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

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

- 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

One of the departments I serve took delivery of a brand new engine on Friday. It is beautiful. 1000 gallon tank. Top-mount pump panel. Foam system. 1250 gpm pump. Deck gun. Just an awesome piece of firefighting apparatus. Ready to rock-n-roll, right? NOT! We have to mount the tool panels and the shelving. We have to stock it with fittings, and hose, and ladders, and pike poles, and halligan tools, and axes, and the ... well, you get the picture.

True, we have a great new fire truck that is more than capable of being a first-line engine. EXCEPT, it takes a lot of all the little things to make it complete and truly ready to roll out on its' first box.

It's that way with us, as believers, as followers of our REAL CHIEF. It is especially true for those of us whom GOD has given the awesome appointment to teach others. Look at our verse for this week - It says that all Scripture is given to us from our REAL CHIEF... not some... not the New Testament... ALL of it! And, the verse goes on to say that the Scriptures are the essential tools that we need so that we may be thoroughly equipped!

Only when we get through stocking our new engine with all the necessary tools, hose, etc., will it be ready to respond. And, only when you and I have studied and applied the Scriptures will we be thoroughly equipped to serve and ready to respond...

...On HIS Shift,

"EMT Student"

July 22nd, 2002

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

- Matthew 11:29 (NIV)

You didn't receive your "Stress Relief" article for the week yesterday. I don't remember if I told you or not, but I am in EMT class. We are nearing the end (yeah! heheheheh) and we just recently received our assignments for our required shifts on the medic units and in the emergency room. Well, yesterday, I rode out on a medic unit for a full twenty-four shift - thus, no usual Sunday article.

We are, as students, assigned to an "in-charge" paramedic who has been qualified as a "preceptor" - a teacher who watches our actions and reactions. I believe that a good preceptor encourages and corrects. I had such a preceptor yesterday. It was a great pleasure working with someone who treats you as a member of the team... who allows you and encourages you to "jump right in." After each run, we would sit down and talk about the call. I would write a patient report and the preceptor would review it. Then, he would ask things like, "Can you think of anything else we could have done?" and "Are you comfortable with the way things went?" And, he would also say things like, "I think you did great." and "You jumped right in there."

That's the way it is supposed to be with our REAL CHIEF. Look at our verse for this week.... HE encourages us to learn from HIM. HE also wants us to be encouraging to others.

I am an EMT student with preceptors helping me along the way. It can be the same for you, as a believer, as a follower, of our REAL CHIEF. Find someone that is an "older" Christian and talk with them and ask them if they would be willing to mentor you... to be your preceptor. This arrangement will allow you to grow as a believer and will also provide a mechanism for accountability. Then, along with your preceptor, you will be better "trained" - better equipped - to serve...

...On HIS Shift,

"Heavy Rescue"

July 14th, 2002

"The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom"

- 2 Timothy 4:18 (NIV)

Second Sunday of the month... Today was the day that I get to deliver a sermon using terminology you and I understand. And, today the topic was, duh, "heavy rescue." In studying for the sermon, I learned that the word "rescue" and "save" are used in reference to our REAL CHIEF almost 200 times! So, I learned something new... our REAL CHIEF has a "specialty" - heavy rescue.

We talked about how GOD used extrication tools (miracles) to free HIS people from slavery in Egypt. That's right, HE used eleven assorted tools, each with a specific purpose. And, as it is with us on a scene, it was the "big tool" that finally got the job done - the job being to free the Jews. Then, as they were about to leave the country, Our REAL CHIEF used HIS on-scene incident commander, a guy named Moses, to "pry open" an entire sea! Now that, my friends, is heavy rescue.

Finally, we talked about the biggest on-going rescue in history... this one goes on to this day... to this hour. And, sadly, in this rescue, our REAL CHIEF sacrificed HIS only Son to die so that others may live. The good news? Everyone who asks the RESCUER for help, who asks HIM to come into their lives, will be saved.

Then, we talked about how CHRIST commanded us to rescue others... YEP!!! You can find that in the Bible, our SOP for life, in the book of Jude, verse 23... in fact, it is the "theme" verse for Emergency Ministries: "Rescue others by snatching them from the flames..."

You see, the flames, of course, are the flames of Hell. How do we rescue others? By telling them about Jesus Christ and how HE rescued you. Then, they too can join with you as you serve...

...On HIS Shift,

"Report to Rehab!"

July 7th, 2002

"And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast."

- 1Peter 5:10 (NIV)

I don't know what it is like where you are right now, but, here in Houston, the temperatures have been hovering around 95 degrees with humidity ranges around the same mark. Sweltering. Fighting a fire in this kind of weather drains you really quick... all your fluids are gone in nothing flat! So, hopefully, your safety officer yells out, "Report to rehab!"

You head on over to the designated area. You get checked out to make sure your heart is NOT about to explode and you "bunker down." You are offered water or Gatorade. You might even get a cool, wet towel. And, you sit. You re-energize. In other words, you get restored.

Take a look at our verse for this week. It says that our REAL CHIEF becomes our Rehab Officer for life! In other words, when things get tough, HE is the one who will restore us. Is that cool or what?

And, I want you to notice something here... isn't it interesting that the first four letters in the word "restore" are r-e-s-t: "rest." Do you think our REAL CHIEF is telling us that if we are in need of being restored, the first thing HE wants us to do is really simple; REST!

That is what rehab was designed for and that is what summer vacations are designed for... rest. Take a break. You will come back stronger and invigorated and totally ready 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.