During our mobilization in the States, I would joke with fellow soldiers when caught in a line or a mind-numbing briefing and would often say "That's why I have my Nook."
And what a good investment that Nook was (it came free, providentially, when my computer this past Christmas). Having an easy-to-carry collection of 200 books at my fingertips is a precious gift. I'm able to read great Christian books to stir my soul, commentaries to encourage my reflection in sermon preparation, Army field guides and psychological books to help grow some of my chaplain skills and base of knowledge, economic and political books to pique those lifelong interests, and fiction, history, and biographies when I simply need an enjoyable mental escape. Here are some of the things I have read recently:
1) Earth Unaware and Earth Afire by Orson Scott Card. These books belong to a three-part prequel series to the young adult classic, Ender's Game (will be a blockbuster movie with Harrison Ford later this year). Card is an imaginable and realistic author, which enables a non-science fiction reader like myself to appreciation his works. His realism extends into the realm of life and death, as key characters and those who garner sympathy (i.e., children) are killed off. It breathes humanity into these imaginative works.
2) Risk is Right and assorted short biographies by John Piper. Risk is just what it claims to be--a vindication of taking risks for the glory of God in this world, alongside the claim that safety and security will always be a mirage in a world in which human foresight is so profoundly limited. It is a great call to advance from our secluded bunkers in life and engage the real world. The short biographies of people like Judson, Paton, and others simply illustrate this point. Piper's bottom line to us all: "It is better to lose your life than waste it."
3) An Army at Dawn by Rick Atkinson. This is the first in a trilogy on WWII. This book covers the war in Africa, the next covers Italy, the final covers D-Day and the war in Europe. This series, recently concluded, is considered the standard-bearer of our time and is often equated with the work of Cornelius Ryan and other authors of prior generations. It is wonderfully verbose, and carries the reader from the command desk to the foxhole, reminding us of that tenuous day when free peoples (and the Soviets) came together to push back the Nazi shadow from the face of the free world.
That's all for now. Wish you all a blessed day in gratitude for Christ and to the glory of God!
19.7.13
Shohna ba Shohna
"Shoulder to shoulder" in Dari, and indeed, there is invigorating sense of unity among our soldiers and their coalition partners.
My higher command structure includes a Canadian, Australian, Pole, and El Salvadorian. Along the compact streets of our post, I pass soldiers from England, France, Italy, Germany, Turkey, Mongolia, Albania, and elsewhere. Many of these soldiers specifically requested to be among those sent from their countries to stand with us, shohna ba shohna, in the quest against religious extremism and the subsequent rebuilding effort of this impoverished, war-stricken country.
One of our soldiers is an Australian of Polish descent (Polish-Australian?). His grandfather was a Polish officer who was killed in the Katyn Massacre, one of the grossest and most underreported crimes committed by the Soviets in the lead-up to WWII. His family was sent to Siberia, where they eventually escaped and came to reside in Australia. He dons the uniform with pride.
As much as this setting breeds and fosters a band of brothers, united by common purpose, there is a bond that transcends such great causes: the bond of unity with Christ and His people.
Paul writes in Philippians 1:7, "It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the Gospel."
There is a profound bond between believers throughout the world--one that can only be forged by spiritual (i.e., the Holy Spirit) means. Just as a deployed band of brothers share a profound, common experience that others will never comprehend, so the band of Christian brothers and sisters enjoy something beyond human fathoming.
The world as a whole is blind, even hostile, to the Gospel of grace. Who can accept, apart from divine grace, that they are dead in their sin and beyond any hope of self-resuscitation? Who can possibly believe, apart from divine grace, that God Himself put His very Son on the cross to to bear the sinner's death and ransom His life from God's just judgment? Who among the redeemed can explain, apart from divine grace, what it means to be transformed from traitor into friend of the living God?
This message is foolishness to the world, not because it is false, but because we are hostile to it by our fallen nature. We plead our case before an empty judgment seat, and acquit ourselves before a jury of our own feelings. We never stand condemned, because we make the rules. We continue to lisp the lie of the Deceiver--"ye shall be as gods."
This precious bond between believers manifests itself in two ways--by Word and deed. Believers defend and confirm the Gospel. In other words, they serve as lawyer and prosecutor of God's Word before a courtroom of hostile peers. Their words, however warm and winsome (which they often are not), will not win over the jury. No amount of reason or sharing of experience will do the job. In fact, by verbalizing their friendship with God, they make themselves into enemies of the world. They will suffer for this blood-bought friendship. Thus, the Word of this bond gives way to the deed that most characterizes the Christian life--imprisonment (or more broadly speaking, suffering).
The Christian faith does not spread by wielding the sword, but by suffering under its blows. The numbers are fuzzy, but every 12 minutes or so, another Christian is this world is martyred for the faith. One of my band of brothers and sisters, ranging from infancy to enfeeblement, bears the blows of the sword and finds final comfort in the fact that this present suffering cannot compare to the glory that awaits.
A life in Christ, in contact with the world, is fundamentally a life in chains. Yet the chains of worldly hostility do not fundamentally define the believer, for He is a slave to Christ. That is the beauty of this sacred bond and unity between believers throughout the world. They only proclaim grace and persevere in it because they are fundamentally partakers in grace. Their union with one another is rooted in a deeper union with Christ, who brought forgiveness to the very traitors who crucified Him.
For those hidden in Christ, life is transformed. Suffering is not avoided if it must come, but embraced for the sake of He who suffered for our sin. Death holds no power, for it has been vanquished. It holds no sting; It claims no victory. What can separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written, "For your sake we face death all day long. We are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
Christians were never meant for power this side of heaven. They should engage in the civil and social spheres will all due energy, but they will never ultimately prevail in those endeavors. The Gospel spreads from blood soaked garment to blood stained hand--all testifying to the blood sacrifice of the God-man, Jesus Christ. His Word and Spirit will accomplish His eternal purposes for His glory. And in His patience, He calls for more to bow the knee in repentance and new life.
One day, the Justifier will come as Judge, and every knee that has not bowed will assume the position in judgment. But in that day, for all who laid down their arms by His grace and became friends, even children, of the living God--they will have their bloody garments washed clean in the blood of the Lamb, find their tears wiped away, and enjoy life as it was meant to be lived--in relation to and for the glory of His name. May His great name be praised!
My higher command structure includes a Canadian, Australian, Pole, and El Salvadorian. Along the compact streets of our post, I pass soldiers from England, France, Italy, Germany, Turkey, Mongolia, Albania, and elsewhere. Many of these soldiers specifically requested to be among those sent from their countries to stand with us, shohna ba shohna, in the quest against religious extremism and the subsequent rebuilding effort of this impoverished, war-stricken country.
One of our soldiers is an Australian of Polish descent (Polish-Australian?). His grandfather was a Polish officer who was killed in the Katyn Massacre, one of the grossest and most underreported crimes committed by the Soviets in the lead-up to WWII. His family was sent to Siberia, where they eventually escaped and came to reside in Australia. He dons the uniform with pride.
As much as this setting breeds and fosters a band of brothers, united by common purpose, there is a bond that transcends such great causes: the bond of unity with Christ and His people.
Paul writes in Philippians 1:7, "It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the Gospel."
There is a profound bond between believers throughout the world--one that can only be forged by spiritual (i.e., the Holy Spirit) means. Just as a deployed band of brothers share a profound, common experience that others will never comprehend, so the band of Christian brothers and sisters enjoy something beyond human fathoming.
The world as a whole is blind, even hostile, to the Gospel of grace. Who can accept, apart from divine grace, that they are dead in their sin and beyond any hope of self-resuscitation? Who can possibly believe, apart from divine grace, that God Himself put His very Son on the cross to to bear the sinner's death and ransom His life from God's just judgment? Who among the redeemed can explain, apart from divine grace, what it means to be transformed from traitor into friend of the living God?
This message is foolishness to the world, not because it is false, but because we are hostile to it by our fallen nature. We plead our case before an empty judgment seat, and acquit ourselves before a jury of our own feelings. We never stand condemned, because we make the rules. We continue to lisp the lie of the Deceiver--"ye shall be as gods."
This precious bond between believers manifests itself in two ways--by Word and deed. Believers defend and confirm the Gospel. In other words, they serve as lawyer and prosecutor of God's Word before a courtroom of hostile peers. Their words, however warm and winsome (which they often are not), will not win over the jury. No amount of reason or sharing of experience will do the job. In fact, by verbalizing their friendship with God, they make themselves into enemies of the world. They will suffer for this blood-bought friendship. Thus, the Word of this bond gives way to the deed that most characterizes the Christian life--imprisonment (or more broadly speaking, suffering).
The Christian faith does not spread by wielding the sword, but by suffering under its blows. The numbers are fuzzy, but every 12 minutes or so, another Christian is this world is martyred for the faith. One of my band of brothers and sisters, ranging from infancy to enfeeblement, bears the blows of the sword and finds final comfort in the fact that this present suffering cannot compare to the glory that awaits.
A life in Christ, in contact with the world, is fundamentally a life in chains. Yet the chains of worldly hostility do not fundamentally define the believer, for He is a slave to Christ. That is the beauty of this sacred bond and unity between believers throughout the world. They only proclaim grace and persevere in it because they are fundamentally partakers in grace. Their union with one another is rooted in a deeper union with Christ, who brought forgiveness to the very traitors who crucified Him.
For those hidden in Christ, life is transformed. Suffering is not avoided if it must come, but embraced for the sake of He who suffered for our sin. Death holds no power, for it has been vanquished. It holds no sting; It claims no victory. What can separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written, "For your sake we face death all day long. We are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
Christians were never meant for power this side of heaven. They should engage in the civil and social spheres will all due energy, but they will never ultimately prevail in those endeavors. The Gospel spreads from blood soaked garment to blood stained hand--all testifying to the blood sacrifice of the God-man, Jesus Christ. His Word and Spirit will accomplish His eternal purposes for His glory. And in His patience, He calls for more to bow the knee in repentance and new life.
One day, the Justifier will come as Judge, and every knee that has not bowed will assume the position in judgment. But in that day, for all who laid down their arms by His grace and became friends, even children, of the living God--they will have their bloody garments washed clean in the blood of the Lamb, find their tears wiped away, and enjoy life as it was meant to be lived--in relation to and for the glory of His name. May His great name be praised!
17.7.13
Gratitude
It is not enough to simply try to suppress negative thought patterns. All such suppression does is create a vacuum that invites those same feelings back in. We combat negative thought patterns with positive ones. We combat depression, anger, anxiety, and insecurity with contentment, joy, and gratitude.
On occasion, I counsel a female soldier in our unit who I call our "resident truth-teller." She has a very difficult time filling the typical Army role--staying in your lane (knowing your role) and driving on. She always asks "Why?" and has a hard time accepting inconsistencies and inefficiencies. She also is a heart-reader--one of those people who are attuned to how someone is truly doing, and seeks to love them accordingly. Both of these tendencies are fairly atypical in the Army, which means that her life here is a lonely one. Yet those gifts are crucial to our unit, which she will learn in the days to come, and must be a source of gratitude.
As a fellow believer, she strives for this gratitude, though, as is the reality in this vale of tears, her gratitude oft flows mingled with grief. Yesterday, we reflected on the lonely walk of Christ in His final hours. He was betrayed, denied, and abandoned--even by His disciples. Yet, for the joy set before Him--that of redeeming His people from sin and bringing glory to the Father--He endured the cross. This soldier is called to take up her cross in following her Savior. But the final word over her life is not the severity of her call, but the peace and joy found in her comfort--she will always be carried by Christ.
I can be grateful for the fact that I will have my own chaplain's assistant. I was told yesterday that one has been called up stateside to deploy and fill that role. I am grateful--there are so many things that an assistant can do for me, besides providing me protection. I am still a little squeamish at how we got to this point. I'm not sure that this didn't leave a bad taste in the mouths of some of my superiors. I also expect the pressure upon me to ratchet up, knowing that two slots are now dedicated to a ministry team that wasn't originally a part of the plan. But gratitude is the order of the day. God has decided that I should have an assistant, and His wisdom and compassion are beyond my comprehension.
I am grateful for my wife and boy. I often pass other soldiers as they are on the phone with their families, and sometimes, it doesn't sound good. I hear snippets like "Can we please talk about this some other time?" and "Can you at least be decent to me?" and "I can't do this right now." It breaks my heart to see some of this fraying. I will do what I can to help, God willing and soldier abiding, and pray that none of these lines of life and love will snap. I am grateful for my wife and boy. My wife is not my adversary, but my ally. Instead of resenting her present calling, she is adjusting fire and working to orient her new lifestyle in a Godward direction. We support each other in this trial, and standing together upon the mercy of our Lord, we stand strong.
Paul's gratitude for the Philippians:
"I thank God in all my remembrance of you. I always in every prayer for you all am making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the Gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Christ Jesus." (1:3-6)
I will reflect upon this newly memorized passage among my other meditations in the days to come.
Prayer Request:
Engaging morale monsters. There are always a handful of soldiers who badmouth the mission, the command, the unit, other soldiers, and about every other circumstance imaginable. They are vocal in such a way as to drag down overall unit morale. They are the Buzz Killingtons of the military world. I need wisdom in holding them in check and preventing the spread of their poison, while also engaging the deeper issues within them that give way to such poison. Thanks for your prayers for wisdom in these engagements!
On occasion, I counsel a female soldier in our unit who I call our "resident truth-teller." She has a very difficult time filling the typical Army role--staying in your lane (knowing your role) and driving on. She always asks "Why?" and has a hard time accepting inconsistencies and inefficiencies. She also is a heart-reader--one of those people who are attuned to how someone is truly doing, and seeks to love them accordingly. Both of these tendencies are fairly atypical in the Army, which means that her life here is a lonely one. Yet those gifts are crucial to our unit, which she will learn in the days to come, and must be a source of gratitude.
As a fellow believer, she strives for this gratitude, though, as is the reality in this vale of tears, her gratitude oft flows mingled with grief. Yesterday, we reflected on the lonely walk of Christ in His final hours. He was betrayed, denied, and abandoned--even by His disciples. Yet, for the joy set before Him--that of redeeming His people from sin and bringing glory to the Father--He endured the cross. This soldier is called to take up her cross in following her Savior. But the final word over her life is not the severity of her call, but the peace and joy found in her comfort--she will always be carried by Christ.
I can be grateful for the fact that I will have my own chaplain's assistant. I was told yesterday that one has been called up stateside to deploy and fill that role. I am grateful--there are so many things that an assistant can do for me, besides providing me protection. I am still a little squeamish at how we got to this point. I'm not sure that this didn't leave a bad taste in the mouths of some of my superiors. I also expect the pressure upon me to ratchet up, knowing that two slots are now dedicated to a ministry team that wasn't originally a part of the plan. But gratitude is the order of the day. God has decided that I should have an assistant, and His wisdom and compassion are beyond my comprehension.
I am grateful for my wife and boy. I often pass other soldiers as they are on the phone with their families, and sometimes, it doesn't sound good. I hear snippets like "Can we please talk about this some other time?" and "Can you at least be decent to me?" and "I can't do this right now." It breaks my heart to see some of this fraying. I will do what I can to help, God willing and soldier abiding, and pray that none of these lines of life and love will snap. I am grateful for my wife and boy. My wife is not my adversary, but my ally. Instead of resenting her present calling, she is adjusting fire and working to orient her new lifestyle in a Godward direction. We support each other in this trial, and standing together upon the mercy of our Lord, we stand strong.
Paul's gratitude for the Philippians:
"I thank God in all my remembrance of you. I always in every prayer for you all am making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the Gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Christ Jesus." (1:3-6)
I will reflect upon this newly memorized passage among my other meditations in the days to come.
Prayer Request:
Engaging morale monsters. There are always a handful of soldiers who badmouth the mission, the command, the unit, other soldiers, and about every other circumstance imaginable. They are vocal in such a way as to drag down overall unit morale. They are the Buzz Killingtons of the military world. I need wisdom in holding them in check and preventing the spread of their poison, while also engaging the deeper issues within them that give way to such poison. Thanks for your prayers for wisdom in these engagements!
15.7.13
Beauty Abounds
I'm finally here. Over a decade has passed since I first tried to enlist.
In that time, I finished college, attended and graduated seminary, began a lifelong love affair with Malawi, got married to my dear bride, worked on Capitol Hill, was ordained and called by a church, set into an Army unit, and most recently, celebrated the birth of my precious son. I have enjoyed a lifetime of blessings already.
Like our stopover point, my new location reminds me of Malawi. From the warm, gentle breeze to the barren mountains to the kind locals. As my wife often reminds me, I tend to love most new opportunities put before me. I can call anywhere home, even in the middle of a war environment.
I especially enjoy places that stretch and challenge me. I know my own heart and how it responds to comfort--and I don't like it. I quickly become self-absorbed and complacent. That is a sanctification issue for me. As my friend, Fletcher, once reminded me, I should give thanks in all circumstances, even if the level of comfort is not to my liking. I was drawn away from training in the California desert last summer to spend several days in San Francisco at a hospital with a possibly-ailing soldier. Most soldiers were jealous. I was jealous to return to the desert and spend time with the soldiers.
The post here is very nice, as a soldier might expect after over a decade of development. I am surrounded by soldiers from all of the major components of the US military, as well as soldiers and contractors from dozens of nations around the world. How cool is that? I could never afford to travel to all of these countries and visit people. Now, if I want to learn more about Australia, Canada, the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Mongolia, El Salvador, Romania, etc--I can just ask!
There is always an element of risk out here. I'm relatively safe inside the post, there are semi-frequent attacks in the city and always the risk of IEDs with traveling. May this risk, however minor, be used to make me spiritually vigilant, as well as physically and emotionally. As John Piper titled a recent book, Risk is Right. My life is not my own. It was given me for a number of God-appointed days, to be used in His service. A little bit of suffering, whether external or internal, is what humbles me and reminds me of that fact. It also reminds of what Jesus Christ endured for me in an utterly unique way. I may be called to take up my cross, but I will never need bear it for my sins or others, as my great Savior from sin did, with mingled sorrow and love.
Prayer Requests:
1) For the political storm above me to cease. There are some chaplains and commanders stateside who are up in arms because my unit brought a chaplain without an assistant. It has caused stress for my CDR and several others, and makes me a point of contention, rather than service. Please pray for quick resolution!
2) To settle into a battle rhythm and serve. Right now, my time is crammed with briefs and other prep work, which makes intentional time with soldiers much more difficult.
3) For private space. I sleep on a top bunk in the middle of an open bay filled with soldiers. I have nowhere to retreat to time with the Lord in solitude. Please pray for this simple grace and source of refreshment.
4) That I would be poured out for the sake of the Christ, to whom I owe all of my life.
Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. This is your spiritual act of worship. (Rom. 12:1)
In that time, I finished college, attended and graduated seminary, began a lifelong love affair with Malawi, got married to my dear bride, worked on Capitol Hill, was ordained and called by a church, set into an Army unit, and most recently, celebrated the birth of my precious son. I have enjoyed a lifetime of blessings already.
Like our stopover point, my new location reminds me of Malawi. From the warm, gentle breeze to the barren mountains to the kind locals. As my wife often reminds me, I tend to love most new opportunities put before me. I can call anywhere home, even in the middle of a war environment.
I especially enjoy places that stretch and challenge me. I know my own heart and how it responds to comfort--and I don't like it. I quickly become self-absorbed and complacent. That is a sanctification issue for me. As my friend, Fletcher, once reminded me, I should give thanks in all circumstances, even if the level of comfort is not to my liking. I was drawn away from training in the California desert last summer to spend several days in San Francisco at a hospital with a possibly-ailing soldier. Most soldiers were jealous. I was jealous to return to the desert and spend time with the soldiers.
The post here is very nice, as a soldier might expect after over a decade of development. I am surrounded by soldiers from all of the major components of the US military, as well as soldiers and contractors from dozens of nations around the world. How cool is that? I could never afford to travel to all of these countries and visit people. Now, if I want to learn more about Australia, Canada, the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Mongolia, El Salvador, Romania, etc--I can just ask!
There is always an element of risk out here. I'm relatively safe inside the post, there are semi-frequent attacks in the city and always the risk of IEDs with traveling. May this risk, however minor, be used to make me spiritually vigilant, as well as physically and emotionally. As John Piper titled a recent book, Risk is Right. My life is not my own. It was given me for a number of God-appointed days, to be used in His service. A little bit of suffering, whether external or internal, is what humbles me and reminds me of that fact. It also reminds of what Jesus Christ endured for me in an utterly unique way. I may be called to take up my cross, but I will never need bear it for my sins or others, as my great Savior from sin did, with mingled sorrow and love.
Prayer Requests:
1) For the political storm above me to cease. There are some chaplains and commanders stateside who are up in arms because my unit brought a chaplain without an assistant. It has caused stress for my CDR and several others, and makes me a point of contention, rather than service. Please pray for quick resolution!
2) To settle into a battle rhythm and serve. Right now, my time is crammed with briefs and other prep work, which makes intentional time with soldiers much more difficult.
3) For private space. I sleep on a top bunk in the middle of an open bay filled with soldiers. I have nowhere to retreat to time with the Lord in solitude. Please pray for this simple grace and source of refreshment.
4) That I would be poured out for the sake of the Christ, to whom I owe all of my life.
Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. This is your spiritual act of worship. (Rom. 12:1)
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