FORGIVE, Relax, and Be Faithful

At Vanderbilt Divinity School, I have heard many theologians debate the power of forgiveness, some recommending it, and some avoiding it as giving power back to someone who has harmed you.  My husband teaches me amazing lessons on this topic everyday. He really is my better half, and for better or worse, I am learning to listen to him.  He greatly encourages forgiveness as Jesus Christ did.  He has been an amazing role model as he forgives those who hurt him, moves forward and truly enjoys his life, not letting them hurt him anymore.  For those who have tried this, you know this can be a monumental task, and not easily accomplished. I have tried to follow his lead, but I have to work hard at this everyday.

He is also responsible for me listening to Coast to Coast Radio AM where I found out the scientific benefits of forgiveness. He is a science buff and most of our conversations end up back in science or faith or both at same point, which is interesting.  Luckily, in our home, the two seem not only compatible but indispensable.  My 90 year old Grandma Tony who used to teach science for many years and is a faithful Catholic (so much so she still listens to Mass in Latin,) holds me faithful and true to their marvelous intersection in my theology.  If ever I begin to doubt something in the Bible's compatibility with science, she will set me straight. 

As a Christian Chaplain in training, I would love for you to follow Jesus's role in "turning the other cheek" however I realize not all of my soldiers are Christian, some might find the Old Testament's opposing messages confusing, or simply just find this too difficult. SO I think I found a solution!! The following link will give you access to Eldon Taylor's well-researched FREE CD on forgiveness and letting go.  http://www.eldontaylor.com/articles/forgiveness.html
This CD has a more scientific approach to forgiveness and its importance in our overall health, happiness, and longevity.

God Bless You and I Do Too!
Jennifer


"Forget past mistakes. Forget failures. Forget everything except what you're going to do now and do it."
-- William Durant

Jennifer Lane - Swearing IN pt. 5

Brenda Harris from Lincoln Trail College shares her personal experience regarding her son's experience with Chaplains when his wife died while he was deployed in Afghanistan. Her LTC Singing Seniors sing a medley of Armed Forces' songs. And finally Elizabeth Austin Sends us forth.

Jennifer Lane -Swearing In pt. 4

This is the 4th Part of my Swearing In where I speak about what this moment means to me and Jackie Steubbel (a Vanderbilt Classmate) prays for us.

Jennifer Lane -Swearing In Pt. 3

This is Part 3 (of 5) of the Swearing In Ceremony where the Lincoln Trail College Choir leads us in the Army Hymn and Elizabeth Austin, formerly of Vanderbilt Divinity School, and currently a Hospital Chaplain gives the message on Chaplains.

Jennifer Lane -Swearing In Pt 2

This is the second part of my swearing in where my dad prays, mom and sister read scripture, and my husband speaks about what military chaplains have meant to him in his service to our great country as an Army Cavalry Scout.

Jennifer Lane - Swearing In Ceremony Pt. 1

I was feeling very nostalgic on the Army's Birthday yesterday as I graduated from CIMT at Army Chaplain School. This is the beginning of my Swearing In Ceremony led by LTC (Ret) Keith Donnelly, my friend and mentor. Keith is a West Point Graduate and discusses the importance and meaning of the Oath of Office for Officers in the United States military. Its a bit hard to hear but very relevant if you are thinking about joining the Officer Corps or curious about its origins or meaning.

"Nothing But the Water" by Grace Potter Redo by 2LT Jennifer Lane 15 Jun 13

Baptismal Song for the Field - "Nothing But the Water" by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals

For my CH BOLC Class 13-002 Summer Platoon...

 

Memorial Day 2013

Today I am deep in reflection as I am also busy training doing soldier business. I just want you all to know that I appreciate everyone of you and the many sacrifices that you and your families make every day in ways that most civilians could never imagine. Your selflessness and that of those who came before us and paid the ultimate price is inspiring and encouraging as I march on during 16 hour Army days this summer. Although I have lost many I have loved in service to their country, I know they were honored to make those sacrifices, and I attempt to live better everyday to honor them. Thank you. Hooah

New Security Concern Standards

A new Army Times article reminds us of one more way we can make our lives a little easier as soldiers. With all of the complex responsibilities we need to balance as citizen soldiers, it is more important than ever that we keep things easy and streamlined.  This leads to less stress and happier soldiers.

Security Clearance Points of Increased Interest Involving Social Media & Others:

• Facebook Etiquette: Remember your FB will be checked for security clearances, so obviously don't post things like drunk pictures or embarrassing moments that you don't want your Commanders to see. Additionally, even sarcastic jokes about things like terrorism can be taken seriously and threaten your career so DON'T make them!
• Online Dating: You need to be careful about dating foreigners (in regards to clearances), but now even online dating and friendships with foreigners are in often in question.
• Family: In addition to issues with foreign spouses, even naturalized ones, domestic issues can threaten your clearance.
• Books: Even questionable electronic books on your E-readers, such as end-of-times or explosives, can put your clearance in jeopardy.
• Drugs: The use of certain legal drugs, in addition to the usual illegal ones are now problematic for security clearances such as ADD or psychological meds.
• Lies: Simply put - do NOT lie on clearance applications.
• Alcohol: DUIs and excessive problem drinking (even drinking a case of beer on the weekends could constitute excessive drinking)
• Food, Supplements, and Teas: Be careful of items like hemp seed oil that might make you pop positive for drugs and remember that marijuana still is not legal for soldiers' use even in states like Washington and Colorado.
• Computers: Do NOT use your government issued computer for anything off color or inappropriate. Additionally, beware of spending too much time surfing the net or anything else of which your command would not approve. 
• Money: Falling behind on bills, including your mortgage, or failing to pay taxes can lead to issues.

For full details, see Jon Anderson's full article in the Army Times for more information or talk to your unit's Security Officer.

Valuing What Is Most Important in Life

I have been on a blogging hiatus briefly as my husband James and I had our first child, Justice Ryan Feb. 3rd at Fort Campbell at BACH. The last month or so has been a beautiful blur! Newborns bring you absolute peace & constant crisis management moments later.

I was driving home from the hospital in my hometown this morning from a post op visit and a great country song came on the radio. The singer was crooning that no matter how bad you have it, someone else has it much worse. I try to remind myself every day that everything is relative, but as we know, this is difficult in the moment as you experience pain, sadness, discomfort or anger. I used to like to control almost everything...Law school and years of being single I guess. However, my recent birth experience & subsequent parenthood is changing this quality about me very quickly. No matter how much I planned a med-free natural childbirth experience, God had other plans for my husband, baby, birth partners, and I. After 25 hours of hard labor med free, meticulous planning, and too many personal details for the web, my baby was forced to arrive by Cesarean. Although I was disappointed, we now know that this procedure likely saved my and Justice's lives. Although I was trying to do what I thought was best for the baby, I forgot God's plan for us is unknown and beyond our control. Additionally, so many of our friends have not been able to conceive, or it took them many years to do so. We feel very blessed to have the opportunity to experience parenthood. It is all relative.

Try to remember, your stresses might be someone else's desires. Your pain could be someone else's best day. Even suffering has a place in this life. As a Christian, I deeply value Christ's very human experience of suffering in his life and on the Cross. It constantly reminds me of how close God wants us to be to God as God became incarnate in a human body and suffered as a human through Christ when God did not have to do such things. I find comfort in God's human incarnation and simply hope to relay a portion of this peace to soldiers and others that I encounter in this life.