Conversational Prayer

"What is it you want?"  Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and  I answered the king.  Neh 2:3

I praised God yesterday for the privilege to pray for my Soldiers, any time, any where, out loud, or silently.  It struck me for some reason, that there is no limit.  A prayer life confined to meal times and church is a sad, restrictive life.  How freeing to know that part of my job (and all of our lives) is to pray for blessing, salvation, safety for others, healthy relationships, freedom from addictions, strong marriages, repentant spirits, wisdom, faith, health, an eternal perspective, a love for your Word, and on and on. 

Nehemiah shows us in the verse above a conversational prayer life inspired by grace and developed with maturity.  He reminds us our own faith is strengthened in the face of fear, or trial, but he shows us that his knee-jerk reaction is not to trust in himself, but in his God.  He goes to the sovereign Lord of the universe in the heat of the moment with no time to think, when pressed for an immidiate response. 

God, may we go to you in those times, and in times of blessing, exercising the incredible blessing, more and more often, of conversing with, depending on, and growing in depth with, or sovereign, heavenly Father, through Christ.

God, bless these marriage this weekend as we take a group of Soldiers and spouses on a marriage retreat to Myrtle Beach.  May they latch on to practical, helpful communication and relational tips; most of all may we clearly communicate the ultimate power for a healthy marriage, in the Gospel of Christ. 

Amen!

The Gracious Hand of God

"And because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests." - Neh 2:8

I have sensed God's gracious hand upon me and the ministry here of late.  Lucibeth and I have met with two couples for pre-marriage counseling and had clear opportunities to present and challenge to believe the Gospel.  I have had Soldiers attend my Bible studies who are clearly not believers, and one has agreed that God may be getting her attention through her challenges, and the study.  One Soldier has indicated willingness to go through Case for Christ, as he considers becoming a Christian. 

God's gracious hand is not always easy.  In the very next verse in Nehemiah, Sanballat is mentioned, who would be a thorn in his side for a long time to come.  I have had challenges as well, I have had to tell someone 'no' who wanted too much of me.  But even challenges are part of God's gracious hand, as he uses them to mold us into the image of Christ.

God, continue to work in and through me for your Glory; utilize even challenges and obstacles around me to advance your name, your kingdom, your glory.  Amen!

Driver's Ed

Learning how to drive a Hummer, lots of waiting around, hanging out with Soldiers. 

Recent pics

Driver training

Gas Mask Training

My Master Driver Trainer

Mend the Sails

This has been my hardest week yet.  My stress level the last two weeks has gone from near zero to pretty high last night at 2 a.m. when I couldn't sleep.  Ignorant bliss has finally turned into a much greater awareness of what I should be doing but am not, and a higher admin load, and more duties at chapel, and a request from my Battalion Commander, and a wedding request, and pre-marriage counseling...  It is all good, but I'm having to remind myself of the need to prioritize, say no, and be unable to please everyone.  I feel in a much better position to do that now than ever, though it is a challenge.

Seasons of refreshment must end, but that is not a bad thing.  It is an opportunity to exercise faith, grow in grace, and minister in his strength.  Rutherford says, "Expect storms.  And when it is calm, mend the sails.  God, strengthen us also during the calm for the fights ahead.

Today's Bible study was particularly encouraging.  For me personally--on the topic of stress, and to hear a Soldier walk out saying, "I can't believe I have been missing this."  God, thank you that it is only your Word that can elicit such a response.

Training and Counseling

These days it seems I'm only in classroom training, counseling, or at my desk doing admin.  I thank God for the chance to go to my denomination's chaplain training in Houston recently for encouragement, ideas, teaching, prayer, worship, and rest.  Then I went straight into training for Chaplains on how to conduct marriage and single Soldier retreats.  I spent a good deal of time dealing with, counseling, and sharing with an addict both in and out of the hospital. God, may this person's residential treatment be effective, most of all may her faith expressed take root by your Holy Spirit, and may you miraculously free her of her addictions.

Then I had the privilege of going to an amputee's home, listening to him, seeking to give him hope.  God, give him strength, courage and hope as he is fitted for a new prosthesis.  Give him friends, encouragement, and the drive to keep fighting.

My command team appreciates me, but if I were inspected administratively today, I would fail miserably.  God, help me to balance planning an administration with ministry of presence and counseling.  Make my office work effective and efficient; that I would work hard to the glory of God, even with files, computer and army documents.