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November 2001 The "instruction book" for life is the Bible.
"For the Fire Service" "How People Thank God Because of What You Do" November 23, 2001 "This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. - 2 Corinthians 9:12-15(NIV) It's been almost two weeks since my last Stress Relief article. So, this one will have to fill in for last Sunday and this Sunday. Is that okay? Thanks!!! Speaking of thanks... (nice lead-in, huh? hehehehe) ...did you know that because of what we do, others will thank our REAL CHIEF? Our verse this week comes from one of the letters that the Apostle Paul wrote to the church in the city of Corinth. Paul is writing them to tell them that their obedience in "supplying others needs" is why God is being thanked. Well, what we do, I believe, also causes people to thank God. I just got back from my fourth trip to New York City. And while there, I hear it over and over again; "Thank God for the firefighters... thank God for the paramedics... thank God for the police officers... yes, thank God for people willing to go into harm's way to save others." Over 400 firefighters, paramedics and police officers performed that ultimate service on 9-11-01. In doing so, it is estimated that almost 45,000 people were saved in the evacuation efforts! Multiple that by a factor of about 200 (to account for family and friends of those who survived) and you have a total of over 9,000,000 thanks to our REAL CHIEF! Never before in the history of the United States have public servants meant so much to our citizens. But, then again, never before had we had to pay such a price. Yes, it's very true; what we do every day is reason for thanks to God. And, not just from others... are YOU thanking our REAL CHIEF for allowing you to serve HIM? I do. I mean, I try to remember to thank HIM every day for the opportunity to serve HIM by serving you. It is even the mission statement of Emergency Ministries - "To Serve God by Serving Those Who Serve Others." And, look at the bonus you will receive. Read what the last sentence of our verses say this week... the people will be praying for you and will hold you in their hearts! I don't know about you, but I can't think of any better reasons to be serving... ...On HIS Shift,
"Calm Under Fire" November 11, 2001 "He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, 'Quiet! Be still!' Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, 'Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?'" - Mark 4:39-40 (NIV) Have you ever been on a fireground working under an incident commander that never, ever got stressed? You know, the type of boss that you would follow into any fire situation? When you have this type of captain (or chief, or whatever) who can stand in the midst of total and utter chaos and he still orchestrates a successful outcome to an emergency situation, then what you have is a person that you can follow with complete confidence. Do you know why? Simple... because he brings calm professionalism to a chaotic scene. What it boils down to is this; his/her calm in the situation promotes calmness in you. Thus, the whole situation works in your favor. In our verse this week is one example from the Standard Operating Procedures for life (the Bible). Jesus and his disciples (THE REAL CHIEF and his firefighters) are in a boat (on a fireground) and a strong storm comes up (high winds force the fire onto an adjacent structure). HIS disciples (firefighters) get stressed and, yes, a little frightened. Christ (our REAL CHIEF) rebukes the storm (orchestrates and directs the attack on the fire) and the storm is completely calmed (the fire is tapped out). HE then asks HIS disciples (HIS firefighters), "why are you still stressed out, knowing my performance record on the fireground?" Christ truly is our Supreme Incident Commander. HE has complete and total knowledge of every situation we come across. All HE asks of us is to have faith in HIM and to be obedient to HIS commands as we serve... ...On HIS Shift,
"More Firefighters" November 4, 2001 "Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory!" - 1 Chronicle 4:10(a) (NIV) Some of you may have read the book "The Prayer of Jabez." I did. And, I have been praying this prayer as often as I think about it. Guess what happens? Our REAL CHIEF answers! I just returned yesterday from my third trip to New York City. I counseled more firefighters. I also attended the Memorial service for Lt. Kevin Pfiefer. I did so because I had met his incredible brother, Joe. Joe is a Battalion One chief with FDNY. Did I mention that he was the Incident Commander initially at Tower 1 on 9/11? After speaking with Joe a few weeks back, I told him I would make every effort to return for his brother's service. So, you know what I did? I prayed the prayer of Jabez. Our REAL CHIEF answered with yet a third donated flight from my pals at Carlson Wagonit Travel and Continental Airlines. I had also been praying this little prayer that my ministry might grow and expose HIS work to more firefighters. Again, HE answered. Two weeks ago we added Conroe, Texas Fire Department. This last week, we added the Cypress Creek Fire Department (the chief of which is an awesome man and a follower of our REAL CHIEF). Now, how can I handle all the new firefighters? Easy... I can't! But, our REAL CHIEF can! Again, when HE enlarges your territory, I believe HE gives you the means to accomplish HIS work. So, you know what HE did? He brought a man to me by the name of Kenny Martin. I have just appointed Kenny as the Law Enforcement Chaplain for Emergency Ministries. And, he wants to cross-train in the fire service! More about Kenny at a later date. The point is this; if you actively serve our REAL CHIEF, ask for HIS blessings and ask for an enlarged territory to spread HIS word, HE will answer! Your job at that point is to obediently follow HIM as you 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.
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