Stress Relief - A Weekly Article from the Fire & EMS Chaplain

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother"--which is the first commandment with a promise -- "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."

- Ephesians 6:1-3 (NIV)

One of the first of the reality shows was "Survivor." Well, I want to tell you about a REAL survivor.... my grandmother.

Last week, as you may recall, I mentioned that my family and I had just returned from a birthday party given in honor of my grandmother's ninety-seventh birthday. Incredible. Now, take a look at this week's verse (up above). All I can say is that my "Gang" (as our family calls her) must have been one obedient little girl! She truly must have honored her mother and father.

Gang is one of five sisters. They grew up in Wichita Falls, Texas. I think I remember Gang talking about her mother. Something I do remember, though... my Gang is more than a grandma to me. You see, she raised me and my little sister and brother. My folks got divorced when I was about three or four. We were sent to live with Gang and her daughter, Cecilia. My dad was there, on and off. But, it was mostly Gang who took care of us.

What a great upbringing, too. We went on trips everywhere by car. Though the trips were fun, they were also educational. I can remember, to this day, going to NASA and to the Alamo and to the San Jacinto Monument. We even were privileged enough to be standing at the entrance to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida and actually got to watch the liftoff of Apollo 11 -- the first trip to the moon! What an awesome experience. "Ignition sequence start... 3 ... 2... 1.... LIFTOFF! We have liftoff of Apollo 11!" We heard it over car radios along the beach. Then, from about five miles away from the launch pad, you could see the smoke from the powerful rocket engines. THEN, the ground beneath our feet started rumbling! We watched as the huge human-laden rocket went right over our heads. Awesome memory.

But, sadly enough, not all the memories were awesome... because of me, not Gang. That's because I can recall times when I certainly wasn't obedient. I have apologized to her for this. But, I wanted to take this forum to apologize publicly to one of the most shining examples of Christ's love that I have experienced.

As we approach Mother's Day, get with your mom... and grandmother. If you are like me and were the less-than-obedient child, tell them how sorry you are. Ask for forgiveness. Tell them how much you love them and how much they have taught you. If your folks have already passed away, tell them anyway... in prayer.

Love your earthly parents. Love your HEAVENLY FATHER. Our REAL CHIEF loves you and asks for your obedience as you serve...

...On HIS Shift,

"Have I Told You About My Grandchild?"

April 20th, 2003

"This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. "

- 1 John 4:10 (NIV)

Yesterday, my family and I drove up to Dallas for my grandmother's ninety-seventh birthday party. 97th! An awesome lady. So, you think I would be writing about that, huh? Maybe next week. This week, though, I wanted to tell you about my granddaughter.

You see, since my daughter lives about four hours away from us, I only get to see my granddaughter about twice per year. It's just not enough, ya' know?

Well, yesterday, at my grandmother's birthday, the setting was in my sister's backyard; an old-fashioned lawn party - just what my "Gang," as we call her, wanted. My wife and our youngest and I walked through the gate and I heard that sweet little song-of-a-voice cry, "Pawpaw!!!" Then this beautiful little girl comes running across the grass and jumps up into my arms. She wrapped her little arms around my neck, laid her head on my shoulder, and hugged me with all of the strength her little four year old body could muster. I melted. Again. Every time.

A little while later, she grabs my hand and says, "Come sit over here with me, Pawpaw." And, as we are walking, she says, "I love you, Pawpaw." Nothing phony. Nothing expected in return. Just a simple statement from her heart of her unconditional love for her grandpaw.

Our REAL CHIEF is like that... expressing HIS unconditional love. HE loves you and I SO much that HE sent HIS SON, JESUS, to die for us.

Today is Easter Sunday. Like I said last week, this isn't about bunny rabbits and plastic eggs... it is the story of the resurrection of JESUS... it is the story of unconditional love. Our REAL CHIEF wants to hug your neck. HE wants you to know just how much HE loves you and wants you to serve...

...On HIS Shift,

"Muster Parade"

April 13th, 2003

"The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, "Hosanna! " "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Blessed is the King of Israel!""

- John 12:12-13 (NIV)

Have you ever been to a muster? Some of you, not in this business, are scratching your head, going, "Huh???" A muster is a gathering of fire departments. We come together for a day of fun and competition. And, we show off our fire apparatus. And, sometimes, there are parades to kick off the event.

I'm telling you, there is nothing like it; miles and miles, it seems, of engines, ladders, platforms, rescues, boosters, tankers, quints... well, you name it, all polished and coming down the road. Sirens yelping. bells ringing. Lights flashing. And, man, every little kid standing there gets wide-eyed and points... "Look daddy, look at that one!" Red, red and white, yellow, lime... and, yes, sometimes a blue one. Never could figure that out. I thought the cops liked blue? hehehehehe

But, today is not that sort of celebration. Today is the celebration of a different parade. It was a "parade" of One... the Only One... our REAL CHIEF. Today is Palm Sunday. It is called that in remembrance of Christ's entrance into Jerusalem the week of his death. HE knew why HE was there. But, the crowds didn't. All they knew is that they saw God's Only Son, whom they had personally seen perform miracles coming into the Holy City. They saw this triumphant parade and they cheered for our REAL CHIEF. And, as HE walked along, they took palm branches and laid on the ground in front of HIM.

Five days later, the cheering crowds were still there. One thing though... they were now shouting, "Kill Him, crucify Him!"

We are entering into a most Holy week. And, it is not about a rabbit. It is not about a bunch of plastic eggs filled with candy. It is about the death and resurrection of JESUS. 2000 years ago, time was divided. 2000 years ago God sent His Only Son, Jesus, to die for you and for me... the ultimate sacrifice... to prove HIS love for us.

May each and every one of you have a blessed week. And, let me ask this of you... stand and cheer the "parade" of One... THE One. Call out to HIM and thank HIM for giving HIS all. Tell HIM you are ready to serve...

...On HIS Shift,

"Serving Others"

April 6th, 2003

"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms."

- 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)

The "motto," if you will, of Emergency Ministries is this: "Serving God by Serving Those Who Serve Others." Now, notice, please, that the term "serve others" is used within the verse for this week. Let's talk about that... servanthood. The word "servant" is used an amazing 478 times in the NIV (New International Version) of the Holy Bible... the "Standard Operating Procedures For Life." 478! Do ya' think our REAL CHIEF is trying to tell us something?

I'm sure all of us have run into someone on the job who thinks quite highly of themselves. I find it to be quite typical in EMS (Emergency Medical Services). There are a bunch of Paramedics out there who actually have the audacity to call themselves "paragods." Unreal. I think they walk sideways into the room so you can see their Paramedic patch. The point is this... who are they serving? Themselves, if you ask my opinion. Then, there are the Paramedics out there who truly are servants to others... they believe that is the whole reason our REAL CHIEF has gifted them with the ability to what they do; to serve others.

I have been thinking about this alot lately. If you have been keeping up with these articles, you might know that I am in EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) - Intermediate training. We just took our class "final" and are about to begin our clinical and ambulance "rotations." What got me to thinking about "servanthood" is this looming advancement. As a "basic" EMT, my job is to serve not just the patient, but my Paramedic partner, as well. I know the job. And, I like it. I set up what my medic needs... I do my part to serve each patient... and, after the call, it is my job to clean the back of the truck. But, as I grow in certification levels, more of the patient care responsibilities will come my way. I just don't want to forget to be a servant.

I have only worked with two Paramedics (that I can recall) who would actually take the time to let you know you are a valuable member of the team. They were also the only ones who would put down the paperwork (or the computer in our case) for five minutes to help you clean the back of the ambulance if it had been a particularly grueling call. I want to be like that. I don't want to be like some medics I have worked with who would actually sit and watch you wash the ambulance by yourself... or clean the station... or whatever. You get my point? Those are the type of Paramedics who have forgotten how to be good servants.

Yes, wouldn't it be nice to be in an environment where everyone asked, "How can I help you help others?" In the meantime, I believe that our REAL CHIEF calls those of us who are believers to continue being servants to others... no matter what the circumstances are or who your partner is. We are to be shining examples of servanthood as we serve others...

...On HIS Shift,

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.

STRESS RELIEF is written every week, usually on Sunday afternoons.