why I don't stand when veterans are recognized
some thoughts on vocation
This post will make some of you upset. It's okay. Despite how most of our society handles itself online, we're able to disagree about things.
Last week, my family and I were at two separate events where veterans were asked to stand and be recognized. Neither of these events was associated with the military or any . . .
Luther on war as God's work
and whether or not Christian's may serve
What men write about war, saying that it is a great plague, is all true. But they should also consider how great the plague is that war prevents. If people were good and wanted to keep peace, war would be the greatest plague on earth. But what are you going to do about the fact that people will not keep the peace, but rob, . . .
Posted in: chaplaincymilitarytheology
I am an angel of death
a chaplain's reflection
Clad in my crisp, blue Service Dress, I creep unnoticed through Houston rush hour traffic.
Today, I am an angel of death.
To get into a gated community and a secure apartment complex, I wait in the shadows off to the side until I can pass through the gate and enter the door without alerting anyone at my destination.
. . .on holy innocents: King Herod and Uncle Sam
Today the church remembers and honors the Holy Innocents: the male toddlers slaughtered by King Herod in his attempt to kill Jesus, the newborn king who threatened Herod politically (or so he thought) by his mere existence.
As recorded by St. Matthew:
Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, . . .
Evangelicals, transgender, war, and sin
we're barking up the wrong tree
Today the President tweeted that "the United States Government will not accept or allow… Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military.” As expected, response from Evangelical Christians has been swift and overwhelmingly supportive. Our fixation with sexual sins continues to take the forefront of almost . . .
the war prayer
NOTE: Being asked to give the invocation for our wing’s 100th anniversary later this summer and thinking about the dissonance between many Christian chaplains’ prayers and the teachings of Scripture led me back to this classic by Mr. Twain. It is pointed, sarcastic, and wonderfully still as relevant today as when it was penned.
. . .Posted in: chaplaincymilitaryprayertheologywar
on chaplains and their prayers
what are we praying for and why?
One of the most memorable scenes in the move Patton is when General Patton summons his chaplain, Fr. James O'Neill, and orders him to write a prayer for good weather just before the beginning of the Battle of the Bulge. Chaplain O'Neill wrote the following, now-famous, words:
Almighty and most merciful Father, we humbly . . .
Posted in: chaplaincymilitaryprayertheologywar
