God's Promises for American Heroes

[Soldier4Christ]

Where Credit is Due


John 15:5 Jesus said, “apart from me you can do nothing.”

If I told you I just finished dropping a transmission and changed a clutch on a dump truck, you might be impressed.  That is, until you found out all I really did was hand tools to my dad while he did most of the work.  You see, he knew what to do and I was clueless.  He chose the proper tools and I just handed them to him.  He did most of the heavy lifting and I just got my hands greasy.  Really, he was the mechanic who changed the clutch and I was, well, allowed to help in the process. Oh, I could have tried to impress you but the credit really belongs to my dad. Now that’s interesting as I reflect on my life and my relationship with God.  I tend to take an awful lot of recognition when the fact is, God did most of the work.  He’s the one who knows what to do.  He’s the one doing the heavy lifting.  I simply get to participate in His plan.  The credit for the work really belongs to our Dad. Give Him all glory and honor!

[Soldier4Christ]

The Cache

Colossians 2:2-3 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.


One of the ways we resupplied ourselves in the Ranger Battalion was through secret prepositioned caches of water, food, and ammo.  When supplies ran low and the mission permitted, we would navigate to a clandestine supply point and refit.  As we started digging into hidden containers, we were like kids opening presents on Christmas (especially if we had gone without chow for a while).  There is another kind of cache, a spiritual cache. Christ is a hidden wealth of wisdom and knowledge. He invites us to seek Him out, to refit and replenish all the things we need for successful living. Struggling with tough decisions?  I’ll meet you at the Cache.

[Soldier4Christ]

Exodus


Colossians 3:1-2 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.


As a chaplain in an AIT battalion it gets a lot easier to counsel soldiers the closer we get to Christmas.  As I listen to their troubles and discouragement, I know one thing that helps them find hope almost immediately; Exodus.  As soon as I remind them they will be going home on leave in just a few weeks, it melts their problems like the ice on my windshield in the morning.  I see them begin to relax and the light returns to their eye because now they have hope.  I try not to leave them there though.  I also explain the hope we have in heaven, that ultimately we will leave this troubled world behind and enjoy permanent residence with the King of kings through Christ. Now that’s an Exodus we can look forward too.

[Soldier4Christ]

Christmas Memories


Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.


I celebrated the Christmas season in Kuwait by attaching a small fake Christmas tree to my Hummer.  I decorated it with Chemlights and toilet paper and then drove from unit to unit wishing them a Merry Christmas.  A Soldier’s Christmas can be quite a bit different from what we experience at home.  But, one thing will always remain, Christ the Savior is born.  No matter where you are in this world or what you are doing, Christ lives and makes all the difference in eternity. As we draw closer to Christmas day, let’s lift our hearts in joyous praise to God for His special gift of salvation through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

[Soldier4Christ]

The New Year

Jeremiah 29:11 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.


There is a tradition when an RI does his last walk with Ranger students. The instructor is free to do just about anything he wants during that last evaluation.  Many last walks include a GO for every student, a bucket of fried chicken and “laying up sorry” in the patrol base all day and night instead of doing the mission.  I elected to do something a little different.  I planned and executed the mission myself.  (I’m sure they would have rather had the chicken).  I would assume their evaluated leadership roles and obviously, I wasn’t going to fail my own evaluation so everyone got a GO. It was very easy to succeed that day.  All the students had to do was trust me and follow my directions.  Christ offers the same help in this new year.  He has developed a plan for our lives.  If we will trust Him and follow His instructions, we will find success.  That should give us a lot of hope and encouragement for the New Year.

[Soldier4Christ]

A New Beginning


Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.


It was my first sermon at Camp Darby, Italy and everyone was wondering what kind of chaplain they just inherited.  What’s his flavor, what will he preach, will he be boring?  I introduced myself, “I am a sinner saved by the grace of God through His Son the Lord Jesus Christ.”  I was out of the starting block and there was not doubt where I was headed.  New beginnings are important.  They set the tone for the future.  Our beginnings can usher in hope, comfort, and strength providing we start with Christ.  When we make the Lord the center of our lives, we can anticipate good things to come.  We start this year with God.  Seeking Him, Obeying Him, Serving Him, Loving Him.

[Soldier4Christ]

Ranger Buddy

Ecclesiastes  4:9-10 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up.  But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!

In Ranger school, the word ‘quit’ never came out of my mouth but it sure went through my mind several times.  When things got down right unbearable (and sometimes ridiculous), I could always count on my ranger buddy to make some kind of morbid sense of the torment we were going through.  And I think I did the same for him on more than a few occasions.  This is the powerful influence of having a buddy.  We need that same source of encouragement in the Christian life.  Because, to be honest, sometimes living for God gets ‘stinken’ tough.  We need a good Christian brother or sister to help us keep driving on when we just feel like quitting.  Who’s your ranger buddy.

[Soldier4Christ]

Show Me the Way

PS 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go, I will counsel you and watch over you.


I was leading a convoy of about 25 vehicles across the open desert in the middle of the night.  It seems my company commander had more confidence in my navigational skills than I did.  My anxiety grew and I repeatedly asked myself, ‘What if I lead this whole company to the wrong place?’  I was praying like crazy that God would show me the way.  We finally arrived at our designated battle position and my commander was very pleased.  I was just relieved and praising God. As leaders, we certainly can be stretched beyond our talents and abilities.  There are many times when the simple tasks of leadership become challenging.  The Lord has offered us a unique and extraordinary promise that He will be our guide.  When we turn to Him in prayer and declare our need for His direction He shows us the way to go.

[Soldier4Christ]

The Advanced Party

John 14:2-3 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.


I prayed for them before they left for Kuwait three weeks prior to our departure.  They were the advanced party and their job was to get things started on our new home away from home.  They set up tents, shower facilities, and the wonderful outhouses we were so fond of. They made coordination for food services so we could have a semi-hot meal twice a day.  They did a lot of things to make life better in a barren wasteland. But, despite all their hard work it was a step down in the ol’ standard of living (a big step).  There will be no such plummeting in residential standards when we pass from this life to the next.  It will be like going from the those hot sweltering tents in the desert to a plush 5 star hotel where the air conditioning never stops.  The food will be gourmet and we will be seated with the King of kings.  Be encouraged. Christ is our advanced party and He is preparing a place for us.

[Soldier4Christ]

The Looming War

Deuteronomy 20:2-4 When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army. He shall say: "Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them. For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.


As men and women of faith, we pray and plead for peace. But, I’m afraid there are times when peace can only be achieved through the brutality of war.  As the clouds of conflict loom on our horizon, I realize many of you, my friends, have deployed or will deploy soon.  With that understood I want you to hear the words of the Holy Scriptures and receive it’s Blessing.  If you are called, go and fight with all the might the Lord of Heaven has given you and may compassion rise from the ashes of this necessary violence.  Make sure your Bible is packed in your ruck and make prayer as essential as eating.  Know that we who are in the support role here in the States and other places are faithfully behind you in our thoughts and prayers.  May God be with you.

[Soldier4Christ]

They Should Forfeit

John 16:33 [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.

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 other 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.  They might as well forfeit. This realization should give us great confidence and help us to live the Christian life boldly. Victory!

[Soldier4Christ]

The Next Generation

Psalms 71:18 Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.


The other day the Colonel and I were talking to some brand new Lieutenants and they were thanking us for the investments we had made in the Army.  It was quite clear that we looked look ancient to these guys. I felt like a cowboy riding off into the sunset before the sun had really set.  We were very honored that they would say such a thing, but I also realized my time is almost up. Even in the twilight of my career, I want to continue to invest in young soldiers.  Now comes the more important questions; Am I investing in the next generation of Christianity.  Am I mentoring a younger man or woman in the Lord.  Am I taking the riches of God’s blessings and passing them on to another.  I believe this is exactly what Jesus commands us to do in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20).  What a treasure! One day when we are “old and gray” the next generation will thank us for the investments we have made in their walk with Christ.

[Soldier4Christ]

Red Lenses


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


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.

[Soldier4Christ]

Things that Hinder

Hebrews 12:1 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.


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!

[Mick]