https://linktr.ee/thunderinglegion

Today we are continuing our monthly "Big Question" series where we wrestle with personal questions or questions submitted by listeners. Today we will be digging into the question "How should Christians in Military Think about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)?"

Resources:

• Oath of Commissioned Officers
• Department of Defense Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Strategic Plan
• DELETED after recording - WhiteHouse.gov executive order: 2021/06/25/executive-order-on-diversity-equity-inclusion-and-accessibility-in-the-federal-workforce/
• Commentary: Equity vs. Equality By Andrew Duffield, Ed.D AFIMSC Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer

Episode Notes:

• Why should anyone care about this question? How does our answer impact how we live our lives? Prevalent in any western society, including social institutions like the military. Military leaders will have to decide if they will promote DEI policies

• Clarify definitions from common sources: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility

• What can we all observe about this question based on the human experience, realities of life, nature, our consciences, etc. (Paint as wide of a brush as possible): Is diversity really unity? Is equality a guarantee?

• What does the Bible have to say about DEI? "No soldier on service entangleth himself in the affairs of this life; that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier." 2 Timothy 2:4. Gospel is not fair - God always promised to save a remnant. Diversity - "After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands." Revelation 7:9. Equality vs Equity. Inclusion - Choice, parable of the talents

• How can we practically apply our answers to everyday life? Oath, Constitution, Christian Mindset, Stand on principle

• Challenge: Continue asking big questions and seeing big answers. Be willing to follow the truth where it leads.

Reflect:

• What does this episode reveal about God's character?

• How does this episode cause us to see our need for a Savior?

• How can we apply lessons learned from this episode to our life?

Follow Christ today:

• ✝️ "Choose this day whom you will serve..." ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭24‬:‭15‬

• ‭✝️ "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." ‭‭Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭9‬

Next steps:

• Share with an armed forces member

• Follow Instagram, Facebook, Podcast

https://linktr.ee/thunderinglegion

https://linktr.ee/thunderinglegion

Today we intervew prior enlisted New York Air National Guard C-17 Pilot, Captain Jonathan "Rooster" Guagenti. Rooster's crew flew missions in support of the Afghanistan withdrawl. Rooster's crew evacuated hundreds of refugees and returned 13 fallen servicemembers home after the Kabul Airport bombing. For their efforts, Rooster's crew received Air Medals with Valor and Combat Action Medals, and the aircraft commander received a Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor

Resources:

• Daily Stoic

• Bible in a Year Reading Plan

• Spiritual Disciplines by David Mathis

Episode Notes:

• Background: Grew up in a Christian household. Enlisted before commissioning to become an officer and love for aviation drew him to attend pilot training.

• Testimony: Grew up with lukewarm faith then experienced a failed relationship. Started Bible in a Year plan and God drew him into ministry by closing doors and opening others.

• Successes and failures / struggles: Honor violation during pilot training. Rooster flew missions during the Afghanistan pullout participating in refugee evacuation, bombing and ramp ceremony, returned 13 fallen servicemembers home after the Kabul Airport bombing.

• Calling: Active Guard Reserve, Part time Pastor, then eventually full time Pastor

• Favorite Books of the Bible: Psalms

• Daily Spiritual Growth: Going deeper in Bible readings. Prayer guide: ACTS - Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication.

• Advice: God is with you and is guiding you. Don't be afraid to live out your faith.

Reflect:

• What does this episode reveal about God's character?

• How does this episode cause us to see our need for a Savior?

• How can we apply lessons learned from this episode to our life?

Follow Christ today:

• ✝️ "Choose this day whom you will serve..." ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭24‬:‭15‬

• ‭✝️ "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." ‭‭Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭9‬

Next steps:

• Share with an armed forces member

• Follow Instagram, Facebook, Podcast

https://linktr.ee/thunderinglegion

https://linktr.ee/thunderinglegion

Today we interview Army Major Daniel Cartwright. Daniel is a Ohio Army Guard Chaplain who is currently deployed.

Episode Notes:

• Background: Military history goes back to American revolution. Grandparents served in WWII, Uncles served in Vietnam and Korea.

• Testimony: Daniel's dad was a pastor, came to christ at 3 and baptized at 4. Backslid ages 12-16 then rededication, backslid ages 19-20 then rededication. Attempted suicide after becoming hopeless do to bad theology - Daniel thought salvation depended upon him and became hopeless.

• Successes and failures: Falsely accused of an EO violation which threatened his career and took 5 months to resolve. Daniel never had his name publicly cleared... Enriched ministry with other members of the unit. God will repay, so trust in him.

• Struggles: the Army is broken: renaming bases and rejecting identity, reorganizing, recruitment issues, vaccine mandate, retention issues.

• Calling: Called to share the message: suicide is a lie. God is the only one who know hearts of those who have committed suicide. Daniel aspires to stay in to get to Lt Col and possibly become state chaplain. Unit chaplain is a commander's moral and ethical compass.

• Favorite Books of the Bible: Proverbs (Wisdom)

• Daily Spiritual Growth: Morning routine, read bible, listen to music. Set alarm to pray 3x/day. Evening Routine: Confess sins.

• Advice: Ephesians 6:10. Satan is the enemy - we are engaged in a spiritual battle. Jesus already won the war with Satan.

• Hobbies: Family, pastor, businessman, politician, chaplain.

Reflect:

• What does this episode reveal about God's character?

• How does this episode cause us to see our need for a Savior?

• How can we apply lessons learned from this episode to our life?

Follow Christ today:

• ✝️ "Choose this day whom you will serve..." ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭24‬:‭15‬

• ‭✝️ "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." ‭‭Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭9‬

Next steps:

• Share with an armed forces member

• Follow Instagram, Facebook, Podcast

https://linktr.ee/thunderinglegion

https://linktr.ee/thunderinglegion

Thanks for joining us for today's interview episode where we will be digging into the story of Jeremy Stalnecker. Jeremy is the CEO of the Mighty Oaks Foundation, aids America's military and families battling combat-related wounds like PTSD. A Marine Corps veteran, he served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, acquiring leadership skills. As a USMC Infantry Officer, Jeremy received a Veteran Navy Commendation Medal with "V" for Combat Valor. Transitioning to ministry after the military, he counseled at Coastline Baptist, then served as Senior Pastor at Bay Area Baptist Church. Feeling the calling, Jeremy merged his ministry and military background, leading Mighty Oaks Foundation full-time where today he strives to provide healing for veterans and their families to battle PTSD and veteran suicide. Additionally, Jeremy is often a speaker on the topic of leadership and discipleship.

Resources:

• Mighty Oaks Foundation
• OCF Crosspoint Podcast "March or die": Turning to Christ & community in times of trauma
• The Anatomy of Courage: The Classic WWI Study of the Psychological Effects of War

Episode Notes:

• Background: Determined not to follow parents into ministry. Interested in military but parents required college.

• Testimony: Questioned if military and faith are compatible and how to walk out witness as a military member.

• Successes and failures: Peacetime training to wartime with kickoff of Iraq war. Led first marine infantry battalion into Iraq.

• Calling: Transitioned into ministry and sruggled with anger and PTSD. Sever ties to the marine corps but reunited with unit 10 years later. After hearing about post war realities, realized that he still has a mission to do serving veterans

• Leadership: Maintain team cohesion. Stay focused on the mission that is in front of us. If we don't ask for help, it kills us.

• Bible: Brevity, Seriousness, Constantly in God's Word

• Fear: Resilience is the ability to bounce back. Make a decision ahead of time: Doing hard things, making good decisions, and following through determines how we will respond in critical moments.

• Transtioning out of military: Make a decision to march instead of stay where you are and die. Life is putting one faith-filled step in front of another. Looking at the eternal makes current mission clear. (Rev 4:11)

• Daily Spiritual Growth: Heb 12:1. Cut out the things that prevent. 4 Be's: Be in the word every day, Be in prayer every day, Be in fellowship, Be in contact (cornerman)

• Advice: Never fight alone. Always hope in the resurrection

• Contact Jeremy: Mightyoaksprograms.org

Reflect:

• What does this episode reveal about God's character?

• How does this episode cause us to see our need for a Savior?

• How can we apply lessons learned from this episode to our life?

Follow Christ today:

• ✝️ "Choose this day whom you will serve..." ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭24‬:‭15‬

• ‭✝️ "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." ‭‭Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭9‬

Next steps:

• Share with an armed forces member

• Follow Instagram, Facebook, Podcast

https://linktr.ee/thunderinglegion

https://linktr.ee/thunderinglegion

Today we continue Part 12 of our "Man After God's Heart: Life of David" when David Becomes King and Dedicates Temple (2 Samuel 5:4-12; 1 Chronicles 22:1-5/Psalm 30)

Episode Notes:

• Recap Parts 1-11: Part 1: Reign of Saul in 1 Samuel 1-18 and rise of David (1 Samuel 19:11-18/Psalm 56). Part 2: David Flees from Saul (1 Sam 21:10-15/Psalm 56). Part 3: David hides from Saul in a cave (1 Sam 22:1-2/Psalm 142). Part 4: David's contact with Ahimelech Results in Priests' Death (1 Sam 22:7-18/Psalm 52). Part 5: David exiled into wilderness of Judah (1 Sam 22:5; 23:14-18/Psalm 63) & David cornered by Saul (1 Sam 23:19-29/Psalm 54). Part 6: David again hides from Saul in a cave (1 Sam 24/Psalm 57). Part 7: David's Victories (2 Samuel 8/1 Chronicles 18, Psalm 60). Part 8: David Sleeps with Bathsheba and Murders Uriah (2 Samuel 12:7;9-14/Psalm 51. Part 9: David Flees from His Son Absalom (2 Samuel 15:13-23/Psalm 3). Part 10: David's Reputation is Attacked (2 Samuel 16:5-13/Psalm 7). Part 11 of our "Man After God's Heart: Life of David" when David Praises God's Deliverance from Enemies and Saul (2 Samuel 22/Psalm 18). Part 11: David Praises God's Deliverance from Enemies and Saul (2 Samuel 22/Psalm 18)
• Part 12 Takeaways: Mission/Vision, Purpose, Legacy, Hope

Reflect:

• What does this episode reveal about God's character?
• How does this episode cause us to see our need for a Savior?
• How can we apply lessons learned from this episode to our life?

Follow Christ today:

• ✝️ "Choose this day whom you will serve..." ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭24‬:‭15‬
• ‭✝️ "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." ‭‭Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭9‬

Next steps:

• Share with an armed forces member
• Follow Instagram, Facebook, Podcast

https://linktr.ee/thunderinglegion

https://linktr.ee/thunderinglegion

Today we interview Air Force Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) William "Buck" Buckingham who throughout his career flew the C-17 Spec Ops, C-130J initial cadre, C-32 (Boeing 757) at the 89th Air Wing.

Episode Notes:

• Background: Navy Enlisted 1990, Embry Riddle AFROTC, Laughlin Pilot Training, C-17 Spec Ops & Weapons School, CJSC, ACSC

• Testimony: Refining process in bootcamp. Personal encounter with God (through Gideon Bible on aircraft carrier) in April 1992 then whole family came to Christ after him. Deviated from faith during Air Force career and went through a divorce and came back to place of repentance.

• Successes and failures:

  • Parallels between teaching and applying the Word and instructing in aviation.

  • Personal trauma with older daughter after divorce. Must trust God in the brokenness in family.

  • Lots of alcohol consumption while traveling on high-dollar accounts. When we gain success and power by God's grace, we tend to become prideful. Became distracted by work and began drinking to numb marital challenges at home. Broke down in 2015 when daughter alienated by fallout of divorce.

• Calling: We were created for one purpose: worship. We get worship wrong which lead to all kinds of consequences. Called to ministry to trauma cases. People who are contrite in heart are closer to God than those who are self-righteous (the Pharisees). Psalm 51:17. Secular counseling programs don't go deep enough to really deal with the heart issues underlying addiction. Core issue of addiction was that God was not #1.

• Favorite Books of the Bible: Philippians 2:12 work out salvation in fear and trembling, because God is working through us for His joy.

• Daily Spiritual Growth: 0400 reading Bible for 2 hours. Need quiet in the mornings: Lamentations 3:23. Spiritual experience to wake up unhurried early and see creation anticipate dawn. Becoming Biblically literate with "spiritual breakfast"

• Advice: Look to warriors of the faith like Joshua. Seek the Lord daily. God's people are all over the world and He has us in our current position for a purpose. Be focused on where you are at the time. Be the change. Don't get pulled into the distraction. Our purpose in life is to worship God first and foremost. God' word will help us live our best life.

• Contact Buck: [email protected]

Reflect:

• What does this episode reveal about God's character?

• How does this episode cause us to see our need for a Savior?

• How can we apply lessons learned from this episode to our life?

Follow Christ today:

• ✝️ "Choose this day whom you will serve..." ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭24‬:‭15‬

• ‭✝️ "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." ‭‭Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭9‬

Next steps:

• Share with an armed forces member

• Follow Instagram, Facebook, Podcast

https://linktr.ee/thunderinglegion

https://linktr.ee/thunderinglegion

Today we continue Part 11 of our "Man After God's Heart: Life of David" when David Praises God's Deliverance from Enemies and Saul (2 Samuel 22/Psalm 18)

Episode Notes:

• Recap Parts 1-10: Part 1: Reign of Saul in 1 Samuel 1-18 and rise of David (1 Samuel 19:11-18/Psalm 56). Part 2: David Flees from Saul (1 Sam 21:10-15/Psalm 56). Part 3: David hides from Saul in a cave (1 Sam 22:1-2/Psalm 142). Part 4: David's contact with Ahimelech Results in Priests' Death (1 Sam 22:7-18/Psalm 52). Part 5: David exiled into wilderness of Judah (1 Sam 22:5; 23:14-18/Psalm 63) & David cornered by Saul (1 Sam 23:19-29/Psalm 54). Part 6: David again hides from Saul in a cave (1 Sam 24/Psalm 57). Part 7: David's Victories (2 Samuel 8/1 Chronicles 18, Psalm 60). Part 8: David Sleeps with Bathsheba and Murders Uriah (2 Samuel 12:7;9-14/Psalm 51. Part 9: Part 9: David Flees from His Son Absalom (2 Samuel 15:13-23/Psalm 3). Part 10: David's Reputation is Attacked (2 Samuel 16:5-13/Psalm 7)
• Part 11 Takeaways: How do we respond to success? Who gets credit for our successes? How do we see God working through our efforts? How do we avoid complacency after success?

Reflect:

• What does this episode reveal about God's character?
• How does this episode cause us to see our need for a Savior?
• How can we apply lessons learned from this episode to our life?

Follow Christ today:

• ✝️ "Choose this day whom you will serve..." ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭24‬:‭15‬
• ‭✝️ "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." ‭‭Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭9‬

Next steps:

• Share with an armed forces member
• Follow Instagram, Facebook, Podcast

https://linktr.ee/thunderinglegion

https://linktr.ee/thunderinglegion

Today we continue Part 10 of our "Man After God's Heart: Life of David" when David's Reputation is Attacked (2 Samuel 16:5-13/Psalm 7)

Episode Notes:

• Recap Parts 1-9: Part 1: Reign of Saul in 1 Samuel 1-18 and rise of David (1 Samuel 19:11-18/Psalm 56). Part 2: David Flees from Saul (1 Sam 21:10-15/Psalm 56). Part 3: David hides from Saul in a cave (1 Sam 22:1-2/Psalm 142). Part 4: David's contact with Ahimelech Results in Priests' Death (1 Sam 22:7-18/Psalm 52). Part 5: David exiled into wilderness of Judah (1 Sam 22:5; 23:14-18/Psalm 63) & David cornered by Saul (1 Sam 23:19-29/Psalm 54). Part 6: David again hides from Saul in a cave (1 Sam 24/Psalm 57). Part 7: David's Victories (2 Samuel 8/1 Chronicles 18, Psalm 60). Part 8: David Sleeps with Bathsheba and Murders Uriah (2 Samuel 12:7;9-14/Psalm 51. Part 9: Part 9: David Flees from His Son Absalom (2 Samuel 15:13-23/Psalm 3)
• Part 10 Takeaways: How do we know when to act and when to accept? Psalms 141:5. How can David claim to be upright in heart after previous failures (Bathsheba and Uriah)? How can someone before Christ have the same hope that we have now looking back on Christ?

Reflect:

• What does this episode reveal about God's character?
• How does this episode cause us to see our need for a Savior?
• How can we apply lessons learned from this episode to our life?

Follow Christ today:

• ✝️ "Choose this day whom you will serve..." ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭24‬:‭15‬
• ‭✝️ "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." ‭‭Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭9‬

Next steps:

• Share with an armed forces member
• Follow Instagram, Facebook, Podcast

https://linktr.ee/thunderinglegion

https://linktr.ee/thunderinglegion

Today we build on Episode 37: Spiritual Threats, Weapons, and Tactics (w/ Major James "Hook" Knauss). In Episode 37, we discussed the Word of God as our our offensive weapon. In today's interview, we are going to get to know our weapon better.

• Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
• Ephesians 6:17 "Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

Resources:

• Thundering Legion Episode 37: Spiritual Threats, Weapons, and Tactics (w/ Major James "Hook" Knauss)
• Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy
• Alexander the Great and Hellenization
• Old Testament Passages Cited by Jesus Christ
• The Case for Christ: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus
• Secular historical sources: "The Bible Says Jesus Was Real. What Other Proof Exists?"

Discussion questions:

• What is the Bible? Inerrant, Infallible, Inspired Word of God
• What are some common objections to the authority of the bible?
• How did the Bible as we have it today come into existence? Old Testament: Jewish scriptures as accepted by the Jews. New Testament: Process of textual criticism by councils and people.
• How did history, language, and culture affect the Bible? New Testament written in Greek (Alexander the Great hellinization).
• Manuscript evidence: We have numerous fragments of scripture within 25 to a couple hundred years of the actual event.
• 1 Cor 15:3 lists "in accordance of the scriptures" people that Jesus appeared to. If original witnesses are still alive when manuscripts published, they are more likely to be accure
• Other secular historical sources document basic parts of Jesus' life and the Gospel narrative.
• How can Christians be confident in the authority of the Bible? All the disciples go to death confessing Jesus as Lord and resurrection, except John who was exiled to Patmos. Nobody will die for a lie, but people will die for something they believe is true.
• If we claim the Gospel message, Jesus claims the scriptures are true. So we either accept or reject Jesus as Lord.

Reflect:

• What does this episode reveal about God's character?
• How does this episode cause us to see our need for a Savior?
• How can we apply lessons learned from this episode to our life?

Follow Christ for this day!

• ✝️ "Choose this day whom you will serve..." ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭24‬:‭15‬
• ‭✝️ "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." ‭‭Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭9‬

Next steps:

• Share with an armed forces member
• Follow Instagram, Facebook, Podcast

https://linktr.ee/thunderinglegion

Today we continue Part 9 of our "Man After God's Heart: Life of David" when David Flees from His Son Absalom (2 Samuel 15:13-23/Psalm 3)

Episode Notes:

• Recap Parts 1-8: Part 1: Reign of Saul in 1 Samuel 1-18 and rise of David (1 Samuel 19:11-18/Psalm 56). Part 2: David Flees from Saul (1 Sam 21:10-15/Psalm 56). Part 3: David hides from Saul in a cave (1 Sam 22:1-2/Psalm 142). Part 4: David's contact with Ahimelech Results in Priests' Death (1 Sam 22:7-18/Psalm 52). Part 5: David exiled into wilderness of Judah (1 Sam 22:5; 23:14-18/Psalm 63) & David cornered by Saul (1 Sam 23:19-29/Psalm 54). Part 6: David again hides from Saul in a cave (1 Sam 24/Psalm 57). Part 7: David's Victories (2 Samuel 8/1 Chronicles 18, Psalm 60). Part 8: David Sleeps with Bathsheba and Murders Uriah (2 Samuel 12:7;9-14/Psalm 51.
• Part 9 Takeaways: When do we act and when do we accept? What kind of legacy are we leaving? How do we accept responsibility despite our flaws? How do we have confidence of an upright heart before God?

Reflect:

• What does this episode reveal about God's character?
• How does this episode cause us to see our need for a Savior?
• How can we apply lessons learned from this episode to our life?

Follow Christ today!

• ✝️ "Choose this day whom you will serve..." ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭24‬:‭15‬
• ‭✝️ "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." ‭‭Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭9‬

Next steps:

• SHARE with another armed forces member
• FOLLOW Instagram, Facebook, Podcast

https://linktr.ee/thunderinglegion