In Jesus Name…?

From public prayer to private worship services, Chaplains are called upon to be the spiritual leaders and experts of their unit…so how then shall they pray?

Post Election Podcast-Points to Ponder

It had been awhile, so here are some of my thoughts on the post-election ferver.  Forgive me if I sound harsh, I am just passionate regarding some of these issues.

Length is 10:30.

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Fat Gay Gossipy Liars-A case for love

We wink at gluttony but picket the homosexuals...? Why

Engaging

Twas a snowy, cold day in Northeast PA.
My girlfriend and I found ourselves,
by my design, in a local park...
her house not too far away.
Her eyes were glowing, her cheeks were red
her heart was full...the park was dead.

 

This very same park, not long ago 
watched me confess my love.
"I love you" to her I said for the very first time
and offered my arms as a place of rest...
her tears caught by my willing chest.

 

Flash forward to Feb 18th, 2006.
I grabbed her cold hand
to warm her soul
as the sweat poured from my nervous palm
my composure was nearly gone.
I stopped along the snow-covered path
and kissed the white ground with a trembling knee.
The father was okay with me...but would she be?

 

A tiny black box...A much bigger question
Would she say yes? Would she say no?
Was this really happening!?
its all a blur...spare the look in her eye.
For when she spied the ring...my oh my
if ever i believed that i could bend time
it would be this moment.
Yes I am certain it slowed just for me.

 

I cannot remember how I asked or what I said
I was  busy staring at eternity instead
She tucked in her lips, ever so slightly
and closed her eyes...but not too tightly
and with a simple nod and a single tear
She gave me joy everlasting that has continued
year after year.

Candidate Program

Becoming a Chaplain is can be a long and confusing process, so here are the basics…

As many of you know, I am in the process of becoming a Chaplain.  Friends and loved ones will often ask “So, how is the whole Chaplain thing going? Are you a Chaplain yet?”  Well, ….no, I am not.…not yet.

It is actually a very long a tedious process to become one, and it takes many years.  Here is the Reader’s Digest version of what I must do according to the Army to become a Chaplain…via the Candidate program

Complete a Bachelor’s Degree Get Approval from a DOD recognized organization to enter program Get medically approved (height, weight, body fat, physical, etc…) Get accepted to seminary Write a one page paper on why Chaplaincy Complete an SF-86 SSBI (background check/security clearance) Get ministry related reference letters  It is recommended that at this point I get licensed as a minister (not ordained) At this point I can now enter the National Guard or Reserves as a Candidate…a 2nd Lt who is not yet a full Chaplain and non-deployable Get at least 72 hours of Masters level seminary credit       (my endorsers require 90) Get ordained After getting said hours…it is highly recommended (borderline required) to get two years of ministry related experience while I put my packet together Apply for active duty

It is at this point I can officially become a Chaplain.  So, as you can see, it will take many years (around 5-6) before I am done.

And it is worth every minute…And I cannot do it without the help and calling of God, the amazing and undeserved support of family and friends and the leadership and council of my elders and pastors.  I covet your prayers.