Hope no one is standing in formation today. Enjoy the Labor Day holiday!
Posted in Humor | Tagged army, funny, humor, labor day, military, military monday, veteran | Leave a Comment »
Christians need to understand a biblical theology of the body.
I share this because of several recent events. First, the Supreme Court struck down the federal definition of marriage being between one man and one woman. Second, California recently passed a law allowing transgender students to choose which restroom and locker room they use. The law, which will take effect Jan. 1, gives students the right “to participate in sex-segregated programs, activities and facilities” based on the gender they identify with as opposed to their birth gender. Those programs also include sports teams. Third, a day after being sentenced to 35 years in prison, Army Private First Class Bradley Manning announced that he self identifies as a female and wants to be known as Chelsea Manning.
These events are more than news stories. They are a reflection of our nation, our culture, and our society as a whole. They also reflect what currently passes as acceptable behavior.
Here are a few reminders to share from the National Association of Evangelicals and its Generation Forum.
People are created in the image of God. God made us. We are not descendants of another mammal. God created human beings in His image, looked at all He made, and pronounced it “very good” in Genesis 1:31. We are included in this decree. This makes every human a holy reflection of God and a unique work of art. God bestows us with some of His divine attributes setting us apart from the beasts of the field. Created in His image, we are relational and embodied beings, whose very nature bear the fingerprints of God.
God created us male and female. The genders announced in Genesis 1 are different. God’s design is for man and woman to be together in the covenant of marriage. This bond is blessed so that people can find greater relationship, happiness, intimacy, and know the joy of children. Jesus confirms this creation paradigm in Matthew 19. Competing models to the marital covenant are found in current and ancient cultures, including polygamy, same-sex unions, serial monogamy, polyamory, and “open marriages.” These constructs lack the essential ingredients that fully express God’s plan. They are flawed imitations of what God intended.
We should also embrace our gender as a gift from God. The contemporary dance with changing gender identity represents a rebellious rejection of our Creator’s biological design. We should not change or exchange our humanity. It would only distort God’s canvass. This rejection also demonstrates a rebellious desire to exchange “the truth of God for a lie” and make ourselves in our own image, Romans 1:25.
Honor God with your body. The Biblical mandate is clear, we are to pursue purity. This is accomplished by upholding fidelity in marriage and upholding chastity outside of marriage. We need to be aware of potential temptations and be transparent with those who hold us accountable. Sanctification is both an event and a process. We are incapable of eliminating ourselves from the problem of sin. Only Jesus Christ can and will set us free, Romans 8:1-4. But all are called to “present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God” and to be “transformed by the renewing of your minds” Romans 12:1-2.
As Christians, we are called to honestly share the standard God has given through Scripture. Many will reject it, but the church must be steadfast and faithful to biblical teaching. Another challenge in speaking God’s truth is being compassionate like Christ. Hate and anger will only hurt our Christian witness. Instead, let us continue to advance God’s kingdom by speaking the truth in love.
Posted in Christian Living, Military Family, Military Marriages, News & Commentary | Tagged army, california transgender law, Christianity, DOMA, gender identity, Jesus, national association of evangelicals, pastor, PFC Bradley Manning, theology of the body | 1 Comment »
Military humor at its best! These Army EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) guys are one in a million. Happy Military Monday everyone!
Posted in Humor | Tagged army, bomb squad, eod, explosive ordnance disposal, funny, humor, military, practical joke, veteran | Leave a Comment »
It is amazing what a handful of people can do with purpose and direction.
In 2004, a group of college students went to Africa to help people in need. As work projects moved forward, many of the young adults expressed frustration with a perceived inability to make an impact in Africa. The size and scope of work projects seemed unending. And with only a few dollars – rather than thousands – to spare, many people felt like their efforts equated to dropping a pebble into the Grand Canyon.
This compelled several people to create a new model of giving. They asked, “what could be done if we gave up one or two premium coffees and used that money for Africa?” The group realized that they did not have thousands or millions of dollars, but that they could be faithful with money already in their pockets. This concept of making a difference with faithful giving quickly launched the Mocha Club.
Today, people can sign up, pick a service project and donate the cost of two coffees to impact the people of Africa. This allows people across the globe to pool their resources and make a huge impact in the lives of needy families. Donors can select clean water, education, orphan care, or several other projects to support. The success of Mocha Club has grown to have a massive impact both in Africa, and beyond.
You can learn more about the organization and see how to make a difference in Africa by clicking on https://www.themochaclub.org/ and join the fight to help people in need.
Jesus teaches us in Matthew 25, that those who are faithful with small things will be entrusted with great things. They will also hear our Savior say, “well done good and faithful servant.” Let us continue the work of our Lord Jesus Christ. No matter how great or small the work may be. May we be faithful in all that we do.
Posted in Christian Living | Tagged active faith, africa, chaplain, faithful, Jesus, mocha club, orphan care, pastor, religion | Leave a Comment »
The Army Chaplain Corps was born on July 29, 1775. The start of the Chaplain Corps came six short weeks after the Continental Congress established the Army. General George Washington formed the infantry as the first branch of the Army. Soon after this, he saw the need for ministers to care for Soldiers and go into battle directly with units during the American Revolution. General Washington’s concern for the care of his troops quickly brought creation of the second branch, the US Army Chaplain Corps.
The Continental Congress officially recognized chaplains in the national army with the rank of Captain. Congress later passed the “Chaplaincy Act” on January 16, 1776, authorizing one chaplain for every two regiments. Pay was set at thirty-three dollars and thirty-three cents a month. While the pay scale and uniform has certainly changed, the need for military ministry has not.
Since the start in 1775, approximately 25,000 Army Chaplains have served as religious and spiritual leaders for 25 million Soldiers and their Families. From military installations to deployed combat units and from service schools to military hospitals, Army Chaplains and Chaplain Assistants have performed their ministries in the most religiously diverse organization in the world.
Always present with their Soldiers in war and in peace, Army Chaplains have served in more than 270 major wars and combat engagements. Nearly 300 Army Chaplains have laid down their lives in battle. Seven have been awarded the Medal of Honor. Currently, over 2,900 Chaplains are serving the Total Army representing over 130 different religious organizations.
Pray for the men and women who bring God to Soldiers and Soldiers to God. They are the servants who nurture the living, care for the wounded, and honor the fallen. May their actions, words, deeds, and ministry efforts continue to live up to the Chaplain Corps motto, “Pro Deo et Patria,” which means, “For God and Country.”
Posted in News & Commentary | Tagged army, birthday, chaplain, chaplain corps, corps, national guard, pro deo et patria, religion, us army chaplain | Leave a Comment »
It has been nearly four years since Major Nidal Hasan was arrested for killing over a dozen Soldiers and military personnel at Fort Hood, Texas. During that time, he continued to receive his military paycheck. That figure is now over $300,000. Members of Congress are trying the change that.
New legislation, called the “Stop Pay for Violent Offenders Act” was introduced Monday in the House of Representatives. It would authorize the military to suspend pay for Hasan and other members of the military for any capital or sex-related offense.
Currently there is no way to stop paying Soldiers as they sit in jail. The Army cannot stop paying Hasan, who is still officially in the Army, at his usual pay grade unless he’s convicted.
The pay issue has garnered national attention for many reasons. The long wait for a trial, no rules prohibiting or stopping military pay while in jail, and the large dollar amount continue to haunt the Army and its leaders. While Hasan continues to draw about $80,000 per year, many of the Fort Hood victims say they’ve been denied financial and medical benefits due to the military’s refusal to categorize the massacre as an act of terrorism, instead trying to classify it as “workplace violence.”
The new legislation is cosponsored by Rep. Frank Wolf (R-Virg.), Rep. Tim Griffin (R-Ark.), and Rep. Tom Rooney (R-Fla.), who served in the military at Fort Hood before entering politics.
Hasan’s trial is set to get under way on August 6. He is charged with premeditated murder and attempted murder.
The long wait for action and moral outrage with military justice has also spilled over to sexual assault cases within the Department of Defense. Frustrated with the high number of sexual assaults, a low prosecution rate, and few convictions in the military, many legislators are trying to change DOD policies to re-balance the scales.
The new legislation, which also targets those accused of sex-related crimes, comes after recent Congressional hearings derided the military’s response to sexual assaults. A recent Pentagon report estimated 26,000 sexual assaults took place last year.
I can see plenty of reasons to be upset, frustrated, outraged, or just plain angry while reading this article. No one would expect to lose a Soldier by the hands of another service member. No one should wait four years for a trial to provide closure and healing regarding the loss of a loved one. No one should expect the government or the Army to lessen that loss by classifying the actions as “workplace violence.” And who would ever expect that the shooter would earn over $300,000 during the wait for trial? The issues at hand focus greatly on justice, making things right, responsiveness to military families and victims.
The story is truly upsetting.
Victims of violence and family members need our care. The Fort Hood shooting and sexual assaults are two horrible injustices in our world. These incidents should call the military community to be responsive and compassionate to those who have endured such atrocities. As people of God, it is okay to feel outrage when wrongs are done, but there must be action to shine the light of Christ where victims feel no hope. James chapter two shares that, “faith without works is dead.” There must be a spiritual call to action in the heart of believers.
Let us find ways to minister to the hurting families and victims of abuse. Let us keep them in prayer as trials and testimonies recount days of heartache and despair. Let us reach out and be responsive even when our government does not. May God allow us to be a redemptive instrument in His world and respond to the injustice and hardship that we see.
Posted in News & Commentary | Tagged army, fort hood, fort hood massacre, fort hood shooter, fort hood shooting, Major Nidal Hasan, military pay, moral outrage, sexual assault, stop pay for violent offenders act | Leave a Comment »
I ran across this book when I got back from my second deployment. I either missed it on the shelf or was too consumed with seminary assignments, but we found each other at the right time. The message and lessons inside are vital to any “strong man” in our world.
Samson is an Old Testament Bible character who gets little attention in the stories or sermons of today. Samson is also greatly ignored in print. Most Christians think of him as “the guy who fooled around with Delilah” or “the strong dude with long hair.” After reading The Samson Syndrome, I am convinced that needs to change. Samson has a great deal to teach the modern believer and the men of every generation.
The author, Mark Atteberry, does a great job of detailing why strong, powerful, and smart men so commonly fail. History is filled with heartbreaking stories of talented men who disgraced themselves by falling into sin. Abraham and King David quickly come to my mind. News headlines of yesterday and today all tell the same story. Prince Charles, Bill Clinton, Jesse Jackson, Brad Pitt, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jesse James, Tiger Woods, and General David Petraeus all thought they were sneaky enough to cross a moral boundary and not get caught. Each of us can name an additional dozen men of good reputation who have suffered a moral failure and public disgrace.
Celebrities and public figures are not the only ones who stumble. All of us do. Soldiers, church deacons, farmers, mechanics, accountants, you name it, we all falter. That’s why every man stands to benefit from the story of Samson.
The Samson Syndrome focuses on a set of twelve areas that contributed to his “erratic behavior, his spiritual decline, and ultimately, his failure as a deliverer of God’s people.” These twelve tendencies are common to men of strength no matter the generation. They represent the unique challenges that we all face. The author does a magnificent job of showing how strong men tend to disregard boundaries, struggle with lust, ignore good advice, break rules, have big egos, struggle with intimacy, and often lose sight of the big picture. You may not contend with all of Samson’s tendencies in your life, but no man can escape their influence.
This is a great book for veterans. Many come back from a deployment and feel like Superman. They often express how, “the enemy shot at me and I survived the worst they could throw at me. Nothing can take me down.” While many may feel invincible when they return home from war, they quickly get into trouble at home, try to out drink each other, or get into motorcycle wrecks. That mentality of strong men who feel like they can get away with something is pretty common in today’s military. Know that this book speaks your language and addresses the life you live.
It is time that we rediscover the story of Samson. Find time to walk the dusty roads of Israel with our long-haired friend. Hear his tale, think about his life, and reflect on the similarities you encounter. His example will help you to find your own weak spots in life and develop suggestions on how to overcome them through the lens of Scripture.
Posted in Book Reviews, Christian Living, Military Marriages | Tagged book review, chaplain, christian, mark atteberry, military ministry, pastor, samson, the samson syndrome, twelve tendencies where men fail | Leave a Comment »
I hate the headline and I hate the underlying issue.
The US military built a 64,000-square-foot headquarters building on Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan that it will never use. The two-story building is bigger than a football field and cost taxpayers $34 million. It comes with all the tools to wage a modern war. A vast operations center with tiered seating. Check. A briefing theater. Check. Spacious offices. Check. Fancy chairs. Check. A powerful air conditioning system. Check.
The structure was completed this year, but the military has no plan to use it. Commanders in the area, who insisted three years ago that they did not need the building, are now in the process of withdrawing forces and see no reason to move into the new facility.
Are you angry yet?
The building is unused, unoccupied, and will likely be demolished. It would cost more to open and operate the building, than to tear it down and leave. On a similar note, the Afghans cannot afford to open or operate the structure due to its grand size.
Why would you build a permanent structure when temporary buildings got the job done during the surge? Why would you spend that much money when commanders specifically said that the need did not exist? Why would you construct a permanent building when the locals can’t even maintain it? It seems simple now, but perhaps the questions were also easy to ask three years ago.
I point out this news story to highlight the need for good judgment and speaking the truth. At some stage in the game, someone needed to stop this project. A person needed to be bold, share what was happening to leaders, and save the day.
This week saw the first level of military furloughs. We are making military technicians stay home one day a week, so that we can cut defense budgets. Perhaps our leaders need a strong, bold, voice to remind them that employees matter. When your paycheck is being reduced 20%, stories like this only put salt in the wound.
I also want to point out the horrible waste that went into this construction project. Think of the orphanages, schools, medical clinics, or hospitals that could have been built and supplied instead of this empty structure.
Perhaps there can be some redemption in this story if we learn a lesson to stop bad ideas before the ground breaking ceremony.
Posted in News & Commentary | Tagged afghanistan, camp leatherneck, common sense, empty hq building, military, OEF, pentagon, politics, spending, waste | 1 Comment »
God Squad 
Pray for Syria
September 6, 2013 by John Potter
Christians of all stripes can join together this Saturday and pray for Syria. From the Catholics to the Quakers, everyone should be able to set aside their differences and unite in a time of prayer.
This long civil war has taken over 100,000 lives, created over 2 million refugees, and unleashed the use of chemical weapons. No matter where you stand on the current political issue. Make time to pray for the people, the victims, the homeless, the starving, and for a solution to the conflict.
It is good for us to remember that there is an authority higher than the military. Let us petition the Lord and ask for his mercy and peace to surround Syria.
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Posted in News & Commentary | Tagged chaplain, christian, pastor, pope francis, prayer, refugees, Syria | Leave a Comment »