Whiteboards and Pulpits

The next time you are at your church take a good look around. Do a census in your head? What is the largest population in your church? Is it older people, middle age, or young? What would you say is the poorest family in your church? Who is the richest? What occupations do most people have? What common interest/hobbies are throughout the congregation? Does the spiritual maturity of the congregation move through all the levels or is focused primarily on one focus group, i.e. the 'old guy'? Do you have any ethnic groups in your church? Are there outsiders or rebellious looking people (tattoos, motorcycle, stereotypes) Has anyone in your church recovered from homosexuality, adultery or porn? I asked this for a simple reason. If God has planted a church in a particular region of the country, shouldn't the church be a cross-section of the majority of the people in the culture? Shouldn't you see the same people variety at your church as you would on a common trip to Wal-M...

After living out of a suitcase for the last 7 weeks, its official. I feel like I am home here in Texas, at least for right now. Now, for the recap. On or about the 23rd of June, Jessica and I were contacted by the Chaplain Corp about a new assignment that I was getting here in Fort Hood Texas. I was quite surprised to find out that the Army's understanding of stability was moving from my overseas home in Germany to Fort Hood, and then deploying in about 30 days after getting settled in. Jessica and I held our breath and looked at the big picture. The big picture is: Chaplain's typically deploy only twice as a Captain, then we go school and wait until we get our Major before launching out again. Therefore, I will get the 2nd deployment completed and then prayerfully come home to enjoy about 2.5-3 years of non-deploying years. After the news, we basically started saying our goodbyes and launched from Germany to Texas. Rented a house. Picked up our new dog, Major. Gave up the...

Its true. It looks like I am heading to Iraq for part II. I found this video on YOUTUBE that is funny, and is the actual place that I am going downrange. For those of us who have actually seen Iraq, this is pretty stink'n accurate of those FOB's that you long to go to, but never got the chance. Well, this time CH Craven is heading to COB Speicher! (well, atleast I think I am. ALWAYS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.)

Just a couple of weeks ago, I did a single soldiers retreat down in Bavaria/Edelweiss. It was another learning experience for me. In the midst of the normal 'taking care of soldiers', I made an observation that may or may not be the complete normal of the Army culture, but definitely was for the group that attended the event. Observations: -Out of the 46 that attended the event, over 95% of them were wearing black or dark t-shirts. Of course, the overwhelming majority of them also have tattoos as well. -After discussing values of marriage, the overwhelming majority saw: (1) Family History of your spouse, (2) their personal values/beliefs, as not truly contributing factors on whether or not their relationship was compatible. -Upon dismissing them from most of my sessions, a small majority of them would actually go experience the ALPs, while the rest would have no problem with traversing the 2 mile walk downtown to bars and strip-clubs. -There was absolutely no talking o...

Reporting live from Baumholder, Germany. Last night, Chaplain John L. Craven bowled a historic 203 at Strikers Bowling. A legitimate 203. It is true. I know its hard to imagine such a moment. This very blog clearly validates the event. Let's go live to John's remarks ...(static)...ANNOUNCER: [Crowd noise almost deafening] John,...Mr. John Craven...can I get a word from you in response to this historic moment...[horns blowing in the background] John: "Yes,... of course. [being let down from the shoulders of the Mayor of Baumholder, putting down the key to the city.] I know this is hard to imagine and I have much to be thankful for....my mind is just racing...[receives a cold cup of water from COL Matlock]....Thank you sir...you shouldn't have. Ok...[crowd silences and hushes]... I just want to thank all the following people. My dad for all the countless trips to the bowling alley during my youth and grade school years as a celebration for good grades. To all th...

As you may know the Reformed Chaplain has been dormant for just about 2 months now. My pen has been silent for a reason. On May 3 of this year, Jessica and I became mother and daddy of a beautiful new addition to our family, Angie. Now, two full months have just about passed this date. My role as Husband to a spectacular wife has now been further enhanced with a new position: Daddy. At a recent BBQ, I had a good friend ask me: So, how is parenthood? I had to stop for a second and think. My answer: "Well, I think back on my days of being single and then getting married on April 23. I woke up the same. I still drove the same. I still brushed my teeth. Not much 'felt' different, but by the end of the day...I had assumed a new responsibility. I clearly remember looking at my ring on my finger that evening and thinking, "so, now I'm married. Nice." I kind'a felt the same. No major shift in my personality or thinking with Angie. I know that God has prepared...

There are a few things that make me laugh out loud. A couple of TV shows, Heidi's antics, Jessica's story-telling...etc. But there is nothing better than having one of those belly laughing moments when you are really needing to just laugh. Laughing is a lot like crying, everyone needs a good one every now and then. So, in light of this thought, I will dedicate my MONDAY EDITIONS to LOL. Things that make me laugh. It might be a joke or two or just a goofy YouTube video, but either way, enjoy. ***************** Things That Make Me LOL. THIS WEEK: Charlie the Unicorn While we have been in the field training, I have had the strong desire to be serious about my work. Going to ranges and seeing soldiers takes up a majority of my time. Later in the evenings, as I have mentioned earlier I space out for just a few minutes and watch a couple of goofy YouTube videos between the meetings.  I stumbled across this, which is quite senseless and stupid...but after 30 days w/o your w...