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.