Blog Post

As Chaplain of the Civil Air Patrol Starbase Squadron, I have the privilege of giving the Invocation Prayer for Wreaths Across America at Floral Haven Cemetery. I post this prayer to help other Chaplains start their own prayers and to borrow as I have borrowed from others. A PDF version is available by clicking on the image to the right. --->

01/13/2025

Invocation Prayer

Wreaths Across America

December 14th, 2024

Dear Heavenly Father,

We are gathered together this day, December 14th, 2024 to remember the sacrifices and hardships endured by men and women in service to our country. We remember those that have fallen, and those that completed their service, and have passed before us. As a grateful nation and community, we ask for Your blessings on the families and friends of these esteemed personnel. Our service personnel left their parents, wives, husbands, children and friends, to answer the “Call of Duty”. Many still feel the pain of their absence.

With your help and guidance, our nation has thrived and become known the world-over for freedom and prosperity. For this we thank You Lord. We ask that You comfort our military families with the knowledge that their loved ones played a significant role in advancing your Will the world.

For those who continue to feel pain, or grief in their hearts today, it may be helpful to remember that even our Lord quoted scripture for comfort. Sometimes we do not know what to pray. So, I welcome all to pray as we were taught.

Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy Will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory forever.

Amen.

Precious Thank You

Dec 26, 2022

This is a card I received last year. These kinds of things warm my heart and remind me that we work not in vain.

Inviting Strangers

Dec 22, 2022

The amount of 2% Milk our family goes through in a week is amazing. I work out at the gym twice a week and each time I go, I stop by Braums on the way home to pick up two gallons of milk. It has become part of my twice a week routine. Most of the time, there is a black lady who checks me out.

¸The first few times she helped me, I noticed she didn’t speak a lot. I thought, “Maybe english isn’t her first language”. On subsequent visits, I started to make small talk and ask her something about the weather or holiday plans. Eventually, I asked her if she was planning to be in church somewhere for Easter. She said, “I’m not from around here. I don’t have a church.”

I told her about Woodland Acres Baptist Church and how to get there. I think the five miles distance was a bit far for her. It could be that she walks to work. What struck me the most, was her asking questions! She wanted to know how to get there? Do we offer communion? What time was the service? So I gave her my business card and tried to help her visualize where 55th and Harvard was located.

So far, I haven’t seen her at church, but I keep an eye out and still see her at Braums from time to time. The point is, sometimes we make assumptions that people aren’t friendly when we haven’t yet offered friendship. Sometimes we fail to invite people because we assume they wouldn’t want to go!

Tulsa is full of visitors to our great nation. Let’s make sure that each one we meet receives a welcome invite to our friendly church, and if they don’t speak english, then at least they will have experienced the love of Jesus within us!

Going ON Mission

May 3, 2021

In Tulsa, there are many apartment buildings and communities that provide housing assistance to those in need. “Christ for Humanity” is an organization that, with the help of many partners, provides food and care packages. Rich Bartlett is one of the intake specialists at CFH and asked me to be a regular speaker at one of their drop off locations.

I have now been honored to represent Christ a number of times. This particular building has a wide range of residents. Some residents seem like your average Joe/Jane, but due to unfortunate circumstance have needed a “reboot” in life. Some deal with physical limitations that limit their options, others have mental handicaps and may always require a case worker or assisted living.

This is not an environment for a young preacher wanting to climb the rungs of a pastorate. This is the mission field. It’s right here in Tulsa. It is tough emotionally, spiritually draining, and often dirty work. What will you do when one of these “least” among us, wants a hug or to shake your hand?

I’m reminded of the time Jesus was approached by the man with leprosy. Can you imagine the shock on the disciple’s faces when Jesus didn’t recoil, but instead, touched the sick and diseased man?

I’m reminded of the stories of the nurses that remained in England during the Bubonic Plague to care for the dying, knowing that to stay was a death sentence for themselves.

I’m reminded of the nurses today that face the daily fear of COVID after watching patients die in their care.

Who am I to let bedbugs, nats, or fleas keep me from telling these people about Jesus? Most come to the meeting because of the promise of a care package, but I have seen they also come to receive some measure of hope. They need to know that someone loves them. They hunger for something more than just the food in the boxes.

Each meeting I have faithfully shared the Gospel and offered a prayer of salvation. I don’t keep score or ask them to reveal what is happening in their hearts. But I am certain, that many are praying with me as I again ask Jesus to forgive me of my sins, to come into my heart, and be my Savior and Lord.

My fears are easily dismissed with a little hand sanitizer, and when I get home, a quick shower and change of clothes. But the joy of sharing Jesus is eternal. Make the effort. Risk the consequences. God sees… and remember, they will know we are christians by our love.