Author: Chuck & Deb

And Elisha prayed, ‘O LORD, open his eyes so he may see.’ Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (2 Kings 6:17)

We were walking through the woods in our tactical formation and suddenly a bush started talking to me. Scared me so bad I almost came out of my skin. I had walked right up on a turkey hunter with incredible camouflage. I think the ol’ country boy got a kick out of foolin’ the army guys. We can often fail to see spiritual things right in front of our face as well. Sometimes the camouflage of this physical world can cover up the spiritual. We need to have our eyes wide open, always looking for the spiritual developments around us. Pray that God will open your spiritual eyes and ears to the things He’s doing all around you.

He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20)

I always loved when we would call ENDEX (end of exercise), especially when we knew we would fly back to the rear in choppers. It meant we didn’t have to road-march to the rear, which was particularly painful when you were dead tired. We wouldn’t have to hump that heavy load in our rucksack. All we had to do was get on the bird and relax because we were going home. One day God’s going to call an ENDEX and we will fly away to our heavenly home to be with Jesus Christ. Some say it will be soon. I’m looking forward to not having to trudge this weary old world with my rucksack of imperfection. But until then we have to Charlie Mike (continue the mission). But, be encouraged by this, ENDEX is coming.

When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened. (Jonah 3:10)

Some times in order to get back to where you are going or to figure out where you are, you need to determine a back azimuth. So, if your original azimuth is less than 180 degrees you need to add 180 degrees (STAY WITH ME NOW, IM TRYING TO MAKE A POINT) and if your azimuth is more than 180 degrees you need to subtract 180 degrees. And if you do all that, you will head the exact opposite direction from where you were heading. Sound confusing? (to some it’s child’s play but to others, gobligoop) Well let me assure you that repentance is a lot easier to figure out. If you are not heading Christ’s way, you are heading the wrong way. Turn around.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. (John 14.6)

All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands. (1 Samuel 17:47)

When first Gulf War kicked off there was a lot of conjecture about the war and its outcome. I can remember listening to some friends talking about how our technology would ‘save the day.’ I felt very uncomfortable putting so much trust in something we see fail us everyday. Whether it’s the ‘blue screen of death’ on our computers or an answering machine that seems to be possessed, I’ve just seen too many ways for technology to go south. I’m a techno geek at heart and I think its great, but even so, I think I’ll do a little more praying in times of war.

He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in all the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left. (2 Kings 22:2)

What would you do if you fired your weapon and the bullet took a hard left before it hit it’s target. You might check the sights, maybe your firing technique, and then squeeze off another round. Now the bullet takes a hard right. What’s up with these bullets? It’s like they have a mind of their own. You’d be ticked. ‘I shot that bullet dead center and it executed a right flank on me.’ Well, bullets don’t have a mind of their own, but we do. We have a choice to fly true to course or deviate and go our own way. By the degree we stay on course is the degree by which we demonstrate our loyalty to the Master, our Lord Jesus Christ.

He replied, ‘You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?’ (Job 2:10)

I was praying for a young Canadian Infantryman in Afghanistan. I came into contact with him through a prayer request from his wife. I learned that his life was spared when a bomb dropped by one of our aircraft hit their position and four of his comrades were killed in this friendly fire accident. My first thought was one of great relief that my new friend was safe. And then I wondered why God didn’t spare the lives of the others. I was like Job’s wife asking why bad things like this happen. Job is wise enough to acknowledge that we wont always have all the answers. But one thing is for sure; we will have to trust God in the good and tough times. Let trouble push you toward God, not away.

And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, he pours new wine into new wineskins.’ (Mark 2:22)

I walked out to the PT formation and the music was blaring. I knew something was up but couldn’t put my finger on it. Then it was announced that we would be doing aerobics that morning. I’m sorry, but I was raised on the daily dozen, four mile run and cold showers. I couldn’t even pretend to enjoy dancing. You know the old saying: You can’t teach an old dog new tricks?’ When it comes to PT I’m an Old Dog (Old Wine Skin). But, I can’t afford to grow hard and unteachable in my spiritual life. If I want God to use my life, I need to stay fresh and pliable. OK, I’ll work on my Aerobics if we all promise to keep those spiritual muscles pumping.

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’ (Isaiah 6:8)

You get the word pretty early in your military career, ‘Don’t volunteer for anything.’ And it’s funny to watch how instructors drum up volunteers. They teach the students, ‘When I ask for volunteers, you all raise your hands and begin shouting ‘pick me, pick me!’ It’s quite the sight. Then there is the guy who volunteers and ends up driving the General around in a nice car all day and eating ice cream at the O’ Club. Now that’s something everyone wished they had volunteered for. God is looking for volunteers as well. He’s looking for men and women who would be willing to work in His kingdom. The assignments range for right where you are now to some far away country. The ‘where’ is not as important, but the ‘who’ is top priority. God is looking for a few good men and women to work in His kingdom.

If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.’ (Daniel 3:17-18)

He came into the office and he was steaming. Seems the report I had typed wasn’t what the commander wanted. I was the training NCO and I had typed up the Unit Readiness Report to match the truth. He wanted to know why the anti-tank gunners weren’t qualified. I replied, ‘because the didn’t shoot well, sir?’ But that wasn’t the question he was asking. He was asking why they weren’t qualified on paper? I then understood what he was asking and respectfully told him I could not change the USR. Even though he looked mad, I could tell he respected the decision. I was right and stood my ground.

Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.’ (Mark 10:27)

The phone call came out of the blue. On the other end was one of the people I affectionately call a ‘little old lady in white tennis shoes.’ It was her unfortunate duty to inform me that the US Army could not accession me as a chaplain because of my P3 hearing profile. I had lost some hearing as an enlisted guy and now this defect would keep me from my dream. I asked if there was any exception and she replied, ‘It’s impossible to come on active duty with a P3 profile.’ One year later, my National Guard unit wanted to promote me but couldn’t because of my profile. Unbeknownst to me, they sent my medical records before a review board and had my P3 downgraded to a P2. I was promoted but more importantly, I could now officially apply for active duty chaplaincy. Nothing is impossible for God!