I AM the Resurrection

"Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;"- John 11:25

There is something so special about being a link in the chain of survival. Throughout a career, first responders get to witness the miracle of life through many life-saving emergency interventions. Seeing the immediate effects of D50, Narcan, CPR, and defibrillation snatch a patient from the grips of the grim reaper is invigorating. It's why we do what we do.

The reality is that no matter how good our efforts are some, if not most, will die. The bigger reality is that death is almost undefeated. All but one man have remained dead. Death has only suffered one loss. Jesus made some bold claims about Himself before He raised Lazarus from the dead. I AM the Resurrection. Wow. He proved that He is able to defeat death in raising his friend. Poor Lazarus would die a second time. But Jesus also predicted his death and resurrection. After being beaten and tortured beyond recognition, He died from shock and asphyxiation at the hands of the coldest killers of His time. Three days later, He rose again by His own power fully conquering sin and the grave! His resurrection was the ultimate blow to our old nemesis, death. 

The Resurrection is the power of Christ to transform lives now. Believing in Jesus will breathe new life into your weary soul. The same power that rose Jesus from the dead is able to transform your life into something wonderful that is full of purpose and meaning. He resurrects our peace, hope, joy, love, contentment, and so much more. He resurrects broken marriages and relationships. He gives us hope for something better, and He promises that though this body may die, our soul will live forever with Him. 

May the LORD Bless You and Keep You,

Bobby

The Good Shepherd

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." -John 10:11

"Making grabs" is the ultimate goal when going to "Jobtown." Risking one's life for the survival of another is a necessity of the calling. It is what you sign up for. It is what shepherds take an oath to do. Shepherds put themselves in harm's way to protect others. 

Our LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ, lived a perfect sinless life. He willingly endured terrible suffering and a horrific, excruciating death on our behalf. He stood between us and the wrath of God, bearing the punishment for our sins on His body so that we might be forgiven. He is "the" Good Shepherd. As such, He promises to protect us in the darkest of circumstances. With Him on our side, we are able to say, "even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil(Psalm 23:4)" because He is always with us. 

Even shepherds need a shepherd. Doing the job you do, seeing the things you see, struggling with the temptations and ghosts you face, you need a shepherd. I need a shepherd. We all need a shepherd. Men and women who lead from the front with courage and conviction and who are willing to fight for their subordinates are worthy of earning a following. Jesus is the perfect example of a shepherd worth following. 

May the LORD Bless You and Keep You!

Bobby

I AM the Door

"So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep."

Nine times out of ten, we are rushing through the front door to fight fire. We know doors. We know how to breach them, chock them, and control them depending on the situation. Almost all of us have an uncanny need to notice all points of entry and egress in almost any room or building. We look for exit signs that will lead us to unseen doors of egress in case of an emergency. When things get hairy, visibility is at zero, and the heat is rising, a door of egress is a wonderful welcomed find. 

Jesus says that He is the "door "to the sheep pen. As His sheep, we go through Him to find safety, salvation, protection, and rest. In the same way, we go out through Him to pasture where sheep graze for food and water. Throughout our lives and in our careers we will walk through many doors in hopes of finding all the things that can be found in Jesus. Often, we search door after door seeking meaning and purpose. 

In order for us to have true peace, purpose, provision, protection, and rest(which we all so desperately need), we must go through Him. He is the God who provides all of our needs. Some of us need a door out of the mess, hurts, and pains of our lives. That way is also through Jesus, the One who loved you enough to die for you. He is the doorway to life. 

May the LORD Bless You and Keep You,

Bobby

I AM the Bread of Life

"Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."

     Ah the Firehouse dinner table. So many stories shared. All of the world's problems solved. Many snowflakes offended. Relationships forged. And, Some of the best meals in town served. Magic happens as men and women "break bread" together around that table. Our time around the table is just as important to us as our time spent training and on the fire ground. We return to it time and time again because it is sacred to us.
     The term breaking bread is a Biblical one. It has its roots embedded in the practices of the early Christian Church in which they shared not only meals together, but "the" meal together: the body(bread) and blood(wine) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself said that He is the Bread of Life. Just as a good firehouse meal and fellowship nourish us, so too does communion with Him. It provides us with nourishment, life, and satisfaction to our weary souls.
     When you find yourself distant from God and life seems devoid of joy, purpose, and meaning, it is time for you to go to the Bread of Life. He can be found in the Words of that Bible that is collecting dust on your end table, at the church in your neighborhood that you've been absent from, with your friends who are believers that you haven't made time for, or in that simple conversation(prayer) with Him that you've been avoiding. Spending time with Him is more important than the time we spend around the firehouse table. I guarantee you won't regret it.

 May the LORD Bless You and Keep You,

Bobby

Photo Credit: IG @delgadokustoms

Smooth Bump Bump

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." -Proverbs 3:5-6

Smokey, low visibility, high chaos situations can leave any firefighter disoriented in any type of building. When you need to evacuate in a hurry, you stay calm and trust your training. If you are an engine company, you are told to stay on the line and follow it out. This is easier said than done. When seconds count, finding a hoseline and knowing how to get out is of utmost importance. The mnemonic "smooth bump bump to the pump" or "smooth way out" can help you identify by feeling the couplings, your path to safety.   

Oftentimes, the paths we are to take in life, are hard to decipher. Our lives can be full of life-altering major decisions: what to do after high school, which career path to take, who to date/marry, which neighborhood to build in, which church to join, whether or not to take that promotional exam, to stay at your current job or not, when is the right time to retire... The uncertainty of the future can bring unwanted stress and anxiety. Maybe our lives are plagued by bad decisions. These bad decisions lead to indecision, and we feel stuck. Even when you can't trust yourself, you can trust in Him. Trusting and submitting to Him and His plan for your life is all you need to get back on the right path. He will never let you down, and He will never steer you wrong. More than you can trust yourself and your training, you can trust Jesus. 

Blessings,

Bobby

My Redeemer Lives

"I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand on the earth." -Job 19:25

In the oldest book of the Bible, we find the story of Job. He was a man of great wealth, honor, and integrity. He worshipped God and took care of those less fortunate. Even though it appears he did everything right, he still lost everything near and dear to him: his children, wealth, and health. The scriptures tell us that in all of his pain and suffering he did not curse God. He questioned God, reasoned with God, and cried out to Him, but he did not curse Him.

Job faced accusations, indifference, and isolation from those closest to him. In the midst of great physical and mental anguish, Job chose to trust God. His statement, "I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand on the earth," is one of great faith. It is sometimes hard to believe God exists and cares for us when life is hard. It is in those times that we have to dig in and lean on Who and what we know. The only way you can say God is alive, He is near, and He will one day make all of this right either in this life or the next, is by knowing Him. We cannot know God if we don't know His Word(Bible). We can't know God if we stay away from His people(The Church). And we cannot know God if we don' talk to Him(pray).

Like Job, firefighters and first responders are generally considered "good" people. We are the protectors of society who took an oath to protect lives and property. We go to work every day willing to risk our lives to save others. Our acts of service and heroism while noble, don't make us immune to pain and suffering, neither do praying and going to church. 

On the fire ground and in life, we are defined by how we respond to adversity. Our first response should always be to trust in Christ. Choose to believe even when you can't see or feel God working. Choose to believe when doubt creeps in. When you know God, the easier it is to trust Him and His plan. May we be able to proclaim in every situation, "I know my Redeemer lives!"

May the LORD Bless You and Keep You!

Bobby

The First Zombies?

"The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised" - Matthew 27:52

Ok. They probably weren't actually zombies, but why doesn't anyone ever mention this verse in conjunction with the Crucifixion? Dead people resurrected in the tombs is a major deal! Jesus has just breathed His last breath. The earth shook and the veil in the temple was torn in two. This let's us know that Jesus' death gives us direct access to God. There are no more barriers or needs for religious ceremonies and sacrifices. Jesus said, "It is finished." Matthew and only Matthew then mentions that the dead woke up!

Jesus' life, death, and resurrection is defined by the miraculous. The virgin birth? Miraculous. Water into wine, the blind seeing, the deaf hearing, the lame walking, the dead rising? All miraculous. The power of Sin and Death defeated once and for all? MIRACULOUS!

God promised in Isaiah 26:19 that the "dead will live." As always God is the only one who 100% undeniably keeps His promises. Many of us first responders have seen the power of D50 wake someone in insulin shock. I've always marveled at the power of Narcan to resurrect a person overdosed on heroin. Yet nothing compares to the POWER of the CROSS!

Because Jesus Died and Rose, we can LIVE!!! The living people in the tombs are evidence of the new order of things. Death has lost its victory and its sting! We can walk through the valley of the shadow of death and fear no evil! We take complete comfort and have confidence in Jesus' words- another promise: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have EVERLASTING LIFE!" This my friend is a big, big, deal and reason to celebrate!

May the LORD Bless You and Keep You,

Bobby

The Rocks Will Cry Out

"Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples! “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” -Luke 19:39-40

 

We know the day as Palm Sunday. Jesus was on His way into Jerusalem for His last week of life before His crucifixion. He enters town as a humble King riding on a donkey colt. His followers understood this as a fulfilment of messianic prophecy in Zechariah 9:9. Jesus was declaring Himself as the Messiah for whom they have waited generations. They waved palm leaves and in homage placed their cloaks on the ground for the colt to walk on. His followers sang His praises and chanted "Hosanna" which means, "God Save Us!" As the crowd surged with joy at the fulfillment of prophecy, this angered the establishment. 

The Pharisees were outraged. To them this was an act of blasphemy and treason, punishable by death. They beg Jesus to correct His followers and shut them up. Against the backdrop of the Mt of Olives scattered with graves covered in stones(see above picture), he ignores their request and says, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." All of Creation declares the Glory of God! Everywhere and in every person we see the creativity, power, and beauty of God. We as His Followers should declare His praises every chance we get. Jesus makes it clear that whether we give Him the glory He is due or not, creation will. 

The stones on top of those graves already sing His praises because... He created them. He holds the power to resurrect the dead under those stones who would then... sing His praises. Jesus is letting them know that He is God who can make inanimate objects alive. He is worthy of all praise. As we enter Holy Week, let us tell of the Goodness of God. Pray that God would give you opportunities to declare His glory. How could we not shout the praises of the One who created us and loved us enough to die for us?

May the LORD Bless You and Keep You!

Bobby

Grace and Salt

"Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." -Colossians 4:6

Our mothers taught us a very important lesson very early on in our lives. My mom still has to repeat it to me often: "If you don't have something nice to say, then don't say anything at all." For many of us first responders, that would mean we would be silent most if not all of the time. Obviously like Colonel Sanders so eloquently put it in Water Boy, "Momma is wrong again." We should absolutely speak up to correct lies, wrongdoings, and injustices. Your point of view matters. We have the right to share our opinion on any topic any where. That is freedom protected in the First Amendment. 

We have an ongoing crisis of people not being able to have conversations with dissenting opinions anymore. So many conversations today are fueled by emotions and personal attacks. If you don't think, vote, and "feel" like me, then you are inferior and the enemy. I don't know where we went wrong, but this has to stop.

Food companies have long learned that the combination of sweet and salty will keep people eating more. The same can be said for sweet and spicy. The juxtaposition of these flavors often leads me to eat a whole bag of trail mix or kettle corn when I intended to just eat "some." When our words are "gracious" and "seasoned with salt," people are willing to hear more of them. In order for us obey God's command, we need to pray before and during any conversation. We should view each other not as opponents, but as equals. We must slow down and choose our words wisely- words that build up not tear down. We must not let our emotions steer any conversation. Just because we have the right to say something, doesn't mean we should. We should seek to listen for understanding, and we should find and build off of common ground. It is my experience that many of us want the same things in life. We just have differing methods on how to get there. When this isn't enough, we must agree to disagree. 

 My hope and prayer is that civility will be restored to our relationships and to this world. God can do it when we His people follow His plan for our speech. 

May the LORD bless you and keep you!

Senior Captain Bobby Delgado

HFD Chaplain

Slug

"Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys." -Proverbs 18:9

"Slug" is one of those names that you do not want attached to you in the fire department. Hard work is an essential asset of anyone wishing to succeed in the fire service. While cleaning toilets as a young "tabber" at Station 12, my captain told me that I would go far in the fire department if I kept up my work ethic. My chief at Station 82 made it a point to instruct me not to be like the previous rookie, who earned the notorious label "slug." As an officer it is easy to see that the best firefighters are the ones who are always working. Hard work ensures that everything is in a state of readiness for whatever the shift may throw at you. Simply put by someone, hard work pays off. 

One of the keys to life is not being afraid of work and getting our hands dirty. We should relish the opportunity to put forth our best effort in whatever we do, "as unto the Lord(Colossians 3:23)." Every wake up call is a chance to do God's work. Maintaining relationships takes work. Repairing damaged ones, even more work. Staying connected to God does take work on our part. Loving your neighbor, yup, takes work. Loving your enemy, serious work. Racial reconciliation, you guessed it, takes work. Changing your world, a lifetime of work.  

The implications of being a slacker are related to destruction. Consider unkempt yards, dilapidated homes, failing relationships, preventable diseases, financial struggles, societal unrest, divided communities, and feeling distant from God. A slack attitude in life leads to loss at every corner and is downright sinful to those around us and to God. Start with putting in the work of knowing and loving God. In turn, He will guide you in putting in the work of loving your spouse, children, neighbor(everyone), enemy, and world. Then and only then will we see true transformation. 

May the LORD bless you and keep you!

Senior Captain Bobby Delgado

HFD Chaplain

Flipped It

"...and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons." 

-Mark 11:15 

If you've ever played a no holds barred game of monopoly(the only way to play), it may have ended like the picture above. Did you think this was a game? Anger at a game, in hindsight, is pretty silly. Jesus did something like this this in much more dramatic fashion.

He had just entered Jerusalem to much fan fare on what we call Palm Sunday. Many of the people in Jerusalem declared him King. His first act as King wasn't to overthrow the Roman government but to overthrow their religion. He flipped it upside down.

Their sacrificial religious system required people to buy animals to be sacrificed on their behalf. The sellers were over charging and making a profit in God's house! Not only that, but they were doing so in the Court of Gentiles, the only place where non Jews were allowed to worship. As he flipped those tables in righteous rage, He reminded them of the scriptures saying my house will be a house of prayer for all people (Isaiah 56:7), but you have made it a den of robbers(Jeremiah 7:11). I picture Him waving his index finger in the air like Dikembe Mutumbo and saying, "Not in my house!"

God's house is a place where EVERYONE is welcome: all ages, races, economic statuses, and sin backgrounds. It is a hospital for sinners, not a country club for saints. It is not a business or a place to make a profit. Its leaders don't need or "deserve" million dollar mansions, personal jets, fancy clothes, book deals, or any other luxury. The church should stand against injustice and seek to care for orphans, widows, the marginalized, and the "least of these." And the church should be devoted to teaching ALL of scripture holding its leaders accountable for their own sins and crimes. May our churches be led by Jesus, His Holy Spirit, and the Holy Scriptures. 

-Senior Captain Bobby Delgado

HFD Chaplain

Draw Near

"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." -James 4:8

Most of us in the Houston area love this time of year. The weather can offer us some of the most picture perfect days of the year. With the arrival Mardi Gras comes a season of celebration. It also means it's crawfish season! Which also means the Rodeo is upon us, which means the world's best barbecue and fried Oreos are with us. All this fun, excitement, and good food is jam packed into 3-4 weeks of southeast Texas awesomeness!

With all the great food, music, and time spent with good people, it is easy to forget that we are now in the season of Lent. It started this past Wednesday, Ash Wednesday, by placing ashes on our foreheads. In Old Testament times men and women would put on sackcloth and ashes to represent mourning. On Ash Wednesday we mourn over our sins because we realize and admit that it is our sins that separate us from a Holy God, and it is our sins that nailed Jesus to the Cross. 

During the season of Lent we repent, turn away from our sins, and turn towards God. It is a time to draw closer to the God who created us and knit us together in our mother's womb(Psalm 139:13) and loved us so much that He died for us. For 40 days Christians around the world are fasting from meat, social media, coffee, chocolate, etc...And they are taking up prayer, scripture reading, volunteering, and random acts of kindness. 

Jesus' brother, James, promises us that as we forsake the things of the world, and draw near to God, He will draw near to us. That verse always makes me picture the father from the prodigal son, who sees his son returning home in the distance and takes off running towards towards him. God is calling all of us to Him for the first time, back to Him, or closer to Him. Would you join us in drawing near to God this Lent by reading this Bible reading plan from YouVersion? As you do, I pray that God will become more real and relevant than ever before. 

Be blessed, 

Senior Captain Bobby Delgado

HFD Chaplain

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

He Has Risen

"...Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen!"

-The Angels at Jesus' Tomb in Luke 24:5-6

You and your crew are dispatched to a serious trauma call: Extrication, Shooting, Stabbing, etc... The call notes lend to this being a legit call. You rush to the given address to find nothing: no patient, no MVI, no semblance of an emergency whatsoever. You begin to think. Is this a prank call? Did the caller provide the right address? Did the call taker jot down the wrong address? These are all definite possibilities. In your gut you know there is a citizen in need of help. One thing I know about firefighters is that we relish the opportunity to do our jobs and make a difference. Scenarios like this can be frustrating.  

On the Sunday morning after Jesus was crucified, some of Jesus' closest friends went to finish the burial process by placing a mix of oils and spices to keep the stench of a dead body to a minimum. They were forbidden from doing so on Saturday,  their Sabbath. Imagine their surprise and horror as they find the body of their beloved Jesus is missing. GOA. Vanished. "He gone." Where's the body? Did they have the right tomb?

Jesus had told his followers on more than one occasion that He would die and be raised to life. They would have known the tens of  Old Testament prophecies concerning His death and resurrection. Maybe his friends didn't really believe any of it. Why would they? Who does that- rise from the dead? It's definitely not normal. They've seen Him raise other dead people, could He raise Himself?

In rising from the dead, Christ shows His POWER and DEITY. He does what only God can do. A death caused by severe trauma from a massive loss of blood volume, MODS, and asphyxiation could not keep Him down. If He has the power to defeat death, He has the power to forgive sins and grant eternal life. He has the power to answer prayers, meet your needs, and heal your ailments.

He did what He said He would do, making Him TRUSTWORTHY. We can trust in the hundreds of promises found for us in the Bible. 

 A risen Savior is a PRESENT Savior. He is always there for us. He isn't an absentee God. He doesn't  take days off. He's with us now. Today, you can place your hope and trust in the God who conquered death and lives forevermore.

-Captain Bobby Delgado

HFD Chaplain