No man Left behind

I want to examine the roles and responsibilities of the shepherds (Church Leaders), the Flock (Church Congregation), and the sheep (You) when one of God's lambs is wounded. Take an honest look at how God asks you to respond when you are the wounded lamb. And we will look at the model of the Good Shepherd (Jesus) to see how health can be restored to wholeness. The Goal is simply to bring stray sheep back into the fellowship of other believers. That is reevangelism. I am not talking about believers losing their salvation. It is specifically about the idea of returning those who have made a commitment to faith but re no longer a part of a fellowship. It is us to us to restore the wandering and injured sheep and heal them, emotionally and spiritually. We must no ignore the uncomfortable fact that many injured lambs sit near us every Sunday. Even if they have not physically wandered off, many Christians are emotionally absent from the body of Christ, and their untended wounds are rendering them ineffective for God's Kingdom.They need our help too. Imagine what could happen if we restored the powerful influences of once-committed believers and joined it with the energy of the new followers the Holy Spirit calls daily to the Lord's flock? Perhaps with that combined strength we would be more effective in our efforts to establish vibrant flocks that effectively feed and tend each sheep, as well as attract new lambs to the circle. Out in the fields, successful shepherds tend the wounded, seek the wanderers, and welcome new lambs through the miracle of birth. We Christians should do the same by pursuing the abandoned, healing and restoring our injured, and adding new lambs through the miracle of spiritual rebirth. Our prayer should be as Pastor Dave Burchett says, in his book, "Bring 'Em Back Alive" (Which I quote heavily from). That this principal is well illustrated in the movie, "Black Hawk Down" (which I was a soldier there). "In a devastating battle the troops have the option of escaping to safety or staying to rescue their comrades. They choose to endanger their own lives because they "Never leave a man behind." Their love of country and commitment to one another prevents them from taking the easier route. We Christians, however, are often too willing to take the easy way out and leave our brothers and sisters behind. But surely the love of God, His liberating grace, and His commitment to us His bride, the church, gives us no choice but to care about and seek the lost and the wandering, the wounded, and the abandoned lambs. We Christians must come to the conviction that we must never abandon members of the flock. We are to pursue those who have been hurt or who have made bad decisions, and we have a responsibility to restore them to health, not compound their injuries! We have a call to seek those wandering lambs with the overwhelming love of Jesus. I am going to challenge you to prayerfully ask God to give you a desire to seek, comfort, and "Bring 'Em Back Alive!" "Most of us would gladly seek to restore SOME people to the body of Christ. These are the people we connect with, like, and miss when they leave. Honestly, though, we would be just as happy if others found a different flock to call home, not because it would be better for their growth, BUT BECAUSE WE WOULD PREFER THEIR NOT BEING AROUND TO BOTHER US!" (Dave Burchett, "Bring 'Em Back Alive"). And that is my exact sentiments too! I know, because I have been rejected too! Pastor Smitty

On Suffering

In my many studies (Both Academically and experientially), and in my personal interviews with people, (And my own personal experiences as a sufferer of the things I am now sharing) AND, as a Presently Anointed, Licensed and Degreed, “Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor” and “Temperament Therapist”; And a previously non-Religious Counselor), concerning, and (Particularly concerning) the Military Soldier’s that I am a member of and as my “Band of Brother” (I don’t excuse it but, Yes, it does sound overused). Also, I must acknowledge and include many others who also suffer these symptoms who were not Military Soldiers. I am not ignorant of them and do include them). After those respectful and legal statements, now I shall begin to expound my professional (And Personal) opinion on the topics of Suffering, PTSD, TBI, etc., as a fact and condition existing, but treatable with a new and different approach. I have discovered a few truths that may explain and help us. I would like to share my own research findings to all who are still looking for a way to deal with the terrible after-effects of war or traumatic injury. I do not have all the answers yet, but I do have some. And, unlike many professional therapist’s, I do not ask for anything in return. What God has given me (Although I have the right to charge for it) I will not charge. That was taught to me by my Mentor Paul. He lived the same way and so do I. First, if any of you reading my Blog are really trying to fight with some Secular Therapist’s and their tools exclusive of Spiritual tools, then you probably have found that their tools are lacking when it comes to relief (As I did). However, I do respect Secular Psychologist’s tools somewhat (Because I too have a Degree in Psychology) and also the Philosopher’s (And I have a Degree in that too). But, the missing element that even Religious Theologian’s claim to have (And, I also have a Degree in Theology) is escaping the unique and individual person who suffers from these painful symptoms. Here is where I can help fill the gap. In my opinion, the “Thing” that can really help has mostly been overlooked by the modern medical sciences and their methods. As a suffer myself, I discovered the real “Cure” quite by accident (Or, I should say, quite by the Grace of God). For example, once I went to a respected military psychologist/Psychiatrist and asked him in my first meeting why I was so depressed all the time. His reply was that, in his professional opinion, that my depression was my own fault, that I was angry at myself, and that it was a “Bad” thing. But, when I replied him that I had found depression a useful tool to bring me closer to my God he just scoffed and told me that he could not help me and to not return to him! Now, I ask you my friends, is that the way of mercy, kindness and compassion? Does that show an open mind? Is that scientific? I think not. Listen, depression (Acute or Chronic), PTSD (Now called PTSI, “I” being “Injury), TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), etc. are WAR Injuries (Or, from any traumatic event) and must be accepted as a NEW part of the person who is experiencing the as “Normal” for them considering what has happened to them. The solution lies in the age old principle’s taught by Jesus Christ. Namely, Love, acceptance, comfort, encouragement, shared grieving and without telling the suffering person what they did wrong or what they should do to fix themselves (Why would they come to therapy if they could fix themselves?). In my best moments as a sufferer and counselor I have discovered the best treatment to be along the lines of: Give them a listening ear, hugs, and encouragement that their suffering has meaning. Meaning to people and meaning to God. I just let them know that I am available to help them (And do for them) whatever I can. I’ve noticed that in that simple way they seem to feel better! Well, of course! They now know that someone really cares that they suffer and that I too suffer like them. “There is no stronger bond between humans than a common bond” (That is my Credo). Jesus told us as believer’s we would suffer in THIS world. We believer’s suffer just as non-believer’s do, except we have one thing they do not have, HOPE. And, MEANING also in our suffering, they do not. The trick is to be able to turn our suffering Outward toward other’s who suffer as much or more than ourselves. In THAT is the “Cure” for our depression, etc. When we go to Christ we get His Holy Spirit and the Power of God to make our world a better place for ourselves and other’s. Your suffering is NOT your fault! Your suffering is NOT God’s fault! Your suffering came because you were trying to DO the RIGHT thing for the RIGHT reason! And you got hurt for it. That makes you a hero! Not a crippled or disabled or whatever label put on you by the Society. You are now just DIFFERENT and can choose to do things differently as God desires. Now is the time to introspect yourselves, check your motives, and discard the critics and MOVE AHEAD WITH CHRIST! Believe me, you will find more happiness in life if you do (And, eternal happiness later). I hope you will give Christ a “Try”. And, regardless of what you’ve been taught, “TRY” is NOT a four letter word. The Bible is full of those victorious and faulty and damaged people who just “Tried” and God made them successful. Would you like to be one too? OK, I will add more ideas later. But, please join and comment on our Blog. Blessings, Pastor Smitty

On Being a Soldier and Memorial Day

It’s astonishing to me how “Family” member’s can be so ignorant and careless about member’s of their Family who have selflessly sacrificed their own comforts and lives to defend and protect the Family and the American way of life against Evil. In my own case, (And I know of many thousands of other Military Veteran’s who have experienced this) that my own Nuclear( Immediate) Family has been and continues to be a source of perpetual suffering and sadness to me. Because they were never in Military Service (And war’s as I have been) they remain ignorant and even worse, do not care to learn about us Vets and the problems that we have, which directly affects, not only us, but our ability to love them and their inability to love us as we now are. For us Veteran’s, we get very sad and even angry at them (And ourselves if we care for them) because they have never risked their own life in any way as we Vets have for anything (Except to just get for themselves) other than themselves. I personally find it impossible to even try (And I have) to persuade or teach them to even TRY to to learn or understand us Vets. As for my own relatives, none of them really even made an effort to learn about my disabilities stemming from my active (Or current) combat horrors of war(s). Since it is (In my opinion) impossible for them (Unless they may honestly want to learn about us Vets, which mine do not) They then continue to treat me (Us) Veterans as if WE are at fault for having disabilities or in some way we are responsible for our own disabilities (Which we are not). And, that, we are responsible to make these disabilities go away on our own (Impossible) or conform to their ideas of what normalcy is within a Family (Or Nation). This is the Great Lie and the Great trouble we as Vets face daily. I cannot tell you of them many Vets (And other non Vets) who have come to me for counseling who have afterwards committed suicide in spite of my attempts to avert it! They never accepted their uniqueness as wounded and never could not accept that other’s could not or would not accept their wounded souls. What a tragedy! Yet, it has even happened to me. However, I believe that only GOD has the right to end me. They did not apparently. This is the great trouble we Veterans face. It IS possible for them (Our Families and Nation) to learn and accept us as we are now in spite of our disabilities (Not our fault) of war(s). But, for THEM it means that THEY must make an effort to begin to accept and love our different ideas, thoughts, feelings and strange behaviors for what they are, a result of violent experiences not our fault. For many relatives who never sacrificed as we Vets have it seems impossible (As with my own Family, except my Wife now) to adjust to. Bit, hopefully it can happen IF, and ONLY IF, they are more willing to make an honest effort to learn about what our disabilities are and how they came about and the adjust themselves and their own attitudes to include our symptoms and sometimes radical reactions to the “Norm” as they see it of a non-combatant society which they have always been a part of that remain ignorant to and of our brave Veteran’s (And dead hero’s) experiences. And what those mean to us. If they (our Families and Nation) do learn then we will all be able to respect and love and help one another in participation with them in a more peaceful and loving way. But, if they deny that they are ignorant it will only make for continued disfunction and disruption within our Families and our Nation. It appears then that it is up to US Veterans to keep trying to educate them. However, it is NOT our fault if they refuse to be taught. This has given me a great relief (And Calling) just knowing that it is THEM and NOT ME who refuse to learn and change. I can now go on with my damaged life and seek out other’s who do share and understand or are at least willing to understand and change themselves to accept me and my peculiar “Disfunctions” or “Disabilities” (I do not like these terms actually) as the thing for which it is. Namely, a direct consequence of living and fighting enemies of all families and America and it is just the affects of war(s) that have made us Vets seem distant or unusual to others. Hopefully, in the future they will make that seemingly impossible change. But, unfortunately for now not many have or will do the very hard work required to make it come to pass. So, what can I or we Vets do now? I suggest that we focus on our Comrades in arms, both on active duty and the Vets and ultimately focus on Christ and how HE did love and acceptance. It will be in these two areas of life that we hurting Veterans may be able to have any kind of peace and love in our own personal life and our relations. Even more, I hate Evil in all forms, and I hate Terrorism like ISIS (ISIL) and I would do anything I can to stop and end them either inside or outside the Family, America or World as a whole. That being said, may GOD help you in doing it! And, if you want, I am willing to listen to you. So, join and participate in our Blog! Blessings, Pastor Smitty

Who Am I?

Some of you have asked me what makes me qualified to be a Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor. How did I get chosen to do the work of Christ? And, what makes me special in doing it? And, just what have I suffered for Christ? Well, now I will tell you (Though I am bragging as a man) I have been in Wars. I have seen what nobody should see. Men’s guts spewed out on the ground. And, worse! I have seen the Devil at his worst! I have been imprisoned for my Faith in Jesus many times trying to proclaim His Gospel. I have been persecuted, defamed, tortured and denied because I am a follower of Christ. I have suffered internal attacks of temptation from the evil ones. Sometimes I have failed. Sometimes I have overcome. Oh, yes! I have paid the price of admission to the Kingdom of God. I have been beaten and tortured, suffered homelessness and poverty all for my Lord Jesus. Who dares condemn me? It is only Christ who defends and saves me! So, I do have the right and commission to request from you to spread the Gospel of Jesus. If I ask for money, then what is that to you but you obligations? If I ask for support of any kind then who are you to deny Christ? OK, that is what I am about and where I am coming from. I’ve paid my dues, have you? So, when I call to the Church for assistance, then I expect it in His Name. If you want to dent me then you deny Christ also, for I am His Commissioned Minister. I have a specific calling to the poor. Take it or leave it, but you will answer Him on Judgment Day. Come to me all you who are weary and need rest and I will comfort you. Those were His words. But, what I see is suspicion among you! Where is your Faith? GIVE!

More about Homeless Project

I recently met a man named ISACC down at the Oceanside Pier. He is a true Christian and delivers his way of the Gospel by means of his 12 string guitar. He not only plays wonderful tunes, but he is always willing to stop and talk with anyone he meets there. I even saw him once stop playing a tune to prevent a child from getting too close to the Pier railing and possibly falling. Now that to me is a real man of God. Basically, why I am writing this is that Isaac confided in me that he need more support to reach the homeless in Oceanside. He knows where many homeless “bed down” around the area but he cannot help (Other than his music). So, I assured him that the Christian Community would reach out to anyone desiring help. He was elated. So, to make this short, I am asking for you Christians out there to make a sacrifice that pleases God by donating some cash for our “Homeless Outreach Project”. Just send it to me and I will assure you it will be well used. By the way, if you want to see and hear one of Isaac’s songs just go to UTUBE at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdNVAgeLLWw This guy is rated one of the 12 best 12 String guitar players in America! And, he is doing it all for Jesus! Please understand that I get noting from this ministry except to please Jesus. He called me to do it. And, I MUST obey. And, like Paul the Apostle I am asking you to show some love and support for the miserable souls her. We as a Church together end homelessness in our community with Spiritual Doctrine and Physical help within this year. Jesus assured me that IF His church gets together it will be done. So, I stand on His Promise! Now, all you have to do is join in the opportunity!

DO YOU NEED AN ANSWER? Matthew 19:26 (NAS)

I have found one of the great secrets to a successful life, and I want to share it with you. It never fails me whenever I speak it out loud. And, it answers all my problems and questions (And others’ I’m concerned for) ALWAYS! I found it from an author in one of my daily readings with my Bible Study. So, use it wisely! Jesus can’t lie. He has to do it if we believe. When or how He does it is not our business or choice. He WILL do it according to God’s good will and pleasure to give good things to His Children. I Pray that you will believe it! And, witness (Watch and see) Him fight for you in action. So, here it is: “I have learned that with Jesus I can succeed. He not only has the answers, but He IS the answer. He makes a way, but He’s also THE way. In my weak attempts to love and serve Him, He gives me both strength and motivation. Living for Jesus requires more than positive affirmations and good intentions. Jesus puts the initial “WANT TO” in my heart. Only when I rest in His power, His strength, and His character do I find the way to accomplish anything. With Him, all things really are possible.” (Rebecca Barlow Jordan “Mornings with Jesus” Jan 29, 2017, Vol. 3 NO 1) Oh! How I agree with her! The Supernatural Power Jesus flows out to people, places and things needed, IF you will just speak out this Truth always and often! Because of this Truth my own life (And those around me) has been blessed in large and small miracles! Try it and know!

about Christmas

All Do you think that Christmas is all about giving to those you love in your immediate Family? Well, I am here to tell you that you are mistaken! Christmas is NOT about giving or receiving from those who love or like you. It is about sacrificing what you think and want for the hopeless people in our world. And, I know that you agree, but you do not DO what our LORD wants you to do. You think, yes, I want to help the poor, bit you continue to help your own family so that they will like and maybe even love you. What a mistake! Jesus never taught that you should give to your family more than to Him. You all are just trying to FEEL good about yourselves because you are giving presents to you family. But, in fact, you are just trying to make yourself feel good about yourself. Do you not see that you are so self centered and selfish and absorbed with yourself that you could never be like Christ! Jesus Christ never took or received anything from people. He always gave the Truth that this worlds’ way of doing things was absolutely WRONG! Throw away your ideas, and throw away you Christmas Trees and gifts! The ONLY thing you need to GIVE is LOVE! And, what is Jesus’s Love? It is simply to forgive anyone that you have an offense toward. It is to go beyond your selfish human nature and tell those that you have hurt that you are sorry. It is to accept that you are a totally wrong and failure of a person. Then, you might find that Jesus will appear or talk to you. Without your admission of total failure, you will never find God and His Mercy!