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

"Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."

- 1 Corinthians 6:9 - 11 (NIV)

Last week, there was no article, as my computer web-editing software was down. To make a long story short - I bought new software. I am still trying to get used to it.

Anyway, a little over a week ago, I was asked to teach a class on "Disaster Psychology" to a new volunteer group in Houston called "CERT," which stands for "Citizens Emergency Response Team." I found out that this is the second team of its' kind in Harris County. The idea behind it is to train citizens how to respond in the event of a disaster... NOT as first responders, but, as citizens who can actually help, instead of get in the way. What an awesome concept, if you think about it.

This then, becomes a group of people who can have a positive effect in the outcome of a disaster in their neighborhood. They are trained by first responders in first aid, firefighting, incident command, etc. They are trained NOT to respond around the city, but to react calmly in the event of a disaster in their own "backyard."

This was the idea, I believe, when Christ sent out the first disciples and, subsequently you and I... our REAL CHIEF provided the instruction, and we are to be in "our own backyards" helping our neighbors learn what to do in the disaster known as "life without CHRIST."

We need that sense of volunteerism today. We need that hope in GOD again. We need to love HIM as a nation again.

I am probably going to step on some toes right now....

Three things have transpired since we talked two weeks ago; First, the Canadian courts have paved the way for same-sex marriage to be legal in that country. Second, the state of Massachusets has said they, too, will okay homosexual marriages. Finally, the US Supreme Court ruled the Texas sodomy law to be unconstitutional.

Those three things, I believe will rise as a stench in the nostrils of GOD... the same GOD who has blessed this nation. HE is also the same GOD who has watched us throw HIM out of our schools, out of our pledge and out of our daily lives... not to mention the "seperation of church and state."

Read our verses for this week. Apparently, homosexuality has been around for awhile. Notice, though, that the Apostle Paul is warning them that "they USED to be that way" before they were forgiven when they became believers and followers of our REAL CHIEF.

Remember, we are not to dislike the sinner, we are to hate the sin.

How do we recover as a nation? I believe groups like the CERT teams and volunteer fire departments are great places to start. Bring back the days of voluteerism... the days of prayer before school... the days of "yes, sir" and "yes, ma'am"... the days of thanking GOD for blessing us as a people and blessing us as a nation.

I am asking you to join me...

...On HIS Shift,

"THE Father's Day"

'Father's Day' - June 15th, 2003

"We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you..."

- Colossians 1:3 (NIV)

I have had a good weekend. It started with dinner and a movie on Friday. The movie we went to see was "Finding Nemo." A very well done, animated feature. The story is really a Father's Day story...

I don't want to spoil the movie for you. So, just a glimpse: the story is about a young fish who swims away into the vast ocean and his father risks all to bring him home.

Today is Fathers Day. A day set aside to honor our earthly fathers. Let it be more than that...let it be a day to honor THE FATHER... GOD, the Creator of everything.

In our Bible, the word "father" is used an amazing 938 times! Of course, many times, it is referring to an earthly father. But, most of the time it referring to our Heavenly Father... GOD.

THE Father's Day came on the day that CHRIST went to the cross for you and I... You see, our REAL CHIEF honored HIS FATHER by being obedient and dying for you and I.

Yes, my weekend began with a little fish named "Nemo" and his dad. Ironic, my weekend ended at the aquarium downtown, where my daughter and wife took me for Father's Day....

Give our HEAVENLY FATHER what HE wants for this Father's Day... your heart. Tell HIM that you are ready to serve...

...On HIS Shift,

"Sticking Together"

June 8th, 2003

" Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."

- James 5:16 (NIV)

I have a confession to make to you; There are times when I don't feel like sitting down and writing these articles. Today was one of those days. If you wonder how I come up with these every week... I don't... our REAL CHIEF inspires me. Seriously, every week I sit down at the computer and pray, "Lord, what do you need me to share with your people this week?" Today was, "Lord, I'm too worn out... can I take a week off?" You know what the answer was? Well, I'll give you a hint - you are reading an article. hehehehe

We started the day by driving down to Galveston for the Annual Memorial Service for fallen firefighters. I was there with over half of the Porter Fire Department to show support for the Staley family. If you'll remember, Gary Staley was killed in the line of duty in January of this year.

I don't see Don, Gary's dad, and find out from Mrs. Staley that he went into a local ER last night with chest pain and couldn't attend the memorial today... I felt so sorry them.

Then, I had the honor to walk across the stage with Gary's Mom, Ruby, and Chief Binion as Gary's beautiful daughter accepted the Texas state flag that had flown over the State Capital building on Memorial Day in honor of her dad. I tell you, you have never seen courage like that in an eight year old before... to walk in front of hundreds of firefighters... her dad would have been very proud.

As soon as that service was over with, we drove up to the hospital where Don Staley is and visited him. He, to, was being brave.

We immediately left there and went to the New Caney main station, where I preach every second Sunday @ 2:30 PM. I preached about our REAL CHIEF (shocking, huh? hehehehe).

We left there and went the birthday party of a daughter of a coworker and friend.

It has been a long, emotionally exhausting day. So, what has our REAL CHIEF inspired me to write about? Easy... praying for others. So, I am going to ask you to pray for these things with me;

First - Next Sunday is Father's Day... it is going to be a very tough day for the Staleys... especially for little 8 year old Courtney... pray for her especially as she has to experience her first Father's Day without her dad being physically present. Courtney, I love you and am very, very proud of you and the bravery you showed today.

Second - The Monday after Father's Day is Gary's birthday. Every one of the Staley family will need our prayers... please pray especially for Ruby, Gary's mom. Ruby, you are the epitome of a firefighter's mom. Gary would be proud of you. Cindy and I love you.

Third - Don, Gary's dad, is in a hospital room as I write this. Tomorrow, they might be doing a stress test on him. Pray for the nurses caring for him. Pray for the doctor's treating him. And, especially pray for Don to continue to cling to Christ. Don... I love you as a brother. The fortitude you have shown could have only come through your relationship with Christ.

Fourth - Pray for someone at the New Caney Fire Department.... our REAL CHIEF knows who it is. This person is inches away from asking Jesus to become his REAL CHIEF. Pray that GOD would break down those barriers that have been preventing this man from taking that eternal step.

Fifth - Pray for marriages within the fire and EMS arena. Our work is tough. Marriage is tough. Pray that everyone involved looks to CHRIST for the answers. Pray that both parties seek a relationship with GOD before they decide to tear their own relationship apart.

A family that prays together - stays together. A group that prays for one another, loves one another as they serve..

...On HIS Shift,

"Runnin' Hot"

June 1st, 2003

" For this people's heart has become callused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.'"

- Matthew 13:15 (NIV)

Well, I think I have seen it all now. I mean, we've talked before about how people do less-than-intelligent things when an emergency vehicle is in their "space." Here's what happened;

Summer is heating up in Southeast Texas... our first run out of the shoot last shift was a shooting. We get the patient loaded and head towards one of the "Level One" trauma centers. I am running our emergency lights (which, by the way consist of 12 strobe lights of various colors that face to the front) and sirenS (that's right, two 200 watt sirens). I am in the fast lane running about 5 mph above the posted limit. There is still some rush-hour traffic to deal with. In front of me is a businessman in his BMW driving about 5 mph below the limit. Guess why. YEP! He had his stupid cellphone up to his ear. Man, will we be glad when they pass that new law. Anyway, he FINALLY looks in his rearview mirror when he hears the sirens. So. Does he pull to right? Pull to the left shoulder? Stop dead in front of us? Oh, no. This Einstein keeps the phone glued to his right ear, takes his left hand off the wheel and sticks a finger in his left ear. You see, the sirens were disturbing his business call!

One of these days, I am going to figure out how to broadcast a message to all cellphone within 100 feet of my ambulance or fire truck and play a recorded message... "Hello, we are on the way to YOUR mother's house... now will you get out of the way?"

Seriously, though, people are like that... they go through life with distractions on one side and they block out the other side so they don't have to listen to it. In our verse this week, our REAL CHIEF is talking about such folks. People so wrapped up in their own little world, that they can't see CHRIST right in front of their eyes. People that HE loves so much that HE died for them. And, JESUS says, "If only they would put down the cellphone and call out to ME!"

Keep looking for those with whom you can share the GOOD NEWS. Maybe, just maybe, you can get them to put down the "cellphones" that are distracting them and you can share with them how great it is to serve...

..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.