 |
|
CFGC Newsletter January 2008
1) Chaplain’s Corner
2) Adopt-a-Terrorist for Prayer Movement Begins
3) A Belated Year End Greeting from Iraq
4) From the Director’s Desk
5) Update on our Seminary in Caracas, Venezuela
6) CFGC STAFF SCHEDULE
|
Chaplain’s Corner
LT Troy Todd, CHC, USN
USS Vicksburg
One challenging task with deployment is trying to communicate through email, snail mail or by telephone. Sometimes our words fail to reveal our heart-felt desire. Have you ever had that great thought and once you sent it to someone it got misinterpreted? Or, have you ever sent a message, and the other person got upset because they did not know exactly what you meant, and they rushed to the wrong conclusion? It is difficult to communicate when you cannot speak face to face.
The key missing ingredient of communication while on deployment is that of seeing the facial expressions or body posture of the family member or loved one that you are speaking to. I have heard that 80% of communication is non-verbal (e.g., raised eyebrows, squinting eye, tapping a foot, and folded arms all reveal a person’s inner thoughts and feelings). One way to overcome making hasty decisions on what a person has said in an email is to understand that too often what a person sees in their mind is not always what comes across in words. Slow down. Don’t over react if something is not clear, simply respond: “Did you mean …?” or “I am not sure I understand.” Getting clarity of thought is a great communication tool. Communication is an essential ingredient in a relationship because it should be a time where each person can feel safe to speak and also to understand that they are highly valued.
About this time in the deployment some of you might be having problems communicating with each other. It is hard to know what is going on each day in daily life at home or in daily life on the USS Vicksburg. One key thing is to recognize when you feel tense or on edge from diverse emotional and mental experiences during the day. When you receive a call and you are tense or upset, please let your loved one know right up front what is going on (e.g., “If I come across like I am tense, it is not you, I have had a bad day.”) By letting the other person know how you feel up front, that will take away all of the second guessing. Realize the difference in our time zones and find a time that is good for both of you. Echo back to your family or loved one what they are revealing to you (e.g., “Wow! That sounds exciting or challenging or frustrating.”)
When a person feels like they are being heard, that they can speak with ease and without having to be defensive, then they shall be able and willing to open up and engage from a more intimate level. Remember to let each other know how valuable you are to one another. Learn to appreciate each other; be thankful to have one another even when separated by great distances. Allow your loved one(s) to know that they are always within your heart, and always on your mind.
I shall end with my thoughts on what “I” like to call “Navy Family Core Values:” HONOR – Honor each other with respect and devotion. COURAGE – A willingness to grow together through all of the storms of life. COMMITMENT – Think like an investment banker; Look for the “Long Term Growth” of your relationship. My final thoughts for our loved ones at home: It is not about who you two are right now, but the fullness of who “You Two” can become. It is not about where you are right now, but the joy of “growing through” the journey that lies ahead of you. It is not about what you have right now, but what “You Two” can gather as you step through life together.
Top of Page
Adopt-a-Terrorist for Prayer Movement Begins
New Non-Profit Ministry Promotes Praying for Enemies
Press Release, Colorado – 29 October 2007 – “Does loving your enemy mean you have to love terrorists?” A new movement challenges Americans and provides tools for something counterintuitive – praying for them!
The new non-profit, doing business as MyATFP.com features a web site linking to information on FBI wanted and detained terrorists and State Department identified terrorism sponsors. The A-T-F-P stands for Adopt a Terrorist For Prayer.
“We hope to be fully operational for registering and tracking prayer commitments before this Christmas,” Dr. Thomas Bruce, spokesman for MyATFP, said. Plans call for a web site through which sponsors can connect with others who are praying for the same terrorist. They become an “adoptive family” using social network tools to encourage one another, plan promotions, pray together, and arrange both actual and virtual prayer meetings.
The new organization wants to see half a million Americans praying for the salvation of their sworn enemies by this time next year, but right now they need donations to finance further web development.
A conservative Evangelical and military veteran familiar with both radical faith and life and death service-connected risks, Dr. Bruce has compassion for the terrorists. “If I had been raised and indoctrinated in Saudi Arabia or Gaza, I doubt I would be any different from them,” said Dr. Bruce who expects this movement to impact history and demonstrate fundamental differences between fundamentalisms.
To learn more, explore http://www.MyATFP.com or “Google” the full phrase “adopt a terrorist for prayer.”
Top of Page
A Belated Year End Greeting from Iraq
It’s hard to believe this year is already fast coming to a close. We’ve accomplished a great deal here in Ramadi over the last few months. And while, as we all know, there is still much more that warrants our attention. As we enter this special season of the year, I pray that you and your loved ones will somehow be afforded the valuable opportunity for spiritual and emotional refreshment.
Please know that as we remain a nation at war, I’m grateful to each of you for your steadfast support. The Soldiers you support carry the weapons, drive the missions, and do the “dirty work.” I get to help them through this “dirty work” that leads to a cleaner world and changed lives. It is with much humility that I have been given this task. Yet, because of your prayers and encouragement, peace has come to not only Ramadi, but to individual lives as well.
Soldiers have accomplished the myriads of missions that have brought peace to a city that was once said to be the most dangerous place on earth. Yet, peace has been established only because of God’s grace. Thank you for your devotion to our Lord Jesus Christ and to the men and women who serve so valiantly to uphold our country’s values. Their noble and often heroic efforts continue to inspire and lead a nation today as is in days gone by.
When President Roosevelt addressed the nation and the Armed Forces on Christmas Eve, 1944, he said, “It is not easy to say ‘Merry Christmas’ to our armed forces at their battle stations all over the world—or to our allies who fight by their side.” He reminded his listeners that a grateful nation would celebrate Christmas with sad, anxious, and grateful thoughts “…for our loved ones who are suffering hardships and misery, and who are risking their very lives to preserve…the foundations of civilization itself.” President Roosevelt concluded his heartfelt message with a prayer for God’s protection over the armed forces, asking that Almighty God would “receive into His infinite grace those who make their supreme sacrifice in the cause of righteousness, in the cause of love of Him and His teachings.”
Indeed, it is hard to enter this holiday season filled with peace and joy, knowing that we and thousands of our fellow Soldiers will spend this month deployed in combat areas, forward operating bases, and remote locations far away from loved ones. But may I say, again, “Thank you!” for your sacrificial service of prayer and support for those here in Ramadi Iraq. So, to each of you on our Ministry Update e-mail list, I want to say thank you. Without your devotion to Christ and the encouragement you have given me and my wife, Terri, the changes in people’s lives that have been achieved may have never had the opportunity to happen. Please know that my wife, Terri, and I are also praying for you. I commend you for your faithfulness to God and Christ. May the God of peace and comfort grant you His grace and love during this holiday season.
-- CH (CPT) James B. Russell
Top of Page
From the Director’s Desk:
“O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. Whither shall I go from thy spirit or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell,behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.” (Psalm 139:1-12).
We are an open book to the Lord—There is nothing about us that is hidden from Him. Psalm 139 tells us:
- God knows everything we do (v.2). He knows all the activities of our day and every detail of our schedule.
- God knows everything we think (v.2). He knows the good and the bad, the wholesome, and the impure.
- God knows everywhere we go (v.3). “You comprehend my path…and are acquainted with all my ways”
- God knows everything we say (v.4).
He knows us better than we know ourselves. Isn’t it a comfort to be known so intimately by our Lord—even with all our flaws—and yet be loved so completely!” – (Anne Cetas- Daily Bread, December 2007).
What great words to end an old year and start a new one. As we do so, let’s be reminded to start this New Year by remembering to evaluate our ministries by rediscovering and showing proper stewardship of our Spiritual Gifts. I believe that:
- If we are fruitful in the areas we are serving, we should see positive results.
- If we are enjoying our ministries, we are probably being fulfilled. If we are frustrated, however, we may be serving in an area for which we are not gifted.
- If we are ineffective in the area we are now ministering, we may have to go back and review our list of possible gifts, and ask God to show us another area in which to minister. I have learned over time, that this will take effectual and fervent prayer.
-- Rev. Hosea Amos, Jr.
Top of Page
Update on our Seminary in Caracas, Venezuela
Our President, Esteban Montilla, PhD (from Texas A&M) and Jim Ammerman flew to Caracas and graduated 43 from the Seminary on December 7, 2007. Thirty-four (34) were MDiv Degrees and nine (9) were two-year diplomas (men without college degrees who had come to know the Lord Jesus and who started a home Bible study that grew into a full church).
On the next day, we interviewed and approved 45 for the next class of MDiv! Not yet have we had a single student just out of college, as is normal for the USA! These are mature, settled men and women who are teachers, lawyers, MD’s, social workers, etc., who have felt “a call” of God – but never felt they could answer and adequately prepare! But now – God has made a way.
We operate the Seminary on a ‘module basis’ with only fully qualified PhD’s, ThD’s, Etc., -- Professors being professors. Much of the homework is sent to the USA via E-mail between modules (What a day!) We lease module space, to include room and board, from Roman Catholic Retreat Centers – hardly used any longer (for a pittance)!!
Thus far we have tried to fund it all with a tithe of CFGC funds and with designated gifts.
Praise reports: One graduate is the recent 4-Star General who was Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. His wife graduated with an earlier class. She was Secretary to former Presidents of Venezuela! They both plan to work for the future of the Seminary without charge, and they felt they could better serve if graduates!!
A former graduate is Chief Chaplain in the Office of Secretary of Defense (whom he led to the Lord!) and another graduate is Chief Chaplain for the Reserves/National Guard. They are instructed to work to have a chaplain for every Battalion, etc., in the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines!
– Jim Ammerman
Top of Page
CFGC STAFF SCHEDULE
|
| Jan |
09-11 |
AFCBD, Washington DC – Jim and Hosea |
| |
12 |
A Chaplain/Pastor’s retirement, Houston – Jim |
|
21 |
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day |
|
30-Feb 01 |
AGIF Annual Conference, San Diego – Jim |
| Feb |
14 |
Valentine’s Day |
|
20-23 |
CFGC ANNUAL CONFERENCE |
| Top of Page |
|
|
|
|
|