By Chaplain (Lt. Cmdr.) Doyl McMurry Special to GUIDON Look at the television listings, and you will find channels airing shows about home renovations. They cover almost every aspect of home renovations. There are even shows that show the disastrous outcomes of home repair done by an inexperienced homeowner. There are various reasons for home renovation. One construction website … [Read more...] about Is renovation enough?

By Martha Strong Special to GUIDON Yesterday was Ash Wednesday, a day when many Christians attend a worship service to receive ashes on their foreheads in the sign of a cross. The ashes are a sign of repentance and reminder of the frailty of life. It is the beginning of the season of Lent, 40 days that lead up to the celebration of Easter Sunday. Lent is a time of reflection and … [Read more...] about Lent: A time for spiritual renewal

By Chaplain (Maj.) Joshua Metz Special to GUIDON This week’s reading comes from Matthew 5:38-48, where we find Christ’s teaching on the lex talionis, the ancient law principle often transliterated as the “law of retaliation.” His famous response to the principle of “an eye for an eye” is to “turn the other cheek.” Christians have debated for millennia on how to interpret this passage, and … [Read more...] about Turning the other cheek and ‘Just War’

By Chaplain (Capt.) Lelys Miller Special to GUIDON The month of February brings us into the season of Lent for this year. I have been thinking about Lent more in 2020 than any other time in my life. During my adolescent years growing up in Panama, I didn’t have to give up much during Lent because I did not have much, so I abstained from meat and enjoyed my vegetarian meals. As I observe … [Read more...] about Throw off everything, run with perseverance

By Chaplain (Capt.) Russell Sanders Special to GUIDON Teammates, perhaps no one grasps the true meaning of our nation’s and her allies’ fight for freedom around the world as much as those who have had the honor to serve in the armed services. We feel a deep sense of connectedness today with all those gone before us who fought, and sometimes died, to defend of our nation and her … [Read more...] about Honoring sacrifice

By Chaplain (Maj.) Clark Sneed Special to GUIDON When I was growing up, my family did not pay much attention to Advent. It simply was not one of our traditions. We skipped straight to Christmas. The problem with ignoring Advent is that you trade the Christmas season for a single day. Dec. 26th becomes a day of buyer’s remorse and national mourning. But when you celebrate Christmas … [Read more...] about The season of Christmas

By Chaplain (Capt.) Jeremy Dunn Special to GUIDON “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” — Matthew 6:19-21 Mike Gundy makes $5 … [Read more...] about Choose wisely

By Martha Strong Special to GUIDON  I hope you enjoyed Thanksgiving with family and friends this year, and that you took time to give thanks to the Lord who blesses us throughout the year. Giving thanks was the intent when the annual holiday was established more than 150 years ago by President Abraham Lincoln. The weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas are a time to be focused on … [Read more...] about Invest in others this Christmas

By Chaplain (Capt.) Matthew Ailstock Special to GUIDON “The anticipation is killing me.” Those words slipped out of my mouth at the same moment I realized I had lost all feeling in my hand; it went numb from the death grip that my wife had on it as she began to push for the third straight day. Not only was this our first child, we also didn’t know whether we were having a boy or a … [Read more...] about God hasn’t forgotten

By Chaplain (Capt.) Phillip Redden Special to GUIDON “The seed that fell among the thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.” — Luke 8:14 On my last day off from work, I engaged in one of my favorite past times — yardwork. However, on this particular day I needed to clear away a few bushes … [Read more...] about False growth

By Chaplain (Maj.) Clark Sneed Special to GUIDON Our home here at Fort Leonard Wood is a technological wonder: three modern televisions, four computers, Alexa, smart bulbs, smartphones, iPads and even a sassy little robot named Mr. Piggles that cheerfully cleans the floor. But I still miss the ‘80s. Life seemed simpler. Phones had rotary dials with letters that had nothing to do with … [Read more...] about I miss the ‘80s