“Red, Yellow, Black & White; They Are Precious In His Sight”

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This morning, I conducted what we call chapel/religious services with my guys at Warfighter. I’d not had much sleep and was very sluggish this morning after very little rest. The enemy kept whispering to me, “No one’s going to come to your service, chaplain. It’s going to fail.” But I pressed on.

I went and ate a few runny eggs and greasy bacon at chow and labored to pray to the Lord: “God, bring your people. Use me to encourage them this morning. Glorify yourself.” But I still felt enervated. And the passage I had chosen to teach was from James, about perseverance amidst trials. I felt the internal conflict. How could I encourage my fellow soldiers when I’d slept so little and felt so insufficient? But I pressed on.

I went around the area of operations and checked on everyone and reminded them of the service in the next hour. Soon, the shelter began to see bodies. Soldiers showed up–red, yellow, black, and white, and all of us in Army green. “What can we do to set up, chaplain?” they asked.

“If y’all can set up some tables and chairs, that’d be great.” Inside, I was suddenly bursting with joy. They were showing up.

Within three minutes, about 35 soldiers were gathered. I felt like God had said, “Hey, chaplain. Watch this. Don’t doubt me.”

My cup was suddenly full.

I laid out the elements for the Lord’s Supper, opened my notebook with sermon notes, and opened my Bible, and began.

A buddy of mine snapped a few pictures of some of us.

I taught through a couple of verses from James and Peter, and cross-referenced a passage from Hebrews 12. The soldiers opened up. We talked. I listened. Then I taught some more, and tried to truly listen to our guys. God moved.

Afterwards, a lieutenant came up to me to speak. He shared about his family, his faith background, and about his military ambitions. Then another soldier came to me about his kids. Then another soldier and I spoke of his struggles and his appreciation for the homily. On and on it went. “Red, yellow, black, and white; they are precious in his sight,” is the way the ditty goes from children’s church. Guess what? That’s true, still.

It’s not about our insecurities. It’s not about our insufficiencies. It’s about God. It’s that Christ is all and he is sufficient. “From every tribe, language, people, and nation” is the way John phrases it in Revelation. Yes and amen.

Chaplain Daily Touchpoint from Army Warfighter (WFX)

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I’m with my unit for Army training. Our Soldiers are executing their respective roles. The signal guys are getting our commo online; our logisticians are keeping us supplied for the training iteration; our intel folks are gathering all critical threat assessments and mitigation plans; our aviation folks are prepping for all manner of dangers from above; our fires team is staging artillery assets for offense and defense; our legal team makes sure we’re doing everything legally, morally, and ethically. On and on it goes with the various roles and responsibilities. It’s impressive to see my fellow Soldiers do what they’re trained to do–train, fight, and win the nation’s wars. 

This morning, the winds in our location lashed our tents. An NCO took our brigade colors and reinforced the staff so that the colors remained standing (see attached photo). He didn’t know that I took his photo, but I texted it to him later. That action by him captured something invisible made visible. It’s not about the individual, but about the team. It’s about the mission. But the mission requires the individual. Quality men and women who do the right things when they think no one’s watching. 

As their chaplain, it’s my honor to minister hope, light, and truth to these fine American patriots. Press on, Volunteers. May the Lord find us faithful. 

So Long for Now, but I’ll See You Soon

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Death is an enemy. In the Christian worldview, it’s called “the last enemy.” Paul wrote, “The last enemy to be destroyed is death” (1 Cor 15:26).

This piece has two points: 1) Death is inevitable and 2) For all who are in Christ, death ushers Christians into the very presence of God. Death is, therefore, to be understood as a transition into God’s presence. Why? Because of the person and work of Christ.

This past week, I ‘lost’ a friend, Mr. David, to death. Leukemia ravaged his body. Physically, his white blood cells were eating the healthy blood cells. He had to have injections of platelets–again and again. But eventually, even that was insufficient.

First, like you, I feel the deep pain of loss. But I do not grieve as those without hope. God is bigger than death. Through Christ, God has conquered death for his people. And God is omnipresent; he is as near you as the person to your left and right. Near to us in our time of sorrow. Know that in your bones. God is near. 

     Let us acknowledge the sorrow of this time. We know that God understands sorrow. Jesus wept at the loss of a friend. In John 11, the apostle John records that when Jesus lost his friend Lazarus, Jesus “was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled” (Jn 11:33) and in verse 35, the apostle John records that Jesus wept. 

     Mr. David worked in the IT field for much of his career, then Disney in his later years, and was a “fixer” of almost anything. Prior to his civilian career, he was a U.S. Marine, and worked on helicopters. I knew him after he’d retired. He was a faithful churchman, businessman, and an avid traveler. He and his wife and their friends traveled across the country many times and have set foot in all 50 states. And their stories of RVing with friends made for many sweet conversations I had with them both. 

     When I was Mr. David’s Sunday school teacher and pastor, he was undergoing medical treatments, I’d always go to him and ask how his week was. He’d never complain. He’d answer my question but always end with, “I’m blessed. I’ve had  a good life.” I could tell he was in pain, but true to his nature, he didn’t complain. He eschewed the temptation lesser men might’ve had to feel sorry for themselves. And he’d invariably encourage me by saying kind words about my teaching and ministry, and we’d laugh and embrace. He was an encourager. 

     When I reflect on Mr. David’s legacy, I always remember him telling me of his peace. His supernatural peace. He did not fear death. Because he knew he’d open his eyes not in judgment but in benediction in God’s presence. Let me say this lovingly: Mr. David died well. Like Job, he knew that his redeemer lives, and he (Mr. David) also lives, because Jesus had prepared a place for him. So, yes, we grieve, but not as those outside of the gospel. 

     For all who are in Christ, death is not the end, life is. It’s a transition into the presence of God. Jesus, who cannot lie, promised resurrection and heaven to his people. 2 Cor 5:8 says that the believer, when away from the body, is at home with the Lord. 

     In his last letter he penned, the apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 4, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing” (2 Tim 4:7-8). 

     So, to the extended family, friends, and all who loved him, we love you and we loved Mr. David. We acknowledge our sorrow, but we also have the ultimate victory through Christ the Lord. 

     Let me leave you with this: If you are in Christ, dear ones, you will see Mr. David again. All will have been made well. But there’s one condition: be in Christ. Be in Christ and be made whole, be made well. I will see you again, dear brother. Well done. See you soon. 

Tree of Life

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Text: “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise” (Pr 11:30).

Question: Who would not want to be such a person?

Reflections: The idea here is one of blessing other people by being a blessing, to speak the words of life to another soul, to point others to fruitfulness and bounty rather than tearing others down and leaving them devoid of rescue and the hope of redemption.

A similar thought occurs in Daniel 12:3: “And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.”

In the picture above, the tree is in bloom. It shouts life. It shouts health. It trumpets beauty and vitality. Who would not want to be a vessel of such a message? That is, who would not long to be part of God’s plan to rescue and restore people to spiritual health? Those who hate God and hate redemption. Those who are anti-life.

This is why the Christian is outward-focused. He has tasted the water of life; therefore, he longs to pay that forward. As the old cliche goes, it’s one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread. The bread of life (Jesus) has come down as the manna from heaven to feed the hungry souls of men.

We are wise when we do this, when we are diligent to sow the seeds of the gospel. Pray that God tills the soil of the heart. May we long to see trees of life because of the great work of the triune God. The author of life died upon a tree in Jerusalem and was raised imperishable and undefiled three days later to show us that death for the believer is to meet God face to face and not be condemned. May we speak the words of life to all and pray for God to grant eyes and ears to see that eternal life awaits.

Friday Evening Scenes

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After work today I came home, talked with CJ for a while, played with Ladybug, ate an early supper of sandwiches and chips, watched the only television show I have liked in decades, and finally said, “I’m going to go wet a hook.”

“Okay, love. Have fun,” my wife said.

I gathered up four rods, some tackle, and loaded my car. I drove down to the lake. When I walked down to it, deer pellets were common in the grassy path down. Then as I got closer to the banks, goose turds lay black and fresh near the reeds by the water. I could smell the fish.

The wind was minimal and it was hot–still in the 80s. I was sweating already. When I reached my spot, I laid the four rods down and put on the lures I prefer and began casting. A few strikes but I failed to land any. Turtles were mating in the lake about 20 meters out, two mounted brown shells copulating at the water’s surface. A few doves flew overhead regularly.

Catching no fish in this spot, I walked to another but still no luck. Just the smell of them and the sounds of the water and an occasional pontoon boat far out in the lake.

I walked down to the rocks and cast some more. A mallard was alarmed at my presence and eventually paddled out farther and joined his partner.

The slight breeze felt so good coming across the water. An old man with a bulldog walked the edge of the lake farther down. The dog played at the edges of the lake.

I drove to a small pond after that and cast my favorite topwater torpedo, and lost a bass in the reeds. He popped my line. I laughed and cursed inside simultaneously. That is the way fishing goes.

When I returned home, a pregnant doe lay near the bottom of the driveway. She’ll birth soon, her belly so big now with her fawn(s).

‘Twas a simple evening, but peaceful. Thankful for such times. Now to shower and read and study more for Sunday’s sermon.

Reflections on ‘Distraction’

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“The only thing that consoles us for our miseries is distraction, yet that is the greatest of our wretchednesses. Becuase that is what mainly prevents us from thinking about ourselves and leads us imperceptibly to damnation. Without it we should be bored, and boredom would force us to search for a firmer way out, but distraction entertains us and leads us imperceptibly to death” (Pascal, Pensees, 10).

In Luke 10, Luke tells the story of Martha and Mary and what happened when Jesus entered a village:

38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” (Lk 10:38-42).

Martha was busy, busy, busy. She thought she was being helpful by being busy. But the Lord Jesus rebuked her. He told her she was “anxious and troubled about many things” (v. 41). On the other hand, Mary received the commendation from God. And what was that? That she (Mary) had chosen “the good portion” (v. 42). Mary, unlike Martha, rested in God. She didn’t get entangled with busyness for the sake of being busy. She cultivated fellowship with God. She quieted her soul in God. She didn’t fall prey to the web of endless distractions.

Encouragement: I do not think there has ever been a time in history when a culture can so easily drown in distraction as we have in our day. There’s simply no end of it. If you turn on the electronic device of your choice, the algorithms will send you down endless rivers of distraction. Literally, they’re endless. It’s the story of Martha and Mary amplified. Nothing has changed in that regard. We can either distract ourselves via endless media and entertainment or we can switch off and seek depth of mind and soul in God, in rest, in wisdom.

Recommended Reading

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There are a few non-fiction writers and thinkers whose works I always read. Carl Trueman is one of those. Why? Several things set Trueman apart:

  • His grasp of the history of thought
  • His grasp of alternatives: “If not that, then this.”
  • His pattern recognition. He’s gifted at seeing and explaining the consequences of ideas. What begins in the academy ends up as a t-shirt slogan. And many people advertise a worldview whose underpinnings they’re often unaware of. They don’t see the connections. Trueman does.
  • His fidelity to Christianity as man’s only hope for redemption and restoration
  • His intellectual depth but his humble spirit

I know of very few people who are readers. And of those who do read, depth of content is often absent in their choices. Most folks doomscroll and entertain themselves into further imbecility and distraction. On the other hand, I do know of those who read deep, important books. And for those few, here’s another volume from which you will profit. It will likely sharpen your thinking and enrich your soul. Because like in all of Trueman’s books, he shows the genesis of good ideas and bad ones, and then traces the history of those ideas in how they play out in actual history. And as always, he calls the wisest among us to Scripture, to Christ, and to life.

Thoughts on Covenant Faithfulness

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Recently I completed another reading of the 150 psalms in Scripture. Psalms come in myriad genres. Below are some of those types:

  • Prophetic
  • Royal
  • Messianic
  • Celebration
  • Lament
  • Wisdom
  • Worship

There are other types, too, but those are some of the most common.

I was struck particularly by some verses from Psalm 145 recently:

17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways
    and kind in all his works.
18 The Lord is near to all who call on him,
    to all who call on him in truth.
19 He fulfills the desire of those who fear him;
    he also hears their cry and saves them.
20 The Lord preserves all who love him,
    but all the wicked he will destroy. (Ps 145:17-20)

Several thinks stood out from these lines from David’s pen:

  • The righteousness of God (v. 17)
  • The fellowship with God (v. 18)
  • The covenant faithfulness of God (v. 19)
  • The salvation of God (v. 20)

Because I’m burdened for those who remain hostile to God, because I want to reach them with the good news of the gospel, I try to always understand their worldview. I think, for example, of how a person who rejects God deals with the reality of cancer or loss or divorce. As a person who believes God and believes these biblical attributes of God described above, I am promised the righteousness of God, fellowship with God, God’s fidelity to his covenant promises, and the salvation of God.

But the unbeliever who rejects these truths, where does he find hope? In psychological pep-talks? In bubblegum bromides? In horoscopes? In sundry forms of escape and endless distraction?

God’s nature is characterized by covenant faithfulness. God cannot lie. Unlike sinners, God cannot lie. That is crucial to understand. And it is a truth that brings the believer solace of soul. In a world drowning in deceptions, the balm from Gilead is covenant faithfulness found only in God, a salve for the pilgrim’s soul.