Worth My Salt

Pause-Ex

2010-03-01T21:39:00.003-05:00

Military operations often use use the suffix, "Ex" at the end of an acronym. Like, JFEX--Joint Forces Exercise. Well, it's time for a Pause-Ex, an exercise to pause "Worth My Salt".

Face to Face

2010-02-28T18:46:00.005-05:00

Gary is a fellow blogger. We've known each other for about 3 years now. He contacted me through my blog when I first arrived at Bragg. His son is in 2BCT, deployed to Haiti. When he first emailed me to introduce himself, his son was in Iraq, and his Platoon Leader had recently hit an IED. The PL was in Womack Army Hospital recovering. Though I had never met any of them, I paid the PL a visit.

Now, a couple years since then, Gary happened to be on Ft. Bragg to take care of some business for his son. He decided to look me up by stopping by Division Memorial Chapel where this picture is taken. Gary had been praying for me over the course of my deployment, and we've had regular email contact. So, there was a little emotion involved when we finally met in person.

To my right in this picture, though you can't see it, is a stain glass window with the depiction of swords being beaten into plowshares, from the Book of Micah. On the glass it reads, "neither shall they learn war anymore" (4.3). It was a hopeful reminder to me as I gazed upon it during the last memorial ceremony I attended in there, honoring 4BCT Troopers that were in Afghanistan. Someday we'll all be out of a job.

It was a busy week. When Gary called I was putting on the final touches to some of the prep work for this marriage retreat. When SGT Hobbs and I linked up at the hotel in Myrtle Beach we were given a tour of the facilities. After walking into one of the buildings I noticed some patches hanging on the wall. Like a magnet pulling me I walked over to it. I asked, "What is this?" She said, "Oh, haven't you seen the Hall of Heros?" She then opened the door, and turned on the lights to a very large room full of American military history, especially of the last century. There were many signs and symbols honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice. They even had replica i.d. tags with names of Bauer and Davis on it.

At first I was pulled to it. But, at that moment I couldn't go any further. I never got passed the door. I was overwhelmed with emotion, and I didn't know where it was coming from. So, I left and came back later. Rev. 21.4 says, "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."

This weekend was our marriage retreat. We had a great time. There were lots of take-aways for couples to return home and put into practice. It was a blessing for them to have this kind of face time with each other, working together and applying principles to their marriage. Though this life, and even world, is filled with conflict, there is something better ahead. The truth will set you free, Jesus says. And, it does. He does. At the end of I Corinthians 13, "The Love Chapter," the Apostle writes, "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known."

Combat Cross-Country Race

2010-02-20T09:41:00.006-05:00

"You better finish under 3 hours, Chaplain," said my XO. That was an order. 3 hours is the upper limit to meet the Expert Infantryman's Badge (EIB) standard for a 12 mile ruck march with a 35lb pack.

With permission given I was pumped to run this MWR sponsored Combat Cross-Country Race at Smith Lake, Ft. Bragg.

I had only rucked once in Iraq for training. Before that it was prior to deployment. Then, last Friday, I rucked with my buddy, Tim: 10 miles and 45lbs. We did that in about 2:40, which would have put me over the 3 hours if I were to go an extra 2.

So, toeing the line on Thursday, it sort of felt like the first time I was running a marathon: it was a big unknown, and I really liked that. The course was about 90% trails, about 9% on packed dirt roads, and maybe not even 1% of hard-ball surface. It was mostly sand trails.

Uniform and equipment requirements: 35lb ruck, which officials weighed before and after the race. BDU or ACU uniform (no serious standards though). Soft-cap. And, a full canteen of water. But, we weren't allowed to drink our canteen. They had water stops on the course. I added a few extra pounds to my ruck for good measure while packing, just in case my scale was off. So, with the water bottle my ruck was nearly 40lbs.

I'm not sure how many started the race, but there were 72 finishers. When I arrived to register I didn't know anyone who was running it. Not even on the starting line. And, right off the start there was a huge crowd that began sprinting down the first hill. My plan was to run it until I couldn't anymore. Then fast walk it the rest of the way.

By mile 2 I had been passing by most of that crowd that launched ahead so quickly. I basically ran the whole thing except for 2 very large hills. There was gas in the tank, so I kept going, running it. When I'd pass someone, or they'd pass me, I'd always say something like, "Good job, keep it up." That's how another Captain in the Brigade recognized me at mile 6. Then we exchanged words about how we were doing. And, it was the same in the last 200 meters running next LT Nelson, a Platoon Leader from my Battalion. When I said that, he replied to me, "Chaplain, is that you?" I didn't recognize him in passing until we crossed the finish line.

We finished 21st and 22nd with my time at 2:21:31. It was a lot of fun at the finish to be able to compare notes about the race together over bananas and gatorade. He told me that he had over 50lbs in his ruck. That's about the equivalent weight of what Ranger School students carry, plus their weapon and ammo. In the winter it's much more.

So, I obeyed my XO's order and at least met the EIB standard and ran under the 3 hour mark, which I was pleased. The whole thing was a total blast.

My Garage Gym

2010-02-15T13:26:00.006-05:00

I love my garage gym.

If I could teach a class at my college and seminary alma mater, I would make sure I would train students how to be physically fit for life. I've spent thousands of dollars on school books and building a professional library, but I've started late in the game to acquire pieces of equipment for a home gym.

I've been a competitive runner all my life: high school, college, coached an NCAA Div III Men and Women's X-Country and Track Teams, ran 4 marathons (2X Boston qualifier, 1 sub 3 hours), and this week I plan to run a combat cross-country race that is 20K and 35lbs on my back. Having said all that, I love my home gym. I love to cross-train to prevent injuries and be conditioned with my upper body, not just cardio conditioning. I say all this and know I'm still not a PT stud around here.

If you haven't heard of Cross-Fit, it's really worth checking out: http://www.crossfit.com/. Here's an article from them on building a garage gym. It's been a slow process to know what I wanted in mine. Though Cross-Fit recommends high end quipment, I've always bought the cheapo stuff and have never been disappointed.

While deployed Liz started taking Spin Classes at a local gym off post. For a guy, riding a stationary bike for about an hour with techno-music, and someone encouraging you like a new age guru up front, to me, it sounded pretty gay. But, Liz insisted I attend a class with her when I got home, which I did. I'm NOT hooked, but we did pick up a Spin Bike over Christmas after I insisted. I've learned more than a thing or two about it for cross-training purposes. And, it's a great workout.

On days when the weather isn't the best I'll ride the bike for an hour, and then hit the rest of my equipment: pull-up bar, bench, some free weights, mats for abs, etc. Being deployed with Infantry, going to the gym was like making sure you slept sometime during the day. I'm definitely not a gym rat, but I love my home gym. I could easily spend 2 hours there working out. And, I don't pay a fee.

Last August when I came home on R&R Liz picked up a book about how to do 100 push-ups. When she started she could barely do 3 crooked ones. After I arrived home from deployment she said it was time to do her push-ups. She did about 4 sets of a dozen push-ups. Then she banged out a set of 40! I couldn't believe it. My 30-something wife, mother of 4 knocking them out like a man. Why do I say this? Don't let fear "that you can't do it" hold you back. You can do it. Just do it! Start small if you have to; that's o.k. Be fit for life, and I recommend over a long period of time building a home gym. You'll love it.

So why do it?

1. For your health. It beats being unhealthy any day.
2. Being fit feels great.
3. Further, the endorphins. You feel good doing it.
4. It combats stress.
5. How about looking good?
6. For a Christian, I believe maintaining your body's health glorifies God.

Paratroopers train for upcoming mass airborne jump in Iraq

2010-02-13T11:23:00.002-05:00

With Iraq winding down to a slow pulse for American forces, this is some great training. ~pl

by Spc.

Michael J. MacLeod

1st BCT, 82nd Abn. Div. PAO, USD- C

CAMP RAMADI, Iraq — “Black hat” instructors from the U.S. Army’s elite Advanced Airborne School refreshed the parachuting skills of paratroopers here Friday to prepare them for a tactical airborne exercise soon to follow.

Three j umpmaster instructors from the Fort Bragg parachuting school recently traveled to Camp Ramadi, where they taught a oneday, basic airborne skills refresher course to paratroopers of 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.

“You want to knock the dust off (airborne) skills and bring them to the level of proficiency where they need to be,” said Sgt. 1st Class Robert Shultz, air movement operations committee chief for the Advanced Airborne School and lead instructor conducting the training at Camp Ramadi. “It’s a perishable skill, like marksmanship or physical training. It’s something you need to be on top of all the time,” he said.

Instructors led the paratroopers in a series of exercises, simulating every movement that a paratrooper must make before, during and after a jump to exercise muscle memory, said Shultz.

Paratroopers practiced parachute landing falls — a way to safely roll when landing to dissipate the energy of impact. They also received a brief on how to exit the aircraft under various scenarios, and then practiced mass exiting from a training apparatus; designed to simulate a C-130 aircraft.

The last skill paratroopers reviewed was rigging their packs with a harness that allows them to lower their packs to the ground before they land, thus preventing injury and protecting equipment.

“To get these guys out here touching their equipment, rigging their stuff up, putting their parachute on, makes them feel like paratroopers again,” said Schultz.

“They’re out here (in Iraq) doing different things.”

Sgt. Brandon Reynolds, a mortarman with 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, said he is looking forward to the jump. A paratrooper since 2006, Reynolds said he loves being a paratrooper with the 82nd because of the high standards of soldiering they uphold.

“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to come out here and jump and show the Iraqis exactly what an airborne division can do,” he said.

The legacy unit of 1st BCT, 504th PIR, has five jumps into combat zones under its belt, including four during World War II and one into Panama in 1989.

If executed as planned, the 1st BCT training exercise could be the largest mass parachute jump into a combat zone since the paratroopers of 173rd Airborne Brigade dropped onto Bashur Airfield in northern Iraq March 26, 2003; a combat jump known as Operation Northern Delay.

According to the 173rd Web site, nearly 1,000 paratroopers took part in that operation. More than 500 devil paratroopers are expected to jump at this one.

photos by Spc. Michael J. MacLeod/1st BCT, 82nd Abn. Div. PAO, USD-C

Staff Sgt. Victor Vasquez , a jumpmaster instructor with Fort Bragg’s Advanced Airborne School, describes how to properly fit protective padding in a paratrooperís helmet prior to jumping Friday, during a basic airborne skills refresher course he and other instructors are teaching to paratroopers with 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, stationed at Camp Ramadi, Iraq. The paratroopers are preparing for an airborne training exercise later in February in Iraq.

Closing Chapters

2010-02-07T20:37:00.008-05:00

This post represents a closing of our deployment to OIF 2008-2009. Before we left for Iraq the Battalion Commander publicly spoke about holding a memorial ceremony and adding a memorial paver stone at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville for those in 2-Panther who would die on the field of honor. That day happened last Saturday at the Hall of Heroes on Ft. Bragg because of inclement weather. Families and Battalion Leadership are shown in the first picture.

We also celebrated the end of the deployment with an All Ranks Ball that took place on Wednesday evening. The first two pictures were downloaded from the 82D, 3BCT FB page.

This morning I was blessed to have Kevin S. over for breakfast. We attended VFCC and ran Cross-country together. He just returned from Afghanistan. I'm incredibly honored to have Kevin as a friend since the early 90s. He is a Command Sergeant Major (CSM) in the 20th Special Forces Group. He's been serving as a long-tabber since his college days.

I told Kevin that I will be coming down on orders soon, moving to the other side of Ft. Bragg into USASOC. He said to me, "Welcome to the community." It should be an interesting change. I can also see the day that I welcome Kevin to the Chaplain Corps.

First Jump Back into Division

2010-01-29T18:59:00.012-05:00

"Chaplain, you're jumping with us today? O.K., I know I'm not going to die." This is what I heard from a Staff Sergeant when I showed up for work at 0430 for our first jump back into Division. On a Jump Day Paratrooper Chaplain scores some good "ministry of presence" points. I always pray for us following the Jump Brief and hand out a few of the Patron Saint of Paratrooper pendants, St. Michael the Arcangel. Coming off the drop zone, a new Trooper remarked to me that it was effective.

The first pics are at the Basic Airborne Refresher (BAR) Course, showing the 30 Foot Tower, and my 1-Panther (1-505 PIR) buddy, CH Smith. Next is me on the C130 before we "stand up, hook up, and shuffle to the door". I downloaded the 3 pictures coming out of the bird from our 3BCT Facebook page. Those pictures are from the same day that I jumped. The last pic is my trusty Chaplain Assistant, SGT Derrick Hobbs.

Paratrooping is not like you see it on TV, when someone free falls from a high altitude. We come in at only 800 feet and 130 knots. We are falling at 18 feet per second. Ouch. This jump was a blast. Awesome weather--no wind, and I was on the first Chalk to drop.

2 Purple Hearts

2010-01-29T18:47:00.003-05:00

These 2 All-American men shaking hands are Purple Heart recipients. One earned his in a prior deployment when he was struck by rounds bursting from an enemy AK47, but the paperwork was lost. Our Battalion Commander has helped several Troopers get the awards they deserved, when the system failed. This is a great example of when the Army get's it right.

The other Paratrooper earned his Purple Heart at a small Joint Security Station when he was hit with shrapnel from a mortar round about a week before we were redeploying.

Here is some history of the Purple Heart.

From Sean Penn: A Shout out to the Deuce (82D) in Haiti

2010-01-27T03:18:00.001-05:00

Warrior Adventure Quest2

2010-01-22T23:45:00.002-05:00

Scripture References on Weapon Product

2010-01-22T21:41:00.007-05:00

As I was walking to my office through the Battalion Headquarters a NCO said, "Hey, Chaplain, here's a weapon sight with a Scripture reference on it." I had already read on-line about it a few days before. He continued, "I've never seen this before until it came out in the news. No one ever noticed it."

No one ever noticed it until now. Someone who is Biblically literate understood the micro-lettering which the Army called, "coded". In the Army, all weapons and products like this are called, "sensitive items," and are accountable at all times. I'm actually NOT amazed that this HASN'T been discovered and "outed" before. Why? Because American society is less and less Biblically literate. We just don't know the Bible as much as we used to.

Here is the news release from Trijcon, the company which produced the products. Though the company has a Christian background, the intention (OBVIOUSLY--pun intended) was not to proselytize. Here is the NY Times version, for what it's worth.

My take on it as a Christian Chaplain is that it's a bad idea to emplace Scripture on weapons or weapon systems. My view isn't about being PC (Politically Correct). It's about the meaning and intent of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am thoroughly American, but I'm also, and more so, thoroughly Christian.

I believe in the truth of Democratic principles and the need to protect our freedom. On the other hand, emplacing those specific Scripture references on the weapons systems conflicts with the Spirit of Christianity and it's core principles. And, since the intent behind the emplacement of Scripture has been misunderstood by others outside of the company, like true-PCers, or the enemy of the State, it's become counterproductive to the advancement of freedom (or Christianity?) in places like Iraq and Afghanistan, or maybe even in America.

The Comfort of Suffering

2010-01-22T08:14:00.004-05:00

You've heard the saying, "Stop the train. I want to get off." It's an expression of exasperation. We've all felt it. But, we are never without a great hope.

In my devotions this morning I did a double-take. "What? Did that say I what I think it said?" I've seen it there a multitude of times. "The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him."

" . . . provided we suffer with him . . . ." This is the ESV Translation. There's a little footnote to it. II Cor 1.7, "Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort."

Friends, Christianity does not exist without suffering for and with Jesus, and His Church. Yes, it's a paradox. Christian comfort comes with suffering. The Apostle is saying as you live for Christ, together as a Church, doing the Lord's will, which means stepping out in faith, you will experience suffering and so, "comfort one another with these words."

Warrior Adventure Quest

2010-01-19T19:53:00.006-05:00

Today I started the post-deployment "Battlemind" reintegration briefings to the first platoon.

Battlemind is defined by the way a Soldier has come to live and react with courage to a dangerous deployment. However, coming home, sometimes it take a little reprogramming to how one normally thinks in the States.

This Bravo Company Platoon is skeet shooting. The platoons around the Battalion have a choice to go skiing, skeet shooting, or paintballing; then I provide a Battlemind Brief. The program is called, "Warrior Adventure Quest".

Good deal.

Quote of the Day

2010-01-19T19:48:00.003-05:00

From the Army Times: "If you're on a ruck march, and you've got a 75 pound load and your walking for a really long time, when you take it off, it's the best feeling in the world, that's what it feels like, like I took my ruck off."

~ SPC Osvaldo Hernandez, former 82D Paratrooper, after learning that NY Governor David Paterson pardoned him for a felony gun conviction when he was 20 years old.

Jesus takes on our ruck sack of sin so that we can be healed (forgiven). "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed" (I Peter 2.24).

Further along the cutting edge to joy

2010-01-18T10:29:00.002-05:00

Oh, this NY Times Editorial, "Our Basic Human Pleasures: Food, Sex, and Giving," by Nicholas Kristoff dovetails nicely along with my previous post.

The more you hoard (time, talent for others, treasure), the less happy you will be. And, the more you . . . just read it.

pl

On the cutting edge to joy

2010-01-16T10:48:00.007-05:00

As Liz and I were talking over dinner on a date night out, ideas were coaliscing in my mind.

We discussed being practical vs. thinking deeply. Can you be one without the other? Can you just choose to be one? When I write this I'm talking about the Church and leadership philosophy. Liz and I are on the cutting edge to joy.

I've been saving this post to talk about something new and exciting in our lives, but it turns out that a couple of other coalising ideas will be rolled into this as well. Here's the cool news: I've (we've) been asked to plant a church.

Entering the Chaplaincy it didn't occur to me that I would do some church planting, but here we are. As I interviewed with the Installation Chaplain about possible ministry slots around Ft. Bragg, the topic came up about an Army housing complex that is essentially an unreached people group and recently has been vying for some Chaplain attention.

Being a junior Captain Chaplain, business as usual for guys like me is, "Take a seat in Chapel next to several others of your rank," and the more senior leaders who have been waiting their turn run the show. And, that's o.k. Yet, this easily can slip into a "check the block" mentality when it comes to Garrison ministry. "O.K., I'll show up and do my task. I'm Justified for another week."

What I want to highlight about this is that it is joyless.

I'm currently reading 2 books by authors NOT originally from the United States: N.T. Wright, "Justification," and David Wells, "The Courage to be Protestant". When I get the time I'll be posting some book reviews.

Here's my subthesis to the post: Americans are pragmatic to a fault. The most interesting books on the Christian faith, (I believe) come to us from authors who write from a non-American angle. They are thinking more deeply, reflecting more critically. Of course it's cultural, but it's more than that. It takes time, effort, focus, and sacrifice. You have to give up comfort to get something else, a quality product. But the process produces joy! Joy doesn't come without sacrifice.

I get an email from Pastor James Emery White of Charlotte, NC. A great pastor who I consider a thinker, but made a big American mistake. Read this:

Why Don’t We Just Pick Up the Phone?

I saw him at a church conference. He lit up the stage. He was one of the most electric worship leaders I had ever seen. Young, handsome, talented…

I went after him. I had to be a bit discrete – it felt a bit like “stealing.”

In the end, I got him. I was elated. Buckle your seat-belts, church-growth world, we’re taking off. I had just nagged the up and coming worship leader at the one of the nation’s most prestigious megachurches.

In less than twenty-four months, he had been removed from ministry and placed under church discipline. He eventually left the ministry, and has never served in a church since.

Not long afterward, I interacted with the senior pastor of the church from which I had procured my wunderkind. He graciously asked how my new hire had worked out, and I had to sheepishly tell him that, well, he didn’t.

I told him the whole story.

He said, “I’m not surprised. We had been having issues with him for months. Just before he left, we had entered into some pretty serious conversations attempting to confront the very kinds of things you have had to deal with. I was deeply concerned that he simply fled to another church.”

And then he said words that have haunted me, and instructed me, ever since.

“Why didn’t you just pick up the phone and call me?”

Good question. Why didn’t I?

I didn’t like my answers: Because I thought I was pulling off a coup on another church and getting some top-notched talent and didn’t want my effort botched.

Because I had quietly bought into the idea of other churches being the competition, and this was just the blood and sweat of the contest.

Because I was blinded by the person’s talent and never bothered to explore their character. Because I wanted to bottle up that particular church’s success and add it to our own.

Pragmatism vs. theological reflection.

Who in the New Testament was on the cutting edge of joy? The Apostle Paul, both a deep thinker and pragmatic. Theologically and realistically, you can't have one without the other without compromise.

How does this all come together?

I am pumped to plant a church for God and Country. The obvious question, to self is, "Where am I going to get the time and resources from scratch?" The simple answer is God.

This was a painful week. I had to do a Memorial Ceremony for a Trooper in my Battaltion that accidently shot himself on New Years Day. (I'll spare the tragic details.) Yes, it really was an accident. He is dearly missed. It was a short week: only 4 days. But, the Ceremony was on Friday morning, meaning we only had 3 days to prepare for it, coming off Block Leave and assemblying all the key players and essential items. I could go on, how it was non-stop from other venues too. Though it was painful at times, I wouldn't trade it because it's also energizing because without sacrifice there is no joy.

My schedule is packed, and my margins are being pushed to the edge. But, it's so exciting ("the joy of the Lord is my strength") serving the Lord. The quintessential man of joy, the Apostle Paul was a thinker, and a man of ministry: an example of living life to it's fullest potential that God has given us. I pray to be like Jesus, and I hope to live like his most humble Apostle.

Myles, Me, and Winter Jam 2010, Fayetteville NC

2010-01-10T09:48:00.003-05:00

God's Battalions: Book Review

2010-01-08T21:38:00.006-05:00

I was about three quarters of the way through with this amazing book when I emailed a friend about it. My friend holds a PhD in Religion from one of the most prestigious universities in the U.S. His focus is Church History, specializing in the area of major concern from the book, "God's Battalions." My friend has also been a full professor for a lengthy bit of time, meaning, he knows his stuff.

I knew he would know the author. I wanted to get behind the intent of the thesis.

Here it is in final form on the last page (p. 248): "The thrust of the preceding chapters can be summarized very briefly. The Crusades were not unprovoked. They were not conducted for land, loot, or converts. The crusaders were not barbarians who victimized cultivated Muslims. They sincerely believed that they served in God's battalions."

The author, Rodney Stark, of Baylor University cooks up a great book. It is scholarly, heavily footnoted, and he interacts with other reputable historians throughout. But, it is very readable!

I think back to reading David McCullough's early American history in "1776," and how much of a fun and fascinating read that was. For the reader, especially those interested in Christian history here, "God's Battalions," felt like a 1776. The comparison doesn't come because I'm combining Christianity-Americana, but essentially it is relevant to where I am, and perhaps you, too. If not, it's certainly provokes a historical paradigm shift.

In God's Battalions one can not analyze the Crusades without first reviewing the "Muslim Invaders," in Chapter 2. If your Christian History from college has become fuzzy, this will certainly shore it up. The layout of the geography, and key leaders and players make it come back in focus.

I loved the detail of the medeival military minutiae, e.g., armor, weapons, tactics, strategies, methods of killing devices, descriptions of cavalry and infantry, and Knights, as well as the heart and ethics of Soldiers or Christian Crusaders. I also loved the portraying of vivid battle descriptions. Hooah! And, pardon me, if you find this offensive, but I found myself comparing modern American Soldiers to European Crusaders. Of course there were gaping differences, but many similarities as well. You will find yourself connecting some dots that have been hanging in limbo.

My friend cautioned me that this wasn't Stark's forte, but I was impressed with the depth in which he reflected and wrote. It doesn't come across off-the-cuff. So, God's Battalions becomes in many ways an "existential," or historical "re-do," in Army parlance. What many of us have commonly come to think about the Crusades, Stark undercuts it with a look beyond the Karen Armstrong kind of popular synoptic regurgitation.

If you pick it up, like me, you may have much trouble putting it down. I'm not going to be specific here, but if I were a pastor there are some specific take-aways that could apply to "mission" and "ministry to men." I loved it. And, I highly recommend it.

Civil Prayer

2010-01-06T19:08:00.005-05:00

What's the big deal about prayer? For a certain kind of prayer it has been made the litmus test of faith. I'm writing to people in Christian leadership now.

I am a U.S. Army Chaplain who is called upon to provide prayer in a civic setting, that is prayer in public, during government sanctioned activity. The setting is usually comprised of people from a multireligious and pluralistic background. For example, here is a prayer that was prayed in the House of Representatives on 5 January 10 by a Rev. Clete Kelly.

I have provided dozens of these prayers in various Army settings. What is particularly noteworthy is the end of the prayer, "We ask in your Holy Name. Amen." If you heard that benediction in your church on Sunday morning, you probably wouldn't bat an eye toward it, because there is nothing theologically incorrect about it as a Christain applies the Name of Jesus Christ to oneself.

However, some Christian leaders have made it a litmus test of faith that in order to recite a prayer in a civil/civic setting, it must include "Jesus' name." And, the problem is that it has become divisive. My read on it, is that it detracts from the work of Christ's Kingdom more than it enhances it.

First, I want to show you an example from my denomination's weekly magazine, "The Pentecostal Evangel," dated 13 Dec 09. The article is called "Jesus in America," and the lead story in the article has to do with a civil prayer situation that has become a lightening rod for controversy. Here is the pertinent lead part of the article:

When Assemblies of God pastor, Gerry Stoltzfoos, accepted an invitation in June to lead an opening prayer for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, it came with a caveat: He needed to submit his words of invocation to legislative officials for advance approval.

“They said the prayer needed to be nonconfrontational, nonpolitical and nondenominational,” says Stoltzfoos, senior pastor of Freedom Valley Worship Center in Gettysburg. “That seemed agreeable. I sent them the best prayer I could write.”

However, Stoltzfoos soon received a message from the office of the speaker of the House saying his prayer had been rejected because it contained an offensive phrase. Stoltzfoos could edit and resubmit the prayer if he removed the “offensive” closing statement: “In Jesus’ name.”

Stoltzfoos refused to omit Jesus’ name, and the state government rescinded the invitation. He mentioned the incident to a local newspaper reporter while being interviewed about another topic, and the story became front-page material. Several national news outlets later picked it up as well.

Subsequently, Stoltzfoos has received hundreds of phone calls and e-mails. Most have voiced support for his position, while a few have been angry. He says he is still surprised by the controversy.

“How can the word Jesus be offensive?” Stoltzfoos asks. “I don’t see how it can be a prayer without addressing Someone. That would be like putting a letter in the mail without an address on it. Where does it go?"

Jerry blogged about this incident as well as spoke to the local press about it. I'm not stating anything that he hasn't already. What I'm recommending for pastors and Christian leaders is a way for this issue to not become a litmus test in the public square that has detracted (which, I have seen on the Net) from Christ's cause.

From a Christian standpoint I want to offer another way to do this without compromising one's faith.

For one, I wear a cross on my uniform in the public square. Any Christian minister invited to provide a prayer in the civic arena is not going to be scrutinized to the degree where one would be asked to remove a cross from one's clothing. It is an identifying emblem of the clergy. In the Army it would be the Cross, the Star of David, or Crescent. For a civilian minister who is stepping up to the podium, obviously he will be identified from the church he or she represents. I will say this plainly: everyone will know you are a Christian, taking Christ to be the defining theology in one's life.

In a pluralistic setting anyone who worships someone/thing other than Jesus can apply, "Holy Name" to the god of their choice. This isn't rocket science, Friends. Why is this important? I think there are a lot of reasons.

Cliche here: people don't care about how much you know until they know how much you care.

Right before Christmas I had a senior Chaplain say it this way to me, "Paul, you will disciple men before they even become Christians." How is that? "They will begin to follow you because they see something in you worth following."

You might say, "Well, that could go both ways. People don't want to follow someone who is wishey-washey." This is true, too. But, I want to return to the word, "lightening rod". It's not the job of the Christian leader to become a lightening rod of controversy. That is not the mandate of Jesus. Pastor Mark Batterson says this in his book Primal. (I had already believed this.) Paraphrase: "Christians sometimes are more known for what they believe rather than how much they care about others." And, this can be an inhibiting factor for pre-Christians seeking God. Hear this: I'm NOT saying, "Shelve your beliefs!"

What I am saying is this: why make it an issue when it doesn't need to be?!! That is what the Pharisees did in the New Testament. To paraphrase the Pharisees: "Look at me! Look at my beliefs! Look how spiritual I am!" I'm not saying Pastor Stoltzfoos is like a Pharisee, but you get my point. Why talk to the press? Why blog about it? Why allow the story to be published in a national denominational magazine? Prayer doesn't have to be a lighting rod issue in the civic square as a litmus test of faith.

Hundreds, perhaps thousands of Christian ministers in the United States and around the world have concluded prayers in pluralistic settings without naming Jesus, maybe even on a daily basis! Probably hundreds in the same denomination as Jerry. In the civic setting ministers must understand the separation of Church and State, and at the same time the State recognizes, "In God We Trust." I have never witnessed a scenario where a Christian leader ministers in a pluralistic setting that has detracted from the Kingdom of God as a result of a civic prayer.

The First Amendment of the Constitution states: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Friends, the U.S. Government is not against Christians. I can evangelize and preach the gospel quite freely as an Army Chaplain, and it's my constitutional obligation to protect that freedom for military members. And, believe me, when the time is right I enjoy that freedom quite handsomely, to the glory of God.

I am writing from an insider's perspective about Civic Prayer. One who daily lives and works in a pluralistic setting, and I'm quite comfortable with that. I am a Chaplain to everyone, but a pastor to some.

Theologically speaking, when the Apostles asked Jesus how to pray, Jesus gave them an example in what we today call, "The Lord's Prayer." This model prayer taught to us by Jesus does not include, "And pray in My Name." Jesus identifies the Father, in His prayer. With Jesus' model prayer, are all Christians required to pray in His Name, every time? NO.

Theologically speaking, is it contrary to close a prayer "In Your Holy Name. Amen"? NO. This morning, as a part of my daily devotions, I prayed through Psalm 32, applying that psalm to my life. Did I need to say "In Jesus Name, Amen"? No. God, and Christ Himself, my Lord and Savior, knows exactly what I'm praying, and to Whom. It is not theologically contradictory. I'll take it a little further. Is a Theistic prayer contradictory? No. If I were to include 25 attributes of God that were all theologically, Biblically agreeable, to everyone in a pluralistic setting, it doesn't do violence against God, the one who you and I believe is True.

The Apostle Paul in Acts 17 on Mars Hill acknowledges common attributes that the pagans understood about God. Of course, he elaborated about Jesus Christ in that context. In a civic context, the Christian minister has a choice to obey the First Amendment and pray something theologically agreeable to God and everyone else, or be a lightening rod of controversy to the world.

I write this as a pastor-theologian, one who is an insider, and has theologically pounded this out on the anvil of my Faith, without compromise. I wear a Cross on my uniform every day, but I attempt to live out a life that exemplifies Christ, more so, in order that I do not disqualify what I say. Like the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Corinthians, it's not necessary to appeal to the fruit of the ministry in a civic context. We don't have to go there. However, if you are invited to go into a civic setting, you may enjoy fruit as well. I ask that you not spoil it for others.

Christian Friends, our Government has provided us with a win-win situation here, as opposed to many in countries around the world where it is still dangerous to identify oneself as a Christian. Let's not be a lightening rod of controversy that detracts from the gospel, but be a Christian whose light might shine brightly in whatever he or she says and does in order to bring God the greatest glory.

Block Leave Visit to Scranton

2010-01-06T14:00:00.005-05:00

I'm sitting in my kitchen nook sipping some of the signature blend from Zumo's Cafe', aka the Electric City Roasting Company. I just finished grinding a pound of Blue Moose that my sister Marion gave me. I'd pit this coffee against the best. The Cafe is extraordinary. Once you visit Zumos it calls you back. I'd pick up a cup to go on my way to visit Mom in the hospital and we'd share it together. So glad Mom is home now.

The picture here is my beautiful wife, Liz, posing next to a portrait of Albert Einstein, one of her heroes. Liz, known by her friends for cheeriness, Christian scholarship, and quality communication in preaching has developed over the years a fondness for reading subjects like physics and the history of astronauts and space endeavors. This is not the person I married 16 years ago. She's more.

The picture is located at Cooper's Seafood Restaurant, arguably the best restaurant in Northeastern Pennsylvania. We stopped in for lunch because my sister Brenda gave us a gift certificate, and so we needed to use it. As I was giving baby Meredith a tour I bumped into Paul Cooper, my older brother Leo's best friend. He then stopped by "the Whale Room" to our table. Paul wanted to make the trek up Moosic Mountain with Leo and I on Christmas Eve but was waylaid because of the busy Season. Later, he graciously took our check.

Though these establishments are worth a pilgrimage to Scranton alone, the best feeling leaving the Electric City is knowing that Mom is home now and her health is improving.

Jon Krakauer "Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman"

2010-01-06T12:01:00.005-05:00

I posted this yesterday to my blog, then decided against it. I'm doing so again because it's a very well balanced analysis of Jon Krakauer's biography of Pat Tillman.

What causes me to pause is the very sensitive nature of the subject: a U.S. Army Ranger, and hero who continues to be in the limelight even after death, and sometimes for negative reasons. I ask myself, "If Pat Tillman could know about this right now, would he approve?" Though he is dead, I still strongly desire to respect him for the man he was. I believe this post does.

In 2007 I had the privilige of being present for an LPD--Leadership Professional Development seminar by Pat Tillman's former Battalion Commander. If you read the analysis below you will get a hint for the kind of person he is. My respect for COL Kauzlarich is top-shelf. He unpacked the events of that day during the LPD and provided the lessons-learned for our Battalion Leadership. He was very open about it.

No one can take away the kind of man that Pat Tillman was. General McChrystal testifying before Congress said it well, that he believes the Silver Star that he signed off on was deserved.

Thank you Chaplain Michael Peterson, my Canadian friend, for a robust book review.

Early on in the West's latest intervention in Afghanistan as part of the "War on Terror" (a term that has gone out of vogue somewhat of late) came the inspiring and tragic story of the life and death of Pat Tillman. Tillman was a star in the National Football League who left a contract of over three million dollars to enlist as a grunt in the US Army, only to be killed in a friendly fire incident in April, 2004. Tillman's story has been told by Jon Krakauer, with great sympathy for his subject and an almost incandescent anger for the US administration and military that, he claims, caused the death of Tillman and then covered it up.

For a journalist unfamiliar with the military, Krakauer (he is sports and adventure writer as I understand it) has clearly done his homework. His recreation of the incidents leading to the death of Tillman is meticulously detailed. Briefly, the small unit of US Army Rangers that Tillman was part of was divided, and the detached sub-component was attempted to rejoin the unit when it was ambushed in a nightmarish series of canyons that made identification of enemy forces highly difficult. In the subsequent confusion, American soldiers exchanged fire on each other and Tillman was killed. At first the story was that Tillman had been killed by Taliban forces, and only later the truth came out that this was what militaries call a "blue on blue" or friendly fire incident.

Pat Tillman was apparently a bright and thoughtful person who had extraordinary gifts of athletic ability and charisma. Football fans will enjoy Krakauer's account of his rise through high school and college play to the NFL, even if it is, somewhat annoyingly, counterpointed with "meanwhile, in Afghanistan ..." sections. Joining the military was the farthest thing from his mind until the 9/11 attacks, after which, like many Americans, he felt a desire to serve and protect his country.

Tillman's decision to enlist was not an impulsive one. Following his lifelong practice of journaling, he sat down in April 2002 and wrote a document called "Decision" in which he gave his reasons for leaving football to join the military. It is a more thoughtful document than one might expect from the stereotypical jock (Tillman was gifted academically as well as physically) and it speaks well for his character. "Somewhere inside, we hear a voice, and intuitively know the answer to any problem or situation we encounter. Our voice leads us in the direction of the person we wish to become, but it is up to us whether or not to follow. More times than not we pointed in a predictable, straightforward, and seemingly positive direction. However, occasionally we are directed down a different path entirely. Not necessarily a bad path, but a more difficult one. In my case, a path that many will disagree with, and more significantly, one that may cause a great deal of inconvenience to those I love. ... Despite this, however, I am equally positive that this new direction will, in the end, make our lives fuller, richer, and more meaningful" (pp. 137-38).

Tillman and his younger brother, who enlisted with him, endured the rigorous training that allowed them to become part of the elite US Army soldiers. This was a significant achievement for a man older than most recruits, even a pro athlete, as it required mental as well as physical endurance to get over the hurdles of initiation into Ranger culture, which according to one comrade of Tillman's was "cocky and arrogant and muscle bound" (225). After his first tour in Iraq Tillman refused overtures from the NFL to secure him a discharge and a return to pro ball, even though he was now having doubts about the war and had made some efforts to start a dialogue with prominent dissenter Noam Chomsky. Even with this misgivings, Tillman willingly went with his Ranger unit to Afghanistan in 2004.

The counterpoint for Krakauer's admiration for Tillman is his anger at the war and its military and civilian masters. In setting up this story, Krakauer quotes the ancient Greek tragedian that ""In war, truth is the first casualty", and this becomes the central theme of his book. Both in the book and in a radio interview on NPR I heard last September, (here the interview here and read a transcript here) Krakauer is angry with the Bush administration for its handling of the response to 9/11 and its decision to invade Iraq. Several incidents from the 2003 decision become for Krakauer templates for the administration's mendacity. One is the capture of several US soldiers in March of 2003, including Jessica Lynch, "which threatened to contradict the assurances made by Bush, Cheney, Rumsfield and others that Americans would be 'greeted with sweets and flowers' and victory would be achieved quickly" (183). Following the capture of Lynch and her unit of lost and poorly armed supply and maintenance troops, the US Marines become involved in a firefight in Nasiriyah and seventeen Marines were killed by friendly fire. Analyzing this incident, Krakauer says that"Chaos is indeed the normal state of affairs on the battleground", which is fair enough, but in the face of fratricidal casualties that inevitably result from this chaos, "denial and dissembling are [the military's] time-honored responses of first resort" (202).

A quick search of the internet (salon.com, Wikipedia) will reveal varying numbers of US friendly fire casualties at Nasiriyah, but for Krakauer the incident and the subsequent board of inquiry, which he claims was a whitewash, showed how the US military and administration would "misrepresent the truth to bolster public support for the war of the moment" (204). The coverup of this casualties and the subsequent portrayal of Jessica Lynch as a courageous heroine (Krakauer calls it a "hoax") would be the playbook the US military and PR machine would follow thirteen months later when Tillman was killed.

At the end of April 2004, when Tillman's body returned to the US, the story of abuses in the US-run Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq was beginning to break in the news, while George Bush was preparing for his second election campaign. Thus, according to Krakauer, "White House perception managers saw an opportunity not unlike the one provided by the Jessica Lynch debacle thirteen months earlier" (295). Tillman was recommended by his unit for a posthumous Silver Star, a decoration for valour, and nothing was said at the time about his death from fratricide, though the chain of command, including General Stanley McChrystal, now directing the war in Afghanistan, were warning the Bush administration as early as April 22 that an ongoing investigation would likely return a friendly fire verdict. This was precisely the verdict returned on 4 May, the day after Tillman's memorial service; the report cited "gross negligence" and failures of leadership as a cause for Tillman's death. However, on 8 May, a second investigation was ordered, and returned the same finding on 16 May, but it was not until 24 May that the Tillman family, beginning with Pat's brother and comrade Kevin, was told of the finding. Tillman's mother learned about it from a journalist and the official military announcement that Tillman was "probably" killed by friendly fire was made on a Saturday morning, in hopes that the story would "diminish over the weekend" (308).

Krakauer believes that the Tillman family was badly served by the military after Pat's death. If you think about the time here, Tillman was shot on 22 April, and his body and his brother both came home to Delaware Air Force Base on 26 April. His memorial service was 3 May, so more than one week passed between his death and funeral, during which Tillman's family and friends heard how their son had died heroically in action. During that period, should they have been told about the concerns within the chain of command about the circumstances of Pat's death? That question seems to me to be debateable. The investigation was still underway during this week, and the circumstances of Pat's death were far more unclear than were the deaths of four Canadian soldiers killed by US aircraft in Afghanistan in 2004, deaths that were immediately understood as being fratricidal. The first report, called a 15-6 investigation, was not passed up the chain of command for approval until 4 May.

What isn't debateable is that the second 15-6 investigation, completed on 16 May, confirmed the results of the first but was then "kept under extremely tight wraps, treated as if it were a grave threat to national security" (305). More than a week passed after that before the Tillmans learned the truth via a poorly managed process. Clearly the family was poorly served. Given that the military was being shaken by the Abu Ghraib story at this time, and doubtless was concerned about further damage to its image, I conclude with Krakauer that the withholding of the truth from Tillman's family for so long was an ethical lapse.

What isn't so clear to me, and here I think Krakauer's anger is misplaced, is his account of some of the secondary issues that disturbed the family. As a chaplain, I'm interested in Krakauer's account of the memorial service that was held in theatre by members of Pat's unit. Pat's brother Kevin had told his commander, Lt. Col. Ralph Kauzlarich, through his sergeant, that his brother did not want prayers or a chaplain. Kauzlarich told the sergeant that ""you can tell Specialist [Kevin] Tillman that his ceremony ain't about him, it is about everybody in the Joint Task Force bidding farewell to his brother, so there will be a chaplain and there will be prayers" (314). According to Krakauer, Pat had made it clear on his military record that he did not want a chaplain, minister or prayers involved in his funeral, and left the details of his memorial to his wife. This was in keeping with the Tillman family (Krakauer in an NPR radio calls them "freethinkers"). Kauzlarich's refusal to honour the family's requests, and a subsequent press interview where he attributed the family's anger to their being "atheists" lacking any way to make Pat's death meaningful, becomes for Krakauer another instance of the military running roughshod over the Tillman family and utterly failing to understand their feelings.

If you read David Finkel's book The Good Soldiers, about US soldiers in Iraq, memorial services are routinely held by military units for their fallen comrades, and they typically involve a chaplain and prayers for the deceased. These services are as much for the surviving comrades as they are for the fallen. They help a unit acknowledge its loss and to regain its resolve and stability. Here I think Krakauer confuses a memorial service in theatre with what happens at a funeral after a fallen soldier is repatriated to the US, when the family is in control of the service. Kauzlarich, who is the central character in Finkel's book (the events of which happened two years after Tillman's death) had many such memorial services in his unit in Baghdad. While he may have refused Kevin Tillman's request in more sensitive terms, Kauzlarich as a CO was within his rights to do the memorial service in theatre according to military custom. Also, while Krakauer calls Kauzlarich an "evangelical Christian" (314), a term which suggests a protestant fundamentalist, Kauzlarich is according to Finkel, who was with him in Baghdad for six months, a Roman Catholic. It is a small objection, but it leads me to doubt Krakauer's comprehension and handling of the religious aspect of the story. There are villains in this story, to be sure, but Kauzlarich, who emerges in Finkel's book as a competent and caring CO, should not one of them. Kauzlarich and the Tillmans were at different spiritual places, but the Lt. Col's 15-6 did confirm the circumstances of Pat's death.

At the end of the book, I feel that Krakauer wanted someone in authority to step forward and own up to the truth of Pat Tillman's death. He has learned enough about combat and war to understand that some friendly fire deaths are not preventable, and are part and parcel of the chaos of conflict. What angers Krakauer is that the idealism of a man like Pat Tillman, who accepted all the risks of conflict just as he accepted his responsibilities as a citizen, was the victim that used his life and death "in order to further careers or advance a political agenda" (343). However, in his last pages I feel Krakauer's anger gets him onto a sticky wicket. While he praises his subject's "robust masculinity" idealism, he deplores the fact that this idealism was willingly offered to a deceitful regime prosecuting "a reckless blunder", and so Pat Tillman's idealism becomes not a tragic flaw but "a tragic virtue". I can't help but conclude that after 340 pages, Krakauer veers perilously close to calling his subject a dupe, even if he doesn't intend to. Pat Tillman was an extraordinary soldier. Countries like the US and Canada need men - and women - possessed of such virtues. There is nothing tragic or simplistic in these virtues. They are a precious resource, and deserve better stewardship than Tillman's received. Perhaps, if Krakauer's anger were more tightly focused, this point would be made more clearly.

Hit and Run

2010-01-02T12:26:00.002-05:00

The Thurbers are some of my best friends ever. Aaron was my best man at my wedding, and I was his. He's a Professor of Bible and Theology at a college in the midwest. We haven't seen each other in person in years. Because of my mom's stroke before Christmas it became more difficult coordinating a little visit with each other. We were able to get about a hour and a half visit in.

We always talk theology. I'll be looking into Dr. David Well's latest book (2008), "The Courage to be Protestant." I'll be doing a review of 2 other books very soon. Greatly enjoyed a book called, "God's Battalions," based on a history of the Crusades. An excellent work.

The God that Fails

2010-01-01T16:51:00.001-05:00

Excellent Op Ed by Brooks regading recent terrorist attacks.

Flag Dedicated to CPL Brad Davis

2009-12-30T11:28:00.006-05:00

On Christmas Eve Day, my brother Leo and I hiked up Moosic Mountain here in Northeastern, PA. We had talked about posting one of the flags that I had sent to him from Iraq.

He and some friends had made the trek up there earlier in the year to post it, but the flag pole was missing. So, Leo bought a new pole and waited for me to return. Not only did he acquire the pole, but he also gathered up information about CPL Davis and printed up and laminated his picture.

Brad was killed by an IED/EPF strike on Route Florida in Southeast Baghdad during a Combat Logistics Patrol.

To CPL Davis and his Family we dedicate this flag in your honor for the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of your Country.

The Protocol for Prayer

2009-12-27T18:20:00.003-05:00

I did it the old fashioned way. I cut the newspaper article out of the paper. I've been carrying it around with me for several days now since I read it at Mom's place.

David Brooks (NY Times) wrote this article called, "Economics mimics psychology." It's the very beginning of the article that struck me, not necessarily his big point. This is what he wrote:

"In the 19th and 20th centuries we made stuff: corn and steel and trucks. Now, we make protocols: sets of instructions. A software program is a protocol for organizing information. A new drug is a protocol for organizing chemicals. Wal Mart produces protocols for moving and marketing consumer goods. Even when you are buying a car, you are mostly paying for the knowledge embedded in its design, not the metal and glass."

"A protocol economy has very different properties than a physical stuff economy. For example, you and I can't use the same piece of metal at the same time. But you and I can use the same software program at the same time."

"Physical stuff is subject to laws of scarcity: you can use up your timber. But it's hard to use up a good idea."

Here's God's good idea that can never be used up. It reminds me of the protocol economy. Let's call it a "Prayer Protocol." This morning I preached at the church Liz and I were married at more than 16 years ago. Having turned to the text of Eph. 6.10-18, The Armor of God passage, I emphasized that the Church must have a "Warfare Worldview." Vs. 18 says, "praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints."

I'm not going to repreach the sermon here, but in God's Economy He can handle our prayers, because he's got a "Prayer Protocol" that the whole Church is able to utilize at the same time. God is unlimited. Let's make our prayers as such.

Review of Pastor Mark Batterson's Book "Primal"

2009-12-20T23:52:00.004-05:00

Mark Batterson’s latest book, "Primal", is off the chain. He untethers the Greatest Commandment as we have typically known it in the Church. Jesus tells us to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. As I have learned in seminary about quality communication and preaching, Primal explains, proves, and applies the Greatest Commandment by helping us to understand it like this:

The heart of Christianity is primal compassion.

The soul of Christianity is primal wonder.

The mind of Christianity is primal curiosity.

The strength of Christianity is primal energy.

Mark does not reinterpret the Great Commandment to us. Primal is about rediscovery. He rivetingly takes the reader back to the preeminent Reformer, Martin Luther, as Mark journeyed back to Wittenberg, Germany, not too long ago, while he attended a conference there on the topic, “Do we need another Reformation?” His conclusion is “Absolutely YES.” The journey decsends deeper from there. Again, it’s not about adding something new, but relocating something that was lost.

The book is intellectually impressive and spiritually challenging because Mark masterfully captivates the reader by using illustrations from the fields of science, astronomy, anatomy, art, sociology, and history to round out some themes. But he also includes themes of real-life sacrifice and hard-earned pastoral, theological expertise from a man of humble reflection on Scripture and within the Church which he has been pioneering in Washington, D.C., National Community Church.

Reading Primal was like this: just as you would sit in front of the big screen and view a fast-paced movie that continues to produce scene-after-scene that beckons you to beg for more and get it; in Primal, I was impressed with almost every paragraph and I would ask myself, can he continue to produce high quality material in the pages to come? Mark brought the truth to bear that was like mini-explosions detonating in my mind. “That is so right on, and it’s hitting me dead on.”

If you make Primal one of your first purchases in 2010, you will not be disappointed. You may (re) discover Christianity within modernity as you know it.

I’ve read Mark’s first two books, “In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day,” and “Wild Goose Chase.” I have to think that each book is better than the other. If you dare to pick up Primal, expect to quest with Mark for the lost soul of Christianity. Positively, life might not ever be the same.

The Warrior Song

2009-12-20T14:15:00.002-05:00

This is a pretty awesome video and song about our American military. Caveat: what sounds like the voice-over of George C. Scott violates the Law of War. Other than that, enjoy!

The New Evangelical

2009-12-19T21:12:00.002-05:00

Here's an engaging article from the WSJ about the past and present of Evangelicalism.

Miracle Healing from Cancer

2009-12-18T20:28:00.002-05:00

Pennsylvania Judge testifies of miraculous healing from cancer. Read the story and watch the video here.

Soldiers get in touch with medieval roots

2009-12-18T04:00:00.005-05:00

From the Ft. Bragg Paraglide by Staff Sgt. Jeremy D. Crisp 3rd SFG PAO

Capt. Shawn Harkins lined up his broadsword. His goal, slice cleanly from right-to-left through the top one-tenth of a banana sitting on top a wooden post, then bring the blade around and slice off the remaining upper half. He had to do it in less than two seconds.

Then Harkins, commander of Headquarters Support Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, had to put on 40 pounds of chain mail and rescue a fellow Soldier wounded in the tree line. He had to do this all while warding off adversaries attacking him with dummy swords.

Harkins’ adventures were part of a team-building exercise that pitted Harkins’ group against 1st Bn.’s Operation Detachment Alpha 3111 in medieval battle. The exercise included hammer throwing, ruck marching, weight lifting and tests on ethics, morality and civics.

Operation Desert EagleWarrior, a pilot program of the U.S. Army Special Forces Command and the brainchild of USASFC Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Marc Gauthier, was a grueling, all-day event that was designed to test the spiritual,moral, ethical and physical strength and endurance of both teams. “The competition was designed to instill spiritual leadership and resilience in our warriors,” Randall said. “Our goal was to reiterate doing the right things while deployed and at home—as warriors, fathers and husbands.” The teams met at the 3rd SFG parade field to begin a 3.2-mile group run to start their journey through the competition.

Following the run were the much anticipated Scottish Highland Games. Professional highland games athletes Chris Chafin and Eric Frasure came to Fort Bragg to instruct the Soldiers in the art of throwing a 16-pound hammer, a 22-pound heavy stone and a 20-pound ball and chain. Chafin, a sergeant for the Carolina Beach, N.C., police department, has been competing professionally in the highland games for eight years,but said he felt a sense of pride in teaching his trade to Soldiers for the first time. “It’s great to come out here and support the troops,” Chafin said. “I’ve done demonstrations at schools before, but this is the first time teaching Soldiers, and I couldn’t think of a better way to spend a morning.”

The Soldiers’ novice throwing abilities impressed Chafin, who said, “Some of these guys could really compete in the games. After the first two events, ODA 3111 was in the lead. Then it was time for a ruck march and an ethical test at the 82nd Airborne Division Headquarters before heading to Tucker Gym to compete in a maximum repetition weight lifting contest.

The weight lifting concluded, and the teams headed upstairs to take a moral and ethical leadership test. Questions were geared toward the history of the United States and Law of LandWarfare. After another ruck march back to the group parade field and a practical exercise, the Soldiers picked up medieval swords and armor to test their quickness and accuracy.

“We are putting everything we have into this—mental, physical and spiritual. It’s a true test of the ultimate warrior,” said Staff Sgt. Josh Thompson, with ODA3111. He was also confident on how his team was going to do in the overall scheme of things. “Oh, we’re winning. You can count on that,” Thompson said. “We’re going to take this thing.”

The final event was a hands-on application in knife forging. Charles F. Ochs, a master bladesmith with the American Bladesmith Society from Largo, Fla., showed the Soldiers how to forge blades and also offered his guidance in the spiritual and ethical aspects of how knife making and forging things from one’s own hands can instill values.

“We were created, and just as well we were given the power to create,” Ochs said. Ochs has a two-year backorder on the custom knives he makes, but he said he would make time to give the winning team the opportunity to forge custom knives from raw steel with Och’s equipment and guidance. The day ended with dinner at the Green Beret Club, where the competition’s winning team was announced. Cooks of 1st Bn. barbecued a whole hog for the competitors.

Thompson’s premonition came true—ODA3111 won the competition, winning by narrow margins in every event except the written exams. “The competitors did very well,” Randall said. “All the chaplains administering the practical, ethical exercises said the Soldiers were very engaged and interactive. It was a fun event for all of us.”

Tony Blair on the Invasion of Iraq

2009-12-12T18:33:00.000-05:00

London Daily Telegraph
December 12, 2009
Pg. 15

Invading Iraq Was The Right Thing To Do...Regardless Of WMD, Says Blair

By Anita Singh

TONY BLAIR has admitted he would have invaded Iraq even if he had known that there were no weapons of mass destruction in the country.

The former prime minister made the disclosure in an interview with Fern Britton for a BBC One religious programme, during which he was asked: “If you had known then that there were no WMD, would you still have gone on?”

Mr Blair replied: “I would still have thought it right to remove him. I mean, obviously you would have had to use and deploy different arguments about the nature of the threat.”

He added: “I can’t really think we’d be better off with him and his two sons still in charge but it’s incredibly difficult … and that’s why I sympathise with the people who were against it for perfectly good reasons and are against it now, but, for me, in the end I had to take the decision.”

The Irony of Thomas Merton

2009-12-10T08:15:00.010-05:00

Today, Thomas Merton, one of the most prolific spiritual writers of the 20th century passed away, 41 years ago. He's one of my book "friends" that I had missed quite a bit while in Iraq. My older brother Leo sent me a copy of his"Thoughts in Solitude," while I was there, which was quite a blessing. He is one of my all-time favorite reads and I own just about everything in book form that he wrote.

Merton was a Trappist Monk most famously known for his semi-cloistered life at his hermitage and religious writings while at the Abbey of Gethsemane near Louisville, KY.

Why I think about Merton as an ironic life is because:

1. though he was a monk he never quit relating and being dialogical with the world.

2. though he wrote about and modeled an ascetic Christian spiritual life, he was very real and struggled with sin like you and I.

3. though he was an American citizen by naturalization, he was friends with many internationally; frequently corresponding to numerous brilliant thinkers of his day.

4. though he was known by his published books, articles, and artwork, he has become more fully known and accessible after his personal journals have been published.

5. though he was a serious peace activist during his day, his body was flown home from Bangkok Thailand to the Abbey on a military aircraft used in the Vietnam War.

6. he died the same exact day of Karl Barth, one of the greatest theologians of the 20th century.

7. his final words to a crowd that he was lecturing to before his death were something to the effect of, "I am going to disappear now."

8. though he was Catholic, he was more.

9. though he was famous, he was mysterious.

10. though he made some poor decisions, his life and writings inspire and draw me to God.

Myles, Me, & A Christmas Tree

2009-12-09T16:17:00.003-05:00

The USA Blocks the Imam's Return

2009-12-08T08:35:00.003-05:00

What do you do with a guy like this? From Fox.com: Iranian President says the US is blocking the return of the last Imam.

800+ Friends

2009-12-06T23:04:00.008-05:00

I have to credit President, Dr. Meyer of VFCC for this friends comment. He would comment out loud that his books are his "friends." In regard to myself, I must concur.

This past week I shelved my library books that were encased in boxes located in my garage for the last 11 months. Liz had to move our household by herself [!] back in January, and since then my library of about 800 volumes of friends have been boxed up. Before I deployed I shuffled some off to the local reseller of used books, just to keep my numbers down.

When I was home on leave I was salivating to rip open a couple and delve deeply into some.

So, the time has arrived and I'm set up now. I've cracked open one that I've been waiting to reread, "The Cost of Discipleship," by Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

Here's a quote that I've been pondering. If I had an office in a church right now, I'd think I'd frame it, and put it up:

"Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession."

As I get back into the groove of being a Garrison chaplain, I hope to live this out.

I also purchased Francis Chan's book, "The Forgotten God," mainly on the topic of the Holy Spirit. It reads much better and is even more inspiring than his first book, "Crazy Love." I've already shifted some things around inside of myself as a result of it. This is a great book for a new and growing Christian.

Continuing about books that I've recently handled, I just picked up my copy of "Primal," by Mark Batterson.

I was fortunate to get a free copy by signing up at his site, http://www.blogger.com/www.evotional.com, when he was offering it to bloggers if they would publish a book review on their own site. Ergo, I'm scheduled to publish a review of Primal between 15-23 December. Stand by.

Already I'm loving it!!! I think Mark continues to out-do himself with every new book published.

Switching gears back to my Friends on the book shelves: it's difficult to maintain a library so it doesn't get out of hand. That is, book management, especially when I expect to move around quite a bit over the Chaplain career.

Glad to know the Barnes and Noble "Nook" is on the way.

Peace out,

Paul

Black and Blue

2009-12-03T14:22:00.013-05:00

Black and blue. Those are the colors of our PT uniform. Blue t-shirt with our 505th Airborne insignia on it, and standard black Army PT shorts.

Today was our first day back into regular PT. Our Company is standing at attention in formation waiting for Revielle to sound off as we face the Flag. The First Sergeant calls out, "Company, attention!" "Present arms!" "Order arms!"

The weather is mild after a couple of days of rain. The level of banter this morning was almost at a piqued frenzy knowing that we're about to go on our first four mile run up the Ardennes. Nothing fast, just the typical airborne shuffle, but the banter is all about the anxiety of knowing that there are going to be a lot of fall outs.

Without mandatory PT some guys just haven't kept up with their cardio. By mile one there goes the first guy, peeling off to the side doubled over. "Oh yeah, good training!," someone yells. Lots of jeering. You could almost tell whose gonna go next as the runners start to fade from the front to the back of the pack, but they don't go quietly because of the jeering and cajoling to stay in formation and keep on going, staying with the pack. For some, it was just inevitable. Off to the side and hurl.

I don't know why I find this amusing, but I do.

Everyone knows that this day is coming. It's a matter of just getting out there and putting on a couple of miles. The pace really isn't fast. I vascilate between cheering and jeering all in good fun.

Lot's of shouting at other units running by in formation too. It's a kind of "come and fight me" attitude against each other, pride in your unit, but we all just laugh at it. Sometimes we will even mock other units who are wearing the standard Army gray PT shirt. "Get a real t-shirt!" We're wearing black and blue.

I'll never forget the day I was in a Battalion run with my old unit, shuffling up the Ardennes. We had our Signal orange flag flying high, and here comes the Infantry blue flag in the opposite direction with the black and blue uniforms of 2-Panther coming straight at us.

All kinds of horrendous yelling started coming from the black and blue. We tried to out yell them, but there was no way. The Lieutenant I was running next to turns to me and said, "Those guys are crazy!" I said, "Yep, that's my future battalion." They're not as crazy as we thought. They just have fun in a different way.

Running up the Ardennes by the DFAC (dinning facility), you could smell an Army breakfast being served up. "Hey, let's stop in and get some bacon and bagles," someone shouts. "I don't have my I.D.," another one says. "That's o.k., you go anywhere you want with this blue t-shirt on!" And, we keep running, cheering and jeering.

An NCO is off to the side of the formation calling cadence, "C-130 rolling down the strip, we're taking off like a rocket ship! Mission Top-Secret destination unknown, don't even know if we're ever coming home. Cause we're A-I, R-B, O-R, N-E." Those who can hear it, sing it, and repeat the cadence. Though we wear the black and blue PT uniform some were feeling just like the colors, black and blue, as we ran up and down the Ardennes.

If you ask the men if they had fun on the run this morning, most of them would deny it, just becaue they can. But deep down it was fun, "good training", and lots of laughs.

Can you tell I love this stuff?

Pride

2009-12-02T07:02:00.005-05:00

Isaiah 7.12-17:
12 “How you are fallen from heaven,
O Day Star, son of Dawn!
How you are cut down to the ground,
you who laid the nations low!
13 You said in your heart,
‘I will ascend to heaven;
above the stars of God
I will set my throne on high;
I will sit on the mount of assembly
in the far reaches of the north; [2]
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High.’
15 But you are brought down to Sheol,
to the far reaches of the pit.
16 Those who see you will stare at you
and ponder over you:
‘Is this the man who made the earth tremble,
who shook kingdoms,
17 who made the world like a desert
and overthrew its cities,
who did not let his prisoners go home?’
18 All the kings of the nations lie in glory,
each in his own tomb; [3]
19 but you are cast out, away from your grave,
like a loathed branch,
clothed with the slain, those pierced by the sword,
who go down to the stones of the pit,
like a dead body trampled underfoot.
20 You will not be joined with them in burial,
because you have destroyed your land,
you have slain your people.

Theologians will tell you that Pride is the worst sin. It's one of the deadliest. It's the kind of sin that oozes arrogance and power. It smacks of, "I know more than you." Ultimately, it lends to personal demise. Pride will always take a person down. Some people struggle with it more than others. It is sort of a cover up of things that is lacking in one's life.

Reading the "Parade" section of the newspaper on Sunday I was incredibly impressed with the interview with General Petraeus. The mantra that I hear him and General McChrystal repeat over and over in regard to the new strategy in Afghanistan is, "humility."

Humility will get you every where. As Jesus tells us, "The meek shall inherit the earth."

The Bible says, "Some trust in chariots, some in horses, but we will remember the Name of our Lord." When we come together, trusting in the Lord, there is always an element of meekness there, which is, "strength under control."

The one above came crashing down because of pride. He thought he was smarter and knew it all. Don't be that guy.

I Can't Even Imagine

2009-11-30T21:18:00.007-05:00

You've probably heard the contemporary Christian song by Mercy Me, "I Can Only Imagine". Here's the first stanza:

I can only imagine
What it will be like
When I walk
By Your side
I can only imagine
What my eyes will see
When Your face
Is before me
I can only imagine

It's been very popular in the Church for some years now.

As I think about the day that we will see our loved ones and the Lord himself perhaps returning for the Church any day, I recognize a great expectation.

But, I also think about the exact opposite. What if Christians today were not the salt of the earth, a preservative force for good? What if we did not permeate every aspect of society to include (I dare say) the government? What would happen if Christians decided to no longer follow Jesus' command to be "the salt of the earth"?

The government could include: local, state, and federal. And, let's not forget other aspects of civil service like public school teaching, police, firemen/women, public works, etc. Could it even be possible? No, not at all.

Here is a post from an Army Chaplain that I think provides an excellent Biblical example for Christians following the Lord's lead to work in civil service. It's called, "In the Service of Empire." Though these examples all come from the Old Testament, it doesn't negate a New Testament view that God uses people as salt and light in every place of society, even the military:

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men" (Col. 3.23).

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (I Cor 10.31).

Most importantly Romans 13.1-7 and I Peter 2.13-17 instructs the Church to honor their government and leaders, even when they might not see things the same way. Scripture is the Church's authority. And because God is Sovereign, He knows the ultimate direction the Church must go.

Unfortunately there are some Christian leaders and authors who speak with a forked tongue. On one hand they will say that by being associated with the American government, or being patriotic, that one has become a full-blown idolater, chronically breaking the Number 1 Commandment. Their dichotomy is ever so subtle. They then will quote a Scripture here and there to cover their tracks in order assuage those working in civil service. However, carefully avoiding impunity the acerbic language always leaves a bad taste in the mouth.

So I write a pastoral corrective. And, I ask the question in reverse: Can you even imagine Christians purposely not being the salt of the earth in every part of society?

Review of "Crazy Love"

2009-11-27T21:36:00.011-05:00

I've been out of the loop in a bunch of ways having been deployed. So, I'm trying to catch up on some reading.

One of the troubles I'm having is trying not to buy too many books at once. I'm holding off on purchasing the B&N Nook since it looks like the Cadillac version of e-readers. It comes out in January.

But, I had "Crazy Love," by Francis Chan waiting for me when I got home from Iraq. I had to have my battery replaced in my truck and so over a couple of hours at the local Ford I read half of it. Then, it was lost for a couple of days in the couch. Zoe found it this morning, and I polished it off.

So, here it is:

It is a challenging book. For those of you who have read it I'm not going to air out how I've measured up in following Jesus, but highlight what Chan has emphasized. I will say that at the end of the book, he tells the reader to go get on your knees. The first available moment, I basically did that because I know that I could do more, and I asked God to help me to do it.

The book starts off relatively slow, and Chan does basically tell the reader to hang in there for the first four chapters. He was right. After that, it picks up. His writing style isn't the most engaging, but the the material is engaging and right on.

Though he talks about God's great love for you and I in the beginning I felt the title was a little "gimmicky." Yes, God loves you and I, but the book's emphasis is on how to love God back. And, rightly so, the Church needs to amp it up in this department. I'm just not sold on the Crazy Love title because I think it should have been something closer to a "Normal Christian Life," or "Cost of Discipleship" title. "Crazy" is a gimmicky word. It's what we should be doing; it's not Crazy.

I don't take Chan to be a social-gospeler, but he recaptures what has been neglected in the gospel presentation in much of the Evangelical church. How do we deal with Jesus telling others to give all that one owns to the poor and follow him? In the 20th century western world we have a difficult time making this compute. What is so amazing about Chan is that he is doing it. One example is the cost cutting of the new church building that they are constructing. Instead of a new building, they are constructing an outdoor amphitheater. He says something like, "Every time we are worshiping in church and we are cold [although this is in the southwest], we will be reminded what we are financially sacrificing for--the gospel--and become more motivated to continue doing the right thing."

That is my paraphrase of Chan in quotes. But, he give lots of modern day examples like this. It's definitely inspiring. How to live out the Christian life the way Christ meant it to be. I've been challenged not to purchase the IPhone that I'd been anticipating before I left Iraq. I've also skipped out on paying the $30.00 on the data package for my PDA phone. Do I really need it? No! Of course this is just a small gesture of spiritual restraint hopefully channelling my faith to grow stronger while in the great US of A. This might sound minute, but gee, I just left my wife and kids for a year for God and country.

I really like this quote, even though Chan doesn't claim authorship. "Christians are like manure. If you spread them out, they will help others to grow. But, if you keep them all in one place they are sure to stink." With writing like this, it is difficult for the Pharisee-leader to stay comfortable. Homogenized Christianity is sure to stink. And, one-size of Christian does not fit all, and Chan spells that out well.

It's worth the read. Warning: if you read it, you may be convicted to change your life and become more like Jesus.

Thanksgiving Vision

2009-11-25T14:32:00.010-05:00

A Jewish person once said, “Whenever you get 2 Rabbis together you get 3 opinions.” That’s the way it is with my Family, and probably yours as well.

When I think about my Family I also think about spiritual riches that we are blessed with as a Christian Family.

Christians have a spiritual heritage that dates back to the beginning of time in the Bible and flows through it into the New Testament, but really continues on throughout history. The History of the Church, whether it’s good, bad, or ugly is still our history. And, so from the time of the N.T. to the present, however form the Church took, essentially that is our spiritual roots.

One of the things that I’m not ashamed to claim as my spiritual heritage is the story of Thanksgiving and the Vision of the Pilgrims or more broadly they were called, “The Puritans.”

The Puritans have got a bad rap, some of it is deserved, but largely they were a passionate group of Christians trying to do their best. Someone once said about that Christian family, “Puritanism is the haunting fear that someone, somewhere, may be happy.” That isn't quite true.

I want to talk about the Pilgrims and Thanksgiving, but also the Vision they had to be a new Christian Community that can be an inspiration to us today as the Church.

Looking back in history at the Pilgrims, and reflecting today, its quite likely that in generations to come people will be looking back in history at us talking about what we did, or didn’t do.

So, I ask, “Who were the Pilgrims?” The Pilgrims as we call them were a part of a much larger movement in the church called the “Reformation.” Generally, since Martin Luther’s 95 Thesis on the Wittenburg Door in Germany, and him saying, “Here I stand," the Church has begun to Reform herself to what she believes is a purer Biblical Vision of what she ought to be, and function.

Lutherans, Presbyterians, Baptists, and Church of England split off from Rome, and then inside of England there was a movement within her to continue to reform herself, and they were known as the “Puritans.”

The Puritans were devout Christians who wanted to see the Anglican Church continue to Reform. And, some things did change, but not enough, nor fast enough for the Puritans. King James of England, the King who inspired the King James (1611) Version of the Bible was at first open to these Puritan Reformers, but later he and many other grew intolerant of them, and the Puritans began to find themselves being persecuted. The Puritans as a movement also became interdenominational. There were Presbyterians, Baptists, Congregationalists, and Quakers.

So, some of them first left England for Holland in 1607, and later put together a Covenant in how they would live the Christian life called, “The Mayflower Compact.” Their vision for a greater Christian society caused them to dream about what it would be like to establish themselves in the New World without persecution and to become, “The New Israel.” In fact, the Pilgrims saw themselves as the New Israel ready to fulfill God’s agenda for a purer Christian Community. It would be a community government constructed around the Bible.

They then briefly returned to England and chartered a ship called, “The Mayflower.” Left in July of 1620 and arrived in late November. There was a crew of 48, and 101 passengers. It was an overloaded ship. 56 adults, 14 servants and hired people. 31 children. 1 died on board and 2 were born. Half of the settlers died during the first winter. Most were the lower class of society.

William Bradford, who was designated the Governor said, “We fell upon our knees and blessed God of Heaven. We had no friends to greet us, no inns to refresh our bodies, nor houses to retreat to. We arrived in the winter. And, it was a hideous and desolate wilderness.”

A Description of the 1st Thanksgiving: The original feast in 1621 occurred sometime between Sept. 21 and Nov. 11. It was 3 days long. The event was based on English harvest festivals. Gov. William Bradford proclaimed a day of thanksgiving and prayer that was shared by all of the colonists and neighboring Indians.

From the Journal of Edward Winslow, a Pilgrim at Plymouth MA: “After our harvest was brought in, our Governor sent 4 men to go hunting for water fowl—that probably meant geese. Those 4 men killed so much fowl that the whole community could eat for a week. At that time we exercised our arms/guns/rifles, and many of the Indians came among us and their great king Massasoit with about 90 of his men whom for 3 days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five deer, which they brought to the plantation and bestowed upon our Governor, and upon the Captain, and others. And although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want that we often wish you could be partakers of our plenty.”

On June 12, 1630, the flagship of the Massachusetts Bay Company arrived in Salem to officially found the new colony. The company was founded by English Puritans, most of whom were educated and wealthy. A fleet of eleven ships brought hundreds of settlers to Salem. John Winthrop became the first governor of the colony.

At this point there were 2 kinds of Puritans: 1) There were the Pilgrims who immigrated to Plymouth who were generally considered more of a Separatists Movement. 2) The arrival of the M.A. Bay Company had a grander vision of continuing in the tradition of being Reformers of the Church of England, yet holding to their Puritan principles. 1630—400 people arrived, and 600 more next year. 1643: 20,000 had migrated to the New World.

One historian wrote: “Puritans provided the moral and religious background of 75% of those who declared the independence in 1776.”

More Facts: thoroughly integrated society of Christian life. Economic, political, and educational. And the heart of society was the Church: New Christian Order--The original vision of America. Wanted to be a “City on Hill”: On the Ship, Arabella, Governor John Winthrop, God had set them aside to be a model community to the world.

The Mass. Bay Code of Laws came directly from Scripture. At the end of every law there would be a Scripture Reference.

No one could be a part of the Church unless they were a converted, believing Christian. This was so important that individuals had to stand in front of the whole congregation and profess it. And the congregation would vote whether it was real or not.

All people by law were expected to go to church. But to be a member, to take part sacraments and vote, they had to be a Christian.

No one could hold any political office unless they were converted. No one could vote in society unless they were a member of the church, and in order to be a member you had to be a converted Christian. They didn’t like maverick spirits. They usually found themselves on the outside looking in if they didn’t learn to conform. I’m not just talking about the Church, but society in general. People were banished from their communities, or had their ears cut off, or were even put to death if they thought they could just be independent and live in the midst of the Christian community. Handling Quakers: kicked them out as soon as they landed in the Mass. Bay Colony. Ann Hutchinson—ecclesiastical and civil trial for bad mouthing the pastor’s theology and preaching. She was banished to Rhode Island. Witch trials broke into hysteria.

This was the Dark Side of Puritanism.

There is no perfect Christian Community, “When you find the perfect church, don’t go there, because you’re going to mess it up.”

Aldous Huxley, “Although neatness is good, it should always be surrounded by a margin of a tolerated mess.”

Rick Ezell: We were born to celebrate. God never intended for fun and laughter to be crowded out of our lives. God’s kingdom, according to Jesus, is like a wedding reception where he wants his friends to celebrate with him as though he were the bridegroom. God’s church is the ultimate party place – a place of rejoicing, celebration, and laughter. It is a foretaste of what is to come in heaven.

What happens when we celebrate? God is encountered. Joy is expressed.

Lewis Smedes put it this way: “To miss out on joy is to miss out on the reason for your existence."

C. S. Lewis said, “Joy is the serious business of heaven.”

The program of the Puritans can be an inspiration to us; an inspiration to reform ourselves without the legalization of righteousness. We are to be a community of believers who have come together to worship the living God. We are to be a celebrating community. If we don’t celebrate we have missed the heart of Christianity. And when we do celebrate, those outside the walls cannot help but want to be inside the walls.

My tea bag this morning read, “God resides in two places—heaven, and a meek and thankful heart.

What to do with technology?

2009-11-24T08:14:00.015-05:00

Watching the local news last night there was a story about the rise of the divorce rate as a result of Facebook usage.

This was something that I briefed my Troopers before we left theater as I watched it take a toll over the deployment. When I would circulate back around I would discover that marriages were on the rocks as we were heading home. "Chaplain, I did what you told me not to do. I was talking to women other than my spouse through Facebook." Time to help pick up the pieces. I'd rather work harder on the proactive part.

This technology is going to stay, and advance. Here's a story from an Air Force National Guard General "Why I Tweet." The military knows that the technology is here to stay, so it's a matter of managing it well.

Having read several articles about the rise of technology usage in the Church, it definitely poses some challenges to Ecclesiology.

Technology is like WMD. Once it's here, there's no going back. And, you can't ignore it either. So, it's about thinking Biblicly first, and then managing it wisely in one's life.

Do Not Be Alarmed

2009-11-22T16:14:00.003-05:00

Have you heard the joke about the 2 Chaplains and a JAG Officer? Well . . . I'm still working on it.

I'm posting a sermon from a Canadian Chaplain that I met through a friend who is an Army Reservist JAG Officer. Mike, the JAG Officer was a student with me in Airborne School. While in en route from Iraq he got my attention about his friend Mike the Canadian Chaplain. He said I should read his sermon. So, I did. I thought it was so good, I contacted Mike the Canadian Chaplain (Peterson) and became a Facebook friend and asked him if I could post it here, which he said, "Yes."

I think it is a very fine pastoral response to war and the times we live in. It's a little lengthy for a blog, but if you have the time, it's worth the read. Blessings, pl.

Preached this morning at St. Mary's, Auburn and Christ Church, Berwick, in the Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, at the kind invitation of the Rev'd Charles Bull. Thanks to both congregations for a warm welcome and good worship. MP+A Sermon for the Twenty-Fourth Sunday After Pentecost,Preached at St. Mary’s Church, Auburn, and Christ Church, BerwickLectionary Year C: Samuel 1:4-20, Psalm 16, Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18),19-25“When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come (Mk 13:7)

It’s a great pleasure to be with you this morning, and a great honour to be allowed to share your rector’s pulpit. I bring you greetings from the people of St. Mark’s protestant chapel in Greenwood, some of whom I think some of you know, as they seemed well aware that I am in your parish this Sunday. I also bring you greetings from the Anglican clergy serving as chaplains with the Canadian Forces and from our Bishop Ordinary, the Right Reverend Peter Coffin. There are roughly a dozen of us serving in this Diocese, and we are grateful to you and to your bishops for your support of our ministry. When Charles and I were discussing my visit to this parish, we were first thinking that I would come on Remembrance Day, which would have been delightful but that is, as you can imagine, a busy time for a military chaplain. Had I been here then my sermon would no doubt have had a backwards looking quality, as is fitting for a day dedicated to historical memory. This Sunday however I want to look forward, as prompted by my text from today’s gospel reading: “When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come (Mk 13:7).

Today’s gospel comes from an episode in the last days of Jesus’ ministry as described by St. Mark. Some of his disciples, like the proverbial country mice in the city, are impressed by the size and grandeur of Jerusalem and of the Temple built by King Herod. Jesus is unimpressed with these buildings, and after predicting the destruction of the Temple, goes on to describe what the last days of humanity will look like. He describes wars and natural disasters and religious confusion, but in the midst of these grim predictions Jesus says, almost casually, “do not be alarmed”. It’s that simple phrase, “do not be alarmed”, that I wish to focus on because in it we hear one of the greatest and simplest of the messages of good news that we call the Christian gospel. “Do not be alarmed” is also the hardest advice to follow when we are faced with the possibility of things ending.

Yesterday I read a news story about how a NASA astronomer is being plagued with calls and emails from people who are convinced that the end is coming – in 2012, to be exact. This scientist has heard a few teenagers say that they want to commit suicide and has also heard from several mothers saying they are thinking about killing their young children in order to spare them from the end of the world. These folks appear to be spooked by a film soon to be released by Sony Pictures called “2012”, which takes an ancient Mayan calendar, a mystery planet, and other cosmic forces and cooks them into movie where pretty much everything in the world gets destroyed. The director, Roland Emmerich, has made several previous disaster films, including “Independence Day” when the world nearly gets destroyed by aliens, and “The Day After Tomorrow”, which climate change freezes half the Earth. When I watched the trailer of “2012” on the internet, it showed some powerful religious symbols being destroyed, such as the famous Christo Redemptor statue standing over Rio de Janiero and the dome of St. Peter’s in Rome, which we see crushing the Pope and a crowd of Christians praying for mercy. While these images don’t hold out much hope for God, the trailer suggests that there is hope and that a few humans, played by photogenic actors, who will survive the coming apocalypse. Besides this movie, there are apparently dozens of books on the market describing the coming apocalypse of 2012 and giving some helpful suggestions to survive it. As a Christian I’m interested in what these sorts of films and other cultural products say about the fears of our society through the decades. Over the last three generations we have worried about fascism and communism and nuclear war and weapons of mass destruction. Today the weapons are still with us, and we fear that they will fall into the hands of religious radicals. We fear terrorism and drugs and pandemics and food shortages. We worry about financial collapse and the end of oil and we worry that we’ll have to give up our comfortable way of life. At the same time, we see signs of climate change, environmental collapse, dying oceans and vanishing species. Movies like 2012 exist, I think, because they feed off the tensions and fears that we carry within us as a society. But perhaps, as New York Times columnist Ross Douthat suggested this week, we need these fears because we don’t want our imperfect society to stumble along for ever. Rather, we need to imagine something bigger than ourselves which has the power to finish and judge us.

"Humankind fears judgment, of course. But we depend on it as well. The possibility of dissolution lends a moral shape to history: we want our empires to fall as well as rise, and we expect decadence to be rewarded with destruction. Not that we want to experience this destruction ourselves. But we want it to be at least a possibility — as a spur to virtue, and as a punishment for sin."

Now a sophisticated New York Times columnist won’t say it, even if he uses religious-sounding words like “judgment” and “sin” but as a priest speaking to you the faithful, I can say it. I can say that we as Christians have a story that begins with creation in the Book of Genesis and ends in Revelation with judgement. Even if we don’t read our bibles from cover to cover, we summarize this story every week in our creeds, including the statement that Christ “shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead” (BCP p. 71). Not only does the Christian story go from the beginning to the end of time, it is bigger than time itself, because we believe God as Alpha and Omega created time and lives outside of time. He was there before the cosmos was created and he will be there after it ends. As Christians we have a saviour, Jesus Christ, who is coeternal with God and because of his work done once and for all on the cross, as we heard in Hebrews this morning, we need not fear the end of our days or the day of judgement. The essential thing is that our names are written in the Book of Life. The rest is details. So what are we as Christians to do with this story?

I would say that we are called to spend the time we have standing with God against the work of evil in the world. We know that sin and evil are real. Christ warned his disciples that there would be wars and false messages and chaos in the world. The Book of Revelation speaks of the reality of sin and the devil, and we name this reality every time we witness a baptism in church. One of the great temptations of our time, in the pluralistic and tolerant west, is that we trivialize or downplay the existence of evil. An event like the Fort Hood shootings comes along and we look for sociological or psychological reasons, while not fully admitting that this was an evil act. When I speak to young soldiers preparing to deploy, I tell them that they need to understand that good is real, and so is evil. They will see evil things overseas. They’ve seen it, whether in the poverty of Haiti or the killing of Rwanda and Bosnia or the violence and fanaticism of Afghanistan. We see the reality of evil in every act of terrorism abroad and social injustice at home, where the needs of banks and shareholders seem to take precedence over the needs of the legions of poor and unemployed. We see the reality of evil in the steady exhaustion and abuse of God’s world. We are called to fight evil, fear and chaos with the light and love of the gospel for as long as we are given on earth, but we are also called to remember that we are mortal. Our time will end. Our lives will end. Our world will end. We need not be afraid of these things, for scripture promises us that evil, darkness and death will be defeated (Rev 21-22).

All through scripture, one of the great refrains, one of its main drifts as the Anglican divine Richard Hooker called them, is the call of reassurance “Be not afraid”. Adam and Eve hide in the garden, ashamed of their nakedness and of their disobedience, and God calls them back into relationship with him. The angels tell the shepherds to “fear not” when “mighty dread had seized their troubled minds”. The disciples are “startled and terrified” to see the risen Christ, and Jesus says “Peace be with you” (Lk 24:37). When John sees “the one like the Son of Man” in Revelation he falls to the ground “as though dead” but he is raised up and told “Do not be afraid” (Rev 1:17). Again and again in scripture, God’s hand is extended, raising us up out of fear and darkness and death, drawing us into the light and love and light of his presence. The root of all our sin is found when we ignore that outstretched hand and try to cling to our old lives, hoping for a little more time, a little more security, a little more comfort. There are many ways the world can seem to end. An IED can explode in Afghanistan. A job can vanish. A marriage can end. A diagnosis can be delivered. We can be wiped out on the highway. Darkness and death may seem to surround us. In the midst of these things, the Christian message as described in our second lesson remains as true as ever. Encourage one another. Fight for good. Be confident in the work of Christ, whose sacrifice made once and for all has set us free. This is the Christian story, and it is a never-ending story. “When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed.”

Amen.

Task Force Panther--Mission Compete

2009-11-22T07:33:00.006-05:00

Task Force Panther's mission to Iraq 2008-2009 is complete.

At Zero Dark Thirty in the morning it was too early to have the youngest 3 greet me at Green Ramp. But, Liz and Myles were there. The combination of drinking coffee (at the last airport stop and on the plane) and excitement to see Family was enough to energize me for the reunion. What a great feeling . . . .

The Fall(en)

2009-11-20T06:39:00.010-05:00

My homecoming is quite a journey. It's more than a plane ride. It's so twilight zone. One becomes accustomed to living in a completely different culture: sights, sounds, smells, weather, etc. Then in a matter of days it feels like you are time-warped back into Garrison and American life: people, familiar things, safety in one sense.

But there is a kind of clashing that goes on inside of us. The deployment is over, but not quite.

The widow of one our Fallen Paratroopers was here to visit with us. Together it brings those closer to a sense of closure with new clarity.

On a bus in Kuwait I sat next to a sharp NCO and we discussed the reasons why Soldiers engage in high risk activities especially after a deployment even though they receive numerous safety briefings, ad nauseum. He took a very common sense approach and had some valid points. I asked him what he thought of the human being's fallen nature, the spiritual and moral bend to do things that cross the line. That was one to ponder.

When Paratroopers return from deployment to the desert they are very very thirsty. It's almost as if they had nothing to drink for a whole a year! That is difficult to mitigate against.

I visited a Trooper in the hospital who met terra ferma from four stories without a parachute.

Last night I took my son out to hear his piano recital. The leaves are still falling off the trees in this part of North Carolina. The church landscape was beautiful. The colors continue to pop though many leaves were rustling at my feet.

Upon the conclusion of the recital the instructor praised the children for their musical accomplishments. And, then she said something like, "If music was just about playing the perfect notes, then we would all be robots."

We are not robots. God did not create us that way, and our lives will not always play perfect notes. Life is not perfect, and somehow there is beauty in that. There is beauty in seeing a child struggle to play the perfect notes even though sometimes they are off key. That goes for you and me too. The perfect notes are out there though.

Twilight zone and time warp is going on inside of me. Driving home from the recital, my son and I are listening to Christmas music on the radio. My favorite: Peanuts, "Christmas Time is Here" (Piano Instrumental).

The Christmas music, hitting all the perfect notes pointed me to a time in the future when there will no longer be the Fall(en) or the proclivity to go in that direction. It pointed me to the Advent of the Perfect One who has shown us the perfect way. The season to celebrate that joy will soon be upon us.

In the News . . .

2009-11-19T22:29:00.004-05:00

82D, 3BCT, the Brigade which I am assigned participated in a live studio audience show via satellite with Oprah.

Sarah Palin is to visit Ft. Bragg, but not after some misgivings. Story here.

Here are some great pics of my Battalion, 2-505 or 2-Panther, HHC and Fox Companies, returning on 17 Nov 09. I arrived ahead of them at 0300, twelve hours prior to their landing and was able to greet them as they returned.

1 of 6 Myths

2009-11-16T07:55:00.008-05:00

Would you bear with me just a little for a moment? I'd like to share a pet peeve. I have a difficult time with people who have a "can't do" attitude. There are 10 different ways from Sunday why "it" can't work. The opinionators may have some influence, but they are not the subject matter experts in the field in which they are commenting.

I don't consider myself to be an idealist, but I'm no way a pessimist! Here's part of an article from the Weekly Standard written by an Infantry Officer who just returned from Afghanistan in July.

Myth: America cannot win a war in Afghanistan, the "graveyard of empires." How can America succeed where Alexander the Great, the British, and the Soviet Union struggled? This refrain belongs, as they say now in the military, in the graveyard of analogies.

The Soviets, in particular, teach us how not to win in Afghanistan. A heavily mechanized force, the Red Army was ill-suited for Afghanistan's treacherous terrain, and it was dependent on long, vulnerable supply lines. It also discouraged innovative junior leadership, which is critical against an insurgency. To compensate, the Soviets employed vicious, massively destructive tactics that inflamed the Afghan people and still scar the country with depopulated valleys and adult amputees maimed as children by toy-shaped mines.

Our present way of war couldn't be more different. We deploy light and wheeled infantry to Afghanistan, making our tactics more flexible, our supply lines shorter, and our soldiers more engaged with the locals. We also radically decentralize decision-making authority to our junior soldiers and leaders, who increasingly can draw on years of combat experience.

In short, America has a counter-insurgency strategy, whereas the Soviet Union had a genocide strategy. Afghans I spoke with always recognized the difference, reviled the Russians, and respected our troops.

Chaplains, Ready for Anything

2009-11-16T07:33:00.004-05:00

From the USA Today, an article about the Chaplains responding to the crisis at Ft. Hood.

This is what we train for, even at home. Here is a post that I wrote back in June 2007 about a MASCAL (Mass Casulaty) Exercise on Ft. Bragg that I was spontaneously volunetold to participate in. It was a kink in my plans for the afternoon, but I'm grateful for the training. No bravado here. Chaplains are not innoculated from the pain either.

Five Scenes, One Theme: A True if Unlikely Story

2009-11-15T16:56:00.006-05:00

In October of 1989, as a young Airman, I took some Leave, bought a Eurarail pass, climbed aboard a C-5 Galaxy on Space-A at Dover AFB, DE and found myself in Germany about 8 hours later. The U.S. was in the tail end of the Cold War, but we didn't really know the whole of it just yet. It was about 2 weeks later, after I had flown home that the Berlin Wall came down. I had just missed it! 20 years later, I just missed being in the same country for the anniversary, but I am reminded first of the stress, then the impact and change from those days.

As I return from my year-long tour in Iraq, essentially having fought agains Religious Extremisim, not Communism anymore, perhaps we don't quite see the whole way ahead for Iraq, though it's there, or even Afghanistan. It's a different idealogy, but the same kind of evil force that enslaves people for harm. I think it's quite possible that the tipping point for Iraq has already come on June 30th, 2009, when the Iraqi people celebrated their own freedom with much fanfare as the U.S. forces formally withdrew from the major cities. As usual, in this case, the world didn't take much notice.

20 years later, in Germany, I'm reading Bono reflect on the past:

EXT. BRANDENBURG GATE
BERLIN, NOVEMBER 2009 — NIGHT
The camera cranes over a crowd of thousands gathered in Pariser Platz.
An Irish band plays its song “One” in the city where it was written nearly 20 years earlier. The band is here for an MTV broadcast celebrating the anniversary of the wall’s falling. A helicopter shot glides like a ghost through the architecture of this most modern of cities: the avant-garde Chancellery, the glass dome at the top of the Reichstag, the refurbished Brandenburg Gate. Images of East and West Berlin dancing to the music are projected on the gate, turning this monument to peace into a graffiti wall of the same....

From the Army The Chief of Chaplains

2009-11-15T09:41:00.005-05:00

11 November 2009, Veteran’s Day

Members of the Army Chaplaincy Family, Greetings to all of you in the Name of our Great God! I’m writing to you on Veteran’s Day, returning from a sad but hopeful trip to Fort Hood, Texas. Yesterday many of you watched or read about the Fort Hood Memorial Ceremony that honored thirteen of our fallen Soldiers who lost their lives to a senseless tragedy in the midst of a normal duty day. As President Barak Obama noted in his remarks, they were Soldiers “unable to escape the horrors of war, even in the comfort of home.” Our Army is a mission focused organization, prepared to defend our Nation at a moment’s notice and to do our duty in the midst of great challenge and calamity. And yet, events like the Fort Hood shootings don’t make sense; they “kick us in the gut” and take our breath away. They force us into an operational pause from our busy lives, and to reflect on what matters most- Family, friends, faith, community. In my own quiet moments since this tragedy, I have reflected on a few key lessons I’d like to share with you.

The first lesson is the reminder that we must always remain agents of hope in the midst of the persistent threat of evil. As President Obama said yesterday, “It may be hard to comprehend the twisted logic that led to this tragedy. But this much we do know - no faith justifies these murderous and craven acts; no just and loving God looks upon them with favor.” Such a treacherous violation of divine law as we witnessed on 5 November 2009 reminds us that there are indeed “spiritual forces of evil” from which we must guard ourselves, our Soldiers, and our collective hearts. Our Corps’ song, Soldiers of God, reminds us that “we are the Chaplains of the Nation…the Legions of Light.” We most effectively serve and protect our Soldiers, and each other, by remaining strong sources of light and hope that illuminate the glory of God’s righteousness above all other paths or alternatives. Our Soldiers struggle daily with temptations and thoughts that cause them to drift from the influence of what President Lincoln referred to in his first Inaugural Address as the “better angels of our nature.” As we represent and proclaim all those things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, moral, and excellent, then we help fortify our military culture against the influence of things that can harm our Soldiers and their Families. This is a powerful and important mission for us to remember and undertake daily as the agents of hope for our Army.

The second lesson is that we have the privilege of being part of an Army Strong community. Our Army Family is indeed the strength of our Nation. The President noted many who testified to the great ethos of our Army yesterday in his remarks. Amber Barr was “so intent on helping others that she did not realize for some time that she, herself, had been shot.” Police Officers Mark Todd and Kim Munley stormed into the face of danger to save others. Francisco de la Serna, a medic, treated both Officer Munley and the gunman; most likely saving the lives of both. Joey Foster, another of the wounded, also worked diligently to help others after being shot in the hip himself. Each of these individuals put a public face on what it means to obey the words “love your neighbor more than yourself.” Francisco de la Serna, while providing medical care for the gunman, showed the world that Soldiers will not return evil with evil, but will “overcome evil with good.” These are amazing testimonies to the values and virtues that our Soldiers possess and which you teach to them. They are not always easy virtues to maintain, but they are always beautiful to behold. I commend our Soldiers for practicing these virtues, and our Chaplain Corps for modeling and teaching them.

The third lesson I’ve been touched by is to love deeply now. We lost 13 precious souls we never expected to lose last Thursday. Yesterday there was also a powerful Memorial Service at Fort Lewis where multiple other Soldiers were remembered for their supreme sacrifice, including the spouse of one of our own chaplain assistants. At the Fort Hood memorial ceremony, I stood in reverence before each of the 13 memorial displays, reading the names and looking at the pictures of the Fallen. I regret not having met these Soldiers. I wish I had been given the honor of hearing their sacred stories. Life is fragile. It’s brief. We must learn to love all we can, in all the ways we can, as much as we can, and for as long as we can. We must love extravagantly all those precious people God places in our lives as treasured gifts from the Heart of God, for that is what they truly are. My heartfelt gratitude goes out to all of you for the record levels of Strong Bonds events, and other similar ministries you’ve conducted to enable our Soldiers and Families to love each other more deeply. You’re doing a great job to meet that need.

The fourth lesson regards the promise of resilience to the caregiver. Proverbs 11:25 says that “…the person who refreshes others will themselves be refreshed.” SGM Marrero and I flew to Fort Hood the day before their memorial ceremony with one purpose in mind: to provide ministry of presence to the Fort Hood UMTs. We observed their compassionate and pastoral care at the Spiritual Fitness Center as they ministered to the Families of the Fallen. We worshipped and prayed with them as they prepared their souls for another emotionally draining day. We watched our chaplains and chaplain assistants plan and rehearse every detail of the memorial ceremony to ensure that our Fallen were honored properly. And, we sat back with tearful joy as our UMTs quietly attended the many needs of over 15,000 gathered for the memorial ceremony to mourn our Fallen Soldiers. As SGM Marrero and I return back home to our loved ones, we find ourselves refreshed and ready for the next leg of our exciting journey as your chief and regimental SGM. God promises to refresh the caregiver as they refresh others.

On this Veterans’ Day, I admit to different emotions running through my veins. I grieve as a Soldier for our Fallen Soldiers and for their wonderful Families. Yet, simultaneously I am filled with exuberant pride for the humble privilege to serve the spiritual needs of such tremendous Americans, alongside each of you in our Corps. You are making a huge difference in our Army at this hour of great need and powerful challenge. What stellar servants and “Soldiers of God” you are. As we move beyond the clouds of the past few days and press ahead towards the Thanksgiving holiday, please know that my bride, Sunny, and I are thankful for each one of you. We count it a daily blessing to serve in your ranks. This is indeed a great Army and we as a Branch remain committed to its spiritual support and leadership. Thank you for remaining vigilant in your prevailing ministry to our Soldiers and Families. Happy Veteran’s Day and Happy Thanksgiving to you all.

Pro Deo Et Patria!

2012

2009-11-14T01:22:00.005-05:00

Posting from Kuwait. I don't have much time, so I haven't vetted this website called, The American Catholic. While in the chow hall this morning I saw a story on Fox News that was very disturbing. It's about the new movie, "2012."

The link is worth reading for the religios news effect.

pl

Got Guilt?

2009-11-12T04:13:00.010-05:00

When you read this, what is your reaction? What is the first thing that pops in your mind? By asking you that question there is a strong possibility that it will trigger feelings of guilt and shame from the past.

Is that guilt real? Or is it just perceived? The litany of questions could go on.

I'm convinced that the enemy of our souls wants us to feel guilty for things that we do not deserve. This is called, "false guilt."

We're all born with a conscience. Some are more active than others. Psychologists call it an "internal parent." A person's conscience could be under active if one choose a consistent course of thought and action that conflicts with the truth. An overactive conscience condemns oneself for imaginary faults.

This could be a quagmire.

For the Christian, one can find forgiveness from sin, the violation of truth and disobedience to it against God or another person.

Here is an existential definition of guilt: it is the negative feelings for doing something wrong; having "crossed the line."

Here is a definition of shame: it is the negative feelings that you are a bad person.

There is a difference between guilt and shame. Guilt comes from something that you did wrong. Shame is feeling like you are a bad person. Seeing the separation of these two is important.

Shame comes from guilt. If you get rid of the guilt, then you can get rid of your shame.

I John 1.9 says, "If we confess our sins, he [God] is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

You can do that with a simple prayer to God.

When you confess your sins to God, and He forgives you, then you are no longer guilty. He does not hold it against you. You are forgiven, guilt free.

I John 3.19-21 says, "By this we know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us [false guilt], God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God."

You can gain confidence with youself by not allowing false guilt to hinder your life. And, God's plan of forgiveness also brings confidence before Him as well. Sometimes you might find yourself feeling ashamed, like you are a bad person, for something when you are in the right. This is when someone tries to lay a guilt trip on you, when you don't deserve it. Recongizing when we do, or not is crucial to gaining confidence in ourselves and before God.

O.K., so here's the catch. When we confess our sin, we also need to repent from it. Repenting means making a 180 degree turn-around. If you are going in the wrong direction, then turn around and go the right way.

"But, Chaplain, I don't think I'll ever be perfect?" You are right. Neither of us will on this side of Heaven. That is why I John 2.1-2 says, "But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation [forgiveness] for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world."

What do we get when we receive God's forgiveness? G.A.C.E.

G-God's
R-Riches
A-At
C-Christ's
E-Expense

We get something awesome that we don't deserve. Jesus Christ stood in for our punishment on the Cross. He was our substitute. He stood in for us when we deserved punishment from God. Romans 5.8 says, "but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

When we trust God through Christ with faith in our hearts in Him that he will forgive us then that brings spiritual transformation in our lives. We are free from guilt. The Apostle Paul wrote, "If anyone is in Christ, s/he is a new creation, the old has gone and the new has come" (2 Cor. 5.17). We can know this and experience this every day.

Guilt is part of the make-up of our human nature. There is always a line of tresspass somewhere: with God, people, laws. Do you need forgiveness? Trust Christ, and God will forgive you. You do not have to be burdened with guilt, nor live with shame.

Hey, one more thing: if God forgives you, don't you think you should forgive yourself? Don't hold yourself to a higher standard than God. When should you stop feeling guilty? When you confess the wrong, and repent, walking in God's love and truth.

No more bad feelings from the past, nor feeling like a bad person. Now, go put this into practice with prayer, repentance, and walk in God's love and truth.

Someone needed that today. Maybe it was you.

Blessings.

3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82D ABN DIV Arriving Home

2009-11-11T15:24:00.002-05:00

My 56 Mike Leads the Way

2009-11-11T15:17:00.005-05:00

SGT Derrick R. Hobbs, 2-505 PIR at Green Ramp, Pope AFB/Ft. Bragg, NC.

Derrick, may your homecoming be blessed! I'm not too far behind.

Veterans Day: Some Important Thoughts about Operation Iraqi Freedom

2009-11-11T03:21:00.011-05:00

This is our HHC Company at Joint Security Station Beladiyat taken after the End of Tour Award Ceremony.

While eating my last meal in the dinning area at JSS Beladiyat I happened to be sitting across from one of our TERPS--Interpreters. Since the polling data in the U.S. has been abominable regarding our mission here, I thought because it was my last night I'll ask his opinion about the invasion of Iraq in 2003 and how things have progressed. Essentially, "What's your opinion on the whole matter?" Being honest, I was very unsure about what he might say.

But he told me over and over again like this, "I'm telling you. I'm telling you. I'm telling you. It was a good thing." So, why was it a good thing? He told me that he was a Kurd, which I didn't know. And, back in 1988 about an hour drive from his home 5,000 people in that village: men, women, and children were killed by chemical weapons when an Iraqi jet dropped WMD on them.

The link provided will tell you a lot more than just one incident. Thousands of villages were destroyed. Just Google the topic and there is documented evidence and graphic pictures all over the net. The Kurdish people were brutally oppressed. It was on December 30, 2006 that Saddam Hussein was executed for crimes against humanity from a different incident involving the execution of 148 Iraqi Shiites in the town of Dujail in 1982.

The list could go on and on. At FOB Loyalty where my "home base" was for 6 months of my deployment, the building which our headquarters was housed used to be a jail and torture chamber where victims where hung from hooks off the ceiling, like a slab of meat, and their blood would drip down a sloped floor into a drain in the corner.

As the many polls cite above, the military personnel, VETERANS, who have fought hard and bravely during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) deserve much greater credit than the majority of our citizens provide them in regard to the incredible success they have accomplished despite the overwhelming opinions against their mission. Indeed OIF Vets have been supported; though the majority of opinion was and is against what they were doing. They soldiered on even though the call across America has been, "Bring the Troops Home Now."

You must know that people like the Interpreter with whom I talked during one of my last nights in country say, "We love America, and thank them for what they did."

Read what Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said to our Troops on July 26, 2006:

US Embassy press release titled "Remarks by President Bush and PM Mailiki at Lunch with Military Personnel and Families":

"...We are happy to be partners in this holy task of fighting terrorism and establishing democracy. Iraq, because of what you have offered, because of what your sons have offered, your families have offered, has now moved from dictatorship to democracy; from oppression, torture chambers, chemical weapons, and now into a state of freedom, liberty and partnership... And we are confident that we will succeed, because you, and people like you are helping us to confront terrorism -- terrorism that is spreading in our land -- with foreign support."

A CBS News Poll from 9-12 July 2009 asked this question to Americans:

"Which do you think most Iraqi people are feeling right now: grateful to the United States for getting rid of Saddam Hussein, or resentful of the United States for having taken military action against Iraq?"

Answer: 44% believe that the Iraqi people are resentful for the invasion. And, 38% grateful.

Clearly that is a misperception on behalf of the American people because the vast majority of Iraqi people do not feel that way.

What America has done through her military forces has removed an oppressive megalomanic who was responsible for the deaths of nearly a million people through the initiation of the Iran-Iraq War, the genocide of the Kurds, the Invasion of Kuwait, and the oppression of his own people.

The Veterans of OIF can be proud that they have provided true Justice, Freedom, Democracy, and a regional ally in the Middle-east.

Sometimes the American people need to lift their eyes off themselves and look around the world instead of only asking, "what's in it for me?"

And finally, though I am a different religion than most of the people in Iraq, I am persuaded that there has been a ring of the Divine to provide true justice to the oppressed and freedom to it's people.

Happy Veterans Day to all Vets, but especially OIF Vets.

Chaplain Paul Lynn

Out of the Box

2009-11-10T18:15:00.004-05:00

I'm "out of the box."

The term "inside the box" is used during a phase at the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) when it's an intense time of over-realistic training. It's a years worth of experience compounded in a span of days. Well, my year is almost up.

I conducted my RIP (Relief in Place) with the replacing Chaplain, the BN Commander pinned a Bronze Star on me, I jumped in the back on an MRAP, climbed in a Chinook (pic. above), and arrived at BIAP (Baghdad International Airport) at zero dark thirty in the morning.

I had sent a ton of my stuff home so that I wouldn't have to carry as much as I brought into country. I remember SGT Hobbs and I estimating about a 120lb pack, herking it in from Kuwait up to FOB Loyalty last Dec 2008. When I was stepping off the Chinook I said to myself, "I'm not going to do this again." That is, bring this much stuff.

Well, sure enough, someone needed a hand because they had multiple bags. Tons of stuff going in. Tons of stuff going out. It's just another way to serve.

I am very thankful to the Lord, and His Saints for such wonderful support in so many different ways. I made over 70 missions "outside the wire" to Joint Security Stations (JSS) visiting Paratroopers; only 3 were done by helicopter. The bulk were by MRAP or 1151 HMMWV.

So, I'm out of the box and waiting for my freedom bird.

Pro-Life Health Care Bill Passes House

2009-11-09T02:06:00.006-05:00

From the Gray Lady: "Both sides credited a forceful lobbying effort by Roman Catholic bishops with the success of the provision, inserted in the bill under pressure from conservative Democrats."

“We think that providing health care is itself a pro-life thing, and we think that, by and large, providing better health coverage to women could reduce abortions,” said Richard M. Doerflinger, a spokesman for the anti-abortion division of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

“But we don’t make these decisions statistically, and to get to that good we cannot do something seriously evil.”

Great effort!

Movie Review of New Iraq War Film

2009-11-08T06:22:00.009-05:00

There is a new Iraq war film out called, "The Messenger." No, it's not about Islam. It's supposed to be about the life of a Casualty Notification Officer (CNO), starring Woody Harrelson. This review from the N.Y. Times discusses the fact that Iraq war films have been underwhelming. The closest film to get it right, and I still didn't like it was "Hurt Locker." I didn't see all of the Hurt Locker, it just didn't hold my attention; though it was dramatic it felt slow and choppy.

In the Messenger, there is no flash bang, it's all about dialogue and drama. Just reading this N.Y. Times review about the movie, it makes no mention whatsoever about the Chaplain's role in handling Casualty Notification. Any Chaplain who has done a number of these will tell you it is probably the most difficult job they will ever perform. Chaplains know from training and experience that they are not only there to support the bereaved, but the CNO! Sometimes it's the Chaplain who has to hold it all together. I can't remember a time that I didn't pray with the CNO before he delivered the news. There are lots of variables to consider as one approaches this situation. Having just read this review, if they chucked the Chaplain out of the film, then they've just missed a big piece of reality.

Apparently Harrelson's character just returned from a deployment to Iraq and has taken this position as a CNO. Notice in the picture above that he is not wearing a combat patch on his Class A uniform, right shoulder sleeve. It's very unusual for an officer not to have it on his uniform. As you can tell, the NCO to his left is wearing it. If they don't get little stuff like that right, they will get written off like all the other Iraq war flicks.

Frontlines Spiritual Warfare

2009-11-07T19:21:00.007-05:00

This picture was painted by Michelangelo circa 1487-1489. It is St. Anthony fighting off demons. Here is a short version of the story, and here is a longer version of a bio of St. Anthony. I read Athanasius' Life of St. Anthony many years back, and though one might have to discern your way around it, it definitely had some take-aways to ponder. And, thus I use his life as example for this ministry experience below, among others as way of reference.

One of the most unique ministry experiences I had while deployed occurred at a JSS located a stones throw from Sadr City.

One night while lifting weights (not too much) in the gym, there was quite a bit of chatter and laughter coming from the company commander's table that was a few feet away from the gym. He called out to me something like, "Hey Chaplain, you're gonna need to go exorcise that room up there." And, the guys around the table were laughing. I took it kind of like a joke, and was hanging out with another Trooper doing our gym time, so I didn't pursue what he was talking about.

Later that night I bumped into a bunch of guys who stopped me and told me that they were not kidding. That there was some really creepy stuff going on in the one room where there are 2 super-duper Paratrooper squad leaders living. So, I inquired further.

I ended up seeing one of the squad leaders not too much longer after that. He had bandages rolling up his arm and it appeared he had burn wounds on his neck, face, and arm. I asked him what happened and he said he didn't know. He had a huge blister on his arm that was popping up about 2 inches high and about 3 inches or more in circumference. He was pretty angry and upset. And, this is what he told me:

A dark figure had been coming into his room on a regular basis in the middle of the night. He and his roommate would hear the door open and see this figure standing there. Eventually, the figure on one occasion entered the room when the other squad leader was in there sleeping by himself. This thing, picked him up out of bed, and threw him on the floor and pulled a huge satellite dish off the top bunk to crash down upon him. This squad leader is no small guy. This guy was freaked out, and didn't know exactly what to do.

Then, the Trooper that I was talking with, the one with the second degree burns that went from his arm to his upper lip told me his story. The dark figure opened the door when he was alone sleeping. He sat up to see it. The figure then caused a spark to appear like a cigarette lighter. As the Trooper was sitting up in bed watching this about 5 feet away, all of sudden he started to feel a burning sensation all over the areas of his body that I had just described. And, he started yelling, "I'm on fire, I'm on fire!"

So, I went to the room and heard these stories in detail from both of these guys. Let me tell you, these guys are not push-overs. They are high-speed squad leader Infantry Paratroopers. They are in incredibly great shape and highly professional. But, when they were telling me their stories in their room, their eyes were as wide as saucers and completely freaked out.

I asked them if they wanted this spiritual harassment to stop. And, of course they did. I addressed in a general fashion that any sin issues in their lives needed to be cleaned up. And, I prayed with them. Then I anointed them with oil, and told that "thing" in prayer to go to hell and never return to harass them. My chaplain Assistant was with me, and I asked them to go down the hall while I prayed in the Spirit and anointed their room with oil on the inside and out, especially the door.

SGT Hobbs told me later that in the hallway one of them said to him, "Wow, the Chaplain told that thing to go to hell!" Sure, that's where it belongs. I thought that was pretty funny. But, Jesus says, "Don't rejoice that demons are subject to my Name. But rejoice your names are written in Heaven."

That place was turned over to the Iraqis. But, every time I went back to visit that JSS I asked those guys if they had any more problems. And, they said, "No." Well, I don't think I'd ever send up a Powerpoint Storyboard slide to Corps indicating a "Best Practice," but, it's sure one to put in the ministry history books on this deployment.

"Chaplain, I didn't know you could do an exorcism?" Sure, why not?

Thoughts and Prayers for Soldiers and Families of Ft. Hood

2009-11-06T01:09:00.008-05:00

As I've read through the the N.Y. Times and the Washington Post last night, browsed through Foxnews.com and CNN.com, the media brought out different angles of the story. Many of them had contradicting thoughts.

Many of you are now having contradicting thoughts. This is the classic 1. Shock, 2. Anger, 3. Denial, 4. Bargaining, 5. Depression or some kind of variation of Elizabeth Kubler Ross's Stages of Grief. It's natural to be feeling this way. It might be worth your while to Google it.

It's easy to be the arm chair critic right now. I've had some very angry thoughts that I would have liked to blog. The conversation is happening everywhere: the water cooler, the kitchen, the Internet, from your neck up, or any place where people get together to gab. I've decided not to be the critic on this blog. I can connect the dots just like anyone else. Is it not obvious? Or is it?

What it boils down to is this: it is a very sad moment for our country and military. And right now, most of all, Ft. Hood and Families need your prayers and support. May the Lord provide comfort in this great time of need.

A Post Post Reformation Day Post

2009-11-05T16:35:00.007-05:00

I just finished reading Mark Batterson's Evotional blog titled, "Do we need another Reformation?" His short answer is, "yes."

Just a few days ago I wrote a Post Reformation Day Post basically saying that I wouldn't place a picture of Martin Luther posting his 95 Thesis on the Wittenburg Door on my blog. I still hold to that. It's important to have doctrinal boundaries and know what you believe. If you analyze what I'm saying I hope you will get this point: It's more important to be for something, than living your life against something. Let's not live in the past because our work is still cut out for us.

I read this passage almost every day in my Palm Pilot. "Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good. Let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil," (I Peter 3.10-12).

I concur with Luther in his 95 Thesis, and I whole-heartedly agree with Mark that we indeed need a new Reformation, re-capturing something that we have forgotten. (And, I can't wait to read his book, "Primal.") We haven't forgotten Luther's work and the theological boundaries that are now in place. What's the point of rubbing it in the Catholic's face?

Luther is a milestone, an important one, in Church History. But, we can't stop there. The Reformation principle that the Church always needs to reform herself is true. The Church hasn't arrived. Ephesians 4.13 is incomplete, "until we attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."

The context for this is the gifts that God has given to the Church. It is incomplete. The Church is underdeveloped. And, there is a big job ahead of us. What are we missing? What do we need to rediscover? I'm going to check out what Mark has to say.

Dangles

2009-11-05T11:59:00.006-05:00

This is Dangles. He is a beloved dog by our Paratroopers on this JSS. I can't leave here without posting about Dangles.

There is a difference of opinion, culturally speaking, on how Americans and Iraqis view man's best friend. Dangles has been around us since our first platoon arrived here in December of 2008. Dangles got his name because someone decided to shoot him, and everyone thought he ran off to die. But Dangles emerged, a tough old dog, with a permanent limp and a back leg that just . . . dangles. Ergo, his name.

When I took this picture, he had flies all over him. A new Sergeant that arrived complimented the dog in front of me, trying to scatter the flies off of him as I took his picture. Americans just love Dangles.

Dangles even tried to run with me on three legs when I took my PT test in July. He owns the place. If you think he's a mild mannered canine and he's there to be pushed around, you'll have to think again. No one who taunts this dog will get away with it. He will love you, but he'll also make you respect him.

Although I've just written some flattering words about a wounded dog, I can't help think about the analogy of Dangles to Christians. I think about the book that Henri Nouwen wrote, "Wounded Healer." Though all of us have been tainted by sin, those who allow Christ in our lives will emerge not just with God's Spirit, but we will rise again in the Resurrection to eternal life someday.

Though God's Spirit lives in us as Christians, we are still touched by sin in and around us. We no longer have a mortal wound that will lead us to death, but we still carry around with us the effects of it. We are like Dangles.

Dangles is one confident canine. Everyone who meets him is impressed by this dog. Christians in the same way can be confident that God has got our backs, that He loves us, and will never forsake us, and He empowers us by his Spirit. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead can live in you. Do you want that?

Every time I saw Dangles I didn't feel pity for him; he was a living reminder of what God wants to do in me.

The Spiritual and Physical Athlete

2009-11-04T20:30:00.007-05:00

While deployed to Iraq I've reflected a lot about being an ascetic. In the Early Church there was a group called, "The Desert Fathers" that many sought spiritual insight from. They were considered Spiritual Athletes.

Here is a broad definition of an Ascetic. Simply put, an Ascetic is considered to be a Spiritual Athlete. As a Chaplain deployed to the desert, obviously without my wife and children there are ascetical qualities that are inherent. Yet, it's not just spiritual self-denial, but maintaining good physical conditioning through Physical Training (PT), even during deployment to a desert. There is a physical addition to the ascetical life as a Chaplain.

Here is an oldy but goody article that Eugene Peterson wrote for Christianity Today about the Ascetical and Aesthetical qualities of following Jesus. It's a great read. I've highlighted an excerpt, getting down into the weeds of a Christian definition of following Jesus, utilizing the ancient definition of ascetic and how it relates to the Christian life today.

"The ascetic. This is God's no in Jesus. Jesus' words are succinct and stark: "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me" (8:34). The ascetic life deals with life on the road.

The verbs that leap out of the sentence and pounce on us are "deny yourself" and "take up your cross." Renunciation and death. It feels like an assault, an attack. We recoil.

But then we notice that these two negatives are bracketed by the positive verb "follow," first as an infinitive, then as an imperative. "If anyone wants to follow" opens the sentence; "you follow me" concludes it. Jesus is going someplace; he invites us to come along. There is no hostility in that. It sounds, in fact, quite glorious: the great verb "follow" sheds glory on the negative verbs that call for renunciation and death."

I think it was Mark Batterson who said, "A change of pace, plus a change of place, equals spiritual growth." Certainly doing this kind of job qualifies, if one uses it as an opportunity for spiritual growth.

How might you avail yourself to an opportunity of spiritual growth?

The Secrets of Military Leadership

2009-11-03T12:04:00.002-05:00

From WaPo: Here is an assorted compendium of reflections from various journalists, et. al., who have answered some of the questions why the American public has such a high trust level and respect for her Military Leadership. How might some of this translate to the Church? What aspects of leadership are they doing right?

Favorite Thing about Iraq and My Reverse Bucket List

2009-11-03T08:23:00.007-05:00

This energy drink that I've only seen in Iraq is really good. I like the taste way better than any I've tasted back in the States: "Wild Tiger." Forget about sleeping if you drink one of these. Energy drinks like Red Bull, Monster, etc., are staple methods for liquidation, if you you can get your hands on some. I know, I just used the word liquidation in a new way. But, this Wild Tiger is the bomb.

Barbara asked me about my Bucket List. Things I want to do when I get home. Well, I'm still thinking about things I want to be removed from, like far far away. No offense to any Iraqi friends.

1. Indirection Fire (IDF). This means mortars and rockets--RPGs and 107mm. I got to see all three in a personal way.

2. IEDs/EFP, especially the latter. That is the Iranian version of an IED. It explodes and shoots out 1 to 4 (array) molten copper (most effective) or steal slugs, that are larger than softball size.

3. This goes along with #1 and #2. Driving on Route Predators or Route Plutos, the deadliest roads in Baghdad.

4. The almost constant stench of burning garbage and ubiquitous sewage.

5. This really could be #1. The absence of my wife and kids. Yeah, that could be on the bucket list. But, the sense of loneliness and absence of Family is painful enough to say I'm ready to leave that feeling behind.

6. No longer shaving with a bottle of water, sometimes on the hood of a 1151 HMMWV.

7. No longer carrying around a tourniquet in my lower right pocket. It's just awkward to think about having to save your own limb or someone else's on a daily basis, as it's just one reminder of potential danger. Oh yeah, and so you don't bleed out too.

8. Crazy sleep schedule. We own the night.

9. Regular Army chow.

10. The heat. I'm ready for four seasons.

And, one more. 11. The multiple-times-a-day Muslim Call to Prayer.

Movie about Muhammad

2009-11-02T16:20:00.005-05:00

The producer of the Matrix is planning to unleash a movie most Muslims will disagree with. This is definitely one way to "educate" the West about Islam. It will definitely upset the apple cart.

Post Reformation Day Post

2009-11-02T13:16:00.003-05:00

1 November is Reformation Day. I'm a little late on posting. I've been a little distracted. Our Internet has been turned off. In military parlance that's called a "commo blackout." Our brother infantry battalion lost a Paratrooper in a vehicle roll-over. This is coming on the end of the coat tails of the deployment. It's a hard hit right before our return. If you think of it, please pray for 1-Panther and the Family.

As commo came up I noticed some significant Christian blogs with the picture of Marty Luther posting his Thesis on the Wittenburg Door. When in college my friends and I celebrated Reformation Day together with some silliness. It was a lot of fun.

I grew up in a Family where my Dad was a devout Catholic and my mother Pentecostal. I like to say that after Church on Sunday at dinner time (lunch) we had holy wars. Not all the time, of course. But, it was kind of like Northern Ireland to take the metaphor farther. I had to do comparative religion at a young age. Well, my older brother, retired Air Force Officer and his Family have maintained the Catholic faith and so it still runs in my Family. He's been an Ordained Deacon in the Church for several years now. The polemics have ceased, but the wrestling with the doctrines of faith has not, at least in my mind.

He has been influenced by Pentecostal Pneumatology and just the shear experience of knowing God in the third Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit. There is one particular story that if I wrote it out here, you would be taken aback by a bona fide miracle through the power of the Holy Spirit as it relates to the conversion of his friend one night. Perhaps I'll save that story for another time.

Here is a story from Christianity Today about the growing rift between Catholics and Evangelicals Together (ECT). ECT is not just a document that leadership from two sides of the Church signed, but it's a kind of a movement. Where has it gone? Where is it going? What does it mean in relation to John 17?

As a student in a Bible College I celebrated Reformation Day. Today, I wouldn't be so quick to post a picture of the great Martin Luther at the Wittenburg Door. Looking forward to reading Wright and Piper when I get home.

Is God in Your Foxhole?

2009-10-29T07:33:00.010-04:00

This tattoo on one of the Paratroopers in my battalion is my favorite. It shows Paratoopers making a jump with Michael the Arcangel protecting them. I love the idea combining spiritual and physical warefare becaues it's reality. See Daniel 10.

You've heard the saying, "There's no atheists in foxholes." That's a good generalization. Sometimes you might hear a Christian leader say something to the effect that war is wrong because the above cliche is actually innacurate and they know someone who has lost their faith while deployed. It does happen. I talked to someone recently who is wondering about his faith right now as a result of the deployment.

Today I got this email from my friend Barbara, whose son was in 2-505 PIR, Charlie Co, last deployment. Over lunch today, talking to a former Platoon Sergeant from Charlie I found out that it is the most decorated Company in the 82D Airborne Division since WWII. That Company lost 11 men in Samarra, Iraq during the Surge.

Her son was in Charlie when it was all going down. I want to post some of her email here to me today:

I just checked in with your blog and am sitting here with tears flowing. I thank God that you were with the troops during this deployment. I know that prayers are constantly surrounding you, but I can't imagine the hardships, the terror, the darkness that some can fall into in that horrible place. A troop has to have God and walk with God and stay in his spirit. Your charge is so great a mission and I know that Christians have been found, developed and grown under your guidance and teaching. I praise God for you.

Jason said that God wasn't an option, but right there along side him, with his weapon and ammunition, going into battle against evil. He said he saw things that couldn't be explained logically, but only as a part of God's plan. I have often said, and have heard others parents say that we thought joining the Army was the worst thing our child could do, but now know it is the best thing our man did. Jason grew so much spiritually and for that I thank God, and the chaplains who guided him.

During my last round of Battfield Circulation I taked with a Platoon Leader who is a Christian, and whose Platoon Sergeant is one as well. They had a very close call not too long ago when they were on a dismounted foot patrol, having walked right passed an implanted IED. That's the short version. He said to me, "That is the 6th time this deployment God has protected us." Who get's the glory for that? Not the Platoon Leader, or the Platoon Sergeant, though their tactical skills are among the best. It is God who gets the glory.

Remember the story of David and Goliath? We get excited when we think about a teen-age boy with a sling and a few stones killing the Philistine Giant. The spiritual principle behind the story is not that David is bigger, stronger, faster, and better equipped, but God used the weak to accomplish His mission and get the glory. God uses the weak to confound the strong so that when even when the strong can be strong alone, dependence on God is what really makes the difference.

Is God in your foxhole?

Anyone can loose faith in war. There are many complexities and difficulties to try to sort out. But, anyone can loose faith in places where God may seemingly abound. I was the Dean of Men at a Christian College for 4 years. I saw Christian students loose their faith at a Christian College. What really matters is the soil of one's heart. See Luke 8.4-15.

I tell my little flock that I think being a Christian in the Army is the most difficult place to live it out. But, how about secular college campuses. Mark Batterson in his blog today highlights the challenges posed there and is doing something about it.

What fox hole are you living in? Everyone has one. Jesus says this, "The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name" (Rev. 3.12).

Now that will be one awesome tattoo. I'll wait to get one then.

A Little Lesson from Kierkegaard

2009-10-29T05:46:00.002-04:00

Kierkegaard is one of my favorite philosophers. This Gray Lady Editorial, "The Pursuit of What Matters in Troubled Times" is a good one, helping those see the eternal in the mundane. It's square 1 faith, if that is where one is. And, that's o.k. The starting point can never be self, unless you see yourself as needing God, which we all do. As the article points out, it's neither failure or success that truly makes us happy. It's connecting with the Divine.

Discipleship Assessment Tool

2009-10-28T20:11:00.004-04:00

In my last Bible Study I was focusing on what it means to be a disciple. Afterward, a Soldier told me there was a model for what I had just taught. (And, I'm still thinking about this.) It's called the wheel. And, here's a site that offers lots of practical ideas on how to implement the Great Commission.

Brief Interview with Dr. David Wells

2009-10-28T13:07:00.005-04:00

A good read:

Prior to the Renewing the Evangelical Mission Conference, Dr. David Wells, gave this brief interview with the Boston Globe, titled "Good Faith." See Discipleship Delimma post below.

Blessed are the Peacemakers

2009-10-27T18:52:00.006-04:00

This is SGT Hobbs, my Chaplain Assistant, holding a soccer ball that my mother sent to me when we were doing Humanitarian Aid (HA) Distribution Operations. Posting this pic is long over due as I promised my Mom to put it up so she can see it.

Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God." Daughters included.

I came across this list the other day as it was written on something like a post it note placed on a desk. So, I hand copied it too. Then, I pulled it up on the Net, so I know it's not classified, but it's apropos.

COIN (Counter Insurgency) Paradoxes :

The more you protect the force, the less secure you are.
The more force you use, the less effective you are.
Sometimes doing nothing is the best reaction.
The host nation doing something poorly is sometimes better than CF doing it well.
If a tactic works this week, it may not next week.
The more successful you are, the less force you use, and the more risk you must accept.
Most of the important decisions are not made by the Generals.

Can you see any Christian parallels?

Peace out,

Paul

Discipleship Dilemma

2009-10-27T04:26:00.003-04:00

My seminary alma mater hosted a conference called, "Renewing the Evangelical Mission." Apparently, the title was enough to draw a reporter and be newsworthy. More than newsworthy, it's scarey. After all, if you haven't seen this data from about a month ago, it ought to cause one to pause and reflect harder on what Evangelicals are doing, or maybe not.

Hope for Baghdad and Iraq

2009-10-26T20:43:00.007-04:00

Here is a great article,"A Resilient Baghdad On A Day Of Horror," from David Ignatius of the WaPo.

Yesterday I spoke with an ordinary Iraqi citizen about our invasion in 2003. He is a contractor for us, but assured me that his opinion was not tainted because he was providing services. Besides, why would he want to lie to a Chaplain who was leaving the country soon?

I asked him if he thought it was worth the cost for Iraq to have Democracy. He resoundingly said, "Yes." He spoke of how Saddam used to oppress the people, but now those who are in power reflect the demographics of the country, despite the nascent government struggling to make decisions and provide security.

"There are good people in the U.S. and there are bad people in the U.S. There are good people in Iraq, and there are bad people in Iraq," he said. He continued, "100 years ago the U.S. had problems like us, and you worked through it. (Referring to our own Civil War.) We will too. It might take 8 to 10 years, maybe 12, to fix the problems, but we can do it."

I imagine that most Iraqis think that based on the outcome, it was a Just War. For many, like myself, knowing what we were entering, and based upon the facts, I believe the same.

The Return of the Thumb Drive!

2009-10-26T20:28:00.005-04:00

The return of the thumb drive: The military banned thumb drives in Nov. of 08, right when we were deploying. This threw a huge kink in the chain. I guess enough people in the Government felt the pain to make a decision to reverse it. The technology is so good, we've become dependent on it. Technology is like nuclear weapons. Once it's created you can't go back.

Adopt-A-Chaplain

2009-10-26T14:12:00.002-04:00

There are many, many people I could thank that have been with me in Spirit/spirit through this deployment. My Family has been some of the most important, for sure. Dozens of churches from my home District, and organizations as well. Churches of all different denominations from all around America, from people I've never met, but have had some communication with them as we thanked them for their kindnesses.

As I've talked about Team Mates in 2 other posts, like Jessie and Noel from Alpha for the Military, and Barbara from Give 2 the Troops, and one other great source of support has come from Ben Furguson of Adopt-A-Chaplain.

Although I've had less personal contact with Ben via email, he sends out a weekly email blast to all Chaplains and different supporters about the impact of the ministry. Truly the packages that I received from AAC brought a smile to my face as I knew that this one particular ministry was directed at me. Although I still looked for ways to share my stuff with others.

Ben, thank you, for your tireless efforts as you support Chaplains who are bringing God to Soldiers and Soldiers to God.

Redeployment Brief for Single Soldiers

2009-10-25T09:04:00.003-04:00

At the end of a deployment Chaplains are required to provide several different Redeployment Briefs around the Battalion so Soldiers will reintegrate back into American life without too many head on collisions. The goal is a gentle merger. One of these Briefs is for Single Soldiers. I came across this Brief from the TV Show, the Office, that someone had put together. This isn't an Official Army version (ha ha), so use at your own risk.

Religious Liberty in the Army

2009-10-24T16:54:00.004-04:00

Here is another win for religious liberty, not just for those in the Army, but for America. I post this for the paranoid Christians who see "the Government" ready to take away their religious freedom.

A U-Hall Truck Full of Stuff, and More

2009-10-24T10:46:00.005-04:00

SGT Hobbs and I drove a U-Hall truck a couple of hours from Ft. Bragg to visit Mrs. Barbara Whitehead of Give 2 the Troops, and supply our deploying unit in the Fall of 2008 with care package items and recreational supplies. Barbara is simply an amazing lady. She is relentless in her support for the men and women in uniform. Her son, Jason, was in my Battalion, 2-505 PIR, Charlie Company last deployment. Men around the Battalion still talk about Charlie Co from last deployment, how it was the best.

Barbara has been one of "the best" to me. She has been on my team this deployment too. Regular emails, asking about my Family, praying for us, and checking on the the status of packages and items of love and care that come through her office to us in Iraq. Barbara, from Give 2 the Troops, is much more than just a conduit to support the Troops. Here is an excerpt from her last email to me that is appropriate for all to read:

"I loved your blog notes on falling in love with Liz, and how the intoxication has changed. I am much older then you and Liz and I learned that you cannot live with intoxication along. You need the bread and meat of a relationship. It can't all be roses and passion all the time. Sometimes true love means holding each other up while watching a parent die, or changing the sheets in the middle of the night when a child is sick. Sometimes love is the quiet contemplation in church on Sunday morning as you sit shoulder to shoulder in the Spirit. I spent today with a group of FRG wives who were volunteering at Give2thetroops. The discussion turned to homecoming and the wives said it's not the sex they want first thing. They want to be courted, to flirt, and to be led into the moment. I guess that is the difference between men and women. I wonder if the guys know that's what women want. One wife said even though her husband had been the "hero" off fighting the war, she just wanted him to say thank you to her for holding down the home front. So find those Hallmark cards we sent in the packages and tell the guys to write a message on a card and bring it home to the wife."

Here is an interview with Barbara on Blogtalk Radio about Give 2 the Troops.

If you are a Patriot wondering how to support your Troops. Look no further than Give 2 the Troops.

Thank you, Barbara.

The Alpha Course: Alpha for the Military

2009-10-23T21:12:00.003-04:00

It was sometime in 2007, after I arrived at Ft. Bragg, that I called Alpha to order supplies for a Course that I planned to teach during lunch time. Something like a "Pizza with the Padre."

I got a lot more than I bargained with my phone call to Alpha. Even though I was a busy Garrison Chaplain I fielded a phone call from a woman by the name of Jessie, calling me from the West Coast with a time difference of four hours. She explained to me that she was with a branch of Alpha, called Alpha for the Military (A4M) (See Alpha in Baghdad and Testimony). Not only did I get supplies with that phone call, but I got a spiritual mentor.

Jessie poured the Lord into me from a life of ministry experience, and a childhood raised on the African mission field. She didn't know the military culture well, but she had compassion, will, the love of the Lord, and I learned she was a prayer warrior. Just the person I wanted to keep around me as I was fixing to deploy.

Well, not only did I get Jessie, but sometime after that I got a call from a gentlemen with a British accent. His name is Noel Dawes, and he is the point man for A4M. Jessie had proved her mettle to me through multiple encouraging phone conversations that when Noel called me and said he was passing through N.C. and wanted to link up with me I thought it would be time well invested.

We met at Starbucks. And, I soon found out that Noel is a retired British Infantry Officer who served in Northern Ireland. Did he befriend me, or did I befriend him? Our chat, to me, was memorable and motivating. I was looking forward to utilizing the Alpha for Military materials during my deployment to Iraq.

I didn't need to be sold on Alpha, having attended two Alpha for Leaders training events and used the Course as the staple discipleship tool when I pastored in Tamaqua, PA. Jessie and Noel have been on my team through this deployment and I want to thank them for their support to me and the payoff it has had in my Battalion. May God richly bless them.

I highly recommend Alpha!

START Conference

2009-10-23T13:17:00.003-04:00

Besides being a Chaplain in the U.S. Army, the other ministry passion that I have is to see new Churches planted. My wife Liz will be a speaker at a Church Planting Conference called START. We are both excited about it. She will be doing the Women in Ministry piece. The conference is part of the Church Multiplication Network. The conference is 28-30 October being held at Valley Forge Christian College. If you are slightly interested in Church Planting, you may want to attend.

I wish I could be there; though half of my heart will be.

Love and Prayers,

Paul

Counter Culture Christianity, Church and American

2009-10-22T19:12:00.003-04:00

I'm looking forward to reading Francis Chan's 2 books upon my return from deployment, Crazy Love and Forgotten God.

Here is a quote from a recent Christianity Today interview with Chan, "In church, rather than rehab people, we just put them in a wheelchair and say, 'We will do everything for you,' " says Chan. "'You don't have to witness to your neighbors. We will send out fliers and do tv shows and evangelize for you. You don't have to counsel your neighbors; just give them the church's phone number.'

"Now we are saying, 'You be the discipler. You have the Holy Spirit in you, and we want to equip you to reach your neighbors.'"

As a guy who has trained trainers with several small group/house church discipleship models, and a Group Process class in seminary that had a strong discipleship component to it, it's still incredibly counter cultural for me NOT to do Church through my cultural coloring. That is, "Come to a big group setting and let the Clergy-expert talk to you." There is nothing wrong with that, per se. But, if it is the only lense which we do church, and I mean do, then we will have exactly what Chan says in the first quote. If you read the full article, he is returning to an ancient model of doing Church. He has his work cut out for him.

As I did Church in a small group setting throughout the deployment, moving from JSS to JSS, the internal challenge to be a discipler, not just an "inviter" never became more pronounced. It was at times very painful to be a New Testament discipler. I was confronted within myself to always be on guard to look for ways to live out the Great Commission and MAKE disciples, instead of just inviting Troopers "to come to a service."

Farewell Dinner

2009-10-21T17:30:00.004-04:00

What's in My Rucksack, Part 3

2009-10-17T14:54:00.004-04:00

What's in my rucksack? If you scroll down the the blog site you'll see a picture of what I pack all my worldly goods into when I go out to visit Paratroopers. "Chaplain, where are you living?" I was asked this question again, today. "Where you see me, that's where I'm living."

As I've traveled around our Battaltion's OE (Operating Environment), I've learned some new life-lessons, some from the Bible that have leaped off the page, and like this one, I didn't see it coming.

Remember when you started dating that special person who you would eventually marry? Remember those feelings of love that were, well like, um, intoxicating? The world was viewed through rose-colored glasses. My professor said I was in "Liz Land." She was the only person I wanted to be with. I could spend all day with her, and it wouldn't be enough. We couldn't get enough of each other.

Those kinds of emotions are par for the course during the courting period before marriage. It's great, wonderful, and awesome. At some point, they just are not there any more; not like that. Not in an intoxicating kind of way. The wear and tear of life, like a west wind somehow blows them away when you are not taking notice.

Deployments take a high toll on marriages. Many going into one never survive. Some relationships grow stronger. I believe ours did.

And, I never saw it coming, where I could be intoxicated in love with Liz like it was back in the day. Crazy in love. I couldn't get enough of her presence. Yes, absence in my case has made the heart grow fonder. It takes hard work in a marriage, even through a deployment. You can't have the good stuff without the work. And, it's been almost unbelievable to go back 17 years and re-experience those same sort of feelings.

I'll be watching out for that west wind when I get back.

A Friend from Chapel Pulling Jumpmaster Duty with the 173rd in Germany

2009-10-15T13:41:00.001-04:00

The President's Chaplain at Camp David

2009-10-14T08:05:00.005-04:00

I'll be posting more on the topic, "What's in My Rucksack?" later, finishing out "Lessons Learned" from my deployment to Iraq. But, here's a great article about one of the President's regular preachers, Navy Chaplain, Carey Cash. His book, "A Table in His Presence" is a must-read for Chaplains. Preach on, Carey.

Washington Post
October 14, 2009
Pg. 1

On Faith

The Pastor Who Has Obama's Attention

What's in My Rucksack? Part 2

2009-10-12T08:41:00.002-04:00

What is in my rucksack? 1. Suffering. 2. Prayer. Not just any kind of prayer. Warfare prayer. For those of you who’ve been around the Church for some time, to hear the word “warfare prayer” it could sound blasé. Why is that? Subconsciously I think we’ve become inoculated against it. It’s probably been talked about too much and executed too little. It sounds theoretically tantalizing. Mysteriously charging. But, we don’t know exactly what to do with that word . . . “warfare prayer.” Maybe for others of you it could sound crusader-like, or imprecatory, “God, get the bad guys! Aaaahhh!” It may not even sound Biblical, or Christian-like.

I want to write a few thoughts about what I’ve learned about warfare prayer in a combat zone and how that may translate to the Church in the United States. You probably heard it before, originating with Chuck Colson, “Christianity in the United States is 2,000 miles wide and 1 inch deep.” I must believe there was a day when warfare prayer was not just a figment of the Western Church’s imagination, but a known reality and way of Christian life. I am sure there are parts of the Church around the world that are praying militantly and are seeing the Kingdom of God advance. The center of gravity for the Evangelical Church has shifted south from the West (North America) to South America and Africa. Christianity has been growing rapidly in China and now India. They must be doing it there.

I can think of one church in the inner-city of Allentown, PA, “City Limits Assembly of God” pastored by Jimmy Rivera where he had a model of warfare prayer. There was a room in the church building called, “The War Room,” for prayer and evangelistic strategizing. When I was a pastor in Tamaqua, PA, once a month we designated a half-night of prayer. It was the least attended meeting. Most of the time it was just a few people or even me going solo. It’s just an uphill battle. Largely, I conjecture, the Church is failing to pray . . . militantly. And, I for one have been guilty of it.

I’ve put warfare prayer in my rucksack. But, what is it? First, I beg your indulgence to read what it is NOT and why the Church in the U.S. has largely neglected it. Warfare prayer is not a heart-felt devotional quality of prayer to God. Correct me if I am wrong, but I can’t remember reading a quality Christian book about warfare prayer in the last 20 years. Without naming them, the Christian leaders and writers that are being widely published and distributed haven’t written on this subject. As someone whose studies and life has been in Christian leadership over the last 2 decades I haven’t read an “en chiridion” or handbook, if you will, on the topic. There are lots of books on prayer, but nothing significant that has risen to the top on this subject. The Church is 2,000 miles wide and 1 inch deep. The one who dares to write about it should be reaching to be the subject matter expert on it. Who is leading the way?

Now, what we do have written on the subject of prayer is volumes and volumes of books on the topic of “How to Have a Quiet time with God.” “How to Love God and Know God’s Love in Your life.” Americans eat that stuff up. I read one this summer, brand new, just like that, by a very famous devotional writer. It was great. But, we’re neglecting a very important aspect of Biblical Christian Spirituality: how to pray militantly, warfare prayer. I’ll go further on this. It’s not just about the neglect of leaders perhaps living or writing on the topic to trickle down in the Church on the subject, but it’s not even a part of the Western Christian Worldview! We just don’t see our life as a Christian in spiritual warfare-like circumstances. I guarantee you that if I were to bring up a subject in a Sunday School class or small group study, out of the blue, and ask a question along this line, “When was the last time you’ve purposed your Christian life to be militantly prayerful?” I could unpack this some more. “Do you see yourself as a Christian Soldier?” That would freak people out. Why? Why would we have an aversion to that? Even writing on this page as succinctly as that causes ME to bristle. The prayer in the Western Church has largely been of a devotional heart-felt quality and very private. This is our culture and this is our Church.

As a Chaplain in the U.S. Army I know how difficult it is to get a man to come to Church. A very good book published a few years back now is called, “Why Men Hate Going to Church.” Well, where’s the challenge of the Christian life? Where’s the fight? Men love fights. Love competition. Love adventure. Love success. And, they love leisure. If they are challenged all week on the job then leisure is going to fill their spiritual vacuum. A combination of leisure-adventure is just the ticket men in America have ordered up. Friday night: fill up the gas tank and live a little, or as much as they can squeeze out of the weekend.

Men have not been challenged to be a Christian Soldier. Not the physical fighting-type, per se. But a Spiritual Warrior. Before you think I’m writing about some Crusader kind of spirituality, let me just quote the Apostle Paul here, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rules, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6.10-12). Whoa. What do we do with that? I think that’s been the question no pastor or Christian leader has wanted to tackle in a holistic, Christian world-view way, so the Church would get it. This speaks of pain, of commitment, of struggle, of the long-war. We prefer to be pacified. This passage is the pinnacle of Paul’s whole letter to the Church of Ephesus. “You’re in a spiritual fight, brothers and sisters!” We just don’t get this. It would be a huge paradigm shift to live like that. Not to go any further on that, I want to tell a story from my deployment.

Spiritual warfare is not just spiritual. It becomes physical and tangible at some point. I’m reaching to be a subject matter expert on spiritual warfare (or to be a spiritual warrior), not because I think it’s cool, but out of necessity to keep breathing. Case in point: the Company formerly located in my unit’s most dangerous sector of Baghdad came under attack by rockets, mortars, and small arms fire on an infrequent basis, but enough for everyone to be on guard for anything to happen at any time. One night after conducting a service and in closing I asked if anyone wanted me to pray for anything specifically. One Trooper raised his hand and said, “I’m about to go on roof guard, could you keep me in prayer.” Among other things we prayed specifically for protection of the Company and especially for this Trooper. He invited me to come visit him up top in his battle position, and I told him that I would be up in a little while; I needed to linger in pastoral fellowship. He went and put his “kit” on, his body armor, and took his position. While I was still lingering . . . BOOOM, . . . BOOOM. We came under attack. Two direct hits to that Troopers Battle Position with RPGs—Rocket Propelled Grenades. Miraculously, he didn’t take a piece of shrapnel to his body, but he got his bell rung pretty good. Though he was dazed after the hit, he courageously stayed at his position for the rest of his shift. And, of course, I kept my word and visited him up there during his shift. His Company Commander testified on the last night of his command how that Trooper inexplicably escaped being wounded that night by Divine intervention. I certainly believe that prayer by our group, and my regular “warfare prayer” for the Troopers in my Battalion had something to do with the physical protection God provided that night. I also must add that prior to the deployment I had solicited prayer from dozens of churches, Alpha for the Military, and Christian friends that God would protect us on this deployment. Psalm 127.1, “Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.” There is no doubt in my mind this is true. But, the spiritual and physical enemy gets a vote, and we have lost a couple of men during this deployment. There are casualties in war, even in spiritual war back in the United States! The first order question for the Church and you as a Christian is, “Do you know you are living in a spiritual combat zone?” You might answer that question affirmatively, if you are spiritually astute. But, do you have a Spiritual Warfare Worldview that you are living out on a daily basis?

Why do Christians in the U.S. rise up early and have devotions, or a quiet time (Bible reading and prayer) with God sometime during the day or night? Answer: generally speaking, to love God with their heart, and have a relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. Basically this is what Church Leadership teaches, and it is right and true. You might rise up early to love God, and that is somewhat motivational because God commands us to love Him, and there are spiritual benefits by spending time in His presence. But, are we motivated to go there ipso facto that there is an enemy of our souls “seeking who he may devour,” you and your family, your church, Christian institution, friends, and co-workers. Are we motivated to rise up and do spiritual battle! Is there a sense of urgency, vigilance, or spiritual awareness in your life? Admittedly, I’ve lived ignorantly without some of it. Why do our lives teeter? Why do relationships crash and burn? Why does character crumble? Why might the Church, in part, be anemic? Most importantly, what can God do if we decide to have a Warfare Worldview?! The Church needs to do more than just play defense. Ephesians 6.18, “[P]raying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel.”

I’ve packed “warfare prayer” in my rucksack for a life-time deployment to planet earth. I still have a lot of fine-tuning to do to sharpen that weapon and skill. I’ve read some very scholarly books on the subject of spiritual warfare (mostly excluding prayer!) during my time here and have reflected on it as I’ve tried to live it out. I felt I had no choice. Thrive, survive, or something else. Psalm 4.8, “In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.” At times I might have been in the most dangerous part of Baghdad, Iraq, but being in the center of God’s will, armed with prayer, the LORD has been my strong tower. We need to pray specifically, militantly, regularly, and often. That is warfare prayer. Do you want to put “warfare prayer” in your rucksack?

What's in My Rucksack?

2009-10-07T14:27:00.004-04:00

What’s in my rucksack? Operationally speaking, it’s not a good idea to tell you how many places I visit in about a month’s time. But if you look at my rucksack here, you can tell that I pack light. The last time my Assistant and I were “outside the wire” we wore the same pair of pants for 24 days. We each had our own pair.

Before we deployed, my unit provided me with a “packing list” to make sure we have essential items for a mission or operations. Prior to a Patrol, supervisors check their Soldiers so that they have the right equipment through a routine called PCCs and PCIs—Precombat Checks and Precombat Inventory. Do you have what you need for the mission, for your life?

As a Chaplain I don’t carry the same things as an Infantryman. I carry a Communion Kit, for example. But, I want to talk about an invisible rucksack, the mental and spiritual principles and disciplines that can make oneself resilient and tough in order to sustain oneself through life’s trials and adversity. Proverbs 24.19 says, “If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.”

These are intangibles that I have put in my invisible rucksack. They now have become life-time essentials. I see my life, family, Church, and friends differently, as a result of being deployed. My theology has deepened. Spending a year away from those I love in a combat environment has caused me to reflect and change. I’ve had out of the body experiences. I’ve gotten outside of myself, so to speak. So, what have I collected along the way, during this deployment to Iraq that I have put in my invisible rucksack?

Suffering. I’m not going to launch into a litany of deprivations that an Infantryman (or combat-tested Chaplain) experiences during a deployment. But, there are some reflections that I want to jot down about it.

"Chaplain, where are you staying these days? What FOB or JSS?” “Do you see my rucksack? That is what I live out of. Wherever I am, that is where I’m living.” The Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians while he was in jail, “Not that I’m speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens men.”

I’ll never forget Christmas Day 2008 when I did Battlefield Circulation with the Battalion Commander and Command Sergeant Major. It was my first day “outside the wire.” We brought a delicious Christmas Dinner to the Soldiers and Troopers at this one particular Joint Security Station. We were RIPing—Relief in Place—with the outgoing unit. They had been living off of Pop Tarts and Heater Meals for weeks and weeks. I took pictures of the guys and their dinner plates. The food was stacked as high as it could go. Their first hot meal in a long time. Things changed after that. But, I remember vividly a Platoon Sergeant who was eating “junk food” as a diet telling me, “There is no other place that I’d rather be than this most difficult spot.” That's what infantrymen want. The last unit fought hard in that place. The Platoon Sergeant wanted the challenge and so did that unit. Although they had little to start with, their morale was high. Our mission is finished there and it was handed back to the Iraqis.

“Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But, if we have food and clothing, with these we can be content” (I Tim. 6.6-8). Food. Clothing. Shelter. These all pale in light of the loneliness that exists because of the physical separation of loved ones: wives (husbands) and children. I once wrote in a Facebook Status: “Now I know (to a certain extent) how a widower feels as they have lost a loved one. I go to bed at night attempting to speak to my wife who is not with me. She is 8,000 miles away.” No matter how tough a Soldier might be that physical separation is painful. Separation from one’s children is a different kind of pain in itself. Navigating around relationships on the deployment is challenging. I am not asking for a pity party here. I don’t want it and Soldiers don’t want it either. I’m reflecting on suffering, the Biblical type.

The Apostle Paul writes, “Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (2 Tim 2.3). I’ve put myself in this position by following Jesus. If you are a Christian, how are you suffering for your faith in the United States? How might you share in sufferings for it? Suffering for one’s faith ought not to be an option in Christianity. The absence of it most likely indicates something else. Believe me, I’m not saying, “Look at me.” Even if I did, the Apostle Paul told Timothy to follow his example. Here’s the blessing . . . Paul writes, “Now I rejoice in my suffering for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of His Body, that is, the Church” (Col 1.24.)

What else is in my rucksack? More to follow . . . .

Army 10 Mile Shadow Run - FOB Hammer

2009-10-04T09:46:00.012-04:00

Fox Co, Distro PLT runners and self

CH Lynn, CH Brown, SGT Hobbs, CH. Asst.

Winners of the team event. 2-Panther, Fox Co.

Here's the quick skinny (For my White Diner Racing Friends!): I was shootin for a 1:15:00, which would be a 7:30 per mile pace, and ran a 1:13:30 for the 10 Miler. About 5 minutes slower than what I ran last year at Ft. Bragg, but hey, I'm deployed! A Trooper in my unit wore a watch odometer and it read 10.8 miles. So, what does that mean? Maybe I ran faster than a 7:20 pace. Not bad for having only run 10 miles about a week ago, since I returned from leave late August.

They only had 3 age categories, the oldest being 35 and above. No Masters Division. They didn't have a lot of over 40 runners like myself run it. So, what does that mean? Not too sure. Bottom line, I had a great time. It was fun. And, I finished somewhere around the top 20, but I haven't seen the results for that yet. The actual Army 10 Milers is taking place in Washington D.C. today.

SGT Hobbs my trusty Chaplain Assistant never ran 10 miles in his whole life. I was a little concerned. But he said something like "That was one of the best times I've had with God in a while." He really enjoyed it.

Peace out.

A Word of the Day for Chaplains: Times that Try Mens Souls

2009-10-03T08:43:00.006-04:00

This email came down to me from someone in the Chaplain Corps the other day:

My understanding, my feeling, about the importance of the Chaplains Corps is so great that it would be difficult indeed to think of the most important of all those things for a two or three-minute chat with you this morning. I would like to bring my thoughts right down to the present.

We know that America now must remain strong, by which I mean militarily strong, to sustain in the world the concepts on which our civilization is based, the ideas of the dignity of man, of government based on religious faith. So it seems to me, as long as we have to do that, as long as our young men must respond cheerfully to their military duty, whether it be in the Reserves or the Regulars, and must do it as a National obligation, your task is especially important. It is to bring home to them, to their fathers and mothers, and indeed to the whole world, how much this is truly a crusade, a crusade for decency, not carried out on a militant basis but on one where we stand firmly behind the great concepts found, indeed, in every great religion but more especially, I suppose, in the Sermon on the Mount, by which this Nation has lived and which underlies it's founding.

You bring to the men actually in the Services a sense of doing a wonderful thing-that their sacrifices, the performance of their duty, are important. You give them that sense of feeling, because you bring to them the certainty and the constant reminder that man is a spiritual being. You comfort the United States as it realizes that it has a long period of sacrifice ahead of it and giving of its sons and of its treasure and of its might, doing something that does not itself advance the cause of human progress and human happiness, defending what we have.

This is a very difficult task, to take all of these complex ideas, these purposes, and put them before all of us in their proper perspective. And I can't conceive of anybody better-more equipped—to do this than the Chaplain Corps, both in its Reserves and active formations, because this is indeed a time of trial, when it tries men's spirits, not merely their pocketbooks.

So I think the one thing I would like to say above all else to you this morning is just simply: Thank you, thank you very much—personally, officially and every way I can speak.

Good morning.

An Excerpt of Remarks by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to the Members of the Military Chaplains National Association May 9, 1956.

Having Some Fun with the FiSTers: Fire Support Team, Dialing it In

2009-10-02T18:23:00.007-04:00

Around the Horn

2009-09-19T08:26:00.005-04:00

Chaplain, What Should I Tell Them?

2009-09-12T20:23:00.007-04:00

Tonight I had a young Trooper ask me the question. "When I get home, what should I tell them?" He continued, "They will never understand the suck we went through." He is exactly right. There are many people who get a little glimpse of it, or, unless you are a veteran, Americans just won't understand. I'll answer his question here in just a minute.

I knew from my training that I was going to change, and so would everyone else by virtue of coming here and doing what we do. It's College Football season. I've been a Penn State fan since as long as I can remember, having attended many games home and away. I pulled up their YouTube "2009 Pump Up" video. The remarks under it stated, "Best one ever," and things like that. I was never so unimpressed. Maybe it is, I don't know. My perspective on sports is completely different now. Athletes are the subconscious pseudo-heroes of the American psyche. Paratroopers are real heroes, and going mostly unsung.

What men especially like to do on the playing field is a mere shadow of what men actually do on the battlefield. Kudos to the finest college athletes in our nation. But, it's nothing compared to what the average American kid does everyday on the battlefield with no stadiums filled with screaming fans up to the tens of thousands at a time. How can anyone know, other than a Trooper, what it is like to drive down the most dangerous road in Baghdad, sometimes in the dead of night, ready, waiting for anything, for a year? Besides the Band of Brothers, only God sees us.

I am completely grateful to the invisible myriad of prayers that are offered up from your side of the earth to Heaven on a regular basis for the safety of our Troops, whether I know who you are or not. That is priceless and more often than not, goes completely unseen as well. I'll take prayers for me and my Troopers over care packages any day of the week. But, nonetheless the care packages are truly appreciated.

What was so important seems only trivial now. There is a need for triviality, but it's put into perspective. As the high cost of sacrifice overshadows it.

"What should I tell them?" Tell them that you are a Paratrooper that sometimes fought in the toughest part of Baghdad, Sadr City, Iraq. Having been shot at, mortared, rocketed, blown up, etc. Some earned their Combat Infantry Badge (CIB) others their Combat Action Badge (CAB). This wasn't an every day occurrence, but it happened to them, to us.

Tell them that we worked in a high operational tempo up to June 30th, until the Iraqi Security Forces took full control of the lead. They are in the lead now, just as they are supposed to be. We helped to get them there. We were the beginning of the end. We are in the process of turning out the lights. The war is ceasing for us. We were one of the last units there.

It's not quite over for us, nor for the Iraqis. Speaking with an Iraqi NCO the other day, I hadn't seen him in a while, he reiterated how life in Iraq is so much better than when Saddam was in power. "You were not allowed to say anything to anyone." "There were always people listening to you." "You had to be very careful of what you said or you could be killed." "We now walk down the street with cell phones and say anything we want." "We are free." "It is worth some dying so that freedom can come." Freedom trumps oppression any day of the week.

There are different levels of knowing, so to speak. There is knowledge from a newspaper journalist, or the ivory tower analysts, and then there is first-hand experience boots on the ground. Veterans know the cost of freedom more than anyone else. What we have in the U.S.A. is precious. We can all enjoy watching football and tailgating, and all the other freedoms that come with the package of Democracy. But, it only comes because of the men I know and work with over here in Baghdad, Iraq. Thank God there hasn't been another 9/11.

Remembering Larry Gelbart

2009-09-12T05:47:00.003-04:00

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/12/arts/12gelbart.html?_r=1&hp

United in Death and Resurrection

2009-09-04T17:01:00.004-04:00

Spiritual R&R

2009-08-17T00:01:00.006-04:00

Retired Army Chaplain, former Ranger, 82d Airborne-type guy, Chuck Wood published 3 Volumes of devotionals designed to hit the target with Soldiers. They are called, "Sword Points." And, they speak to that audience exceptionally well.

Prior to coming home on Leave, R&R, while holding services around the Battalion, I would pass out several cases of these to the Companies that I would visit. Our Command Sergeant Major is good friends with Chaplain Wood. I've never met him, but I know several others well who do. His reputation is sterling. The title of one of the daily devotions is called, "Spiritual R&R."

The topic concerns the high operational tempo that many Soldiers experience and the need to get one's spiritual batteries recharged by spending time with Christ. This is a simple, but much needed message. But, for our purposes I expanded on it. Hold tight until we get passed what you already know about this and could be familiar. First, the Scripture passage:

Matthew 11.28-29, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Did you hear Jesus, who is fully God and fully man say that He is "gentle and lowly in heart"?

THIS is the kind of God that wants you to follow Him. Why is this important? In the wider context of Matthew 11 Jesus just finished chewing out the cities Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernahum for rejecting the gospel and the Kingdom of God. You can read it for yourself.

BUT, Jesus doesn't stop there. He switches gears into the the R&R passage by stating that the Lord had hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children, namely his followers or disciples.

NOW, this is where I expand. The Kingdom of God is NOT for the strong, the wise, the quickest, the rich, the prideful, egotistical, accomplished, handsome or most beautiful, etc. It is for those who are the humbled, or willing to humble themselves before the Lord.

YOU can not be a part of the Kingdom of God if your center of gravity is set in the above attitudes or priorities, but he invites ALL to "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." You see, God is not arrogant or egotistical, but "lowly and gentle of heart." It takes one to know One, and without one, you can not know Him, or even find real rest. To qualify and enjoy the graces of God's Kingdom you must be humble.

The Aroma of Christ

2009-07-30T05:44:00.004-04:00

I am an Ordained Minister through the Assemblies of God. See: www.ag.org. Come 1 August the denomination is holding it's bi-annual General Council. It is the A/G's 53rd.

It's a time to conduct business, reflect on the past, fellowship, etc. I remember my first one as a pastor when it was held in Washington D.C. During the Missions Convention I cried my eyes out as I watched from the upper deck of that arena. Missionaries from around the world paraded into the arena decked out in clothing of the nation which they were Called. Something began to happen to me. I didn't understand it. Even after it was over I stayed, lingering up there, still in awe of what God was doing in my heart, though I didn't have a clear understanding of what was going on.

Through a series of events the Lord began to lead me toward becoming a Chaplain in the U.S. Army. As that process was unfolding the event that took place in the upper deck of the arena, during the Missions Convention, at General Council would come back to mind.

There were times that I would just break down at the thought of the great need for ministry during this time of war. For inexplicable reasons it would occur, even when I wasn't expecting it. The call is still fresh. During deployment I've found myself at the end of a Service during communion gathered with Christian Soldiers still on the edge, and in awe.

God loves Soliders because he loves people. The Call is very specific. Soldiers are warriors for their country. Most of our country has no idea what it means to be a warrior, nor does much of the Church. These guys that I work with are simply amazing people. Of course not everyone is a Christian in the Army. I often tell myself that I am a "pastor to some, but a chaplain to all."

As a circuit-riding Chaplain to a congregation that is scattered around Baghdad, I often tell them, "This is the most difficult place to be a Christian." It is a spiritually challengnig context. But, though evil abound, grace can abound even more (Rom. 5.15). We are all at different stages in our spiritual journey, but regardless, the message of the Apostle Paul here in II Corinthians 2 speaks volumes, "14 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing."

Significance of a Care Package

2009-07-28T06:14:00.003-04:00

Below is a patriotic Word of the Day passed along to me by my Brigade Chaplain, CH J. When I read this I think about "Deliverance from Evil." There is great thankfulness coming from these care packages. Do you know what it means to be delivered from evil? I know it personally through Christ, and I've seen it through the actions of Paratroopers in a nation once oppressed by a despot, and torn apart from sectarian strife. However, this once broken nation is now on a much secure foundation and is coming together, even as they work through political challenges. Here is CH J's Word:

65 years ago last month (June 1944), Paratroopers from the 82D Airborne Division jumped into Normandy as part of the D-Day invasion. After 33 days of combat and over 5,000 casualties, the All-Americans were pulled back to England. In the Division's post-battle report, General Ridgway wrote, "33 days of action without relief, without replacements. Every mission accomplished. No ground gained was ever relinquished." May the same be said of us.

I have received 3 care packages for Paratroopers from a woman in Ohio. How she got my name, I don't know. After the first care package, I sent her a thank you letter. After the second care package, I sent her a certificate of appreciation. After the third care package, I sent her a St. Michael's Medalion--the Patron Saint of Paratroopers. If she sends me another care package, I don't what what I will send her.

But I did figure out why she keeps sending us care packages. She's Dutch, and following WWII, she immigrated to the United States from the Netherlands. She remembers how 82D Airborne Paratroopers jumped into her country to help liberate it from the Nazi during Operation Market Garden.

I trust in the future, we will see people from Iraq show similar gratitude for the work you are doing now to help bring freedom to their country.

Looking Forward to This

2009-07-27T05:21:00.003-04:00

You may excuse the advertisement at the end. You can imagine what it feels like to be a Soldier returning from deployment in this video. I am definitely looking forward to this! But, just imagine what Heaven will be like when we are welcomed home by the Lord and His Saints!

Victory Insight

2009-07-27T04:39:00.003-04:00

Victory in sight, or victory insight. Both. Here is an an op-ed piece by Thomas Friedman, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, and prolific author.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/26/opinion/26friedman.html?_r=1&em

Speaking from personal experience like Friedman is doing above, I have spoken with the Iraqi people who have had friends and family members brutally raped and murdered, and even one family burned alive by Islamic Extremists. And, I have also seen God at work among them. Speaking first hand with a new believer in Christ, there is victory insight. Having seen Muslim Iraqi Generals visiting Christian Churches on Easter with U.S. Forces was awesome. Complete freedom will take time, Iraqi style.

Extremism can not win in this world, but not without a cost. In order for there to be freedom, there will be a need for a defense of the powerless. Deposing the Despot, Saddam Husein, was the right thing to do. Sectarianism was a latent cancer that was ripe to spread after the invasion in 2003. But, truth is prevailing. Iraq is becoming a great country. Just today Prime Minister Maliki is announcing that 10,000 Iraqis will be studying at colleges abroad. Thanks to noble Americans and the sacrifices they have made, not just for their country, but for humanity-sake.

I'm proud to be an American. There is nothing wrong with that. This kind of pride is not the sinful type as some label.

May God Bless America, again.

The Wall

2009-07-22T23:24:00.013-04:00

Adopt-A-Chaplain is an organization dedicated to serving Chaplains who are deployed. Ben, is the point person for them. We've had several email exchanges over the course of mine, OIF 08-09. In our last he wrote about Chaplains "hitting the wall."

Here is an excerpt. "Along with that is something else I've observed is that at about the 3/4 mark is when some seem to hit a physical, emotional, and spiritual wall. That was particularly apparent when deployments were 15 months."

Have I hit the wall? I've run four marathons and know what it's like to hit the wall where at mile 18 I had to nug it out to the finish line. Awful pain. Not all of the marathons have I hit the wall though. Some I had better training and preparation before the start of the race.

I'm at that 3/4 mark right now. While visitng a JSS the other day sitting in the DFAC (Dining Facility) I was watching some ESPN. I hadn't seen TV in about two weeks. There was a special about a couple and their son who almost died at birth. The baby barely survived but today has limited cardiovascular capacity.

The father was once a Major League Baseball player and has been teaching his now six year old boy the art and science of baseball. Somehow there was an arrangement made for the mascot of the New York Mets to visit the boy at home while he and his dad were playing baseball. When the mascot showed up at his house and the boy saw him, the expression on his face was priceless. I could only think of my children, and I was emotionally filleted.

Sitting there with my Assistant and another Paratrooper I had to excuse myself and "take a knee" as we say in the Army. I didn't loose it, but I could have. I'm ready to go home and see my family and it won't be long now. I might have hit the wall, and cracked a little, but I'm not suckin wind. I'm still movin and expect to cross the finish line having run well.

Every day as I begin my devotional time I read to myself. "The Chaplaincy is a marathon, not a sprint." The Christian life is about the long haul. The Apostle Paul writes, "Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of Christ Jesus (Phil 3.12-14)."

There is nothing better than knowing God through His Son, Jesus Christ. Being a deployed Chaplain gives me the opportunity of knowing Christ through the pain of separation from my family, and the hardships of a deployed Soldier, ministering in this context. "that I may know Him and the power of his resurrection, and may share His sufferings, becoming like Him in his death" (Phil. 3.10).

I've learned again that I can not experience God's resurrection power of the Holy Spirit, unless I share in His sufferings. You can't have one without the other. There are areas of my spiritual life that because I'm deployed I have grown closer to the Lord. I remember a wise college president saying, "Don't waste the pain." Pain is o.k. It can be motivational. Again, as the Apostle Paul writes in Philippians, he is content and joyful despite his difficult circumstances. Like Paul, who says it in another place elsewhere, I have not finished filling up with the sufferings of Jesus for the sake of His Body, the Church (Col. 2.24).