Then some soldiers asked him, ‘And what should we do?’ [John the Baptist] replied, ‘Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely–be content with your pay.’ (Luke 3:14)

Ever wonder what God thinks about our profession? John the Baptist gives us a clue as one of God’s spokesman. He was one of the top prophets of all time (Matthew 11:11). John was in the business of telling people about the coming of Christ and Repentance (getting your life straight). His message was simple, ‘Stop living in sin and start living for God.’ Now you know with a message like that, he’s a straight shooter. John wouldn’t pull any punches if he saw sin in a persons life. But, when some soldiers came to him for advice, notice what he did not tell them. He didn’t say “stop soldiering” as though it were a sin to be a warrior. No, he tells them “don’t abuse your power and carry on (be content with your wages)”. So, Guardian of Freedom, Giver of Liberty, and Keeper of Peace do what’s right and carry on.

Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.’ (John 4:23-24)

‘Hooah, Air Assault Sergeant!’ That was our reply to the Air Assault Instructor as he informed us we would be doing more push-ups. This was after spending several minutes going though ‘break area’ procedures (Basically a smoke fest intended to get the students attention right from the get go). My arms were starting to look like truck axles as a result of the millions of push-ups I had already done. There may have been one or two kooks in that formation that wanted to do more push-ups but most of us were giving an obligatory ‘Hooah’ just to please the instructor. It was all false motivation. When we practice the rituals and traditions of religion we can fall in to this same attitude. We kind of go through the motions but really our heart is not in it. Attitude Check? Worship in spirit and in truth.

Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)

Probing for mines was not one of my favorite things to do. It involves sticking the ground with a sharp non-metallic object at a 45 degree angle every two inches until you clear a way through the minefield. It’s slow, tedious and if they’re real mines, DANGEROUS! It’s the lead soldier’s responsibility to find a safe path through the explosive real-estate. That’s what Jesus has done for us. He is the safe path to the other side of a life filled with land mines. He led the way and cleared a course to God. Now it all boils down to our decision to trust Him for this safe passage by following Him.

But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. (Psalm 1:2)

There’s nothing like a letter from someone who loves you to boost the ol’ soldier’s moral. It didn’t matter whether I was in Kuwait or Korea my wife would send me the greatest letters. I’d carry Deb’s letters around in my green notebook and when I got a chance, I’d whip it out and read again. You know, I never got tired of reading those letters. I still read some of them today. It’s always good to get a letter from some who loves you. God has written us a letter as well. The Bible is God’s letter of encouragement and exhortation to His spiritual warriors. It gives instructions on how we ought to live. But the part I like most is where He tells us how much He loves us and His desires to bless our lives. Hey Soldier, you got a letter from your Father.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)

Reality was beginning to sink in when they issued me my Desert Camouflage Uniforms. I was headed to Kuwait and I knew the four-month deployment would be miserable. My brother Mike had just returned from a rotation in the desert and I got a full debriefing. I was forewarned. So instead of viewing it as some torturous expedition, I made up my mind to have a positive attitude. I memorized Philippians 4:8 and repeated it often during the sand storms, heat, bugs, long hours of counseling, monotonous meals, etc. I must say, it was one of the best times of my life. What you think develops an attitude and attitude can change everything.

You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. (Hebrews 10:36)

He gave no instructions, we just started running. My Samoan Squad Leader was a PT animal. We ran around Abrams Drop Zone and then to the river and started heading for the barracks (about 12 miles). We were relieved and proud that we had accomplished such a physical feat. But, we didn’t stop! The Squad Leader just kept running. We ran right past the barracks as the rest of the company was heading for the showers. What a deflating moment. A few of us hung in there. We would not allow ourselves to quit. We proceeded to run around North Fort and back (another 6 miles). Eighteen miles for Monday morning PT! You know the Christian life is a lot like that run. Sometimes we think we have arrived and then we realize the finish line is still way down the road. Life is not a sprint. We need to be faithful for the long haul. Don’t Quit, Keep Driving On!

Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?’ (John 11:25-26)

In a moon lit night the swift current of the Nasqually River took control of the 15-man rubber raft. My PSG knew we were out of control and made one last command, ‘Don’t let this thing turn sideways.’ No sooner had he barked out the order, when we hit a massive tree stump in the middle of the river. The raft turned sideways and dumped its contents of rangers into the glacier fed waters. As the other rangers swan free, I was trapped under water, snared in the raft’s rigging. As I tried to untangle myself, I thought, ‘This is it, this is the end.’ Suddenly, the upside-down raft jolted and I was unshackled. I popped out of the water gasping for air. “I’m alive!” I believe this a good picture of what it will be like for us when we experience physical death. We will pop out of the turbulent waters of this life into the next. What an exciting promise to look forward to.

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7)

Most people don’t know this but I have an incredible fear of drowning. Because I was close to becoming fish food on three separate military training events, I get a little nervous or timid around water. I recognized this weakness and I enrolled in a scuba diving class. I wanted to confront my fear head on. Several friends in my Sunday School class also signed up. As we got in the water and began to be acquainted with the breathing apparatus, all but one friend dropped from the class. As I watched the others get out of the water, fear was raging inside of me. I aggressively reminded myself I could not quit and had to overcome this phobia. Soon I was 15-20 feet below, exploring the waters. This is the way we should tackle our fears in our spiritual lives as well. We cannot allow timidity to sideline us in our walk with Christ. Take the plunge and go for it!

Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:12-13)

In my 26 years of service I’ve been through 3 generations of radios. I found that no matter which radio, you could always establish good commo if you knew what you were doing. I heard, ‘This radio is a piece of junk!’ over and over again. I even said it myself a few times. But most of the time it wasn’t the radio with the problem, it was the operator. It took time and effort to learn to use our communications gear effectively. It’s the same with prayer and seeking God. There are those who have given up on prayer because ‘it didn’t work.’ But let me assure you there is nothing wrong with the receiver, it’s the transmitter. Seek Him with all your heart.

For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

This is God’s desire for each of us: success (as defined by God, not man), hope, and a future. Three things none of us would turn down. But every time we do not follow the Commander’s Intent we end up doing just that, denying the very power to receive them. Following the whole plan of God for our lives is essential. We often get daily FRAGOs (fragmentary orders). How we follow the FRAGOs will determine how well we follow the big plan.

Charlie Mike! (Continue Mission)