The next day, the crowd that had remained on the other side of the sea realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not boarded it with His disciples, but they had gone away alone. However, some boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor His disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum to look for Him. When they found Him on the other side of the sea, they asked Him, “Rabbi, when did You get here?” Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, it is not because you saw these signs that you are looking for Me, but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval.” Then they inquired, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” Jesus replied, “The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent.”
My Thoughts
Simple right? Just believe. But I think our Western idea of “believe” and what Jesus was talking about is a very different thing. Belief in our Western context is the agreement with some truth or principle. But when a Jewish person heard “belief or faith,” what did they hear?
The word “believe” in the New Testament carries a deeper meaning than its modern English usage might suggest. In the original Greek text, the term primarily used is “pisteuo” (πιστεύω), which encompasses a more comprehensive concept of faith and trust.
The Greek word “pisteuo” has several interconnected meanings:
To be convinced of something
To give credence to
To trust
In the first-century Jewish context, belief in Jesus as the Messiah involved not only accepting his claims but also committing to follow his teachings and way of life. This understanding of belief was rooted in the Hebrew concept of faith, which included elements of trust, loyalty, and obedience.
The Apostle James, brother of Jesus, sums it up well when he writes;
But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? (James 2:20)
The audience Jesus was speaking to would have their “belief” or “trust” tested later in John chapter 6. Sadly, most of them failed the test. As disciple-makers we are called not only to believe but help those we are discipling to put their faith into action by trusting and following Jesus.
My Story
I recently shared my testimony on YouTube, celebrating 45 years of following Jesus. When a Green Beret shared the gospel with me, I “believed” every part of it – Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. Surprisingly, my life radically changed for the worse! I had intellectually agreed with the facts, but they hadn’t truly registered in my heart. I had yet to repent, a crucial aspect of salvation.
After hitting rock bottom, I realized mere acknowledgment wasn’t enough. I surrendered my life to Christ, committing not only to agree with the truth but to follow and trust Him wholeheartedly. This change of heart, mind, and intent transformed my life, I was a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17). I coupled repentance with belief and surrendered my will to His.
My favorite story that illustrates repentance perfectly is Zacchaeus, a despised chief tax collector. When Jesus encountered this notorious sinner and announced He would stay at Zacchaeus’ house, Zacchaeus declared, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount”.
Jesus responded with a remarkable proclamation of His own: “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost”.
Here’s a thought-provoking question: Had Zacchaeus actually fulfilled his promises before Jesus declared him right with God? The answer is no. However, his mind and heart were fully engaged in the repentance process, and his life would never be the same.
This story illustrates that salvation involves more than just intellectual assent. It requires a genuine change of heart and a commitment to live differently, even before those changes are fully realized. Zacchaeus’ transformation, like mine, demonstrates the power of true repentance coupled with faith in Christ.
Our Action Plan
Now it’s time for application. Here’s some ideas;
Do a Bible study on repentance with those you are discipling. Look closely at these examples;
1. Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10)
2. Sinner’s Prayer (Luke 18:9-14)
3. Repentant Woman (Luke 7:36-50)
4. The Wayward Son (Luke 15:11-24)
5. The Woman at the Well (John 4:4-38)
6. Simon the Fisherman (Luke 5:1-11)
7. The Thief on the Cross (Luke 23:32-43)
Answer these questions;
How has your faith been tested and/or demonstrated in a significant way in the past six months?
Which biblical promises are you helping those you are discipling to embrace and trust?
True belief in Jesus goes beyond mere intellectual assent and requires a transformative commitment that impacts every aspect of our lives. As disciple-makers, we are called to not only nurture this deep-rooted faith in ourselves but also to guide others towards a genuine, action-oriented belief that leads to lasting spiritual growth and a closer walk with Christ.
¡Creo! (¿Pero lo creo?) – 100
¡Bienvenidos nuevamente! Hoy, analizaremos los Evangelios de Juan para analizar lo que Jesús quiso decir con “creer”.
Comencemos.
Juan 6:22-29
Al día siguiente, la multitud que se había quedado al otro lado del mar se dio cuenta de que allí había solo una barca, y que Jesús no había subido a ella con sus discípulos, sino que se habían ido solos. Sin embargo, algunas barcas de Tiberíades llegaron cerca del lugar donde la gente había comido el pan después de que el Señor dio gracias. Entonces, cuando la multitud vio que ni Jesús ni sus discípulos estaban allí, subieron a las barcas y fueron a Capernaúm para buscarlo. Cuando lo encontraron al otro lado del mar, le preguntaron: «Rabí, ¿cuándo llegaste aquí?» Jesús les respondió: «De cierto, de cierto les digo: no me buscan porque vieron estas señales, sino porque comieron el pan y se saciaron. Trabajen, no por el alimento que perece, sino por el alimento que permanece para vida eterna, el cual el Hijo del Hombre les dará. Porque a éste, Dios el Padre, le ha puesto su sello de aprobación». Entonces le preguntaron: «¿Qué debemos hacer para poner en práctica las obras de Dios?» Jesús les respondió: «La obra de Dios es ésta: creer en aquel que él ha enviado.»
Mis Pensamientos
Sencillo, ¿no? Solo creer. Pero creo que nuestra idea occidental de “creer” y de lo que hablaba Jesús es algo muy diferente. Creer en nuestro contexto occidental es estar de acuerdo con alguna verdad o principio. Pero cuando una persona judía escuchaba “creencia o fe”, ¿qué escuchaba?
La palabra “creer” en el Nuevo Testamento conlleva un significado más profundo que el que su uso moderno en español podría sugerir. En el texto griego original, el término utilizado principalmente es “pisteuo” (πιστεύω), que abarca un concepto más amplio de fe y confianza.
La palabra griega “pisteuo” tiene varios significados interconectados:
Estar convencido de algo
Dar crédito a algo
Confiar
En el contexto judío del primer siglo, creer en Jesús como el Mesías implicaba no solo aceptar sus afirmaciones, sino también comprometerse a seguir sus enseñanzas y su forma de vida. Esta comprensión de la creencia tenía sus raíces en el concepto hebreo de fe, que incluía elementos de confianza, lealtad y obediencia.
El apóstol Santiago, hermano de Jesús, lo resume bien cuando escribe:
Pero ¿estás dispuesto a reconocer, hombre insensato, que la fe sin obras es inútil? (Santiago 2:20)
La “creencia” o “confianza” de los oyentes a los que Jesús se dirigía sería puesta a prueba más adelante en el capítulo 6 de Juan. Lamentablemente, la mayoría de ellos no la superaron. Como hacedores de discípulos, estamos llamados no solo a creer, sino también a ayudar a quienes estamos discipulando a poner su fe en acción confiando en Jesús y siguiéndolo.
Mi Historia
Recientemente compartí mi testimonio en YouTube, celebrando 45 años de seguir a Jesús. Cuando un boina verde compartió el evangelio conmigo, “creí” cada parte de él: la muerte, sepultura y resurrección de Jesús. Sorprendentemente, ¡mi vida cambió radicalmente para peor! Había estado de acuerdo intelectualmente con los hechos, pero no los había registrado verdaderamente en mi corazón. Todavía tenía que arrepentirme, un aspecto crucial de la salvación.
Después de tocar fondo, me di cuenta de que el mero reconocimiento no era suficiente. Entregué mi vida a Cristo, comprometiéndome no solo a estar de acuerdo con la verdad, sino a seguirlo y confiar en Él de todo corazón. Este cambio de corazón, mente e intención transformó mi vida, era una nueva criatura (2 Corintios 5:17). Uní el arrepentimiento con la fe y entregué mi voluntad a la Suya.
Mi historia favorita que ilustra perfectamente el arrepentimiento es la de Zaqueo, un jefe de recaudadores de impuestos despreciado. Cuando Jesús se encontró con este conocido pecador y le anunció que se quedaría en su casa, Zaqueo le dijo: «Señor, la mitad de mis bienes la doy a los pobres, y si en algo he defraudado a alguien, se lo devuelvo cuadruplicado».
Jesús respondió con una notable proclamación suya: «Hoy ha llegado la salvación a esta casa, porque también éste es hijo de Abraham. Porque el Hijo del Hombre vino a buscar y a salvar lo que se había perdido».
He aquí una pregunta que nos hace reflexionar: ¿Había cumplido Zaqueo sus promesas antes de que Jesús lo declarara justo ante Dios? La respuesta es no. Sin embargo, su mente y su corazón estaban completamente comprometidos con el proceso de arrepentimiento, y su vida nunca sería la misma.
Esta historia ilustra que la salvación implica más que un simple asentimiento intelectual. Requiere un cambio genuino de corazón y un compromiso de vivir de manera diferente, incluso antes de que esos cambios se realicen plenamente. La transformación de Zaqueo, como la mía, demuestra el poder del verdadero arrepentimiento unido a la fe en Cristo.
Nuestro Plan de Acción
Ahora es el momento de la aplicación. Aquí hay algunas ideas:
Haz un estudio bíblico sobre el arrepentimiento con aquellos a quienes estás discipulando. Observa atentamente estos ejemplos:
1. Zaqueo (Lucas 19:1-10)
2. La oración del pecador (Lucas 18:9-14)
3. La mujer arrepentida (Lucas 7:36-50)
4. El hijo desobediente (Lucas 15:11-24)
5. La mujer junto al pozo (Juan 4:4-38)
6. Simón el pescador (Lucas 5:1-11)
7. El ladrón en la cruz (Lucas 23:32-43)
Responde estas preguntas:
¿Cómo se ha puesto a prueba y/o demostrado tu fe de manera significativa en los últimos seis meses?
¿Qué promesas bíblicas estás ayudando a aceptar y confiar en quienes estás discipulando?
La verdadera fe en Jesús va más allá de un simple asentimiento intelectual y requiere un compromiso transformador que afecta cada aspecto de nuestra vida. Como hacedores de discípulos, estamos llamados no sólo a nutrir esta fe profundamente arraigada en nosotros mismos, sino también a guiar a otros hacia una fe genuina y orientada a la acción que conduzca a un crecimiento espiritual duradero y a una relación más estrecha con Cristo.
Si ve un problema importante en la traducción, envíeme una corrección por correo electrónico a charleswood1@gmail.com
The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD;
He turns it wherever He wishes.
Proverbs 21:1
Reassignment
The distant hum of the transport ship’s engines provided a constant backdrop as Wade, Jay, Mayumi, and Bikram settled into their new quarters. The sterile, metallic surroundings of the military vessel were a far cry from the alien environment they had recently escaped, yet the four Marines found little comfort in the familiar setting.
“13th Expeditionary Unit,” Wade muttered, wincing as he shifted on his cot. The bandaged stump where his right hand used to be throbbed painfully, and he could feel the heat of fever radiating from the wound. “I still can’t believe they just scrapped our Ranger School plans and didn’t even give us a chance to recover.”
Jay nodded, his usual jovial demeanor subdued. “Yeah, feels like we’re being shuffled off to some backwater assignment. Out of sight, out of mind.”
Mayumi, who had been quietly reviewing their transfer orders on a datapad, looked up with a frown. “Echo Company, 1st Platoon. Doesn’t say much about our mission parameters. It’s all pretty vague.”
Bikram, ever the pragmatist, shrugged. “Maybe it’s for the best. After what we’ve been through, a quiet posting might be exactly what we need.”
The four Marines exchanged glances, each knowing that ‘quiet’ was the last thing they wanted or expected. The weight of their shared secret – the horrors they had witnessed aboard the Skravak ship and the subsequent cover-up – hung heavily in the air between them.
As the transport ship carried them towards their new assignment, none of them could shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of a much larger, more dangerous journey.
Corpsman Martinez approached Wade, medical kit in hand. “Time to change that dressing, Private Kovacs. How’s the pain?”
Wade grimaced as Martinez began to clean the wound. “Still there, but the fever’s worse. Any chance of getting that prosthetic soon?”
Martinez shook his head. “Not until we get this infection under control. I’m doing what I can with our limited supplies, but you really need a proper medical facility.”
Suspect Orders
The briefing room of the ISC Vengeance buzzed with nervous energy as the newly assigned members of Echo Company’s 1st Platoon gathered. Lieutenant Jordan, a square-jawed officer with piercing green eyes, stood at the front, his expression grim.
“Alright, Marines,” Jordan began, his voice cutting through the murmur of conversation. “I’m not going to sugarcoat this. We’ve received our operation orders, and they’re… unconventional, to say the least.”
Wade, Jay, Mayumi, and Bikram exchanged uneasy glances. They had only been with the unit for a few days, but already they sensed something was off.
Jordan continued, “We’re to conduct a deep insertion into Sector 7G, a known hotbed of Skravak activity. Our objective is to neutralize a suspected weapons cache and gather any available intelligence.”
A holographic display flickered to life, showing a desolate, rocky planetoid surrounded by a dense asteroid field. “We’ll be deploying via drop ship, with minimal support from the Vengeance. Once we’re planetside, we’ll have approximately 48 hours to complete the mission before extraction.”
The room erupted in a chorus of concerned murmurs. Gunnery Sergeant Rodriguez, a veteran of multiple campaigns, Pulled Lieutenant Jordan aside and said under his breath, “Sir, with all due respect, this is suicide. The asteroid field alone would make extraction nearly impossible, let alone the Skravak presence.”
They exchanged worried glances and Jordan’s jaw tightened and said in a low but firm tone, “I understand your concerns, Gunny. But these orders come directly from Navy Admiral Blankenship. We don’t have the luxury of questioning them.”
As the briefing continued, detailing the specifics of their approach and planned assault, Wade leaned over to Jay. “This doesn’t feel right,” he whispered. “It’s like they’re sending us on a one-way trip.”
Jay nodded, his expression dark. “Yeah, and I can’t shake the feeling it has something to do with what we saw on that Skravak ship.”
Mayumi and Bikram, overhearing the exchange, shared a look of grim understanding. Whatever was going on, they were now caught in the middle of it.
Launch and Abandonment
The drop ship, a Thunderhawk-class assault craft, shuddered as it exited the Vengeance’s docking bay. Inside the cramped troop compartment, the Marines of 1st Platoon checked and rechecked their gear, the tension in the air apparent.
Wade lay slumped against his EVA gear next to him in the troop seat, his face pale and sweating from the fever. Jay, noticing his friend’s discomfort, gave him a reassuring pat on his good arm. Across from them, Mayumi and Bikram sat in silence, their faces masks of concentration.
Lieutenant Jordan shouted over the din. “Alright, people. We’re on our own from here on out. The Vengeance has been called away on urgent orders. We’ll proceed with the mission as planned.”
A collective groan rippled through the compartment. Private Chen, a fresh-faced recruit, voiced what everyone was thinking. “They’re just leaving us? That figures! And right in the middle of Skravak territory.”
“Stow it, Chen,” Gunny Rodriguez barked. “We’re Marines. We adapt and overcome.”
As the drop ship pushed deeper into the asteroid field, the reality of their situation began to sink in. They were a small, insignificant speck in the vast blackness of space, with only each other to rely on.
Jay caught Mayumi’s eye. “Remember when I said I’d rather be back on the Skravak ship sipping stasis fluid?” he said with a grim chuckle. “I’m starting to think I was right.”
Mayumi managed a weak smile. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”
The tension in the compartment was suddenly broken by the sound of the cockpit door sliding open. All eyes turned to see a figure emerging – a figure that was decidedly not part of their platoon.
The Unexpected Stowaway
The man who stepped into the troop compartment wore the unmistakable insignia of a Marine Major General. His salt-and-pepper hair was cropped close to his skull, and his weathered face bore the scars of countless battles. But it was his eyes that commanded attention – piercing and intelligent, they swept across the stunned faces of the platoon.
“At ease, Marines,” he said, his voice a gravelly rumble. “I’m Major General Redside. And we need to talk.”
The compartment erupted in a flurry of movement as the Marines tried to grapple with the general’s presence, the confusion evident on their faces. Lieutenant Jordan pushed his way forward, his expression a mix of shock and indignation.
Jordan standing at the ridgid position of attention, stammered, “General, sir, We… we weren’t informed of your presence. What’s going on?”
Redside’s mouth twisted into a grim smile. “What’s going on, Lieutenant, is that we’re not following Admiral Blankenship’s orders. Not today.”
A ripple of whispers spread through the platoon. Wade, Jay, Mayumi, and Bikram exchanged meaningful glances, a spark of hope igniting in their chests.
The General’s eyes locked onto the four Marines. “Corporals Kovacs, Ringler, Kato, and Rana. Front and center. Yes, that’s right Corporal. Lieutenant, Gunny, get up here and help me pin these stripes on them. This is probably the last good news we’re gonna hear for a while. “
As Jay, Mayumi, and Bikram moved forward, Wade struggled to get up. Redside noticed his condition and approached him instead.
After pinning the new rank on the four, Redside turned back toward the rest of the stunned platoon. “Alright, enough with the formalities. What I’m about to tell you is highly classified,” Redside addressed the platoon. “These four Marines recently survived an encounter with a Skravak vessel. An encounter that certain elements within our government would prefer to keep quiet.”
He turned back to the four. “I need you to fill in the gaps for your fellow Marines. Tell them everything.”
Wade hesitated, the admiral’s threats still fresh in his mind. “Sir, we were under strict orders not to discuss what happened.”
Redside nodded. “I understand your hesitation, Corporal. But I’m giving you new orders. The safety of the Confederation depends on what you know.”
Slowly, hesitantly at first, then with growing confidence, Wade, Jay, Mayumi, and Bikram recounted their harrowing experience aboard the Skravak ship. They spoke of the human captives in stasis, the alien hunters, and the advanced technology they had encountered. As they talked, the faces of their fellow Marines transformed from confusion to horror to determination.
When they finished, Redside stepped forward again. “What these Marines encountered is just the tip of the iceberg. We have reason to believe that the Skravaks are engaged in large-scale abduction and experimentation on human subjects. And worse, that elements within our own government are complicit.”
The compartment fell silent as the weight of his words sank in.
“That’s why we’re here,” Redside continued. “Our real mission is to find another Skravak vessel, board it, and gather as much intelligence as we can. We have 24 hours once we disable the ship before our extraction window closes.”
Private Chen raised his hand tentatively. “Sir, what about the Navy? Won’t they realize we’re not following orders?”
Redside’s expression darkened. “As far as the Navy is concerned, you’re on a suicide mission. They don’t expect you to return. Which gives us the element of surprise.”
He looked around the compartment, meeting each Marine’s eyes in turn. “I won’t lie to you. This mission is dangerous. Maybe even more dangerous than the one you thought you were on. But it’s necessary. We may be the only ones who can expose the truth and protect our people.”
Lieutenant Jordan stepped forward, his earlier confusion replaced by resolve. “We’re with you, sir. What are your orders?”
Redside nodded, a glimmer of pride in his eyes. “First, we need to find our target. Pilot,” he called towards the cockpit, “set course for the outer rim of Sector 7G. We’re going hunting.”
As the drop ship changed course, the Marines of 1st Platoon began to prepare for a mission unlike any they had trained for. Wade, despite his weakened condition, found himself at the center of it all, his recent experience suddenly invaluable.
“Well Corporals,” Jay muttered to his friends, “looks like we’re going back into the belly of the beast.”
Wade nodded grimly, fighting through the fog of his fever. “This time, we’re ready for them.”
The Hunt Begins
The Thunderhawk dropship glided silently through the vast expanse of space, its sensors sweeping the area for any sign of Skravak activity. Inside, the Marines of 1st Platoon had transformed the troop compartment into a makeshift command center, with holographic displays showing real-time data from their search.
Major General Redside stood at the center of the makeshift command post. Next to him, propped up on an improvised armchair to make him more comfortable, Wade monitored the sensor data and hooked into the platoon comms channel. Fighting through the haze of his fever, he moved his mic toward his mouth, “Radio check, over.” Jordan and the other team leaders responded, “Lima Charlie, out.” Corpsman Martinez hovered nearby, keeping a close eye on Wade’s condition.
“Remember,” Redside’s voice crackled over the comm to the recon team, “we’re looking for anything out of the ordinary. Unusual energy signatures, unexplained gravitational anomalies, anything that doesn’t fit the normal pattern of space traffic in this sector.”
Wade, his voice weak but determined, looked up at Redside. “Sir, what if we can’t find a ship in time? Our window is pretty narrow.”
Redside’s expression remained impassive, but there was a hint of concern in his voice. “Then we adapt, Corporal. We’ve come too far to turn back now.”
Suddenly, one of the pilot’s voices cut through the low hum of conversation. “I’ve got something! Bearing zero four seven, mark three two. It’s faint, but there’s definitely an energy signature that doesn’t match any known Confederation profiles.”
The General was on the comm in an instant. “Good work, Chief. That’s our target. Set an intercept course, but keep us at maximum sensor range. We don’t want to spook them.”
As the drop ship adjusted its trajectory, an intense sense of anticipation filled the compartment. This was it – the moment they had been preparing for since leaving the Vengeance.
Jay, busy checking his gear with the recon team, paused to look at Wade. “You know, a month ago, if someone had told me we’d be voluntarily approaching another Skravak ship, I’d have said they were crazy.”
Wade nodded weakly, a wry smile on his face. “Semper Gumby, bro. At least this time we know what we’re getting into. Well, most of us do.”
“Do we?” Bikram asked, his voice low. “We barely survived last time, and that was mostly luck. Who knows what we’ll find on this ship?”
“Ain’t no such thing as luck Bik.” Jay chimed in. “We have God Almighty on our side. The Bible says in Isaiah 41:10, Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’”
Mayumi placed a reassuring hand on Bikram’s shoulder. “Whatever it is, we face it together. All of us, and the Lord.” she added, looking around at their fellow Marines.
Wade managed to struggle to his feet and asked the general if he could pray and ask God’s blessing on their efforts. Redside motioned his approval toward the platoon, closed his eyes, and bowed his head.
Wade, in the loudest voice he could muster, said, Let’s pray Marines. God Almighty, you know the evil that we are about to encounter and the evil that is behind it. We ask for your wisdom and protection as we bring light to a very dark situation. Be with us in Your strength, I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN.
Lieutenant Jordan approached, his face a mask of determination. “Alright, Marines, one more run through. We’re going to approach using the asteroid field as cover. Once we’re in range, our three veterans and myself will exit the back ramp at high speed as we pass as close to the Krav’s ship as possible. We’ll EVA to the ship and use the same entry point they used last time – the waste disposal system.”
There were a few grimaces at this, but no one complained.
“You’ll be positioned in the Thunderhawk outside scanner range waiting for our comms. Once inside,” Jordan continued, “we’ll disable the ship and bring the rest of the platoon in. We’ll split into teams. Alpha team, under my command, and Corporal Ringler, will push forward towards the ship’s central control systems to gather intel. Bravo team, led by Gunny Rodriguez and Corporal Rana, will secure our entry point and set up a fallback position. Charlie team, led by Sergeant Curry and Corporal Kato, will focus on gathering intel in the aft where the stasis tubes and cages were on the first ship and, if possible, locating any human captives.”
They all nodded fully knowing the cost of failure.
Redside nodded. “Corporal Kovacs and I will coordinate from here. His experience will be crucial in guiding you through the ship.”
As the Marines made their final preparations, checking weapons and sealing suits, Redside addressed them one last time. “Remember, Marines, we have 24 hours from the moment we disable that ship. Every second counts. What we find in there could change the course of the war, maybe even the future of humanity. Let’s make it count.”
The platoon responded with a thunderous, “OORAH SIR!”
The drop ship’s pilot’s voice came over the intercom. “Sir, we’re approaching optimal insertion range. Standing by for your order.”
Redside looked around the compartment, meeting the eyes of each Marine in turn. He saw fear there, yes, but also courage, determination, and trust. They were ready.
“All right,” he said, his voice firm and confident. “Let’s go make history.”
With that, the Thunderhawk surged forward, emerging from the cover of the asteroids on a direct course for the unsuspecting Skravak vessel. In moments, the recon team would be boarding, stepping once again into the unknown.
As Wade prepared himself for the challenging task of coordinating the mission remotely, a verse from Proverbs that he had just memorized came to his mind: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
He took a deep breath, sat up straight, and focused. Whatever challenges lay ahead, whatever horrors they might face, he knew that his faith, his training, and his comrades would see them through. The hunt had begun, and now it was time for the hunters to become the hunted.
When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and moored the boat. As soon as they got out of the boat, the men of that place recognized Jesus, and they ran and sent word to all the whole region. People brought all the sick to Him carrying them on mats to wherever they heard He was. And wherever He went—villages and towns and countrysides—they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged Him just to let them touch the fringe of His cloak. And all who touched Him were healed.
My Thoughts
Again, let’s look below the glaring scene of the spectacular to find the hidden gems of discipleship. Ever wonder why Jesus spent so much time crossing the Sea of Galilee in a boat with His disciples? If you’ve ever been to the Sea of Galilee you are immediately struck by how small it is. From certain elevated vantage points you can see the whole “sea” clearly. In my mind I would call it a medium size lake but not a sea. Jesus and His disciples could have easily walked to the locations described in the Gospels and yet He decided to take a boat. Why?
I think the answer lies in the rhythms of discipleship. Jesus spent time with the crowds, traveling the roads, in private homes, on the desolate mountain tops, in the synagogue and temple, and in the boat…(Don’t miss this)… with His disciples. We call this the “with Him” principle of discipleship taken from Mark 3:14;
“And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach”
Jesus spent the lion share of His time discipling His men “in the harvest.” This is a crucial element of discipleship that most disciple-makers are missing today but we’ll tackle that in a later blog post. But just as important was His time spent alone with the disciples. And there was no more effective way to get intentional secluded time with His men than in a boat. If anyone else wanted to come along, “Sorry, no room in the boat.” This is pure genius!
Are you getting significant alone time with those you are discipling? Most of us don’t own a boat. (And I don’t recommend getting one unless you just love fishing and have money to burn). But we have found creative ways to get private time with mentees. And let’s face it. Most of us don’t even come close to the fame Jesus had so it should be pretty easy to stay incognito and find a private place to hangout with fellow Jesus followers.
My Story
One of my most effective strategies for discipling people is what I call my “secret sauce.” I prioritize spending time with key leaders, either one-on-one or in small groups of no more than three. This approach creates an intimate, focused, and intentional environment where we can delve deep into the nuances of life and ministry.
I’ve observed other leaders attempting to groom their lieutenants using a “herd mentality.” While this method may offer some benefits, it often falls short of providing the depth necessary to truly develop the next generation of leaders. The focused attention that comes from smaller, more personal interactions is invaluable in nurturing genuine growth and leadership development.
By keeping these sessions small and targeted, we can address the “nitty-gritty” aspects of leadership and personal growth more effectively. This method allows for more meaningful conversations, personalized guidance, and the opportunity to tackle specific challenges that each individual may face in their journey of growth and leadership.
I start these times with three simple questions;
How are you doing?
What are you getting out of the Word of God?
How are your people doing?
There’s some discipleship genius in those questions and I’ll probably cover them in a different post if you request it. But suffice it to say, these questions will lead to deeper questions and meaningful conversations.
Our Action Plan
Now it’s time for application. Here’s some ideas;
Who are you focused on? Get individual time with them this week and ask the three questions.
Who are those you are discipling focused on? Are they getting individual time with the people they are mentoring?
Discuss these questions with a mentor or those you are mentoring; Why do leaders shy away from such focused interactions with potential leaders? What are your goals in leadership development?
Jesus used a boat to teach us that true leadership development happens through intentional, personal time together. By creating focused moments of connection, we can more effectively mentor and guide emerging leaders.
Tiempo en el barco – 99
¡Bienvenidos de nuevo! Hoy, analizaremos los evangelios de Mateo y Marcos para ver cómo Jesús utilizó un barco para desarrollar líderes.
Comencemos.
Mateo 14:34-36, Marcos 6:53-56
Después de cruzar el río, llegaron a Genesaret y amarraron la barca. En cuanto descendieron de la barca, los hombres de aquel lugar reconocieron a Jesús, y corrieron y avisaron por toda la comarca. Le llevaban a todos los enfermos, llevándolos en camillas a donde oían que estaba. Y dondequiera que iba —pueblos, ciudades y aldeas—, ponían a los enfermos en las plazas y le rogaban que les dejase tocar tan solo el borde de su manto; y todos los que lo tocaban quedaban curados.
Mis Pensamientos
De nuevo, miremos más allá de la deslumbrante escena del espectáculo para encontrar las joyas ocultas del discipulado. ¿Alguna vez te preguntaste por qué Jesús pasó tanto tiempo cruzando el Mar de Galilea en un barco con sus discípulos? Si alguna vez has estado en el Mar de Galilea, te sorprenderá de inmediato lo pequeño que es. Desde ciertos puntos elevados se puede ver todo el “mar” con claridad. En mi mente lo llamaría un lago de tamaño mediano, pero no un mar. Jesús y sus discípulos podrían haber caminado fácilmente hasta los lugares descritos en los Evangelios y, sin embargo, decidió tomar un barco. ¿Por qué?
Creo que la respuesta está en los ritmos del discipulado. Jesús pasó tiempo con las multitudes, viajando por los caminos, en casas particulares, en las cimas desoladas de las montañas, en la sinagoga y el templo, y en el barco… (No te lo pierdas)… con sus discípulos. A esto lo llamamos el principio del discipulado “con Él”, tomado de Marcos 3:14;
“Y designó a doce, para que estuviesen con él y para enviarlos a predicar”
Jesús pasó la mayor parte de su tiempo discipulando a sus hombres “en la siega”. Este es un elemento crucial del discipulado que la mayoría de los hacedores de discípulos están pasando por alto hoy en día, pero lo abordaremos en una próxima publicación del blog. Pero igual de importante fue el tiempo que pasó a solas con los discípulos. Y no había una manera más efectiva de pasar un tiempo aislado intencional con sus hombres que en un barco. Si alguien más quería acompañarlos, “Lo siento, no hay lugar en el barco”. ¡Esto es pura genialidad!
¿Está pasando un tiempo a solas significativo con aquellos a quienes está discipulando? La mayoría de nosotros no posee un barco. (Y no recomiendo tener uno a menos que le encante pescar y tenga dinero para gastar). Pero hemos encontrado formas creativas de pasar tiempo privado con los aprendices. Y seamos sinceros. La mayoría de nosotros ni siquiera nos acercamos a la fama que tenía Jesús, por lo que debería ser bastante fácil permanecer de incógnito y encontrar un lugar privado para pasar el rato con otros seguidores de Jesús.
Mi Historia
Una de mis estrategias más eficaces para discipular a la gente es lo que llamo mi “salsa secreta”. Priorizo pasar tiempo con líderes clave, ya sea individualmente o en grupos pequeños de no más de tres. Este enfoque crea un entorno íntimo, centrado e intencional donde podemos profundizar en los matices de la vida y el ministerio.
He observado a otros líderes que intentan preparar a sus lugartenientes utilizando una “mentalidad de rebaño”. Si bien este método puede ofrecer algunos beneficios, a menudo no proporciona la profundidad necesaria para desarrollar verdaderamente la próxima generación de líderes. La atención enfocada que surge de interacciones más pequeñas y personales es invaluable para nutrir el crecimiento genuino y el desarrollo del liderazgo.
Al mantener estas sesiones pequeñas y específicas, podemos abordar los aspectos “esenciales” del liderazgo y el crecimiento personal de manera más efectiva. Este método permite conversaciones más significativas, orientación personalizada y la oportunidad de abordar desafíos específicos que cada individuo puede enfrentar en su camino de crecimiento y liderazgo.
Comienzo estos momentos con tres preguntas simples:
¿Cómo estás?
¿Qué estás obteniendo de la Palabra de Dios?
¿Cómo está tu gente?
Hay algo de genialidad de discipulado en esas preguntas y probablemente las cubriré en una publicación diferente si lo solicitas. Pero basta con decir que estas preguntas conducirán a preguntas más profundas y conversaciones significativas.
Nuestro Plan de Acción
Ahora es el momento de ponerlas en práctica. Aquí tienes algunas ideas:
¿En quién te estás centrando? Pasa un tiempo individual con ellos esta semana y hazles las tres preguntas:
¿En quiénes se centra tu discipulado? ¿Pasan tiempo individual con las personas a las que estás asesorando?
Habla de estas preguntas con un mentor o con las personas a las que estás asesorando: ¿Por qué los líderes evitan este tipo de interacciones centradas con líderes potenciales? ¿Cuáles son tus objetivos en el desarrollo del liderazgo?
Jesús usó una barca para enseñarnos que el verdadero desarrollo del liderazgo se produce a través de un tiempo personal e intencional juntos. Al crear momentos de conexión centrados, podemos asesorar y guiar de manera más eficaz a los líderes emergentes.
Si ve un problema importante en la traducción, envíeme una corrección por correo electrónico a charleswood1@gmail.com
“Is anyone else thirsty?” Jay’s question broke the tense silence that had fallen over the group of Marines. They had been trapped on the Skravak ship for what felt like an eternity, their bodies crying out for sustenance.
Wade grimaced, feeling the dryness in his throat. “We can survive about three days without water, and maybe three weeks without food. But we better find something soon.”
The four Marines began a desperate search through the alien vessel, looking for anything that might be edible or drinkable. They scoured every nook and cranny, but the automated ship seemed devoid of any provisions for organic life forms, other than the caged Skravaks and the humans in the stasis tubes.
As their search continued fruitlessly, Jay’s eyes fell on the empty stasis tubes that had once held human captives. “Hey, guys,” he said hesitantly, “I know this sounds gross, but what about the liquid in those tubes? It’s keeping the humans alive, right? Maybe we could try it.”
Wade’s face darkened at the suggestion, memories of his harrowing experience during boot camp on Carthis 7 flooding back. “No way,” he said firmly. “We have no idea what that stuff could do to us. Remember what happened to me when I drank unfiltered water at the end of boot?”
As the day wore on and their situation grew more desperate. Jay, driven by unbearable thirst, made a bold decision.
“I can’t take it anymore,” he announced. “I’m going to try the stasis liquid. If it kills me, well, at least I won’t die of thirst.”
While Jay approached one of the empty tubes and scooped up a handful of the remaining liquid, Wade, Mayumi and Bikram watched with anxiety. Jay hesitated for a moment, then brought the liquid to his lips and drank. The bitter, metallic taste made him grimace. Hoping that Jay was right, they knew better than to all drink the liquid at the same time. They watched Jay carefully and in the meantime they turned their attention to the ship’s communication system.
“I know Morse Code,” Mayumi offered, studying the alien interface. “If we can figure out how to transmit a simple signal, I can rig it to repeat a basic message.”
Hours ticked by as Jay showed no ill effects. Mayumi and Bikram made progress with the comm system, managing to jerry-rig it to emit a series of long and short bursts.
“I think we’ve got it,” Bikram said, adjusting some controls. “What should the message say?”
Mayumi thought for a moment. “Let’s keep it simple: ‘SOS’ followed by our coordinates and ‘FOUR MARINES TRAPPED INSIDE DISABLED SHIP. HUMAN CAPTIVES IN STASIS. NEED RESCUE.'”
As they fine-tuned the distress signal, Mayumi and Bikram, seeing Jay’s apparent well-being, decided to follow his lead. They too drank from the stasis tubes, their desperation overcoming their fear.
Wade held out for another day, dividing his attention between monitoring his companions and assisting with the communication efforts. The other Marines seemed healthier than ever, and the distress signal was now broadcasting consistently.
Finally, Wade relented. “I guess I’ve been a big wimp. You haven’t grown a third eye or anything,” he muttered as he took his first sip of the alien liquid. He winced at the bitter taste and added, “Ugg, that is nasty!”
Mayumi Comes to Christ
As the days stretched on aboard the Skravak ship, the Marines found themselves grappling not just with physical survival, but with spiritual questions. The constant threat of death and the bizarre nature of their circumstances led to deep, late-night conversations.
One evening, as they huddled around a makeshift light source, Wade and Jay began their nightly prayers together. Mayumi and Bikram listened as they thanked God for another day of provision and protection. As they finished, Wade spoke matter-of-factly, “You know, in times like these, I’m grateful for my belief in God. It gives me hope.”
Jay nodded in agreement. “I never thought I’d say this, but going through all this stuff has strengthened my faith in God. It’s like, in the face of all this alien tech and danger, I can see God’s hand protecting us.”
Mayumi, who was listening intently, spoke up. “I’ve never really thought much about religion. But after everything we’ve been through and watching you guys… the peace and courage you have… your prayers… I don’t know. It feels like there must be something more out there.”
Wade and Jay took the opportunity to share their faith in Jesus, explaining that God loves us so much, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to earth. He lived a perfect life and then was killed according to the Scriptures. He died in our stead, taking our sins on Himself and paying the price for our rebellion against God. God provided a way to have a right relationship with Him through His Son’s sacrifice on a cross. Mayumi listened with growing interest, asking thoughtful questions and sharing her own doubts and fears.
As the conversation went on, something seemed to click for Mayumi. “I think… I think I want what you guys have,” she said, her voice trembling with emotion. “This peace, this hope. How do I get it?”
Wade smiled warmly. “It’s simple, Mayumi. You just need to tell God you believe that He sent His Son to die for your sins and repent and accept Jesus as your King. Instead of living your life for yourself, you tell Him you want to serve Him.”
With tears in her eyes, Mayumi made a profession of faith right there in the alien ship. In a moment that felt both surreal and deeply meaningful, Wade used some of the stasis liquid to baptize her by pouring it over her head. There wasn’t much left for a full immersion, so they improvised.
Bikram, watching the scene unfold, remained politely skeptical but supportive of his comrade’s decision. “If it gives you strength, Mayumi,” he said with a small smile, “then I’m happy for you.”
The Marines settled in for sleep, not really knowing the day of the week or date. One thing they did know was that the Almighty had been with them this far and would see them through this ordeal.
Rescue on the Way
Days passed with no response, each hour stretching into an eternity of anxious waiting. They had run out of open stasis tubes to drink from and then, just as they were beginning to lose hope, a new sound reached their ears – the distinctive hum of a ship’s engines.
A commercial freighter had picked up their distress signal and come to investigate. The ship had no view ports or monitors for external sight, so the Marines listened as the freighter’s crew attempted to find a way into the Skravak vessel, using plasma cutters to no avail.
Desperate to communicate, Wade had an idea. He led the others to the outer hull and Mayumi began banging out a Morse code message: “WE ARE STILL ALIVE. HELP.”
The freighter’s crew responded in kind, assuring them that help was on the way. They had notified the Confederation Navy of the situation.
As they waited for official rescue, the Marines faced a difficult decision regarding the human captives still in stasis. “We can’t release them,” Wade argued. “We barely have enough resources for ourselves. If we wake them up, we’ll have dozens of semi-incapacitated people to deal with.”
The others reluctantly agreed, deciding to keep the captives in stasis until proper help arrived.
Two more days passed before a Navy destroyer finally appeared. To the crew’s surprise, the destroyer’s captain treated the situation with suspicion, acting as though they had committed a crime by attempting to assist. He instructed the sailor who had been communicating with the Marines via morse code to bang out this message;
“MARINES…BY ORDER OF A NAVY CAPTAIN. YOU ARE TO EXIT THE SKRAVAK VESSEL IMMEDIATELY THROUGH YOUR POINT OF ENTRY.”
The freighter’s captain nodded in approval and the sailor dawned his EVA suit, exited the airlock, and banged out the prescribed message.
Exchanging worried glances, the four Marines dawned their suits and made their way back to the waste disposal system they had used to enter the ship. One by one, they squeezed through the narrow opening.
The Hatch
Just as Wade, the last to exit, was about to clear the hatch, disaster struck. The ship’s AI systems suddenly came back online, and the hatch slammed shut on Wade’s right arm. His scream came over the comm system causing the others to turn to see Wade’s arm pinned in the hatch and spewing blood and air as his suit decompressed. Had he been a half-second slower, he would have been cut in half.
“Wade!” Jay shouted, reaching his friend and quickly wrapping both hands around the sleeve of his half severed arm, applying immense pressure to stop the suit from losing all oxygen. Wade started to lose consciousness. Jay shouted to Bikram over the comms, “Hit his arm!” Bikram saw the gravity of the situation and knew Wade’s hand would never be recovered. It was now locked behind the hatch and his arm was only pinned in the hatch by the remaining flesh and material of the space suit. Bikram clasped both hands over his head and with one swift downward crash ripped Wade’s amputated arm from the hatch.
The Navy shuttle quickly retrieved him, corpsmen rushing to attend to his grievous injury. As the medical team worked on Wade, barely conscious, the other three Marines watched in horror. Then the situation on the Skravak ship escalated. Suddenly, the vessel’s weapons systems came online, immediately opening fire on the defenseless freighter. In a matter of seconds, the commercial ship that had come to their aid was reduced to floating debris.
Only then did the Navy destroyer spring into action, its plasma cannons blazing. But to the Marines’ shock, the destroyer’s weapons seemed to have little effect on the Skravak ship.
Suddenly, without warning, the alien vessel began to implode. Its reactors overloaded, and in a blinding flash, the entire ship vaporized. The human captives, the caged Skravak hunters, and all the advanced alien technology disappeared in an instant.
Classified
As the Marines were brought aboard the destroyer, they were met by stern-faced officers. “Everything you have seen and experienced is now classified,” they were told. “You are not to discuss this with anyone except these two officers, under any circumstances. You will be confined to quarters until we reach Navy headquarters on New Annapolis.”
Stunned and exhausted, the three Marines were led to their temporary quarters and Wade, now under the heavy influence of morphex, was whisked away on a stretcher to the ship’s infirmary. As the door closed behind Jay, Mayumi, and Bikram, they exchanged looks of disbelief and confusion. They had survived an incredible ordeal, only to find themselves caught in what seemed to be an even more complex and dangerous situation.
Mayumi sank onto one of the bunks. “What in the world just happened out there?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Jay shook his head, his usual humor absent. “I don’t have a clue. But I’ve got a feeling this is just the beginning of something really bad. I think I’d rather be back on the Skravak’s ship sippin’ stasis fluid.”
Mayumi and Bikram nodded in agreement, their faces grim. As the destroyer set course for New Annapolis, the three Marines settled into an uneasy silence, each lost in their own thoughts about the harrowing experience they had just survived and wondering how Wade was doing.
The Stump
The harsh fluorescent lights of the cramped quarters cast long shadows across the room as the door slid open with a hiss. Wade stumbled in, supported by two stern-faced Navy corpsmen. His eyes were glazed over, a combination of potent painkillers and the shock of recent events.
Jay, Mayumi, and Bikram rose to their feet, a mixture of relief and concern etched on their faces. For 36 agonizing hours, they had been left to wonder about their comrade’s fate, confined to their quarters like common criminals.
“Wade,” Mayumi whispered empathically, her voice catching in her throat as she took in his haggard appearance.
The corpsmen deposited Wade onto an empty bunk and left without a word, the door sliding shut behind them with an ominous click. The sound of the lock engaging echoed in the silence.
Wade blinked slowly, his gaze unfocused as he looked at his fellow Marines. “Hey,” he slurred, his voice thick and unfamiliar. “Miss me?”
Jay approached cautiously, his usual humor subdued. “Like a hole in the head, buddy. How’re you holding up?”
Wade’s response was to lift his right arm, now ending abruptly just below the elbow in a mass of bandages. “Feels like it’s still there,” he mumbled. “Phantom limb, they called it. I feel like someone chopped off my arm.” They all chuckled nervously at the joke.
Bikram, ever practical, moved to adjust Wade’s pillows. “They’ve got you on some strong stuff, huh?”
“Yeah,” Wade nodded, wincing as the movement sent a fresh wave of pain through his body. “Can’t think straight. They kept asking questions… about the ship, the Skravaks. Couldn’t tell if I was answering or not.”
The other three exchanged worried glances. They had all been subjected to intense questioning, but Wade’s injured state made him particularly vulnerable.
“Have they said anything about a prosthetic?” Mayumi asked, trying to inject a note of optimism into the conversation.
Wade shook his head slowly. “Not yet. Just more questions. More secrets.” His eyes, clouded with pain and medication, suddenly sharpened. “We’re in deep, aren’t we?”
The question hung in the air, heavy with implications. The small room, once a haven, now felt like a prison cell. The constant presence of Navy sentinels outside their door, the meals delivered in silence, the lack of communication with the outside world – it all pointed to a situation far more complex and dangerous than they had initially realized.
Jay sank onto his own bunk, the weight of their circumstances evident in the slump of his shoulders. “Yeah, buddy. We’re in deep. But we’re in it together.”
Mayumi nodded, her jaw set with determination. “We’ll figure this out, Wade. We’ve got your six.”
Bikram, standing by the door as if on guard, added softly, “Rest now. We’ll talk more when your head clears.”
As Wade drifted off into a fitful sleep, the other three Marines huddled together, their voices low. They had survived the horrors of the Skravak ship only to find themselves trapped in a different kind of nightmare. Outside their window, the vastness of space stretched endlessly, indifferent to the small drama unfolding within the confines of their quarters. The four Marines had unwittingly stepped into something way beyond their pay grade. They were just along for the ride as the drama unfolded.
The journey to New Annapolis stretched on for days, each hour blending into the next as the Marines remained confined to their quarters. They were allowed brief periods of exercise and medical check-ups, but otherwise, they were left alone with their thoughts and each other.
Wade spent much of his time adjusting to the loss of his hand, working with the ship’s medical staff on exercises to prepare him for a prosthetic. The others took turns sitting with him, offering support and distraction from the pain and frustration.
“You know,” Jay said one evening as they sat in their shared quarters, “I can’t help but wonder why the Navy was so quick to destroy that ship. There was so much we could have learned from it.”
Mayumi nodded, her brow furrowed in thought. “And why did they seem so unconcerned about the human captives? It’s like they wanted to erase all evidence of what happened.”
Bikram, who had been quietly listening, spoke up. “Perhaps they feared what that technology could do if it fell into the wrong hands. Or maybe they know something about the Skravaks that we don’t know.”
Wade, flexing his remaining hand, added, “Whatever the reason, I have a feeling we’re not going to get any straight answers until we reach New Annapolis.”
Navy HQ
As the destroyer entered orbit around New Annapolis, the Marines were shuttled to the planet’s surface and then dispatched by a highly secure motorcade with lights and sirens blaring. They were hurried into a nondescript briefing room where they found themselves face to face with a Navy Admiral and two men in business suits, their expressions unreadable.
“Marines,” began the stern-faced admiral, “you’ve been through an extraordinary ordeal. What you experienced aboard that Skravak vessel is of the utmost importance to Confederation security. We need you to understand that absolutely nothing of what transpired can ever be discussed outside of this room. We have read your accounts of your experience and it seems you have all told the truth. Do you have anything to add that you have not disclosed to my intelligence officers?”
The Marines exchanged glances, a mix of confusion and frustration evident on their faces. They responded in unison, “No Sir.”
“Sir,” Wade spoke up, his voice steady despite his discomfort, “with all due respect, we saw things that the public needs to know about. The Skravaks are kidnapping humans, using them as food. Shouldn’t people be warned?”
The admiral’s expression hardened. “Private Kovacs, I understand your concern, but there are larger issues at play here. Issues that, if made public, could cause widespread panic and potentially compromise our ability to defend against future Skravak incursions.”
Jay, unable to contain himself, interjected, “But sir, what about the families of those captives? Don’t they deserve to know what happened to their loved ones?”
An Asian middle-aged man in a business suit at the end of the table leaned forward out of the shadows, his voice low and menacing. “Private, let me make this perfectly clear. If any information about what you saw leaks out, you will be charged with treason. Your careers, your freedoms, your families, everything you’ve worked for will be gone. Is that understood?”
The room fell silent as the weight of the man’s words sank in. The four Marines, who had faced unimaginable dangers and emerged victorious, now found themselves trapped in a different kind of battle, one against their own government and conscience.
The admiral broke in, “You are being immediately reassigned to the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit in the Zorion Quadrant. You will resume your duties as Marine Regulars until further notice.”
Now the four Marines were really confused and flustered. Bikram respectfully requested to speak. “Yes private, what is it?” “Sir,” Bikram’s voice trembling, “We were on our way to Earth to attend Ranger School…” The Admiral cut him off, “Well son, you are obviously in no shape to be Rangers. Let’s just be satisfied to be in the service of the Confederation and leave it at that. You are dismissed.”
Mayumi interjected with a bit of disdain, “Sir, can we atleast get Private Kovacs a proper prosthetic before we ship out.”
“That’s a reasonable request, I’ll see that the appropriate medical personnel are informed on your transport to Zorion.” Then he ended the meeting with a wave of his hand and as they exited the briefing room they were hurried to a waiting transport as fast as they had been brought in.
As they boarded the ship, the Marines walked in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. The enormity of what they had experienced, coupled with the burden of secrecy now placed upon them, weighed heavily on their shoulders.
That night, as they sat in their shared berth, Wade finally broke the silence. “I don’t know about you guys, but I didn’t become a Marine to keep secrets from the people we’re supposed to protect.”
Mayumi nodded in agreement. “Did you notice that one suit? That was Senator Wang from the Chinese delegation. There’s something wrong with this whole fiasco. There’s gotta be a way to get the truth out without compromising ourselves or worse, our families.”
Bikram, ever the voice of caution, warned, “We need to be very careful. Whatever we decide to do, we’re up against something dark and much more powerful than we are.”
Jay, his usual humor tempered by the gravity of their situation, added, “Well, we’ve already survived a Skravak ship and Navy brass. How much harder can it get?”
Just finished my 10th Bible today. Here are some things I feel God has shown me about reading the Bible:
1. Keep reading: Daily, no matter how much or how little. God’s Word is alive and active. It’s an opportunity to spend time with God and listen to Him through His inspired words that we can have full faith in. We will understand different passages differently as we read them in various phases of life or in different situations; He has promised to reveal Himself more as we obey.
2. There’s a difference between reading and studying: We can’t get hung up on comprehensive understanding at the expense of growing in our relationship with God. Context will come with time if you maintain a daily volume of reading.
3. Pick a physical and practical Bible: Choose a translation that your non-believing community can easily understand. It should have a soft cover, room for notes, be small enough to fit easily into a carry-on bag, and allow for highlighting/notes with a pen. A physical Bible is important because your kids, family, and friends will see and remember an open Bible rather than scrolling on an app. Often, massive “study” Bibles are more distracting than helpful; spending more time reading someone’s notes on the Bible than the actual Scriptures is a red flag.
4. Have a practical plan: Plan to read through the whole Bible, but not at the expense of building your relationship with the Lord (this is not speed dating). Create a plan that focuses on seeing Jesus in the Scriptures, one that’s easy and free so you can pass it on. Use bookmarks and establish a routine that prevents distractions, putting you in the same place and time to read each day. Don’t make your plan reliant on someone else.
From our Daughter-in-Law, Tina
A little ( but full of gratitude) brag on the hubby for my 2024 timeline-
Yesterday, according the count on the bookshelf, my husband finished reading the Bible for the 9th time and put it with the others. This morning he opened up the fresh number 10 while I sneakily took this photo.
A discipline that started well before we were married, but has continued year after year, day after day — Wes in his Bible, at the table, in that spot, where the people under our roof know where to find him every morning. Though not all in our home have a hunger for God’s word yet, they’ve seen it and benefited from it.
As I notice and take note, we’re invited into a communion with God. We’re invited and there’s a seat for us at the table. Will we ‘come and see’ for ourselves.. not out of duty, but in pursuit of knowing the One who knows the depths of our hearts, who redeems and rescues? It’s God’s kindness that will move us to Himself.
Thankful for words spoken out of silence and from a simple obedience of meeting with God every day, an example set and etched deep into our minds that reaches far beyond our dining room table.
A fragrance that draws us, fills the room, the one that lasts, the Word of God.“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us spreads and makes evident everywhere the sweet fragrance of the knowledge of Him.”
Welcome Back! Today, we’ll be looking at the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and John to see how disciple makers can experience both victories and defeat and how both are beneficial.
When evening came and it was already dark, the boat was in the middle of the sea. Jesus was alone on land but the boat was already far from land, a strong wind was blowing, and the sea grew agitated. The boat was buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. He could see that the disciples were straining to row, because the wind was against them. When they had rowed about three or four miles, about the fourth watch of the night, and Jesus went out to them, walking on the sea. He intended to pass by them. When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified and cried out in fear, “It’s a ghost!” But Jesus spoke up at once: “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.”
Peter replied, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” Jesus said, “Come.” Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of Peter. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?”
And when they had climbed back into the boat with them, the wind died down. Then the disciples who were in the boat were utterly astounded, for they had not understood about the loaves, but their hearts had been hardened. They worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God!” At once the boat reached the shore where they were heading.
My Thoughts
Following Jesus has its ups and downs, especially as disciple makers. One minute we are walking on water and the next we’re sinking in the depths. We will face times of triumph and times of defeat. Like Peter, we have stepped out of the boat for the thrill of joining Jesus and before we know it, we are sinking beneath the waves of confusion, distractions, and disappointments.
But one thing I have to say about Peter, at least he got out of the boat. He gave it his best shot. And we too have risen to the occasion to join Jesus in the great enterprise of advancing God’s kingdom. Do we have our “moments?” You bet your mammy’s sweet biscuits we do! But at least we’re in the fight. We’ve gotten out of the boat. We’re given it our best shot.
I want to encourage you today. You could be doing a lot of other things that this world values but let me remind you that you have chosen to do what Jesus did with all power and authority. He made disciples and then commanded us to do the same.
Here’s a virtual high five!
My Story
I had served in the Army as an Infantryman for twelve and a half years. I only had seven and a half to go to draw my pension. But I felt a call from God to get out of the Army and go to Bible college and seminary. So with a faithful wife trusting me as I trusted God, a two year old and a four month old “we got out of the boat.”
The goal was to go back into the Army as a chaplain but the storm winds began to blow. First, the educational route I had decided to take didn’t line up with the Army’s requirements. Second, I was pastoring in a traditional church and I knew I wouldn’t last long in that environment. And third, I had a hearing disability that medically disqualified me from going back on active duty. I was sinking in my pursuit of my calling and making disciples.
Over the years of ups and downs God did His work in the system and in me. My undergraduate degree was completed through miraculous interventions and met the chaplaincy’s requirements. God was working and I became convinced that pastoring at a traditional church was not a good kingdom fit for me. And lastly, the National Guard wanted to promote me to Master Sergeant and “upgraded” my medical status which now qualified me for active duty as an Army Chaplain. It was a seven year process of walking on water, sinking, and then walking on the water again. I spent the next ten years making disciples as an Army Chaplain because I got out of the boat. God is always faithful to make a way for us to fulfill His calling in our lives.
Our Action Plan
Now it’s time for application. Here’s some ideas;
Do some reflection and identify times when you “got out of the boat.”
Ask the people you’re discipling to do the same and discuss the “ups and downs.”
Spend some time in prayer thanking God for the victories and asking for strength for the challenges
The journey of disciple-making is filled with both triumphs and challenges, much like Peter’s experience of walking on water and then sinking. Despite the ups and downs, the act of stepping out in faith to follow Jesus’ call is commendable, and perseverance in this calling, even through difficulties, ultimately leads to fulfilling God’s purpose in our lives.
Cómo salir de la barca – 98
¡Bienvenidos de nuevo! Hoy, analizaremos los evangelios de Mateo, Marcos y Juan para ver cómo los hacedores de discípulos pueden experimentar tanto victorias como derrotas y cómo ambas son beneficiosas.
Comencemos.
Mateo 14:24-33, Marcos 6:47-52, Juan 6:17b-21
Cuando llegó la tarde y ya estaba oscuro, la barca estaba en medio del mar. Jesús estaba solo en tierra, pero la barca ya estaba lejos de la tierra, soplaba un fuerte viento y el mar se agitaba. La barca se agitaba por las olas porque el viento era contrario. Él podía ver que los discípulos se esforzaban por remar, porque el viento era contrario. Cuando habían remado unos cinco o seis kilómetros, alrededor de la cuarta vigilia de la noche, Jesús salió hacia ellos caminando sobre el mar. Quería pasar de largo. Cuando los discípulos lo vieron caminar sobre el mar, se asustaron y gritaron con miedo: «¡Es un fantasma!». Pero Jesús les dijo de inmediato: «¡Ánimo! Soy yo. No tengan miedo».
Pedro le respondió: «Señor, si eres tú, mándame ir hacia ti sobre las aguas». Jesús le dijo: «Ven». Pedro bajó de la barca y, andando sobre el agua, se acercó a Jesús. Pero, al ver la fuerza del viento, tuvo miedo y, comenzando a hundirse, gritó: «¡Señor, sálvame!». Enseguida Jesús extendió la mano y agarró a Pedro. «Hombre de poca fe, ¿por qué dudaste?»
Cuando volvieron a subir con ellos a la barca, el viento se calmó. Los discípulos que estaban en la barca quedaron estupefactos, porque no habían entendido lo de los panes, sino que tenían el corazón endurecido. Lo adoraron, diciendo: «¡Verdaderamente eres el Hijo de Dios!». Enseguida la barca llegó a la orilla adonde se dirigían.
Mis Pensamientos
Seguir a Jesús tiene sus altibajos, especialmente como hacedores de discípulos. En un momento estamos caminando sobre el agua y al siguiente nos estamos hundiendo en las profundidades. Enfrentaremos momentos de triunfo y momentos de derrota. Al igual que Pedro, hemos bajado de la barca por la emoción de unirnos a Jesús y antes de que nos demos cuenta, nos estamos hundiendo bajo las olas de la confusión, las distracciones y las decepciones.
Pero tengo algo que decir sobre Pedro: al menos salió de la barca. Hizo su mejor esfuerzo. Y nosotros también hemos estado a la altura de las circunstancias para unirnos a Jesús en la gran empresa de hacer avanzar el reino de Dios. ¿Tenemos nuestros “momentos”? ¡Puedes apostar las galletas dulces de tu mamá a que sí! Pero al menos estamos en la lucha. Hemos salido de la barca. Hemos hecho nuestro mejor esfuerzo.
Quiero animarte hoy. Podrías estar haciendo muchas otras cosas que este mundo valora, pero déjame recordarte que has elegido hacer lo que Jesús hizo con todo poder y autoridad. Él hizo discípulos y luego nos ordenó que hiciéramos lo mismo.
¡Aquí tienes un saludo virtual!
Mi Historia
Había servido en el ejército como soldado de infantería durante doce años y medio. Solo me faltaban siete años y medio para cobrar mi pensión. Pero sentí un llamado de Dios para dejar el ejército e ir a la escuela bíblica y al seminario. Así que, con una esposa fiel que confiaba en mí como yo confiaba en Dios, un niño de dos años y otro de cuatro meses “salimos del barco”.
El objetivo era volver al ejército como capellán, pero los vientos de tormenta comenzaron a soplar. En primer lugar, la ruta educativa que había decidido tomar no se alineaba con los requisitos del ejército. En segundo lugar, estaba pastoreando en una iglesia tradicional y sabía que no duraría mucho en ese entorno. Y en tercer lugar, tenía una discapacidad auditiva que me descalificaba médicamente para volver al servicio activo. Me estaba hundiendo en la búsqueda de mi llamado y en hacer discípulos.
A lo largo de los años de altibajos, Dios hizo Su obra en el sistema y en mí. Mi título universitario se completó mediante intervenciones milagrosas y cumplía con los requisitos de la capellanía. Dios estaba obrando y me convencí de que ser pastor en una iglesia tradicional no era lo adecuado para mí en el reino. Y, por último, la Guardia Nacional quería ascenderme a sargento mayor y “mejoró” mi estado médico, lo que me calificaba para el servicio activo como capellán del ejército. Fue un proceso de siete años de caminar sobre el agua, hundirme y volver a caminar sobre el agua. Pasé los siguientes diez años haciendo discípulos como capellán del ejército porque salí del barco. Dios siempre es fiel para abrirnos un camino para que cumplamos su llamado en nuestras vidas.
Nuestro Plan de Acción
Ahora es el momento de ponerlo en práctica. Aquí tienes algunas ideas:
Reflexiona un poco e identifica momentos en los que “saliste de la barca”.
Pídeles a las personas a las que estás discipulando que hagan lo mismo y habla de los “altibajos”.
Pasa un tiempo en oración agradeciendo a Dios por las victorias y pidiendo fortaleza para los desafíos.
El camino de hacer discípulos está lleno de triunfos y desafíos, al igual que la experiencia de Pedro de caminar sobre el agua y luego hundirse. A pesar de los altibajos, el acto de dar un paso de fe para seguir el llamado de Jesús es encomiable, y la perseverancia en este llamado, incluso a través de las dificultades, en última instancia conduce al cumplimiento del propósito de Dios en nuestras vidas.
Si ve un problema importante en la traducción, envíeme una corrección por correo electrónico a charleswood1@gmail.com
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
Isaiah 41:10
The Graduates’ Departure
The planet’s sun cast long shadows across the landing pad as Wade, Jay, and the other recent graduates of the Drop Insertion School (DIS) waited in tense silence. Their eyes scanned the horizon, searching for any sign of the transport that would take them to their next challenge – Deep Space Ranger School on Earth. The air was thick with anticipation and nervous energy.
Wade’s mind wandered back to the grueling weeks of DIS training they had just endured. The bone-crushing G-forces of the Crazy-D drops, the terrifying precision of high-altitude insertions, and the ever-present specter of danger that had claimed one of their own. They had emerged stronger, more focused, and with a newfound respect for the razor’s edge they walked as aspiring Rangers.
A low rumble in the distance caught their attention. As the sound grew louder, a familiar silhouette appeared on the horizon. The Argus, the same aging transport ship that had brought Wade to boot camp, was approaching for landing.
“Well, would you look at that,” Jay muttered, a wry grin spreading across his face. “Our old friend’s come to give us another ride.”
Wade nodded, a mix of emotions churning in his gut. The Argus held memories of his journey to become a Marine, a time that felt like ages ago. Now, it would carry them towards their ultimate goal – becoming Deep Space Rangers.
As the Argus touched down, kicking up a cloud of dust, Sergeant Schwarz’s voice cut through the din. “Alright, Rangers! Grab your gear and board in an orderly fashion. Your next adventure awaits!” He saluted them farewell.
The recruits filed onto the ship, the familiar smell of recycled air and machinery filling their nostrils. Wade and Jay found a spot near the back of the troop compartment, settling in for the long journey ahead.
“Not quite the lap of luxury, is it?” Jay quipped, gesturing at the utilitarian surroundings.
Wade chuckled, remembering the opulent accommodations of the ISC Dominion. “No, but it beats that first trip to boot camp. At least we’re not getting hazed every five minutes.”
Ambush
As the Argus lifted off, leaving the lush planet behind, the recruits settled into the monotony of space travel. Days blended together, marked by rigorous physical training sessions in the ship’s small gym, study groups pouring over Ranger manuals, and quiet moments of reflection on the challenges that lay ahead.
Wade found himself spending more time in prayer and Bible study, drawing strength from his growing faith. Jay and others often joined him, their shared beliefs providing a bedrock of support as they hurtled through the vastness of space.
It was during one of these quiet moments, as the Argus skirted the rings of Saturn, that everything changed.
The first indication of trouble was a sudden lurch that sent several recruits sprawling. Alarms blared throughout the ship, and the intercom crackled to life with the captain’s urgent voice.
“All hands, battle stations! We are under attack by Skravak forces. Prepare for evasive maneuvers!”
The troop compartment erupted into controlled chaos as the recruits sprang into action, securing loose equipment and bracing for impact. Wade and Jay exchanged a grim look, both knowing the Argus was ill-equipped to handle a Skravak assault.
The ship rocked violently as plasma bolts slammed into its hull. The lights flickered, and the acrid smell of burning circuits filled the air. Over the din, The Captain’s voice came across the comm, “Prepare to abandon ship! Move to your assigned escape pods now!”
Wade and Jay sprinted towards their designated pod, joined by two other recruits – Private First Class Mayumi Kato, a fierce warrior with a razor-sharp mind, and Private First Class Bikram Rana, whose quiet demeanor belied his incredible strength and resolve.
As they strapped themselves into the cramped pod, a final, devastating blast rocked the Argus. Through the small viewport, Wade watched in horror as the ship that had carried them across the stars began to break apart.
“Launching now!” Mayumi shouted, her fingers flying over the control panel.
The pod shot away from the dying Argus, tumbling end over end before its stabilizers kicked in. As they orientated themselves, a blinding flash lit up the darkness of space. The Argus, their home for the past weeks, exploded in a silent, devastating fireball.
“Sweet mercy,” Bikram whispered, his usually stoic facade cracking.
But there was no time to mourn. The viewport filled with the terrifying sight of a sleek, advanced warship, its smooth hull gleaming with an otherworldly sheen bristling with weapons. As they watched, green plasma bolts lanced out, destroying other escape pods with ruthless efficiency.
“They’re picking us off one by one,” Jay said, his voice tight with anger and fear.
Wade’s mind raced, months of training kicking in as he assessed their dire situation. “We can’t stay here,” he said, his voice steady despite the fear gnawing at his gut. “They’ll find us eventually. We need to move.”
“Move where?” Mayumi asked, gesturing at the emptiness around them. “We’re sitting ducks out here.”
Wade’s eyes locked onto the EVA suits stored in the pod’s small equipment locker. “We suit up and abandon the pod. We’re too small for their sensors to detect. It’s our only chance.”
For a moment, silence reigned in the cramped pod as the others processed Wade’s audacious plan. Then, almost as one, they nodded.
“It’s crazy,” Jay said, a grim smile on his face. “But crazy might be all we’ve got right now.”
With practiced efficiency, they donned the EVA suits, checking and double-checking each other’s seals. As they prepared to open the airlock, Wade offered a quick prayer. “Lord, guide us and protect us in this darkness.”
A Daring Plan
The void of space enveloped them as they exited the pod, the only sound the soft hiss of their suit radios and their own ragged breathing. They used their suit thrusters to put some distance between themselves and the pod, then watched in grim silence as a Skravak plasma bolt reduced it to superheated vapor.
“Now what?” Bikram asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Before Wade could respond, the Skravak ship’s engines suddenly cut out. The massive vessel hung in space, a mere 300 meters from their position.
“They’ve stopped,” Mayumi observed, her tactical mind already whirring. “But why?”
“Maybe they think they’ve destroyed all the escape pods,” Jay suggested.
Wade’s mind raced with possibilities. They were alone in space, with limited oxygen and no hope of rescue. Their only chance lay with the very ship that had nearly killed them.
“We need to board that ship,” he said, his voice filled with grim determination.
“Board it?” Bikram exclaimed. “Are you insane?”
“Wade’s right,” Mayumi interjected. “It’s either that or wait to die out here. At least on board, we have a chance.”
Jay nodded, his usual humor replaced by steely resolve. “So, how do we get in? I doubt they left a welcome mat out for us.”
The four Marines studied the alien vessel, looking for any weakness, any point of entry. Its sleek, metallic hull seemed impenetrable, designed to repel any boarders.
“There!” Mayumi suddenly exclaimed, pointing to a small port on the ship’s underside. “Look closely. Every few minutes, something’s being expelled from that opening.”
Wade focused on the spot, and sure enough, a jet of liquid periodically sprayed into space. “Good eye, Mayumi. But what is it?”
“Probably some kind of waste disposal,” Jay suggested. “Not exactly a five-star entrance, but it might be our only way in.”
They watched the port carefully, timing the intervals between expulsions. “It opens every 15 minutes,” Bikram observed. “And stays open for about 10 seconds after the vacuum clears.”
Wade’s mind raced, formulating a plan. “Alright, here’s what we do. We’ll enter in pairs. Mayumi and I will go first, do some recon, then signal for you two to follow in the next cycle. We’ll have to time it perfectly and move fast.”
The others nodded, the gravity of their situation leaving no room for argument. As they waited for the next cycle, Wade offered another prayer, asking for strength and guidance in the face of overwhelming odds.
When the port opened again, Wade and Mayumi shot forward, using their suit thrusters with precision. They squeezed through the narrow opening seconds before it slammed shut behind them.
The passage they found themselves in was dark and claustrophobic, barely wide enough for their suited forms to maneuver. The walls were slick with an unknown substance, and an oppressive heat permeated the air.
“Looks like we were right about the waste disposal,” Mayumi whispered, her voice tight with disgust.
They carefully made their way down the passage, alert for any sign of detection. As their eyes adjusted to the dim light, they realized they were in some kind of sewage system. Above them, through grated openings, they could see the undersides of what appeared to be cages.
“Skravak hunters,” Wade breathed, recognizing the alien forms from their briefings. “We’re right below them. They’re all in cages. The ship must be transporting them.”
They found a relatively open area and waited, tense minutes ticking by until the port opened again and Jay and Bikram joined them.
“Man, that was close,” Jay said, his voice shaky. “I guess they’d never expect Marines to come up out of their latrine.” They all chuckled to themselves.
“We need to figure out our next move,” Wade said, taking charge. “First things first, we need to know if there’s breathable air in here. One of us needs to remove their helmet.”
Before anyone could react, Jay reached up and unsealed his helmet. The others watched in horror as he immediately began to gag, his face contorting in disgust.
“Jay!” Wade hissed, reaching for his friend.
But Jay held up a hand, taking a deep breath. “It’s okay,” he managed, still grimacing. “The air’s breathable. It just smells like a pig farm on steroids.”
The tension broke, and the others allowed themselves a moment of nervous laughter. They had made it this far, against all odds. Now came the hard part – surviving in the belly of the beast and finding a way to turn the tables on their Skravak captors.
Discovering the Ship’s Secrets
As they removed their helmets, the full force of the stench hit them. It was a noxious mixture of alien waste and the musky, predatory scent of the Skravaks themselves. Wade fought down a wave of nausea, forcing himself to focus on their dire situation.
“Alright, team,” he said, his voice low but firm. “We’re in, but we’re far from safe. We need to gather intel, find a way to sabotage this ship, send a distress signal, and somehow get out of here alive.”
Mayumi nodded, her sharp eyes already scanning their surroundings. “Here’s a vent cover, we can enter the interior through here. We should split up. Cover more ground, but stay in radio contact.”
“Agreed,” Wade replied. “Jay and I will head aft, see if we can locate any vital systems. Mayumi, you and Bikram head forward. Look for anything we can use – weapons, control panels, escape pods. And remember, stealth is our only advantage right now.”
As they prepared to separate, Jay put a hand on Wade’s shoulder. “Hey, buddy,” he said, his usual joviality replaced by a grim determination. “Whatever happens, I’ll follow your lead. We’ll get through this.”
Wade nodded, feeling a surge of affection for his friend. “Together,” he said simply.
With a final nod to Mayumi and Bikram, Wade and Jay set off down the dark, fetid corridor. The ship’s strange architecture made navigation difficult, with twisting passages and sudden drops. They moved as quietly as possible, acutely aware that discovery would mean certain death.
As they crept along, Wade’s mind raced with possibilities. They were four Marines against an entire Skravak crew, trapped on an alien vessel with no backup and no clear way out. The odds were overwhelmingly against them. But then, he reminded himself, Rangers didn’t concern themselves with odds. They made the impossible possible.
Suddenly, Jay grabbed Wade’s arm, pointing to a large compartment filled with computer servers that looked very similar to human tech.
“That looks important,” Jay whispered. “Maybe the brains of the ship?”
Wade studied the technology, trying to make sense of its configurations. “Could be. If we could disable it somehow…”
Their planning was interrupted by a burst of static from their comms. Mayumi’s voice came through, tense and urgent. “Wade, Jay, do you copy? We’ve found something. You need to see this.”
“Copy that,” Wade replied. “We’re on our way. Stay hidden.”
As they made their way back through the twisting corridors, Wade felt a mixture of dread and anticipation. Whatever Mayumi and Bikram had found, it could be the key to their survival – or the harbinger of their doom.
They found their teammates huddled behind a large, metallic conduit. Mayumi’s face was pale, her eyes wide with a mixture of fear and determination.
“What is it?” Wade asked as they approached.
Wordlessly, Mayumi pointed to a large chamber beyond their hiding spot. Wade’s breath caught in his throat as he took in the scene.
The room was filled with row upon row of stasis pods, each containing a human form. Men, women, even children, all suspended in a eerie, pale liquid.
“Prisoners,” Bikram whispered, his voice thick with horror. “They’re collecting humans.”
The implications hit Wade like a physical blow. This wasn’t just a random attack. The Skravaks were systematically capturing humans, storing them for some unknown, terrible purpose.
Sabotage and Salvation
“We have to do something,” Jay said, his fists clenched at his sides. “We can’t leave them here.”
Wade nodded, his mind already formulating a plan. “Agreed. But we need to be smart about this. We may still be vastly outnumbered and outgunned.”
As they huddled together, discussing their options in hushed tones, a new sound cut through the constant hum of the ship’s systems. One of the human stasis tubes was mechanically moved over the cages of Skravaks and dumped into ravenous jaws of each lashing arm of the insectoids.
“Food!” Mayumi hissed. “They are using them for food!”
Wade’s heart raced as he assessed their limited options. They were cornered, with nowhere to run and no weapons to fight with. They had to hijack the ship, establish comms with someone, and rescue these humans.
“Have you all noticed,” he whispered urgently. “There’s no crew.”
As they explored the ship, they discovered its true nature. The vessel was entirely automated, run by a sophisticated AI. The Skravaks were simply being transported, kept in cages for future use as a ground attack force.
Wade’s mind raced with possibilities. They had discovered a horrifying truth about the Skravaks’ intentions, but they were still hopelessly lost on how to pull off this daring rescue. The chitinous sounds of the Skravaks faded, as they moved aft. As they walked they began to realize there was no form of internal security on the ship. They relaxed a little giving them the space to talk freely but more importantly to think.
“Alright, team,” Wade spoke up, his normal for the first time since entering the ship. “We’ve got three objectives now. We need to disable this ship, get a message to our people, and find a way to free those prisoners.”
Jay nodded grimly. “Tall order, buddy. Any ideas on how we pull off this miracle?”
Wade’s mind flashed back to what they thought might be the brains of the ship. The tech they had seen earlier. “That server room we spotted. If we can sabotage it, we might be able to cripple the ship. Mayumi, Bikram, did you see anything that looked like a control panel near those stasis pods?”
Mayumi’s eyes lit up with understanding. “Yes, there was a large console near the entrance. It looked like it controlled the entire stasis system.”
“Good,” Wade said, a plan forming in his mind. “Here’s what we do. Jay and I will head back to those servers, see if we can rig it to overload without losing our life support systems. Mayumi, you and Bikram get back to that control panel. See if you can figure out how to release those pods. We’ll coordinate our timing over the comms.”
The others nodded, determination etched on their faces. As they prepared to split up once again, Wade felt a surge of pride. Despite the overwhelming odds, despite the fear and uncertainty, these young Marines were ready to risk everything to save innocent lives and strike a blow against their alien enemies.
“Remember,” Wade said, his voice low but intense. “We’re Rangers. The impossible is our stock in trade. Whatever happens, we leave no one behind.”
With a final nod of understanding, the four Marines separated, each pair disappearing into the dark, twisting corridors of the Skravak ship. As Wade and Jay made their way back towards the servers, a quote from their training flickered through Wade’s mind:
“Rangers lead the way.”
It was time to live up to those words, to prove that even in the darkest of circumstances, humanity’s finest could adapt, improvise, and overcome.
Wade and Jay approached the alien server room cautiously, their eyes scanning the unfamiliar technology. They quickly realized that despite its advanced nature, the system had similarities to human tech they had encountered in their past.
“Look for any patterns or symbols that might indicate different functions,” Wade whispered. They noticed color-coded cables and distinct groupings of servers.
Jay pointed to a cluster with a pulsing red light. “That could be weapons systems. The constant activity might indicate targeting or firing mechanisms.”
Wade nodded, then gestured to another group with rapidly blinking blue lights. “Those might be the engines. The speed of the lights could correspond to thrust levels.”
They identified a smaller set of servers with a constant green glow. “Life support, maybe?” Jay suggested. “It’s steady, like it’s maintaining a constant environment.”
Finally, they spotted a section with multiple antennas and fluctuating yellow lights. “That has to be communications,” Wade concluded.
With the systems identified, they formulated a plan. Using their limited knowledge of alien tech and some educated guesses, they began to carefully disconnect and cross-wire specific components.
“If we overload the weapons and engine systems,” Wade explained, “it should create a cascade failure without compromising life support.”
Jay worked on the communication servers, temporarily disabling them by removing key components. “This should buy us some time before they can call for help,” he said.
As they finished their sabotage, Wade set a timer on his watch. “We have about 10 minutes before these changes take effect. Let’s hope Mayumi and Bikram have made progress with the stasis pods.”
With a final check of their work, Wade and Jay slipped out of the server room, ready to rendezvous with their teammates and face whatever challenges came next in their daring rescue mission.
Meanwhile, Mayumi and Bikram, upon witnessing the horrific feeding process, quickly formulated a plan to interrupt it without compromising the stasis tubes. They scanned their surroundings, looking for anything they could use to jam the rail system.
Mayumi spotted a nearby apparatus with a detachable pipe that seemed sturdy enough for their purpose. “Bikram, help me with this,” she whispered urgently, pointing to the pipe.
Working together, they carefully removed the pipe, ensuring they didn’t make any noise that could alert the ship’s AI. The pipe was heavy, but Bikram’s strength made it manageable.
They studied the rail system, identifying the optimal point to insert the pipe. “There,” Mayumi pointed, “if we wedge it in that junction, it should stop the tubes from moving without damaging them.”
Bikram nodded, understanding the plan. They waited for a moment when no tubes were in motion, then quickly moved into position. With precision, they inserted the pipe into the rail system’s mechanism.
The effect was immediate. The next time a stasis tube tried to move along the rail, it encountered the obstruction and ground to a halt. The feeding process was effectively jammed.
“It worked,” Bikram whispered, relief evident in his voice.
Mayumi nodded, her eyes scanning the area for any signs of the ship’s response to this interruption. “This buys us some time, but we need to move quickly. Let’s get back to that control panel and see if we can figure out how to keep these people alive.”
The four Marines – Wade, Jay, Mayumi, and Bikram – reconvened in the large open area they had designated as their rendezvous point. Their faces were grim but determined as they gathered to debrief their missions.
Wade spoke first, his voice low and urgent. “Jay and I managed to rig the server room for an overload. We’ve set it on a timer that should give us enough time to execute the rest of our plan.”
Jay nodded, adding, “We think we’ve targeted the weapons and engine systems primarily. The ship should be crippled, but life support will remain functional.”
Mayumi then reported on her and Bikram’s findings. “We’ve figured out how to release the stasis pods, but there’s a complication. There are no escape pods on this ship! The Skravaks never intended for their cargo to leave alive.”
Wade raised a hand, “There’s no need to panic. We are making progress and we are in no immediate danger. We need to put our heads together and figure out how to send a distress message describing our situation clearly. Otherwise, we’re gonna get obliterated by our own Navy.”
Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all my days were written in Your book and planned before a single one of them began. (HCSB)
Psalm 139:16
My Story
Forty-five years ago today, on December 23rd, 1979, I made a decision that would radically change the course of my life. At the time, I was a young soldier and my unit was on alert during the holidays. We were confined to a one-hour radius, which made for a rather dull festive season. So, on the evening of December 22nd, my friends and I thought it would be a great idea to party until we passed out. Looking back, I realize I was living a life that neither my family nor the army would be proud of.
The irony of my situation was that just a year earlier, a Special Forces Sergeant had shared the gospel with me. He told me that God loved me and had sent His son, Jesus, to earth. Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for all my sins, and three days later rose from the dead—proving He was not only the King defeating death but also the King over everything. I believed everything that Sergeant told me and thought that simply praying for Jesus to come into my life meant I was right with God.
However, as time passed, my life spiraled out of control. I felt ashamed of my lifestyle and realized I was living a lie. Despite believing I had a relationship with God, something essential was missing. The Bible calls this missing element repentance. When Jesus preached the gospel, He proclaimed, “The Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15). While I had the information in my head, my heart had yet to turn towards God.
On that fateful morning—December 23rd—I prayed a simple prayer: “OK God.” In that moment, I completely surrendered my life to Christ and was truly saved from my sins; the knowledge had finally moved from my head to my heart. I was ready to embrace life on God’s terms instead of my own.
I believe there are many people who have prayed a prayer of intellectual assent but have yet to make a true “about-face.” This act of repentance—a willingness to turn from our sins and live according to God’s will—is often overlooked in modern gospel presentations. Yet it is essential for genuine salvation according to Jesus, the author of salvation.
With love and sincerity, I urge you not only to believe with your head but also to turn your heart toward God. Do what Jesus said: Repent and believe in the gospel. Only then will you begin your journey of transformation from the old self to the new (2 Corinthians 5:17).
PS. This evening at our hotel I shared my 2nd Birthday Story with the lady at the front desk. At the end of our conversation, I asked her if she had ever encountered Jesus in a way that changed her life. She replied, “Not yet, but your story has helped me take one step closer to making that decision.”
So today, I encourage you: Share your story with someone. You never know how God will use your story to begin someone else’s journey with Jesus.
Welcome Back! Today, we’ll explore the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and John to understand how Jesus served people while not necessarily fulfilling all their desires.
When the people saw the sign that Jesus had performed, they began to say, “Truly this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” Then Jesus, realizing that they were about to come and make Him king by force, immediately made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side, to Bethsaida and Capernaum, while He dismissed the crowds. After bidding them farewell, He had sent them away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone.
My Thoughts
So why did Jesus slip away from those who wanted to make Him king. Wasn’t that the primary reason He came, to be our king?
Jesus said;
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)
Can you think of a better way to serve the people than to be their king and deliver them from oppression and injustice? Maybe, but that’s not the kind of king the Father nor Jesus had in mind. Notice I used a lower case “k” to describe the kind of “king” the people wanted. The people wanted Jesus to serve them by conquering the Romans and anyone else who would exert their power over them.
So what’s happening here? Both the Father and Jesus knew He was already the “King” with a capital “K.” The Father and Jesus wanted to conquer sin and death. God wanted to set up an eternal kingdom of righteousness and justice for every tribe, tongue, and nation.
Oftentimes, we think of a servant as an individual that is at the beckon call of every desire of the master. The problem comes when we get confused with who is the true master. Yes, Jesus served the people but, make no mistake about it, the Father was the supreme Master. Jesus did exactly as His Master desired and served the people in the context of His calling.
Listen to Jesus’ commitment to His calling from the Father as He served the people;
Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner. (John 5:19)
In other words, Jesus served the people exactly the way the Father wanted Him to serve them. I’m sure the people had no clue that their King would actually die for them. They had a completely different agenda for His Kingship. I’m very thankful Jesus’ ultimate priority was serving the Father as He served us. Jesus serves people in the context of His calling from the Father.
My Story
I’m a systems guy. Well, I’m good at coming up with systems to facilitate administration and ministry. But I’m terrible at maintaining them when they are up and running. When I was a chaplain in the Army they asked me to be a resource manager and square away their financial support. I was able to turn a clunky mess into a well oiled machine. Only one problem, I could not stand the arduous (and boring) task of managing it. I went to my supervisor and threatened to retire early if they didn’t transfer me back to troops instead of counting pennies. My boss informed me I was still in the Army and you don’t just quit a job. Fortunately, he understood where I was coming from and I was reassigned to the Ranger Training Brigade. (Throw me in the briar patch!).
This would happen several times in subsequent years. Chuck would develop a system to solve a particular problem and then be expected to babysit the system I built. I was good at solving the problem but dismal as keeping the wheels turning to maintain it.
My administrative skills served the people but I was called to being in the trenches with people, not looking at spreadsheets and making reports. I admire the guys that can do that but when I finally figured out my primary contributions to the body, I was a lot happier and much more productive. I had to serve in the context of my calling.
Our Action Plan
Now it’s time for application. Here’s some ideas;
Do a comprehensive Bible study on spiritual gifts. Evaluate how you and those you disciple are currently utilizing these gifts in your lives and ministries.
Do an in-depth Bible study on the concept of “God’s Calling.” Through prayer, reflection, and analysis, strive to discern your personal calling to the best of your ability.
Create a structured plan to further explore and confirm your calling. Outline specific steps you need to take to effectively serve within that calling, including any necessary preparation or skill development.
As we wrap up our look at serving in the context of our calling, it’s important to remember that our goal isn’t to meet everyone’s expectation, but to align our service with God’s bigger picture. When we embrace our unique gifts and calling, we can find real joy in serving others while staying true to the path God has laid out for us—just like Jesus did during His earthly ministry.
Servir en el contexto del llamado – 97
¡Bienvenidos nuevamente! Hoy, exploraremos los Evangelios de Mateo, Marcos y Juan para entender cómo Jesús sirvió a las personas sin necesariamente cumplir todos sus deseos.
Comencemos.
Mateo 14:22-23, Marcos 6:45-46, Juan 6:14-17a
Cuando la gente vio la señal que Jesús había hecho, comenzaron a decir: «Verdaderamente éste es el profeta que había de venir al mundo». Entonces Jesús, al darse cuenta de que estaban a punto de venir y hacerlo rey por la fuerza, inmediatamente hizo que los discípulos subieran a la barca y fueran delante de Él a la otra orilla, a Betsaida y a Capernaúm, mientras Él despedía a la multitud. Después de despedirse de ellos, subió al monte a solas para orar. Al atardecer, estaba allí solo.
Mis Pensamientos
Entonces, ¿por qué Jesús se alejó de aquellos que querían hacerlo rey? ¿No fue esa la razón principal por la que vino, para ser nuestro rey?
Jesús dijo:
Porque el Hijo del Hombre no vino para ser servido, sino para servir y para dar su vida en rescate por muchos” (Marcos 10:45).
¿Puedes pensar en una mejor manera de servir al pueblo que ser su rey y liberarlos de la opresión y la injusticia? Tal vez, pero ese no es el tipo de rey que el Padre ni Jesús tenían en mente. Observa que usé una “k” minúscula para describir el tipo de “rey” que el pueblo quería. El pueblo quería que Jesús los sirviera conquistando a los romanos y a cualquier otra persona que ejerciera su poder sobre ellos.
Entonces, ¿qué está pasando aquí? Tanto el Padre como Jesús sabían que Él ya era el “Rey” con “K” mayúscula. El Padre y Jesús querían conquistar el pecado y la muerte. Dios quería establecer un reino eterno de rectitud y justicia para cada tribu, lengua y nación. Muchas veces, pensamos en un siervo como un individuo que está a la orden del día para cada deseo del amo. El problema surge cuando nos confundimos con quién es el verdadero amo. Sí, Jesús sirvió a la gente, pero no nos equivoquemos, el Padre era el Amo supremo. Jesús hizo exactamente lo que Su Amo deseaba y sirvió a la gente en el contexto de Su llamado.
Escuche el compromiso de Jesús con Su llamado del Padre mientras servía a la gente;
Entonces Jesús respondió y les dijo: “De cierto, de cierto os digo: El Hijo no puede hacer nada por sí mismo, a menos que vea hacer al Padre; porque todo lo que el Padre hace, lo hace también el Hijo igualmente. (Juan 5:19)
En otras palabras, Jesús sirvió a la gente exactamente de la manera en que el Padre quería que los sirviera. Estoy seguro de que la gente no tenía idea de que su Rey realmente moriría por ellos. Tenían una agenda completamente diferente para Su reinado. Estoy muy agradecido de que la máxima prioridad de Jesús fuera servir al Padre como nos sirvió a nosotros. Jesús sirve a la gente en el contexto de su llamado del Padre.
Mi Historia
Soy un tipo de sistemas. Bueno, soy bueno ideando sistemas para facilitar la administración y el ministerio, pero soy terrible para mantenerlos cuando están en funcionamiento. Cuando era capellán en el ejército, me pidieron que fuera gerente de recursos y que arreglara su apoyo financiero. Pude convertir un desastre en una máquina bien engrasada. Solo había un problema: no podía soportar la ardua (y aburrida) tarea de administrarla. Fui a ver a mi supervisor y amenacé con jubilarme antes de tiempo si no me transferían de nuevo a las tropas en lugar de contar centavos. Mi jefe me informó que todavía estaba en el ejército y que no se puede renunciar a un trabajo así como así. Afortunadamente, entendió mis intenciones y me reasignaron a la Brigada de Entrenamiento de Rangers. (¡Tírenme al matorral!).
Esto sucedería varias veces en los años siguientes. Chuck desarrollaba un sistema para resolver un problema en particular y luego se esperaba que cuidara el sistema que yo construí. Era bueno para resolver el problema, pero pésimo para mantener las ruedas en movimiento para mantenerlo.
Mis habilidades administrativas estaban al servicio de la gente, pero mi llamado era estar en las trincheras con la gente, no mirar hojas de cálculo ni hacer informes. Admiro a los que pueden hacer eso, pero cuando finalmente descubrí cuáles eran mis principales contribuciones al organismo, me sentí mucho más feliz y mucho más productivo. Tuve que servir en el contexto de mi llamado.
Nuestro Plan de Acción
Ahora es el momento de la aplicación. Aquí hay algunas ideas:
Realice un estudio bíblico exhaustivo sobre los dones espirituales. Evalúe cómo usted y aquellos a quienes discipula están utilizando actualmente estos dones en sus vidas y ministerios.
Realice un estudio bíblico profundo sobre el concepto del “llamado de Dios”. A través de la oración, la reflexión y el análisis, esfuércese por discernir su llamado personal lo mejor que pueda.
Cree un plan estructurado para explorar y confirmar más a fondo su llamado. Describa los pasos específicos que necesita dar para servir de manera efectiva dentro de ese llamado, incluida cualquier preparación o desarrollo de habilidades necesarios.
Al concluir nuestro análisis sobre el servicio en el contexto de nuestro llamado, es importante recordar que nuestro objetivo no es cumplir con las expectativas de todos, sino alinear nuestro servicio con el panorama general de Dios. Cuando aceptamos nuestros dones y nuestro llamado únicos, podemos encontrar un verdadero gozo al servir a los demás mientras nos mantenemos fieles al camino que Dios ha trazado para nosotros, tal como lo hizo Jesús durante su ministerio terrenal.
Si ve un problema importante en la traducción, envíeme una corrección por correo electrónico a charleswood1@gmail.com
The Sunday morning sun cast a warm glow over the base as Wade and Jay made their way back from the chapel service. The past few weeks had been intense, filled with grueling simulations, physical training, and the five medium altitude drops that pushed them to their limits. But today, there was a lightness in their steps, a brief respite from the rigors of DIS.
As they walked, Jay glanced at his friend, noticing the subtle changes in Wade’s demeanor over the past weeks. There was a newfound calmness about him, a quiet confidence that seemed to have replaced his earlier bravado.
“Hey, Wade,” Jay began, breaking the comfortable silence between them. “I’ve been meaning to ask you something.”
Wade raised an eyebrow, curious. “What’s on your mind, bro?”
Jay hesitated for a moment, then pressed on. “Well, I’ve noticed how your faith has been growing lately. It’s been pretty inspiring, actually. Have you been talking to God?
Wade was kind of surprised by the question, “Yeah, that’s what you taught me to do. I’ve also been reading my Bible before chow every day. Is there something else I should be doing?”
“No, I mean, yes…Do you believe that God loves you so much that He sent His Son, Jesus to the earth, lived a perfect life, and then died for all the things you’ve done wrong, your sins, I mean?”
“Yeah, of course. That’s what Chaplain Bronsen and you’ve been helping me understand.” Wade replied nonchalantly.
“So have you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior?” Jay was excited but trying to hide his exuberance.
“I think so. After that little run in with Sergeant Schwarz, where he embarrassed me in front of everyone, I asked Jesus to help me not to be such a knucklehead and start calling the shots in my life.”
“You know I’ve noticed a radical change in your life” Jay said, “I was just wondering… have you thought about getting baptized?”
The question caught Wade off guard. He’d just been reading about Jesus’s baptism that morning and was shocked! Could Jay read his mind? “Honestly, I was just thinking about that this morning. Do you think I should!?”
Jay shrugged, a thoughtful expression on his face. “I mean, it’s really the first step after a person starts following Jesus. Maybe we could talk to the chaplain about it?”
Wade nodded, feeling a sudden sense of excitement at the idea. “Yeah, let’s do that. He should still be at the chapel.”
They turned back, quickening their pace. As they approached the chapel, they saw Chaplain Anderson just locking up the door.
“Chaplain!” Wade called out, slightly out of breath. “Do you have a moment?”
The chaplain turned to see them at attention, rendering him a sharp salute, a warm smile spreading across his weathered face and he returned their salute. “Of course, boys. What can I do for you?”
As they explained Wade’s recent conversion and their question about baptism, Chaplain Anderson’s eyes lit up with understanding. “Ah, I see. You’re wondering about the process and who can perform a baptism, right?”
Both Wade and Jay nodded eagerly.
The chaplain chuckled softly. “Well, you might be surprised to learn that you don’t need any special qualifications to baptize someone, other than being a disciple of Jesus yourself.”
Seeing their confused expressions, he continued, “Let me explain. Have you heard of the Great Commission?”
Wade and Jay exchanged glances, shaking their heads.
“It’s found in Matthew 28:18 through 20,” the chaplain explained. “Jesus said to His disciples, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And lo, I’m with you to the end of the age.'”
The chaplain’s voice took on a passionate tone as he continued, “You see, Jesus didn’t just command a select few to make disciples and baptize. This commission was given to all His followers. Every disciple is called to be a disciple-maker, and that includes baptizing others.”
Wade’s eyes widened in surprise. “So… Jay could baptize me?”
“Absolutely!” the chaplain nodded, smiling at Wade’s enthusiasm. “In fact, I think it would be a cool expression of your friendship and shared faith.”
Wade looked at Jay, a mixture of emotions playing across his face. “Would you… would you want to do that for me?”
Jay’s face broke into a nervous grin. “Well…I don’t know…”
Wade broke in, “Wait a minute buddy! If I’m going to obey Jesus by getting baptized, you’re going to obey Him by doing the baptizing!” glancing at the chaplain, “Am I right?”
The chaplain smiled and looked at Jay, “He’s got a point, you know?”
Jay straightened and pushed his shoulders back, “Of course! Let’s do it!”
Chaplain Anderson clapped his hands together. “Well then, what do you say we head down to the river? I can show you how it’s done and we can get Wade baptized right away.”
The three of them made their way to a secluded spot by the nearby river. The water sparkled in the late morning sun, a gentle current creating a soothing backdrop to the moment.
Chaplain Anderson waded into the shallow part of the river, motioning for Wade and Jay to join him. He demonstrated the proper technique, explaining how to support the person being baptized and the words to say.
As Wade stepped into the cool water, he felt a sense of peace wash over him. Jay stood beside him, a look of concentration on his face as he prepared for his role.
“Wade,” Jay began, his voice steady and clear, “do you believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and do you commit to following Him as your King for the rest of your life?”
“I do,” Wade replied, his voice filled with conviction.
Jay smiled, then spoke the words he’d just learned. “Then I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
With that, Jay lowered Wade into the water and quickly raised him back up. As Wade emerged, water streaming down his face, he felt an overwhelming sense of joy and renewal.
The three men made their way back to the shore, Wade’s utility uniform soaked but his spirit soaring. As they stood on the riverbank, Chaplain Anderson offered a prayer of blessing, and Wade felt like a new chapter was beginning in his life.
Fast and Furious
The morning of their first “Crazy-D” dawned with an eerie calm that belied the intense challenge ahead. Wade and Jay, along with the other Ranger candidates, gathered on the tarmac, their faces a mix of determination and barely concealed apprehension. The Thunderhawk dropship loomed before them, its engines already humming with latent power.
Sergeant Schwarz paced before the assembled recruits, his eyes gleaming with a fierce intensity. “Listen up, Rangers,” he barked, emphasizing the title they had yet to fully earn. “What you’re about to experience is the pinnacle of drop insertion technology. The Crazy-D is not for the faint of heart. You’ll be moving at Mach 3 and dropping from 150 feet – barely higher than some of the trees on this pitiful little oasis in this wartorn galaxy. You’ll have approximately two seconds of slow to a dead-stop and two seconds of freefall before your retro-thrusters kick in. Those four seconds will feel like an eternity.”
Wade’s heart raced as he absorbed the sergeant’s words. He glanced at Jay, seeing his own nervousness mirrored in his friend’s eyes. They had trained for this, pushed their bodies to the limit in the XG-9000, but nothing could truly prepare them for the reality of a Crazy-D.
As they boarded the Thunderhawk, the tension was palpable. The interior of the dropship felt claustrophobic, the air heavy with the collective anxiety of the recruits. Wade strapped himself into the troop seats across from his pod. As the Thunderhawk’s engines roared to life, the interior of the dropship buzzed with controlled chaos. The Load Master, a seasoned navy veteran with nerves of steel, moved with practiced efficiency through the cramped space. His hands flew over control panels, eyes scanning readouts with lightning speed as he ensured every system was primed for the intense maneuvers ahead.
Giving a thumbs up to Schwarz, he shouted “All systems green, Drop Master!” the Load Master kept his balance steady despite the building G-forces as the ship lifted from the tarmac. “Pods secured and ready for deployment.”
The two Marine Safeties, their movements precise and deliberate, performed last-minute checks on each recruit’s equipment. They moved from one Marine to another, their experienced eyes catching even the smallest discrepancy.
“Harness secure, private?” one Safety growled, giving Wade’s straps a final, bone-jarring tug. “Remember your training and you might just survive this.”
As the Thunderhawk gained altitude, Sergeant Schwarz took his position near the rear of the ship. His face was a mask of stern concentration, eyes flickering between the recruits and the status displays.
The Load Master’s voice chimed in, “Mach 3 achieved, sir. Commencing deceleration maneuver in six minutes.”
Schwarz nodded, his voice taking on a rhythmic cadence honed by years of drop insertions. “Six minutes!” his voice rang out holding up both hands, displaying his fingers to indicate the number six.
“Outboard personnel, stand up!”
Those closest to the sides of the ship rose, their movements crisp despite the nervous energy permeating the air.
“Inboard personnel, stand up!”
The rest of the recruits got to their feet, including Wade and Jay. Schwarz’s eyes scanned the rows of tensed Marines, looking for any sign of hesitation.
“Enter drop pods!”
With practiced motions, they climbed into their respective pods. The Safeties moved swiftly, double-checking each recruit’s equipment and readiness.
“Check straps and data!”
Wade’s hands moved almost on autopilot, running through the pre-drop checklist with meticulous care. Each action was deliberate, a desperate attempt to maintain focus and keep the fear at bay, verifying his harness and scanning the readouts on his pod’s display.
“Green if you’re OK!”
A series of clicks echoed through the ship as the recruits signaled their readiness. The Load Master shouted wiith two thumbs up, “All pods showing green, Drop Master!”
As the Thunderhawk streaked towards the drop zone, Wade felt the immense speed deep in his bones. The dropship was pushing Mach 3, far beyond anything he had experienced in the previous drops. The raw power of its advanced engines vibrated through the hull, a constant reminder of the incredible velocity they were reaching.
“30 Seconds!” The Navy Load Master bellowed.
Schwarz’s voice took on a ting of excitement that was rare for the hardened veteran. “30 Seconds! Prepare for deceleration and drop! Rangers, we’re about to hit the brakes!”
Wade barely had time to tense his muscles before the world turned upside down. The Thunderhawk’s nose suddenly pitched up at an impossible angle, the VTOL engines screaming as they fired at full power to counteract their forward momentum. The abrupt deceleration slammed Wade back into his seat with crushing force, far beyond anything they had experienced in training.
G-forces mounted rapidly, pressing Wade’s body into the padding of his drop pod. His fingers tightened on his harness, his jaw clenched as he began his Anti-G Straining Maneuver. He could hear the labored breathing of his fellow recruits, each fighting their own battle against fear and physiology. His vision narrowed, dark spots dancing at the edges as the blood struggled to reach his brain. Even with his G-suit and AGSM techniques, Wade felt consciousness slipping away.
Just when he thought he couldn’t take anymore, the Thunderhawk leveled out with whiplash-inducing speed. For a split second, there was complete silence…
Wade felt weightless, his stomach lurching as if he were on some nightmarish roller coaster.
Then came the deafening explosions as the drop pods shot out of the Thunderhawk in rapid succession. As Wade’s capsule cleared the ship, he caught a fleeting glimpse of the ground rushing up to meet him. The entire maneuver, from high-speed approach to pod deployment, had taken mere seconds, but it felt like an eternity of physical punishment.
Now in freefall, Wade had precious little time to recover from the Thunderhawk’s brutal deceleration before facing the pod’s own retro-thrusters. His body, already stressed from the ship’s maneuver, now had to endure another round of punishing G-forces. Then, reality set in. The ground was approaching at a terrifying speed, the landscape below a blur of greens and browns. Wade’s mind screamed in panic, every instinct telling him this was wrong, that he was plummeting to his doom. Four seconds. That’s all it was supposed to be. But those four seconds stretched into an eternity of pure, unadulterated fear.
Wade’s vision began to narrow, dark spots creeping in from the edges as the G-forces threatened to overwhelm him. He grunted through his AGSM, forcing air against his closed glottis, willing his body to keep fighting.
Just as he thought he couldn’t take anymore, the retro-thrusters ignited. The deceleration hit like a freight train, crushing Wade into his seat with a force that threatened to squeeze the very life out of him. Nine Gs of deceleration – more than twice what they had experienced in their medium-altitude drops.
Wade’s world became a haze of pain and disorientation. His ears rang, his vision swam, and every muscle in his body screamed in protest. Yet, through it all, a small part of his mind clung to consciousness, repeating the mantra drilled into them during training: “Stay awake, stay alert, stay alive!”
The pod slammed into the ground with bone-jarring force, the impact reverberating through Wade’s body despite the advanced shock absorption systems. For a moment, he sat there, dazed and gasping for breath, his mind struggling to comprehend that he had survived.
Then, training kicked in. With trembling hands, Wade released his harness and activated the pod’s exit mechanism. The front panel fell away, revealing the drop zone beyond. On shaky legs, he emerged, rifle at the ready, scanning for threats as he had been trained to do.
Around him, other pods were landing, his fellow recruits emerging in various states of disorientation. Wade caught sight of Jay, relief flooding through him as he saw his friend was okay. They exchanged a brief thumbs up, no words necessary to convey the shared trauma they had just endured. They had just experienced a drop insertion that pushed the boundaries of human physiology and advanced technology. They all dropped into the prone forming a security perimeter.
Sergeant Schwarz’s voice cut through the tactical silence, “Form up, Rangers! Clear the fog out of your little blood soaked brains!”
As they assembled, Wade could see the toll the drop had taken on his fellow recruits. Faces were pale, some tinged with green, and more than a few sported nosebleeds from the extreme G-forces. Yet, there was also an unmistakable sense of accomplishment in the air. They had faced the Crazy-D and survived.
Sergeant Schwarz, looking unusually animated, strode among them. “And that, Rangers, was your first Crazy-D! It’s not just about the drop – it’s about surviving the entire insertion process. Welcome to the bleeding edge of combat deployment!”
As the reality of what they had just endured sank in, Wade exchanged a look with Jay. Their eyes wide with a mixture of shock and exhilaration, both realized that this was just the first of five such drops. The path to becoming Rangers had taken on a new level of intensity. One down, four to go.
As they prepared for extraction, Wade and the rest of the Ranger candidates remained silent and in a daze of pride and exhaustion. He thought to himself, “On a real combat drop they’d be knee deep in a fight with the Skravaks.” A chill went up his spine.
The Thunderhawk descended to pick them up, its engines drowning out his thoughts. As they boarded for the return trip, Wade felt a mix of weakness and nausea. But he had faced his fears, pushed his body to its limits, and come out the other side. Four more drops awaited, each promising to be as intense as the first. But now, having tasted the Crazy-D, Wade knew he was ready for whatever came next.
Last Four Low Altitude Drops
The euphoria of completing their first Crazy-D was short-lived. As Wade and Jay prepared for their second drop, a palpable tension hung in the air. The grueling nature of these insertions was taking its toll on everyone, both physically and mentally.
Their second drop came fast and furious. As the Thunderhawk screamed towards the drop zone at Mach 3, Wade felt his heart pounding in his chest. The deceleration hit like a hammer blow, but this time he was ready. Gritting his teeth through his Anti-G Straining Maneuver, he fought to maintain consciousness as the pod shot from the ship.
The freefall seemed to last an eternity, the ground rushing up at terrifying speed. When the retro-thrusters kicked in, Wade’s world became a haze of crushing force and disorientation. But he held on, focused on his training, and before he knew it, he was on the ground, shaky but triumphant.
As the recruits regrouped, Wade caught sight of Jay emerging from his pod, looking pale but grinning. They had both made it through their second Crazy-D. One step closer to their goal.
The recruits were in high spirits as they boarded the Thunderhawk, confidence growing with each successful insertion. By the third drop, it was just another day at the office. It just so happened that the “office” was moving at mach 3 and then pulling 9 Gs before slamming into the ground. Yup, just another day at the office…for a Ranger.
However, during the fourth drop, disaster struck. The morning had dawned clear and calm, perfect conditions for a Crazy-D. Wade was strapped into his pod, running through his pre-drop checklist, when he heard a commotion from the other side of the bay. Private Ashford, a quiet but capable recruit, was having trouble with his data. One of the Marine Safeties moved to assist him, but time was short. The drop sequence had already begun.
As the Thunderhawk was at Mach 3 and began its deceleration maneuver, Wade heard Sergeant Schwarz’s voice over the comms, tense but controlled: “Abort drop for pod 7. Repeat, abort drop for pod 7.”
But it was too late. The pods deployed in rapid succession, including Ashford’s. As Wade’s own pod shot out from the Thunderhawk, he caught a glimpse of pod 7 tumbling erratically, its trajectory all wrong.
The impact was catastrophic. A bone-jarring shockwave had ripped through the pod, and Ashford’s spine had compressed, crushing three vertebrae, and severing his spinal cord. Pain had exploded through his body, then… nothing. He only felt a horrifying numbness envelop his lower half as the pod’s emergency systems blared to life.
The next few minutes were a blur of freefall and crushing deceleration as Wade’s own pod made its descent. But as soon as he touched down, he knew something was terribly wrong. Emergency vehicles were already speeding towards a crumpled pod about a hundred meters away.
The haunting silence that followed was shattered by the sudden, deafening roar of the med-evac’s thrusters firing. Wade’s heart leapt into his throat as he realized only half of Ashford’s retro-thrusters had ignited. Time seemed to slow as he watched the crumpled pod, its polished titanium hull, designed to withstand the intense heat of atmospheric re-entry, now terrifyingly fragile.
Corpsmen in matte black exo-suits swarmed the damaged pod, their movements precise despite the urgency. Plasma cutters hissed and sparked as they carved through the twisted metal. More corpsmen stood by, grav-stretcher at the ready, their faces grim behind clear visors.
As they pulled Ashford’s shattered body from the wreckage, the harsh truth became clear: he was paralyzed from the waist down. In an instant, the young private’s bright future in the Corps had been tragically halted, leaving him with a life-altering injury that would reshape his path forever.
The Last Low Drop
The incident cast a pall over the entire platoon. That night, Wade and Jay sat in tense silence, neither willing to voice the fear that gnawed at their guts. They had known the risks when they signed up, but Ashford’s accident had made those risks terrifyingly real.
“You think he’ll walk again?” Jay finally asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Wade shook his head slowly. “I don’t know, man. But if anyone can pull through this, it’s Ashford. Guy’s tough as nails.”
Dawn broke, pale and cold, as Wade and Jay suited up. Their movements were mechanical, muscle memory taking over where conscious thought faltered. The march to the flightline felt like a walk to the gallows. Wade and Jay were both praying silently to themselves for God’s protection. If it wasn’t serious enough before, it was now.
The next morning, Sergeant Schwarz gathered the recruits. His face was grim as he addressed them. “What happened yesterday was a tragedy,” he began. “But it’s also a reality of what we do. Every time we step into those pods, we’re putting our lives on the line. Remember the first part of your creed.” Schwarz stated quoting the first stanza of the Ranger’s Creed, “Recognizing I volunteered as a Ranger, fully knowing the hazards of my chosen profession…”
He paused, his eyes scanning the group. “Now, I know you’re all shaken up. That’s normal. But we’ve got a job to do. Ashford would want us to keep going. So that’s exactly what we’re going to do. We’re going to finish what we started. There is no quit in you! Understood?”
A chorus of “Yes, Drop Sergeant!” rang out, more subdued than usual but no less determined. As the Thunderhawk hovered into position to load, Sergeant Schwarz yelled over the din, “Show me what you’ve got, Rangers!”
This time, fate smiled upon them. The drop went flawlessly, textbook in every way. As their boots touched solid ground, Wade and Jay exchanged a look of profound relief. They had nailed it. But the shadow of what happened to Ashford would linger, a stark reminder of the razor’s edge they walked as Rangers.
Extreme High-Altitude Insertions
The following week saw the recruits diving into the complexities of over-atmosphere operations. Classroom sessions alternated with simulations, sharpening their understanding of extreme high-altitude insertions to a razor’s edge.
Instructors drilled into them the unique challenges of operating in zero gravity. “Up there,” Sergeant Schwarz growled, tapping a holographic display, “there is no up or down. Your instincts will try to betray you. You need to rewire your brains, understand movement in three dimensions at all times.”
They learned the intricacies of their suits’ oxygen systems, the critical importance of managing their air supply. “You’ve got 30 minutes,” Tech Specialist Rodriguez explained. “After that, you’re breathing vacuum. And trust me, that’s not a pleasant way to go.”
But it was the precision landing techniques that truly captured the recruits’ attention. Sergeant Schwarz took particular pride in explaining the pinpoint accuracy achievable from the edge of space.
“Watch and learn, Rangers,” he grinned, queuing up telemetry from previous drops. “From low altitude, we can put you within 50-60 meters of your target. Mid-altitude narrows that to 4-5 meters. But from up high? We can stack five pods on a doughnut.”
The recruits watched in awe as the data played out, five separate drop pods converging on a single point with laser precision. Schwarz’s eyes gleamed with pride. “It’s all about time, boys and girls. The longer we’ve got to work with the retros, the tighter we can dial it in.”
As the week progressed, the recruits found themselves spending more time in the simulators, practicing zero-G maneuvers and running through countless drop scenarios. The pressure was intense, but a new determination had settled over the platoon. Ashford’s accident had shaken them, yes, but it had also hardened their resolve. They were determined to master these skills, to minimize the risks as much as humanly possible.
Finally, the day came for their extreme high-altitude drops. The tension in the air was thick as the recruits suited up, each lost in their own thoughts. Wade found himself running through checklists in his head, a mantra of safety protocols and emergency procedures. Jay’s face was set in grim determination, his usual wimcycle smile noticeably absent.
The ascent seemed to take an eternity. As the drop ship climbed higher and higher, the curve of the planet became visible through small viewports. It was a breathtaking sight, but one that held a new, terrifying significance for the recruits. They were about to fall from the very edge of space.
Schwarz’s voice crackled over the comms, uncharacteristically encouraging. “Remember your training. Trust your equipment. Trust yourselves. You’ve got this.”
As Schwarz worked through the drop procedures and commands, the Ranger candidates each entered their pods. The actual separation from the dropship was anticlimactic as retros fired and the blue planet below loomed large.
The first moments were always the most disorienting. The utter silence of space, the weightlessness, the dizzying vista of an entire planet spread out beneath them. But training took over, and soon the recruits were plummeting toward the planet with a growing sense of peace as they had learned to trust their training.
Re-entry came in a burst of heat and light, the pods’ heat shields glowing cherry red as they knifed through the atmosphere. Gentle G-forces pressed the recruits into their acceleration seats as the planet rushed up to meet them.
Then, with clockwork precision, retro-thrusters fired. The pods slowed their descent, adjusting course with minute bursts of power. Altitude indicators ticked down rapidly: 1000 meters, 500, 100…
Impact. Thirty simultaneous thuds as the pods touched down in a perfect pentagon formation, mere meters apart. For a moment, silence reigned. Then, as hatches popped open and the recruits emerged on sturdy legs, plopping down in prone positions forming their security perimeter. They had done it.
As the adrenaline faded, a new sense of accomplishment settled over the platoon. They had mastered incredibly complex skills, and came out the other side stronger for it. Wade and Jay bumped fists, grinning despite their exhaustion. “Not bad for a couple of ground-pounders,” Jay quipped, some of his old humor returning.
Wade nodded, his eyes scanning the horizon. “Yeah,” he said softly. “Thank You Jesus.”
The last four high altitude drops were more like a sightseeing tour in space than a military insertion. But each recruit knew better than to let their guard down and be overconfident. After the last drop, they waited for retrieval from the Thunderhawk, the recruits gathered in a tight circle, sharing quiet words of congratulation and support. They had entered this training as individuals. They were emerging as a tight knit unit, forged in the crucible of shared danger and triumph. Whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together.
Sergeant Schwarz approached with a wooden box and barked, “Form up Rangers!” As the recruits scrambled into formation, their faces flushed with a mix of triumph and relief, Sergeant Schwarz stood in front of the Marines. His stern expression cracked into a rare smile. “Congratulations, Rangers. You’ve just completed one of the most demanding insertion protocols in the galaxy. You’ve faced fear, you’ve faced tragedy, and you’ve come out stronger.” He opened the box exposing gold drop wings for each graduate. He handed them to another Drop Sergeant to assist him and stepped in front of the first recruit.
“Rangers, you will notice these are no ordinary drop wings. They aren’t the silver ones for Marine Regulars, they are pure gold, worn only by Marines who have the guts to pursue the prestigious next step in becoming a Ranger. Most of you won’t make it but no one can ever take these babies away from you! Wear these with pride.” Schwarz took the clasps off of the pins that held them secure to the Marine uniform, pinned the wings above the first Ranger candidate’s left breast pocket. Then with a sudden violent punch, he slammed the half inch pins into the Marines chest penetrating the flesh. The Marine didn’t budge or wince. This was the proud tradition of receiving “blood wings” set by paratroopers from the ancient days.
Schwarz continued down the line to Jay and then to Wade. As he pinned the wings on Wade’s chest, he said in a low and almost imperceptible whisper, “Proud of you son. You’re no longer a quitter.” Then he punched Wade’s wings into his chest with an approving grin.
That vote of confidence meant more to Wade than the wings themselves.
The Thunderhawk descended to retrieve them, its engines drowning out the subdued chatter of the recruits. Soon, they would be whisked away to their next round of training, the next set of seemingly impossible tasks to master. But for now, standing on soil they had reached from the very edge of space, these young men and women allowed themselves a moment of pride. They were no longer just recruits. They were becoming the elite Marines the Corps demanded, ready to be inserted with surgical precision anywhere in the galaxy.
Wade and Jay exchanged a look of shared accomplishment tinged with anxiety as they settled into the troop seats of the dropship. They had faced their fears, pushed their bodies to the absolute limit, and come out stronger on the other side. They were prepared for the next phase of their training – Deep Space Ranger School.
ToBeLikeJesus 