Serve by Design

Last week, I participated in an intensive, three-day training event to equip chaplains, sworn officers, and code employees at the Illinois State Police Academy (ISP). The topics were crisis management and wellness. This may surprise you, but law enforcement is exposed to significant trauma four to six times greater than the general population. Our role, as chaplains, is to not only deal with our own susceptibility to compassion fatigue, but at the same time “help the helpers!” As I was sitting in the instruction room during a session, I noticed a mirror mounted on a board with a placard attached that said, “You only have one chance to make a first impression.” I have seen variations of this quote usually attributed to Will Rogers, who said, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” I was curious how this saying was being applied in a law enforcement setting. One of the new chaplains who serves along with me throughout the Capital City was sitting nearby the day I no...

After preaching recently, I received some kudos from close friends within our church family. While I appreciate these kind remarks, I always remember the saying, “You’re only as good as your last sermon!” Our fulltime pastors know well the weekly stress of sermon preparation. No sooner do you close the week’s message out with a benediction than it is time to begin the process all over again! I can remember many Sunday afternoons when my after-lunch time was spent at the computer with Bible in hand typing out the next week’s sermon outline! Among this most recent feedback, I was surprised by one comment. This sweet lady remarked, “Pastor, I appreciated your message last Sunday. And I like your accent, too! ” I wasn’t completely sure what accent she was referring to, but I ventured a guess with this reply, “You mean, as in Texas?!” And she nodded and responded, “Yes!” I then commented, “Well, you’re not the first to note that subtlety. I did spend fifteen years in Texas, and it did leave...

“The sincerest form of flattery is imitation!” This observation is widely credited to Oscar Wilde, the popular 19 th century poet and playwright. However, there are similar but sarcastic statements that date a hundred years earlier such as: “Imitation is kind of artless flattery” or “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness.” I prefer the Wilde expression over the other two for sure! My Mini-Me! I have known for a long time that children watch adults in their lives and often mimic their behavior. I did this when I was a child! I wanted to wear a ball cap, have a toothpick in my mouth and cover my hands with inexpensive brown Jersey gloves like my dad. I was surprised recently during a family visit to see that my six-year-old granddaughter, Klaire, was imitating me. When I am in a “crowd situation” at family gatherings I like to mark my glass when there are so many drinking glasses it is nearly impossible to keep track of who’s glass belongs ...