2008: Will I "BE" or Will I "DO?"

When I was a kid, it seems that every time an adult asked me about "my future" the question was always stated as "what do you want to be when you grow up?" I can't say that anyone ever asked me "what do you want to do when you grow up?" I think I know why! I've learned there is a HUGE difference between "doing" and "being." What we want to do in life is not nearly as important as what we want to be in life. "Doing" is related to earthly things such as "vocation" or "career." But, "being," on the other hand, goes much deeper because it relates to character, who we are, and how we use our life. "Doing" is related more to tangible things such as annual income, trophies, medals, awards or material possessions. "Being" has more to do with the things in life that can't be measured by literal yardsticks, trophy cases, or bank statements. "Being" is built on character, morals, integrity and, most importantly, upon the foundation of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of our lives. That means, by "being," we are trustworthy, dependable, loyal, kind, and loving people who give generously of themselves and of their possessions. By "being" we live out what Jim Elliot so eloquently stated that, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." As the New Year approaches, vow to "be" in 2008...and beyond. Happy New Year!

Presents or Presence for Christmas?

Commercialism, consumer spending, gifts, trees, office parties, and decorations...many things we associate with Christmas. Unfortunately, if you noticed, Jesus was not mentioned in the list. I did that intentionally just to see if you noticed it or not. We can sometimes get so wound up and caught up in the "concept" of Christmas that we forget the "Christ" who gives us Christmas. It is rather difficult to forget about Jesus at Christmas. Jesus is our Master, the Bridegroom, the Good Shepherd, our Prophet, Priest, and King. He is the Lord of lords and King of kings. Jesus Christ...the Holy One of God. He truly is "Emmanuel," God with us. Christmas isn't about a "holiday season" called Christmas...it is about Jesus Christ. It isn't about "presents" of toys or clothing, but Jesus Christ's "presence" in our lives. It is my prayer that you will desire God's presence within you more than presents from under the tree this season (and always). Don't get consumed in the consumerism of celebrating Christmas. Just celebrate Jesus! May your life be a continual declaration of Thomas' revelation in John 20:28, "My Lord and my God!" Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year in 2008.

Merry X-Mas

Merry WHAT??? Grrrrrr! Don't you dare replace the name of "Christ" with an "X!" I'm being a little facetious, but in all honesty, I can't tell you how irritating I use to find people who used "X" instead of "Christ" when displaying or writing out the word "Christmas." The same was true for any marque, business or sign that displayed that big 'ol "X" instead of the name of "Christ." I thought "how lazy, irreverent, and sacrilegious must you be to 'x-out' Christ?" Until I learned an interesting theological point behind the "X" did I finally become comfortable using the "X." You see, we must go back and learn that the Greek word for Christ is Xristos. Did you catch the first letter in that word? YOU GUESSED IT!! It is an "X!" Thus the abbreviation is simply a “X.” Therefore, the term X-mas is not taking Christ out of Christmas at all. So, now, instead of being offended, I simply grin with a modest chuckle realizing that those who THINK they are taking "Christ" out of Christmas by using an "X" are actually KEEPING the name of Christ in Christmas after all! You just can't silence the message of Isaiah 9:6, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Have a blessed Christmas season and, by the way, MERRY X-MAS!!

The Money Song

I was fortunate enough...or should I say "blessed"enough...to grow up in the church. As the years passed it became apparent that beyond the standard flow of the Sunday service such as hymns, prayers, and sermons, there were other "expected" responses such as "The Gloria Patri," "The Lord's Prayer," "Apostles' Creed" and one song known as "The Doxology." Interestingly enough this one particular "song" was always sung right after taking up the offering. I began to believe that this song was the "money song" or the "offering song" since it was sung while the ushers brought the offering plates forward to give to the pastor. However, now that I have become a pastor/chaplain, I have had the opportunity to study and teach the true meaning behind "the money song" which is known in most bulletins as the "DOXOLOGY." I quickly found that this word is anything but "just the money song" sung after the offering. You see, the word doxology is actually two Greek words in one. The first is doxa which means "glory" and logos which means "words" or "to speak." So, doxology can be words, songs, or any other form of speech that is used to give God glory for His provisions, mercy, and love. So, the next time you find yourself in need to thank God (which is basically all the time and for just about everything), try singing the doxology to Him. Also, try singing the doxology as your supper prayer…maybe sing the doxology before concluding your prayer and devotional time, or the first conscious moments of the day as your alarm clock awakes you from your night's sleep. It can make a big difference in your day...or should I say will make a big difference in your day...as much as it will give God worship and glory. I'm so glad to know that this wonderful song is so much more than just "the money song." Let's lift our voices..."Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise him all creatures here below. Praise him above ye heavenly hosts. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen."

Thankfulness

Today is Thanksgiving which is hopefully a day known more for thankfulness and gratitude than for gorging ourselves on food. I love the traditions and the wonderful memories of a house full of relatives and friends packed with the aroma of cooking and baking. I think it is the only time in late fall that we run the air conditioner due to the heat generated by cookers, ovens, stoves, and the hot air coming from a lot of boisterous conversations!! :) For me, I still feel just an itsy-bitsy twinge of sadness "way down inside" that all these childhood memories are just that...memories...as those days past will never be repeated. My grandparents are no longer with us meaning that "the family"...you know...the uncles, aunts, cousins, brothers and sisters" hardly ever get together any more for the big feast. Now, nine years in the making, the traditions are now with my family. It is just the five of us and we celebrate John 10:10, "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." I have been blessed with "more abundance" than can be measured. I am thankful to God for His gifts of my family...each one that you see in the picture that accompanies this article...from left to right...Jabin, Jennalyn, and Tristian. Our precious children who will, one day, take what we are doing now as a family and pass it on into the future to their children as "family traditions." So, I leave you with some of Colossians 3:15, by saying "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts...and be thankful!"

The Art of Subtraction

We are a society that would probably associate the word "subtraction" with negative things such as "losing" or "things taken away." I wonder if we have ever considered looking at the word "subtraction" as a very positive word. In one book that I was reading I was intrigued by a concept used by Mother Teresa in regards to her ministry when she was surrounded by people who dealt with so much pain, misery, death, and sickness. Someone had asked her how could she not be overwhelmed when there were obviously more people than she could help. She could only scratch the surface. She responded by saying that looking at it that way (by seeing that the need is greater than my ability to "help everyone") was applying the wrong math. She used subtraction. Every time she loved and cared for a destitute and dying person, every time she rescued a girl from prostitution, every time she comforted a hurting soul, she was subtracting from the despair and adding to hope. DON'T EVER UNDERESTIMATE the power of just doing a little!! Remember Matthew 10:24, "And if anyone give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded." Go out and make a difference by doing good things that can subtract from the despair and brokenness of this world.

Offensive Ministry??

Does it bother you and make you feel uncomfortable to be around someone who is known for being verbally aggressive, offensively opinionated, and outwardly negative and critical on "hot topic" subjects such as race, sexual orientation, and the government? Does it also bother you to know that this same person claims to be a Christian? I've come into contact with several. We are not called to threaten, make offensive remarks, make off-colored statements, or even attempt to verbally "corner" a "sinner" to get them to repent. We are not called to beat people over the head with the Bible (nor shove it down their throats). 2 Corinthians 6:3 is a powerful verse because Paul says, "We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed." Yes, I know sin is sin. Yes, I know we all sin...some more than others. But, I also know it is not my calling (nor anyone's) to purposely single out people to confront them for no other purpose than to get some sort of satisfaction with pointing out to them "how sinful" their sin is "according to the Bible." Please reconsider the long-term damage you could inflict upon someone when the urge hits to confront someone over their sin. You never know, but they are probably fully aware of their struggles...and more than likely they could be at the critical point of making a change. DON'T BLOW IT by interfering with how the Holy Spirit may be working in the person's life by making an ill-timed, unwarranted critical statement to them. Work on loving them and reaching out to them. Don't be guilty of hating both the sinner and the sin....don't create an offensive ministry.

Try Anyway

There are a lot of things I really don't know how to do so I am willing to leave those things to those who can. There are a lot of things I don't know how to do that I must attempt anyway despite how anxious, unwilling, or fearful I feel towards having to do it. That's pretty much how the military goes...especially at our service schools. Despite risk of injury in an obstacle course...climb up the 10-foot ladder, hang from the rope, and traverse the bridge 6 feet above water...whatever the risk...try anyway. Despite never running more than 3-4 miles run the 10k race anyway. Despite having no previous knowledge or experience with course subject matter speak up and offer what opinion or thoughts you do have. If there is one thing I've learned in all possible scenarios in the military is that you WILL NOT be criticized for trying. I've also learned (the hard way) that YOU WILL be criticized if you DON'T take a chance, make an attempt or at least speak up and say something as a way of contributing to the conversation. Regardless of what you think of your abilities or what you feel others think of your abilities, people want you to actively participate. In the military, we call that "contributing." Nothing will kill you more in a team-oriented environment than not contributing. No matter what...TRY ANYWAY. ....you face your fears...you overcome your anxiety...you swallow your pride...you boldly stand up and face the unknown with confidence...whatever, whenever, however...try anyway...CONTRIBUTE. Whenever you feel yourself scared to death that is the first indication that it is time to step up to the plate and step out to lead. Take a chance...stop spending so much time worrying over the various probabilities you might have to fall flat on your face...just try and put your effort and energy into the 1 or 2 possibilities that at least have a chance of working. Again, the least that could happen is that you will get applauded for trying. You will be shunned and booed for "playing it safe" and for not trying or contributing. The next time you are challenged to step out of your comfort zone or presented with a situation where "walking away" is so much easier than risking failure, GO FOR IT...LEAD THE WAY...TRY ANYWAY.

Fragile Ego

I was given a new assignment and reported to my new work center with anticipation of a different perspective of ministry, outreach and opportunity. I was hit, instead, with a dose of reality. I was accused, belittled, and made to feel severely "inferior." Sadly, that was just the first day at work! WOW...our first meeting together. What I thought would be a "welcome" speech turned out to be a "this is the way it is around here" directive so that I understood very clearly that I was "at the bottom of the totum pole." Yikes!! He definitely wasn't the "welcome wagon." Sadly, over the course of the last two months, I have found that it's not just my new boss who is "sensitive" but some of my colleagues as well. What is this I'm talking about? I'm talking about fragile ego. Fragile ego is when a person "over-reacts" as if everything you do is purposely orchestrated as a threat to their career, themselves, and/or their livlihood...maybe even an attempt to "upstage" them to make them look bad in the eyes of the boss. To "protect" themselves they not only give you the cold-shoulder throughout the course of the week, but find ways to interject degrading, cutting, and demeaning "responses" to the ideas, input and contributions you make. You know...they always have to say something negative to make it look as if what you said was the stupidest thing every uttered in the history of the world. They are hard to deal with when they are "jerks" on purpose. I found an interesting saying from Mother Teresa that could help us when we work and live with these mentally immature, ego-protective individuals. My wife found it...of all places...in a CBD catalog. It said, "People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway. If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough. Give your best nayway. For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It never was between you and them anyway." Yes, love is patient, kind...and not easily offended. May we all strive to have BIG hearts and thick skins. After all, it was never supposed to be about me in the first place.

What Will It Take?

Think about all the things you've done for Jesus and God's kingdom today...last week...this month...this year. Seriously! How far have you extended yourself to express your faith? Why are you drawing a blank? What have you really done? What makes us so inclined to do very little? No accountability? No incentive? No motivation? No fear of consequences? I heard an interesting quote that proclaimed that "Christians are just like tea bags. You never know how strong they are until you put them in hot water." When it comes to living out your Christian faith what will it take to make you get serious about ministering in the name of Jesus Christ? In other words, what will God have to allow to happen in your life in order get your attention that you've been apathetic, lethargic and unmotivated with carrying out the ministry he has called you to do? What has to happen in order to get your attention to start doing something about the sinful habits you have become accustomed to doing? Although not the case in all situations, I see many "Christians" with health issues, financial troubles, miserable marriages, wayward children, dismal job performances, and a host of other melancholy life-stories that just don't seem to make sense or appear to come at a very unique time. It makes me wonder if there is something going on in their life from a spiritual sense. After all, these unusually bleak occurrences are not the type of life God planned for us. In Jeremiah 29:11, God tell us, "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Are you getting nowhere in life? Does "bad luck" seem to be the end result of a lot of your endeavors? Does it seem that no matter how hard you try, you just can't seem to "get a break?" Maybe it is time to stop and seriously consider what has become of your relationship with God. Where is it and at what level? Head knowledge? Conscious awareness? A deep, intimate relationship built on Scripture, prayer, communication, service and confession? What is it going to take for you to come back into a proper relationship with God? What will it take for you to get serious about your faith? For some, it takes a tragic accident or a horrific string of bad circumstances. Others, it takes losing a job, a home, or even a spouse. For most of us, it really doesn't require much such as a uniquely timed illness or a minor financial loss to get our attention to repent and turn back to the Lord. Ephesians 5:15-17 tells us, So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do." Let's not "push the issue" of Grace. Let's work and focus on our relationship with God now while we have the opportunity. I pray that you won't procrastinate. I pray that you won't wait until God has to intervene in order to give you the incentive. God loves you too much to leave you where you are...he wants to see you grow, mature and succeed in your life and ministry. You can't do that sitting still, letting time pass, and thinking that simply going to Church on Sunday is "enough spirituality" for your life...invest the time while you still have the privilege...don't wait for an incentive!!

Eulogy

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it is safe to say that if you REALLY wanted to hear how much someone was loved, appreciated and admired, you would have to attend their funeral! When you go to a funeral, you normally hear all these amazing and wonderful things about the person who now lies dead in a casket. Why do we wait until the funeral to say all the things that we should have said to them when they were alive? Why do we have such a twisted understanding of what a eulogy is in the first place? How did our society ever become comfortable with associating "eulogy" as "those nice things you say about the deceased at their funeral service?" Ask any person on the street to define "eulogy" and I'll bet you they will automatically start mentioning things associated with a funeral. Let's first start by defining the word eulogy. The word "eulogy" is derived from the two Greek words "speak" and "well." We also derive our English word "bless" from the combination of the two Greek words. However, the more accurate and literally English translation of the two words "speak" and "well" is the word (you guessed it) EULOGY. A eulogy is taking the time to bless someone by speaking well of them while they are still alive to hear it! Wouldn't this world be even better than it is today if we would ponder the true meaning of "eulogy" and figure out some way to at least say one or two nice things about the people we come into contact with on a daily basis? Instead of telling your wife after dinner "that wasn't bad," how about saying "honey, you did it again...a very delicious meal. You really know how to cook!" What uplifting and encouraging compliments can you think of to say to someone today...tomorrow? Do it soon...and by all means...don't wait until the funeral!!

Images and Impressions

Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems to me that hostility towards Christians and Christianity is on the rise. I'm not talking about people who just "get mad," but those who openly express their deep anger towards Christianity, God, the Bible and the Church. Anger that spews forth venomous wrath, vile language and actions of blind furry towards all that is sacred. They seem to be on an energetic crusade to have anything and everything that is "Christian" stripped away and wiped clean from our society. WHY? I wonder why they are so adamant about stopping Christianity because it sure doesn't seem that they are overly concerned about stopping the message of other faiths. I think I might know why! Could it be that we, as Christians, are setting a poor example to others about God? Are we REALLY portraying God the right way? According to Nehemiah 9:7, our God is a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in love. God is very patient towards all of us as proven in Romans 2:4 (NLT), "Don't you realize how kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Or don't you care? Can't you see how kind he has been in giving you time to turn from your sin?" I could never understand why some Christians feel like it is their god-given right to openly "condemn" others by using such vicious and condescending language towards those they feel are "sinners." No wonder they hate Christianity...because Christianity has been hateful towards them. It is not our "job" to make the alcoholic sober nor the homosexual a heterosexual. We are not commissioned to change the liar into an advocate of truth. Our mission is still the same as when Jesus commissioned us in Matthew 28:19, to "...go and make disciples of all nations...." I am calling on all Christians to chill out with all the name-calling, finger-pointing, and all the legal and morality crusades towards the people caught up within the ills of our society. We are called to live out Christ-likeness. We love the sinner despite the sin. Instead of wasting time pointing out the sins of others and quoting Scripture to try to get them to change, we should be working on our own sin-issues and be found investing our time dealing with those areas. What image and impression of God are you sending to others? A patient and merciful God who loves them like crazy or one that is condemning, intolerant, and mean? Who will you begin to showing more love to this week?

What Drives Your Car?

Is it safe to say that you really haven't driven until you've tackled that Capital Beltway that loops around Washington DC? How about being able to safely navigate around Atlanta, GA, in the "slow lane" going nearly 80 miles per hour? I've had to do both!! Our cars have become so comfortable and stable that we forget the reality of what we are doing...sitting encased in $18-$20,000.00 of glass, metal, fiberglass, and combustible fuel at high speeds. I remember my first car...a 1984 Ford Escort that "pegged out" on the speedometer at 85! It was 4-speed and 1.6 liters of chugging power. Now, today, that same "type" of vehicle registers 110-120 on the speedometer. We've been lulled to sleep by the advancement of technology that puts these vehicles together to the point that we don't "feel" how fast we're really going. What brings this to mind is the most recent news coming out of the Vatican. Are you familiar with their "Guidelines for the Pastoral Care of the Road?" In that document came the "Driver's 10 Commandments." I will focus on one that caught my attention...it's number five which says "Cars shall not be for you an expression of power and domination." Again, that made me think back to the Capital Beltway and driving in the major cities. I have had many occasions where I've actually felt threatened by the driver behind me. I'm sure if they had the assurance that they wouldn't even get so much as a "ding" in their front bumper, they would not hesitate to spin me out or, in NASCAR terminology, "get me loose" to move me out of the way. Many times, I could look in my rear view mirror and become alarmed that I couldn't even see their headlights. "Up my tailpipe" is what I call it. That's why I ask "what drives your car?" Our emotions and demeanor have a lot to do with it. If we will really confess, we must say, at times, that we use our cars to our advantage. We do use our cars to "express our power and domination" on the road. Just think, when we're mad/upset we drive mad/upset. When running late we tend to speed and wish people out of our way. I think we fail to step back and realize how lethal this mind-set of driving can become if left unchecked. I have done an experiment that shows that speeding/driving faster for any trip less than three hours gains nothing. Ok, maybe 2-3 minutes, but that is not worth burning extra fuel and endangering others on the road trying to hurry. Besides, when you add in stoplights, gas/potty stops, and traffic congestion, the 2-3 minutes you gain by speeding are lost...in other words, you end up arriving in the same amount of time had you gone the speed limit. Rational thinking saves more than time and resources...it can be prevention...that one decision that keeps you from having or causing an accident. So, the next time you're on the road...back off, slow down, and leave with plenty of time to arrive at your destination. Don't become a statistic or the outcome of what I usually say when someone blows past me on the interstate when I mumble "I guess they're in a hurry to get to the scene of their accident!" Your car is for transportation and not for expressions of anger, power or domination. Enjoy your next drive in the car...and may the only thing that gives your car "power" be the gasoline!!

What Will Make You Quit?

One of my favorite quotes from Dr. Jerry Falwell is this: "You don't determine a man's greatness by his talents or wealth like the world does, but by what it takes to discourage him." I pose this question: What does it take to make you throw in the towel and quit? Are you easily swayed by intimidation? Do you quickly retreat at the first sign of opposition? Are you soundly defeated when it appears you're outnumbered by the opposition? It has always been said that "The greatest way for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing." It is time for us to stop cowering in fear and allowing the godless to run all over us. Fear is but the ammunition of the terrorist, the chord in which evil uses to choke our message and the noise Satan uses to drown out the truth. When you are tempted to succumb to the fear of threats, opposition, and intimidation of others, remember it is not your battle to fight! As 2 Chronicles 20:15 says, "This is what the Lord says to you, 'do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's.'" Give God room (and time) to deal with those who cause trouble in your life. As God commanded Joshua following the death of Moses in Joshua 1:9, "This is my command -- be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Don't quit...ever!! Now, take your towel, fold it, and put it back in the linen closet where it belongs!

Marking The Date

Yesterday was May 29, 2007. For some, that marks a birthday, a special occasion or anniversary. For me, this is an extraordinary day as it marks two monumental occasions of my life. On May 29, 1984, I left from the airport in Indianapolis, IN, and soon found myself freshly shaven bald and standing on yellow footprints at Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, CA. There, I began my military career which now spans 23 years. But, most significantly is this same date just four years earlier. At the age of fourteen, on May 29, 1980, I realized that "being good" was not "good enough" to get to Heaven. I realized that sin is what separates me from a proper relationship with God. So, on the cold basement floor in my grandparent's home in Terre Haute, IN, with the guidance of my uncle Don Mallory, I confessed my sinfulness and that my "good nature" was still a "sin nature" and that no matter how good I tried to be, I still needed Jesus Christ. I received Jesus Christ as my Savior that night. I have never been the same since. Are you looking for a change? Are you still struggling in life even despite how "good" you try to live? Could it be that one thing is still missing in your life? Is it Jesus? Only he can fill that "void" that eats at your inner being. Parties and being popular won't fill it. Alcohol, sexual indulgence, drugs, or striving for stardom won't get it either. Only Jesus! Let that statement sink in...only Jesus. If you want to know more about this in detail check out http://www.greatcom.org/laws/englishkgp/. If you will, I can guarantee you'll never be the same again. I've known for sure since May 29, 1980!

In Memory - Jerry Falwell: August 11, 1933 - May 15, 2007

No matter what your thoughts and feelings are towards Dr. Jerry Falwell, I wanted to at least take some time to express my thoughts of this champion for Christ. I had not only the pleasure of attending his school, Liberty University, but also the honor of working for him. As a radio broadcaster, I worked for WRVL-FM. This dynamic station sits just below the Carter-Glass mansion on the Liberty Campus where Dr. Falwell had his office. His parking space was right next to the entrance to the radio station. It always amazed me how up close and personal you could get with a man of this stature. The year I worked for WRVL was the year Jerry went back on the radio world-wide with a show called "Perspectives." I had the joy of helping with some of those programs. I was there when Jerry came in to record his segments and got to see him "as is" with sleeves rolled up and the tie loosened. He had me by over 1" in stature, the hands like the paws of a grizzly bear, a hug that could crack your ribs, but yet a tender heart filled with love. I remember one personal moment we had together before one of the recording sessions...just a simple, uneventful thing...he walked over to me, called me by name (I was literally shocked that he remembered my name) and reached into his pocket. Out came a handfull of change...to which he gave me four quarters...his simple request was "Charles, I'll take a Diet Coke, and you get whatever you want." Many things like that...those little personal moments that probably don't mean anything to anyone else, but me. I had those times with Dr. Jerry Falwell. He will be greatly missed. I am sure, to some degree, Thomas Road and Liberty University won't "feel the same" knowing that he is gone, but I know that it all is in capable hands. What a joy it will be to see Jerry, Jr. and Jonthan, his two sons, carry on God's will for Jerry Falwell in and through these places in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Getting Started

So...you're probably wondering "what in the world is a "F.O.D. Walker?!" Well, it is a military thing. We have F.O.D. walks in the Air Force which is an acronym that stands for Foreign Objects and Debris. In the Army, we called them "police calls." It is a wonderful exercise where everyone gathers as a large group at a specific location to pick up trash and debris. We do this to not only keeps our base clean, but to prevent our aircraft from being damaged. To better explain, I have posted a picture of a "F.O.D. Walk"that was at six in the morning here at Andrews Air Force Base on Monday, May 21, 2007. The annual Joint Service Open House (air show) concluded on 20 May, and we gathered at the air field (with plastic garbage sacks) to pick up all the debris the wind carried off onto the flight line. Butcher paper, cups, candy wrappers, sucker sticks...you name it, the wind blew a good deal of it away from the garbage cans and out towards the runway. If this debris had not been picked up it could have gotten into one of our multi-million dollar aircraft engines and cause damage or failure to the sensitive components. That is why we do the F.O.D. walks...to get rid of things that are dangerous and could pose serious threats or problems to the aircraft. That is why I call this blog "The F.O.D. Walker." I want to make my walk in life pleasing and acceptable to God my Father. To do that, I must walk in a way that keeps the filth, garbage and sin of this world out of my heart and mind so that I do not bring shame, discredit, or defeat into my life, ministry, and witness. It isn't easy and I fail miserably at times, but I praise God for His redeeming plan for my life (and yours) through His Son Jesus Christ. Are you ready to go on a F.O.D. Walk with me? I pray that you will check back regulary for updated posts and words of encouragement. It is my plan (beyond this first posting) to write reflective thoughts and short devotional-styled blogs that can offer you peace, affirmation, and encouragement.