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

"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."

- Ephesians 4:22-24 (NIV)

I came to the realization, a couple of weeks ago, that September marks the start of the FIFTH year that I have been given the word from our REAL CHIEF to write this weekly article for you. That's over 200 articles. My oh my, how times flies.

I was also reminded this week of how time doesn't "fly" by all the time... with regards to my own attitudes and ways. Let me explain...

...I started Paramedic school a week and a half ago. It meets twice a week from 6PM until 10PM. And, we meet "most Saturdays" (the syllabus states) from 8AM until 5PM. This past Saturday was our first Saturday session. Did I mention that I also run a fulltime Chaplaincy to fourteen area agencies? Did I also mention that I work two 24 hour shifts every week with EMS? Are you getting the picture? Oh, perhaps, too, I should mention that I am 48 years old.

SO - I worked Friday with EMS. Yes, we ran all night. I got off shift a little after 6AM Saturday. I got to the school a little after 7. I tried to nap in the car, but to no avail. Anyway, went to class at 8 and, at 11:30, we broke for lunch. Most of the class went to lunch together. I, along with two others, rode with the instructor. At lunch, everyone began talking about runs they had been on... "war stories" is what everyone calls them in this business. Soon, though, I found myself pitching in. The talk turned to partying and womanizing of the past. Again, to my shame, I found myself talking about my past.

"Why did I do that?" I asked myself. That was pathetic. I have a new life now. One filled with great joy because my REAL CHIEF has set me free of my past. I could make the excuse that I was tired and sleepy. But, it most likely was because of a Satan-driven need to be "one of the guys." And, I'm not. I am new. CHRIST brought me to our verses for this week. Excuse me, verses for ME this week.

We are reminded to "put off our old self" because, when we asked JESUS to become our REAL CHIEF, we have been made NEW! When I opened my big mouth and began puking out the stuff I did as a non-believer, I was no longer, in those people eyes, a "changed man." I was just another old medic telling war stories.

I have apologized to GOD for what I did. When I see my classmates and instructor next week, I will apologize to them, too. Most of them won't understand why or what I am apologizing for, but that's okay. From now on, they - and everyone else around me - need to see that I am living life for my REAL CHIEF... not for my past. They need to see that what I have now is so much greater. I need to learn to remember to "put off the old." I am a new person, thanks to the GRACE and MERCY of GOD. I thank HIM every single day for the privilege of serving...

...On HIS Shift,

"Good and Bad"

September 21st, 2003

"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."

- Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

You might have seen this email:

God's Cake

Sometimes we wonder, "What did I do to deserve this", or "Why did God have to do this to me". Here is a wonderful explanation!

A daughter is telling her Mother how everything is going wrong, she's failing algebra, her boyfriend broke up with her and her best friend is moving away.

Meanwhile, her Mother is baking a cake and asks her daughter if she would like a snack, and the daughter says, "Absolutely Mom, I love your cake."

"Here, have some cooking oil," her Mother offers. "Yuck" says her daughter.

"How about a couple raw eggs?" "Gross, Mom!"

"Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?" "Mom, those are all yucky!"

To which the mother replies: "Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake!

God works the same way. Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful!

How would you know something is "good" if there wasn't something "evil" to contrast it to? Conversely, how would know something is "bad" if "good" wasn't around to compare it to?

Every week... sometimes every day, I am confronted with the good and the bad. This past week, I helped officiate at the funeral of the 24 year-old son of a friend of mine. Then, yesterday, I performed a wedding for two paramedic friends of mine. You see? A contrast of good and bad.

Our verse this week reminds us to look for the good in everything. Yes, out of the bad can come something good.

I know, you are probably asking, "What good can be pulled from your friend's son's death?" Well, the young man was a Christian. That means that the instant he died, he was standing with his JESUS in a perfect Heaven. THAT is the good found in that tragedy.

When something bad happens to you - and it will - your job is to look deep into the situation and find the good that is within. This displays to others that you are serving our REAL CHIEF...

...On HIS Shift,

"Your Neckache Gives Me A Bellyache"

September 14th, 2003

"But your eyes and your heart are set only on dishonest gain, on shedding innocent blood and on oppression and extortion."

- Jeremiah 22:17 (NIV)

We have all seen it. You pull up on a motor vehicle crash. The vehicles involved are already on the backs of wreckers. Shoot, even the glass has been swept up.

If you're new at the job, you are wondering why you have been called to the scene. If you have been on two or three runs, you know - someone there is complaining of neck pain.

I have seen "crashes" (and I use the term loosely) where there is absolutely no damage to either vehicle and, yet, there sits someone saying, "It hurts in my neck and my lower back." BOOM. Instant nausea for me.

My partner told me once upon a time he had a police officer tell the person with the "neck pain" that there was no way possible for them to be injured and, if they kept on, he was going to file charges against them for attempted insurance fraud. I say, "God bless you, officer."

Back in the seventies, the only time you c-collared and back boarded someone is if they were unconscious and/or there was obvious deformities. You know why? Because there wasn't 1000 TV commercials from unscrupulous attorneys bombarding the viewing public with testimonials about how they would be instantly rich following an accident.

Our REAL CHIEF, in our verse this week, talks about dishonest gain. In fact, there are several times in the Bible where GOD talks about using "unbalanced scales" and dishonesty.

Error on the side of the patient. If they say there neck is hurt, we must treat it like it really is. In our hearts, let's pray that those out there seeking dishonest gain come to CHRIST. Let's pray, too, that we appoint judges who recognize the fraudulent claims of those people and that they toss them out on their ears. ... oops, that might cause neck pain... that they dismiss the cases with admonitions to NEVER do that again. The word will get around... you have to be honest to be...

...On HIS Shift,

"Remembrance"

September 11th, 2003

"Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 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 40:30-31 (NIV)

Not too much I can say today. Most of America has already forgotten. I wonder if Pearl Harbor was forgotten by December 7th, 1943? I doubt it.

I have already been on the phone with some of the people I worked with at the World Trade Center. We will never forget.

I want to thank Aron Saffell of the Garland, TX Fire Department, who spearheaded an awesome memorial. He has given me permission to post pictures of it. There are 343 crosses on one acre next to Garland station seven.

Thank you Aron and GFD for remembering.

Never EVER forget that we are serving together...

...On HIS Shift,

- World Trade Center- assigned to FDNY 1st Battalion, 9/17 - 11/23/01

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.