Webster’s Dictionary defines religion as “the service and worship of God or the supernatural and/or commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance.”  In the modern sense, religion is anything one does repetitively.  For example, one might say, “I go fishing religiously.”  This statement does not imply the worship of fishing (although it may) but simply implies an action that is frequently repeated.  
Is your faith ruled by religion and absent of true worship and an intimate relationship with God? Today is Ash Wednesday and marks the beginning of the 40 days of Lent.  The Christian Season of Lent challenges us to self-examination and repentance; BLUF: Lent challenges us to change.  What needs to change?  God reprimanded the people of Israel through the Prophet Isaiah, “Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense are detestable to Me…they have become a burden to Me; I am weary of them.”  God is telling the nation of Israel he is tired of their “religion, religion, religion;”  what he desires is true faith and repentance.  Could the same be said for todays Church? Could God be speaking this message to you? The Christian season of Lent is, in may ways, a time to break the chains of religion.  The Book of Common Prayer summarizes the Season of Lent:

The early Christians observed with great devotion
the days of our Lord’s passion and resurrection,
and it became the custom of the Church that before the Easter celebration
there should be a forty–day season of spiritual preparation.

During this season converts to the faith were prepared for Holy Baptism.
It was also a time when persons who had committed serious sins
and had separated themselves from the community of faith
were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness,
and restored to participation in the life of the Church.

In this way the whole congregation was reminded
of the mercy and forgiveness proclaimed in the gospel of Jesus Christ
and the need we all have to renew our faith.

I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church,
to observe a holy Lent:
by self–examination and repentance;
by prayer, fasting, and self–denial;
and by reading and meditating on God’s Holy Word.
Einstein is credited for saying, “the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.”  My prayer is that over the next 40 days you are able to stop the insanity of religion and renew your reliance on God.  “Restore the joy of your salvation” by rediscovering your personal relationship with God through worship, fasting, prayer, and scriptural meditation.

My name is Andy Jenks and I am the Battalion Chaplain for 2nd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne). I am blessed to be the husband of beautiful and talented woman named Jennifer. Jennifer and I met while I was pursuing my undergraduate degree at North Carolina State University. In God’s providence, she was the beautiful Godly redhead I prayed so long for. We have experienced both the mountain top and valley along the way but by God’s grace, Jennifer and I are approaching our 20th Wedding Anniversary. We are blessed with two smart and talented daughters, Ashton & Anna Kate. In my spare time I enjoy hunting, fishing, reading, and historic walking tours.

I grew up in Apex, North Carolina and graduated from Apex High School. My undergraduate degree is from North Carolina State University in Forest Management; Go Pack! I completed my Masters of Divinity w/Biblical Languages from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in December of 2005. I served as the Youth and Education Minister at First Baptist Church of Santo, TX from 2001-2005 and then as the Youth and College Pastor at University Hills Baptist Church from 2006-2010. In June of 2010, Jennifer and I packed up the family and started our Army adventure at Fort Jackson, South Carolina where I completed the Chaplain Officer Basic Course.

My first assignment as an Army Chaplain was with the 4th Squadron, 9th U.S. Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division in Fort Hood, TX. In May of 2011, I deployed with 4-9 CAV to Diyala, Iraq, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. From May 2013-June 2015 , I was assigned to the Military District of Washington as a Cemetery Chaplain at Arlington National Cemetery. From June 2015-June 2018, I was assigned to the 1st Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd ABCT in Vicenza, Italy. After a short stop at Fort Jackson in 2018 for the Chaplain’s Captain Career Course, I was assigned to 2/5 SFG (A) in January 2019.

My life verse is Psalm 37:23-24 which reads, “The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.” This verse reminds me that God never promises me that I will not stumble, but he does promise that I will not fall because HIS hand holds me up.

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.” 

Ronald Reagan delivered these iconic words in a speech on October 27, 1964 long before he became 40^th President of the United States.  In 1964 our nation was facing communism, foreign adversaries, and was divided domestically on social issues.  Reagan’s prophetic words remain true as more than five decades later, bad people continue to do bad things, and we the Legion continue to protect and secure freedom near and far.

Just as the protection and security of freedom is not passive, our walk of faith cannot be passive.  Paul encourages the church at Ephesus to “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God.”  Notice that faith requires action; Paul says we must put on the armor of God so that we are prepared for the battle.  Just thinking or wanting to grow spiritually is not enough, we must take action.  Read the scriptures, pray, meditate, be still before your God; do what you must but be active in growing your faith and strengthening your relationship with God.  There is no better day to begin than today!

PRO DEO ET PATRIA. 

Blessings,

Chap

The year is 270 A.D. Emperor Claudius the Cruel has Rome at war on many different fronts. He needs men to fight his battles but the men of Rome are too attached to their wives and families to fight the emperor’s war. Claudius solves that problem by banning marriages and engagements in Rome.

Valentine, a local priest in the city of Rome, saw the injustice of the decree and continued to perform marriages in secret. It did not take long for Valentine’s actions to be discovered. He was arrested and quickly sentenced to be beaten and decapitated. Legend has it that while imprisoned and awaiting his sentence to be carried out he befriended the jailer’s daughter; on the day of his execution, February 14, 270, he left the girl a note and signed it “From Your Valentine.” In this act, the world had its first Valentine. Nearly two millennia later, we still send Valentine’s to the one’s we love.

The account of Saint Valentine is just one example mankind’s infatuation with the mystery of Love. Love is subject of songs, books, and poetry; without love we would not have The Hallmark Channel. But if you were asked to define love what would you say? My experience says that for most people love is hard to define but we know it when we see it.

The Apostle Paul provides the most comprehensive definition of love I have read in 1 Corinthians 13 stating, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”

I pray that your life, your home, your Valentines are filled with this kind of unfailing love.

Sunday 02 February 2020 was Four Chaplains Sunday and today 03 February 2020 marks the 77th Anniversary of the sinking of the SS Dorchester in the icy waters of the North Atlantic. The designation of the first Sunday in February as Four Chaplains Sunday comes from the eyewitness accounts of the bravery and selfless sacrifice of four chaplains on board the doomed vessel.

The SS Dorchester was carrying 902 servicemen and other travelers across the Atlantic to the battlefields of World War II when it was struck by a German torpedo. The Dorchester slowly descended into the frigid waters and there was chaos on the ship as the passengers tried to get to lifeboats.

On board the boat that day were four Army Chaplains; Lt. George L. Fox, a Methodist minister; Lt. Alexander D. Goode, a Jewish Rabbi; Lt. John P. Washington, a Roman Catholic Priest; and Lt. Clark V. Poling, a Dutch Reformed minister. These men provided calm in the chaos. They sacrificially gave their life-vests and their places in the lifeboats in favor of the men God called them to serve.

As the boat sank eyewitness reports said that they linked arms on the ship’s deck, singing hymns and prayers as the ship sank into the sea. One scholar stated, “ “The chaplains remained on the Dorchester not due to panic or fear, but rather because they made the conscious decision to do so, attempting to calm, inspire, and assist others—even though by doing so they were knowingly sealing their fates…Their courage has been equaled by few, exceeded by none.”

Throughout the Bible, the people of God are encouraged to “be strong and courageous” as they faced uncertainty, trial, and even death. From Moses to King David to the 12 Disciples and to us today, the message is “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” I can only imagine what their prayers included that day but I believe they were living out what they had read and preached so many times, “be strong and courageous…for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave and forsake you.”

We are just at the beginning of our trip. There will most certainly be challenges in each of our lives; children will be sick your spouse is left alone to take care of them; the car will breakdown and you will not be there to fix it; ISIS will continue to bad things to good people. As we face this adversity, we have the same promise from God, “be strong and courageous…for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave and forsake you.”

Innovating an Old Profession

Why not? Lawyers use the internet to connect, keep up-to-date on the newest laws, and do admin work. Doctors use technology to better advance knowledge, administer to patients, and train other personnel. And Soldiers MUST use the latest in technology, techinques, and training to maintain the advantage over the enemy. So why not the Clergyman? Now I (Jeff) will say not say that apps and phones can replace a one-on-one conversations on emotionally deep things or life altering events such as a death of a loved one. However utilizing technology appropriately can help us send inspiration, connect with others for help, and gives us another methond as a UMT to be contacted.

Of course these are my thoughts. What are yours? Let me know in the comments.