The Fourth of July is a time to celebrate our freedom in the USA. What freedom do you appreciate the most?... Read more here

Amidst the hectic pace of our lives we must find ways to “recharge” for further service, similar to the way my electric razor needs recharging periodically (normally just as I am using it!). As nature around us needs time to recharge, or reconstruct, so we need this in our personal and family lives.
Just recently my wife and I took a few days away to conduct some military business, take care of some personal business, and take in a short conference. An added bonus was an unforeseen reunion with our youngest daughter who had just returned from a mission trip to Romania. What was planned as a four-day business trip ended up a recharge for us. The business was conducted swiftly and well. The conference went very well. The “down time” went very well (read: shopping for the women and book shops for me!).
Built into this time came an unexpected “Dad and Daughter Day” where we had so much fun taking care of her car, going to see “Toy Story 3” at a special theater that serves meals along with the movies, and ending up with an evening visit to one of our favorite places, Austin, Texas. A wonderful lakeside meal full of Texas hospitality was followed by a great coffee shop with incredible desserts that begged for our indulgence (we did … in moderation, of course!).
Even the hot Texas air didn’t bother me too much as we enjoyed our fresh-roasted coffee and desserts on a deck looking over the water with a soft jazz band playing nearby. Gentle conversation, an offer to snap a photo for a visiting Saudi Arabian family that led to a heart-warming conversation, and simply the time together left us incredibly refreshed, feeling we were away a week rather than just a few days.
And that’s why I bother to tell you about our little trip last week. We must take care of ourselves physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. How long has it been since you have taken a vacation? A mini-vacation? A day away? A few hours in the park?
The Bible has much to say about the value of a Sabbath rest … a concept lost to many of us in our modern world. While my purpose in this article is not to wax theological, it is to urge all of us to find the rest we need … and summer is a great time to do that for many of us.
Fall will be here soon along with the beginning of the school year, a refocus on business, and the rush of the holidays. Are you taking time to rest and restore?
If you don’t, you may respond somewhat like my electric razor when the demand exceeds the charge … it shuts down!
Make time to rest and restore! For everyone’s sake do it.... Read more here

I was able to be with one of our kids last week for a few days … a rare opportunity anymore! On Father’s Day all four of our kids spoke with me on the phone, and I heard the “Da Da” and “Ma Ma” from our infant grandson. What a privilege to be a father, to provide spiritual, emotional, and physical support to others. While none of us fulfills this role perfectly, what a privilege to be a Dad!... Read more here

Regarding one’s outlook toward his wife, the writer of Proverbs, Chapter 31, said, “Give her the product of her hand, and let her works praise her in the gate.”
Today I would like to send a few lines with the intention of fulfilling that admonition … I would like to tell you that 15 years ago today my wife, Shelley, bravely raised her right hand and swore to “support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic ….” She was commissioned as a nurse officer in the U.S. Air Force and I had the privilege of administering that oath at a simple ceremony with family and friends present in the chapel hall at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. The cake had an image of “Hotlips Houlihan” on top!
What I think is amazing is that Shelley took this bold step as a mother of four children at home, the oldest age 13 and the youngest age six. Her decision to enter the military was the result of months of prayer and seeking after wisdom. It was not an easy decision and it has not been an easy life, but it has been very rewarding. She’s one of those incredible Moms who can handle home, work, shift work, children, and military duties. Her earnest prayer was that any military career would not hurt our children. While certainly not for everyone, it’s been right for Shelley.
Always one to keep busy with her civilian nursing career, Shelley realized that once I entered active duty we would be moving a lot, and she would be starting at the bottom of the job list with each successive move. What began as an idea in observing a female officer neighbor emerged into reality after many months. The road was full of challenges: the disbelief of the recruiter she and I visited together, the humility of going through MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) complete with a “duck walk” in her underwear with others young enough to be her kids, the incredulous response from nearly everyone we told concerning this venture. The chorus of negativity could have been deafening.
But, armed with a sincere belief that this was God’s will for our family, my full support (and, usually, a good attitude!), the unanimity of our children’s assent, and the timely encouragement of a certain chaplain who is now responsible for all Air Force chaplains we pushed ahead. And the rest is history.
When we have a vision of what is right for us we need to pursue it diligently. There will always be detractors. Push ahead anyway. Just make sure you know it’s right for you.
Six assignments later, an unaccompanied Korea tour for me (leaving her alone with four kids, military shift work, and seven TDYs that year), six months living in a tent in a war zone at the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom, holding it together during my two deployments, and living apart for a year to accommodate educational assignments, it has all been more than worth it!
Thanks, Shelley, for serving! Our great nation and our family are far better because you have served!
Our four kids and (so far) one grandchild and I rise up and bless you!... Read more here

Happy Birthday to the Army … 235 and going strong!... Read more here