I always look forward to the Fourth of July. In addition to the excitement of a vacation, getting together with friends, family, and grilling out, I enjoy having a day where I can pause and reflect on our country’s independence and those serving in our military, sacrificing and risking their lives so that we can live in freedom every day.
Recently, I’ve been really touched by reading personal letters from chaplains who have written to us. Army Chaplain, Jorge Torres wrote us while on several deployments to Iraq. During his mid-tour leave he planned a retreat for the soldiers and wives, really wanting to focus on their marriages. We were able to give him You Matter More than You Think with Leslie Parrott and Parenting—The Early Years Bible study resources. He also used Chasing Daylight, The Life of Mary, The Life of Noah, and The Life of Nehemiah for his mid-week small group chapel service.
Chaplain Torres told us all these resources made a huge difference in his ministry and he was humbled and grateful we could be ministry partners. He asked us to continuing praying for our soldiers and the people of Iraq.
Air Force Chaplain, Tim Gregory served a few months ago in Balad, Iraq. He was in charge of leading the largest contemporary service on the Air Force base. Prior to his departure, he downloaded two or three Bluefish TV video illustrations. Once he was in Balad, our 2007 Sermon Illustration Kit and Downloads caught his eye but he was unable to access our library because of the Air Force’s strict policies on the web. So we were able to give him the 2007 Video Sermon Illustration Kit and he has used it to create the chapel’s video library. His vision is to build a library of video clips that future chaplains will be able to use to enhance their worship experience and experience God’s transformation in their lives. He told us his troops have been very open to God’s message through the means of video.
I am inspired by hearing what our chaplains are doing overseas to eternally impact our troops. We consider it a privilege to support chaplains with our video resources.
If you’re looking for brief, patriotic video illustrations to use during your service this Fourth of July, check out some of our favorites:
Iraq: A Soldier’s Story of Faith
The Price of Freedom
4th of July 1776
Presidential Prayers
The Star Spangled Banner
What Inspires You?
I always look forward to the Fourth of July. In addition to the excitement of a vacation, getting together with friends, family, and grilling out, I enjoy having a day where I can pause and reflect on our country’s independence and those serving in our military, sacrificing and risking their lives so that we can live in freedom every day.
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