Better Chaplain Series - Live Specific

The motto of the Air Force Chaplaincy is “Caring for Airmen more than anyone thinks possible.” It’s a good motto and gives us a great vision to encourage chaplains to 1) care 2) go the extra mile 3) exceed expectations, and 4) identifies our missions field as members of the United States Air Force community.

But, as is the case with all great principles, it’s only as good as the one applying it. It’s a good general principle to care for Airmen (plural and anonymous), but it’s entirely another thing to care for a difficult Airman (singular and known-by-name). Many chaplains on a general level would say amen, but it’s entirely another difficulty to stay late, love the unlovable, and spend and be spent for individuals.

Jeremiah Burroughs, who wrote The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment, emphasizes the principle of applying your theology to specific circumstances, he said, “There is great deceit in the general. Men will confess they are sinners, but do not think of any particular sin. They will confess they must be better, but never come to the particular work of repentance." General principles say things like, “All have sinned, rejoice in all circumstances, love your neighbor, love your spouse, be an active member of a local church,” but they get hard in the specifics when you say, “But there are much worse sinners than me, my circumstances are impossible, my neighbor is a jerk, my spouse is unlovable, and there are no good churches near me.” It’s easy to say amen to the general ideas, but the blessings come from the difficult application into the specific.

Each of the principles I’ve shared heretofore will make you a better chaplain, if you apply them. It’s not enough to consider them and then shelve them, you must be ready to utilize them and seek out men and women to minister to.

“It is a sad condition when men are content with a general conviction, a general profession, and a general repentance.” ~ Jeremiah Burroughs

Key Verse: Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. ~ James 1:22

More:

1. John Owen applies this principle to individual sins, which is where we should all start, “General notions of conviction may quiet the conscience, but only specific applications of truth will kill sin.” Where are you failing in loving God and your neighbor? Get specific. How can you repent today and make a plan of continued repentance?

2. If any of the chapters of this series especially pricked your conscience, how can you do more research into God’s word to verify the truth, then plan to walk in the works which he’s prepared beforehand for you to walk in?

3. If you’ve mentored any young ministers you’ve likely run into glory seekers who want to be the next celebrity pastor. There is honor is aspiring to great things (1 Timothy 3:1), so we don’t want to squash ambition, but my heart breaks when I see those wannabe super-pastors despise the day of small things when God puts menial people in their paths, small churches under their watch care, and out of the way small bases as their first chaplain duty station. Unfortunately, I’ve seen several of them become bitter and leave the ministry for their unfaithful service. If you’re faithful in the small things (specifics), God will entrust you with greater things; so how can you rejoice in the day of small things, recognizing you’re serving eternal souls and a great God? The salvation of a single soul is of more value than all the kingdoms and the glory of the earth, for the earth will perish, but the soul is eternal.

4. Further Resources:

Burroughs, Jeremiah. The Evil of Evils: The Exceeding Sinfulness of Sin. Morgan, PA: Soli Deo Gloria Publications, 1999.

Burroughs, Jeremiah. The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment. Morgan, PA: Soli Deo Gloria Publications, 1999.

Spurgeon, Charles. Obedience Better than Sacrifice. Sermon No. 1644, delivered March 5, 1882. In The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, vol. 28. London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1882. https://www.spurgeon.org/resource-library/sermons/obedience-better-than-sacrifice/

Better Chaplain Series - Make Peace

War begets war. Those who live by the sword will die by the sword. Fighting is caused by passions at war, desiring but not having, coveting and not obtaining, predicated by lack of communication and lack of love (James 4:1-4).

Jesus did not bless the peace-keepers, he blessed the peace-makers, those who step into volatile situations to heal relationships, align priorities, and mediate disagreements. The ultimate peacemaker made peace by the blood of his cross (Colossians 1:20).

Chaplain, people like being angry, they like being vindicated, they like playing the victim, but none of these bring real peace, abundant life, or eternal joy, and you must confront them to make real peace. You will be persecuted and maligned for this peacemaking, but that is why it is blessed. Your greatest example said he would leave us peace, not as the world gives it, for in this world you will have tribulation (John 14:27, 16:33).

The world uses the word peace without understanding anything of its power. Peace in the world means an end of hostility, peace in the Bible means complete reconciliation, unity, love, singularity of purpose, honor, and a plethora of other things. No wonder at the end of time there will be a false peace that will devolve into all out war (1 Thessalonians 5:3). How can you make peace between–and with–those you minister to?

Let us stand fast in what is right and prepare our souls for trial. Let us neither be dogs that do not bark nor silent onlookers, nor paid servants who run away before the wolf. Instead, where the battle rages, let us find ourselves. Run towards the roar of the lion! Run towards the roar of battle! That is where Christ’s most glorious victories shall be won. – Boniface

Key Verse: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. ~ Matthew 5:9

More:

1. I am shocked by how many conflicted people I counsel who believe themselves and their opponent to be Christians. In this case I press towards the unity of Heaven; if they are both Christians, will they reconcile in Heaven (or the New Earth)? The answer is invariably yes, we’re not going to split Heaven down the middle with tape to keep them apart. If there is a reconciliation coming someday, then why not now? Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity (Psalm 133:1)?

2. Paul wrote to entreat two women at Philippi to get along; he further asked those reading his letter to help them get along (Philippians 4:2-3). This is not just a chaplains job, this belongs to the church. How can you make your church or chapel a community of peacemakers?

3. The world doesn’t usually utilize chaplains to broker peace during war, but consider how you would respond if you found yourself standing between two leaders of warring nations? Real or imagined, past or present, how could you “as much as possible, live peaceably with all” (Romans 12:18) and “strive for peace with all” (Hebrews 12:14)?

4. Chaplain Tom Solhjem found himself face to face with Iraqi soldiers and machine guns in Iraq. The temptation was to run for cover and let the Army neutralize the threat, but Solhjem and his faithful chaplain assistant called out to the enemy for someone who spoke English, formed a quick bond with the Major who approached him, and negotiated the surrender of 80 Iraqi soldiers who would have surely died had he not taken the risk to make peace. Put yourself in his shoes and consider how you would react. Could you, like the Apostle Paul, be willing to give up your life or salvation so that others could be saved (Romans 9:3)?

5. Further Resources:

Brinsfield, John. Encouraging Faith, Supporting Soldiers: The United States Army Chaplaincy 1975-1995, Part 1, 140-142. Washington: Office of the Chief of Chaplains, Department of the Army, 1997.

Jones, Robert D. Pursuing Peace: A Christian Guide to Handling Our Conflicts. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2020.

Adams, Jay E. How to Help People in Conflict: Becoming a Biblical Peacemaker. Lancaster, PA: Institute for Nouthetic Studies, 2020.

Better Chaplain Series - Wage War

The chaplain is a member of the profession of arms. While a non-combatant and usually distant from kinetic combat, the chaplain works with warfighters daily. Many of these warfighters may not even recognize that they are the nation’s defenders, but each has a valuable role to play; if any current warfighting role were obsolete, their position would be withdrawn, so at this point in history, they are warfighters.

Chaplain, you must have a robust theology of war and warriors. Not least of which Paul says we are in constant combat, not with this physical world, but with the spiritual world (Ephesians 6:10-20). Jesus said if his kingdom were of this world, his servants would have been fighting, but his kingdom is not from the world (John 18:36). Romans 13:1-7 is clear that the government exists to bear the sword for good, proving a terror to bad conduct.

Chaplain, you live in both worlds, fighting the good fight in the spiritual realm, and bearing the sword in the physical realm, training soldiers to do righteously and to see the battle raging all around them.

A soldier who doesn’t fight is a derelict at best and a traitor at worst. Chaplain, wage war for souls, fight the good fight, bear the sword in righteousness, and love your enemies. How can you use the current conflicts and rumors of conflict in this world to point to Jesus?

Let a soldier be ever so well armed without, if he have not within a good heart, his armour will stand him in little stead. Spiritual strength and courage are very necessary for our spiritual warfare. ~ Matthew Henry

Key Verse: Blessed be the LORD, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle… ~ Psalm 144:1

More:

1. A beneficial exercise for military members is to take them through what would happen if their career field suddenly vanished from the military. A couple of slogans that help to show the importance of every career field are, “An army marches on its stomach,” “Without POL (Petroleum Oil and Lube) Pilots are Pedestrians,” and “If it’s in the air, maintenance put it there.” Chaplain, what would happen if chaplains vanished from the military? Would warfighting capabilities be diminished?

2. “War is Hell,” said William Tecumseh Sherman, and the chaplain ought to see it for what it is. It is easy to romanticize war based on stories of heroes and battles won, but the death and destruction wrought shows the sinfulness of sin and the destruction of rebellion and conflict. How would you describe war to a group of your military members who are about to embark on a dangerous mission for the first time? Would you discuss “All who take the sword will perish by the sword (Matthew 26:52)”? What if someone brings it up?

3. Jesus described himself as “meek”, which is often mischaracterized as “weak”. The chaplain must understand that meekness is not a lack of power, it is power under control. Without an underlying power, someone cannot be meek, that makes them impotent. Jesus comes to judge and make war (Revelation 19:11), his power is immense, immeasurable, infinite. How can you help your members to grow in self-control and imitate Christ in meekness, so that they will inherit the earth?

4. Further Resources:

Gurnall, Wiliam. The Christian in Complete Armour. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 1991.

Sauvé, Brian. Psalm 144 (A Fortress is My Lord). From Even Dragons Shall Him Praise. Ogden, UT: New Christendom Press: 2023.

Better Chaplain Series - Pray for People

If you could ask Jesus to teach you one thing, what would you ask?

    How to raise the dead?
    Heal the lame, blind, and infirm?
    Multiply loaves and fishes?
    Turn water into wine?
    Walk on water?
    Call down fire from Heaven?
    Cast out demons?
    Speak so people listen?
    Study the Bible?

All of those are amazing, but consider that Jesus’ closest disciples had this opportunity, and they asked, “Lord, teach us to pray.” (Luke 11:1)

Chaplains are expected to pray, and to be imitators of the greatest example of prayer. We ought to be known as men of prayer. We pray out loud so that others can be edified and say amen (1 Corinthians 14:16-17). We are called to be incessant in our prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17), it ought to be a far more substantial part of our ministries than it is for many of us.

If your disciples asked you to teach them one thing, would they ask you to teach them to pray?

No man can do me a truer kindness than to pray for me. ~ Charles Haddon Spurgeon

If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go unwarned and unprayed for. ~ Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Key Verse: I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. ~ 1 Timothy 2:1-2

More:

1. I was leaving my office on the way to an important meeting as an Airman was coming into the chapel. I recognized this Airman and knew that it could be a crisis. If someone endeavors to come all the way to a chapel or church, it is always a good idea to consider that they are seriously seeking someone to speak to. Based on our history I was ready to cancel the meeting I was enroute to, but this Airman asked something that has stuck with me for years, “Would you pray for me? You’re the only person who prays for me.” Is there anyone in your life that is unprayed for? Stop reading and rectify that right now.

2. Andrew van der Bijl (Brother Andrew), was banned from the Soviet Union after smuggling many Bibles and much encouragement into closed countries. He found solace in the fact that “Our prayers can go where we cannot; there are no borders, no prison walls, no doors that are closed to us when we pray.” Prayer should be our first resort, not our last, we need to talk to God about people before we talk to people about God. Take time to pray for someone you can’t have a conversation with.

3. Paul commanded Timothy to offer prayers for all types of people. That means the chaplain should be praying for and with the commander and the newest recruit and everyone in between. Its my policy, as much as possible, to end sessions with prayer. Sometimes its refused, but its never offensive. I’ve only had one person say, “Don’t pray for me, chaplain.” To which I had to honestly say, “Too late.” We should be praying out loud as often as is appropriate, but in private at all times.

4. When someone asks you to pray for them, do your best to pray right then and there, and then as is appropriate. But praying immediately does at least two things 1) Ensures you do pray for them 2) Shows the urgency and seriousness of prayer in their life.

5. Further Resources:

Ryle, John C. Do you Pray? London: Tract Committee of the Church, n.d.

Bunyan, John. A Discourse Touching Prayer. Bedford: Bedford Gaol, 1662.

Shearer, Canyon. “The Privilege of Prayer.” Trust and Obey. July 17, 2019. https://trustobey.blogspot.com/2009/07/privilege-of-prayer.html

Better Chaplain Series - No Shrinking Allowed

Has the church ever compromised itself into righteousness or influence? This is not just a rhetorical question, consider for a moment if you can think of a time that compromise was beneficial for Christianity or people.

This chapter comes towards the end of this devotional because it is such an important topic, and one I want to leave you thinking on for years to come. G. Campbell Morgan said, “The church today has destroyed her own influence by compromise.” The Bible is clear on all matters that it speaks to, so our goal is not to please men, but God (Galatians 2:10). An apocryphal quote attributed to Martin Luther says, “Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved; to be steady on all the battlefields besides, is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point!” While we don’t know who said it, the sentiment is worthy of acceptance: the Christian, the chaplain, is judged on his compromise.

A chaplain may think that he is going to make friends by flattering hearers with soft messages, but failing to tell someone the truth is helping them on their way to destruction. Too many popular speakers fill their message with much truth, science, intrigue, rhetoric, and facts, but make no difference; why aren’t they making a difference in eternity? They shrink back from the ultimate truth, they fail to magnify the Lord Christ and testify of repentance towards God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Chaplain, let us not be like them, let’s make a difference for eternity, let’s stand and not shrink back.

There is a morbid dislike in these days of all that is called ‘controversy.’ Men will persist in crying ‘Peace, peace!’ when there is no peace, and in speaking smooth things, when they ought to warn men plainly of danger. This is not charity but cruelty. ~ JC Ryle

Key Verse: You yourselves know how I lived among you…how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable… ~ Acts 20:20

More:

1. There is room for being crafty as serpents in addressing controversial subjects (Matthew 10:16, Luke 11:53-54). I’ve had members come into my office and ask, “What does the Bible say about [explosive subject]?” It would be easy to say, “Let me lecture you exactly what it says.” Rather, I’ve seen the most fruit from asking, “What do you think the Bible says about [topic]?” In cases where someone is trying to trap you, this will reveal their motive, and in cases of someone trying to learn the truth, it nurtures a great conversation. Regardless of their motive, make sure you leave them closer to the truth than you found them.

2. When preaching we should consider what the audience needs to hear, but we shouldn’t force anything into the text or omit anything based on what our audience needs. If we do so, we can become their lens for reading scripture, or we may discourage them altogether because they don’t (nay, can't) see what we see. I have long held to Dan Phillip’s hermeneutic principle, “Remember: Scripture meant one thing before you were born, means the same now, and will mean the same, should you die. Preach that meaning.” Would the original author of scripture be surprised by your use of it?

3. If someone is going to be offended, let them be offended by the Word of God and not us; Paul Washer was approached with “I don’t agree with your interpretation of that verse.” To which he was able to faithfully say, “I didn’t interpret it, I read it.” Let us bring no offense outside of the scripture. John MacArthur put it this way, “If the truth offends, then let it offend. People have been living their whole lives in offense to God; let them offended for a while.”

4. Martin Luther pressed forward to nail truth to doors, stand before princes and pontiffs, and declare, “My conscience is captive to the Word of God…I cannot and will not recant. Here I stand, I can do no other, God help me.” Luther offended many in his day, but five centuries later we still remember his name for his stand. Will people in Heaven remember you five centuries from now? What about those in Hell who you flattered instead of warned?

5. Further Resources:

Lloyd-Jones, Martin. Preaching and Preachers. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1971.

MacArthur, John. The Truth War: Fighting for Certainty in an Age of Deception. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2007.

Welch, Edward. When People are Big and God is Small: Overcoming Peer Pressure, Codependency, and the Fear of Man. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2023.

Better Chaplain Series - Show No Partiality

There is a real temptation in the military to only bond in cliques. Aircraft maintainers hang out with aircraft maintainers, personnelists connect with personnelists, pilots gravitate to pilots, officers congregate with officers, commanders associate with commanders, and every other clique you can imagine. There is a very real temptation for the chaplain to do likewise, finding others of a similar rank or education to flock to, a comfortable place amongst people that look like us, while neglecting those who don’t look quite like us.

As always, our example to follow in this is Jesus of Nazareth. Not only did he step out of the perfection of heaven to live among sinful people, but in so doing he met with Pharisees (John 3:1), Tax Collectors (Luke 19:5-7), children (Matthew 19:13-15), and those considered much lower (Luke 7:37-38).

We see Paul investing in individuals, churches, and kings; he was willing and ready to speak to anyone who would listen. Joseph had been ministering amongst prisoners when he was summoned to Pharaoh, at which time he shaved and changed his clothes, then ministered to the highest-ranking person in Egypt (Genesis 41:14). George Whitefield started many sermons, “I am come to speak to you about your souls!” He preached to Ben Franklin as well as unnamed children, declaring even, “It may be, children, that your parents will not come to Christ; but, blessed be God, you may come without them! If your parents won’t come to Christ, you come now, and go to heaven without them!” All the while writing precious notes to aristocrats, friends, and acquaintances imploring them to be born again.

Chaplains ought to be the least cliquish people in the world, like God, not showing partiality, or looking on the outside, or worrying what others will think, but becoming all things to all people so that by all means we may win some.

Go for sinners, and go for the worst! ~ William Booth

Key Verse: Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all and in all. ~ Colossians 3:11

More:

1. The chaplain is in a unique position to foster cross-career-field networking. Few people on the base have as much access to people and offices as a chaplain, and the importance of introducing people to one another with similar interests and needs cannot be overstated. I had one young Airman state that he couldn’t believe his best friend worked in such a different career-field as he did. When we stick to cliques we’ll never understand the diversity of God’s kingdom. Do you find yourself engaging the same people everyday? How can you connect with someone who doesn’t look, sound, or think like you do?

2. John Stroup, a tattooed, on-fire for Jesus, ex-convict was asked by his pastor to help bring in "more people who look like you." Stroup is not your stereotypical church-goer, but he brings people to Jesus and church in droves. After bringing in a lot of people who didn't "look" like they belonged in church, his pastor declared that he wasn't as ready as he thought he was to see those people in church, but he wouldn't change a thing! Are you ready for the church to have a better demographic-representation of the population?

3. On a TDY I had the privilege of attending a church service in a different nation and language. While I couldn’t tell what was being said, I could see the joy in my brothers and sisters, and I was able to garner just enough clues to believe that they loved the same Jesus I love. If we’ll worship with every nation, tribe, and tongue in heaven, why not start now?

4. While the chaplain cannot fraternize, they are in the place to befriend and edify everyone from E-1 to O-10. Each one of those ranks has a unique set of needs, but one thing is for certain, they all need Jesus. How can they see Jesus in you, and how can you tell them about Jesus?

5. Further Resources:

Stroup, John. From the Pit to the Pulpit. Springfield, MO: Freeway Ministries, 2018.

MacArthur, John. The Impartiality of God. June 17, 2025. Accessed July 8, 2025. https://sermons-online.org/john-macarthur/devo/the-impartiality-of-god

Laurie, Greg, and Ellen Vaughn. Jesus Revolution: How God Transformed an Unlikely Generation and How He Can Do It Again Today. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2018.

Erwin, Jon, Brent McCorkle, dir. Jesus Revolution. Kingdom Story Company and Lionsgate, 2023. Film.

Better Chaplain Series - Be Wronged!

The call of Christianity is to be Christlike. Christ poured out blessing upon blessing and yet was despised and rejected (Ezekiel 16:2-63), told the truth and was hated for it (John 8:45, Galatians 4:16), and was found innocent and still crucified (Matthew 27:23-24, Luke 23:4,14-15, John 19:4).

Jesus was wronged in multitudes of ways and it troubled his soul. But instead of escaping, of running from the danger, of calling divisions of angels or the equivalent of the 8^th Air Force to his rescue, he opted to suffer wrong, despising the shame, for the joy that was set before him. “What shall I say, ‘Father save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” (John 12:27-28)

We live in an era of offense, where it is common for people trained to be victims in everything can declare they are wronged even if they aren’t wronged. The idea of Critical Theory states that someone has to be oppressing me, so I need to declare my wrong and you need to acknowledge it. Christianity could not be any more opposite. Every offense, every overtasking, every stolen credit, every curt word is an opportunity to be like Christ and absorb that offense so that forgiveness and love and joy can propagate throughout the culture.

Being wronged opens the opportunity for forgiveness. Forgiveness is not optional, “As the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” (Colossians 3:13) Forgiveness acknowledges that a price must be paid, and to salvage the relationship I am willing to pay it, even if I am not the debtor, even if the sin was against me.

A chaplain who does not understand this will foment bitterness and unforgiveness and backbiting everywhere he goes. Such a chaplain is not fit to be a chaplain, a Christian, or a follower of Christ.

Lord, do not hold this sin against them. ~ Deacon Stephen, Acts 7:60

Key Verse: Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded? ~ 1 Corinthians 6:7

More:

1. In marriage counseling I love to point out that we get to be like Jesus when we pay more than our fair share. In all circumstances, if someone has to pay more, then why not me? Maybe that reminds you of the sermon on the mount, turning the other cheek or going the extra mile. Zig Ziglar reminds us that “There are no traffic jams on the second mile.” Where can you go a second mile this week?

2. Winfrid Boniface, missionary to the Germanic tribes, was ambushed on the banks of the Bordne River. It was apparent that he and the men he was with could have defended themselves, but instead decided that if they were killed, they knew they would be with Christ, but if they killed their attackers, they knew their attackers would be lost forever. Boniface is an extreme example, but his declaration, “Cease fighting. Lay down your arms. We are told in scripture not to render evil for evil but to overcome evil by good.” (quoting Romans 12:21) is a powerful illustration of “Why not suffer wrong?” If Jesus, and Boniface, could lay down their lives for others, which offense do you need to overlook today for the sake of the kingdom?

3. The temptation when someone wrongs us is to say, “It’s ok.” We teach the kids in our church instead to say, “It’s not ok, you could have really hurt me and/or our friendship, but Jesus forgave me so I forgive you.” Is there anyone you need to forgive or ask forgiveness from? Is it optional?

4. Further Resources:

Elliot, Elisabeth. Why Not Be Wronged? Grand Rapids MI: Revell, 1977.

Sande, Ken. The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2004.

Willibald. The Life of Saint Boniface. Translated by George W. Robinson. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1916.

Better Chaplain Series - Despair of Life

Chaplains will have difficult supervisors, impossible duty stations, hopeless phone calls, and many other trials. If you haven’t had one of these yet, it’s coming.

Paul faced more difficult situations than probably any other person in history, many of these situations were so intense as to make him consider his utter weakness and God’s strength. In fact, in at least one circumstance, Paul likely died and had to be resurrected to continue his ministry (Acts 14:19-20). Our temptation is always to take the easy route of escape, but we have to remember that God has placed us in our situations for our good and his glory, and that suffering and pain are not evidence of his turning his face against us but are often his perfect plan for our lives.

Those whom we minister to will likewise be faced with impossible situations. The chaplain must always consider that what might seem a simple problem to us may be a crushing weight on our counselee. When we offer worldly solutions, we often get in their way of trusting in God. Impossible situations full of despair are always invitations to put our trust in the God who makes the impossible possible, so that he, not us, gets the glory.

You may never know that Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have. ~ Corrie ten Boom

Key Verse: We were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. ~ 2 Corinthians 1:8-9

More:

1. Some things you can somewhat prepare for; such as the shock of knocking on a parent’s door to deliver a Next of Kin (NoK) notification, or the helplessness of sitting in an emergency room with the parents of a deceased child. If you can prepare, then prepare; but other situations will be thrust upon you. The key in facing impossible situations is trusting God to give you the right words (Luke 12:12) and that he is the only one who can offer hope (Ephesians 2:12-13) and comfort (Isaiah 49:13, 2 Corinthians 1:3-5, 7:6-7). Can you think back on a time when you faced impossible odds and had no option but to trust God?

2. The opposite of walking by faith is not doubt, but confidence in yourself. Have you overcome (or escaped) any difficult situations by your own power when God could have effected a better outcome? I’ve watched marriages split because of minor difficulties, and grieved at the lost opportunity to watch God pour out his blessings. The painful truth of many of our lives is, “If he had done less, he might have done more.”

3. Impossible situations bring out the necessity of prayer. Paul didn’t just ask for prayer, he said, “You also MUST help us by prayer…” I’ve sent several texts to groups stating simply, “Headed to the hospital for an emergency, prayers appreciated.” Calvin said, “If you derive any fruit from my labours, give me the benefit of your prayers to the Lord.” Who do you have praying for you? Who are you praying for? What would it look like if God answered those prayers?

4. Further Resources

Comfort, Ray. God Has a Wonderful Plan for your Life: The Myth of the Modern Message. Bellflower, CA: Living Waters Publications, 2008.

Priolo, Lou. Divorce: Before You Say “I Don’t”. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2007.

MacArthur, John. Job: Trusting God in Suffering. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2020.

Elliot, Elisabeth. Suffering is Never for Nothing. Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group, 2019.

Bennett, Sanford Fillmore, and Daniel Brink Towner. Trust and Obey. In The Baptist Hymnal, Nashville, TN: Lifeway Worship, 2008.

Better Chaplain Series - Make Bad Investments

How much of your property can you take with you to Heaven? What can you take to Heaven? Jesus tells us to “store up your treasure in Heaven where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21). It’s not money or property or cars or jewels that last for eternity, but the souls of human beings, and these are our treasure that we should be investing in.

There is a very real temptation to think of people as capital to utilize for the mission of the church. When we see people as what they can do for us, we will compromise the message to get more people in the church, more people volunteering, and more people letting us down. Do more people bring more manhours of useful volunteering? Potentially, but we are after quality, not quantity, after disciples, not pew-warmers.

In this role we might plant and water seeds in people, fostering relationships with those who will walk away from the faith and the church (Matthew 13:20-21, 1 John 2:19). Paul tells us to be “kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting our opponents with gentleness.” Why? Not because we’re sure they’ll be saved, but because “God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses, and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:24-26).

Therefore, our call is not to make wise investments, such as ensuring people are showing evidence of election and growth and worthiness before investing in them, but investing even when there is no evidence of their spiritual calling, they are going from bad to worse, and we are quite sure if the Spirit doesn’t move that we’re wasting our time. Many people in history have said something to the effect of, “Character is shown most clearly in how we treat those who can do nothing for us.”

If God would have painted a yellow stripe on the backs of the elect, I would go around lifting shirts. But since he didn’t, I must preach “whosoever will” and when “whosoever” believes, I know he is one of the elect. ~ Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Key Verse: Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding. ~ Proverbs 23:23

More:

1. Before evangelism, preaching, and revivals I usually pray, “God, if you’d don’t send your Holy Spirit, then we’re just bothering people and wasting their time.” The adage says, “We should talk to God about people before we talk to people about God.” How often do you pray for those you’ll come into contact with throughout the day? Are you praying that God would move in their life? How about praying now?

2. Can you think of anyone in your life who took a risk and invested in you? Any scholarships, open pulpits, free lunches? How do you pay it forward and take someone to lunch so you can invest in them?

3. Bad investments often require us to go looking for lost sheep. One of my regrets in ministry is giving up on a young man who repeatedly missed appointments and didn’t do his homework. If I could do it again I’d spend more time holding him accountable. Read Ezekiel 34 and consider how you’ve treated God’s flock.

4. Rudyard Kipling said something all people everywhere ought to heed, “Beware of overconcern for money, or position, or glory. Someday you will meet a man who cares for none of these things. Then you will know how poor you are.” Are you investing in truth and souls and prepared to meet the man who cares immensely about both of those things? Read Revelation 3:18 and Isaiah 55:1 and consider if you’re obeying Christ’s commands.

5. Further Reading:

Mack, Wayne. A Homework Manual for Biblical Living: Personal and Interpersonal Problems. Chicago: Moody Press, 1979.

Mack, Wayne. A Homework Manual for Biblical Living: Family and Marital Problems. Chicago: Moody Press, 1979.

Getty, Keith & Kristyn, and Fernando Ortega. My Worth Is Not in What I Own. Getty Music, 2014.

Better Chaplain Series - Pain is Gain

Physical tests, such as a mandatory run, strength test, or realistic training, provide invaluable illustrations of temporary suffering to secure future gain. Pushing through the pain yields physical growth, but it also prevents the consequences of failing those tests. It’s common to remind struggling runners that if they quit, they’ll have to run again in the very near future, so it’s less work to not quit. Pacers cry out encouragements, “It’s going to hurt for the next ten minutes or it’s going to hurt much longer!” The implication is that pain now is preparing for future joy.

The root words for compassion are “com”-together, and “pati”-suffering, which mean to suffer with. Paul points this idea to Christ by saying we’ll be in union with Christ’s kingdom if we’re in union with his suffering. Suffering has never surprised God, and he has never sought to shield his children from the terrors of the world. In fact, Paul says we’re like sheep being slaughtered all the day long (Romans 8:36, Psalm 44:22).

The chaplain will regularly encounter people who desperately need compassion and help with their burdens. This is going to cost the chaplain time and effort at a minimum, but how much more? Chaplains have diverse opportunities to sacrifice, such as hospital visits, late night phone calls, deployments, and difficult counselings; if it’s easy, it’s probably cheap, if it’s hard, you should at least give it a second look. It is not uncommon at all for chaplains and their teams to relish the memory of difficult deployments, stating it was where their greatest ministry was done. JC Ryle stated that religion which costs nothing is worth nothing. What is God calling you to put on the line for his namesake? What are a few minutes of pain or inconvenience worth in comparison to an eternity of joy?

            Can he have followed far who has no wound nor scar? ~ Amy Carmichael

Key Verse: The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. ~ Romans 8:16-18

More:

1. In the counseling room I hear regularly, “I know God wants me to be safe!” or “The most important thing is my (or their) safety.” I asked a bunch of fifth-graders, “What’s the most important thing in baseball?” Their unanimous answer was, “Be safe!” Where are we getting this idea? It’s not from the Bible, which emphasizes walking by faith and not by sight. If Paul was willing to give up even his own salvation for others (Romans 9:3), which risks ought we be taking and price ought we be paying for our neighbors?

2. Hanging on the wall in multiple Intelligence Centers is the quote in some shape or form, “Safety is Not First, Security is First.” A parody says, “Coffee is First, Safety is Like Third or Fourth.” If you were to hang a poster in your chapel or church, what would it say? Might I suggest, “Salvation First, Sanctification Second, Safety When I Get to Heaven.” Or “Christ first, others second, me last.”

3. A healthy understanding of martyrs in history is sure to show a very unsafe world and calling. If you haven’t considered them, I recommend looking at the lives of men like Jim Elliot, women like Amy Carmichael, preachers like Thomas Cranmer, and reformers like Martin Luther and John Calvin. The risks they took were immense, but the rewards belong to them and Christ for eternity. Do you think they’d regret any of those risks?

4. Further Reading:

Carmichael, Amy. Gold Cord: The Story of Fellowship. Fort Washington, PA: Christian Literature Crusade, 1983.

Fox, John. Fox’s Book of Martyrs: A History of the Lives, Sufferings, and Deaths of the Early Christian and Protestant Martyrs. Edited by William Byron Forbush. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1978.

Papa, Matt. “Stay Away from Jesus.” On This Changes Everything. Love Your Enemies Publishing, 2011.

Better Chaplain Series - Get On Fire

The Bible is written in several genres, from poetry, to letter, to proverbs, to narrative. The diversity in which God has opted to communicate reminds us that he has spoken in many times in many ways through the prophets (Hebrews 1:1). It’s easy to fall into the error that it’s all just words on a page, but we can’t forget that it’s real people in real life circumstances meeting the real God and feeling real emotions, and it’s written for our sanctification (2 Timothy 3:17)!

How we speak these oracles of God ought to be derived from the text. If the speaker is angry (Numbers 11:10-15, Matthew 23), get angry! If the speaker is weeping (John 11:32-36, Proverbs 25:20), then be sad! If there is mocking (1 Kings 18:27, 1 Kings 22:15, John 11:37), then be incredulous! If the speaker is hopeless (2 Samuel 13:12-13, Jonah 2, John 21:17), make sure your voice is full of compassion! How much is lost on our hearers because we aren’t invested in the story?

As we read, preach, and share the Word of God, we ought to be passionate in the sharing, not just the words, but the power behind them. Many revivalists have called this “Unction.” In fact, Leonard Ravenhill said that the most important thing a preacher can get is unction, a Spirit given passion to know and share the truth. The opposite of unction is a passionless pulpit that treats the Bible like a textbook at best, and a burden at worst. He said the tragedy of the age “is that we have too many dead men in the pulpits giving out too many dead sermons to too many dead people.”

As a chaplain, in and out of the pulpit, we have access to the very power that can quicken a dead soul. If that doesn’t excite you, and your excitement is not contagious, then maybe you’re in the wrong profession.

Get on fire for God, and people will come to watch you burn. ~ Leonard Ravenhill

Key Verse: Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. ~ Romans 12:11-12

More:

1. Jonathan Edwards is famous at the beginning of his ministry for reading his manuscripts. Chief among these manuscripts was “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” which did much to start the First Great Awakening in the colonies that would grow to become the United States of America. Which is more important: Passion in the preaching or doctrinal fidelity in the preaching? Are the two mutually exclusive? Make it your goal to be passionately faithful as you are faithful to the Bible.

2. I had the privilege of preaching to a large crowd on a street corner on a warm Florida night. One man, leaning against a traffic light pole, was especially engaged in listening. When I concluded the sermon I offered an invitation for further conversation; as he approached I asked, “Do you believe it?” He said, “I don’t, but it sounds like you do, so maybe I should.” When you preach, does it sound like you believe it?

3. Chaplains who find their authority outside of God and the Bible find it hard to be passionate for the things of God. Voddie Baucham makes the point that some of them say they just don’t have any passion, yet he gives multiple examples (smashing your thumb with a hammer, hitting a golf-ball poorly, and a favorite team losing) that show that passion is not the problem, misguided passion is. Chaplain, you’re a passionate person, so if you have a hard time getting passionate about God’s Word, could it be that you have yet to understand its power?

4. Further Resources:

The Visual Bible: Matthew. Directed by Regardt van den Bergh. Performed by Richard Kiley and Bruce Marchiano. Visual Bible International, 1993. DVD.

Robinson, Haddon, and Torrey Robinson. Passion in the Pulpit: How to Exegete the Emotion of a Text. Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2003.

Vines, Jerry, and Adam Dooley. Passion in the Pulpit: How to Exegete the Emotion of Scripture. Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2018.

Baucham, Voddie. “Go Home and Love Your Wife!” YouTube Video, Jan 15, 2013. https://youtu.be/P4yS1Fzn3GM

Better Chaplain Series - Redeem Their Time

What are some things that we say that Jesus would never say? Take a couple of minutes before reading ahead to contemplate your answer. As we strive to live Christlike lives, we never want to say things that he wouldn’t say, and we definitely don’t want to say the opposite of what he’d say.

A couple of things I know Jesus would never say that I hear regularly from chaplains are, “I want to be respectful of your time,” “I’ll give you some time back,” and “That’s how much time we scheduled, so we’ll dismiss now.”

Can you think of times when those responses would have been acceptable? I think about a time when four-thousand-plus people were in the middle of a desert with nothing to eat (Mark 8:2-3), or when Paul was preaching late into the night and a young man fell out the window and died (Acts 20:7-9), or when Ezra preached all day to people who were brand new to preaching (Nehemiah 9:3). If Jesus or Paul or Ezra were ever going to dismiss early, those were the times, but they prioritized the message over schedules for secular work. There were trades to be cared for, sheep to be shepherded, businesses to be run, sleep to be had, but none of those things were worth more than hearing from the God of Heaven.

When you show people Jesus and share his commands you are literally opening the gates of heaven in men’s faces. Sometimes that can be quick, but other times it can take a very long time. Chaplain, your call is to ensure you are bringing a message that is worth listening to, and that you’re sharing it so that your hearers can be mature in Christ (Colossians 1:28).

            We have too many preacherettes preaching sermonettes to christianettes. ~ Leonard Ravenhill

Key Verse: What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? ~ Mark 8:36

More:

1. Winston Churchill noted that the “head cannot take in more than the seat can endure.” There is good scientific and anecdotal evidence that there is a limit to the endurance of human absorption. How long is your limit to learning? How long is your audiences’? A young child will have a different attention span than a scholar, a junior enlisted different than a seasoned general. Should this truth help you tailor your efforts to make disciples of all nations?

2. Martha and Mary are famous for one choosing hospitality and the other choosing to sit at the Saviour’s feet. There is great truth in that dichotomy, but perhaps it’s too simplified, ignoring the heart of both women. Can the two principles be combined? Can you take Christ’s yoke upon you and be at work at the same time? Can you always be learning and never arrive at the knowledge of the truth? How can you reconcile discipleship with service? Hearing with doing?

3. Can you think of a message that you heard that was too long? Too short? What can you learn from those messages? A solid principle to consider is if it’s not important to you, it’s not important to the audience. Never go long on a topic that’s not interesting to you. If you ever encounter a message that important to Jesus but not important to you, or important to you but not to Jesus, here is an opportunity for your repentance.

4. Further Resources

Adam, Peter. Speaking God’s Words: A Practical Theology of Preaching. Leicester, UK: Inter-Varsity Press, 1996.

Shearer, Canyon. Honing the Congregation to Be Attentive to Expository Preaching at First Baptist Church New Lebanon, Ohio. Louisville: The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2020. https://repository.sbts.edu/handle/10392/6133 (Read specifically on Ezra starting on page 13)

Whitefield, George. “Directions How to Hear Sermons” (sermon). Ken Ramey, Expository Listening: A Practical Handbook for Hearing and Doing God’s Word (The Woodlands, TX: Kress Biblical Resources, 2010).

Better Chaplain Series - Train Your Discernment

Small children, of whom I have a few, are notorious for their lack of judgement between what is healthy and what is harmful. They’ll eat food (and other things) off the floor, take ridiculous risks, ignore what is clearly (to me) the best option, and think only in terms of immediate results. On the spiritual side, if it mentions God or Jesus or gives them a coloring sheet, they are sure it's great, no matter where it's coming from (Consider 2 Corinthians 11:4).

John MacArthur puts it this way, “A small child will stick almost anything into his mouth, touch anything he can reach, go anywhere he can manage to crawl—with no concept of what is good for him and what is bad, what is helpful and what is dangerous. The mature adult, on the other hand, has developed considerable discernment. He is careful about what he eats, what he does, where he goes. The same principle operates in the spiritual realm.”

Chaplains will encounter all sorts of people who believe all sorts of lies. Some lies are well veiled and you maybe will understand why someone would fall for them, others are so obvious that they’d be laughable if not so tragic. I’ll never forget one young Airman who readily admitted his life was a disaster, then rattled off five known heretics (some dead, some retired, and some active) who he was listening to and reading, and wondering why God wasn’t blessing his circumstances.

Ask these questions:

1. Is it true? By what standard?
2. Is it Christ honoring?
3. Is it helpful? Is it building up the church?
4. What is the logical end of this path?
5. Is there a better way?
6. Does the Bible speak directly or indirectly to this topic?

Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong. It is knowing the difference between right and almost right. ~ Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Key Verse: Solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. ~ Hebrews 5:14

More:

1. The Bible teaches us that discernment is not a “one-and-done” proposition. You don’t gain it by taking a Sunday School class or earning your degree or reading one devotional. It requires new effort and new considerations every day and in every circumstance. It’s easy to point out Sabellianism, Pelagianism, Marxism, and Aryanism in the past, but how do we get good at pointing out Driscollism, Shrirerism, Marxism, and NARism when it’s found its way through the doors of our chapels or churches?

2. If someone served you a full cup of poison, your senses would scream at you not to drink it. Your eyes would water, your nose would revolt, and your gag-reflex would ensure the poison could not find its way anywhere near your digestive system. But if they dilute that poison with something pleasant, meter it in a smaller quantity, and cover those warning signs, then it would be easier to get you to drink it. Consider Proverbs 5:3-11 for one case study on how poison can be dressed up to look and taste sweet as it leads many straight to ruin and Hell.

3. People will bring you all sorts of questionable teachers, books, music, and movies that they like for a variety of reasons. The heart of the matter is the matter of the heart: they like having their ears tickled. I would too if I didn’t know the danger of such poison. Many genuine believers can be deceived, so our call is to help them out of the fire, but we hate the sin that got them there (Jude 22-23). Life is too short and eternity is too long for us to entertain false teachers even for a moment. We cannot be soft on false doctrine, because it "comforts no one, sanctifies no one, elevates no one, helps no one towards heaven." ~ JC Ryle

4. Further Resources

Baucham, Voddie T. Fault Lines: The Social Justice Movement and Evangelicalism’s Looming Catastrophe. Washington: Salem Books, 2021.

MacArthur, John. The Truth War: Fight for Certainty in an Age of Deception. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2007.

Papa, Matt. Stay Away from Jesus. YouTube video, 4:33. Posted by Matt Papa, February 7, 2011. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jXfWW2U5bI

Better Chaplain Series - Holiness Over Happiness

In premarital counseling I lead with, “What’s the purpose of marriage?” I hear the usual cliches such as “someone to do life with,” or “because we love each other,” or “to start a family”, and even “for the legal and financial benefits.” There is truth in all of these, but what is the ultimate purpose of marriage? The purpose of marriage is not to make you happy, but to make you holy (compare Ephesians 5:22-33, especially vv. 25-27). This is why the vows include faithfulness in horrible (worse) unions, instances of sickness, times of scarcity (poorer – Habakkuk 3:17-19), till death does you part; because marriage shows us how to sacrifice for someone else, to love an unlovable bride (you get to be like Christ!), and to reveal our deep-seeded selfishness and sinfulness.

Given this introduction, what do you think the purpose of chaplaincy is? If you’re paying attention, you know that the purpose of chaplaincy is to make you holy. You’ll be faced with challenges, impossible bosses, long hours, conflicting priorities, and unlovable people (whom you’re called to love). Each of these is to conform you to the image of Christ (Romans 8:28-29).

If you became a chaplain to find fulfilment, or a paycheck, or a title, or a missions field, or to see the world, or any such thing, you may find those things to some degree (like a marriage can fulfil worldly promises for a moment), but you’ll miss God’s will and plan for your ministry. God is doing a great sanctifying work in his saints (those he has made holy) through many means, using all things to conform them to the image of his Son.

Holiness is not the way to Christ. Christ is the way to holiness. ~ Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Key Verse: This is the will of God: your sanctification (holiness). ~ 1 Thessalonians 4:3

More:

1. Many of our military members have never thought deeply about the purpose of life. Their expectation is that if they just do their best, good things will happen. We understand that God creates things for a purpose, and when we don’t fulfil that purpose we’re likely to misuse and abuse God’s good design. What would happen if we tried to turn an MQ-9 into a passenger plane, a C-5 into a fighter jet, and M1-A1 tank into a Surface to Air Missile (SAM) site, or an aircraft carrier into a low-earth-orbit reconnaissance satellite? Not only would they hopelessly fail their missions, but they would despair of their purpose completely. Helping our people to understand their purpose is paramount in the chaplain’s duties; we have to help them first to be image bearers of God, second to be trophies of his grace, and third to serve faithfully in their calling. This will help all of our disciples to not just know their purpose, but to fulfil it, and to understand their purpose is to be set apart from the world to magnify Christ in all they do.

2. Chaplaincy, like marriage, may lead to happiness, and I pray it does for you. But if you had to choose between happiness and holiness, which would it be? Which will matter most in the life to come?

3. The goal of Christianity is to look like Christ, the way to look like Christ is to walk with Christ, and the way to walk with Christ is to be saved by Christ. We say, “I was saved, I am being saved, I will be saved.” Do you look more like Christ today than you did yesterday? Than the day you were saved? Saintly chaplain, this is the will of God: your sanctification.

4. Further Resources:

MacArthur, John. Strang Fire: The Danger of Offending the Holy Spirit with Counterfeit Worship. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2013.

DeYoung, Kevin. Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God’s Will. Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2009.

Better Chaplain Series - Float Boats

When you leave a meeting, do you leave anything behind? Do you think people noticed that you were there or that you left? How about bigger: when you leave a base, a church, a city or state, the military, or the earth? Are people better for you being in close proximity to them?

David said that goodness and mercy followed him all the days of his life. The chaplain ought to be a source of hope in every situation with encouragement, love, and life pouring into every person as God gives opportunity. In their wake should be people who were faced to think on eternity because of the christian's witness.

Being indwelt with the Holy Spirit means that you’re going to bear much fruit in love, joy, patience, self-control, calmness (not a named fruit of the Spirit, but I often say that a chaplain should be the calmest person in the room), etc. because the chaplain ought to be an ever-present encouragement to those he ministers to. They may not have the same beliefs but one of your jobs is to make them jealous of how God is blessing you, so that they may be saved (Romans 11:13-14).

There is no such thing as neutrality, we are either for Christ or against Christ. Everyone you meet will be better or worse for having you in their life. You’ll either push them towards the Kingdom of Heaven or inoculate them against the truth. Richard Wurmbrand is an extreme case, but he spent years in a Romanian prison and found a ministry in which he was able to lead several prisoners and at least one guard to Christ. He summarizes his ministry like this, “It was strictly forbidden to preach to other prisoners. It was understood that whoever was caught doing this received a severe beating. A number of us decided to pay the price for the privilege of preaching, so we accepted their terms. We were happy preaching, they were happy beating us, so everyone was happy.”

Chaplain, how can you be spreading love and hope? Is it true of you that goodness and mercy follow you all the days of your life?

I pray that when I die, all of Hell will rejoice that I am no longer in the fight. ~ C.T. Studd (When I paraphrase this I say, "I pray that you will live your life and so order your faith that when you die, all of Hell will rejoice that a great saint has stepped off the field of battle.")

Key Verse: Thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. ~ 2 Corinthians 2:14

More:

1. I tell new servicemembers that if they are running low on hope to visit a chaplain, because we have an overabundance of hope and we’re happy to give some away. The adage says, “Hope floats all boats!” Are you ready to give a reason for the hope that is in you, that is, Christ in you, the hope of glory? If you don’t have any hope to give away, how can you, as Heath Lambert declares, “Go nuts in the hope department!”?

2. As a chaplain I regularly have people miss appointments or fail to do something optional that they said they were going to do. Often because of the rank disparity they ask if I’m going to report them. My response, “I’m here to alleviate stress, would reporting this alleviate stress or add stress?” Granted, there is room for accountability and the blessings thereof, but would you say you’re better at stressing people out or bolstering their hope? What would they say about you?

3. An anecdote from the Soviet Union says that soldiers despondently said they were having an “average” day. When asked what was average about it, they said it was “worse than yesterday, but better than tomorrow.” That's a sad “average”; are you making people’s day worse or better than yesterday? My prayer for you, dear reader, is that you’ll have an average day: better than yesterday, but worse than tomorrow, and that you'll do likewise for those God has put you in close proximity to. Only in Christ can this prayer be answered.

4. Further Resources:

Burroughs, Jeremiah. The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment. Reprint, Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 1964.

Wurmbrand, Richard. Tortured for Christ. Washington Depot CT: Spire Books, 1971.

Wurmbrand, Sabina. The Pastor’s Wife. Bartlesville, OK: Living Sacrifice Book Co, 2005.

Better Chaplain Series - Understand Justice

When the world only does what is right in its own eyes we see a pandemic of interpretations of what is right and wrong. This results in victimhood and false accusations running rampant, and complex judgments falling to opinion and anecdotal evidence rather than authority and factual evidence. As chaplains we often fall into a defensive posture, one where we’re only waiting for people to come to us and when they do, we rely on their knowledge or faith to find an answer that suits them, something right in their eyes. Because of this, we’re already back on our heals when we hear of injustice.

Have we forgotten that as followers of the Truth (John 1:17, 14:6, 18:36, Revelation 19:11), we have a monopoly on truth (Romans 1:18, 1:25, 2:8)? The world won’t agree with that statement, but the question is: Is it true?

As one entrusted with the truth it is our responsibility to speak the truth. A convenient lie or agreeing with someone in sin may lead to a quick and painless conversation, but help comes from directing people to the truth which can set them free (John 8:31-32). When we enable someone in their belief that they are not thriving because of something that happened to them (or their ancestors) in the past, we lock them up in that abuse (or perceived abuse) and cut them off from the gospel that is able to transform and redeem. When we don’t stand up to a commander who is using an Airman as a scapegoat to a larger injustice, we silently give credence. When we leave a complex legal problem up to historical precedence, we deny that the Word of God speaks to every nuance and manner of justice. And especially when we don’t press into the idea that forgiveness is an option (a mandatory option), we might as well not even be chaplains.

As salt and light in this world, we have a duty to our commission from God to be men of sincerity, speak in Christ (2 Corinthians 2:17), and injecting his truth into the world so that they may know him and live life according to his precepts. You’ll look like an abomination to many (Proverbs 29:27), but your call remains to seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8).

God’s law has been written on all of our consciences, but only in Christ is it written on our hearts. ~ Alistair Begg

Key Verse: Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand it completely. ~ Proverbs 28:5

More:

1. Proverbs 17:15 sets up an incredible dichotomy that is hard to reconcile with who God is. The summary is that God is furious with people who curse the innocent and who bless the wicked. But what happened on the cross of Christ? Wasn’t an innocent and righteous man cursed? Weren’t we the chief of sinners and yet we’ve received all of God’s blessings and heaven too? How is it that God is not the abomination in this story? Attempt to answer yourself first, then look at Isaiah 25:21, Romans 3:25, 5:8, and Psalm 85:10-13 for a hint.

2. As chaplains we hear heartbreaking stories. Within the span of a few days I had two young Airmen in my office with extremely similar trauma. Both had been horribly abused and their abusers never brought to justice. One was as bitter, emotionally hurt, angry, and scared as the day they were abused; in essence still under the control of their abuser. The other was joyful, forgiving, thriving, and loving; their question was, “Is there something wrong with me that I’m doing so well?” These were nearly identical situations, with practically exact opposite responses. The discernable difference was the first had no expectation of God’s justice being shown to their abuser, the second knew that God would mete out perfect justice either in eternal conscious torment, or on the cross of Christ, and amazingly their prayer was that their abuser would find the same redemption that they had found in Christ’s grace. How did understanding justice help? Can you think of similar testimonies?

3. Further Resources:

Edwards, Jonathan. Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God. 1741. Reprint, Carlisle PA: Banner of Truth Trust, 1995.

Ryle, John Charles. Holiness: It’s Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots. Reprint, Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 2014.

Better Chaplain Series - Be Exhausted

Early in my career a senior chaplain told me, “A chaplain can do nothing and get away with it, or a chaplain can work themselves to death and (pause for effect) get away with it.” Finding the balance where you’re serving Christ but not thinking everything depends on you requires constant consideration. Feeling refreshed is definitely more comfortable than being stretched until you say like Bilbo Baggins, I feel like too little butter scraped over too much bread. But is comfort your most fruitful course of action?

There is far too much ministry to do on this terrestrial ball for you or I to accomplish even a fraction of it, but that is why God is employing his church all over the world. Knowing this, he has entrusted to you a few acres, a few sheep, and a few years to steward. What are your priorities in life and ministry? If you succeed in everything except what God has called you to, will he be pleased?

A chaplain who has been at the gospel work all day (at work, at church, and at home) will have no trouble sleeping because he has been spent for God’s sake (Psalm 127:1-2); a chaplain who has spent the day poorly in his own pursuits may find that sleep eludes him (Ecclesiastes 5:12, Daniel 2:1). On the other side, working so hard on everything that nothing is accomplished, or something important gets missed. The balance is in spreading the right amount of butter over the right amount of bread.

Consider today where you can work to publish the good news that God saves sinners through the life, death, and resurrection of his Son, who has been working from the beginning, and is working still, so that you can rejoice in the good work that he has given you to do!

It’s a father’s job to be exhausted. ~ Matt Chandler

Key Verse: In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that or whether both alike will be good. ~ Ecclesiastes 11:6

More

1. If we knew which events would be remembered, which conversations would be meaningful, which briefings would bear fruit, and which risks would be rewarded it would cut a lot of our exhaustion because we’d only do things that matter. I heard someone say that if they could turn back time three hours their life would be radically different. But we don’t know what will be formative or meaningful, so our call is to run and not grow weary (Isaiah 40:31)!

2. As we eagerly await the hour of Christ’s return and the consummation of history, we must remember that the blessed worker is found at work when his master returns (Matthew 24:45-51). If Christ returned today, would he find you in the work he left you?

3. It’s tempting to view your home and family as a sanctuary space away from work, but your family ought to be your first priority in your God-given work; in fact if you fail at your family, your faith is null and you’ll be counted an infidel (1 Timothy 5:8). Many chaplains have determined not to bring work home, but to be fully present. Maybe it's helpful to have a landmark that work cannot cross, such as a telephone pole, or an intersection, or an off-ramp. Would it be helpful for you to set a boundary like that? You'll have to consider things like duty phones, TDYs, and places where work blends with your family, such as at worship, but imperfect boundaries are better than no boundaries.

4. Further Resources:

Hamilton, James M. Work and Our Labor in the Lord. Wheaton: Crossway, 2017.

York, Hershael. “Tanya York on Marriage, Family, and Ministry.” Pastor Well – Episode 5. SBTS, 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8907fTzVWR4

Better Chaplain Series - Stare Out the Window

In our reactionary world I often wonder what someone was thinking when they made a major decision that is not just counterintuitive to God’s kingdom, but their own wellbeing and beliefs. Total depravity is sometimes skewed as to think that people are evil, know they are evil, and are consciously making the most evil choice possible. But most, if not all, people don’t know they are totally depraved, are only acting in their own self-interest, and they genuinely think that they are making right choices (confer Proverbs 20:6, 1 Corinthians 2:8).

Chaplain, what keeps you from making the same mistakes (and/or sins)? Why are your decisions more righteous in your eyes than the bad decisions you see made every day? In one sense it’s because good trees make good fruit (Matthew 7:17-19, Galatians 5:22-24), but we ought not presume that just because the Holy Spirit lives in us we will always make good decisions (Romans 7:21-8:1).

Jared Wilson says, “Pastors are paid to stare out the window.” An obvious play on words, he doesn’t want us to mindlessly watch what’s outside our study, but to engage in deep thought about what matters most. Our stakes are too high to play fast and loose with decisions that have eternal consequences, so much as it is in our control we must be right in our words and actions. This requires deep thought, intentional research, and prayer to ensure we’re acting in accordance with what Christ has commanded us in his Word.

We are prepared to make many of those decisions because we’ve had to think deeply about seminary topics, but becoming a chaplain confronts you with things you probably never saw in the classroom. What can you anticipate in your future, chaplain? How can you think now about hard topics so that when they arise you will be ready to share the hope that is in you, Christ in you, the hope of glory?

            We cannot play at preaching, we preach for eternity. ~ Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Key Verse: Brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. ~ Philippians 4:8

More:

1. President Teddy Roosevelt was known for concerning his cabinet with what seemed like brash and rushed decisions on topics of huge importance. However, it became apparent that he had already thought through many of those decisions and only had to give his decision at the time of presentation. He said, “Make preparations in advance. You’ll never have trouble if you are prepared for it.” At another time he said, “In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.” Chaplain, the best way to do nothing is to be caught unawares, unprepared to offer wisdom or action. How do you prepare for action? You ready yourself.

2. Aesop tells of a boar observed by a fox in the forest. The boar is sharpening his tusks, which worries the fox; the fox soon realizes that there is no immediate danger and ridicules the boar. The boar announces that when danger is present, he won’t have time to sharpen his tusks. How can you sharpen your tusks now before you need them? What do you need to think deeply about?

4. Chaplains, when they arrive on station, are given an office. What a chaplain needs is not an office, but a study. How can you change your office into a study? Is the space you’ve been given conducive to stare out the window (figurative or literal) and think? How can you make it more-so?

5. Further Resources:

A topic that you can’t wait to happen before you find answers:
Shearer, Canyon R. "Hope in the Loss of a Baby." Trust and Obey. April 4, 2020. https://trustobey.blogspot.com/2020/04/hope-in-loss-of-baby.html

Wilson, Jared C. “Pastors Are Paid to Stare Out the Window.” For the Church. April 3, 2023. Accessed 26 March, 2025. https://ftc.co/resource-library/blog-entries/pastors-are-paid-to-stare-out-the-window/

Broadus, John A. On the Preparation and Delivery of Sermons. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1944.

Comfort, Ray. Think on These Things: Wisdom for Life from Proverbs. Savage, MN: Broadstreet Publishing, 2017.

Better Chaplain Series - Make Great Tents

In the civilian world it’s not uncommon to be a bi-vocational pastor, someone who works during the week and pastors on weeknights and weekends. These pastors are in good company, as the Apostle Paul pastored full-time while making tents. This is how he met Priscilla and Aquila who were doing likewise (Acts 18:3).

I’ve previously said that “the Chaplain is the most overpaid minister in the world.” This is partly true when you look at the compensation, but it is not entirely true when you consider the chaplain’s duties. The chaplain should be a pastor first, but they are still an officer and have diverse and important roles to accomplish in this role. Some examples are supervising other chaplains or team members, overseeing budgets and spending, assisting with reports, running special events, and chairing meetings. As a chaplain reading this, you can probably add several items that you’re personally responsible for.

Maybe you can draw a direct line between pastoring and these additional duties, like developing a great Christmas event, or maybe you can’t, like sitting on a court-martial. Regardless, you’re being paid to accomplish diverse tasks by your employer, and these tasks are funding your gospel work. While I’m not making literal tents, I am supervising volunteers, coordinating funds, and writing reports which in essence is my tent-making profession.

While your highest and best usefulness should be in the pulpit, counseling room, commander’s office, and inspiring excellence, you should be equally great in your tent-making trade. Your spreadsheets should be world-class, your volunteers should be exceptionally well cared for, your handling of money should be above reproach, your briefings should be outstanding, your legal compliance should be impeccable, everything you are responsible for should shine, and it should be delivered on-time or early.

A chaplain who is not faithful in his small tasks ought never to be put in charge of large tasks. Show me the quality of your tents, and I’ll show you the quality of your chaplaincy.

He that had so much excellent work to do with his mind, yet, when there was occasion, did not think it below him to work with his hands. ~ Matthew Henry

Key Verse: You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ~ Acts 20:34-35

More:

1. A popular question in chaplain circles is, “Are you a chaplain or officer first?” Well, which is it? Do you ever expect to retire either title? When asked this question I declared that I was a minister before I became an officer, I intend to be a minister afterwards, but I will never cease to be a minister. Do you agree?

2. Are your bi-vocational duties a hindrance or an extension to your ministry? Do you think that anyone has ever judged or blessed Jesus based on the quality of your work in his name?

3. Chaplains—as highly paid ministers of the gospel—have more money to share than their civilian counterparts. Take a moment today to consider if you are spending your money well to help the weak and sow blessings through your giving.

4. The word "vocation" has direct etymological roots to God's voice/call in your career. What has God called you to?

5. Resources:

Crowe, Brandon D. Every Day Matters: A Biblical Approach to Productivity. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2020.

Piper, John. “Tentmakers in Minneapolis.” Desiring God. Minneapolis, 1981. Accessed 25 March 2025 from https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/tentmakers-in-minneapolis

Wilson, Doug. Ploductivity: A Practical Guide to Consistent Productivity. Moscow, ID: Canon Press, 2018.