Chapel Protestant Community

04/30/2024

03/25/2024

05/22/2023

03/20/2023

Growing in Christ - When God Speaks through Suffering
“As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"

Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God's works might be revealed in him.” - John 9:1-3

God works through our suffering.

In the Gospel, Jesus tells the disciples the man was born blind to reveal the works of God. It is hard to read these words as they imply God allows suffering to demonstrate how God works in our world.

This week we are focusing on how God speaks to us, whether it is through Scripture, or prayer or worship or our experiences and it is striking that amidst suffering or trauma is when we tend to hear or stop hearing God. Many people have turned away or decided never to follow Jesus based on this presumption; and this is why theodicy, or how a good god can allow evil, is such an important part of our Growing in Christ.

The problem is when we confuse God as the source of our suffering with God simply working through our suffering. We want a culprit, a bad guy (or gal). And while justice is an important part of resolving our pain in life, it is null and void without the true healing we need - love. The works of God are when God’s love is revealed through us–especially our hurts.

Here is the challenge this week: look for God amidst your hurts. Allow God to shine into those dark areas of your life. Pause looking for “who sinned” and prayerfully ask God’s love to speak to those situations in your life where you need healing.

Keep up the Good Fight,

Chaplain Weatherwax

02/04/2023

Enduring the Storm
And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But Jesus was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they awoke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”
Mark 4:37-38

Our relationship with Jesus Christ does not promise us an exemption from trouble. While there are many in the Christian family who believe that giving our lives to Christ will make us eternally free from trouble and secure from every storm, both our own life experiences and the sacred narratives of Jesus’ disciples and apostles indicate to us that carrying our own cross as we follow Jesus is likely to lead us directly into many storms.

Journeying with Jesus on the sea, his disciples suddenly encountered a storm. Though they faced dangerous gales and treacherous waves they were never knocked off course or in real danger of failing to reach their destination. They may not have enjoyed the journey, nor fully understood the potential calamities they faced, but with Jesus in their midst, not even the untamed, unruly, and ungovernable chaos of the seas could deter them from accomplishing God’s will for their lives.

No matter what storms we face in life, we need not lose hope because our Lord and Savior, who has the power and authority over all things in earth and in heaven, journeys with us. He never sleeps; he never slumbers; he loves us, and has chosen to reside with us forever. Jesus Christ dwells with us; let us never be afraid.


Chaplain Ryan Whitfield

01/29/2023

Teach Us to Pray - God meets our Needs
“Give us this day our daily bread…” - Matthew 6:11 (NRSV)


Here is an essential secret to prayer: God knows what you need, even before you ask, but desires for a relationship, similar to a good parent and their child, to occur; this, in turn, requires us to have conversations with God or prayer.

When the disciples asked Jesus how to pray, he taught them to seek God for their daily bread. Bread sustains us, which is what God provided the Israelites with in the desert. God daily provided them manna or bread from heaven to meet their physical needs. God was teaching them and us an important lesson–God is our sustainer. Jesus similarly validated this point over and over in the Gospels, from the feeding of the 5,000 (John 6:1-14) to the woman at the well (John 4.5-30), and the disciples (John 6.35) and even as he resisted temptation (Luke 4.4). Scripture reminds us that God in and through the Holy Spirit knows what we need, even the deep needs we cannot articulate (Romans 8.26-27).

The late 19th-century pastor and prayer warrior E. M. Bounds said it this way"

"When we pray, "Give us this day our daily bread," we are, in a measure, shutting tomorrow out of our prayer. We do not live in tomorrow but in today. We do not seek tomorrow's grace or tomorrow's bread. They thrive best, and get most out of life, who live in the living present. They pray best who pray for today's needs, not for tomorrow's, which may render our prayers unnecessary and redundant by not existing at all!"

The point is God desires for us daily to seek our deep physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual needs from God through the power of the Holy Spirit and the work accomplished by Jesus on our behalf.

Now to the so what of this devotional: Church, yesterday, and tomorrow are important. We spend lots of energy on what we used to have or need and what we need in the future, but we only have to focus on today. God wants us to ask for the bread that we need daily–this is more than full bellies–this is asking God to meet our deepest human needs every morning or whenever we pray. When you pray, ask God for what you need to sustain you for the day. God will provide.

Keep up the Good Fight,

Chaplain Weatherwax

01/08/2023

For those wishing to watch the USNA Chapel services via livestream, the Youtube link is provided below.

Services from the United States Naval Academy

01/08/2023

"The Audacity of Servant Leadership"

God uses the prophet Isaiah to console and correct the Lord's people simultaneously. On the one hand, we see the faithfulness of the Lord unfold. Time after time, God demonstrated, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze (Isaiah 43:2)." What a mighty God we serve! Not because of our goodness or our works. God makes a way out of no way--this is the essence of the Lord's consolation.

If we are not careful, God's promises can become a stumbling block. Why? Like God's people of old, we can inadvertently make the blessings of the Lord into an idol. How? The Lord provides us with material support and suddenly we believe we no longer need God. The Lord honors us with promotion, and we become entitled. We must remember, my friend, that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). Unfortunately, this was the case in Isaiah 42. The Lord richly blessed the entire nation, but they no longer adhered to the wisdom of Proverbs 3:5 – 6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; And lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and He shall direct your paths."

Because the nation only sought God's hands and not God's face, it was as if the Lord had to introduce a "new thing." Instead of the sacrifices of animals for the atonement of sin, the Lord inserts the Audacity of Servant Leadership to redeem His people. Observe the sentiments of Isaiah 42:1, "Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles." The questions on the table now become, "What is a Servant and how can we emulate this means of influence?" Philippians 2:5 – 8 provides us with a clue, "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross."

Mindset. A Servant has the right mindset. Namely, they understand they are only a vessel in the Hand of God and totally dependent upon the Lord. Servant leaders commit themselves to only thinking about things that are true, honest, pure, and of virtue (Phil 4:8).
It's Not About Me. A Servant knows it's not about me. On the contrary, they understand nothing can be done without the help of the Lord. So, true Servant Leaders come to the table asking what's best for the rest, NOT what's in it for me.
God's Spirit. A Servant is led by God's Spirit. Listen to the sentiments of Zechariah 4:6-8, "…Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord of Host." God does not achieve divine success with human might or influence but ultimately by the unction of the Holy Ghost; this is why servants spend quality time reading God's word and taking heed to the still, small voice (1 Kings 19:11-13) in their hearts.
In an age that puts the needs of self above others, the Audacity of Servant Leadership is a divine game changer! God could have used any methodology to correct and reconcile the world. The Lord could have employed a Narcissistic style and ordered folk to follow. God could have modeled a Laissez-faire form of management and let things happen. But because our God is a loving Savior, the Lord chooses to be a servant. What about us? Do we have the courage to be a servant? Do we have the internal discipline to put the needs of others above ourselves? If so, I challenge you to employ the right mindset, understand it's not about us, and dare to be led by God's Spirit. When this happens, we will see the manifestation of God's power in our respective areas of responsibility.

Chaplain Maurice Buford

01/04/2023

40 Days of Prayer Daily Challenge @ 1845: We are to be a people of prayer. Beginning on 15 January we will focus on what it means for God’s people to pray. You are invited to join us.

01/04/2023

"The Season You're In"

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the sun.”
- Eccesiates 3:1


Every new year brings many to create new years resolutions. Some are renewed goals from years past and others are brand new aspirations. Many are desperate for a new season to begin, discontent with the current season or circumstance.

The writer of Ecclesiastes proposes an unusual approach to learning the meaning of life. 3:1-13 establishes that there is a time, a season, for everything. It’s not just the seasons related to the weather patterns and times of the calendar year. There are seasons for every circumstance we encounter. Times for birth and death, mourning and dancing, building and tearing down, etc. Most seasons and circumstances happen outside of our control and some we choose to initiate. In all of them we have an obligation to participate in one way or another. It often requires effort and work, or as Ecclesiastes calls it, toil. We work to put together holiday meals. We work to start new businesses. We work to write new policy to better the Fleet. We work through grief. And we work to bring joy to loved ones during the Christmas season. But what is the point of it all?

In the book of Revelation, John sees a new heaven and new earth where God himself dwells with his people. There is no more death, no more mourning, no crying, and no pain. A season is coming when he will make all things new in the final and everlasting season. For now, we work and toil in one of the seasons set forth in Ecclesiastes. And as we continue to wait for the Son of Man to return and for all things to be made new, we can live in each season as Christ lived, with the confidence that God makes everything beautiful in its time. (Ecc. 3:11)

May God bless you with satisfaction in all you do, whatever season you’re in.

Chaplain Vanessa Platek

12/26/2022

"I'll Be Home For Christmas"

“The Word became flesh and made his home among us.
We have seen his glory, glory like that of a father’s only son,
full of grace and truth.”
- John 1:14 (CEB)


One of my favorite Christmas movies is White Christmas with Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, and Rosemary Clooney. The nostalgia of Vermont (I grew up minutes from Vermont) mixed with war veterans and Kaye’s humor puts it in my top five-holiday movie list (Star Wars is on that list too). The song captures the emotion of those separated from loved ones during WWII. It was also famously requested by two astronauts in 1965 on their reentry home. Home for Christmas captures the idea that Christmas brings us to a place of belonging, where we can be ourselves and enjoy the best aspects of life. This idea, while warm and inviting, is very much a dream for many. Don’t get me wrong, most of us find some enjoyment during the holidays. However, more often than not, we overextend ourselves–financially, emotionally, and personally–in attempts to create this perfect moment of “home” that is more akin to more recent, well at least in the last 30-40 years recent, Christmas movies.


The home we are looking for at Christmas is there. In fact, in true epic Christmas Movie fashion, the Gospel of John thrusts us into the cosmic reality of Christmas and how the Word became flesh and made his home among us. John describes Jesus as “tabernacling,” or setting up camp among us. John is telling God’s people, and us, that the same God, who spoke creation into existence and rescued them from Egypt, has come to dwell among them, to make a home amongst them.


The truth of Christmas is home can be a present reality. The very God who created us and knows who we are has made it possible for us to be at home with ourselves, our friends and family, and God. Jesus not only took up residence with us at Christmas, but Jesus can also literally take up residence with us now–so that we can be home for Christmas no matter where we find ourselves on December 25th.


O Come, O Come Emmanuel!

Chaplain Weatherwax

12/26/2022

Welcome to our newest chaplain, CAPT Maurice Buford!

"The Immanuel Factor: God's Strategic Plan for Reconciliation"
"Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly." Matthew 1:19 (NRSV)



A strategic plan is required to win a military campaign, a business endeavor, or the like. Strategy is setting goals and creating a blueprint for an organization's future, which is perilous to ignore. "Which of you," Luke 14:28 reminds us, "intending to build a tower, sits not down first, and counts the cost, whether they have sufficient to finish it?" Wisdom says leaders should follow the Lord's lead and "begin with the end in mind." When this happens, miracles become the order of the day! Seemingly, the fourth week of advent unveils God's design for reconciliation and offers principles to unleash the potential of an organization.

What is the divine plan? John 3:16 - 17 tells us, "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn it, but that the world through Him might be saved." In short, God put it all on the line and sent Jesus from glory to earth to take away the sins of the entire world! This, my friend, is the Immanuel factor (Matt 1:21).

How can we experience God with us in a more intimate manner? A study of Matthew 1:1 – 24 provides some practical keys to help us know and better understand the Immanuel factor. Consider the following:

God used a flawed genealogy to execute a perfect plan. I am glad God delineated the forty-two generations in which Christ was born. In this family tree are people with problems and dysfunction. On the surface, one may surmise that such a flawed lineage would be beneath royalty. On the contrary, God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise (I Cor. 1:27). In like manner, if you hail from humble and broken beginnings, know this – you are the perfect candidate to be used of God!

God used openness of Mary to demonstrate God's favor. The Lord commissioned an angelic message to a virgin. "Hail, you are highly favored," explains Luke 1:28, "the Lord is with you: blessed are you among women…." After being surprised and unsure of how God would bring to pass an immaculate conception. The angel assured her that the power of the Holy Spirit would bring it to pass. The average person would have pushed back, offered excuses, or run away from the divine opportunity. After all, the stakes were high. Mary was engaged and never knew a man. How could a this pregnancy be explained? What would the people say? How would Joseph deal with the naysayers? How would Mary respond? She responded by faith, saying, let it be to me according to your Word (Luke 1:38). My friend, if we are to be used by God powerfully, we too must have a "yes" to God's will in our spirit.

God used Joseph's heart to demonstrate agape. Can you imagine Joseph's disappointment, hurt, and embarrassment after he learns about Mary's pregnancy? Please think of how Joseph as he realized that Mary was with child. Logic suggests that she was unfaithful. How should a leader respond in the face of perceived injustice? Joseph had every right to have Mary dealt with severely. But seemingly, this hurt influencer understood that love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8). As such, Joseph leaned in with agape and decided to put Mary away privately. How do we navigate personal offenses? Sure, we should confront wrong, but the condition of the heart matters too. In other words, when confronting someone, we should do so in a spirit of gentleness (Gal 6:1).

God used the Word to re-calibrate the situation. After Joseph decided to put Mary away privately, God spoke to him in a dream. Please understand that God is very interested in our lives and desires to help us along the way. The question becomes are we listening to the voice of God? A survey of the scripture suggests that God speaks to us in various ways – the Bible, godly people, the Holy Spirit, circumstances, and a dream. In this case, the Lord told Joseph in a dream that assured him that the pregnancy was all divine. What about us? Are we actively listening to the voice of God? The Bible reminds us, "My sheep know my voice (John 10:27). To this end, let us stay sensitive to the leading and voice of God.

God used obedience to transform a nation. It's not enough to hear the voice of God. We must obey. If we are honest, obedience to the things of God is costly, humanly intimidating, and can bring one pause. But the other side of this act is transformation. Such an alteration is the direct result of the power of the Lord. For when "Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus (Matt 1:24 – 25). This simple act of compliance set the course for God's Divine plan to unfold.

My friends, allow me to challenge you today to experience the Immanuel Factor. God is waiting for us to know the Lord in an intimate loving way. God longs to step into our dysfunction. The Lord desires us to have a "not my will, but thy will be done" in our hearts. Heaven smiles at the leader who dares to lean in with agape-love and is open to re-calibrating the Word. Our Heavenly Father is waiting to show his power to us through the act of obedience. During this season of life, may you experience the Immanuel Factor! Indeed, God is with us and will never leave or forsake us.

Faithfully,
Chaplain Buford