Month: June 2007

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)

Reality was beginning to sink in when they issued me my Desert Camouflage Uniforms. I was headed to Kuwait and I knew the four-month deployment would be miserable. My brother Mike had just returned from a rotation in the desert and I got a full debriefing. I was forewarned. So instead of viewing it as some torturous expedition, I made up my mind to have a positive attitude. I memorized Philippians 4:8 and repeated it often during the sand storms, heat, bugs, long hours of counseling, monotonous meals, etc. I must say, it was one of the best times of my life. What you think develops an attitude and attitude can change everything.

You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. (Hebrews 10:36)

He gave no instructions, we just started running. My Samoan Squad Leader was a PT animal. We ran around Abrams Drop Zone and then to the river and started heading for the barracks (about 12 miles). We were relieved and proud that we had accomplished such a physical feat. But, we didn’t stop! The Squad Leader just kept running. We ran right past the barracks as the rest of the company was heading for the showers. What a deflating moment. A few of us hung in there. We would not allow ourselves to quit. We proceeded to run around North Fort and back (another 6 miles). Eighteen miles for Monday morning PT! You know the Christian life is a lot like that run. Sometimes we think we have arrived and then we realize the finish line is still way down the road. Life is not a sprint. We need to be faithful for the long haul. Don’t Quit, Keep Driving On!

Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?’ (John 11:25-26)

In a moon lit night the swift current of the Nasqually River took control of the 15-man rubber raft. My PSG knew we were out of control and made one last command, ‘Don’t let this thing turn sideways.’ No sooner had he barked out the order, when we hit a massive tree stump in the middle of the river. The raft turned sideways and dumped its contents of rangers into the glacier fed waters. As the other rangers swan free, I was trapped under water, snared in the raft’s rigging. As I tried to untangle myself, I thought, ‘This is it, this is the end.’ Suddenly, the upside-down raft jolted and I was unshackled. I popped out of the water gasping for air. “I’m alive!” I believe this a good picture of what it will be like for us when we experience physical death. We will pop out of the turbulent waters of this life into the next. What an exciting promise to look forward to.

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7)

Most people don’t know this but I have an incredible fear of drowning. Because I was close to becoming fish food on three separate military training events, I get a little nervous or timid around water. I recognized this weakness and I enrolled in a scuba diving class. I wanted to confront my fear head on. Several friends in my Sunday School class also signed up. As we got in the water and began to be acquainted with the breathing apparatus, all but one friend dropped from the class. As I watched the others get out of the water, fear was raging inside of me. I aggressively reminded myself I could not quit and had to overcome this phobia. Soon I was 15-20 feet below, exploring the waters. This is the way we should tackle our fears in our spiritual lives as well. We cannot allow timidity to sideline us in our walk with Christ. Take the plunge and go for it!

Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:12-13)

In my 26 years of service I’ve been through 3 generations of radios. I found that no matter which radio, you could always establish good commo if you knew what you were doing. I heard, ‘This radio is a piece of junk!’ over and over again. I even said it myself a few times. But most of the time it wasn’t the radio with the problem, it was the operator. It took time and effort to learn to use our communications gear effectively. It’s the same with prayer and seeking God. There are those who have given up on prayer because ‘it didn’t work.’ But let me assure you there is nothing wrong with the receiver, it’s the transmitter. Seek Him with all your heart.

For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

This is God’s desire for each of us: success (as defined by God, not man), hope, and a future. Three things none of us would turn down. But every time we do not follow the Commander’s Intent we end up doing just that, denying the very power to receive them. Following the whole plan of God for our lives is essential. We often get daily FRAGOs (fragmentary orders). How we follow the FRAGOs will determine how well we follow the big plan.

Charlie Mike! (Continue Mission)

Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. (Psalm 27:14)

Wow, we have done some waiting in the military haven’t we? Sometimes it’s in the most miserable weather, too. One of the most notorious places for waiting is Green Ramp at Pope Air Force Base. When I was in the 82nd Airborne Division I sat on that concrete forever waiting for a jump (and sometimes just to find out the jump was cancelled). But when it comes to waiting on God, we can be assured it’s always beneficial. Sometimes it’s a matter of our not being ready. Sometimes it’s a matter of lining up other people and circumstances. But waiting on God is always about perfect timing. Who knows where that extra time in the chow line or the delay traffic will lead. Learn to rest in your waiting.

Jesus replied: `Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’ (Matthew 22:37-40)

Being an Infantryman was great because everything was boiled down to its most basic elements. Folks often joke about grunts being less than intellectual in their profession. More brawn then brains. (I did like coloring all those pictures in my FMs) But, the truth of the matter is the simpler the task, the easier it is to implement. Christian living is simple too. We only need to remember two things: Love God and Love People. Simple, right? It’s a good thing too, because if you’re like me, that’s plenty.

If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. (1 John 4:20)

Ever run into a PX warrior? You know what I mean, guys who really haven’t earned a badge or award but are wearing it anyway. When they are discovered, it’s quite a disappointment. The soldier is stealing the hard earned merits of those who really deserve the honor. It’s false advertising and their individual integrity isn’t worth the price of the badge itself. Do we fall into the trap of false advertising as Christians? Isn’t it the same when we say we love God and do not love our brothers? Love for God cannot exist without love for others. Don’t be a PX Christian, love God by loving the people around you.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4)

I’m not sure I counted Ranger School as pure joy. But one thing for sure, it did develop perseverance. It was also a time of growing faith. I read parts of the New Testament up in the mountains and down in Florida. I considered for the first time that maybe I ought to seriously seek out a relationship with God. And I was stiffly confronted on my own sin. All this was brought on by a prolonged period of suffering. As I look at the results, not only physically but spiritually, I can count it all joy. But Ranger School isn’t the toughest thing life has to hand out. We can suffer in many ways but we have more hope when we understand its process and product. Hang in there.