As a stranger to success, I subscribe to the belief that failure can teach a lot. Since I've had many of them, I should be one of the most learned man on the planet. For example, here are a few:
1. In 2006 I tried to start a military men's Bible study in Murphy Canyon Military Housing, a community of 2300 family units in San Diego. After several flyers, a few announcements, prayer walks, and three meetings of one, I closed the meeting. That humbled me a great deal.
2. In 2009, my pastor asked me to start a military outreach program at our church. I contacted several people who knew how to go about doing this, brought several guys from my ship, and had a running prayer list for about six months, but we couldn't make anything else work. There were several factors in play in this situation, but suffice it to say that it didn't get to where the vision wanted it to go.
In no way am I saying that I haven't succeeded in the last several years. God has done many things through me and the talents he gave me. My career has gone quite well lately, I led an amazing Bible study on the ship, baptized one sailor, led two to Christ, and helped many rededicate their lives to the Lord. I look forward to even greater things in Great Lakes. Yet I have seen several failures in the last four years as I tried to move closer toward some sort of vocational ministry.
What does that teach me?
It taught me to be unafraid to fail. Seriously...I'll try anything now. We'll fire off a few weeks or months and see what happens. If it doesn't work, we'll close the ministry down. Failure, as long as it doesn't directly involve a human soul, is not the end of the world. I'm extremely humbled by my failures (this list is not exhaustive, by the way). It's good to be humbled by failures. But if they can teach you anything, let them teach you this:
Don't be afraid of them anymore.
North Korea and Persecuted Christians
Yesterday one of my readers mentioned that I might be jumping onto the persecuted church issue a bit much with the North Korean situation. After all, aren't there literally dozens of countries that are persecuting Christians? That's true, and it's an argument I've used personally over time to question our country's motives for going to war in Iraq. I suppose one of the questions would be, "why concern yourself so much about North Korea if so many other countries are also persecuting Christians?"
Several reasons.
1. North Korea ranks as the NUMBER 1 persecutor of the church according to the Open Doors website. This is echoed by the website for The Voice of the Martyrs. The largest number of Christian worshippers exists in concentration camps (a quote from the VOM website).
2. North Korea is attempting to undermine the human rights of it's people in a general, overarching sense. Not only are the Christians being attacked, but essentially, everyone is under watch.
3. Just because there are others persecuting Christians does not mean that I should not focus on any particular group or country. In fact, I recommend that you pick one of those countries to focus on and pray hard for the Christians and those that Christians reach out to.
VOM is supporting missions in North Korea by launching gospel baloons, funding safe houses, etc. To donate, click HERE.
This is an issue very important to my soul, and I've stayed silent because I know there are some really great resources out there. However, I am committing to spending Monday from now on until at least I get through the top 50 persecutors of the church discussing and providing information about countries that are restricted and who persecute believers. My hope is that you'll be able to pray hard about the work of the Spirit in those churches. Onward!
Several reasons.
1. North Korea ranks as the NUMBER 1 persecutor of the church according to the Open Doors website. This is echoed by the website for The Voice of the Martyrs. The largest number of Christian worshippers exists in concentration camps (a quote from the VOM website).
2. North Korea is attempting to undermine the human rights of it's people in a general, overarching sense. Not only are the Christians being attacked, but essentially, everyone is under watch.
3. Just because there are others persecuting Christians does not mean that I should not focus on any particular group or country. In fact, I recommend that you pick one of those countries to focus on and pray hard for the Christians and those that Christians reach out to.
VOM is supporting missions in North Korea by launching gospel baloons, funding safe houses, etc. To donate, click HERE.
This is an issue very important to my soul, and I've stayed silent because I know there are some really great resources out there. However, I am committing to spending Monday from now on until at least I get through the top 50 persecutors of the church discussing and providing information about countries that are restricted and who persecute believers. My hope is that you'll be able to pray hard about the work of the Spirit in those churches. Onward!
North Korea and the Rapture
According to Business Week, North Korean artillery units again fired near the island of Yeonpyeong as the US and South Korean Navies started defensive war maneuvers. This is, according to my reading of the news reports, the third time that the island has either come under attack or been warned of artillery shots. According to the news report, civilians were ordered to shelters, although they were released soon after.
I don't know how you feel about this, and I don't usually get out my Schofield Cross Reference Bible (to show my Dispensationalist side), but this sounds a lot like Jesus' warning in Matthew:
You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come (Matt 24:6).
This is, in my unlearned opinion, just some saber rattling on North Korea's part (and probably ours as well), but it does constitute a rumor of war to go with our real ones. I'm not saying Jesus is on his way back in the next several minutes, but maybe you should think about it.
Aside from the end times discussion, and whether or not you're on your way to heaven, please continue praying for the people of North Korea. According to Operation World (21st Century Edition), there are a little over 400,000 Christians (1.69% of the population) in the North with somewhere around a quarter of those in prison. Contrast that to around 14.8 million believers in South Korea (32%), some of whom I have had the wonderful privilege of fellowshipping with.
I don't know how you feel about this, and I don't usually get out my Schofield Cross Reference Bible (to show my Dispensationalist side), but this sounds a lot like Jesus' warning in Matthew:
You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come (Matt 24:6).
This is, in my unlearned opinion, just some saber rattling on North Korea's part (and probably ours as well), but it does constitute a rumor of war to go with our real ones. I'm not saying Jesus is on his way back in the next several minutes, but maybe you should think about it.
Aside from the end times discussion, and whether or not you're on your way to heaven, please continue praying for the people of North Korea. According to Operation World (21st Century Edition), there are a little over 400,000 Christians (1.69% of the population) in the North with somewhere around a quarter of those in prison. Contrast that to around 14.8 million believers in South Korea (32%), some of whom I have had the wonderful privilege of fellowshipping with.
Christianity needs North Korea to fall...
PLEASE NOTE!!! I AM SPEAKING AS A CHRISTIAN RIGHT NOW AND IN NO WAY AM I SPEAKING AS A SAILOR OR ANYONE CLOSE TO THE NAVY. I DO NOT SPEAK FOR THE NAVY, OR THE US GOVERNMENT!!!
I don't get too fired up on this website very often. It's not my style and I don't like confrontation or controversy. But I've just about had it up to my neck with North Korea. Yesterday the North started a military exercise, firing shells near the small island that they attacked a few days ago. This is on the heels of the original attack and of course a bunch of saber rattling and threats about how the US and South Korea are headed to war with the North. China Confidential quoted the US Commander in the region as saying that North Korea's attack clearly violated the armistice signed in 1953.
I'm afraid that no one is going to do anything about this. To be honest, most American Christians are too angry at Obama to be concerned with anything outside our own country. This burns me pretty bad. But on the grand scheme, American Christians can't do anything about North Korea. While it would still be God's providence in removing Kim from power, it would most likely take a foreign government to do it, and ours isn't about to get involved too heavily. The great dragon (China) is too close for comfort, not to mention the fact that Russia still poses a threat in some ways. Both of those countries, particularly China, are way too happy to keep a belligerent thorn in our side to allow us to remove it.
And the truth is that I don't care if Kim stays in power for the most part. China, Vietnam, most of the Middle East, and many other areas of the world are hostile toward Christianity, and yet Christianity continues to grow in most of those locations. But not in North Korea. Just so that we're clear on what I am hurting over: According to the CIA World Factbook: "autonomous religious activities now almost nonexistent; government-sponsored religious groups exist to provide illusion of religious freedom."
According to the website North Korean Christians, persecution against Christians is on par with what the Jews went through in WWII in German occupied lands. I don't know if this is true because no real information is allowed out of North Korea. What I do know however is that there is no massive church, underground or otherwise, in the North. Even in China and some other countries like that there are underground movements and Christianity grows. Souls are added to the Kingdom.
Instead of praying for most of the selfish things we pray for in the United States, I think we should all start praying for North Korea's fall. An entire generation (or more) of people in an entire country have been subjected to offenses to God and kept from the hope of salvation. I can't say, "let's end this," but I can hope that someone will, and the someone I'm betting on is God.
I don't get too fired up on this website very often. It's not my style and I don't like confrontation or controversy. But I've just about had it up to my neck with North Korea. Yesterday the North started a military exercise, firing shells near the small island that they attacked a few days ago. This is on the heels of the original attack and of course a bunch of saber rattling and threats about how the US and South Korea are headed to war with the North. China Confidential quoted the US Commander in the region as saying that North Korea's attack clearly violated the armistice signed in 1953.
I'm afraid that no one is going to do anything about this. To be honest, most American Christians are too angry at Obama to be concerned with anything outside our own country. This burns me pretty bad. But on the grand scheme, American Christians can't do anything about North Korea. While it would still be God's providence in removing Kim from power, it would most likely take a foreign government to do it, and ours isn't about to get involved too heavily. The great dragon (China) is too close for comfort, not to mention the fact that Russia still poses a threat in some ways. Both of those countries, particularly China, are way too happy to keep a belligerent thorn in our side to allow us to remove it.
And the truth is that I don't care if Kim stays in power for the most part. China, Vietnam, most of the Middle East, and many other areas of the world are hostile toward Christianity, and yet Christianity continues to grow in most of those locations. But not in North Korea. Just so that we're clear on what I am hurting over: According to the CIA World Factbook: "autonomous religious activities now almost nonexistent; government-sponsored religious groups exist to provide illusion of religious freedom."
According to the website North Korean Christians, persecution against Christians is on par with what the Jews went through in WWII in German occupied lands. I don't know if this is true because no real information is allowed out of North Korea. What I do know however is that there is no massive church, underground or otherwise, in the North. Even in China and some other countries like that there are underground movements and Christianity grows. Souls are added to the Kingdom.
Instead of praying for most of the selfish things we pray for in the United States, I think we should all start praying for North Korea's fall. An entire generation (or more) of people in an entire country have been subjected to offenses to God and kept from the hope of salvation. I can't say, "let's end this," but I can hope that someone will, and the someone I'm betting on is God.
Gluttony Update
Well, it's the day after Thanksgiving and I suppose that now is as good a time as any to give you an update on my issues with gluttony. The short and long of it is that yesterday was definitely not a great day for me, but then again, I haven't had a lot of great days lately, since passing my most recent weigh in a few weeks back.
I still struggle with gluttony, especially when it comes to food. As most of you know, I have been working hard on it (mostly hard) for the past year, desperate to see change in my life. I wrote about various topics, including the Biblical issues. However, I feel it's time for an update.
First, the bad news. I was delayed reporting to my current command by about three weeks because I failed an initial weigh in at my journeyman instructor training (JIT). I managed to pass the weigh-in in time to get through the training, but it was a crash diet of epic proportions. I am grateful to God because I didn't deserve to pass that weigh in, and yet I did.
Upon arriving at my new command, and after returning from burying my grandfather in Kansas, I weighed in at 2% over the limit. I had about three weeks to get squared away before the official weigh in that would decide if I was going to be able to qualify as an instructor.
Yet I am extremely grateful for passing the weigh in for the fall PRT. It was a bit touch-and-go for a while, but I made it without a doubt in the end. God truly gave me the victory with the weigh in. Whether you believe in him or not, I'm here to tell you that I could not have done that without some supernatural intervention.
So, looking forward, I have to decide how to proceed. Do I essentially start over this winter, especially considering the dreaded New Year's Resolutions that everyone makes (including myself)? Or do I give up? Or do I just press ahead as best I can?
The fact is that I'm going with the latter. I'm going to proceed as best I can and push through. This most recent joyous occasion, wherein I passed my weigh in, was just a step in the process. Gluttony is something that will haunt me all of my life, I believe, and I will simply have to fight back with my faith and God's grace every time I can.
No New Year's Resolutions for me regarding weight, although I will share my goals in the future. I will also provide helps for those who are battling gluttony like I am. Today I simply wanted to take a few minutes to update everyone on my current situation as it pertains to gluttony. Check back soon for more details and goals!
I still struggle with gluttony, especially when it comes to food. As most of you know, I have been working hard on it (mostly hard) for the past year, desperate to see change in my life. I wrote about various topics, including the Biblical issues. However, I feel it's time for an update.
First, the bad news. I was delayed reporting to my current command by about three weeks because I failed an initial weigh in at my journeyman instructor training (JIT). I managed to pass the weigh-in in time to get through the training, but it was a crash diet of epic proportions. I am grateful to God because I didn't deserve to pass that weigh in, and yet I did.
Upon arriving at my new command, and after returning from burying my grandfather in Kansas, I weighed in at 2% over the limit. I had about three weeks to get squared away before the official weigh in that would decide if I was going to be able to qualify as an instructor.
Yet I am extremely grateful for passing the weigh in for the fall PRT. It was a bit touch-and-go for a while, but I made it without a doubt in the end. God truly gave me the victory with the weigh in. Whether you believe in him or not, I'm here to tell you that I could not have done that without some supernatural intervention.
So, looking forward, I have to decide how to proceed. Do I essentially start over this winter, especially considering the dreaded New Year's Resolutions that everyone makes (including myself)? Or do I give up? Or do I just press ahead as best I can?
The fact is that I'm going with the latter. I'm going to proceed as best I can and push through. This most recent joyous occasion, wherein I passed my weigh in, was just a step in the process. Gluttony is something that will haunt me all of my life, I believe, and I will simply have to fight back with my faith and God's grace every time I can.
No New Year's Resolutions for me regarding weight, although I will share my goals in the future. I will also provide helps for those who are battling gluttony like I am. Today I simply wanted to take a few minutes to update everyone on my current situation as it pertains to gluttony. Check back soon for more details and goals!
Prologue to The Art of Defense
The following is the new prologue to my book, The Art of Defense, first published in 2003. I'm rewriting it because the initial contract has expired and I'm marketing it again. I would love for any and all comments to help me make it better! Thank you!
The slave camp was buzzing with nervous anxiety. A scared mother held her child desperately, clinging to every last chance that her offspring would not end up a slave like she was. Despite the fact that she already knew the answer to it all…that her child was being taken away from her, she fought back her tears and her fear.
“Not my baby,” she breathed.
Her husband, still in Lord Serpent’s mines, was no help at this time. Even if he had been with her, he would have been powerless to stop The Hoard. Those ghastly, ruthless henchmen would stop at nothing in their quest for the newest harvest of slave labor. She knew that, and her neighbors knew that. There was no hope. She would have to suffer through the reality she was about to face.
A banging sound at the door to her meager living quarters…it was time. She jumped at the pounding on the door post and grabbed her child closer still to her side. Her mind raced through options, including everything from running out the back window to trying to hid the child under the rotten floorboards. It didn’t matter. The Hoard could smell a child that was no longer innocent. They would tear the simple little shack apart to find him. Yet as the banging grew louder, her mind spun with any possible action remaining.
Suddenly, the door caved in and three members of the Hoard burst through, throwing the door aside as they stomped into the shack, their heavy boots smashing onto the floor as they instinctively marched toward her as she desperately tried to become smaller.
One of them ripped her son from her arms, tearing one of her shoulders from the socket in the process. He quickly tossed the child to a waiting Hoard member and snorted as he turned to leave. The third member walked up to her and snorted also, staring deep into her soul, reminding her that she was still a slave of the Empire, and that they could do whatever they wanted. Then he growled and stormed out of the shack as violently as he and his comrades had entered.
The mother, cold and hurting, slumped further into the floor, knowing that all was lost. Yet she also knew that she would be back in the cold, dark mines tomorrow. Was there no rescue?
The slave camp was buzzing with nervous anxiety. A scared mother held her child desperately, clinging to every last chance that her offspring would not end up a slave like she was. Despite the fact that she already knew the answer to it all…that her child was being taken away from her, she fought back her tears and her fear.
“Not my baby,” she breathed.
Her husband, still in Lord Serpent’s mines, was no help at this time. Even if he had been with her, he would have been powerless to stop The Hoard. Those ghastly, ruthless henchmen would stop at nothing in their quest for the newest harvest of slave labor. She knew that, and her neighbors knew that. There was no hope. She would have to suffer through the reality she was about to face.
A banging sound at the door to her meager living quarters…it was time. She jumped at the pounding on the door post and grabbed her child closer still to her side. Her mind raced through options, including everything from running out the back window to trying to hid the child under the rotten floorboards. It didn’t matter. The Hoard could smell a child that was no longer innocent. They would tear the simple little shack apart to find him. Yet as the banging grew louder, her mind spun with any possible action remaining.
Suddenly, the door caved in and three members of the Hoard burst through, throwing the door aside as they stomped into the shack, their heavy boots smashing onto the floor as they instinctively marched toward her as she desperately tried to become smaller.
One of them ripped her son from her arms, tearing one of her shoulders from the socket in the process. He quickly tossed the child to a waiting Hoard member and snorted as he turned to leave. The third member walked up to her and snorted also, staring deep into her soul, reminding her that she was still a slave of the Empire, and that they could do whatever they wanted. Then he growled and stormed out of the shack as violently as he and his comrades had entered.
The mother, cold and hurting, slumped further into the floor, knowing that all was lost. Yet she also knew that she would be back in the cold, dark mines tomorrow. Was there no rescue?
My Broken-Hearted Son
We were watching some programming for children on TBN last night before bed. At the end of a show they ran a piece about the staff visiting a children's hospital where dying patients were essentially in hospice. It was really sad as you might imagine. The staff was giving out toys "from Jesus", praying with family members, and talking about the Lord with these families.
I noticed a few minutes into the piece that my son was sniffling a little more than might be expected for a person who didn't have a cold. Before I could realize what he was doing, he broke out into full-fledged tears and sobbing! The poor boy was broken-hearted over the tragedy that we were watching on TV. These kids were dying and he was genuinely sad for them. Alicia and I comforted him as best we could, praying with him and loving on him as we spent time with him at his bedside.
We even let our dog stay in his room last night, which is a strict no-no, but Buckley realized something was wrong with his boy and didn't want to leave him and it made Timothy feel better too. Nevertheless, within a half hour Timothy was back out again, crying and unable to sleep. As a side-note, I don't recommend doing this as a bedtime routine! Anyway, Timothy stayed with us while we watched football and lay on the couch until he was tired enough to go to bed.
This morning, I was up before everyone else and was working on my computer (geek stuff) when Timothy came downstairs. I expected that everything would be over, but I asked a probing question just to see.
"Timothy, how are you this morning?" I asked.
"I just can't get it out of my mind," he replied. Then he lay on the couch again. It will probably be some time before he'll be able to let that pain go, and I'm ok with that.
We have prayed for our children to realize how "good" they have it and be sad for people who have less than we do. Yet I failed as a father in this desire because I've never taken him to see the truly poor, the sick, and the dying. I'm grateful for what happened last night because it shows his tender heart. We are now more committed to carefully, and in a controlled manner, showing him the pain of this world so that he can see the world from Jesus' point of view. He's got the most tender heart of any boy I've met, and I want to foster that into someone hungry to share hope with people.
My dream has come true. My son cares for others and is bothered by pain. Now we hope to foster that into someone willing to help those who can't help themselves. We are so grateful for what the Holy Spirit has done in Timothy's life so far and can't wait for what happens next!
Post Anniversary Thoughts
Ten years ago last night I was awake next to my sleeping wife with a notebook and pen, writing a sermon on grace that I would be preaching the week after our honeymoon to my hometown church in Girard, KS. I wrote, and later preached, about the fact that Alicia was an expression of God's grace in my life. I talked about how I had already made mistakes and goofs that she had had to forgive during our courting, and that God's grace operates in the same way.
I don't remember if the sermon wowed anyone. I guess if I don't remember that fact then it probably didn't. Surely I'd remember awesomeness, right? Anyway, the point is that I understand more now a decade later than I barely knew in that sermon when I wrote it.
It's not a cute little afterthought that my wife is the expression of God's grace in my life. I suppose that's true for every man, and like all humanity, I've tested God often. I look around at all of these marriages that are failing and I wonder why. Was it that one was tested further than he/she could bear? Or did one just decide not to be an expression of grace to the other? I wouldn't expect them to be in an unbeliever's family, but you and I both know that many of the divorcing couples are Christians. So why is mine still together when many don't make it past year 5?
God's grace. Alicia may be the expression of his grace in my life, but the fact is his grace is bigger than any expression. It is his grace that first forgave me so that I could see forgiveness from Alicia. It is his grace that carefully orchestrated my deployments, the birth of our children, and our moves to put us in places he knew we needed to be in to protect our marriage. It was his grace that brought us together in the first place!
I grew up believing that God's grace trumps everything. I believe that today. God's grace trumps the believer's sin no matter how grievous the sin. But God's grace is also for daily living, not just for the afterlife. Each day I depend on God's grace to live, and in many ways I depend on Alicia every day as well.
She is still a wonderful expression of God's grace to me. She will always be that. In ways that grace is impossible to understand, Alicia makes it clear just by being here. I don't mean to talk about her like she's an intangible concept, but that's what makes her the expression she is. Like a living parable.
Thank you so much for these ten years, Alicia, and thank you Father for the years that are still to come!
I don't remember if the sermon wowed anyone. I guess if I don't remember that fact then it probably didn't. Surely I'd remember awesomeness, right? Anyway, the point is that I understand more now a decade later than I barely knew in that sermon when I wrote it.
It's not a cute little afterthought that my wife is the expression of God's grace in my life. I suppose that's true for every man, and like all humanity, I've tested God often. I look around at all of these marriages that are failing and I wonder why. Was it that one was tested further than he/she could bear? Or did one just decide not to be an expression of grace to the other? I wouldn't expect them to be in an unbeliever's family, but you and I both know that many of the divorcing couples are Christians. So why is mine still together when many don't make it past year 5?
God's grace. Alicia may be the expression of his grace in my life, but the fact is his grace is bigger than any expression. It is his grace that first forgave me so that I could see forgiveness from Alicia. It is his grace that carefully orchestrated my deployments, the birth of our children, and our moves to put us in places he knew we needed to be in to protect our marriage. It was his grace that brought us together in the first place!
I grew up believing that God's grace trumps everything. I believe that today. God's grace trumps the believer's sin no matter how grievous the sin. But God's grace is also for daily living, not just for the afterlife. Each day I depend on God's grace to live, and in many ways I depend on Alicia every day as well.
She is still a wonderful expression of God's grace to me. She will always be that. In ways that grace is impossible to understand, Alicia makes it clear just by being here. I don't mean to talk about her like she's an intangible concept, but that's what makes her the expression she is. Like a living parable.
Thank you so much for these ten years, Alicia, and thank you Father for the years that are still to come!
My Ministry so Far
I have to admit that I was somewhat disappointed by the potential for ministry here. When I got orders to Great Lakes, I thought that God was going to use me to reach scores of young Sailors as they got started on their Navy careers. That hasn't panned out. The fact is that I face a great obstacle in the Navy fraternization policy when it comes to fellowshipping with students. I have been told that it's not so much the fact that I'd be in a Bible study with the students as much as it's the feeling others would get from seeing me do it. To be honest, I don't understand it. Nevertheless, I'm not willing to break Navy regulations to fulfill my desires for ministry. I have to believe that God is smart enough and forward-thinking enough to have something here for me despite the local Navy rules.
Nevertheless, I have managed to express myself as a believer here in Great Lakes. When I met my military adviser class, wherein I'm responsible for helping a class of students that I don't actually teach, I did start with the announcement that I was a Christian, and that if anyone else was a Christian and wanted advice of being a Christian in the Navy, they could talk to me about it. I have also met a few students at the base Bible study. I haven't developed any relationships because I'm not interested in ended my career at 14.5 years. I have, however, developed some relationships with the staff I work with in the hopes that I will be able to share Jesus with them in the future.
Is it wrong for me to obey these local Navy regulations? Should I throw caution to the wind and witness to students anyway? What do you think?
Nevertheless, I have managed to express myself as a believer here in Great Lakes. When I met my military adviser class, wherein I'm responsible for helping a class of students that I don't actually teach, I did start with the announcement that I was a Christian, and that if anyone else was a Christian and wanted advice of being a Christian in the Navy, they could talk to me about it. I have also met a few students at the base Bible study. I haven't developed any relationships because I'm not interested in ended my career at 14.5 years. I have, however, developed some relationships with the staff I work with in the hopes that I will be able to share Jesus with them in the future.
Is it wrong for me to obey these local Navy regulations? Should I throw caution to the wind and witness to students anyway? What do you think?
MPW #9: Pray for those with longevity
As we wrap up our Military Prayer Week, we emphasize this morning the idea that some in the military will truly "make a career" of it, meaning that they will go to the 20 year mark or longer, when they will be eligible for retirement. It's definitely not for everyone, and as I counsel young men as a mentor, I never urge someone to do it who's heart isn't in it. The deployments, work-ups, and duty days just aren't worth it.
However, for those who are in it for the long run, it is a rewarding career, yet they need prayer. Burnout is definitely possible, especially when sea tours (meaning the time that a sailor is attached to one ship) can be up to five years at a time. It is possible to simply become tired. So for that reason, let's pray this morning for those who are making a career of the military, that they and their faith may stay strong!
However, for those who are in it for the long run, it is a rewarding career, yet they need prayer. Burnout is definitely possible, especially when sea tours (meaning the time that a sailor is attached to one ship) can be up to five years at a time. It is possible to simply become tired. So for that reason, let's pray this morning for those who are making a career of the military, that they and their faith may stay strong!
MPW#8 Taking a Moral Stand
Early in my tour on the USS Antietam, while we were about half way through a deployment to the Persian Gulf, some of my shipmates decided to shame me by playing pornography on a computer in our shop as a joke. They did this of course because of a major moral stand that I took. I was embarrassed and yes, ashamed, leaving the shop in disgust and anger.
Yet in the end, I had taken a stand, and I have done so since then as well, particularly against pornography, but also against other things. Also, taking a moral stand isn't always in a negative connotation. It isn't always being "against" something, even though that is the common thought. You can be "for" something as well, and those are also the types of stands we are praying for tonight.
So pray with me that our military personnel will take the right moral stand at the right time and in the right manner so that others might know without a doubt that they follow something higher, something bigger than themselves. May God get the glory!
Heavenly Father,
Tonight we pray for strength, Lord. We pray that those who serve you in the military might be strong enough to take a stand against all forms of evil in the workplace, whether it be sexual immorality, cheating, lying, insubordination, or other forms of sinful behavior. May they be strong enough also to take a stand for important positions as well, such as your grace, your love, and your willingness to save. Make your servants bold, Father, for your glory.
In Christ's Name,
Amen
Yet in the end, I had taken a stand, and I have done so since then as well, particularly against pornography, but also against other things. Also, taking a moral stand isn't always in a negative connotation. It isn't always being "against" something, even though that is the common thought. You can be "for" something as well, and those are also the types of stands we are praying for tonight.
So pray with me that our military personnel will take the right moral stand at the right time and in the right manner so that others might know without a doubt that they follow something higher, something bigger than themselves. May God get the glory!
Heavenly Father,
Tonight we pray for strength, Lord. We pray that those who serve you in the military might be strong enough to take a stand against all forms of evil in the workplace, whether it be sexual immorality, cheating, lying, insubordination, or other forms of sinful behavior. May they be strong enough also to take a stand for important positions as well, such as your grace, your love, and your willingness to save. Make your servants bold, Father, for your glory.
In Christ's Name,
Amen
MPW #7: Family
It is impossible to pray through a service member's career without thinking about his or her family. I married my wife around my four year mark in the Navy, and many marry sooner than that. Because many marry so young, that gives marriages plenty of time to go through harsh conditions that civilian marriages don't have to go through necessarily. Of course I mean the 6-12 month deployments away from home, the constant separation due to work-ups, duty nights spent away from family, and long hours, just to name a few. This and many other things put a constant and unrelenting strain on families.
Would you pray with me this morning for families? These men and women (myself included) spend large amounts of time away from home. Time may heal all wounds, but it does not make a good family man in this situation. Therefore, we need prayer. Despite it all, I've met some of the most dedicated fathers, mothers, husbands and wives in the military who, despite the pressure on their families, are more determined and more loving toward their families than many civilian counterparts. These make the most powerful examples to non-believers that a military family can be a godly family.
Father,
Please watch over the military family. We know that countless children, wives, and husbands hang in the balance and need you desperately. They face separation, lack of communication, lower pay, and several other situations that many non-military families don't face, and yet we know that you love families, so we pray that you hold them together at all times. In particular, we pray for believing families, that they will be a beacon of hope to non-believers so that, when the deployments hit, unbelievers will wonder why the family is so strong. Thank you for military families Father.
Amen
Would you pray with me this morning for families? These men and women (myself included) spend large amounts of time away from home. Time may heal all wounds, but it does not make a good family man in this situation. Therefore, we need prayer. Despite it all, I've met some of the most dedicated fathers, mothers, husbands and wives in the military who, despite the pressure on their families, are more determined and more loving toward their families than many civilian counterparts. These make the most powerful examples to non-believers that a military family can be a godly family.
Father,
Please watch over the military family. We know that countless children, wives, and husbands hang in the balance and need you desperately. They face separation, lack of communication, lower pay, and several other situations that many non-military families don't face, and yet we know that you love families, so we pray that you hold them together at all times. In particular, we pray for believing families, that they will be a beacon of hope to non-believers so that, when the deployments hit, unbelievers will wonder why the family is so strong. Thank you for military families Father.
Amen
MPW #6 Situations
It is at this point that we change just a little bit to focus a little more on boldness. For the remainder of the week, the evening prayers will be for praying that service members will reach out to share Christ with their fellow service members.
Pray tonight for situations to occur that will allow a believer to share Christ with an unbeliever. There really isn't much else to say about this. The simple fact is that the Gospel tends to get shared through situations. My old mentor used to say that transitions and trouble could bring about an opportunity to serve for the Kingdom. Or, in another word: Situations.
So tonight, pray for situations to arise that will allow believers to share faith with unbelievers!
Father,
Please allow situations to arise that will let believers share their faith with unbelievers in the military. You know what each believer in the military is capable of, what situations fit them best, and where they can serve best. Please bring about situations that will allow these abilities to come out for the good of the Kingdom. Mostly, Father, please bring about situations that can allow believers to share the Savior that has rescued them.
In Christ's Name,
Amen
Pray tonight for situations to occur that will allow a believer to share Christ with an unbeliever. There really isn't much else to say about this. The simple fact is that the Gospel tends to get shared through situations. My old mentor used to say that transitions and trouble could bring about an opportunity to serve for the Kingdom. Or, in another word: Situations.
So tonight, pray for situations to arise that will allow believers to share faith with unbelievers!
Father,
Please allow situations to arise that will let believers share their faith with unbelievers in the military. You know what each believer in the military is capable of, what situations fit them best, and where they can serve best. Please bring about situations that will allow these abilities to come out for the good of the Kingdom. Mostly, Father, please bring about situations that can allow believers to share the Savior that has rescued them.
In Christ's Name,
Amen
MPW #5: First 72 Hours
Those of us who have been in the military know the feeling. It's somewhere in between extreme anxiety and absolute joy, at least for a young Sailor. You're standing on the pier looking up at a gray behemoth, with it's guns, missiles, radars, antennas, and other equipment...she's yours, or is it the other way around? At any rate, she's your first duty station after training. Get ready for the ride of your life!
While getting to one's first duty station is exhilarating, there are a number of realities that settle in immediately. Initial qualifications must be gained, family members must be moved (for those already married), initial deployments are staring the young service member in the face, and other issues that can rob the new member of joy.
And for some, the initial freedom that mom and dad no longer call the shots really sets in. Those who had been in the faith can fall away and those who had no faith to begin with can run even further from God. The Navy believes that we have 72 hours to save or lose a new service member upon arrival. If he or she gets in with the wrong crowd, then it is very difficult to get that Sailor back. If he gets in with a good mentor however, then there is a great deal of hope.
So this morning, pray for the first 72 hours. Particularly, pray that those who are believers, whatever thier maturity, will find a good friend and mentor immediately upon arrival. It is that important!
Father,
Please guide our young servicemen and women as they arrive at their first commands, particularly in the first 72 hours as we understand that this is where a member can be won or lost. Even more so, Father, for those who are in the faith or who may be close to coming into the faith. Please bring Christians into their lives immediately so that they might know you upon arrival to their first command.
Amen
While getting to one's first duty station is exhilarating, there are a number of realities that settle in immediately. Initial qualifications must be gained, family members must be moved (for those already married), initial deployments are staring the young service member in the face, and other issues that can rob the new member of joy.
And for some, the initial freedom that mom and dad no longer call the shots really sets in. Those who had been in the faith can fall away and those who had no faith to begin with can run even further from God. The Navy believes that we have 72 hours to save or lose a new service member upon arrival. If he or she gets in with the wrong crowd, then it is very difficult to get that Sailor back. If he gets in with a good mentor however, then there is a great deal of hope.
So this morning, pray for the first 72 hours. Particularly, pray that those who are believers, whatever thier maturity, will find a good friend and mentor immediately upon arrival. It is that important!
Father,
Please guide our young servicemen and women as they arrive at their first commands, particularly in the first 72 hours as we understand that this is where a member can be won or lost. Even more so, Father, for those who are in the faith or who may be close to coming into the faith. Please bring Christians into their lives immediately so that they might know you upon arrival to their first command.
Amen
MPW #4: The Civilians that Lead
I Timothy 2:1-2 tells us to pray for everyone, and to be certain to pray for those in leadership (kings in that day, but president for us). That also, in my opinion, means praying for the civilian leaders of our military. While that does include the President of the United States, it also means the Secretary of Defense and of the Navy (which includes Marines), Air Force, and Army, and since we include the Coast Guard in Military Prayer Week, include the Transporation Secretary as well.
As is the case for anyone working for the government, these men (and women in some cases) put into place the policies that affect military personnel the world over, regardless of faith. In some cases, they can indeed create or change policies affecting faith, or the exercise thereof. On the immediate horizon is Don't Ask Don't Tell (DADT), as an example. It is not my desire to go on a political stump speech, but it is important to humbly and honestly pray to our Father for our civilian leadership.
Won't you join me?
Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray for the Secretaries of the Navy, Army, Air Force, and Transportation today as well as the Secretary of Defense and the President and Vice President of the United States. May they establish policies that allow the Christians in uniform to continue celebrating their faith freely. May they never place the military in harms way without a cause.
In Christ's Name,
Amen
As is the case for anyone working for the government, these men (and women in some cases) put into place the policies that affect military personnel the world over, regardless of faith. In some cases, they can indeed create or change policies affecting faith, or the exercise thereof. On the immediate horizon is Don't Ask Don't Tell (DADT), as an example. It is not my desire to go on a political stump speech, but it is important to humbly and honestly pray to our Father for our civilian leadership.
Won't you join me?
Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray for the Secretaries of the Navy, Army, Air Force, and Transportation today as well as the Secretary of Defense and the President and Vice President of the United States. May they establish policies that allow the Christians in uniform to continue celebrating their faith freely. May they never place the military in harms way without a cause.
In Christ's Name,
Amen
MPW #3: Initial Technical Training
Once a military service member is finished with basic training (boot camp) he or she proceeds to some sort of inition technical training. Whether this is to learn how to shoot a .50 cal machine gun or work the missile launchers on a nuclear submarine, the new service man or woman must learn his/her trade.
It is during these times that a valuable impact can be made for the kingdom. When I went through "A" School and "C" School, several people had a chance to, and succeeded in, making an impact in my life for God. As an instructor, now back at my old "A" School after 14 years, I pray for the lives of these young Sailor-Students. I pray that they will come to know Christ and to reach thier shipmates.
Even though I can't reach out to them directly, there are those who can. A local Campus Crusade for Christ missionary and his team have made it the mission to reach lost souls and disciple those who come to Christ while they are in technical training. Would you pray for this impact? Both at Great Lakes and training centers all around the world.
You may, if you wish, pray something like this:
Jesus,
Please guide the young men and women you have placed in technical training. May they grow in the knowledge of their chosen military trade, and may they grow in knowledge of you. If they know you as Savior already, then I pray that they will know you better. If they don't know you personally, then I pray they would find you through a local missionary or through a peer.
In your holy Name,
Amen
It is during these times that a valuable impact can be made for the kingdom. When I went through "A" School and "C" School, several people had a chance to, and succeeded in, making an impact in my life for God. As an instructor, now back at my old "A" School after 14 years, I pray for the lives of these young Sailor-Students. I pray that they will come to know Christ and to reach thier shipmates.
Even though I can't reach out to them directly, there are those who can. A local Campus Crusade for Christ missionary and his team have made it the mission to reach lost souls and disciple those who come to Christ while they are in technical training. Would you pray for this impact? Both at Great Lakes and training centers all around the world.
You may, if you wish, pray something like this:
Jesus,
Please guide the young men and women you have placed in technical training. May they grow in the knowledge of their chosen military trade, and may they grow in knowledge of you. If they know you as Savior already, then I pray that they will know you better. If they don't know you personally, then I pray they would find you through a local missionary or through a peer.
In your holy Name,
Amen
MPW#2: Depth
Pray for Depth
In my experience, the Christian faith in the military tends to run fairly shallow. Of course, there are many, many exceptions to that rule, but just as in civilian life, the church in the military has many people who profess Christ and even truly believe in him, but are not willing to work to improve and increase their faith. If we are ever to change this world and bring in more people to the Kingdom, then that fact must change. Therefore, tonight we pray for depth in faith. Just as we learned this morning that basic training is the jumping off point for any military service member changing from “child” to adult, so is the need for depth in the Christian life. I’m telling you right now…if we’re going to see a stronger faith in the military, we must pray for depth for the believers that are already in the military.
I want nothing more than to see a change in the military. That’s why I work so hard at mentoring young sailors, both believers and non-believers. God has developing this in my heart and it has shown to be effective in many of my men. Groups like the Navigators and Campus Crusade for Christ, to name a few, also work hard to build depth in the faith of our service men and women.
So tonight, before going to sleep, please pray that military personnel would grow deeper in relationship to Christ and in their faith in him. If you would like, you may pray as follows:
Father,
In order to add souls to the Kingdom, believers need a solid relationship with you. It is because of that fact that we pray for the depth in the faith of those in the military who profess you as Lord. Please draw them closer to you and put a fire in their heart to make them want to know you more. Grow their faith and give them more faith as they grow.
In Christ’s Name,
Amen
In my experience, the Christian faith in the military tends to run fairly shallow. Of course, there are many, many exceptions to that rule, but just as in civilian life, the church in the military has many people who profess Christ and even truly believe in him, but are not willing to work to improve and increase their faith. If we are ever to change this world and bring in more people to the Kingdom, then that fact must change. Therefore, tonight we pray for depth in faith. Just as we learned this morning that basic training is the jumping off point for any military service member changing from “child” to adult, so is the need for depth in the Christian life. I’m telling you right now…if we’re going to see a stronger faith in the military, we must pray for depth for the believers that are already in the military.
I want nothing more than to see a change in the military. That’s why I work so hard at mentoring young sailors, both believers and non-believers. God has developing this in my heart and it has shown to be effective in many of my men. Groups like the Navigators and Campus Crusade for Christ, to name a few, also work hard to build depth in the faith of our service men and women.
So tonight, before going to sleep, please pray that military personnel would grow deeper in relationship to Christ and in their faith in him. If you would like, you may pray as follows:
Father,
In order to add souls to the Kingdom, believers need a solid relationship with you. It is because of that fact that we pray for the depth in the faith of those in the military who profess you as Lord. Please draw them closer to you and put a fire in their heart to make them want to know you more. Grow their faith and give them more faith as they grow.
In Christ’s Name,
Amen
MPW #1: Basic Training
All military personnel must go through basic training, sometimes called “boot camp.” This training is crucial to the service member’s career because it grounds out the civilian “child” and allows the man or woman to develop. Training like boot camp isn’t just valuable in a military career, but in life. The character that is brought and grown during basic training has carried many individuals throughout post-military life as well.
So this morning, on the first prayer of Military Prayer Week, we pray for basic training. Specifically, please pray for some of the following points:
• Pray that the child entering boot camp will mature quickly and safely into adulthood.
• Pray that the drill instructors will treat their recruits fairly but firmly to develop them into men and women.
• Pray that faith carried into boot camp by believers will not fade as adulthood is brought on.
• Pray that those who do not believe in Christ as they enter basic training will come to faith as the result of the pressure that basic training brings.
If you prefer, you may pray as follows:
Lord of Lords,
Our military men and women start their career as a recruit at a basic training station. Before they can serve their country, they must undergo the rigorous training that is designed to beat out the civilian and encourage the character inside them to emerge. Please bring believers into the military community who will undergo this intense training and won’t let their faith fall away. Please bring unbelieving recruits into contact with believing recruits. Please bring believers into the drill instructor ranks who will firmly and fairly grow our young people as they leave civilian life and become part of our military.
In Christ’s Name,
Amen.
So this morning, on the first prayer of Military Prayer Week, we pray for basic training. Specifically, please pray for some of the following points:
• Pray that the child entering boot camp will mature quickly and safely into adulthood.
• Pray that the drill instructors will treat their recruits fairly but firmly to develop them into men and women.
• Pray that faith carried into boot camp by believers will not fade as adulthood is brought on.
• Pray that those who do not believe in Christ as they enter basic training will come to faith as the result of the pressure that basic training brings.
If you prefer, you may pray as follows:
Lord of Lords,
Our military men and women start their career as a recruit at a basic training station. Before they can serve their country, they must undergo the rigorous training that is designed to beat out the civilian and encourage the character inside them to emerge. Please bring believers into the military community who will undergo this intense training and won’t let their faith fall away. Please bring unbelieving recruits into contact with believing recruits. Please bring believers into the drill instructor ranks who will firmly and fairly grow our young people as they leave civilian life and become part of our military.
In Christ’s Name,
Amen.
Military Prayer Week Starts Monday!
Monday starts the second annual Military Prayer Week on Navy Christian! I'm very excited that over 50 people are going to join in praying for the military personnel of America. I'm grateful for everyone who has joined in the effort. Here is what to expect:
In the morning, each prayer will be for a part of the military career. We'll pray for parts like basic training, apprentice training, the career process, etc. In the evenings, we'll pray for morale stands, moral purity, the Christian walk and witness. In all, we'll pray ten times during the five days of Military Prayer Week.
My desire, from my heart, is that you'll take those ten prayers and let them be the jumping off point for praying specific prayers for specific things for specific military people that you know or know of. We cannot forget that it's not just about a safe return from a deployment. It's about a well run race. Thank you for joining the Military Prayer Week Team and let's go!
In the morning, each prayer will be for a part of the military career. We'll pray for parts like basic training, apprentice training, the career process, etc. In the evenings, we'll pray for morale stands, moral purity, the Christian walk and witness. In all, we'll pray ten times during the five days of Military Prayer Week.
My desire, from my heart, is that you'll take those ten prayers and let them be the jumping off point for praying specific prayers for specific things for specific military people that you know or know of. We cannot forget that it's not just about a safe return from a deployment. It's about a well run race. Thank you for joining the Military Prayer Week Team and let's go!
A Letter from Thailand
Early in October I sent a box of books to Thailand. Most of them were donated by a friend of Alicia's.
The background to this story is that I first visited Thailand as a young sailor back in 1998. While visiting an IMB mission in Pattaya, I became familiar with a ministry to one of the local prisons. In fact, several of my buddies and I spent a day addressing envelopes and stuffing them with Christian booklets and other such literature. The ministry had cultivated strong ties with a number of inmates and therefore sent material for them to read to strengthen their walk with Christ. I was fascinated by this ministry. I was so interested in supporting the ministry that a few years later, while at home in Kansas on leave, I went around my hometown to all of the local churches, collecting old Daily Breads and any other literature they'd give me and I sent a box to Thailand.
After visiting Thailand again in 2009, and having since enjoyed a great friendship with the pastor of the international church there (a fellow from South Africa named Daniel Krynauw), I decided to send more books. We got some donations from a friend of Alicia's, as I mentioned earlier, and I sent them to Thailand to a guy named Chhaby. I don't know why he's in prison, but he has definitely taken to Christ and is progressing wonderfully in his relationship with the savior. He started his prison sentence as a Hindu and became a believer while behind bars. Since 2005, the church in Thailand has been supporting him with materials to read.
I received a letter, via Daniel in Thialand, from Chhaby. Here is a snippet from his letter:
He says:
What a blessing! I almost cried as I read his gratitude and his desire to press even harder toward the prize! I am likewise grateful for the donated books for the use of the Kingdom. God took a few books in a box and affected a life in Thailand for the better, and I pray that those books will continue to do so as Chhaby shares them with other inmates.
Because of Chabby, I have a realtionship with a man in a prison half way around the world. Tell me that isn't amazing!
The background to this story is that I first visited Thailand as a young sailor back in 1998. While visiting an IMB mission in Pattaya, I became familiar with a ministry to one of the local prisons. In fact, several of my buddies and I spent a day addressing envelopes and stuffing them with Christian booklets and other such literature. The ministry had cultivated strong ties with a number of inmates and therefore sent material for them to read to strengthen their walk with Christ. I was fascinated by this ministry. I was so interested in supporting the ministry that a few years later, while at home in Kansas on leave, I went around my hometown to all of the local churches, collecting old Daily Breads and any other literature they'd give me and I sent a box to Thailand.
After visiting Thailand again in 2009, and having since enjoyed a great friendship with the pastor of the international church there (a fellow from South Africa named Daniel Krynauw), I decided to send more books. We got some donations from a friend of Alicia's, as I mentioned earlier, and I sent them to Thailand to a guy named Chhaby. I don't know why he's in prison, but he has definitely taken to Christ and is progressing wonderfully in his relationship with the savior. He started his prison sentence as a Hindu and became a believer while behind bars. Since 2005, the church in Thailand has been supporting him with materials to read.
I received a letter, via Daniel in Thialand, from Chhaby. Here is a snippet from his letter:
"Honorable Pastor in Christ
Greetings to you in the mighty Name of Jesus
Christ my Lord and Saviour
I want let you know, 3 days ago I had receive some books from one of your friend Daniel Smith in U.S.A. When I reading that book "Jesus Freaks, The Voice Of The Martyrs" streams of tears flow from my eyes. Its book touch my heart. Its book produce more desire inside my heart to serve my Lord, love my Lord. I want to be real strong Christian, when I go my country. I serve my God anywhere, anytime, any cost. Bring unbelievers to Christ, preach them to about our salvation. Christ is our salvation. I want to be rich, not the power of money, but the power of Word of God, but the power of knowledge of Christ."
Your Brother in Christ
Chhaby Lal Khatiwada
Bangkwang # 6
What a blessing! I almost cried as I read his gratitude and his desire to press even harder toward the prize! I am likewise grateful for the donated books for the use of the Kingdom. God took a few books in a box and affected a life in Thailand for the better, and I pray that those books will continue to do so as Chhaby shares them with other inmates.
Because of Chabby, I have a realtionship with a man in a prison half way around the world. Tell me that isn't amazing!
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