[…]People.” In the poem, a traveler asks a prophet in the town he is entering what kind of people are there. The prophet asks the traveler what kind of people were in the town he just left. When the traveler replies that they were knaves and fools, the prophet tells him that this town has the same kind of people. Later in the day, another traveler asks the same question, and the prophet again asks what kind of people were in the town he left. This person replies that they were good, true, and wise, and the wise man smilingly […]
[…]in professional development classes and counseling sessions, in front-line combat, or in the day-to-day routines of office work — non-believers and Christians work together with the common goal of contributing to the security of our nation. The close relationships that grow out of these situations may offer opportunities for Christians to share spiritual truth. Many times they have been used by the Holy Spirit to draw people to Christ. Nonbelievers think of the chaplain as one who is “paid to talk about Christ.” They usually don’t perceive the Christian line officer as a “professional” Christian. For this reason, your testimony […]
[…]That empty feeling can be turned into something positive. “. . . Times of separation are not a total loss, nor are they completely unprofitable for our companionship. . . In spite of all the difficulties they bring, they can be a wonderful means of strengthening and deepening fellowship. . . We must commit our loved ones wholly and unreservedly to God and leave them in his hands, transforming our anxiety for them into prayers on their behalf” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Tegel Prison, Berlin, Christmas Eve, 1944).1 The emptiness you feel when your spouse is gone can become a reminder to […]
[…]contributor to the mission and morale of your organization, but one who will let you know when there are problems with its mission or morale. Those are some of the basic expectations that should be met by your chaplains. If they are not meeting those expectations, something is definitely wrong. When I was a Marine officer in combat, the chaplains I encountered understood their value to our units. They made significant contributions to our mission and morale. We should always expect that of our chaplains. But what are some of the unrealistic expectations placed upon chaplains? You should not expect […]
[…]blankets on the floor. A month passed and some of these men joined our Bible study, and shortly thereafter, I was transferred to a Heavy Weapons company. One Sunday after chapel service out in the field I started to walk back to my billet when I realized that someone was walking on my left. I looked around and found a boy by the name of Russell, who said he wanted to talk to me. I invited him to walk on with me, and as we continued, he told me that he had been one of the men to whom I […]
[…]of his not coming back. There was always that chance, but I prayed for the strength for each day, and each day brought enough to be concerned about. I did get discouraged with the voices that said, They won’t remember their dad. On especially wearing days, it was a temptation just to tuck them in bed, but we kept on with the prayers and kisses. Were they too young? I wondered. Months passed and Beki was growing. While dainty Laura had begun walking at nine months, chunky Beki was now fifteen months old and a hefty armload–and she still wasn’t […]
[…]it over the years from a knife into a trowel. My father intuitively recognized that in life there are different seasons for different pursuits. When his weapon had completed its military service, it was properly suited for a nonviolent use. Man forms instruments for war. God changes them into tools of peace. That is at the heart of this promise in the Book of Isaiah. “Many peoples will come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD– He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths…’ They will beat their […]
