Self-Control

“Be self controlled and alert.”  Peter reminds us three times in his first letter to be self controlled.  His epistle is full of powerful imperatives, based on the indicative of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and it has been too long since I have slowly read through these late letters to the church.  I’ve been a long time in the Psalms, and also reading through slowly from Genesis now in Joshua.  But a small, simple Sunday school class today reminded me of the jewels in 1 Peter.  Four couples, sitting around a round table, wrapping up a study in Peter, sharing highlights, was in fact the highlight of my day. 

We are settling into Ft Bragg together as a family, even if we are still looking for housing.  I don’t know if we’ll be in temporary hotel housing for Christmas, or a friend’s home house-sitting, or Extended Stay, but I’m thrilled we are here, and together.  I have done my Ft Bragg orientation, now I start my unit orientation beginning Tuesday.  Lord, give me a humble confidence as I begin my work here, may I be winsome and as general as possible without compromising my faith or the Gospel of Christ.  Grant Lucibeth health, perseverance, clarity of mind, and enjoyment of the kids.  Open up a home in our base housing neighborhood so we can settle in as quickly as possible and get back to a normal, healthy routine.  Amen!

Taking hold of the land

“Take hold of that life which is truly life!” This command of Paul’s reflects the taking of the land by Israel in the conquest under Joshua.  God has ‘given over’ their enemies into their hands, God has brought them to the verge, God has promised to be with them, yet he says to Joshua, “You are old and advanced in years, and there remains yet very much land to possess.” 

Both of these texts reflect the flow and framework of our lives today.  I’m not as old as Joshua, but I’m getting there.  God has saved me, but there is much sanctifying work that remains.  He has given me eternal life, but he commands me also to ‘take hold of that life which is truly life.’ I take this to mean, live life to the full in every way.  This is not an invitation to hedonism or personal peace and affluence—we have that invitation already from our culture.  It is a call to become who we are, to have our lives reflect in every way the reality of our eternal destiny. It is to root out stubborn remaining sin patterns, hiding in the corner of the land, and destroy them.  It is a call to look sin in the eye, which we may otherwise say, ‘It’s no use,’ and go to battle.  It is a call to say, ‘I’m not so set in my ways that I can no longer change, for God says we are a people who are ever changing from glory to glory.’   It is a call to the gym. To beat our bodies, as Paul says—not aimlessly, but bringing them under subjection of Christ, so that we will be ready, Christ-like, looking forward, eagerly awaiting when our Lord and Savior appears to take us to that life which is truly life. 

My first two days of paperwork and waiting in lines have been incredible.  I doubt anyone has ever said or written that of Fort Bragg in-processing.    The maze of buildings, lines, and paperwork is teaching me to be assertive, ask good questions, follow up, and not back down.  These betray one corner of my own indwelling sin that God is dealing with at this stage.  It is difficult and challenging, but exciting to shine the light on it, and go to work.

I will bring my family Saturday to join me finally at Ft Bragg.  God, give us wisdom on temporary housing, and open up base housing quickly for us to get settled and to get in healthy routines together again as a family.  God give us perfect neighbors—perfectly suited for us to encourage as believers, and to reach out to and love for those unbelievers.

Arrived

I finished training and have arrived at Ft. Bragg. Last week's banquet was incredible, but not because I helped coordinate it.  I feel as if God has given me a heightened ability to be myself and to be comfortable in my own skin.  I was more relaxed at the banquet than any other formal occasion I can remember. Graduation was Friday which was equally enjoyable--but not as relaxing because precision and stress were added.  I'll travel back to Charlotte Saturday in a small U-Haul to pick up the family and our belongings there.

Praise God that I've come to Ft Bragg from training with another friend, who is also in the PCA.  Especially so because he could pick me up when my car broke down tonight. We will have 'in-processing' for a week or so (paperwork, medical, dental), then I'll get to work.  So much to learn, so much unknown, but one day at a time, and God will take care of us all the way.

What an incredible adventure, what a life transition. God, give strength, wisdom, health, humility, boldness, and faithfulness to your calling.  God, strengthen Lucibeth with her health issues, anxiety, fears, shepherding of children's hearts, packing up the apartment; mature our kids, may they love and serve one another, and may you draw them to yourself.

Last Week

This is the last week.  Training has been so intense, there has been much sweat, some tears...no blood I guess.  But lots of bonding.  Last week was the Capstone, a week in the field, at a mock forward operating base, putting into practice all we have learned.  We went on a convoy and were hit by explosive devices, we had casualties, we practiced first aid, we counseled soldiers, and we briefed commanders.  We cleaned the latrines, and went on guard duty late at night.  The other Chaplains and myself have a sense that we have learned enough, we still have lots to learn, but we are ready to move on and put into practice all that we have done the  last 3 months. 

Lucibeth comes to join me this week for a Spouses Seminar and Banquet, the graduation Friday.  Next Monday I'll drive to Ft Bragg to sign in and do piles of paperwork, find some temporary lodging, and bring my family over the next week.  We'll be there until our on-base housing is ready for us, probably in 30-60 days. 

I am excited, and a little nervous.  I'm incredibly thankful God has gotten me through this season.  I'm amazed and thankful I have been mostly healthy throughout, as I've seen many peers go down for a time with colds, flu, or pulled hamstrings.  I have a strong sense that I am not only in physical training, but that I'm in spiritual training--God working on specific areas of my life in ways perfectly suited for the military.   He is also working on Lucibeth, causing her to trust in him more where she may have leaned on me in the past.  Praise God. 

Capstone

Tomorrow early we set off on a road march to a mock Forward Operating Base on Fort Jackson.  There we will put into practice all we have learned in a simulated battle situation.  We will have much to carry, and 5 miles to march in, and back out four days later.

Then back for banquet, lots of administrative out-processing, and graduation.  Then LOTS OF MOVE details: driving to Bragg alone, finding temp lodging for family, moving them the next weekend, finding storage for our Charlotte belongings, waiting for our home to come available hopefully in 1-2 months, then moving our household goods from storage in FL.

Pray for Lucibeth and her health, for our kids, for teachable opportunities and patience, and shepherding hearts, adventurous spirits, and closeness to one another, and to God through Christ.