Joy v Happiness

Some thoughts on the difference between Joy and Happiness.  It was a sermon from September 21, 2014.  I do not preach verbatim, this is more of an outline for me so there may be parts I think are clear because I know what I wanted to say or add while I was speaking.  If you come across some areas that are not quite so clear to you and have questions feel free to ask, and I will try to get back to you.  The Scripture lessons are before the message proper.
Blessings,

Dave

Philippians 4:4-14 New International Version (NIV)

Final Exhortations

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Thanks for Their Gifts

10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.

Nehemiah 8:1-12 New International Version (NIV)

8 ¹ all the people came together as one in the square before the Water Gate. They told Ezra the teacher of the Law to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded for Israel.

² So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand.³ He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.

⁴ Ezra the teacher of the Law stood on a high wooden platform built for the occasion. Beside him on his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah and Maaseiah; and on his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam.

⁵ Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up. ⁶ Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.

⁷ The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah—instructed the people in the Law while the people were standing there. ⁸ They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear^[a] and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read.

⁹ Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Leviteswho were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.

¹⁰ Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of theLord is your strength.”

¹¹ The Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be still, for this is a holy day. Do not grieve.”

¹² Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them.

                Back in February The Tonight Show on NBC switched hosts.  For several decades the host had been Jay Leno, and he did what many talk show hosts do-have political satire, made fun of people, etc.  When they switched hosts the network went with a former Saturday Night Live cast member named Jimmy Fallon.  During his short time on the show Jimmy Fallon has brought joy to late night.  This change has been so notable that even magazines such as Christianity Today have noticed and written about it.  There is something about his demeanor that goes beyond just happiness.  It seems to radiate out from him it seems to be part of him.  And, it is so much a part of him that it seems as if he wants to share it with others.  He is joyful.

                In today’s world many people think joy and happiness are the same.  As we read Scripture, and as we go through life we find out they are not.  Happiness is a temporary emotion that can be stripped or ripped away quickly.  Happiness is not something that is lifted up extensively in the Bible.  Joy, however, is something that is lifted up quite a bit.  Joy is a state of being that allows a person to go forward knowing God is in control.  Rick Warren, the pastor who wrote “The Purpose Driven Life” and founder of Saddleback Church in California, wrote a devotional about happiness and joy.  This is what he says:

                “Finding joy is a challenge for me. I’m not naturally an upbeat person; I’m more of a melancholy. When I talk about joy, I’m not doing so from the perspective of a generally peppy person who never has a bad day. In fact, it’s because of my own inability to live with joy that led me to explore why my experiences didn’t line up with Scripture.

                My problem was my definition of joy. I thought joy meant feeling good all the time. That’s impossible! Even for those who are naturally upbeat and optimistic, that’s impossible. We have to start somewhere more realistic — and close to Scripture.

                So here’s the definition I’ve come up with from studying Scripture:

Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control..., the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright, and the determined choice to praise God in every situation.

                You’ll find nothing in that definition about happy feelings, because, as we all know, happiness is fleeting and temporary.

                We tend to think that life comes in hills and valleys. In reality, it’s much more like train tracks. Every day of your life, wonderful, good things happen that bring pleasure and contentment and beauty to you. At the exact same time, painful things happen to you or those you love that disappoint you, hurt you, and fill you with sorrow. These two tracks — both joy and sorrow — run parallel to each other every single moment of your life.

                That’s why, when you’re in the midst of an amazing experience, you have a nagging realization that it’s not perfect. And while you’re experiencing something painful, there’s the glorious realization that there is still beauty and loveliness to be found. They’re inseparable.

                If you look down train tracks into the brightness of the horizon, the tracks become one. You can’t distinguish them as two separate tracks. That’s how it will be for us, too. One day, our parallel tracks of joy and sorrow will merge into one. The day we meet Jesus Christ in person and see the brightness of who he is, it will all come together for us. Then it will all make complete sense.”

                When Paul writes “rejoice in the Lord, again I say Rejoice!” he is not just writing about an esoteric, hypothetical exercise about showing excitement.  Instead he is saying be glad in God even if things are not perfect or even terrible.  Paul has been given and has learned about the fruit of the spirit that is joy.  In his journeys he has experienced much hurt and pain, and yet it is the joy, the knowledge that God is in control that enables him to keep going and spreading the Good News of Jesus.  The joy of the Lord is Paul’s strength.

                In the world today many of us have confused happiness and joy.  If we are not happy, then there is the perception in our minds and the minds of others that we are not joyful people.  We get down on ourselves and feel guilty that we are hurting.  We come up with excuses or sayings that denigrate our own pain thinking it will help us to feel better.  How often have you heard or even used the phrase “well my problems are not as bad as someone else’s.”  What that does is to stuff down our feelings, and we become more jaded and hurt.  It becomes harder and harder for us to find the gladness in anything.  It blinds us.

                The Israelites are told to rely on God’s joy, gladness.  This is after all the trouble they have had, the exile, the trouble rebuilding the wall, and then hearing the Book of the Law being read and realizing how far they had gotten away from God.  I believe that one of the lessons God wanted the Israelites to learn was that even in the midst of the knowledge of being sinful, of facing obstacles, of being hurt emotionally, physically, spiritually the Lord wants to take pride in his people and will give them assurance and comfort, strength and gladness to get through the pain and wounds of life.  Those who trust in God bring him joy, and in return God gives hope and assurance.

                This morning examine yourself.  See if you confuse happiness and joy.  Ask yourself if you are working to allow the fruit of joy to blossom and grow within you, or if you are lacking in happiness, confusing the happiness with joy, and effectively freezing the joy out of your heart and soul.  If you can say you have joy do you a) let people see it in you during the good times?  Do you share it with others?  B) lean on it during the tough and painful times that you experience?  If you do not trust God to give you strength/rely on the joy of the Lord can you begin to take baby steps and begin to explore how God has helped you in times past or helped others?

                Paul reminds us to rejoice.  While I could not find it to be exactly like this, we can remember that “re” means again.  Paul is, I believe, reminding us that we can re-joy again, find the joy we have had before.  For a church this could mean finding that state, not necessarily the actions, but the state of trusting God again, finding the gladness of God and knowing God in all things.  For us as individuals it can be the same thing-to find the joy of the Lord again.  Sometimes we need to go through the motions until we begin to feel it, other times it will come naturally.  But rest assured the Joy of God will help you.  Amen and Amen.


As an addendum that I mentioned on Sunday, one of the places where you can see where people are not happy, but could be joy filled is a funeral.  Remember during a funeral service one of the first things the presider often says is "friends we have come together to celebrate the life of ____, and to acknowledge our human loss."  And, then stories are often told, and especially after the service at the lunch or wake you begin to hear laughter as stories are told.  I as a pastor often hear words before and after the service to the effect, "I remember So&So did this one time," I hear a great story, and then these words or something similar "You probably can't tell that one from the pulpit."  There is often joy found even in the most unhappy of times.

Whose Hopes and Dreams Do We Have

                A few years ago I read the book “Pathway to Renewal” by Dan Smith.  As I read it one of the things that jumped out at me was the assertion that for renewal to take place the congregation had to be willing to give everything up including those things that they held dear.  This included hopes, dreams, buildings, location, memorials, etc.  The reason for this, if I remember correctly, was that often what we want is not necessarily what God wants for the congregation.  We need to be willing to put down our hopes and dreams and pick up God’s hopes and dreams.  For some congregations this is difficult, for many more congregations this is impossible.

            I had the opportunity to ask Dan on whether or not this could apply to annual conferences as well.  As I recall I got a vague answer that leaned toward yes.  I bring this up because often the different conferences espouse one thing for the local church, but do not apply the same principals to the conference structure or activity.  The activity going on about schism in the United Methodist Church is a prime example where the denomination in the United States is acting like a local church congregation.

            There is a lot of talk about unity, schism, and discord in the denomination.  There are those who are advocating a split while others are pushing for the denomination to stay together.  What I see and hear are a lot of knee jerk reactions to protect the fiefdoms.  For those calling for separation the reaction is not to wait until the next General Conference to see what they will do about the willful disobedience by pastors and congregations, but to pull out now before it is too late.  For the side that is calling for unity in the face of disagreement there is the knee jerk reaction of multiple resolutions being presented at annual conferences condemning disunity and celebrating and wanting to keep the unity of the denomination.  The bishops seem to fall into this last category, but that might be because of their position where they are tasked with keeping the denomination together. 

            What I do not hear from the bishops, from leaders on both sides, from the rank and file is “let’s come to the table and be willing to put down what we hold dear and pick up what God wants us to do even if it is not where we want to go.”  Now, I understand there are some things, values, beliefs, whatever you want to call them that are non-negotiable.  Most of these are the theological type.  That is another discussion all together.  Just as a church is called to discern on whether or not to move; change ministry focus; to close; to move the piano 6”; the denomination should be willing to discern if the Spirit is moving us forward to stay together or to split.  What I have seen and heard is the knees coming up, the shields being deployed, and everyone in defensive mode whenever split or closing the denomination is brought up.  It is just like many a local church who the pastor or DS has said “we think it is in the best interest for the church to close.”

            I do not particularly want the United Methodist Church to split.  I was born in 1966 and been in the UMC or its predecessor my whole life.  I like the emphasis on forgiveness and atonement, prevenient, justification, and sanctifying grace.  I have been called to be a United Methodist minister.  I am also worried about how a split would affect my family and I as I have three school age children and my wife is an elder.  At the same time I have to be willing to set aside what I want to be able to see and hear what God wants us to do.  However, to do that takes time and effort with as little bias as possible in presentations.  It requires work and patience on both sides.

            Are we called to split?  I do not know.  Are we called to stay together?  Again I do not know.  Should we be examining all options involving both?  Yes, to be able to see if God is leading us in a way we may not like or expect.  In this debate whose dreams do we have in our hearts?

Some of the Work Required to Turn Around Churches

Below are the newsletter articles for February and March.  In them there is discussion on what we can do to turn churches around.  Just as a reminder these items are not totally inclusive.  There are probably others as well.

                I am often asked by individuals and in meetings what we can do to turn the church around/how do we get people to come back to church.  I have some answers, and will share some of them this month and some next month.  There will be some commentary with them to help explain them.  One thing to remember is that just like a fully loaded oil tanker at sea trying to turn around, it is going to take time, work, and space.

1.  There is no group that is going to be the savior of the church.  We often think “if only the youth/the ones who have stopped coming/ the families/etc would come they will save the church.”  As Kenda Creasy Dean reminded the Annual Conference a few years ago these groups are not our savior(s), our Savior is Jesus Christ-living, died, raised, and coming again. 

2.  We have to tell among ourselves and to others our stories on why God is important to us, what Jesus has done for us, and how the Holy Spirit helps us.  If we do not talk about our faith then other people are not going to know that God is alive and active in the world today.  Our faith is not supposed to be kept to ourselves, but rather it is to be shared with the world.  Remember Jesus tells us in Matthew to go into all the world teaching and baptizing, making disciples.  He does not tell us to stay quiet.

3.  Along with talking about our faith we also have to issue invitations for people to come to church, and invitations for people to enter into a life transforming relationship with Jesus Christ as their Savior.  Over the last 20 years I have had many people say “I don’t know how to share my faith” or “I don’t want to push religion on anyone” or “it makes me uncomfortable,” and a host of other reasons or excuses.  We live today in a culture more like the Apostles’ and early Christians than we do in one like the 1960s/70s.  In the 60s and 70s there was still somewhat of the expectation one would go to church on Sunday and be involved in its ministries.  That is not the case anymore.  Instead, like the Apostles and early Christians, we live in a society where we need to be like Andrew when he went and told people about Jesus, and then asked him to go to see him.

4.  We need more small groups.  These groups can be grouped around interests, missions, sports, learning, study, etc, but they should always include prayer and support when they meet.  The early Methodists met weekly in classes where they were encouraged to confess their sins and to build each other up.  The classes also grew organically, and when they began to get too big they split and formed new ones.

5.  We need to rethink what the Church is.  Too often we have forgotten The Church, which we are members of, is the Body of Christ, and not a building.  We are the hands and feet of Jesus.  It has been said the Church is the only entity that is in business not for itself.  We need to be reaching out locally, nationally, and internationally.  This reaching out is not just by giving money or supplies, but also going to where the need is, taking the time and inviting people to come to receive physical and spiritual help. 

                Next month we will look at a few more items that we can do to strengthen the congregations.

                Blessings,


                Pastor Dave

                Last month I listed five items we need to know or do to turn the church around/to get more people in church.  This month we will conclude the list.  Now please understand these are not all that we have to do, but it is a start and they are some of the bigger items we need to address.  Also, please know that most of the items are facing many, if not most, of the churches in America today.  Just as a recap here are the five that were talked about last month.  If you want to know more about each point refer to your newsletter or contact the church office and Norma should be able to e-mail you one.

1.  The only Savior for the church is Jesus Christ.  There is no one person or group who is going to save the church other than him. 

2.  We have to tell other people, including those who do not come to church, what God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit has done for us.

3.  We have to extend invitations to people to come to church and to enter into a relationship with Jesus.

4.  We need more small groups.

5.  We need to rethink what church is.

                 Here are the rest of the actions we can do to help the church become who God wants us to be.

6.  We have to be willing to take risks and to be willing to set aside personal preferences.  Congregations are some of the most risk adverse groups there are.  Change does not come easily, nor new things.  Even some of the things that we try that seem new are old things just repackaged in new wrapping.  Sometimes what we try or should be doing goes against what we would do personally or what we like to do.  Risk taking is scary, it can be uncomfortable, and there is no guarantee of success, and yet we are called to do it in the name of Jesus Christ.  If we stumble then we will just get up, wipe ourselves off, and continue to do what God is calling us to do.  Sometimes we get too comfortable in our preferences that we cannot, or more accurately, will not be willing to change or try new things.  Peter took a risk when he got out of the boat to go to Jesus, and when he stumbled Jesus was there to help him up.

7.  Everyone has dreams including God.  God has a dream of who we can become as individuals and as a congregation.  We have to be willing to set aside our dreams for the congregation and church, and then pick up God’s dream for us.  This takes a lot of work, discernment, and will power.  It involves a lot of letting go.

8.  We need to move the Lord and church up on our priority list.  Some may say “you’re getting too personal Dave.”  I would ask, “did this strike too close to home?”  Remember the first commandment, “you shall not have any other God before me.”  God should be number one in our lives.  We are told not to forget the assembly of the saints as some are known to do.  In today’s world there are many other things calling for our priority.  As we hear these voices we have to make choices on what is going to be the most important.  We will also have to carve time out of the schedule for both worship and personal devotion time.  There will be those times we also need to make time for special activities at the church.

9.  We need to remember what God gives us may be something entirely different than what we want.  This could be ministry, building, location, who we work with, and the list goes on and on.  This may mean giving up what we hold dear, and not just dreams and memories.

10.  We need to show mercy, grace, offer forgiveness, and put aside grudges.  I have heard of and been in churches that are still dealing with unresolved conflict or grudges from 5, 10, 20, even 50 years ago.  It needs to be practiced in the Christian’s home as well because you will bring your attitude from home to the church.  From moving a piano across the chancel area or even just a few inches to putting cushions on the pews; from somebody who might not have smiled at you at a family reunion to your spouse not putting the seat down; if we do not forgive and show mercy and grace, the affront gets into us and festers.  It infects us, our relationships, and eventually our actions.  It will infect the rest of the body of Christ.  Sometimes the infection will be a slow gradual erosion of health that is not noticeable until it is too late.  Other times it will become like an infected boil that when any pressure, intentional or unintentional, is applied it busts spurting its pus and goo all over the group.  As it explodes, much like the potatoes in John Belushi’s lunchroom scene in “Animal House”, it opens a way for more infection to invade us, and as the infection lands on other people it can ooze its way into the tiniest of openings and begin to grow there.  The medicine for this is to communicate, to show grace and mercy, and to forgive.

11.  The last one should actually be the first one.  We should literally or figuratively be on our knees praying.  Praying for the Body of Christ to be made strong; seeking the Lord’s guidance on where we should go and who we should and could become as we follow him completely.  We need to be interceding for those who are hurting even if they are our enemies or we do not like them.  To be willing to God to put people in front of us whom we can share the Good News of Jesus Christ with.  We need to come before the Almighty with the knowledge and a confession of our sinfulness, but also to be willing to ask for pardon and forgiveness.  We should be praying for courage to go where we are called.  To tell God everything that is bothering us no matter how big, how small, how silly we perceive it to be, or how insignificant we think it is.  God wants us to bring ALL to him. 

Blessings,

Pastor Dave

Missions and Experiences from the 325th Maint Co, FL Army National Guard, During Desert Shield/Storm

For those who might be interested here is some of what it was like in Saudi Arabia in 1990/91.  This is what I wrote for a "buddy" letter for a soldier who was in the unit and is gathering evidence for a VA claim.

     I was a lieutenant in the 325^th Maintenance Company, Florida Army National Guard, when it deployed to Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm/Clean-up.  During this time period I was the officer in charge of the Al Jubail Chemical Agent Resistant Coating (CARC) Paint site; one of the officers at Convoy Support Zebra; and one of the officers at the company’s detachment at Logbase Bastogne located near the town of Nairyah on route 85.  Prior to being sent on missions the company as a whole had landed in Dharan/Damman and was assigned billets at one of the former migrant camps near the Damman Expo.  During our time frame there were constant issues with the sewer backing up into the bathhouses.  Many of the bathhouses utilized the system of using the same stall for urination and defecation and taking a shower.

            The CARC paint sites the 325^th were in charge of were located at the ports of Al Jubail and Damman in Saudi Arabia.  The site at Al Jubail was located in a depression that at least 15 and possibly as much as 30 feet below the surrounding roads, and was probably less than five acres in total size.  It was within a half mile of a huge chemical or oil refining facility.  I recall the Initial Staging Area’s (aka Dew Drop Inn) base commader or one of his subordinates saying they did not want the paint site anywhere near them and thus was ½-1 mile away as the crow flies from the nearest point of the ISA.  The paint tents were the army’s large maintenance tents; the air compressors initially were a five horsepower and a 7.5 or 8 horsepower compressor each equipped with only a charcoal filter. These compressors ended up running multiple tents with two paint guns and two air hoses for each compressor.   

            The protective gear was paper suits, and the breathing apparatus varied.  Some soldiers used their chemical suit masks until ordered not to do so, others painted with face masks that had interchangeable cartridges.  Eventually the painters received full face masks with a forced air system, but the air compressors were still too small, running multiple painters and paint guns off of each one, and located where the overspray was sucked into the filter.  Hazardous waste from the mixing of the paint and solvent/catalyst was kept on site.  The living quarters for the painters were located approximately 25-100 yards from the paint tents. 

             The first Al Jubail paint site painted over 6000 pieces of equipment in approximately a three month period.  I believe the Damman paint site had similar numbers.  Because of the topography and meteorology of the area it was more common than not to come out of the nightly briefing at the ISA and see a cloud of paint and solvent vapors over the paint site with the dome extending beyond the perimeter of the site.  The paint and solvent were so dangerous that the Department of Defense after the Gulf War had the manufacturers develop a new, less toxic chemical resistant paint.  Some of the hazards that were in the paint and/or solvent the 325^th Maint Co used included methyl ethyl ketones, iso and di-isocyanates, silica, volatile organic compounds, and other toxic elements.  When talking safety protocol with Department of Defense civilian painters their advice/guidance was that if the paint or solvent ever caught on fire to “run like hell and make sure you run upwind.”  According to the DOD civilians some of the by-products of combustion would have been toxic fumes such as cyanide gas.  The painting that the 325^th was tasked with was actually general support or depot level maintenance in enclosed paint booths with separate forced air systems for painting equipment, the painters, and as I understood it the air in the booth was supposed to be forced to the bottom and then sucked out the side for filtering.  At the second Al Jubail site the paint tents were located on a side road, but it was noticed that the overspray was causing the pavement to crack and crumble.

             Some miscellaneous events that occurred at the paint site or the ISA which provided support for us and was a mile or less away included local meals being stopped provided because of sanitary concerns and food handling by the local contractor (spoiled food being served, unsafe food handling practices) causing food borne illnesses among the soldiers; kerosene heaters in the sleeping tents; pests such as flies and rodents in the living area and field latrines; and field expedient latrines which required the on-site burning of human waste.  Generators were running constantly and were located throughout the site including near the tents that were provided for living areas.  We experienced several sand storms in the time frame of the operation.  The Jubail paint site was also highly active the nights when Scud missiles were shot toward the city and also toward Damman.  At least once we were told anti-missile missiles had been fired at an in-coming projectile.  The night this happened many of the troops who were asleep were awoken by a very loud, sharp noise. 

            The site was not far from the different bases in Jubail that had positive results when the Sea-Bees or Marines tested for chemical weapons.  There was also unsubstantiated talk at the time there was a Fox Chemical vehicle in Jubail that had also received positive results when they tested one night for chemical agents.  At the paint site itself, one morning, and I believe it was the morning after we had gone to MOPP 2 the night before, a sergeant came up to me and asked “LT, does it mean anything when the red light is flashing on the M-8 (Chemical Alarm)?”  At the time as we had not been trained on all the intricacies of the M-8 we thought it was just low batteries or the chemicals from the paint site activating the alarm.  However, since that time it has been stated in a congressional report, the Riegel report I believe, that the M-8 Chemical alarm was specifically designed not to activate because of low or exhausted batteries.

            Besides the M-8 being activated at least some of the time, we were told to take the Pyridostigmine Bromide (PB) tablets/pills.  Many of the troops at the Jubail site where I was the OIC spent considerable amount of time running to the latrine to evacuate bowels as the pills caused diarrhea to strike within minutes of taking the pills.  There were also complaints of jitteriness and edginess while taking the pills.  I personally experienced the diarrhea and the jitteriness/heart racing after taking the tablets. 

            The stress level was high as the mission was a high profile operation with generals often making visits on site; captains, majors, lieutenant colonels and colonels often trying to get vehicles that were not on the priority list to be painted; a hawk air defense launcher was positioned immediately on the outside of the perimeter of the paint site; and we would occasionally receive reports to be on the look out for drive by attacks using mortars.  There was also the stress of having equipment breaking down or busting (locally procured hoses would explode because of the chemical reaction of the paint and solvent); health concerns using inadequate equipment; concerns not being adequately met, and the stress of being at a site in a combat theater that was dangerous to work at and was potentially a prime target for missiles or terrorist attacks.

            At Logbase Bastogne the paint was not present however the living conditions were not improved.  The troops still lived in GP mediums with kerosene heaters providing heat when needed; outside latrines with barely adequate washing facilities; insects, and diesel fuel being used on the major pathways in the base to dampen and pack down the sand.  At Logbase Bastogne we experienced several sandstorms.  The logbase also experienced the effects of the soot and particulate matter of the Kuwaiti oil field fires covering equipment and personnel.

            Personnel at Convoy Support Center (CSC) Zebra also experienced the effects of the oil field fires.  The CSC was on a major supply route coming out of Kuwait and thus many vehicles utilized it.  Just as at Logbase Bastogne oil well fires’ smoke and soot were plainly visible and coating people and equipment.   After combat hostilities ended many tractor-trailer combinations carrying damaged or destroyed Iraqi equipment stopped at the CSC.  While I know of no one who went into the equipment many troops went over and looked at and touched the equipment.  Much of the damaged equipment had been hit with US ammunition possibly containing depleted uranium.  At CSC Zebra there were also many single serve meals in a can such as Chef Boyardee and Dinty Moore products.  Many of these products were served in hard plastic containers with metal lids.  They may have contained BPA and emitted it when heated.  Soft drinks were also locally procured. 

            One of the duties of the CSC was to provide fuel for vehicles going in both directions on the main supply route.  As such there were several 50,000-100,000 gallon bladders of diesel oil kept on sight.  This resulted in raw diesel fumes being let into the air, and then mixing with the fumes from the other vehicles’ exhaust.  There was seldom a time when there were not vehicles at least idling in the CSC parking or fuel areas.

            Some other items that occurred for the 325^th while in Saudi Arabia included some extremely hot days in excess of 130 Fahrenheit with some days having extremely high humidity; other times there was ice in the field showers; multiple sand storms throughout the areas we were assigned to; and being assigned living quarters above a former landfill (Camp Rambo near the Damman Expo.  Background ambient noise was always there with large equipment moving around and generators running.  There was also loud engine and wind noise while driving the equipment in convoys, on a mission, and around the bases we were located at.  We were exposed to spiders, mosquitos, scorpions, flies, and other bugs and pests.  At all locations we were exposed to insecticides dispersed into the air by local contractors.  During the redeployment the troops were required to clean the equipment returning to the United States with specific cleaners. 

            Prior to deployment from Ft Stewart, GA, we received a large number of vaccinations.  These included typhoid, DPT, plague, and others.  At one time we were told botulism was one of the vaccinations we received. 

Heat Exhaustion and Sin

There is a balm in Gilead

To make the wounded whole;

There is a balm in Gilead

To heal the sin-sick soul.

(African-American Spiritual)

 

            While we were in Florida we were fortunate to be able to go out into Tampa Bay on some boats.  With my younger brother we were able to go fishing and catch some snapper, Carolyn caught a shark about two and a half feet long, and we were able to watch dolphins play in the wake of the boat as well as seeing them cruise around at sunset.  On Carolyn’s brother’s boat we ended up at a large sandbar in a backwater channel that has turned into a gathering spot for many.  We were out at the sandbar for several hours with a large portion of it being spent in the water on the sandbar.  Somehow, even though I thought I was drinking enough water, staying cool by being in the water, and not really exerting myself a case of heat exhaustion crept up on me.  Not a bad one, just one that made me feel really tired and not so good.  I caught it before it progressed too far, but it still knocked me for a loop.  I think part of what happened was I was distracted and did not catch the warning signs in time.

             So, what does my heat exhaustion have to do with the life of the church?  It is this; many people do not realize they are coming down with heat exhaustion, or something more serious, because it creeps up on them so gradually.  It is the same way with several aspects of our faith and church life.  Those decisions we make saying “no one will notice” or “I will only do it this one time” or “it won’t hurt to miss worship just a few times” become easier and easier and before we know it we are doing things we would not have thought about doing or missing church on a more regular basis.  Very few people involved in the life of a congregation just wake up and decide they are not going to church anymore.  It is the same way with committing sin, few decide to actively sin.  The habits, beliefs, and lifestyles we live are gradually replaced with those habits, beliefs and lifestyles that move us away from Jesus.  Often it is so subtle we do not even realize it until something happens.  We constantly need to be alert for the signs, big and little, we are being overcome.  Remember the little items may not seem as potent, but let them all come together and they can be a more potent force in your life than what might be considered by many to be a big distraction or sin.
            Thankfully we are told that if we move away from God, that if our souls are overcome, that God through our faith in Jesus as Savior will take us back.  We can and will be healed.  We are also told to be on the lookout for the Tempter and our actions that might draw us away from God.  Are you looking for the signs?

 Blessings,

Pastor Dave

Newspapers, Wimbledon, & Women-The Message We Send to Girls and Young Women with the Placing of Events in Newspapers

           While it may not be politically correct I will admit I prefer most men’s sporting events over women’s events.  Faster, more powerful, often more graceful, the men’s events catch and hold my attention quicker and longer.  Yes, I realize that there are many women who could mop the floor with me if I was to enter into a competition with them, but my preference is what it is. 

With that being said I am appalled with the double standard that some newspapers, for me notably the Minneapolis Star Tribune, have with some of the major sporting events.  The day after the Wimbledon’s Women’s Final the Star Tribune reported it on the inside of the Sports section.  I think it was page four or five.  This is regardless of the fact that Wimbledon is probably the premier tennis event in the world, both of the finalists were ranked outside the top ten, and other aspects that would, a person would think, warrant a front page placing.

I could understand the editors burying the story if they were consistent.  After all tennis is a second or third tier sport that does not have a huge following.  Minneapolis, St Paul, and the rest of Minnesota are football, baseball, and hockey bastions.  Driving around towns you see many more empty tennis courts than you do basketball courts.

However, the Star Tribune, and I imagine other papers, are not consistent.  The day after the men’s final at Wimbledon the Star Tribune has a huge picture of one of the finalists and an article that starts on the front page of the Sports section.  Granted, this was the first time in decades an Englishman had won the tournament, and there were some interesting stories about the two finalists, but I have to wonder what makes the men’s stories and final so much more important and interesting that it deserves the first page of the sports page while the women’s finalists and final deserve a spot and headlines that may not be seen because people do not have time to look past the headlines on the front page, or they just think it is just not important because of its location and lack of pictures.

I understand the newspaper business is often driven by ratings just as the television stations are driven by ratings.  I also understand that many people are not necessarily into women’s sports that much.  I will admit twenty years ago I probably would not be writing this, but twenty years ago I did not have a daughter.  Even though I prefer to watch and read about men’s sports, I realize the need to try for parity in reporting on sporting events. 

By showing such obvious partiality to the men’s events I wonder how girls and young women process this if they are paying attention.  What I believe is happening is that a message is being sent that women in sports do not deserve the same attention as the men.  Does this then get processed into ideas that women do not deserve the attention they should get in relationships, work, community activities? 

One last thought before I go.  Theologically we need to remember that men and women were created in the image of God.  One is not better than the other.  We may be different, but that does not mean one gender is better than the other.  Little items like where stories are placed in the sports section seem to elevate one above the other.  While the focus of this article is on inequality in sports we can see it going the other way notably in the way men are treated on sitcoms, but that is an article for another time.

In Response to Boston

Tragedy
Came today;
Wounds to souls;
Psyches hurt
All seems lost.
Don't despair
In the storm
There's still hope

(to the tune of Taps"

            Once again tragedy has struck deep into the American ego.  On a day to remember those who stood up to tyranny, where thousands were out pushing themselves harder than they had before, and where many more were encouraging and celebrating with those who had worked so hard to achieve their goals, a senseless act occurred.  Lashing out, and as of this writing we do not know why, a person or group has caused many to be wounded-body, mind, soul, and spirit.  Death, maiming, and fear have taken the place of joy, accomplishment, and hope.  The clarion call for justice and retribution has been sounded.

            There is no doubt the bombing that took place near the finish line of the Boston Marathon has injured America and Americans in many ways.  Most of us cannot fathom experiencing such terror, and when events like these occur our souls and spirits are wounded.  There is fear, the fear of what if:  what if it had been me?  What if it occurs at my child’s game?  What if it is my neighbor/can I trust my neighbor not to be a home grown terrorist?  What if…? 

            Along with the fear there is a loss.  Obviously for the ones who lost loved ones or were wounded there is the physical loss.  For them and the rest of us there is the loss of security; the loss trust; the loss of hope and peace.  While most people will recover quickly and not have lasting effects upon their psyche, others will forever be marred.  Like one who has suffered the loss of a loved one, they may regain 100% functionality, but they will always have a scar of some sort that may flare up from time to time.  Sometimes the flare-up will be caused by a known trigger, and other times it will be like a tsunami that comes and overwhelms you without any warning.

            It could be easy to get lost in despair, to let the grief overcome us, to let fear rule us.  For some the fear may be masked by a call for justice or retribution.  Others may call for more laws and regulations.  Understanding that not all calls for justice, laws or regulation is fear based, we do need to be careful we do not over react.  We also need to remember that this is not the first time an event like this has been perpetrated on our soil nor will it be the last.  We have survived every time.  It does not mean we have not been hurt, that we have not lashed out, or every decision was a righteous decision.  What we have done is to rise again and again, dusting the dirt off of us, bandaging our wounds, learning from our mistakes, and kept moving forward. 

            As we think about and pray for those of Boston, Newtown, and other horrific events let us also remember that people every day suffer from life altering, traumatic episodes.  Many of these do not make the news because they are seen as part of life.  The loss of a loved one to disease or accident, being laid off from a job, raped or assaulted, fire, a dissolution of a relationship, addiction, and hundreds more everyday events occur causing injury to body and soul across the land.  We need to remember to keep these people in our prayers as well for the wounds they suffer are every way the same as to those that invoke national sympathy for the victims and outrage at the perpetrators.  This is not to take anything away from those who suffered from the bombs’ effects, but rather a reminder that tragedy occurs on a daily basis, and that we have, much too often, have become inured to its insidiousness.  It takes something large to shake our cynicism, our shield we have up to protect us, and thus we miss the hurts of others, and maybe our own as well.

            I do not always have the answers especially to when things go so terribly wrong.  I wish I did.  As a pastor I wish I could give great answers to why bad things happen to good people.  I am not always successful because I do not know.  Many times my answer is that God has given us free will, and because of this gift people have the choice of doing righteous or unrighteous actions.  Our actions impact others.  I cannot answer why some people emerge unscathed and some are maimed or killed, or why God intervenes and gives miracles to some and not to others.

            What I can tell you is that God has said he will be with us to the end.  That a peace that allows us to function, to move forward, and to trust can be ours even in the midst of conflict and storm.  We may be battered, God does not say it will be easy, we may still have questions, even Job didn’t get every question answered the way he wanted, but we will not be left alone, and that while there is breath there is hope.

 

May you find hope and peace this day.

Pastor Dave