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Chaplain Tom Love

Chaplain's Corner

Chaplain’s Corner – November 2025

Chaplain's Corner / By

The Thanksgiving/Christmas holiday season is almost upon us. For many who have lost a loved this last year it can be an emotionally hard time. Even the second holiday season can be difficult. It is my hope that the poem “Epitaph” by Merrit Malloy can be helpful. I have found it so.

Epitaph
When I die give what’s left of me away to children and old men that wait to die. Cry for your brother walking the street beside you,
And when you need me, put your arms around anyone
And give them what you need to give me.

I want to leave you something, something better than words or sounds.

Look for me in the people I’ve known or loved,
And if you cannot give me away, at least let me live on your eyes and not on your mind.

You can love me most by letting hands touch hands,
By letting bodies touch bodies, and by letting go of children that need to be free.

Love doesn’t die; People do.
So, when all that’s left of me is love … Give me away.

Chaplain’s Corner – November 2025 Read More »

Chaplain's Corner

Chaplain’s Corner

Chaplain's Corner / By

By Tom Love

Thanksgiving

The times are tough for many people. Unrest seems to be rocking the world. Families are
Fanning Island during one of Randy’s “cruises” separated by miles and around the Thanksgiving table and there may be a vacant seat. This is certainly true of our men and women deployed around the globe. Can we still offer thanks to God even though we are so far apart? I believe we most certainly can. In fact, as children of God, we must do so no matter what.

“Praise the Lord! O give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His steadfast love endures forever!”

Just consider how people of God responded with thanksgiving in the past. The first American Thanksgiving Day was celebrated within sight of the forty graves in the Plymouth cemetery, while fifty-five survivors of the original band of Pilgrim exiles gathered to praise God even after the epidemic and deaths of the first crushing twelve month period.

Despite the separation from loved ones, despite the setbacks, despite the hardships we face, each and every one of us still has plenty in life for which to thank God. We can have a blessed Thanksgiving as we take the time to give thanks and as we take time to remember our loved ones in prayer. We have so much to be thankful for.

“Now thanks we all our God, with heart and hands and voices, who wondrous things has done, in whom the world rejoices.

Who, from our mother’s arms, has blessed us on our way, with countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.”

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Chaplain's Corner

Chaplain’s Corner, November 2023

Chaplain's Corner / By

As a parent, there are some words I dread hearing more than others. If you have children, you know the words I’m talking about. They are words that can make you break out in a cold sweat just thinking about them. Just knowing I will hear those words makes me almost terrified to face the reality of the situation. You know those words… “some assembly required.” I am not the most mechanically inclined person. I do some things well, but I struggle with things mechanical.

It could be anything requiring assembling. Toys (especially toys), furniture… you name it, and I was able to make sure the pieces didn’t fit. I remember bringing a bookshelf home in a box to be put together. Now, how hard can it be to assemble a bookshelf? After opening the box, I discovered how foolish my assumption had been. It took over two hours of tedious work before it even resembled the picture on the box, much less became operational. I could never had done it without the instruction manual.

Our lives are that way. We start off trying to assemble our life on our own. After all, how hard can it be to assemble our lives? But we soon learn it is not that easy. Life is tough. Many people I have encountered seem to be wandering through life with no idea how to fit the pieces of life together. There are people who have broken lives, marriages torn apart, family relationships that have become far less than they could have been, relationships with others that have shattered. And we cry out wishing for an instruction manual, because we soon realize how complicated that “some assembly required” really is. So we go off looking for books (bookstores and the internet are filled with them) that tell us how we should assemble ourselves while not paying attention to the Book that tells us how we should assemble ourselves so that we function at our greatest capacity.

We look at our children in frustration because we don’t always know just how to respond in a crisis situation. We sit in despair because we don’t know what to say when we are having a problem relating to our spouse. And we wish we had a manual that would tell us just what to do.

The good news is we have such an instruction manual. It is one that tells us how to relate to our family members, co-workers, our neighbors and even our enemies. It tells us where we can draw comfort in times of sadness and hope from despair. It tells us how we can cope when we are lonely and how to find true joy. This is not some new self-help or psychology book. You won’t find it in the self-help section of the bookstore. Chances are, you already have a copy of it. That’s right, it’s the Bible.

Unfortunately, too many of us fail to realize just what a valuable resource we have right at our fingertips. And so I ask, when was the last time you went to it and God for help? Like any instruction manual, it works best if you do not wait to turn to it after messing up the assembly. You need to be following it all along. It is never too late to start.

You can maximize your performance, function at your greatest capacity and effectiveness as a human being if you will just follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Proverbs 21:11 says “When a wise person is instructed, they get knowledge.”

Follow God’s instructions. You will be surprised what a difference it will make.

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Chaplain's Corner

Chaplain’s Corner – November 2022

Chaplain's Corner / By

Suicide Prevention

As we know, September was Suicide Prevention Awareness Month —a time to raise awareness of this stigmatized, and often taboo, topic. We know how much this affects our Veterans. And as we move into the holiday season we must remain aware of the behaviors to watch out for. The holiday season can be a difficult time when someone is feeling helpless and hopeless. We need to ensure that Veterans, friends and families have access to the resources they need to discuss suicide prevention and to seek help. Suicide prevention is everyone’s business.

Suicidal thoughts, much like mental health conditions, can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or background. In fact, suicide is often the result of an untreated mental health condition. Suicidal thoughts, although common, should not be considered normal and often indicate more serious issues.

Some Veterans don’t show any signs of an urge to harm themselves before doing so. But many may show signs of depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, or hopelessness.

Suicide warning signs include:

  • Talking about suicide – Any talk about suicide, dying, or self-harm, such as “I wish I hadn’t been born,” “If I see you again…” and “I’d be better off dead.”
  • Seeking out lethal means – Seeking access to guns, pills, knives, or other objects that could be used in a suicide attempt.
  • Preoccupation with death – Unusual focus on death, dying, or violence. Writing poems or stories about death.
  • No hope for the future – Feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and being trapped (“There’s no way out”). Belief that things will never get better or change.
  • Self-loathing, self-hatred – Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, shame, and self-hatred. Feeling like a burden (“Everyone would be better off without me”).
  • Getting affairs in order – Making out a will. Giving away prized possessions. Making arrangements for family members.
  • Saying goodbye – Unusual or unexpected visits or calls to family and friends. Saying goodbye to people as if they won’t be seen again.
  • Withdrawing from others – Withdrawing from friends and family. Increasing social isolation. Desire to be left alone.
  • Self-destructive behavior – Increased alcohol or drug use, reckless driving, unsafe sex. Taking unnecessary risks as if they have a “death wish.”
  • Sudden sense of calm – A sudden sense of calm and happiness after being extremely depressed can mean that the person has made a decision to attempt suicide.

Suicide is a desperate attempt to escape suffering that has become unbearable. Blinded by feelings of self-loathing, hopelessness, and isolation, a suicidal person can’t see any way of finding relief except through death. But despite their desire for the pain to stop, most suicidal people are deeply conflicted about ending their own lives. They wish there was an alternative to suicide, but they just can’t see one.

Here are some do’s and don’ts when talking to a suicidal person. Do: o Be yourself. Let the person know you care, that they are not alone. Finding the right words are not nearly as important as showing your concern.

  • Listen. Let your friend or loved one vent and unload their feelings. No matter how negative the conversation seems, the fact that it is taking place is a positive sign.
  • Be sympathetic and non-judgmental. The suicidal person is doing the right thing by talking about their feelings, no matter how difficult it may be to hear.
  • Offer hope. Reassure your loved one that help is available and that the suicidal feelings are temporary. Let the person know that their life is important to you.
  • Take the person seriously. If a suicidal person says things like, “I’m so depressed, I can’t go on,” ask if they’re having thoughts of suicide. You’re allowing them to share their pain with you, not putting ideas in their head.

But don’t:

  • Argue with the suicidal person. Avoid saying things like: “You have so much to live for,” “Your suicide will hurt your family,” or “Just snap out of it.”
  • Act shocked, lecture on the value of life, or argue that suicide is wrong.
  • Promise confidentiality or be sworn to secrecy. A life is at stake and you may need to speak to a mental health professional in order to keep the suicidal person safe. If you promise to keep your discussions secret, you may have to break your word.
  • Offer ways to fix your loved one’s problems, give advice, or make them feel like they have to justify their suicidal feelings. It is not about how bad the problem is, but how badly it’s hurting your friend or loved one.
  • Blame yourself. You can’t “fix” someone else’s depression. Your friend or loved one’s happiness, or lack thereof, is not your responsibility.

Important Numbers:

  • To connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night: Call 988, then select 1 or text 838255.
  • Call 911
  • Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255).

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Chaplain's Corner

Chaplain’s Corner

Chaplain's Corner / By

When you see pictures of the house, you see terrified inhabitants hunched in fear. Frozen in time, the people of Pompeii still give testimony to the violence that destroyed their city.

In 79 AD they believed Vesuvius was just another mountain. Meanwhile, enormous underground pressure grew until it blasted the upper third of the mountain into the atmosphere. Then a deluge of superheated volcanic gas and ash slammed down on the doomed city. Hundreds died in the ruins leaving their bodies molded in ash for future generations to discover.

Those who escaped could only watch helplessly as Vesuvius, the landmark of their city, was disfigured into its tombstone. Their world had collapsed.

There are times when it seemed like my world had collapsed around me. I don’t think I’m the only one. And many times it seems like we can only watch helplessly. But where we might be “helpless” God isn’t.

Through these time God was my strength. In the midst of tragedy, God gave me tranquility. In the book of Psalms we read these words of comfort: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, and though the mountains slip into the sea.”

When troubles come we have hope. God is always with us. He opens His arms and beckons any shaken by the storms of life to enter and find his peace. God will never let go of your hand. Never.

Chaplain Tom Love

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Chaplain's Corner

Chaplain’s Corner – The Centurion

Chaplain's Corner / By

What is great faith? In Luke 7:1-10, Jesus encounters a man who had great faith. It comes from a shocking person, and produces some shocking truths. Even Jesus is a bit shocked at first. As I studied the passage, I came to a new understanding of what great faith is.

Do you want great faith?

Luke tells us that in Capernaum was a centurion. Centurions were Roman Army officers who generally commanded 100 soldiers. Most of them were Gentiles, though sometimes they were half-Jews – Samaritans, so the Jewish people tended to despise centurions.

This centurion cared for his servant. And this dear servant became sick. The centurion, who loved this servant, hated to see him in such distress and agony. So when he hears that Jesus is in town, and sends some people to Jesus. He tells them to go to and plead with Him to come and heal his servant. The situation is so dire, so important, they come pleading and begging earnestly for Jesus to heal the servant.

So Jesus went with them. And when He was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

He had a comprehension of power. He understood power and how it worked. He understood something about Christ which no one else understood.

When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” When Jesus hears the words spoken by the centurion’s friends, He marveled and turned around. Jesus is so shocked at what He hears, He was stopped in his tracks. He is walking along toward the centurion’s house. The friends say, “You don’t have to go. The centurion says to just say the word and his servant will be healed.” Jesus is so shocked at the man’s faith, he says to the crowd, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” It’s like He is saying, “Wow! Now that is faith!”

Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Faith is confidence and persuasion in something God has said. When you are persuaded that something is true, either because God has said it, or by the supporting evidence, then you have faith in that truth.

The centurion showed great faith because he believed in the power and authority of Jesus to do exactly what He said He would do. The centurion believed that Christ’s word was sufficient.

This is the truth Jesus wants to pass on to his disciples. If you are His disciple, this is what He wants you to learn. Great faith in great promises lead to great results. If you want results, you first have to know the promises. You first have to understand God, and how He works. You first have to know what He has said in His Word. Without a knowledge and understanding of those things, you will never have great faith.

Do you want to please God? Do you want to do great things for God? Do you want God to do great things through you? It’s not enough to just have faith. Faith must be based on the promises of God.

Make your prayer this week the prayer of the man in Mark 9:24, “Lord, I believe, help my unbelief.” We all have areas of unbelief. Though we believe and are convinced of some things, we doubt and do not believe others. Praise God for the things you do believe, but pray that God would help you believe the things you do not. Then when we come to Jesus in prayer, He will marvel at our faith as well.

Chaplain Tom Love

 

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