Thoughts on Killing and Combat
One of the most sobering thoughts and challenges I face as a military chaplain is ministering to those who have directly engaged in the task of killing others in the line of duty. Recently, I've been re-reading LTC Dave Grossman's fascinating book, On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society. As a former . . .
More A-musement (26 May)
Well, I'm home for the long weekend and don't plan on spending any more time in front of this computer than is necessary. So this commercial is a logical choice for a bit of quick, weekend a-musement as it is the funniest commercial ever, hands down. (Hat tip to Sarah for this one!)
[youtube= . . .
Counseling Training (BCC Week 3)
Here at Maxwell, week three has bit a bit like Groundhog Day. It has been a continuation of last week's counseling training focusing on marital enrichment and short-term pastoral counseling. Sure, it isn't Friday yet, but tomorrow is scheduled to wrap up two pretty intense weeks in the classroom.
That said, it has . . .
Thoughts on God's Peace
Tomorrow morning, I will have the privilege of leading our BCC class in a short morning devotional. There will be no formal time of worship but a hymn or two, a time of prayer, and some brief reflections on God's word.
As I prepare for this time, my heart cannot help but be drawn to many of the great difficulties of ministry in a . . .
Putting the 'A' in Amusement
It was bound to happen.
It's not the first time I've been accused of using big words, writing like I was an ivory tower academic, or being over analytical. Actually, those are fairly common criticisms, but I am doubly destined to such a fate by virtue of being both an engineer and chaplain by education and trade, what do you . . .
Jesus Finally Showed Up! (BCC Week 2)
Finally after over a week at the Chaplains' Course (all Protestant Christians, remember), Jesus showed up! After a very frustrating first week at BCC, where Christ was all but absent and any mention of his name brought strange silence, by his grace he broke into our class in a very unexpected way...in counseling classes! Call me a . . .
Ascension Day and Evangelical Anti-Traditionalism
Happy Ascension Day!
"Um, what?" you might ask. Ascension day, of course, is the celebration of Jesus' ascension into heaven forty days after his resurrection (cf. Luke 24.50-53 and Acts 1.6-11). I wonder how many Evangelicals celebrated this great event today? I wonder, in all honesty, how many of us have ever heard . . .