I left the United States on Sunday 10Jul11 at 1130 PM headed to my deployment location. After 18 travel hours I landed at my final destination. I was weary and tired but had enough in me to work a full day. I think it was more adrenalin and curiosity that kept me going.
See this is my first deployment, first time being away from my wife and 2 young children for such a long time. I will miss my daughter's first birthday, my son's first day at his new school, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years! So I had to stay up and see as much of this new place that would cause me to miss my family as long as I physically could.
Eight hours later I finally gave into my exhausted frame and found my quarters. As I walked to the dorm I can remember feeling very sad and far from God! Almost, kinda, really close to blaming Him for being here and being away from those I love.
Then as I opened the door to my room I saw what I know in my Spirit was a sign from God the Almighty Himself!
The prettiest colors (red, white and blue) and the most familiar emblem/symbol that any football fan especially one from NY would recognize… A NY Giants bed cover... My room is a Giants Fan!
Oh Yeah! This aint gonna be that bad I thought!
Well, we were only roommates for that day because I was able to parlay my own room but the connection was made with Jim.
After crashing for 12 hours I awoke to began life here in the desert!
I’ve lived here for 19 days now and there is one thing that is certain: Surely God is in this place!
Everywhere I turn God is using someone to encourage me!
Everywhere I turn God is using me to encourage someone!
Everywhere I turn there is someone wanting to talk about or ask questions about or make statements about God!
As a matter of fact, after my 12 hour slumber on day 2, I awoke to a text message from my cousin that read, “I gave my life to Jesus Christ, He is my Lord and Savior!”
Yes, I am a Chaplain, yes I am the one that is supposed to be “connected or plugged” into God at all times and under any circumstance, or at least that is the perception of most.
But God has really surprised me!
Amidst all this sand, rock and nothingness… He is here, He is alive and He is working, moving, stirring in the lives of His people.
The last 2 Mondays I was welcomed to work by emails from Sunday’s congregation sharing with me encouraging words. Words that gave me life, that breathe life into me and it gave me the push I need to encourage others…
I am reminded of the story of Jacob on his way to Haran when he had a dream and in it God says to him in Gen 28:13-15…“I am the Lord, the God of your grandfather Abraham, and the God of your father, Isaac. The ground you are lying on belongs to you. I am giving it to you and your descendants. Your descendants will be as numerous as the dust of the earth! They will spread out in all directions—to the west and the east, to the north and the south. And all the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your descendants. What’s more, I am with you, and I will protect you wherever you go. One day I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have finished giving you everything I have promised you.”
Jacob awakes from his sleep and says in vs 16“Surely the Lord is in this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it!”
No, I didn’t have a vision or dream or hear God’s audible voice, but through his people, my personal devotions and prayers and through meeting Jim a godly man (who I am now FaceBook Friends with) and a for-real Giants fan… I can surely say… “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it!”
Has God revealed Himself to you in a place where you thought He was not/could not be present?
Ch B
See this is my first deployment, first time being away from my wife and 2 young children for such a long time. I will miss my daughter's first birthday, my son's first day at his new school, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years! So I had to stay up and see as much of this new place that would cause me to miss my family as long as I physically could.
Eight hours later I finally gave into my exhausted frame and found my quarters. As I walked to the dorm I can remember feeling very sad and far from God! Almost, kinda, really close to blaming Him for being here and being away from those I love.
Then as I opened the door to my room I saw what I know in my Spirit was a sign from God the Almighty Himself!
The prettiest colors (red, white and blue) and the most familiar emblem/symbol that any football fan especially one from NY would recognize… A NY Giants bed cover... My room is a Giants Fan!
Oh Yeah! This aint gonna be that bad I thought!
Well, we were only roommates for that day because I was able to parlay my own room but the connection was made with Jim.
After crashing for 12 hours I awoke to began life here in the desert!
I’ve lived here for 19 days now and there is one thing that is certain: Surely God is in this place!
Everywhere I turn God is using someone to encourage me!
Everywhere I turn God is using me to encourage someone!
Everywhere I turn there is someone wanting to talk about or ask questions about or make statements about God!
As a matter of fact, after my 12 hour slumber on day 2, I awoke to a text message from my cousin that read, “I gave my life to Jesus Christ, He is my Lord and Savior!”
Yes, I am a Chaplain, yes I am the one that is supposed to be “connected or plugged” into God at all times and under any circumstance, or at least that is the perception of most.
But God has really surprised me!
Amidst all this sand, rock and nothingness… He is here, He is alive and He is working, moving, stirring in the lives of His people.
The last 2 Mondays I was welcomed to work by emails from Sunday’s congregation sharing with me encouraging words. Words that gave me life, that breathe life into me and it gave me the push I need to encourage others…
I am reminded of the story of Jacob on his way to Haran when he had a dream and in it God says to him in Gen 28:13-15…“I am the Lord, the God of your grandfather Abraham, and the God of your father, Isaac. The ground you are lying on belongs to you. I am giving it to you and your descendants. Your descendants will be as numerous as the dust of the earth! They will spread out in all directions—to the west and the east, to the north and the south. And all the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your descendants. What’s more, I am with you, and I will protect you wherever you go. One day I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have finished giving you everything I have promised you.”
Jacob awakes from his sleep and says in vs 16“Surely the Lord is in this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it!”
No, I didn’t have a vision or dream or hear God’s audible voice, but through his people, my personal devotions and prayers and through meeting Jim a godly man (who I am now FaceBook Friends with) and a for-real Giants fan… I can surely say… “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it!”
Has God revealed Himself to you in a place where you thought He was not/could not be present?
Ch B
