"Chaplain," a soldier choked out this morning, "Can we talk?"
I had just arrived at my office and was setting my belongings down. I welcomed this soldier in and we closed the door.
"I knew the US soldier who was killed yesterday."
He had just learned that the soldier was a buddy of his who went through training with him and served alongside of him for several years in the States. I asked him about what was going through his mind--grief, anger?
"Disbelief," he said over and over again, holding his head in his hands.
He told me more about this soldier--where he grew up, the type of work they did together in the States. This soldier did the same type of work that our unit does out here--training and advising. But that's not what killed him.
He was actually stationed in the north, but had come south for Christmas because his young wife served here on our post. For him, like so many of us, there was nothing he wanted more for Christmas than to be with his family. Unlike many of us, he had the opportunity to do so. And while he made plans to be with the one he loves the most, the Taliban made plans to crash a VBIED into one our vehicles, caring nothing for the plans of the people inside.
The attack was only a half-mile away and most news reports refer to our post in describing the location of the attack (http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/28/world/asia/coalition-soldiers-killed-in-attack-on-convoy-in-kabul.html). Surely, this soldier's wife, like most of the soldiers here, felt the blast shake the ground and walls--the blast that took her husband.
I planned to pray with this grieving soldier, but was waiting to give him time to say anything that came to mind. After a few moments of silence, he asked "Chaplain, can you pray with me?"
We prayed for the deceased soldier's wife and his family, for the families of the other two soldiers killed in the attack, and for the soldier before me. We prayed for the hope that comes in the cross, knowing that nothing else can give hope in a time like this.
After we prayed in Jesus' name, I looked up and saw soft tears streaking down this soldier's face, each one seeming to scream in the silence.
"I just don't know what to say," the soldier told me with halting breath. I told him that there are times when no words will do justice to the tragedy or the pain. Just tears.
The time for words has ceased. Now, we must await the bugle.
http://icasualties.org/OEF/Fatalities.aspx
(14)
27.12.13
Random Tidbits
Follow-up. It's funny that comments on Santa can prove to be the most controversial amidst all the other topics I've weighed in on. While I certainly stand with my wife in believing that Santa should be known as the nice old man who dresses up as a fat man to make kids laugh, my post was meant more as a point of analysis. A lot of young parents are dropping Santa from the holiday menu. Why? It seems that most believe that it is deceptive. What would you do differently? I put forward one possibility--make it about the family--but let the discussion continue!
118. That is the number of counseling sessions I have performed while here in country. That does not count the two dozen or so sessions while in Texas. At the current pace, I will likely hit 150 by the end of the deployment. The dominant issue that soldiers deal with is family/relationships, followed at a distant second by professional dynamics. This reinforces the continued need for proactive and preventative care for marriages, coping strategies for married couples going through a deployment, and measures to ease the reintegration of soldiers into their families post-deployment.
Proverbs. Some Christians treat this book of the Bible as a handbook for managing money or raising a family. I think a soldier of mine understands it better, though in incomplete form. He is reading through the Bible for the second time on this deployment. He dreads the day he arrives again at Proverbs, as it made him break down last time. He said it reminded him of how much of a failure he truly his. What he understands is that none of us can fulfill God's requirement for perfect wisdom, just as we can't fulfill the demands of His perfect law. Proverbs is not meant to be a self-righteous checklist--it drives us to the cross. And that is why this soldier's tears, as poignant as they are in showing the power of the law, are misplaced. We should weep when reading Proverbs, but only because Christ, the God-man and wisdom incarnate, offered His perfect wisdom in place of our foolishness, and endured the foolishness of the cross that we might delight in His wisdom.
My friend, the "married" lesbian. Well, if I've already poked the frozen hornet's nest where Santa lives, I might as well go back to the issue that draws fire from all sides. I have a female soldier friend out here who is married to another woman. I could tell her that such marriage does not make sense, but I do not. She is now having some significant relationship issues. I could tell her that such issues are magnified in relationships with a sexual carbon copy of yourself, but I do not. She knows she can talk to me, and I will pray for both her and "Nadya." I will pray that the brokenness of this relationship will drive her to the cross, just as I must pray that the brokenness of a promiscuous heterosexual relationship will drive people to the cross, and just as I must pray that the brokenness of properly ordered marriages drive people to the cross. The reality is, whether living in a sinful relationship or not, we are all sinners in relationships, desperately in need of the cross.
Won't someone think of the children? We had a 5k this morning to raise support for Operation Outreach--our group that makes flammable bricks for the poor during these bitter winters. We raised a couple hundred dollars, with hopefully more to come. Here's a pic (the Aussie in the Spider Man outfit won):
The VBIED. A Toyota Corolla packed with explosives rammed one of our armored coalition vehicles near the post today. Most people here felt it. The sirens went off, the big voice went on, and people started rushing to their positions in case there was a follow up attack. Sadly, there were coalition casualties and fatalities in this attack. More families left with nothing but pictures.
No crying He makes? I sparred a little with another Christian earlier this week over whether Jesus did or did not cry as a baby. He argued that a baby's cries are inherently sinful, and as Christ was without sin, He could not have cried as a baby. I argued that while babies themselves are inherently sinful, there are no grounds to the assertion that their cries are sinful. In fact, crying seems to be a fundamental human response to life in broken world. Later in life, Jesus wept over Jerusalem and his friend, Lazarus. He wept over the fallen condition of this world and of mankind.
He took His tears to the cross, every tear of His people to one day wipe away.
(15)
118. That is the number of counseling sessions I have performed while here in country. That does not count the two dozen or so sessions while in Texas. At the current pace, I will likely hit 150 by the end of the deployment. The dominant issue that soldiers deal with is family/relationships, followed at a distant second by professional dynamics. This reinforces the continued need for proactive and preventative care for marriages, coping strategies for married couples going through a deployment, and measures to ease the reintegration of soldiers into their families post-deployment.
Proverbs. Some Christians treat this book of the Bible as a handbook for managing money or raising a family. I think a soldier of mine understands it better, though in incomplete form. He is reading through the Bible for the second time on this deployment. He dreads the day he arrives again at Proverbs, as it made him break down last time. He said it reminded him of how much of a failure he truly his. What he understands is that none of us can fulfill God's requirement for perfect wisdom, just as we can't fulfill the demands of His perfect law. Proverbs is not meant to be a self-righteous checklist--it drives us to the cross. And that is why this soldier's tears, as poignant as they are in showing the power of the law, are misplaced. We should weep when reading Proverbs, but only because Christ, the God-man and wisdom incarnate, offered His perfect wisdom in place of our foolishness, and endured the foolishness of the cross that we might delight in His wisdom.
My friend, the "married" lesbian. Well, if I've already poked the frozen hornet's nest where Santa lives, I might as well go back to the issue that draws fire from all sides. I have a female soldier friend out here who is married to another woman. I could tell her that such marriage does not make sense, but I do not. She is now having some significant relationship issues. I could tell her that such issues are magnified in relationships with a sexual carbon copy of yourself, but I do not. She knows she can talk to me, and I will pray for both her and "Nadya." I will pray that the brokenness of this relationship will drive her to the cross, just as I must pray that the brokenness of a promiscuous heterosexual relationship will drive people to the cross, and just as I must pray that the brokenness of properly ordered marriages drive people to the cross. The reality is, whether living in a sinful relationship or not, we are all sinners in relationships, desperately in need of the cross.
Won't someone think of the children? We had a 5k this morning to raise support for Operation Outreach--our group that makes flammable bricks for the poor during these bitter winters. We raised a couple hundred dollars, with hopefully more to come. Here's a pic (the Aussie in the Spider Man outfit won):
The VBIED. A Toyota Corolla packed with explosives rammed one of our armored coalition vehicles near the post today. Most people here felt it. The sirens went off, the big voice went on, and people started rushing to their positions in case there was a follow up attack. Sadly, there were coalition casualties and fatalities in this attack. More families left with nothing but pictures.
No crying He makes? I sparred a little with another Christian earlier this week over whether Jesus did or did not cry as a baby. He argued that a baby's cries are inherently sinful, and as Christ was without sin, He could not have cried as a baby. I argued that while babies themselves are inherently sinful, there are no grounds to the assertion that their cries are sinful. In fact, crying seems to be a fundamental human response to life in broken world. Later in life, Jesus wept over Jerusalem and his friend, Lazarus. He wept over the fallen condition of this world and of mankind.
He took His tears to the cross, every tear of His people to one day wipe away.
(15)
26.12.13
Mom and Dad, Driving the Sleigh
For the Christian, Christmas should fundamentally be about Jesus, just as every day should ideally have Jesus Christ as the focus. As God through Paul says in 1 Corinthians, "Whether you eat or drink--whatever you do--do it to the glory of God." And only the person who believes in Jesus Christ can do anything to the glory of God, for it is God (alone) who works in you to will and work for His good pleasure.
But just as the civil holiday we call Christmas has diverse roots, so it serves as a holiday, not merely for Christians, but for all people. And as the vast majority of Americans celebrate Christmas, but not Christ, we should ask what it is that this vast majority is truly celebrating?
People have every right to celebrate Santa, but as witnessed with the growing number of young parents who don't do Santa, selling children a myth has consequences.
First, many children, when grown older, feel lied to. It would be one thing if parents really believed in the Santa of the North Pole and were passing their beliefs down to their children. But there are few adults who believe in Santa. Rather, parents by and large take something they know to be untrue, and present it to the children as truth. For many, the first question asked after learning that Santa is a myth is "Then why did you tell me he was real?" That is hard to answer.
Second, the myth of Santa can prove to be more scary than magical. I remember being told one Christmas Eve that Santa would only come if I fell asleep. I was terrified--and was awake half the night, imagining how I had ruined Christmas. But this instance pales in comparison to the larger belief propagated that Santa will give presents or coal based on whether a child is naughty or nice. In other words, Santa is keeping tabs on your behavior all year round and sword is hanging over your head. There is much more law and judgment in this sentiment than grace and love.
Third, Santa distracts from the true gift-givers on Christmas, from a civil perspective--Mom and Dad. Once a year, Mom and Dad give gifts to their children, not to reward good behavior or punish misbehavior, but because they love their children and want to give them gifts.
Thus, we should tear the beard and hat off of Dad, and expose him for who he is--not a mythical man of omniscient judgment, but a gentle and tender father who gives out of love and grace. And Mrs. Claus--Mom--is not in the background of this picture, but is hand-in-hand with her best friends, seeking to bless her children.
We don't have to lose Santa entirely. My little boy was taken to see "Santa" just recently. But when he is old enough to understand, we'll introduce him to the nice, old man who is dressing up in a costume for Christmas in order to share the love that mommies and daddies around the world have for their children.
And, as kids are given a holiday centered on loving authority figures and gracious gifts, they are more encouraged to look to the Creator of this world and Giver of grace by faith in Jesus Christ.
But just as the civil holiday we call Christmas has diverse roots, so it serves as a holiday, not merely for Christians, but for all people. And as the vast majority of Americans celebrate Christmas, but not Christ, we should ask what it is that this vast majority is truly celebrating?
People have every right to celebrate Santa, but as witnessed with the growing number of young parents who don't do Santa, selling children a myth has consequences.
First, many children, when grown older, feel lied to. It would be one thing if parents really believed in the Santa of the North Pole and were passing their beliefs down to their children. But there are few adults who believe in Santa. Rather, parents by and large take something they know to be untrue, and present it to the children as truth. For many, the first question asked after learning that Santa is a myth is "Then why did you tell me he was real?" That is hard to answer.
Second, the myth of Santa can prove to be more scary than magical. I remember being told one Christmas Eve that Santa would only come if I fell asleep. I was terrified--and was awake half the night, imagining how I had ruined Christmas. But this instance pales in comparison to the larger belief propagated that Santa will give presents or coal based on whether a child is naughty or nice. In other words, Santa is keeping tabs on your behavior all year round and sword is hanging over your head. There is much more law and judgment in this sentiment than grace and love.
Third, Santa distracts from the true gift-givers on Christmas, from a civil perspective--Mom and Dad. Once a year, Mom and Dad give gifts to their children, not to reward good behavior or punish misbehavior, but because they love their children and want to give them gifts.
Thus, we should tear the beard and hat off of Dad, and expose him for who he is--not a mythical man of omniscient judgment, but a gentle and tender father who gives out of love and grace. And Mrs. Claus--Mom--is not in the background of this picture, but is hand-in-hand with her best friends, seeking to bless her children.
We don't have to lose Santa entirely. My little boy was taken to see "Santa" just recently. But when he is old enough to understand, we'll introduce him to the nice, old man who is dressing up in a costume for Christmas in order to share the love that mommies and daddies around the world have for their children.
And, as kids are given a holiday centered on loving authority figures and gracious gifts, they are more encouraged to look to the Creator of this world and Giver of grace by faith in Jesus Christ.
25.12.13
The Gift
First, the gift must be bound up...
Don't forget the bow...
Now, to open up the gift...
Why don't we hang it on the tree?
24.12.13
With Christ Comes Hope
This precious baby was born to a soldier named Andy yesterday.
Andy grew up in a broken and dysfunctional home. His dad died in a car crash when he was little. His mom remarried, and his step-dad shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ with Andy and his brother, who both subsequently believed.
But Andy's mom is a mess. She cheated on his step-dad, foisted a divorce upon him, and has subsequently been sleeping with her boyfriend. Andy's brother even had the misfortune of walking in on them, which will likely result in additional therapy down the line for him.
When Andy and his brother have the gall to question their mother on her behavior, she accuses them of not wanting her to be happy. If only this type of situation was an anomaly.
Andy's wife hasn't had it easy either. While she grew up in a Christian family, she has enmeshment issues with her mother--a problem all too common nowadays. These issues usually stem from an unsatisfying marriage where husband and wife are not best friends, and instead, make their children their primary focus.
Often times, this results in a parent, often the mother, making one of her children her best friend to fulfill the role that is not fulfilled by her husband. Enmeshment between mother and daughter or son becomes especially problematic when it is time for the child to get married. When that grown child leaves his/her mother behind, it carries the weight and pain of divorce or abandonment.
This is what Andy's wife had to deal with as she cleaved to a husband who had to deal with his own dysfunctional upbringing.
But they each have a relationship with Jesus Christ, and while that does not protect them from sin or suffering, it imbues each day with new hope. So they labor diligently to love each other and proactively care for their marriage through mentor couples and counseling. They are best friends, and though they are sinners, they know they are no longer beholden to their families' sins.
They have twin two-year-old boys, and now they have Vivian Grace. Andy wasn't there for Vivian's birth, but he is not discouraged. He and his wife now celebrate the birth of three children. And hope bounds eternal for them with their children, marriage, and life together. Why? Because even in a season apart like this, their young family can celebrate the birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus, as well as their spiritual birth, life in Christ, death to death's sting, future resurrection, and life eternal with their Savior.
I don't think Andy and his wife know this, but Vivian comes from the Latin for "life" (think, "vivify"). Thus, Vivian Grace is a perfect name for this Christmas season, where Christians can celebrate the life they have by grace through faith in Christ.
23.12.13
Doctrine Divides...And I Love It
Update 2: The wife of one of my Air Force officer buddies just went into labor. They already have twin boys. His name is Andrew and her name is Brittany. He is part of our Bible study and we have been praying for them for a couple of months now. Please pray for Brittany in her time of labor apart from her husband, for the health and safety of this precious child, and for Andrew as he anxiously and helplessly awaits this marvelous gift of God.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Update 1: It looks like the Ragnar Relay has decided to sponsor a team of my choosing for the next race in the DC area (this coming September). Family, friends, and fellow soldiers, beware--this show is coming to a theater near you!
_______________________________________________________________________________
As I have filled my off hours with thousands of pages of reading in Game of Thrones, I have also occasionally dipped into the great classic by Machen, Christianity and Liberalism. The book contains a number of powerful lessons for the Church and for Christians today, but the one that I have been chewing on recently is this: For the Christian, doctrine is not grounded in experience; experience is grounded in doctrine.
I think to one of my favorite "life-verses:" Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But it was for this very that he came, that in me, the foremost of sinners, he might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who might believe and have eternal life. (1 Tim. 1:15-16)
In essence, Paul begins this passage by saying that he is about to repeat a common creed that is passing between the lips of fellow believers in that day. And as this creed or "saying" is "trustworthy," it should be committed to the hearts of believers. Right off the bat, we see that Paul considers doctrine to be of paramount importance. What is this doctrine?
That "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." If one was to be technical in describing what doctrine is, it would go something like this: Doctrine=truth+meaning. The Bible is one great work of Christ-centered doctrine, showing the vast body of fundamental, heavenly truths across the landscape of redemptive-history, and providing the meaning of these truths.
Thus, you have a historical fact, "Christ Jesus came into the world," and its meaning, "to save sinners." The truth, in and of itself, means nothing. One can acknowledge that Christ came from heaven, lived a perfect life on earth, was dead, buried, resurrected, and ascended to heaven...and still be hell-bound (even the demons believe, and shudder). Providing the meaning of a truth apart from the truth would likewise be futile. One can tell people all day that Christ can save them and/or change their lives, but unless who Christ is and what Christ did in history on behalf of particular type of God and for the sake of a particular type of people is presented, then such a message means nothing.
But you link the two together, as Scripture does throughout, and you have the beauty and majesty of Christian doctrine. In the Bible, God provides His Truth as the saving anchor for sinful souls, and He gives the meaning of His Truth to chain sinful souls to that saving anchor.
In the case of this particular passage, this doctrine provides not only the substance of Christian belief, but also the basis for Christian living (lives that in weakness display that merciful character of God shown most magnificently on the cross), and the basis of evangelism (presenting doctrine first and presenting our lives only as the sinful vessels into which God pours His grace). But of course, biblical doctrine does not only provide the basis for Christian living or evangelism, but it makes all of these things means by which we might achieve our greater end: the glory of God (v17).
Doctrine does indeed divide--not believers, but bone from marrow as it is sharper than any two-edged sword. May the beauties of the truth of the Gospel and its import for believers radiate through our hearts and redound to the glory of God!
_______________________________________________________________________________
Update 1: It looks like the Ragnar Relay has decided to sponsor a team of my choosing for the next race in the DC area (this coming September). Family, friends, and fellow soldiers, beware--this show is coming to a theater near you!
_______________________________________________________________________________
As I have filled my off hours with thousands of pages of reading in Game of Thrones, I have also occasionally dipped into the great classic by Machen, Christianity and Liberalism. The book contains a number of powerful lessons for the Church and for Christians today, but the one that I have been chewing on recently is this: For the Christian, doctrine is not grounded in experience; experience is grounded in doctrine.
I think to one of my favorite "life-verses:" Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But it was for this very that he came, that in me, the foremost of sinners, he might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who might believe and have eternal life. (1 Tim. 1:15-16)
In essence, Paul begins this passage by saying that he is about to repeat a common creed that is passing between the lips of fellow believers in that day. And as this creed or "saying" is "trustworthy," it should be committed to the hearts of believers. Right off the bat, we see that Paul considers doctrine to be of paramount importance. What is this doctrine?
That "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." If one was to be technical in describing what doctrine is, it would go something like this: Doctrine=truth+meaning. The Bible is one great work of Christ-centered doctrine, showing the vast body of fundamental, heavenly truths across the landscape of redemptive-history, and providing the meaning of these truths.
Thus, you have a historical fact, "Christ Jesus came into the world," and its meaning, "to save sinners." The truth, in and of itself, means nothing. One can acknowledge that Christ came from heaven, lived a perfect life on earth, was dead, buried, resurrected, and ascended to heaven...and still be hell-bound (even the demons believe, and shudder). Providing the meaning of a truth apart from the truth would likewise be futile. One can tell people all day that Christ can save them and/or change their lives, but unless who Christ is and what Christ did in history on behalf of particular type of God and for the sake of a particular type of people is presented, then such a message means nothing.
But you link the two together, as Scripture does throughout, and you have the beauty and majesty of Christian doctrine. In the Bible, God provides His Truth as the saving anchor for sinful souls, and He gives the meaning of His Truth to chain sinful souls to that saving anchor.
In the case of this particular passage, this doctrine provides not only the substance of Christian belief, but also the basis for Christian living (lives that in weakness display that merciful character of God shown most magnificently on the cross), and the basis of evangelism (presenting doctrine first and presenting our lives only as the sinful vessels into which God pours His grace). But of course, biblical doctrine does not only provide the basis for Christian living or evangelism, but it makes all of these things means by which we might achieve our greater end: the glory of God (v17).
Doctrine does indeed divide--not believers, but bone from marrow as it is sharper than any two-edged sword. May the beauties of the truth of the Gospel and its import for believers radiate through our hearts and redound to the glory of God!
22.12.13
Random (Positive) Tidbits
The advantage of a regular, introspective blog--like a journal--is that it is easy to look over past writings and note both their tone and the heart behind them. I don't know if you've noticed, but much of my writing has cast a much darker hue than it did originally. Knowing this, I would like to highlight several positives from this past week.
Two of my soldiers welcomed new babies into the world. Justice and his wife welcomed their fourth child; Antwone and his girlfriend welcomed their first. In fact, Antwone's baby was born just a little while ago and he has been aglow ever since. In an culture that tends to disparage children, it is wonderful to see these daddy-hearts toward these precious little ones.
I preached twice today--once for the regular traditional service, then soon after as a guest preacher for the Gospel service. Whether it is a result of my diverse upbringing or my animated personality, I tend to feel more comfortable in Gospel-type services. It makes me excited to do pulpit supply at our predominantly black, soon-to-be church plant in Gaithersburg.
It looks as though the engagement will fall through for the soldier with whom I was conducted relationship counseling. This was somewhat expected, as it seemed his fiancee had given up. Nothing spells the end of a relationship like one party decided he/she doesn't need/want help.
On the bright side, I was working with this soldier to get himself right spiritually during this process. When he called me up last night to tell me that the relationship was likely over, he told me that his grief was accompanied by a great sense of peace. He is drawing closer to the Lord, and that is the most important thing. He is reading some materials I gave him and came to chapel this morning.
I will continue to counsel him, not on reconciling a relationship, but on how to care for and be a good friend to the mother of his child, how to be a better father, and most importantly, how to find his identity and purpose in the saving work of Jesus Christ.
I also met a JAG a few weeks ago who has joined the choir I helped set up for our Christmas Eve service. I ran into her at Operation Outreach (our volunteer/service organization) this afternoon, and discovered that she grew up in the RPCNA (a Psalm-singing only, sister denomination). She went to Hillsdale College, and her denomination would have gatherings at Calvin College every couple of years.
She has also disavowed the faith as a result of her struggles with theodicy (the justification of God in the light of evil). I told her that I love talking matters of theodicy. I hope that in these final weeks that I am here, God will grant me opportunities to wrestle with this gal on this difficult subject and draw her back to the throne of grace, where such struggles find their resolution.
Finally, I continue my reputation as the "singing chaplain" at our Operation Outreach events (twice a week). My walking jukebox includes classic Christmas hymns, Usher, Outkast, Andrea Bocelli, Josh Groban, N'Sync, and R. Kelly, amongst others. I can no longer attend these events without people asking "Why aren't you singing, chaplain?" I heard several other people singing while working today as well, and hope that the bug is catching. We shall see!
Two of my soldiers welcomed new babies into the world. Justice and his wife welcomed their fourth child; Antwone and his girlfriend welcomed their first. In fact, Antwone's baby was born just a little while ago and he has been aglow ever since. In an culture that tends to disparage children, it is wonderful to see these daddy-hearts toward these precious little ones.
I preached twice today--once for the regular traditional service, then soon after as a guest preacher for the Gospel service. Whether it is a result of my diverse upbringing or my animated personality, I tend to feel more comfortable in Gospel-type services. It makes me excited to do pulpit supply at our predominantly black, soon-to-be church plant in Gaithersburg.
It looks as though the engagement will fall through for the soldier with whom I was conducted relationship counseling. This was somewhat expected, as it seemed his fiancee had given up. Nothing spells the end of a relationship like one party decided he/she doesn't need/want help.
On the bright side, I was working with this soldier to get himself right spiritually during this process. When he called me up last night to tell me that the relationship was likely over, he told me that his grief was accompanied by a great sense of peace. He is drawing closer to the Lord, and that is the most important thing. He is reading some materials I gave him and came to chapel this morning.
I will continue to counsel him, not on reconciling a relationship, but on how to care for and be a good friend to the mother of his child, how to be a better father, and most importantly, how to find his identity and purpose in the saving work of Jesus Christ.
I also met a JAG a few weeks ago who has joined the choir I helped set up for our Christmas Eve service. I ran into her at Operation Outreach (our volunteer/service organization) this afternoon, and discovered that she grew up in the RPCNA (a Psalm-singing only, sister denomination). She went to Hillsdale College, and her denomination would have gatherings at Calvin College every couple of years.
She has also disavowed the faith as a result of her struggles with theodicy (the justification of God in the light of evil). I told her that I love talking matters of theodicy. I hope that in these final weeks that I am here, God will grant me opportunities to wrestle with this gal on this difficult subject and draw her back to the throne of grace, where such struggles find their resolution.
Finally, I continue my reputation as the "singing chaplain" at our Operation Outreach events (twice a week). My walking jukebox includes classic Christmas hymns, Usher, Outkast, Andrea Bocelli, Josh Groban, N'Sync, and R. Kelly, amongst others. I can no longer attend these events without people asking "Why aren't you singing, chaplain?" I heard several other people singing while working today as well, and hope that the bug is catching. We shall see!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)