06Dec16

Isaiah 54:10
"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you.

Worry steals our peace. It sucks the joy out of life and destroys the basic fabric of purpose that we have. Worry tells you, "You're going to fail. You can't do this. It's all over." But, peace tells you, "You will be fine, blessings will come, the sun still rises." Worry is a result of the unknown, the seemingly overwhelming, and the uncontrollable. But, peace is knowing, yielding, and releasing control to the one who you trust to bring your purpose to completion. God's peace,
His unfailing love, will not be shaken. When the world roars around you and the foundations of your life shake, He is secure. Do not be afraid today, no matter what you are dealing with God already has it in His hands and will work His will through it. What you have the choice about is whether you will embrace His peace in it or live in fear and worry about it. It's about your perspective and your peace. Be at peace.

05Dec16

Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

This week is the second week of advent. Starting yesterday we focus on the concept of peace. Peace on earth good will toward men. Are you a peacemaker? In my life I can look back on lots of different times when I stirred dissention, exaggerated injury, or complained loudly enough to start problems. It almost seems like the default setting to whine and complain about what others are doing. But, the Bible says that when we are called sons of God it is because of our ability to bring peace into the world, not conflict. I think this is one of the ways that the world can see the peace that rests in our hearts due to our faith. What we have on the inside is given an opportunity to affect the way we interact with people outside. But, if you are not at peace; If you are not resting in the security of God; If you are too focused on yourself, then peace will escape your interactions and you will be a bringer of conflict to your own life. How would the people around you describe you? Are you a peacemaker or a conflict bringer?

02Dec16

Proverbs 23:18
Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.

As a chaplain, one of the major issues that I deal with on a frequent basis is suicidal thoughts and attempts. Sadly, this is rampant in the Army today and does not look like it is getter better through programs and briefings but, rather, worse. Someone asked me very recently what the answer to this problem is and my response was simply this, "hope and purpose." But, the hope and purpose that Chaplains know, and can provide, is restricted to a very small realm in a pluralistic environment. It's like asking a surgeon to operate but, not allowing them to use the scalpel. People want the answer to the problem without the one who gives the answer. Real hope, the kind that gets you through the lonely moments and the fearful experiences in life, comes through faith in God. Lasting hope comes from faith. Because if it comes from any other area of life... it can be taken from you. If it comes from your abilities there can be an accident. If it comes from your relationships they can be broken. If it comes from your accomplishments they can be destroyed. No crap hope, hope that stays with you when all else seems to desert you, comes from God and your faith that He is who He promised and that He loves you like He promised. Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off. Lift your head because you have a purpose in this life.

01Dec16

Proverbs 13:12
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

Have you ever heard the phrase, "absence makes the heart grow fonder?" That may be true of some things but, I want you to think about a time that you had to wait for something you really worked hard towards. Was it easy? What happens when the reward comes a far off from the promise? When I switched over from being Enlisted to being a Chaplain I was initially told that I would directly commission as a CPT. Imagine my surprise when I got my orders and on them was the rank 1LT. I thought there was a mistake. I had never even seen a 1LT Chaplain. But, it was true. Not only that, but, I was told I would remain in that rank for a full year. I got over it and moved forward (it's just rank right?) but, every time I was pushed aside or not included in something I would blame it on the rank (turns out people just don't like me sometimes). This thing ate at me. Finally, I was promoted. Right on time. Nothing changed about me. Nothing at all. Honestly, I was the same guy I had been as a SPC. But, I celebrated! The receipt of my hard work had finally come.

You may be sitting in a place where you think you deserve something that has not come quite yet. You may be asking why your hopes are not coming true. But, God's timing is perfect. It may make your heart hurt for now but, once it is fulfilled it will be like a tree of life that satisfies your soul. So continue to hope and don't grow weary in doing so. Remember that sometimes the tree of life is right around the corner.

29Nov16

John 5:6
When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, "Do you want to get well?"

Continuing in the theme of advent this week which is "hope." I think of the man who had been paralyzed for 38 years. 38 years! That's longer than most of the people reading these words have even been alive. He had been unable to walk, be a member of society, or contribute to his family. There was no place for him but begging the good graces of others to provide for his needs. This is where Jesus finds him, in a pile of the sick and infirm, next to a fountain where they congregated. 38 years is a long time to be a certain way. Some would say that nothing could be done, that it would just be the way it is, that there was no hope. Shoot, we look at the personality traits of someone after knowing them less than a year and say things like, "that's just the way they are. There's no changing them." But, Jesus walks up on this man and simply asks, "Do you want to get well?" At the root of the question is one thing... hope. Do you still have hope or are you resigned to things just being as they have been the last 38 years? I think God still asks us this question. With whatever you have been told is true about you. With whatever you may have started to believe cannot be changed. With whatever struggle you are going through. "Do you want to get well?" Do you still have hope?
The man answered with excuses as to why he wasn't healed yet... notice the yet... and showed Jesus that there was still hope there after 38 years. Jesus restored the man's body with a little bit of hope. What can He do in your life today with a little bit of hope from you?

28Nov16

Romans 13:12
The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

Yesterday was the first Sunday of Advent. It is a season where Christians focus in on the meaning behind the celebration of Christmas. Normally there are special candles that are lit in front of the church and some verses read, maybe even a liturgy that is followed by some. But, today's passage comes from the revised common lectionary for the first week of advent. The theme is hope. Hope, not in what we can accomplish. Hope, not in what the world may offer us. Hope, not in the potential for advancement. Hope. Real hope. Hope in what has been finished by God. Hope that the end of the story on this earth is only the beginning of a much bigger story. Hope that everything we go through, all of the trials we have, will lead us to a place where we are ready for the Day. When we live our lives for this hope, not some facsimile or fake the world has to offer us, we are able to put aside our deeds of darkness and step into the light. We are able to see that the night is nearly over and the time for our awakening is at hand. Have hope because God's plan is active in you today! The day is almost here!

23Nov16

Psalm 107:1
Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever.

I am reminded of the Michael W. Smith song every time I hear this verse. It's kind of annoying the way a song can get stuck in your head that way. Some people even call it an "ear worm" the way it wriggles into your thoughts throughout the day. As we move into this long Thanksgiving weekend I hope that this little worm sticks with you. A little reminder of where everything we have, every good and perfect thing we experience, comes from; and are able to give thanks to God above. This enduring love that, in spite of our ability to choose wrong more than right, still accepts us and blesses us. Here's a challenge that was posed to me recently: "This year don't just thank God for what you currently have or are experiencing. Instead, think back to the moment you were the most thankful for something in your life. Share that." I don't doubt that most people will think back to a time when they had little and were given much in exchange. That's the story of salvation. Remember what real thankfulness feels like and give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. Happy Thanksgiving!

22Nov16

James 4:17
So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

I hear the same thing from people all the time when I talk to them about things going on in their lives. It starts something like this: "I know what you're going to say Chaplain. But..." It's a speech that is rehearsed because it's one they've been having with their own conscience for a while and found the ways to justify their actions to themselves. The problem is that they KNOW that what they are doing is wrong before they ever talk to me. They've already violated that moral compass in their lives. Now it's time to make excuses. But, you know what they say about excuses... everyone's got one. Excuses don't get far with God because He sees right to the heart. He knows that at some point you didn't do the right thing simply because you didn't want to. You didn't want to because it seemed to hard, or the reward seemed too sweet, or you just didn't trust God. What do I do for these people? I say a short prayer, take a deep breath, and remind them (sometimes for an hour or more) that they already know the right thing to do. I become a physical reminder. This morning I'm reminding you that you know the right thing to do... do it. No matter how hard it may seem. No matter how sweet the reward may seem. God will provide the strength; you just have to make the decision in the moment. As Shia Labeouf would say, "Do it! Just do it!" the right thing.

21Nov16

2Timothy 2:6
It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.

Around Thanksgiving I start to think more about where my food come from. Maybe it's the pictures of the Pilgrims (no I don't still believe my thanksgiving meal was prepared by guys and gals in black smocks with tall buckled hats... not anymore). Maybe it's the cornucopias or the thought of unending trails of the most decedent food a man can have. But, whatever it is, I tend to think about farmers. The effort that was put into bringing that feast to my table has something to do with my amazing wife and her skills in the domestic sciences but, there were countless lives that went into my food before it hit the table. I wonder if they are getting the first share. God wants us to know that, while rest is important, so is the benefit of hard work. The most fresh, natural, and choicest product is at the hands of the farmer to take as they please. It is the reward of their labors. When we work for the benefit of God and others there is a primary production of relationship, healing, love, and joy. I'll take the first share of that any day. Are you deserving of the first share or are you waiting down the line to just pay for what someone else has produced? Are you enjoying the first share of your efforts or are you letting them pass by?

18Nov16

Genesis 2:2
And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done.

When I moved to Missouri to go to Seminary at the Assembly of God Theological Seminary I took a job as an associate pastor at Grace Chapel. I also worked full time as the general manager of the Red Robin. I worked from 0500-2300 most days and when I wasn't working that schedule it was only so that I could go to night school for 4 hours on Tuesday and Thursday. I would squeeze in study time wherever I could and then would spend all day Sunday at the church trying frantically to keep up and feel useful to them. Needless to say... I had no time. I was a father of three that never saw my family. I actually feel like (even with deployments) I spend more time with my family now than I did then. I had no friends outside of work. I barely recall anything from that two years outside of work, school, and work. I thought I was better than God. Yup, that's what being a work-a-holic ultimately boils down to. I thought I could handle it all, and from the outside I was. But, the quality of my life, the purpose for which I was made, the areas where my legacy are created, all suffered for my ambition. They all floundered in the overbooked spaces of my life because I thought I could do better than God did and continue to work every single day, every single, hour, every single second. I sacrificed so much at the altar of ambition because I refused to rest, because I had to be the best, and I thought I knew better than God. Even today I struggle with time management and forcing rest into my schedule... there's just so much to do! But, when you set a task and that task is done... rest. We were designed for it. God modeled it. Do it. Find time today... force yourself to rest. Say no to something that wants your time and take it back.

17Nov16

Revelation 7:9
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands

God loves diversity. Diversity of personalities, cultures, colors, genders, sizes, and shapes. He started the world with diversity when He created it. He orchestrated it to display the vastness of His creativity. He will also end it with a massive display of unity in diversity. The picture of John the revelator in this passage fills my heart with the greatest joy I can think of. For those who choose Him there will be: No more discrimination, no more ostracizing, no more outsiders, no more loneliness, no more hating another person because they believe something different or hold to a different ideal. No more. The truth will have been revealed and our selfish nature will have to be put down before the great I AM who sits on the throne. His way will be the only way. What a picture! If only we could grasp a portion of this heaven here on earth... What is stopping you from seeing another person as God sees them?

16Nov16

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Are you ever at peace? It takes a concentrated effort for me to sit and not be thinking about the next thing, about the upcoming requirements, about where the money will come from, or about how my kids are going to turn out. When I take the time and say to myself, "I will sit back, relax, and have some peace in my day" something invariably interrupts me, whether it my own thoughts or the world pressing in on me. Fear enters the picture. Fear that I won't have enough, be enough, say enough, corrupts my peace. The world says, "go here and have a nice 'peaceful' massage" or "hike to this peak and encounter peace." But, none of that is real. It doesn't last. It doesn't satisfy past the ability of my brain to shut off. And in the middle of all of this God says, "let ME bring you peace. Stop trying to manufacture what I give freely. Be content and let me be me." Faith allows us to live in that peace, to trust without fear, and to embrace joy in every moment. It just means lifting our eyes up and releasing our burdens. What is holding back God's peace in your life today?

15Nov16

Psalm 8:3-4 ESV
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?

From my childhood I have been told that God created everything by His very word. At times in my life I have questioned this fact but, strangely it is one of those things that I don't think about much. It's easy for me to accept that God could make everything out there. Everything outside of me. Everything that I see and am in awe of. He had, has, and will have, the power to handle all of creation. What I have trouble with, and think about frequently, is that God has the power to handle me. To handle those things in my life that I struggle with. The God that created the entire world, and existence itself, has the power to create a way for me. I feel like my life is mine to handle. But, why would I rely on my own strength when all I have the power to create is a really warped piece of pottery that even my mom would only use to hold loose change? Why not rely on the God who has the power to create the amazing, the awesome, the inspiring? Why is it so hard to accept that He can handle the storm in me when He calmed the raging seas? What part of creation inspires you? He cares for you so much more. Will you let Him work with you like He did with all the universe?

10Nov16

1Peter 3:8
"To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit;"

Yesterday I had the privilege of teaching a bunch of my married Soldiers about their personalities and how different levels of stress can bring conflict between types of personalities and bring harmony to others. But, "knowing yourself" is really only the first step to creating harmony in the home. If you look at the verse for today you'll notice something about the challenge that is given... it's all for them. The other person. Everyone else. You see, my wife figured this out way before I did but, if you want a household that breeds love and exudes joy then you have to be selfless. You don't figure out your personality type so that you can manipulate those around you. You learn it so you can serve them, be sympathetic, kindhearted, and humble. You start the journey to selflessness. Putting your loved ones before you... because you love them. So, what is it that you could do today that would make your loved one feel the MOST loved? How much effort would it take to make that a reality for them? Worth it... absolutely! Always! Today focus on how you can be less and they can be more in your life.

09Nov16

2 Kings 5:11
"But Naaman went away angry and said, 'I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy.'"

When I was a teenager in Alaska it came time to get my own job. My father was the District manager for Kmart (the only store in our tiny town) and I thought, "no problem, I'll go in there and get a job and make bank." When I put in my application I thought I had a sure thing going. Then days went by without a cal. Weeks went by without a call. When I realized that I wasn't going to get the job I went to my dad and asked him why I didn't get the job. His response was, "they're not hiring and you have no experience." I thought to myself, "But, I am your son! I deserve this! It's my birthright!" But, I was so wrong. Entitlement encompasses two attitudes: (1) I am exempt from responsibility, and (2) I am owed special treatment. In other words, I don't have to carry my own burdens, and I should be treated differently. Naaman (you should stop and read the whole passage in 2 Kings 5) presents both of these characteristics in his response. First, in Naaman's mind, he was owed special treatment or at least a proper acknowledgment. Second, Naaman felt that he should be exempt from responsibility. He didn't want the responsibility to follow the prophets' orders by washing in the river. He thought he was special because of his position in the Roman army.

It took me a minute to figure it out, and I still battle the urge to deny, that I deserve... nothing. I have to come to grips with the fact that I know me. I know my faults, my failures, and my sin better than anyone else. I know that; and because I know that I am able to win or lose without feeling anger toward my opponent. I recognize that it is God who has graciously given me all I have. My first job was not Kmart. My first job was a grill cook at the only fast food restaurant in town... McDonalds. I loved it, learned a lot, and worked hard for the money that came with it. But, I deserved nothing. I deserve nothing. What do you think you deserve that may be causing anger to well up in your heart? What is, like Naaman, stopping you from being healed?

08Nov16

1 Samuel 8:7
And the LORD told him: "Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.

Election day. Go vote. Pray and vote. Vote your conscience. I'm not going to even attempt to tell you how to vote. However, I do want to point out something this morning... this was never the way it was supposed to be. God didn't set up a system of government with presidents or kings. He set up a system where the King of kings and Lord of lords reigned. That kingdom will reign forever. But, then we rejected Him. We decided that we wanted to be like everyone else. We decided that it really mattered a lot to us what others thought about us and who represented us. The Israelites went through a time where God reigned and He appointed judges, based on need, over His people. He directly influenced them through the use of individuals that He would call. It could have been anyone! He called out shepherds and cowards. He called out women and Soldiers. He called out the physically weak and even the left-handed. It was a time when God used anyone and everyone to bring about His will. Does it matter who is president tomorrow? Of course it does. But, God wants to continue, in His governmental style, to use you to bring about change in this world. Can He call on you or will you point to someone else and say, "nope, that's my leader."? Will you reject Him as your king and cling to whoever has the most ballots cast for them? Trust in God and be prepared for purpose.

07Nov16

Ephesians 4:29
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

"Something is rotten in the state of Denmark." One of the few lines I can remember from Hamlet (or was it Romeo and Juliet?). Such a simple turn of phrase is why Shakespeare was one of the greatest playwrights to ever live. But, something isn't just rotten in the state of Denmark. There's something rotten coming out of us! In the above verse we like to translate the author's Greek word into "unwholesome." That seems so upper-class to me. It sort of dresses up the real meaning a bit. I just picture an old woman in a fancy dress sipping on tea going, "Now Reginald, thy utterance has a hint of the unwholesome." But, what it really means is "rotten." Gross. Smelly. Moldy. Squishy. Moist. Death.

This is what Paul is warning us about. He is laying out clearly that death comes from our mouth and splatters on other people like a rotten tomato on a bad actor playing Hamlett (see what I did there?). Out of the heart the mouth speaks and when people's souls are hurting, and not healed by grace, they will spew rottenness from their mouths onto everyone around them. God expects better from those that He has called to be His representatives. God healed your soul so you could speak life into others. So, what comes from your mouth? Are you rotten or healed?

04Nov16

Hebrews 13:20-21
Now may the God of peace - who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with His blood - may He equip you with all you need for doing His will.

God doesn't call the qualified. He qualifies the called. If you look at the people that were chosen in the Bible to impact the world and to change the course of history you will notice something... they were more blue jeans than blue blood. More stand-in than movie star. More plumber than executive. More enlisted than officer. Their collars were blue, their hands were calloused, and there's no evidence that Jesus chose them because they were smarter or nicer than the guys next door. God made them succeed. So no matter how worthless you may feel at the moment, how unequipped for this life, God still has something for you to do. And, if you're worried about who the next president is going to be and how "unequipped" or "unqualified" they may be... don't worry, God's got that too. Are you willing to start something bigger than you're capable of by yourself? Are you willing to step out and take the risk at the call of God?

03Nov16

Hebrews 9:27
And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,

We take tomorrow for granted. It's on our calendars, filled with events, anticipated with hope or fear. Tomorrow. Think about it for a second. It's a beautiful concept that while we are living in this moment, tomorrow can be anything. But, that's just it though. Tomorrow is a concept. It is a dream. It is something that may or may not be there. Yet, a lot of people live for tomorrow. For what may be or who they could become. But, one day, tomorrow will not come.

This morning I woke up to the news that a buddy of mine was in a car accident and died. He left behind a wife who is 8 months pregnant and another child. I will also be attending a memorial service for a Soldier in our Brigade this afternoon. Days like this are heavy reminders that we are not promised tomorrow. That, today is our chance. The man I want to be "someday" has to be here today. The father I want to be "someday" has to happen today. The Christian I want to be "someday" has to be today. The Soldier I want to be "someday" has to be today. Today. Not tomorrow. You only get this time on earth and then you start the real journey. What are you doing today?

02Nov16

Mark 10:43-44
"But whoever would be great among you must be your slave, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all."

Have you ever been a slave? You personally. Do you know how it feels or what comes from it? Read the verse above again. It carries serious weight in the grand scheme of what it means to be a Christian. Would you be willing to submit to slavery to serve someone else? Would you be willing to not just lay down your life but, lay down your freedom for the sake of another? The Greek word "slave" that is used here is not just a servant, it is not someone who voluntarily works for someone, it is someone who has been taken into service (whether initially by choice or not) and now has no other function in life but to serve their master. Their freedom is gone. Their choices are relinquished. They are no longer their own. But, that is the cost of Christ. That the level of selflessness that God calls us to in this life. You will only know true freedom when you become a slave. You will only find the will of the Father when you relinquish your own. Are you a slave of Christ or just someone who likes to sometimes do what He says? See the difference? One is His, claimed by Him, and the other is just a part-time employee.

01Nov16

Lamentations 3:22-23
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness!

Last night I was reminded that the world loves to celebrate darkness. We like to point out the flaws in those around us. We like to tear down those who aren't within our select "group." We focus our thoughts on what is going wrong in our lives far more than where we are blessed. Darkness seems to be something we relish in. But, there are those of us who are light bringers. People who have committed ourselves to bringing hope into the world. Those of us who rest on the promise of the Almighty that, no matter how dark the night, no matter how hard the problem, no matter how strong the attack, there is a new hope waiting for the world. Every morning we can claim this. Every morning we can have the strength to overcome. Every morning you are loved. It never stops. So, are you a hope bringer this morning or are you focused on the night? Will you pick up the blessing God has left for you this morning or will you lavish in the darkness? Don't give up. It's a new day!

31Oct16

James 4:7
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

God has a plan a purpose for your life. Yes. You. It's not just Billy Graham or Rick Warren that are meant to have an impact on this world. It's you too! But, that impact, that purpose, that plan, that God has for you has opposition. We have an enemy and he is willing to stop at nothing to keep us from fulfilling God's plan for our lives. He wants to wound you. He wants to put you on spiritual profile so that you will not be as effective, or at all effective, for God. The best way to take out the most enemies is to wound as many as possible. He would love to see you in hell with him but, why do that quickly when he can wound you and watch as you spread poison and hurt to those around you. Why not just allow you to distract those who feel the need to help you from their path and mission? Our enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But, you have with you the power to overcome him. You just have to be willing to submit to God's plan for your life, resist evil, and then the devil will flee. But, are you willing to lay aside your plan for his? Or are you convinced that you have it all put together? The most depressed people I know are the ones who have "accomplished" what they thought they wanted for their life. But, they're walking wounded. Are you on spiritual profile today? Is the devil running from you or are you hiding from him?

28Oct16

Hebrews 13:8
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."

I apologize for being "off the net" for so long. Sometimes getting set back up with a computer and account can take a minute when returning from a deployment. But, I am home. This journey in a foreign country has come to a close and now it is time to figure out who I am, what I am doing now, and what God wants for me. This is where I can take comfort in the fact that, although I have faced struggles and changed over the last few months, God has not changed. He is the same God that has been with me the entire time. I have to face how I am going to engage Him here in America. What does that look like? Am I going to go to the same church I did before? Am I closer to Him or further away from Him? Have I spent the nine months in relationship with my Savior or have I neglected that? Regardless, He is the same. He is stable. He is waiting for me to go deeper.

We spend a lot of time talking about reintegrating with our family, friends, and Garrison. But, what about God? Do we even need to reintegrate with the one who has never left our side? Possibly... if we have left His. How are you going to do that here in America? How are you going to reach out for the God of eternal stability in a time of change?

07Oct16

Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

I have a pretty huge decision to make in a very short period of time that has the capability of changing the future of my career in the Army. It's in these moments that I have to look deeply at who God has made me and what He has called me to do. I have to trust that what He has revealed as my purpose is true and good for my life or I will be tempted into comfortability and safety. Some things just make sense to the logical brain but run in direct contradiction to what God wants for you. You must trust. You must look back and realize how He has gotten you to where you are and will see you through to the end. He will make the path straight even when it doesn't look that way at the intersection of decision. Have you asked God to reveal your purpose to you? Do you trust Him enough to follow that even when it doesn't make sense?

06Oct16

1 Kings 18:27 CJB
Around noon Elijah began ridiculing them: "Shout louder! After all, he's a god, isn't he? Maybe he's daydreaming, or he's on the toilet, or he's away on a trip. Maybe he's asleep, and you have to wake him up."

Have you ever had an inconvenient poo? Ever planned everything down to the last second, were right on time, and then got that rumbly in the tumbly that you knew was going to set you back? In this passage Elijah is challenging the prophets of Baal (a false god) to a contest. They put a bunch of wood on the top of a mountain and pray to their god to light it on fire. The prophets of Baal danced, and cut themselves, and screamed at the top of their lungs to try and get their god to act but, Elijah just makes fun of them. When it's his turn, Elijah has then pour water on the wood and then simply prays once that God would act. God brings down fire from the sky and consumes the wood, the rocks that the wood is on, and the water!

My point is that our God is never on the pot. He's not preoccupied with other things. He hears us when we call out to Him and is ready to act in our benefit. If you are putting all your faith in something that can be stopped by an ill-timed bowel movement, or needs a nap, you may want to reevaluate. God is watching, listening, and caring for you right now.

04Oct16

Matthew 24:44 ESV
Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

For the last eight months we have lived under the 2ID banner of "fight tonight." To this effect there have been multiple mornings, including this fine one, when I received a call at God awful times in the morning to rehearse, prepare, and test our systems for an attack at any time. No matter the time we have to be ready. Our bags packed, our armor on, our vehicles prepped. We stand prepared to do what needs to be done on this theatre of battle. But, how prepared are you for the final call? How prepared are you for the end of this age, the final battle, the beginning of eternity? Are you ready to "fight tonight" spiritually? How is that day going to find you? Maybe it's time for a spiritual "alert" in your life. Maybe it's time for that test of your spiritual systems. Because when that day comes you can be prepared but, it will be unexpected. No man or woman can know. ALERT!!! ALERT!!! ALERT!!!

04Oct16

Psalm 16:11 ESV
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

There are always two choices. One leads to life. The other leads to death. Death, not just of the physical, but, of the spiritual. Death of your hope. Death of your joy. But, the path of life that God makes clear to us brings us fullness of joy and pleasure forever! Yet, we consistently choose the path of death. We trade short lived "pleasure" in exchange for true joy. What does your legacy look like? Do you think that when you die people will pick up your iphone and say, "wow! They had so many achievements in candy crush." Or maybe, "They were such a great Facebook friend." ? Choose in every moment the path of life. Choose a path of life worth living. Then you will see God and experience the fullness of joy you are trying to find in the million distractions you trade it for.

03Oct16

1 Timothy 6:20 ESV
O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called "knowledge,"

The last two days I have had a stanza from Lewis Carol's poem "The Walrus and the Carpenter" running through my head.

"The time has come," the Walrus said,
"To talk of many things:
Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax--
Of cabbages--and kings--
And why the sea is boiling hot--
And whether pigs have wings."

The poem follows a Walrus and Carpenter as they convince a group of oysters to come to their restaurant through smooth talk and temptation only to shuck and devour them. But, the stanza that has been on my mind is all about the "irreverent babble" and inconsequential talk that the walrus uses to distract the oysters from what is happening to them. If you are not focused on asking the right questions, seeking the true source of knowledge, or living a righteous life, then you will be led by the walruses of this world and all their distracting banter right into the waiting maw of death with nothing to show for it. Be careful who you are listening to and how much credence you give to those influences. Are you talking about shoes, and ships, and sealing wax; when you should be talking about God? Are you more passionate about a passing fad or news bite then you are about the eternal?

30Sep16

1 Peter 3:9 NIV
"Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing."

Sometimes people can be frustrating and inconsiderate. It may seem like they are just wasting your time or not giving two thoughts about anyone but themselves. It's almost like their very person is sandpaper to yours. The problem is how do we overcome such negativity? How do we, when faced with difficult people, hold on to our joy? The apostle Peter says that we cannot think the way our natural inclinations would want us to. We cannot sink into that place where the storm cloud hangs over us the rest of the time we are with them. We have to flip that entire thought process on its head. We have to try and bless that person. Sometimes that is very difficult and requires us to be away from them for a minute to get our mind right first. But, I was always taught that a person who gets on you like sandpaper is exactly what you need to get your own rough edges off. In the process of dealing with them you are becoming smoother. How are you dealing with the difficult people in your life? Have you tried praying for them?

29Sep16

Luke 17:3-4 ESV
"Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, 'I repent,' you must forgive him."

Perceptions of people can be made or broken very quickly and very easily. Have you ever met someone and had an initial encounter that made you say, "I will never like that guy?" I did. I was at a training with a whole lot of other chaplains (a place where the world should somehow be better right?) and a guy in front of me got up and left his chair out in front of me. I pushed it back in under the table so people could move around it only to have the guy come back and stare me down. He said, "Don't. Ever. Touch. My. Chair." I thought he was joking so I chuckled a bit. But, he kept staring at me and repeated himself. My first impression... JERK! I didn't ask him why. I didn't rebuke him. I just formed my opinion and walked away.

Fast forward to a year later when I got a chance to work with this guy over a long period of time. He's now a good friend and one of the funniest guys I know. He would have my back no matter what and I would stand up for him. Somewhere along the line he explained how he is prone to doing things like the chair incident and I let it go. I forgave him. But, until I forgave him he was labeled. He was the Jerk. It wasn't until I forgave him that I found what was there below the surface... a friend. Who are you missing out on because of your first impression? What might be there right below forgiveness?

28Sep16

Matthew 6:1 The Message
"Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don't make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won't be applauding."

A play can be really entertaining. It may even teach us something very important. However, to the actors, the play is just that... a play. It's an act. It is not their reality no matter how convincing they are to the audience. For a moment they may convince the world that they are someone they are not or feeling something they are not. But, they remain the same. This happens to us when we put on a show of righteousness. When we do good things simply because they will look good or we think it is the right thing to do. We put on our mask and perform for those around us but, the truth in our hearts has not changed in the least. Don't do good simply to be seen, to look good, or to impress those you think are judging your performance. We should be concerned about the applause of only one person... God. He knows what the reality is and He delights in the genuine work of your hands. Where are you "acting" in your life? What would happen if you stepped from the lime-light and simply worked on your heart?

27Sep16

Isaiah 43:1 ESV
But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine."

I always laugh when I watch a movie where the main character meets the person of their dreams, the one they have secret been pining over, and the love interest calls them by name. There's always the line said with a little flutter of the heart, "He knows my naaaaame." It never seems like a big deal to those outside the love affair. Of course he knows your name. Why wouldn't he? But, to the one who is resting all their hope for true love on that one individual it means everything that they know each other's' names.

To some it may not seem like a big deal that God knows your name, that He calls out to you, and calls you His beloved. But, to the one who is truly invested in their love affair with God it becomes a huge deal. "He knows my naaaaame." The God of the universe. The seemingly unattainable prize. The lover of all lovers. He knows your name. Do you care? Or do you just write Him off as another entity trying to be with you. The difference is that one position puts God as the lover, the other has Him as the loved. One puts you in the center, the other puts Him there. One makes you the prize. The other rightly defines God as the prize. Are you swept away by the thought that He knows your name or do you feel like you deserve it? He knows your name, your heart, your life and He chose you.

26Sep16

Ecclesiastes 9:10
Whatever the activity in which you engage, do it with all your ability, because there is no work, no planning, no learning, and no wisdom in the next world where you're going.

I'm reminded of a lyric from a song called 'Til the Day I Die' that goes, "I only got one life And I get it though; And this is not an act, Not a movie, Not a TV show; I don't know what quittin' means I don't ever take it slow." When we give up our days to mediocrity, to depression, to boredom, to laziness, we give up something that we will never get back. It doesn't matter if what you are doing is seemingly insignificant, do it with everything you've got because you won't get the chance again. Take risks, step up, push yourself, and move further than you ever thought possible. I've always wanted there to be an easy fix to a lot of things but, the easiest fix is to consistently do the best you can in everything you set your mind to. I fail every time that I half-heartedly complete a task regardless of the opinion of others because I know, inside, and God knows I could have done it better. How will you engage this day? Will it be half-cocked and with just enough to squeak by? Or will you give everything you have to make this day worth living?

22Sep16

Ecclesiastes 5:10
Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.

It is amazing the number of relationships I hear about that are destroyed because of money. Not just marriages but, friendships, families, and co-workers. I got the chance this week to speak to a room full of screaming children and I tried to keep my message as simple and clear as possible... Love people first. People are God's number one priority. There is nothing that supersedes that. You know what our number one priority should be? People. Love people first. The only way to ensure that you are prioritizing people over money is to take control of your money. EVERY. SINGLE. DOLLAR. Use it to support your relationships, to love on people, to create a life that enables you to spend time with those you love. Don't work for money. Work for people. What are you doing with your money today?

21Sep16

Isaiah 43:2
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.

Contemplating the future can be a scary endeavor especially at the end of a journey. What comes next? Will it be better or worse? We become overwhelmed with fear. I was once taught that FEAR stands for False Expectations Appearing Real. We grab ahold of the worst case scenario and then live our lives as if there is no hope. Do not worry. You will not be overwhelmed. You will not be burned. You will not be consumed. God walks with you when you walk with Him. If you have fears and doubts as we move forward, understand that the future is held in His hands for you. Do what you can today and then pass it to the one who controls it. Do not let fear suck the joy from your day today!

20Sep16

John 14:27
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."

I'm supposed to take the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) this morning in a few short minutes. I don't know what it is about this thing. I haven't failed one since basic training and yet, every single time I am worried. I get stressed out and worked up. I imagine what would happen if I failed and the consequences of that one brief moment of weakness. I think it might be because something in my life is being measured. Concretely. It's not up to interpretation. I either run that fast or I don't and it carries a lot of weight behind it. I seem to be in control of my outcome.

There are a lot of moments in life that may feel that way but, God commands us not to worry. He says, "Do not be afraid." Why? Because He is peace and when we dwell in Him and with Him we should be a reflection of that peace. When we trust God for His blessing and mercy then the worry can slip away. There is no room in our hearts for both faith and worry. You either trust God to be who He is or you don't. One brings peace. The other brings fear and worry. Take a moment. Breathe in deep. Embrace the peace of God for your day. Trust His promises and have no fear. He is in control.

19Sep16

Psalm 5:3
In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch.

This morning started really early for us. It's never easy to start moving around well before the sun is set to shine in the sky. But, throughout the Bible we see examples of how we are supposed to start our day. Moses, Jacob, David, Daniel, Ezekiel, ect. All of these men had one particular habit that the Bible records in common... they woke up early and started their day in prayer. I'm not talking about the, "roll out of bed, say good morning God, brush your teeth, and start your day" kind of prayer. They spent hours in prayer. Sometimes crying out in need. Sometimes just waiting to hear the voice of God. When you give the first hours of your day to God it brings purpose and focus to the rest of the hours. What do you do with the first hours of your day? Today, start simple and try to spend 5 whole minutes in prayer and then 5 minutes in silence listening to God. Is 10 minutes too much to ask? Set a timer. See what God does for your day.

15Sep16

James 3:2 ESV
For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.

I'm a pretty excitable person. Sometimes I speak before I've completely processed what it coming out of my mouth. Last night when the BC walked into the office someone said, "The BC's back." In response I sang, "Backstreet's back alright!" Oh man. Sometimes the hardest thing we can do is to remain silent rather than let disinformation, frustration, or hatred to spew from our mouths. Some people are just resigned to the fact that the way they speak is never going to change. It's just who they are. But, if they are not in control of the messages coming out of their mouth then they are not in control of the rest of their lives. Self-control starts with the mouth. So, what is yours saying today?

14Sep16

Hebrews 6:3
"And this we will do if God permits."

Growing up I really looked up to my grandfathers. Both of them war veterans in the Air Force. Although they were very different men, it was from them that I gained a strong respect for what the military can do to provide for a man and their family. I also learned the importance of serving my country. I think some part of me always wanted to follow in their footsteps. In fact, when I received my calling to be a minister, and then a chaplain, I automatically assumed that it meant I would go into the Air Force. I planned my life around that eventuality. I pursued it with everything I had... until they said that it would never happen. They stopped returning my calls and sent me rejection letters. I was crushed. How could God not make my dream come true? I was so convinced it was what I was supposed to do. But, it was MY dream. I hadn't asked Him if the Air Force was it. He had a different plan. As soon as that door closed it was like He hit me with a 2x4. What I was blind to in my own arrogance, was the real dream.

You cannot do anything outside what God permits for you to do. Sometimes He closes doors in front of you because He knows that it is not the path you are supposed to travel down. We get the mindset, "I'll do whatever I set my mind to." No. You'll do whatever God allows you to do. IT might be a good idea to ask Him what that is today.

13Sep16

Hebrews 2:15
"and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage."

Fear can do some wicked things to our mind, body, and soul. It can ensnare us and drive us to a life of unfulfillment and cowardice. I remember going camping with some friends of mine. We went to this place called the "blue hole" in Washington where we climbed to the top of a high cliff overlooking the pristine water. It seemed to go down forever and the cliff seemed insanely high. I watched one of my friends laugh as he took a flying leap from the cliff and hit the water with a splash. As he swam to the edge of the pool I stepped up to the ledge and looked down. Suddenly fear gripped every part of my being. It paralyzed me and flooded my brain with a million futures that involved my death. I could hear my friends encouraging me to jump and counting down over and over again as I stared down the depths of the blue hole. I slowly backed away. I forfeited the joy that my friend had just experienced. I relinquished the accomplishment I could have had. I failed my friends and myself with every step I backed away from that ledge. I gave in to fear. Fear binds us. It prevents us from being everything we can be. God only wants us to fear Him. Don't let fear stop you from doing what you know is right. Be released.

The next year I went back to that cliff and I jumped. It was the beginning of a lot of things for me. As I flew through the air and splashed into the ice cold waters of the Blue Hole I knew that the limits of my abilities did not end on that cliff. I knew that fear would not bind me in that way ever again. What binds you today?

09Sep16

Acts 9:16
"For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake."

Life isn't always rainbows and unicorns. I find it distinctly distasteful when someone says that being a Christian is going to bring you all the good stuff of life or solve all of your troubles. That's just not how it works. In fact, it may be quite the opposite. Sometimes there is suffering. Sometimes there is sacrifice. Sometimes life just plain sucks. What we cannot see is how that difficulty is changing us, the world around us, or our relationship with God. Paul spent his time traveling away from home being beaten, imprisoned, stoned with big rocks, and shipwrecked. He is probably the greatest spreader of Christianity to ever live and his life was far from easy. If you think life is easy, that you are doing "just fine," or can't see anything wrong then you may want to brace yourself because God may love you just the way you are. But, He loves you too much to leave you that way. When He stretches us it normally involves discomfort or even pain. Don't shy away from it. Embrace it as an opportunity to grow and change into the person He wants you to be. How is God using discomfort in your life to grow you today?

08Sep16

John 12:43
For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

It feels so good when someone complements you. For me especially. My love language is words of affirmation. I think there is something inside of us that is wired to appreciate the praise of others because God receives praise as well. But, the problem comes when the affirmation we are getting from people around us: from our bosses, our peers, our subordinates; supersedes the affirmation we get from God when we walk in His will. Then all of the sudden we aren't doing what we do because we want to please God but rather, to get an, "Atta boy" from someone else we respect or love... more than God. Yup. That's the rub. When we feel better about the approval of someone else than we do about the approval of God we have put them in the place of God. Are you working hard for the approval of a man or for the approval of God? One will let you down... the other will supply you.

07Sep16

Genesis 33:14
And He said, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."

Isn't it nice to be able to lay down and just relax without a care in the world. There are few times in our lives that we are given that pure opportunity. This weekend I had a few hours of a day that I just was able to lay down and rest. I don't think I would be able to do that at home. There are too many responsibilities there and a million other things I should be doing for my friends and family. But, here I get the unique chance because I have someone back at home that I rely on and trust to take those cares for me. I am able to rest because my wife is the most capable person I know.

In this verse God promises us rest. He can make that promise because His Presence goes with us. He is capable and able to handle our worries, fears, and doubt that would try to steal our rest from us. But, if you don't rely on Him you will take those on yourself and not gain the recuperation you need. The word "rest" here is "nu'ach" and it is a Hebrew word that means to be soothed or quieted, to be secure, and to dwell peacefully. Do you allow God to sooth and quiet you or are you too busy taking the world on your own? God wants to give you rest. Will you rely on him?

02Sep16

Galatians 5:13 NKJV
For you brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

It's Friday! We're about to go on a long weekend when we will be free to do a lot of things. You've probably been thinking about all the things you are wanting to do for yourself. But, have you given any thought to what you are going to do for someone else in the next four days? Do not use this freedom as an opportunity to go and destroy yourself or cater to every whim of your flesh. Instead, take a moment and think about something you may be able to do for someone else this weekend.

01Sep16

Romans 3:23
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

There once was a good person. He took care of the needy around him. He worked hard and supported those he loved. He never cheated in any game, never lied, never stole, never murdered, never held a grudge, never talked behind someone's back, and always was fair. There was once a person. Once. One time. But, not now. Not today. You see, we like to think we are "good people." That if we just do the right things that everything will turn out ok. But, we can't... and it won't. Because at our core we are inherently bad. We want to do the wrong thing and we have to war with ourselves just to live a life that gets anywhere close to "good." If I am taking a PT test and I lay down during my push-ups one time do the rest of them count? Nope. Terminated. Disqualified. That is what happens when we try to do this on our own. But, when we rely on God, He qualifies us. He takes the PT test for us. There once was a good person...

31Aug16

1 Corinthians 12:26 NKJV
And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

Have you ever seen someone get an award and thought to yourself, "why didn't I get that award? I worked harder than them." Or maybe someone got a break you thought you deserved. Recently, a friend of mine got an opportunity that I had been working for and hoping for myself. When I got the news, I couldn't help but be torn up inside. I was NOT happy for him. I could only think of one thing at that moment... myself. And there's the hitch. We have a hard time being a part of something bigger than ourselves because we are constantly thinking about ourselves. It's like looking through a microscope at something while the rest of the world is happening in macro. We become myopic. Instead of celebrating the wins with others, or suffering the pain with others, we only think of how it affects us. In order for there to be true unity in the body we have to zoom out. We have to at least think of others as being AS important as ourselves... or as God would ask us to, think of them as MORE than ourselves. Today try and find one person that you are putting ahead of yourself. Win with them or lose with them. But, BE with them.

30Aug16

1 Corinthians 12:21-22 NKJV
And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you"; nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.

Continuing the thought of the day from yesterday, contemplating the "body" model of living as a community that functions for one purpose, it is too easy to devalue people who do something that isn't the same as us. Being a mechanic prior to being a chaplain, I found that there is pride in being a mechanic. We used to say, "no one moves or does anything for very long without us! We are the most important part of this organization!" Now that I'm in a combat arms Battalion I hear it from various different people. "I'm a cook. No one eats without us!" "I'm an infantryman we fight the war." "I'm a tanker. I'm the biggest baddest thing on the field." "I'm a clerk. No one gets paid without me." "I'm a medic. People die without me." "I'm a....." you get the picture. When everyone thinks that they're the only valuable piece of the puzzle then ultimately nothing is accomplished. We have to work as a unit for a singular purpose. When that purpose is outlined, and people feel valued, then accomplishments are made. We are better together, utilizing every part, than we are separate!

29Aug16

1 Corinthians 12:17-18 NKJV
If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? But now God has set the members; each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.

As an extrovert by nature I have a really hard time understanding and relating to people that want to have "alone time." I am energized by being surrounded by people (mostly... some people suck). I also have an energetic perspective on life and my faith. I don't always see how people can live without embracing the fullness of who God is, and can be, in their life. I measure this in the same way that I experience Him, because that's what I have. But, when I was in seminary I learned about a term called "projection." It is the need to make other people fit you instead of seeing them the way that they are. This does them a disservice at the basic level. God created them the way He did. If they are damaging themselves then there is a problem but, if they are arriving at the location via a different route... then what's the problem? Take a look at some of your relationships today. Are you holding someone to a standard they were not made for because it works for you? Are you holding yourself to a standard because someone does it that way? Don't be an eye when you're an ear. Both are necessary and useful. You are necessary and useful.

26Aug16

1 Corinthians 15:58 NKJV
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Have you ever worked really hard on something just to have it thrown in the trash in favor of something else? There have been many times that I have spent countless hours preparing for a program, plan, or a sermon, only to be told at the last minute that it wasn't going to happen. This is one of the things we learn to deal with in life. Disappointment. However, when we labor for others it is never wasted. It's like education that way. No education is ever a waste even if you don't walk away with a piece of paper. It is an investment. When we work for the Lord we are investing in Him, others, and ourselves all at the same time. When things don't work out the way we think they should we still know that the investment has been made in the form of obedience, love, or self-improvement. Do not be discouraged. Continue to invest in what pays dividends in the long run. Labor for God and it will never be in vain.

25Aug16

1 Corinthians 14:33 NIV
For God is not a God of disorder but of peace--as in all the congregations of the Lord's people.

Have you ever been in a room where everyone was speaking at the same time? I absolutely love going to family reunions with my father's family because as they start to reminisce about their childhood they start to tell the most amazing stories. But, inevitably someone isn't telling it right and one of the other siblings will start to interrupt and speak over the first. Then everyone starts to chime in until the story erupts into a "choose your own adventure" tale with a variety of endings and actions happening at max volume. It's a blast! While this can be very entertaining in bursts it is very difficult to live life that way. Everyone trying to tell their story as loud as they can over the people around them. But, that is how most people live. They believe they are the star of the movie and refuse to take a side role in life even for a moment so that the story can be told well. God orders things. He brings peace. The cacophony of noise that we subject ourselves to every day just has a way of raising our blood pressure and stressing us to the point of ineffectiveness. Maybe it's time to step back for a minute and let someone else tell the story so you can find peace. Maybe it's your time to step up and speak. But, instead of forcing your way in, why don't you try listening to God and letting him guide your peace?

24Aug16

1 Corinthians 10:29 NLT
It might not be a matter of conscience for you, but it is for the other person. For why should my freedom be limited by what someone else thinks?

No Scripture is extensive in its coverage of every life situation. No book that I've read has revealed which way to vote in an election, whether saying "crap" is going to send me to hell, or whether we should legalize marijuana. Instead we are offered our conscience, as guided by the Spirit, to help us interpret and apply Scripture to our daily lives in this culture. Paul is dealing with that issue in the above passage. If I think that smoking is going to send you to hell does that mean you shouldn't smoke? What does the Bible say directly about the topic (this should always be the first question you ask)? Nothing? OK then... what does your conscience, based on your understanding of Scripture and the will of God, allow. That's the freedom that is offered through faith. For one person a tattoo may be the end of the world. Another person may have a full body tattoo. Does this reveal anything about their heart? I'm not advocating moral relativism here; there is right and wrong, black and white, good and bad in absolutes. However, let's major on the major things and minor on the minor things. Fighting over a brand of toothpaste, or color of the carpet, doesn't bring us closer to the Kingdom of God but, further away. Is your freedom limited to what someone else thinks or have you really given thought as to the truth of it in Scripture and how that applies to your life? If it is an issue for someone else do you judge them based on it? God looks to the heart. Be free in your faith and make every attempt to live at peace with one another.

23Aug16

Luke 11:33 (NKJV)
"No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a secret place or under a basket, but on a lampstand, that those who come in may see the light."

What are you proud of? I bet if I walked into your house, or office, I'd pretty quickly be able to identify what you are proud of in your life. We display these things, coins, trophies, instruments, pictures, or nick knacks. We do this in other areas of our life too. I found myself eating lunch with a couple of Soldiers yesterday and instead of focusing on pleasant conversation I started to talk about my shenanigans in High school before I found my faith. I reflected on this later and wondered why I would choose to tell those stories and bring glory to a part of my life I should despise. I realized that, in a way, I was proud of those. The light in my heart was reflecting darkness. Sometimes our minds and heart can get disconnected. Pause and look at what you want to be showing the world versus what you are actually displaying. What is on the walls of your home? What is on the walls of your heart? What are you proud of? What do you display?

22Aug16

John 10:11-12 (NIV)
11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it.

I've heard it said, "Everyone is a leader." OK. But, I think that we need to take a look at what a leader really is before we apply that moniker to "everyone." Jesus talks about leadership in several ways but, one of them is in the form of the shepherd. In this verse the primary difference between a shepherd (leader) and a hired hand is very obvious... ownership. Investment. Care. The good shepherd is so invested in the care of his sheep that he is willing to lay down his life for them. When they wonder off he doesn't go home and rest... he finds them. When the predator is in the woods he doesn't play around... he protects. He is invested in them and his life depends on it. The hired hand is just doing a job. One is selfless. The other is selfish. This is where I would question whether we truly can say everyone is a leader. It is obvious who is just doing a job and who is invested. It boils down to the question of, "how much?" How much are you willing to give to care for those in your charge, those you work with, your family, your friends? How much are you willing to sacrifice for their betterment? If you are only doing the amount necessary to get paid you are not a leader... you are a hired hand. Are you invested or are you just doing a job?

19Aug16

2 Thessalonians 3:2-3 (NIV)
And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith. But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.

Not everyone has faith. It truly is a sad fact in this world. What is worse is that hurt people hurt people. When you rub up against someone who does not have faith, someone who has no hope outside of themselves, they may reach out and try to damage you with them. When we rely on our human relationships to show us what we are worth and for our security we will ultimately fall into this trap. We must pray that God can deliver us from this kind of person. We need to be careful about who we expose ourselves to because the fact of this world, and the choice people must make, is that there are wicked and evil people. Not everyone is good or wants to do good for you. But, when we rest in God and our faith is in Him we will be strengthened and protected from the attempts of these "joy suckers." How do you protect yourself from these kinds of influences in your life?

17Aug16

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 (NIV)
12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.

Too many times I forget to say thank you. When the light is on and people are giving praise it is easy to soak all that in and take credit for a job well done... especially when you feel like you deserve it. But, it is so important that we recognize and acknowledge those who are working hard among us. Most of the time these people don't do it because they need the praise. They already have motives for working hard and sometimes that's just the type of person they are. But, without recognition and praise, over time, they will fade and will burn out. Acknowledging those people in your life who are working hard for you in various ways is like adding fuel to the already burning fire. You didn't start the fire... it was always burning... But, you need to add fuel to it if you don't want it to burn out. So take a moment today and say thank you to the people who are impacting your life and helping you accomplish the work you have to do.

15Aug16

Ephesians 4:19 (ESV)
They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.

"Callus" - a thickened and hardened part of the skin or soft tissue, especially in an area that has been subjected to friction. Our bodies react to pressure, to friction, with this amazing response of forming calluses to prevent us from feeling the pain and toughen the skin in that place. For most things this is a great asset. When I first started playing guitar I found I could only play for a little period of time before my fingers would hurt, blister, and bleed. Now, I am able to play for long periods of time with no consequence. The trade off? I have lost sensitivity in my finger tips on my left hand. This tradeoff is worth it to me because I am able to continue to do what I love doing. The problem comes when we get calluses in the wrong places. When we become callous.

Our heart is not a place we want to be callous. But, it happens, over time, due to exposure and friction with our conscience. The Holy Spirit tries to convict us, to show us the right way, and to move us according to His will. But, every time we choose the opposite it leaves a deposit on our hearts. We don't feel it as bad the next time. Less the next time. Even less the next time. Until we don't feel it at all and can do as we please without regard to God in that area of our life. That's what habitual sin does to us. At some point it just doesn't feel wrong anymore. We've lost our sensitivity. The only way to get it back is the same way I regain feeling in my fingers. I have to stop playing for a while... soak them... and then peel them off. That makes me ultra-sensitive for a little while until it heals. But, God wants us to be ultra-sensitive to Him. Confess your sin, ask for forgiveness, make amends, and remove the callus in your life.

12Aug16

Ephesians 5:11-13 (ESV)
Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible...

There are two things in this verse that I want to highlight today. 1) Sometimes it's easier to just let something happen then to confront the issue. 2) What we do in the dark never stays in the dark. I remember when I was going to school there was a bunch of my friends who would work together to cheat on tests. They had their own hand signals for each letter of the multiple choice questions and would be able to confer on who had the correct answer. Most of us knew what was going on. But, no one ever said anything. It was just easier to let it happen... because, "you do you." Right? This was all fine and dandy until they were discovered and then everyone had to retake the exams separately because we didn't know who was involved. That kicked a lot of us in the butt with lower scores. We are not only supposed to stay away from dark acts... but, expose them! Edmund Burke said, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."

As we start thinking and reflecting on the last five months away from home it has been easy to hide things from those we love. Maybe there are things that you are doing or have done that you wouldn't like your family to know about. Or maybe they did and those issues are now in the light. It is important to realize that there is nothing done that stays hidden forever. It is time to start thinking about how you are going to confront these issues, expose the lies, and garnish forgiveness. Let's go back home with nothing on our conscience so that we can focus on loving those we are being reunited with.

11Aug16

Ephesians 4:26-27 (ESV)
Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.

Anger is not a bad thing. When we see atrocities occur, when we see injustice in our midst, when we see the innocent abused, anger is an appropriate response. We should be angry. We should be passionately opposed to darkness. The problem with anger is that it is most often not applied to the plight of others but, our own offence. When we feel we have been slighted, short changed, or disrespected we become angry. This is not an appropriate form of anger. This is the opportunity the devil loves to utilize. It's the root of self-centeredness. It's the sin portion. When we act on our anger, when we want to harm another because of something that has been done to us, then we allow the wound to fester. It's infected. It needs to be cleansed, cleaned out, and sterilized for it to be useful anger. That only comes with reflection, prayer, and release... not immediate action. Pause, think, breathe. Are you angry because this is about you or because it is about protecting others? If it's about you... then you need to bring it to God to be purified before you can act on it. Don't let it fester. Don't give it more of your time. Don't let it steal your joy. You control your anger... not the other way around.

10Aug16

Ephesians 5:33 (ESV)
However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

As we start to round a corner and look towards Fort Hood and our family and friends, I wanted to take a second and share this verse with you. Over the last few months of separation we have gotten really good at taking care of ourselves and focusing on our daily needs without having to focus on our spouses and loved ones. I know I have done laundry more in the last month than I do in the entire year. I have washed dishes more than I have done in my entire life! These are things my wife usually does for me that show her respect for me and what I do. However, now that I am coming home it is a great time to be thinking about how I'm going reach out and show her I love her as much as I love myself. No matter who you are, or your relationship status, we are all called to love others like we love ourselves. So, what can you do to show it? Love is action!

09Aug16

Ezra 3:11 (ESV)
And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord,
"For he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel."
And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.

Israel had been exiled. They had been kept from their home land and away from the temple of the LORD. They had spent generations in debauchery and disobedience which caused them to have to be separated from the physical representation of their God, the temple. When they were allowed to return they laid the foundation of the new temple. It was the start of something new and the restoration of the old. It represented hope to so many of them and reminded them that God had not forgotten them. There was a lot of emotion wrapped up in that moment. With it... they gave a great shout! They didn't hold back. They wanted the world to hear them.

There are times when we feel like we have been abandoned and lost. Possibly exiled even. But, when the foundation is laid for the future, when your dreams are coming close to realization, when you start down the path to restoration... don't whimper... shout! As we look toward home and the reestablishment of so many things we have an opportunity to lay a foundation that is worth being proud of and happy about. What will your foundation be?

04Aug16

Job 1:21
And he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."

I am still a twelve year old boy at heart, I think. When I read this verse the first thing I think of is, "hehehe. He said naked." Once I get past the giggling and mature up for a minute (just a minute mind you), I realize the absolute truth of this statement. The life altering, purpose changing, eternally minded, truth of this statement. What if we lived like we believed this statement for real? All of the "stuff" we work for every single day, even the people we love and work for, will not be there after we die. Yet we work so hard for them. If our life is truly just a vapor in the air of eternity, then why aren't we spending more time in the second half of this verse than the first? What do you think you are going to be able to take with you?

03Aug16

Colossians 1:29 (NKJV)
To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.

I was watching a movie the other day and a group of fighters celebrated a victory by firing their AK-47s in the air together. I immediately thought two things: 1. What a waste of ammo (now they have to reload those clips). 2. What goes up must come down. There is a lot of force behind those rounds. They will fall on something, somewhere. Maybe someone. But, this is what happens when we just put a bunch of effort into our day to day life without direction. We work really hard, we fire into the air, but we have no idea where we are going to land. To what end do you labor?

The inverse of this is an expert marksmen who takes his time, trains his body, and focuses his sights on a target with the intent to put all that force to a use. To what end do you labor? God lends us His mighty power to exert on this world. What do you do with it? To what end do you labor? Let's not waste another round firing into the air aimlessly. Let's take aim, breathe, and control how we exert our power.

02Aug16

Exodus 14:15-16 ESV
The Lord said to Moses, "Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward. Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground."

Miraculously God had delivered the Israelites from their captivity only for them to be cornered on the banks of the red sea with the Egyptians in hot pursuit. It's amazing how quickly we forget what God has already accomplished in us when we find ourselves in a new corner, backed against a wall, and trapped between a rock and a hard place. No, you may not be trapped against a sea with an Egyptian army about to descend upon you. But, you may be trapped in a place of financial burden, relationship stressors, work pressures, or maybe something else.

Notice what Moses is told to command the people to do... "go forward." No matter the stakes. No matter the depth of the water. No matter the danger. "Go forward." God has shown them the way they are supposed to be going and now it is up to them to continue on it. He will part the waters. He will make a way. In the hard times we are called to simply, "go forward." Stay the course. Do not give up God is faithful. The same God that parts the seas for His children can part the way in front of you.

1Aug16

Galatians 6:8 ESV
For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

It is not uncommon in our society today to expect a return with no investment, to claim a prize that we have not competed for, or to expect the rewards without any of the trails. In a world where everyone gets a trophy and all roads lead to heaven, it is easy to see why there is little desire to labor towards the goal. Instead we act on what comes natural to us. We invest in the things that "feel good" and deny ourselves the experiences that would grow us into the men and women God has called us to be. We choose pleasure over profit. Don't believe me? I would challenge you to look at your free time. With what little you were given what did you invest it in? Did you sow into the flesh or the Spirit? Will you reap corruption or eternal life? Do not be deceived, a holy life must be cultivated like a garden... when it is neglected nothing grows but the weeds. But, when you tend the garden, even for a few moments consistently, the most amazing things will grow and yield fruit!

29Jul16

Mark 7:32-35
32 And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him. 33 And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue. 34 And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, "Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened." 35 And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly.

Faith is messy. God isn't always pretty in the way He does things. Can you imagine for a second that you have been deaf your whole life and then some guy you've never met before sticks his fingers in your ears and spits in your mouth?! What?! Jesus did things like this a lot. Many of the miracles he worked involved spit, mud, and hands on action. If that's how He worked while on the earth why do we expect that our faith will be pretty? Could He have just spoken and the guys would have been healed? Yes. But, did He? No. Jesus consistatnly showed us through His actions that this life is not pretty. That the process of healing can be very messy. That sometimes we have to get down and dirty with ourselves and with others in order to bring healing. Are you willing to get a little messy for your faith or are you only good with God when things are clean and pretty?

28Jul16

Zephaniah 1:12
"And it shall come to pass at that time that I will search Jerusalem with lamps, and punish the men who are settled in complacency, who say in their heart, 'The LORD will not do good, nor will He do evil.'"

When I was younger I saw a guy who was all dressed up, very rich looking, and super impressive. As I watched him I was shocked by what little he was actually doing. When I asked what he did the answer I got was, "Oh, he rests on his laurels." I wondered where one would get laurels to sleep on. But, in reality it meant that he had done something significant, received a reward, and now lived his life with his ambition behind him and his accomplishments over. He lived a life of complacency.

As we turn a corner in this deployment and have moved south, it may be easy for some to say, "I've accomplished the task and now I'm going to just chill." Resting is not a bad thing. But, complacency is. Especially when it comes to your faith. Are you where you were last week with God? Are you where you were last year? Are you just leaning on your salvation and that's "good enough" for you? Complacency is dangerous in any area of our life. It is devastating to our faith. Get up. Get out. Get it done. Today.

27Jul16

***Reminder*** Tonight is the first Wednesday night worship service being held at the Battalion Spiritual Fitness Center BLDG 7316 at 1900. (Look for the chaplain guideon)!

Nahum 1:7 (NKJ)
"The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him."

Who would you rather go to when you are having problems, a friend or a stranger? Which do you think would be more effective at giving you the support, love, compassion, and help? It's hard to go to someone that doesn't know you with your issues. I'm always afraid I will just get another platitude or generic "fix," or maybe an "I'm sorry but, I'll pray for you." But, when I go to a friend, someone who knows me, I am hopeful that they will be able to know what I need at that moment. Maybe it is just silence. Maybe it's the slap in the face I need to see straight. But, they know me well enough to do so.

God knows you. He knows you better than the best friend you may have. He loves you deeply. That's why finding your peace in Him is lasting peace. That's why He doesn't offer the "quick fix." He knows you. I'm not saying to only talk to God, or only your friends. There is a place for Godly counsel as well. God sends people into our lives to speak His love into us. Don't forget that He knows you and no matter what you are going through He has your peace waiting for you. Do you go to the one who knows you?

26 Jun 16

Isaiah 30:20-22 ESV
20And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. 21And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it," when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.

Sometimes life sucks. Last night I decided to get a drink from my fridge only to end up slipping on water (I would call this the aforementioned "water of affliction") on my floor and slamming my foot on the corner of the wall and breaking my "ring" toe (What do you call that toe that corresponds with the ring finger?). As I hobbled back to the couch in pain, and still thirsty, I was thinking, "well this is just great. Can't a guy just relax for a day?" But, life doesn't go according to our design. God has a plan for us and sometimes that involves pain. Sometimes that means adversity and affliction. But, that doesn't mean we are lost. That doesn't mean there is no purpose. In fact, this verse says that it is in those moments of life that our Teacher, the Holy Spirit, becomes the most real to us. It is in those moments that, if we allow Him to, He shows us the way most clearly. Instead of wallowing in self-pity and doubt maybe we should be listening for the voice behind us saying, "this is the way, walk in it."

15Jul16

Matthew 7:16 ESV
You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?

I've heard a lot of people, in a joking and sometimes in a serious way, say, "don't you judge me." The Bible is very clear that it truly isn't our place to judge another person who has not been placed under your Godly authority. However, we still have to live with people every day. People who would hurt us, help us, support us, or destroy us based on their character. So, how do we "judge" who someone is without "judging" them? It's all in the fruit.

The fruit of someone's heart, their character, is found in their actions and responses. The good thing about fruit is that it's easily identifiable if you spend the time to look for it. Fruit is also fact, not opinion. An apple is an apple. Fact. When you look at the actions of someone and hold it to the model of Scripture you find the apples. At that point it isn't about judging whether someone is good or bad. Doing good or doing bad. It's just a matter of apples and oranges. Do they produce the fruit of a Godly lifestyle or are they producing something else? What kind of fruit are you producing today?

14Jul16

Acts 14:27
And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.

What a huge time of transition for all of us in the Stallion Battalion! Excellent work being done on so many levels to get us safely transferred from one place to another in a move of historic significance. When I think about all the moving pieces I am amazed at our proficiency as a group to get this done without incident. More than that though, I praise God for keeping us safe and sound. When the Christian missionaries of the early church would come to a new place they made it a point to come together and praise God for what God had been doing and how far He had taken them. Don't forget to take a moment during this busy time to give glory to God and thank Him for what He has done. There are going to be some great opportunities for us to gather together as a church soon as well! Keep your ears open so you don't miss out on some great things while we are here!

08Jul16

Philippians 3:13 ESV
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,

Today 2-8CAV "cased" it's colors as we move toward our new location at Camp Humphreys over the next few weeks. We put the colors away and will start new someplace else. New challenges, new resources, new experiences lie ahead of us. But, in order to fully appreciate what lies ahead we have to be willing to "case" our colors. We have to be able to leave the past behind us in exchange for what lies before us. We have learned many lessons and accomplished many things. To forget the lessons would be a tragedy but, to live in the past would be more of one. As you move from day to day do you take the time to case the colors of yesterday so that you can start new? Are you looking forward to a new day or living in the past?

07Jul16

Numbers 14:24
But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed me fully, I will bring into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it.

On this day in 1852, according to author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Dr. James H. Watson was born. The sidekick to the greatest detective in the world Sherlock Holmes. Books, Movies, TV shows have immortalized the relationship between Watson and Holmes many times. But, no matter the flavor, Watson is assigned a role for his life... sidekick. If you look at the life and accomplishments of Caleb in the Old Testament of the Bible you see a similar character. Someone who accomplished much but, still stands beside his leader Joshua. When they scouted the land Caleb was there. When they conquered the land Caleb was there. In the good and the bad Caleb was there for Joshua. He was willing to follow. He was content with his role. His heart for following God translated into his heart for following the leadership God had appointed over him. This is the different spirit that Caleb had. He was content with the role God had given him. He knew he wasn't Joshua as much as Watson knew he wasn't Holmes. God has a purpose for all of us and sometimes that means serving beside someone with a happy heart.

06Jul16

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (ESV)
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;

I used to sing a song in youth group and church all the time with this verse in it. The words were a little bit different but, it was one of my favorites. The chorus was simply, "yes Lord. Yes Lord. Yes, yes, Lord." Over and over again. I learned something from that song that has actually kept me going. That is the simple truth that following God is not easy. Saying "yes" to Him isn't all roses and rainbows. He told us it wouldn't be. He told us to expect persecutions and trials. But, He told us we would get through them and He would be with us. This verse tells me that I'm not safe from the despairs of life. There will be sadness and madness but, joy will come in the morning. I am not defeated. I am not destroyed. No failure is fatal and no singular mistake can ever take me down. Do not give in to the lie that you are capable of anything less than what God has promised you.

05Jul16

Hebrews 4:12 ESV
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

When I was a kid I used to climb up into a tree and read in the high branches of it in my backyard. This was one of my favorite places to be. That was until one day the branch I sat on broke out from underneath me and stabbed me in the side as I fell to the ground. It hurt really bad. I had thought that the branch was just there to support me, to be my safety, and my hiding place. But, it turned out that it was also there to stab me in the side.

Sometimes the Word of God is like that. We want it to be happy, and gentle, and nice. In fact sometimes we just ignore the parts we don't like so that all it says is the good stuff. But, God designed his Word to pierce us as well. It has to. It hurts. But, if we ignore that major function of the Word of God then we also miss out on the blessing that comes from it as well. The Word is alive and active. It isn't just meant for us to read... it is meant to read us and apply to us. It's meant to bring us to our knees and lift us up to the heavens at the same time. What is God speaking to you through His Word today?

30Jun16

1 Kings 19:7-8
And the angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, "Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you." And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.

Sometimes I can't do it. I just can't. The obstacle is too big, or too far, or too high for me to overcome on my own. And yet, God has placed it in front of me like a looming mountain in the path to accomplishment. What do you do when you face something like that? Elijah, a mighty prophet from the Old Testament, had given up and went out to the middle of nowhere to die. He didn't know what to do and had no more motivation to keep going. The task ahead of him was too much for him to even consider. But, it was what God asked him to do. So, in the middle of his despair God sent Elijah exactly what he needed. God gave him the resources. God gave him the strength. God equipped him for the task ahead.

Sometimes I can't do it. Sometimes God DOES give me more than I can bear alone. He does it so that He can show His mighty power through me and in my life. He does it so that I can learn what He is capable of. He does it so I can learn to trust Him more and more. When the mountain looms ahead don't beat your head on it... wait for God to tell you to go up it, around it, or remove it. Don't give up. Rely on His strength and you cannot fail.