Month: February 2008

Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come. It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. So watch yourselves. Luke 17:1-3

Some Ranger Instructors liked to play mind games with the students. For instance, on dark nights, when all that could be seen was the luminous tape on the back of a patrol cap, they would take off their hats and guide the unsuspecting ranger students into trees and bushes. The students were unaware that the light they followed was being held at arm length and intended to lead them astray. If that sounds like a dirty trick, think about a person who misleads someone spiritually. The last thing we want to do is to cause another person to stumble. As we let our lives shine for Jesus Christ, let’s make sure we are guiding others down a safe and true path. SP197

Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

I was walking through the motor pool, minding my own business, when a mechanic suddenly appeared. “Hey Chaplain, you afraid to die?” My response was quick and definite, “Why should I be afraid to die? I’m following Jesus Christ who gives me eternal life.” The answer shocked him. Apparently, this crusty veteran had been ambushing Christians for quite some time. He admitted that when he would get a less than enthusiastic response from the believer, he would chide them for not believing their own religion. I don’t think most believers respond from a lack of faith. When asked a question like that, most of us are thinking about the process of death. The pain and suffering. But if we were given the time to explain fully, we would eventually get to the hope of eternal life in Christ. That’s the part of death we can get excited about. SP196

http://ustream.tv/oT9b14,Qa9YlMmViI9zAwobOmTem0Ia5.usv

In the course of time, David inquired of the LORD. “Shall I go up to one of the towns of Judah?” he asked. The LORD said, “Go up.” David asked, “Where shall I go?” “To Hebron,” the LORD answered. 2 Samuel 2:1

“Would you like to go to Italy?” “Yes, but let me pray about it.” Now why in the world would anyone have to pray about an assignment to Italy?! Because the Kingdom always comes first (Mat 6.33). Although my dream sheet was blank, I believe God guided me to exactly the right places at the right time in every assignment. He was my Branch Manager. He knew exactly what we needed and where we needed to go. Funny thing is, He often gives us the desire of our hearts. We did go to Italy and lived two blocks from the Med. Italy was so much more enjoyable knowing that God put me there. SP195

PCS – Permanent Change of Station

LIVE Ustream of the South East Laborer’s Summit
Recruiting Laborers to a Vision to Build an Army for Christ
Savannah, GA

Saturday 16 Feb 08 EST

1030-1130 – State of the Army Work- Andrew Stroud
1400-1500 – Focusing on Developing the Man in Light of the Movement – Cecil Bean
1500-1600 – The Needs of the Work, Who’s In? – Chuck Wood
1700-1800 – Staff Funding- John Snyder and Joseph Peer

If you want to tune in on any of the sessions, click on the link below:

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/army-navigators

Even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. Psalm 139:12

At night, ranger patrols normally snake their way through the mountains at a slow and tedious pace. This is especially true when it’s moonless and pitch-black. One night I noticed from the rear of the patrol that we were moving at a pretty good clip. I was curious at this oddity and made my way to the front of the patrol. I found the point man was wearing night vision goggles and sporting an infrared lens on his flashlight. To the naked eye, there was only darkness, but to him it was like daylight. The point man was leading his fellow students through the darkness with ease. As Christians, we can do the same for those around us. Jesus said we are the light of the world and we have the light of His Word. We are guides for those trying to find their way through spiritual darkness. Let your light shine and lead others to Jesus. SP194

There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28

Back in the days before BDUs and ACUs we wore Olive Drab fatigues. There was a saying at the time; “We’re all OD green.” This was an attempt to build unity and to cut down on some of the racial problems experienced by the Army in the late 70s. It has since become less than politically correct to say we are all the “same” because of the fear of losing our uniqueness. However, I think finding and celebrating our commonality is just as valid as enjoying our individuality. As Christians, we should celebrate our unity in Christ. No matter what race, color, ethnic background, gender, etc… we are all one in Christ. Maybe not politically correct, but correct nonetheless. SP193

Tonight, Wednesday 13 Feb 08, I will be doing a LIVE Streaming on the internet at 2100 EST. The topic will start with the parable of the soils and then we’ll talk shop about ministry.

You can tune in at: www.ustream.tv/channel/army-navigators

Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. Romans 12:4-5

The generator mechanic was making his third trip outside into the blizzard like conditions. As the Pathfinder Platoon Sergeant, I was enjoying one of those rare opportunities to actually be in a warm tent and in a sleeping bag. In the darkness I was thinking about how all my hardcore guys were sound asleep while this poor Specialist was outside freezing in the dark trying to get the electricity flowing again. Without the mechanics expertise, the Tactical Operation Center would probably shut down. There wasn’t much need for high speed Pathfinders at that point. It dawned on me how important this guy really was. Everyone has his or her own unique contribution to the effort. The next time you run into one of these important guys, give him or her a pat on the back. And I personally thank you for all you do as an individual for our country, but most importantly, for the Kingdom. Your contribution counts. SP192

God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? Numbers 23:19

I was the lone pathfinder on the top of a mountain. As I looked out for miles around, all I could see was the desert floor and the intense heat waves rising off the sand. A thought ran through my head, “What if the pilot forgets that I’m out here? What if he experiences some kind of mechanical trouble and he leaves me here in the desert? What if…” Suddenly, breaking my chain of worrisome thoughts, I heard the familiar sound of helicopter blades beating the air. The prospects of being stranded alone in a desolate wasteland ended because the pilot fulfilled his promise. There are times in life when we start feeling alone. Times when we doubt God’s dependability. Times when we waver with the “What ifs” and we feel like He may leave us stranded. In those times we need to remind ourselves, He is always dependable and will fulfill every promise. SP191

When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. Act 4:13

I was preaching to the islanders during a missions trip to the Solomon Islands. The pastor came up to me afterwards and asked through the translator, “Are you a soldier?” I was amazed because at the time, I had just finished seminary and was waiting to come back in the Army as a chaplain. My hair was not regulation and I wasn’t wearing a uniform, how could he tell I had been a soldier? When I asked, he said “You just look and act like a soldier.” I guess after being in the service so long it’s pretty obvious. But here’s a more important question; when people look at us is it obvious that we are Christians? When we live our lives with Jesus intensely, others will readily recognize who we’ve been with. SP190