Learning God’s lesson June 16, 2007
Posted by marineben in Character Training, Personal, Theology.add a comment
Proverbs 16:9 says, “In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.” I came across this a few days ago in my devotions, and boy was it timely as God has brought it home in a direct way this week. I did not write about it earlier, because I only wanted to talk about it if I passed; but I got a billet to go to Airborne (Jump) School at Ft. Benning GA. For a Sailor or even a Marine, these billets are hard to get, and for a Chaplain nearly impossible, but I got one. I really was excited about it, but knew that physically, I was going to be barely on the edge of passing the very strict standards required on the Army Physical Fitness Test. I’m not in bad shape, in fact I usually score an Outstanding on the Navy’s PRT, but the Army has very tough standards on its push up requirements at its schools.
Well, to make a long story short, I completed 50 pushups for the Marine Corps detachment on Thursday which allowed me to start training; but when it counted on Monday morning for the Army, I only completed 41 when I experienced complete muscle failure, instead of the required 42. I was dropped from training, and was and am extremely disappointed in my performance. However, for some reason I had never felt right about going to this school; and as excited as I was for the opportunity, I had an uncomfortably nervous feeling about it from the day I was asked if I could go on three weeks notice. As disappointed as I was in my failure to meet the standards, on my drive home, I actually had a weirdly peaceful feeling about the whole experience.
The next day as I read in Proverbs, that verse in 16:9 just jumped out at me, as if the Lord was saying that no matter what my plans were, ultimately God controls what I actually do. I have no idea why I failed the school, but I do know that God controls my steps and there is a reason for everything. It proved to be a time for me to refocus on why I am actually here – not to earn nice stuff to wear on my uniform – but to serve God and minister and evangelize the service members God places in my path. Soli Deo Gloria
Current Happenings April 14, 2007
Posted by marineben in Personal.add a comment
So why haven’t I updated my blog recently? The short answer is that I have been busy. This is my first full day off in 21 days. I know, “whine, whine.” I can’t say that all of my time at work has been consumed with stuff to do, but I do have other priorities during the work day. I have actually had a little more time in the last few weeks to get out of my office and get around to visit the commands and be involved in more of their activities, which is really what being a Chaplain is all about. In the Chaplain Corps, we like to call it the ministry of presence. I was present at several retirements, where I gave invocations and benedictions; a scuba training dive with the Dive School, NDSTC; physical training with my command and with the Dive School; as well as walking around work spaces chatting with people. I know all of you pastors out there want a job like mine! Beth and I also finished planning and paying for, our Disney World vacation in May. We will be celebrating her graduation from culinary school, and our 11th wedding anniversary! Yes, her culinary training, with pastry being her love, is one reason I run.
Its not all fun stuff, though. Last week I had to arrange for a burial at sea for a deceased Navy retiree. I also got called Friday and had to arrange and go out with our Casualty Assistance Calls Officer (CACO) to inform a father that his son had been killed in Iraq. It was a reminder to me to keep praying for all of our Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen and Marines who are serving in harm’s way still today. There were a total of 3 Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) divers killed in Iraq last week in one attack. Navy Times covered it here. That is always a difficult part of being a Chaplain or even a pastor and dealing with deaths of loved ones. I think it is easier, though, in a church setting, where hopefully you knew the person and possibly know of their salvation.
Easter Sunday, we had a cold, but wonderful worship service celebrating our Lord’s resurrection. We held it at the base Marina, and had 44 in attendance! The gospel was presented and hopefully some came to a clearer understanding of Christ’s work for us on the cross and in His resurrection. I preached a four week expository series from Matthew, leading up to Easter on “The parentheses of Christ’s ministry”.
Week 1 – Christ’s Baptism
Week 2 – Christ’s temptation
Week 3 – Christ’s crucifixion
Week 4 – Christ’s resurrection (Easter Sunday)
Well, that is what I have been up to. I will continue the Christian Liberty study as I have time, and I am currently putting together a list of all the books I read in the last year (very short list, unfortunately) with a description of each.
Update on life i.e. “It is well with my soul” February 3, 2007
Posted by marineben in Personal, Theology.2 comments
Wow, its been nearly 2 months since I last posted. I don’t know that I will ever be better about posting here. I am not very good at getting around to things as I should.
So, what’s been going on?
1. Christmas and New Year’s passed by. It was pretty good. We didn’t go anywhere, but I had a lot of time off work between Christmas, New Year’s and then the following Monday for President’s Ford Memorial, and then MLK Jr. Day. You gotta love working for the government.
2. We had a wonderful Christmas Eve service at the base chapel, where we had 36 people attend. I know what you are thinking – that is pathetic! When you are used to seeing 7-12 people in a service, you feel like Billy Graham when preaching to more than 30 people. I don’t push the chapel very much, and refer many more people to local churches in town than the base chapel. It’s not that I don’t want people to come, but theologically, I think the concept of a base chapel with no local membership accountability is Biblically problematic. No offense to other followers of Christ who would interpret church membership differently.
3. Along with several other younger pastors in the local area, we have started a theological reading club. The name is as yet undecided, but we have Baptists, Presbyterians, Methodists, and hopefully Calvary Chapel represented. Judging by the discussion we had at our first monthly meeting in January, this should be an interesting time for “iron to sharpen iron.” Our first discussion in February will center around the book, Perspectives on Church Government: Five views of Church Polity. I am almost through it and will try to comment on it when finished, (although, I wouldn’t wait with baited breath on that review, however, given my timely entries to this blog). I am in charge of April’s meeting, and I am probably going to go with Brian McLaren’s, A Generous Orthodoxy.
Well, to wrap up, I have to relate an experience from last week. I attended the Professional Development Training Conference for Navy Chaplains at NAS JAX in Jacksonville FL. On my way to the conference last Monday, I was listening to numerous CD’s during the 6 hour drive. I listened to some country, but mostly Christian including Spanish Praise and Worship by Marcos Witt, “Lifesong” by Casting Crowns and other Praise and Worship. Out of all the more contemporary songs I was listening to, though, I found myself most moved to worship God by the hymn, “It is Well With My Soul” on one of the Passion CD’s. This great hymn of the faith is one of those that will last and fit into any contemporary setting because of its timeless message and truth, and musically it works well in almost any setting. Everytime I hear that song and think about the history behind it, I find myself worshipping with all my being. The words are deeply theological and remind us of all aspects of our relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to know,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Chorus:
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
My prayer is that I live my life in the knowledge of Christ’s sacrifice that has paid for my forgiveness! My favorite verse is “…my sin…is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more” and my only response is how that verse ends, “Praise the Lord”!!
Mission Trip Video December 9, 2006
Posted by marineben in Church, Personal.add a comment
I have been trying for months to figure out how to make movies with Windows Movie Maker, and I finally made my first short video. It is a compilation of the pictures we took on mission trips with Crosswell First Baptist when I was youth pastor there. There are trips to Kentucky and twice to Mexico.
Remembering a hero December 9, 2006
Posted by marineben in Personal, USA.1 comment so far
Last Sunday, 3 December 2006 at 0800 Central Standard Time in the U.S., an officer that I knew who served here at Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center as the Commanding Officer of the Army unit, Delta Company 577th Engineer Battallion was killed in action in Iraq by an IED. Captain Shawn English was a hero in every way. I know the soldiers who served and are still here at the Dive School better than I knew him; but through them, I have come to know more of this man who was a loving husband, devoted father, and couragious Soldier. Shawn leaves behind a wife and 3 young boys who are a testimony to a man who wanted nothing more in his life than to do his job well, and show his family every day how much he cared for them. Shawn was a man who had his faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour as his pastor shared at the Memorial service that was held for him yesterday at Woodlawn Methodist church here in town. This is the most important fact about Shawn that a person could know, that he was a follower of Jesus Christ. While we sorrow at his death, we rejoice in the hope of the knowledge that he is with God in Heaven if he truly knew Christ.
This is the only the second death of someone in the Global War on Terror that I have been involved with and only the first that I have known personally. The Commanding Officer at Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center asked me to lead in a short memorial time after their uniform inspection this morning which I did. What I reflected on and continue to reflect on is that those who knew him best are really hurting. I told them that God understands that pain and grief and if they will turn to him for comfort, they can truly find it. The situation did not allow me to be much more evangelistic than that, but I think that it was appropriate and if it causes even one person to move a step closer to seeking an eventual relationship with God, through Jesus Christ, then Shawn’s death will have accomplished at least one good thing. Please keep the English family in your prayers as well as the soldiers of Delta Company 577th Engineers.
