Weekly Reflections From the Chaplain — In God We Trust

In God We Trust

In God We Trust is printed on our money and found in many places in public life. But do we practice this? This week’s Reflection is from an old friend, Raymond Key, of Houston, Texas.

COVID-19 has taken over the attention of the world. Fear, chaos, and frustration are everywhere. Quarantine was something that happened to other people until we learned a new term called social distancing.

There are times in life when it can feel like we've reached a dead end. People who are sick and doctors say that they can't be healed. We live from one danger to the next with no end in sight. These are times when people are facing the harsh reality of this deadly virus, with its devastation, isolation, and loneliness.

The virus has its dangers, but so does being quarantined. Isolation feeds loneliness and depression. What can we do? We can, in faith, turn our focus away from the coronavirus and gain hope from our Lord's assurances as recorded in the Bible. This assurance will steady our hearts and give; us strength.

As people of faith, we are to offer prayers to God at all times, both good and bad. But it is at times of trial and challenge like this when we remember the power of prayer and instinctively turn to God. We're able to get through all kinds of challenges because of prayer— and by the knowledge that God hears our prayers. That same power that broke prison chains, raised Lazarus from the dead, and parted the Red Sea, the same power that healed the blind man, and delivered the delirious from demons, that same power is at work even today.

He is the same. Yesterday, today, and forever. May we stand together in unity as believers in Christ, and pray for God to heal our families and our nation. May He strengthen us all and give us fresh glimpses of His intervening, see our people drawn to Him, and experiencing the goodness of our Lord as never before.

If you've found yourself despondent, especially amid this global Coronavirus pandemic and recent racial unrest, here's hope from God's word. The Psalms offer countless verses of real-life prayers for God's peace and leading. No matter what we may be facing today, we can choose to set our hearts and minds on His truth, believing that He's with us and giving us strength every step of the way. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding. will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:6-7)

The apostle, John, was in isolation on the island of Patmos, but his faith did not suffer. His trust was in His Lord, and he was blessed beyond measure. Pray with me, "Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God, my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long."

Blessings and peace,
Chaplain Kenny

Morning Devotions with Chaplain Kenny - A Thanksgiving Prayer

A Thanksgiving Prayer

Most of us here in the United States will be celebrating the national holiday of Thanksgiving today, November 28th, 2019. For many it's a day of feast to share with family and friends with a holiday turkey and an afternoon of watching sports on TV. For many it will be a day of loneliness for those who have no one to share this holiday with or a day to remember a loved one that they used to share this holiday with. For some it will be a day to give to our communities and help feed those who otherwise might go hungry this day. For many it's a day to remember and give thanks for our achievements this past year. For many it's the day to get a jump-start on their Christmas shopping. And for many it's a day to give Thanks to God for all He has done for us and the blessings that we have received from Him.

Today I share this Thanksgiving prayer with everyone. You may copy it and share it with your friends and family and may even use it as a prayer of grace for your Thanksgiving feast.

God bless and have a happy and safe Thanksgiving day.

Dear Lord,

We come with hearts of gratitude today to bless Your name and to ask that Your hand of blessing would be upon us. THANK YOU, Father, for loving us with an eternal love that stands firm, even when we are unlovable. THANK YOU for being faithful, righteous, holy and just, yet willing to see us, Your children, through divine eyes of compassion, mercy, forgiveness and grace. THANK YOU for being a God of restoration and renewal in the midst of a broken, pain-filled world. THANK YOU for providing for our needs, directing our paths, and establishing our steps.

We acknowledge Your sovereignty, Lord, and freshly submit to Your will today. We ask Your BLESSING and GUIDANCE over our children, grandchildren, marriages, families, and loved ones. We ask Your BLESSING and GUIDANCE over our country, president, governors, senators, representatives, and local officials. We ask Your BLESSING and GUIDANCE over our communities, churches, schools, work places, decisions, and opportunities. Please FILL US with the presence of Your joy, peace, patience, goodness, gentleness, and self control today. HELP US to see as You see and to love as You love. HELP US to serve others humbly for the sake of Your name. HELP US to be light that shines in the darkness. HELP US to follow Your ways and continually seek Your leading.

You are our hope and our strength, Lord. We give you THANKS in all of this and ask for the fullness of Your BLESSING in all these things, according to the power of Jesus Christ who is at work within us through Your Holy Spirit.

Amen
Today I share this Thanksgiving prayer with everyone. You may copy it and share it with your friends and family and may even use it as a prayer of grace for your Thanksgiving feast.

Daily Devotions with Chaplain Kenny - Where is she now?

Where is she now?

Some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus with a question. “Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a woman and died childless. The second and then the third married her, and in the same way the seven died, leaving no children. Finally, the woman died too. Now then, at the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?”

Jesus replied, “The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. But those who are considered worthy of taking part in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection. But in the account of the burning bush, even Moses showed that the dead rise, for he calls the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.”

Some of the teachers of the law responded, “Well said, teacher!” And no one dared to ask him any more questions.

—Luke 20:27-40 (NIV)

There is a question that can haunt you after someone you love dies. It has been seven years now, today, since my late wife, Barbara, died. Where is she now? We may know where their bodies lie, but what about the rest of them—the mind, the heart, the spirit? Where are they? Do they still exist at all? Or have they vanished, like breath on the wind?

We are Christians. We know the correct answers. But human is human, and grief is grief, and it is not surprising when these kinds of doubts arise in our minds. Jesus does not blame us for it. Instead, He provides us with an answer—and from a really strange place.

Jesus is having a—well, let’s be polite and call it a “discussion” with the Sadducees. This was a Jewish religious group that didn’t believe in the resurrection or in any real kind of life after death, unlike other Jews of Jesus’ time. They try to trap Jesus with a ridiculous story based on a technical point of Moses’ Law. Jesus does answer them—but He does much better for us—He answers the real concern behind the silly story—do the dead still exist?

And He does it by appealing to a really mundane detail—one of God’s favorite names for Himself in the Old Testament. God says to Moses, “I AM the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob” (Exodus 3:6a).

Now that only makes sense if Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob still exist. Otherwise God would have said “I was the God of Abraham,” and so forth. God and Abraham are still in relationship—even 2,000 years after Abraham’s death.

You may be grieving for someone you love right now. I am. And it’s hard to anchor your mind and heart when you think of the person you love but cannot imagine what they are doing right now—where they are, what their surroundings look like. Jesus gives us an anchor. “I am the God of insert name here,” He says. That person still exists, and is in God’s hands. We can be sure, because as Jesus says, “Now He is not God of the dead, but of the living, for all live to Him.”

Lord, help me entrust the people I love into Your hands while they live and when they die. Amen.

In Jesus,
Chaplain Kenny 

In Loving Memory

Barbara Jean Pesicka-Sallee

July 7, 1954—November 22, 2012

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Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Veterans Day

Veterans Day

Veterans Day is a time for us to pay our respects to those who have served. For one day, we stand united in respect for you, our veterans. It is a day to honor and tell a veteran, who is still living, “thank you for your service.”

This holiday started as a day to reflect upon the heroism of those who died in our country’s service and was originally called Armistice Day. It fell on Nov. 11 because that is the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. However, in 1954, the holiday was changed to “Veterans Day” in order to account for all veterans in all wars.

We celebrate and honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

As someone wrote:

It is the VETERAN, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion.

It is the VETERAN, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the VETERAN, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the VETERAN, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble.

It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the VETERAN, not the politician, Who has given us the right to vote.

It is the VETERAN, who salutes the Flag, Who serves under the Flag.

Today we honor all our armed service veterans. To you, veterans, we owe a debt of gratitude because you were willing to go, to serve and to give on behalf of the United States of America! God bless you!

Have you told a veteran “thank you” yet today?

Daily Devotions with Chaplain Kenny - Drifting Away

Drifting Away

We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.

~ Hebrews 2:1 (NIV)

William Edward Parry was a British explorer. In the early 1800s he led an expedition to the Arctic Ocean. They wanted to go farther north to continue their chartings. So they calculated their location by the stars and then started a very difficult and treacherous march north. They walked the whole day. And then totally exhausted, they finally stopped for the night. They took their bearings again from the stars. And they were shocked to discover that they were farther south than when they had started. They then discovered that they had been walking on an ice floe that was moving south faster than they were moving north! They were drifting in the opposite direction.

The same can be true of us spiritually. If we neglect to listen carefully to what Christ said, we will begin to drift away from Him. And our drifting will lead to disobedience. And if we don’t repent, that disobedience will lead to punishment—not loss of eternal life, but loss of the privilege of ruling in Christ’s kingdom. And that would be tragic! Because you were created to rule. God created man to have dominion over His creation. And you’ll get to do that—if you continue to follow Jesus Christ.

Heavenly Father, forgive me for drifting away at times and not paying close attention to Your life-giving message of salvation. Give me a hunger and thirst for Your Word that no one and nothing can satisfy. Help me to confidently share the love of Jesus with every person I encounter today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

In Jesus,
Chaplain Kenny

Seeking God?
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Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
William Edward Parry was a British explorer. In the early 1800s he led an expedition to the Arctic Ocean.

Daily Devotions with Chaplain Kenny - THE CASE OF MARGARET AULT

THE CASE OF MARGARET AULT

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

~ Hebrews 10:23 (NIV)

In his book, The Jesus Creed, Scot McKnight shares the moving story of Margaret Ault. When Margaret was just about to complete her Ph.D. at Duke, something unexpected -- but quite welcomed -- happened: she fell in love. She went on a date with a man named Hyung Goo Kim, and the proverbial sparks flew. But almost as quickly as the sparks became a fire, they were doused with water. Hyung Goo informed Margaret that he was HIV positive. Needless to say, Margaret was devastated. In her own words, "I'd just met someone I liked, and we were definitely not going to live happily ever after. I felt like I had been kicked in the gut by the biggest boot in the world."

Still, she and Hyung Goo were married. In his book McKnight asks the question many of us would ask: "Why would anyone invite into the core of their being so much pain?" He then goes on to share that the answer unfolds in the rest of Margaret and Hyung Goo's story. He writes:

"When Margaret was in graduate school at Duke, she and Hyung Goo loved to walk in the Duke gardens, and so knowledgeable did they become of its plants that they 'supervised construction' of a new project. They walked through each part of the garden routinely and had names for some of the ducks. In their last spring together, the garden seemed especially beautiful [to them]."

Hyung Goo died in the fall and Margaret returned to the gardens in the spring where a memorial garden of roses was being constructed in his honor. In her book, Sing Me to Heaven, Margaret reflects on the days she returned to the gardens. She writes:

"Where peonies were promised, there were only the dead stumps of last year's stalks; where day lilies were promised, there were unprepossessing tufts of foliage; where hostas were promised, there was nothing at all. And yet I know what lushness lay below the surface; those beds that were so brown and empty and, to the unknowing eye, so unpromising, would be full to bursting in a matter of months.

Then she asks, "Is the whole world like this? Is this what it might be like to live in expectation, real expectation, of the resurrection? Was not Hyung Goo's and my life together like this? Empty and sere, and yet a seedbed of fullness and life for both of us. He died, and I was widowed; yet in his dying, we both were made alive." (Scot McKnight, The Jesus Creed, Paraclete Press, 2005, pp. 286-288)

How did Margaret find such hope in the midst of her pain? Well, she refused to focus on the deadness around her. Instead, she focused on the promise of life.

You see, God's promises are like seeds planted in a "brown and empty" world. To the unbeliever, what seems so barren will one day be busting with life and beauty and joy. So don't give up on God, ever, even in the midst of your pain. Instead, Pray in faith, because you are forgiven. Persevere with hope, because God is faithful.

Father, we bless and thank You for a brand new day and for the fresh opportunities and challenges that this day will bring. Thank You that Your mercies are new every morning and I pray that I will walk worthy of You today and be a faithful witness in thought, word and deed.. demonstrating a Christ-like attitude to all with whom I come in contact.

Keep me ever-focussed on You Lord and keep my heart steadfastly trusting You for all my needs and necessities. Help me not to function in my own strength, but in the power of the Holy Spirit. May I stand firm in the truth of the gospel of grace and remain steadfastly looking to Jesus - trusting in Him to supply His sufficient strength for all occasions. Teach me all that You would have me to learn today and give me the courage and strength to press on toward the goal for the upward call in Christ Jesus.. so that I may win the heavenly prize, which God, in Christ, is calling me to do – in Jesus name I pray, Amen.

In Jesus,
Chaplain Kenny

Seeking God?
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relationship with Jesus Christ.
Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Morning Devotions with Chaplain Kenny - 40 Days of Prayer

“40 Days of Prayer”

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’” Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.

~ (Matthew 4:1-11 (NRSV)

Fat Tuesday

What do you think of when I say the words Mardi Gras? The mere mention of these two words usually convey thoughts of raucous celebrations, beads flying through the air, ear-to-ear grins plastered on the faces of millions of revelers, and of course floats parading through the streets of New Orleans!

While these associations are accurate, this is only taking into account a small portion of what Mardi Gras stands for and means to millions of people not just in the Bayous and Parishes of Louisiana, but across the world. Mardi Gras, which in French translates to Fat Tuesday, is officially the day before Ash Wednesday, and while you may know it as one of the biggest parties in the country… it is actually filled with a lot of religious significance.

While you may just see a jester in vibrant colors… you may not know that those three main colors of Mardi Gras have religious meaning. The Purple (represents Justice), Green (represents Faith), and Gold (represents Power). And it goes way beyond just aesthetic planning too. Roughly stated… the whole point behind Mardi Gras is that good Christians everywhere will soon be joining Christ on his 40 day walk into the desert. In today’s scripture, we read about how Jesus began his ministry. He retreated into the desert for 40 days to pray and fast to prepare for his ministry.

For him, it was a time of contemplation, reflection, and preparation. By observing Lent, many people chose to join Jesus on this journey. While we don’t go off into a desert to fast and pray, it is a time for us to give something up… to sacrifice something… and to deprive ourselves. For us, it is also a time of contemplation, reflection, and preparation… so that we can get into the proper mindset for Easter… and if we are going to have 40 days of depriving ourselves… then we are justified in getting all of the sinning out of the way on Fat Tuesday!

So brothers and sisters… Tuesday night… go out to the pizza place and pig out, stop by the Dairy Queen on your home and order something that costs 5 dollars, have a pile of Snickers bars for your midnight snack… because this Wednesday… is Ash Wednesday… and that is when we are supposed to give all that sort of thing up to suffer for our God.

Ash Wednesday

Wednesday, our journey begins when people gather together for a worship service known as the imposition of ashes. Wednesday officially begins our time of 40 days preparing the way for Easter known as Lent.

It is a time of putting ourselves into the proper mindset… we NEED Jesus Christ. And we need to remember that we NEED Jesus Christ. It is because of our broken humanity that Jesus suffered and died. His resurrection awaiting us at Easter is the great redemption of mankind and restoration of our relationship with God.

To help put ourselves into the right mindset, we are called to give up something for Lent, and it is a practice that I personally find to be very worthwhile. Depriving ourselves of things we want can help us grasp a very small part of what it was like for Christ to suffer for us. As we “suffer” we are reminded of Christ’s suffering for us. (While it is unfair to fully compare our suffering over giving up TV, or candy, or meat to the suffering of Jesus at his crucifixion, it is still a very excellent way of preparing our minds for the glory awaiting us at Easter.) I highly encourage you to give something up this Lent as a way of preparing for Easter.

40 days of Lent

Jesus did something very interesting to mark his 40 days… he retreated to fast and to pray. I believe that we, as a deciple of Christ, need to learn a lesson from that and that we should mark these next 40 days… with 40 days of prayer. Jesus time and time again showed us the importance of prayer… and he shows it to us again today… prayer is important… and prayer is powerful.

It is like the story of a bus driver and a minister standing in line waiting to get into heaven. The bus driver approached the gate and St. Peter said, "Welcome, I understand you were a bus driver. Since I’m in charge of housing, I believe I have found the perfect place for you. See that mansion over the hilltop? It’s yours. The minister heard all this and began to stand a little taller. He said to himself, "If a bus driver got a place like that, just think what I’ll get."

The minister approached the gate and St. Peter said, "Welcome, I understand you were a minister. See that shack in the valley?" St. Peter had hardly gotten the words out of his mouth when the irate minister said, "I was a minister, I preached the gospel, I helped teach people about God. Why does that bus driver get a mansion, and I get a shack?" Sadly St. Peter responded, "Well, it seems when you preached, people slept. When the bus driver drove, people prayed."

Prayer is a powerful, powerful thing. I think we should dedicate ourselves to 40 days of prayer of this Lent. It’s time for us to recognize the power of prayer. It’s time for us to join together as Christians to pray for those dear to us… to petition our Father, to ask for intercession, and never give up.

Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Grant me justice against my opponent.’ For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, ‘Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.’” And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? (Luke 18:1-7)

Let us make ourselves annoyances with our prayers, that our words are heard continuously in the ears of wonderful and loving God. Let us become advocates for change with our prayers, let us follow the example of our Lord and take everything to our God in prayer.

The point of all of this is this… if we take our task of preparing for Lent seriously… I promise you that this Easter will have a very special meaning for you. You will see, with eyes never more clear… the glory that awaits you in the empty tomb. So please, join me this Lenten season in preparing for our Lord.

Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for it is from your goodness that we have this day to celebrate on the threshold of the Season of Lent.

Tomorrow we will fast and abstain from meat. Today we feast. We thank you for the abundance of gifts you shower upon us. We thank you especially for one another. As we give you thanks, we are mindful of those who have so much less than we do. As we share these wonderful gifts together, we commit ourselves to greater generosity toward those who need our support.

Prepare us for tomorrow. Tasting the fullness of what we have today, let us experience some hunger tomorrow. May our fasting make us more alert and may it heighten our consciousness so that we might be ready to hear your Word and respond to your call.

As our feasting fills us with gratitude so may our fasting and abstinence hollow out in us a place for deeper desires and an attentiveness to hear the cry of the poor. May our self-denial turn our hearts to you and give us a new freedom for generous service to others.

We ask you these graces with our hearts full of delight and stirring with readiness for the journey ahead. We ask them with confidence in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.

Seeking God?

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The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in the USA, and used by permission.
What do you think of when I say the words Mardi Gras?

LHM Daily Devotions with Chaplain Kenny - Mistaken Identity

"Mistaken Identity"

The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death.  But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.

~ Matthew 26:59-60a (NIV)

Mistaken identity.

Zorro and the Lone Ranger used the idea of a mistaken identity in their shows.

In a TV program, mistaken identity can be amusing -- not so much so in real life. For example, look at Byron Halsey. In 1985, Byron Halsey was convicted of killing two children. Although he escaped the death sentence, Halsey was given two life sentences, plus 20 years. It took 19 years before DNA testing proved Byron Halsey was innocent and pointed to another person as the guilty one.

In Louisiana, Ryan Matthews was on death row for five years. Convicted of the murder of a Bridge City grocer, Ryan Matthews was condemned to die by lethal injection. That all changed when DNA left on a ski mask by the real criminal showed Matthews to be innocent and another man to be guilty.

Mistaken identity. As I look through Scripture, I find numerous cases of mistaken identity.

Right in the first chapters of Genesis the Lord tells of a case of mistaken identity when Adam and Eve believed Satan was their friend as he spoke to them through a serpent. They were wrong. When God sent prophets to warn His wayward children that their disobedience was going to result in punishment, the people laughed at and ignored the Lord's ambassadors. It was a dangerous thing to do.

Mistaken identity. If you ever really want to see a case of mistaken identity, you need to take a look at the life of Jesus.

His story, told in the Gospels, shows Jesus almost always was the victim of mistaken identity. Thinking Jesus would be an earthly king, the magi showed up at Herod's palace. That was mistaken identity.

During Jesus' ministry He did, and said, many wonderful things, but people were mistaken if they thought the Savior's primary work was as a healer or a teacher, nor had He been sent into this world to be a political leader, a great general -- an individual who would throw off Roman oppression and restore the Jewish nation.

Of course, the worst examples of attributing a wrongful identity to the Christ were carried out by those groups who hated Him the most. With increasing ferocity, they called the Redeemer all kinds of terrible names. To some He was a liar; to others a Samaritan, and to yet another group, He was labeled a devil.

Scripture peels away all these mistaken identities and informs us: Jesus was the Son of God, not the son of Joseph. Jesus was the Savior of the world, not a magician who put on spectacles to a paying crowd at the ancient world's version of a Las Vegas stage.

Mistaken identity. The Man from Nazareth, while trained as a carpenter, was the Son of God who never forgot He had to be about His Heavenly Father's business.

Mistaken identity. People just didn't seem like they could figure Jesus out. I can understand why. After all, how many times have any of us met someone who can still a storm, feed thousands with a few loaves and fish? How many times have we encountered someone who could cure the blind, the lame, the cripple, and the handicapped. None of us have ever encountered Someone who could wake the dead from the sleep, carry the sins of humanity, keep God's Laws perfectly, and rise from the dead to show all who believe on Him are saved. Nope, there should be no mistaken identity when it comes to Jesus. He is God's Son, our victorious Savior.

Dear Lord, every generation people try to change the Savior and minimize His work. May we always see Him as the Savior, the Redeemer, our Lord. In His Name we pray. Amen.

The above devotion was inspired by a number of sources, including two from the Innocence Project. Those who wish to reference those articles may do so at the following links, which were fully functional at the time this devotion was written: https://www.innocenceproject.org/cases/byron-halsey/ and https://www.innocenceproject.org/cases/ryan-matthews/

In Jesus,
Chaplain Kenny


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Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Devotion by Lutheran Hour Ministries. Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
Zorro and the Lone Ranger used the idea of a mistaken identity in their shows.

LHM Daily Devotions with Chaplain Kenny - What's a Little Poison?

What's a Little Poison?

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

~ 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)

Curare is used to poison the tips of blow-gun darts and arrows in South American tribal hunting.

That's one of those bits of information most people never thought they would need. Amazingly, after a recent heist from the Dutch National Museum of Science and Medicine, that information is being shared among the folks who live in the Netherlands.

You see, this is the problem: recently, thieves broke into the museum and escaped with a refrigerator-sized safe. Inside the safe was a small amount of money and a glass bottle filled with curare. The museum received the poison as part of a collection, but those in authority decided they didn't want the stuff laying around.

The museum director said, they were "going to have it destroyed safely."

Sadly, the theft took place before the poison could be eliminated.

Now the police are warning people not to touch the dried-out poison which looks like a black cube of sugar. They use the word "touch" advisedly, since even a touch can prove to be deadly or debilitating.

Now you might, like the authorities, wonder why anybody might steal the stuff. All kinds of reasons, plausible and implausible, have been suggested. Some are

* somebody just wants to have it -- sort of like a morbid souvenir;

* somebody wants to use it, getting rid of small animals like a native hunter;

* somebody thinks they can use it medicinally; curare is used as a muscle relaxant during euthanasia in the Netherlands.

No matter the reason, the police want the public to know this is deadly stuff which has come in a little package -- sort of like a great many sins.

The reality is Satan specializes in taking damning sin and making it seem small and inconsequential to the person being tempted. Adam and Eve corrupted the universe when they took a chunk from a good-looking piece of forbidden fruit.

When the devil decided to tempt the Savior, He began by enticing Jesus to take common stones and transform them into bread. "After all," Satan suggested, "what could be wrong with that?" The second temptation, for Jesus to throw Himself off the temple, was grander in scope, but still didn't seem that dangerous. It is only with Jesus' last temptation to worship Satan and rule the world that the enticement seems significant.

Since Satan is so good at what he does, and we are pretty bad at resisting his suggestions, we need to depend on the Holy Spirit. We who have been saved by the Christ need to come to the Third Member of the Trinity and ask Him to lead us, direct us, and give us a spirit of discernment. Only in this way can temptation be resisted, and the Savior be proclaimed.

Dear Lord, direct my thoughts, my actions and words, so Jesus may be glorified and Satan be frustrated. In the Savior's Name I pray. Amen.

The above devotion was inspired by a number of sources, including one written by Arden Dier for Newser on June 6, 2018. Those who wish to reference that article may do so at the following link, which was fully functional at the time this devotion was written: http://www.newser.com/story/261566/museum-planned-to-destroy-deadly-poison-thieves-got-to-it-first.html

In Jesus,
Chaplain Kenny

Seeking God?
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Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Devotion by Lutheran Hour Ministries. Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
Curare is used to poison the tips of blow-gun darts and arrows in South American tribal hunting.

LHM Daily Devotions with Chaplain Kenny - What Do You See?

What Do You See?

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

~ John 8:31-32 (NIV)

Every poll, every survey says our nation is packed with people who have concluded that nothing is absolutely, totally true. Nobody can be believed. Nothing can be trusted, not categorically, not completely, not all the time.

Perhaps you are numbered among those who feel so misled, misinformed, and misdirected that you find yourself doubting everything. Odds are, if I haven't described you, I most certainly have painted a picture of someone you know.

Think how many things you once knew as fact have been discredited.

* When I was young my brother, sister, and I weren't allowed to go swimming for a whole hour after we had eaten. We were told, indeed, every child was told, that if they went swimming 59 minutes after they had eaten, they would get a cramp and they would die. It was guaranteed. Sixty minutes was okay. Fifty-nine minutes was to make a date with death.

* When I was young, we all knew it was dangerous to handle a toad; handling a toad would give you warts.

* I once knew that sitting too close to the TV would hurt your eyes. It doesn't. Sitting too close to the tube may mean you are nearsighted, but that's not the TV's fault.

* For years I was sure you were supposed to feed a cold and starve a fever, or was it starve a cold and feed a fever? Forget that one, I never could remember which was right.

Which is why this devotion is for folks who have been tossed to and fro, who have a tough time believing in anything. Now, there are things where what you believe is unimportant. Is Elvis living in seclusion in Kalamazoo, Michigan? Believe what you want.

Are there UFOs? Some of my readers will say, "Of course!" Others will say, "Of course not." Which is true? Once again, believe what you want.

But there are times when it is important to know the truth.

And none of those times is more important than your belief in the Savior. Is Jesus Christ the world's Savior, or is He not? To that question there are only two answers:

1. He is the promised Messiah who has fulfilled the Father's promise to send a Redeemer who would save.

2. He is a charlatan, a mountebank, a conman of epic proportions.

Which will you believe? As eternity hangs in the balance, I encourage you to investigate the matter thoroughly. If you do, you will be astounded by the many prophecies Jesus fulfilled. If you take the time, you will be shocked to find, at first, the disciples were just as doubtful about Jesus' resurrection as any skeptic is today. If you look honestly at the Christ, you will be surprised to see His words, His thinking, His actions are divine.

But don't take my word for it. Take a look for yourself.

Dear Lord, when Jesus was physically among us, He never criticized those who came to Him with honest questions. He still doesn't. But He wants, and we pray, that people may hear Him when He provides the answers to those questions. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

In Jesus,
Chaplain Kenny

Seeking God?
Click HERE to find out more about how to have a personal
relationship with Jesus Christ.
Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Devotion by Lutheran Hour Ministries. Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
This devotion is for folks who have been tossed to and fro, who have a tough time believing in anything.

LHM Daily Devotions with Chaplain Kenny - Jesus Receives Sinners

"Jesus Receives Sinners"

And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

~ 1 Corinthians 6:11 (NIV)

The hymn says, "Jesus sinners doth receive."

The problem is, every once in a while, I run into sinners who think that statement is true for everyone ... except them. There are a number of reasons for that:

1. Some people really don't believe they are sinners. That's because they really don't believe God has set up Laws to judge them.

2. There are others who, as they look back on their lives, find overwhelming evidence showing them to be a depraved, debauched transgressor. Their shame is so great, their guilt so troubling and terrifying they believe, if they were ever brought before Jesus, He would recoil at the sight of them and refuse to receive them.

My dear, big-sinning friend, don't be foolish. When Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, He was crushed to the ground by the great weight of humanity's sins. Your transgressions were there that night. Jesus knew you, your life, and every one of the sins you have ever committed.

Trust me on this. There is not a single passage in Scripture which speaks of Jesus carrying the sins of everybody with the exception of you. Nowhere does it record Jesus saying, "Yes, Father in heaven, I'll die to save the world with the exception of Bob or Bertha in the 21st century."

He didn't refuse to redeem you from sin, death, and devil.

Jesus knew your sins, and He carried your sins, along with the sins of every one of us, to His cross. Jesus carried the sins of big sinners and little sinners and even those sinners who pretend they're not sinners. There, on the accursed tree, He gave His life as your ransom and offered His perfection to win your salvation. He paid the price, and then, with His resurrection from the dead, showed to all who are given eyes to see: Jesus receives sinners.

We are all sinners that Jesus wishes to receive and change. Yes, you heard me right: He will receive you, and He will change you.

You didn't think He was going to leave you the way you were, did you? What would be the point in that? If you were going to stay the same, there would have been no purpose in Him living and dying for you. No, Jesus will receive you the way you are and make you into what God wants you to be. Jesus will receive you and give faith to you, and forgive you, and change you.

It's not painful. On the contrary, it's wonderful to be redeemed and recycled, remade with a new heart, a new life filled with forgiveness, lifted up by hope, and given a wonderful life that will never end. It all happens because Jesus, the Savior, receives sinners.

How do I know?

I know because He changed me -- even as He has changed, and been merciful to, many others.

Dear Lord, the tax collector spoke for all of us when he asked for mercy in regard to his sins. I am thankful that just as he was forgiven, I am too. In Jesus' Name I give thanks. Amen.

In Jesus,
Chaplain Kenny

Seeking God?
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Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Devotion by Lutheran Hour Ministries. Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
The hymn says, "Jesus sinners doth receive."

Daily Devotions with Chaplain Kenny - Things I'd Like to Know

"Things I'd Like to Know"

When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

~ Matthew 19:25-26 (NIV)

There are times when the Gospel writers don't satisfy my curiosity.

One of those incomplete (to me) stories is that of the gift-giving lady in the temple. We see her placing all she had into the treasury and then disappearing into the crowd. (See Mark 12:41-44.)

Don't you wonder what happened to her? I do.

You know, the Bible gives all we need, so we might receive eternal life. For this I am most thankful to the Lord, but I must confess there have been times as I've read and studied that I've thought some stories end abruptly. I've found myself asking, "And then what?"

* I really wish one of the Gospel writers would have told me what happened to Jesus' stepfather, Joseph. Yes, I know I'll find out in heaven, but I'd sure like to know now.

* I'd like to know where did the wise men go after they gave their gifts.

* I'd like to know what happened to Pilate. I don't need to know; but I would like to know.

I would like to know how did the story of the widow end? What happened to her?

I've been through the New Testament a whole bunch of times, and there's nothing there. I've looked through some church history books and haven't found anything there. What happened? Did she live a long life? Did she find a rich widower, get married, and live happily ever after? Did she, as she left the temple, stumble over a bag of a billion dollars, turn it into the local police, and when it wasn't claimed, it became hers?

What happened?

Did she live in poverty the rest of her life? I just don't know and, truth be told, nobody else knows, either. Of course, that doesn't stop some people from making guesses as to what happened to her.

For example, I've listened to some preachers on the radio and TV. After hearing some of their messages, I'm not very encouraged as to her prospects. You know, they say, "If you give a big gift to God, He has to give a big gift back to you. If you give a small gift, well ....

Now, if I were that widow, I'd find that kind of theology pretty discouraging. She only had two mites, the smallest amount a person could give to the temple. Now, using the logic of these tele-evangelists, the lady would have finished her life pretty broke.

Thankfully, God doesn't work that way.

He doesn't depend on us to jump-start the relationship between us. When Adam and Eve sinned, it was the Lord who made the first move and promised to send the Messiah. When King David sinned, it was the Lord who initiated the visit which brought repentance and restoration.

When you and I transgress, it is He who finds us and holds out the forgiveness His Son has earned through His life, suffering, death, and resurrection. It is God's answer to our questions on salvation, and no more complete answer can be given.

Dear Lord, only You could answer the questions on how I can be saved. For my Savior who is the ultimate answer, You shall always have my thanks. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

In Jesus,
Chaplain Kenny


Seeking God?
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Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Devotion by Lutheran Hour Ministries. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
There are times when the Gospel writers don't satisfy my curiosity.

Morning Devotions with Chaplain Kenny - What Will You Suffer For?

What Will You Suffer For?

For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

~ 1 Peter 3:17 (NIV)

Suffering is not optional. We might wish it were. We spend millions of dollars to avoid it, ignore it and get immunized for it, but we can never be immune from it.

We mostly think of suffering as negative. And much suffering is synonymous with the consequences of sin or ignorance. But sometimes good comes from pain and suffering. A child is born into the world through pain. When we get a speck of dirt in our eye, pain signals us to do something about it before it does damage. When we have a virus, the pain signals a need for rest or medication before the disease turns into something deadly.

Pain and suffering are inevitable. However, Peter tells us in 3:17 that since we are going to suffer, we are to suffer for doing right. We can choose what we suffer for. We can suffer because we are doing evil, or we can suffer to give life.

We can suffer as a result of stupidity. We can suffer as a result of sin. Or we can choose to suffer. We can suffer for speaking the gospel or defending it. We can suffer for doing the right thing even though we are mocked or misunderstood. We can suffer by biting back angry words when something unfair occurs to us. We can choose to suffer with others when they are hurting, and it forces us to pray, learn, act and minister.

Father, I pray that when I suffer—and it is inevitable that I will—I will suffer in doing the right and the good. If I suffer, let me do so with a contrite heart—a heart that desires to follow you.

In Jesus,
Chaplain Kenny


Seeking God?
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Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Devotion taken from NIV LifeConnect Study Bible. ©2017 HarperCollins Christian Publishing.
Pain and suffering are inevitable.

Morning Devotions with Chaplain Kenny - Bible Bashers

Bible Bashers

Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

~ 2 Peter 1:20-21 (NIV)

There is an odd group of people in the world — including atheist “professors of religion” at a large universities — whose primary goal in life seems to be to discredit the Bible. They do not simply argue apologetics—i.e., make reasoned arguments that support or undermine such questions as the existence of God, the truth of the Bible, the divinity of Christ, etc. Rather, they are seized by an emotional hatred of Christianity. They will grasp at any straw, tell any lie, distort any passage in order to make fun of the Bible and ridicule its adherents.

Do not be dismayed by such people. They are the tools of Satan. They are the “lawlessness” that 2 Thessalonians tells us will precede the rise of the Antichrist. “For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work.” (2 Thessalonians 2:7) 2 Thessalonians goes on to describe how the wicked will tell lies, and God will actually delude people who do not believe in him, because those who will die will believe the falsehoods and deception.

We don’t have time or space here even to outline why such attacks are incorrect. We hope you will continue following Daily Prayer, where we do treat these matters in depth, from time to time. For example, there are parts of the Bible that seem inconsistent or even contradictory. If you are ever confronted by a person spouting off about contradictions, and do not know the answer, what might you say? I'd suggest, “That’s interesting, I’ll have to look into it.” There’s no reason to be defensive.

Anyone who does not think that the end of the world is slowly working its way to fruition should pay attention to these people. They remind me of the Jews, soldiers, and others who stood at the foot of the cross, mocking Christ. The two groups have the same sarcastic delight, and share the same stupidity and short-sightedness.

Do not let yourself be discouraged, troubled, flustered, or even hurt by these people. Simply don't bother with them. They are lost souls and, like the great Tempter himself, they will do or say anything to pull you away from your salvation. You are going to live and they are going to die. Time and time again we witness people full of shouting, mocking bravado, who are silenced only by the defeat that they thought impossible. They will never be convinced and they will never be embarrassed when proven absolutely wrong.

One of the great strengths of our belief is the conviction of the Holy Spirit. We walk in total confidence in Christ. We have been called to it, somehow. I believe in free will and I believe every person can hear the call if they only listen; but even if I am wrong, I know that I have been called by God, for I can see it in my actions. He has changed me. I am, “warts and all,” part of the proof of His truth.

“Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” (1 Peter 1:13-16)

Lord Christ, my faith in you is steadfast, my love for you is absolute, and my thankfulness for your grace will endure unto all eternity. Amen.

In Jesus,
Chaplain Kenny


Seeking God?
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Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Devotion written by Mason Barge, Editor, Daily Prayer.
There is an odd group of people in the world whose primary goal in life seems to be to discredit the Bible.

Morning Devotions with Chaplain Kenny - The Bible

The Bible

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

~ Psalm 119:11 (NIV)

According to Guinness World Records, the Bible is the best-selling book of all time. The Bible has been translated into many languages, getting its roots from Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. The Bible can be found in almost every hotel room due to the work of the Gideons which began in 1908.

To some the Bible is known as the actual word of God. The Old Testament is referred to as the book of the law. The New Testament is valued by the Christians as the new covenant. To some the Bible is just a historical book. To others it’s a book of heros and villians, or a book of adventure and love. The Bible is all things rolled into one. It has: mystery, war, diaries, poetry, letters, drama, self-help, futuristic, romance, and even horror. The Bible should satiate the palate of all people. Even children love the stories of Jonah, David and Goliath, and Noah with his big ark.

The Old and New Testament give us a story from a beginning to an ending. It tells of the great, “I Am” who has no beginning or ending. We see His plan of salvation through the sacrifice of the Son, and we see the indwelling of God as the Holy Spirit in us. The message is a message of love, hope, redemption, and reconciliation.

Even though the Bible is what many deem as inspired word of God, we should never ever worship it. We should never worship anything but God, not the cross, not the saints, not any symbols, not nature, not anything. There is only one God, and It is to Him alone that we bow our knee in reverence.

The Bible itself does not give us power and wisdom, but applying the message in our heart does. The Bible does not bring us liberation, but accepting the ultimate hero (Jesus Christ) does. The Bible does not make us sinless, but hiding its words in our hearts will help us to stay on the right path. Psalms 119:98 says, “Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies because it is always with me.” When we memorize scripture it will be with us as our strength to overcome any obstacle.

The Bible points us to God. The cross is a marker on the pathway to God. Nature is our gift from God. Saints set examples of God. Symbols remind us of God. If you notice all these things have the ultimate ending of GOD. Only He is deserving of all our praise and worship.

Dear Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three in one, I worship you, and you alone. There is nothing or no one like you. Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty. Amen

In Jesus,
Chaplain Kenny

Seeking God?
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Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
The Old and New Testament give us a story from a beginning to an ending.

Morning Devotions with Chaplain Kenny - The Giver

The Giver

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

~ James 1:5 (NIV)

How comforting to know that God does not base his giving of wisdom on our perfection. He assures us that if we need wisdom, he will be faithful to give it to us. In fact, he emphasizes it will be provided with great generosity.

This helps us make a shift from not knowing what to do with an issue our child is experiencing to knowing that God wants us to bring him our issues. He created us so he knows exactly the piece of advice we need. As we seek him in prayer, we will find peace and a sense of direction. There may be times when you seek God and don’t feel anything, but don’t give up. God will be faithful.

Just as you want to meet the needs of your children, God wants to meet your needs and exceed your expectations! Focus in on an area you need wisdom and pursue it like you would air if you were drowning. Your relentless seeking and asking will result in his relentless guidance and direction.

Dear Heavenly Father, Your child comes before You seeking wisdom …

May you grant me wisdom to accomplish all that You have put before me in Your strength and Your power with grace and humility and solely for Your glory.

May You grant me wisdom to discern between good and evil in all that is around me in all that is within me and to know only that which is holy.

May You grant me wisdom to love others as You do; to understand their value fully; to accept them unconditionally; and give of myself wholly.

May You grant me wisdom to treasure Your many blessings; all that You have given me; all that You have shown me; and, in gratitude, live my life purely.

May You grant me wisdom that comes only from above. Wisdom so divine yet wisdom that is mine and strongest when meek and lowly. Amen.

In Jesus,
Chaplain Kenny

Seeking God?
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Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Devotion taken from NIV Once a day Nurturing Great Kids. ©2017 HarperCollins Christian Publishing.
Where there is a will there is a way.