Until Lambs Become Lions

This post is best read to the first two minutes of:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sLZCkpHgbs&feature=related

"As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be in the days of the Son of man, They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all (Luke 17:26-27)."

As it was in the days of Noah, So shall it be in the days of the Son of man...

Many in the Christian community believe we are living in the last days.

Many Christians through the ages have believed this same thing.

What makes our day, and our time an hour that whispers of Urgency?

I do not know if we live in the last days, but surely the world of men grows dark.

I cannot help but think of candlelight and castles; horses and vastly green battlefields.

A time in history where life was slower, more fragile, yet, perhaps more richly lived.

I am coming to believe that television, sports, music, the internet, all seem to shift our focus away from Christ. The world, the enemy and the cares of life rarely allow the opportunity to

focus on the rich reality of the Word of God. These truths are eternal. They are foundational. They are like hearing the old stories from ancient times that set us free with wonder and excitement to live a life half as rich as the story we are reading or being told.

In this hour of my life. The Lord is pressing upon my heart two things that rise above the rest.

Discipline and Faithfulness.

Discipline in all areas of life, down to the smallest detail. While I am fully human and error in many of these attempts of discipline, its call burns deeply within me.

Faithfulness is the second calling that I hear in this hour. It calls to abandon a life of my own making, security and desires. One that is abandoned to the loving and trustworthy destiny that Christ alone can lead me on. This faithfulness calls from the deep. To be true to the Word of Christ, the ancient stories of the Word, long forgotten and rarely found in this day.

Faithfulness to Biblical Preaching. This art is so lost among ministers and preachers it is shocking. I do not need to go into great detail as to the heretical preaching of "relevance" and "feel good" sermons alone. Conviction of sin, brought about by Christian preaching is as lost today as it was in the Old Testament days of Noah. Bigotry, hatred, false-shame, and intolerance are the response of the masses to its clarion call.

Oh, that the lambs of Christ would become Lions once again. That love would not be self-seeking, but Christ pleasing. That love would once again care more for the unseen eternity of a person, than to allow a fleshly temporal rebellion which leads only to Death.

Christ have mercy on frail, weak humanity.

Give us more of your Holy Spirit that we may love the hurting, the downtrodden, the lonely and those lost in shame.

Make us your hands and feet

Give us a voice that speaks forth the truth, even at great peril and risk.

Make us to rise, and rise again until lambs become lions....

Inner Longings

It has been a while since I have posted.

Since that time, I must say, God has humbled me, encouraged me, built me up and challenged me in ways I never thought possible. My son, Aiden Isaac was born a few days ago and already I am beginning to see God's love for me in new and fresh ways.

One thing I realize is that God really does want people who's life is spent in adoration, love and service of Him. This might seem odd saying such a thing as a Chaplain, and a minister, but I see more and more that the spirit filled experiences of my college days are creating a longing for a life that is lived out like that in my current days. Its not enough to live in the memories of the past. God is present, and active, and longing to act in our day and time. In the here and now of our lives.

My son was born on Sept 20th. So, this evening, as I was finding myself longing for the presence of the Lord in a fresh way, I found myself turning to Sept 20th in Tozer's 366 Day Devotional on the Holy Spirit. This is what he had to say expounding upon James 1:27:

"The essence of true religion is spontaneity, the sovereign movings of the Holy Spirit upon and in the free Spirit of redeemed men. This has through the years been the hallmark of spiritual excellency, the evidence of reality in a world of unreality"

I must honestly say I have struggled to find the "balance" of a spirit-filled life in the Army while carrying out my military duties. My hope now is that I can run after the Lord, and as he continues to fill my heart and life to overflowing, that his presence will pour out of me and affect those I work with and minister to in positive and hopefully, life changing ways.

I believe that too often we don't expect God to move, except possibly in deployed environments in our military culture. My hearts cry is that we would begin to start to believe that God can and will meet Soldiers in our units, in the "here and now" of our time. That we would begin to pray for God's outpouring in Soldiers lives that are real and tangible. The issues Soldiers and their Families face are often only solved, I believe, by the presence of God in a person's life. As a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I can unashamedly proclaim this GOOD NEWS!

As an officer in the Army, I must of course never force this on anyone, nor would I, just as Jesus never forced his message on anyone. However, I still believe Christ is the answer, and that in our day of continuing, ongoing war, Families need healing like never before. My prayer is that many would come to know Christ in a new and profound way! That we would see an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon Soldiers and Families, in our homes and units.

This is my prayer, and I think this ministerial responsibility falls with Chaplains first and foremost. I pray we lead the way in this endeavour, in our personal time before the Lord, that Christ would indeed meet and encounter Soldiers and their Families in life changing ways.

Blazing People

"GOD IS LOOKING FOR VESSELS TO MANIFEST HIS SON IN...."

1 John says, walk as Jesus walked....

Revelation states "The Spirit and the Bride Say Come"

We are in a time in which the Holy Spirit desperately needs to emblazen the hearts of the true Church of Jesus Christ.

We are without a doubt in a crisis hour in the earth. The Knowledge of the Holy is lost amongst men. The Holiness and Fear of Christ is lost even amongst the churches of the earth. The Fire of the Holy Spirit being poured out is indeed a rare and mysterious event in the Northern Hemisphere.

A Spirit of rebelliousness, idolatry, and an AntiChrist Spirit truly is thriving in the earth.

This can be seen through the cultural destruction of the American people. Soldiers are simply a mirror image of American culture at large. It is true that our Soldiers worship at the thrones of immoral fornication, alcoholism, substance abuse and the worship of self. Many suffer from strife, and are tormented on a daily basis in their home lives for many choices of ill report that they choose to make, some of them suffer and only mirror what they lived through or were taught from living amongst broken families, coming from broken lives.

This brokenness in the Army Soldier is simply a mirror of the brokenness of our American culture. We are a people, both Soldier and Civilian who are left sleeping. This can been seen both in the focus and attendance of the American Church and the Soldier's Chapel.

Two Great Questions are being asked in this hour:

1) How do we respond when we are asked by Christ, as He asked his disciples "Who Do You Say That I Am?" This is not a flighty question but a questions that bears the answer of the eternal markings left upon our inner man. This question, when answered in the stillness of a contemplative heart, might reveal our true stance before Christ

2) Will We Be Offended By The Righteous Judgement of Christ? On that day, when Christ returns, will we have the fortification in our spirit that stands in agreement with an all Righteous, Loving, and Holy God? Or will we shout to the Mountains to hide us from the overwhelming nature of his coming wrath? Will we be offended and shout at God, "HOW DARE YOU?" or will we stand in agreement with Christ, not with words, but with the inward stance of our spirit towards God?

These two questions, when asked in an honest manner will reveal our true nature before Christ.

May our answers not be found wanting when Christ himself asks us, and his return prompts an overwhelming response from us...

Joel 2 says: "I Will Pour Out My Spirit On All Flesh And Your Sons and Daughters will Prophecy"

May It Be So Lord Jesus!

The Spirit and the Bride Say "Come!"

JESUS!!! Have Mercy On America!!!! Have Mercy On The American Soldier!!!!!

I Leave You With This Lengthy, but Powerful Quote:

" We need the Word of the Lord in this hour. We need God to show up on our city, we don't need a little more in our ministrires, we don't need a little bit more in our churches, we don't need a little bit more in our help groups, we don't need just a little bit more, we need something from another age. We need the spirit of God to come and give life to the Word of God. God is going to entrust His gospel to a generation. Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 2, I thank God that I have been approved to be entrusted with the Gospel, A laborer entrusted with the gospel, I believe, it is my own conviction that we have treated the entrusting of the Word of God as a light thing. In Matthew 9, Jesus says, pray that the Lord will raise up laborers to send into the harvest, to send out laborers. I don't believe a laborer is someone who signs up for a trip. A laborer is someone who has wrestled in the secret place and who has been entrusted with something from Heaven, in the wilderness of time, in the wilderness the Lord is going to entrust a generation in the place of prayer, the place of fasting, the place of simplicity, God is going to entrust the Gospel." God is going to do it, but we need a rude awakening. There are multitudes of transformed communities all over the world and not one of them is in North America. Not one of them is in a society where we have more schools, more seminaries, more churches on every corner, more ministries in every city, more outreaches, more food pantries, more of this and more of that. What is this saying if we aren't seeing transformed communities? What is this saying if crack addicts aren't being delivered, what is this saying if prostitutes aren't being delivered? What is this saying if a sick person can't get healed? What is this saying?? It is saying that the Word of the Lord is absent. I'm afraid that just as the man came to the disciples and they couldn't heal him, society is bringing their worst to the church and the church can't cure them. The church has a nice little word and a nice little help group but its not delivering the problem, the problems are just getting worse, we try to close our eyes, and act like its not going on. We try to act like society all around us and the bankruptcy of the church isn't real. And I'm telling you I believe Jesus is saying, Church open your eyes and look, come to terms with our bankruptcy. That's the buying of gold in Revelation 3, Jesus didn't condemn them for being naked, He said, see that your naked, see that your poor, see that your wretched, so that you can buy gold. If we begin to understand where we are at, We don't have this kind of power, this kind of love that will set a generation free. Where do we go then? It's the place that Jesus always set up, it's Luke 24:49. Behold I'm sending the promise, all that I ask is that you tarry in the city until you have recieved power from on high. In Acts 1, he said you shall be witnesses to me all throughout the earth....." Corey Russell-- International House of Prayer, Kansas City, Mo.

Tick Tock On The Clock

Tonight I find myself rediscovering the ideals of words like intentionality and discipline.

These are often lacking in my life. I find that I am often moved more by emotion or sentiment than substance. I am praying that as I partake in Lent this year that God will shift some priorities in my life.

Let's be honest, I have all too often sold out who I am, deep in my inner man, for the comforts of self. These comforts, sadly, include food, and forms of entertainment that rob me of my time with Jesus. Often I am lost between running after God and neglecting my physical man, or running after physical fitness and neglecting my spiritual man. I struggle to put both together, and I believe this is because my motivations and desires for one or the other aren't grounded in Christ.

I have found that I am wasting my life in everyway, and this of course is not in the David Crowder, Worship Music, Waste Your Life before God type of way.

I long to be a man of discipline, and a man of great character. My flesh often gets in the way.

I suppose I reflect on this the most when I think about my job. I LOVE my job. I enjoy every aspect of it, even the challenges of planning and accounting which I generally dislike. Counseling and Ministry are the highpoints of my job and I simply cannot get enough of PT.

I know deep down inside of me is a man that is strong, determined and rooted in Christ.

For some reason, my heart won't let me be satisfied with not attempting to train and push myself to my max potential physically. I am often shocked when I ask fellow soldiers and offices if they want to go to Ranger School or prepare themselves for special forces work. I just can't believe the answers I hear when I ask that question. I suppose I ask it, because if I was in shape enough to go, there is nothing on earth that would hold me back from going. I believe, after talking with soldiers that have a strong distaste for this type of thing, that this is a passion that God has placed in my heart.... the only trick is being focused enough on a daily basis to accomplish my physical goals so I can go. I lost 80lbs just to get in the Army, but in the end that isn't good enough for me. There is so much more that I could be and I am my own worst enemy in this regard. I think I would go through the gas chamber a hundred times over to be able to pin the tab on, but then again, the great question of "WHY" comes up...

My identity has to be locked into Christ. I believe however I can be locked into Christ and still push myself to be in a position to minister to "the best of the best" by going through SFQC or RANGER school.

Obviously more factors go into this personal goal than just my own ambitions. My wife and baby on the way are a priority and I cannot take this road without their support, but I KNOW Soldiers of this caliber are in desperate need of a Savior, precisely because they can do so much on their own, they are not used to relying on GOD.

Having said all this, I am tremendously proud to be in the Unit I am serving in and I thank the LORD JESUS CHRIST that I have such great leadership to work for, and great Soldiers to serve. The best part of my day is talking to Soldiers. I love this! I can't imagine doing anything else, but the more I serve in Garrison, the more I realize my heart is out in the field, not stuck behind a desk or in the COF.

Well, enough talk for this entry. Our Unit heads out to the snowy fields of the Colorado Rocky Mountains for 3 weeks of training. I am pumped to be able to minister to Soldiers and have an opportunity to preach.

Time to get to bed, and pack for my up and coming time in the field.

Till Next Time, Keep JESUS the MAIN THING and enjoy the WARMTH that so many Soldiers give up everyday so they can defend our nation and her citizens freedom!!

Thanks for Reading...

Ft. Carson 4th ID, 1BCT, 4BSB

Finished up CHBOLC on December 11th, 2009. I am blessed to have five very gifted Chaplains from my course join me in ministry here at Ft. Carson. Four of these guys are in the same BCT as I am. This means we all get to interact with each other on a very consistent basis. This is a huge blessing and I'm sure our relationships will come into play downrange at some point.

After three days of endless inprocessing, which included a ridiculous amount of building hopping I finally was able to inprocess into my Unit. I met my Commander, CSGM, my XO, my 56M (Chaplain Assistant) as well as those serving in the "S-X" positions. I can honestly say, I am totally blessed. My commander seems like a hardcore guy with a genuine passion to lead the way, in every area, including spiritually.

He has tasked me with ministering to him personally, daily. This is a huge honor, and a responsibility I don't take lightly. I know without a doubt this man has what it takes to lead everyone of us into battle and succeed.

My CSGM is a likable guy, who akins himself to SGM Plumley who's character is portraited on "We Were Soldiers" He's a serious guy, who loves the Dallas Cowboys, and is all about the business of getting it done.

My S-1 and 56M also seem like top notch professionals. Both of whom I look forward to working with to accomplish the PackHorse Mission.

Speaking of the mission, I am excited to be able to meet and get to know the soldiers of 4BSB.

I had the honor of praying for them all before all of us were dismissed for the holidays. I am looking forward to implementing some programs that will help build cohesion for our unit.

We are always training towards deployment and it is necessary to build bonds of trust and cohesion now before that time is upon us.

For now though, 10days of leave ending on the 29th of Dec. Time to get settled into our new TownHome with Lauren! Lots of unpacking and setting up to do. Mainly looking forward to getting back into a routine, especially PT.

And finally, yes, the mountains are spectacular here. Absolutely beautiful and I know Lauren and I will really enjoy our time living and ministering to Soldiers and Families out here in Colorado.

That's it for now, Thanks for reading, and have a very Merry Christmas!

Unmoveable Unshakeable In You

The end of Phase II and the remainder of Phase III are the stage of CHBOLC I am in.

All PT tests are done, most class work is done and at this point, I am waiting to move to Fountain, Colorado. The major test for myself at this point has been dealing with a car accident that injured me on 22 Oct 2009. I am trying to heal up and get ready for the tremendously fast paced ministry awaiting me with the 4BSB of 1BCT, 4ID.

The major lesson God has been teaching me, other than patience (and that is a big one) is that of my identity being found only in him.

It is a tremendous honor to wear this uniform, and to minister to the finest of Americans who choose to wear it as well. However, ministry aside, the uniform I wear cannot define me. The tabs and schools I goto, or don't goto, the longevity of my ministry, or career in the Army truly has no bearing on who I am.

Now, credibility in ministry is important, and standards need to be met, and raised. This is important in ministry to soldiers and as a soldier. However, at the end, the only people I will walk away from the Army with are my loving family, and my Savior, Jesus Christ.

My life, my foundation, and my identity must be founded and built upon that of Jesus Christ. It cannot be moved or shaken. It must be such, because without time in the Word, without time in prayer, I really am the walking dead. Jesus says we don't live by bread alone but by EVERY WORD that proceeds out of the mouth of God. This is an incredible statement and one that I am realizing more and more the very truth of. Now, you would think a Chaplain would automatically understand this, and let me tell you, it is this fact that drives most into ministry...encounter with Jesus, but through school and schedule time becomes preciously rare and things erode away. Sadly, most pastors don't pray ten minutes a day, much less 10 mins a week. How effective can ministry really be apart from the place of intimacy with Christ? What love can be given, what advice shared, what hope offered?

My prayer is that my roots in Christ would go down deep, that they would fasten me to the solid rock of Christ and that I would be immovable, unshakeable in Him.

In transition, I am also thankful that after our up and coming time in the field, I will be able to FINALLY spend some time with Lauren! It seems like its been forever, and yet, it seems like it hasn't been long at all. Time, Space, and Emotional Ties are interesting items to live with, aren't they?

Well, I have to run. I need to go help a fellow Chaplain secure some items for our up coming time training in the field. As far as the accident goes, I know God is faithful, and I fully expect to recover. As far as Christ goes, my spirit and soul long for the water of Christ, the living Word, and my heart longs for my beautiful wife Lauren, who I CANNOT wait to see!

Thanks for reading.

CH (1LT) Stephens

CIMT Phase Complete

I am happy to be writing this post. I have completed the CIMT phase of CHBOLC. We start Phase I on tuesday morning @ ODarkThirty. CIMT was filled with challenges consisting of Warrior Tasks, and Drills. First Aid, Drill and Ceremony, NBC Chamber, Victory Tower, PT twice a day (to continue on in this catagory) Day and Night Land Navigation, Communications, Topography, MRE's, Day and Night Infiltration Course, as well as many papers and assignments, to include, a field preaching exercise, visiting 5 Chapel Services of different faith groups, all with very little sleep.

I am beyond thankful for our Small Group Leader, who happens to be a Ranger as well. Ch. Winton has been a wealth of backbone, grit and leadership. I am happy that he (as well as all the highly trained and proficient Cadre) is the man leading us and helping mold us into Chaplains in the United States Army. At this point, I am looking at starting Phase I after Columbus Day. I am looking forward to the continued training. I have a feeling they are going to amp up the PT and really pour it on us now that we are allowed to wear our Berets, thus making us Army Soldiers.

I am very pleased to be apart of 4th Platoon (Our Motto is Screaming Eagles) from the 101st. Our class motto is: Sword and Spirit, after the Word of God (Sword) and the (Holy) Spirit.

I have made many friends, and all the Chaplains, regardless of faith group, have bonded together to work for God and Country. It has been a blessing to work with men and women who have, and continue to give their all, in long hours of training, hard academic classes, and the hardship of being separated from loved ones.

Speaking of which, Lauren and I have been apart for a month now. I can't say this is getting any easier, but I know the Lord is working mightily in our hearts, healing, shaping, molding and preparing us for the ministry He has for us in the Army. It is a blessing to be able to support soldiers who ARE Christians, through Christian means as well as to be able to help counsel and advice all through their hardships and regardless of their relationship with the Holy.

I am excited to start Phase I and have been encouraged by the friends I have made thus far. All of us going to Carson have bonded fairly well and we all look forward to working with one another. That is a tremendous blessing from the Lord.

I am so thankful for my peers and the leadership. The leadership are preparing us to enter the Valley of the Shadow of Death, and minister successfully in the heat of horrible circumstance. My peers are accepting this challenge as we learn and grow together.

Onward, and Upward as we Enter Phase I.

Thanks for Reading.

IHS

CH (1LT) Stephens