Are You a Mile-Marker?

Every generation seems to have significant mile markers that impact and, at times, define them. My generation has been impacted by major events from the war on drugs to the global war on terror, from the Berlin wall to Tiananmen Square, from Operation Enduring Freedom to Operation Iraqi Freedom, and from the shuttle Challenger to the events of 9/11.

As I write this I am reminded that I will never forget my experience on September 11, 2001. I will never forget standing on my back porch overlooking the New York City skyline filled with smoke as I watched the second tower fall. I will never forget the moments that followed as I learned of the impact on family, neighbors, friends and classmates who were in those towers. I will never forget the stories of those who stepped up and were called “heroes.” I will never forget.

Today, honored to humbly serve my country as a Chaplain and officer in the USAF, I strive to uphold the Air Force core values of “Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence In All We Do”. What I love about the Air Force core values is that they also uphold the spiritual truths that are found within the Scriptures. In particular, the central core value of service reminds me of Matthew 20:28; “for even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and give his life as a ransom for many.”

If you have accepted Christ as the leader of your life, you have a great responsibility to prepare now for the opportunities that you will be presented with. His desire for you is that you live an “abundant life” (John 10:10) as you live out His mission to “Go into all the world” (Matt 28:18-20). The only way for us to truly live this abundant life and fulfill His mission is to be groomed and fed by the Giver of Life as we abide in Him (John 15:1-11). The question now is, how will you respond?

You see, having accepted Christ we have been given the greatest gift of all. Just like the countless men and women who have stepped up to serve in moments of crisis, even at times gave their life, we too need to be prepared for the moments that will be presented to us. At times, they may not seem like acts of heroism but I would challenge you to think about what role you play in someone’s eternal journey. How will you affect someone today? What value are you adding to their life? How are you serving in response to The One who came to serve you? What legacy will you leave behind? How, and why, will you accomplish this?

Warren G Harding said, “I accept my part with single-mindedness of purpose and humility of spirit, and implore the favor and guidance of God in His Heaven.” My prayer is that we will be able to respond to the salvation we have been given in such a way that we too can be mile-markers in the lives of those we come in contact with. Moreover, that we would infect the world with His grace, as we become more like the Servant who placed a mile-marker for us on the Cross.

A New Dawn

Over a year has passed since my last post, now it's time to start writing again.

I have found writing in blog form forces me to ratchet down my wordiness, getting to the heart of the matter in a succinct manner.

Since my last post, so much has transpired. I have completed my second Masters degree, been ordained for ministry, completed a second Chaplain Candidate tour at Lackland AFB and am currently waiting for my reappointment interview with the USAF to become a "real" Chaplain.

I have not written for so long wondering what I could possibly say that would have an impact on others through this venue. Perhaps the real truth is that the thought that goes into my writing has more impact on me than anyone else--so I will begin to write again. However, my hope is that as you read this you will find something in my journey that can serve as part of the transformation process in your life (Heb 10:23-24).

Just as this photo shows the sun setting over the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, the place I currently call home, the sun also sets on the old man as I seek to continually be renewed by the power of the Holy Spirit. Though the mountains do not disappear when the sun sets, the dawn renews them just as we are renewed every morning by the grace and mercy of our heavenly Father (Lamentations 3:22-24).

CS 08.10 - CCIIP Raptor Flight Recap

I would like to share with you a video I created for my CCIIP flight,the Raptors, led by Chaplain, Major Bill Dickens. All of the members of the Raptor Flight are included and I am very grateful to each of those who took the time to be interviewed for this project. Although there was over an hour of video from the interviews and hundreds of photos what you will see below expresses our experience from the members of the Raptor Flight.

I would also like to recognize our mentor Ch. Dickens for being an invaluable resource for us as Chaplain Candidates as he invested in us with purpose. Finally, although not featured in any of the interviews, I would like to also thank MSgt Patricia Ayres. MSgt Ayres gave of her time and energy to make much of this trip possible often giving beyond her responsibilities so that the trip would be a success. I'm sure I will continue to post more about my experiences through COT, CCC and the CCIIP but for now, let's roll the video...

CS 08.9 - Don't Get Stuck on Stupid!

Wow, what a summer... once again, so much has happened since my last post. Nearly one month later and I have completed my USAF Chaplain Candidate Internship, taken a wonderful vacation with my family at the beach as well as starting work again with the world's largest evangelical university and leader in online education as the Supervisor for Admissions Consultants.

Before I share more recap of the summer with you however, I thought it best to keep my commitment and post the devotional that I had promised. This devotional stems from a message offered to the Chaplain Candidate Course students from class 08A but I have adapted it for a broader audience here.

I'm sure that in your life, as has been the case in mine, there have been times in which you had seemingly lost hope or simply become frustrated with your place in life. Perhaps you wondered if there was a point feeling as though you had seemingly lost your direction. I'd like to share with your three key words you can easily remember that will help impress the following Biblical principles on you.

1. Remember
2. Recall
3. Rely

I'm not normally one who goes for alliteration but, it seems to work here. Take a moment to read through Lam 3:19-27 then follow along with me through the following.

It's so easy to remember all the reasons for your pain, frustration, and overall loss of hope when you are in the midst of a tough time in life. Moreover, it's even easier to sit down and have a pity party for yourself while you wallow in sorrow enjoying your misery. Doesn't it seem to come as nearly second nature to a number of people? You know what I'm talking about. There seems to one in every crowd. The person who is unnecessarily needy, aimless in life or just enjoying the low spot in life because it allows them to draw the attention of others. Well, here in verses 19-20 of this passage we see the writer doing just that--remembering. But he is allowing his soul to be downcast as a result.

However, although the author is remembering the root of the feelings he does not end there. The remembrance turns into recall of how past circumstances have been orchestrated and what the outcome was in verses 21-23. He does not get stuck on the past but begins to move forward as he recalls the faithfulness of God time and time again. God's mercy is truly new every morning and the author recognizes that God's faithfulness is not dependent upon anything he has done but solely upon God's character.

Finally, in verses 24-27, having remembered his pain and affliction, recalling God's faithfulness, He is able to rely upon the Father and move forward!

This summer I was shared a story of a three star General who was giving a media briefing (see the video inset) after hurricane Katrina and just prior to hurricane Rita. During his briefing the reporters kept addressing the past--all of the frustrations that the public was dealing with after Katrina. The General reminded the reporters that the purpose of this briefing was to move forward and get information out to the public about what was about to happen. He encouraged them not to get stuck on stupid. In other words, he didn't want them to get so wrapped up in the past that they could not move forward and help those who were in the path of this new hurricane. Immediately following his comments, what was the first question from one of the reporters? He wanted to compare this storm to the last storm. Immediately the General points out that the reporter was stuck on stupid.



The point I'd like to make is, "Don't Get Stuck on Stupid. Remember, Recall & Rely."

It's entirely too easy to get stuck on stupid while getting caught up in the frustration, stress, pain and merely the ebb and flow of life and forgetting the faithfulness of God. I would like to simply challenge you to follow the heart of the author of Lamentations.

Remember why you are feeling what you are feeling.

Recall that God has been faithful throughout generations. His faithfulness is not dependent upon you or anything you do. Simply put, God is faithful.

But do not let it end there. Take action. Rely upon God's faithfulness.

It is in remembering and recalling that there is renewed hope found in a faithful Father. He will continue to carry you through the difficult times and allow you to find joy once again. Don't get stuck on stupid.

CS 08.8 - Been a While

So, it's been several weeks again between posts. So much has happened! I've graduated from the CCC (Chaplain Candidate Course) and have already visited several bases on the CCIIP Tour (Chaplain Candidate Intensive Internship Program). Please feel free to check out the photos I've posted by clicking the link at the top of the page. Immediately following this post I'm going to add a devotional thought that I shared with my squadron during CCC.

Where have I been, you ask. Immediately following CCC I drove from Maxwell AFB in Montgomery, AL to Robins AFB in Warner Robins, GA. During our stay at Robins we visited the flight line and the shops where they work on the F-15's as well as visiting the AF Museum (see photos).

I then experienced my first C130 flight to Patrick AFB in Cocoa Beach, FL where we had several briefings about the various missions of that base including both the space and rescue mission. The Airmen at Patrick are top notch and we all had a great experience there meeting the PJ's from the 920th Rescue Squadron as well as the various others from the 45th Space Wing who support the Space Mission. While in Cocoa beach I also visited Ron Jon's Surf shop, did PT on the beach in the morning, as well as take a deep sea fishing trip (where I caught a baracuda).

Leg three of the trip started again with a C130 flight to Homestead ARB (where I'm writing this from) which is just south of Miami, FL. This base is unique because it is a Reserve Base. It had previously been an active duty base and was nearly closed for good following the 1992 hurricane Andrew. The ministry setting here is unique because the base is comprised entirely reservists. I was blessed to go on visitation twice to the Equipment Maintenance Squadron with Chaplain Fink. On my second round of visitation he asked me to take the lead since I had been before. This was a great time as we got to know some of the Airmen serving in the various shops as well as how they support the Mako's, F16's, to which the base is home.

From Homestead we will be traveling to Charlestown AFB, SC and will be traveling on a C17. This will be yet another new experience as the C17 is a large Airlift aircraft. Just to give you an idea of how large a C17 is I should mention that it is able to house 10 Hummers within its cargo bay.

Keep your eyes peeled for new pictures. My ability to connect to the internet has been very unstable so I am not always able to post as often as I would like. However, I will tell you that this is a trip of a lifetime and I am blessed to be able to be a part of this experience. My flight commander/mentor, Ch. Dickens is an incredible man who serves as the reserve wing chaplain at Wright Patterson AFB, OH. Our Chaplain Assistant, Patricia "Trish" Ayres is an incredible asset to the Squadron as well. I look forward to telling you all more about them as time progresses. I have been able to learn much merely by observing them both in action as they lead us though this tour.