STRESS RELIEF for Firefighters & Paramedics from Chaplain Skip

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

- Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

We continue our study of prayer and its' importance in our walk with our REAL CHIEF.

It's no coincidence that the SOG For Life (our BIBLE), refers to prayer over 300 times. Prayer is essential for a close relationship with our HEAVENLY FATHER.

It is so important that we must learn to set aside time each day to pray.

This week's verses teach us that prayer is to be a huge part of stress relief (and, it is!!!).

The Apostle Paul is writing this letter to the church and notice the first thing he tells them... "Don't be anxious (worry?) about anything". Anything. That's powerful. Then, he continues, saying we should present our requests to GOD through prayer and petition, along with our heartfelt thanks for the blessings HE has already given us.

GOD's promise to us is this: that if we are faithful in prayer, HE will grant us HIS Peace (which is beyond all human comprehension). Our REAL CHIEF goes on to say, through Paul, that HIS Peace will protect our hearts and minds as we walk with CHRIST.

Do you find yourself worrying about things? Things like, jobs, money, relationships, bills? THE INCIDENT COMMANDER OF LIFE has handed down instructions - instructions to stop worrying and start praying. Follow the instructions of the SUPREME IC and you will find the ultimate STRESS RELIEF - HIS Peace!

Please know that I am praying for you. And, I hope, too, that you pray for this ministry.

It is my privilege to serve alongside you, as we serve...

...On HIS Shift,

PS - Be sure and check out our new Forum

January 22, 2007

"More On Prayer"

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

We started talking a little bit about prayer last week. And, I would like to spend the next two or three weeks talking about it. It is that important.

In about 2 and a half weeks, our church is sending its' very first Medical Missions Team on a trip to Ecuador. We are very excited that our REAL CHIEF has chosen us to participate. As you might imagine, all involved having been praying for a lot of specifics for the trip and for one main purpose: That GOD is glorified and that HE is the central reason and purpose for us going to the poor areas of Quito.

I ask you to join us in prayer for this trip.

I invite you to register on our new Forum, where you can post your own prayer requests or praise reports.... www.emergencychaplain.org/forum.

Our verse this weeks says that it is GOD's will for us to;

Be joyful always
Pray continually
Be thankful in all circumstances

What? I don't know about you, but I am not always 'joyful.' Nor do I utter prayer after prayer. And, I certainly don't think I am thankful when things don't seem to be going 'right' in my life.

I think GOD knows that about us, don't you? I believe HE wants us to strive for those things, though. The MORE we strive to be joyful, the MORE we try to be thankful, the MORE we pray... well, then, the more we become like HIM and to do what HE asks of us.

Prayer is at the center of this. When we pray, we can ask HIM to give us a joyful heart, so that we can be closer to HIS goal for us of being joyful always. When we pray, we can ask HIM to show us how to pray more effectively. When we pray, we can ask HIM to instruct us on how to be thankful in all circumstances.

I have a cold right now. I admit, I am not joyful about it. I am praying for HIS healing. And, I am not sure I am at all thankful about having a cold.

So, as I pray about it, I learn to be joyful knowing that I feel better today than I did yesterday. As I feel better, I feel more like praying intercessional prayers (prayers for others). And, as I pray, I become thankful that I am feeling a little better and that I have the privilege to pray for others in their times of need.

Pray with a smile on your face. Pray often. Pray with a thankful heart, as you serve...

...On HIS Shift,

PS - Be sure and check out our new Forum

January 14, 2007

"Learning to Pray"

"One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."

He said to them, "When you pray, say: " `Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation. ' "

- Luke 11:1-4 (NIV)

Can you picture yourself standing there? You are a follower of JESUS and watch and listen as HE prays to GOD. It must have been a whale of a conversation with HIS FATHER, because one of the disciples said, "You've got to teach us how to do that. After all, John (the Baptist) had taught his followers."

So, HE does. HE teaches them what we know today as the "Lord's Prayer."

Prayer is, quite simply, one way that you can communicate with our REAL CHIEF. It is a quiet conversation with your FATHER. JESUS teaches us that we should;

PRAY - HE didn't say "if" you pray, HE said "When" you pray!
ACKNOWLEDGE GOD - "hallowed" or HOLY is HIS name - tell GOD, "YOU are HOLY and AWESOME!"
ASK FOR HIS PRESENCE - Ask HIM to be with you
ASK FOR NEEDS - (your daily 'bread') - not for your "wants," but your "needs."
ASK FOR FORGIVENESS - for hurting HIM with your wrongs
ASK FOR PROTECTION - so that temptation may be immediately recognized and that HE can turn you away from it.

We have a new way for you to ask others to join you in prayer. Just click the link (or copy and paste it into your browser): http://emergencychaplain.org/forum

There is a PRAYER REQUEST Forum and a PRAISE REPORT Forum.

Our REAL CHIEF set the example for us. We must pray. We must learn how to pray; for yourself, for our family, for others.

Prayer is vital for your daily spiritual health as you serve...

...On HIS Shift,

PS - Be sure and check out our new Forum

January 7, 2007

"In HIS Likeness"

" Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."

- Colossians 3:5 (NIV)

Think back on all of the people you have met through the years. Not just in-passing, but people you have sat down and had conversations with.

There is one type of person I love to be around - the humble. They are the ones who have the qualities that our verse for the week describes. I can think of several men I know that, when I see them or think of them, I say to myself, "I would sure like to be more like that." I envy them and try to live a life of compassion and kindness and humility and gentleness and patience. But, it seems so short-lived in me. How about you?

I still have compassion. But it seems to fade at 0300hrs in the living room of someone's house who decided they better call an ambulance because they have been feeling bad for six days.

I still show kindness. Though, I am sometimes much quicker to show kindness to a stranger than I am to my own family .

I still strive for humility. This is the toughest for me.

I still can show gentleness. Especially when it comes to pediatric calls.

I still have pati.... wait. No, I don't. I want patience and I want it now! hehehehe.

My REAL CHIEF has instructed me to "clothe myself" in these traits. I got thinking about that. When I get up every day, I put on clothes. Therefore, I have to learn - EVERY DAY - to have compassion, kindness, etc.

The word "Christian" means "Christ-like." By clothing ourselves in these traits, we become more like HIM.

Keep in mind how the verse starts: you are one of GOD's chosen people. You are holy. You are dearly loved. That should be inspiration to learn how to clothe yourself in the traits that make you more like our REAL CHIEF as you serve...

...On HIS Shift,

PS - Be sure and check out Chaplain Skip's new Forum

January 2, 2007

"New Year, New You?"

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"

- 2Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

Can you believe it? Here we are. The start of another new year. Will this be a year to get you off to a "fresh" start? The year 2006... well, the old is gone. 2007 - the new has come.

The greatest STRESS RELIEF of all is asking our REAL CHIEF to become the Incident Commander of your life. When you do so, you relinquish "command" of your life and turn it over to HIM. Why would you want to do that, you ask? Well, how well have you done in controlling the stresses of everyday life in your past? If you are anything like me, you beat your head against the proverbial wall time and time again, instead of asking GOD to take control of a situation.

Our verse this week announces the greatest resolution of all... if you are a believer and follower of our REAL CHIEF, you have been made new!

This year make some resolutions:

First, if you have never asked JESUS CHRIST to be your REAL CHIEF, do so now. It's not a church thing... don't you see? It is about a relationship with HIM. When you do this, you become a new creation. You become a part of a new family. You become a part of a brotherhood that is stronger than any you have ever experienced.

Next... if you are already a believer, make a resolution to become a more devoted follower and servant. Make a resolution to study the SOG for Life (The Holy Bible) every day. Learn what our REAL CHIEF has to say to you. I am starting my tenth year of reading the Bible through in a year. There is a cool website that will help you study the Bible: http://bibleplan.org and you can choose how you want to study.

This marks the start of the ninth year of Emergency Ministries. This article marks the start of the 89th month of the weekly STRESS RELIEF devotionals. May this ministry and these articles continue to bless you in 2007.

Here's to a Happy New Year and a Happy New YOU, as you serve...

...On HIS Shift,

PS - Be sure and check out Chaplain Skip's new Forum

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It is my prayer that the verses we discuss help each of you as it has helped me deal with the amount of stress we are all faced to deal with.

If you are not yet saved, I have Good News for you. Jesus loves you very much and His Holy Spirit is drawing you to Him. To learn more, click here.

Chaplain Skip writes STRESS RELIEF every week, usually on Sunday afternoon