Sunday, October 18, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
How to Build a Fire
October 1st - October 5th, 2009
Some time around my Junior or Senior year of High School my dad was trying to teach me a valuable skill that would help out around the house and possibly one day help me in some way or another. I figured it was kind of silly because hey heat seemed easy....just turn up the thermostat right? So my dad taught me................
How to Build a Fire.
Sounds easy right? Well you would think so, especially since most teenage boys like to make fires when given a chance. But you see you can't just throw a log in the stove and expect it to catch fire off some old newspapers. There is actually a little science to it.
We had this old wood stove, and I mean old, that sat in our kitchen. It resembled a stove you would see in pictures from like back in the 40's or 50's. Just a small 1 foot by 3 foot stove that actually heated the house pretty good, when it was going. Problem was my parents went to work at 5:30am, I woke up on a good day at 10:00am on the weekends......wood doesn't burn that long in such a small stove and usually there were very few coals left over.
So what did my dad do in a desperate attempt, I assume, to get me to build a fire and help out the family. Well he came across this old article titled "How to Build a Fire". I never read it, I hated reading as a teenager, but he did eventually teach me how to get a fire going from scratch.
Well thanks to my dad I was able to pass those skills along to a group of Soldiers that have been positioned on to a Observation Post (OP) to over watch their units bases. They are in a pretty remote place, as a matter of fact the only way that we had to get to them was to be flown in by helicopter in the middle of the night. Our first day there we asked about how we were going to make dinner chow and they told us the grill. Awesome right, every good old American loves a cook out right? So the closer we got to dinner the more information we actually got about how the grill was used. They had a nice set up, a 55 Gallon Drum converted into a nice grill that in the civilian world you would pay hundreds for. I asked about charcoal, which they said they got from time to time but it was usually gone in a day or two. So then I asked, so how we gonna get this fire going? To which they replied, DIESEL!!!! So at first I thought maybe they were joking, especially since Diesel does not ignite the same way as regular gas so it can be a little hard to get going, but they were dead serious. Why not they have an abundance of it, that's what they use to get rid off all their other trash and stuff (I will let your imagination figure out what else).
In their defense, 7 out of 9 Soldiers on the hill were not what the Army considers "Combat Arms" (Combat Arms are basically Infantry, Artillery, Armor etc type jobs). There little group consisted of 5 - Mechanics, 1 - Supply Clerk, 1 - Medic, 1 - Scout, and 1 - Forward Observer. Most of the guys because of their jobs in the Army have never been trained in survival skills, and therefore the easiest and most efficient way to build a fire for them was to start it with GAS.
Well I didn't want my steak to taste like JP-8 (Diesel Fuel), so my buddy and I who had gone to this OP decided we would show the gents how to build a fire.
Its funny the things we take for granted even in a combat zone. A lot of Soldiers, Airmen, Marines, and Sailors have it pretty good compared to those who came before us. You don't even have to go back that far. In 2001, when this all kicked off those men and women lived in their vehicles and tents and faced the elements, didn't have Internet or phones, or HEATING / AIR CONDITIONING. A lot of people complain and gripe about how bad they have it over here or that combat is so rough on them physically and mentally. The funny thing is at least 60% - 70%, or more, are what we call FOBITs (they don't leave the FOB {Forward Operating Base} for anything except to go on R & R or Re-deploy back to the States) and they get free Internet / free phone calls home. Even when you pay for it you can get on a phone call for 4 cents a min now a days back to the states. That's better than state to state long distance in most places. I am not gonna lie I was actually kind of looking forward to living that lifestyle this tour. I had no plans on going anywhere.....well I guess the people above me decided they had a better plan. Those who know me know I hate sitting behind a desk on some FOB anyways and sometimes its good to take a step back away from these blue walls and go out and be with the guys. My wife on the other hand would wish it to be different for her own sanity and love it if I could just stay on the FOB but I know she understands even in her worries. Don't worry mom I don't travel to much just enough to stay sane not as much as some but more than others. I just consider it site seeing.
Anyways, the point of all this was to show that not everyone has it good in modern combat and to thank my dad for teaching me something that there is no way he could have know would effect the lives of Soldiers in combat one day. I know that for a small group of Soldiers on the Pakistan Border appreciate eating their chicken, steak, goat, and occasional sheep without the taste of Diesel. Thanks again DAD
Some time around my Junior or Senior year of High School my dad was trying to teach me a valuable skill that would help out around the house and possibly one day help me in some way or another. I figured it was kind of silly because hey heat seemed easy....just turn up the thermostat right? So my dad taught me................
How to Build a Fire.
Sounds easy right? Well you would think so, especially since most teenage boys like to make fires when given a chance. But you see you can't just throw a log in the stove and expect it to catch fire off some old newspapers. There is actually a little science to it.
We had this old wood stove, and I mean old, that sat in our kitchen. It resembled a stove you would see in pictures from like back in the 40's or 50's. Just a small 1 foot by 3 foot stove that actually heated the house pretty good, when it was going. Problem was my parents went to work at 5:30am, I woke up on a good day at 10:00am on the weekends......wood doesn't burn that long in such a small stove and usually there were very few coals left over.
So what did my dad do in a desperate attempt, I assume, to get me to build a fire and help out the family. Well he came across this old article titled "How to Build a Fire". I never read it, I hated reading as a teenager, but he did eventually teach me how to get a fire going from scratch.
Well thanks to my dad I was able to pass those skills along to a group of Soldiers that have been positioned on to a Observation Post (OP) to over watch their units bases. They are in a pretty remote place, as a matter of fact the only way that we had to get to them was to be flown in by helicopter in the middle of the night. Our first day there we asked about how we were going to make dinner chow and they told us the grill. Awesome right, every good old American loves a cook out right? So the closer we got to dinner the more information we actually got about how the grill was used. They had a nice set up, a 55 Gallon Drum converted into a nice grill that in the civilian world you would pay hundreds for. I asked about charcoal, which they said they got from time to time but it was usually gone in a day or two. So then I asked, so how we gonna get this fire going? To which they replied, DIESEL!!!! So at first I thought maybe they were joking, especially since Diesel does not ignite the same way as regular gas so it can be a little hard to get going, but they were dead serious. Why not they have an abundance of it, that's what they use to get rid off all their other trash and stuff (I will let your imagination figure out what else).
In their defense, 7 out of 9 Soldiers on the hill were not what the Army considers "Combat Arms" (Combat Arms are basically Infantry, Artillery, Armor etc type jobs). There little group consisted of 5 - Mechanics, 1 - Supply Clerk, 1 - Medic, 1 - Scout, and 1 - Forward Observer. Most of the guys because of their jobs in the Army have never been trained in survival skills, and therefore the easiest and most efficient way to build a fire for them was to start it with GAS.
Well I didn't want my steak to taste like JP-8 (Diesel Fuel), so my buddy and I who had gone to this OP decided we would show the gents how to build a fire.
Its funny the things we take for granted even in a combat zone. A lot of Soldiers, Airmen, Marines, and Sailors have it pretty good compared to those who came before us. You don't even have to go back that far. In 2001, when this all kicked off those men and women lived in their vehicles and tents and faced the elements, didn't have Internet or phones, or HEATING / AIR CONDITIONING. A lot of people complain and gripe about how bad they have it over here or that combat is so rough on them physically and mentally. The funny thing is at least 60% - 70%, or more, are what we call FOBITs (they don't leave the FOB {Forward Operating Base} for anything except to go on R & R or Re-deploy back to the States) and they get free Internet / free phone calls home. Even when you pay for it you can get on a phone call for 4 cents a min now a days back to the states. That's better than state to state long distance in most places. I am not gonna lie I was actually kind of looking forward to living that lifestyle this tour. I had no plans on going anywhere.....well I guess the people above me decided they had a better plan. Those who know me know I hate sitting behind a desk on some FOB anyways and sometimes its good to take a step back away from these blue walls and go out and be with the guys. My wife on the other hand would wish it to be different for her own sanity and love it if I could just stay on the FOB but I know she understands even in her worries. Don't worry mom I don't travel to much just enough to stay sane not as much as some but more than others. I just consider it site seeing.
Anyways, the point of all this was to show that not everyone has it good in modern combat and to thank my dad for teaching me something that there is no way he could have know would effect the lives of Soldiers in combat one day. I know that for a small group of Soldiers on the Pakistan Border appreciate eating their chicken, steak, goat, and occasional sheep without the taste of Diesel. Thanks again DAD
Sunday, August 30, 2009
The Bizzaro World We Walk Thru
Aug 30, 2009
So yeah this is a play off a friends blog, that will remain nameless ( http://rantsfrompastortracy.blogspot.com/ ). But bare with me this might be fun and then again it might just be some more mindless garble coming from my brain.
To know where I am going with this one you have to have a frame of reference ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bizarro_World ). You can check out Season 8 of Seinfeld or if you are real old you can look back at some of the DC Comics where Bizzaro appears as the opposite of Superman.
Anyways here we go.
I decided today to try an experiment in a realm of Bizzaro (a.k.a. Jalalabad, Afghanistan - this can apply however to pretty much any place related to OIF / OEF). The experiment was a success if compared to our aforementioned examples. There were some similarities but these constants would never change because they could upset the balance of each "realm".
As I jot down my ideas I sit in a small dive in Jalalabad Airfield, Jalalabad, Afghanistan. Rather than a nice quiet coffee shop, this place is a converted containerized unit used to ship stuff on cargo ships. I wouldn’t say I love this place but it does remind me of a nice little place back home in Colorado Springs. A place where I would go from time to time to “study” with my friend Tracy. In all actualality (is that even a word) most times we talked about what was going on in life, observed those around us, and it was just a good time to sit, relax, and have some good coffee with a great friend.
I didn’t have a book to read just some paper and I found a newspaper lying on the counter (Constant) which I decided to use to pass the time and play Sudoku. As I sat and observed several people came in and out. NONE of which just sat and enjoyed a cup of joe (Bizzaro). They are from all over the world and from all walks of life I am sure. We have every branch of military (save the Coast Guard) and all kinds of Civilian Companies here. Everyone carries a weapon to the coffee shop(Bizzaro). How strange would that be to walk into Pikes Perk with a gun? Not a cop or law enforcement, EVERYONE, and EVERYONE'S got ammo. Its very interesting to people watch. My wife has caught me doing it on several occasions, I know somewhere along the line I have been taught to stay cognizant of my surroundings. Most of the time its just plane fun to be honest.
It’s a Sunday, and I know that most of the people on this FOB are not even aware of that fact and that there are about 8 different services today just to meet everyone’s spiritual / scheduling needs. I even offered to one of my Soldiers if he wanted to go to church he could and I would cover the morning shift, he has previously expressed the interest to go (personally I like the night service better), He declined so I went.
Being here is just so odd. Geri and I have talked many times about how the Army is just not our way of life. We have tried to fit in but we don’t really mesh well with the lifestyle. So why did we stick it out so long? Well it was an easy job and GOD wanted us to, that’s the bottom line. Don’t get me wrong the Army is meant for some people, a lot of people actually. I do believe it is one of the largest employers of men and women between the ages of 17 & 40 something (Over 1,000,000 employees and counting). It just all seems so bizzaro to me.
I thought this the other day as our Company Nickname has been changed twice since last deployment, both times in reference to Hell (Hell Hounds, Hell Storm), the Army is fixated on things that scream macho, bravado, and most of all death and hell. It just seems so odd that an organization that is meant protect is so bent on destruction and the thought of taking pleasure in “sending people to hell”. Am I right? Last time I checked we are in the business of protecting our nation and others weaker than us......even though we invade we are not keeping the land. Or at least that's what they would have us believe, who knows what the real motives are (that is another discussion all together). Have you ever thought about that, actually wanting to send someone to hell, its not a nice thought.
What’s interesting is that these Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, and Marines all have more access to GOD than most Americans. Every unit has a Chaplin and every Chaplin talks to a majority of the people under his charge on a regular basis. Everyone knows the Chaplin, he’s the guy with candy and a smile (no jokes please). We have free bibles and literature coming out of our ears here. I guess it goes to show that Satan will always take a great situation for GOD and turn it around to seem like GODs not here. I have even had one Soldier make the statement…”That’s why I am going to HELL”. Sometimes I don’t understand why people are so willing to accept eternal damnation, so willing not to make a change for the better.
I guess that is the way of this world though. If you look at it, Earth is Bizzaro in comparison to where we as Christians will one day spend eternity. As unfortunate as it is, some people will never know a better place than this. Our problem is how many of them will we let slip thru the cracks? How can we show them that accepting an eternal fate of hell is not a good option?
I agree we should do what we can to talk to these people around us that are afraid to step into the light. Because that’s what it is, a fear of coming out and having their SIN exposed. I am not perfect and my wife, parents, family, and friends can attest to that for sure. But not everyone see’s it that way. As soon as they know you’re a Christian they assume you never did anything wrong. Ooooh if they could have seen the things I have seen and done the things I've done. Not that I am proud of where I have been but it proves none of us are perfect but by the Grace of GOD we can be fixed.
And on the other hand we have people professing to be Christians that act no different than the world, which makes me even sadder. If you are reading this and you haven’t seen the light ask someone who has what their life was like before GOD as opposed to how there life is now. Settling for Going to Hell is not a good option.
If you are in the light don’t hide it but rather share it. That doesn’t mean to shove the gospel down some ones throat. If they can’t breathe how can they grow? If we can just plant that seed and water it as needed it may grow into a beautiful flower.
So take a walk in your Bizzaro and see if you can show someone the Real World.
So yeah this is a play off a friends blog, that will remain nameless ( http://rantsfrompastortracy.blogspot.com/ ). But bare with me this might be fun and then again it might just be some more mindless garble coming from my brain.
To know where I am going with this one you have to have a frame of reference ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bizarro_World ). You can check out Season 8 of Seinfeld or if you are real old you can look back at some of the DC Comics where Bizzaro appears as the opposite of Superman.
Anyways here we go.
I decided today to try an experiment in a realm of Bizzaro (a.k.a. Jalalabad, Afghanistan - this can apply however to pretty much any place related to OIF / OEF). The experiment was a success if compared to our aforementioned examples. There were some similarities but these constants would never change because they could upset the balance of each "realm".
As I jot down my ideas I sit in a small dive in Jalalabad Airfield, Jalalabad, Afghanistan. Rather than a nice quiet coffee shop, this place is a converted containerized unit used to ship stuff on cargo ships. I wouldn’t say I love this place but it does remind me of a nice little place back home in Colorado Springs. A place where I would go from time to time to “study” with my friend Tracy. In all actualality (is that even a word) most times we talked about what was going on in life, observed those around us, and it was just a good time to sit, relax, and have some good coffee with a great friend.
I didn’t have a book to read just some paper and I found a newspaper lying on the counter (Constant) which I decided to use to pass the time and play Sudoku. As I sat and observed several people came in and out. NONE of which just sat and enjoyed a cup of joe (Bizzaro). They are from all over the world and from all walks of life I am sure. We have every branch of military (save the Coast Guard) and all kinds of Civilian Companies here. Everyone carries a weapon to the coffee shop(Bizzaro). How strange would that be to walk into Pikes Perk with a gun? Not a cop or law enforcement, EVERYONE, and EVERYONE'S got ammo. Its very interesting to people watch. My wife has caught me doing it on several occasions, I know somewhere along the line I have been taught to stay cognizant of my surroundings. Most of the time its just plane fun to be honest.
It’s a Sunday, and I know that most of the people on this FOB are not even aware of that fact and that there are about 8 different services today just to meet everyone’s spiritual / scheduling needs. I even offered to one of my Soldiers if he wanted to go to church he could and I would cover the morning shift, he has previously expressed the interest to go (personally I like the night service better), He declined so I went.
Being here is just so odd. Geri and I have talked many times about how the Army is just not our way of life. We have tried to fit in but we don’t really mesh well with the lifestyle. So why did we stick it out so long? Well it was an easy job and GOD wanted us to, that’s the bottom line. Don’t get me wrong the Army is meant for some people, a lot of people actually. I do believe it is one of the largest employers of men and women between the ages of 17 & 40 something (Over 1,000,000 employees and counting). It just all seems so bizzaro to me.
I thought this the other day as our Company Nickname has been changed twice since last deployment, both times in reference to Hell (Hell Hounds, Hell Storm), the Army is fixated on things that scream macho, bravado, and most of all death and hell. It just seems so odd that an organization that is meant protect is so bent on destruction and the thought of taking pleasure in “sending people to hell”. Am I right? Last time I checked we are in the business of protecting our nation and others weaker than us......even though we invade we are not keeping the land. Or at least that's what they would have us believe, who knows what the real motives are (that is another discussion all together). Have you ever thought about that, actually wanting to send someone to hell, its not a nice thought.
What’s interesting is that these Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, and Marines all have more access to GOD than most Americans. Every unit has a Chaplin and every Chaplin talks to a majority of the people under his charge on a regular basis. Everyone knows the Chaplin, he’s the guy with candy and a smile (no jokes please). We have free bibles and literature coming out of our ears here. I guess it goes to show that Satan will always take a great situation for GOD and turn it around to seem like GODs not here. I have even had one Soldier make the statement…”That’s why I am going to HELL”. Sometimes I don’t understand why people are so willing to accept eternal damnation, so willing not to make a change for the better.
I guess that is the way of this world though. If you look at it, Earth is Bizzaro in comparison to where we as Christians will one day spend eternity. As unfortunate as it is, some people will never know a better place than this. Our problem is how many of them will we let slip thru the cracks? How can we show them that accepting an eternal fate of hell is not a good option?
I agree we should do what we can to talk to these people around us that are afraid to step into the light. Because that’s what it is, a fear of coming out and having their SIN exposed. I am not perfect and my wife, parents, family, and friends can attest to that for sure. But not everyone see’s it that way. As soon as they know you’re a Christian they assume you never did anything wrong. Ooooh if they could have seen the things I have seen and done the things I've done. Not that I am proud of where I have been but it proves none of us are perfect but by the Grace of GOD we can be fixed.
And on the other hand we have people professing to be Christians that act no different than the world, which makes me even sadder. If you are reading this and you haven’t seen the light ask someone who has what their life was like before GOD as opposed to how there life is now. Settling for Going to Hell is not a good option.
If you are in the light don’t hide it but rather share it. That doesn’t mean to shove the gospel down some ones throat. If they can’t breathe how can they grow? If we can just plant that seed and water it as needed it may grow into a beautiful flower.
So take a walk in your Bizzaro and see if you can show someone the Real World.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Still Around
28 Aug 09
Hey all (or Ya'll for the Southerners) I am still around I have just been busy. I have a few thoughts in the works and probably will put them on here soon. Thanks for all the prayers and watching over Geri and the Kids. Talk to you all soon.
GOD Bless
Jason
Hey all (or Ya'll for the Southerners) I am still around I have just been busy. I have a few thoughts in the works and probably will put them on here soon. Thanks for all the prayers and watching over Geri and the Kids. Talk to you all soon.
GOD Bless
Jason
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Investing
Aug 6th, 2009
I have never been very good with finances, by the world’s definition that is. Sure, I have a good credit score, money left over after the bills to buy groceries, and sometimes (many times) I have been known to buy a coffee or two, it’s my vice and I can’t wait to get back to Pikes Perk and have a Saturday Evening “Study”. But, if you were to ask a financial advisor they would probably look at me and consider it crazy that I have no investment plan or plan for my retirement. My portfolio consists of a few accounts I like to call the “Fun Fund” and the “Ministry Fund”. Sure we put some away in savings from time to time but we usually take that out to buy things for Christmas or whenever we want to make a big purchase. I don't own a CD (Certificate of Deposit), I don't have money in stocks, and I really have no idea how 401K's work or what a ROTH IRA is. Frankly I don’t care. The only reason I ever even considered investing at one point in my life was in Satellite Radio because I thought I could make a quick buck, I didn't by the way.
My dad always tried to impress on me the importance of saving and not spending frivolously (investing). He will probably tell you I was a horrible student. I remember countless times coming home and him asking how much I spent on something, just to get the response back from him...."and how many did you get for that"....lol (my siblings can tell you the same). So anyways eventually I grew up a little and went out on my own and discovered what he was talking about to some extent. I learned that it was better to get 2 tacos for $1 ($20's worth) at Jack in the Box and eat for a weekend rather than spending $5 a meal at Burger King ....Thanks dad you saved me a ton of money, even though I eventually blew it on stupid things while living in Hawaii....lol.
Fast-forward to modern day. As many know I am leaving the Army. Well today that sparked a HUGE conversation / uproar in the TOC (Tactical Operations Center - it’s where I work), basically the Army's fancy name for "The Office", and yes it is FULL of characters. I can't even for the life of me remember what started the conversation but I of course chimed in with "I'm getting out" (meaning the Army) and was asked by the Battle Captain (Basically the office manager in the civilian world) "Sgt Reynolds you have 20 years in". Of course I knew where this was going because I have had this conversation numerous times since we have decided to leave the Army. I laughed and the onslaught ensued. Of course numerous people in the office already knew my plans so everyone perked up to see how the conversation would go between the West Point Graduate and Old SFC Reynolds. He preceded to tell me that I was making a stupid decision and that if I stuck it out my last few years I would make half a million just off my retirement after 20 years.
I cannot blame him because he has an Ivy League Level Education, and he can only see what makes sense to him. He is a product of one of the finest educations our country has to provide. In logical terms he made sense to a lot of people here in the office and he echoed several opinions I have already heard. However, there were a few problems with his theory.
1. Even though dad thought me the value of a dollar I still never invested a single cent. His arguments hinged on me investing $15,000 a year from my retirement check…..never have and probably won’t anytime soon start investing so that was the first problem.
2. He also hinged on the fact that I could retire at 20 yrs of service. Again a problem, when you become indefinite with the military that’s exactly what it means…..INDEFINITE. They can keep you as long as they like. Ask several of my friends who attempted to retire at 20 and see how it turned out for them. Most ended up serving 22, 24, 26 years. So now we are talking about a whole decade or more rather than a few more years.
3. He argued that I could never get this time back and that it would be a waste. I agree with him 100% on the time. I can never get back the first steps or words of my 2nd daughter that I never got to hear and see. The same will hold true for my son that I will not get to experience those moments. I have missed out on diapers, birthday parties, the funeral of my last living grandparent, weddings, graduations, holidays, and anniversaries. He was right I will never get that time back.
You see he is victim to the school of thought that much of the world is. What will you do without a guarantee? But what they can’t understand is that I have a guarantee. It was given to me by my LORD and Savior. You see I know that no matter what I will be taken care of and so will my family. In the gospels Jesus spoke of just such a situation (see Matt 6:25-34). Today my dad came to mind when thinking about investments and the future. I can remember him investing his time in family, conversation, books, and his bible (and who could forget him beating every game of FreeCell). So thanks dad for teaching me about investing in what is important. I know all your investments haven’t always worked out but I am certain that the one you have put the most stock in will turn out the best for you in the end. I hope that my life and investments will reflect the same.
*For those who don’t know the definition of indefinite is
Indefinite:
1. Unlimited; not fixed or limited in length, size, duration, or quantity
2. Not clear or not precisely defined or fixed
3. Vague and uncertain; unable or unwilling to give a clear indication of thoughts or plans
4. Too many to count
**After 10 years of service and a certain rank, The ARMY REQUIRES a Soldier to become Indefinite upon reenlistment.
I would much rather reenlist in GOD’s Army for an Indefinite period of time!!!!!!!!!
I have never been very good with finances, by the world’s definition that is. Sure, I have a good credit score, money left over after the bills to buy groceries, and sometimes (many times) I have been known to buy a coffee or two, it’s my vice and I can’t wait to get back to Pikes Perk and have a Saturday Evening “Study”. But, if you were to ask a financial advisor they would probably look at me and consider it crazy that I have no investment plan or plan for my retirement. My portfolio consists of a few accounts I like to call the “Fun Fund” and the “Ministry Fund”. Sure we put some away in savings from time to time but we usually take that out to buy things for Christmas or whenever we want to make a big purchase. I don't own a CD (Certificate of Deposit), I don't have money in stocks, and I really have no idea how 401K's work or what a ROTH IRA is. Frankly I don’t care. The only reason I ever even considered investing at one point in my life was in Satellite Radio because I thought I could make a quick buck, I didn't by the way.
My dad always tried to impress on me the importance of saving and not spending frivolously (investing). He will probably tell you I was a horrible student. I remember countless times coming home and him asking how much I spent on something, just to get the response back from him...."and how many did you get for that"....lol (my siblings can tell you the same). So anyways eventually I grew up a little and went out on my own and discovered what he was talking about to some extent. I learned that it was better to get 2 tacos for $1 ($20's worth) at Jack in the Box and eat for a weekend rather than spending $5 a meal at Burger King ....Thanks dad you saved me a ton of money, even though I eventually blew it on stupid things while living in Hawaii....lol.
Fast-forward to modern day. As many know I am leaving the Army. Well today that sparked a HUGE conversation / uproar in the TOC (Tactical Operations Center - it’s where I work), basically the Army's fancy name for "The Office", and yes it is FULL of characters. I can't even for the life of me remember what started the conversation but I of course chimed in with "I'm getting out" (meaning the Army) and was asked by the Battle Captain (Basically the office manager in the civilian world) "Sgt Reynolds you have 20 years in". Of course I knew where this was going because I have had this conversation numerous times since we have decided to leave the Army. I laughed and the onslaught ensued. Of course numerous people in the office already knew my plans so everyone perked up to see how the conversation would go between the West Point Graduate and Old SFC Reynolds. He preceded to tell me that I was making a stupid decision and that if I stuck it out my last few years I would make half a million just off my retirement after 20 years.
I cannot blame him because he has an Ivy League Level Education, and he can only see what makes sense to him. He is a product of one of the finest educations our country has to provide. In logical terms he made sense to a lot of people here in the office and he echoed several opinions I have already heard. However, there were a few problems with his theory.
1. Even though dad thought me the value of a dollar I still never invested a single cent. His arguments hinged on me investing $15,000 a year from my retirement check…..never have and probably won’t anytime soon start investing so that was the first problem.
2. He also hinged on the fact that I could retire at 20 yrs of service. Again a problem, when you become indefinite with the military that’s exactly what it means…..INDEFINITE. They can keep you as long as they like. Ask several of my friends who attempted to retire at 20 and see how it turned out for them. Most ended up serving 22, 24, 26 years. So now we are talking about a whole decade or more rather than a few more years.
3. He argued that I could never get this time back and that it would be a waste. I agree with him 100% on the time. I can never get back the first steps or words of my 2nd daughter that I never got to hear and see. The same will hold true for my son that I will not get to experience those moments. I have missed out on diapers, birthday parties, the funeral of my last living grandparent, weddings, graduations, holidays, and anniversaries. He was right I will never get that time back.
You see he is victim to the school of thought that much of the world is. What will you do without a guarantee? But what they can’t understand is that I have a guarantee. It was given to me by my LORD and Savior. You see I know that no matter what I will be taken care of and so will my family. In the gospels Jesus spoke of just such a situation (see Matt 6:25-34). Today my dad came to mind when thinking about investments and the future. I can remember him investing his time in family, conversation, books, and his bible (and who could forget him beating every game of FreeCell). So thanks dad for teaching me about investing in what is important. I know all your investments haven’t always worked out but I am certain that the one you have put the most stock in will turn out the best for you in the end. I hope that my life and investments will reflect the same.
*For those who don’t know the definition of indefinite is
Indefinite:
1. Unlimited; not fixed or limited in length, size, duration, or quantity
2. Not clear or not precisely defined or fixed
3. Vague and uncertain; unable or unwilling to give a clear indication of thoughts or plans
4. Too many to count
**After 10 years of service and a certain rank, The ARMY REQUIRES a Soldier to become Indefinite upon reenlistment.
I would much rather reenlist in GOD’s Army for an Indefinite period of time!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Proud of You
July 23rd, 2009
I started this blog kind of jokingly off a suggestion by a close friend and mentor. At first I laughed it off. I started the page prior to leaving but had no idea what I was going to write about. Initially, I figured it would be a way to keep in touch with my family and friends but recently it has turned into just random thoughts throughout the days while I have been deployed. The entries seem to have a random time span between them. Sometimes a day or a week or occasionally more. Mostly just when something strikes me. I guess that is what a blog is for though.
I do want to take a minute though to address the name sake for this blog (if you notice the url up top on your browser .... http://calvarychapelcoreblog.blogspot.com/) It comes from small group known as "The CORE". The CORE is the name for our youth group at Calvary Chapel Eastside in Colorado Springs, CO. You see another reason I decided to pursue the blog was to stay in touch with the teens at our church. Ever since last summer when we returned from North Carolina we have been helping out with the teen ministry. I know, I know you have to half insane to want to work with teens right? Actually NO you have to be led by GOD AND BE HALF INSANE. Just kidding, I can't express how these young people and the leadership of the ministry have blessed Geri, Adia, Isadora (Izzy), Jaise, and I. They opened up their group and their lives to us and we haven't stopped learning from THEM since.
You see it was nothing short of GOD's direction that we ended up becoming part of The CORE ministry. I had only been back from Iraq for a few months, we had just started to get comfortable and back to normal when we were sent to North Carolina for 3 months of duty helping out recruiting stations that were struggling (I was a previous Army Recruiter....Hated IT). While we were there we maintained close contact with the Associate Pastor / Youth Pastor at our church, who is the earlier mentioned individual that got me into blogging, man you had no idea what you were getting into when you suggested this did you? We had been wondering what GOD had in store for us once we got back to Colorado but we just hadn't seen a light bulb as I like to call it. You see we knew GOD was calling us away from the Army to something better but we had no idea what. One day in an email Tracy asked me to pray about something they wanted to do with the teens. For the life of me I can not remember what he wanted to do exactly, I think something dealing with local schools. At the time we had nothing to do with The CORE ministry we were more focused on a different group that we had grown to love at the church (we still love you guys). So like good friends we added him to our prayer list, and a funny thing happened. GOD opened our eyes and our hearts to the teens and wanting to know more about them and the ministry. By the time we had returned to Colorado a few months later we knew that our place was with them, that was of course if they would have us. So we started to come to The CORE on Friday nights and after a few weeks we never looked back. Ever since then we have felt like they (The CORE) were part of the family.
So whats the point? Well, give me a minute and I will get there.
Over the past year we have seen the teens grow not only physically and mentally but also spiritually in their relationship with GOD and its amazing what goes on within that group. A pretty wise person (my father-in-law) once told me that the youth in a church is the foundation on which a church will either flourish or falter. If you do not invest time in the youth then the church may or quite possibly will falter with the aging members and there will be few left over to continue the ministry. I have never asked Tracy how the name of the Youth Group came about but I am sure it is something along those same lines. The CORE has made me and all the other youth leadership proud over the past few months with their actions in and out of the group. They continue to reach out to friends within their communities and schools, a few have started their own ministries,a few have become great examples and mentors to others in the group, and a few have stepped up to the plate to lead their fellow teens in various areas of the ministry. You see that's the point, without our youth group who is it that we can expect to one day lead the future congregations? I have no idea if any of them will go on into ministry or even if they will go on to lead groups within the CCES ministry but I see the fruits of the labors of The CORE's ministry. Keep on, Keepin on guys and girls. The world may not like you or understand you but if thats true then The CORE is doing its part to spread the word. Didn't Jesus say that the world would hate us just like they hated him. Don't ever get discouraged by the world and its views of you or our beliefs. In the coming year I hope you guys find more ways to continue branching out and spreading the GOOD NEWS to those around you. I do not know how long The Reynolds' will be part of The CORE, only GOD knows that answer, but my hope and prayer is that it will be for many, many years to come. I miss all of you guys (and girls) and I can't wait to rejoin you next spring/summer and see how much more you have grown in your relationship with GOD.
GOD Bless
Jason
PS. "The CORE" is made up of several adult volunteers that lead and guide the teens. They help facilitate, teach, and mentor in various situations and activities (even crazy events like laser tag and sleep overs){HALF INSANE}. I love all of you guys too but I think we all can agree that The CORE is the youth of our church.
I started this blog kind of jokingly off a suggestion by a close friend and mentor. At first I laughed it off. I started the page prior to leaving but had no idea what I was going to write about. Initially, I figured it would be a way to keep in touch with my family and friends but recently it has turned into just random thoughts throughout the days while I have been deployed. The entries seem to have a random time span between them. Sometimes a day or a week or occasionally more. Mostly just when something strikes me. I guess that is what a blog is for though.
I do want to take a minute though to address the name sake for this blog (if you notice the url up top on your browser .... http://calvarychapelcoreblog.blogspot.com/) It comes from small group known as "The CORE". The CORE is the name for our youth group at Calvary Chapel Eastside in Colorado Springs, CO. You see another reason I decided to pursue the blog was to stay in touch with the teens at our church. Ever since last summer when we returned from North Carolina we have been helping out with the teen ministry. I know, I know you have to half insane to want to work with teens right? Actually NO you have to be led by GOD AND BE HALF INSANE. Just kidding, I can't express how these young people and the leadership of the ministry have blessed Geri, Adia, Isadora (Izzy), Jaise, and I. They opened up their group and their lives to us and we haven't stopped learning from THEM since.
You see it was nothing short of GOD's direction that we ended up becoming part of The CORE ministry. I had only been back from Iraq for a few months, we had just started to get comfortable and back to normal when we were sent to North Carolina for 3 months of duty helping out recruiting stations that were struggling (I was a previous Army Recruiter....Hated IT). While we were there we maintained close contact with the Associate Pastor / Youth Pastor at our church, who is the earlier mentioned individual that got me into blogging, man you had no idea what you were getting into when you suggested this did you? We had been wondering what GOD had in store for us once we got back to Colorado but we just hadn't seen a light bulb as I like to call it. You see we knew GOD was calling us away from the Army to something better but we had no idea what. One day in an email Tracy asked me to pray about something they wanted to do with the teens. For the life of me I can not remember what he wanted to do exactly, I think something dealing with local schools. At the time we had nothing to do with The CORE ministry we were more focused on a different group that we had grown to love at the church (we still love you guys). So like good friends we added him to our prayer list, and a funny thing happened. GOD opened our eyes and our hearts to the teens and wanting to know more about them and the ministry. By the time we had returned to Colorado a few months later we knew that our place was with them, that was of course if they would have us. So we started to come to The CORE on Friday nights and after a few weeks we never looked back. Ever since then we have felt like they (The CORE) were part of the family.
So whats the point? Well, give me a minute and I will get there.
Over the past year we have seen the teens grow not only physically and mentally but also spiritually in their relationship with GOD and its amazing what goes on within that group. A pretty wise person (my father-in-law) once told me that the youth in a church is the foundation on which a church will either flourish or falter. If you do not invest time in the youth then the church may or quite possibly will falter with the aging members and there will be few left over to continue the ministry. I have never asked Tracy how the name of the Youth Group came about but I am sure it is something along those same lines. The CORE has made me and all the other youth leadership proud over the past few months with their actions in and out of the group. They continue to reach out to friends within their communities and schools, a few have started their own ministries,a few have become great examples and mentors to others in the group, and a few have stepped up to the plate to lead their fellow teens in various areas of the ministry. You see that's the point, without our youth group who is it that we can expect to one day lead the future congregations? I have no idea if any of them will go on into ministry or even if they will go on to lead groups within the CCES ministry but I see the fruits of the labors of The CORE's ministry. Keep on, Keepin on guys and girls. The world may not like you or understand you but if thats true then The CORE is doing its part to spread the word. Didn't Jesus say that the world would hate us just like they hated him. Don't ever get discouraged by the world and its views of you or our beliefs. In the coming year I hope you guys find more ways to continue branching out and spreading the GOOD NEWS to those around you. I do not know how long The Reynolds' will be part of The CORE, only GOD knows that answer, but my hope and prayer is that it will be for many, many years to come. I miss all of you guys (and girls) and I can't wait to rejoin you next spring/summer and see how much more you have grown in your relationship with GOD.
GOD Bless
Jason
PS. "The CORE" is made up of several adult volunteers that lead and guide the teens. They help facilitate, teach, and mentor in various situations and activities (even crazy events like laser tag and sleep overs){HALF INSANE}. I love all of you guys too but I think we all can agree that The CORE is the youth of our church.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
The Trips We Take
Tuesday July 21st, 2009
I know one of my blogs was recently right along these same lines but bear with me cause I guess GOD wanted me to expand.
As you can imagine sitting in a foreign country away from your family at times thoughts come into your mind of how did I get here. For most people that is about it, how did I get here and they go back to their last reenlistment or their initial enlistment depending on how long they have been in. For me it seems to always go a little bit further. I often think back to when I was 17 sitting on a bench waiting for the bus to take me back to my high school from the vocational school I spent half the day at my Junior and Senior years. Sometimes I even go back further and think about when I was probably 12 in VBS giving the teachers a run for their money, yes I was the kid saying "but what about the rest of the story....you know when David cut off Goliath's head and took it to the king".....I guess VBS didn't go that deep and I was just being disruptive. Anyways, sitting here thinking how did I get here a few things come to mind
1. Hind site is always 20/20 isn't it? Its always so clear when you look back. Why couldn't it have been that clear all those times I was struggling?
2. GOD had a plan and the funny thing was my youth leader, my parents, my pastor, and I am sure plenty of others told me that. But somewhere along the lines I forgot it for a while, as I think all of us do. We never want to listen when we are 17 and know it all.
3. No matter how rough it was I would never change any of it for the world. Lots of people would say the opposite. Man if I could do it all over again I would do it in a heart beat. If I could just go back to HS I would be a different person. Not me I consider myself a lucky individual to have done the things I have done, seen the things I have seen, screwed up the things I ROYALLY SCREWED UP, and enjoyed the memories that I have made.
Last night I was reading in Proverbs and I ran head first into Chap 16, Verse 9.
9 In his heart a man plans his course,
but the LORD determines his steps.
You see I had it all planned out from the time I was young. I can even remember being pretty young, I want to say Pre-Teen and watching 20/20 (The News Show) with my parents one Friday night. The main story that night was on nursing homes and how many residents were being treated poorly. I remember telling my mom not to worry that when she got old she would never have to live in a place like that and I would take care of her. You see I had aspirations of becoming a Major League Baseball Player. Lots of little boys dream of becoming a pro athlete but I was serious, I practiced relentlessly most days I couldn't find anyone to pitch to me so I would go and get this young girl in my town named Dana to pitch to me (to her credit she was pretty good after practicing with me for years). I knew the odds even at a young age of making it to the big leagues but didn't care. For some reason it didn't become a reality until my 8th grade Biology teacher made it real real for me, oh by the way I was in detention when he broke it down. I was good, and like a young kid I was cocky to some extent but he laid it out for me in a way I could actually put the number in real terms. What really did me in was when I started to lose some of my depth perception which for an outfielder who has to react in a split second not only is detrimental but becomes dangerous. So I continued to play but in my mind knew that after HS my days were pretty much over with Baseball. GOD had a plan.
So back to that bench at the vocational school. You see I was approached by an Army Recruiter, who to his credit was pretty smooth, and convinced me that the Army was the best idea for me. I had no idea how I was going to pay for Culinary School and had no plan besides that so why not the Army. Well I originally signed up to be a cook, Culinary School to Army Cook....makes sense right? Well about 3/4 of the way through my Senior year I called my recruiter and told him I would not go.....well needless to say he did what all good recruiters do and he made me happy, he got me a new job, a bonus, and I got stationed in Hawaii.....what a deal. GOD HAD a plan.
So 3 years in Hawaii I was about to get out but after a series of events reenlisted. At the time I figured I was just patriotic or whatever and it wasn't that hard of a job so why not a few more years plus I got to go to Tennessee which I always thought would be a good place to go. So the cycle continued on and on a few more times....almost out, stay in, almost out stay in. No real rhyme or reason just because in my mind it was a job and it was easy.
Fast forward to my last reenlistment. We had decided to go to North Carolina after some deliberation and going back and forth about our choices. Had it all lined up and was told we HAD to go to Colorado. Well it was originally our first choice anyways so no big deal right. Well needless to say Colorado is where it all came together. We weighed out a lot of options what to do with my career. I actually sought out a lot of people and spent a lot of time praying about it. Several people prayed for me and with me about it. I had some ideas but it wasn't until a friend of mine shared his story with me that I realized what I had contemplated in the past was one day going to become a reality. I had often had dreams of speaking to people about various things, in various settings. I often would get random thoughts that most people would brush off but I would seem to want to expand on in my mind and explain them. You see the me losing my depth perception was not an accident, joining the Army was not an accident that some 17 yr old made, reenlisting multiply times....no accident, coming to Colorado after 10 years of traveling all over the place not an accident. You see it took all that to get me here today.
In my heart I had great plans for my life, but you see GOD determined what steps I would take. No matter where I went everything that happened to me, every situation I was saved from, all the times I wasn't arrested or punished, the dwindling of my eye sight just enough not to be able to pick the ball up off the bat or the ball out of the pitchers hand, and everything in between .....you see GOD HAS A PLAN.
I know many of you that read this will say well yeah duh....but someone that reads this might not know it....maybe they have never even heard of Proverbs...to those of you that this applies to think about it. Everything DOESN'T happen for a reason....................Everything happens for GOD's Reason.
If you read all of this I know it was long but I hope it touches you in one way or another. Thank you for your time.
GOD Bless
Jason
I know one of my blogs was recently right along these same lines but bear with me cause I guess GOD wanted me to expand.
As you can imagine sitting in a foreign country away from your family at times thoughts come into your mind of how did I get here. For most people that is about it, how did I get here and they go back to their last reenlistment or their initial enlistment depending on how long they have been in. For me it seems to always go a little bit further. I often think back to when I was 17 sitting on a bench waiting for the bus to take me back to my high school from the vocational school I spent half the day at my Junior and Senior years. Sometimes I even go back further and think about when I was probably 12 in VBS giving the teachers a run for their money, yes I was the kid saying "but what about the rest of the story....you know when David cut off Goliath's head and took it to the king".....I guess VBS didn't go that deep and I was just being disruptive. Anyways, sitting here thinking how did I get here a few things come to mind
1. Hind site is always 20/20 isn't it? Its always so clear when you look back. Why couldn't it have been that clear all those times I was struggling?
2. GOD had a plan and the funny thing was my youth leader, my parents, my pastor, and I am sure plenty of others told me that. But somewhere along the lines I forgot it for a while, as I think all of us do. We never want to listen when we are 17 and know it all.
3. No matter how rough it was I would never change any of it for the world. Lots of people would say the opposite. Man if I could do it all over again I would do it in a heart beat. If I could just go back to HS I would be a different person. Not me I consider myself a lucky individual to have done the things I have done, seen the things I have seen, screwed up the things I ROYALLY SCREWED UP, and enjoyed the memories that I have made.
Last night I was reading in Proverbs and I ran head first into Chap 16, Verse 9.
9 In his heart a man plans his course,
but the LORD determines his steps.
You see I had it all planned out from the time I was young. I can even remember being pretty young, I want to say Pre-Teen and watching 20/20 (The News Show) with my parents one Friday night. The main story that night was on nursing homes and how many residents were being treated poorly. I remember telling my mom not to worry that when she got old she would never have to live in a place like that and I would take care of her. You see I had aspirations of becoming a Major League Baseball Player. Lots of little boys dream of becoming a pro athlete but I was serious, I practiced relentlessly most days I couldn't find anyone to pitch to me so I would go and get this young girl in my town named Dana to pitch to me (to her credit she was pretty good after practicing with me for years). I knew the odds even at a young age of making it to the big leagues but didn't care. For some reason it didn't become a reality until my 8th grade Biology teacher made it real real for me, oh by the way I was in detention when he broke it down. I was good, and like a young kid I was cocky to some extent but he laid it out for me in a way I could actually put the number in real terms. What really did me in was when I started to lose some of my depth perception which for an outfielder who has to react in a split second not only is detrimental but becomes dangerous. So I continued to play but in my mind knew that after HS my days were pretty much over with Baseball. GOD had a plan.
So back to that bench at the vocational school. You see I was approached by an Army Recruiter, who to his credit was pretty smooth, and convinced me that the Army was the best idea for me. I had no idea how I was going to pay for Culinary School and had no plan besides that so why not the Army. Well I originally signed up to be a cook, Culinary School to Army Cook....makes sense right? Well about 3/4 of the way through my Senior year I called my recruiter and told him I would not go.....well needless to say he did what all good recruiters do and he made me happy, he got me a new job, a bonus, and I got stationed in Hawaii.....what a deal. GOD HAD a plan.
So 3 years in Hawaii I was about to get out but after a series of events reenlisted. At the time I figured I was just patriotic or whatever and it wasn't that hard of a job so why not a few more years plus I got to go to Tennessee which I always thought would be a good place to go. So the cycle continued on and on a few more times....almost out, stay in, almost out stay in. No real rhyme or reason just because in my mind it was a job and it was easy.
Fast forward to my last reenlistment. We had decided to go to North Carolina after some deliberation and going back and forth about our choices. Had it all lined up and was told we HAD to go to Colorado. Well it was originally our first choice anyways so no big deal right. Well needless to say Colorado is where it all came together. We weighed out a lot of options what to do with my career. I actually sought out a lot of people and spent a lot of time praying about it. Several people prayed for me and with me about it. I had some ideas but it wasn't until a friend of mine shared his story with me that I realized what I had contemplated in the past was one day going to become a reality. I had often had dreams of speaking to people about various things, in various settings. I often would get random thoughts that most people would brush off but I would seem to want to expand on in my mind and explain them. You see the me losing my depth perception was not an accident, joining the Army was not an accident that some 17 yr old made, reenlisting multiply times....no accident, coming to Colorado after 10 years of traveling all over the place not an accident. You see it took all that to get me here today.
In my heart I had great plans for my life, but you see GOD determined what steps I would take. No matter where I went everything that happened to me, every situation I was saved from, all the times I wasn't arrested or punished, the dwindling of my eye sight just enough not to be able to pick the ball up off the bat or the ball out of the pitchers hand, and everything in between .....you see GOD HAS A PLAN.
I know many of you that read this will say well yeah duh....but someone that reads this might not know it....maybe they have never even heard of Proverbs...to those of you that this applies to think about it. Everything DOESN'T happen for a reason....................Everything happens for GOD's Reason.
If you read all of this I know it was long but I hope it touches you in one way or another. Thank you for your time.
GOD Bless
Jason
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Breaking it down.....BARNEY STYLE
July 12th, 2009
1 Peter 3:13-17
13Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fearb]">[b]; do not be frightened."c]">[c] 15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
A pretty popular verse and it rings true for me almost on a daily basis but I think a problem most Christians have (myself included) is being able to be prepared to give an answer at that persons level. We all have our answers whether it be from years of studying at seminary, reading the Bible, learning about history and the history of the bible on our own, yada yada yada its all great but what if the person who asks you the question doesn't speak "churchanese"? Then all your doing is speaking words that sound like gibberish to them....
Yesterday I ran into it face first. How do I know the Bible is true? I gave some answers that in my mind made sense. But on the other hand this guy stood there and just looked confused. So how do we break it down for someone that needs a simple answer...well not quoting to them a bunch of History first of all because most people could care less about history, especially in the Army. If Soldiers liked history they would have went to college, so whats my excuse well ask me sometime and I will tell you how GOD took me from there to here. Anyways the point is, as a Christian when we are asked to give an answer Peter wasn't saying spit um out a bunch of theology and expect um to just get it. Nope he was saying be prepared always to give an answer...some people want to hear a huge long drawn out explanation about how the Bible was GOD inspired through chosen men written down and stood the test of time, dead sea scrolls and the whole shebang....others not so keen on that just want to hear our story and see what GOD has done for us and how he can help them. I always used to call it "Breaking it down Barney Style" because it would be so simple a child would understand.
So whats the right answer...there isn't a "right" answer but hopefully your answer will be the one that either plants a seed or brings the seed to bloom so that the person can truly see what the reason for your hope is, and hopefully that is Jesus Christ. Sometimes it just boils down to having faith and what is faith? Well you can do a word search for it or wait til I go off about it in one of my blogs.....I suggest you do a word search for it in Hebrews Chapter 11, because who knows when GOD's gonna lay it on my heart to talk about it.
Bottom line like a good Soldier you should always be prepared. We train to fight and win, Athletes train to fight and win, Christians NEED TO TRAIN TO FIGHT AND WIN!!!!
I love you guys
GOD Bless
Jason
1 Peter 3:13-17
13Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fearb]">[b]; do not be frightened."c]">[c] 15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
A pretty popular verse and it rings true for me almost on a daily basis but I think a problem most Christians have (myself included) is being able to be prepared to give an answer at that persons level. We all have our answers whether it be from years of studying at seminary, reading the Bible, learning about history and the history of the bible on our own, yada yada yada its all great but what if the person who asks you the question doesn't speak "churchanese"? Then all your doing is speaking words that sound like gibberish to them....
Yesterday I ran into it face first. How do I know the Bible is true? I gave some answers that in my mind made sense. But on the other hand this guy stood there and just looked confused. So how do we break it down for someone that needs a simple answer...well not quoting to them a bunch of History first of all because most people could care less about history, especially in the Army. If Soldiers liked history they would have went to college, so whats my excuse well ask me sometime and I will tell you how GOD took me from there to here. Anyways the point is, as a Christian when we are asked to give an answer Peter wasn't saying spit um out a bunch of theology and expect um to just get it. Nope he was saying be prepared always to give an answer...some people want to hear a huge long drawn out explanation about how the Bible was GOD inspired through chosen men written down and stood the test of time, dead sea scrolls and the whole shebang....others not so keen on that just want to hear our story and see what GOD has done for us and how he can help them. I always used to call it "Breaking it down Barney Style" because it would be so simple a child would understand.
So whats the right answer...there isn't a "right" answer but hopefully your answer will be the one that either plants a seed or brings the seed to bloom so that the person can truly see what the reason for your hope is, and hopefully that is Jesus Christ. Sometimes it just boils down to having faith and what is faith? Well you can do a word search for it or wait til I go off about it in one of my blogs.....I suggest you do a word search for it in Hebrews Chapter 11, because who knows when GOD's gonna lay it on my heart to talk about it.
Bottom line like a good Soldier you should always be prepared. We train to fight and win, Athletes train to fight and win, Christians NEED TO TRAIN TO FIGHT AND WIN!!!!
I love you guys
GOD Bless
Jason
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Grace Like Rain
July 5th, 2009
Today was a good day. Well as good as it could get for the conditions I suppose. It wasn't to hot, It was Sunday, and as far as I can tell no one got hurt. I had the opportunity to go to the evening service this week which I haven't been able to do since I got here and it was great. Very much like our church back in Colorado. We even got a chance to have communion, which surprisingly enough they made it very much like a normal communion as opposed to the usual Army field expedient way of doing things. We even sang a praise song after it just like back home which made me feel, if only for a moment, like it was normal.
Tonight the Chaplin talked about David and how GOD chose him for what was on the inside and not on the outward appearance. I know right, most people know he wasn't the biggest and baddest of the sons but he had what it took on the inside and GOD could see it. Of all the people in the Bible he is a man that most can relate to. He was a man that was not always the best example but yet he was a man after GODs own heart. He had a colorful life but yet was a man we all look up to because he was able to see his own flaws, see that he was human, and repent and continue on serving the LORD.
A man after GODs own heart but only by the Grace of GOD. We should all be so lucky as to be called that one day. I would hope that one day that can be said about me, not by man but by GOD when it comes my turn to join him. What a great complement it would be for him to say you were on the a strange and wayward path but then you turned it around and you were a man after my own heart. Can you imagine? I don't plan to live the rest of my life spotless and without sin because that is impossible. I would however like to do the best I can do to seek after HIS heart and do what he has called me to do.
The song we sung was a popular one "Grace Like Rain" by Todd Agnew. I will never forget the first time I was at CCES and the praise band played it. I had been wanting to just sing one old fashion hymn and they started to play it and I was so excited to sing Amazing Grace, the one song that really always hits home for me (and a lot of others), and then they switched it up on me. Never the less it brings it all together for me the in that version. It takes the old (Amazing Grace) and merges it with the new (Grace Like Rain) and makes an amazing song that brings me to the point of tears almost every time. The old and the new, we will never get rid of the old completely but GOD can wash us clean and make us a new. We can still keep our humor, or style, or personality but now he can use it for his purpose. Thank you LORD for GRACE LIKE RAIN.
Jason
Today was a good day. Well as good as it could get for the conditions I suppose. It wasn't to hot, It was Sunday, and as far as I can tell no one got hurt. I had the opportunity to go to the evening service this week which I haven't been able to do since I got here and it was great. Very much like our church back in Colorado. We even got a chance to have communion, which surprisingly enough they made it very much like a normal communion as opposed to the usual Army field expedient way of doing things. We even sang a praise song after it just like back home which made me feel, if only for a moment, like it was normal.
Tonight the Chaplin talked about David and how GOD chose him for what was on the inside and not on the outward appearance. I know right, most people know he wasn't the biggest and baddest of the sons but he had what it took on the inside and GOD could see it. Of all the people in the Bible he is a man that most can relate to. He was a man that was not always the best example but yet he was a man after GODs own heart. He had a colorful life but yet was a man we all look up to because he was able to see his own flaws, see that he was human, and repent and continue on serving the LORD.
A man after GODs own heart but only by the Grace of GOD. We should all be so lucky as to be called that one day. I would hope that one day that can be said about me, not by man but by GOD when it comes my turn to join him. What a great complement it would be for him to say you were on the a strange and wayward path but then you turned it around and you were a man after my own heart. Can you imagine? I don't plan to live the rest of my life spotless and without sin because that is impossible. I would however like to do the best I can do to seek after HIS heart and do what he has called me to do.
The song we sung was a popular one "Grace Like Rain" by Todd Agnew. I will never forget the first time I was at CCES and the praise band played it. I had been wanting to just sing one old fashion hymn and they started to play it and I was so excited to sing Amazing Grace, the one song that really always hits home for me (and a lot of others), and then they switched it up on me. Never the less it brings it all together for me the in that version. It takes the old (Amazing Grace) and merges it with the new (Grace Like Rain) and makes an amazing song that brings me to the point of tears almost every time. The old and the new, we will never get rid of the old completely but GOD can wash us clean and make us a new. We can still keep our humor, or style, or personality but now he can use it for his purpose. Thank you LORD for GRACE LIKE RAIN.
Jason
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Independence Day
The time is upon us again when everyone gets patriotic, wants to picnic, swim, be with the family, and best of all shoot of those crazy fireworks. This time of year used to be exciting to me, full of fun and good memories. I can remember one summer sitting in a car with my mom and dad and their two friends Harry and Helen. It was silly but we carried on saying oooooh and aaaawe over and over again. Not that I have bad memories now but sometimes holidays like this become a nuisance to me. It has happened to me more times than I can count, I am on my way to run a simple errand and someone stops me and thanks me for my service.
The first time this happened to me it threw me for a loop. I didn't really know how to react so I just said "thank you" back. After the fact I remember thinking why did I thank them for thanking me? And it continued on several times until one day I thought why are people thanking me and I wonder how many wake up everyday and thank GOD just for letting them live one more day and to have all the blessings we have as Americans. If you think back to why we celebrate 4th of July and the men who drafted our founding documents you wonder where did all our Christian values go. How did we all of the sudden become a "on Christian" nation just because one man said so?
And another thing totally off the subject of 4th of July, what in the world is going on with the media? The guy is dead, but does anyone realize that a madman got reelected to office in Iran? The guy who wants to destroy us......but yet our country is more worried about what caused a celebrity to have a heart attack. Come on people seriously. Where is our focus as a nation? On some guy that WAS the king of pop like 20 years ago or a madman that wants to kill all Americans?
SO anyways enough from that soap box, I hope that this 4th of July you all have a chance to eat a dog or hamburger, chips, and potato salad. Think of those fighting but a lot of us we really want thanks. Most of us don't know what to do with it because it makes us feel uncomfortable because to be honest with you we weren't drafted we all volunteered and we were just doing our job. It would be like thanking the cashier at wal mart for taking your money......its their job so they do it. Thank someone from a previous generation that was forced to fight for our freedom.
Til Next Time
GOD Bless
Jason
The first time this happened to me it threw me for a loop. I didn't really know how to react so I just said "thank you" back. After the fact I remember thinking why did I thank them for thanking me? And it continued on several times until one day I thought why are people thanking me and I wonder how many wake up everyday and thank GOD just for letting them live one more day and to have all the blessings we have as Americans. If you think back to why we celebrate 4th of July and the men who drafted our founding documents you wonder where did all our Christian values go. How did we all of the sudden become a "on Christian" nation just because one man said so?
And another thing totally off the subject of 4th of July, what in the world is going on with the media? The guy is dead, but does anyone realize that a madman got reelected to office in Iran? The guy who wants to destroy us......but yet our country is more worried about what caused a celebrity to have a heart attack. Come on people seriously. Where is our focus as a nation? On some guy that WAS the king of pop like 20 years ago or a madman that wants to kill all Americans?
SO anyways enough from that soap box, I hope that this 4th of July you all have a chance to eat a dog or hamburger, chips, and potato salad. Think of those fighting but a lot of us we really want thanks. Most of us don't know what to do with it because it makes us feel uncomfortable because to be honest with you we weren't drafted we all volunteered and we were just doing our job. It would be like thanking the cashier at wal mart for taking your money......its their job so they do it. Thank someone from a previous generation that was forced to fight for our freedom.
Til Next Time
GOD Bless
Jason
Friday, June 26, 2009
Sprinting in a Marathon
June 26th 2009
Over the past few days I have been reading daily devotionals that talked about running the race. Running a race is usually about endurance and no matter how short you have to have the endurance built up to make it through that race. It made me think about this current tour in Afghanistan and the endurance that it will take to make it to the end successfully. Geri and I have known since I got back last time that I would be deploying in the Spring / Summer of 2009 to Afghanistan so the building of endurance started from the time I got back from Iraq last time. In a way we never recovered from the first race before we had to prepare for the next. Thankfully we have good friends and good support that helped us prepare, whether they knew it or not.
We moved to Colorado in 2006 knowing that I would be gone to Baghdad soon after we arrived, the difference between then and now was that we knew no one. So we fell back on family. Towards the end of that tour Geri moved back to Colorado from NY and got plugged in at CCES (Calvary Chapel Eastside) and soon we had two families. I am thankful that during this tour Geri and the kids have two families watching over them.
But family and friends aren’t always enough in a tough race. Its always nice to have someone there to cheer you on. A familiar face or voice, but in long distance races you need more because your fans aren’t gonna follow you for 26.2 miles and cheer you on the whole way. That’s where GOD comes in. I am thankful that these deployments have taught us even more how we need to not only rely on each other, friends and family, but more under GODs protective arm. When you embark on a long run you have a lot of time to think, reflect, listen, and contemplate. Being apart from my better human half I find I have more time to concentrate on the best part of life and that’s GODs Amazing Grace.
But in reality this race that our family is in is a sprint in the marathon that is life and I know that this experience will only bring us closer to GOD and help us grow in our faith more. So think about the race your running, and who is gonna cheer you on the whole way (not just at the beginning and/or the end). I am thankful that GOD has seen us through all our races up to this point, he will see us through this short sprint, and see us through in the end.
GOD Bless
Jason
Sunday, June 21, 2009
A Father Loves
June 21st, 2009 (Fathers Day)
I was woke up this morning bright and early (5am) because I was needed at work. So I went in and stayed even though it was 3 hours prior to my shift starting. During our change over brief they reminded us that it was Fathers Day.....Hooray. So happy Fathers Day Dad (and everyone else whose a dad).
Its already Sunday here so off to service I went. Wasn't to sure what to expect since every place is different and this was our 1st Sunday in J-Bad (Jalalabad, Afghanistan). It was actually really good. Excellent to be honest. You know its been a while since I can remember having tears well up in my eyes but today the Holy Spirit tugged at my heart. Chaplin Brown brought a message and of course it had to do with fathers day. He talked to us from Luke 15, if some of you don't know this is the Story of the Prodigal Son. I was never a perfect child, and like most can relate to this story. And now that I am a Father I hope to one day be able to show the same kind of love and understanding and patience that the Father did here.
I don't know what it was about the message, maybe the Chaplin delivery, maybe the fact that I am away from my family, but I think mostly I just thought back to GODs love and grace. He told a story that was familiar to me, and I am sure to several others, about falling asleep during his prayer time and getting down on himself for it. But before he even finished his story the image popped in my head about what a father would do to/for a child that fell asleep in his arms or in his presence. All a father can do, pull his child in a little closer and smile and express his love. That's the part that got me. GODs love is amazing and the fact that when we need him he will pull us close is a great expression of his unfailing love. No matter what we have done or what situation we are in right now he still loves us.
So fathers do me a favor today, on your way about your day grab a hold of your kids and pull um in for a good hug. Express to them the same love and same example GOD has given us. And Geri (pull those kids in tight for me since I can't be there). Have a great fathers day everyone.
GOD Bless
Jason
I was woke up this morning bright and early (5am) because I was needed at work. So I went in and stayed even though it was 3 hours prior to my shift starting. During our change over brief they reminded us that it was Fathers Day.....Hooray. So happy Fathers Day Dad (and everyone else whose a dad).
Its already Sunday here so off to service I went. Wasn't to sure what to expect since every place is different and this was our 1st Sunday in J-Bad (Jalalabad, Afghanistan). It was actually really good. Excellent to be honest. You know its been a while since I can remember having tears well up in my eyes but today the Holy Spirit tugged at my heart. Chaplin Brown brought a message and of course it had to do with fathers day. He talked to us from Luke 15, if some of you don't know this is the Story of the Prodigal Son. I was never a perfect child, and like most can relate to this story. And now that I am a Father I hope to one day be able to show the same kind of love and understanding and patience that the Father did here.
I don't know what it was about the message, maybe the Chaplin delivery, maybe the fact that I am away from my family, but I think mostly I just thought back to GODs love and grace. He told a story that was familiar to me, and I am sure to several others, about falling asleep during his prayer time and getting down on himself for it. But before he even finished his story the image popped in my head about what a father would do to/for a child that fell asleep in his arms or in his presence. All a father can do, pull his child in a little closer and smile and express his love. That's the part that got me. GODs love is amazing and the fact that when we need him he will pull us close is a great expression of his unfailing love. No matter what we have done or what situation we are in right now he still loves us.
So fathers do me a favor today, on your way about your day grab a hold of your kids and pull um in for a good hug. Express to them the same love and same example GOD has given us. And Geri (pull those kids in tight for me since I can't be there). Have a great fathers day everyone.
GOD Bless
Jason
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Hurry Up and WAIT
June 16 - 18 2009
So here we go again, in typical Army fashion I was told that I would be on a flight to my FOB about 5 different times only to be woke up at 2am and be told we wouldn't fly that day....oh well so is the military.
Finally I arrived today. Internet is not looking good. probably use the MWR facilities because it is free. We are living in a very desolate part of the country so our conditions could be better but I am not to worried about it, GOD is in control.
So here we go again, in typical Army fashion I was told that I would be on a flight to my FOB about 5 different times only to be woke up at 2am and be told we wouldn't fly that day....oh well so is the military.
Finally I arrived today. Internet is not looking good. probably use the MWR facilities because it is free. We are living in a very desolate part of the country so our conditions could be better but I am not to worried about it, GOD is in control.
Monday, June 15, 2009
One step closer
June 14th - 15th 2009
Sunday started off good, we found out that we would be on our way to our next stop so thats always good. I was able to get into contemporary service right before we had to check our bags and that was uplifting. A little bit different than CCES but it was good just to go and be in worship with other believers. What was cool was the fact that there was people there from every branch (Army, AF, Navy, Marines) and they all were wanting the same thing to seek the face of GOD.
Soon after that we made the next step in our journey to our final destination. We are finally in country at a base that serves as a go between for everyone coming and going from here. The only thing significant to talk about is the mountains. Being here is like driving up into the mountains through Hoosier Pass on the way to Breckenridge. There are mountains in every direction, only difference is that these mountains are more in the 24,000 ft range rather than the "small peaks" of Colorado. As soon as I get set up at my final destination I hope to put some pictures up. If it weren't for all the dirt and dust in the air this place might be kind of nice, well at least to look at not to live.
Continue to pray for Geri and the kids as it is hard to stay in contact with them with all this moving around. I am in hopes that once I get settled that everything can get into some state of normal. Okay well that's about all for now thanks all and keep in touch.
GOD Bless
Jason
Sunday started off good, we found out that we would be on our way to our next stop so thats always good. I was able to get into contemporary service right before we had to check our bags and that was uplifting. A little bit different than CCES but it was good just to go and be in worship with other believers. What was cool was the fact that there was people there from every branch (Army, AF, Navy, Marines) and they all were wanting the same thing to seek the face of GOD.
Soon after that we made the next step in our journey to our final destination. We are finally in country at a base that serves as a go between for everyone coming and going from here. The only thing significant to talk about is the mountains. Being here is like driving up into the mountains through Hoosier Pass on the way to Breckenridge. There are mountains in every direction, only difference is that these mountains are more in the 24,000 ft range rather than the "small peaks" of Colorado. As soon as I get set up at my final destination I hope to put some pictures up. If it weren't for all the dirt and dust in the air this place might be kind of nice, well at least to look at not to live.
Continue to pray for Geri and the kids as it is hard to stay in contact with them with all this moving around. I am in hopes that once I get settled that everything can get into some state of normal. Okay well that's about all for now thanks all and keep in touch.
GOD Bless
Jason
Friday, June 12, 2009
So here we go
Thursday 11th - Saturday 13th of June
The time finally came. 1pm on Thursday the 11th. I was off again to do what the Army pays me to do, go to combat. That day is never easy, no matter how much you mentally prepare for it. Geri, the kids, and I all sat at the parade field waiting and hanging out with co-workers trying to act like everything was ok and then the 1SG yells for everyone to form up into our company formation for manifest call. With a heavy heart I said goodbye to Geri and the kids, multiple times. We said a prayer, kissed goodbye, and off I went.
My fellow Soldiers and I waited to get on the buses and eventually got off to the Airport with little delay, which is a miracle that the Military could pull off such a smooth operation considering past experiences. We boarded the plane and settled in for what is the beginning of a 1year tour of duty. We made a quick stop in Gulfport, MS to pick up a National Guard unit and continued on. All in all it amounted to about a day and a half of travel, (17+ hours of flying with layovers at each stop of about 2 hours for refuel and cleaning). We have yet to reach our final destination but we are in a transient post in a country just north of where we will be before we take our final jump into country. We will make one more stop for a few days before we make it to our final destination. Keep our family in your prayers as the first few days / weeks are always the toughest to get adjusted until I can get settled in and the family can get settled into their new routine for the next year. Also, pray for me that I will be able to stay strong and be a witness to those who need it. As I am sure some of you know, and the rest of you can imagine, the Army is not the boy scouts and there are plenty of unsaved coworkers that sometimes can drag you down. The situation can weigh heavily on me some days as I have little to no control of my daily duties and who I spend my time with because of the mission. I pray all the time whenever I think of it to stay strong in the LORD.
As Friday came and went I could not help but think about missing Youth Group and the "CORE". Even if you did not meet last night it still doesn't seem like a Friday night is complete without the youth. I will definitely miss Friday nights and being uplifted just by being around all of you.
Tomorrow is service here at 1030 I can't wait to be able to just go and worship and see what GOD has in store for me and this tour. Thanks again for all the help with Geri and the kids and pray for us when ever you can think of it. Thank you in advance for all the prayers, talk to you soon, and GOD Bless.
The time finally came. 1pm on Thursday the 11th. I was off again to do what the Army pays me to do, go to combat. That day is never easy, no matter how much you mentally prepare for it. Geri, the kids, and I all sat at the parade field waiting and hanging out with co-workers trying to act like everything was ok and then the 1SG yells for everyone to form up into our company formation for manifest call. With a heavy heart I said goodbye to Geri and the kids, multiple times. We said a prayer, kissed goodbye, and off I went.
My fellow Soldiers and I waited to get on the buses and eventually got off to the Airport with little delay, which is a miracle that the Military could pull off such a smooth operation considering past experiences. We boarded the plane and settled in for what is the beginning of a 1year tour of duty. We made a quick stop in Gulfport, MS to pick up a National Guard unit and continued on. All in all it amounted to about a day and a half of travel, (17+ hours of flying with layovers at each stop of about 2 hours for refuel and cleaning). We have yet to reach our final destination but we are in a transient post in a country just north of where we will be before we take our final jump into country. We will make one more stop for a few days before we make it to our final destination. Keep our family in your prayers as the first few days / weeks are always the toughest to get adjusted until I can get settled in and the family can get settled into their new routine for the next year. Also, pray for me that I will be able to stay strong and be a witness to those who need it. As I am sure some of you know, and the rest of you can imagine, the Army is not the boy scouts and there are plenty of unsaved coworkers that sometimes can drag you down. The situation can weigh heavily on me some days as I have little to no control of my daily duties and who I spend my time with because of the mission. I pray all the time whenever I think of it to stay strong in the LORD.
As Friday came and went I could not help but think about missing Youth Group and the "CORE". Even if you did not meet last night it still doesn't seem like a Friday night is complete without the youth. I will definitely miss Friday nights and being uplifted just by being around all of you.
Tomorrow is service here at 1030 I can't wait to be able to just go and worship and see what GOD has in store for me and this tour. Thanks again for all the help with Geri and the kids and pray for us when ever you can think of it. Thank you in advance for all the prayers, talk to you soon, and GOD Bless.
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