Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
Isaiah 58:8

Many spiritual parallels have been drawn from the pointman, but what about the warrior pulling rear security? Can’t the enemy sneak around and attack from our 6 o’clock just as easily as the 12? In fact, many times the enemy prefers to attack from the rear because our defensive posture focuses little attention in that area. But, God has not forgotten our vulnerabilities. He is alert to the deceptive tactics of the enemy. He provides 360 degrees of security. He’s got your six. SP237

Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome.” Genesis 32:28

I knew from my buddies in the Ranger Battalion that hand to hand combat training was the one of the worst gauntlets in Ranger School. At the time, hand to hand was responsible for most of the casualties and medical drops. I had visions of a 7-foot, 250 lb, freak of nature tossing me around the pit like a rag doll. I prayed for a ranger buddy my own size. Not so with an Old Testament guy named Jacob. The Bible says that he wrestled with God and held on until He blessed him. What tenacity! But, why would Ranger Jacob get into the hand to hand pit with God and better yet, why would God let Him win? It was all about a blessing. Jacob wanted God’s benevolent fingerprints all over his life. And God was pleased accommodate him. In a sense, I wrestle with God everyday in my morning prayers. I’m asking Him to bless my family, my ministry, and YOU. SP236

Deb and I will be on vacation for the next week. Praying for you as we get some needed R&R. In the mean time, keep serving Jesus with all your might and let someone know about SWORDPOINT.

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

I can remember when God was just starting my calling to be a chaplain. I couldn’t believe that He actually wanted me to get out of the Army with 12.5 years invested in a career. I was good at it and smokin’ through the ranks. And, I was only 7 years left to retirement! I had no idea how we would pay for school and put food on the table. What about our boys, one was two years old and the other two months. What was I thinking? This was a tremendous risk. But, God was at work. He was doing something new and I needed approach things in a completely new way. I had to renew my faith in Christ. When I finally committed to His call, He provided a place to live (rent free), friends supported us as we went to school, and I started receiving scholarships and grants. The rest is history, I became a chaplain. It may not be as radical as my calling, but God wants to do a new work in all of us. Are you ready and willing? Are you a new wineskin? SP235

When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” Genesis 28:16

“Do you like hunting and fishing?” Oh no, I knew what was next, the Mountain Ranger Camp. I just told the CSM that I wanted to go to the Florida Camp or stay at Ft. Benning. I had scoped this out and had no desire to be stuck in the back woods of Dahlonega or out in the desert at Ft. Bliss. “Well Wood, I need you in the mountains because they run the desert phase too and they need folks bad.” I agonized in my mind, “What? The two places I didn’t want and I get them both!” I spent the next five years there and it was one of the most rewarding times of my life. My sons were born there and my wife graduated from NGC. I was leading three separate Bible studies and it was an incredible time of ministry. We made lifelong friends in that place. I received my calling to be a chaplain in those mountains. I saw God work like never before. Sometimes we experience God’s powerful hand in the most unexpected places. SP234

CSM – Command Sergeant Major
NGC – North Georgia College

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1

The strong currents put so much pressure on the nylon rope, it felt like I was pulling a dump truck across the river. I was responsible for getting the lead end of the rope bridge tied to a sturdy tree on the far side. Running out of strength, I got a bright idea. I starting turning in a circle allowing the rope to wrap around my body act like a human wench. Before long I realized I had made a big mistake. The rope was getting tighter and tighter with every turn. It felt like I was being strangled by Boa Constrictor and I strained tremendously to even breathe. This was a bad idea. Sin is an awful lot like that. At first we may think it’s good idea, but as we become entangled it starts to squeeze the life out of us. We begin to strain for spiritual breath and slowly but surely, we lose consciousness of our Creator. Be careful, don’t get wrapped up in things that will damage you and your fellowship with Jesus. SP233

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1

The Panamanian boy had himself a trade; one huge pineapple for one small C-ration can of meat. I certainly thought I got the better end of the deal. The platoon was resuming its slither through the thick jungle and I tied the giant prickly fruit to the top of my ruck. As I trudged through the suffocating vegetation with my heavy load, each step brought the bounce and thump of the pineapple. The first miles seemed tolerable but by the end of the day, my bargain had become a curse. The pineapple had turned out to be an annoying hindrance to the march. Now, what are the pineapples in our spiritual lives? Could it be spending too much time at a good job or maybe recreation has become a slave driver? Do we own our house or does our house own us? What are the “good” things that slow us down in our march for God? It would be wise to consider our load plan and drop some of that excess weight. Marching On! SP232

C-ration – Army field rations before MREs (Meal Ready to Eat) and after K-rations
Ruck – Military Backpack

…Though seeing, they do not see… Mathew 13:13

I was under my poncho trying to keep the glow of my red lens flashlight from sneaking out. I didn’t want the light to give away our position and I needed to cut some 550 to repair my gear. As I worked with my razor sharp K-Bar, I noticed my hands were getting wet and sticky. I tried to wipe the substance off but it just kept getting worse. Wanting a better look at what was going on, I braved taking the red lens off my flashlight. To my surprise, the white light revealed hands covered with blood, my blood. Without knowing it, the sharp knife had cut a pretty good gash in my thumb but the red light had concealed the Class III leak. Likewise, the lenses of life can impair our vision. We are so used to looking at life a certain way that our weaknesses, character flaws, or even sin can go undetected. I have two white lights for my life: God and true friends. They shed light on the problems and help me see areas that I need to change. SP231

[Jesus said,] I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33

What would you think if the enemy never even showed up? You had the troops and equipment ready to go and then your opponent didn’t bother coming to the fight. I was watching my son wrestle the one day at a high school meet. He pinned his first rival after a good struggle. But there was no opponent in his second match and it was forfeited. The match was won before it even started. But, what about the spiritual conflict? Well, the battle between God and His enemies has already been decided. They have no chance of winning because of their inability to stand in the presence of the Almighty. God has already defeated our enemy in a predetermined victory through Jesus Christ. They might as well forfeit. This realization should give us great confidence and help us to live the Christian life boldly. Victory is Ours! SP229

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(Wednesday, 26 March 08 at 2100 EST)

Go to the Website at: www.ustream.tv/channel/army-navigators

Joseph Peer from the Hunter Army Airfield / Ft. Stewart Ministry will be sharing – The 3 Responsibilities of the Disciplemaker

He’ll be taking your questions and comments via chat, phone, or OOVOO (free video conferencing program from oovoo.com). Bring your Bible, pen, paper (napkin) and your questions.

***Have some ideas about responsibilities in disciplemaking? Send me your top 5 tips (short and to the point, scripture is good too). Send them to charleswood1@gmail.com

To talk on oovoo, you’ll need to have the free software down loaded from http://www.oovoo.com/ (make sure you get the free stuff). And add his contact info by searching for me by using my contact name in the search: haafnavs

If you miss the live show you can catch the recording at: www.ustream.tv/channel/army-navigators