Unbounded Words

Update on things

Chris — Sat, 15 May 2010 03:48:35 +0000

Wow!!! I have seriously neglected to keep this blog updated. However, I haven’t decided to abandon it yet. I still have much I would like to write about. Unfortunately, I have just not been motivated lately to type out my thoughts. However, I have many posts coming up, just maybe not real soon. One post I am planning is to complete my thoughts on the issue of modern day speaking in tongues. Since my post on Cessation, which I have received much feedback on, I have had many discussions with people who practice tongues. I have also spent many more hours in study, and I believe it is about time for another post on the topic. So look for that post and others in the near future.

What has been going on with me recently? Well, I have been spending the past year working and taking a break from school. After completing my MA last May, I decided to just relax this year. I began the process of applying for Chaplaincy this year, and after several months of preparation I received some good news from the recent Chaplain Selection Board. I have been selected as a Chaplain for the US Army Reserve. This is the result of four years of preparation for the Chaplaincy since I sensed God leading me to this ministry back in 2006. To God be the Glory!

The Atonement Q&A by Shai Linne

Chris — Sat, 15 May 2010 03:26:56 +0000

The Wrath of God

Chris — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 08:32:12 +0000

CH-BOLC is Finished

Chris — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 07:49:13 +0000

I didn’t post about the last few weeks. There really wasn’t much to post. We went to Capstone which included a five mile march out to the FOB they have set up on Fort Jackson. While there we had classes and practical exercises on the training which we had received up to that point. We also did a lot of field services while we were out there. Probably about thirty total. We didn’t stay overnight because of some logistical problems the school had with the range. I had no problem with that as they just bussed us back to the school each night, and I drove back to hotel to shower and sleep in a comfortable bed. After the third day we marched back to the school, and the Capstone was complete.The last two weeks were training on family wellness type stuff. Most of it was kind of boring, but we got certifications for everything we did. I am sure it will come in handy some day.

Rachel and the kids came down on Monday of graduation week. It was good to see them. Rachel attended the spouse’s seminar which the Chaplain school put on. She really enjoyed it, and met some good people. The kids stayed in child care off post. This was the first time they had ever stayed in a child care center, but they seemed to like it pretty well. On Wednesday night we left them with a chaplain’s wife and kids while we went to the chaplain banquet. It was a good experience, and Rachel really enjoyed the event. Graduation was on Friday and my mother and aunt came down for that. The graduation went well, and after a few pictures I said goodbye to Fort Jackson.

From there we went to Myrtle Beach for the weekend and enjoyed the beach and pools at the resort. The kids love the beach and they love to swim, and I was wore out by Tuesday when we left. I got back to my house around 9 p.m. on Friday and slept in my own bed for the first time since July 11th. It felt really good, but when I woke up the next morning I noticed that the grass hadn’t been cut since I left nearly 9 weeks earlier. It’s good to know how needed I am around the house. I reported back to work on Friday, and I haven’t had a day off yet.

I am glad to have gotten CH-BOLC finished. I love the Army lifestyle and can’t wait to get back to it, but for now I have much to do here, and being with my family is where I am happiest.

CH-BOLC Phase 2, Week 3-4

Chris — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 00:55:41 +0000

Week 3 was pretty basic. We sat through many more classes, but they were not as bad as previous weeks. Most of the classes were done in platoons, instead of as a whole class. On Wednesday we went to Victory Ranch which is a civilian operated faith based resort for soldiers. It was a pretty good day of relaxation and eating good food. I played a 3 on 3 game of basketball, and sat and talked with other chaplains for most of the day. On Friday of that week I performed my Sacred Communications sermon which didn’t go as well I had hoped. This is where I preach a sermon to the other chaplains as if they were regular soldiers on a deployment. After the sermon they all critiqued me. Since they are all of different traditions I got all kinds of feedback. Some of them hated it, some liked it, and one said it was the best he had heard in the class. Unfortuneately, the chaplain instructor didn’t like it, and it seems I offended him. I couldn’t help it, I was assigned to preach from Romans 1. Now I must prepare to preach it again, only not so offensive.

Week 4 was another exciting week. On Monday we had a class on memorial ceremonies and services, and graveside services. On Tuesday – Thursday we had PREP training which was basically certification to do Army sponsored marriage retreats. On Friday morning we had the final PT test. I did the 2 mile run in only 15:13, which is my best time since I was 20. I was disappointed with my pushups, as I only did 54 and was expecting to do around 70. I did better than expected on the situps with 57. On Friday we had a live demonstration of a graveside service, and then we each conducted a service of our own. I did the memorial service which is like a military funeral, but without the body being present. It is done for the unit of the lost soldier, and not necessarily the family.

Phase 2 is officially over, and we are now in Phase 3.

Rachel and the kids came down on Thursday. On Saturday we went to the zoo, and on Sunday we went to a park, and then to see G-Force, then out for frozen custard. They leave on Monday. It was great to get to see them for the first time in 4 weeks, and I hate that they must leave, but they will be back for graduation in only 2 more weeks.