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...

Lately, I have been blessed to hear stories about a new excitement for God’s Word! One of our college grandsons started a Bible study with his close friends. They meet online weekly and discuss some weighty subjects relevant to today’s young men like how to live the Christian life, confront doubt. and deal with temptation. Our granddaughter has just completed a summer service project in discipleship, worship planning, and faith sharing with young adults from her peer group who are in the eighteen to twenty-something age range. Image: freepik.com Last Saturday, I participated in a refreshing training event for our church’s small group leaders. I met a delightful young couple who lead a new group. They are excited about reading the book of James and discussing the topics of faith, listening, and service; using speech responsibly; dealing with adversity; and the impact of bold praying. Their intention was to study a chapter each session, but they have slowed down to just a few verses to g...

I have been eating Mars’ M&M’s chocolate candy for years! In every serving, I have enjoyed eating all six colors – brown, green, orange, red, yellow, and blue – of these delectable candies that “melt in your mouth and not in your hand!” However, those who know me best will tell you that I favor the blue ones most of all. My secret goes back many years until I was outed by some preacher friends with whom I met weekly in a small group. Imagine that?! Blue Makes Me Happy! During one of those meetings, a friend had spread a selection of M&M’s from his stash out on the table for the taking. I looked at the multiple-colored candies and immediately began to retrieve several blue ones and lined them up before me. This friend looked at me incredulously and asked, “What are you doing?” I answered sheepishly because by now everyone was staring at me, “I’m gathering the blue ones. They’re my favorite!” He said something like, “You’re crazy! They all taste the same!” From that day until ...

When I think I am through writing about technology, then another “new thingy,” (at least to me!), comes along! Our middle-aged son, Marc, was recently in an Austin area Apple Store when he captured a moment that had him thinking about his own future. Apple does an excellent job of supporting their customers by giving new iPhone users a hands-on tutorial. The presentation involved a group of mostly senior adult newbies who were learning skills, like how to enlarge a text font, as well as where   to locate the “magnifier app” in utilities. The latter app was of interest to me because the fine print of grocery item labels is getting finer these days! It is another level of “shrink inflation!” "What's this thingy?" iPhone 101 - Marc K . Monique continues to teach as a substitute and often struggles using technology in the classroom. The younger students are more than happy to help guide her! 😊 At the end of this year, our local elementary school will have transitioned to us...

Many of us are fascinated with roadrunners. They are an entertaining species of the cuckoo family of birds. I have seen them in New Mexico and Texas. Of course, my first encounter was on television during the Saturday morning cartoons of my childhood. Who could forget all the ridiculously funny exploits and repeatedly failed attempts of Wile E. Coyote to capture Road Runner? These Loony Tunes cartoon characters were created by Chuck Jones for Warner Brothers in 1949. I can still hear Road Runners’ signature and irritating car horn sound tormenting Coyote with a rapid-fire “Beep! Beep!” as he speeds away in each episode! On the Prowl in Texas! A roadrunner is capable of limited flight. I have seen these birds in action and to me it looks more like a leap or hop than actual flying though. Most of their movement is usually on the ground running where they can scoot along at speeds of 15-20 mph. Their food source includes insects, lizards, snakes, and small mammals. Using their pointed bea...

I was disappointed this week to see our nation's highest elected leader using the Bible as a prop on national television. It came about during the recent protests over the senseless death of another African American male at the hands of law enforcement officers. The setting for what seemed to be nothing more than a photo-op was the historic St. John's Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C., one block from the White House. This church has been a place of worship for many American Presidents throughout its 200-year history. An Interacted and Used  Bible! The Bible is the Word of God! It is God's written revelation of Himself and His saving plan for the world. But the Bible is not a prop or a political ploy! A "prop" by definition is a "theatrical property, something to be used for a media production or theatrical play." To use the Bible in this manner or way is a misuse of this blessed and life-changing gift of God. I received a picture and comment...