"Heroism involves sacrifice, and the sacrifice of those our soldiers leave behind is enormous. Their heroism is immense. Thank them and pray for them at every opportunity."
John those are my sentiments exactly.
After all, I am a trained soldier. I volunteered to do this job. My mother (I am single---hence no spouse) on the other hand was not trained to do the job of waiting and worrying about me during this long year. Neither did she volunteer for this task. I guess it could be argued that all mothers worry about their sons and daughters but this is different. We are at war. A TOTAL army war. Something we haven’t had since Vietnam. I can hear some of yall saying, “wait a minute, what about Grenada, Panama, Bosnia and others. Those were wars.” Sure, if you were 82nd Airborne, 101st Airborne, 10th Mountain, Ranger or Special Forces. If you were in any other unit you probably weren’t involved in those. After September 11, 2001, our army has changed. It is no longer a garrison army. There is now a very good chance EVERY soldier in the army will go to Iraq or Afghanistan, multiple times. As an NCO, I have had to radically change my way of thought about training and mentoring my soldiers. Senior NCOs have offered me very good support on how to accomplish this. However, as good as the Family Resource Group (FRG) is at helping dependants. I am aware of no training for non-dependants. Dadmanly 's wife could probably explain the FRG much better than I. Folks we are in a changing world. Things are changing very fast. We have come to depend on instant knowledge worldwide as provided by the Internet, phones and television. I am not saying this is bad. On the contrary, this just veryifies that we are in the end times as described in the Bible. Yes, please continue praying for all of the loved ones back home. They are the true heroes here.
Friday, June 17, 2005
Who am I?
I am the second born of four kids to Charles and Lola Lanham. I am the only boy. Forty-three years old and my momma still calls me her baby. It doesn’t even bother me anymore. LOL My father died in January 2001 from Pancreatic cancer. Mom lives in Sentinel, Oklahoma, which is in the southwest corner of the state. It was her hometown. Her and dad retired there several years ago. My oldest sister Rhonda lives in Denver, Colorado. Next is Regina, she lives in Liberty, Texas. About 30 minutes from where we grew up. (Tarkington Prairie) She is my biggest fan. Youngest is Lori. She and her family just got back from Singapore. They will resettle in or near Houston, Texas.
I was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on 14 January 1962. When I was 8 my dad got transferred to Houston, Texas. When I was 17 we moved out of Houston to the country. We spent the summer in a pop up travel trailer. My oldest sister was married and gone by then, so it was only the 5 of us. I graduated from Tarkington High School in 1980. Within a week I was out of state working. I couldn’t wait to get to a big city. Now I can’t wait to retire to a sailboat so I can get away from the big cities. Funny how life is circular like that, isn’t it?
My hobbies include sailing, reading, scuba diving, genealogy and movies. Some say I collect ex-wives. LOL I laugh because of shamefulness and pain. I read magazines like they are going out of style, especially ones dealing with Christianity, Health, History and Sailing. I read lots of books too. My current favorite authors are Frank Peretti, John Gresham, Tom Clancy and Mel Odom. Mel writes an end times series of books from a soldier’s perspective. I actually will read pretty much anything I can get my hands on. It all depends on my mood. I read everything that deals with sailing, from pirates to modern day stuff. If given the time, I will research something to death before committing. Except relationships, I guess. I have a knight in shining armor complex. I love to rescue damsels (actually anything, kids, animals, etc.) in distress. I am currently reading The Three Meter Zone: Common Sense Leadership for NCOs by CSM (R) J D Pendry. I even bought all of my junior NCOs a copy.
I listen to Country and Contemporary Christian music. My favorites are Michael W Smith, SheDaisy, Third Day, Chely Wright, Chris Rice (have you heard of his Cartoon song?), Clint Black, Toby Keith, and anyone who sings about soldiers. Except the Dixie Chicks. NO one should talk negatively about his or her country outside of its borders. I believe in freedom of speech (heck, I fight for it as a soldier) but I hate the fact that Natalie gave in to pressure from the fans to make the comment she did in England. If she had said the same words in Texas, it would have been no big deal. It saddened me to hear that Chris Ledoux died. He was so talented and such a great American.
My favorite movies are…guess….that is right, sailing movies. LOL Captain Ron is my all time favorite movie. I love comedy and action/adventure films. My favorite actress, at this time, is Angelina Jolie. Not only is she drop dead gorgeous, but also she loves kids. Like me, she seems to have a thing for refugees and orphanages. She is the Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Her movie, Beyond Borders, really touched me. That is what I envision myself doing. But from a boat, I don’t want to put anyone out by making him or her have to provide me with a place to live. I want to sail up to a town. Get to know them. Build churches, schools and clinics if needed. Then sail in the supplies from time to time. I can hear you sarcastically saying, “Wow that must be rough”. To which I answer, Hey someone has to do it. Besides God didn’t say we had to be miserable while doing his work.
The TV shows I hate to miss are CSI: Crime Scene Investigations, CSI: NY, CSI: Miami, Tru Calling, and Alias.
I was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on 14 January 1962. When I was 8 my dad got transferred to Houston, Texas. When I was 17 we moved out of Houston to the country. We spent the summer in a pop up travel trailer. My oldest sister was married and gone by then, so it was only the 5 of us. I graduated from Tarkington High School in 1980. Within a week I was out of state working. I couldn’t wait to get to a big city. Now I can’t wait to retire to a sailboat so I can get away from the big cities. Funny how life is circular like that, isn’t it?
My hobbies include sailing, reading, scuba diving, genealogy and movies. Some say I collect ex-wives. LOL I laugh because of shamefulness and pain. I read magazines like they are going out of style, especially ones dealing with Christianity, Health, History and Sailing. I read lots of books too. My current favorite authors are Frank Peretti, John Gresham, Tom Clancy and Mel Odom. Mel writes an end times series of books from a soldier’s perspective. I actually will read pretty much anything I can get my hands on. It all depends on my mood. I read everything that deals with sailing, from pirates to modern day stuff. If given the time, I will research something to death before committing. Except relationships, I guess. I have a knight in shining armor complex. I love to rescue damsels (actually anything, kids, animals, etc.) in distress. I am currently reading The Three Meter Zone: Common Sense Leadership for NCOs by CSM (R) J D Pendry. I even bought all of my junior NCOs a copy.
I listen to Country and Contemporary Christian music. My favorites are Michael W Smith, SheDaisy, Third Day, Chely Wright, Chris Rice (have you heard of his Cartoon song?), Clint Black, Toby Keith, and anyone who sings about soldiers. Except the Dixie Chicks. NO one should talk negatively about his or her country outside of its borders. I believe in freedom of speech (heck, I fight for it as a soldier) but I hate the fact that Natalie gave in to pressure from the fans to make the comment she did in England. If she had said the same words in Texas, it would have been no big deal. It saddened me to hear that Chris Ledoux died. He was so talented and such a great American.
My favorite movies are…guess….that is right, sailing movies. LOL Captain Ron is my all time favorite movie. I love comedy and action/adventure films. My favorite actress, at this time, is Angelina Jolie. Not only is she drop dead gorgeous, but also she loves kids. Like me, she seems to have a thing for refugees and orphanages. She is the Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Her movie, Beyond Borders, really touched me. That is what I envision myself doing. But from a boat, I don’t want to put anyone out by making him or her have to provide me with a place to live. I want to sail up to a town. Get to know them. Build churches, schools and clinics if needed. Then sail in the supplies from time to time. I can hear you sarcastically saying, “Wow that must be rough”. To which I answer, Hey someone has to do it. Besides God didn’t say we had to be miserable while doing his work.
The TV shows I hate to miss are CSI: Crime Scene Investigations, CSI: NY, CSI: Miami, Tru Calling, and Alias.
Thursday, June 16, 2005
Closer than biological brothers
I think Dadmanly will agree with me. John, of blogotional, has a warrior’s heart. Thank you John from another soldier in the desert.
I agree with Dadmanly's Never Forget. I am closer to my military brothers and sisters than I am to my own family. I don’t have any biological brothers. And I am very close to my mother and sisters. (Dad died in 2001) Greg Adams and SSG Mike Scott are two “brothers” that have stuck with me through the years. I didn’t serve in a war zone with Greg but he is the closest thing to a brother I could ever have.
Greg and I served at the same kaisern in Geissen, Germany in the early 90s. He was a MP and I was (still am) a medic. He has since left the Army for life in Louisiana. He is a youth director of a small church near Bogalusa.
Mike and I worked together at Fort Lewis from 1999 until he became a flight medic. Then he shipped off to Fort Benning, Georgia. It could be argued that we served OIF III together. He was eating the same dirt Dadmanly, Mustang23 and I are eating now. I don’t know these two bloggers but just going through the same type of events makes me understand them a little bit more than I would have a year ago.
I know I have changed since being over here. I have matured. I have seen things I will never forget. Some good, some not so good. I have saved lives on more than one occasion. I once felt a life slipping through my hands. I can say one thing for sure. War is nothing like the movies.
I agree with Dadmanly's Never Forget. I am closer to my military brothers and sisters than I am to my own family. I don’t have any biological brothers. And I am very close to my mother and sisters. (Dad died in 2001) Greg Adams and SSG Mike Scott are two “brothers” that have stuck with me through the years. I didn’t serve in a war zone with Greg but he is the closest thing to a brother I could ever have.
Greg and I served at the same kaisern in Geissen, Germany in the early 90s. He was a MP and I was (still am) a medic. He has since left the Army for life in Louisiana. He is a youth director of a small church near Bogalusa.
Mike and I worked together at Fort Lewis from 1999 until he became a flight medic. Then he shipped off to Fort Benning, Georgia. It could be argued that we served OIF III together. He was eating the same dirt Dadmanly, Mustang23 and I are eating now. I don’t know these two bloggers but just going through the same type of events makes me understand them a little bit more than I would have a year ago.
I know I have changed since being over here. I have matured. I have seen things I will never forget. Some good, some not so good. I have saved lives on more than one occasion. I once felt a life slipping through my hands. I can say one thing for sure. War is nothing like the movies.
Prayer for a warzone
I am not talking about the soldier’s prayer. Though it is awesome. In fact I think there are several versions of it. Here is an awesome rendition with beautiful pictures.
Soldier’s Prayer very awesome
I get prayer grams from a church I attended in my 20s, First Baptist Church of Cleveland, Texas. It was my parents’ home church for many years. Not too far from the community we grew up in in the piney woods area of southeast Texas. Tarkington Prairie isn’t on many maps. It is only a wide spot in the road, or at least it was when I lived there so many years ago. Where has all the time gone? Life is truly fleeting. But I digress. We were talking about prayer and war zones. I know of others who also pray daily for my soldiers and I. Faithful hometown heroes and warriors in Texas, Oklahoma, California, Virginia and every other state in the Union, plus a few countries. These prayers being done on behalf of all military men and women worldwide are comforting to say the least. I feel I am on the safest FOB in Iraq. Our area is calm compared to Baghdad, Mosul and Fallujah. Names of cities you hear on the news with way too much regularity. I firmly believe it is peaceful here for a few reasons. One the “Automatic” battalion has struck fear in the insurgent’s black little hearts. Two, and most importantly, because of the hedge of protection prayed for our area, men and women. In my head I see angels standing at each tower surrounding the FOB. Big burly strong angels like Frank Peretti has in his tales of spiritual warfare, This Present Darkness and Piercing the Darkness. Does anyone else miss these books? I wish Frank would write more along these lines. Though I see he is very much involved in writing books for youth. Maybe he would give someone the rights to use his style of writing about spiritual warfare. It opened my eyes to how the angels fight all around us. Opened my eyes to how our prayers strengthen these spiritual fighters. I see puny little sulfur smelling demons trying to sneak in and wreak havoc on our moral and welfare. But the angels stand strong and proud because of your prayer.
So…my thanks to the prayer warriors everywhere. This war is being won by your efforts as well as the efforts of the front line soldiers. Neither can complete the mission without the other. We soldiers in desert camo deeply depend on the prayer and support of you warriors back home.
My daily personal prayer has been:
Dear Lord make my enemy, whether physical or spiritual, weary so he oversleeps today. Take his strength and health so he wont be able to come out and fight. Blur his vision so he can’t see clearly. Weaken him so he can’t handle a weapon properly or accurately. Cloud his mind so he can’t follow orders. Disorient him so he can’t find his way. Lord disrupt the supply lines so the enemy doesn’t get needed supplies. Discourage him so he goes home. Raise up arguments between him and his followers so they become useless. All this I pray in Jesus' name, AMEN.
Soldier’s Prayer very awesome
I get prayer grams from a church I attended in my 20s, First Baptist Church of Cleveland, Texas. It was my parents’ home church for many years. Not too far from the community we grew up in in the piney woods area of southeast Texas. Tarkington Prairie isn’t on many maps. It is only a wide spot in the road, or at least it was when I lived there so many years ago. Where has all the time gone? Life is truly fleeting. But I digress. We were talking about prayer and war zones. I know of others who also pray daily for my soldiers and I. Faithful hometown heroes and warriors in Texas, Oklahoma, California, Virginia and every other state in the Union, plus a few countries. These prayers being done on behalf of all military men and women worldwide are comforting to say the least. I feel I am on the safest FOB in Iraq. Our area is calm compared to Baghdad, Mosul and Fallujah. Names of cities you hear on the news with way too much regularity. I firmly believe it is peaceful here for a few reasons. One the “Automatic” battalion has struck fear in the insurgent’s black little hearts. Two, and most importantly, because of the hedge of protection prayed for our area, men and women. In my head I see angels standing at each tower surrounding the FOB. Big burly strong angels like Frank Peretti has in his tales of spiritual warfare, This Present Darkness and Piercing the Darkness. Does anyone else miss these books? I wish Frank would write more along these lines. Though I see he is very much involved in writing books for youth. Maybe he would give someone the rights to use his style of writing about spiritual warfare. It opened my eyes to how the angels fight all around us. Opened my eyes to how our prayers strengthen these spiritual fighters. I see puny little sulfur smelling demons trying to sneak in and wreak havoc on our moral and welfare. But the angels stand strong and proud because of your prayer.
So…my thanks to the prayer warriors everywhere. This war is being won by your efforts as well as the efforts of the front line soldiers. Neither can complete the mission without the other. We soldiers in desert camo deeply depend on the prayer and support of you warriors back home.
My daily personal prayer has been:
Dear Lord make my enemy, whether physical or spiritual, weary so he oversleeps today. Take his strength and health so he wont be able to come out and fight. Blur his vision so he can’t see clearly. Weaken him so he can’t handle a weapon properly or accurately. Cloud his mind so he can’t follow orders. Disorient him so he can’t find his way. Lord disrupt the supply lines so the enemy doesn’t get needed supplies. Discourage him so he goes home. Raise up arguments between him and his followers so they become useless. All this I pray in Jesus' name, AMEN.
Improving daily
Everyday I learn some new way to improve my blog. Mostly thanks to my new mentor, John Schroeder of Blogotional. On John’s advice, I did a search for other blogs talking about my subject of the day. I searched for the word “prayer” on Technorati and got 259,822 hits. After adding the word “soldier”, it reduced to 4302 hits. Still an overwhelming amount to sift through for good clean Christian information. I hope to get better as I work toward finding my niche in blogdom. I have figured out how to link to a certain blog. Now I need to find out how to link to a certain post in a blog. I welcome any ideas or shortcuts. The help section isn’t written in Texan so I find it hard to understand.
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Accountability and Influence
Today, I am gonna response to John S.'s comments to Three-meter zone of Influence. Good tough questions John.
My definition of accountability partner is someone who you talk to face to face daily. Someone you can call on any time of the day for support. A person of the same sex usually. The relationship has to be totally open and exposed to each other. No secrets. I had an accountability partner in Tacoma named John. However, since I have deployed we have drifted apart and not communicated in months. I understand that I cant fight the good fight alone but I havent trusted any particular soldier over here. Wait....I misspoke. That isnt entirely true. 1SG Mark Butera is a Christian, good friend and confidant. But he has changed batteries and works 40 km away.
Influencer is much easier. I am away from New Hope (my church in Tacoma) but Chaplain Curry is awesome. Not just because he is a Texan. LOL He is a great man of God. He was raised in the same theology as I was in the bible belt, so he "gets" me. I would have to say he is the big influencer in my fifty meter zone right now. You, John and Virginia, have been a big influence lately in getting me refocused on God. Yall two are such an inspiration to me and others. Whether you realize it or not you pushed me to get my voice out here. It is tough lowering my walls of defense but everyone has been kind so far. Your patience is helping me step out and be truthful...... in writing. This blog is becoming a great reminder for me. I am reading the Bible more (mainly so I can put a scripture with each post-but it is a start). Also so I dont sound too much like a fool. I am reading more Christian websites also. Therefore taking charge of my own discipleship.
My definition of accountability partner is someone who you talk to face to face daily. Someone you can call on any time of the day for support. A person of the same sex usually. The relationship has to be totally open and exposed to each other. No secrets. I had an accountability partner in Tacoma named John. However, since I have deployed we have drifted apart and not communicated in months. I understand that I cant fight the good fight alone but I havent trusted any particular soldier over here. Wait....I misspoke. That isnt entirely true. 1SG Mark Butera is a Christian, good friend and confidant. But he has changed batteries and works 40 km away.
Influencer is much easier. I am away from New Hope (my church in Tacoma) but Chaplain Curry is awesome. Not just because he is a Texan. LOL He is a great man of God. He was raised in the same theology as I was in the bible belt, so he "gets" me. I would have to say he is the big influencer in my fifty meter zone right now. You, John and Virginia, have been a big influence lately in getting me refocused on God. Yall two are such an inspiration to me and others. Whether you realize it or not you pushed me to get my voice out here. It is tough lowering my walls of defense but everyone has been kind so far. Your patience is helping me step out and be truthful...... in writing. This blog is becoming a great reminder for me. I am reading the Bible more (mainly so I can put a scripture with each post-but it is a start). Also so I dont sound too much like a fool. I am reading more Christian websites also. Therefore taking charge of my own discipleship.
Happy Birthday Army
The U.S. Army is celebrating it's 230th birthday today. My prayers go out to each and every soldier out there. Mission first, soldiers always!
Monday, June 13, 2005
Three Meter zone of Influence
In his book, The Three Meter Zone-Common Sense Leadership for NCOs, CSM J. D. Pendry talks of the three, fifty and one hundred-meter type of soldier. I would like to look at this from a different approach. Think of the three, fifty and one hundred-meter zones of influence. The person who makes the biggest impact on you is the person in your three-meter zone. Back to our Christian arena that would be the person in the pew next to you or your accountability partner. The fifty-meter zone would be your Sunday School teacher or bible study leader. Finally the one hundred-meter zone would include your pastor, evangelist, etc. I understand some of these lines can be blurred by friendship or other relationships.
The pastor has an impact but it is on a broad scale. He breathes fire and brimstone from the pulpit. He makes you squirm in the pew. At least until you get bored or so convicted you tune him out. Monday morning you canÂ’t remember the title of the sermon.
The bible study leader is somewhat closer to you but still not in your face. You probably only see this person once a week. What they say goes in one ear and out the other.
Your accountability partner or your Christian spouse or friend on the other hand knows you very intimately. They talk to you daily. They cut you no slack when you make a mistake. This person in the three meter zone will influence you the most. Scary huh? Makes me wonder if I blew my witness today. Was anyone watching? Yes, the Lord watches our every move. Talk about pressure to do the right thing.
So what about the new Christian that just moved in next door? Who helps him in the low times?
Each of us has been given a gift. It is up to us to recognize it, build it and use it to GodÂ’s glory and honor. didn'tdnÂ’t mean for this to become a sermon. I recognize my gift of teaching but the point of this blog was supposed to be me thinking aloud. And letting others give input to make me a better Christian and person. So is anyone out there reading this stuff?
The pastor has an impact but it is on a broad scale. He breathes fire and brimstone from the pulpit. He makes you squirm in the pew. At least until you get bored or so convicted you tune him out. Monday morning you canÂ’t remember the title of the sermon.
The bible study leader is somewhat closer to you but still not in your face. You probably only see this person once a week. What they say goes in one ear and out the other.
Your accountability partner or your Christian spouse or friend on the other hand knows you very intimately. They talk to you daily. They cut you no slack when you make a mistake. This person in the three meter zone will influence you the most. Scary huh? Makes me wonder if I blew my witness today. Was anyone watching? Yes, the Lord watches our every move. Talk about pressure to do the right thing.
So what about the new Christian that just moved in next door? Who helps him in the low times?
Each of us has been given a gift. It is up to us to recognize it, build it and use it to GodÂ’s glory and honor. didn'tdnÂ’t mean for this to become a sermon. I recognize my gift of teaching but the point of this blog was supposed to be me thinking aloud. And letting others give input to make me a better Christian and person. So is anyone out there reading this stuff?
Why don’t we Christians do better at discipleship?
I want to expound on the thinking about discipleship that John shared on his blog, Blogotional. I have made some minor changes since his post.
I regrettably must say that I am an elementary school level Christian. Where have the last 25 years gone? It is miraculous the Lord hasn’t spit me out for being mediocre. In Revelation 3:15-16, NIV it states, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”
“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” (Romans 2:2, NIV)
As you, the reader, are my witness before God from this day forward my new motto will be:
THE GLORY OF GOD IS EVERYTHING!
I blame this lack of discipline on no one but myself. But it leads me to the question…..
Why don’t we Christians do better at discipleship?
We rejoice when a soul is won for the Lord but we don’t equip him/her to become a warrior for Christ. And we are in a spiritual war (more about that later) Who is accountable for the new Christian’s training? The soul winner? The pastor? The deacons/elders? The church body? We have soldiers joining our ranks but we forget to send them through boot camp to teach them the fundamentals. We neglect to give them a firm foundation on which to build their Christian life. After boot camp, they need advanced individual training (AIT) just like a US Army soldier. Some want/need special training to become all they can be. That would be our Pathfinders, Rangers and Special Forces. In Christian speak, our Pastors, Evangelists and Missionaries. However, most of us stop after recruitment. Then wonder why the new Christian doesn’t become a great spiritual leader. Anyone into statistics? How many new Christians are still active in church after a year?
You there, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. (2 Timothy 2:1-2, NIV)
Holman’s Disciple’s Study Bible says:
“Grace also means God’s power in some instances, as in [verse one].
The pastor is responsible to learn sound teaching and teach it to
reliable members who will teach others. The words of truth are
entrusted to steady teachers, who pass on the message and become
instruments of God revealing his will to disciples. To share Christ is
not the duty of just one or two leaders. They are to teach others how
to evangelize who will then teach others until ALL in the body of
Christ are instructed in sharing their faith. This is how the entire
world can come to hear the gospel.” (Caps and bold lettering added)
I take this to mean it is each and every Christian’s responsibility to teach and equip the new Christian. Granted each person has a part: the pastor, teacher and lay member. In the Army NCO corps, we talk of authority and responsibility. You can delegate authority but you can never delegate responsibility. I believe on Judgment Day God will look in the book and ask why didn’t you equip this one? Or that one? We cannot afford to let one new Christians slip through our fingers because we were too busy. We need to stop our busy-ness and get down to business.
When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. (Luke 9:1-2, NIV)
He has given each of us the power and authority necessary to do what we have been called to do.
I regrettably must say that I am an elementary school level Christian. Where have the last 25 years gone? It is miraculous the Lord hasn’t spit me out for being mediocre. In Revelation 3:15-16, NIV it states, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”
“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” (Romans 2:2, NIV)
As you, the reader, are my witness before God from this day forward my new motto will be:
THE GLORY OF GOD IS EVERYTHING!
I blame this lack of discipline on no one but myself. But it leads me to the question…..
Why don’t we Christians do better at discipleship?
We rejoice when a soul is won for the Lord but we don’t equip him/her to become a warrior for Christ. And we are in a spiritual war (more about that later) Who is accountable for the new Christian’s training? The soul winner? The pastor? The deacons/elders? The church body? We have soldiers joining our ranks but we forget to send them through boot camp to teach them the fundamentals. We neglect to give them a firm foundation on which to build their Christian life. After boot camp, they need advanced individual training (AIT) just like a US Army soldier. Some want/need special training to become all they can be. That would be our Pathfinders, Rangers and Special Forces. In Christian speak, our Pastors, Evangelists and Missionaries. However, most of us stop after recruitment. Then wonder why the new Christian doesn’t become a great spiritual leader. Anyone into statistics? How many new Christians are still active in church after a year?
You there, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. (2 Timothy 2:1-2, NIV)
Holman’s Disciple’s Study Bible says:
“Grace also means God’s power in some instances, as in [verse one].
The pastor is responsible to learn sound teaching and teach it to
reliable members who will teach others. The words of truth are
entrusted to steady teachers, who pass on the message and become
instruments of God revealing his will to disciples. To share Christ is
not the duty of just one or two leaders. They are to teach others how
to evangelize who will then teach others until ALL in the body of
Christ are instructed in sharing their faith. This is how the entire
world can come to hear the gospel.” (Caps and bold lettering added)
I take this to mean it is each and every Christian’s responsibility to teach and equip the new Christian. Granted each person has a part: the pastor, teacher and lay member. In the Army NCO corps, we talk of authority and responsibility. You can delegate authority but you can never delegate responsibility. I believe on Judgment Day God will look in the book and ask why didn’t you equip this one? Or that one? We cannot afford to let one new Christians slip through our fingers because we were too busy. We need to stop our busy-ness and get down to business.
When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. (Luke 9:1-2, NIV)
He has given each of us the power and authority necessary to do what we have been called to do.
Military definitions
I am sure many of you wonder what a certain acronym you hear on the news means. Guys like me who have been in or around the military for 16 years take our language for granted. We sometimes forget that the normal citizen back home doesn't understand us. Below are a few I have put together. I try to include these in my initial letter to people who have written me. If someone comes across one elsewhere that they aren't sure about, ask me. I love talking about the Army.
AIF=against Iraqi forces (aka insurgents, terrorists, etc)
AUTOMEDICS=the 2nd battalion 8th Field Artillery Regiment medics. A play on words actually, comes from our battalion motto, Automatic. Comes from the Korean War when captured North Korean prisoners asked to see the new "automatic" artillery that had been relentlessly shooting at them.
BAS=Battalion Aid Station
BDE=Brigade
BN=Battalion
BTRY=Battery (field artillery units are called batteries, infantry units are called companies)
CO=Company
CPT=Captain
FA=Field Artillery
FOB=Forward Operating Base
IA=Iraqi Army (once called ING)
ING=Iraqi National Guard (recently changed to IA)
KBR=Kellogg Brown and Root (civilian contractor from the states)
LDR-Leader
LSA=Logistical Support Area
MEV=Medical Evacuation Vehicle (Medical variant of the Stryker)
MEDCAP=Medical Civil Action Program
MUKTAR=Clan or Family leader
PA=PhysicianÂ’s Assistant
PFC=Private First Class E-3
PL=Platoon Leader, an officerÂ’s job, usually a lieutenant
PLT=Platoon
PSG=Platoon Sergeant, an enlisted job, usually a Sergeant First Class (SFC)
R&R=Rest and Recuperation (leave or pass)
SF=Special Forces
SGT=Sergeant E-5
SPC=Specialist E-4
SSG=Staff Sergeant E-6
TOC=Tactical Operating Center; command and control center while in the field
VBIED=Vehicle borne improvised explosive device.
AIF=against Iraqi forces (aka insurgents, terrorists, etc)
AUTOMEDICS=the 2nd battalion 8th Field Artillery Regiment medics. A play on words actually, comes from our battalion motto, Automatic. Comes from the Korean War when captured North Korean prisoners asked to see the new "automatic" artillery that had been relentlessly shooting at them.
BAS=Battalion Aid Station
BDE=Brigade
BN=Battalion
BTRY=Battery (field artillery units are called batteries, infantry units are called companies)
CO=Company
CPT=Captain
FA=Field Artillery
FOB=Forward Operating Base
IA=Iraqi Army (once called ING)
ING=Iraqi National Guard (recently changed to IA)
KBR=Kellogg Brown and Root (civilian contractor from the states)
LDR-Leader
LSA=Logistical Support Area
MEV=Medical Evacuation Vehicle (Medical variant of the Stryker)
MEDCAP=Medical Civil Action Program
MUKTAR=Clan or Family leader
PA=PhysicianÂ’s Assistant
PFC=Private First Class E-3
PL=Platoon Leader, an officerÂ’s job, usually a lieutenant
PLT=Platoon
PSG=Platoon Sergeant, an enlisted job, usually a Sergeant First Class (SFC)
R&R=Rest and Recuperation (leave or pass)
SF=Special Forces
SGT=Sergeant E-5
SPC=Specialist E-4
SSG=Staff Sergeant E-6
TOC=Tactical Operating Center; command and control center while in the field
VBIED=Vehicle borne improvised explosive device.
Moral is high
Today was the kind of day most field soldiers hate. Even though we are deployed we must continue the mundane duties typically called garrison duties. We had a room inspection. As usual the medics were squared away. The rest of my platoon did well too with one exception. As the first sergeant and platoon sergeants went from room to room, I noticed one major theme. Moral in the Automatic battalion is high. It was mid-morning, already 95 degrees fahrenheit. The soldiers are standing by their rooms sweating profusely. Yet everyone was in good spirits. Normally a happy soldier is a complaining soldier, but not today. I atribute this to the awesome chain of command we have in Headquarters battery, 2nd battalion 8th Field Artillery.
Sunday, June 12, 2005
First words
I am scared to put my thoughts in writing. For then I am held accountable for them. Knowledge is power. I am not sure I am ready to let someone have the power to criticize me by reading my ramblings. However, I feel the push of the Lord to start this undertaking. I pray it will go favorably for me with God and man. I fear the pride of being told this undertaking is good and fear the reproof of being told it is bad. Woe is me because of the duality of life. Or is it the sin of immaturity/insecurity as a Christian?
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