Jesus In Any Language Is Still Understood

The ISAF Gospel Choir was invited to attend the German Service Friday. They wanted us to sing two songs during the service. So the outgoing choir director and myself came up with the two songs. We were ready and anxious to see how the service would turn out. I had already anticipated staying for the whole service, but the other choir members had to go back to work.

As the service began, I noticed they were all speaking in German. I don't know many words in German except for Silent Night because the school choir had to sing that version, but that was back in 1982. Wow, a lot of years had passed since then! I digress. The Chaplain expressed his gratitude for the choir coming and all those good things, but it was in German. So a Lieutenant Colonel in the audience interpreted what he said for us. Then it was our time to sing. We sang, "Welcome Holy Spirit". Then the Chaplain began to speak. I couldn't understand a word, and then I heard it. He said, "Jesus". I couldn't believe my ears, but I lost count after hearing the name of Jesus for the fourth time. The Chaplain kept talking and showed a picture of Jesus embracing a man and another picture of people gathered around Jesus. He continued talking about Jesus, and I began to cry. The very name of Jesus rang clear, so clear I could feel His presence. Before you know it, it was our turn to sing another song. I got up and gave a testimony. This is what I said:

'I want you to understand why I am crying. I don't understand a word of what you are saying, but when I heard the name of Jesus, I knew what you were saying. In the Word it says, where two or three are gathered in my name... as I looked around the room men were crying and the choir members were crying. I know that God is here in the midst and that we are made to give Him praise. So let's praise Him in song right now as we sing "Open The Eyes Of My Heart". I could barely sing the song, but we all made it through. Then the Chaplain got his guitar and began singing "Amen" in English. He was filled with the Spirit and the congregation was rejoicing. It was wonderful.

Later on in the service, we found out it was the Chaplain's last service. This service was even more special because it was Communion Day. As we broke the bread and drank the blood of Christ, my soul rejoiced even more. I was in true fellowship with my brethren from another country in remembrance of Jesus dying on the cross for our sins. What a glorious time we had!

After the service, a German General made remarks. He said, "I know that many Americans are fighting for freedom here, but today there is victory in my American brothers and sisters singing for freedom in Christ."

Many of the congregation came up to us and told us how more moving the service was by our singing. But they wanted us to know that we continued to pray in song. I asked them to explain. Their reply, "When you are singing it is a prayer to God as well, so we prayed even more today." I never thought of singing as a continued prayer like that before. I plan on attending their services again while here, and they have attended ours as well.

What I do know is, Jesus' name is a beautiful name in any language, and I still understand His name in any language as well.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
There's just something about that name

Majestic From A Plane's View

I was in Kandahar, Afghanistan this week conducting training on some equipment. I rather enjoyed being away from the office and seeing how other service members and nations work, relax, and live together. It was rather amusing.

However, today something spiritual happened as I hopped the plane heading back to Kabul. First, it was supposed to be an hour flight, but things happened. Things like: the cargo had to be repacked, and we received word we were going to another destination first before landing to Kabul. None of it bothered me because it wasn't in my control. Second, we had to wait. So as we waited for the flight to go underway, the Load Master asked me if I have ever ridden in the front. Of course, I hadn't because I usually fall asleep before we take off and wake up as we land. But for a change of pace, I went up top to the cockpit. It was exciting and boring at the same time. Boring because no one talked. They just sat there... timeless in a bottle. I made my own fun by looking around the cockpit pretending I'm Captain Kirk from Star Trek. Yeah, I was dreaming. And all those gadgets... confusing. I didn't understand all the buttons and knobs, but I was curious...too curious. I think I was acting like it was a virtual flight. I came back to reality when one of the After we reached 3,500 feet one of the pilots told me I could walk around and look out. Oh my goodness! It was awesome.

The warmth of the sun against the side of the window glistened across the cotton ball clouds. The hues of blue mixed with white and gold were absolutely marvelous. Then I saw the snow-capped mountains. It was truly amazing. But then right ahead of me was a bright red valley of some sort. Even the pilots were looking around in amazement, or should I say ensuring the grid coordinates were correct. LOL! Anyway, I couldn't stop smiling and taking it all in. I could feel the majesty of God's creation as I flew through the air in the plane. I never had that feeling before. I can't even remember the last time I was in total "awe" of God. Can you?

I'm not saying you have to ride in a plane to see the majesty of God. No, you can walk outside your door and see the wonders of God (trees, birds, grass, your ability to use your five senses, and more). You can even look around inside your home and count all your blessings (television, radio, food, shelter, clothing, heat, electricity, water, telephone, and etc). No matter what you have, there is something majestic in it because God gave it to you. And today, God gave me a plane's eye view of His radiant majesty and it was glorious.

So the next time you truly see something for the very first time, give thanks to God the Father of all creation. He is holy and worthy to be praised.

Who Is It You Are Looking For?

Last week, I was doing some soul searching.  I didn't search high or low, fast or slow, but it was a continuous search.  You know the kind where you have an idea of where the answer lies or what the answers are, yet you try to make more sense of it than needs to be?  I was at that place today.  

A few nights ago, some co-workers put cubicles together to provide a better working environment.  They put all the computers, chairs, copying machines, phones and etc back too.  So, when we all went to work that following morning, the office looked new, bigger, and organized.  Truthfully, it was the same small office area as before.  Then the problems arose.  People were angry that their computers (which no one had assigned computers) were not in the same area as before.  I admit, I was trying to find the PC that had my personal folder on it, but I didn't get angry.  I just mapped my settings to each computer, and asked people to resend me files.  This one officer was so upset that he was kurt with me.  He apologized 10 minutes later and said, "they took my computer with all the slides I had been working on to present to one of the Generals.  Now, I have to go look for it, or they'll look for it later."  I looked at him and said, "You know, I have the same problem.  But, I can't do anything about it, so I asked a select few to resend me documents and emails."  He didn't like my answer, but he knew it made it sense.

What I got from that whole experience is that we already know the answer, but we don't want to say it aloud.  It kind of reminds me of Jesus in the garden before he was arrested.  Remember when Judas came up to him with the soldiers?  Jesus asked them, "Who is it you are looking for?"  They replied, "Jesus."  They knew it was him surely because of Judas, but still they asked.  They went seeking the one person who can provide them salvation, yet they were seeking for the wrong reason.  Some of us seek God for the wrong reasons, but yet claim him in our hearts.  There are some who will never claim Jesus, and will seek some other god or higher being.  There are some who seek God and claim Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords forever and ever.

I say the real answer to soul searching is finding you.  And when you find you, God is there waiting at the door.  The door you have to open seeking a God who is real, powerful, mighty, willing to love you, forgive you, and provide you with His grace and mercy.  That my friend is who you are really looking for.  

When Tempers Fly, Lift Your Wings In Love

Is it just me or do things that fly really annoy you?  Things like flies, gnats, mosquitoes, bees and such.  The first reaction is acknowledgement of the object.  The second is to swat it away.  Then, begins the impossible mission of defeating the object.  Before you know it, you have spent several moments watching the object land and getting its flight pattern down.  You may defeat it, and then you may not.  The satisfaction of defeating it is quickly destroyed because there is another one.  

Well, people are like flying insects too.  For example, the office where I work in Afghanistan is very cramped.  Imagine fitting 70 people in your living room with computers, chairs, tables, printers, copying machines, file cabinets, book cases, air conditioning units, trash cans, and cases of water bottles.  How would you cope day in and day out?  Precisely.  So, after 30 days your emotions and stress levels have risen beyond basic coping skills.  Before you know it, the person who coughs excessively gets on your first nerve, the person who laughs loudly gets on your fifth nerves, and the person who has no people skills gets on your last nerves.  I couldn't contain myself.  I lost composure and snapped.  Imagine the looks I got.  Some were of relief, some were shocked and some were annoyed at me.  What did I do?  Exactly, I did the normal thing, but that isn't normal in a combat zone.  It could be automatic referral to the chaplain or a medical professional.  Granted these are great people to go to if you have a problem, but going to them because I'm annoyed is a bit much.

How does one regroup?  Take a few breaths and walk away from the area for a little while (no more than 10 minutes).  Walk back in and go to the person and tell them gently what the annoyance is and request they stop.  But before you go to them, pray that God gives you words to speak gently.  If the person continues after you asked nicely... look at them the way God does.  Perhaps they are having a bad day.  See what's going on with them.  Maybe it will work, but the bottom line is they will see you really care.  Your going to them is the same way Jesus went to others.  He approached them in a loving way.  He had compassion.  Your walking in God's light will shine and warm them up in a loving way.  

So the next time your temper flies, use your wings of God's love to heal, console, and embrace a spirit that needs His light to make it through the day.

Accepting, Redirecting, and Following Through

When I first arrived in Afghanistan it was 14 October 08.  I had no sense of direction as far as what I should expect, and what I could deliver.  I had only 4 hours to get some sleep before departing Bagram and heading towards Kabul.  Of course it took just two hours to settle my racing brain, while at the same time, people were snoring, moving about,  and repacking their military bags before I could actually fall asleep.  I managed to wake up (mildly refreshed) and go to the air field. It was there, the airfield, where things changed.

A sudden chill of reality hit as the announcer said, "please come outside to pay respects to your fallen comrades."  Wow!  I'm here to do a mission and return home in a few months, but it wasn't about "doing" a mission.  As I stood with many other brothers and sisters in arms, I saluted 3 vehicles with a fallen comrade.  Not one sound was heard, but the silence rang loud.  The sound of that Soldier, Sailor, Airman, or Marine I saluted who died for all to have a better way of life.  I could feel them as my heart chanted, "I am that Soldier, Sailor, Airman, and Marine."  

Have you ever considered yourself to be someone who stood for a bigger cause than you?  Someone who stepped out on belief?  Someone who understood selfless service, loyalty, and honor all in one?  You don't have to be a military member to understand those characteristics.  God has instilled those characteristics and more in us already.  We only need to apply them to our lives daily.

So, I'm not here to "just" do a mission.  I'm here to serve God by stepping out of my comfort zone to become someone who stood for a bigger cause than just living life to the fullest.  I've learned to accept who I am in God.  I have redirected my thoughts to become more compassionate towards others.  All I have to do is follow through in Christ by obeying Him and doing His will.  I admit it's hard, but I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me.

What are you going to do?

Pedestals are for God not leadership

Saturday, 15 November 2008, at 5 a.m., I awakened to another day in Afghanistan.  

I make it to work within the hour and begin preparing press releases for the day (from those generated during the wee hours).  To my surprise, there were none to generate.  

I then focus on the big day ahead me.  I'm giving a plan of action briefing to my supervisor.  All is ready to go by 8:45 a.m., or so I thought.  Oh my gosh, he went off as soon as I told him the equipment couldn't move.  I was "falling on my sword" left and right.  I'm thinking to myself, "what in the world is going on?"  I tell you what was going on, I was the messenger of bad news.  After he blasted me for 30 minutes, I felt like an idiot, and was completely kicked back by his attitude of not having it his way. Yes, he shot the messenger!  I know we have all been victim to that situation, and it doesn't feel good.

Needless to say, the rest of my day was not going so well either, but I tried to stay focused and positive.  After 12 hours had passed, I let it fester until I blew up in tears in the bathroom (latrine).    Why was I carrying anger, and he was going on about his day?  Why was I crying?  And for some of you guys out there,  it wasn't because I am a female and all emotional.  No, no, no!  It was because I put my supervisor on a pedestal.   Clearly a place he should not have been on. 

I finally realized, he had the problem.  I truly had to let it go and count it all joy.  Isn't that the Godly thing to do, count it all joy?  When I did that, reality hit me.  The only person I need to place on a pedestal is Christ.  All others are like chasing the wind.  So, instead of going around in circles and getting all upset about it, I stopped thinking of my supervisor as some great person.  He's human and has flaws.  I'm human and have flaws too.  As Stedman Graham said, "People who let events and circumstances dictate their lives are living reactively.  That means that they don't act on life, they only react to it."  

In essence, if I truly place God first and look up to Him, everything else is just chasing the wind.  And I don't have time for chasing the wind in Afghanistan.  I only have time for Jesus.