Carrying Christ

This weekend, I will be preaching for the Soldiers of my unit during our monthly BTA. I am focusing on what our names mean to others but this morning I was thinking of one line in my sermon in particular – that Christianity should not be a label we wear but rather a lifestyle we live.

 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.  Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.  Beloved, I urge you as aliens and exiles to abstain from the desires of the flesh that wage war against the soul. Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that, though they malign you as evildoers, they may see your honorable deeds and glorify God when he comes to judge. ~1 Peter 2:9-12 (NRSV)

I think that when we accept Christ, we live for Christ and it becomes part of who we are in the deepest sense. Our actions, our words, and our very lives point to Christ and there is no doubt that we are Christians. I think if we are fully in Christ and living out Christ in our lives, we need not tell another person that we are Christian – it should be plainly obvious!

Today (and everyday), I want to challenge you to live out Christ in all that you do. Make your actions, your words, and you very life honorable in Christ’s name and live in such way as to bring glory to God. I don’t know about you but today I will carry Christ wherever I go.

Come to Me…and I Will Give You Rest

I have been reading protocols on caring for the dying and military funerals. There is a lot of heavy stuff Chaplains have to deal with in the course of a day. Granted, not every day involves death and dying but it is part of the job. There is also the counseling and the general problems that come up in day to day ministry. Chaplains care for a lot of people as do mothers and fathers.

This morning as I was reading my Bible, I was reminded that we need to be sure to take care of ourselves as well. I focused on a familiar text from Matthew:

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” ~Matthew 11:28-30 (NRSV)

It is a beautiful scripture to think and reflect upon. In the midst of everything around us, we can simply come to Jesus and give up our cares and worries and take his yoke upon us. There is rest in the Lord and it is gratifying that we can depend on Jesus for rest.  But what does that rest look like and how do we find it?

• Reading the Bible: I know this is an obvious answer but sometimes, you just need to get away from everything. A good way to do it is to find your Bible, open it, and spend some time reading the word of God. Many of us have a favorite passage or two and this is a good place to start. Using a study Bible may lead you to other passages that can speak to you as well. It’s like a coffee break for your soul.
• Spending Time in Prayer: It may not always be possible to stop in the midst of chaos and read your Bible but it is always possible to pray. It doesn’t have to be anything formal or long but just a simple prayer from deep inside your soul expressing your longing and your need. Peace and rest will come even if it just lasts a moment or two – you can find rest to keep going.
• Go for a Walk or Run: Sometimes we just need to go away and get away from everything for a time. Go for a walk (or run). Spend time in nature and looking for God’s presence in nature. You will be distracted and find some rest for a time. It is a good thing to get away.

These are just a few ideas and I am sure there are other ways. Sometimes we just need to throw our hands up and say “Jesus, I can’t do this. Please help!” It is not a bad thing to admit we need help from time to time. When we admit it, we find peace and rest and strength to keep going.

Do you have ways that you find Jesus’ rest? Please share them in the comments.

I Will Not Let My Joy Be Stolen

When I say “joy-stealers”, I am sure an image of a person pops into you head. I know several people that as soon as they walk into a room, they seem to suck the joy right out of the place (if this were Hogwarts – they would be dementors).

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. ~John 15:9-11 (ESV)

I bring this up and share this verse with you for several reasons. First, I want you to be aware that we cannot choose our situation but we can choose how we deal with it. There are going to be moments when everything seems to be crumbling all around us and we can react in anger, anguish, pain, or remember that God is with us and so we can react in joy. I am slowly learning this in my own life (sometimes the hard way).

As I am embarking, with my family, on a new journey in the world of military ministry, I want to enjoy the journey. I want to savor each moment and find God in each moment – even during the stresses. I am reminded by the scripture that as I abide in Jesus’ love, I abide in his joy as well. There is joy in all things – sometimes we just have to look for it.

The second reason I share this is to tell you that you never know when you will be reminded of things. This message began this morning with an email from the senior chaplain assistant for the 3rd MDSC of which my unit is part. He sent out a spiritual fitness booster and it was just the message I needed to hear.  God is awesome!

Life is hard and we can approach with anticipation or dread. I am going to enjoy the journey with God knowing that I abide in God’s love.

Life’s a climb but the view is worth it. ~Hannah Montana

Preparations

Now that I am beginning the process of saying goodbye, it is time to reflect on what I am doing to prepare for this next phase of the journey. The obvious answer is that I am saying goodbye but not really. I refuse to say goodbye to anyone but rather see you later. I find it hard to say goodbye to people so I plan to come back around and visit with people later so I don’t have to say goodbye.

In the meantime, that is not the only preparation that I am focusing on. There is packing up the house slowly but surely. A lot of will be taken care of by the movers but I do want to have a handle on some of the things before they arrive in October. So we are prepping and packing some things that are of value to us and sorting through things that are not. It is a slow process and an interesting one because I find myself wondering why I kept some of these things. At the time they seemed important and now it is like I don’t need or want them  anymore. Everyone should go through a move once in a while – it is good for purging the soul.

I am also preparing myself physically. Since I came off my active duty stint at Fort Jackson, I have not been quite as active as I was. I still run most days and do push-ups and sit-ups some days but it was not like before. Now, I am focusing again on getting myself back into better shape (partly because I have to and partly because I don’t want to embarrass myself during the first morning of PT). It is an interesting experience to get  back into shape. I find my recovery time is just a bit slower than even a year ago. Those aches and pains stick around a little longer but I am motivated to keep going and I work through the aches (reasonably) towards a specific goal.

Finally, and probably  most important since I am a Chaplain, I am preparing myself spiritually. I am focusing even more on Scripture and reading and reflecting and listening to God. There is so much to do in the next few weeks and if I am not careful, I can let the journey get ahead of God. This is a calling from God and I need to make sure that through it all, I keep my focus on God. Without God, there can be no ministry and no success (not that I am focused on success but I want to do well for God).

The journey continues.

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes

Change is never easy but it is part of life. All we have to do is look around us and we see change occurring by the second. The weather. The time. The neighborhood. Our bodies. Some changes are bigger than others – marriage or the birth of a child. Some changes are exciting and bring joy. Other changes bring sadness and loss. Today, I am going through the beginning of  a major change that has a combination of many things.

Today was my last Sunday with the congregation of Mt. Denson Cumberland Presbyterian Church. It was planned and I knew today would be my last day since I have BTA next weekend and I would like a weekend off before I go to Fort Hood. I knew it was coming but it doesn’t make it easy.

They are a good group of people who deeply love God and want to bring God to their community. They care about each other and that love comes through every thing they do. They are welcoming and to be honest, the first Sunday I preached at the church, I felt like I was home.

What makes it hard is that I fell in love with the church (as in the people) but God has called me to a different ministry. While I am excited to head to Fort Hood and serve as an Army chaplain, it is not easy to say good-bye and face a bit of the unknown. Would I have been happy if I stayed with the Mt Denson Church? Absolutely!

So what do I take from this time with this church?

• A renewed/restored faith in local congregations. I came to this church burned out and hurt from a rough experience with one congregation and an unexpected ending with another one. I vowed I would never serve in a local church again and worked hard to avoid it. However, God had other plans and I found myself called to this church. The result is a renewed faith.
• I will take their love into the world and to everyone I meet. Mt. Denson CP Church knows no strangers. Anyone who walks in the front door is quickly welcomed and finds a place. They are not oppressively loving but their love (an extension of God’s love) shines through. I take that love with me.
• I will take their passion with me. They are in a good position both financially and with the size of the congregation. If they kept at this size and pace, they will do fine but it is not enough. They are on fire for God and want to show that passion to the community. They are sharing their gifts with the congregation to grow and show God’s love.

Change is never easy but it does come. We can either embrace change or fight it but in the end change always wins. I shed some tears tonight as I was walking and reflecting on my time with this church. They were not tears of sadness but tears of joy and happiness knowing that God worked through me to minister to this church and through this church to minister to me. We were a good combination while we were together. It is okay to shed tears and reflect on change.

“I will not say, do not weep, for not all tears are an evil.” ~Gandalf (J.R.R. Tolkien)

Not all tears are an evil but I cannot dwell on this change. God is sending me to a new place and a new ministry and while I am sad that one has ended, I am excited that a new one soon begins. With God, every day is a joy, a blessing, and adventure. I am looking forward to what is coming next!

Have a Healthy Heart

Here is today’s sermon for the 14th Sunday after Pentecost based on Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23. It is also my last sermon at Mt. Denson Cumberland Presbyterian Church as I prepare to head to Fort Hood to become an Active Duty Army Chaplain.

How is your heart? Today, more than ever people are keenly aware of the importance of having a healthy heart. Exercise helps our hearts to be healthy. Beyond that there is medicine or even procedures that help our hearts. Physically speaking we do not always know when we are sick. Spiritually speaking we know that our hearts are always infected with sin. This is the simple truth of the Scriptures. Jesus was often taken to task because of his association with “sinners”. “Jesus answered them, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance’”(LUKE 5:31). Sin-sick hearts always need help. Once again Jesus calls us sinners to repentance.

• Recognize our Problems
  • We note the determination of Jesus’ enemies to confront him, verse 1. They came from Jerusalem.
    • Jesus was teaching near Capernaum. This was 70 miles from Jerusalem.
    • These church leaders walked a week in order to condemn Jesus not commend him.
  • Verse 2. The Pharisees were upset that the disciples ate with unwashed, unclean hands.
    • Washing hands before meals to be clean was the Pharisees’ teaching, verse 3.
    • Verse 4. The word “washing” gives us our word for baptizing.
    • Cup, pitchers were immersed. b. Kettles were not immersed but wiped with water.
  • Verse 5. The Pharisees finally challenge Jesus with “why”. They thought to have Jesus trapped.
    • The Pharisees did not recognize their own problems – faith was a matter of the heart.
    •  Problem: They valued traditions of men more than the teachings of God’s word.
    • Problem: It was what was on the inside that made one unclean, not the outside.
  • Humanity still faces the same problems today. Many look only at exterior appearances. But inside our hearts are only evil all the time. This is not a pleasant message to hear. But it is the truth. There is no one who can do good, not one. All our righteous acts are like filthy rags. The imagination of our hearts is only evil all the time. Our hearts cause us problem after problem because of the infection of sin. “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander” (MATTHEW 15:19). These sins of our hearts reveal themselves in our words and actions.
  • On this side of heaven there is not one person who can escape the effect of sin. Our every waking moment is tainted with sin because of our sinful hearts and flesh. We think terrible thoughts, utter worthless words, and act with evil intent. Again, not pleasant to hear but it is the problem we face daily. Unless we see and admit our problem we will never recognize that we need a cure. On our own and by ourselves we are completely corrupt. “I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out”(ROMANS 7:18). This is our problem.
  • We live in a society that places great emphasis on the wisdom of humans rather than God. At times, worldly wisdom can creep into the very teachings / traditions of the church. Consider the morality, or lack of it, in our day and age. Things that would make us blush only a few years ago are now overlooked by our enlightened society. At times, even the church “winks at” behavior that is morally wrong. The rate of divorce, unwed mothers, and people living together without the benefit of marriage are only a few behaviors that are widely accepted. “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ”(COLOSSIANS 2:8). We will want to hear, read, and study God’s word more and more in order to know, believe, and base all our teachings on the “basic principles…of Christ” , not this world.

HAVE A HEALTHY HEART. It seems impossible on this side of heaven. Sin infection is always with us. Sin lurks in our hearts waiting to lunge out into our lives. Christ gives and is our solution!

• RECOGNIZE GOD’S SOLUTION
  • The Pharisees made the mistake of asking Jesus, “Why?” Now they would hear Jesus’ answer.
    • Verse 6a. Jesus quotes Isaiah. The Pharisees held this prophet in high esteem.
    • Isaiah prophesied of these church leaders, they were hypocrites.
  • In case they did not understand Isaiah defines what that word hypocrite meant.
    • Verse 6b. Their lips would say one thing but their hearts believed something else.
      • They called Jesus “master, teacher, Rabbi”
      • Their hearts did not believe these titles.
    • Verse 7. They had only an outward, empty worship. They followed man’s traditions.
  • The Pharisees had rejected God’s word. Verse 8. They admitted how they valued man’s traditions.
    • God’s commands” were not just the Ten Commandments. Love summed up God’s law.
    • Jesus spoke his word to these Pharisees. God’s word, God’s love, God’s Son = the solution.
  • Rejoice that our eternal salvation does not depend on us. Rejoice that the simple solution to all our heart problems is our loving Savior, Jesus Christ. Our eternal salvation is so very important that God does not entrust it to our sinful, human choices. By grace, through faith, the Lord God Almighty saves us. The Lord God Almighty changes our hearts so that we will live with him forever. “I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart”(JEREMIAH 24:7). The Lord does this that our hearts return to him.
  • The message of salvation is so simple that it is difficult for some to believe. This happens whenever people think like humans and not God. Today’s gospel (MATTHEW 16:21-26) has Jesus rebuking Peter. Only a few verses earlier Jesus praised Peter and his confession. What changed? Peter’s thinking changed. Peter’s thinking misled him. Jesus reminded Peter that he did “not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men”. The solution for our sin-sick heart is to trust in the Lord and not lean on our own understanding. “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones”(PROVERBS 3:7,8). Shun evil and discover health.
  • The days of this life quickly pass by from one month to another, year after year. We look at our lives and are reminded of our own mortality. The aches and pains seem to increase with the passing of time. The health of youth fades. BUT God renews our spirit through his refreshing word. “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all”(2 CORINTHIANS 4:16,17). Yes, in our lives we may have health problems. We may have emotional problems. We may have many other difficulties that we face. In the end, God’s word remains the same. God’s word is our sure foundation. Our hearts are healthy because our sins are forgiven.

From time to time we might be tempted to question God, “Why?” We might want to challenge God and his wisdom. If so, then be ready for the answer God gives. Clearly and accurately the Lord will remind us of all the evil that lurks in our hearts. Sin is still sin and it is alive and well in this world, in our lives, and in our hearts. Thanks be to God that sin is not the only thing living in our hearts. Christ is also very much alive and well in the hearts of every believer. “If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him”(1 JOHN 4:15,16). God lives in us – this pushes out sin. Our problem is sin. Our solution is the Savior. Our Savior is far, far greater than sin. Because of this we do HAVE A HEALTHY HEART. Amen.

Here is today’s worship bulletin.

Chaplain Corps Symbols and Meanings

It’s September and in 24 days, I will be stationed at Fort Hood, TX as a battalion chaplain. Leading up to my PCS move, I thought I would reflect on all things chaplain. To start, I want to share some information about the symbols, crests, and insignia used by Chaplains.

Branch Insignia

Christian Faith: A silver color Latin Cross, one inch in height. The insignia was adopted in 1898.

Jewish Faith: A double tablet bearing Hebrew numerals from 1 to 10 surmounted by two equilateral triangles, all of silver color, one inch in height. The insignia for chaplains of the Jewish faith was adopted in 1918 and had Roman numerals on the table. The Roman numerals were changed to Hebrew numerals on 9 November 1981.

Buddhist Faith: A silver color dharma cakra, one inch in height. The insignia was adopted in 1990.

Muslim Faith: A silver color crescent, one-inch in height. The insignia was approved on 8 January 1993.

Branch Plaque

The plaque design has the emblem of the Office of the Chief of Chaplains in proper colors. (The rays and sun are yellow; the dove is white; the olive branch is green; and the book is garnet with white pages and yellow edges, the detail of the edges and straps are brown, the buckles and strap tips are yellow and the letters on the book are yellow). The background is oriental blue and the designation and border are gold.

Regimental Insignia

A gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/4 inches in height consisting of a shield, crest and motto blazoned: Azure (oriental blue) issuant in chief a demi-sun radiant to base or and in chief overall a dove, wings outstretched Argent, beak to base holding a sprig of olive Vert an open book of the second. Attached below the shield a blue scroll inscribed “PRO DEO ET PATRIA” in gold. The crest is blazoned: On a wreath of the colors Or and Azure (oriental blue), issuant in base a shepherd’s crook between the numerals “17” and “75,” all of the first in front of an expanse of the heavens Proper issuing to base rays of gold, all enclosed by two palm branches of the first.

The regimental insignia was approved on 4 June 1986 and revised on 11 February 1993 to add the motto on the book in lieu of the Christian and Jewish insignia.

The sun and rays allude to the provision and presence of God in nature. The dove with olive branch, a traditional symbol of peace, embodies the Corps’ mission in the Army to deter war and strive for peace. The pages of the open Bible represent the primacy of God’s Word. The blue is representative of the heavens and alludes to the spiritual nature of the mission of the Chaplain Corps. The rays represent universal truth and the surrounding palm branches spiritual victory. The shepherd’s crook is emblematic of pastoral ministry and was the first symbol used to identify Chaplains in the Army. The numerals “1775” commemorate the date of the establishment of the Army Chaplain Corps. The motto “PRO DEO ET PATRIA” translates FOR GOD AND COUNTRY.

Branch Colors

Chaplains have used black since 1835. In regulations dated that year, a black coat was prescribed for Chaplains.

Birthday

The legal origin of the Chaplains is found in a resolution of the Continental Congress, adopted 29 July 1775, which made provision for the pay of chaplains. The Office of the Chief of Chaplains was created by the National Defense Act of 1920.

So there you have a small preview of what is to come. Stay tuned for more reflections and information about all things Chaplain. I am excited for this journey!

That’s One Small Step…

I wasn’t alive when man first stepped on the moon nor was I alive when man last stepped on the moon. Nevertheless, I am captivated like so many other people by the idea of setting foot on something other than our home planet and looking back towards to it.

Today, we lost a great American hero in the passing of Neil Armstrong. Here was a humble and private man who was the first person to set foot on another body in space and yet it never went to his head. He did not publicly seek limelight but rather went about living his life quietly doing what he loved to do. Despite all that he did in his career, I believe his desire to simply live his life made him a greater hero than anything else he could have done.

It seems today that we have so many heroes who are letting us down. Just this week, we heard of another Armstrong who is giving up the fight to clear his name. We have athletes, royalty, and politicians who are embroiled in some controversy or scandal. These were people you could once admire and they continually let us down.

In the end, we have just one person who will not let us down – Jesus.

 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. ~Hebrews 13:8 (ESV)

We never have to worry that Jesus will disappoint us or fail to live up to our expectations (I think it is the other way around). He never changes and he is always there. His life is a model that we should strive to achieve in our own lives and callings.

Yet once in a while, a true hero comes along. Someone whose life is one we can admire and emulate. One who does not seek riches or fame but rather to simply live as he or she has felt called to live. Neil Armstrong is a true hero to admired. His life inspired a generation of kids to dream beyond the impossible and may his life continue to be an inspiration to generations to come.

God speed, Neil.

Orders, Farewells, and Life

I find myself in an interesting situation and one that I can appreciate. I am just about a month away from moving to Fort Hood, TX with my family to begin my active duty Chaplain career. It is exciting and official (I have orders in hand). For a while it seemed like the day would never come and now it is coming faster than I can imagine.

What I can appreciate is that I have time to say farewell to friends and visit places that I want to visit before we move. I wonder how many people truly have this opportunity to say farewell and I wonder again how many people realize it is happening when it does.

It comes to the idea of cherishing each moment and treasuring it as if it will be your last moment. It very well could be.

There is a poignant scene in the movie Dead Poets’ Society in which Robin Williams’ character takes his students to the main hall full of pictures of past (and long-dead) students. As the current lean in, Williams whispers, “Seize the day, boys, carpe diem.”

I am glad that I have the time to say farewell and enjoy things one last time before we move to new and exciting things. I know there are people who do not have that opportunity or they realize it when it is too late.

But it is more than just this move. I have been reminded that I need to enjoy each moment to its fullest because it will never come again. I do not want to look back on my life and regret not living out each moment or not doing something. I want to live fully in this world that God has given us and I want to live fully in the life that God has given me.

An’ he said: “I went sky diving, I went rocky mountain climbing,
“I went two point seven seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu.
“And I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter,
“And I gave forgiveness I’d been denying.”
An’ he said: “Some day, I hope you get the chance,
“To live like you were dyin’.”

That is my prayer not only for myself but for everyone as well.

Words for Warriors & Chaplains

Upon the recommendation of a friend, I am reading a book called Words for Warriors: A Professional Soldier’s Notebook. There is a chapter about Chaplains and I want to share a piece of that section as a reminder to myself what a Chaplain should be and a reminder to others what Chaplains do.

First, no substitute exists for a sense of calling to the chaplaincy. I know of no civilian equivalent for the ministry roles which we fulfill, be it chaplain or chaplain assistant. As participants in a total institution, Ranger [Chaplain] ministry team members wear the same clothes, conform to the same physical standards, and suffer the privations as do their parishioners. No other group of pastors or their helpers can make this claim. Thus, military ministry retains a unique texture, replicated nowhere else. Second, we must be able to demonstrate both technical and tactical expertise. Whether the task be preparing a sermon, safeguarding a chapel offering, preparing a religious support estimate for a contingency operation, completing a thirty-mile foot march, or moving to a grid location with map and compass, we cannot allow our ministry team to fall short. Remember: we will relentlessly pursue excellence in all things. Finally, we must retain a healthy balance between our dual roles as pastors and Ranger [Soldiers]. Let there be no doubt that we are, first and foremost, a pastoral team committed to excellence in ministry. However, we are also Rangers [Soldiers] who must be able to function alongside other Rangers [Soldiers] in combat operations. We must be at once spiritually and physically fit and able to care for ourselves, as well as others, both in peace and war. ~CH (LTC) Steve Berry 75th Ranger Regiment

Enough said. It is a challenging ministry and one I am proud to be called to be part.

Would Jesus Threaten Foreclosure?

For those of you who regular readers of my blog, you know that my family is relocating to Fort Hood, TX in September. As a result, we are in the process of selling our house. The issue we have run into is that we owe more than our house is currently worth so we are pursuing a short sale.

The past few weeks have seen an increase in mail from our mortgage lender as a result of this process. However, the past few days the letters (and a few phone calls) have become threatening and intimidating. They are basically saying that if we do not contact them and make a payment immediately, they will foreclose on our house and put us in the street. Did I mention we are current on our mortgage and no where near foreclosure? My response has been to go ahead because I know they cannot.

I share this because I can sit back and disregard the letters and communications because they are not applicable to my family. There is nothing for us to be worried about. Then I think about families who are not so fortunate and are faced with not only foreclosure but the bullying tactics of mortgage lenders. I can see why people will agree to anything to stay in their houses and make the calls stop. They are downright intimidating.

This goes one step farther when I think of how people who are bullied must feel. I have not experienced bullying personally but I can see how people will do anything to make it stop. So I am standing up and calling on bullies everywhere from people to corporations to stop use these tactics to get what you want. I am also calling on victims to stand up and say no more. I am not a victim any more.

I stood up to my mortgage lender today and told them to stop immediately. They are harassing me and I am not going to accept it because they have no reason to do so. I took it up the supervisory chain until I found someone who could make it stop. There are better ways to work with people instead of threatening them.

Perhaps there is a lesson in this for other aspects of life as well. Perhaps we should stand up and say there are better ways to love people than to deny them rights or freedoms. I keep saying it but let’s have a conversation over coffee and not shout hatred at each other. After all, would Jesus threaten foreclosure?

An Open Letter to Christians (of sorts)

Dear Fellow Christians (and others who read):

While I have shared some thoughts over the controversy surrounding same-sex marriage and especially Chick-Fil-a in the past few weeks, I want to share something with you specifically. Please note that I am an ordained minister in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and an Army Chaplain, however, the opinions expressed in this letter are mine and mine alone.

To begin, I want to encourage all of you to open your minds and your souls to new possibilities. Personally, I am wrestling with same-sex marriage and the Biblical definition of marriage and what this means to myself as a minister and as a Christian. I do not have any clear answers. I cannot sit here right now and say what I believe because I do not know. I pray to God to show me answers as I read Scripture. For those who point to Leviticus and Romans as clear answers, I wonder if you follow the entire book of Leviticus to the letter. I don’t so I choose not to judge. In the meantime, I continue to wrestle knowing I have good company since Abraham, Moses, Jacob, and even the Apostles all wrestled with faith (and one wrestled with God literally). So I encourage you to open your minds and to wrestle with what this means to you and to your faith. If at the end of the day, and after honest, deep soul-searching wrestling, you find that you are truly opposed to same-sex marriage because God has shown you it is wrong, so be it. But be open to wrestling and not because someone in a pulpit tells you it is wrong (remember ministers are wrestling humans as well).

Second, I want to share the fact that even though I went to Chick-Fil-a on Wednesday, it did not make me a Christian. It made me a consumer and nothing more. I chose where to spend my money but I still spent money and I most certainly did not engage in worship at Chick-Fil-a. Instead, I spent money to eat a meal even though I had food at home. I could have used the money for a better purpose or to share with someone else in need. I chose not to do that and so did you. Instead, we made some local franchise owners have a very good day. If I want to live out my Christian faith, there are better ways to do it like waiting in line to serve at a food bank, reach out to those who are homeless, or even lend a shoulder to someone in need. Jesus would have gone where people were in need and I should do the same. I encourage you to do the same as well. I will eat at Chick-Fil-a again, I do enjoy their chicken sandwiches and waffle fries, but because I choose to eat there, I am not a Christian. I am not proud that I ate there and I am not ashamed either.

Finally, I want to encourage you to put people first. I have admitted that I am wrestling with same-sex marriage and the biblical definition of marriage but I keep in my mind that it involves people. We all have humanity in common. I want to encourage you to remember that we are people who are Christian, there are people who are LGBT, there are people who are Muslim, there are people who are atheist, but most most importantly there are people. When we lose sight of the people and focus on the label, it is easy to dwell in hatred and condemn people. I am amazed at my fellow Christians who say that God will send gays to hell and they appear happy about that. What does God think of you attitude. When you stop and remember that each of these people you are condemning were also ” fearfully and wonderfully made” by the same God we profess to love. I do not understand how you can hate others but yet claim to love a loving God.

It all comes back to honestly wrestling with these questions and keeping an open mind. I don’t know what to believe, yet, but I will continue to love all people and reach out to them. I will not hate and I will not condemn. Jesus may not have agreed with everyone (ie the Sanhedrin) but he still loved them and tried to find common ground. With the example of my Savior, I will do the same. I will love in the name of Jesus.

Please know that I pray daily for all people and for God to show us the truth. I hope one day to know what God wants me to do and believe. I am sure some will take the time to tell me what they think God wants me to know and I encourage you to do so. I believe God speaks through others and perhaps one of you will be the voice of God to me.

In the meantime, remember the words of Mother Teresa: If you judge people, you have no time to love them.

Sincerely,

The Rev. Timothy Baranoski

This Is Who I Am and Here Are Some Thoughts

I strive to live my life according to God. I pray and I read the Bible. I reflect on how God’s word impacts my life and I work at following where God leads me. And I fail at it on a regular basis because I am only human. I know I am not perfect because I am only human.

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.  I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions just as I handed them on to you. ~1 Corinthians 11:1-2 (NRSV)

As I said I work to be an imitator of Christ but then there are issues or events that I am not sure how to deal with. I am referring to the current debate swirling around same-sex marriage. As I have said before, I do not honestly know what to think. I do know I am not homophobic. I would imitate Christ but I am not sure what Christ would do. I take that back. I know that Christ would not criticize or spout hateful language towards the LGBT community. I know Jesus would love them and I do the same.

I already admitted that my family and I went to Chick-Fil-a the other day to eat. It wasn’t so much to make a political statement as we passed on on the way back to Nashville and there isn’t one close to our house. We happen to like to eat there. What I was shocked by were the Christians who were celebrating that they “were helping to stamp out homosexuality” and those who were questioning “where the gays are now.” These are people who claim to be Christians and they were not acting in a Christian manner!

I have friends who are homosexual and they are good friends. This does not mean I do not struggle with the issue of same-sex marriage and they know that I do. We are still friends. I am simply honest about it. I tend to straddle the fence on this issue – not because I cannot make up my mind; though I am still working on what I truly believe – but because it lets me hear both sides and see things from both sides. I am a person who reads and studies. I am currently reading a book called  Qu(e)erying Evangelism which is about a church that reached out to the LGBT community. Do I think it will change my mind? I don’t know but it is an issue that I struggle with so I want to be better read and educated. I pray over this issue and seek God’s guidance as well. I do not believe the condemnation language that many Christians put out there. God does not hate. There is no discussion on that issue.

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.’ ~Jeremiah 1:5 (NRSV)

I do believe that God has called us all to be prophets of some sort. I am a prophet who is being exceedingly honest when I say I don’t know what to believe right now. I would like to think that I am a voice of moderation or at least one who is the middle listening to both sides to learn and understand. I have probably let myself open to criticism from both sides and so be it. But understand this – I am being open and honest with my beliefs and my struggles.

Common Ground and Chick-Fil-a

Yes, I’ll admit it. My family and I went to Chick-Fil-a today for dinner. I am not sure it was so much a political statement as we like eating there from time to time and we passed one on the way home from Dinosaur World in Kentucky. In the back of my head I knew it was “Chick-Fil-a Appreciation Day” and I realized they were swamped once I pulled in the parking lot. I could have gone somewhere else but this is where we wanted to eat. Not out of a political statement but because it is my choice. So here are my thoughts.

First, I think it is silly that we have made Chick-Fil-a the center of a controversy. I am not going to come out and say specifically whether I agree with them or not. I will say that in the end, we are so divided as a nation already that it does not matter because those that agree will continue to support Chick-Fil-a (see the picture above) and those that do not agree will boycott. Judging by the crowds when I was there, the company is making out pretty well.

So what do I think? I need we need to find some common ground. To begin with, we are all children of God. We are all human. We have things in common and that is a start.

As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise. ~Galatians 3:27-29 (NRSV)

I have said before that I do not know what I think regarding same sex marriage and Scripture. I know what Scripture says but then I am human and I interpret Scripture from a certain world view (known as hermeneutics). I know other people view Scripture and read it differently so I think it is difficult for us to come to a consensus as to what God intends marriage to be. I don’t think it is an easy answer and we have drawn a clear line that is dividing us.

Same-sex marriage has become a political issue and like other political issues, it is contentious. We need to spend more time having dialogues and seeking the common ground that Paul refers to since we are all humans; all Abraham’s offspring.

While I welcome dialogue, discussion, and study of what the Bible says, I do not want this shoved down my throat or forced upon me. Let me consider what God says through  a study of Scripture and through prayer. Let’s take politics out of this and most certainly, Chick-fil-a needs to stay out of this.

I know people have strong opinions and you are welcome to them. This is my opinion and mine alone. If you do comment, please be kind and refrain from attacking.

From Kindergartner to Paleontologist

Today was a big day. The kiddo started kindergarten. I know she was excited to go to school but I am not sure how her parents feel. Our little girl is growing up and it is hard to believe that she is starting school already. I was thinking this morning that it seemed like just yesterday that we were bringing her home for the first time and today we were taking her to kindergarten! The funny thing is amid the chaos of the first day and trying to figure out her bus number, she looked up at us and asked when we were leaving. She was ready for this next step even if we were not ready to let her go! I was glad that she seemed to transition well and made new friends so quickly because in just a few weeks, we are moving and she will be going to a new school again. Of course, we get to celebrate the first day of kindergarten all over again as she heads off to the new school. I know we left her in good hands as her teacher was very excited to welcome her to the classroom (we later received an email from her teacher telling us how smart Sophia is and how much she loved her personality…Sophia has a strong, strong personality). She is a special gift from God and I am grateful to be her father. My wife and I managed to survive the morning and we were excited to see how the day went. We picked her up and we were glad to see she not only had a great day but she was ready to go back the next day (except she has to wait until Friday) and she is ready to ride the bus to school from now on. She is definitely growing up.

As is often the case, we find ways to celebrate big events in our family. Since it was the first day of school, and since the kiddo loves dinosaurs, and since we are moving soon, we head to Dinosaur World in Kentucky to wander around a prehistoric zoo. Along the twisting paths, we could see life sized replicas of all sorts of dinosaurs. The best part? The kiddo could share lots of facts about the different dinosaurs including whether they were plant eaters or meat eaters. While it was hot and she did complain a little bit, she had a good time exploring the various dinosaurs though I think her favorite part was the chance to “dig” for fossils. They have a large sand box filled with small fossils. Sophia could dig in the sand and look for fossils and then choose her three favorite ones. I couldn’t help but laugh as she was trying to make a deal with the person to keep more than just three fossils – you can’t blame a person for trying. Again, it is just the simple joy of being Sophia’s dad. There is no other title I think I could ever want and I am grateful for the privilege of watching her grow up. She is going to be one amazing person.

Sons [children] are indeed a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons [children] of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate. ~Psalm 127:3-5 (NRSV)

There Is No Excuse…

Here are some startling statistics:

• On average, 18 veterans in the US commit suicide every day.
• On average, there are between 130,000 and 200,000 homeless veterans on any given night in the US.

I don’t know about you but I found these statistics to be disturbing. Of course, it does not take into account the number of other people who commit suicide each day nor the total number of homeless. However, I am going to focus on veterans for this post.

You see, we train Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, and Airmen to go to war to defend our rights and our freedoms. We cheer them on when they come home from war with parades and flags (at least recently – ask a Vietnam Vet how they were treated). Then we turn our backs when they need us. They have fulfilled a role and it is like they are expendable.

Unfortunately, I think this is a testament to the American mind. We use something while we can and then dispose of it once it is no longer useful to us. We are a culture of throwing things away including people.

There are great organizations out there that work with Veterans from the national level to the local grassroots level. I challenge you (and ask you) to find an organization that works with Veterans and help them with your time and/or money. After all, Veterans have done so much for us, it’s time to return the favor.

If that isn’t enough, let’s see what Scripture has to say:

Then the king will say to those at his right hand, “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family,you did it to me.” ~Matthew 25:34-40 (NRSV)

When Lord, when did I do this? What is your answer?

The Race of Faith and the Olympics

Like so many other people around the world, I am enjoying the Olympics. Personally, I enjoy swimming, soccer, and the track and field events. However, I will watch whatever is on most of the time.

This morning as I watching the Olympics, a commercial came on highlighting the dedication of the athletes towards their training. Many of them work at their training every day and one even said he skipped dessert for the last two years. I am amazed at their dedication to the sport and they set a standard for many of us. Of course, as I thinking about this dedication, I cannot help but think what would happen if many of us did the same thing with our walk of faith.

Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it. Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable garland, but we an imperishable one. So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though beating the air; but I punish my body and enslave it, so that after proclaiming to others I myself should not be disqualified.  ~1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NRSV)

I know this scripture verse was probably preached in a lot of churches this past weekend and I am sure it is showing up on church signs as well. It is one that we can relate to, especially in this country, since it deals with sports and athletes. As I mentioned above, many Olympic athletes dedicate themselves to working at their sports to achieve a gold medal. It is a worthy cause.

We as Christians should also dedicate ourselves to working at our faith and our relationship with God. Not for a gold medal but for eternal life. Of course, I am one of those people who believes that while eternal life is a great thing, it should not be our total motivation. Our relationship with God should come out in our relationship with others. People should be able to see God in us and through our actions and even through our words. The harder we work at it, the easier it will become and the more evident it will be.

I watched several world records fall in swimming and the athletes make it look so easy but I know there is hours and hours of training behind that one race. They didn’t get up that morning and go swim. In the same manner, we should spend hours and hours in God’s presence through study of Scripture and prayer. In fact, everything we do should be focused on God – including work and training.

If we follow the example of the athletes’ we can grow stronger in our faith and in our relationship with God.

Heroic US Army Chaplains

In honor of the 237th birthday of the US Army Chaplain Corps, I want to share the stories of a few of the most notable Army Chaplains. While we are not motivated by a desire for heroism, it should be recognized when it occurs so here is a short list of heroic chaplains.

The Four Chaplains: The U.S.A.T. Dorchester was an Army transport ship that was carrying 902 people, both military and civilian, from Newfoundland to Greenland in February of 1943. Four of those were Army chaplains of various faiths on their way to European theater assignments. There were also German U-boats in the water, and three Coast Guard ships assigned to protect the Dorchester. A German torpedo hit the ship, killed dozens of men, and knocked out all communications. The ship sank in 20 minutes. That’s when the four chaplains went to work. They were Methodist minister George L. Fox, Jewish rabbi Alexander D. Goode, Dutch Reformed minister Clark V. Poling, and Catholic priest John P. Washington, all with the rank of lieutenant. Each immediately went to tend the wounded, rescue those trapped, encourage the frightened, and pray for them all. The evacuation was chaotic; although the escort ships moved in, many men jumped into lifeboats or rafts. The chaplains all helped hand out life vests, but there weren’t enough of them. When the supply ran out, each chaplain took off his vest and gave it to another man. As the overcrowded lifeboats moved away from the sinking ship, witnesses saw the four chaplains with their arms linked, saying prayers as the Dorchester went down into the icy water. Most of the Dorchester crew and passengers died of hypothermia in the cold water. There were 230 survivors. The Four Chaplains were all awarded the Purple Heart and the Distinguished Service Cross posthumously. Since the four men were not eligible for the Medal of Honor under its strict requirements at the time, a new medal called the Chaplain’s Medal for Heroism was introduced in 1960 and awarded to the Four Chaplains in 1961. They are the only recipients of the award to date. The Four Chaplains story is commemorated in foundations and organizations, chapels and sanctuaries, and various memorials such as scholarships, parks, sculptures, shrines, stamps, and stained glass, to illustrate how different faiths can work together for the greater good.

CH Emil Kapaun was ordained in 1940 and served as an Army chaplain from 1944 to 1946 in Burma and India. He rejoined the Army in 1948 and was sent to Korea in 1950. Kapaun worked the battlefields, retrieving the wounded and the dead, often under fire, and earned the Bronze Star. On November 1, his dwindling unit was captured and marched north to a P.O.W. camp near the Chinese border. There, Kapaun earned the nickname “the Good Thief” by sneaking food supplies from their captors and giving it to starving prisoners. He also cared for sick compatriots, led Mass, heard confessions, and shared his rations with those who were weaker. But Kapaun himself became ill under camp conditions, suffering from malnutrition and a seriously inflamed blood clot. He was given no medical treatment, and after several weeks of suffering, Kaplaun died of pneumonia on May 23, 1951. Kapaun was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and other military decorations.

CH (MAJ) Charles Watters was ordained in 1953, became a chaplain in the the New Jersey Air National Guard in 1962, and entered the Army in 1964. After his first year-long tour of Vietnam, during which he was awarded the Air Medal and a Bronze Star, he re-upped for another tour. On November 19, 1967, Watters was in the middle of the battle for Hill 875 at Dak To. He spent hours retrieving the wounded and giving last rites to the dead while exposing himself to heavy fire. Watters saved many wounded men, but was a victim of a bomb and died that day. Watters was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

This is just a small sampling of the countless acts of valor, honor, and sacrifice performed by Chaplains of all branches of the military. We live by our motto: “nurture the living, care for the wounded, and honor the dead.” As I enter into this ministry, I have the heroic examples of those who have served before me and I am proud to be part of the history of this great corp.

Happy Birthday,  Chaplains!

A Brief History of the Chaplaincy

The US Army Chaplain Corp will celebrate its 237th birthday tomorrow (29 July) so I thought it would be interesting to dedicate a post to a brief history of the chaplaincy. Please note this is not a comprehensive history nor does it even scratch the surface. There have been medal of honor winners and chaplains who have given their lives. Pro Deo et Patria – For God and Country is more than a motto – it is a way of life!

Priests went to war with armies as far back as ancient times. And this tradition has been a part of America’s history from as early as the French and Indian War, when a young militia colonel named George Washington complained for “want of a chaplain.”

General Washington and the Continental Army instituted a chaplain corps. during the American Revolution to help bolster troop morale and insure that the religious needs of the soldiers were met.

During the first few years of the war, the nature of the chaplaincy was a bit disorganized – as were quite a few facets of American military life. The first major step in establishing an organized chaplaincy came in 1776, when Congress approved one chaplain per regiment. General Washington ordered that the regimental commanders “procure Chaplains accordingly” and that the chaplains be “persons of good Characters and exemplary lives.”

In 1776, Congress set the pay rate at “thirty-three Dollars and one third pr month.” And in 1782, Congress passed a resolution that fixed chaplain pay to the rank of major.

Virtually all Revolutionary War chaplains were Protestant, reflecting the dominant nature of Protestantism in colonial America. There were two Roman Catholics in the Chaplain Corps. Over the years, the Chaplain Corps. has become increasingly diverse, reflecting the changing nature of America’s population.

For more information on chaplains in the Revolutionary War, click here.

Not to let out the other great conflict on American soil, our Civil War. There were chaplains there as well.

According to the book “Faith in the Fight” there were some 3,694 ministers, priests, and rabbis duly sworn and commissioned into service in the Armies of the North and the South.  Officially noncombatants they were prohibited to act like soldiers and to be friends to all.

Rev. George S. Bradley of the 22^nd Wisconsin Regiment wrote about the life of an Army chaplain in his book, The Star Corps: Notes of an Army Chaplain during Sherman’s Famous March to the Sea, published in 1865.  He wrote that “The regulations require that a chaplain must be an ordained minister of the Gospel.  That means he must have spent several quiet years as a student and probably several more with a peaceful congregation.”

The Reverend John E. Robie of the 74^th New York State Militia wrote an article for the Buffalo Christian Advocate, which he owned, about the qualifications and duties of the Army Chaplain:

“In order to become a chaplain it is necessary to get a certificate of not less than five ministers of one’s own denomination that one is a regularly-ordained clergyman… He must be elected to the position by the regiment which he will serve… He will be paid $100 a month and $18 for rations with forage for one horse… As the commanding officer will permit, the chaplain should have prayer daily at dress parade… The prayer should not be more than three minutes long… On Sunday, but one service can be held, and that not always… The service, including scripture-reading, singing, sermon or address, and prayers should occupy 20 or 25 minutes – never over 30.”

Very interesting accounts of what the life of a chaplain really was during the time of war.  The role of the chaplain has not changed all that much since those days and is still a vital part of the military service.

I will highlight of few of the “great” chaplains in the next few days.

My Thoughts on a Thursday Afternoon

So just in case you missed the big news from Monday, my family and I are heading to Fort Hood for a PCS (permanent change of station) move this September. Of all the possibilities of places the Army could place me, I wasn’t expecting Fort Hood. Not that I am upset, just surprised. I have spent this week reflecting and thinking on what this means and what is next.

After the initial excitement wore off, I began to think about the distance (even farther) from family and heading into the unknown. While I have some idea of what I am getting myself into, in other ways, I have absolutely no idea. But nonetheless, we are heading off in this direction as God is leading us. Then I stop and read and reflect on Psalm 121 which happens to be my favorite:

I lift up my eyes to the hills— from where will my help come?  My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand.  The sun shall not strike you by day,  nor the moon by night.  The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.  The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and for evermore. (NRSV)

We are going off into the unknown of Texas but we are not going alone. We have God with us each moment of this journey (and all journeys for that matter). My family and I are exactly where God wants us to be and I have no doubt all things will work out according to God’s will for Scripture says:

 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. ~Romans 8:28 (NRSV).