Baptism

Meet PFC Mark Robichaux, our brand new brother in Christ. Mark, a soldier in my battalion here at Fort Hood, is originally from the Bayou of Louisiana and when he first come to visit in my office explained to me that he was a “Wiccan” (Wiccan- Religion believing in witchcraft and recognized by Department of the Army).

After helping Mark with the issue he came speak to me about, I simply offered to pray with him (as I do with most Soldiers who come to see me) and he accepted. Following our prayer, I offered for him to come back anytime my door was open. The next time he came by (a few weeks later) he asked for a Bible…so, I gave him one and this time offered to study it with him and answer any questions that he may have about it. To make a long story short, we began to meet and study from God’s Word multiple times over the past few months and after a study on baptism, Mark expressed his desire to confess Christ and be baptized. And that is exactly what we did last night.

What a blessing this ministry has been to me. I am so apperceive of my God, my family, my friends, the churches and so many more that have supported me in my endeavor of becoming an Army Chaplain. God is so good. I want to thank you all for your prayers and please pray for our new babe in Christ, PFC Mark Robichaux. -cd

Finally Home

I had my first "full day" back at work yesterday. It took me most of the morning just getting caught up on emails and returning phone calls. My assistant and I are preparing for a marriage seminar taking place next week at the Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine, TX. That will be 30 April - 2 May and then 3 - 7 May we will be at an annual UMT (Unit Ministry Team) training Fort Worth, TX. That means I pack my bags on Wednesday next week and I won't be back until the follow Thursday. I realized that I have become accustomed to living out of a bag and that troubles me. However, I also realize that I am doing the Lord's work here and that comforts me.

It was so nice to spend a week back "home" and I have always considered Ohio "home" (and to some degree I always will) but I discovered that "home" means being with my Sammi (my wife Christine) the Gabe-Man (my son Gabriel) and Gilli-Gracie (my daughter Gillian). This is good news to me. I know that with the path of ministry God has placed before me in the Army, I will be traveling and moving often and living in different homes, states and even countries. But home will mean I am with those whom I love the most and who love me the most. What a blessing! Lord willing my family will be with me next month here at Fort Hood, TX and this fall it is looking very possible that I will be taking them with me to Korea. What an adventure God has placed before us and what an amazing ministry! I love our Soldiers and I love the ministry opportunities that God has placed before me.

Mercy Me has a newer song that is popular on Christian Radio now, "Finally Home." What a beautiful song, but it is a tear jerker. Then someone on YouTube placed a video of Military Home Coming ceremonies with the song and that made me cry even more. There is nothing more honest, nothing more sincere and nothing more heart-moving than the hugs and kisses of a reunited family after a long deployment.

The Scriptures teach clearly that someday we who are in Christ will have a homecoming with our Heavenly Father on the other side of eternity. What a day that will be! When we will finally be with our Heavenly Father; when we will finally be with our loved ones; when we will finally unpack our bags for the last time; when we finally make it home. cd

I really like this and just wanted to share it with you all. -CH D

1st Blog Post

Okay, here we go...against my better judgment, I have begun a blog. I realize that to most I am way behind "the times" but here I am nonetheless. "Why?" You may ask (and I don't even know who "you" are because I can't imagine who will read this or why). I recently had two of my soldiers on two different occasions ask, "Hey Chaplain, do you have a blog?" Thus, one reason I have begun this endeavor. Another reason is that since I prayerfully made to decision to go Active Duty in the Army Chaplaincy, I have been separated from friends and family and this seems like a great way to keep them abreast of what I'm into and also just a good discipline for me. I am not sure what direction this will end up going and I am even less sure of how often I'll post on here. I guess we'll figure that out together.

Today is "Good Friday," the Friday before Easter Sunday. I have a service I am helping out with in one of the Chapels on Post. Tomorrow I plan to drive San Antonino and visit an Easter Service at Oak Hills Church to hear Max preach. Then Sunday I have three services at the Chapels on post. I pray that in the bussiness, I don't lose a chance to focus and reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus. I pray also that you all may have a very blessed Easter with friends and family. I hope you go to church, it will do you good.

Lord willing, I will take a one week leave to go back to Ohio for the first time since Christmas. If you would please take a minute to pray for my safe travel and I will thank you in advance for doing so. Please come back here often and read my blogs, give me feed back and advice as I make this new journey into cyberspace. God bless you all - CH D