Author: Chuck & Deb

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

But because they served them in the presence of their idols and made the house of Israel fall into sin, therefore I have sworn with uplifted hand that they must bear the consequences of their sin, declares the Sovereign LORD. Ezekiel 44:12

The M1A1 tank was awkwardly sticking out of the hole with its aft end protruding in the air. Fortunately, the crew had avoided major injury even after their abrupt and sudden stop in the darkness. The tank had plunged into a hole that was dug for enemy tanks eight years prior during the 1st Gulf War. Here we were, on a simple training exercise in Kuwait, and the enemy was still causing harm to our guys years after official hostilities had ended. Sin is a lot like that. It has its immediate effects but it can also have long lasting consequences extending years later. These consequences not only affect us but can influence the lives of others as well. We cannot expect God to rescue us from second and third generation repercussions of our mistakes (although often times in His mercy He can). We must make our decisions in life as though we may have to live with the results for years to come. Don’t dig holes you’re afraid you may fall into later. SP264

Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 3:13

One of the things I’ve enjoyed about the Army is being recognized for doing a good job. From coins to medals, I could always count on an occasional token of encouragement. You know it’s the same with serving Christ. He rewards His servants with His good blessings. He promotes us to ranks of greater responsibility in ministry. He brings people into our lives that encourage and support us. He provides our needs and demonstrates His love day by day. We are given greater confidence in our relationship with God. We can even expect a crown and rewards in the kingdom to come for all eternity (Mt 5:12, Eph 6:8, 1 Cor 9:25). There is great reward in serving the King of kings. SP263

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Proverb 27:17

“How can I grow closer in my walk with Christ?” This was a question from my fellow RI as we sat discussing the Christian life on a mountain in the North Georgia. That question has since been repeated hundreds of times with many different men in burger joints and on beaches, road trips and retreats, a Autostrada in Italy and a boat on the Nile. Helping men who want to grow in their relationship with God. It’s a discipleship process I call “Man to Man” (or for my wife, Ma’am to Ma’am). It’s a method that takes time, patience and prayer but the results are a sharper spiritual life that draws men and women closer to God. Of all the church services, all the Sunday School classes, and all the seminary courses, none has impacted my life the way this simple process has. Whether a peer or mentor, once a week, grab your buddy and some chow, crack open a Bible, and talk about life. It will definitely sharpen your walk with Jesus. SP262

“Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! Matthew 7:9-11

I was preparing a live fire ambush with my squad when a big Bull Snake slithered into our presence. Seeing the opportunity for some good training, I pounced on the poor critter and I was cooking him over a small fire in minutes. As the guys learned how to dress, prepare, and eat their little survival meal, not one of them asked for seconds. I think I can speak for all of them, I’d rather have steak than snake any day. And you know, our heavenly Father realizes that. He knows what our desires are and He is well aware of our needs. God is a good Father who gives good gifts to His children. Don’t be afraid to ask Him for the desires of your heart. SP261

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk [of the Word], so that by it you may grow up in your salvation. 1 Peter 2:2

Have you ever been real hungry? I’m not talking “just a little late for supper” hungry. I’m talking real hungry! Like “several days with just the bare minimum” kind of hungry. That’s the kind of hunger that starts to have a dominating effect on the body, soul, and mind. In Ranger School, I got to the point where every spare moment was spent fantasizing about food. I would envision all kinds of wonderful concoctions I would make when I graduated. Like a vanilla milk shake with M&Ms, cashews, and peanut butter. In the Florida Phase we had to cross a road and I saw a Big Mac wrapper. I thought I was going to die. I would dream about food, think about food, and long for food. That’s the kind of hunger we need to develop for the Word of God. A desire that is so overwhelming we can’t wait till the next time we get to read it. Like a baby for milk, like a Ranger Student for chow, crave the Word of God. SP260