While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.” Luke 8:4-8

“This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Luke 8:11-12

I was standing at attention in front of my Black Hat and he was extracting a little motivation from this “wannabe” paratrooper. He asked, “What do you want to be!?” As I yelled “AIRBORNE!” at the top of my lungs I heard him reply, “I can’t hear you.” Wait a minute! I was tossin’ my tonsils and he couldn’t hear me? No, it wasn’t that he couldn’t hear me; he didn’t want to hear me. He wanted something else, he wanted more. I think the Black Hat is a good example of how some folks treat God. The Lord has given a clear message of salvation in His Son and provided a way for an eternal and abundant life. And yet, for some, the response is, “I can’t hear You, God.” You’re not loud enough. Not enough tricks to prove You are real. I don’t like what You got to offer. And then the Evil One comes in and snatches away the little understanding that they could have had. Don’t let the message fall on deaf ears. Listen carefully. SP279

Black Hat – Airborne Instructor

For this is what the LORD Almighty says…for whoever touches you touches the apple of [My] eye (Zechariah 2:8)

My left hand was up in a flash to block the swishing noise coming at my face in the dark. Next it was from the right, then left! The ranger student in front of me was lacking good trail etiquette and letting the branches fly in the pitch darkness. I was prepared though, as I walked with both hands up on both sides for protection from the twigged assault (until he straddled a pine sapling that whipped between my hands and hit me squarely in the face). It was my greatest fear while walking in the woods at night; to get stuck in the eye. That’s how God feels about protecting His children. When people mess with His kids, it’s like a stick in His eye. Sometimes we wondered if God really cares. But try ignoring someone trying to touch your eye. Oh no, He loves you. You are the apple of His eye.

Proverbs 19:20 Listen to advice and accept instruction,
and in the end you will be wise.

Proverbs 20:18 Make plans by seeking advice;
if you wage war, obtain guidance.

So many of you have asked for the rest of the story from yesterday, I felt obliged to continue to humiliate myself for your edification (SMILE:)
When SGT Kim said “Live Ammo,” a very humbled SSG Wood popped a chemlight and told the SGT to start yelling “American” in Korean. A bunch of old dudes with camouflage and locked and loaded M1 Carbines surrounded and told us to put our weapons down. Kind of embarrassing to be captured by a 60-year-old-over-weight guy with a weapon that’s as old as he is. But than again, he did have the real bullets. I didn’t understand a word they were saying but I do know the head dude was ticked. In the end they helped us clear some obstacles off the LZ and the militia sat there and watched our operation with a very weary eye. My first mission established a new SOP; No Snoopen around villages without first notifying the locals (and even then, sometimes its best just to go in with lights and noise blazing). AND When Koreans are advising you about Korea, think twice before you ignore their recommendation. SP277

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. Psalm 19:7

I often hear jokes about infantrymen not being the smartest bunch in the world and especially Airborne Rangers. I’ve kind of taken a bit of pride in being more brutish than cerebral and I like to mention my GED right along with my BA and MDiv. But there was a time when most people would have looked at my educational level and used the word “simple” as a good adjective to describe me. But I had spent thousands of hours in the Word of God, drinking it like a thirsty man. When I was stationed in Dahlonega, a man in our church took notice of that fact. He came to me, the simple infantryman, and asked me to help him with his spiritual growth. I taught him how to have a quiet time, memorize Scripture, share his faith, and how to disciple other men. The simple infantry guy was mentoring the man with a PhD who was a senior professor in the Physics Department at North Georgia College. This is not a testimony to the ability of a man but to the power of the Word of God. Truly it makes the simple wise! SP275

Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. Daniel 12:3

I know I’m dating myself but I wish I had kept track of the number hours I’ve spent shining my boots. Probably enough to build the space shuttle. The frustrating thing is that the shine only lasts for a day or two. Then it’s back to “a little polish, a little water, little circles, a little polish, a little water, little circles…” God gives us the opportunity to have something that will shine for all eternity. If we give our lives to the pursuit of wisdom (God’s Word) and leading people to righteousness (God’s Son), WE will shine like the stars forever. Don’t show up to the heavenly formation with just a brush shine, go for the spit shine Trooper! SP206

“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow… Isaiah 1:18

We had flown all night loaded up with heavy rucks, snowshoes and artic gear. The flight was rough approaching the dropzone and as we hooked up, I stood half bent over under the tremendous weight. As I exited the door, the deafening roar of the C130 turned into silence and the strain of the heavy equipment was immediately relieved. I was floating under my parachute and I surveyed the dropzone. I noticed it was covered with three foot of new snow. A sudden wave of peace overwhelmed me . The stark winter landscape had been covered with a perfect blanket of pure white snow. It was the softest landing of any jump. That memory creates another picture in my mind, the mental image of forgiveness. When I consider how the blood of Jesus Christ has completely covered my sins, I realize that God’s view of me is a spectacular sight of forgiveness. The followers of Jesus have been cleansed as white as snow and we are at peace. A soft landing indeed. SP207

Let them know that you, whose name is the LORD, that you alone are the Most High over all the earth. Psalm 83:18

One of the oddest things I saw in Kuwait was a lone tree in a vast open desert. It was such a contrast to see in the scorching sea of sand, one, lone, green tree. We joked that it was the Kuwaiti National Forest but the tree became a rally point. We would say, “Meet at the tree” or “Set up the TOC at the tree” and everyone knew what we were talking about. God is like that tree. The contrast between Him and everything else is so different, so immeasurable; it is easy to delineate between Most High and mundane. In the vastness of creation, God the Creator is the uncreated. The One who was and is and ever will be; Most Powerful, All Knowing, Omnipresent, Completely Just, and All Loving. He stands alone and because of that, He becomes the most obvious rally point. As Christians, let’s meet at the Most High! SP273

How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word…I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:9,11

There are a bunch of things I’ve memorized in my years in the Army; General Orders, Ranger Creed, SALUTE Report, METT-T, and the list goes on and on. Usually, the things that I’ve memorized have been associated with the basics and fundamentals of being a soldier. These are principles and procedures that guide the daily execution of duties. I must say it took discipline to memorize but it does pay off in the end. I’ve also practiced this discipline in my Christian life. I have what I call a “Basic Load” of verses that assist me in my daily walk with God. I am amazed at how often these verses fit the situations of resisting temptations, ministering to others, and enjoying the abundant blessings of God. Need some ammo for living the Christian life? Lock and load a few verses in your heart. SP274

The LORD replied, “I have forgiven them, as you asked… [However] not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their forefathers. Numbers 14:20, 23

“I just joined for the college money.” “I needed a job, I didn’t think I’d ever have to go to war.” “I don’t mind the Army, I just don’t like this shooting stuff.” Real statements I’ve heard from individuals wanting out of the Army. They wanted the privileges but were unwilling to assume the responsibilities of being a soldier. The Children of Israel pulled the same stunt. The Lord rescued them and was bringing them to the Promised Land. But the people balked because they were afraid and didn’t trust God. The Lord was angry so Moses interceded on their behalf. God did forgive them but He also promised they would never see His blessing. God would give the land of milk and honey to the next generation. We can forfeit blessings when we simply settle for His forgiveness and don’t trust and obey His will. Of course God wants to give us grace and mercy, but He is also building His Kingdom. Trust Him and march forward. SP272

The Rest of the Story: Numbers 13:1-14:25

But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Psalm 1:2-3

One of the common experiences of Ranger students is to suddenly realize the beauty of the Dahlonega Mountains (unless of course you were a winter Ranger). In a state of emaciation and severe suffering, I found myself walking through a blanket of ankle high ferns with the clearest creek babble next to me and the sun rays piercing the lush leafy trees. I immediately experienced a sense of peace in this surreal place. It was like I died and went to heaven. It was a remarkable thing to take in the incredible fertility and growth along the mountain streams. Much like the promise of this passage in Psalms describing spiritual growth. If we continue to read and practice God’s Word, we will experience this same lushness in our own lives. Like the plants and trees along the mountain creeks, is the man or woman who trusts and follows the Word of the Lord. SP271