Community Chaplain Services

10/13/2026

June's Devotional (Yes, I'm behind in posts!)

A while ago, I was asked to speak at the graduation ceremony of a small school. As I was wrestling with what to say to be effective, a friend of mine recommended a Dr. Seuss book by the title Oh, the Places You’ll Go! It is a great poem. There is a line in this poem that captured me. After speaking of all the places one will go in life, the fun to be had, and the attention from the world for being a star in big ball games on TV — fame! You’ll be famous with the whole world watching…

“EXCEPT WHEN THEY DON’T. BECAUSE, SOMETIMES, THEY WON’T. I’M AFRAID THAT SOMETIMES YOU’LL PLAY LONELY GAMES TOO. GAMES YOU CAN’T WIN ’CAUSE YOU’LL PLAY AGAINST YOU.”

What a quote!

So what does a person do when they are the problem? I’ve noticed we often give up in despair, call ourselves names, self-medicate, and do all kinds of unhealthy things to cope, just to hang on until something better comes along.

I find comfort in what the Bible teaches in Romans 5:8: when I was the problem and could not turn to Him, He came to me.

If you are one of those playing “lonely games,” remember: He has come.

Blessings,
Pastor Dale

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05/28/2026

The older I get, the more I appreciate the familiar verses in the Bible. Scriptures like Psalm 23, Proverbs 3:5-6, etc. I have been reading through the Gospel of John, and once again I read John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”

While I was reading John 17:3, as Jesus was praying to the Father for us, it says, “Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the one true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You sent.”

I think most of us interpret “eternal life” as living forever in heaven. But according to John 17:3, it means knowing God. I don't know why that stood out to me this time reading it, but it did. So, in other words, because He is eternal and He is life, when we receive Him, we have His eternal life beginning here on earth and continuing forever in heaven.

I have found that to be true. As I meet so many of you, I am reminded how challenging life can be, seeing each of you with your own sort of issues, yet so alike with everyone else. I want to share with you this reminder: that God loved us enough to give Himself to us while we are going through all of our struggles, stress, and issues, so we may have life renewed through Him.

If you have not experienced Him, I wanted you to know that it is available.

Meanwhile, remember to thank the mothers (biological or not) in your life who have been there for you too!

Blessings, Pastor Dale

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04/17/2026

We've been upgraded to a new look!
Come by and say hello if you're in the neighbor hood.

04/17/2026

----- How important is the future to you?------------
I know that God is sovereign. He does what He chooses. He doesn't need my permission for anything. He spoke, and I was born, and someday He'll speak again, and I'll die.

He spoke, and the world was formed—and everything in it. He is the Lord.

But have you ever considered the part that your prayers play in determining the future while on earth? I'm not sure I fully understand all of the ramifications between the sovereignty of God and the free will of creation, but I do know our prayers have an effect. Otherwise, we would not be exhorted to pray (Luke 11:1–13). The prayer and fasting part I find especially interesting.

My point today is to encourage us to pray, because it really does matter. What kind of future do you and the Lord want?

Remembering, William Temple, a church father of bygone days, said,

"I have observed that when I pray, coincidences happen, and when I don't, they do not."
How important is the future to you?

Blessings,
Pastor Dale

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07/01/2025

07/01/2025

God Grown Faith

If God wanted to grow our faith, how might He do that?

Not just in our belief systems, but in the inner most part of us that struggles to trust in what we can’t see. That wrestles with life’s meaning. That wonders why things happen the way they do...

Most of us have heard someone say, “There must be a reason,” when facing something hard or confusing. And deep down, many of us do believe that.

Scripture tells us in Romans 12:3 that God has given each of us a measure of faith. But like the man who cried out to Jesus, we often say, “I believe-help my unbelief!”

So, how does God develop that kind of faith in us?

1 Peter 1:6–7 gives us a glimpse:

“Now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith... may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

Faith, like gold, is refined by fire.

Trials aren’t punishments, they’re invitations.

Opportunities for something eternal to take root in us.

So, the next time you’re facing something difficult or out of your control, try praying this simple prayer, “Lord, here I am. Teach me. Show me what You want me to see about You, and about me."

Let’s allow God to develop our faith- His way.

Pastor Dale

05/01/2025

Consider the example of Job
Chaplain Anthony

"As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives” - Job 19:25a

In this life, it can be so easy to dwell in the negative. After all, we seem to be surrounded, even consumed, by so much negativity on a daily basis. I look to my right and people are talking bad about me. I look to my left and my house is in disarray. I look down at my hands and see money problems piling up. I look down at my feet and I’m stuck in an unfulfilling job. I look in the mirror and see physical and mental heal th issues overwhelming me. What in the world am I to do? How can I possibly go on?

Consider the example of Job. Surely, no suffering in this life can possibly compare to the persecution afflicted on Job. In the midst of his protracted trials, Job lost everything, questioned everything, was accused of everything and was confronted by everyone. Job endured an undeserved, unyielding sentencing despite having committed no crimes. Yet, through it all, he remained faithful to the Lord, (even when he wasn’t sure the Lord was being faithful to him!). In response to the insistence by one of his “friend’s” that he must have done something terribly wrong, Job insists, “I know that my Redeemer lives”, maintaining the position that he will trust in God no matter what. No Matter What.

So do as Job did. Choose God first, last and always knowing He will never leave you nor forsake you…even if you need to complain once in a while.

04/08/2025

20 YEARS LATER - APRIL DEVOTIONAL

In the news in 2005, we learned that Brian Nichols shot four people in a Georgia courthouse as he was facing the court on r**e charges. As he fled, he took a young mother named Ashley Smith hostage. For 24 hours, Ashley had the opportunity to talk with Brian. Her topic was about God, as she read from the Bible and the book The Purpose Driven Life.

One reporter said she read from the 33rd chapter. This is a chapter on servant hood. Portions of that chapter read like this: “Real servants of God make themselves available to serve… real servants do what’s needed, even when it’s inconvenient… can God mess up your plans without you becoming resentful? As a servant, you don’t get to pick and choose when or where you will serve… Being a servant means giving up the right to control your schedule and allowing God to interrupt it whenever he needs to… servants see interruptions as divine appointments… great opportunities to serve never last long; they pass quickly, sometimes never to return again… you may only get one chance to serve that person, so take advantage of the moment…”

Brian surrendered to the police. Ashley surrendered her own addiction to God. Last report was she was married with a family occasionally still being asked to share her story!

What an object lesson on the power of serving. Your act of serving will save lives also. Just because you can’t see it immediately does not mean God didn’t have a purpose. Mark 10:43: “Whoever wants to be great must become a servant” … Matt. 7:16: “You can tell what they are by what they do” …

If you need to talk to a Chaplain, visit our website:

www.CommunityChaplainServices.org



Blessings,
Pastor Dale

Community Chaplain Services - Serving the Community Through Clinical and Pastoral Counseling. Community Chaplain Services was created to assist in the issues of life, with experienced and educated Chaplains trained in Pastoral services and Counseling.

03/01/2025

March Greetings from Chaplain Dale,

One of the great privileges I have as a Chaplain is meeting many of you in person or virtually. I see you in ways that many others do not. During my visits, I have noticed how hard so many of you work. I am reminded that you carry responsibilities at your jobs, deep concerns for your families, relationship challenges, financial pressures, and so much more. It can be overwhelming.

Today, I was reading Psalm 46 and found comfort. It reminded me—and I want to remind you—that God is our refuge and strength. Because of that truth, we don’t have to be afraid. He is with us.

One verse that blessed me the most was the exhortation to “Be still…” Think about that! In the midst of our busyness, we are told to STOP. Be still. Every day, let us take time to stop and simply be still. In that stillness, recognize God. Acknowledge His presence, His assistance, His blessings—and give thanks. It is energizing.

For me, this is a reminder of where my strength comes from. He is an ever-present help, even in times of trouble. He is a good God.

If you need to talk to a Chaplain, visit our website:
CommunityChaplainServices.org

Blessings,
Pastor Dale

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02/14/2025

Greetings from Pastor Dale,

I have been around the church in one form or another most of my life. It was late in my 19th year that I found Christ which radically changed my life. I have never been the same since.

During one Sunday's worship, I came across a song that shook my concept of God's love for me. Let me explain, I grew up with square dance music in my dad's house. He had a band, and he taught me how to play the guitar. He taught me to listen to Merle Haggard and southern gospel quartets but to have hymns and organ music in church. It took some time for me to accept praise bands at church and that most of the staff wore flip-flops with jeans even when preaching. I suppose the greatest surprise to me is how God ministered to me through music I thought I didn't like.

Once when the praise band played a song called "How He loves us", I heard God's love expressed in ways I never heard before. Listen to some of these lyrics...

He is jealous for me
Love's like a hurricane, I am a tree
Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy
When all of a sudden
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory
And I realize just how beautiful You are
And how great Your affections are for me

And oh, how He loves us,
Oh, how He loves us
How He loves us all

And we are His portion and He is our prize
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes
If His grace is an ocean, we're all sinking
And heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest
I don't have time to maintain these regrets
When I think about, the way...

He loves us...

John 3:16 says...For God so loved he world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

Enjoy Your Valentine...Pastor Dale

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