Posted in News & Commentary, tagged Canada, Canadian shooter, Canadian soldier, news, ottawa, parliament shooter, prayer, War Memorial on October 22, 2014|
Today a terrorist took the life of a Canadian soldier who was guarding the War Memorial in Ottawa. The gunman later ran to the Parliament complex and opened fire at innocent bystanders. Over thirty shots were fired in the chaos. Several people were rushed to the hospital with injuries.
Please pray for all the families, friends, and loved ones of those injured in this tragedy.
Posted in News & Commentary, tagged air force, current events, kc-135, kyrgyzstan, mcconnell air force base, news, prayer, stratotanker, wichita eagle on May 3, 2013| Leave a Comment »
Reports are sharing that an American Stratotanker crashed in Kyrgyzstan. The Wichita Eagle reported on its website the plane was a KC-135 refueling tanker, which was based at Wichita’s McConnell Air Force Base.
A search is underway for members of the crew.
Little is currently known and updates will likely be slow. Right now the unknown is a heavy burden for military families across the Midwest as they are dealing with the “what ifs” of this situation.
One thing that we can do is pray for all the families at McConnell Air Force Base. May the peace of Christ sustain them and minister to their needs during this difficult time.
Posted in News & Commentary, tagged boston marathan explosion, boston marathon, boston marathon bombing, current events, news, prayer on April 15, 2013| Leave a Comment »
The tragic events of April 15th continue to unfold. Today, two bombs exploded in the packed streets near the finish line of the Boston Marathon, killing two people and injuring more than 130.
Please continue to pray for the families who are mourning the loss of a loved one. Boston area hospitals also reported at least 134 injured, with 15 of them critically. We also need to pray for the wounded who are in critical condition.
While not immediately apparent, we should also praise God that more were not injured in this senseless act. The Boston Marathon routinely has some 23,000 runners and countless supporters along the way. It is one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious marathons that draws participants from across the globe. It is held on Patriots Day, which commemorates the first battles of the American Revolution, at Concord and Lexington in 1775.
As people continue to compile their prayer lists, we should also remember first responders like the EMS, police, firefighters, and National Guard. Their efforts today, though bloody and traumatic, helped to preserve life and provide emergency care to the wounded.
Cry out to the Lord and share the concerns of your heart, no matter how heavy it may be.
Posted in Military Family, News & Commentary, tagged baseball hall of fame, current events, hero, Lance Armstrong, military family, military parent, news, parenting, PED, performance enhancing drug, sports on January 14, 2013| Leave a Comment »
Where are the heroes?
The sports community took some big hits this week and last. It has disappointed many in America and across the world.
Last week the Baseball Hall of Fame announced that no candidates received enough votes for entry into Cooperstown. This year’s ballot included 37 candidates, 24 in the lineup were first time nominees. Several of these athletes were tied to performance-enhancing drugs, greatly diminishing their chances of ever entering the Hall of Fame. This class includes Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Sammy Sosa, all of whom posted Hall of Fame-worthy numbers during their careers but were clouded by PED suspicion. Clemens earned 37.6 percent of the vote, Bonds got 36.2 percent and Sosa got 12.5 percent.
Recently, Tour de France winner, Lance Armstrong admitted to using PEDs. Last year, he lost all seven of his Tour titles due to a 1,000 page report from the US Anti-Doping Agency. The massive report exposed his extensive drug use and multiple methods of trying to circumvent sports cycling rules. The agency deposed 11 former teammates and accused Armstrong of masterminding a complex and brazen drug program that included steroids, blood boosters, and a range of other performance-enhancers.
While athletes and sports stars are frequently viewed as heroes, these events should remind us what heroism truly looks like. A hero is a person of distinguished courage, bravery, ability, and noble qualities. The heroes have not left our nation, we just forget what they look like and how they behave.
Courage is shown through the service of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines everyday. They demonstrate the meaning of sacrifice through their actions and dedicated service. Bravery is shown through the actions of police officers in every community. They run into buildings that crowds exit when trouble rears its ugly head. Ability is shown by countless firemen. They react to emergencies and execute teamwork in order to save lives and property. Honesty, integrity, generosity, and kindness can be seen through the daily actions of mothers and fathers across our nation.
Our country is full of heroes, we just fail to recognize who they truly are.
As this week will focus on stars from Hollywood and the sports page. Teach your children to recognize a hero. Let them know what qualities are important in life. Show them that common folks in your community can be some of the greatest examples of doing the right thing.
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.
Posted in Military Marriages, Suicide Prevention, Veteran Resources, tagged ACE, air force, annual training, armed forces, army, army suicide levels, army suicide rates, army suicide training, Ask Care Escort, chaplain, christian, current events, Department of Defense, deployment, DOD, faith, families, family, friends, god squad, health, home, hotline, marine, marine corps, medicine, mental health counselor, mental-health, military, military families, military family, military life, military marriage, military one source, military suicide rates, national guard, national suicide prevention lifeline, navy, news, peer counseling, pentagon issues, post traumatic stress disorder, PTSD, reintegration, reunion, soldier, suicide, suicide hotline, suicide prevention hotline, veteran, veteran suicide rates, veterans, warriors on July 12, 2012| 4 Comments »
Chaplains are pretty busy during Annual Training season in the National Guard. Tuesday I gave another suicide prevention class. It’s a requirement that Soldiers get the presentation at least once a year. The training focuses on the magnitude of the problem, how common issues can drive anyone to the point of despair, and that everyone can watch out for your battle buddy.
While many try to pin the Army suicide issue on multiple deployments, the majority of issues that drive people to suicide are common issues: failed relationships, financial difficulty, and legal woes. These are typical factors that we see in the civilian population, at schools, in factories, and even in the church. PTSD is a factor in military suicide, but it is not the top issue that Time magazine or other media outlets want you to believe.
The fundamental issue to remember is that everyone can save a life. You probably survived a breakup, be it in high school, college, or at work. You probably understand what it is like to bounce a check or have a tough time making your paycheck last the entire month. We are all in the same boat. We all have the life experience necessary to help people at risk of suicide.
Remember and apply ACE: Ask, Care, Escort.
If you believe that someone is at risk of suicide, ask him/her about the problem. Find out what is going on in the person’s life. Directly ask if he/she is thinking about suicide. Care by listening to the issue. Find out what is causing the pain and suffering. Why is the Soldier upset? Finally, escort the Soldier to a resource. That can be a chaplain, a medic, a counselor, an NCO, a friend, or a family member.
Don’t leave the person alone. Make sure that he or she gets help. It is okay to call a suicide hotline or wake up a supervisor, just don’t ignore the warning signs.
You don’t have to be a mental health counselor to apply ACE. You don’t have to be an expert. But you can practice these basic steps in suicide first aid. Do your part to reduce suicide and help your friends.
If you need immediate assistance these suicide hot lines are always available:
Military One Source – 1.877.995.5247 or National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1.800.273.TALK (8255).
Posted in Military Family, Veteran Resources, tagged air force, armed forces, armed forces sexual assault policy, army, chaplain, current events, deployment, families, family, god, helpline, hotline, joint chief, joint chiefs, joint chiefs of staff, marine, marine corps, military, military family, military news, military sexual assault policy, national guard, navy, news, politics, reintegration, research, reserve, safe help line, service member, service members, sexual assault, sexual assault policies, sexual assault response, sexual assault response coordinator, sexual harassment, soldier, squad, veteran, veterans, victim advocate, warriors on May 15, 2012| Leave a Comment »
The Joint Chiefs of Staff have recently outlined new policies to deter sexual assaults in the armed forces.
One of the major changes will happen at basic training for new recruits in every service branch. New recruits will receive training on sexual assault policies within their first two weeks on active duty. Making sure that recruits are educated on right conduct and appropriate behavior will go a long way in the force. This prevention and education effort should be viewed as an important step in reducing sexual assault and sexual harassment in the military.
Additional policy changes include ensuring that sexual assault cases are handled by officers at the Colonel or O-6 level, and forming a new Special Victims Units across each service branch in order to better investigate assaults and bring more perpetrators to justice. Cases will no longer be dropped by low-level commanders who can prevent investigations from moving forward with flimsy excuses. Cases will instead move past the local unit level and be pushed up the chain of command for investigation by senior officers.
While these changes are new and still being fine tuned for implementation, I hope that advocacy efforts will also be a part of the equation. All of the services need to provide high levels of support through unit victim advocates, sexual assault response coordinators, medical services, legal representation, and counseling.
Veterans and service members can make confidential reports to a chaplain, healthcare provider, sexual assault response coordinator, or victim advocate. If you need help or have questions you can call 877-995-5247 or click www.safehelpline.org for additional resources.
Posted in Military Family, Military Marriages, Suicide Prevention, Veteran Resources, tagged ACE, active duty, army, army suicides decline, chaplain, current events, deployment, families, family, friends, front, god, health, home, hotline, mental-health, military, military marriage, military one source, military relationships, military spouse, national guard, national suicide prevention lifeline, news, peer counseling, PTSD, reintegration, reserve, reunion, soldier, squad, suicide, suicide prevention, title 10, title 32, veteran, veterans, warriors on March 15, 2012| 1 Comment »
The headline was small and muted this month, but the Army reported 278 suicides for 2011. That figure represents Active Duty, Guard, and Reserve components. While that number may not immediately seem like good news, it is nearly a ten percent drop from 2010. It is also the first time that number has declined in four years.
I understand why no one wanted to herald the news, but this should still be seen as a victory. We are making an incredible difference in the lives of people. Suicide prevention training has taken hold in the force and continues to grow. Soldiers and families understand that it is okay to talk about deployment issues and concerns. Stigma and fear continues to decline. Counselors, medics, chaplains and battle buddies at every level are teaching service members how to address suicidal thoughts. That being said, there is still more work to be done.
Broken relationships are still the number one reason that Soldiers commit suicide. It is important that first line leaders sit down with service members at the first hint of marital conflict. Make time to listen and discover how your Soldiers are dealing with the hardships of life.
Practice ACE: Ask, Care, Escort. Ask people how they are doing. Care about their situation through listening. Escort people to a community resource when they need help.
Military One Source is available 24/7. You can call and immediately speak with a counselor or ask for a referral. The operator will give you several local counseling options and assist you in making an appointment. Service members can receive 12 free counseling sessions each year. Military One Source can be reached at 1.800.342.9647.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available to help those contemplating suicide. You can call 1.800.273.TALK (8255) and be connected to a counselor. Once you are on the lifeline, a person can decide to speak with a veteran or a civilian.
Army suicides are starting to decline. Our efforts are bearing fruit in multiple arenas. One year will may not establish a pattern, but it is certainly a step in the right direction.
Posted in Devotions, tagged aniston, armed forces, army, beauty, Book of Matthew, chaplain, christian, definition of beauty, devotional, devotions, faith, families, family, fitness, friends, front, gift, god, hollywood, hollywood actress, home, jennifer, jennifer aniston, Jesus, make up, military, movie, movie star, national guard, news, pharisees, plastic surgery, religion, religious, self indulgence, soldier, spiritual, spirituality, spray tans, squad, teenagers, teens, yellow ribbon, youth, youthful figure on March 10, 2012| Leave a Comment »
It was reported this week that Jennifer Aniston’s beauty routine costs an estimated $12,000 a month.
Her beauty habits, which include hair-care, skin-care, eyebrow-care, makeup, spray tans, nutrition, and exercise training — run a steep $11,933.97 per month. That totals $141,037.97 each year.
It was interesting to read how many people lavished approval and praise on the story. They affirmed her determination and stamina in pursuing a youthful figure. As a Hollywood actress, she has to stay fit, look young, and eat right. That is the only way that one can ultimately get the right role in a million dollar movie. Many compared it to a gym membership for a firefighter. It’s the price of doing business. It’s necessary for this line of work. You expect a firefighter to be strong in order to rescue people from burning buildings. So, you should expect a movie star to look her best for a role.
As a Christian, I’d like to suggest another way to view the story. God does not care what you look like on the outside. It doesn’t matter one little bit. God places greater priority on our heart, our thoughts, and our actions. Beauty is determined on the inside.
Jesus directly addresses the issue with a group of Pharisees in Matthew 23:25-28. “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.”
Jesus knew that the Pharisees were playing a game. On the outside, they appeared pretty good to the crowds of people. But in reality, their hearts and actions showed a very different person. Jesus exposed the truth about this group. You can wash the outside of a dish, but the inside is still dirty. The same is true today.
While our society and Hollywood may only focus on the external appearance of a person, beauty is truly from within. In a world where teenagers are getting plastic surgery to improve their looks, we have a responsibility to teach people where beauty truly resides. God wants us to focus on the inside. We need to share a different perspective on beauty, one that honors God.
God Squad 
Pray for Orlando
Posted in News & Commentary, tagged chaplain, christian, current events, news, orlando, pastor, pray, prayer, shooting on June 13, 2016|
Sunday’s horrifying attack was the worst mass shooting in America’s history and it is the worst terrorist attack on American soil since 9/11.
Pray for the injured in this tragedy and the families of all the victims who lost their lives. Ask God to comfort those who mourn the loss of family and friends.
May Christian men and women rise up to support each other in this time of tragedy. Help us to remember that you are the strong tower we seek when times are tough. Guide our hands and feet to respond in a Christ-like manner.
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