Brandt in Baghdad 2008-2009

The Trip to Kuwait

2009-09-22T15:38:00.005+03:00

One aspect of travel is the "hurry up and wait" culture of the military. Traveling out to BIAP (Baghdad International Airport) twice, we finally caught a flight to Kuwait. After boarding the plane, we sat on the tarmac for about 45 minutes and then a two hour flight south. After arriving in Kuwait, we napped our luggage off the pallet and then boarded a bus to Ali Al Salem for transportation to Camp Virginia. At Ali Al Salem, we moved our luggage to a Conex, boarded another bus and then made the 15 mile trip to Camp Virginia. Camp Virginia rises out of nowhere in the Kuwaiti desert. A combination of generators and solar panels power this transient village of 2000 plus/minus soldiers and civilians. Everyone I meet are on their way home, both active duty and reserve component. Camp Virginia has a decent food court including a McDonald's, Greenbean Coffee Co., Starbucks, plus the PX, MWR Tent, and a gym. The showers are campground quality without the KOA label. The typical holding time is anywhere from 48 to 72 hours, depending on weather, troop movement and available transportation. Today I stopped by the Chapel and met CH (CPT) Peterson, a member of the National Guard from Wyoming, deployed for the first time. His church is located in Casper and his congregation called an interim pastor to "fill in" while he deployed to Middle East. As the deployment comes to an end, I'm still not convinced people at home understand nor comprehend the sacrifice Service Members (both active and reserve) make in serving their country. By simply being away from family and friends for a year is a huge sacrifice, connected only by Skype, or an iffy phone connection. Many of the senior members of the service took pay cuts for this tour while also placing their careers on hold. Others will take a long time to recover from their time away from work. Kuwait is much hotter than Baghdad. We are sleeping in tents, and my tent, filled with Majors and Lieutenant Colonels is comfortable, but lacks privacy. Arriving stateside will not come soon enough. However, I can say that the support of friends, family and key members and friends of the church have made a significant difference in my life. Cards, letters, packages and emails illustrated support, care and love.

Out of Baghdad

2009-09-22T03:33:00.004+03:00

A picture of the flag inside the Plane on the way to Kuwait!!

The plane on which we flew out to the next leg of the journey.

The tent and some of my bunk mates while at Cyclone City awaiting a ride!

A last picture of the second group out (I'm picture behind the flag).

After three days of delayed planes we finally flew out of BIAP (Baghdad International Airport) to Kuwait. The flight was long (about 2 hours), but we are one leg closer to being stateside. Here are a couple shots from the trip.

Moving on Up!

2009-09-18T12:33:00.006+03:00

The first group out stands in formation for final instructions.

Blouses off and Duffel Bags onto the Truck!

One final pose before boarding the bus and heading to BIAP and then to Kuwait!

First group flew out today for Kuwait as we make our movement home!

Surprise Visitor to Baghdad

2009-09-16T10:30:00.011+03:00

"Come on, let's go," a friend of mine said. "Where?" I responded. "Don't worry, just get your butt in gear in come on!" So off we went to BIAP, first for lunch and then to the airport. The arrival of the Vice-President was two hours out and our little group was able to stand on the flight line.

Vice-President Biden's Plan touches down at BIAP on Tuesday, 15 SEP 09.

Vice-President Biden steps onto the Tarmac at BIAP.

The above is footage of VP Biden making his way towards us.

Vice-President Biden says hello to MAJ Amalfitano and myself before flying to the IZ.

Carter, Brandt, Amalfitano and Biden pose inside the VPs Plane.

We left BIAP and made our way to the row of T-walls where each state is posted. We signed the Delaware T-Wall and then had our picture taken by the T-wall.

End of Tour Awards

2009-09-13T18:25:00.008+03:00

End of Tour Awards recognize the contributions and accomplishments of members of the unit by the Commander and the Senior Leadership.

The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service.

The Iraqi Campaign Medal is awarded to individuals who served in Theater during the Iraqi War.

By the end of September, we will hear the most sought after word by a deployed Soldier in the National Guard, "Dismissed!" But getting to that point requires a number of hurdles. We are already jumping over a couple of those hurdles from sending home our Tuff Boxes to mailing home non-essential supplies, moving from the CHUs to the tents and now working wit our replacements. One salient moment occurred last week when our Commander, Brigadier General Scott E. Chambers began presenting end of tour awards to Officers, NCOs and Soldiers. Four levels of awards presented included: The Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Army Achievement Medal.

I received the Bronze Star, Iraqi Campaign Medal and the Delaware State Medal

Last week our Commander, Brigadier General Scott E. Chambers and CSM Don Catalon presented Bronze Stars. I was among the officers receiving a Bronze Star for meritorious service. As Brigade Chaplain I supervised two Battalion Chaplains and together we ministered to over 1100 soldiers plus additional duties and responsibilities on Victory Base Complex. Part of the recognition includes traveling to visit Soldiers throughout Theater (outside the wire), touching the lives of over 4000 Soldiers through section and unit visits, counseling and teaching as well as leading the 1600 Worship Service which doubled in attendance during my leadership.

Serving our country has been my privilege and honor.

Last Sunday Service at Victory Base Camp

2009-09-13T17:55:00.004+03:00

Today I led my last Worship Service at Victory Base Camp. The well-attended service included my replacement from the 35th Signal Brigade, CH (LTC) Jon Hollenbeck. While I have a Presbyterian Church (USA) background, Jon is a lifelong Episcopalian. Sharing the leadership of the service, Jon offered the Prayers for the people and together we served the elements for the Lord's Supper. Jon quickly became a good friend and I will adopt him as a Soldier after I return stateside. Today's sermon focused on the power of the tongue, as outlined in the third Chapter in the book of James. As James notes, people must be careful about the words they use, rumors they spread, and the stories they share. Gossip has destroyed more lives and can easily destroy the fabric of a congregation if people are not held accountable for what they say. The writer Oscar Wilde reportedly said at a dinner party, "If you don't have anything nice to say about anyone, sit beside me!" We are obsessed with tales of other people and very seldom are the stories, snippets or remarks, complimentary of others. They are just the opposite. Words, stories and tales should build up the community to which we belong, not tear it down. After I introduced Chaplain Hollenbeck to the "congregation" COL David Shutt, presented to me a coin from LTG Jacoby (Three Starr), in recognition of my work in the service. Receiving a coin is significant act in the military. A coin is a big deal and represents appreciation for one's work by a higher authority. During the time I led the service, attendance doubled and we welcomed new faces each week. Serving in this capacity has been a tremendous joy! Pictured with me is Maj Amy Russo, who graciously sings each week. I know that Jon is working on recruiting Maj Russo to play the keyboard. His powers are persuasive!

911 Ceremony at Al-Faw Palace

2009-09-13T11:35:00.009+03:00

Multi-National Corps-Iraq hosted a 911 Ceremony at Al-Faw Palace lat Friday, commemorating the attacks on September 11, 2001. Soldiers, diplomats and civilian employees filled the chairs to pray, meditate and listen to General Odierno deliver the keynote speech. At the front of the stage, the firefighters from Victory Base Complex erected a moving display of a Fire fighter's gear, causing all to remember and give thanks for the heroism and sacrifice of first responders to the tragic event that day. I've participated in 911 ceremonies before, even helping to lead a prayer service two days after Al-Queda attacked us, while serving ODT (Overseas Duty Training) in Vicenza, Italy. While emotions flowed in Italy, and while other ceremonies touched my heart when conducted back in the states, I was particularly moved surrounded by a sea of green ACUs, sitting in Baghdad, Iraq. Part of our reason for losing a year of my life in Baghdad, Iraq reaches back to that moment and the case built for going to war and removing Saddam Hussein from power. My current living location is due to that event on 911, and even more importantly, nearly 3,000 families continue to be touched and will be touched forever due to that tragedy. The families of flight attendants, pilots, firefighters, office workers, investors, small business owners, people just living life in the moment and others were changed in the blink of an eye. And here we are, eight years later, fighting two wars building two nations with need for a clearer objective. The ceremony was extremely meaningful and touched the hearts of many. A video played to the country western song, "Have We Forgotten?" as part of the program and the Firefighters rang the bell signaling what they do when a life is lost in service to the community and nation. In speaking with a small group of Soldiers waiting for pictures, I learned that one Soldier was in 7th grade when the Towers went down. Such news illustrates the quick passage of time (8 years).

Sermon for September 6, 2009

2009-09-06T21:49:00.000+03:00

The True-Man Show

If You Lost Your Reputation, Would You Miss It?

A Sermon Preached by the Rev. Dr. K. Edward Brandt

Deployed to Baghdad, Iraq

Sunday, 6 September 2009

Text: Proverbs 22.1-2, 8-9, 22-23

Proverbs 22

¹ A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

² Rich and poor have this in common: The LORD is the Maker of them all.

⁸ He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.

⁹ A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.

²² Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court,

²³ for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who plunder them.

Being a politician is a tough job. I'm not speaking about details relating to legislative issues or the numerous speaking engagements and meetings that inevitably take place. No, I am speaking about the public nature of the job. It seems that every aspect of a person's life is on display for the world to see, hear, and talk.

This was the premise for the movie, The Truman Show, starring Jim Carrey and Ed Harris. A young boy's life became a worldwide soap opera. Billions of people followed Truman's life from birth to high school to marriage to work. Scenes in the movies depict people stopping their daily routine to see what Truman would do or say.

People love to know what is happening in the lives of other people. Living a life in the public eye may be an exciting thought, but when one watches the television show, Cheaters or Caught on Tape, the possibility of personal foibles being thrown in front of public view is not attractive.

Think for a moment what people would see if a network televised your life to the viewing public 24 hours a day, seven days a week. What would they see and what kind of reputation would be conveyed?

Proverbs is a collection of wisdom thoughts. It contains sage advice for those who would listen and respond. When reading through Proverbs, there seems to be a Lens upon our life. The verses seem to be an eye that watches every single human move.

But what is the purpose, the end result of living a life according the precepts of Proverbs or living a life in full public view? Apparently, the writer of Proverbs wants us to be people who personal life can go on public display. And the reason for this is for our lives to point to God.

Proverbs, much like the Letter of James, offers practical applications of faith and points to bedrock priorities that people of faith should embrace.

The first verse the 22^nd Chapter puts the reader on notice that the priorities of living are do not reach a pinnacle with profit. "A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold." The real capital of person is not in a bank account as much as it is embedded in your character. People should easily be able to speak well of us. Our character and reputation should precede us.

Benjamin Franklin stated, "It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it."

Think about the Steroid scandal that affected Barry Bonds. Here was a baseball player who broke Hank Aaron's long-standing record of 755 home runs. But when the steroid evidence came out, his name was smeared and the record all but disgraced.

Fashion mogul Mark Ecko bought Bonds' record-breaking home run ball, crawled a giant asterisk on it with a Sharpie and donated it to the Baseball Hall of Fame for all to see. The concern of Proverbs is that we remain people without asterisks.

There are numerous people in the news, in the public eye now living with an asterisk beside their name: Bernie Madoff, Barry Bonds, Pete Rose, and you might think of others. And we might include ourselves, to a lesser degree, who do things "under the radar" and in little less public view because of low visible lifestyles. But it's not about "not getting caught." No, it's about living a life according to standards that are God's because we are God's image. As people created in God's image, our lives reflect God's reputation and our reputation is a way for people to know God. (I can just see the shocked looked on our faces – and is God in trouble if the Lord is relying on our reputations!)

But it's more than reputation, it's priorities. If one is simply after wealth and riches without regard for reputation or the value of one's name, then simply forget what people think about you. The writer of Proverbs is more concerned about a person having a good name than vast riches of gold and silver.

Within the bounds of the community of faith, there is a consistent biblical message that neither excessive poverty nor excessive wealth is tolerable among the people of God. Do we want people to respect us and know us for what we have done or for who we are.

Now we could stop here and say that Proverb simply is a direct saying to individuals. But there is that theological angle to community. There is more to this proverb than reputation. There is the community responsibility of the blessed to the ones needing a blessing and the ones needing a blessing to the blessed. That is the community of faith and indeed the community of the world.

By broadening this out, our perspective is informed by Isaiah 61, words quoted by Jesus in Luke as he taught in the synagogue when he read from the prophet: "The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed; to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn.. " (Is. 61.1-2).

Social justice came long before the turbulent times of the 1960s. Reputation is not simply about an individual, you or me, but it's about the community in which we live, the faith community in which we worship, the employment community in which we work, the institutional community which puts forth values and social mores. A reputation is a very public thing for individuals and communities alike.

Princeton professor, philosopher, critic and civil-rights activist Cornel West said, "Justice is what love looks like in public." The faith community is a community that lives the true-man show of God's love in public.

Like celebrities, the Christ-follower is always being watched. Our God sees all that we have done and all that we have left undone. Will our lives match our words?

A pastor was greeting folks at the door after the service when a parishioner enthusiastically shook the Pastor's hand and said, "Reverend, that was a great sermon!"

Flushed with pride but wanting to appear humble, the pastor replied, "Oh, it wasn't me. I have to give the credit to the Lord."

The parishioner replied, "It wasn't' that good!"

A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. Individually and collectively our lives make a statement about where we place our trust as well as the priorities guiding our life. We make choices by living on our reputation or charting a new course with each passing week, not becoming too complacent.

Before there was Tiger Woods, there was Jack Nicklaus, and before there was Nicklaus, there was Arnold Palmer. Palmer brought golf into America' living rooms via television in the early '60s.

Once a sportswriter was invited for dinner at Palmer's residence. He arrived a bit early and Mrs. Palmer met him, invited him in and said her husband would be down in a moment.

The writer asked if, while he was waiting, he could see Palmer's trophy room. She replied, "Oh, we don't have such a room." That night, the writer asked the golf pro, who had more than 60 tour victories, why he didn't have all his trophies on display.

Palmer looked the columnist right in the eye and replied, "For what? That's yesterday's news!"

Then Palmer explained: "I have enjoyed every victory and cherished the memories. I have celebrated those tournaments. But come Monday morning of the next week, I'm no different from the man who missed the cut last week. In fact, he's probably hungrier for a victory than I. So if I'm to be competitively ready, I must get my thoughts off yesterday and deal with today. There will be a day when I can take the time to look back. But as long as I want to stay competitive, I must never stop and marvel at what I have accomplished, only look forward to my next challenge at hand."

Our reputations, either individually or as community is never done, but always a work in progress. To rest on our laurels, is to ignore and abandon our responsibilities to nurture, love and care for the community to which we belong.

It's easy to ask the question, "If we lost our reputation, would we miss it?" as individuals, but it's an even tougher question to answer when we consider how that applies to our community of faith.

Ed Brandt

edbrandt59@gmail.com

http://brandtinbaghdad.blogspot.com/

VIPs at VBC

2009-09-04T23:41:00.011+03:00

From top to bottom Senators Kaufman, Reid and Levin. On Labor Day Weekend three US Senators took time away from their Labor Day Celebration in the States to visit military personnel at Sather Air Base in Baghdad, Iraq. Senators Ted Kaufman (Delaware); Jack Reid (Rhode Island); and Carl Levin (Michigan) spent time talking with and most importantly listening to military personnel at a Labor Day Bar-B-Que sponsored by the USO and the Air Force. All three were easily and readily accessible speaking informally with Army and Air Force personnel. I am always impressed with Senators and Representatives who take time to travel thousands of miles to visit people serving in the military and to get a first hand look at what is happening in Theater. They asked thoughtful questions about morale, how people are doing and how families are holding up. In my conversation with one of the Senators I expressed my frustration at the attitude exhibited by some in the states. The perspective expressed is, "you joined the military so don't complain about being deployed." In my opinion, that is tantamount to saying, "you decided to live along the coast, why should I care if a hurricane demolishes your house," or "you decided to live in the California mountains where you know fires occur so why should I care if your house burns down?" There seems to be a lack of appreciation for the sacrifices made by our service men and women, deployed throughout the world. I meet people every single day separated from their children, parents and loved ones. They are serving our country and doing phenomenal work on behalf of every single American citizen. The other night at BIAP (Baghdad International Airport) I met a woman waiting for a co-worker to arrive from R&R. She is now a contractor after retiring from 20 years of military service. Three years ago she served here as a truck driver and told me of her experience of driving in convoys. "We lost people in our work. It was very hard to know people who were killed," she explained. People have deployed to Theater two, three, four and even five times. They are serving our country and answering the call to duty. Regardless of how one feels about the war families are suffering stress, marriages are falling apart, children are graduating without the pride of seeing a mother or father present because of their mission and deployment. Children are coming into the world without feeling the loving arms of a father holding them. Family care plans are providing surrogate care while mom or dad are deployed oversees. This is not simply the experience of Active Duty Military but also people who are part of the Reserve Component. Soldiers have spoken to me about their employment situation and are disillusioned and hurt. As members of the Guard and Reserve go home to civilian life they are facing employers who want to be patient but do not always nor sometimes desire to understand the unique experience of a Service Member serving in Theater. Some Service Members are actually being harassed by their employer, while serving in the Armed Forces in a war zone. The hope of such harassment is that the employee will resign before returning home. I find that simply unbelievable and tasteless. Not only are members of the military separated from their families, but their employers are adding additional stress to their lives. Our men and women in uniform deserve better treatment than that. I know the deep appreciation that our military has towards their employers when support is offered. One company asked their Service Member deployed to Iraq to send a brief video in preparation for their annual meeting in New York where his brother was the guest speaker. Another company told their employee deployed to Theater to not rush back to work but spend time with their family. And another employer took it upon themselves to give the Service Member 45 days of paid vacation upon their return so that he and his wife could have a couple of weeks together since they were separated for over a year. Unfortunately, the above mentioned is the exception and not the standard level of care and understanding expressed to Service Members serving their country. Thank goodness for the big hearts of employers, who are also struggling during this war, to accomplish their mission while the deployed service member seeks to accomplish his/her mission. We owe it to our service men and women to treat them fairly and with appreciation for the work and sacrifices they are making. Be sure to thank a service member for their commitment to service. Today also marked another step forward to redeploying. Large containers holding equipment and supplies were moved from their year long location to a new staging area. I can feel the excitement in the air. Other signs include less mail arriving, more personal belongings being shipped home via US Mail, and broader smiles! Tonight is a full moon and the bright light was beautiful as is the thought of going home.

Bon Voyage Run

2009-09-04T04:16:00.012+03:00

On Sunday, 30 August, our unit sponsored a Bon Voyage 4 mile run as a way to signal a closing chapter to our deployment. With 100 plus runners, a band, bagpiper and delicious refreshments, the 261st Signal Brigade did a fine job hosting a close of tour "celebration." Organized by 1LT Olsen, the 4 mile run included water stops, music and a festive atmosphere, that is growing as we get closer to leaving. Here is a video that captures the morning, which began at 4:30 am for race organizers By the way, my time was 34:30 (not bad for a 50 year old)!

But the run was only one marker of our time in Baghdad slowly coming to an end. There is the impending move to the tents, the expected arrival or our replacements, and of course, the real sign of this tour coming to an end: depleting any credits on the Greenbean Coffee Card! The last thing I want to do is have a $25 credit on a card I can't use back in the states to fuel my caffeine habit! In fact I stopped by the Greenbean Coffee Co. on VBC tonight (er, I mean this morning) at 4:00 a.m. and had this picture taken with my two favorite Brewmeisters! Besides downing a cup of java, I looked up and saw a full moon glaring down upon the land! WOW!!! I looked up and remembered what I said to my oldest son when traveling in Russia nearly 15 years ago, "That's the same moon we see at home!" Needless to say, he wasn't impressed.

More than a Haircut

2009-09-01T00:38:00.005+03:00

On Saturday morning the JAG office called and extended an invitation to stop by and visit. As I opened the door, I met our CSM, a burly guy who is straightforward. Throughout the tour, he kept his head polished and smooth. Standing beside him he looked at my head, and said, nice haircut! (I had it cut the previous weekend). I do forget how we then got on the subject of shaving heads and am completely clueless how I willingly sat down in a chair and had what little remnants of hair I possessed shaved off within twenty minutes. Regardless, CSM Catalon loved the job of shaving my head. Here are a couple pictures of the stylist at work and the end result. Needless to say, the lack of hair made my head aerodynamic for Sunday's four mile race, which I completed in 34:30. Not bad!

Homily for Sunday, August 30, 2009

2009-08-30T18:40:00.001+03:00

God's Word Due Here

A Homily Preached by Rev. Dr. K. Edward Brandt

Deployed to Baghdad, Iraq

Sunday, 30 August 2009

Text: James 1.17-27

Of all the passages of scripture, the letter of James strikes at the heart of human behavior. Without apology the writer pounces on the challenge of every human being engaged in conversation, argument, debate or a screaming match. James, the possible brother of Jesus zeroes in on the Achilles heel of human interaction: our inability to listen while someone else is speaking.

He writes: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, ²⁰for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. ²¹Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

Sounds like wonderful advice! Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. James reaches into the depth of human interaction and encourages each of us to listen carefully to what others are really saying. Words have power and sway over the mood and perspective of individuals.

About a year ago, two guys spearheaded a project focused on offering compliments to people. Brett Westcott, a sophomore in the College of Engineering, and Cameron Brown, a sophomore in the School of Management, the designated compliment givers outside of Wetherill, went on a two week cross-country tour giving out as many compliments as possible to people, compliments of Kodak.

"We want people to have a better day ... we aren't trying to upset anyone," Brown said.

Westcott added, "We wouldn't be out there every day, all week, no matter the condition (to compliment, if we were insincere).

"I can't see someone putting that much effort into something that was negative."

The students are still in disbelief that the hobby they started has gained so much attention.

"Overall, when I look back on it, it was such a surreal moment in time ... It's still kind of crazy we got sponsored to get compliments," Brown said. The students also got paid for their tour. "It was the best summer job in the entire world," he said.

Westcott and Brown can't give out compliments on Wednesdays because of conflicts but are still planning to brighten people's day.

"I think we are going to switch it up, we might be in new spots on campus," Westcott said. "I think tomorrow we will be outside Wetherill, but in future weeks we'll be kind of all over the place; maybe not in that same spot but all over campus.

"We'll start around 1:30 p.m.," Westcott said.

Upon ending the phone conversation Westcott said, "Nice question asking, and I'm sure it will be a great article," showing true to his compliment giving.

"It is an awesome thing to spread."

These two people understand the power of words and how the impact of one kind word can change an attitude or an outlook on life.

James understood the power of the word, the LOGOS of God, and the words used by people. The writer connects words to emotions – and encourages people to listen, be slow to anger for anger does not bring out the righteousness of God.

Has anyone here experienced the challenge of communication that is layered throughout the army? Air force? Navy? Marines? Coast guard? Your own home? Children?

Words carry such force of thought, emotion and truth! We remember words that people and such words define our approach to people who have wronged us, righted us, loved us and hated us.

There are some people in our units and at meetings who just love words that fail to build up and are gifted at tearing down. God's word is the eternal and divine logos found in Christ in Jesus our Lord. In fact, my guess is that some of us will have a little bit of a challenge reintegrating back into civilian life after the language we've used here the last year!

James uses Logos, the same word used by the Gospel of John to talk about Jesus – the Word of God – not a word as if someone would look up the definition of a word in the dictionary, but the Word, the Logos of God.

Logos, the word of God, is the source and order of the world, a word to which one should listen, a word to which we seek to bring with us in our lives – a word for which we are quick to listen and slow to speak, because our words will never match nor measure up to the divine Logos.

Being quick to listen and slow to speak helps us weed out the negative messages that bombard us on a daily basis. Our job as Christ followers is to focus on the "logos" the "word" of truth that comes from God.

Words are powerful. When someone offers a genuine compliment form the heart, our mood changes. But when a word of criticism, that isn't even constructive, lands at our feet, our mood also changes! James admonishes the readers to be doers of the word and not hearers who deceive themselves," (v. 22).

James' theology is very practical and seeks not just to make people feel good, but to connect our speech and our listening to faith and more importantly to Logos, the word of God made flesh. If we simply make people feel good, we miss the opportunity of a deep and abiding friendship. True friendship is not love bombing someone to make them feel absolutely wonderful and then manipulate them. No, true friendship is being quick to listen to a person, being slow to speak and connecting them in a caring and loving way to the divine Logos.

The divine Logos seeks to bring a faith community together. James is intent on underscoring the importance of listening and silence. When we don't listen and speaking instead results in anger, miscommunication, and anger cannot achieve peace or the righteousness of God.

How are we connecting people to the divine Logos when we listen and when we talk?

Baseball great Willie Mays had a disappointing start in the Major Leagues. In his first 26 times at the plate, he had only one hit. Eventually the disappointment got to Mays, and as he was sitting in the dugout one day, he started crying.

Mays thought no one was around, but his manager, Leo Durocher, heard him. Putting his arm around Mays, the manager asked, "What's the matter, son?"

I can't hit up here," Mays replied. "I belong in the minor leagues."

Durocher replied simply, "As long as I'm manager of the Giants, you'll be my center fielder."

Mays later credited that simple act of praise with turning his hitting career around.

Our words are tremendously important – the words we use in an OER or NCOER; words we use when critiquing a colleague; words expressing our feelings towards someone; the words we use should be connecting people to a divine logos, the Word of God made flesh.

James is a very practical letter – it caused Rev. Dr. Martin Luther to call it an epistle of straw. . . . .but James wants to provide solid advice about faith – and what better place to begin than with the words we use. . . . .

God's word is due here. . . . And everywhere!

Flag Flying Day

2009-08-28T20:53:00.012+03:00

Flying flags over Al-Faw Palace consumed about one hour of time this morning, as a couple young LTs and I, along with a rep from I Corps completed the project. Typically the flags flown are then folded and accompanied by a certificate. They make wonderful gifts.

Transitions

2009-08-27T10:06:00.001+03:00

I received word today that I need to be out of my CHU by next Tuesday. Our replacements are slowly beginning to arrive and come next week I'll be living in a Transient Tent. There will be a loss of privacy since anywhere from 12-18 people will share the tent until it's time to get out of here. I toyed with the idea of holing up in my office, but minus a mattress, the prospect is not attractive. Consequently, I'll claim a bed for myself, spray it with Lysol, and throw a set of sheets on it for the duration. There is a sense of excitement with stateside on the horizon. The excitement centers around, in the words of one soldier, "holding my kids while hugging my wife." When visiting offices, the absence of pictures which at one time hung on walls, doors and mirrors signals that something big is about to happen. Already people traveled to the VBC Post Office to send home boxes of "stuff" they don't want to carry on the plane. I've sent to the states civilian clothing I don't need (except when I went on leave); books that didn't fit into my Tuff Box; some gifts I plan to hand out to the Palisades Church; and some papers that I want to hold onto long after the deployment is over and done. We are kind of in a holding pattern. I have three worship services left to lead and then will introduce the incoming Chaplain to the "congregation". His background is Episcopalian and he will do an excellent job moving into the position. While VBC offers two general protestant services, 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. respectively, I have come to love and adore the 1600 (4 p.m.) Lutheran/Episcopal Service at Victory Chapel. The service follows the Book of Common Prayer and includes the Sacrament of Communion on a weekly basis. The group is small but mighty and the worship has provided me a lovely meditative and worshipful time. Lately we've been able to have broadcast announcements sent out via email to VBC which has allowed us to attract more worshipers who desire a traditional format. While excitement is bubbling over, there is also a sense of anxiety as people prepare to return to the states. During the last year, businesses have closed and cut back. Some people are fearful of not having gainful employment upon their return. Some are planning to return to school and others are not sure what will happen. One can feel the winds of anxiety blowing in the air. We have some Soldiers who have volunteered to go on to Afghanistan. (I'm not one of them!) A year away is enough. While the thought of seeing that country and meeting the people is fascinating and intriguing, I need a break from living in a Campground like setting. So the countdown is moving forward - Can't wait!

(Material has been cleared by the appropriate reviewing authority prior to posting)

Sermon Sunday, August 23, 2009

2009-08-23T17:25:00.001+03:00

AGU Wear: All Gospel Uniform

A Sermon Preached by the Rev. Dr. K. Edward Brandt

Deployed to Baghdad, Iraq

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Ephesians 6.10-20

Ephesians 6.10-20(New International Version)

The Armor of God

¹⁰Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. ¹²For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. ¹⁸And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

¹⁹Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Introduction

Years ago, John Malloy wrote a book entitled: Dress for Success. Initially offering men, and eventually women, advice on work place dress, he believed the clothes we wear shape our attitude towards the work we do. Malloy offered advice on dressing for job interviews down the conservative ties a man might wear to the hemline on a dress for a woman. He used the example of a football team to emphasize his point. People playing foot ball arrive padded, helmet strapped to their noggin, tight fitting uniform and cleats. People arrive to play football dressed to play football. The uniform alone helps them mentally prepare for the game. Malloy had that same attitude towards daily work and understandably is not a big fan of casual Fridays in the workplace.

We know about uniforms. Ask any CSM and one will learn a great deal about uniforms. Military uniforms help shape that battle mind. We think differently when wearing an ACU as opposed to showing up in the Puzzle Palace with blue jeans and a T-shirt. Even something simple as a wearing a unit T-shirt with PT shorts shapes the way one sees their work. A uniform prepares us mentally for the work and task at hand.

St. Paul writes to the church at Ephesus. He tips his hand at the very beginning of the letter. He speaks of the ruler of the air (2.2), and hammers home the message that God who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead made us alive, (2.4-5). Paul writes of being strengthened by our inner being and that no evil talk should come of our mouths, (4.29). And then in chapter six Paul admonishes the readers to be strong in the Lord and then to put on the whole armor of God. And then Paul gets down to business and describes what the community as well as individuals is up against.

"For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places" (6:12). In the 21st century church we tend to explain away the language of enemies that are of the air; principalities, rulers authorities, cosmic powers and spiritual forces of evil. Such language goes against our sanitized version and understanding of faith. We don't see attending worship as engaging in a battle. We want our kids to have the nice Sunday school lessons that teach good moral lessons and make always realize that God is love and will always love us.

But to have a Sunday School lesson or even a fiery sermon on a Sunday morning telling us, who are dressed in our Nautica two piece suits or Hart Schaffner and Marx, dark business suits, appropriately hem-lined dress below the knee and 1.7 children in tow with an oxford button down shirt and one wearing a dress like mom, that we are in a war with principalities and powers, is quite honestly a career stopper! Paul faced the powers and principalities of the world in his ministry as the inclusive and redemptive message of Christ challenged the powers of the world. The message of Christ is one that is more than nice and sanitized, but one that battles the ways of the world.

Paul's metaphor of dressing for battle is the last thing we want to hear on a Sunday morning. After all, most of us have spent the previous six days having our own battles at work with commanders, family, colleagues, supervisors, supervisees, hell, even the internal battles of our own soul!! We want to say, "St. Paul, thanks but no thanks on the body armor. How about a retreat to regain our composure? If not a retreat how about some spiritual R&R?"

A cartoon appeared in a clergy magazine several years ago. The old seasoned pastor saw a flyer promoting a clergy retreat to which she commented, "That's the problem! Too many pastors are retreating!" I think that comment is right on. We tend to retreat from battle, give up at the first sign of challenge and difficulty. Conflict has that effect on some of us while conflict for others is just the appetizer of life! Life is filled with wars and little battles along the way that make us search our soul to discover the strength of our inner being.

Verse 12 includes a drumbeat of "against" throughout its imagery: "For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." And while St. Paul paints this dark picture of a looming and cosmic struggle, he clearly assured the Christ followers that nothing would ever separate them from the love of God found in Christ Jesus.

Back in Romans 8, Paul boldly stated: "For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord," (Romans 8.37-39). These words provide an assurance that when one engages in such spiritual warfare, one will not be separated from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

But what are we talking about when we use words and phrases like "cosmic powers" or "rulers" or "against authorities", etc.? I believe Paul addresses a number of things, including the systems of bureaucracies. There are bureaucracies and systems in cultures and climates, both in business and the military that possess racist and sexist prejudices that rear their ugly heads. I would call these "spiritual forces of evil" where people are treated less because of their race and sex. Quite honestly for some, the attitude projected may not be intentional but simply the values they bring from where they grew up. But when such attitudes are embedded in an individual's psyche and value system, the battle becomes that much tougher.

The worst episodes of such behavior are when people know they are wrong and remain aligned with such a mis-aligned set of values. And people who confront such "spiritual forces of evil" where folks are not treated equally or fairly are then faced with making a choice to engage in battle or retreat. Isn't that what life is for many of us? Deciding which battles are worth fighting, engaging, expending energy with no clear promise or possibility of winning, whatever winning might mean.

· Treated unfairly at work? Do I file the grievance?

· Sexually harassed? Do I file a complaint?

· Belittled in front of co-workers - do I say something to my supervisor?

· I'm asked to do something that is illegal, but ordered to do it nonetheless - do I say no?

· Policy is applied inconsistently, yet consistently in ways that benefit another person - what does one do?

In these cases and many more, Paul would say it's time to dress for battle. I call it Battle-wear AGU: All Gospel Uniform. I use the word gospel, because it means good news, euangellion, and a proclamation that was originally a governmental proclamation appropriated by the writers of Jesus' life which gives his message a universal and all inclusive appeal. Paul says, dress for battle!

We are implored to wear the full armor of God. Such security gives us the strength to stand against the unholy. Because the word "stand"/anqisthmi or "withstand"/iothmi appears four times, it is worth noting that the meaning here suggests the kind of staking a claim and fending off trouble where one settles in for the long run and abides in an ongoing guardian posture. Then there are the details of the armor: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, shoes ready-made for proclaiming the gospel of peace, the shield of faith and the helmet of salvation. Every feature is equally suitable for offensive or defensive maneuvers; and, given the symbolism, the spiritual substance of this armor offers protection that is supple, not cumbersome.

All of this requires the vigilance of prayer punctuated by our capacity to "keep alert" and "persevere" (6:18). Prayer is our spiritual connection to God. Keeping alert (from agrupnew) involves a watchfulness wherein one willingly remains awake and attentive in order to be ready for anything. Agrupnew also appears in the "Little Apocalypse" sections of Mark (13:33) and Luke (21:6), and it is interesting that the pronunciation of agrup sounds similar to "a grip" — keeping alert is not unrelated to getting, and keeping, "a grip" on things. Perseverance (from proskarterew) corresponds to a level of steadfastness, attentiveness and courage that characterizes and sums up all the sacred bravery and virtue called for throughout 6:10-17.

Moreover, 6:18-20 drives home the significance of prayer being on a par with the full armor of God. Prayer is part and parcel of the armor's power and protection. Prayer is the source of that spiritual energy that gives and girds our strength in the face of any adversity or adversary. Prayer is what keeps Paul bold, even in chains.

Whether the disturbing forces we face are comprehensible or unimaginable, prayer punctuated by watchful perseverance bridges the centuries separating us from Ephesians when it comes to the gist of what it means and what it takes to follow Christ faithfully, even through the most threatening circumstances. A reading of Ephesians 6:10-20 is enriched by taking its more fantastic elements seriously. But even if, for whatever reason, we set aside 6:12, there is enough turbulence in the modern times of our human condition to warrant our serious consideration of the dynamics of being "strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power."

Think about the battles raging in the world today. In our own country the continuing battle to conquer racism, sexism and the disparaging remarks made towards people of other cultures. I think we are in a real battle where people utilize religious phrases and verses to justify the belittling of other people. I find that practice embarrassing and downright sinful.

Even here. I sat through training on Preventing Sexual Assault and workplace sexual harassment. The clear message was that women are not sexual objects. But then the flyer goes out announcing a visiting Cheerleading team, scantily dressed for the male soldiers. Organizations mixed messages and that's an issue that will be somewhat of a battle. Do you see what I am saying? We need to be dressed for spiritual battle and engage powers and principalities that can be entrenched and intimidating.

I remember in college confronting an issue in the dorms. Finally, a friend of mine pulled me aside and said, "Ed, the problem will be solved in four years." I responded, "Why will it take that long?" And they answered, "You'll graduate by then!"

Some problems are just graduated!

But Paul says, dress for battle!!! Wear the helmet of Salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the belt of truth, and the shield of faith. When suited up with such an All Gospel Uniform, we are ready to stand fast and defend the principles of faith. So suit up!!!

--
Ed Brandt
edbrandt59@gmail.com

http://brandtinbaghdad.blogspot.com/

Homily for Sunday, August 16, 2009

2009-08-23T15:35:00.001+03:00

A Meet Lover's Gospel

A Sermon Preached by the Rev. Dr. K. Edward Brandt

Deployed to Baghdad, Iraq

Sunday, August 16, 2009

John 6.51-58

John 6:51-58 (New International Version)

⁵¹I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."

⁵²Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?"

⁵³Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. ⁵⁴Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. ⁵⁵For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. ⁵⁶Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. ⁵⁷Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. ⁵⁸This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever."

Introduction

If one had not a single thread of understanding of the Christian faith, and happened to read this passage from the Gospel of John, one could get easily the impression that Christians are cannibals. Jesus says, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you," John 6.53. The early church fought that image.

The Roman historian Josephus and some of the writings of emperors post Nero commented included accounts of Christians gathering in cemeteries on the first day of the week and sharing of a meal with words talking about body and blood. If one didn't know better, and not that some do, one might make a harsh condemnation on this newly formed religious group. After reading this passage, one gets the clear impression that the gospel of Jesus is a meat lover's gospel. But for me, it's a "m-e-e-t" lover's gospel.

If you ever became violently involved in the life of a congregation, chances are you became part of a committee and enjoyed the thrill of church meetings. In some ways, the church is a meet lover's gospel, but not as m-e-a-t, but as m-e-e-t.

I've concluded that most church committees are really about meeting, sharing stories, swapping tales, and building relationships. It's the committee meeting that is the meat of the time together. Now, there are some people who are not big fans of meetings. I am one of them.

Meetings have a way of consuming time, especially if there is no sense of urgency. And normally, there isn't. Meetings normally focus on a topic, issue or project, becoming the driving force for people to block out a couple of hours on a week night for the next several weeks. I'm not sure Jesus envisioned the church as a consumer of time over projects from bake sales to bazaars to pledge campaigns. No, Jesus' Gospel is one that is a Meet Lover's Gospel, but the focus is on meeting people, all people, in the context of an open table.

The fellowship envisioned by our Lord is based on a body broken and blood shed blood, illustrating the commandment Jesus gave to the disciples at the Last Supper. "Greater love has no man (or woman) than to lay down his (her) life for another." Fellowship in the Christian church is not based on hobbies or common interests or likeminded theologies, but on the agape, selfless love, found in Jesus Christ.

Meals hold a special place in our society. I have two sons. When they were in elementary school, we made a practice of sharing breakfast out one day a week before I dropped them off at school. Kris and I went to one Restaurant where he got a breakfast wrap on Tuesdays. Zachary and I went to the Town Hall Restaurant on Thursdays where he religiously ordered a hot chocolate with whipped cream and toast. While the meal was the reason for going out, the real reason was the fellowship, having father and son time that at that time in life was so rare.

Meals play a vital role in bringing people together. After the episode between the Boston Police Department and Professor Gates the event triggered a national debate. The two parties met at the White House. While they didn't have a meal, but they shared a beer! However, people gathered around a table with a place for each person, even for those who disagreed.

John pointedly makes the case that the center of fellowship is the meal, where Jesus' body and blood are the focus of a gathered worshipping community. Throughout the gospel of John, the Sacrament of Communion is introduced in a series of meals. Ironically, John focuses on foot washing and does not mention the symbolism of the bread and the cup as do Matthew, Mark and Luke who introduce a very specific "liturgy" instituting the Lord's Supper.

John sees the act of communion, not only as a singular event, but a lifelong meal, making Jesus' message a Meet Lover's Gospel, i.e., people coming together in worship and service, not as an ancillary event, but as the ministering moment. A lot of New Church Development programs and Church Re-Development Programs encourage the forming of small groups around common interests. One group might form around model trains, another as a running group, etc. But John has none of that. He focuses on the bread and the cup as the center of fellowship, and using Jesus' words, it becomes a Meet Lover's Gospel.

Meetings in the church can wear you out. In the Presbyterian Church (USA), the average search for a new pastor takes between 18-24 months. The time period is filled with meetings and then meetings with prospective candidates and then a COM (Committee on Ministry Meeting) followed by a Congregational Meeting followed by a Presbytery Meeting followed by Lord knows how many meetings. Meetings do give life and sometimes take life out of you! But the real life of a meeting is the focus of the people gathered and John understood that.

Jesus understood that meetings have the ability to rob life from individuals. Nowhere in the gospels do we find Jesus calling a staff meeting at 1600 and seeking reports from the disciples. The Meeting was the fellowship, the koinonia that enriched and fed the people who followed Jesus then and follow Jesus now.

Life is filled with so much busy work. Meetings have a way of adding busy work from minutes to assignments to comments to worrying what one might say which might tick someone off. Meetings can rob one of life!!

Jesus' words are a Meet Lover's Gospel.

--
Ed Brandt
edbrandt59@gmail.com

http://brandtinbaghdad.blogspot.com/

50th Birthday Party Video

2009-08-20T22:00:00.004+03:00

A wonderful song for turning 50 was found on ITunes and fit perfectly with the video from June 14. With no apologies, enjoy!

Boom, Boom and Hot, Hot!

2009-08-19T20:26:00.004+03:00

Mid-morning this morning while sitting in my office, a loud boom rattled the windows and shook the building hard enough to jiggle the door open. At first I thought a truck had hit one of the speed bumps outside my office or had mistakenly backed into a building. Unfortunately that was not the case. Within minutes a second boom rattled the building again, startling me one more time. I called a couple people to find out what it was but no one had a clear idea of the source or the location. I soon learned that a truck bomb exploded outside the walls of the International Zone. Another car bomb exploded outside the gate at VBC. The bombs in the vehicles were about 8 and three miles away respectively and shook the ground on which I stood. From those distances, the windows in my office shook, made a sound as if outside my now ajar door, and caused me to worry greatly about the current circumstances. A friend of mine who was over here in 2003 said, "Chaplain, we were getting hit 12-15 times day in 2003. This is nothing!! We had to put on our IBA, dove into bunkers multiple times on a daily basis - heck Chaplain, this is nothing." But it was something. Over thirty people were killed according to recent news reports. And it all occurred less than 10 miles away. Groups are jockeying for power as the US pulls back and the results will be intimidation, bombs and death. On a completely different note, the temperatures hit 132 today. Here is a picture of the thermometer with the needle in uncharted territory!

Tuff Boxes & Duffel Bags

2009-08-15T10:18:00.008+03:00

Although pictures posted yesterday about packing Tuff Boxes & Duffel Bags, here is a short video capturing the spirit of soldier, the volume of "stuff" and the faces of the unit I serve. All arrived promptly at 0545 to begin the customs process and by 1000 all 100 plus soldiers had dumped out their belongings for inspection by the agents, repacked, and then loaded on a Conex, scheduled to arrive back in the states by November. Enjoy!

Packing Day

2009-08-14T11:19:00.004+03:00

Another early day but the results marked a milestone in our deployment. Tuff Boxes and Duffel Bags adorned the portico of Building 43 awaiting custom inspection. Noticeable expressions of glee and joy decorated the countenances of soldiers anxiously waiting in line to have bags and boxes inspected so they could either get on with their day, or go to bed since they worked the night shift. The event signaled another "checked box" if you will, of a needed activity completed in our road home to the States. In fact, my office is looking pretty bare these days. Only pictures of friends hang on the wall and the door. My replacement will soon arrive and once he's on ground, the Brigade Chaplain responsibilities will be transferred over to him and I, along with my unit, will wait for our flight out of here. A beautiful dog, if it were my dog I'd name it Brownie, helped inspect our bags and boxes. She made sure we did not possess any kind of contraband. But today was remarkable. Not only did we have the Tuff Boxes and Duffel Bags at the building by close of business last night, we had to empty every bag and unpack every box for inspection. The customs people opened every DVD jacket and every CD case and inspected every thing we packed. They made sure we did not take with us classified or unclassified information. Customs people are very thorough!! Here I am repacking my stuff after having dumped it out for inspection. I thought about playing the "Chaplain" card but one, didn't think it would a good move and two, the guy wouldn't have cared! Oh well. . .

A Trip to the IZ (International Zone)

2009-08-13T22:07:00.005+03:00

We met the Rhino at 0440 by the "shot up tower" near Al-Faw Palace to catch a daily run to the IZ (International Zone). Checking in with the Convoy Commander we verified the last four of our Socials and were directed to board the fourth MRAP out of four for the trip. Climbing aboard, we buckled in with shoulder and lap belts wearing full battle rattle. After leaving the parking lot, the convoy of MRAPs made their way to the ECP (Entry Control Point), which led outside the wire to Route Irish, which took us to the IZ. On this trip, we moved pretty fast. I was able to see homes, people, cars and trucks outside the window. Someone had taken time to paint signs on the T-walls in Arabic for the Americans. The signs, (I had no idea what they said), were painted in a way that soldiers making the trip would see a message directed towards them. Along the way, we passed Iraqi soldiers standing guard and made our way to Union III, where the MRAPs dropped us off. A transition is slowly taking place, with T-walls coming down in many areas, and being erected in other places. In the IZ, there are more Iraqis than one finds on VBC. My guess is that entry control is more of a challenge than other places, because of location and easier access for the general population. I met with a Chaplain Fleischfresser, a National Guard Chaplain from Wisconsin, who in his civilian life is Sr. Pastor of a 2000 member church. The visit afforded access to other chaplains serving in the IZ as well as Catholic Priest, on loan from Dover, Delaware for whom a Delaware Guard Chaplain is providing back fill. It is a small, small world! I also met Cheryl McCauley, a Reservist from down south who was originally on VBC and played the organ for Chapel. Since she now works in the IZ, Chaplain Fleischfresser benefits from Cheryl's skills. Doug took time to drive us around the IZ. He took us along the Tigris River and pointed out some spots that were of interest. Along the way we saw the Tomb of the Unknown as well as the Crossed Sabers, which have been seen worldwide. Doug and I are standing in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This is guarded by Iraqis and time is taken each day by American Soldiers to take water to the Iraqi Soldiers at this post. A little way down from the Tomb are the crossed sabers, where Hussein held official parades. The chapel at Camp Prosperity is a former bath house. The adopted sanctuary is round and the acoustics are fantastic! Doug and his assistant have worked hard to develop this circular place for silence and reflection. This chapel alone hosts over 25 events a week along with a full weekend worship schedule. SGT McGill and I stand in front of the Palace Chapel where the afternoon conference was held. A LTC from Wisconsin gave SGT McGill and myself a tour of the palace at Prosperity. He led us to the rooftop where we had magnificent views of the city and the surrounding area. Here is a view of some of the apartment buildings from the roof of the Palace. Over my left shoulder one can see what was to be the largest Mosque. Saudi Arabia squashed that project. Here is a look at what is left of the dome of the Palace at Camp Prosperity. It is gorgeous!

Volleyball Recap

2009-08-10T05:55:00.003+03:00

Here is our Volleyball MWR Event through the lense of a video report. Enjoy!

Sights & Sounds from the Half Marathon

2009-08-09T22:29:00.007+03:00

Music accompanied us during the half marathon on Saturday. Here is a sampling of the music! Inspirational!

Baghdad Signal University

2009-08-09T22:01:00.000+03:00

Our unit is responsible for leading classes in theater for US Service Members and Iraqi Service Members on basic and advanced communication systems.

Sunday's Sermon for August 9 2009

2009-08-09T20:41:00.001+03:00

The Body Language of Bread

A Sermon Preached by the Rev. Dr. K. Edward Brandt

Deployed to Baghdad, Iraq

Sunday, August 9, 2009

John 6:35, 41-51

35Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."

41Then the Jews began to complain about him because he said, "I am the bread that came down from heaven." 42They were saying, "Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, 'I have come down from heaven'?" 43Jesus answered them, "Do not complain among yourselves. 44No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me; and I will raise that person up on the last day. 45It is written in the prophets, 'And they shall all be taught by God.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. 46Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. 47Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. 48I am the bread of life. 49Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh."

Introduction

It was April of 2007. Family and friends met outside the Provence region of Southern France for vacation following a hectic Easter Season as well as my daughter's wedding. The area was rich not only history as well as a beautiful countryside, but the restaurants proved to be goldmines of gastric delight! During the day we traveled; shared lunch at a cute little café; and then retired to the rented villa for a home cooked dinner.

Stopping at the local supermarket, one particular evening, and bread was at the top of the list for needed cooking supplies. The supermarket not only had a bakery, but it had a bakery deluxe, with all kinds of breads. However, none were sliced. Shelves held only full loaves of bread. However, located below the shelf and the right sat a metal machine with a coating of bread crumbs on the metal sheet below the rack. Apparently, this machine was an automatic bread slicer. One just lay the loaf inside, hit the right button and voila! The loaf of bread, no matter the size, was sliced to a prescribed thickness.

Once we selected the loaf of bread for the evening meal, a couple of us laid the loaf inside the machine and touched one button among many. We waited. Nothing happened. Several local French residents passed by us. Indicating we needed help, we tried in our best English and our worst sign language to make our request for help. Only after taking the loaf and in the body language of breaking of bread, did a person understand our question. With a quick push of the correct button, and smile, sliced bread was on its way! Everyone wants bread.

John is fixated on bread.

"I am the bread of life," says Jesus, and then adds, "Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." (6.35). Way to go Jesus!! Those words alone cause the Jews to complain. Interesting how John describes the reaction of the Jews as "complaining" as if a reminder of how the Hebrew people complained during their wandering through the wilderness. What they heard and who they knew didn't seem to add up.

The word complain appears twice in this passage, in addition to the word bread.

Complaining is a part of life. The story is told of a person shipwrecked for years on a deserted island. A cruise ship passes by rescuing the survivor. As they rescue the person, the shipmates from the cruise ship notice three grass huts. Curious, they inquire as to what they are and why three?

"Well," replied the rescued person, "The first grass hut is my home to protect me from the elements." "Oh, that makes sense," they replied.

"The second grass hut is my church. I felt that I needed to worship God on a regular basis and so I built a church." "Wow," they replied, "that is incredible!"

"What about that third grass hut?" inquired the shipmates. "Oh, that's where I used to go to church!"

Sometimes the complaining is the bread of life for some people. They can't live without that Eeyore attitude. (Eeyore was the depressed donkey in the Winnie the Pooh books.)

Jesus offers the bread of life that is not complaining, not caustic, nor counterproductive. He gets to the root of the question, especially here on Victory Base Camp, "What are we feeding the people we are leading?" And by the way, what kind of body language are we using in conveying messages to people?

I sit in on a staff meeting each Monday morning. About 15 people gather in the Deputy Brigade Commander's Office and I can tell you, without a person saying a thing, their body language conveys a message. Whether it be arms folded; legs crossed; pinched lips; or arms open or resting on their lap, messages are zooming around that room without a word being spoken.

Numerous books and websites exist which aid in deciphering body language. Without going into too much detail, I am concerned about individual body language as well as the body language of the Church. After all, the church is the body of Christ, Christ is the bread of life and we are challenged to think about what we are feeding people and what message we convey by the body language of the church.

One story depicts church membership as the slow crawl across as barren desert with no water. The dying person reaches the spring of living water of the church with a gate around it and a padlock keeping people out, because we have so many requirements to belong. Jesus proclaims in this passage that God calls us, that God feeds, and that God provides eternal life. (More about eternal life later!)

That is the argument Jesus is having with the Jews in a nutshell: Who is feeding whom and what is being fed? Is it Manna for a limited journey or bread for the living that gives eternal life? The Jews ask: "Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know?" (6.42). How can a Carpenter's son have the audacity to say, "I am the bread of life?" Can you imagine the scene? Jews comprised of Pharisees and Sadducees sitting around with their arms folded, talking among themselves, perhaps within earshot of Jesus. Their body language is closed, cutting off the conversation to and about the one with whom they have no small disagreement.

Jesus has none of it. He confronts the people complaining. In my opinion,This guy has guts. Jesus' response pushes them a little more. "No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me. . ." (6.44). what does that statement do?

Is it an indirect slap at the folks failing to understand? Is it a way of saying that "you really have no choice when it comes to believing in God or choosing to follow me." After all Jesus did say in John 15.13: "You did not choose me, but I choose you!" Jesus removes from our hands, heart and head, this idea that we own God, can sell God, or can make the choice to believe in God.

The statement is a way for Jesus to convey to individuals' that they don't control nor manipulate God's inclusive love. When Jesus says, "I am the bread of life," he speaks of bread being given to us by God, not for a single journey, but for the journey of a lifetime.

Now, when reading this passage, I have an image of Jesus' body language, as one that is not closed, with arms folded and head down and a countenance conveying disgust. No, I have an image of a Christ, of our Lord, with open arms, open palms, a welcoming smile and hands indicating to others that he is the bread of life, as if pointing to himself.

There's a body language to bread at least in the life of the church that cannot be underestimated.

In the church we want to fill people physically with food and spiritually with the bread of life. People seek to be fed with whatever will fill their bellies and their spirit.

Remember the movie Ghost? Patrick Swayze is killed and finds himself trapped in this world. His ghostlike figure flees to a place to find answers and where does he go? A church? No! A Synagogue? No. A Temple? No! He heads off to a fortune teller played by Whoopie Goldberg! People feel more inclined to consult Fortune Tellers rather than Priests, Pastors, Rabbis, Imams, and other religious leaders. Why is that? Is it because people love Jesus, but just don't like the church? Perhaps it's due to a level of mistrust that clergy are simply out to build a kingdom, balance a budget or recruit more members. Perhaps the biggest indictment is that people do not feel they are being fed when they attend or seek advice or counsel of their respective religious group. The largest and fastest growing religious group in America today is a group called, "No Preference." This block of people, traditionally young, have no preference, not just denominationally, but across the field of religion.

A bumper sticker I saw in Santa Monica sums it up best about the attitude towards faith, "Fight Terrorism! Eliminate Religion!" Religious practice and faith are unfortunately seen as a divisive force in the world and not a unifying movement.

People are looking for bread – that gives them eternal life, not just life for the hereafter, but a quality of life in the here and now. One of the major criticisms of Christian conservatism is the emphasis on the afterlife. The religious formula is "Believe in Jesus and you'll be saved." No, we want to reside in heaven and be with God eternally, but the threat of eternal damnation for not affirming a belief appears to run counter to the premise of a loving and redeeming God. Believing in Jesus is more than buying a bus ticket to a mansion in heaven. No, believing in Jesus is affirming a quality of life that feeds the brokenhearted; comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comforted. Believing in Jesus is sharing the blessings bestowed upon us by the Almighty. Believing in Jesus is not relying on one's rank to determine self-worth or the worth of another person. Believing in Jesus is embracing a quality of life that demands a right spirit, a measure of justice and an attitude towards all people that sees every person as a child of God. Jesus said it best, "No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father," (6.44). Eternal life is best understood as a quality of life; an outlook; an attitude; a spiritual aspect that is part of this world in addition to the hereafter.

Each of us have a body language, as do our respective faith communities. The way we organize, evangelize, judge, welcome, dismiss, discuss, worship and explore our world is conveyed verbally and by our body language. The church is the body of Christ, the bread of life. Whether sliced, broken or whole, the bread of life welcomes each of us, with open arms. Jesus is the bread of life.

My CHU - Consolidated Housing Unit

2009-08-09T20:26:00.001+03:00

My CHU - Living Conditions

My CHU (Consolidated Housing Unit) is located approximately 3/4 of a mile from the office. T-walls surround my CHU and I live in a middle room of a three room trailer set about two fee above the ground on metal pilings. When I walk back to my CHU around 8 p.m. each evening, I walk down a 12 foot wide corridor lined with 9 foot T-Walls. The walk is dark, sometimes illuminated by the glow of a full moon or by the outside lights piercing the openings in T-walls where one enters to arrive at their trailer. Often when walking back, I see a rodent or two scurrying across the bed of stones. The air is dusty and when a sand storm visits (which has happened often lately), the dust gathers on the steps to the CHU like a snow dusting back east.

My CHU is a 12x12 paneled room, complete with a linoleum floor! My twin bed has a new mattress that is more comfortable than sleeping on the floor. The other morning I saw light streaming through about three pin holes in the floor and there is no privacy. I hear my neighbors fart, snore and cough. The bathrooms are located about 75 yards away as well as the showers. There is nothing attractive in sharing a camping environment for 10 months; showering each day wearing "shower shoes" or shaving beside a new friend every morning. And when it rains (which is not often) I walk to work and get wet. And when the sand blows limiting visibility, I look like an old dusty lamp pulled out of the attic when walking through the office door.

People have missed a great deal of family life while deployed. Soldiers have missed funeral of grandparents; the birth of children; and the graduation of kids from college or graduate school. I missed my daughter's graduation from grad school; Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Services and Christmas with the family; Easter Sunrise Services with my church; and baptisms of infants and children. I miss the celebration of weddings and the celebrations of lives long lived. I miss talking and listening; I miss being available for the hurting and I miss my community. Ministry here is meaningful, but I miss the normal context. Sundays here are meaningful, but I miss the Sunday morning worship with the congregation. We are counting down the days!

--
Ed Brandt
edbrandt59@gmail.com

http://brandtinbaghdad.blogspot.com/

Measuring Life One Mile, Day, or Week at a Time

2009-08-08T20:25:00.009+03:00

Today is the second Saturday of August. The day included a half marathon; Officer Professional Development; and an MWR (Morale, Welfare & Recreation) event for our unit. However, the big news focused on the second Saturday of August. Time is measured in terms weeks. We only have three full weeks left in August. I did the same thing this morning for the half marathon. While I wanted my best time, I focused on the number of miles until the end. With a water spot every two miles, I knew that once the six water stops were passed, the I would be able to see the end in sight. We measure life by miles, days and weeks and by perhaps other means. This morning's half marathon began at 0530 and weaved around Victory Base Camp. The route took us past MRAPs, fuel points, and of course during the entire race, helicopters buzzed overhead ferrying passengers between various points. Here are a couple of pics from the race. I've been running and it has been a while since I ran a half marathon (13.1 miles). My time was Two hours and thirty minutes. At mile 9 I hit the wall and had to walk a little bit but I did finish by 0800. A PA Guard unit sponsored the race, which was well organized. They had water stops every two miles and at least three locations, had either a band, a bagpiper or another musical group playing music as motivation. Yet, I measured the race mile by mile. Ironically, the Commander of the Battalion is a family friend. His father and my father served in the State House together and I offered a prayer at his wedding. Small world! I also learned that a member of the former church I served is up north. I hope to contact him soon. One of our Soldiers claimed the BIG news this week. His wife gave birth to their first daughter and he was not present for her birth. I met another soldier today who arrived right after his wife also gave birth to their first child. While we are called to Active Duty, we also have a responsibility to love and support our children, even while away! At the half marathon this morning I met a Soldier who after his second day in Iraq, his wife gave birth to their first child. People are making a number of sacrifices and their dedication is incredible. I know some hold the opinion which states, "You volunteered to join the service. You knew you could be deployed. You shouldn't complain!" I find that attitude somewhat offensive. The decision to go to war is not made by individual soldiers but by our elected leaders. The attitude expressed above is tantamount to saying, "You knew you get hurt in combat! It's my fault or responsibility that you are injured!" I have members of the military who love the country, but who are not war enthusiasts. They simply do their job and anywhere from one to as many as five deployments, they have missed years with their family. When I flew from Frankfurt to Kuwait, the flight only took about 4 1/2 hours. One can travel from the west coast to the east coast in about that amount of time. The Middle East is no more than 4 1/2 - 5 hours away from Europe. One would think that our European allies would have move of a vested interest in this part of the world (as a friend and I discussed). Yet, there is no longer the coalition of the willing. It is now us, or rather , U.S. We do have a fabulous team. American needs to choose its resources wisely.

Sights, Sunsets, Incoming & Redeployment

2009-08-03T22:07:00.008+03:00

A Sunset in Baghdad! And here is a Mosque located outside the wire. Notice the two Minarets on either side of the Mosque. Yesterday I carried my camera with me while I took my evening walk/run. The route I normally follow takes me from my office, past Al-Faw Palace along the wall by canal to Lost Lake, where the ruins of Qusay and Uday's homes sit. In fact, a specially constructed holding cell was constructed for Saddam Hussein sitting right between the homes. They sit at the end of a long bridge extending across the water. Above is demolished bridge located to the east of Al-Faw Palace. Walking towards Lost Lake, I thought about what this place may have looked like before the invasion. Palm trees line the lake, but now Guard Towers are strategically positioned in the area. Groves of trees are now replaced with ugly yet protective T-walls and trailers, housing literally thousands of soldiers and civilians. The former quiet hunting ground and retreat center as our Country's Camp David is now replaced with the roar of Generators that rarely if ever experience a break. Most soldiers, including myself, are not able to freely roam from VBC to the outside world. Our world is defined by walls, Entry Control Points, places where one is allowed and places where one is not allowed. The DFAC (Dining Facility) provides meals; the TMC (The Medical Center) provides health care; and the base provides work. We are free? I'm not sure where the role of Guard meets the Guarded. There are certain ways to do things and articles of clothing that are permitted and others that are not. But within this environment, there are beautiful sights including spectacular sunsets, glistening waters and then there is the dangerous! Tonight I received an unexpected knock on my door. Because the CHU is somewhat soundproof to outside noises, I learned that two IDFs landed nearby and that our unit was conducting 100% accountability, to make sure everyone was safe. While the daily routine is somewhat innocuous, the reality is that we are working in a war zone, fret with unexpected dangers. Earlier today, we began our Redeployment briefings. The Army takes great care in making sure soldiers are not only prepared to deploy, but also prepared to redeploy. I began leading one of four sessions for our unit. In addition, the Chaplain Section prepared a Reintegration Booklet for Soldiers that serves like a diary/journal in helping the individual review the positives and the challenges of the time away from home. People mentioned often the depth of relationships that formed during the deployment and the lifelong friendships that were forged. People also discussed the challenges awaiting when they arrive stateside, especially the concerns about jobs, family, relationships that were put on hold for the past year. I know that for soldiers who are parents of young children, the day of dismissal from Active Duty will not come soon enough! Pictures decorate their office; hand drawn papers with childlike writing saying, "My Dad is a Hero!" or "My Mom is a Hero!" are taped to the wall! The day is quickly coming when we shall go west and return home!

Sunday's Sermon

2009-08-03T07:44:00.002+03:00

A Breaded life is Watered Down Living

A Sermon Preached by Rev. Dr. K. Edward Brandt

Deployed to Baghdad, Iraq

August 2, 2009

John 6.22-35

6:24 So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus. 6:25 When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, "Rabbi, when did you come here?" 6:26 Jesus answered them, "Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 6:27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal." 6:28 Then they said to him, "What must we do to perform the works of God?" 6:29 Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent." 6:30 So they said to him, "What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? 6:31 Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'" 6:32 Then Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 6:33 For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." 6:34 They said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always." 6:35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

Introduction

The story opens with the crowd counting the number of boats along the shore and deducing that only one had been there and that Jesus had not gotten into the boat with his disciples. Since they could not find Jesus nor the disciples, the crowd piles into their boats and heads off to Capernaum looking for Jesus.

There seems to be frantic feeling to the moment. John notes that some boats had come near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. Bread is placed in the context of Jesus giving thanks. This is more than a seaside picnic.

He says things that make the elders tremble and does things that others cannot explain! Whether it be feeding 5000 or pointing the people to something more meaningful beyond the care of the institution, Jesus challenge to tradition, rocks the stable boat of sacred semblance.

John leaves an image of a crazed and determined crowd looking for Jesus. No one went home after being fed along the hillside. Verse 23 contains a phrase that is a tip off to the passage: "Then some boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. Once the crowd discovers that neither Jesus nor his disciples are there they themselves get into the boat and go to Capernaum looking for Jesus.

In verse 25 he is called Rabbi (teacher) and their question about when he got there, is answered with a lesson about looking for food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you (verse 27). The continuing discussion about bread reaches its zenith with Jesus' comment, "For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world," (vs. 33).

And the crowds reply, "Sir, give us this bread always," (vs. 34), as the woman at the well asked Jesus for the living water. Jesus says, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty," (vs. 35). There's a lot of talk about bread.

Breaded Pork Chops was a favorite meal at the Brandt household. Using Shake & Bake, the cook placed the tender meat atop moistened bread crumbs; one side and then the other before gently laying it in the greased pan. Once in the oven the pork chops sizzled as the breading became brown forming a tender, crispy crust all over the pork chop. It was so tasty!

Whether pork chops, chicken breasts or even sliced fried tomatoes, a crisp breaded meal just made breaking bread/dinner such a delicious experience. Of course, we know that breading is a way of making the meal a bit tastier. It is a camouflage coating on the outside concealing something on the inside that becomes more palatable at the table.

Jesus talks a lot about bread in the book of John. In fact, John mentions in chapter 6 alone bread 14 times. Now, that's a lot of bread and that's just in the first 35 verses! If you add the additional times John mentions bread in the rest of the chapter, he records the word another seven times before the chapter ends. This is quite an argument about bread.

Maybe the argument is not so much about bread as it's an intense discussion about the recipients of the bread. It's like a discussion on tax cuts. We all agree with them, but who receive them? The wealthy? The poor? The Middle Class? Clergy only?

After all, when bread comes from heaven or from God, for whom is it intended? Jesus references the bread given to the Hebrew people in the wilderness. And most Jews have no argument with bread given to the wandering Hebrews. Even in this story, representatives from the crowd say to Jesus, "Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'"

Members of the crowd recite history; they are telling the story as they remember it and as they were told! Jesus takes it one step further, and in typical Messianic fashion, widens the circle of God's domain and love. Yes, it was manna from heaven that came to the Hebrews in the wilderness, but it wasn't Moses who gave you the bread, but my Father who gives the true Bread. And by the way, God's bread gives life to the world.

In that one response to the members of the crowd, Jesus opens floodgates of God's love to the entire world, Hebrew and Gentile alike. The word John uses for world is "kosmos", not the drink, but the term for world.

Using that word implies several understandings of bread from heaven giving life to the world. Yes, it's the world, but it's the human family, the current government, the inhabitants of the earth from the godly to the ungodly. When compared to the other three gospels, John is fixated kosmos. Using it 58 times, John understands that Jesus intends his message for the entire world, the kosmos!

The bread Jesus gives delivers life to a world starving for substance and hungry for more than moist bread crumbs decorating a meal: life to the troubled teenager down the street who doesn't know who she or he is since their mother died. Life to the deployed soldier who just received a dear John letter. Life to the full bird Colonel that faces retirement after her last tour and now needs to find something else to do. Life after divorce; life after the kids leave the house. Jesus is the bread of life!

It's like the argument three people had over when life begins. One explained that life begins at conception; another at birth and the third person said, "When the dog dies and the kids leave home!"

Life begins for us when we eat the bread of Christ each day as we journey through this world. His bread is more than moist crumbs decorating a meal. His bread is the meal; his bread is intended for a life long journey. Jesus gives bread that nourishes life! He gives bread to a world that hungers far too much for breading; never seeming satisfied with the meal Jesus gives us during life's journey.

In the Greek two different words are used in speaking about bread and manna. Bread, artos, is bread but also food; and manna is bread for given daily to the Israelites and was only good for 40 days. Jesus compares the manna in the wilderness to the bread of life that he offers. Manna has a timeframe, the bread of life, is a lifetime!

Now, the life John implies is not eternal life, or a spiritual kind of life, but this life, the life we live in the here and now. It's the life we have that begins when the alarm goes off; you spring of bed, brush your teeth, have breakfast, go to work. The bread Jesus gives is not intended to become bread crumbs to make the meat of life tastier. No, the bread Jesus gives is the essence of life.

Too much of life is nothing more than breading. We nibble at the edges, enjoy the baked crust, but we never seem to gnaw on the main loaf of bread that Jesus gives to us. Frustrations abound within organizations and families when people fail to deal with the bread of the issue. We have this ability to confront a single issue by sending out a mass memorandum, when the real issue is centered on the actions of one person.

As leaders within a military organization here, and as leaders in civilian companies and churches back home, I have to ask the important question, "What are we feeding people? Of what does the professional meal consist when leading? The easy out for all of us are the softball exercises that don't really get to the meat, the bread of what it means to be a soldier in Iraq; an Elder in a church; a mother or father in the home; a member of an organization in the community.

The bread of Jesus feeds the kosmos, the world, consisting of all the organizations and groups that comprise this expansive planet in which we live, move and have our being.

The bread of life Jesus gives is a bread that gets to the root of living. . . there is nothing watered down in his message. No, Jesus wants us to live life and to live it abundantly. Abundance, however, is defined from a divine point of view, and not from a kosmos understanding of abundance.

Our challenge is to be spiritually mature enough, and be mature as leaders to guide discussions toward the crux of what issues are all about. We can bread it, we can water it down, we can minimize it, but unless we deal with it, breaded life is watered down living.

Promotion for SGT McGill & Promotions for Drake, Bauer & Seibach

2009-08-02T21:24:00.020+03:00

Promotions in the Armed Forces are significant events. Being in Theater presents a rare opportunity for persons to experience promotion during their deployment and in a memorable location. Not only are we in Baghdad, but at Victory Base Camp, we are within a 2 minute walk of Al-Faw Palace. After acquiring the necessary permissions, we celebrated the promotions of three soldiers in the rotunda of Al-Faw Palace. I've attached a video of the ceremony for review. The three soldiers are: CPT Tim Drake to MAJ; 2LT Keith Bauer to 1LT; and SPC Nathan Seibach to SGT. Our Commanding General, BG Scott Chambers did, as usual, an outstanding job making comments about the service of these three individuals. We also celebrated the promotion of SPC Thomas McGill to SGT McGill in mid-July. He is married to my Chaplain Assistant, SGT Darlene McGill. A video of his big day follows.

Today the Sky Turned Orange

2009-07-29T20:20:00.010+03:00

Before leaving the CHU this morning, the day was already different! I had just stripped the sheets off the bed and dumped he pillows out of the pillow covers when the loudspeaker outside was a bit louder than normal. Someone keyed the mic and turned up the volume to an ear piercing pitch when all of sudden the voice announced, "Incoming, Incoming, Incoming!" I hit the floor of my CHU, arms over my head, and my two chalk white legs extended towards the wall. Laying there for about ninety seconds, I awaited some loud sound beyond where I lived. It never came. Now, I wasn't disappointed, mind you, but the boom never arrived. The announcer keyed the mic again and in an overly loud boom stated, "Exercise over. Exercise over." Good morning Wednesday in Baghdad! The inability to hear the announcement before such an exercise is troubling. Part of the challenge is the roaring A/C in the CHU. I've had friends visit my CHU. They bang on the door, and yell, "Come on in!" and they remain outside because of the outside sound of the A/C as well. Walking outside my CHU, the blowing sand quickly became the second most irritating part of today! What began as a white haze, whirling with a strong warm wind, soon became an orange glow surrounding VBC. Here is a picture of the day's sandstorm that is not only miserable outside, but wreaks havoc indoors, with dust finding a place to rest everywhere and anywhere! Since over two years passed from my last eye exam, I visited the base Optometrist. The young Captain who examined my eyes was great. He said, "Sir, you do need a slight improvement. Your eyesight is right on schedule for your age!" The row of trailers houses various personnel as well as the Army Optometrist. Since I need bifocals, they will need to send the prescription back to the states and then have glasses made and then ship them to Baghdad. I could choose between a silver frame or a black frame. I thanked him for his work and then mentioned the following story. Walking back to my CHU the other night, two young soldiers talked about a friend. One said to the other, "He's really old! He must be 35 or 40!" Amazing! After I left the Optometrist's office, I videotaped my drive down the road to get a feel for the weather conditions.

2009-07-26T18:25:00.001+03:00

Facebook Jesus

A Sermon Preached by the Rev. Dr. K. Edward Brandt

Deployed to Baghdad, Iraq

Sunday, July 26, 2009

John 6:1-21

1After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee also called the Sea of Tiberias. 2A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. 3Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. 4Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. 5When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming towards him, Jesus said to Philip, "Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?" 6He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. 7Philip answered him, "Six months' wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little." 8One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, 9"There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?" 10Jesus said, "Make the people sit down." Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. 11Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, "Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost." 13So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. 14When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, "This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world."

15When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

16When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, 17got into a boat, and started across the lake to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18The Lake became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 19When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the lake and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. 20But he said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid." 21Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land towards which they were going.

Jesus on Facebook

Facebook is a popular way for soldiers to stay in touch with friends. People post photos, videos, notes and comments about their deployment experience. As a young soldier comments about the latest photo, notifications are automatically sent out to others, encouraging and reminding others to see the latest. Facebook is a wonderful way to keep in contact with the crowds, friends and family as a person travels halfway around the globe. There's also a box where a person can write what's on their mind. Once that is recorded, a notice is sent to all the "friends" of that person.

For a couple moments let's try to imagine Jesus' Facebook page. I'm not sure what picture he'd use, maybe a group picture with the Disciples by the Sea of Galilee; or maybe a shot of him by the Jordan River right after his baptism with a descending dove in the background. And then the real question, "What would Jesus write in the box?" What's on your mind?

Today's Gospel Reading

In today's gospel reading, Jesus has a quite a bit on his mind, including feeding a large crowd of people. In today's reading, people follow Jesus not for his star power, but for what he can do for them, i.e., heal them of their sickness and diseases. Now, back to Jesus' Facebook page. He might write in his box, "Meeting a group down by the lake," OR "Feeding hungry people later today!" Or it might say, re-enacting Moses' feeding of the crowd by Taberah, or better yet, "The Passover of the Jews is near."

There, as recorded by Numbers, the people complained. "We remember the fish we used to eat for nothing when we lived in Egypt," they moaned (Numbers 11.5). And the manna they ate on their journey was wonderfully delicious, provided each day as in daily bread. The story of the fish and loaves is a reminder of where you came from and to where you are going, or maybe are. The best place in life is not where and not to where, but where one is now, for it is in that moment that a person experiences the truth of the Lord's Prayer, "Give us this day, our daily bread!"

Jesus' Facebook is not digital as it is disciplined to serving the hungry crowd who follows him. He doesn't let anything get in the way of accomplishing the mission. Nothing interferes: the large numbers, the lack of resources, the little faith of his inner-circle of advisers. No, Jesus drives forward with divine determination to care for the people entrusted to him.

Surely, he is aware of the scriptures where the prophet complains how people live as sheep without a shepherd. A shepherd cares for the sheep. Later in the book of John, Jesus talks about the role of the shepherd. The Good Shepherd will lay down his life for the sheep. Jesus puts forth the face of God as a Shepherd who cares for the sheep; feeds the sheep; heals the sheep and loves the sheep.

We learn those same types of principles in our Officer Basic Courses and Senior NCO Academies. In many ways, the senior leaders are the shepherds. Who should eat last when it comes to feeding the soldiers? Who should go without if it's a matter of supply? The Shepherd takes care of the sheep.

Jesus never turns anyone away in this story. With or without a ticket you are welcome to sit down. There is no religious survey to see who belongs on the grass; that is worthy to receive the bread and the fish; there is no litmus test of loyalty. No, the only requirement is that you are there and that you are hungry, that you've come from a place you didn't want to be and going to a place that you dream of, and that you walk each day with a God who gives you your daily bread.

There is a humorous angle to the story that I believe we miss in the dialogue.

By this time the teachable twelve and their master have become accustomed to crowds.

Large crowds keep following him. Jesus has the Midas touch when dealing with the ill. And the crowd follows the Baker's Dozen of Galilee as they go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee.

Sitting there with the disciples the crowd comes toward them. And here is where the humor is hidden. Jesus asks Philip, "Where are we to buy bread for these folk?" Philips answer is a throwaway line. "It would take six months of wages to feed this crowd!" As if making a comparison to the immense challenge facing them.

Another disciple jumps on board with the conversation. I can almost imagine Andrew chuckling adding, "There is a boy here with five barley loaves and two fish!"

(In fact, there is a cartoon of Jesus taking the fish and loaves from the boy and the kid, turning to Jesus asks, "Can I have a receipt for tax purposes?")

But the humor evaporates the moment Jesus tells them to have the crowd sit down. And then he gives thanks, as if breaking bread for the Eucharist and all are satisfied. On top of that, there is more than enough to go around for everyone!

Despite the realistic objections of his pragmatic disciples, Jesus doesn't waver because "he himself knew what he was going to do" (v. 6). He instructs his disciples to "[m]ake the people sit down [anapesein; i.e., 'sit at table']" (v. 10). Rather than send all the people away to fend for themselves, Jesus extends an invitation for them to join him in a meal. He takes the loaves and the fish, gives thanks and distributes the food to all "who were seated [anakeimenoiV; i.e., 'be seated at table,' 'be a dinner guest']" (v. 11). They are his honored guests, and he will supply their needs. Even more than that, his provision will exceed both their needs and expectations, for they can have "as much as they [want]" (v. 11). And just as his Father provided for their ancient ancestors while they were in the wilderness, the Son feeds their first-century descendants.

When the people had eaten all they wanted, Jesus told his disciples, "Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost" (v. 12). While it is possible that Jesus' concern is to avoid wasting food, it seems more likely that he wants his disciples to experience firsthand the abundance of God's provision. They need to learn this profound truth in a very personal and dramatic way as they gather 12 baskets [kojinouV] of leftovers — one basket for each disciple.

Maybe Jesus' Facebook page would state, "Be Thankful!" Under "What's on your mind?"

Practicality meets Messiah in this passage. On the one hand the disciples see the growing crowd gathering on the side of the mountain. Even Jesus was a bit surprised at the turnout. We don't have the benefit of the tone in which any person in the story spoke. Maybe Jesus asked Philip with a dead-pan voice, "Where will get the food to feed these people?" To which Philip responded, perhaps with loud exclamation, "Six months' wages would not get the job done!"

Andrew introduces a possible solution as he brings forth a child who has five loaves and two fish. He seems to summarily dismiss the use of such a resource by asking, "But what are they among so many people?"

Yeah, the practical meets Messiah in this passage; the impossible meets the possible; limited resources meets the unlimited; hope meets despair! Sounds like the story of the human condition, the human spirit. We come face to face with the realities of life. There is a sense of wonder if we can meet the existing gap between what needs to be done and what we perceive to be impossible.

In some ways this story of feeding the 5000 is the story of faith; facing the impossible, the insurmountable and conquering it, not with our own power, but with the power of God. There's even more to it than that. Jesus is not a short-order cook who makes bread and fish feed more mouths than the Walton's. No, Jesus reminds the crowd of the Jews wandering in the wilderness. On their trip to the Promised Land, they sat and complained, reminiscing about the good old days!! "Oh, if only we were back in Egypt!!! The fish were free!!!" "Oh, if we were back in Egypt, we wouldn't be wearing IBA or Kevlar or walking 75 yards to use the rest room!"

People follow Jesus because he cares for them day by day; takes them from where they've been and promises them a kingdom. But for now, as is for us, we have to live in the presence of the day; Give us this day our daily bread.

Jesus' Facebook would read, "Give us this day our Daily Bread." Not a bad thought in today's world where we want to rush from where we've been to where we want to go without remembering where we are and Who is with us!

Angelina Jolie Visits VBC

2009-07-25T21:02:00.010+03:00

Angelina Jolie stopped by VBC (Victory Base Complex) to lift the spirits of soldiers, but more importantly to visit displaced Iraqis who are unable to return to their homes because of sectarian violence. Although known as a famous actress, Ms. Jolie visited Baghdad for a third time as the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Goodwill Ambassador. She took time out of her busy schedule to visit approximately 300 soldiers who waited in line to see and pose for a picture with her. In fact, once the crowd reached 300, the organizers turned soldiers away, including 1LT Olsen who made the trip for a special reason (as indicated by above video). Here are a couple of photos of Ms. Jolie as we waited in line.

Fire at VBC

2009-07-25T20:43:00.005+03:00

Sitting at my desk on Friday, the JAG officer rushed in and said, "Get your camera and let's go!" Within a minute we were out the door and about a half mile away from our buildings a raging fire devoured several storage buildings. We're not sure how the fire began, but it burned through the night. While in my CHU last night, I could smell the smoke and for a moment, thought a loose wire existed in my room! Here is a picture of LTC Devine and CPT Biden just outside my office. We climbed atop the roof of the building to the left in this picture to get a view of the photos displayed above.

Thoughts Based on Mark 5.1-20

2009-07-24T12:25:00.001+03:00

It's an old joke, but one that makes you chuckle. Question: "Why are there fences around cemeteries?" Answer: "People are dying to get in!" In Mark 5, just the opposite occurred.A man died to get out, or rather, the torment of his life died, exorcised by Jesus, and he was freed. The man with the unclean spirit in Mark 5 was on the inside of the cemetery and Jesus let him out. Tormented and trapped in the tombs of life, no one had the strength to subdue this mad person running about the markers of life past. Night and day he beat himself up, bruising his body with stones, howling the dark of night. This guy was dying to get out of this cemetery!

Jesus meets him in this demographic of death, to free him from the torment of life. Mark tells a story of a man being freed, delivered from the boundaries of bondage. A whole new world opens up to him, and in the end, he is told by the Lord to go home and rejoin his friends and share the mercy he received.

Mercy and fellowship are the by-products of emancipation. To be freed from torment is to be reunited with a community that is full of life. There are too many communities that are lifeless, sucking the oxygen out of the room as opposed to breathing life, mercy and love into you.

People do die to get into cemeteries but Jesus gives us life outside the tombs in which we find ourselves.

Thoughts Based on Mark 4.35-41

2009-07-22T21:05:00.000+03:00

There's an old camp song that goes, "I've got peace like a river. . . in my soul." Whenever I read about Jesus calming the storm, I think of that song. Rivers are seldom peaceful. Oh, they may look full of grace on the surface, but below, the current churns and the deep waters move powerfully and forcefully. Peace like a river? I'm not so sure about that one. After all, Jesus and the disciples discovered how peaceful crossing a lake could be. Waves beat into our boats on a daily basis; crashing over the sides and sometimes flooding the place we initially thought safe. We don't want to be swamped nor drown nor overturn into the chaotic waters of living. Peace is the commodity we want. And Jesus does just that in this story. "Peace! Be still!" Jesus, please say those words as our boats are tossed about as if they have no anchor. Jesus, please say those words as the boat is beaten by the wind and sails become tattered and torn. Jesus, please say those words as our children jump into the waters of life without knowing how to swim; or as we drown in the red ink of this economy; or tread water during this deployment. "Peace! Be Still!" Give us faith so that all fears are removed and the boat just rocks back and forth without tumbling over. Give us faith so that we can look at life and see a dead calm because of the peace you bring. Ah. . . . peace live a river. . . .

Loss of Life in Basrah

2009-07-20T20:33:00.007+03:00

Last week a rocket attack killed three Soldiers in Basrah, a city located about 340 miles south of Baghdad. I visited Basrah about two months ago and spent time with Soldiers who are part of our Task Force, and even then the base required us to wear our IBA when going from point A to point B. I don't know the location of these Soldiers when the rocket landed. The truth of the matter is that they were here in Iraq fulfilling their commitment to serve their Country with devotion; freely and faithfully. The military is an all volunteer force. Can one imagine what life in the states would be like if the country populated the military through a draft? Perhaps the attitude towards the war would change! Perhaps there would be more of an interest in what is happening in this part of the world. There is a sense, and I've heard it, that "you shouldn't complain about being there. After all, you volunteered to serve in the military." Is that a viable attitude towards the forces that do protect the borders and freedoms we enjoy in America? Long before this deployment I believed in a mandatory two year service to our country either in the military, Peace Corp or Americorp. National Service is honorable and has a way of bringing people from all sectors of society together for a season of service that will bring maturity and breadth to an individual. National Service also provides an investment in the country by virtue of time served and work completed. I am a big fan of National Service, regardless of where one is on the socio-economic ladder. Getting back to the loss of life in Basrah, our leaders again emphasized the need to be vigilant while traveling around the base. We are living in a war zone, and last week three American lives were lost.

Sermon Preached Sunday, July 19, 2009

2009-07-20T08:45:00.001+03:00

Moor is More

Sermon Preached by Rev. Dr. K. Edward Brandt

On Sunday, July 19, 2009

Deployed to Baghdad, Iraq

Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

30The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. 31He said to them, "Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. 33Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. 34As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

53When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. 54When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, 55and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. 56And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.

Introduction

One way to read Mark is to look at how the story might follow naturally. In Mark 6, Jesus sends the disciples out two by two, giving them authority over unclean spirits. Jesus orders them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. They go out and proclaim that all should repent. They cast out many demons and anoint with oil many who were sick and cured them.

Curing the ill appears to be a large focus in Mark's gospel. One of the first acts Jesus does in Mark is heal Peter's mother-in-law who has a fever, (Mark 1.29). It is only preceded by the Lord calling out an unclean spirit from a man in the synagogue.

From then on it's a cascading of curing, casting out demons, cleansing lepers, giving life to paralytics, making hands bloom, stilling storms, debilitating demoniacs, healing daughters and making unnamed women daughters of God by a single touch. In the beginning it was Jesus' job, and now, less than half way through Mark, Jesus sends out six teams of two. Their job? To heal and exorcise demons. And so they went proclaiming that all should repent.

Administrative work is one of those necessary evils in life. Want a job? Fill out a form! Want a driver's license? Fill out a form. Want to get married? Fill out a form. Want to get promoted? Be sure to file reports in a timely matter. It seems the disciples were not above the necessity to report their work to the CEO (Chief Evangelism Officer) after finishing their itinerant field trip.

I'm not sure what the reports consisted of. One can only imagine. They told Jesus all they had done and taught, much as a six year old returning home after his or her first day of school and telling the folks what the day was like. I don't know, maybe the disciples shared the joy of bringing an encouraging word to some depressed fellow Hebrew brethren. Maybe they recklessly ran into a Roman guard and offered a word of hope or a prayer and promise for their family. Regardless, they told Jesus all they had done and taught.

Any trip is filled with stories and it was probably no different with the six teams of two sent out by Jesus with map in hand, guidance in head, and with hope in their hearts. You gotta give it to the twelve; there is no record of disagreement about the mission. No, Jesus simply called the twelve and out they went into the town squares, suburbs and slums of the surrounding countryside. We don't get a blow by blow account of their journey, but we can only imagine.

During this deployment I have kept a journal. The daily entries include places I've visited, things I've seen, observations made as well as people I've met. It's a record of experiences in Iraq that I will look back upon as the years go by. The journal is somewhat like a report of one being sent. This file will recount how my life was moored for one year at the shore of deployment

Reports. We live and die by reports. It's part of the administrative nature of work to file a record of actions, proposals as a measuring stick. Not only do the disciples give a report of their work, Jesus beckons them to come to a deserted place all by yourself and rest. In this instance, Jesus becomes a model employer. Sure, he sent them out to do some work. They return and give a report. And instead of critiquing their work and abilities, Jesus invites them to take a rest and replenish a spent soul. In a way, Jesus asked them to moor their spirit and soul.

The need for rest and recuperation is not firmly embedded in the American cycle of work. The United States follows behind European nations in the amount of standard time granted to workers. It has been proven that people, who work without replenishing the soul, taking time off to rest a weary body, and relax the mind, produces less than those who take time off for themselves and their family. We are not good at mooring our lives, throwing a rope to the dock and letting the boat rock back and forth to the gentle waves of life. We are so driven, that we don't know how to throw a line, tie a knot and let the boat just moor in the water. We want more without mooring our lives. And according to the scriptures, that is not possible. Even Jesus needed to moor his life and find refuge. Even the disciples needed to moor their lives and find rest.

Jesus and the disciples head off for holiday. People see them and instead of giving them a break, gather and follow them. Still, Jesus had compassion on them. They were like sheep without a shepherd. Their lives too needed a mooring, a rope thrown to the Lord as an anchor, a stable line on which to moor their boat of life and find restoration and wholeness. Jesus provides that rest and that refuge. Each person needs a shepherd to guide them to a place of rest, a place to moor their lives, if even for a moment.

Crossing over again Lake Gennesaret they moor the boat. That boat in the story is often overlooked. And perhaps I'm reading too much into it. However the boat, the mode of transportation across the lake, the method of producing income by fishermen, needs moored. I think one message is that our work, our livelihood, our way of moving around, needs to be moored at times and our bodies need rest and relaxation. It's something I'd call "Moor s More."

Too often in the life of the church or in our religious circles, we are always asked to do more (M-O-R-E), and in this passage we see just the opposite. Jesus talks about MOOR ministry; care of the soul, heart, mind and spirit. We need to do more of that!

In this environment people work 12 hour days seven days a week. There is no sense of Sabbath rest, except for a lingering 90 minute lunch, a prolonged trip to the PX or a three dollar tip at the barber to get head massage. There is little time to nourish one's soul when days are filled with delivering or picking up laundry; cleaning the CHU; preparing a brief; filling out paperwork; attending meetings or troubleshooting unpredictable issues and surprises.

In this world, we get in the boat, go to the other side, tell someone to wait here, and return and go to the next project. The busier we are, the more our lives matter, right? Only when we moor our lives, will we feel the touch of Jesus' grace our soul, tickle our spirit, or hold our heart. In those moments, our lives are moored for ministry; tied to the piling giving us stability to our lives being rocked back and forth on the choppy waters of life. The trouble is, we don't moor our lives enough!

A couple of months ago I spoke to a Senior Leader asking about his work. "It's going great Chaplain! I keep my section busy and I don't take a day off and I don't give days off to any of my Soldiers." I responded, "Why do you do that? People need time off to rest, hang out, take care of personal business." He replied, "Chaplain, I give them time to do things, but the more they stay busy, the less trouble they will get into. Besides, we didn't come here for vacation." My last comment to him was, "You need to treat people right. People need to rest and you need to set the example."

This is one reason the Army want Soldiers to take time to gradually reintegrate into civilian life. We've been moored to the military lifestyle for such a long time, that time is needed to ease into another way of dealing with people, making decisions and living each day. Can you imagine if we talked at company staff meetings the way we talk here? Treat people in our civilian lives as we treat them here? How long would you last with your civilian employer if you dropped the F-bomb as noun, verb, adverb, pronoun, or adjective, all in the same sentence? Not too long.

In some ways having our lives moored here for a year, has not been a benefit, has it?

Moor is More. . . but we have to take the time, after all the reports, all the travel and all the work, to moor our lives with Christ. Moor is more!

Los Angeles Times in Baghdad!

2009-07-18T20:02:00.004+03:00

Since arriving in Baghdad, the Ladies Auxiliary of the Pacific Palisades American Legion has reached out since day one! Ms. Vi Walquist, a member of the Auxiliary and a member of the Palisades Presbyterian Church, has regularly sent boxes of Newspapers and Magazines for the reading pleasure of soldiers. I normally set them in the common room and over time, they disappear! This past week I roamed the offices and found a couple of people sneaking a peak at the news from LA! Thanks to Vi and her capable team for collecting and sending this nice diversion from work!

No Front Line

2009-07-17T13:15:00.001+03:00

Victory Base Complex is a large piece of real estate. The Complex itself includes Camps Victory, Liberty, slayer, Stryker, and BIAP (Baghdad International Airport). Surrounded by T-walls, wire and ECPs (Entry Control Points) one is given a fairly safe sense of security. Yet, that false sense of safety is shattered on a regular basis. Each week IDFs (Indirect Fire) lands on VBC, some close and some not so close to one's CHU (Consolidated Housing Unit), Office, or jogging route! One jogging route temporarily closed three weeks ago due to a Guard Tower taking sniper fire in the wee hours of the morning (I stopped running on that road). And of course, there are routine safety issues with several thousands of people driving, walking and working on VBC. This is all to say, that there is no clear front line in this war.

Of course, this is not to minimize the hard kick-down door diligence of service members who scoured the inner city and sprawling suburbs searching for insurgents, arm caches and troublemakers. The front line is not the front line as it was in World Wars I & II; Korea or the Vietnam Conflict. There is no safe place in this war.

I walk to the DFAC (Dining Facility) and pass pools of water created by Saddam Hussein; buildings of a former regime once used as guest houses for visitors or as residences of workers; all of which have been transformed into office space for American Forces. One interesting aspect of the walk to the DFAC is the presence of additional Iraqi soldiers with whom the Americans are now working in a joint environment. Every day I pass Iraqi soldiers who are either guarding the entrances to their offices; standing together and talking; or making their way from one building to another.

The environment is filled with the sounds of helicopters whirling overhead; blocked roadways with towering MRAPS and loaded 50 caliber weapons guarding the passing of Senior Centcom Leaders heading to a meeting; armed Ugandan Guards at the DFAC, Palace, Gym, and Chapels. All Soldiers carry weapons from M-16s to 9 mm complete with accompanying clips loaded with live ammunition. We are in a war zone and the danger is real. Over a month ago a Soldier took a weapon and killed five Soldiers at Combat Stress. While this is just a very brief sketch of life on VBC, there are the additional aspects to living here.

In addition, buildings and towers are riddled with bullets, reminding me that battles took place in the very location where I work and walk and run.

There is no front line in this war.

Thoughts Based on Mark 3.7-19a

2009-07-17T11:27:00.001+03:00

Walking from my CHU (Consolidated Housing Unit) to my office, a vehicle stopped. The window went down and a friendly and familiar voice called out, "Sir, do you need a ride?" I asked back, "Are you going to Building 43?" "Yes sir! Even if we weren't, we 'd take you there sir!" And into the car I bounded.

After living with each other for nearly 10 months in a limited area we know each other. Even when walking along in our PT (Physical Training) uniform, we know a person's rank, last name and offer due respect with a salute, even when not wearing our ACUs (All Combat Uniform). The other night our General entered the DFAC (Dining Facility) wearing his PT Uniform and the Specialist behind the counter promptly stood at attention and cried out, "Attention!" We know each other.

For my 5oth Birthday my folks asked my home church to participate in a card shower. I found myself receiving birthday cards from people I haven't seen in years. One card in particular caught my eye. It wasn't so much because of the card, as it was the name on the return address. Mrs. Grosh, my Sunday School Teacher from years ago sent me a card. She is one of the saints of the church. Teaching Sunday School to kids was her lifelong love. Mrs. Grosh always had a smile, a joyful spirit and a loving heart. We know each other, not just by living in the context of a community, but by what and how people give of themselves, and the values they live and embrace.

Mark describes the people crowding in on Jesus. They came to him in great numbers from all around. Without the aid of advance ticket sales or Ticketmaster, Jesus instructs the disciples to have a boat ready for him. Not only did the ill and diseased know and seek him out, but Mark clearly states that whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before Jesus and shouted, "You are the Son of God!" People who are friends know each other, and enemies certainly know each other as well, if not better!

The passage is one of two recognitions. People recognize Jesus as someone who can heal and cure. The unclean spirits see Jesus as the Son of God. One is limiting with an underlying focus on self-interest. The other, is more cosmic, global if you will that gets to the heart of Jesus' ministry. He is more than a traveling physician, a doctor dispensing healing touches. His ministry heals, but his presence stirs the resting and dormant unclean spirits, the saboteurs of social cohesion. Jesus is the Son of God whose presence stirs the stagnant and stable.

The unclean spirits see Jesus as a threatening force to worldly stability, a government that oppresses, limits freedoms, and maintains unfair structures that keeps the gap between the ruled and the rulers wide and deep. "You are the Son of God," they confessed. We recognize people for who they are, but also because of the power they possess.

And Jesus shares this power as twelve people are called to be with him, and in the end they get to know him, not just as a healer, but as the Son of God.

Thoughts Based on Mark 2.13-22

2009-07-15T12:32:00.002+03:00

I've met a couple Command Sergeant Majors (CSMs) since being in Theater. Toughness, a command of the vernacular slang of the English language, and the ability to intimidate with a simple glance are common denominators among CSMs. In speaking with once CSM about faith while traveling he only said, "Chaplain, you wouldn't want me in your church. I wouldn't put up with some of the church silliness for too long. Besides, the roof would cave in if I showed up!" I replied, "CSM, I'd love to have you in the church. You're just the kind of guy Jesus would call as a disciple." He chuckled.

My guess is that the Scribes and Pharisees scratched their heads at least a couple of times when word leaked out that Jesus called Levi the tax collect as a disciple. Jesus had a way of choosing the unsuspecting to be the suspects of a divine unfolding story. From fishermen to the perceived fraudulent, Jesus surrounded himself with elements from society who had a knack for just telling it like it is. He even hung around that kind of crowd for dinner and at parties. His social circle raised eyebrows and caused religious leaders to ask, "Why does he eat with tax-collectors and sinners?"

As 21st century disciples, that question might be turned around. "Why don't we eat with the outcast, the suspect, the folks referred to as 'tax collectors and sinners'? There is a chance we've mismanaged the image of the Christian faith. A CSM might say it more colorfully and definitely with a more interesting twist.

Perhaps we've lost a core principle of the Christian faith that compels us to reach out beyond the sanitized portrait of discipleship. Jesus reached beyond the stereotypical view of calling people to follow him. Jesus didn't go to the local seminary to find the best and the brightest to join the cause. No, he went to the shores of Galilee, a tax booth and elsewhere to secure the traveling twelve.

Jesus found people who were less concerned about image and more focused on faithfulness as they accepted the Lord's invitation. They asked questions, followed, accepted instructions and eventually provided leadership as time passed.

I'd love to have a church with a couple CSMs as members, ushers, organizers and Elders. They would hold people accountable; call black black and white white. They would ask the tough questions and wait for a straight answer. They would bring a dynamic to church life of the likes we haven't seen since Jesus' day! And I'm not kidding!

Thoughts Based on Mark 2.1-12

2009-07-14T16:46:00.002+03:00

Sometimes conventional wisdom isn't enough. Jesus is teaching from his home. His lessons are so powerful that the gathering crowd prevented additional people to push in, thereby blocking the front of the door. Five people wanted to get closer to Jesus, well really one paralytic and four people who carried the ill person, were determined to meet this teacher and healer face to face. I'm not sure of all the obstacles, but the folks standing and sitting around Jesus' home apparently did not make room for the paralyzed person.

When people face road blocks they do one of two things; either they give up or they think of an alternative. The four carrying the paralytic refused to give up on their ill friend and in a clever way, came down to Jesus through the roof, letting down the mat on which the paralytic lay. It's an interesting thought thinking of the ill coming down to Jesus from above, when the Incarnation is about God coming down to earth from above, through the roof of heaven after trying every which way to enter through doorway of the heart of men and women. Not only are the four people carrying the paralytic determined, so was God, refusing to give up when blocked out by people refusing to make way for the Lord.

Immediately upon seeing their faith Jesus proclaims, "your sins are forgiven!" That alone causes an uproar. The scribes sitting on the sidelines of faith comment and question everything. They could have commented, "What faith of these four to bring their ill friend into the midst of the crowd for healing." Instead, the Scribes question Jesus' statement of forgiving sins.

That is so much like today. We focus on the peripheral statements failing to recognize the determination, faith and grit of individuals. Unfortunately that is the pathway of life. A person might have a moving religious experience, but those on the sidelines murmur, "It wasn't the right kind of experience." Jesus states by saying, "Your sins are forgiven," that the touch of God has come to humanity and is being made very human and that God works through people like me [Jesus].

And if that is not enough, Jesus goes one step further and asks, what is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven', or to say, 'Stand up and take your mat and walk'? We know how the story ends, and Mark emphatically states, "And he stood up and took the mat and went out before all of them. . ." Sometimes the physical acts of healing are easier to accomplish than the prolonged religious debates in which we find ourselves.

Religious discussions often make individuals defensive. Spiritual debates often descend into debilitating matches instead of looking at how God seeks to come down through the roofs of our resistance, raising us from the mats on which we have been carried for so long. Where is the innovation, the creativity, the determination and grit of believers to seek God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit in the face of blocked passage ways; shut doors; and remote avenues? We find it easier to defend old ways and old attitudes than seeking to dig down through the covering of the roof for a new approach to God. No, I applaud these four people, carrying the paralytic to Jesus.

In some ways the church or individuals are laying on the mat. They seek to be freed of their paralysis, and brought back to life. To do, requires a new approach, a new angle, a new way to meet Jesus. Are we willing to take that chance? To dig through that roof? To confront the sideline theologians who always have something to say, but very little to contribute that give life to paralyzed limbs?

Your sins are forgiven!! Now get up and go!!!

How Many Days? We Have NO Idea!

2009-07-14T03:39:00.004+03:00

How many days? We don't even know!

Vice-President Biden's Visit

2009-07-14T00:35:00.004+03:00

Vice-President Biden's Visit to Camp Victory on July 4, 2009!

Choosy Messiahs Choose You!

2009-07-13T20:20:00.004+03:00

Thoughts on Mark 1:29-45 There's a lot of touching in the book of Mark. Jesus touches Simon Peter's Mother-in-law, taking her by the hand and at once the fever leaves her. That evening, after word got out about this gifted man, people bring to Jesus all the sick, possessed and he heals them. The next morning, while praying the Disciples search for Jesus because everyone else is searching for him. And as our Lord moves about the Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons a leper searches out Jesus. In humility, the leper approaches the Lord and kneeling says, "If you choose, you can make me clean." I am struck by the graciousness of this leper, a community outcast by virtue of his medical condition. There is no hint of demand in his voice. No expectation, merely a simple statement, "If you choose. . . " Jesus responds with an outstretched hand and a touch, saying, "I do choose." Choosy Messiahs choose you! We are tempted to describe the touch as a divine touch, but I'm not convinced it was as I am not convinced any of his touches to the multitudes was divine. I think people just want to be loved, not only in word, but with a touch, a holding of the hand, a caress of the arm. Just try going to the nursing home and without touching the wrinkled hand of a resident, say "I care about you," and how that statement rattles in their soul like a tin can clanging down an empty street. Stare into the face of a new born and say, "I love you," without touching this gift from God and see the return of a vacant stare. "If you choose.. . . " stated the leper. "I do choose," replied Jesus. A lot of choices face us these days. People are very choosy since we live in a culture of customized services from sneakers to suits to whatever we wish to select. But Jesus says, "I do choose," to make you clean. And Jesus just doesn't say the words, he stretches out his hand and touches an unclean person with no membership or standing in the community. I can see the image. A leper approaches Jesus. Can't you just see the crowd of people part like the waters of the Red Sea as this disfigurement and outcast human being approaches Jesus? "I do choose," replies Jesus and he makes the leper clean! Touching has a way of bringing people into the fold, of including them in the social circles of life. Want to feel unclean? Just experience exclusion from discussions or feel the hurt of being ignored when trying to voice an opinion. Being pushed out only pushes up the the intense feelings of pushing back. It's not just being made clean, it's feeling the touch of love, inclusion, acceptance and appreciation. "I do choose," replied Jesus. . . choosy Messiahs choose you! There's a lot of touching Mark and the touch is not pushing people away, but bring people into a community shaped by Jesus touch. His touch is healing, cleansing, and inclusive. Choosy Messiahs choose you!

Thoughts on Speaking Truth & Wishes Granted

2009-07-12T22:25:00.003+03:00

Thoughts Based on Mark 6:14-29 John the Baptist had some intestinal fortitude This protege of Elijah (II Kings 1.8) wandering around the wilderness didn’t give a care in the world what people thought about him. In fact the writer of Mark introduces John the Baptist with a quote from Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying in the wilderness; ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his path’s straight,’” (Mark 1.2-3). His religious shtick focused on the baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Basically it was ritual cleansing, but the real selling point was an exercise that removed the guilt people carried within them from day to day or week to week. Human beings need a mechanism, a ceremony or a rite to remove the stain of sin or transgression from their lives. Without setting aside such time, a person may appear as vessel empty of any convictions; a compass with no magnetic moral north; sacred south; ethical east; redemptive west. John the Baptist spreads that canvas onto which people may paint their colorful life. The portrait is not so much a snapshot of sin, as it is a divine Renoir of redemption by The Redeemer of all time, God! And John the Baptizer, being John the wild-eyed wilderness guy and unfamiliar with social boundaries has a target audience of everyone. Demographics do not limit his proclamation. No, he says the same thing to poor and rich; professional and laborer; ruler and ruled. John really makes for a poor politician and would be a horrible church leader these days. He just wouldn’t play the political game nor choose his words carefully in a politically correct environment. There is no room in John’s ministry for someone to pull him aside and whisper, “Do you know what that is?” And he’d answer, “Yeah, it’s Herod! He married his brother’s wife and it was wrong. And if you don’t believe me, look it up in Leviticus 18.16! So there!” People don’t mind the righteous as long as they talk about someone else. But when they begin talking to you, then life begins to become a bit uncomfortable. Just ask Herod, or better yet, ask Herodias, his wife! Speaking truth to power is fine. That needs to be done. But beware of the consequences. Most Presidents, Kings, Queens, rulers, etc. will probably not rush up to a truth teller and say, “Thank you! I’m so glad you pointed that out! I will change my ways.” No, just look at Iran’s leaders and we see how truth tellers fare. Or just look at Bobby, Martin, Malcolm, and John and we see what happens when even leaders question the structure of power and the process of justice! “Thanks for pointing that out. Good-bye!” Mark even tells us that Herod liked John and protected him (Mark 6.20), and that he even feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man. We know the identity of the religious people. If a religious person has to tell you they are religious, I highly doubt they are! But Herod knew and John got Herod’s attention. As Mark tells, “he [Herod] liked to listen to him.” (Mark 6.20). There are people to whom we like to listen as well. It’s not because they tell us what we want to hear, but because somewhere along the way, our beliefs, lifestyle, faith and fortitude are challenged so that we grow and not so that we are belittled. Life is about growth. Life is about becoming more mature, like a towering oak tree, rising above the small debates of life that distract us from the important issues awaiting consideration. There is another important question posed by this story of John, Herod, and Herodias. After a dance that one can only imagine as erotic and seductive, Herod poses the question, “Ask for whatever you wish and I will give it,” (Mark 6.22). What an offer! If the genie was left out of the bottle , and that could of promise with a go-tee and folded hands hovered above you and said, “Ask for whatever you wish and I will give it,” how would we respond? What a question. Maybe it depends upon perspective based on our age. When I was much younger, if I could have anything in the world, I’d probably want a fast car, some money in m pocket and beautiful girls hanging around me. The Apostle Paul had it right when he wrote, “When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child, when I became an adult I put an end to childish ways,” (I Cor. 13.11). Our answer to that question may be shaped by our age, perspective and depth of faith. But as we grow, we learn that it’s not the things in life that make life “sum thing” to remember. We could wish for the largest house in the neighborhood, the prettiest car riding down the street, and an income that makes mouth of the IRS drool. If someone offered to grant whatever you wanted, for what would you ask? The story of Moses is one of a man wandering through the wilderness for 40 years awaiting the Promised Land. He finally makes it to the bank of the Jordan and he can see the land flowing with milk and honey, but Moses doesn’t get to go step into that land. No, after a lifetime journey, Moses is given something more precious than the land, he is afforded that knowledge and that experience of journeying through life with God by his side. Think about it. God’s presence is perhaps the one thing of all things in life that we want. Moses received that gift. He did not make the journey through the wilderness in vein, but the journey itself provided the abiding presence of God in his life. Of all the things in life we could wish for, I wish for the simple presence of God in life. God assures us that we are not alone, and that the greatest gift is for God to be with us. John the Baptist was able to say what he said, do what he did, and be who he was, because God abided with him!

Saying Thanks & Good-Bye

2009-07-12T20:09:00.004+03:00

Within one week we said thanks and good-bye to two wonderful Chaplains with whom I worked at Victory Chapel. Both Steve and Stan are Navy Chaplains. All of three of us worked with the 1600 Lutheran/Episcopal Service each Sunday. Last Sunday we said thanks and good-bye to Steve and today we said thanks and good-bye to Stan. Both of them are fine people with an interesting and wonderful story of how they ended up in the military chaplaincy. They are gifted preachers, counselors and I count myself fortunate to consider them friends. Last night an IDF rattled my CHU. I felt a thud, heard the sirens go off (after the explosion), and the loudspeaker belting out "all clear." At first I thought of sticking my head out the door to see what happened, but on a second thought, just stayed where I was. I discovered later on that it landed about a 3/4 of a mile away. We are still counting down the days!! Can't wait to get stateside!

Falling Giants

2009-07-11T22:32:00.002+03:00

Thoughts Based on I Samuel 17.50-18.4

Taking time to focus, read and contemplate a piece of literature, either secular or sacred, has always been a challenge for me. Most of my life I’ve rushed through articles, books, and newspapers, as if in a race.

David had to be incredibly focused when he met the giant in his life. I have no idea as to how tall David stood, but we are given an image of Goliath of six cubits (4 in the Greek), standing 10 feet tall, wearing 150 pounds of armor and carrying a 19-pound spearhead (I Sam 17.4). David, on the other hand is a young man full of ambition, patriotism and very religious. David takes up the challenge to face a giant that stares down at Israel’s national pride. Goliath casts a shadow over the land as well as over the people. David is determined to fight this intimidating obstacle that frightens the people. He says to Saul, King of Israel, “Let no one’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine,” (I Sam 17.32). And course, King Saul, looking out for young David replies, “You are just a boy but Goliath is a Philistine who has been a warrior from his youth,” (I Sam 17.33).

David did not fear the giant that threatened the land and the living. After Saul dismissed David raising his hand, basically saying, “Put me in coach! Put me in!” David makes the case for him to go and face Goliath. Something inside pushed David to confront the impending threat, the giant towering over the country. He did not run. He did not hide. He did not make excuses for why he couldn't’t face Goliath. He did just the opposite. David made the case to go into battle, pulling up illustrations of how he fought lions and tigers and bears, Oh my!

After making his argument, Saul consents and sends him forth with the words, “May the Lord be with you,” (I Sam 17.37). Many people don’t want to deal with giants in their lives. Some folks would welcome any excuse by a superior or a supervisor saying, “Don’t worry about it! I’ll take care of it!” But it didn’t happen that way in this story. David wanted to fight the giant and in preparation for the fight, he put on Saul’s sword, a helmet, and a coat of mail, Saul’s armor. He tried to fit into someone else’s clothing, someone else’s skin, if you will, to fight the giant, to solve the problem, to eradicate the threat. David tried to go forth in Saul’s armor, in Saul’s gear, but he was not used to them and took with him what he was accustomed to: a simple sling.

And Goliath upon seeing David was offended and cursed David and by his gods. Some days we are afraid at how people will view us. Do we look professional enough? Pastoral enough? Scholarly enough? Do we look like we know what we are doing? People use the phrase, “Fake it ‘til you make it!” But there was neither time nor room in David’s life to “fake it.” He simply wanted to face the Giant Goliath on his own terms, in his own skin, with who he really was in life.

Too many of us are afraid at being ourselves; casting off the helmet, armor and sword that makes us look bigger and badder than we really are. It’s OK to use others as role models, but it’s not OK to try and be someone we are not or cover us with armor to the point of not being able to move forward or even take on e step.

Goliath expected a different kind of competitor. This 10 foot tall Philistine expected to see someone of the same size, experience, weight and attitude. And when he didn’t see that in his enemy he let his guard down and complained about how ruddy and young David appeared to him. We should never try to be someone we are not; nor seek to put on the clothing/armor of another and walk in his or her footsteps. No, God wants us to be who we are even when facing Giants who intimate, frighten and sometimes make us cower in the corner. God wants us to be ourselves, use the simple slings of the soul and battle the towering menaces casting shadows over life.

But to do so requires focus and confidence in who we are and how God created us. I think of people who struggle with a host of issues. They put on the armor of what is expected, but discover they cannot walk. The armor doesn’t fit! It’s not who they are!

I think of pastors, who struggle to find their voice, and they put on the armor of a Theologian or preacher from Seminary fame (we all have one) and the pastor soon discovers that the armor is too heavy and he or she can’t walk forward. It’s not them! They need to use their sling, their simple sling of the soul and be who they are!

Giants still exist in the world. They come in the form of economic hard times; closed auto plants; layoffs, downsizing, new priorities, less initiatives, less capital, doing more with less. . . all resulting in people taking pay cuts, pink slips or permanent layoffs. I once looked up the definition of downsizing and it said, “See Resume!” Giants, they stalk the land in which we live. They range from Environmental disasters to a War on Terror that sees no end. Giants, they are everywhere.

I met a fellow chaplain in Iraq. We shared a meal one Sunday after worship and I asked, “Tell me about your family.” He explained, “Ed I have a son, who now has graduated from high school. It’s funny. I wasn’t there for his birth because I was deployed. And ironically I missed his graduation last month. In fact, I haven’t been home four out of the last five years.” Giants, they roam not just our land, but they stomp across our lives, casting shadows of fear and regret over an otherwise wonderful life.

David conquered the Giant he faced in Goliath, but by facing the Giant he conquered the larger Goliath that sometimes lives inside of us. Ambition, patriotism and religious faith shaped David’s attitude towards life in general and this event in particular. Goliath was doomed long before David met him with sling in hand. David slew the Giant before showing up on the battlefield simply by his attitude. He conquered the Giant within him, the fear, intimidation and worry that can stifle a person. Once David killed that Giant he could easily move forward in his own skin and face the Giants lumbering through the land.

When facing Goliath, David is described as running quickly toward the battle line. David did not hesitate when facing the Goliath of his life. He faced the danger, focused on the Giant and fired his best shot to remove the obstacle from his path. David had the courage and fortitude to face the shadow cast down upon the land, his life and his leadership. David prevailed. He believed in a God who abided with him and David believed in himself.

Too often we allow the Giants inside of us to dictate how we live our lives. Our self-perception is rattled by how we understand our skills and abilities. We wear the armor of others, instead of taking our simple sling of the soul to be ourselves.

Goliath may have been the figure in the story of David, but we continue to face towering, intimidating and fearful personalities and people in our lives. They may be co-workers, fellow investors, business people, but the only thing we have to fear, is not being the person whom God created.

Giants! The real ones are the ones towering inside of us just waiting to be fallen!

Sounds of Outside the Wire

2009-07-11T20:28:00.007+03:00

Lost Lake is located in the northeast corner of Victory Base Complex. A "starter palace" is located on the lake where one of Saddam's sons lived. The US destroyed the home as part of the initial invasion and it is also the location of Saddam's prison after being captured by the Americans. The distance around Lost Lake is approximately 1.75 miles. Tonight, after finishing my weight training at the gym, I took my run and ended up running/walking around Lost Lake. It was different. As I walked along the west side of the lake, I could see to my left the Minarets with the Mosque nestled between them. The bright sun sat right above the Mosque. The scene was beautiful. But tonight, for whatever reason, I heard the sounds of children on the other side of the wall. This is the first time I heard giggles and laughter and the sound of kids running back and forth. I have no idea what they were doing. But the sounds were a far cry from the boisterous waves of the crowds that had gathered earlier in the year. It was a quiet night, except for the sounds of children. Amazing. Here is picture of Captain Biden looking on at his father, Vice President Joe Biden during last weeks July 4th visit to Camp Victory. 1.75 miles and is a popular running/walking route for members of the armed forces as well as civilians. The interesting part about Lost Lake is that located on the other side of the high wall are regular Iraqis going about their business.

Worship on Sunday, July 5, 2009

2009-07-11T00:19:00.000+03:00

On Sunday, July 5 I led the 1600 service, known as the Lutheran/Episcopal Service at 1600 (4 pm). This is just one of a number of services scheduled on Victory Base Complex to meet the religious nees of the soldiers. Ranging from Gospel, Roman Catholic, Latter Day Saints, Wiccan, Lutheran/Episcopal, General Protestant, Jewish and to Muslim, the Chaplains are responsible for providing religious coverage to the soldiers as able. Victory and Hope are the main chapels on Camp Victory, but each base has a chapel.

While Army Chaplains are assigned to units, Air Force Chaplains are assigned to Chapels. For example, Joint Base Balad (JBB) is an Air Force Base where the Army and Air are based. However, the Air Force assigns a Chaplain to a Chapel at Balad, while the Army assigns a Chaplain to a unit. It's just a different approach to ministry.

Later last Sunday, I attended a concert outside Al Faw Palace and the music was good. Here are some pictures from the concert.

This is a picture approaching Al Faw Palace from my office at night. Extra lighting was added for the concert. Approximately 200 people attended the Patriotic Musical Celebration.

The Minnesotta National Guard provided the band and the Guard, Reserve and Active Components provided a supply of directors.

Here is one more photograph from the evening. The band played from a stage set in front of the doors to the Palace. The night was filled with inspiration and fed a patriotic spirit.

As July we reach mid-July, many people are looking forward to returning home.

Sermon Preached on July 5, 2009

2009-07-08T00:53:00.001+03:00

Reel to Real

A Sermon Preached by Rev. Dr. K. Edward Brandt

Deployed to Baghdad, Iraq

Sunday, July 5, 2009

2 Corinthians 12:2-10 (New International Version)

²I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. ³And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— ⁴was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell. ⁵I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. ⁶Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say.

⁷To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. ⁸Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. ⁹But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. ¹⁰That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Introduction

Kimberly Kates is an Executive Film Producer in LA. Recently, she was asked to reply to the following questions:

What Makes You Unique? My real red hair and my scar from falling out the car on the freeway when I was a baby.

If you could sleep with one celebrity, who would it be? This question is highly overrated and besides, I've already slept with him.

If you could have dinner with one dead person, who? My father.

If you could live anywhere in the world for a year, where and why? Prague the architecture is beautiful, theres such a vibrant artistic history, the environment inspiring and creative; the people for the most part are kind and genuine.

What's the best thing about your job? Getting to make ideas into reality and working with people that are fun, talented and deliciously difficult. There is always a challenge and a problem to figure out -- keeps me on my toes.

Who would you want to be in another life? I'm still trying to figure out who I want to be in this life.

Do you know anyone who's had sex for money? Bwahahahahahahaha. This is Hollywood, there's all forms of whoring going around.

While there are lots of interesting questions and answers, my favorite of the lot is question number five and her answer, "Getting to make ideas into reality. . . "

Another way of stating the sentiment is turning a vision into something real. It's taking the idea on the reel, (R-E-E-L) and making it real, (R-E-A-L).

That's where Paul's second letter to the Church at Corinth picks up. In the third person, Paul boasts about a vision that he had fourteen years prior to penning this letter. He emphatically describes the person as "a person in Christ" caught up to the third heaven. Twice Paul underscores "whether in the body or out of the body, I do not know; God knows - -

In this discussion on visions and revelations, Paul insists on not boasting about what he sees, but rather, he boasts only of his weaknesses. That position is so unlike most Christians in today's world. People from a variety of theological perspectives boast of their conversion experience to how many programs are operating in their local congregation. Ministers boast about the size of their churches, budgets, building projects, to the number of people "saved" in last year's evangelistic outreach programs. Boasting is part of Americana.

We boast about our units on Victory Base Camp. Perhaps our boasting is a bit subdued, but it is there in our unit mottoes, sayings and patches. As a member of the 261^st Signal Brigade, we conclude each staff meeting by standing, saluting and boldly stating, "Make it Happen." The 261^st is a "make it happen" unit. It is who we are!

Since I Corps arrived four months ago, whenever I passed a soldier from I Corps; he or she saluted me and then stated with confidence, "America's Corps Leads the Way." Boasting. . . we do it in churches and in the military.

Our boasting is a way taking a vision, what we see on the reel in our heads, and making it real in our lives, churches and in our military environment.

Paul saw a vision of heaven, but in that vision, he focused on two things: 1) He focused on a world that God knows, a world that is in the hands of God; and 2) He focused on boasting about his weaknesses. Hmmmmm, how does that fit with our "Hooah" viewpoint as soldiers? sailors? Airforce? Marines? Coast Guard?

Living here on Camp Victory has shaped our focus on life. Being 7000 miles away from family and friends, and finding ourselves in the midst of military community in a war zone, helps us focus on the fact that our lives are in God's hands. And here, while we may not boast about weaknesses, we certainly are learning about them.

Over the course of a deployment our emotions run the gamut of Dow Industrial Stock Chart. Up, down, flat, down some more, and then up again, captures the range our emotions. The deployment is truly a wandering in the wilderness and only when confronting our weaknesses do we become a bit stronger. Our introspective nature, and the time we have at night or during the day to read or think, if possible, allows us to look at the corners of our soul and discover what might be hiding there.

In the book, The Shack, by William P. Young, Jesus speaks to Mack, who is trying to come to peace with the death of his daughter. In a brief conversation, Mack says to Jesus, "Thank you for being with me, for talking to me about Missy. I haven't really talked about that with anyone. It just felt so huge and terrifying. It doesn't hold the same power now."

And Jesus responds, "The darkness hides the true size of fears and lies and regrets. The truth is they are more shadow than reality, so they seem bigger in the dark. When the light shines into the places they live inside you, you start to see them for what they are."

Paul was able to see boasting for what it was, when the real boasting, the real strength is found in acknowledging our weakness. There is power in sharing grace, because grace reaches out to the person who is wounded, and it reaches out from the person who relies not on his or her strength, but relies upon God's grace to make strong human relationships, the human spirit.

Paul does not boast about the vision or revelation, of what he sees, but he seeks to make his experience, Reel to Real. He wants people's evaluations of him to be only what can be observed of him and what can be heard from him.

Paul has seen the Paradise of God and he's seen the mysteries of the Creator. yet, Paul takes the Reel, i.e., the vision and dream and makes it real (R-E-A-L) in the sense of his apostolic experiences. The vision/reel of paradise is made real in the grace of Christ, that uses weakness as a pathway to strength.

The apostle talks about power being made perfect in weakness; boast of his weakness; being content with weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, I am strong, Paul writes! His approach to heaven, serving Christ, and boasting are rooted in a humble dependence upon God.

It reminds me of a bumper stick I saw in Santa Monica which read: My Goddess Can Beat Up Your God! There is at times within the household of Christian faith, an underlying belief if not outright actions that "I'm better than you!" "My understanding of the Bible is sharper than yours!" "Believing in Jesus gives me the right to boast and pontificate!"

Paul takes the reel that he envisions and places it into the real of life. Ironically, Paul's implementation of this vision is through one of weakness, a complete dependence upon Christ.

Quite honestly, the whole description of weakness is not an attractive one for us.

Dependent? After all, we just celebrated Independence Day! We are the champions of individual freedom, self-determination, self-actualization, and self!!!

Dependent? Humble? Hardship? Persecution? Calamities for the sake of Christ?

What are we willing to do for Christ's sake? Weakness is not an attractive attribute in this environment. People seem to capitalize on folks who make themselves vulnerable. I don't believe God is asking us as members of the Armed Forces to expose our weaknesses in the Army to the enemy. No, I believe we experience God's grace in our moments of hurt, humiliation, hardship, persecution and calamities. It's at the time that there is a crack in the settling cement of strength. And the lesson is that when we see weaknesses in others, it is then an opportunity to share such grace with others.

We see that here as people move through the cycles of deployment. People become weak and in those moments need grace, to strengthen them.

Paul says, whenever I am weak, I am strong!

Paul is keenly aware of the effect of weakness – after all he alludes to the thorn in his flesh that is not miraculously healed. We can safely say it impeded his effectiveness! He learns that divine strength can be at work in human weakness.

There is strength in weakness – and there is no room for this sense of conquering power that makes one better than other!

In the end, it's God who saves us and loves us. Nothing we can do, no matter our strength is able to accomplish so noble a task.

Whether the Apostle Paul or Kimberley Kates, we want to take a vision and make it real -- reel to real!

--
Ed Brandt
edbrandt59@gmail.com

http://brandtinbaghdad.blogspot.com/