Fire & EMS Chaplain - Emergency Ministries

Never in my early life did I think I would become ordained and serving GOD. No. quite the opposite. While my grandmother did a great job of taking us to church every Sunday, as soon as I reached 16, I started 'skipping' church. I would run the two blocks to the closest fire station and hang out with guys. For the next several years, though I pursued by dream of getting into public safety, I ignored GOD. I lived selfishly.

But, years later, GOD proved to me that HE had been relentlessly pursuing me and loving me. In 1997, I began taking Seminary classes (and just finished last fall - not bad, only 12 years to finish my Bachelor's degree). In September of 1999 I was ordained as a non-denominational Pastor. Me? A Pastor? Yes, I am living proof that our REAL CHIEF has a great sense of humor! Seriously, though, HE knew where HE needed me to serve. HE knew it before I was born. HE knew before HE formed me in my mother's womb. Wow.

Same thing goes for you, too... our REAL CHIEF has your life laid out for you... you only have to surrender your life to HIM. Today. Right now.

Tomorrow is my beautiful Cindy's birthday. HE also set her apart for me. Believe me, I got the better end of that plan.... lol.

To my wife: I love you, baby. You have been the completion of who I am in CHRIST. Happy, happy birthday. I love serving as your husband, your lover and your friend...

...On HIS Shift,

Copyright � 2010 Chaplain Skip Straus and Emergency Ministries.

January 11, 2010

"HIS Peace & HIS Presence"

"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. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."

- Philippians 4:6-9 (NIV)

Last week we talked about New Year Resolutions. I prayed to our REAL CHIEF today asking HIM what HE wanted to share with you this week and the results are our verses for the week. You see, friends, GOD has some great New Year's resolutions for you and here they are;

First Resolution: Don't be anxious about anything.

Our REAL CHIEF wants us to be worry free - how? By giving your problems to HIM. I do this daily (sometimes hourly!). We do this by praying, by petitioning GOD and we thank HIM in all circumstances.

Second Resolution: Think about positive things.

It is so easy to fall into the trap of "oh, poor me" and to dwell on the negative things in our life. It is the old adage: "garbage in, garbage out." If you dwell on the negatives, your whole existence will be negative. Our REAL CHIEF reminds us to think about the good HE has placed around us - whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable - those are the things we are to dwell on.

These, then, are resolutions that come with a promise from the Creator: make these your resolutions and HE says HE will give you HIS peace (the peace of GOD) and HIS presence (and the GOD of peace will be with you).

I want that - I want HIS peace and HIS presence in my life. Do you? Set your heart on some New Year's resolutions that bring the GOD of peace into your life, as you serve...

...On HIS Shift,

January 4, 2010

"New Year and Feeling Renewed"

"...but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

- Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

Talk about renewed strength... this article is the first one of the new year, the first one of the month and marks 125 months of weekly (or so) articles... to that, I give GOD the glory and thank HIM for giving me the words to give to each of you.

The pastor who taught at our church yesterday reminded us that "the experts" say that about half of the US population will make at least one New Years resolution each year. They tell us that the top three are;

lose weight
exercise more
stop smoking

25% of those folks stop trying after one week. Only about half make it a month or so.

It is a reminder to me that my resolution needs to continue to seek our REAL CHIEF with all my heart... with all that I am. Like the "regular" resolutions, it is much easier to say than to do. It takes self motivation. But, unlike the regular resolutions, you don't have to do it alone... you can ask HIM to help motivate you and keep you focused on your hope in HIM.

Eleven or so years ago, I made a commitment to GOD to study HIS Word on a daily basis. I have enjoyed that time each morning and this makes the third year in a row that I not only read his Word every morning, I also now journal what I believe HE wants me to take from that time with HIM. And, by the way, I also now sing a song of praise to HIM each day. I may not have the best voice in town, but I am pretty sure HE likes it!

As I end each daily devotion time with GOD, my challenge is then to keep looking to HIM throughout the day. You see, I want to "soar on wings like eagles."

HE has a promise for each us from this weeks' verse... HE will renew our strength! We need that renewal... year by year, month by month, day by day, minute by minute as we serve...

...On HIS Shift,

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Emergency Ministries is an approved non-profit organization under IRS code 501.c.3

PO Box 9121 * Spring TX 77387