Author: Chuck & Deb

Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence. (Colossians 2:23)

Ever noticed how some people like to make things harder than what they really need to be? In the Ranger community, we call it ‘crossing the fine line.’ There is a fine line between hardcore and stupid. We can cross the line spiritually as well. We can make up rules and regulations God never intended for us. I don’t know about you but I find it hard enough to obey what I see clearly written in Scripture with out dreaming up more stuff to do. KISS: Keep it Scriptural Soldier.

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm–neither hot nor cold–I am about to spit you out of my mouth. (Revelation 3:15-16)

70% is all that is necessary to pass in almost every Army school. It’s enough to get by and 70% almost ensures maximum graduation. But, is God satisfied with 70%? We know He’s forgiving but, will we use that as an excuse to give less than our very best? He wants us to “give it everything we got” in our relationship with Him. Remember the greatest commandment; ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 100% and then some.

For the Scripture says, ‘Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain,’ and ‘The worker deserves his wages.’ (1 Timothy 5:18)

We were building a Platoon Defense, which basically means a lot of digging. We dug all day long; fighting positions, trench lines, mortar pits, etc… By sunset, we got the word that we would need 500 sand bags filled with dirt to put on the finishing touches. So, all night long, the company filled sand bags by jeep lights. I can certainly say I earned my pay that day. But, there are some who are building a spiritual defense around you. They dig into the Word for us and fill protective sand bags with their prayers. They work hard as missionaries to the military: Navigators, Christian Military Fellowship, Campus Crusade, Cadence, Officer’s Christian Fellowship, and others. All laboring hard to meet the spiritual needs of the warrior. Let me encourage you to support these ministries financially and through your prayers. A worker is worthy of his wages.

For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:21)

Before the fight there are captains in the Tactical Operations Center working feverishly on the battle plan. They are called Battle Captains. It’s their responsibility to develop and write the Operations Order. They take the commander’s intent for the fight and turn it into a written plan to distribute to the subordinate units. But, as important as the battle captain may be, the authority and execution of the battle plan belongs to the commander. So it is with scripture. Holy men of God may have written the Bible but ultimately its intent and authority belongs only to God.

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. (James 1:5)

We were clearing a trench line and we were bogged down. Our pretend enemy was tougher than anticipated. I thought I’d try to be slick and do something the OPFOR would never expect. So I jumped out of the trench and ran across open terrain to pinpoint the enemy. I found ’em alright! There I was, in the open with no cover and my MILES was singing it’s nasty little death song. I probably looked like the village idiot performing in the town square. I had made a foolish decision. We are in a dangerous business and we need wisdom. But, we need wisdom for a myriad of other decisions we make everyday too. Decisions with our jobs, families, finances, and most of all, our spiritual lives. God promises if we pray for wisdom, we will receive it. Sounds like something we ought to be praying for daily.

Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach…(1 Timothy 3:1-2)

His wife was killed in a head-on collision by a drunk driver who happened to be a private in the same unit. The commander called me at 0300 for my help to inform my boss and my friend that his wife was dead. Of course he took it pretty hard and we drove him to the hospital to identify her body. Only one problem, the private was in the same emergency room. The commander and I were caught off guard and fearful of what might happen next. The Sergeant simply walked up to the private, asked how he was doing, and then said ‘you heal up, and we’ll worry about this later.’ That was the strongest demonstration of character I have ever witnessed. But really I should have expected nothing less from my friend because he had proven himself time and time again to be a great leader. Great leadership is built on the foundation of great character.

‘You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. (Exodus 20:7)

‘Oh, sorry chaplain.’ I hear that phrase often. It’s the familiar expression soldiers use when they swear in front of the padre. Most of the time, I just nod my head to acknowledge the expression of regret. But, there is a form of swearing that is very dangerous: the misuse of God’s name. God’s name is often spoken in curses, jokes, and interjections without even thinking. Yet this is one of the least recognized sins. Anytime we use His name for anything other than to address Him or to speak of Him respectfully, we use His name in vain. His name is holy and should only be spoken in reverence. Handle with care!

Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the LORD, and when he heard them his anger was aroused. Then fire from the LORD burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp. (Numbers 11:1)

Complaining is one of the soldier’s favorite pass times. I know, I have done my fare share and still do. But, the scriptures remind us that whining and sniveling really ticks God off. Now why is that? Well, one of the big reasons is because complaining communicates a lack of trust in God. It’s a indication of wavering faith. I mean, do we believe that God has our best interest at heart or not? There’s a deeper question with deeper ramifications. We should be asking; ‘Ok God, this situation stinks but what are You trying to teach me through this?’ Case in point: My wife and I were discussing this over dinner one night and we both agreed that her cancer has drawn us both closer to God, not the opposite. Go Figure?

If you would be interested in financilly supporting the ministry at Fort Benning, please email me at charleswood1@gmail.com

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)

I stood on faded yellow painted lines. The barracks were long gone. But after 25 years I was standing in the exact spot where it all started. I was standing in the street where we jumped off the buses and Drill Sergeants skillfully molded me into a soldier. Although there was little evidence, the memories came flooding back. It was the beginning of my military career. But what if someone came to me and challenged the fact that BCT never happened in that place. What if they said I was just making it up. Could I convince them beyond the shadow of a doubt that 25 years ago I was doing push ups right there in the now abandoned street? The answer is no. The only thing I could do is to point out the evidence and hope they would believe me based on the credibility of my character. They would have to take it by faith because they weren’t there to see it all happen. And so it is with God being the source of all creation. We can’t prove it but we can point out the evidence of intelligent design. And we believe God is the author of creation based on the character of the scriptures.

Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:1-2)

As a chaplain, I heard the confessions of a lot of sins. From drugs to theft to sexual immorality. By now, you would think that I’ve heard it all. However, at times, I’m still taken back by the destruction in some peoples lives. Sin has ripped through them like a nuclear blast leaving a wide radius of devastation. As I listen and I quickly remind myself of a quote I heard many years ago. ‘The seed of all sin is within us. All it needs is a little water and fertilizer and it will bear its ugly fruit.’ After reminding myself of that truth, I tend to be more compassionate rather than judgmental. When I see that I could also be tempted by the same sin and I am eager to restore rather than just reprimand. Restore one another.