Category Archives: Uncategorized

In the forests of northern Europe and Asia lives little animal called the ermine, known for his snow-white fur in winter. He instinctively protects his white coat against anything that would soil it. Fur hunters take advantage of this unusual trait of the ermine. They don’t set a snare to catch him, but instead theyContinue reading “Protecting Purity”

This week as I prepared for worship and wrote the sermon for the week I began to reflect upon the months of deployment and the tasks remaining for our reunion with family and friends.  This deployment is certainly different from any other I have experienced largely because of the restrictions and uncertainty due to theContinue reading “Viral Challenge”

Over the past weeks as I made the short walk to the DFAC here in Erbil, I noticed the flowers in bloom and the birds belting out the songs of spring reminding the world that Spring has sprung.  Soon chicks will hatch and fawns will be born and the circle of life unfolds before ourContinue reading “The Little Things”

This Friday, April 24, marks the 40th anniversary of Operation Eagle Claw.  Operation Eagle Claw was the failed joint military operation ordered by President Jimmy Carter in an effort to rescue hostages held captive in Iran.  This tragic mission cost the lives of 3 Marines and 5 Airmen and brought scrutiny to both the UnitedContinue reading “History and Hope”

Did you know that April 15 is Anime Day?  Good, neither did I.  Here is what I learned though.  Anime Day is all about celebrating the history of anime and bringing people together to enjoy their favorite anime shows and characters. The holiday has its own convention and is celebrated at conventions across the UnitedContinue reading “The Masks We Wear”

As I prepared my sermon for Sunday I came across and old sermon from my days as a youth minister; some of these old sermons are quite comical (and not intentionally so).  I did come across the following story, which I am sure I stole from someone else.   A Sunday School teacher asked her classContinue reading “Punxsutawney Phil meet Jesus”

The Emperor Penguin is the largest of all penguins and is a magnificent bird; these animals are interesting that two full length feature documentaries were made about them.  The first of the documentaries, March of the Penguins, introduced the world to these majestic dwellers of Antarctica.  Here are some intriguing facts I learned from watchingContinue reading “Palms & Penguins”

If there is one word that describes our world over the past month, it would be chaos.  Cities are in lockdown.  Churches no longer gather physically but virtually.  Public school has become homeschool.  March Madness (as well as all other sports) is cancelled.  Your Facebook friends are now medical experts.  And the true sign thatContinue reading “The Cure for Chaos”

From generation to generation there are history changing moments that have forever altered our nations course…moments we often ask, “Where were you when…?” For my grandparents it was Pearl Harbor, for my parents it was has man’s first steps on the moon, for my generation it was the terrorist’s attacks of 9/11. We might nowContinue reading “Fear and Quarantine”