Fort Leonard Wood Missouri News
By Chaplain Jorge BudezQuite often we hear people talking about God’s kingdom.In the Gospels, Jesus repeatedly taught about this kingdom and its immediate fulfillment, making it a subject of central importance to his message. Consequently, Jesus’ preaching about this subject promoted an image of God that inspired his followers to work for the neediest in their community.For Jesus, the … [Read more...] about Chaplain’s Corner: The endless journey of God’s kingdom
By Chaplain (Cpt.) Matt BurdenNFL super bowl winning quarterback, Kurt Warner, was a legend on the field.He faced triumphs and defeats in the same breath. His journey at times was tumultuous, but in the end he was a proven winner on and off the field. Undrafted after only one year as the starting quarterback at University of Northern Iowa, he was cut as a walk on with the Green Bay Packers … [Read more...] about Against the gridiron
By Chaplain (Cpt.) Jose RondonSoldiers come from all over our nation to become better human beings, to make their families proud either because they are keeping the long-standing military lineage of their loved ones, or because they want to set the example for future generations in their families and communities.These young men and women are full of ambitions, dreams and desires to become … [Read more...] about “I have a dream”
It’s that time of year again when I look back over the recently passed holiday season and remember that my parents and I engaged in our annual exchange of phone calls, asking each other what we wanted for Christmas. The problem was we had to, again, work really hard to come up with something special. We’ve rarely needed much and after a certain number of decades on earth, one has accumulated so … [Read more...] about Too much stuff, too little time
By Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Jeffrey Van NessIn 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, there were two forces at … [Read more...] about Our choice when calamity comes
To serve those who serve, where others fear to goBorn, raised and educated in Romania, Chaplain (Cpt.) George Oanca, pronounced Wonka, currently serves as a religious support officer for the 2nd Battalion, 10th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Chemical Brigade here on Fort Leonard Wood. But how he found himself here is no average tale.“It is a long story, but I’ll try to make it short,” he said … [Read more...] about One chaplain’s faith and duty
By Chaplain (Col.) David BowlusThe cold December days of 1914 were dark times.Five months had passed since Europe had rushed head-first into war and already the frightful toll of casualties had reached a staggering 800,000 dead and wounded.The holidays only promised to trigger more bloodshed and killing. But something unthinkable happened that Christmas Eve in 1914.In a gesture of … [Read more...] about An unlikely peace
By Chaplain (Maj.) Luis Nestor AndaJesus came and he is coming again. Advent, which means “coming,” is the season observed by many Christian churches as a time of expectant waiting; it is a time of preparation for the Nativity of Jesus’ birth, Christmas.Herod, in Matthew 2:2-6, asks about this child that will be born, inquiring “Where the Christ was to be born.” In Isaiah 7:14, there is … [Read more...] about The Advent and Jesus’ second coming
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”— Philippians 4:6By Chaplain (Maj.) Clark SneedThanksgiving makes me philosophical. My grandfather, a child of the Great Depression, often quipped that they were so broke he could not draw a dollar with a pencil and paper. His father would not let him ride … [Read more...] about On staying grateful
By Chaplain (Maj.) Keith FerrellThere comes a time in a person’s life when they are forced to face a difficult decision about many things. Among them is who to marry, what college to attend or simply where to live. Then there are moments in life where your decision can literally be life and death. It is in each of these moments that our character and our person are molded. Very few understand … [Read more...] about Chaplain’s Corner: When others won’t, the veteran will
By Chaplain (Capt.) Ariel CastilloThe season of fall is, once again, quickly becoming my favorite season of the year. As a child, believe it or not, I dreaded the thought of fall.It signified the end of summer, freedom and sun — not to mention the beginning of school, cooler days and longer nights. Perhaps it was just me, but I even found people to be a bit less cordial toward one … [Read more...] about A dreadfully beautiful season
By Chaplain (Capt.) Lelys MillerAs the holidays approach, I begin to think about all of those holiday recipes that my mother has sent me through the years.I ponder on which ones to incorporate into this year’s holiday meals, whether spent away with family or here with new friends.I meditate about one of my favorite cookies that I grew up eating called Quequis (pronounced Kaykis) … [Read more...] about Chaplain’s Corner: Everything we need
By Thomas RobinsonIf you consider yourself a healthy individual, you probably have no plan to visit the doctor any time soon. In fact, the only time you ever make plans to visit the doctor is for the required annual comprehensive medical check-up. There may be times when there is some pain or discomfort in your body, which just doesn’t want to go away. But, for the most part, you are … [Read more...] about Chaplain’s Corner: Do you really need a spiritual check-up?
By Chaplain (Capt.) Hyuntae KimAs we will soon begin to feel the cooler temperatures of autumn, we will suddenly realize that we only have a couple of months left in 2018.It will be Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve will finish up the calendar for this year.With this change of season and the upcoming holidays, we also turn our thoughts to time with family. But … [Read more...] about Chaplain’s Corner: Show your love in action
When the traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall recently made its only stop in Missouri, a Fort Leonard Wood chaplain was there to provide religious support.The Douglas County Veterans Memorial Association worked to bring “The Wall That Heals” to the central Missouri area. Among the activities during the wall’s five-day stay in Ava, Missouri, was a “field service” provided by Chap. (Maj.) Daryl … [Read more...] about FLW chaplain provides support for traveling Vietnam wall
