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

"And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people."

- Matthew 14:19 (NIV)

I can remember back to elementary school (okay...okay... play along with me! PRETEND I can remember that far back!). Every fall, the teachers would tell us about the "first" thanksgiving. Now, I am not much of a historian. But, I can recall them talking about the pilgrims and Indians calling for a truce and all of them sat down together for a huge feast. So, naturally, I have always associated "giving thanks" with food!!! hehehehe. Okay, not really. But, we do, I believe, tend to overemphasize overeating the overabundance of food during this holiday.

Now, I don't how true the story of the pilgrims and all of that is. But, I don't think that was really the first thanksgiving. I think the first thanksgiving was when our REAL CHIEF grabbed the bread and the fish and, notice what the verse says, GAVE THANKS while looking up to Heaven. Those five loaves and two fish were a big enough feast to feed, the Bible says, over 5000 (and that number didn't include the women and children)! Talk about a feast!!!

Thanksgiving is kinda a special holiday for me, seeing how I was born on Thanksgiving day... yeah, yeah, I know... I am a turkey!! heheheheh. Nowadays, though, I want to remember, as the Bible says, to "give thanks in all circumstances." Sometimes that is tough to do, isn't it?

I hope and pray that each of you have a great holiday. Oh, by the way, I just heard on the radio yesterday that one slice of pecan pie contains 575 calories and 37 grams of fat! Think I'll skip that dessert this year. However, please pass the cranberry sauce....

I am thanking HIM right now for allowing me to serve all of you...

...On HIS Shift,

"Specialization"

November 17th, 2002

"... because the LORD your God loves you."

- Deuteronomy 23:5(b) (NIV)

Yesterday, I went through the instructors course for bloodborne pathogen/infectious diseases control. In less than a month, I am headed to the National Fire Academy. I got accepted into the class on "Advanced Incident Safety Operations & Management." I have already been through the NFA's Incident Safety Officer class. So, I guess you could say, that my "specialization" as a firefighter is "Safety."

We are all good at what we do, or else we wouldn't be in the fire or EMS field. Either we would realize it, or our officers would realize it and we would be out the door. Furthermore, I believe that just as our REAL CHIEF has given us the ability to our jobs as firefighters and/or EMTs, HE also gives us a "special gift" or talent that goes above and beyond our regular duties. What are you especially drawn to; Truck operations? Hazmat? High-angle Rescue? Tactical Medic? Extrication? ARFF?

I mention this because, if you are like me, sometimes you question your abilities, your own talents, your own worth to the crew and, even, you own self-worth. The danger is that you can start believing yourself! You see, GOD loves you. You need to know that. You need to remind yourself of that.

The other day, an email friend of ours, sent me something that I think you should read:

Facts of Life

1. At least 5 people in this world, love you so much they would die for you.
2. At least 15 people in this world love you, in some way.
3. The only reason anyone would ever hate you, is because they want to be just like you.
4. A smile from you, can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you.
5. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.
6. You mean the world to someone.
7. Without you, someone may not be living.
8. You are special and unique, in your own way.
9. Someone that you don't know even exists, loves you.
10. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good comes from it.
11. When you think the world has turned it's back on you, take a look, you most likely turned your back on the world.
12. When you think you have no chance at getting what you want, you probably won't get it, but if you believe in yourself, you probably sooner or later will get it.
13. Always remember complements you received, forget about the rude remarks.
14. Always tell someone how you feel, then they'll know.
15. If you have a great friend, take the time to let them know that they're great.

I don't know who authored that or I would love to give them the credit for it. The point in it is that you are special! Do you believe that? Our REAL CHIEF does. And, HE wants you to know how very special you are to HIM!

We all have a specialization. Find out what your specialty is. Go to every class you can. Develop your talent. Teach it to others.

The next time you start questioning yourself, remember this: Our REAL CHIEF's specialization is LOVE. And, HE wants you to know that LOVE and to know how special you are when you are serving...

...On HIS Shift,

"Supply Officer"

November 10th, 2002

"You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God."

- 2 Corinthians 9:11 (NIV)

I just looked at the calendar and I KNOW someone must have tore a couple of pages out, because the calendar I have says it is already... NOVEMBER??? C'mon! Only forty-five days until Christmas? Please slow this thing down. hehehehee

So, here we are, approaching Thanksgiving. So, I thought I would share some of the "basics" of Stress Relief right out of the Standard Operating Guidelines for Life: The Bible. One of the basics you need to know (get it? need?) is that our REAL CHIEF promises us that when we trust in HIM and are obedient to HIM, HE will supply our needs. HE becomes our "Supply Officer" of all necessities.

One of HIS promises to us is that HE will provide for us with such generosity, that we will have enough to, in turn, provide for others, who, in turn, give thanks to GOD for providing!!! Do you see how that works in full circle? Our REAL CHIEF provides for you in abundance so that you can help meet other's needs, so that GOD can receive the thanks. I LOVE how HE works in our lives!

Look for ways to be able to give to others, so that they and you can join together in thanksgiving to our REAL CHIEF, who allows us the privilege of serving together...

...On HIS Shift,

"Disaster Drill"

November 3rd, 2002

"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die."

- John 11:25(b) - 26(a) (NIV)

I was asked to take part in a huge Mass Casualty Drill that took place yesterday. My estimation is that over twenty agencies participated. The scenario was a WMD (weapons of mass destruction) event at a high school stadium. Over 100 kids were moulaged up and, I have to applaud them, braved some chilly temperatures for several hours.

Anyway, of all the multiple units that responded, fire, EMS, etc... I think less than 10% "survived." Anyone that entered the "hot zone" was immediately "killed." And, of course, almost all of our "victims" ended up dying. The only responders that lived, were the ones who had not only studied the effects of WMD events, but they also listened to on-scene instructions. Thus, they lived so they could, in turn, help others live.

And, so it is here on earth, I believe. Life is a "Disaster Drill" sometimes, isn't it? You see, our REAL CHIEF assures us that if we listen to HIM while working the "hot zones" of life, we will live... eternally! To know how to survive in life, we must also study the SOG's (Standard Operating Guidelines) for Life - The Holy Bible. In studying, we learn that as we enter into the "hot zone," we should help others to live by giving them the Message of Hope... that is, to tell them about how serving our REAL CHIEF has saved you and can also save them.

I love that assurance... the promise that if I believe and follow my REAL CHIEF, that I will make it through the "Disaster Drills of Life" on earth and never die. HE makes that promise to you, too. Let HIM guide you through this life, so that you may spend eternity...

...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.