Last week in an interview with CNN, Defense Secretary Robert Gates was shown on video to say the following regarding his advisory role to the President of the United States:

“It is imperative that all of us taking part in these deliberations, civilians and military alike, provide our best advice to the president candidly, but privately.”

Obviously, I don’t advise the President, but, as a Chaplain, I do advise my Commanders on issues of unit morale and religious matters. Are there times that I disagree? Yes. Are there times that I see something that I need to bring to his attention that may not be perceived as positive feedback? Yes. It is the Chaplain’s place to look at a different angle and bring up issues that may have not been considered or to voice concerns that the rank and file may feel afraid to mention.

As Secretary Gates instructs, this needs to be done “candidly but privately.”

If talking with the Commander doesn’t work and the concern is serious enough—the Army has a change of command to speak with—again, candidly and privately. As a Chaplain, I would add that this works best if the Chaplain speaks to his Supervisory Chaplain every step of the way.

I’ve never had to go up the chain of command to have my concerns listened to. My commanders have always been open to what I have to say. However, the Army Commander has so much else on his plate to consider. If he disagrees with me, that is his choice—I am an advisor only. Sometimes, I am dead wrong. I also don’t have the mantle of command to worry about. I do my best to voice what I see and then support the Commander as best as possible. That is what “candidly but privately” is all about—being candid up front, being honest when the Commander asks a question, but being loyal at the same time.

It is a great responsibility and honor to be a Chaplain in a Battalion—to have to ear of the commander and advise him within my lane as is necessary. I was reminded of this when I read those words from the Secretary of Defense.

I guess I never knew a computer without a mouse—but it is really odd to work off my touchpad instead of a mouse.

A touch pad is hardly accurate and never truly works properly—but I have to use it right now. We have send my desk and tables to the states, so I have to do everything on a lap desk—without a mouse.

Now, I could set it up at the table, but it is always being used for eating (go figure) or children’s crafts—coloring, painting, and Play Dough.

I could use my mouse of the arm of the chair, as my wife does, but that is cumbersome.

So, I sit with my computer on my lap and write—I still feel weird, but I’m getting used to it.

This post is much longer than normal. It is a sermon I preached on 8NOV09 and will take 10 minutes to read. If you just read the bold print it will take about 3 minutes of time.

All scripture marked ESV: The Holy Bible : English Standard Version. Wheaton : Standard Bible Society, 2001, S.

Have you ever started a jig-saw puzzle, only to find that it didn’t have all of the pieces?

Have you ever read a book that you lost before you finished reading it?

Have you ever watched a season finally of a TV show—only to find out that it is a cliff-hanger?

Don’t you feel incomplete?

It isn’t finished—there is still more to see, do, or experience!

We are looking this morning at Philippians 2. If you have your Bibles you can turn there or, if not, there is a Bible in the pew in front of you.

We see in Philippians 2 that Paul is faced with a dilemma—much like mine, in that his joy was incomplete. In this passage Paul explains his incomplete joy, what would be complete joy, and then how to fulfill this joy.

Look with me at Philippians 2:

1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil. 2, 1-11, ESV)

As we first look at this passage, we see that Paul has an

1. Incomplete Joy.

It is obvious in the very first verse he says:

1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,

2 complete my joy…(Phil. 2, 1-2a, ESV)

He is saying to the Philippians church—and I like how the King James Version translates this:

1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ,

if any comfort of love,

if any fellowship of the Spirit,

if any bowels and mercies, (Phil. 2:1, KJV)

These are all wonderful things—all blessing of coming to know Christ and living and walking with him. Paul says rhetorically IF all of these things are true and do exist, then in the first words of verse two:

Complete my Joy.

While all of these things are wonderful—Paul’s joy is incomplete, it is unfinished in some way.

In 1822, Franz Schubert set out to write a symphony—Symphony Number 8 in B Minor. The symphony was to be four movements, or sections.

The first two movements “Allegro Moderato”—or moderately fast and “Andante con moto”—or moderately slow, were completed.

Then the third movement, the scherzo—or rapid triple time, only has the first two fully written. The rest is written only for the piano.

The fourth movement which would, then, complete the symphony, doesn’t exist.

Schubert’s symphony number 8 is known as the “Unfinished Symphony”. Many articles and books have been written on why the “Unfinished Symphony” was never finished. It is a mystery, but it will never be solved nor will it ever be complete.

Paul wants his joy complete. He doesn’t want a day to go by without this. His joy is like the “Unfinished symphony” as masterful beautiful musical work, but incomplete.

Paul show us that with all the good things that he has the encouragement in Christ, the comfort from love, the participation in the Spirit, the affection, the sympathy—the joy is incomplete.

There is something missing.

So, if it is not complete, how do you complete it?

What would bring

2. Complete Joy ?

2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. (Phil. 2:2, ESV)

Paul says this is what would complete his joy—this is what would make him happy. That the church would be of the same mind, have the same love, to be in full accord (or in full harmony) and of one mind.

This is what would complete his joy.

My favorite candy, by far, is a bag of M&Ms. In our kitchen we have a big glass jar full of M&Ms that we keep stocked for the kids and for me. At night, I love to get a little Dixie cup—3 ounces—and dip in into the jar and sit and eat the Colorful candies as I read my comic books.

My wife doesn’t understand this, but there is a certain way to eat M&Ms—which also applies to Reece’s Pieces as well.

When I eat M&Ms, I separate them, or select them, by color as I eat them. It is not good to eat different colored M&Ms together. So when I get to the bottom of the cup, all of the M&Ms are the same color.

They are in perfect harmony, and my joy is then complete.

Paul is looking for this in the Philippian church. He is looking for them to be in harmony.

We are all different.

Paul writes in Romans 12 that we are all members of one body;

4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. (Rom 12:4-5, ESV)

We are all different and bring different skills and gifts to the table, but we are all to be of the same mind.

Paul is looking for the church to sync together.

He says, in verse two;

2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. (Phil. 2:2, ESV)

The church today needs to hear this call.

We are not of the same mind and we are not in full accord. We have many competing to be the biggest, to be the best behaved, and to look the best. All to flaunt it before others in false humility—while the hurting still hurt and get trampled on all the more. These empire building, financial furnishing, and ego satisfying motivations and strategies are all from the pit of hell.

We need to get on the same page. We need to be of the same mind and in harmony—to get more of God than more of anything else. We need to stop all of that foolishness, so that we can serve those who need Christ—who need true hope in their lives.

But how is this done?

How do we find

3. Fulfilled Joy?

Paul writes in verse 3;

3 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. (Phil. 2:3-4, ESV)

Paul sees the nature of man. We are competitive and arrogant—we like to take care of number one. But, we have a new nature in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:16-21) and through him we can shed the old nature for one of humility.

A good example of this is the Church in Jerusalem following the Day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit fell upon them, in acts Acts 2.

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-47, ESV)

The people of the church praised God and broke bread with one another. They began to take care of one another—taking care of needs as they saw them. They place other peoples needs before their own. They were not looking for praise on their part—they rejoiced in being able to give to others.

Paul says in verse four

4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. (Phil. 2:4, ESV)

He doesn’t say complete abandon your own interests. We have our own responsibilities and ministries to pursue. But, we are to look also at the interests of others. To help them along the way. To carry them if we need to.

If you really want to make an impact in your world for Christ, if you really want to lead people to Christ, if you really want to grow this chapel—the formula is here.

Look out for the interests of others.

People come to my office crying for somebody to look out for their interests. People need a Christian to come beside them—not to coddle them—but to truly put the time and energy into looking out for their interest.

It is through this that we complete the joy that Paul is begging for us to do.

To not leave the gospel at the encouragement and love of Christ—but to be of the same mind to take care of needs to reach out to one another in love and humility and to look out for one another’s interests.

Paul says;

Have this mind among yourselves.

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil. 2, 5-11, ESV)

This mind is available through Christ alone. We can try to encourage it—we can talk about it, but it is available through Christ.

We all have a nature that is sinful. Sin is anything you think, say, or do that makes God unhappy. This is arrogance and selfishness is sinful—but we can have this mind of humility and thoughtfulness and submission to others through Christ Jesus.

He set an example for us through his death on a Christ and through his payment of our sin he can take away our sin full nature and make us new.

If we place our trust in him.

Have you placed your trust in Him this morning?

You can do this by simple asking him in faith to become your salvation.

You may have done that, but you still struggle with being in one accord with other Christians. Victory over this struggle is available too through Christ Jesus. We are not perfect. We have our own warts and blemishes. Through confessing our sin and allowing Christ to move in our lives we can become a people of humility, of generosity, of one accord.

We must trust in Christ to work in our lives to do this.

Only then will our joy be made complete.

Let us pray.

I found an online telescope site this week. Slooh.com has three telescopes around the world. It is pretty cool to have that type of telescope first online and then available at a relatively low cost. I took a picture of Jupiter last night.

—–

This week, for the first time ever, the price of a Diet Coke 20oz bottle was more ($1.50) that a Gatorade 20 oz bottle ($1.25). What’s up with that?

—–

While I was finding the link to the last random thought, I found a Wikipedia article about the eruption that occurs when Diet Coke and Mentos are combined. That’s pretty scary, actually—note to self: Think what that would do to my stomach!

—–

Today in Baumholder is the DoDDS European High School Football Championships. My battalion is selling popcorn for the spectators. There is a reason why I want to buy a larger popcorn machine—there is no popcorn better than popcorn from a large machine. I make some pretty good popcorn from my Stir Crazy Popcorn maker, but the Larger Popcorn Makers truly make better tasting popcorn.

—–

Last Week’s Random Thoughts started an Office debate in the comments section. I really appreciate the NASA folks who came to my aid! If you haven’t read it make sure you do!

Most of you, by now, have heard about the tragedy at Fort Hood, Texas.

During a press conference by the Fort Hood Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Robert Cone, it is reported that he said this about the Soldiers at Fort Hood;

“the Soldiers – “many of them combat lifesavers” — reacted instantaneously, ripping off parts of their own clothing to treat the wounded.”

This statement demonstrates the steadfast professionalism of the American Soldier. I don’t know what happened there and it is not my lane to speak about it—except to express sorrow for those that were wounded and killed. I do pray for the families of the dead, the wounded warriors of this incident and the Soldiers—and specifically Chaplains—of Fort Hood.

But, reading the stories of these Soldiers actions reminds me of the dedication and the superior training of our Soldiers.

If you ever wonder about the character of the American Soldier or whether or not we should place the security of our nation into the hands of our Army—this is what you can look at for a point of reference.

I can visualize the “Joes” rushing in to assist with what they have been trained to do—with whatever tools they had in their hands, including the ACUs off their back. This morning when Monica told me about the incident, I thought to myself how helpless the Medics and the Soldiers must have felt without their combat medical equipment. But, I even underestimated “Joe”. These innovative Soldiers did what Soldiers do in these situations—they improvise.

People wonder what is so special about the American Soldier—it is this kind of dedication that I see every day in various forms that sets the Soldier apart from anyone else.

Please continue to keep the Soldiers and Families at Fort Hood in your prayers.

This morning’s PT session was a simple to explain 3 mile run. The plan is called “Last Man Up”.

For the first 15 minutes of the hour, the platoon I was with stretched. We did the normal calf stretch, ham string stretch abdominal stretch along with some other various callisthenic exercises to warm-up. Then, we began our run.

The “Last Man Up”, also called “Indian Runs” (not very politically correct so I guess the name got changed), takes place when the Platoon divides into two lines while running. As they run at a slow jog the Platoon Sergeant calls; “Last Man Up!…Go!” The two people at the end of the line race each other to the front of the line and then resume the slow jog. We ran this way for about a mile before going down a big hill. When we got to the big hill, we turned around and went up the hill—why not? That’s what you do on a hill!

In the middle of this return trip up the hill, it began to rain lightly. By the time we reached the top, the rain was heavy. By the time we ran another quarter mile after that, the heavy rain was mixed with sleet. Water began to soak through my PT uniform and the pants began to get heavy. My shoes were completely soaked. And my hat and gloves were water logged.

We completed our exercise and ran back to the Company Barracks where we did cool down exercises and stretches much like those done before.

This is what the Army calls “Good Training”…and we actually mean it.

Early this year, I wrote about discovering iTunes U on my iPod. With the new update in iTunes 9, I wanted to revisit this powerful tool.

The update in iTunes 9 redesign solves the problems with earlier usage of iTunes U.

The first problem I had with iTunes U was with the amount of space that the University Videos were chewing up on my iPod Nano. While the lectures and video were very educational, the space they took up was astounding. Now with the new update, iTunes has made it easier to turn the automatic sync OFF. I can now store the programs on my computer, watch them there, or pull them over as I need them.

The second issue was that the software didn’t really know what to do with the iTunes U files. It would register them as podcasts, as playlists, and as movies—if applicable. It was crazy. Now with the new update, iTunes 9 groups the iTunes U courses under its own heading. This makes it easier to store different courses on the computer and then find them, as they are placed into folders to browse through.

I am excited about this new update for iTunes U and I am looking forward to using the course to enrich my life while I learn from the experts about subjects that I am interested in.

There was once a time when I first put on the “Improved Outer Tactical Vest” (IOTV) that I really didn’t like it. It really seemed like it was too much trouble…and I liked the older one, the “Interceptor Body Armor” (IBA); that was until I wore the IBA today.

I went to the Rifle Range (M4) today to spend time with the Soldiers and teach several classes about Suicide Prevention. At first, as I unloaded my car, I put on my IBA for the first time since I traded my vest for the IOTV prior to the deployment. I was quiet confused that it didn’t match my expectations and memories. I guess I got so used to wearing the IOTV, that I found the IBA not as comfortable and actually awkward.

I’m glad that the Department of the Army gave us the IOTV to wear during this most recent deployment—it is definitely more comfortable, but also more protective.

An article in the New York Times focused on the hundreds of people who try to take a short-cut in marathons across the country.

I could spend this time talking about the ethical dimension of cheating, but I think the implications are quite obvious—these hundreds lack the ethical backbone to simply bow out of a race that they were too weak to finish.

I want to focus on the many different races that we run every day. In many ways we too disqualify ourselves because we want to find a shortcut. Sometimes, I’ll admit “working smarter and not harder” is an effective means of getting things done. But, there are many things in life that require us to take the exact path through hardship given to us. Some of these include parenting, personal development, and spiritual fitness.

There are no short cuts to raising Godly children. This is an everyday focus—short-cuts only make the problems worse. In personal development, there are many things that you simply have to learn by doing and failing and overcoming. In spiritual fitness, there are also no short cuts in learning do have a daily devotional time, to a daily prayer life, or to leading other toward Christ.

The next time you see a short-cut, and there are many being marketed, don’t take it. Focus on you task, learn from the hardships, and succeed where it is most important—in relationships, in your Christian walk, and in your personal character.

Trick or Treating in Germany is a little different than in the States. Tonight, we are going to a big community parking lot to “trunk or treat” around the cars. This is the first year that they have done this. But, it definitely seems better than going along the street to tables placed outside of people stairwell.

—–

For the next three weeks, we will be living with Government issued furniture, in an empty house, while our Household Goods move to Virginia. The shipment will take two months, but we will start travelling near the beginning of next month.

—–

The Ares test launch was successful this week. The Ares rocket is the first stage to returning men to the moon. Technology has come so far since the early 1970s it would be amazing to see what can be discovered with a return visit to the moon. It would also be interesting to watch it live in HD—it would be absolutely amazing.

—–

In 2006, I was introduced to the fun and the madness of Black Friday. We started our day at 0400 and were already at the end of a long line. I found out that the PX was the most fun—Wal-Mart would probably be fun as well. There is a website that monitors all of the deals that one can expect to see on the day after Thanksgiving. The site has all of the latest plans.

—–

It’s Halloween and my son went as a Power Ranger—the Red one.