Death, where is your sting? Life, where is your sting?

1 Corinthians reminds us that if Christ has not been raised, then our faith is useless and we are still in our sin. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead!  This evening we go on a short field trip to USC Med School's gross anatomy lab.  The idea is that our instructors do not want our first experience with death and dismemberment to be on the battle field.  A good friend took me to this lab years ago, and I remember the surreal experience of cold, clammy skin.   This thought makes my role in the Army more real and sobering.  Yet, in Christ, there is no fear of death and dying.

Scotty Smith reminded me recently in a prayer that for those who have no fear of dying, we also have no fear of living, and really living life to the full.  Army training continues to be excellent.  We are now deeply into counseling soldiers in resilience, against suicide, marriage counseling, how to pick a partner and the like.  But as I learn, I am applying many Godly principles to myself, and I'm experiencing more freedom from past ways of thinking.  And more freedom to really live in joy, and not in fear.  Even some 'secular' methods have common grace insights, training us to help Soldiers be more healthy physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  I guess in the process I'm plundering the Egyptians for my own use, and am very thankful.