Welcome in the name of the Lord to
Bravo Battery 1/12 A Message from
your Chaplain Ron Thayer
Sharp as a New Recruit Rev Ron Thayer
Exodus 20:10-20:11
I want you to think about the challenges we all faced that first day at boot camp. Physically we were all extremely challenged by the new activity our bodies were about to experience. And of course the mental challenge, well those who went through the doors of the receiving barracks know exactly what I am saying. What I find now to be so interesting is the fact the Marine Corps new very well how to get each of us to peak performance and in doing so, it required that time at the end of the day preparing and sharpening our skills. It may not have been much time but it was to be used to sharpen up. Mentally, we spent a few moments each evening writing down in letter form what we had accomplished, letters to the family. Now it took quite a few days to write one letter, but it was a time to put down mentally where my mind was and that is always a good thing. Sharpen our skills, studying our general orders, reading the little red book, cleaning our rifle, and preparing our utilities, and finally rest, it may have been at the posture of attention, but it was physical rest. This kept us sharp and as we went through each day we became even sharper. And on that day of graduation, can you remember how you looked compared to the first day you stepped on those yellow footprints. We won the challenge of Marine Corps Boot Camp at Parris Island South Carolina or San Diego California.
We can win the challenge of life if we remember how the Marine Corps took us from our weakest moments to our strongest moments. They have without question given the daily therapy of staying sharp as we go through life.
I want to look at some common causes of stress and consider ways we can overcome the anxiety producers, what can be called stress busters. We are all looking to experience a higher quality of living.
I believe with the simple reminder of what the Marine Corps did to make us Marines can help us daily to live a better quality life. There is a great motivational speaker who says this phrase often, “we often need to be only reminded of the things we already know.”
Also, just to give you some time to prepare, at the end of this message there will be an opportunity for you to cross the line of faith and say "yes" to Jesus Christ. For some of you this will be the day everything changes as you hand it all over to God. You’re going to find forgiveness and a new direction.
Ok, lets look at the basic principles of staying sharp like a new recruit.
THE PHYSICAL
This is probably the most overlooked but the most obvious. I find it is here where the Marine Corps has an edge. They immediately took us to our physical limits. And in taking us to those limits it truly prepared us for the future events we would face. However with that said, they did realize that the body does require proper maintenance and care. It was often not what we wanted but it was what we needed.
1. We must make time for rest.
During his time here on earth, Jesus Christ, God in human flesh made time for rest. You would think that with only three years to get everything done He would push and push and push, but that wasn’t the case. He worked hard, but He also took time to rest and called his followers to do the same.
Then Jesus said, "Let’s get away from the crowds for a while and rest." There were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat. They left by boat for a quieter spot. Mark 6:31-32 (NLT)
One stress buster is rest for the body.
If you constantly keep going with the challenges we face today in life without proper rest the body will become weak and eventually it will break. Schedule times of rest, when you can get away from the daily grind.
2. We must monitor our intake.
You may not see food as a stress producer, and it may not be for you now. What we take into our bodies can come back to haunt us years later. I am a perfect example of what this is saying. What I took in for years was not always good, and at the young age of 38, I was forced due to the 3 main arteries in my heart becoming 90 and 80 percent blocked, requiring emergency openheart surgery. That diseased heart continues to follow me to this day. 15 years of challenges, 2 additional open heart surgeries and 3 stents. And the Doctors said my intake was part of my problem. So our food intake can bring on physical stress. As far as eating goes, the Bible doesn’t really give us advice except this: moderation. Eat only when you’re hungry and stop when you’re full. Select a wide variety of foods and eat the stuff with high nutritional value.
Whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, you must do all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NLT) this is a great stress buster.
3. We need to get physical.
These physical bodies need physical activity for optimal health. This is another area that the Bible does not address. It never really speaks about exercise because it was written during a time when people had enough physical activity going on in their daily labor. Today we have the luxury of the sedentary life. We can actually sit at a computer desk for eight hours and still call it work. Studies indicate that exercise keeps us sharp. I believe this is why the Marine Corps immediately and consistently pushed physical conditioning. There are physical conditions that prevent us from physical activity, but we need to find something within our individual limits and do it. And sometimes it will hurt.
I know that many of you despise exercise. Our attitude toward it is like Robert Hutchins’ who said, "Whenever I feel like exercising, I lie down until the feeling passes." One survey found that 87% of Americans own running shoes, but do not use them.
Exercise is a stress buster.
THE MENTAL SIDE
1. GIGO.
What is GIGO? Some of you computer geeks may know. It means garbage in, garbage out. If you put garbage into the system, you’ll get garbage out.
Our minds function somewhat like a computer. What we put into it is what we tend to think about. What we think about influences our behavior. If you find that you’re stressed about things that don’t really matter maybe your putting the wrong kind of stuff into your mind.
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2 (NIV)
fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8-9 (NLT)
Curb the junk food for the mind and put stuff in that’s healthy. There is a connection between what you take into your mind and your attitude and your actions.
2. Give the Bible a try. A Great Stress Buster.
The Bible has the power to transform. If you’ll commit yourself to it, it will challenge and change you for the better.
The story is told of a college professor who visited the Fiji Islands. Being agnostic, he critically remarked to an elderly chief, "You’re a great leader, but it’s a pity you’ve been taken in by those foreign missionaries. They only want to get rich through you. No one believes the Bible anymore. People are tired of the threadbare story of Christ dying on a cross for the sins of mankind. They know better now. I’m sorry you’ve been so foolish as to accept their story."
The old chief’s eyes flashed as he answered, "See that great rock over there? On it we smashed the heads of our victims. Notice the furnace next to it? In that oven we formerly roasted the bodies of our enemies. If it hadn’t been for those good missionaries and the love of Jesus that changed us from cannibals into Christians, you’d never leave this place alive! You’d better thank the Lord for the Bible; otherwise we’d already be feasting on you. If it weren’t for the Bible, you’d now be our supper!
THE SPIRITUAL SIDE
Never neglect this aspect of your being. You are a spiritual creature above and beyond all else. Your spiritual edge needs sharpening.
1. Commit to daily prayer.
This isn’t a call to get on your knees for hours and compose long wordy requests with a bunch of "thees" and "thous" thrown in for good measure. I’m talking about taking 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 20 minutes or whatever, each day to connect with the Creator.
Most of my anxiety is nipped in the bud by beginning my day with prayer. You know there is no prescribed way to do it. There’s even variation in what I do. Sometimes I ask for lots of stuff. Sometimes it is big and sometimes it is the little things. Sometimes I just listen. Sometimes I sing. Whatever happens I seek God and without fail he strengthens me.
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 (KJV)
Try consistently taking sometime everyday. Settle down and get quiet. Bring a problem to him. Ask him to give you strength. Maybe the most you can say is, "God I don’t know if you’re there or not, but if you are please show me." Try it and see how he answers you.
2. Take time to renew your focus.
Get quiet each day and re-evaluate your life. Ask these questions: Stress busters for sure.
• what’s my God-given purpose?
• Am I fulfilling my God-given potential?
• what can I do today to move toward God’s goal for me?
.
THE SOCIAL SIDE
Find something that allows you to connect with others socially. There is true joy in life when we find something that takes our mind off the challenges of life, those things that bring on stress. Church is the best thing for all of us. I also find it in riding my Harley Davidson; it heals my heart physically, helps me focus mentally and truly puts me in touch spiritually. I find myself not hurting, not complaining and without question I find myself praying and seeking God.
Jesus said this.
"If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give it up for me, you will find it." Matthew 10:39 (NLT)
Connect with His cause and you’ll find life at its fullest.
2. Allow others to help ease your burdens.
Develop deep relationships of love and trust, then when it all comes apart at the seams you’ll have people help you through. This is one of the main purposes of the church.
Share each other’s troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 (NLT)
JESUS first Others next and then Yourself = JOY
You can have peace too. Your life can be a stress free haven in the midst of life’s onslaught. Commit to keeping yourself sharp as a new recruit.
Join me in service to Him, Jesus Christ, as a new recruit, you like I will never be the same.
Pray
Dear Lord Jesus, I now understand the Cross of Forgiveness and come to you and ask you to forgive me of my sins, take my picture and put it in the Heavenly photo album, write my name in the Lambs book of Life take me to Heaven when I die. Thank you for dying on that Cross of Forgiveness for me. I pray in Jesus name amen.
Now if you have prayed this simple prayer please notify me by e-mail allowing me to pray for you and give thanks to the Lord for all that He has done for you.
e-mail address revron1215@verizon.net
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"O Lord, we have long known that prayer should include confession. Therefore on behalf of the Marines and their guests here gathered, I confess their sins:
Lord, they're just not in step with today's society. They are unreasonable in clinging to old-fashioned ideas like patriotism, duty, honor and country. They hold radical ideas believing that they are their brother's keeper and responsible for the Marine on their flank. They have been seen standing when colors pass, singing the National Anthem at ball games, and drinking toasts to fallen comrades.
Not only that, they have been observed standing tall; taking charge and wearing their hair unfashionably short. They have taken Teddy R's and JFK's words too seriously and are overly concerned with what they can do for their service and country instead of what the country can do for them.
They take the Pledge of Allegiance to heart and believe that their oath is to be honored. Forgive them, Lord, for being stubborn men and women who hold these values as genuine. They are aware of the price for honor and with total command of their spirit, they have been willing to pay that price.
After all, what more can you expect? They're Marines!
O Lord our God, bless these men and women of ideals, continue to raise up in this nation strong leaders and deliver us from "me first" managers and "don't ask me" followers.
Be our honored guest this day, Oh Lord, and join with us in laughter, good food, good drink, and the telling of tall tales and legends that occasionally exceed the truth.
We bow our heads to those who were lost in places that had names meaningless until the mud-Marines landed, and in that mud reaffirmed the one legacy that brings all Marines together, the blood and tears shed for service and each other. Watch over and keep safe all those who wear this nation's uniform with special attention to their families and loved ones everywhere.
With brandy and cigar in hand, I salute you all for through this day and all the following nights and days ahead, God bless you, God Bless this great nation and God bless the Corps.
~A MARINES PRAYER~
Author unknown
