Movie Review of New Iraq War Film

There is a new Iraq war film out called, "The Messenger." No, it's not about Islam. It's supposed to be about the life of a Casualty Notification Officer (CNO), starring Woody Harrelson. This review from the N.Y. Times discusses the fact that Iraq war films have been underwhelming. The closest film to get it right, and I still didn't like it was "Hurt Locker." I didn't see all of the Hurt Locker, it just didn't hold my attention; though it was dramatic it felt slow and choppy.

In the Messenger, there is no flash bang, it's all about dialogue and drama. Just reading this N.Y. Times review about the movie, it makes no mention whatsoever about the Chaplain's role in handling Casualty Notification. Any Chaplain worth their salt will tell you it is probably the most difficult job they will ever perform. I know from experience that the Chaplain not only is there to support the bereaved, but the CNO! Sometimes it's the Chaplain who has to hold it all together. There are lots of variables to consider as one approaches this situation. Having just read this review, if they chucked the Chaplain out of the film, then they've just missed a big piece of reality.

Apparently Harrelson's character just returned from a deployment to Iraq and has taken this position as a CNO. Notice in the picture above there is no combat patch on his Class A uniform, right shoulder sleeve. A big no-go. He should be wearing all his bling and shinies. If they don't get little stuff like that right, they will get written off like all the other Iraq war flicks.

Frontlines Spiritual Warfare

This picture was painted by Michelangelo circa 1487-1489. It is St. Anthony fighting off demons. Here is a short version of the story, and here is a longer version of a bio of St. Anthony. I read Athanasius' Life of St. Anthony many years back, and though one might have to discern your way around it, it definitely had some take-aways to ponder. And, thus I use his life as example for this ministry experience below, among others as way of reference.

One of the most unique ministry experiences I had while deployed occurred at a JSS located a stones throw from Sadr City.

One night while lifting weights (not too much) in the gym, there was quite a bit of chatter and laughter coming from the company commander's table that was a few feet away from the gym. He called out to me something like, "Hey Chaplain, you're gonna need to go exorcise that room up there." And, the guys around the table were laughing. I took it kind of like a joke, and was hanging out with another Trooper doing our gym time, so I didn't pursue what he was talking about.

Later that night I bumped into a bunch of guys who stopped me and told me that they were not kidding. That there was some really creepy stuff going on in the one room where there are 2 super-duper Paratrooper squad leaders living. So, I inquired further.

I ended up seeing one of the squad leaders not too much longer after that. He had bandages rolling up his arm and it appeared he had burn wounds on his neck, face, and arm. I asked him what happened and he said he didn't know. He had a huge blister on his arm that was popping up about 2 inches high and about 3 inches or more in circumference. He was pretty angry and upset. And, this is what he told me:

A dark figure had been coming into his room on a regular basis in the middle of the night. He and his roommate would hear the door open and see this figure standing there. Eventually, the figure on one occasion entered the room when the other squad leader was in there sleeping by himself. This thing, picked him up out of bed, and threw him on the floor and pulled a huge satellite dish off the top bunk to crash down upon him. This squad leader is no small guy. This guy was freaked out, and didn't know exactly what to do.

Then, the Trooper that I was talking with, the one with the second degree burns that went from his arm to his upper lip told me his story. The dark figure opened the door when he was alone sleeping. He sat up to see it. The figure then caused a spark to appear like a cigarette lighter. As the Trooper was sitting up in bed watching this about 5 feet away, all of sudden he started to feel a burning sensation all over the areas of his body that I had just described. And, he started yelling, "I'm on fire, I'm on fire!"

So, I went to the room and heard these stories in detail from both of these guys. Let me tell you, these guys are not push-overs. They are high-speed squad leader Infantry Paratroopers. They are in incredibly great shape and highly professional. But, when they were telling me their stories in their room, their eyes were as wide as saucers and completely freaked out.

I asked them if they wanted this spiritual harassment to stop. And, of course they did. I addressed in a general fashion that any sin issues in their lives needed to be cleaned up. And, I prayed with them. Then I anointed them with oil, and told that "thing" in prayer to go to hell and never return to harass them. My chaplain Assistant was with me, and I asked them to go down the hall while I prayed in the Spirit and anointed their room with oil on the inside and out, especially the door.

SGT Hobbs told me later that in the hallway one of them said to him, "Wow, the Chaplain told that thing to go to hell!" Sure, that's where it belongs. I thought that was pretty funny. But, Jesus says, "Don't rejoice that demons are subject to my Name. But rejoice your names are written in Heaven."

That place was turned over to the Iraqis. But, every time I went back to visit that JSS I asked those guys if they had any more problems. And, they said, "No." Well, I don't think I'd ever send up a Powerpoint Storyboard slide to Corps indicating a "Best Practice," but, it's sure one to put in the ministry history books on this deployment.

"Chaplain, I didn't know you could do an exorcism?" Sure, why not?

Looking Back

Here is a brief article from WSJ about Soldier-to-Soldier Attacks; motivations vary. One can certainly connect the dots. But, there are still a lot more questions than answers. The right people will sort them out among military and civilians at one level.

As we know, this behavior by anyone is intolerable and unacceptable. However, the one who is on the brink, it may seem completely rational, though it's totally evil. To ask the question of the one who has already gone off the cliff it is too late. But, the question to America is, "Where does one get a world view that it is reasonable to commit such egregious acts?" Is the record high suicide rate in the military a product of a crumbled or incomplete world view as well? I think so. The world view is latent in the one who commits the acts. The stress and strains of military life may only push one to the point where the failed world view spills over into tragedy.

I believe we are in a spiritual and moral wasteland like America has never experienced before. The long-war on terror is just bringing out what is already within us. And without revival we're doomed to slip farther into darkness. This last statement sounds so hopeless. Yet, I am hopeful. The absence of war, or the education of certain fundamental values could help stem the tide. But ultimately, that's not the answer either. Educating garbage is just garbage that is educated. What is latent in America is still reality, whether we want to take a good look inside of ourselves or not. What is needed is transformation. Only the Truth will set us free.

Thoughts and Prayers for Soldiers and Families of Ft. Hood

As I've read through the the N.Y. Times and the Washington Post last night, browsed through Foxnews.com and CNN.com, the media brought out different angles of the story. Many of them had contradicting thoughts.

Many of you are now having contradicting thoughts. This is the classic 1. Shock, 2. Anger, 3. Denial, 4. Bargaining, 5. Depression or some kind of variation of Elizabeth Kubler Ross's Stages of Grief. It's natural to be feeling this way. It might be worth your while to Google it.

It's easy to be the arm chair critic right now. I've had some very angry thoughts that I would have liked to blog. The conversation is happening everywhere: the water cooler, the kitchen, the Internet, from your neck up, or any place where people get together to gab. I've decided not to be the critic on this blog. I can connect the dots just like anyone else. Is it not obvious? Or is it?

What it boils down to is this: it is a very sad moment for our country and military. And right now, most of all, Ft. Hood and Families need your prayers and support. May the Lord provide comfort in this great time of need.

A Post Post Reformation Day Post

I just finished reading Mark Batterson's Evotional blog titled, "Do we need another Reformation?" His short answer is, "yes."

Just a few days ago I wrote a Post Reformation Day Post basically saying that I wouldn't place a picture of Martin Luther posting his 95 Thesis on the Wittenburg Door on my blog. I still hold to that. It's important to have doctrinal boundaries and know what you believe. If you analyze what I'm saying I hope you will get this point: It's more important to be for something, than living your life against something. Let's not live in the past because our work is still cut out for us.

I read this passage almost every day in my Palm Pilot. "Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good. Let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil," (I Peter 3.10-12).

I concur with Luther in his 95 Thesis, and I whole-heartedly agree with Mark that we indeed need a new Reformation, re-capturing something that we have forgotten. (And, I can't wait to read his book, "Primal.") We haven't forgotten Luther's work and the theological boundaries that are now in place. What's the point of rubbing it in the Catholic's face?

Luther is a milestone, an important one, in Church History. But, we can't stop there. The Reformation principle that the Church always needs to reform herself is true. The Church hasn't arrived. Ephesians 4.13 is incomplete, "until we attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."

The context for this is the gifts that God has given to the Church. It is incomplete. The Church is underdeveloped. And, there is a big job ahead of us. What are we missing? What do we need to rediscover? I'm going to check out what Mark has to say.

Dangles

This is Dangles. He is a beloved dog by our Paratroopers on this JSS. I can't leave here without posting about Dangles.

There is a difference of opinion, culturally speaking, on how Americans and Iraqis view man's best friend. Dangles has been around us since our first platoon arrived here in December of 2008. Dangles got his name because someone decided to shoot him, and everyone thought he ran off to die. But Dangles emerged, a tough old dog, with a permanent limp and a back leg that just . . . dangles. Ergo, his name.

When I took this picture, he had flies all over him. A new Sergeant that arrived complimented the dog in front of me, trying to scatter the flies off of him as I took his picture. Americans just love Dangles.

Dangles even tried to run with me on three legs when I took my PT test in July. He owns the place. If you think he's a mild mannered canine and he's there to be pushed around, you'll have to think again. No one who taunts this dog will get away with it. He will love you, but he'll also make you respect him.

Although I've just written some flattering words about a wounded dog, I can't help think about the analogy of Dangles to Christians. I think about the book that Henri Nouwen wrote, "Wounded Healer." Though all of us have been tainted by sin, those who allow Christ in our lives will emerge not just with God's Spirit, but we will rise again in the Resurrection to eternal life someday.

Though God's Spirit lives in us as Christians, we are still touched by sin in and around us. We no longer have a mortal wound that will lead us to death, but we still carry around with us the effects of it. We are like Dangles.

Dangles is one confident canine. Everyone who meets him is impressed by this dog. Christians in the same way can be confident that God has got our backs, that He loves us, and will never forsake us, and He empowers us by his Spirit. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead can live in you. Do you want that?

Every time I saw Dangles I didn't feel pity for him; he was a living reminder of what God wants to do in me.

The Spiritual and Physical Athlete

While deployed to Iraq I've reflected a lot about being an ascetic. In the Early Church there was a group called, "The Desert Fathers" that many sought spiritual insight from. They were considered Spiritual Athletes.

Here is a broad definition of an Ascetic. Simply put, an Ascetic is considered to be a Spiritual Athlete. As a Chaplain deployed to the desert, obviously without my wife and children there are ascetical qualities that are inherent. Yet, it's not just spiritual self-denial, but maintaining good physical conditioning through Physical Training (PT), even during deployment to a desert. There is a physical addition to the ascetical life as a Chaplain.

Here is an oldy but goody article that Eugene Peterson wrote for Christianity Today about the Ascetical and Aesthetical qualities of following Jesus. It's a great read. I've highlighted an excerpt, getting down into the weeds of a Christian definition of following Jesus, utilizing the ancient definition of ascetic and how it relates to the Christian life today.

"The ascetic. This is God's no in Jesus. Jesus' words are succinct and stark: "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me" (8:34). The ascetic life deals with life on the road.

The verbs that leap out of the sentence and pounce on us are "deny yourself" and "take up your cross." Renunciation and death. It feels like an assault, an attack. We recoil.

But then we notice that these two negatives are bracketed by the positive verb "follow," first as an infinitive, then as an imperative. "If anyone wants to follow" opens the sentence; "you follow me" concludes it. Jesus is going someplace; he invites us to come along. There is no hostility in that. It sounds, in fact, quite glorious: the great verb "follow" sheds glory on the negative verbs that call for renunciation and death."

I think it was Mark Batterson who said, "A change of pace, plus a change of place, equals spiritual growth." Certainly doing this kind of job qualifies, if one uses it as an opportunity for spiritual growth.

How might you avail yourself to an opportunity of spiritual growth?

The Secrets of Military Leadership

From WaPo: Here is an assorted compendium of reflections from various journalists, et. al., who have answered some of the questions why the American public has such a high trust level and respect for her Military Leadership. How might some of this translate to the Church? What aspects of leadership are they doing right?

Favorite Thing about Iraq and My Reverse Bucket List

This energy drink that I've only seen in Iraq is really good. I like the taste way better than any I've tasted back in the States: "Wild Tiger." Forget about sleeping if you drink one of these. Energy drinks like Red Bull, Monster, etc., are staple methods for liquidation, if you you can get your hands on some. I know, I just used the word liquidation in a new way. But, this Wild Tiger is the bomb.

Barbara asked me about my Bucket List. Things I want to do when I get home. Well, I'm still thinking about things I want to be removed from, like far far away. No offense to any Iraqi friends.

1. Indirection Fire (IDF). This means mortars and rockets--RPGs and 107mm. I got to see all three in a personal way.

2. IEDs/EFP, especially the latter. That is the Iranian version of an IED. It explodes and shoots out 1 to 4 (array) molten copper (most effective) or steal slugs, that are larger than softball size.

3. This goes along with #1 and #2. Driving on Route Predators or Route Plutos, the deadliest roads in Baghdad.

4. The almost constant stench of burning garbage and ubiquitous sewage.

5. This really could be #1. The absence of my wife and kids. Yeah, that could be on the bucket list. But, the sense of loneliness and absence of Family is painful enough to say I'm ready to leave that feeling behind.

6. No longer shaving with a bottle of water, sometimes on the hood of a 1151 HMMWV.

7. No longer carrying around a tourniquet in my lower right pocket. It's just awkward to think about having to save your own limb or someone else's on a daily basis, as it's just one reminder of potential danger. Oh yeah, and so you don't bleed out too.

8. Crazy sleep schedule. We own the night.

9. Regular Army chow.

10. The heat. I'm ready for four seasons.

And, one more. 11. The multiple-times-a-day Muslim Call to Prayer.

Movie about Muhammad

The producer of the Matrix is planning to unleash a movie most Muslims will disagree with. This is definitely one way to "educate" the West about Islam. It will definitely upset the apple cart.

Post Reformation Day Post

1 November is Reformation Day. I'm a little late on posting. I've been a little distracted. Our Internet has been turned off. In military parlance that's called a "commo blackout." Our brother infantry battalion lost a Paratrooper in a vehicle roll-over. This is coming on the end of the coat tails of the deployment. It's a hard hit right before our return. If you think of it, please pray for 1-Panther and the Family.

As commo came up I noticed some significant Christian blogs with the picture of Marty Luther posting his Thesis on the Wittenburg Door. When in college my friends and I celebrated Reformation Day together with some silliness. It was a lot of fun.

I grew up in a Family where my Dad was a devout Catholic and my mother Pentecostal. I like to say that after Church on Sunday at dinner time (lunch) we had holy wars. Not all the time, of course. But, it was kind of like Northern Ireland to take the metaphor farther. I had to do comparative religion at a young age. Well, my older brother, retired Air Force Officer and his Family have maintained the Catholic faith and so it still runs in my Family. He's been an Ordained Deacon in the Church for several years now. The polemics have ceased, but the wrestling with the doctrines of faith has not, at least in my mind.

He has been influenced by Pentecostal Pneumatology and just the shear experience of knowing God in the third Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit. There is one particular story that if I wrote it out here, you would be taken aback by a bona fide miracle through the power of the Holy Spirit as it relates to the conversion of his friend one night. Perhaps I'll save that story for another time.

Here is a story from Christianity Today about the growing rift between Catholics and Evangelicals Together (ECT). ECT is not just a document that leadership from two sides of the Church signed, but it's a kind of a movement. Where has it gone? Where is it going? What does it mean in relation to John 17?

As a student in a Bible College I celebrated Reformation Day. Today, I wouldn't be so quick to post a picture of the great Martin Luther at the Wittenburg Door. Looking forward to reading Wright and Piper when I get home.

Is God in Your Foxhole?

This tattoo on one of the Paratroopers in my battalion is my favorite. It shows Paratoopers making a jump with Michael the Arcangel protecting them. I love the idea combining spiritual and physical warefare becaues it's reality. See Daniel 10.

You've heard the saying, "There's no atheists in foxholes." That's a good generalization. Sometimes you might hear a Christian leader say something to the effect that war is wrong because the above cliche is actually innacurate and they know someone who has lost their faith while deployed. It does happen. I talked to someone recently who is wondering about his faith right now as a result of the deployment.

Today I got this email from my friend Barbara, whose son was in 2-505 PIR, Charlie Co, last deployment. Over lunch today, talking to a former Platoon Sergeant from Charlie I found out that it is the most decorated Company in the 82D Airborne Division since WWII. That Company lost 11 men in Samarra, Iraq during the Surge.

Her son was in Charlie when it was all going down. I want to post some of her email here to me today:

I just checked in with your blog and am sitting here with tears flowing. I thank God that you were with the troops during this deployment. I know that prayers are constantly surrounding you, but I can't imagine the hardships, the terror, the darkness that some can fall into in that horrible place. A troop has to have God and walk with God and stay in his spirit. Your charge is so great a mission and I know that Christians have been found, developed and grown under your guidance and teaching. I praise God for you.

Jason said that God wasn't an option, but right there along side him, with his weapon and ammunition, going into battle against evil. He said he saw things that couldn't be explained logically, but only as a part of God's plan. I have often said, and have heard others parents say that we thought joining the Army was the worst thing our child could do, but now know it is the best thing our man did. Jason grew so much spiritually and for that I thank God, and the chaplains who guided him.

During my last round of Battfield Circulation I taked with a Platoon Leader who is a Christian, and whose Platoon Sergeant is one as well. They had a very close call not too long ago when they were on a dismounted foot patrol, having walked right passed an implanted IED. That's the short version. He said to me, "That is the 6th time this deployment God has protected us." Who get's the glory for that? Not the Platoon Leader, or the Platoon Sergeant, though their tactical skills are among the best. It is God who gets the glory.

Remember the story of David and Goliath? We get excited when we think about a teen-age boy with a sling and a few stones killing the Philistine Giant. The spiritual principle behind the story is not that David is bigger, stronger, faster, and better equipped, but God used the weak to accomplish His mission and get the glory. God uses the weak to confound the strong so that when even when the strong can be strong alone, dependence on God is what really makes the difference.

Is God in your foxhole?

Anyone can loose faith in war. There are many complexities and difficulties to try to sort out. But, anyone can loose faith in places where God may seemingly abound. I was the Dean of Men at a Christian College for 4 years. I saw Christian students loose their faith at a Christian College. What really matters is the soil of one's heart. See Luke 8.4-15.

I tell my little flock that I think being a Christian in the Army is the most difficult place to live it out. But, how about secular college campuses. Mark Batterson in his blog today highlights the challenges posed there and is doing something about it.

What fox hole are you living in? Everyone has one. Jesus says this, "The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name" (Rev. 3.12).

Now that will be one awesome tattoo. I'll wait to get one then.

A Little Lesson from Kierkegaard

Kierkegaard is one of my favorite philosophers. This Gray Lady Editorial, "The Pursuit of What Matters in Troubled Times" is a good one, helping those see the eternal in the mundane. It's square 1 faith, if that is where one is. And, that's o.k. The starting point can never be self, unless you see yourself as needing God, which we all do. As the article points out, it's neither failure or success that truly makes us happy. It's connecting with the Divine.

Discipleship Assessment Tool

In my last Bible Study I was focusing on what it means to be a disciple. Afterward, a Soldier told me there was a model for what I had just taught. (And, I'm still thinking about this.) It's called the wheel. And, here's a site that offers lots of practical ideas on how to implement the Great Commission.

Brief Interview with Dr. David Wells

A good read:

Prior to the Renewing the Evangelical Mission Conference, Dr. David Wells, gave this brief interview with the Boston Globe, titled "Good Faith." See Discipleship Delimma post below.

Blessed are the Peacemakers

This is SGT Hobbs, my Chaplain Assistant, holding a soccer ball that my mother sent to me when we were doing Humanitarian Aid (HA) Distribution Operations. Posting this pic is long over due as I promised my Mom to put it up so she can see it.

Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God." Daughters included.

I came across this list the other day as it was written on something like a post it note placed on a desk. So, I hand copied it too. Then, I pulled it up on the Net, so I know it's not classified, but it's apropos.

COIN (Counter Insurgency) Paradoxes :

1. The more you protect the force, the less secure you are.
2. The more force you use, the less effective you are.
3. Sometimes doing nothing is the best reaction.
4. The host nation doing something poorly is sometimes better than CF doing it well.
5. If a tactic works this week, it may not next week.
6. The more successful you are, the less force you use, and the more risk you must accept.
7. Most of the important decisions are not made by the Generals.

Can you see any Christian parallels?

Peace out,

Paul

Discipleship Dilemma

My seminary alma mater hosted a conference called, "Renewing the Evangelical Mission." Apparently, the title was enough to draw a reporter and be newsworthy. More than newsworthy, it's scarey. After all, if you haven't seen this data from about a month ago, it ought to cause one to pause and reflect harder on what Evangelicals are doing, or maybe not.