Posted in News & Commentary, tagged 2012 us olympians, armed forces, army, chaplain, christian, military athletes, military family, olympics, us military olympians, veterans, warrior olympians on July 26, 2012| Leave a Comment »
Scripture reminds us to “pray without ceasing.” Be mindful of these service members and their families during the Olympic Games in London. Many of these service members are veterans who have protected our liberty. Pray for their safety and protection as they continue to represent our Nation.
Posted in Military Family, News & Commentary, tagged air force, aurora shooting, batman shooting, century 16 theater, chaplain, current events, military families, military family, navy on July 23, 2012| Leave a Comment »
A sailor and an airman were among those killed in a theater shooting in Aurora, Colo., early Friday, family members and military officials confirmed Saturday.
The parents of Cryptologic Technician 3rd Class John Larimer, 27, released a statement that Navy officials notified them about midnight that their son was one of those killed. Navy officials also confirmed his death on Saturday. The family said Larimer’s brother Noel is working with the Navy to bring his body home to Crystal Lake, Ill.
Larimer joined the Navy in June 2011 and had been stationed in Aurora since October 2011, the Navy said.
Air Force Staff Sgt. Jesse Childress, 29, a reservist and cyber systems operator, also died in the attack, DoD officials said. Childress, who was single and had no children, joined the service in January 2002, DoD said.
Both were assigned to units based at Buckley Air Force Base, Colo.
In addition, an airmen and a sailor were among the 59 injured in the shooting at the Century 16 theater complex, about five miles from Buckley, shortly after midnight Friday. The injured sailor was treated at the scene and released; the nature of the sailor’s injuries is unknown. Three other sailors escaped unharmed.
All five sailors were attached to Navy Information Operations Command, Colorado. That command falls under the Navy’s cyber command and the U.S. 10th Fleet.
“The Navy and the Air Force are working with the families of these service members to ensure they have the care and attention they need,” read the statement, released Friday.
“This tragic event has affected everybody here at Buckley Air Force Base and our local community friends and neighbors,” base commander Col. Daniel Dant said in a statement. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of each and every loved one. All military or their families affected can receive assistance through our base services. Please contact the base chapel 720-847-4631 if you or a loved one need assistance due to this event.”
James Holmes, 24, has been named in media reports as the man in custody in connection with the mass shooting, which occurred at a premiere of “The Dark Knight Rises” in Aurora.
The Pentagon’s statement said Holmes never served in any branch of the military.
In addition to those killed, 59 people were wounded after the gunman set off a gas canister and started shooting about 30 minutes into the film.
By Jeff Schogol and Mark D. Faram – Staff writers
Posted : Saturday Jul 21, 2012 12:00:50 EDT
Please pray for the military and civilian families who lost loved ones during this tragic event.
Posted in News & Commentary, tagged 2012 church confidence, 2012 confidence in religion, 2012 Gallup poll, 2012 Gallup survey, American confidence in organized religion, American confidence in the church, Bible, chaplain, Christ, christian, Christianity, church as a hospital for sinners, Church confidence, church split, confidence in institutions, confidence in the church at low, current events, faith, families, Gallup poll, Gallup survey, god, god squad, Great Physician, hospital for sinners, Jesus, Jesus Christ, looking for a church, looking for a church home, low church confidence, national guard, news, organized religion, poll, record low attitudes on religion, religion, religious, Son of God, spiritual, spiritual hospital, spirituality, survey, why do people leave the church, Why I hate religion and love Jesus, why I hate the church, why people leave the church on July 16, 2012| Leave a Comment »
Each year Gallup releases a “Confidence in Institutions” survey. This year it reveals that only 44% of Americans have a “great deal or quite a lot of confidence in ‘the church or organized religion.'”
Organized religion has ranked at the top of the list from 1973-1985, but now it is tied with the medical system. Bean counters will quickly point out that religion still ranks fourth out of sixteen institutions tested, but that can hardly be viewed as a prize. Bronze medal? Sorry church, you missed it by that much.
After I let the survey results simmer, my thoughts went to people who have been hurt, wounded, and injured by the church. When I hear stories of people searching for a different church home it is always for a reason. Too often families leave a congregation because of strife, bitterness, and conflict. They leave due to splits and infighting. They leave because of hurtful comments and negative attitudes. Unfortunately, the pain can be so intense that many won’t even bother to look for a new church home. Many stop looking or worse yet, stop going. When that is the legacy, why would people express confidence?
I like it when people describe the church as a hospital for sinners. It is the emergency room where we find comfort and peace through Jesus Christ. But this spiritual hospital will have people who are coughing, fever-ridden, and sick. There are varying levels of sickness due to sin. Cross-bearing is a requirement for ministry to occur in this setting. There will be unpleasant people in every congregation, but then again what emergency room doesn’t have someone in need of a physician?
If you are looking for a church home or stopped looking for a solid body of believers, remember that Jesus died for you and all who suffer from the pain of sin. He died for everybody. Congregations are made up of imperfect people who are in need of the Great Physician. Place your confidence in the Son of God and you will never be disappointed.
God Squad 
Senate Confirms New National Guard Bureau Chief and Vice Chief
Posted in News & Commentary, tagged air force, armed services committee, army, chaplain, faith, joint chiefs of staff, military, national guard, prayer, senate armed services committee on July 31, 2012| Leave a Comment »
The Senate confirmed Army Lt. Gen. Frank J. Grass as the next chief of the National Guard Bureau and Air Force Maj. Gen. Joseph L. Lengyel as the bureau’s vice chief during a late evening session July 26.
Grass, who also will be a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will be promoted to the rank of general. Lengyel will earn his third star.
The Senate’s action followed Grass’ July 19 hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee.
“To the men and women and families of the Army and the Air National Guard … you can know that I will be your strongest advocate,” Grass said during the hearing.
Asked about the his role on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Grass said, “As a member of the Joint Chiefs, I [will] definitely have to bring forward the adjutants generals’ and governors’ thoughts, concerns, on the homeland mission. … I also need to be able to balance that with the federal mission and deployable forces and be able to give my best military advice to the secretary of defense as well as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs.”
Grass will succeed Air Force Gen. Craig R. McKinley, the National Guard’s first four-star general and first to be appointed to the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
1 Timothy 2 is a call to prayer. It reminds us to offer prayers and petitions for all who are in authority. Take time to remember the new leadership at NGB and the important roles they have.
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