the mouth" (vs 9) must find its place in the life of a true Christian.

 

We can't lose God-given opportunities to speak a word that will allow our command, and subordinates a chance to hear and see the difference God has made in our lives.

 

Failure to "confess Christ" is bound to result in stinted and stagnant life. The Christ-life is one that is described as the abundant life.

 

What we do and what we say must agree. Do you remember when Jesus was described as being "powerful in word and deed" (Luke 24:19); we are encouraged to be the same so that He receives the glory (Colossians 3:17). See also 1 Peter 2:15. Live the effects and preach the cause.

 

One more verse…2 Thessalonians 2:16-17.

Constantly Clarifying the Mission

This was part of my devotion on Halloween morning. It was very appropriate and I wanted to share it. The greater part of it comes from "Experiencing God: Day-by-Day" (devotional).

Colossians 2:15 “ And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”

As Christians we are not called to defeat Satan. God has already done that in Christ. It is not our position to “bind” Satan. Jesus has already set limits on the extent and duration of Satan’s freedom. Satan, “our ancient foe”, was decisively and completely defeated by Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and in his resurrection. With regard to Satan, our assignment is to trust Christ for the victory that He achieved and daily resist Satan with the truth of his defeat, as Jesus did.

Satan is the Father of Lies and a master deceiver (John 8;44). If he can convince you that God has not defeated him, then you will not experience Jesus victory. You will find yourself fighting battles that Christ has already won. You will fear Satan, though he has already been utterly and humiliatingly defeated. Your responsibility is to resist Satan and He will flea from you (James 4:7). When you resist him, you are acknowledging that Jesus has defeated him and given you victory over his influence. God has provided you with spiritual armor that is more than sufficient to with stand any assault by Satan (Eph 6:10-20).

Christians can become preoccupied with battling Satan. This deceives them to invest their time and energy attempting to do something that Christ has already done for them. If Satan can divert you to wage a warfare that has already ended in surrender, he will have illuminated your effectiveness where God wants you. Fearing Satan is fearing a prisoner of war. You have no need or calling to defeat Satan; you need only to apply Christ’s victory in every area of your life and to live the victorious Christian life. As you go about sharing the gospel message with others, Satan and his forces face the reality of their defeat in each life that is claimed by the kingdom of God (Luke 10:17-20).

Master Plan: Future Guidance

“Blessed is the one who reads the words of the prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near” (Rev 1:3).

Most military operations require extensive planning. Up at the top there are CONPLANS (concept plan) which contains the commander’s strategy and other information necessary to complete the mission. This plan speaks to some future time but does not specify the exact date and time.

The book of Revelations, in many respects, is God’s plan for future operations. In it we do not get all the details but it does sketch the concept and information necessary for his army to be ready when the plan is actually executed.

This verse provides excellent counsel and guidance for every soldier. In essence, it says, “You will be blessed if you read and obey what this plan says. Don’t fool around. The plan will become reality soon.”

So we don’t have to fear the future. God has it all mapped out and under control. And in time He will execute it. Our supreme commander with come in glory and will lead us on into victory. We need to know what business he has asked to be about in the mean time. We need to ready for his return.

Do you know your commanders intent? Do you have a copy of his orders?

Be ready. Follow His guidance!

Moral Courage

Moral Courage                     

 

The fact that the Christian life is hard, seldom witnessed and beautiful to behold indicates it is worthwhile. The standard for the Christian life is intimidating to everyday people. One of the most brilliant examples of a human life is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Some of the things that attract me to him are moral courage, and physical bravery. John 2:13-25 shows his moral courage. He found men engaged in changing money in a part of the Temple where they should not have been. They were there with the support of Annas, the High Priest. There is evidence that they were charging inflated prices for the animal sacrifices, and making excess profit in exchanging money for the temple money with which the sacrifices had to be bought. In any case, they were desecrating His Father's House, and so our Lord acted as in verses 15 and 16, not caring in the least what the people would think or paying the slightest heed to the risk he ran of being assaulted. Jesus Christ was completely unbound by the customs and public opinion of the day. We too require moral courage if we are not to be afraid of public opinion. Many people wish they had this quality, but a "wish-bone" can never take the place of a backbone. The service of God is for the brave and the bold; any fool can serve the devil.

 

John 2:13-25

The blog below is not written recently. I am posting it now only after I have talked with family. The family and friends of the soldiers mentioned have been properly notified. Security prevents me from giving details about where, when, what, etc, etc. I want to share it from a very personal perspective. Sometimes the reality of where I am eludes me. I needed to capture it that night

Just Like That…

Everything is different over here tonight. Our base was hit with several incoming rounds. We may have lost men; some were severely wounded. We were thrown into chaos in an instant. Just like that…everything changed.

We heard the loud speaker announce the normal test fire. It is always incredible to hear those big guns role out a couple hundred rounds a second. Amazing.

Right after that…minutes later, we heard another sound from the loud speaker; it was an alarm. We were being attacked. We have an early warning system that gives us a few seconds reaction time. I got the door open to listen and it hit. It was very close. It sounded like we took two on our pad. I was the first one in the bunker. Others followed. 6 of us huddled under one of the bunkers; waiting.

We are miles from the enemy. There is no scrabbling for weapons and gear. There is little we can do but sit and wait it out. Most of us were dressed in shorts. Several were casually talking, smoking and joking. For me and others it is our first. We have a healthy mix of guys in the company who were here when this was the norm. It was good to have them around tonight.

The "All Clear" command over the loud speaker seemed silly "after" rounds had hit so close to us. Alpha Co was having formation on the Basketball court behind my trailer (CHU). My company was gathering at another building.

One of the rounds hit a T-Wall right down the row from me. It was too close. I felt the shock from it and heard rocks and debris landing on top of my trailer. The 12 inch thick T-Wall did a good job stopping the 107mm rocket. Parts of the round were lying on the ground. I had no idea they would be that big. It took a decent chunk out of that t-wall.

The second one hit directly on the back corner of a CHU. It was one row over from mine, and still way to close for comfort. I did not go in but was told they pulled bodies out. One KIA and others rushed to the TMC. I'm sure we'll find out more in the morning. Two guys in my company helped provide first aid to the most serious casualties. Their trailers were next door. One of our guys helped with a manual breathing apparatus on an individual. He was covered in blood.

I'm finding myself writing tonight with a sense of just needing to get it all down, get it out. My imagination is running wild. Resting this evening has not been easy. My security has been shaken. My vulnerability exposed.

As I type this I can hear soldiers playing Volleyball 100 yards from where a soldier died this evening.

It is 1:00 am…and they are playing Volleyball…in a war zone.

Anywhere else in the world and we'd have them all loaded up to get their heads checked. Here it is another way not to think about what just happened.

Battle Hardened

My wife and I bought matching mugs before I left for Iraq. We have many memories together that involve coffee or tea and we are creating a few more. The mugs we purchased had a verse on them. If we gave you one of our prayer cards for the deployment we had the same verse printed on it. The verse is Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

    I recently went and seen the medics a few times. My back is locking up and is really painful. At times every step radiates a sharp pain throughout my body. It has been two weeks and not much has changed. It is at this point that discouragement and despair loom overhead attempting to cast their shadow.

    For more than 20 years Joshua lead God's people in a war with their neighboring tribes and nations to fulfill what God called them to do. Occasionally they experienced setbacks, defeat and discouragement but they never gave up. With God's help they always came out victorious in the end.

    These lessons from God's people are specifically preserved to remind us of our common plight. Often times in our world it is easy to forget two simple truths concerning the God we profess. First, in this life we will face many battles we cannot fight in our own strength. We will face situations in which we will be powerless to change or control the outcome. We will be powerless because the battle is spiritual at the core and physical in its manifestation. It is hard for us to remember this wholly other dimension to our lives.

    Second, God's mighty presence is not limited to the pages of the Old Testament. The image of God as a warrior and conquering king is as real today as it was then. The Scriptures describe Christ's second coming as fierce and frightening. We need to remember that he is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. He stands ready to help us win the battles we face – today.

May your life be one of victory in Jesus. May you allow him to help you win the battles you face – today!

Disappointment

Ministry started out pretty slow for me here in Iraq. Counseling almost stopped once we hit country and preaching looked like it would be once every three weeks.
It took me six weeks to figure out which chapel I would be at and even a little longer to get an office to counsel in. It was definitely not what I expected. My situation seemed at first to be working against the dream and vision I had.

Recently I have had the priviledge of preaching 5 weeks in a row. Counseling is going great. In every way ministry seems to have that added extra something that reminds me that the work I am called to do is not done in my own strength. I have been sensing and feeling God's presence here mightily among these troops.

In those first few weeks I held onto the belief that I am right where God wants me to be and that hope lead me around obstacles, through smoke screeens, and into His marvelous light.

I preached on the story of Joseph today out of Genesis 39-40; his prison experience.
Joseph's whole fiasco kind of started because of two dreams God gave him.

Joseph's life leads him from the promise to the pit, into a prison and finally up into the palace.

It would have been so natural, so easy for him to have doubted the Dream-Giver but he does not. The dream that he had been given of great things coming his way could not have made sense to him during these turn of events. But Joseph never stopped.

I have been dealing with soldiers who are feeling let-down, frustrated and disapointed.

My encouragement to them and to myself comes from the life of Joseph. God was with him when he was in the pit and the prison. Joseph knew his past, his present and his future were filled with God. Even when it did not make sense.

Who is Rich

Do you consider yourself rich? I was downtown Baghdad again not too long ago. It changed how I look at wealth. The following week I facilitated a Bible study called "Rich," from the Nooma series. Those two events have changed me. The exposure that I recieved opened my eyes not only to the injustice in our world, but it also made me aware of how I was missing the mark in my understanding of how I am called to utilize the wealth God gives.

We are bombarded everyday with images and information and advertising that suggests to us that our stuff is outdated, unsatisfactory, or average. We get this sense that we don't have enough because we are shown or see people in our world who have even more.

It is a dangerous thing when we start to believe that "our" world is "the" world.

Look at these numbers...
America is 6% of the worlds population but we use 40% of its resources.
92% of the people on this planet cannot afford a vehicle.
No matter what kind of car you drive; you are in the top 8% in the world.
1 billion people do not have clean drinking water.
800 million people in the world will not eat one meal today.
Every couple of seconds someone dies because of hunger.

Are you discontent with what you have? If you are then what will it take?

To be a serious follower of Jesus we must be willing to ask the question, "what can I give?"

All of us can give something- here, now, today, right now.

1 Timothy 6:17-18 "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share."

May God open our eyes to all of his blessings, everyday, so that we may see just how truly rich we are and may we use that richness to accomplish the good deeds our Lord and Savior calls us to. Amen

Keeping Love Alive

The world is falling out of love with love. A recent report indicated that for the first time a majority of young ladies in their twenties "see so few good marriages that they doubt that it is the best choice for their lives." Those polled indicated that they were "afraid that they will become just another divorce statistic." Ladies have always been the high water mark for believing in relationships. Now we are faced with a crisis.

How about you? Do you believe in love? Do you believe in Christ? God? Do your relationships reflect the love of Christ? When we get it right the rest of the world sees it also. I think sometimes it is so hard for these young people to believe in love because they can't see it. They have not grown up with it. There friends are failing at it. They just can't believe in what they cannot see. They need a demonstration of love that will inspire them to take the risk.

The world sees and hears people talking about love all day every day. there are like 12,000 songs with "love" in the title at Walmart.com. Everyone has an opinion and yet we are growing more and more skeptical with time. People do not want to settle for seconds, they want what is real.

Remember Jesus talking to the Church in the Book of Revelation? At first he goes on and on telling them all the things they got right. Then He shifts in chapter two and verse 4 He says, "But I have this against you. You have left your first love, repent, go back, and do the things you did before [or else...]."

They were busy building churches and going to churches but it is like they forgot why they were doing those things. There was no sacrifice, no passion, no beauty left in their love. Christ wanted none of it. He would not settle.

My wife and I are celebrating our 13th wedding anniversary today. We continue to work hard to honor Christ, the gift of his love and each other in our relationship. We continually assess our relationship, seek help and do the things we did in the beginning. It is the best of advice from the one who roots for us always.

He knows that when we get it right His story, His life, and His love continue on.

DEAD OR ALIVE

Ever heard another Christian or even pastor remark with disgust at the forgetfulness of God's people, Israel? We have all pictured them wondering around in the desert complaining, stumbling around and getting into trouble for forty years. We read about their indiscretions and disobedience time and time again. After they make it into the promised land the Book of Judges records the peoples fluctuation between obedience and oppression also. God shows how this cycle of falling away from him continues. The Books I & II Kings do much the same thing. They record the sucesses and failures of many generations of leaders who either followed or fell away from the worship of God as it had been established in the scriptures.

That my friends is a lot of scripture dedicated to reminding us that our poliltical, social and even material situation is connected to our spiritual condition. All of life is connected. We cannot allow certain aspects of our lives to go unchecked.

I was recently reminded of this reality. Like the Israelites I lost perspective.
I forgot some really important guidance. I chose not to do what I knew should have been done. I told myself many times, "It is just a little thing. Everyone is doing it. No one is following it," etc, etc, etc.

My indiscretion took place behind the wheel. That is one of the most common areas I struggle with. Once I'm shut in a vehicle and I am isolated from the rest of the world I often shift into a bad gear heading to fast to the wrong destination.

Today I feel like I understand exactly why all those pages are filled with the failings of others. It is not so that I can feel good about myself, pacing back and forth in prayer telling God that I am thankful I'm not like those sinners. It is so that I will not fall into the same traps, snares and sin that my brothers and sisters have. They are recorded so that I will be reminded as I start my day in the life giving, guidance and counsel of God.

WHAT IS IN YOU? WHAT WILL GUIDE YOU TODAY?

His word is a lamp unto my feet and a light onto my path.

Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart" (NIV).

DUST

Deuteronomy 28:24 "The LORD will turn the rain of your country into dust and powder; it will come down from the skies until you are destroyed" (NIV).

We are in another major dust storm. When people told me they had dust storms over here my mind always thought of strong winds blowing stuff around. That is not what I have experienced here. It has been much more subtle than that. Its like we wake up or walk outside and its just there; it kind of hangs there; or maybe its not hanging but gently, slowly, gracefully falling from the sky.

It is so weird outside right now it seems like we could be on planet Mars. The color is messed up, the temperature is outta wack, and the air smells dirty. Visibility is limited, lights have a strange red/brown glow. All the flights are canceled, convoy missions are canceled, things kinda slow down or stop. I guess even a curse can be a blessing in some ways.

This is probably the fifteenth time we have experienced this in the few months we have been here. For many of the guys I serve with it is hard to imagine what is worth fighting for in this forsaken land. Yet it is home to many people who would die for it; many people who have died for it.

My wife (Amy) sent me two temperature gages. I wanted one for the sun and one for the shade. I figure the real temp is somewhere in between. It is hard to believe that it is consistently over 115 degrees. It does not feel that hot to me. Its not all that bad. It sounded soooo bad before I got here, it is all perspective.

I know that the beauty of a land is tied to the memory of the people you meet there. When I held resentment in my heart i could not wait to leave my home as a young man. Now as an adult, who has taken care of the past, I see things differently once again. I long for and even love the prairies of North Dakota. My wife thinks I'm crazy. She is from Big Sky Montana. She wonders who would ever want to live in a forsaken place like that.

I used to call it the land of the leftovers. A few leftover trees, a couple small rolling hills, nothing big, nothing fancy, thats my home. Some people may think it cursed. If a blessing or a curse is tied to your environment; maybe then this place is cursed. But what if a blessing or curse is tied to relationship with others or to relationship with God? Then I'm blessed beond the curse and my environment has little to do with it.

Is your hope invested in your environment or your relationships?
If you are not in the right relationship with Christ you are still under the curse with the rest of creation.

Philippians 4:11-13 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Created for Worship

We all worship something, we can't not, its what we do. If you are not sure what it is; it is easy enough to find out. Follow the trail left by your time, money, energy and effort. See where it is spent, where it leads. You will end up at an altar, on that altar there will be a throne, on that throne is what you value most and that which you value most is what you worship.
For some it may be a spouse or family. For others a career, wealth, fame or fortune. For the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4 that throne was occupied or reserved for a husband. Jesus shows us in this incident that He knows where you have been, where you are and where you are going. Jesus shaows that he knows her well. He knows you well also. He knows your name; he hears your prayers; He is waiting to meet with you.
John 4 teaches us two of the most important lessons we will ever need to learn as Christians. First He teaches us that the object of our worship is foundational. He points her back to the Jews; back to the place where the Samaritans and Jews seperated. He says, "you Samaritans worship what you do not know." That does not sound very politically correct or sensitive but it is to the point isn't it? He is pointing her back to the revelation of God as revealed and recorded through the history of the Jews.
She remembers the Prophets speaking about their hope of a Savior. One who would come and bring justice, deliervance and healing to God's people. Jesus says to her, "I who speak to you am He." Jesus tells her that he is the answer to her many prayers, He tells her that he is the one who come "to explain all things." He is the "Truth" that she seeks (Jn 14:6).
He also brings another difficult concept to light when He addresses "how" to worship God. Worship that pleases God will not only be done in truth (ie to/through/in Christ) it will also be done in spirit. It will not necessarily be in one spot; Mt Gerazim, The Temple Mount, Mt Sinai, Mt Carmel or any other Mount. God is not as concerned about the location, the sacrifice, the ritual, or the exactness of the worship as he is about the spirit of the worship that is given him.
Remember the passage in Isaiah when the Lord says: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men (29:13). If our hearts aren't in it...it isn't worship. It is something less. God wants our hearts, our affection, our love...nothing less.

All Things Are Possible

I was writing a friend this evening and remembering how much I appreciated the training and mentoring time that we shared together at Luther Middelfort Hospital. We were preparing in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) to walk with people through tough times in the hospital. I have said for years that the training I recieved in the hospital would be a blessing always and forever in whatever ministry God lead me to. I sensed it and I knew it even then. This week I lived it.
In the last few days I have had to sit with people I knew little or nothing about and in the few minutes I had with them somehow help them try to make sense of whatever problem it was they came to me with. Sometimes the call was to sit with them and not have any answer for them, the call was just to listen, to be with them in their struggle, feeling the wieght of it, experiencing the sadness.
At times the task I am faced with seems overwhelming, impossible, even hopeless if I am blatantly honest. And I am convinced it would be too, if it were up to me alone to perform the miracle. I am not a miracle worker. But I know one who is.
Lately I have been absoltuely amazed at Jesus Christ. Amazed once again that he allows me to take part in the sacred act of revealing himself to people. Allowing them to know that he is indeed alive, living, and active in the affairs of men.
I still feel fear at times. Fear that the magic will not happen, Christ will not show, I will be alone in that room. But he shows up. Time and time again he shows up. We meet together. Some for maybe the first time. We all acknoweldge that something wonderful, someone wonderful has met with us.
JESUS IS ALIVE! Hallelujah, He is Alive!

True Steps to Treasure

I recently took another look at the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. My walk with Christ began in the midst of weekly AA meetings. I could not have identified it at the time but I had a lot of extra baggage I was carrying around. I am confident that the program helped me to overcome my past and deal honestly with my present. I learned a lot and grew quickly during the year I utilized the Twelve Steps as a guide to recovery.

The reason I looked back was because I was preaching from a passage that was asking for surrender. Surrender in our society almost always brings with it images of defeat, shame and weakness. But in some circles (AA, church) surrender is a good thing, it is the goal of life, it is desired.

The connection piece between the passage and the Twelve Steps was easy to make. The first of the Twelve Steps is to admit that we are powerless…that we are weak, deficient…like clay. Admit that there is no intrinsic quality that can enable us to free ourselves from the shackles that have us bound. It is a moment of total humility, surrender.

The starting place of Paul's strength was based upon this belief. His ability to be "pressed but not crushed, confused but not in despair, or struck down but not destroyed" was not natural, it was supernatural (2 Cor 4:8-9). Paul wanted the world to see God's mighty power working in the midst of his weakness.

Paul tells us that God chose to keep his incredible treasure in jars of clay. Vessels so common they could be discarded; like paper cups in our modern world. Nothing in these vessels was supposed to standout, be noticed or admired. Any value associated with these vessels stemmed from what was inside.

As he talks about this unnatural power to overcome obstacles Paul paints a contrast between the common clay and the special contents it was created for.

That is where the second of the Twelve Steps came into play. It states, "we came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us…keep us, make us overcomers." We need to be filled with a power greater than ourselves.

This "all-surpassing power" (vs 7) that we need is described in terms of light (vs 6). Jesus describes himself as the "Light of the World" (Jn 8:12).

Have you surrendered your life to the Light? Do you contain this light?

When do you refuse to let your weak, common, clay be exposed? Have you been fortifying your appearance? Have you fallen into the trap of decorating and making your vessel appear strong, valuable or worthy?

Are you able to let your light shine?

If not, Why not?

UNASHAMED

I am a part of the fellowship of the unashamed

The decision has been made, the die has been cast

My names in that book, I'm a disciple of His

 

My past has been washed clean, my present makes sense, my future is secure

I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, stinted dreams, and small talking

 

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, or power

I don't have to be first, right, recognized, or rewarded

The life I now live I live by faith, leaning on his presence, while laboring in his love.

 

My face is set, my mission clear, my goal is heaven,

My road is narrow, the way is tough, my companions few

I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, or delayed

I must not look back, let up, slow down, step away, or be still

 

I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice,

hesitate in the presence of the adversary,

or negotiate at the table of the enemy.

 

I won't give up, I won't shut up, I won't let up

Until I've stored up, stayed up, and paid up for the cause of Christ

 

I'm a disciple of His,

I will go till he comes, give till I drop, and work till he says stop,

And when he comes for his own he will have no problem recognizing me

 

Cause I'm an unashamed soldier, in God's Army

WASHED IN THE WATER

God has been using water to record the milestones in our relationship with him since the beginning.

In the Book of Genesis we read that a fabulous river flowed from the Garden of Eden, our birthplace. Most scientists would agree that you and I are fighting to restore peace in a land that helped create our earliest memories of walking with God.

When God's people were enslaved in Egypt He used water to facilitate their release. As Israel crossed the Red Sea on dry land God drowned the enemy that threatened. Now they were free to follow Him.

A little more than 40 years later God exhorts his people to mark their crossing the Jordan River by building and altar of rocks. He wanted them to remember that they entered into the Promised Land supernaturally. He wanted them to remember passing through the waters and stepping into their new life.

Jesus was not above obeying the command and marking his journey with his own unique obedience to the call to the river. From this point on Jesus talks about life altering new water, a living water, that continually fills and quenches those who posses it.

Very soon I will assist a couple soldiers to mark their entrance into the new life, into the Promised Land, by passing through the waters. When they do they will join the ranks of millions of people throughout history who have declared their faith in Christ by obedience to the command to believe and be baptized.

Is your journey marked by water? Where? When?

Can you point to specific crossing in your life when you left the old life and stepped into the new?

His Rock

Sometimes reading the Bible is made more difficult because we were born and raised in the west. Take for instance the ancient laws directing God's people to stone someone to death for certain infractions of the law. I don't know about you, but that always seemed a little unnecessarily barbaric to me.

Then I thought about it a little more and compared it to some of the things we have utilized for capital punishment. We hang people by their necks, burn them at the stake and impale them on crosses (Romans). All of these utilize wood. We used what was common and available. These people don't have trees! They have rocks; lots and lots of rocks.

I posted some pictures of my "neighborhood."

My wife left me a note saying I should start a garden outside my room because it looks a little drab.

She is right. Drab is the primary color in this land.

She is also right, that a little life, a little color, a little display of God's beauty would brighten things.

So today I thought what would a spiritual leader use to inspire his flock in a drab and dreary land?

Flowers just won't do. Even if they lasted longer than an hour outside I am not about to plant any pansies around here.

Then it hit me…use what you have. Make a rock garden.

Since then I have been finding cool looking stones all over the place.

There are so many colorful and cool looking rocks it is hard to choose.

I just never noticed how unique and special they were all created until I stopped to look closer.

Even the broken ones that are less attractive on the outside are beautiful on the inside.

It started to remind me of the human story…created beautiful but covered in muck.

Mixed in with the rest of humanity and a little dirt and we are all pretty hard to tell apart.

When is the last time that you pondered the question, "why Me?"

Have you ever asked God why he Choose you?

The Psalmist does it beautifully in Psalm 8:3-4 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, ⁴ what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?

Why he dusted you off and stuck you on display in his garden?

Here are a few things I was reminded of since starting this project…

Remember, when life is a little drab and dreary look a little harder, God's print is everywhere, every bush is aflame.

Remember, you are in God's garden, He knows right where he planted you.

Remember, most people can only see what is wrong. Live your life so they witness what is right.

Remember, if you were a rock, you'd be God's favorite rock; He'd carry you around in his pocket.

Hope To Carry On

The 32^nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) was alerted and given 12 months to prepare for this deployment. We had lots of time to consider our lives and even the potential of our deaths. I think many of us prepared ourselves for the reality that soldiers who go to war sometimes die. Combat deaths are expected and anticipated when preparing for this kind of thing.

What caught so many people off guard with the death of one of our soldiers was his joy and zeal for life and living. It was really hard for the guys who knew him to accept the news of his suicide. No one was prepared for that kind of loss. The shock, confusion and anger that soldiers felt were freely expressed among the men as we put out the news.

Why would a squared away soldier, a loving husband, a caring father, or a respected leader take their own life? When I heard the questions the men were asking as to "why" there friend committed suicide my heart ached also.

Thinking about this dilemma brought me back to my days in seminary when I was training for ministry. I remembered one psychology class when I learned that no one really knew; science could not really explain "why" people suffered things like depression and anxiety. There was this big debate among professionals whether it was biological or environmental; was it an issue of the person's nature or their nurturing. Its root and cause still escaped us.

Working in the mental health field during seminary introduced me to the complexities of the issue of depression first hand. I used to deliver people to the hospital for evaluation and admittance into the behavioral health unit. I worked with them when released back into the community. I saw people transformed by the introduction of medication into their lives. I know that some depression and anxiety are greatly helped as the medicine brings a balance back into their lives.

Sometimes part of the answer or treatment is biological. But sometimes, many times the clients I worked with received little or no help from the medications prescribed. It was as if something else was missing in their lives.

I have come to believe that medical science is not the best answer for every case of depression. Sometimes we need to take a step back and reevaluate before passing out care and counsel from one text book or another.

Our soldiers death exposes an old, ancient and crafty enemy named despair. We live in an age when despair seems to be a constant and unwelcomed companion. Everywhere we turn we see signs of this intruder. The papers, television, and internet are full of stories that reflect despair. At times it seems unstoppable. How do we wage war against an enemy we cannot see? What can we say? What can we do to address it?

Even if we should turn to medical science for answers we would have little consolation. Science doesn't know how to deal with it. Drugs can't help it; often times the counsel and concern of friends doesn't ease it. It is a cold dark mystery to many of us.

To combat an ancient foe perhaps we should consider an ancient friend. There is a passage of scripture that relates a story of one man who knew despair. It is found in the Book of Job. Lets listen to Job's cry: "Sighing comes to me instead of food; my groans pour out like water. ²⁵ What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me. ²⁶ I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil."

Many ancient passages affirm the reality and universality of despair but those same texts also give us the assurance of hope. The antidote for despair.

These ancient texts tell us the story of God and his interaction with mankind. In these pages we read that life was and once again will be good. We read that I am created in his image, that I am destined for glory. He cares for his kids; He has a plan for my life. He will never leave me nor forsake me. All of these beliefs are organized into what we call faith. And that faith brings hope and that hope conquers despair.

For human beings hope is like a luminary round fired over our heads in the darkest of nights. It gives us light by which to fight, to navigate and to carry on. It was this kind of hope that the Psalmist must have had in mind when he wrote, "Yeah though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me."

Hebrews 6:19
¹⁹ We have this hope as an anchor for our souls, and it is firm and secure.

My challenge to you today is to ensure that your anchor will hold when the storm comes. Find out what the writers of scripture knew. Do not leave your future to chance. You have an adversary who goes around as a lion seeking whom he may destroy. Your enemy comes to steal and to kill and destroy.

Get hope…

Romans 15:13 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (NIV).

 

 

 

The Tortoise and the Hare #2

I was blessed last Sunday morning to have been able to participate in my first 10K run here in Iraq. And I discovered an extra blessing that day at the finish line.
The email describing the race and registration procedures was complicated. The fact that they had T-shirts did not escape my eye though. It stated that only the top hundred runners would get a shirt at the finish line. I did not hold out much hope, but I hadn't closed the door on a shirt either. The morning of the race we discovered that there were several hundred runners registered. These folks did not look like the remedial group.
I reeled in my last bit of hope and took it off the hook and packed that all away. My attention that morning quickly shifted to completing the race to the best of my abilities.
Around the the first half mile checkpoint the lead pack of runners (20-30) all took a wrong turn. When I saw them I told Sgt Sward, "today is my day...all the rabbits have run off." We laughed good and hard.
When I ended the race the official at the finish line handed me a numbered tag and said, "last one; no more shirts left." I couldn't believe it.
I thought back in my mind at how the Lord had split off exactly the number of people in the front of the pack to enable me to get a shirt. That is simply amazing.
The majority of the front runners completed the 5K loop and joined us on the 10K loop. In essence the majority of those elite runners ran that morning because they love to run. I didn't here "too" much complaining, I heard more laughter and joy.
It is the classic tale of the tortoise and the hare but this time it is not either of the creatures who get the glory. It is instead the creator. Thank God that he still listens, positions and messes in the affairs of men. Thank him that he still loves to see us smile. Thank him that he still gives old turtles new painted shells (shirts).

The Tortoise and the Hare

I completed my first big race here in country. We did a 10K/6Mi race around the base. Several hundred people showed up to participate. It was exciting and a great way to release some tensions over here. About 10 people from my Battalion came dressed for battle. It was good to know I was not alone in this insanity.

 

One of the runners was a young private who I knew was one of the faster men in the Battalion for the two mile Army physical fitness test. As the pistol fired to mark the beginning of the race I was quickly caught up in the excitement and just as quickly realized I needed to slow down. My young friend blew by me shortly after I slowed. I smiled; perhaps remembering my own zeal and passion in years past.

 

I was running my race and Sgt Sward (who was also running my race at that point) was talking with me as we ran. About half way through we came upon my young friend. He was running very, very slow. I smiled. This time glad it was not me hanging my head half way through a race.

 

Sgt Sward began to chide the youngster and a few minutes later shifted gears and began running his race. I never saw him again. Slowly but surely the youngster was slipping even behind me. I hollered back at him to get up with me. He did. I talked to him. He listened and caught his breath. I reminded him about the story of the Tortoise and the Hare. Now he smiled.

 

I remembered that he was newly married and I had heard about a recent fight between him and his spouse. He assured me it was going just fine. He said he had it under control. The sirens were going off in my head.

 

Why are we so proud? I can remember a hundred times being in this guy's shoes. I asked myself today if I am still like that. Do I still brush off the insight and advice of my elders? I can clearly remember times in the recent past that I have. When I am in a position to learn I still fight to keep silent and find myself listening and preparing my response at the same time. I am convicted because I constantly interrupt those who try to speak into my life.

 

Twice I caught up to my young friend. He eventually finished in front of me.

 

To all of my young friends and some of you old fools like me I will review Proverbs 1:30-33, "since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, ³¹ they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes. ³² For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; ³³ but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm."

 

Stay alert friends, run the race, do not be disqualified, seek the experience and understanding of those who have finished ahead of you.

 

Always remember that God "opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6).

 

Blessings on you and your day

Seven Pounds

I watched a new video release movie the other day called, "Seven Pounds." I really liked it. I think it creates the incredible potential for Christians to engage the world around them. The movie runs deep with biblical illusions and even references. The movie is sad and has a desperate dark underlining. Smith's character in the movie is trying to redeem himself from the sins of his past. He comes up with a plan and that is where the movie starts.

The themes of forgiveness, hope, redemption, salvation and new life are woven strongly into the movie. Because that is what we (Christians, church) are all about I feel like we are missing an incredible opportunity to witness to individuals if we back out from this opportunity to engage our world. See the movie. Write down scriptures that support your faith as they come to your mind. Mark where and when the movie diverges from orthodox Christian tradition. We still have the greatest story ever told and this movie proves it.

The Beauty That Matters Most

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY
Susan Boyle made Britain and the world take notice the other day in a reality TV performance that rocked the watching world. It was on a program called, "Britain's Got Talent" You will recognize some of the judges. Google, youtube, or yahoo it. Do whatever you have to do, but watch it. I have added a couple links for the article and the video. I hope they work. It will inspire you. Think of the Biblical applications from the article (attached) from "The Herald." It is an article that brings to the front what matters most. This is the kind of stuff we as the church need to be watching in order to educate the world as to why this woman inspired us so much. It brings out the positives and negatives in a wonderful way.
1 Samuel 16:7 The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
Isaiah 53:2 He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
WATCH IT! Then read the article below...
http://www.theherald.co.uk/features/featuresopinon/display.var.2501746.0.The_beauty_that_matters_is_always_on_the_inside.php

There ain’t no mountain high enough

It's so crazy…serving the Lord is never predictable. I have gone to heights and depths that are so extreme it still has me stunned. In the last 24 hours I have seen mountains and valleys and the God who created them all.

We scaled the Franklin Mountains that surround El Paso on Saturday the 11^th. It was indescribably beautiful. No camera can capture what I'm talking about. It was awesome. I took 53 soldiers up those mountains and 28 wouldn't stop till we reached the very top. I was proud to be a part of that group. Coming down the mountain was very tricky. I was the last man herding the slowest troops. We were really falling behind. Before you know it we had wondered off the beaten trail. Things quickly became frustrating and even a little dangerous. I ended up descending (literally) into the lowest valley. I felt the urge to curse rise up in me when it started to rain (it don't rain in the desert!). Then it hit me, I knew where I was. I had been here before. I smiled and rejected the urge to curse. I herded the troops the rest of the way and finished well.

Today is Easter Sunday. Things started out pretty good but the winds quickly changed direction. I get so nervous in new situations. The morning service was very large. With those numbers I knew many dignitaries were out and about. I had hoped to rehearse the service at around 1300 hrs. Chaplain Flash, my senior chaplain, was counseling a troop in the sanctuary till 1500 hrs. I moved from there and shifted to get my bulletins printed. Every attempt to print failed miserably until very late in the day. Things just seemed to be unraveling on the biggest military service of my career.

The Catholic Priest came from El Paso at 1700 hrs. His chaplain assistant did not show up so we ended up helping him get set-up. The Mormon's had the sanctuary at 1800 hrs, right before us. They said they would not need a whole hour and could be done early. They went over. When I took control of the sanctuary it was 1905 hrs and we had to set up the screen, projector, communion, speakers, etc, etc, etc.

My training as a mobile church planter has never been handier. We got in there and rocked things. SGT Sward and I delegated tasks to soldiers as they walked in and we were up and running in minutes. It was amazing. I had never seen a military church service of this size. It was exciting and intimidating. There were several colonels (full bird) and lieutenant colonels (light) in the house. I was so nervous I had to pray a couple times to get settled.

We scaled Calvary and then descended to explore the empty tomb on Sunday the 12th. It was indescribably beautiful. No camera can capture what I'm talking about. It was awesome. I took 75 soldiers up that mountain and many wouldn't stop till we reached the very top. I was proud to be a part of that group.

Both days I experienced God's glory in the land. I saw and heard his children's excitement as they gained a new perspective. God's presence was all of a sudden measurable, tangible, something they had personally experienced. Both days I was leading something I was nervous and new at and found myself learning to lean on God.

I cannot describe the looks on their faces as they exited church this evening. They were light-up, hope-filled, and joyful. It was a new vista and horizon for me.

I know that with the Lord this will never stop. There is so much to him that we do not understand. With Jesus Christ there ain't no mountain high enough. With him there will always be more than we could ever hope, imagine or ask for.

Higher Ground

We are doing a spiritual event tomorrow. IT is a creative way to incorporate exercise and bible study. Sgt Mark Sward and I have put together a hike up into the Franklin Mountains around El Paso. We are looking forward to it. The 44 passenger bus filled up quickly and the lesson on spiritual resilience is coming along nicely. I hope to do a devotion on top (6600 ft) while we are good and tired. Either way it is a good exercise to remind us of the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior. Pray for us that these soldiers will recieve more from this event than they come expecting. Please pray for open hearts and minds. thanks!

Dog-gone good loving

I watched the movie, "Marley and Me" last night. It was a really good movie. Especially for those of you who might be classified as dog lovers. It reminded me of everything that is best in a dog and in us. The movie is about committment, sacrifice and unconditional love.

If you identify yourself with the Cross of Jesus Christ then these things are important to you because they were important to Him. He lead us in that kind of lifestyle. He perefectly demostrated those attributes. He set the standard.

Marley and me is a clean, fun, family movie that will set the stage for you to talk to your children, friends and coworkers about the incredible principles that are honored and taught in this film. It is not just about the relationship between the family and the dog. It is about the bigger principle about family sacrificing for one another. It is about committed love between a man and a woman. A woman and her children, a man and his career. Everyone in the movie gives up their personal desires for the greater good of the family, the future and love.

I highly recommend watching it with your eyes, ears and hearts wide-open.
Think through the concept of biblical love, sacrifice and Jesus Christ.

ALL HELL’S BREAKING LOOSE

It's late. My feet are tired, my back hurts, and my heart is heavy. The door to my room is open. No one is in the hall; it is quiet. It is weird; there is normally so much activity around here. I'm grateful for the twilight-zone-stillness. It is a much welcomed escape. None of it feels wrong. It is all right.

I am where I'm supposed to be. This is the arena I have prepared to enter. I am focused and my thoughts are clear. Yesterday felt like a mess, today feels like a major victory. Every day the battle goes back and forth.

I am still surprised at how tired I feel. I know it is not all related to physical exercise. There are days I do not get to run. Like tonight; I am tired; but I can't pinpoint why.

I am aware of the war I am physically preparing for. Every day, hour and minute is spent I preparation for it. Yet I doubt that is the source of all of my fatigue.

I suspect that I physically feel effects from the spiritual war that rages around me. I have left the safety of the church. I have marched into the enemy's territory.

Sometimes the battle seems completely one-sided. I feel the presence of God reaching out to those who have come seeking and I believe they are aware of it also. But there are other times when the doors seem bolted, chained and padlocked. He has control and My impact seems greatly diminished.

They all come seeking assistance but only some want the help of the cross on my hat; the others want the help of the captain's bars on my chest. I talk to all; but only some hear.

These thoughts create in me a desire for God to show me glimpses of the war being waged all around me daily. The spiritual war for people's lives and souls. If I knew the enemies strategies would I approach these encounters differently? I think so.

Might I pray, "Lord please remove the blinders that prohibit us from seeing and understanding the source and root of our pain and discomfort. Help me to see clearly and therefore to guide this individual into the light where the chains, traps and plans of the enemy can be exposed for what they are. May your Son Jesus Christ also be present and in that glorious light and unveil himself as the great hope of all mankind."

Hell is real. It is rising and threatening those we know and love. My hearts cry is that we, the church of the Living God, continue to improve our position and also move forward to the streets where the battle rages.

Only then will our hearts feel and experience the rest and peace that we long for when all is quiet.

 

I Looked into the Face of God

My last post was from a really different place. I closed it on a hope-filled and positive note but it wasn't easy. It was written at a tough time.

Not always, but occasionally my confidence gets rocked. I have doubts and worry about how I am impacting the soldiers for Christ.

I always think I have to bring Christ to the soldiers. What if it didn't only work that way. What if he was already out there and in some instances all I had to do was remind them of it.

Remember the verses in the Bible where God is describing all the ways that we encounter him here on earth? He describes our encounters with him in terms of the needy. He identifies himself with the hungry, thirsty, lonely, the down-and-out and the prisoner (Matt 25:35-44). Christ says that when we see those in need we are looking into his face. So the obvious question becomes "what is my response to Christ when he is uneducated, homeless, weak, smelly, begging or a criminal? What is my response when he is asking me to help or be compassionate to one of his children who are struggling?

I met with Jesus tonight. It wasn't in a church. I didn't have a bible. We weren't singing or worshiping and I wasn't fasting and praying.

I responded to another call for a visit from the chaplain. It was 9:30 in the evening. I was tired but in the area. I was not real optimistic. I remember wrestling with the idea of just calling it an evening. Maybe I would be fresher in the morning. I pushed on.

The soldier is about 20 years old and really frustrated with life and people and relationships and wondering why it all has to be so confusing.

This soldier incredibly and with great self-awareness closed several possible doors of discussion. He knew what he wanted and was able to articulate it

I was surprised. That is not the norm. He was on a mission, searching for something.

Eventually the conversation turned to spiritual matters. I found out the soldier was raised in the church and stayed there until he left high school.

He also told me he pretty much has not been back since. He has been trying to figure out this faith thing on his own.

What did Jesus mean when he said that we were helping him when we help those in need?

In what way does Jesus identify with these people? Is Jesus in this young man?

That would be very hard to establish…I can't tell you "where" he was. But I know he was there.

I believe that we both knew it.

I looked into the face of God. Tonight he is about 20 years old and he is hungry and thirsty.

My Cloud

I was walking around this morning very aware of an old feeling that had resurfaced and was following me around. I went to bed kind of aware of it. This morning in the light of day I could really sense it and I knew I was "outta sorts."

I might best describe this as a cloud over me. That is what it feels like anyway. And it is not a normal cloud. It is a sneaky, insidious little cloud that defies being spotted, understood or negotiated with. I used to get much more worked up about it. My frustration with it used to come out all over the place and was directed at any easy target in close proximity. That doesn't happen much any more. I am aware of it and can even acknowledge the presence of my unwelcome little companion before anything directs outward.

I will at times inform those closest to me that I am under the cloud if they cannot tell for themselves by the strange light cast from its shadow.

I refuse to stay there. I am constantly looking for the reason or at least a way through this and back into the light of day. Through the years I have come into contact with several methods that seem to help elevate me.

Excersise is one my my helps. I feel inspired and coem alive when my blood starts moving faster and the oxygen starts coming quicker. My thoughts clear and my spirit sores.

The best one for me is nature though. There are times when I can't get up the gumption to excersise. In those times I have discovered all I need to do is take a little walk with Jesus...outside.

Back home it easy for me to see the beauty all around me in any season. Here however this morning I found myself frustrated because I had not really been impressed with this desert. This place is in its own little way depressing.

So there I was, walking, outside, and kinda grumbling about out my situation. That is when it hit me. I mean really hit me, again (this is not the first itme). Here is a pic that I took on my walk this morning...


Do you see it? It is right there look again. Do you see it?
Hope "spring"ing forth right off the branch. Even in this barren and desolate place God is able to bring streams of living water to refresh the dry and weary traveler.

Spring is in the air. Spring reminds us that things change. You can bet your life on it. Things are going to change, for me, and for you, if we stay the course. The waters will come, the snow will come, things will cool down and God will be seen sitting on his throne high and lifter up..in control of everything. Amen

Learning to listen

With all the counseling that I have been doing I have been consistently recalling my training in seminary. One of the big ones for me is remembering the time when we taped "my" counseling session. I am a very visual learner. It is hard to forget a mistake when you actually watch yourself doing it. I remember the 80/20 rule we learned in class. The patient/counselee is supposed to speak 80% of the time and I/counselor am supposed to speak about 20% of the time. I had that firmly switched around in that first session. I spoke 80% and listened about 20%. I will not forget that lesson.

Things are changing for me now. When I listen now I want to understand before I say anything. It has become OK for us to sit in silence till they can put to words the reason they are coming to me. Silence can be awkward, but also necessary. It is at times a picture of what is happening in the person's life. The silence in itself speaks and reveals a part of the story. The challenge for us is can we sit with them in that moment. Are we willing, as Christians to experience another's pain will we in a sense pick up their cross and help them without saying or suggesting anything.

Simon, the Cyrene, who helped Jesus carry his cross is never recorded as saying anything. Not one word. Yet as we look back we can all see and sense the gratitude of our suffering Lord and Savior in that simple act. No words of advice, no exhortations…just silence.

Let us learn to walk with our acquaintances, those who come and are vulnerable to us, without trying to fix them until we know for sure that God is leading us to speak.

Please pray for me that I would continue to be lead by the Holy Spirt in the exploration of the pain and suffering of those he brings to my doorstep.

May the Lord expand your ministry also in this area of Christian ministry and allow you to be one who is able to bear the burdens of others in a way that opens them to the healing power and presence of our Lord and Savior. Amen

Look at this verse for additional reflection: Matthew 11: 28-30

McGregor Chapel Update

Last Sunday was probably the biggest military church service I have done. About 50 people. It felt like big peoples church. I was proud to have been a part of it.

Most of the technical elements went off on time and the music and power points were well organized. I thank my brothers and sisters at Center Point for teaching me and for suffering through all of my failed attempts of trying to minister in the 21^st century.

This week brought with it another first because I have had a continued increase in counseling among the troops. I have never experienced this much anxiety among troops in the military. I can't imagine what it must have been like when there were daily reports of soldiers dying in the places you were deploying to.

Many, many people come to talk to me. Every day brings new opportunities. Please pray that God would continue to soften and draw people's hearts to Christ. There have been days when every soul that came searching seemed to leave refreshed. I attributed those times to God's will, timing and the Holy Spirit's activity. I have not had that experience consistently though. There have been other times when counseling the troops seem dry and barren. In those times do I bless God and keep on moving? Do I attribute that activity to God's will and the Holy Spirit's lack of presence? I don't; I take it on myself in weird ways. I often feel up when ministry is good and feel down when ministry seems less successful.

I internalize the lack. I really wrestle with these things. What is the difference on a good day verses a bad day of counseling with troops? What impact do I bring into the scenario? Do my prayers or does my holiness impact the outcome of the session? How much? If I believe the affirmative of those questions why am I not constantly on my knees?

In the Old and the New Testaments I believe that there are indicators that lead us to believe that the outcome of our supplication is in part impacted by certain factors that are controlled by the individuals in the texts or situation. Faith and prayer are two elements that continually come into play. Right standing (righteousness) is another factor that needs to be examined.

I am more than willing to accept the fact that God reserves the right to do what he wants to do in any and every situation. That does not conflict with my understanding that occasionally he allows room for prayers influence. Prayer allows his children to experience a foretaste of the power and protection that will someday be ours completely in the next life. It doesn't conflict with the reality thatHe is guiding us, leading us, teaching us to reveal Christ to a watching and waiting world.
I don't want to miss a miracle. I want to be bold but not arrogant. I feel compelled to allow God to clear and clean my heart as much as possible so that I am not hindering what God wants to do in this world in and through me.
If we are not growing in these things. If we are not experiencing more than we expect, dream or imagine hten I think we are at times settling for less than what God wants to do int his world. It should compell us to search for what blocks and not condem us and make us even less effective. Let the word of God and the Spirit of God work together in your life.

Check these passages out…let them soak into your head and heart and flow out of your living…as you learn to run to him…

1 Chronicles 5:20
²⁰ They were helped in fighting them, and God handed the Hagrites and all their allies over to them, because they cried out to him during the battle. He answered their prayers,
because they trusted in him.

1 Peter 3:7
⁷ Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

James 5:16
¹⁶ Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

James 4:2-3
² You want something but don't get it. You do not have, because you do not ask God. ³ When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

A False Sense Of Security

One of my favorite Max Lucado books is "In The Grip Of Grace." I have given it out to many new converts. I think it helps to establish a good foundation by enforcing God's incredible goodness and grace toward us. It is often what brought us and it is what keeps us when the bottom falls out.

But grace alone does not condition us for the fight that lies ahead.

We recently went through another class for improvised explosive devises (IED). I sincerely did not want to sit through another power point presentation and lecture on these things. We have had it several times in the last 6 months.

In the middle of it I pulled my phone out and played a little "brick breaker" (game). I got convicted; knowing I was not setting a good example and put it away. I made it through the rest of the day without incident.

The following day we reported and were going out on a convoy lane that had IED's planted all over the place. We were to employ the tactics and training we had received for this scenario. I was still pretty confident.

It wasn't long into the exercise before it all broke loose. They tore us up in a hurry. We broke down and failed to perform under stress just as they had anticipated we would.

They warned us, we failed. We started listening different after they told us they would reset the lane and we would do it again. Hands went into the air. Men were asking questions, planning, and plotting. It felt very serious the second round. We improved much, they told us we would.

It is an amazing flaw in the human condition that allows us to discount the warnings of others. Is it rebellion, arrogance or some crazy concoction of the two? I don't know. But I do know that it is universal. It affects the whole human race.

The spiritual application of this is very simple and similar. We cannot accurately know our own level of performance for our king. All we can do is train like the big test is tomorrow. Instead we often blow off the many warnings of the Scriptures and fail to apply the wisdom and teaching of those who have gone on before us. We under estimate the hatred and strength of our enemy and we are made ineffective and unproductive in advancing the Kingdom of God on behalf of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Paul cries out to us as soldiers of the cross to take our training seriously (2Tim 2:3-4; 1Cor 9:7). He knows and has experienced the price that must be paid to advance the Gospel. He often uses competitive and even combative language to instill the correct attitude in his readers. The testimonies and teaching in the scriptures will save lives. If we want to succeed and receive the praise of our King we are going to have to daily assess ourselves: the good, the bad, and the ugly. Only then will we have the wherewithal to approach the battle in full armor and after having done everything
to stand your ground, stand firm. (Eph 6:13).

Just One Riesen To Live

I have been counseling a lot of soldiers. The majority of which are not Christian. Some soldiers who see me do not come because of my incredible counseling skilz. They come because they believe I can give the commander a referral for their discharge. Recently I have met with a couple soldiers who openly did not want anything to do with my faith. I do not push it and I am not offended in those situations. It is a part of my commitment to help every soldier in any way that I can regardless of personal faith, philosophy, color, creed, etc.

I am 42 years old. That makes me twice as old as the average troop in my battalion. I have had many years to iron the wrinkles outta life. I know who I am, how I'm wired. I am and have been securely in love with my wife for many years. I know what I'm doing vocationally till I die. All the really hard questions and challenges in life have been dealt with for me.

Some of the young men who come to me do so because they feel "overwhelmed" with where they are at. Throw in a new marriage, a new baby, a new unit, an old war and they are wondering why it is hard to sleep at night.

The stress and the concerns associated with any one of those things is enough. When you add them all together a young man ends up with runaway thoughts, sleepless nights and failing performance.

Suicide is way up in the Army and National Guard. The newest statistics given at our last brief were staggering. The overwhelming majority of deaths were Caucasian, 18-26, and infantryman. It was such a spike in the graph all eyes were immediately drawn to it. The young men in my unit run a higher risk (10x) than any other military profession.

The campaigns to get the word out are really good. The military's response seems appropriate. Now it is at my door step. They are coming, they are knocking, they are seeking. Some of them are walking a fine line and are peering over the edge thinking it would be easier to just give up.

It doesn't take much at that point. Just a little push or a little pull, one way or the other.

That is what I'm here for. I'm here to give them a reason to live. A reason to hold on, A reason to hope, A reason to believe that things can and will get better is only they do not buy into the lies this world tells them.

I recently discovered an old favorite; a candy from way back. It is a little something for those times when I'm missing the sweetness; the good stuff of life.

I love my chocolates. They are little attitude boosters. Wouldn't it seem silly not to share them with someone else in need if I believe it would help them too.

Isn't that what we do with Jesus though? Don't we hold him back sometimes? Aren't we reluctant to share?

The sweetest thing is life is definitely free, Share the sweetness today…

Blessings