“Mom, who is God? Where is He?”, I asked as I sat at our little kitchen table in the foothills town of Auburn, California. I was six years old, at the time, and I had questions. Deep theological questions – the deep theological questions a six year old would have – like “Who’s God?”, “Where is He?” and “What’s for dinner?”.
At the time, mom wasn’t able to help me. So, I was pretty much on my own – left to discover these answers for myself.
In time, a few years later, we connected with a local church and I was, probably, the only kid in the world who would get his mom up, out of bed, to go to church, on a Sunday morning. Most of the time, I hear stories about parents having to get their kids up to go to church. I was different.
So, we’d get up and go to church. I’d listen to the pastor preach, the Bible readings and the choir sing. Afterward, I’d bring the Sunday bulletin home and retype it on mom’s typewriter. Then, I’d invite all the neighborhood kids over and we’d have a time of “Children’s Church” right there – in our quaint living room.
I’d preach to them about God’s love and we’d have a room full of kids sitting on dining room chairs, living room chairs, the couch and a giant bean bag – the bean bag was so huge we had to be real careful one of the kids didn’t actually sink down into it and disappear. Poof!
If that were to happen, we’d have to send in a search party to try to find them. Probably should have tied a rope around the waist of anyone who wanted to sit in the bean bag chair – that way, if we lost them, all we’d have to do is pull on the rope to pull them out. Sort of like the high priest entering the holy of holies in the temple.
Because no one EXCEPT for the high priest was allowed to enter the holy of holies, they’d tie a rope around his waist. In the event something would happen while he was in the holy of holies, they’d pull the rope and pull him out of there. But, I digress.
My faith journey started when I was baptized at the age of four. Two years later, at the age of six, I was asking mom who God was. And, where he was. And, at the age of 12, my ministry began with the Children’s Church that met, a couple of times, in our humble home in Auburn, California.
That lasted until the summer of 1978 when I moved from California to New England – with a two year rendezvous through Minnesota.
In New England, my faith journey and experiences grew. Becoming involved in a new local church, I held positions of bell ringer, acolyte director, Sunday school teacher and, ultimately, a deacon. In time, I became involved in boy scouting and did the unofficial “chaplain” thing until 2006 when a friend asked if there would be any issues with me becoming an official Scout Chaplain.
My life-long experience and training had led me to chaplaining at various levels of scouting for many years. For many years, I had served as an unofficial district chaplain, lodge chaplain and summer camp chaplain. Now, they wanted to “make it official” and called me to be an official District Chaplain.
A position I didn’t seek but which sought me. A position, I believe, God had led me to. And, I found great joy in serving God by ministering to the needs of the Scouts for many years.
As mom grew older, I found myself needing to take care of her more and more. For this reason, I needed to step away from Scouting for awhile – and my position as a Scout Chaplain. When mom went home to be with the Lord in 2020, after a valiant battle with cancer, my life and my faith were shaken to the core.
And, it took some time to get back up on my feet – to carry on.
God is good. And, while my faith was shaken to the core, I never walked away from it. God is loving, and kind, and merciful, and forgiving.
God has walked with me through this tragedy. He has been there every step of the way. And, I have learned so much through this experience.
I know, more so now than ever before, there are so many who are hurting. So many who are crushed. So many who are dealing with the trials, tribulations and challenges of life. Perhaps you’re one of them?
Perhaps you’ve been hurt? Perhaps you’ve been wronged? Perhaps you’ve had to deal with things you never could have imagined you’d have to deal with?
I hear you. And, I’m here to say, you’re not alone.
I love you. But, more importantly, God loves you.
One of my “mentors” coined a term, years ago, “God loves you, and so do I”.
That is so true, and so meaningful.
God DOES love us! He loves us so much He gave His Son for us so we could have eternal life with Him. Just imagine – eternal life with a God who loves you!
I don’t know where you are on your life’s journey, or your faith journey. I don’t know all the trials, the tribulations, the challenges you’re going through. But, I do know this: you are loved, and you are not alone.
That’s what FaithMax.net, and my ministry as a chaplain, is all about – sharing the good news of God’s love for you. And, sharing the gospel, the good news, of Christ – His life, His death and His resurrection. And, if He was resurrected – as we believe He was – the good news is this: He’s coming back!
And, on that day, as John wrote, “…’Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.‘ ” –Revelation 21:3b-4 NKJV.
Peace, and blessings,
Chaplain Doug