Sandman,
Thanks for your uplifting message. It was sincerely appreciated.
As you know, I pastor a church which is mostly made up of military families who serve on Ft. Bragg/Pope Air Force base. Every day I gain a greater respect for the families of America's servicemen, who for the past four years have been under greater pressure than I think anyone outside of this sphere really understands, especially the SF community which is pretty much constantly deployed of late. Most of them are wonderful people, but because of their special circumstances they tend to have more than the average number of problems, and a few that in my wildest dreams I never expected to encounter in pastoral ministry. I'd be a liar if I said that this hasn't taken a personal toll on me and my family as well, so I am thankful for any encouragement I receive.
You and I have more in common than we probably realize, I was also a "godless heathen" as you put it (actually I was a practicing Occultist for several years), and if anyone had told me in University that I'd end up as an evangelical Christian, much less a pastor, I'd have said, "you my friend, are on drugs." Remembering how hard my own heart was will I hope keep me humble and my perspective on track.
I've been extremely blessed over the years, both by having a wonderful help-meet, the opportunity to learn from C.S. Lewis caliber mentors, and now the privilege of serving members of the military community. I've also really enjoyed my time flying AH and my excellent squaddies. From where I sit, God has been very good to this undeserving man.
Thanks again.
- SEAGOON
