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Monday, October 28, 2019

If you love me...

"If you love me, keep my commands." -John 14:15
If you've ever been in love, you know it can make you do some crazy things. It has made guys climb to the top of water towers and overpasses under the cloak of night to proclaim their love for their girl. I'm sure we've all fallen asleep while on a phone call with that special someone, because we didn't want to hang up and be disconnected from him/her. 

Love is way more than butterflies in your stomach or positive feelings for another. Love is action. Love gives, and as Bob Goff titled one of his books, Love Does. Bruno Mars sings that he would catch a grenade, throw his head on a blade, jump in front of a train, take a bullet straight through his brain, and more for the love of his life. That is some pretty intense stuff right there. Some people will do anything for love. 

Jesus says the best expression of our love for Him is simply shown in us keeping His commands. His commands are given for our benefit and good. Love God. Love your neighbor. Love your enemy. Turn the other cheek. Judge not. Seek first the Kingdom of God. Do unto others, and many more. Jesus must really love us, because He endured a terrible scourging, nails through His hands and feet, a crown of thorns on His head, and a spear through His side for us. All He asks, is that if we truly love Him, we would show it, just as he demonstrated and proved His love for us.  Out of a heart of love for the God who died for us, we are able and willing to obey His commands which benefit us and others. Be blessed.

-Sr. Captain Bobby Delgado
HFD Chaplain
For Prayer: HFDPrayer@gmail.com




Sunday, October 20, 2019

Blurred Vision

"Where there is no vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law." - Proverbs 29:18
There's something special about being able to see. I remember getting my first pair of glasses in the first grade. I was so excited to read all of the posters in my classroom, some of them for the first time. 20/20 vision brings about great clarity and detail. As I got older, my vision got worse due to severe astigmatism, so I wore thick(coke bottle) glasses and eventually expensive contacts. 

I finally decided to get LASIK surgery after I lost my crew in a heavily involved house fire. It was New Year's Day. I got little to no sleep from celebrating the night before, and I was slightly dehydrated from all of the beverages consumed. This made my eyes extremely dry and not ready for my contacts. As I was checking out my airpack, the tones went off, and we were first in to a house fire! There was no time to put on my contacts. On arrival, I stumbled to the front door and kicked it in. I then began pulling slack for the nozzle man. We encountered fire immediately and pushed our way forward. The captain caught up to us and told me to go get a scuttle hole(attic) ladder. I was so blind, I had to be directed to my truck and back. I then attached myself to the wrong crew and was ordered to find my own. I wandered around aimlessly while my crew was looking for me. They called a mayday on my behalf. A month later I had perfect vision thanks to the Eye Center of Texas. Again like the first grade me I was excited to read everything I could- license plates, clocks, billboards.

People who lack a vision for their lives are just like the vision impaired.  They  stumble and fumble their way through life with no real direction, joy, or passion. They constantly wander around and attach themselves to the wrong people who are just as lost. They don't seem to care about anything. They put off making major decisions because they have no assurance. They may even take unnecessary risks because why would it matter? The scriptures say they "cast off restraint," while other translations say they "perish." They die never having truly lived. 

 True vision for our lives comes from walking in God's purpose for our lives. We can find our purpose and abundant life, by reading and obeying the Holy Scriptures. In doing so we come to know God. In knowing and obeying God and His Word, we are "blessed." Could you use some direction, passion, and purpose for your life? You can find it in God and His Word. Be blessed. 
-Sr Captain Bobby Delgado
HFD Chaplain