VOL 5, NO 14! JANUARY 5, 2015 CHAPLAIN S SITREP

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1 VOL 5, NO 14! JANUARY 5, 2015 CHAPLAIN S SITREP 40th Expeditionary Signal Battalion CH(CPT) Andrew E. Calvert & PFC Noah T. Hill The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God s help, I do humbly entreat him by his grace to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to his will, for Christ s sake. Remember to read over these Resolutions once a week. Overall Life Mission 1 1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriad s of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many and how great soever. 2. Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new invention and contrivance to promote the aforementioned things. 3. Resolved, if ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again. 4. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it. 6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live. 22. Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for Connect With Me flickr.com/photos/chapcalvert facebook.com/chapcalvert Camp Buehring, Kuwait (Sep 14) myself as much happiness, in the other world, as I possibly can, with all the power; might, vigor, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of. 62. Resolved, never to do anything but duty; and then according to Eph. 6:6-8, do it willingly and cheerfully as unto the Lord, and not to man; knowing that whatever good thing any man doth, the same shall he receive of the Lord. June 25 and July 13, Good Works 11. Resolved, when I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved, immediately to do what I can towards solving it, if circumstances don t hinder. 13. Resolved, to be endeavoring to find out fit objects of charity and liberality. 69. Resolved, always to do that, which I shall wish I had done when I see others do it. Aug. 11, Time Management 5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can. 7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life. 17. Resolved, that I will live so as I shall wish I had done when I come to die. 18. Resolved, to live so at all times, as I think Informative Articles ~ The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards Spiritual Fitness Pg 4 ~ Scripture, Prayer and Discipleship Training Pg 5 ~ 2 Jan: Redeployment Training ~ 23 Jan:Trip to the NECK Buehring ~ Apr: Married Strong Bonds ~ 21 May: Singles Strong Bonds Things of Interest ~ Odd & Silly Holidays Pg 2 ~ Surviving the Elements: Tips & Guides Pg 3 ~ This Week in History Pg 5 ~ Bible Trivia Quiz Pg 5 Quote of the Week It is a poor sermon that gives no offense; that neither makes the hearer displeased with himself nor with the preacher. ~ George Whitefield Your eyes are not deceiving you. That is SFC Smolinski actually working. Daily Scriptures Jan 5 Gen 9-10, Ps 5, Mt 7 Jan 6 Gen 11-12, Ps 6, Mt 8 Jan 7 Gen 13-15, Ps 7, Mt 9 Jan 8 Gen 16-17, Ps 8, Mt 10 Jan 9 Gen 18-19, Ps 9, Mt 11 Jan 10 Gen 20-21, Ps 10, Mt 12 Jan 11 Gen 22-23, Ps 11, Mt 13

2 PFC Hill holding down the gunner s seat. I think we can put a few more things in there though. It s a great day when you begin redeployments briefings. HHC s own, SGT Camacho has reenlisted. Thank you for your service, SGT Camacho. ODD & SILLY HOLIDAYS Monday - 5 January National Bird Day Tuesday - 6 January Cuddle Up Day Wednesday - 7 January Old Rock Day Thursday - 8 January Bubble Bath Day Friday - 9 January Play God Day Saturday - 10 January Houseplant Appreciation Day Peculiar People Day Sunday - 11 January Step in a Puddle and Splash Your Friend's Day is best in my devout frames, and when I have clearest notions of things of the gospel, and another world. 19. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if I expected it would not be above an hour, before I should hear the last trump. 37. Resolved, to inquire every night, as I am going to bed, wherein I have been negligent, what sin I have committed, and wherein I have denied myself: also at the end of every week, month and year. Dec. 22 and 26, Resolved, to inquire every night, before I go to bed, whether I have acted in the best way I possibly could, with respect to eating and drinking. Jan. 7, Resolved, to ask myself at the end of every day, week, month and year, wherein I could possibly in any respect have done better. Jan. 11, Resolved, I will act so as I think I shall judge would have been best, and most prudent, when I come into the future world. July 5, Resolved, that I will act so, in every respect, as I think I shall wish I had done, if I should at last be damned. July 8, I frequently hear persons in old age say how they would live, if they were to live their lives over again: Resolved, that I will live just so as I can think I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age. July 8, Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to act as I can think I should do, if I had already seen the happiness of heaven, and hell torments. July 8, Resolved, that I will not give way to that listlessness which I find unbends and relaxes my mind from being fully and fixedly set on religion, whatever excuse I may have for it-that what my listlessness inclines me to do, is best to be done, etc. May 21, and July 13, Relationships 14. Resolved, never to do anything out of revenge. 15. Resolved, never to suffer the least motions of anger to irrational beings. 16. Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to his dishonor, more or less, upon no account except for some real good. 31. Resolved, never to say anything at all against anybody, but when it is perfectly agreeable to the highest degree of Christian honor, and of love to mankind, agreeable to the lowest humility, and sense of my own faults and failings, and agreeable to the golden rule; often, when I have said anything against anyone, to bring it to, and try it strictly by the test of this Resolution. 33. Resolved, always to do what I can towards making, maintaining, establishing and preserving peace, when it can be without over-balancing detriment in other respects. Dec. 26, Resolved, in narration s never to speak anything but the pure and simple verity. 36. Resolved, never to speak evil of any, except I have some particular good call for PAGE 2 it. Dec. 19, Resolved, never to allow the least measure of any fretting uneasiness at my father or mother. Resolved to suffer no effects of it, so much as in the least alteration of speech, or motion of my eve: and to be especially careful of it, with respect to any of our family. 58. Resolved, not only to refrain from an air of dislike, fretfulness, and anger in conversation, but to exhibit an air of love, cheerfulness and benignity. May 27, and July 13, Resolved, when I am most conscious of provocations to ill nature and anger, that I will strive most to feel and act good-naturedly; yea, at such times, to manifest good nature, though I think that in other respects it would be disadvantageous, and so as would be imprudent at other times. May 12, July 2, and July Resolved, that I will endeavor always to keep a benign aspect, and air of acting and speaking in all places, and in all companies, except it should so happen that duty requires otherwise. 70. Let there be something of benevolence, in all that I speak. Suffering 9. Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death. 10. Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell. 67. Resolved, after afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them, what good I have got by them, and what I might have got by them. 57. Resolved, when I fear misfortunes and adversities, to examine whether ~ have done my duty, and resolve to do it; and let it be just as providence orders it, I will as far as I can, be concerned about nothing but my duty and my sin. June 9, and July 13, Character 8. Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God. 12. Resolved, if I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or vanity, or on any such account, immediately to throw it by. 21. Resolved, never to do anything, which if I should see in another, I should count a just occasion to despise him for, or to think any way the more meanly of him. 32. Resolved, to be strictly and firmly faithful to my trust, that that in Prov. 20:6, A faithful man who can find? may not be partly fulfilled in me. 47. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to deny whatever is not most agreeable to a good, and universally sweet and benevolent, quiet, peaceable, contented, easy, compassionate, generous, humble, meek, modest, submissive, obliging, diligent and industrious, charitable, even, patient, moderate,

3 forgiving, sincere temper; and to do at all times what such a temper would lead me to. Examine strictly every week, whether I have done so. Sabbath morning. May 5, Whenever I hear anything spoken in conversation of any person, if I think it would be praiseworthy in me, Resolved to endeavor to imitate it. July 8, On the supposition, that there never was to be but one individual in the world, at any one time, who was properly a complete Christian, in all respects of a right stamp, having Christianity always shining in its true luster, and appearing excellent and lovely, from whatever part and under whatever character viewed: Resolved, to act just as I would do, if I strove with all my might to be that one, who should live in my time. Jan. 14 and July 3, Resolved, never willfully to omit anything, except the omission be for the glory of God; and frequently to examine my omissions. 39. Resolved, never to do anything that I so much question the lawfulness of, as that I intend, at the same time, to consider and examine afterwards, whether it be lawful or no; except I as much question the lawfulness of the omission. 20. Resolved, to maintain the strictest temperance in eating and drinking. Spiritual Life Assurance 25. Resolved, to examine carefully, and constantly, what that one thing in me is, which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and to direct all my forces against it. 26. Resolved, to cast away such things, as I find do abate my assurance. 48. Resolved, constantly, with the utmost niceness and diligence, and the strictest scrutiny, to be looking into the state of my soul, that I may know whether I have truly an interest in Christ or no; that when I come to die, I may not have any negligence respecting this to repent of. May 26, Resolved, that this never shall be, if I can help it. The Scriptures 28. Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same. Prayer 29. Resolved, never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession, which I cannot hope God will accept. 64. Resolved, when I find those groanings which cannot be uttered (Rom. 8:26), of which the Apostle speaks, and those breakings of soul for the longing it hath, of which the Psalmist speaks, Psalm 119:20, that I will promote them to the utmost of my power, and that I will not be wear, of earnestly endeavoring to vent my desires, nor of the repetitions of such earnestness. July 23, and August 10, The Lord s Day 38. Resolved, never to speak anything that is ridiculous, sportive, or matter of laughter on the Lord s day. Sabbath evening, Dec. 23, Vivification of Righteousness 30. Resolved, to strive to my utmost every week to be brought higher in religion, and to a higher exercise of grace, than I was the week before. 42. Resolved, frequently to renew the dedication of myself to God, which was made at my baptism; which I solemnly renewed, when I was received into the communion of the church; and which I have solemnly re-made this twelfth day of January, Resolved, never henceforward, till I die, to act as if I were any way my own, but entirely and altogether God s, agreeable to what is to be found in Saturday, January 12, Resolved, that no other end but religion, shall have any influence at all on any of my actions; and that no action shall be, in the least circumstance, any otherwise than the religious end will carry it. Jan.12, Resolved, never to allow any pleasure or grief, joy or sorrow, nor any affection at all, nor any degree of affection, nor any circumstance relating to it, but what helps religion. Jan , Mortification of Sin and Self Examination 23. Resolved, frequently to take some deliberate action, which seems most unlikely to be done, for the glory of God, and trace it back to the original intention, designs and ends of it; and if I find it not to be for God s glory, to repute it as a breach of the 4th Resolution. 24. Resolved, whenever I do any conspicuously evil action, to trace it back, till I come to the original cause; and then both carefully endeavor to do so no more, and to fight and pray with all my might against the original of it. 35. Resolved, whenever I so much question whether I have done my duty, as that my quiet SURVIVING THE ELEMENTS: TIPS & GUIDES Fire McNab, Chris Special Forces Survival Guide; MJF Books, Hand Drill The hand-drill method of starting a fire requires considerable practice to master, and a lot of effort. Maintain a steady rhythm and don t take a break between sessions, otherwise the wood will cool down. PAGE 3 and calm is thereby disturbed, to set it down, and also how the question was resolved. Dec. 18, Resolved, whenever my feelings begin to appear in the least out of order, when I am conscious of the least uneasiness within, or the least irregularity without, I will then subject myself to the strictest examination. July 4 and 13, Resolved, to confess frankly to myself all that which I find in myself, either infirmity or sin; and, if it be what concerns religion, also to confess the whole case to God, and implore needed help. July 23 and August 10, Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be. Communion with God 53. Resolved, to improve every opportunity, when I am in the best and happiest frame of mind, to cast and venture my soul on the Lord Jesus Christ, to trust and confide in him, and consecrate myself wholly to him; that from this I may have assurance of my safety, knowing that I confide in my Redeemer. July 8, Resolved, very much to exercise myself in this all my life long, viz. with the greatest openness I am capable of, to declare my ways to God, and lay open my soul to him: all my sins, temptations, difficulties, sorrows, fears, hopes, desires, and every thing, and every circumstance; according to Dr. Manton s 27th Sermon on Psalm 119. July 26 and Aug. 10, Aug. 17, 1723 Endnote 1 The subheadings and categorization are suggested by Matt Perman to increase the readability. Jonathan Edwards (30 Dec 06)

4 SPIRITUAL FITNESS: SCRIPTURE, PRAYER & DISCIPLESHIP Daily Devotional 5 January 17 But when he came to himself, he said, How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants. 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. (Luke 15:17-20), ESV The son comprehended his way of life, and returned to his loved ones to seek forgiveness. Implied in Jesus' story is also how the son sought out forgiveness from the Heavenly Father. Do you need to do the same? The beauty of the Prodigal Son parable is that the son willfully chose to go his own way and to do stupid things. Yet, his Father willingly accepted him home, without condemnation, without lectures. Just the love only a (the) Father can express. Prayer: Lord, your mercy is overwhelming. 6 January 20...But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. (Luke 15:20b, ESV) God is the Father pacing the porch. His eyes are wide with His quest. His heart is heavy. He seeks His prodigal. He searched the horizon, He examines the skyline; yearning for the familiar figure, the recognizable walk. His concern is not His business, His investments. His concern is the son who wears His name, the child who bears His image. You. He wants you home. If you've wandered away from God, now is the time to return to Christ. Prayer: Lord, better is one day in your presence than thousands elsewhere. 7 January 12 Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors. (Isaiah, 53:12, ESV) Never did the obscene come so close to the holy as it did on Calvary. Never did the good in the world so tightly intertwine with the bad as it did on the cross. Never did what is right involve itself so intimately with what is wrong, as it did when Jesus was suspended between heaven and earth. The world's sin was thrust upon Jesus' perfection. Prayer: Lord, who am I that you would love me so much? 8 January 8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, (2 Timothy 2:8, ESV) When times get hard, remember Jesus. When people don't listen, remember Jesus. When tears come, remember Jesus. When disappointment is your bed partner, remember Jesus. When fear pitches his tent in your front yard, when death looms, when anger burns hot, or when shame weighs heavily, remember Jesus. Having Christ in the foreground of your mind will be a comfort and a reminder to a righteous way of life. Prayer: Lord, fill my mind that I may worship in all circumstances. 9 January 24 For in this hope, we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? (Romans 8:24, ESV) Hope is not what you expect; it is what you would never dream. It is a wild, improbable tale with a pinch me; I'm dreaming ending. It's Abraham adjusting his bifocals so he can see not his grandson, but his son. It's Moses standing in the Promises Land not with Aaron and Miriam at his side, but with Elijah and the transfigured Jesus. What unbelievable hope has God given you recently? Prayer: Lord, give me a heart that dreams for your glory. 10 January 18 For a majority of the people, many of them from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet they ate the Passover otherwise than as prescribed. For Hezekiah had prayed for them, saying, May the good LORD pardon everyone 19 who sets his heart to seek God, the LORD, the God of his fathers, even though not according to the sanctuary's rules of cleanness. 20 And the LORD heard Hezekiah and healed the people. (2 Chronicles 30:18-20, ESV) The right heart with the wrong ritual is better than the wrong heart with the right ritual. You may have all kinds of 'spiritual' practices and be content that you are following God. What God is really looking for is having a spiritual heart open wide to Him. Prayer: Lord, that I may worship you in spirit and truth. 11 January 25 So the other disciples told him, We have seen the Lord. But he said to them, Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe. (John 20:25, ESV) We, like Thomas, find it hard to believe that God can do the very thing He is best at - replacing death with life. Our barren imaginations bear little hope that the improbable will occur. We then, like Thomas, let our dreams fall victim to doubt. We make the same mistake that Thomas made: we forget that impossible is one of God's favorite PAGE 4 words. If God grants you the dream, He will also create the means to achieve the dream. Prayer: Lord, increase my faith that I may dream again and see you work miracles. The Heidelberg Catechism Week 38 Question 103 What is God s will for you in the fourth commandment? Answer First, that the gospel ministry and education for it be maintained, and that, especially on the festive day of rest, I diligently attend the assembly of God s people to learn what God s Word teaches, to participate in the sacraments, to pray to God publicly, and to bring Christian offerings for the poor. Second, that every day of my life I rest from my evil ways, let the Lord work in me through his Spirit, and so begin in this life the eternal Sabbath. The Nicene Creed I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the onlybegotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made. Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. Salvation:Propitiation 93 1 John 2:2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

5 THE BACK PAGE Strong Bonds FOR MARRIED COUPLES Mission: Invest into your Marriage: A Payoff for a Life Time Focus: Lasting Intimacy through Nurturing Knowledge and Skills (A.K.A. LINKS) Location: To Be Determined (Tucson or Phoenix, AZ) Registration: 10 March - 8 April 2015 Date: April 2015 Audience: Married Service Members Strong Bonds FOR SINGLES SOLDIERS Mission: Learn to drive your Life with Purpose Focus: 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Location: To Be Determined Registration: 6 April - 5 May 2015 Date: 21 May 2015 Audience: Single Service Members PAGE 5 2ND QUARTER 31 Mar 15, Thunderbird DFAC Speaker: TBD This Week In History 5 January On this day in 1933, construction begins on the Golden Gate Bridge, as workers began excavating 3.25 million cubic feet of dirt for the structure s huge anchorages. Following the Gold Rush boom that began in 1849, speculators realized the land north of San Francisco Bay would increase in value in direct proportion to its accessibility to the city. Soon, a plan was hatched to build a bridge that would span the Golden Gate, a narrow, 400-foot deep strait that serves as the mouth of the San Francisco Bay, connecting the San Francisco Peninsula with the southern end of Marin County. 6 January On this day in 1838, Samuel Morse's telegraph system is demonstrated for the first time at the Speedwell Iron Works in Morristown, New Jersey. The telegraph, a device which used electric impulses to transmit encoded messages over a wire, would eventually revolutionize long-distance communication, reaching the height of its popularity in the 1920s and 1930s. 7 January On this day in 1789, America's first presidential election is held. Voters cast ballots to choose state electors; only white men who owned property were allowed to vote. As expected, George Washington won the election and was sworn into office on April 30, January On this day in 1877, Crazy Horse and his warriors--outnumbered, low on ammunition and forced to use outdated weapons to defend themselves--fight their final losing battle against the U.S. Cavalry in Montana. 9 January On this day in 1493, Italian explorer Christopher Columbus, sailing near the Dominican Republic, sees three "mermaids"--in reality manatees--and describes them as "not half as beautiful as they are painted." 10 January On this day in 1901, a drilling derrick at Spindletop Hill near Beaumont, Texas, produces an enormous gusher of crude oil, coating the landscape for hundreds of feet and signaling the advent of the American oil industry. The geyser was discovered at a depth of over 1,000 feet, flowed at an initial rate of approximately 100,000 barrels a day and took nine days to cap. Following the discovery, petroleum, which until that time had been used in the U.S. primarily as a lubricant and in kerosene for lamps, would become the main fuel source for new inventions such as cars and airplanes; coal-powered forms of transportation including ships and trains would also convert to the liquid fuel. 11 January On this day in 1908, U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt declares the massive Grand Canyon in northwestern Arizona a national monument. Though Native Americans lived in the area as early as the 13th century, the first European sighting of the canyon wasn't until 1540, by members of an expedition headed by the Spanish explorer Francisco Vasquez de Coronado. Because of its remote and inaccessible location, several centuries passed before North American settlers really explored the canyon. In 1869, geologist John Wesley Powell led a group of 10 men in the first difficult journey down the rapids of the Colorado River and along the length of the 277-mile gorge in four rowboats. Bible Trivia 1. During what traumatic event did the apostle Paul take bread and give thanks? 2. Which man killed a lion with his bare hands? 3. What was the sign that the angels gave to the shepherds, so that they would recognize Jesus? 4. Who was to be named Zacharias, after the name of his father, until his mother intervened? 5. In what town did Jesus turn water into wine? Answers 1. Sea voyage (Acts 27:35) 2. Samson (Jdg 14:5-6) 3. Wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger (Luke 2:12) 4. John (Luke 1:60) 5. Cana (John 2:1-11) National Evangelical Church of Kuwait (NECK) Trip: 23 Jan See Chaplain for details