Archive for March, 2008
We have made it to our last full week in Iraq. I was never very interested in prophecy about the future, but lately I have been thinking a lot about eschatology, or the study of last things. Today, I thought about the last time I will change the sheets on the bed here, or the [...]
It was a beautiful early spring day in Baghdad today. The high was only 99. Fortunately, we’ll be long gone before it gets in the 120’s. On a recent trip, I made it within two miles of the ruins of ancient Babylon. Unfortunately, it was too dangerous to visit the ruins. Tradition maintains that the [...]
I just finished the Good Friday Tenebrae service. The Tenebrae, or Service of Shadows, has always been a very meaningful service for me. It is a very somber service, as is fitting on Good Friday. A reader reads a passage of Scripture associated with the betrayal, crucifixion, or burial of Jesus, and then blows out [...]
Palm Sunday has passed, and we are moving into the most solemn period in the church calendar. As we enter this time of reflection concerning the sacrifice of Christ, think about these results of a recent poll by the Pew Research Center. Last August, 54% of Americans polled knew the approximate number of American military [...]
I guess that it’s time to post some updates. I have been very busy lately, trying to visit all of my soldiers before I turn them over to another chaplain. After my unit had been here for four months, we were given responsibility for about 400 active duty soldiers. They will be here for eight [...]
Our winter season has passed, I believe. I know that those of you in the central US won’t feel that low temperatures in the high 30’s really deserve to be called “winter.” Remember, though, that you don’t have to walk 50 yards from your house to the bathroom in the middle of the night.
The high [...]
We have been working very hard to turn in any equipment that we won’t need in the time we have left here. It’s exciting to be preparing to go home. Going home presents a new set of challenges for chaplains. I have to make sure that the soldiers understand how to cope with the stresses [...]
300 days ago, we reported to Ft. Sheridan, Illinois. It was the first leg of what has been a very long and sometimes difficult journey. That journey is nearly over now. Thanks be to God.
