Chaplains Corner
God loves you.
Yes, I’m talking to you- you who think you’re too (fill in the blank) to walk into a church, for God to care, or maybe even pray. Yep, He loves YOU. No matter what is in the fill in the blank space.
Whatever your experience with church or people of faith has been- know that God loves you. People are imperfect and don’t always represent Jesus well. I’m sorry if you’ve been hurt by the church or people of faith or who claim to be. Know Jesus loves you and you can come as you are to Him, even if people have shunned you or made you feel unwelcome. That’s not who Jesus is. He loves you and welcomes you.
If you feel God let you down because something happened that hurt, I’m so sorry. We live in a broken world where bad things can happen. It doesn’t mean He didn’t see you, hear you, or wasn’t there. He was and is there to help you through, even to carry the weight of the sorrow and anger. We may not always understand or have an explanation as to why something happened, but God loves us and is there.
God never leaves us and He always loves us. Even when we’re angry at Him. Even when we don’t believe in Him. Even when we do things that aren’t good. He still loves us.
Psalm 86:15
“But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.”
Ephesians 2:4-5
“But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)”
This parable can give you some insight into God’s love, and how He still loves you no matter what is in your fill in the blank.
This is the story of the Prodigal Son.
Read it in Luke 15:11-32:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2015%3A11-32&version=ESV
Prayer:
God, I come to you today, hearing about your love for me. I hear you love me and welcome me no matter what I’ve done or where I’m at. Please let me see and feel how much you love me. Can you show me how much you love me God? (Pause to see if He gives you a word, a visual, etc).
Lord, thank you for your love. Any things that have given me a false idea of who you are- whether those are things done by people of faith, circumstances that felt like you weren’t there, or anything else - please clear my vision, my heart, and my mind to understand and truly believe that you love me. Break anything off of me that hinders me from seeing and knowing your love. Help me to know you are with me, and that you are overjoyed and you will welcome me any time I seek you. Help me to know the depth of your love Lord today and every day after. In Your mighty and Holy name I pray, amen.
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Upcoming
Francis Kilduff turns 100 on May 17! We will be celebrating his birthday at the May 15meeting. We will have a video in the theater and a cake, among some other things to honor him.
Francis likes Disney and would like to go to Disneyland for his birthday. A friend of his set up a fundraiser to help that happen. If you’d like to donate toward the trip, you can do so here:
This month is Mental Health Awareness Month. Please know it’s ok to not be ok, and you’re not alone. There’s help in your community and beyond. God is always there and hears you. Here are some resources beyond the crisis line (scroll down further for info on the crisis line) that can help you or someone you know heal:
SOF Missions has upcoming clinics and whole health care even if you can’t attend a clinic that may be helpful to some of our members. Find out more and apply here: https://sofmissions.org/clinic/
Mighty Oaks Foundation is another organization with retreats and aftercare. You can find out more and apply here: https://www.mightyoaksprograms.org/calendar/
Merging Vets and Players is an organization that has a local LA chapter and chapters in several cities around the nation, as well as virtual. They have a weekly peer to peer program for combat veterans and former professional athletes. You can find out more and sign up at: https://vetsandplayers.org
This is also Military Appreciation Month.
For all of those still serving in the military- thank you. From your comrades who served, and those who didn't- we appreciate you.
Prayer requests
Lidia Anderson- please keep Lidia in your prayers. She is dealing with health issues. Prayers are appreciated by her and Tom, and they want to thank everyone who has been praying.
Jane and Curt Austin, and their family- please keep them in your prayers as they grieve the loss of their son.
Please pray for our members who may have silent or anonymous prayer requests, as well as those who may be mourning or suffering at this time.
Please pray for our leaders at the post, for our community, our city, and for those leading our cities, country, and workplaces.
If anyone wants to pray together let me know. You could have a need you want prayer for, or we can pray for overall needs, our post, our leaders, our city, etc. or all of it. Prayer is good for all of it! God hears!
You can submit a prayer request here with as much info as you’re comfortable with: https://form.jotform.com/ChaplainAL43/prayerrequest
You can also reach out directly to chaplain@post43.org if you'd rather do that.
What would you like the chaplain to offer at the post? I would love to hear what would help you all!
It's ok to not be ok.
If you are feeling like you are in crisis or need help, the crisis line is available 24/7: dial or text 988
Praying for each of you, for our leadership, and for us as a community. May God make His presence known in your personal lives, in our post, and in our community, and may His shalom, love, and joy be felt in ways like never before. May He heal and protect you mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally. I pray for God’s revival in each person and for us as a community. In His mighty, precious, and unmatched Name we pray.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 14:27
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:21
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26
Blessings and Gratitude,
Donna Callaway, Chaplain