JULY-AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2011 1

Armed Forces

JULY-AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2011 1

Armed ForcesJuly-August- September 2011

so Help me, God

On Christ, the Solid Rock, I Stand

The apostle Paul writes in 1 Cor. 3:11 (NIV, 2011), “For no one can lay any foundation other than the

one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

I recall visiting the city of Dubrovnik in Croatia and viewing the impressive fortress (see photo). The portion in this photo is only part of the 6,300-foot-long wall surrounding the old city. It is claimed that the walls were never breached by a hostile enemy through-out the time of Middle Ages. Its 80-foot-high walls and more than 120 cannons were indeed a deterrent to any attacker. The residents undoubtedly felt safe and secure inside the fortress.

All of us seek safety and security for ourselves and our families. How can we find it in these days of uncertainty, chaos and constant change? If anyone should have felt insecure, it would have been St. Paul. Upon becoming an apostle, his entire life was turned upside down. In his second let-ter to the Corinthians, Paul lists the following as some of his hardships:

n been in prison frequently,

n been flogged severely

n been exposed to death again and again,

n received 40 lashes minus one,

n three times I was beaten with rods,

n once I was pelted with stones,

n three times I was shipwrecked,

n spent a night and a day in the open sea,

n constantly on the move, and

n in danger from rivers, from bandits, from my fellow Jews, from Gentiles.

In spite of such adversity, Paul declares all this is nothing in comparison to knowing Christ.

Even in chains, Paul declares in Phil. 3:8-9 (NIV, 2011)—

“What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I con-sider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.”

As we face the challenges of a changing and unpredictable world, know that Christ is unchanging and constant. His grace, love, mercy and forgiveness are secure. He is the Solid Rock upon which we stand.

Chaplain Eric Erkkinen

LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces/E. Erkkinen Lovrjenac Fortress in Dubrovnik, Croatia

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2 ARMED FORCES

so Help me, God

The TV show “Survivor” depicts real people in struggle against the elements, each other and the show’s ratings. The struggles the contes-tants face are challenges to their creativity, their savvy and their popularity. Of course, everyone does survive, but only ONE actually wins the prize money. How well these participants adjust to changes and situations determines their “sur-vivability” and continuation on the series.

In our lives, we face obstacles every day. Some are real tests of our adaptability. In the military, we have more than our share of chang-es occurring. Perhaps American author Henry Miller was correct when he said, “Chaos is the score upon which reality is written.”

Besides having to move frequently, we have “transformation,” new technology, staff turn-overs, job changes and deployments to endure. It is a fact. Change is inevitable.

What does a military family do to minimize the effects of all that change … to keep STABLE?

Here are some things to consider. Change is NOT a bad thing. In fact, it is necessary and natural. A child does not remain a child, but grows into adulthood. Seasons come with pre-dictable changes in temperature and weather. Every human being grows, matures and learns because of change, not stability. The trick is to anticipate, learn and adapt.

You see, there are many possible reactions to change. You can REJECT it. You can RESIST it. You can RESENT it. Or you can RELISH it.

REJECTING change is when you simply refuse to adapt. In most cases, those who reject change are left behind. They live in the past and have no intention of learning anything new. Rejecting change often results in a “lostness” that produces more stress than changing does.

RESISTING change is when you plan cours-es of action to stop it and put roadblocks in the path of change. An example may be parents

who don’t allow their teen to take driver’s educa-tion because of the “dangers of teenage drivers” on the road.

RESENTING change is bitterly going along with change. It is evidenced by chronic com-plaining, longing for the past and phrases like “I wish we had never moved here,” or “Why didn’t you put in for Fort Paradise?”

RELISHING change is an attitude that embraces new challenges, learns from new experiences and values enrichment.

Unfortunately, attitudes cannot be prescribed, purchased or passed on to someone. Some things that may help keep things STABLE in times of change are these:

• ANTICIPATE—Try to get as much informa-tion as you can early on and keep all family members up to date.

• STRATEGIZE—Look at different options if this or that happens and discuss them with family.

• LISTEN—Let others have a voice in deci-sion-making since all are impacted by changes.

• KNOW LIMITS—You and family members have limits and levels of tolerance when it comes to change. Be patient, especially with children and teens.

• WATCH FOR DANGER SIGNS—Some changes are gradual and some are sudden. Some are typical, some are dangerous. Know the difference and seek help if needed.

• NO EXCUSES—Too often when changes come, we don’t address them because we are too tired, angry, frustrated, etc. Putting off deci-sions may not be the best thing.

• SEEK GUIDANCE—If the stress of change seems overwhelming, seek help. Your chaplain is a trusted agent whose mission is to care.

Chaplain Eric Erkkinen

Family Helps … ‘Surviving Change’

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JULY-AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2011 1

Armed Forces

3

so Help me, God

On Sept. 11, 2001, our ministry team was assembled in

the chaplain’s office of the Army’s Intelligence and Se-curity Command celebrating SFC Austin’s birthday. Word spread quickly that the Twin Towers in New York had been hit by a jetliner, then another only minutes later. While we watched the foot-age, a security alert was is-sued for the entire D.C. area and we were in “lock down.” Then word spread that the Pentagon was hit.

As events unfolded in the coming hours, days and weeks, our nation’s population began to ab-sorb the harsh reality that America had changed. Our naïve trust of others, our sense of invulner-ability and our belief that our defense and intel-ligence were adequate dissolved in a matter of hours. In the 10 years after the tears, we are suspicious of unattended packages, annoyed at invasive security measures at airports and more conscious of foreigners.

After spending two weeks doing search and re-covery after the attack in 2001, I was amazed by the resilience and tenacity of those tasked with finding and removing the remains from the rubble of the building. I recall the solemn moment of prayer as body bags were loaded into the refrig-

QUOTABLES

• The military today is like a relay race in which I am running as fast as I can, carrying the baton, and, from the sidelines, somebody hands me a new pair of socks and says, “Listen. Change your socks, don’t drop the baton, and don’t lose your place in the race.” —E. Erkkinen

• Know what’s weird? Day by day, nothing seems to change. But pretty soon, everything’s differ-ent. —Calvin (of “Calvin and Hobbes”)

• Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway. —John Wayne

erator van that transported the remains to the temporary mortuary nearby. Chaplain (BG) Gay-lord Gunhus, the Army Chief of Chaplain, directed chaplains (a priest and a Protestant) to pray over the remains as they were removed.

At one point, as I stood next to a doctor, eight blue body bags were lifted gently into the van. All of us were dressed in white Tyvek protective suits, hard hats and protective masks. As I bowed my head in prayer, I looked around and all six Soldiers bowed their head with me. I realized that they knew who I was by my only identifying feature— a silver duct-tape cross on the protective suit.

As I prayed for strength, courage and hope in the difficult days ahead, I asked that God would

The repaired and restored southwest portion of the Pentagon.

10 years after the tears10 years after the tears

(Continued on Page 4.)

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As George Goble sat between Bob Hope and Dean Martin on “The Tonight Show,” he turned to Johnny Carson and asked, “Johnny, did you ever feel like the world was

a tuxedo, and you were a pair of brown shoes?” Sometimes we all feel that way.

Share with othersWe welcome articles that encourage Lutheran

men and women who serve in the Armed Forces. Email your stories and photos to eric.erkkinen@lcms.org.

If you know someone who would like to receive Portals of Prayer and So Help Me, God as part of our LCMS Ministry-by-Mail outreach, contact Nancy Rowley at lcmschaps@lcms.org.

For other military ministry resources, visit www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID= 1224.

TEN YEARS AFTER THE TEARS

(Continued from Page 3.)

Chaplain (COL) Greg Williamson recently had the unique opportunity to baptize the baby of a Swedish military family serving at a

camp on the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in Korea. The Swedish contingent believes it is the first time a Swedish baby has been baptized at their camp on the DMZ.

“Lieutenant Commander Martin Engdahl is part of the Swedish Neutral Nations Supervisory Com-mission contingent at Panmunjon, Korea,” said Chaplain Williamson. “Their camp is on the DMZ between North and South Korea.

“Martin and his wife, Ellen, asked for a Lutheran

chaplain to baptize their son, Edvin, at the Swedish camp—a first for them and for any Lutheran—as far as we know. Edvin was born at our Army hos-pital on U.S. Army Garrison-Yongsan, Korea, and represents the international mix of our community.

“So, in following the traditions of the Swedish military—a first for me—we made a field expedi-ent baptismal font from three M-4s and a helmet, at the base of the bell tower on their camp. The bell tower was used to call the Swedes to worship when they had a larger group; however, they never had a formal chapel.  

“God blessed us with a sunny, brisk day for Ed-vin’s baptism. We began with a Swedish hymn and then gathered together to baptize Edvin into the Christian faith. It was a great ministry experience. I am grateful for this unique ministry event in my life.”

Chaplain Williamson, currently the United Na-tions Command/Combined Forces Command/United States Forces-Korea Command Chaplain in Korea has accepted the position as chief missions officer of the LCMS upon his retirement from the military.

so Help me, God

hallow the remains of those who died and to bring consolation to those who grieve.

Now, 10 years later, we ask our Lord to repair and restore our nation. We ask that our men and women who serve in the military remain strong and resilient. We ask that families, weary from long separations, be granted perseverance. We ask God to bring quick and lasting peace to lands torn by conflict.

Eric Erkkinen

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