"In the first book, Theophilus, I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught until the day he was taken up, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he had suffered, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While meeting with them, he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father about which you have heard me speak; for John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit". St. Luke was giving the importance of the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus said, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8)." 

This would be what is called the first novena when the Apostles waited for 9 day for the empowering of the Holy Spirit upon the Church. This would b...

I transferred in January 1998 from Fort Campbell KY for a tour in the "Land of the Morning Calm" known for it's clear waters and high mountains.  I would be stationed at Camp Casey/Hovey about 12 miles from the 38th parallel that separates the North and South Korean States.  Korea was liberated by the United States along with the Soviet Union on 15 August, 1945 from Empirical Japan.  The North were supported by the Soviets while the South was supported by the United Stated and Western powers.

On June 25, 1950, the Soviet Backed North invaded South Korea beginning the Korean conflict that finally a cease fire was called on July 27, 1953.  War was never officially ended but ever since the cease fire, there have been an uneasy stale-mate that continues today.  The North Koreans have built up a powerful military developing nuclear capabilities and it has been the United States that has kept them in check.  Korea is known as the "Land of the Morning Calm" but at any time the threat...

I arrived at my first Duty Station at Fort Stewart Georgia in the late Spring/early Summer 1985 after Basic Training and AIT (Advanced Individual Training) as a Combat Medic.  It was not long before I would meet our NBC-NCO who ensured that our training regarding our requirements of NBC training and equipment were maintained.  It was here that I learned about NBC volleyball in MOPP 4.  I actually took that training as fun, but not everybody did as it didn't take long before you sweated a great deal. 

After a few months serving in the Medical Company it didn't take long before I would be challenged by the NBC-NCO about Religion.  He claimed to be an Atheist and the challenge was mutual as I do not believe in real Atheism especially when they find themselves in a fox-hole.  Throughout my time there the back and forth was mutual as we developed a certain respect in our encounters.

My opponent was heavy into science so my approach to him was from science.  He became very interested...

Wednesday October 03, 2007: Last night at the bible study we had an excellent group, our numbers are going to almost 30 regulars. Many of them are looking to be received into the Church. I'm kind of starting our last cycle before we have to head back home. I am so looking forward to getting back home, but while I'm here, it's going to be 100% to get our guys home. If I can help someone find the faith in the process, that is what I am about!

Thursday October 04, 2007: We have eleven days until we have more Baptisms and Confirmations, it is exciting as we have more considering these gifts of God even farther down the line. We are here until January and it will be an honest effort to go to the end. In a way, we have felt like a missionary or something. It certainly has been an opportunity to serve the Lord which is my higher purpose of being here. To God be all the glory! Thank you for allowing me to be a teammate of yours!!!

Friday October 05, 2007: I've been getting up to work out at 0430...

As we look into the minds eye of a doubter that came to believe because of a loving and merciful God, and a believer who believed fervently and became a victim soul for others also because of a loving and merciful God, how is it possible that 70 percent of Catholics have little or no belief in the Eucharist?  Do we do all we can to bring others to the Eucharist, or do we talk about how sad it is that so many do not believe, and yet do nothing for the Lord to help those that are at great risk for eternity without the Eucharist as part of their life.  If you hesitate at all, think on this question, if Jesus stood before you today, and ask you, why did you not let those I put into your path know what you know about the Eucharist?  And you replied, but I felt uncomfortable, or they won't listen to me.  And the Lord responded, child if you love me TRY, know that if even one says yes and turns back to me, this is a great blessing for you and for them, so please TRY. 

Coul...

Friday September 14, 2007: It's wild how you can wake up to mortars hitting nearby, how bullets can be heard fired in the distance. There is still a peace that only God can give even in this place. Humility always trumps pride, mercy always trumps vengeance. I have Soldiers who deployed here to this land that were barely men, almost kids. Since we have been here for 10 months, most of them have grown up to be men, heroes, veterans. I have sent them to do thousands of combat missions, dangerous missions. We have an enemy that does not come out into the open, they hide among the population. They place bombs out in the road wanting to kill. They want to teach children how to become suicide bombers to kill. They want to go after innocent civilians playing soccer to kill. They want to enter the United States of America to kill. That's why I hope and pray that we are allowed to win this war. To keep America safe. Padre Pio called the rosary the "weapon". I pledge to pray it to keep America s...

Sunday Jul 15, 2007: I've got a number of people that is coming to me that is seeking to enter the Church or be confirmed. Three new ones not apart of the original group. What a blessing even during these tough times. We have done a number against the enemy which is great without the loss of a man. It has been a very successful completion to a serious dangerous mission. Thank you all for your prayer.

I need to thank St. Anthony for the finding of a radio that went missing. I discovered it gone on my way to the Division Chapel for the bible study last night. I hoped that it had fallen off in my room. Three hours later, I went back to my room to find it wasn't there. Oh boy, now the job of retracing my steps was the only recourse. I was at D Company before I went to the TMC before I went on my way to the Chapel almost 2 1/2 miles away. It wasn't there. The First Sgt recalled that I had it with me. I was a lame duck.

Well, I walked back toward's F Company where I had signed for the radi...

President Ronald Reagan once said, "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free"

I became politically activated in 1980 when President Ronald Reagan ran against then President Jimmy Carter.  At the same time thankfully I had recently returned home to my Catholic Faith.  It was not long that I found the importance of my faith when considering who I was going to support.  In 1973, the Supreme Court legalized Abortion which I could never accept as anything I could support.  

The Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraph 407 became very important to my understanding:

CCC 407 The doctrine of original sin, closely connected with that of redemption by Christ, provides lucid discernm...

Thursday July 26, 2007: I am so proud of my Medics tonight! We saved several lives today! That is the job of the Medic, to treat and take care of his soldiers. I've taught them that every soldier we take care of, that is someone we send home to loved ones. God was with us today in a powerful way. Thank you for your prayers!

Friday July 27, 2007: Yesterday, we had 40 heat injuries in which 11 had to be helicoptered out. It was 135 degrees with all their gear on. All of them made it because of the great work of my Medics. They were doing foot patrols finding a lot of enemy weapons and they ran out of water. My Medics not only did an outstanding job keeping them alive, but they showed great endurance as they had to move and treat them all. I'm like a proud Father today. Yes, I'm very happy about this.

Sunday July 29, 2007: I've been outside the wire, serving as a medic on a major log pack. I was not able to conduct the bible study this past Saturday evening, Rocnric was there to help us out...

One morning at Fort Hood Texas in January 2008, I was in line to send a care package to one of our Sons who was deployed in Iraq.  We both were in Kuwait as he was coming as I was going!

I had recently returned home from a from Iraq and really grateful to be home.  It means a lot to receive such care packages from loved ones.

While I was at the Fort Hood bank where I could send the package.  I was in line hearing other people talking among themselves about the cares of the day.  Some being cordial talking about all kinds of things.

At one point two ladies began talking about Abortion, one opposed and one for it.  Being myself I could not help getting involved in that discussion as I was right in front of them in line.  I started out giving a short story that took place when I was about 10 or 11 years old.

My parents bought a small farm in Southern Missouri buying hogs, cattle, horses, chickens and I was the principle care taker of the animals.  A portion of our property...