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

Late Night Lessons

I gotta say, I love it when Jesus is so stirring you on the inside that you can't sleep.

My desire and passion for his presence is increasing daily and I long to be a humble vessel used to show His love, power, compassion and mercy. I am realizing tonight, two days before I depart for basic training that really, truly, as a Chaplain I have nothing to offer. Yeah, that's right. Nothing.

What do I have to give a Vietnam Vet who was a "ghost" and who is tormented by the missions he accomplished and the lives he took as we sit and converse in a line to acquire military ID's? What will I have to give to the soldier who is contemplating broken over his wife who simply wants out of the marriage because he is gone too much? What do I say to the husband who is broken over the distance between him and his spouse as he sacrifices for his country?? What does one say to the soldier who has spilled blood for his country, only to have the government or the media shun him? What do I say? What words are there to "solve this problem?" Truly, there are none that the flesh can conjure up to satisfy the deep needs that each of these individuals are looking for.

I am acutely aware of my desperation of Christ as I write this article. I am keenly aware that my flesh longs for recognition, and accomplishments, and validation, and medals, and honor, and rank, and prestige and money and comfort. I am also keenly aware that I Aron Stephens have absolutely nothing to give. Sure, I have my theology and my books, and my degrees, but truly, what do I have? The ONLY thing I have is the ability to lean on Christ, to walk in meekness and humility. My flesh craves a platform, yet the spirit of Christ cries out for something greater than a platform, Virtue. A Virtuous life, lived in meekness, humility and submission to Christ. Then, perhaps, through years of obedience and self discipline the Lord might bring me to a place where my life speaks louder than my words, where my voice is lived out instead of heard, and where when my voice is lifted up, it carries weight, not because of rank, but because of character and a life spent "wasted" in prayer and before the Cross of Christ... soaking in His Love... His glorious life sustaining, abundant life giving love.

This is truly where I am. I am a man... embarking on a journey to become a soldier, to become a Chaplain, yet continuing on in my journey to become more like Christ. Along the way, I know I will encounter many soldiers who will have the opportunity to accept Christ, and that choice is theirs to accept freely, or to deny freely. That is what makes our country great... the ability to choose. So dear friends, I pray we all choose wisely. That we live each day with purpose and vigor, not despising the small things, but pressing onward in virtue and character so that our voices may be heard by the lives we live, and in the critical moments of life, through our lifted voice.

+IHS+

CH A. Stephens

Fire Begets Fire...

Season of Blessings

It seems lately that I have truly been living in a season surrounded by the blessings of the Lord.
I am almost done with my CPE Unit (Clinical Pastoral Education, 400+ intensive summer unit in a Trauma 1 setting) and I am looking forward to finally finishing off this last pass/fail class for seminary; a ten pager and I'm done! Hallelujah, I'm so ready to move onward from seminary, and into the world of the Army.

The blessings continue though. I found out a few weeks ago when I would go to CHBLOC and where my first duty station is. I am going to CHBLOC September 13th 2009 through December 12 2009. I am so excited. This means from here I can go straight to my first duty station!! That duty station dear friends is Ft. Carson, Colorado!!! We are going to be moving out west to the home of the Rocky Mountains!! Lauren and I couldn't be more excited to experience the adventure God is sending us on through the Army out west. We are looking forward to getting into the many outdoor activities that Colorado Springs and Fountain Colorado have to offer.

At this point, I am continuing my physical training for CHBLOC and I am waiting to receive my orders via snail mail. God is so faithful! =) I also found out, after much online debate, that I am officially a 1LT. This is good as it gives us a little more financial ground to help meet our budgeting needs.

God is truly faithful... all this and a rockin vacation to the Riveria Maya coming up Mid August.
Christ is faithful and orders our steps. I never thought my desires to do missions work, and itinerant ministry would ever take the form of military Chaplaincy, but to me, that is exactly what the Army Chaplaincy is all about.

It's crazy how God forms us and places us exactly where we need to be, when we need to be there in order to fulfill the calling he has placed in our hearts long ago.

Faithful and True... That's My King!

Thanks for Reading!

My First Entry

Since this is my first post, I figure I should introduce myself and tell you a little bit about the journey I've been on to get to the point that I could create this blog. In fact, creating this blog is a miracle. Truth be told there is no way on earth I should have been selected to become an Army Chaplain. Let me explain...

As far as Experience and qualifications go, I am more than qualified. Its more along the physical fitness lines that I am describing. I'm realatively young and at twenty seven, one would think I would have no issues getting into the military. However, life being the way it is, I was 90lbs overweight and that barrier alone was keeping me out of the Army. I had no idea how long it would take the drop the weight, but I knew that I had to do it. It ended up probably taking longer than I needed it to, as I still have this nagging love for really good ice cream. The good news was, I was finishing up seminary during this process and I had the time to devote to exercise. I truly went at it. Everyday I ran and lifted, and ran some more. When I started, I could barely run a mile. At this point I am running 3 to 4 miles comfortably. My journey took months before I could even go through the inprocessing at MEPS. By the grace of God I passed MEPS on the first try. Anyone who knows anything about that, knows that is a miracle in and of itself. I didn't even goto MEPS for a year and a half until after I started my weightloss. Through the process though, God has taught me alot about discipline, patience and perserverence. All of which I know will be essential in the military ministry.
I suppose the long and short of it is, the journey to this point took a while. I found out about a week ago that I was accepted for Active Duty. This is huge because of the finanical blessing of God's provision this is turning out to be. Through it all, God has been faithful.
I am excited to hear the news about when I will be going to CHBLOC and where my first duty station will be. God has been so faithful, my loving wife has been completely awesome through all of this, and I am eternally grateful to her for her prayers, support and help along the way.
For Now though, I suppose I should end by saying, I'm looking forward to the news to come and I am continuing to place my hope and trust in the Lord for where he will place us.

The Journey Is Sure to Continue...

Be Blessed...

Ch (LT) Aron Stephens