Month: May 2008

How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word…I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:9,11

There are a bunch of things I’ve memorized in my years in the Army; General Orders, Ranger Creed, SALUTE Report, METT-T, and the list goes on and on. Usually, the things that I’ve memorized have been associated with the basics and fundamentals of being a soldier. These are principles and procedures that guide the daily execution of duties. I must say it took discipline to memorize but it does pay off in the end. I’ve also practiced this discipline in my Christian life. I have what I call a “Basic Load” of verses that assist me in my daily walk with God. I am amazed at how often these verses fit the situations of resisting temptations, ministering to others, and enjoying the abundant blessings of God. Need some ammo for living the Christian life? Lock and load a few verses in your heart. SP274

The LORD replied, “I have forgiven them, as you asked… [However] not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their forefathers. Numbers 14:20, 23

“I just joined for the college money.” “I needed a job, I didn’t think I’d ever have to go to war.” “I don’t mind the Army, I just don’t like this shooting stuff.” Real statements I’ve heard from individuals wanting out of the Army. They wanted the privileges but were unwilling to assume the responsibilities of being a soldier. The Children of Israel pulled the same stunt. The Lord rescued them and was bringing them to the Promised Land. But the people balked because they were afraid and didn’t trust God. The Lord was angry so Moses interceded on their behalf. God did forgive them but He also promised they would never see His blessing. God would give the land of milk and honey to the next generation. We can forfeit blessings when we simply settle for His forgiveness and don’t trust and obey His will. Of course God wants to give us grace and mercy, but He is also building His Kingdom. Trust Him and march forward. SP272

The Rest of the Story: Numbers 13:1-14:25

But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Psalm 1:2-3

One of the common experiences of Ranger students is to suddenly realize the beauty of the Dahlonega Mountains (unless of course you were a winter Ranger). In a state of emaciation and severe suffering, I found myself walking through a blanket of ankle high ferns with the clearest creek babble next to me and the sun rays piercing the lush leafy trees. I immediately experienced a sense of peace in this surreal place. It was like I died and went to heaven. It was a remarkable thing to take in the incredible fertility and growth along the mountain streams. Much like the promise of this passage in Psalms describing spiritual growth. If we continue to read and practice God’s Word, we will experience this same lushness in our own lives. Like the plants and trees along the mountain creeks, is the man or woman who trusts and follows the Word of the Lord. SP271

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us–whatever we ask–we know that we have what we asked of him. 1 John 5:14-15

“Sir, I’ll need Close Air Support for this mission.” “You got it good Sergeant, FSO make it happen!” The Battalion Commander was ready and willing to honor my request on the spot. It was right in line with what he wanted to happen on the objective. I have experienced the same thing in my prayer life. When I’m praying for the things that I know God wants to accomplish, I see so many more answers to my prayers. The trick is figuring out what His will is. But really its no trick, we discover His will every time we read the Bible. We learn more about Him and His work as we study His Word. It is amazing to see how God responds when we ask according to His will. Pray in line with the Commander’s Intent. SP270

CAS (Close Air Support) – The use of Air Force Aircraft to provide fires for ground troops
FSO (Fire Support Officer) – Artillery Officer responsible for coordinating artillery fire for forward maneuver elements

Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8

“Recognizing I volunteered as a Ranger…” The beginning of a creed I memorized long ago and probably didn’t appreciated for its full potential in my younger years. In today’s modern Army everyone’s memorizing and reciting the standards through creeds. From the soldier’s creed to the NCO creed, we infuse our principles into the hearts and minds of our young warriors. Believe it or not, it makes a difference. I think God had this figured out long before the Army. He has instructed us to continually have His Word on our lips, constantly thinking and pondering it’s meaning, persistently applying it to everyday life. Have you grabbed a hold of a meaningful piece of Scripture and really integrated it into your life through memorization and mulling it over again and again? It will pay big dividends in your life, especially over the long haul. SP269

Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21

The plan was simple. Get way out front, stay awake, and report any enemy armor movement. We were aggressing the 5th Mechanized Division and as a light infantry unit, we needed a lot of warning. The weather was miserable and for three days there was only the sound of rain and boredom. Fatigue set in as the catnaps became insufficient. I told my assistant team leader to take charge while I caught a few Zs. I suddenly woke to the rolling thunder of tracked vehicles and a comatose recon team dead asleep. I grabbed the radio and called back a frantic SITREP. A few moments later the battalion commander was bragging about ambushing the columns and congratulating me on my alertness. If he only knew! Sometimes our best plans fail miserably and yet God is able not only to salvage it but also provide great success. Remember to trust Him because He is in control. SP268

He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels. Revelation 3:5

Wood, Charles D. I’ve heard my name so many times as I have walked across stages and parade fields; for graduations, promotions or awards. There’s something about hearing your own name. You stand with a unit or group but you are called out as an individual. It makes you feel good to be acknowledged by name and we’ve all had that feeling. One day there will be another kind of ceremony, a ceremony with eternal consequence. Jesus Christ will callout the names of all those who have placed their faith in Him. All those who have received Him as their personal Lord and Savior. He will read their names from the “Lamb’s Book of Life” and present them before the Father and His angels. Is your name in the book for the final ceremony? SP267

We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. 2 Corinthians 10:12

At the Chaplain’s School I noticed a brand new chaplain in the Basic Course who had obviously been an infantrymen before he became a chaplain. He had both SF and Ranger tabs, he was HALO and Pathfinder qualified, and to top it all off, he was a combat vet. As I admired the warrior, I suddenly realized envy beginning to creep in. I caught myself comparing badge for badge. I had some he had, but then again; I was lacking… WAIT! It’s a trap! Ambush Left! Any time we start the comparison game we set ourselves up for failure. God uniquely creates us for a specific reason and that necessitates difference. When we start the comparisons, we are left with two conclusions; I’m better or I’m not as good. Neither is true. I’m different with a distinct mission and praise God for that. Stay on azimuth with your calling and break contact with comparisons. SP266

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:3-5

I got a PhD in PT in ROK ranger school. The training events consisted of 45 minutes of calisthenics followed by negotiating an obstacle on the confidence course on the side of a steep mountain all day long. It was eight straight hours of PT everyday for eight straight days. I could have been as smart as a box of rocks and still made it through the school. I really thought I hadn’t learned a thing. But actually it taught me a lot about endurance and perseverance. I learned how to keep driving on in the pain, suffering, and monotony. And I guess it’s helped me a great deal in my Christian life as well. Living a life of faith is not always fun and exciting. Some days you get into the daily grind of things and wonder “what am I doing, what’s the use?” But we know if we hang in there, we will see the goodness of Christ once again. We will experience that new day with all it’s blessings. Don’t give up, keep plugging, keep driving on! SP265

PT – Physical Training
ROK – Republic of Korea
PhD – Don’t start calling me Doc, I’m only joking J

I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed me these things. But he *said to me, “Do not do that. I am a fellow servant of yours and of your brethren the prophets and of those who heed the words of this book. Worship God.”
Revelation 22:8-9

It’s it or is it not? A narrow gold metallic emblem fixed on the front of the beret, hummm. Is it the butter bar of a brand new lieutenant or a unit crest? When in doubt, whip it out…the big snappy salute. Only to find out it’s a private you just saluted. This was especially embarrassing when a private would salute you back and say, “You have a good one too Sarge.” Imagine how the Apostle John felt when he was corrected by the angel, “Don’t worship me, I’m a servant like you.” Oops! We can inadvertently misplace our worship in the wrong thing too. Anytime we put people, places, position, or possessions above Christ, we are in a very real danger of saluting the wrong person. Gut check: are you worshiping Jesus and Him alone? SP331