Delight #31

As I have previously mentioned, I do a lot of running out and around one end of the runway at Hulman Field in Terre Haute. I run at the same time each day, but with the sun rising later and later, it is getting darker and darker when I run.

Today was very dark as it was cloudy at well. BUT...as I made the turn towards home and was able to face East I saw the most amazing pink colors in the sky. Wow, what a sight. 

The sun was still not up by the time I was finished with my 5k, but the sky was gift enough this morning.

Delight #30

We had a great phone call meeting with several ANG Chaplains from all over the US today. COVID has forced us to get creative and this was a great opportunity to connect to my colleagues.

Delight #29

Few things feel as good as submitting a homework assignment! I continue to chip away at Air War College.

How do you eat an elephant?

One bite at a time...

Delight #28

I love the Far Side comics and am grateful they are made available in daily doses online finally!

https://www.thefarside.com/

Enjoy!

Delight #20

My current home church is worshiping outside every Sunday. It is easy to focus on the heat, but I have tried to focus on positive things that I am encountering in worship because we are not in the building.

Here are some things I have noticed:

• Soaring birds overhead 
• A cool breeze that is easy to take for granted
• Renewed energy of the people called Methodist because we are in a new space
• Expanded creativity by the Worship team not being constrained by the physicality of the indoor space 
• Passersby that take note that this not your ordinary Church! 
• The assurance I can still worship "there" through Facebook 

Delight #19

Good friends are a gift. How easy it is to take them for granted. I am grateful for those that make time and stay connected. Life is good when it is shared with others.

Delight #18

Swimming! It had been awhile since I had been in the water. Nice refreshing way to remember my baptism.

Delight #17

My 2001 van, with almost 350k miles, has decided that my radio does no longer need to shut off! Pushing the "on/off" button does nothing. So I admire the tenacity that even when it is suppose to be off, my radio says, "I don't care what you think you are doing, I am going to continue to play my music...deal with it!"

What a spunky little radio with a sassy mouth...and I am ok with it. It beats it never turning on!

Delight #16

From my devotions: "...making improved means for unimproved ends."--Thoreau

Good, good stuff to think about!

Delight #15

There is power in asking questions and really listening. I am amazed about how much I don't know until I take the time to ask others of their opinions and the prepare to really listen to their answers.

Someone much wiser than I said, "I never did learn anything from talking."

Delight #14

I was joined by lots of other runners today at sunrise on the Base. This was not planned, just Airmen trying to stay healthy. Wow was I inspired, there are a lot of fast Airmen here. Or maybe I am just old and slow?!?!?!?

Delight #13

After a very rough start (I flunked an early class) and quitting a couple of times, I am back at my last Professional Military Education course entitled, "Air War College." I have been inspired to get back at it because of the encouragement of a Lt Col colleague at the 181, a very helpful Air University "help ticket" employee and my family. Most of the reading is very dry and I don't see the "real world" relevance BUT one of my personal core values is to model not just being a good Chaplain, but being a good Officer. Doing my expected extra continuing education is one way I stick to that core value. And there is one more thing, there are a total of 3 of these types of courses, I have completed the first two and so I keep telling myself that I have not come this far to quit now!

Delight #12

I was honored to be able to produce a poem today for worship at Evangelical UMC from responses of the congregation on how their lives have changed because of COVID. I was inspired to do this by the NPR poet in residence, Kwame Alexander.

Delight #11

Four years ago today was "run with Kent"...a cloud of great witnesses all did a mile of running or walking in my honor as I began my 6th month deployment to Saudi Arabia.

And yes, I got my run in that day with just a couple of minutes to spare once I got to Eskan Village, KSA.

Delight #10

Four years ago today I worshipped for the last time at Evangelical UMC (I was released from my appointment at Columbia City UMC on June 30th that year) before leaving for Saudi Arabia. The Wing Commander of the 122d at the time attended and was part of the send off.

How can it already be four years???

Delight #9

In the USAF, the Wing Chaplain gets supervised by the Vice Wing Commander. Long story short, but our former Vice Wing Commander is back as the new Vice Wing Commander after a short tour at the Guard Bureau in DC.

I love having him back. He is incredibly smart, visionary and very supportive of the Chaplain Corps at the 181.

What a great boss to have!

Disclaimer...yes, I ultimately work for the Wing Commander...she "owns" me and I do what she wants, but the day to day working relationship falls to the Vice Wing Commander when it comes to my role.

Delight #8

"A thing is good to the degree that it perfects the powers appropriate to its nature." Thomas Aquinas

The power of a knife is it edge.

The power of a friendship is its loyalty.

The power of humans is to grow in Christ-likeness.

Delight #7

During a recent 5k, I had this mantra come to me, "end in sight; not in doubt." Meaning I can SEE the goal and have the confidence to KNOW I will get there!!!

Delight #6

May I remember a 100 degree heat index six months from now when it will probably be below freezing!!

Delight #5

"Temperance is not about enjoying less but enjoying better." --Andre' Comte-Sponville

Delight #4

Fireworks have gotten way louder in recent years, so I am ever more grateful for "peace and quite!"

Delight #3

I had a friend make a special request to run with me. How about that? What a gift to spend that time with such an outstanding young person. At the rate he is going, he will have his "comma" (1,000th day running at least one mile a day) in no time.

Delight #2

How did my ancestors in Kansas live without Air Conditioning!! AC is so easy to take for granted.

Delight #1

Indiana became a "hands free" state on July 1!! Distracted driving kills. Here's to hoping the new law will really change behavior...