Fort Leonard Wood Missouri News
By Chaplain (Capt.) Ariel Castillo Special to GUIDON As we start the month of November, the holiday season is coming quickly upon us — the most wonderful time of the year. I get euphoric thoughts, even now, of turkeys roasting or frying, family and friends filled with a spirit of thanksgiving, kids singing “Jingle Bells” and everyone telling me to be of good cheer. But isn’t it odd … [Read more...] about Making this season a wonderful time
A minister in England saw a young boy come into his church one weekday, kneel at the altar and pray. The boy prayed so long that the minister wanted to know more about him. When the boy arose from his prayer, the minister asked, “Do you often come here to pray?” “I have been here four times in the last five days,” he replied. “Have you some loved one who is fighting in the war?” asked the … [Read more...] about Thankfulness
Sgt. David Gerholdt (right), Soldier Memorial Chapel non-commissioned officer in charge, goes through the inspection process with Chaplain (Col.) Gregory Walker, Fort Leonard Wood senior chaplain. Soldier Memorial Chapel won this year’s Best Chapel Competition. Each of the six chapels competing were judged on presentation of classrooms, offices, storage areas, hallways and kitchens; safety and … [Read more...] about FLW Best Chapel Competition
By Chaplain (Capt.) Christopher Dorsey Special to GUIDON As we move deeper into fall, the weather cools, the days shorten, and we approach the holiday season — a time of year many of us spend with family and friends. It is a time to share our stories and catch up with one another. While we get caught up in the “what have you been doing lately” mentality it is important to also look at, … [Read more...] about What’s your story?
By Chaplain (Capt.) Thomas Robinson Special to GUIDON From the evening of Oct. 8 to the evening of Oct. 9, 10 days after Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year), Jewish people around the globe observed Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement — a day of fasting, introspection and repentance. It is considered the most solemn holy day in the Jewish faith, which occurs once a year on the 10th day of … [Read more...] about What Yom Kippur can teach us
By Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Jeffrey Van Ness Special to GUIDON In November 2018, an older couple had spent the Thanksgiving Day weekend with their family. As they traveled home, a windstorm bore down upon them and a 100-foot-tall Douglas fir — with an estimated weight of 34,600 pounds — fell on top of them. The monstrous tree landed right on their windshield and crushed their car. Now, … [Read more...] about Our choice when calamity comes
By Chaplain (Maj.) Joshua Metz Special to GUIDON This week’s reading — Luke 17:5-10 In the Gospel of Luke, we find a fascinating exchange between leader and led. The led, in this case, the future Apostles, make an unusual demand of their leader, “Increase our faith!” (Luke 17:5). Their leader, Jesus, replies, “If you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you may say to this sycamore … [Read more...] about Faith and leadership
By Sgt. 1st Class Mike Hieb Special to GUIDON “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another…” — Hebrews 10:24-25 I know life seems busy, the world appears smaller, and people connect through various electronic devices rather than in person. Modern … [Read more...] about Being part of a community
By Chaplain (Maj.) Mark Beals Special to GUIDON By now, the shock of returning to school is dissipating; children have said goodbye to summer. Those of us with school aged children are in the throes of “reading, writing and arithmetic.” We are blessed in America that education is not only available to everyone, but it is mandatory. We must never lose sight of this blessing. Yet if … [Read more...] about To learn is to be blessed
By Chaplain (Lt. Cmdr.) Doyl McMurry Special to GUIDON If you were to evaluate your life, what would you find? Are you the person you need to be? Are you headed in the direction you need to go? Choices come to us every day. Some are significant and some don’t seem so, but they still have consequences. Who you will be tomorrow is largely determined by the choices you make … [Read more...] about It’s your choice
By Chaplain (Capt.) Matthew Woodside Special to GUIDON “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” — Proverbs 11:2 One of my proudest moments as a father was a few years ago when my youngest son earned his second-degree black belt in Tae Kwon-Do. I watched as he trained and disciplined his body to achieve this feat. He had never taken to team sports, and after … [Read more...] about Be proud, but not too proud
By Chaplain (Maj.) Jorge Budez Special to GUIDON We have been celebrating Labor Day since 1894. While Labor Day is, for most people, a day off from work, for Christians, it is more than that. Labor Day is a time to consider the meaning and influence of our work; work is a large part of our lives. It shapes our existence and the existence of our loved ones. In a materialistic society, it … [Read more...] about Work: a dignifying experience
By Chaplain (Capt.) Joseph McCall Special to GUIDON I’m a native Floridian, and in Florida, we only have two seasons — hot and hotter. Growing up the Florida summers were brutal. If you stood in one place for too long the soles of your shoes would begin to melt. During the summer, most Saturday afternoons would be play time. The neighborhood kids would be outside from noon until the … [Read more...] about We all scream for ice cream
By Chaplain (Capt.) Jeremy Dunn Special to GUIDON I recently had the opportunity to hike a portion of the Appalachian Trail. It was breathtakingly beautiful yet torturous. I would wake up in the morning and look in despair at that 50 pound pack I knew I had to carry for another day up and down those mountains. But while I was trekking along, I had this thought picking up this heavy load … [Read more...] about Bear another’s burden
By Chaplain (Capt.) Cornelius Muasa Special to GUIDON “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” — Matthew 5:44 Jesus’ words turn justice as we know it upside down. Our God-given sense of justice wants the evil person to suffer, and as they suffer, to know it is payback. By love your enemies, Jesus is not saying befriend your abuser and pretend it doesn’t bother … [Read more...] about Love your enemies
