Memorial Service Address

Marine Raider Reunion, 2010

Fort Worth Texas

It was 68 years ago this year that the Marine Raiders first entered combat against the forces of Imperial Japan.  The Raiders were present at the very beginning of the United States drive to defeat Japan, and even though they had been disbanded, Raiders were present at the last battle against the Japanese Army as well.

Remembering what the Marine Raiders did calls to mind the words of a Medal of Honor winner from a war that ended 77 years before the World War 2 – Joshua Lawrence Chamberlin, who led the defense of Little Round Top at Gettysburg, and who General Grant put in charge of the Confederate surrender after Appomattox.  Reflecting on the sacrifice of men in war, Chamberlin wrote this:

“In great deeds something abides. On great fields something stays. Forms change and pass; bodies disappear, but spirits linger, to consecrate ground for the vision-place of souls…”

“It is something great and greatening to cherish an ideal; to act in the light of the truth that is far-away and far above; to set aside the near advantage, the momentary pleasure. . . and to act for remoter ends, for higher good, and for interests other than our own…This is the great reward of service, to live, far out and on, in the life of others; this is the mystery of Christ, – to give life’s best for such high sake that it shall be found again unto life eternal.”

The Raider gave their all in every battle they fought. Both the well known like Makin, Bloody Ridge, Iwo Jima and Okinawa, and the less well known: Wickham Anchorage, Viru Harbor , Piva Trail, and Biaroko to name just a few.

In each of those battles Raiders gave of themselves selflessly, even extravagantly, not only to win the battle, but to protect and save their Raider brothers, exhibiting the best of the Gung Ho spirit.

The islands where you fought have at least one thing in common today – they are free. That freedom was paid for by those valiant Raiders who gave the last full measure of their devotion to duty that their brothers might win.

Jesus said, “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it” (Luke 9:24)  The gave all they had, every time they were called upon, so that generations yet unborn could live in peace and freedom.

Today, hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people, live in peace and freedom because of what you and your fallen comrades accomplished.  By surrendering your safety, comfort, health and even life itself, the Marine Raiders bestowed a blessing to uncounted millions of people in hundreds of generations that will come after you.

As a Raider Kid I can tell you that we stand in awe of your accomplishments, and are more grateful than you know for what you sacrificed to give birth to the freedom and prosperity we have been blessed to live in for our entire life times.

As the Raiders disappear into the mists of history, we want you to be sure of this:  you will not be forgotten, and we will do all we can to keep your legacy, your history, your memory, alive and well. Not just for our generations, but for generations to come.

This is our solemn pledge to you, as you approach that final passage to your eternal reward.  Generations yet unborn will rise up and call you blessed, because of all that you gave to them.

May God bless the United States Marine Raiders, and God bless America.

It’s that time of year again, and I’m off to the annual USMC Raider Reunion. As you may know, my late father was a Marine Raider in WW2. You can read about the Raiders on Dad’s website here if you like.

I might post a few things while I’m gone, but generally will be taking a blogging break for a week or so. Once back from Texas and the reunion, I’ll be working on my parents house, where one of my sisters now lives, for a few days.

There’s lots of old posts here to read – over 5 years worth! Search, read and enjoy!

[I posted this on August 27th, 2007, and I wanted to repeat it because I see this even more clearly now than I did then. ]

Something happened to me late last week that got me thinking. Yes, I know that’s always a dangerous thing - me thinking – but sometimes I do it anyway!

I realized how something someone said to me had changed me, in some unexpected ways. It wasn’t a huge truth or “new revelation,” just a discussion we had about some aspects of my eating habits and how that related to my spiritual life.

As I thought about this I visualized it as ripples in a pond. As pebbles are dropped into the pond little waves ripple out in an expanding circle. Sometimes the impact is so small the ripple dies out quickly, other times it’s strong enough to reach even the furthest part of the pond.

That’s a nice pictures how the influence of others effects and even changes our lives. Something seemingly small and insignificant can touch parts of me in a way I would have never imagined.

Now combine that with many different pebbles dropping into the pond, and you get an idea of how we are all effected for better or worse by what goes on around us, what we see, hear, read, feel, etc. all rippling across our souls.

And then of course there’s the Divine influence of God’s Spirit and Word, and His guiding others influence upon us as well.

It presents an amazing picture of thousands of things washing across my soul, all touching me in ways that I might not even be aware of, but that are real sure enough.

I hope today I can catch just one or maybe even two of those ripples, and let them carry me on a little further towards that far shore of being like Christ.

I pray the same for all of you.

[I first posted this on Dec. 12th, 2006, it's really old, but good I hope!  Enjoy!]

My answer to this question is a big yes!

To say a little more about this, I’m presenting Day 31 of the devotional I wrote for 40 Days In the Spirit, a Spiritual Growth campaign I put together about 4 years ago now. I used the W.O.R.D. approach to these devotionals (Wonder, Observe, Reflect, Do).
I’m doing this now because so many people I know are in testing times, and we need to be reminded that through all of this God is with us and won’t let us go, no matter how dark the days may be.

As always, my thanks to my friend Maggie, who was credited as my editor on the two devotionals I wrote for this campaign, and who in fact was more like a co-author.

Let me know what you think.

Day 31: “ The Spirit Guides Us Into Testing

Wonder: Do you think the Holy Spirit would ever guide you into a place of difficulty or testing? Or does He only lead us into places of joy and peace? If He did lead us into a place of testing what would be the reason for doing such a thing? Do you find the idea of being led into testing unsettling?

Observe: If you find this idea of the Spirit testing you unsettling, “good! It ought to unsettle us! And it ought to remind us that the Christian life is a serious undertaking with a high and holy purpose far beyond the issues that consume most of our lives.

You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:5) Our entrance into this priesthood is a free gift given to us when we receive Christ. Like having our sins forgiven or receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit, our priesthood is part of our salvation.

Carrying out that priesthood is another thing all together. If we are going to be spiritually fit enough to minister, lead people to Christ, share our lives with others and worship God in spirit and in truth, we’ll have to be stretched beyond our normal limits. Before Jesus entered His earthly ministry even He was subjected to testing. Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. (Matthew 4:1)

Yes, the Son of God, the Savior of the world, was led into testing by the Holy Spirit. Why? The book of Hebrews gives us a hint. [Jesus] was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him (Hebrews 5:8-9) You are probably asking, “What on earth would Jesus have to learn?

Good question that we cannot fully answer. However we do know that part of the reason Christ became a man was to fully experience humanity. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet was without sin. (Hebrews 4:15)

While we cannot say exactly what Jesus had to learn, we all have a pretty good idea what we need to learn, and the areas where we need to grow in! In the book of Acts the Spirit gave Peter a vision in order to free him from his prejudice against Gentiles. While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.” (Acts 10:19-20)

Peter passed this test, by going and preaching to the gentiles. Even at that, the Holy Spirit had to fall on Cornelius’s household before Peter could really believe it. (Acts 10-11) Following the Spirit down those uncertain roads we discussed means we will each face test after test as God challenges us to grow! If you want to loaf around, then running with the Spirit is not for you.

Look how Paul speaks of being tested. Greet Apollos, tested and approved in Christ. (Romans 16:10) The reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. (2 Cor. 2:9) The big question for each of us is this: How I am doing? Am I passing this test and becoming a Spirit filled, mature believer?

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you–unless, of course, you fail the test? And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong. Not that people will see that we have stood the test but that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. (2 Cor. 13:5-7)

So take the test, don’t be afraid when tough times arise in your life, or when difficulties appear. Whatever the cause, these things can be used by the Spirit to test, stretch, challenge and improve your Christian life. But only if you take the challenge!

Reflect: Here are a few questions to reflect on. Be sure to add some of your own!

Does being led into testing bother you? Are you worried about not passing the test?

Where in your life do you see a test either happening or perhaps about to develop?

DO: My response to this Biblical truth.

An utterly fearless man is a far more dangerous comrade than a coward. – Herman Melville (Moby Dick)

Melville was certainly right when he wrote that one. Have you ever been around someone who loves to take chances,and seems to have little or no fear of suffering the consequences? I have, and I can tell you he was one dangerous friend to have!  Unfortunately the consequences seemed to fall on me and others who accompanied him on his little jaunts rather than himself.

Does that sound strange?  I’ve seen it happen quite a bit actually.  In college I knew someone who like to sneak out of the dorm after curfew (yes, we had one of those in Bible college), and never seemed to get caught.  When a friend of her’s tried it one night guess what happened?  You’ve got it – she was nailed!  That was first time she had broken one of the rules, and if memory serves it was also the last!

These kind of results are often used by people as good reasons to play it safe.  After all we don’t want to get in trouble, and sure as the world if I tried it I would, so I’m playing it safe!

All well and good as far as it goes, but there is a problem here.

The problem is that playing it safe means that I find and define what my comfort zone is, and then try really  hard to stay there.  Wouldn’t want to risk stepping out of it because you never know what might happen!  So I’ll be a good little boy or girl and just play it safe.

So what’s the problem here?  Just this:  You can’t always play it safe and live by faith at the same time! If that upsets you apple cart sorry about that!  Believe me I wish it wasn’t true.  But it is, and I know it is, and I can’t lie about it now can I?

Well okay, I could, but that wouldn’t exactly be a step of Christ pleasing faith either!!

So you are, like me, stuck with the truth.  God is calling all of us to quit playing it so safe, to stop playing church and starting living by faith.  To get out there, rock the boat, shake things up, and make a real difference in this world for the Kingdom of God!

Easy to say, hard to do.  But there’s no better day than today to give it a try!

My small group met last night, and as usual I really enjoyed it.  There’s a lot of things that being a committed, long term member of a small group will do for you.  But today I just want to mention one of them. I could talk about a lot of different things, but this is what’s sticking in my mind at the moment.

I just love talking about the Bible, and kicking around ideas and insights with people!

Of course you can do this without being a long term committed member of a group.  ‘I’ve had those kind of discussions with people I didn’t even know or had just met.  I confess I love it!  It’s great to get a new insight into a passage that you hadn’t thought of before, or to be reminded of something you hadn’t thought about for a while.  I also love it when someone comes up with an application of a truth that’s either new or partly new to me.

Another thing I love about talking about the Bible with people is how new ideas just seem to pop into my head while I’m talking!  Occasionally I’ve actually heard myself say things that I didn’t even know I knew! Yeah – it sounds weird and doesn’t happen very often at all, but it has happened to me!

So what does this have to do with a small group?  Well I contend that the things I’ve talked about above are greatly enhanced when you do them with a group of people who you know and are open and honest with. It’s adds a depth and reality that you can’t find anywhere else.

To my mind, this is part of real fellowship that so many American Christians are missing! When you try to unplug the Bible from a committed group of believers, you lose a lot.  The American church has largely lost this – and I hope that here at KCC we can begin to rediscover this reality as we continue to urge everyone to get into a small group!

After all if you love the Bible, you have to love God’s people, since that’s what the Bible commands!  So if you aren’t in a small group – get off your butt and into a group – now!!

I was reading in Isaiah yesterday as part of our Read Through the Bible in 9 Months Challenge, and came across a verse that I’ve read many times, yet never really noticed something important in it.

I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, Isaiah 45:5 (NIV)

It was that last phrase, “though you have not acknowledged me,” that just jumped off the page (or in this case, the smart phone since I was using YouVersion as usual for my reading) at me. I know about Cyrus of course, and the great part that he unknowingly played in the redemptive history of Israel. And I’m also well aware that he was not a believer.

But somehow I had never given much thought to how God chose to use an unbeliever to accomplish his will.

I can’t really tell you why I hadn’t thought of that, I just hadn’t.  But I am now!  It’s just another historical example of how powerful, wise and wonderful our God really is.  He picked this man out, blessed him, strengthened him, guided him and used him to return Israel to their homeland, all without Cyrus really knowing he was doing it.

Obviously this makes me wonder about who else God has done this with in history.  How many rulers and others has God helped, so that they could help prepare the way for his will being done, without them knowing it?  It makes me wonder about some self proclaimed enemies of the Christian Faith.  How many of them has God used to wake up his church, or to do other things?

And what about today? Who’s he using right now?

We’ll never know in this life most likely.  But I suspect when it’s all said and done, and we stand before God and see the wisdom with which he has implemented his entire plan in the world, there will be gasps of wonder, and more than a few laughs too.

Would Cyrus have wanted to be used by God?  Who knows?  I only know that he was, and that God will accomplish his will in his way, and that no one, and no thing, can even slow it down, much less keep it from happening.

Now that’s a wonderful concept to think about!

[I spent a long day in PHX helping out one of my sisters, so here's a blast from the past!]

I’m in one of those situations very familiar to most bloggers, it’s getting late and I’ve got nothing to post in the morning!

What’s a blogger to do?

Well in my case it’s steal from the small group Bible Study I just came from, that’s what!

We were talking about encouragement tonight, and towards the end of the study several people mentioned listening to others as a great way to encourage them.

I couldn’t agree more, and talked about how I’ve worked hard through the years to learn how to listen. It really is an art that takes time and discipline to develop. Did you know there’s an International Listening Association? I didn’t until about 3 minutes ago! God bless Google!

So let me share just a few things I’ve learned about listening and try to remember and practice in my life.

• Real listening is a lot more than just not speaking. I’m afraid most people think they are listening when they are quiet and someone else is talking. But not necessarily! I have to be focused on what the other person is saying.
• Listening is focusing on more than what is being said, but how it’s said, the body language of the speaker, etc. Tone of voice, facial expression (or the lack of it), hand movements, eyes, and more must be focused on and studied by the listener.
• Listening flows best out of a genuine concern for the person speaking. If I don’t like you, am distracted or just don’t care about what your talking about – I’ll do a bad job listening.
• Asking probing questions is vital to listening. Knowing when and how to ask the right question, and then focusing carefully on the answer, are absolutely vital to a listener. If I don’t know how to do that, I don’t know how to listen.
• A good listener knows when it’s time to speak. As in most other things in life, timing is critical to listening! When to ask that question, when to say, “What a minute!” When to say, “Let’s pray.” All these and more are vital and must be time right.

These are just few of the guidelines I try and follow when I’m listening. How about you? Got any good one’s I’ve missed here? Let me know!

I got into Matthew chapter 6 yesterday, and taught the principle that Jesus lays out there for all public displays of our faith.

Here’s the message in a nutshell: It’s all about motives, are we doing this to impress others, or to please Jesus?

During the message I talked about how we have to be careful in our public ministries.  It’s not that we shouldn’t pray publicly for example – just that we make sure that we’re doing so for the right reasons, and that we are really praying, not just trying to sound good!

But I think we had the most fun when I talked about fasting.  Because I took some time to point out to everyone that fasting can’t be limited to just food.  There are many different kinds of fasts in the Bible, and when you think fasting in a larger context, you can actually fast from a lot of things.

I talked about fasting from TV, or YouTube, or Twitter, etc.  But do you know which two things got the biggest response from people? Well number two was fasting from texting!  Not much response in first service, but in second, where most of younger people were, you could hear the groan go up when I said it!

And the biggest response, which again got audible groans and laughs in the service was this:

FASTING FROM FACEBOOK!

Oh yeah, that got their attention!  And believe me when I say there’s a lot of Disciples out there who need to do just that – and get their FaceBook usage under control!

So, think about it, and ask God to help you get a little more balanced in your spiritual life this week.

You’ve probably heard the question that goes something like this:  If you knew you couldn’t fail, what would you attempt to do?

There are “Christian” versions of this of course.  If you knew you couldn’t fail, what would you do for God?

I have long considered that to be a killer question, because it challenges you to really think through what you really want to do, as opposed to what you think you can do, or what you think others want you to do.

That’s all true of course, but it still begs a question doesn’t it?

I don’t know that I can’t fail!

Yes, I’m aware of all the bromides about living by faith, God being with me, etc.  All true, but all beside the point.  People in the Bible did fail you know, or at least they failed to do what they were trying to do.

The truth is that I don’t know I won’t fail, because I can’t be 100% positive that what I want to do is what God wants me to do.  I can be 100% convinced of it sure.  But my level of conviction or belief doesn’t mean that God is necessarily agreeing with me!

And even if I did know, it’s still misleading.  Because being a disciple of Jesus is all about NOT KNOWING but living by faith!

The real question is What do I believe God wants me to do and why am I not obeying Him?

The heck with success or failure.  Those are human concepts and human value judgments.  Only God knows how many “failures” were vital successes in building His Kingdom!

So darn the knowledge and darn success and darn failure – and full speed ahead!  Let’s live by faith in the Son of God, and let God sort it all out in the end! (Which He’s going to do anyway right?)