29 July

7/29/2007 4:40:00 PM Called Allen Hermann - Not doing well. Problems with his surgery. Heading over there to check on him.

7/29/2007 4:45:24 PM Called Harry Fisher - He sounded great. Just back from Red Lobster - good meal. He said thanks for the fruit - it came just in time for him.

7/29/2007 4:50:19 PM Called Fred Hill - Spoke with Carol (daughter) and he says he's doing well. Said it was ok to stop by.

7/29/2007 4:58:04 PM Called George Morgan - Spoke with Mrs. Morgan - Said it was ok to stop by

Stopped by and visited Al Hermann, Fred Hill and George Morgan this evening. Will call Fred tomorrow at noon to ask about taking him to Shrimp Night.

First Funeral

I went to my first funeral as Chaplain of Post 64 Friday. Irv Larson, 97 was transferred to Post Everlasting. My Dad always told me, under normal circumstances, the number of people attending a funeral is inversely proportional to their age when they died. In other words the older you get, the fewer you get. Since I’ve little experience with funerals, I’ll hold off on the validity of the theory. I did notice this however.

It was a wonderful service and I don’t mean this irreverently. The group in attendance was very diversified from the very old to the very young. The American Legion should be proud of it’s level of attendance as there were quite a few of us there. The thing that struck me with such power was the message.

It was given by Rev Jerry Larson, Irv’s son. First that he could give a message standing over the coffin of his father with such composure. Even though he mentioned he has presided over thousands of funerals, to do it for you Dad… It was awe inspiring. His message was simple. He told of his own personal spiritual journey.

As a young, dedicated church attendee with many, many years of Sunday services never missed – he still was missing something. He felt in his heart a yearning, a hunger for an unmet spiritual need in his life. Then one day, while crossing his college campus, he finally understood, not just in his head, but in his heart that what he needed was a personal relationship with Christ. Not just a head knowledge – ‘yeah I believe this or that’ – but a moment in time when he had to:

Turn from and ask God for forgiveness from his mistakes in the past,

understand that Jesus paid his debt for those mistakes by going to the cross and dieing in his place,

that his promise of everlasting life in heaven with God is assured by Jesus’ coming back to life after being dead for three days,

that he needed to ask Jesus to save him personally, by faith – it’s a free gift from God, not by what we do, but by what He as already done for us.

And so, Jerry Larson, quite out of character there on his knees on the lawn of his college campus, became a Christian. Not by all the good stuff he (Jerry) had done, but by faith in Christ for what He has already done for all of us.

Jerry mentioned that before his dad died, his father too came to know Jesus as his Savior. What a wonderful thing to know. That after this very brief time on earth, he knows he’ll be seeing his dad again, in heaven. What a great treasure.

I could tell Irv was much loved by the folks there last Friday. The next day I was reading about evil King Jehoram’s funeral found in 2 Chronicles 21:1-21 Where it says,

Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. No one was sorry when he died.

What an incredible contrast between these two men. I could tell, Irv was much loved by his friends and family there last Friday and although they were certainly sad to see him go, they know they’d be together again. Not even his mother was sorry for Jehoram when he died.

IF ALL ELSE FAILS - RTM

I was Instant Messaging with an employee of mine the other day. He was having problems with software he had just installed, it didn’t seem to do what he wanted it to do. He was very frustrated as he had been messing around with it for quite a while. He eventually turned to me for some help.

We communicated using a program called Instant Messaging. This allows two people to chat using a computer via the Internet. What he typed on his computer, I could see on my computer screen and vice-versa. Instant Messaging is kind of like the Texting you see young folks do on cell phones these days. You kind of develop your own language while texting and instant messaging. Everything seems to be abbreviated, such as “Laugh out Loud” is typed LOL. Instead of See You Later, you type CYA. As he was describing his problems with the software, I realized this was a new program that he wasn’t trained on so he really didn’t know what he was doing. After awhile I sent him a message that read,

“IF ALL ELSE FAILS, RTM”

Can you guess what RTM stands for? ;-) RTM means read the manual. That young employee of mine was a lot like myself 20 years ago.

The very last thing I wanted to do (because of my pride) was read a manual! I wanted to just stick the software in a computer and go to town on it - just figure it out kinda like flying from the seat of my pants…. I haven’t changed much. LOL

Last month my family and I were going to Lancaster, PA for a little vacation. As I was driving North towards Pennsylvania I realized I didn’t have a clue how I was going to get to Lancaster. I had an idea but didn’t know for sure. I didn’t bring any maps, my GPS wasn’t working right and I was too proud to stop and get directions. So we floundered around for a while at the top of Delaware until I stopped and bought a map. Once I had a map, I could figure out where I was. Once I knew where I was and knew where I wanted to go, it wasn’t too hard from that point, to figure out how to get there.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately, how much life for all of us is kind of like that. As an inventor/author who creates things (primarily software), after I get done writing it and testing it, but before I can release it, the next step is to write the documentation so that other people can take what I have created and make use of it. I think if you are a conscientious creator, author, inventor then you want to make it as easy as possible for the users of your creation.

As I was reading the newspaper the other day, looking at all the troubles that folks are having, I was thinking, wouldn’t it be great if there was a user manual for people. Wouldn’t it be great if there was one place that folks could go that would be an instruction manual to solve their problems. I think most of the problems people have are self induced. I know in my life that’s true. Wouldn’t it be neat if the greatest inventor in the world, the greatest programmer ever, were to have provided a user manual for us? And then I realized that he did and I had a copy. Seemed a little dusty when I pulled it off the shelf and maybe that’s why I have the problems that I do have. Maybe I shouldn’t wait until…

IF ALL ELSE FAILS, RTM

You might have a copy of this manual too, somewhere.....

27 July

Was reading about King Jehosaphat this morning.. He allied with an evil peer to do business and the endeavor was destroyed... This, after a lifetime of repeated similar cycles.. You'd think he would have learned... I pulled this from Sarina Wesleyan Methodist Church's web site, a pretty good read on the topic...

Doing Things God's Way
A secular song had the words, "I did it my way." The song promoted the idea that we should take pride in doing things our own way. As we read God's Word we see, over and over, that when people do things their own way - it is dangerous! We need to take warning from the Bible that we, as His people must do things His way.

What can we learn from the life of King Jehosaphat? Let's look at his life.

He followed God
2 Chronicles 16-20 relates the life of this King of Judah. In the beginning of his reign, "...the Lord was with Jehosaphat, because he walked in the former ways of his father David; he did not seek the Baals, but sought the God of his father, and walked in His commandments and not according to the acts of Israel" (2 Chron. 17:3-4).

"His heart took delight in the ways of the Lord..." (2 Chron. 17:6a)

He shared God's Word
In the third year of his reign he sent out 16 leaders (5 leaders, 9 Levites and 2 priests) to teach throughout the land of Judah. They had the Book of the Law with them and taught the people (2 Chron. 17:7-9).

What was the result? "The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the land, that were around Judah, so that they did not make war against Jehosaphat."

The Philistines and Arabians brought tribute (2 Chron. 17:11-12)

Even our enemies will recognize God at work if we follow God and honour His Word! (2 Chron. 17:10)

He made some bad decisions
We read about some of Jehoshaphat's bad decisions following his prosperity.
He married pagan King Ahab's daughter. He had "riches and honor in abundance, and by marriage he allied himself with Ahab" (2 Chron. 18:1).

He made alliances with pagan countries. When we read about King Ahab and Queen Jezebel we see how their evil influence affected so many people. And, for Jehosaphat to align himself with this pagan king was incredible. Did the "riches and honor" he was receiving affect his judgment?
King Ahab invited King Jehosaphat to visit him in Samaria, and while there persuaded him to join armies to fight against the people of Ramoth Gilead. Jehosaphat was treading on dangerous ground. He must have realized that when he asked Ahab "Please inquire for the word of the Lord today" (Read 2 Chron. 18:4-34).

Jehosaphat had this warning from God's prophet Micaiah, yet he did not listen.

He learned that God is merciful
When Jehosaphat returned safely to his house in Jerusalem, the prophet Jehu came to him and said, "Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Therefore the wrath of the Lord is upon you. Nevertheless, good things are found in you, in that you have removed the wooden images from the land, and have prepared your heart to seek God."
Jehosaphat had started out well, but let bad decisions turn him aside. He now had to decide what to do about it. As we read on in the chapter we see that he came back to God and set out to put things right in his country again. He "brought them back to the Lord God of their fathers" (2 Chron. 19:4). He set judges in the land and told them not to judge for man but for the Lord. He told them to "act in the fear of the Lord, faithfully and with a loyal heart." (2 Chron. 19:9) and "Behave courageously, and the Lord will be with the good." (2 Chron. 19:11)

He called on God during disaster
The armies of Moab and Ammon and other countries with them, came to battle against Jehosaphat. A messenger came and told them that a multitude was coming and were - in fact within their borders in En Gedi.
What did Jehosaphat do? Like any of us would react - "He feared" (2 Chron. 20:3).

But, then he set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah."
The result? So Judah gathered together to ask help from the Lord; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord."
We can read Jehosaphat's prayer, which ends with these words: "We have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You" (2 Chron. 20:6-12).

God sent Jahaziel to the King to assure him of the Lord's help. "Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehosaphat! Thus says the Lord to you: 'Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's.'" and then he said: "You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem! Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you" (2 Chron. 20:15).
The King and the people were singing and praising - before they won the victory!
Then, we read how the enemies turned on each other and destroyed each other and King Jehosaphat and his army did not have to touch them! The result? "The fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries when they heard that the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel" (2 Chron. 20:29).
"Then the realm of Jehosaphat was quiet, for his God gave him rest all around" (2 Chron. 20:30).

He needed to learn to keep on getting God's directions!
After all the experiences that Jehosaphat had, you would think that he would have learned to ask God for His directions. It seems that whenever life became peaceful and prosperous, he kept going back to working things out himself! When the wicked king of Israel asked Jehosaphat to join with him in building a fleet of ships, he agreed! The Prophet Eliezer warned him about this alliance, and the fleet of ships he built in alliance with the King of Israel of were wrecked before they could reach their destination.

"Because you have allied yourself with Ahaziah, the Lord has destroyed your works." Then the ships were wrecked, so that they were not able to go to Tarshish" (2 Chron. 20:37b).

What can we learn from Jehosaphat?

Put God first.

Study God's Word and teach it.

Be careful of your decisions - do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers in marriage, in business, in property, in alliances.

Remember - God is merciful. He hears our cries for help.

Listen to God's warnings and convictions. God used prophets Micaiah, Jehu, Jahaziel, and Eliezer to warn him.

Watch out when life is going "smooth!" (We can be distracted by being comfortable, by money, by wrong alliances, by being caught "off guard."

Fast, pray, praise and trust God with the results.

If we take a stand for God, our lives will be a witness for Him.

Are you, am I "doing things my way" or doing things God's way?

26 July

I drove in to the Post this morning and talked to Eddie (new Adjutant) he was very, VERY helpful. He has a Garrison Hat ordered for me.

7/26/2007 1:19:13 PM Picked up the grave marker for Larson and dropped off at Bounds FH. They said they would place at the grave site.

7/26/2007 2:52:42 PM Talked to Al Hermann. Success on his surgery. Coming home tomorrow. Mailing Get Well to him.

7/26/2007 3:19:26 PM Called Harry Fisher - He is feeling better. Got about 1 hour nap today and was up watching the game on TV. I thanked us for the Fruit Basket and Get Well Card he got today.

25 July

Talked to John - He is continuing to update (Prayer, Deceased, Post Everlasting) the boards.
I sent him sick call updates for Al Hermann.

Worked on a new Newsletter Article called -

"If ALL Else Fails - RTM"

Will record, have transcribed and then edit for publishing. I probably will have to greatly reduce the article size (I like to 'talk'...) Will get with Russell on this.

24 July

7/24/2007 9:39:40 PM Called Joann and asked her to send Fruit Basket to Harry Fisher. We talked a bit about Jim's condition. He's going to have the stiches removed tomorrow morning. She mentioned it was Bounds for Irv's viewing. Will get more details...

7/24/2007 2:41:58 PM Called Balt VA Hospital Allen L Hermann - Not back from surgery yet.

23 July

7/23/2007 11:53:31 AM Called PRMC - Harry Fisher has been released from the hospital! Sent get well card. I'll give him a day and call tomorrow.

7/23/2007 5:54:40 PM Called Jim Collins - no answer. He said he was 'Having some work done today' so I'll call again in the morning to see how he did.

7/23/2007 5:55:13 PM Called George Morgan - He sounded good. I asked if it's OK to stop by sometime this week - late afternoon - He said sure.. I'll call on Thursday.

7/23/2007 5:58:19 PM Called Ralph Baker - He is about the same. Weds they are going to work on pacemaker isseus. Will call again on Thursaday and see if best to visit.

7/23/2007 6:04:18 PM Heading over for Shrimp!

22 July

10:25
Visited Irv Larson
Found him sleeping soundly in Room 509 of Salisbury Nursing Home (Geninses). Give a quick silent prayer while there so as not to distrub him. Will come back later

10:38
Drove by Jim Collin's house (to verify I could find it) and then called on cell phone from around the block. Checked to see if he was ready for some company. He was not; we talked on the phone for a bit. He told me I'd some very big shoes to fill if Russell's stepped out of them ;-) I agreed. He mentioned going in for some 'work' Monday. I told him I'd call Monday night to check on him.

10:45
I called Fred Hill. He said to, "Come on over - he's not going anywhere!" I stopped in and visited for a few minutes. We talked about his recent stroke and eye problems. He's sad to have to give up his car. He seems to be moving around pretty well after losing so much movement on his right side. We talked about his Navy career - how he actaully spent 1/2 of his 20 years on only 2 ships - 5 years on one and 5 on another. He had about 1/2 dozen tomatoes on the food shelf from his 2 plants in front of his apartment. He mentioned how he hasn't been up to weeding the beds but still he's getting tomatoes. We talked about his wife a bit - how she passed about a year ago now. We also talked about this sons and daughters - all in the local area who come help him out - how fourtunate he is. We had a time of prayer together and I was off to see the neighbors.

11:03
I knocked on the apartment next door and visited with Mrs Morgan for a while. I introduced myself and she mentioned how much Russell has meant to her and George. He was still sleeping so I didn't go in but gave her my phone number and took hers so I can call again to find the best time to visit.

As I was driving home - I thought - what a wonderful job this is Russell. What a wonderful blessing it is to do it. Thank you so much for entrusting it to me. It's difficult not getting emotional about it... As I write this, it's getting harder to read what I type through my tears.. I guess it's just my heart growing....

18:41
Visited Harry Fisher Rm 3530 PRMC 9810 Sharptown Road , Mardella Springs - 410-742-5092
Daughter - Martha Yates - Widow - lives near Ward Museum - takes care of him
Son and Grandson were there when I came in the room. His wife of 67 years (Louise Fisher nee Beech of Cambridge) is at Salisbury Nursing Home - Alz.
He likes going to Shorebirds games. Likes the Redskins. He has 2 grandsons with high clerances - lots of overseas work - civilians now - ones live in Killeen, TX.

He was a Merchant Marine - sunk once in 42 during worst of the Wolf (Nazi Subs) Pack - lost most of his friends - happend to be on the Stern and got blown overboard - picked up by a destroyer. He mentioned Shrimp Night