CHAPLAIN TROY

“I didn’t want to bother you, pastor.” That is a statement I have heard more times than I wish to admit over my many decades of doing ministry. This statement…

I love superheroes. I grew up dreaming–praying–that I would someday become my favorite superhero, Spider-Man. And I’m not exaggerating. I literally prayed every night that God would give me Spider-Man…

I am reading a book right now that is challenging me to diver deeper into my prayer life. The book is called Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools by Tyler…

We have so many questions we want answered in life. Who am I supposed to marry? What should I do for a career? Why is the sky blue? Why do…

Jesus told a story in Mark 4 about a farmer scattering seed. The seed fell on different types of soil and obviously had different outcomes. Some seed fell on a…

There are times when a quote can stay stuck in your brain and cause you all kinds of spiritual and emotional problems. Here is the latest culprit in my struggle…

Self-evaluation is a great tool in personal development. The ability to analyze our thoughts, emotions, and actions honestly can move us toward change. Putting that evaluation in the hands of…

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Colossians…

I’ve heard online dating is a thing. Here is the little I know about it. People get on dating apps, enter their information, and are matched with people the app…

We all have gone through tough times. There have even been moments when we thought there was no way we were going to get out of this seemingly impossible situation.…

I have been in ministry for over 26 years. A lot of that has been in youth ministry. In Northern California I pastored one church for over 12 years. What…

Jesus made eight statements starting with this word blessed. And and here’s what the word means when you look at the original language, the Greek. I love this definition. And…

The last few blogs I have been sharing with you thoughts and reflections from stories from the book of Judges. I did some reflecting and found several interesting points from…

There was a man named Micah who lived in the hill country of Ephraim. One day he said to his mother, I heard you place a curse on the person…

When her son was born, he named him Samson and the Lord blessed him as he grew up. And the spirit of the Lord. Listen to this. And the spirit…

The Israelites did evil in the Lord’s sight. So the Lord handed them over to the Midianites for seven years. The Midianites were so cruel that the Israelites made hiding…

“This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, commands you. Call out 10,000 warriors from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulon at Mount Tabor, and I will call out…

And the Israelites served Eglon of Moab for eighteen years. But when the people of Israel cried out to the Lord for help. The Lord again raised up a rescuer…

In the next several blogs we’re going to be looking at a book in the Old Testament called Judges. Now you may not be familiar with the whole book of…

The last day is over! Well, not really. We still have to travel back home tomorrow, but today was our last day of service. We only planned for half a…

What a day! It is amazing how certain experiences can energize you. I started this morning thinking that it would take a lot of coffee to get through the day.…

I’m tired. All the work and late nights are starting to catch up to me. (And not having coffee available throughout the day isn’t helping either.) But when I feel…

Today was a good day. When I arrived at the hospital I created the lists of patients that needed follow up by the surgeons and the list of surgeries for…

The fun is over. Well actually, a different fun began today. We started doing surgeries. My job was to make sure the patients were scheduled and moving in and out…

I am tired. And we haven’t even started seeing patients yet. That happens tomorrow, and I can’t wait. I’m tired because I stayed up late. I was responsible for giving…

What a wonderful night of sleep I had. I was so tired that the minute my head hit the pillow I was out! You know you have slept well when…

My brother-in-law and sister-in-law started a medical mission ministry many years ago. It’s called Tree of Life Medical Missions. If you are interested in finding more about them click on…

ULTIMATE CONNECTION Ultimate connection is when the fruit of the spirit grows naturally in you and out of you because of your connection to God.  And we all need to…

And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. Acts 2:4 (NLT) If you’ve been a…

It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins. He has turned away and will not listen anymore. Isaiah 59:2 (NLT) This is an awful…

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but they serve the same Lord. God…

The Bible tells us God created the earth–the earth we’re standing on right now. And we’re told that when God created, He spoke. The first thing He created was light.…

Then he turned to his host. When you put on a luncheon or a banquet, he said, don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors for they will invite…

One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. There was a judge in a certain city. Jesus said, who…

The life of Jesus is chronicled in the Bible in four books. And we call those books Gospels. You may have heard the term the four gospels, and those are…

This is how Jesus instructed the disciples in Matthew chapter six on how to pray. Pray like this Our Father in Heaven. May your name be kept holy. May your…

What seems to be the easiest part of prayer? Asking. That’s what prayer usually becomes. At some point you start praising God, but then you start your list, right? And…

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4 Most of us come to prayer when we can’t rejoice, because we usually come to…

“Prayer can easily become a frenetic extension of the manic way. I live too much of my life.” -Pete Greig Prayer is not for the crazed attitudes that we have…

Lesson 06 – Sin Disruption Discussion Questions Question 1: What bad habit are you trying to break in your life? Question 2: Read Luke 23:26-43. How important is Jesus’ death for your…

Lesson 05 – Religious Disruption Discussion Questions Question 1: What is something unique about your faith tradition? Question 2: Read Mark 3:1-6. What do you think is the purpose of religion? Question…

Lesson 04 – Cultural Attitudes Discussion Questions Question 1: What is the hardest issue for you to discuss with people who disagree with you? Question 2: Read John 4:1-42. Jesus was able…

Lesson 03 – Priorities Discussion Questions Question 1: Is it easy for you to put your whole life in God’s hands? Why or why not? Question 2: Read Matthew 19:16-22. In verse…

Lesson 02 – The Emotional Life Discussion Questions Question 1: What storm are you experiencing in your life today that you want Jesus to calm? Question 2: Read Mark 5:1-20. What can…

Lesson 01 – In The Beginning Discussion Questions Question 1: Why does it bother us so much to have our lives disrupted? Question 2: Read John 1:1-12. When Jesus shows up in…