Chaplain Mark Olson

New Blog

2007-11-12T00:05:00.000-08:00

I have decided to start a new blog. Click on the following link to go to it.

http://chaplainolson.wordpress.com/

Chaplain Video

2007-11-11T22:01:00.000-08:00

Here is a video that ABC News made about chaplains while I was at Chaplain School. I am not in it, but some of my classmates are.

Billy Graham

2007-09-18T16:20:00.000-07:00

One of my heroes in life is Billy Graham. Here is a great video I found about his life.

Graduation Banquet

2007-08-29T20:52:00.002-07:00

CH-BOLC is winding down and we celebrated tonight with a graduation banquet at the NCO club. Here I am with my beautiful bride of sixteen years.

Here are a few of the guys from my squad. Myself and the chaplain in dress blues are going active duty. The others are in either National Guard or Army Reserves.

Thank-you

2007-08-29T13:21:00.000-07:00

Thank You for your thoughts and prayers. God is so good and I am thankful that his grace is sufficient. On Friday, I will Graduate CH-BOLC and my family and I will head to Florida to be with the rest of my family who is gathering there. We will have a memorial service on Saturday evening and then my family and I will stay there a week to help take care of things around the house.

Things are winding down here at Ft. Jackson. These three months have come and gone quickly and with the end of one phase comes the beginning of another. My family and I are looking forward to our arrival at Ft. Hood and the beginning of a new ministry there. I have included below an eight minute video that gives a glimpse of our last three months. I hope you enjoy it.

Good Bye

2007-08-26T22:44:00.000-07:00

1:30 AM on Monday morning, August 27, 2007, My father Frank Olson passed from this life into eternity. His death follows the death of my grandmother, Gusta Larson, who passed on Friday afternoon at 2:00.

I sit here this morning choosing my words carefully because my emotions are so raw. The Army allowed me to go to Florida last weekend to see my grandmother who was in the hospital. I was able to spend an entire night with her there and watch over her as she slept. In the morning I was able to say goodbye to her for now and so long until we meet again.

My dad was better than he had been in weeks. I was able to take him out to Sonic, and Dunkin Donuts for strawberry shakes. He really loved those. We went to Home Depot and picked up materials to fix some things around the house. It was so good to just be with him.

I last talked to him just yesterday morning at about 11:00. He was able to talk fairly well but I noticed he was struggling to remember a few things. However, after he hung up with me, my Mom told me he could not remember who he had just talked to. Within a couple of hours, Mom called 911 and he was taken to the hospital.

It all happens so fast. Just yesterday it seems that I was a young boy wanting to be just like Dad. Now he is gone and I am the Dad whose boys are wanting to be like me. Soon my time will come as well and the next generation will take the lead. But until then, I will have to carry the baton.

Goodbye Dad
Goodbye Grandma

Until we meet again

My heart and my prayers are with my mom who has lost both her mother and husband withing just a couple of days. I cannot even begin to comprehend the pain and grief she is experiencing. I ask all of you who may be reading this blog to please take a moment and pray for her. Her name is Lylas Olson, or Sis as her friends like to call her. Thank you for lifting her up in your prayers!

Week 6 - End of Phase One

2007-07-15T11:12:00.000-07:00

Greetings from the long lost blogger. Some of you have been wondering if I have fallen off the earth, or if the Army finally got the best of me. But, I am still alive and well! After recovering from a bad case of CHBOLC, I found the energy to blog again and to try to catch up a little.

The best news I can share with you is that my family arrives here in just a few hours. It has been over six weeks since I have seen them, so the reunion will be good. We will spend time swimming, fishing, playing at the playground, and going to the water park here on base.

The last two weeks have been spent mainly in the classroom covering military stuff. A few noteworthy things to mention however are interesting enough to pass along.

One of our afternoons was spent covering the history of the Chaplaincy. In the next two pictures you will see many of the items the chaplain school historian brought to class that represent the many eras of the chaplaincy. There have been chaplains in the Army ever since the Revolutionary War. Today there are well over 2000 chaplains serving in the Army as well as those serving in the other branches.

On Thursday of this past week, we took what is called a "Staff Ride" out to a place called Cowpens. A Staff Ride is opportunity for commanders to take his or her staff out to a historic military site in order to help them gain a better perspective on military history. Cowpens is a battlefield located near the South and North Carolina borders that was a critical Revolutionary battle field. The battle of Cowpens was the pivotal battle in the Southern campaign of the war.
This week began the involvement of student chaplains in the chapel services. Pictured here are Ch. May, and Ch. Kay. They are both fellow bloggers and good friends. Ch. Kay led worship that day in chapel.
On Wendnesday of this past week, our school sponsored a pray breakfast at the NCO club. The breakfast was designed to give us experience in putting a prayer breakfast together so that when we get to our future stations, we will have some idea of what is going on. Here is myself with Ch. Kevin Nagy.
One last thing worth mentioning. Here is the motor that runs the chaplain school. With out it, life would not exist.

Thanks for your prayer. Stay in touch.

Chaplain Mark

Week 5 - Days 1-3 (Monday-Wednesday)

2007-07-04T17:57:00.001-07:00

This weekend I attended worship at Vangard Chapel here on base. It was good to see so many young soldiers in one place worshiping the Lord. It was a really good service with good worship and a good message.

The new Chief of Chaplain came to visit the school this week. General Carver was a great encouragement and seems to be a true man of God.
Most of our class time this week has been taught by Chaplains Palmer and Crisp. We are now getting into the meat of what it means to be a chaplain. I find myself hanging on every word because what they have to teach now so directly relates to my days and years that lie ahead

I feel sometimes as though I have jumped into a lake with shores in site. I can swim well, but what direction do I swim in. The challenges are great and many, but I keep swimming. I imagine with time, the things I am learning now will become old hat, but for now I struggle on.

Today is the Fourth of July and our class had the day off. We had a family BBQ this morning from 10am until 2pm. It was a great time of fellowship. There are fireworks going on outside right now, but without my family here, they don't mean all that much to me. I sure do miss them.

Thanks for your emails and encouraging messages.

Happy 4th of July!
God bless you, and God Bless this great nation!

Week 4 - Days 3-5 (Wednesay-Friday)

2007-06-29T07:33:00.000-07:00

Chaplain Initial Military Training (CIMT) is over and phase one of CHBOLC begins on Monday. In CIMT we have learned the basic skills of being a soldier. In phases 1-3, we we learn what it means to be a chaplain in the Army. In CIMT we had the largest class ever at this school in SC. and on Monday we will add 41 new students to the class growing to a total of 171. Two weeks later, we will loose about 40 students who have not yet finished seminary and we will again pick up a few more.

The pace has really changed as we have moved toward phase one. We now spend most of our time in the classroom receiving briefs (lectures) on various topics. One of my favorite ones recently was from a retired chaplain that served in WWI, Korea, and in Vietnam. He spoke to us about what it meant to be a chaplain.

One of the not so exciting events this week was our TA-50 gear inspection. We had to haul our gear over to coleman gym and lay it out on the floor for inspection. Can your guess which chaplain forget to bring his sleeping bag? Our platoon still took third place out of five, which means, I guess, that we are average.

The big benchmark this week however was the dawning of the beret ceremony. Up until this point, all we could wear were the field caps (which I love). From now on though, we will look like the rest of the Army unless we are in the field.

We have the weekend free including most of today (friday). I plan on laying low, studying for a test next week, and watchiing Die Hard 287, or what ever number it is.

I love you all! Thanks for all your prayers and support.

Week 4 - Days 1 and 2 (Monday Tuesday)

2007-06-26T15:28:00.001-07:00

The first phase of CHOBLC is almost over and we are finishing up with a "thunk". In other words, we are landing hard. This week began our first "real" PT with a very hard run on Monday and a full body workout today. I thought I was in decent shape, but now I feel 40. This week also began the official "Death By PowerPoint" phase. For those of you who are not familiar with PowerPoint, it is basically the same as the old fashioned overhead projectors, but works off of a computer. Imagine with me hour after hour of sitting in a classroom staring at the screen after having given all your energy during morning PT. As you can imagine, it is hard to stay awake. So pictured below is the official CHOBLC survival kit.
The kit includes coffee (to beat morning hypnosis), water (to wash down the way to strong coffee), and Mountain Dew (to keep the eyes propped open after lunch). And of course, no good chaplain goes anywhere without his/her notebook.

My mom supplemented my brown bag lunches by sending this awesome care package this weekend. Thanks so much mom! I knew I could count on you to come through. Not to be trumped however, my aunt and uncle made a second contribution to the "Save The Starving Chaplain" fund today with another great care package. Thanks so much. I love you all!

Well, on another note, I called Ft. Hood today to check on my assignment and discovered that I was reassigned yet one more time. But this is great news because I have be assigned once again to the 3rd battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment. If I had to choose one unit out of the entire 4th ID, this would be it. I was told as well, that this would be my final assignment.
Please keep my family in prayer as we prepare to move our entire platoon of children out to Ft. Hood. Pray that the Lord would prepare our hearts for the soldiers we will be ministering to and that God would open up the doors to a home on base large enough for our family.

Week 3 - Days 2-5 (Tuesday - Friday)

2007-06-23T06:33:00.001-07:00

What a week it has been! I am tired, sore, broken down, and loving it. If I had to use just one word to describe this week, it would be the word "comradery". There is nothing like sweating together, smelling together, struggling together, and sitting around and doing nothing together hour after hour, to bring a group of soldiers together into one unit. Here are just a few of the pictures from this week.
We put into practice what we learned on Monday in the classroom. We were given grid coordinates and a map. We had to plot a course on the map and find the exact location of that grid coordinate.

Here is our team after we found our first check point.

On our second day, we received instruction about IEDs and convoy operations. in this picture, Sgt. Loftin and Chaplain Crisp react after there vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb. It was good to see this simulation and to get an idea of how to react when attacked.

In between activities we enjoyed MREs (meals ready to eat). There not as bad as they once were, but I am glad to be back to regular food again.

Chaplain Palmer shares from the Word of God in a demonstration of performing a field service.

Chaplains Crisp, Austin, and Palmer administer Communion to the troops.

Toward the end of our second day out, we were marching down a dirt road and I decided to just hold my camera up over my head and shoot a picture backwards over my head. What I expected to see when I looked at the picture was a group of tired and worn out soldiers, but what I saw instead was a bunch of crazy guys taking advantage of a photo opportunity.

My team here successfully performs land navigation at night.

Do I look tired? I was. We arrived back at camp the night before at midnight and were back up at 4:00 am. At the time of this picture, it was almost seven and we were preparing to move out for more training.
Here is my "battle buddy" Lt. Phipps. He is a great guy and will one day make a great chaplain.

Here is what we did most of the third day. It is call the "Hurry up and Wait" formation. I am now able to sleep anywhere at any time.

Leaning to high crawl, low crawl, and back crawl.

Practicing simulated movements under fire. The man leading is playing the part of the Chaplain's assistant, and the one following is the chaplain. Only the assistant is allowed to carry a gun, so the Chaplain has to stay close behind him.

Finally Friday, and after a good nights sleep and a long hot shower, we worked on cleaning equipment and prepared to enjoy a long weekend.

Week 3 - Day 1 (Monday)

2007-06-18T18:13:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to visit three different Sunday services here on Post. At 8:00 I attended a Lutheran service at Memorial Chapel. At 9:30, I attended a Jewish service at the same chapel. Finally, at 11:00 I attended a Catholic mass at the main post chapel with one of my neighbors from my apartment.

The question I have to ask, and the question that all people have to ask is, "Who is God?". What I mean is that people tend to "worship" their own perceptions of who they think God is. But, if all of our perceptions are different, and if they are opposed to each others understandings as they often are, can all of us be right.

I am a tolerant person. I tend to believe that each of us needs to discover truth as God opens our minds to understand it. But at the same time, God is God, and not simply a figment of our imagination to be worshiped.

I found myself hurt yesterday when the Rabbi stated that "Jesus said that he came to fulfill the Law, but in my opinion He fulfilled nothing." Now I understand that Jewish people do not believe that Jesus was who He claimed to be. But at the same time, I could not help but to be saddened by the offhanded negative remark aimed toward my Lord Jesus Christ whom I have come to love so much. Sometimes you don't know how dear something or someone is to you until that thing or person is taken or attacked in some way.

Well, enough rambling. Today, we focused our day on learning to read maps and to using a compass.
We are headed to the woods tomorrow for three days of survival and navigation training. I am excited about this adventure and looking forward to learning some new trick. Pictured here is one of the many tents we will be staying in.

Tonight, a group of 45 of us were put on detail to go to the woods and to set up the tents for tomorrow. I was one of that lucky group and had a good time doing it.

Tomorrow starts early and I will be out of touch for several days. I will be sure to update things on Friday night, although I will probably be exhausted.

Week 2 - Day 5

2007-06-16T15:10:00.001-07:00

Friday has finally come and gone and two weeks are in the books. We began our day today with our first morning of PT together. I can't begin to tell you how invigorating it is to run two miles in formation in the drizzling rain at 6:00 a.m. All I can say is "God Is Good"!

After an invigorating morning rolling in the grass and running, we returned to the school for a couple hours of touring the building. The chaplain school has a great library and museum as well. It is good to have these resources at hand.

After lunch will finished off our day with a four hour course on life saving techniques used while on the battle field:Kihato here has been treated for a chest wound

Valencia is practicing his life saving techniques on Phipps

After an exciting day of saving lives, my squad (1st Squad, 2nd Platoon), went out for dinner. This is a great group of men whom I'm proud to call friends.

This weekend will be a great time of rest and relaxation as I attempt to heal up my knees, shoulder, elbow, and feet. Yes, I am falling apart. Sunday I will have the opportunity to visit several services here on post. We are required to visit twelve different chapel services which include Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Baptist, and others. I am looking forward to seeing some things that I have never seen before. At 11:00, I will go to mass with my neighbor who is Catholic. That will be a first for me.

Thanks for you prayers and encouragement. I have a new address you can use that will send the mail directly to my apartment. It is:

Chaplain (1Lt.) Mark Olson
3772C Gilmore Ct.
Ft. Jackson, SC. 29206

Week 2 - Day 4 (Thursday)

2007-06-14T15:28:00.000-07:00

Can you say your full name, rank, and serial number while standing in a gas chamber? I can! But I never want to do it again!!!I can honestly say that I am glad I did it, but I will be glad if I never do it again. No I did not puke, and no, I did not let anyone take any after pictures.

Can you guess who these three soldiers are?
We were all instructed to go without patches, so that will make it more of a challenge. One hint, I know who the tall guy is.

Here we all are being marched into the chamber.We spent the second half of our day learning how to communicate using the Army's communication system. Here Lt. Burton tries to communicate with God.

Here is the first place winner of the "Feed The Starving Chaplain Contest". My Aunt Pat and Uncle Dick were the first to help make sure that I will not starve during the remaining eleven weeks. Thank you so much for the Blessing!! I love you both.

Week 2 - Day 3 (Wednesday)

2007-06-13T17:11:00.001-07:00

It's a great day to be an Army Chaplain! As the days pass by, I become more convinced every day that I am right were God would have me to be. The days here are often challenging mentally, physically, and emotionally, but as each day passes, I become more excited about all that God is doing in my life here in the Army.

I am learning about humility! I thought I was humble, but as I face the loss of control in my day to day activities, I fight my pride. I am learning though, as hard as it may be, to be quite and smile.

I am learning about the Joy of the Lord! My friend Kevin has taught me so much about the joy of the Lord. In one of the pictures in my previous posts, he is pictured marching down the road with his full load gear on and sporting a big smile. Kevin always smiles because his hope is in the Lord.

I am learning about the chain of command. For most of my life, I have always gone to the highest level possible in order to accomplish what I needed to do. But here in the Army, it is imperative to start with the soldier just above you who in my case, is the the squad leader. If he can not answer it, he takes it to the platoon leader who then goes to the class leader who then goes to the Cadre, and so on until the question or problem is taken care of.

Most of all, I am learning to love God more and more. He is so good!

With that said, just a few words about my day today. We were blessed with a day of rest today in that we did not have to road march. However, with every blessing comes challenges. Tomorrow, we will march in full battle rattle to the NBC (gas chamber) to get just a small taste of how to use a gas mask, and what it is like to be gassed. There will be plenty of tears shed and breakfast regurgitated to make up for our day of rest today.

We prepared today for the gas chamber by being trained in how to use a gas mask. I am now very capable of putting on my mask and clearing the air inside in less than nine seconds - hoooah. However, I am still not excited about having to demonstrate that tomorrow.

One more noteworthy peace of news to share is that this afternoon, we had a convocation for all the students at CH-BOLC. The guest of honor was the Chief of Chaplains, Ch. (Maj. Gen.) David Hicks. He has been in the US Army for 42 years and will retire this fall. He shared with us some great thoughts on what it means to be an Army Chaplain. What a privilege it is to meet a man of his caliber.

Check back tomorrow for some great pictures of some very sick chaplains.

Week 2 - Day 2 (Tuesday)

2007-06-12T17:55:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pictures from our day today. I don't have much time tonight so I will leave you with these to enjoy. Notice on this first picture that I am preparing to ride this zip line in a parachute harness. It was a lot of fun until you come to end and are thrown up into the air with a jerk and then whipped back down. The wait of my legs coming down tor some muscles in my stomach and I had to sit out some of the other challenges. However, I am still loving it!

Hoooah! For God and Country

Week 2 - Day 1 (Monday)

2007-06-11T17:38:00.000-07:00

Week two has started with a bang. We assembled this morning for formation at 6:20 with all of our battle gear on and then marched about two miles to a "Team Building Course". I wish every day could be this fun!Chaplain Nagy on the road march

First and second squads of 2nd Platoon

Yours truly

Our team is moving this barrel across the Euphrates River using only a few boards and some bridge pilings that were not blown up

2nd Platoon preparing to move a wounded dummy (soldier) across an obstacle

Learning to cross a ravine on a cable

Chaplain Austin performing an after action report

Sgt. Lopez saying "This is a Humvee"

I'm Loving It!!! Hooooah

Week 1- Day 7 (Saturday)

2007-06-09T18:20:00.001-07:00

Here are just a few pictures from my day today. We had most of the day free today until 3:30 when we went on a road march and then on to Victory Tower. At Victory Tower traversed rope bridges, rappelled down walls, and climbed down cargo nets.

Tomorrow is free except for a formation at 7:00. In the morning I plan on attending a couple different chapel services here on base before going off base at 11:00 to visit a Korean church. I am looking forward to a great day of worship!

Week 1 - Day 6 (Friday)

2007-06-09T09:18:00.000-07:00

Week one is almost in the books. Today was just our second day in uniform with temperatures soaring to near 98 degrees. In the picture below you will see that we all have our trousers unbloused and our sleeves uncuffed. We were instructed to do this so as not to overheat. We also have to carry our canteens with us at all times in order to stay hydrated. This picture is of second platoon out of five. We began our day with several hours of lecture concerning sexual harassment and equal opportunity. the rest of the day was spent learning how to march as a platoon. At the end of the day we a had a marching competition with my platoon taking second place.
Tomorrow (Saturday) we are scheduled to repel off of victory tower, a 40 ft wall, so I am very excited. We have the day off until 2:40 when we have to report.

Click on the red letters below to get a preview of of what victory tower will be like:

VICTORY TOWER

Week 1 - Day 5 (Thursday)

2007-06-07T17:48:00.000-07:00

Today I was blessed by starting my morning at 4:45 with a PT test. This was a diagnostic test to determine our beginning condition. I was required to do:
34 push-ups, I did 45
38 sit-ups, I did 39
two miles in 18:18, I did it in 15:07

So, I passed - by the skin of my teach. Hopefully, by the end of this course, I will be able to do much better.

This picture is of my friend Kirk Kay. We first met online through his blog (Chaplain Ken)
Today was our first day wearing the uniform. It was good finally to have everyone's last names to see and their rank as well. Many of the student are chaplain candidates and have not finished seminary yet, so they cannot wear the cross on their chests yet and are not called "chaplains", but are referred to by their rank. The rest of us are simply called "Chaplain" regardless of our rank.

Pictured below is myself with another "Olson". He is a candidate and therefore has no cross on his uniform. When he returns to school next year, he will then be a first lieutenant and be able to wear the cross. He is a great guy and I look forward to serving with him someday.
It is good to finally wear the uniform. It is one more step to finally feeling like I am really in the Army. It still feels like I am in a seminary class however, but hopefully soon the reality of what is ahead will really begin to set in.

Week 1 - Day 4 (Wednesday)

2007-06-06T16:29:00.000-07:00

Today we continued administrative processing. We began at 4:15 at the school house after which I was shipped off to the dentist. After 4 1/2 hours in the dentist office, I then went to the Legal Office to do a will and power of attorney which took another four hours. Finally, we went back to the school house to prepare for tomorrow which took another couple of hours. All total, the day was filled with at least twelve hours of sitting and waiting. That is why the Army's motto is "Hurry Up And Wait".

BUT - Tomorrow begins the exciting stuff - kind of. At 4:45 tomorrow morning, I will have an evaluative PT (Physical Training) test during which I will be tested on how many sit-ups and push-ups I can do in two minutes, and also how fast I can run two miles. If I pass, and I will, then I will not have to do remedial PT in the afternoons. Hooah! I am required to do 34 push-ups, 38 sit-ups, and two miles in 18:18.

Also, tomorrow afternoon, I finally will be able to wear the Army uniform. I know that in just a couple of weeks, wearing the uniform will not seem so exciting, but for now, it is a major step in feeling and looking like I am really in the Army.

God has been really good! I am blessed to be part of the US Army, and blessed to be an Army Chaplain. Looking forward to another great day tomorrow!!!

Week 1 - Day 3 (Tuesday)

2007-06-05T16:22:00.001-07:00

Day three has come and gone and we continue to in process. Today we began early at 4:45 with formation after which we were issued our TA-50 gear which includes our ruck sack, canteens and pouches, belt and suspenders, sleeping bag, helmet, vest, and many other items. Above is pictured Jason modeling his helmet, web belt with canteens, and suspenders. What a soldier.

After getting our gear, I had the privilege of visiting the dentist for a full check up. I will have to go back again tomorrow and have one filling repaired. I am excited!!

Pictured here is my new wardrobe. Before I leave Ft. Jackson, this closet will have many more clothes in and my bank account will have a whole lot less money in it.

I don't know about this guy. He doesn't quit look like a soldier, YET.
Tomorrow starts at 4:15 with formation, and then another exciting day of in processing. We will spend time working on our wills and power of attorneys for those who need them, and we will also spend time getting enrolled into the health care system. I am sure we will enjoy many other exciting opportunities tomorrow as well.

Thanks again for all your prayers.

Week 1 - Day 2 (Monday)

2007-06-04T17:51:00.001-07:00

Day two is in the books. We began the day with formation at 5:30 this morning and arrived back at my room around 8:00 this evening. Tomorrows day will begin with formation at 4:45 in the morning. God is Good! I received a comment from one chaplain's wife today concerning a picture from yesterday that showed the class. She was looking for a picture of her husband in the group. I suspect that there are others doing the same, so I have enclosed a couple more pictures of our class today for those of you looking for your husband or wife.Most of our day today was spent doing exactly what you see above; listening to lecture and doing paperwork. We did however have two study breaks when we went for blood work this morning and then to the uniform store this afternoon.

I was assigned a battle buddy today. His name is Keven. The funny thing is that Keven and I already knew each other. We met about three years ago when a church he was working with brought a group of youth and adults to my church in Dayton Tn. on a mission trip. While in Dayton, Keven was sworn into the Air Force by the same retired Army Colonel that performed my oath of office this year. Keven has now switched over from Air Force to Army, and we will once again serve with each other.

Tomorrow will come early. After reporting at 4:45, I will have the privilege of visiting the dentist at 8:30. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers as I continue this journey.

Week 1 - Day 1 (Monday)

2007-06-03T19:39:00.001-07:00

My first day is in the books and things are under way. It is still hard to believe that I am in the Army and that I am a Chaplain. Tonight I got the haircut to go with it, so it must be official.
I began my day with an incredible worship service at the chaplain school. Pictured below is a Lt. Col. who led the service. He is pictured here administering the Lord's Supper to a family. I am going to like this Chaplain. He preached a great message as well.
This picture is of our classroom. There are 133 students in the class now and it will swell to over 170 in four weeks. This is the largest chaplain class ever. Praise God!We were in class today from 3:00 until about 6:00. Today was basic orientation, paperwork, and learning about formations. Tomorrow we will start our day at 5:30. It is 11:15 now so I will call it a night. Thanks for your prayers.

I Have Arrived

2007-06-02T18:50:00.000-07:00

I arrived today here at Ft. Jackson S.C. after having traveled about seven hours from Tennessee. I began my day today by taking my wife and children out for breakfast. I never realized just how hard it would be to say good bye. I love my family and and being away from them leaves a huge hole in my life.

Pictured above are a few shots of my new home (for the next few moths). It is a two bedroom apartment with kitchen and living room. There is a washer and dryer, four televisions, and internet access. Army life is tough. Tomorrow, another chaplain (William) will be rooming with me for the next four weeks. I don't know anything about him yet, but I am looking forward to meeting him tomorrow.

Tomorrow morning, I will attend church services at the Chaplain School here on base. The Chaplains have a service there each week called "Gen Next". It is a little more contemporary and geared to the younger soldiers. Hopefully I can get a few pictures and post them here for you tomorrow.

I will be updating this blog daily for a while so that you can get a good idea about my life here. Please feel free to leave comments, send and email, or call in the evenings. I look forward to hearing from each of you as the next twelve weeks unfolds.

PS - Don't forget care packages filled with homemade treats (or not homemade).

My address is:

U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School
CHBOLC Class 07-003
Chaplain (1LT) Mark Olson
10100 Lee Road
Fort Jackson, SC 29207-7090

Fish Tales

2007-05-24T16:41:00.002-07:00

Yesterday, my ten year old son came running out of breath into the house. He was so excited that he couldn't breath or talk. When he finally calmed down enough to talk, he told us of this huge fish (yea right) that he had caught. Now you have to understand that this boy lives to fish and nothing excites him more than that elusive fish that every fisherman dreams of. Well, he finally caught it. This fish ran nearly ten pounds and twenty inches long. This is one he will remember.

I love seeing my children get excited. Since I have six of them, I get plenty of opportunities. It is hard to believe that in just over a week, I will be leaving them for twelve weeks, and after that will face many other days and nights separated from them as I go to field training with my new unit in Texas. After field training, the 4th ID is scheduled to deploy before the end of the year.

By the way, I found out two days ago that I was assigned to yet another new unit (third in three months). My new unit is the 4th Brigade, 704th Support Battalion. I am not going to hold my breath however, because I will probably see my assignment change again before all is done.
As I begin this journey, I look forward to all the care packages filled with cookies, brownies, and licorice sticks. So, in case your wondering, here is my new address:

U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School
CHOBC Class 07-003
Chaplain (1LT) Mark Olson
10100 Lee Road
Fort Jackson, SC 29207-7090

This will be my last post until after I settle into my new quarters at Ft. Jackson. I appreciate your prayers and emails as I begin this Journey.

Appointed unto man once to die

2007-05-15T21:03:00.000-07:00

A couple of days ago, my dad's neighbor came over to the house and shared that his wife's sister had just passed away due to cancer. As many of you are aware, my dad is also dealing with extensive cancer. After this man shared about his loss, he asked if I would mind doing the graveside service for the family, and of course, I agreed.

This morning at eleven, I attended the funeral service and sat in the back of the room. The woman who had passed away was an Army veteran, so I was there in uniform. She was a faithful member of the AMVETS organization, so some of their members were there to perform the service. As I watched the service unfold, I found my heart greatly saddened by the fact that not once during the service was the Word of God opened, nor was there any hope offered the family from the Word. It was simply a very sad goodbye from her friends.

I later followed the hearse to the cemetery where I was given the opportunity to finally take this grieving family to the Word of God and share with them the living hope that we have in Jesus Christ. I hope and pray that something I said or read will make a difference in the life of someone there.

The days events however have served to sharpen my focus tonight on my own father. Tomorrow morning I will leave here and it may very well be the last time I see him alive. In just over two weeks I will report to Ft. Jackson and then on to Ft. Hood in September. I will no longer have the freedom to come to Florida any time I want. However, I will try to get leave within the next six months and return here again If my father is still here. Please keep him in your prayers as he struggles with decisions about his future. Tonight, as we talked, he shared with me his desire to terminate all treatments and to allow his life to take whatever course it will. These days are tough for him, but I know that Christ is sufficient. Pray that God would pour out His wisdom and grace upon dad's remaining days. Pray also for my mom who suffers through these days along with him. I think that it is often harder on the spouse, who can do nothing to change what is happening, than it is on the one actually going through it. Thank you for your prayers.

I begin tomorrow the final leg of my long vacation with my family. We will travel to Ft. Jackson tomorrow to attend a graduation ceremony from boot camp, and then travel to Asheville, NC to visit our dear friends at Biltmore Baptist Church. On Monday the 21st, we will head home to Tennessee where I will spend my final ten days with my family before heading of to CHBOLC (Chaplain Basis Officer Leadership Course).

T minus 18 days and counting!

New Army Service Uniform

2007-05-13T20:04:00.000-07:00

Here we go again. Here is the the Army's new uniform that will replace the green, blue and white uniforms.

You can read about them at the following link:

http://pao.hood.army.mil/4id/Main/WhatsHot/ASvcUniform.pdf

Leave a comment and share your thoughts!

Things My Mother Taught Me

2007-05-13T09:37:00.000-07:00

To Value A Job Well Done
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."

Time Travel
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"

Logic
"Because I said so, that's why."

Foresight
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."

Irony
"Keep crying and I'll give you something to cry about."

Osmosis
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper."

Stamina
"You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."

Weather
"This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."

Hypocrisy
"If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"

Circle Of Life
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

Behavior Modification
"Stop acting like your father!"

Envy
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."

Anticipation
"Just wait until we get home."

Receiving
"You are going to get it when you get home!"

Medical Science
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way."

How To Become An Adult
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."

Genetics
"You're just like your father."

Wisdom
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand."

Justice
"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you"

New Army Combat Shirt

2007-05-10T20:28:00.000-07:00

Army Combat Shirt 2

Photo by U.S. Army
May 04, 2007

The new improved Army combat shirt for men will be issued to Soldiers deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Source and credits:

http://www.army.mil/-news/2007/05/04/2995-peo-soldier-to-unveil-new-army-combat-shirt/

Share your thoughts about this new shirt - Leave a comment.

Manatees

2007-05-10T06:56:00.000-07:00

I have been enjoying some time with my family in Florida . Yesterday we went to a Blue Springs State Park in Orange City Fl. about two miles away from my parents house. I lived in this town for about five years while in Junior High and High School. Many times during those years, I swam at this state park, but never did I see a manatee this close until yesterday.

Blue Springs is a fresh water spring that puts out hundreds of thousands of gallons of water per hour creating a large "boil" and a large creek leading from it. The water is a constant 72 degrees year round which can be quite invigorating to swim in. However, in the Winter, the water is warmer than either the water in the river or the ocean, so the manatees come to it to stay warm. Yesterdays manatee was a little confused and was still hanging around the spring when it should have left a month ago.

What was amazing about this manatee was that it swam into the swimming area coming right into the middle of a group of people allowing them to touch it and swim along side. several minutes later, a park ranger came over and told everyone to get out of the water. The manatee then swam over to the dock where I stood with my children and wife, and lifted its head out of the water and looked right at us. What an amazing creature!

I am enjoying these final weeks before the Army takes physical ownership of me. I have just over three weeks left until I report to Ft. Jackson, SC. On this trip my family and I camped two nights with my family in Barnesville, Ga. beside a large pond, small lake at the home of one of my college roommates. We also traveled to Ft. Myers Fl. to visit with my wifes parents and aunt and uncle for five days. We are now at my parents home visiting with them until May 15th.

On May 16th we will travel to Ft. Jackson to attend a basic training graduation for a young man from our church who joined the Army shortly after I did but left for training only three weeks after joining. We are proud of him! Way to go JR!!!! After graduation, we will travel to Asheville NC. to meet with friends and to speak to a group at Biltmore Baptist Church. Finally, before returning home, we will spend a day at Dollywood in Gatlinburg, Tn. I believe when this trip is over I will need a vacation from this vacation. Maybe I'll go visit Ft. Jackson.

By the way, imagine this -- On this trip we have managed to get six kids ranging from six months to 12 years, my wife and I (making eight of us), suitcases, tent, fishing poles and box, sleeping bags and pillows, baby bed, etc., all into a Dodge Caravan. Imagine ten hours of intimate travel time together like this. Oh, did I mention the tv/vcr combination sitting on the arm rests in between my wife and I.

I love my family and praise God for this wonderful trip we are sharing together. Thanks for your love and prayers.

God & War

2007-05-08T10:42:00.000-07:00

Thank you to Amy at Gentle Whisper for the heads up about this weeks News Week. If you are interested in finding out more about the chaplaincy and about the difficulty of this calling, go to the following link:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18367801/site/newsweek/

New Uniform

2007-04-26T13:50:00.000-07:00

I am away for a few days but my new uniform has arrived by UPS, and as you can see, my kids beat me to it. Pictured are Jimmy and Daniel with field caps on, Sarah Beth with the beret on, and Joshua and John Mark each with one of my new boots. We need to work on the salute, but other than that, they look great!

Time Marches On

2007-04-23T17:04:00.000-07:00

The clock is ticking and the hours are marching by. I now have less than five weeks until I report to Chaplain Basic Officer Leadership Course (CHBOLC). During the last week and a half, I have taken my oath of office, preached my final sermon (at New Life Church), had a great send-off from friends and church members, and gotten ID cards for my entire family. What a week!!!

This past Sunday, my church presented me with a card and a check to buy my first uniforms with. So today, I was able to purchase a couple of complete ACU uniforms with boots and insignias. I was also able to purchase one set of physical training (PT) gear. I will miss this church family dearly. They have been so good to my family and I. Pictured below is a cake they made for me as well.

On Saturday, I will take my family on a three week vacation through Georgia, Florida, South Carolina (for a Basic Training graduation for our friend JR), and finally into North Carolina before returning home on the 22nd. During the trip, I will be speaking at a couple of churches, visiting my father who is still struggling with cancer, and spend some quality time with my wife and "kidlets" before heading out to Ft. Jackson for twelve weeks.

I appreciate your comments and and your prayers. Feel free to stay in touch. I enjoy hearing from each of you.

A Bit of History

2007-04-17T13:48:00.000-07:00

My wife and I recently spent the night in Chattanooga Tn. As we checked into our room, we noticed an old arch across the road with the words "Silverdale Confederate Cemetery" written across it. We were intrigued, so we drove over to have a look. We found hidden deep in the woods a fenced in yard with nothing but grass, a few trees, and this marker.

There was one marker with identification as to who the soldier was who was buried there. Every other grave was unmarked.

My wife and I talked for some time about the men that were buried in that yard. 155 men whose names have sense been forgotten in the pages of time. 155 men who died fighting for a belief they held deeply. 155 men who died as heroes to their families but now lay forgotten to all except a few civil war historians.

As of today, 3348 US men and women have given their lives in Iraq and 380 in Afghanistan. They died fighting for something they believed in, the basic right of every human being to have free access to life, liberty, and freedom. I pray that we will never forget them.

So far in the month of April, 61 troops have lost their lives. To see a list of these men and women, click HERE.

Jamaica 2007 Mission Trip Video - Google Video

2007-04-12T05:17:00.000-07:00

Jamaica 2007 Mission Trip Video - Google Video

On The Lighter Side - My Princess

2007-04-11T11:17:00.000-07:00

Every fathers dream!!!

Army Update Update

2007-04-11T10:39:00.000-07:00

I am learning about the importance of being flexible in the Army. Today I called the Brigade Chaplain to reconfirm my assignment and to check on deployment dates. After a long pause and a few words of preparation, I was asked if I like to fly, and was then informed that I was no longer being assigned to the 2-20th of the Fires Brigade, but instead being assigned to the 3rd battalion, 4th Aviation Unit of the Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th ID. The number one reason for this change has to do with the fact the the 2-20th Field Artillery is being deployed before I even graduate and so the Army wisely decided to move me to a unit that I would have the opportunity to get to know first before being deployed.

What this means for me, is that I will no longer be deploying in September, but instead will be moving my family to Texas to take up residence. This is good news in so many ways, but a let down as well as we had already begun to prepare for a long separation and had planned to keep the family in Tennessee. I have been told however that my new unit will be redeployed by Summer 2008.

Be in prayer for our family as we now readjust to this new direction and begin to make plans for the move to Texas. Pray also that we will be even more prepared to be flexible to the needs of the Army.

Army Update

2007-04-10T11:51:00.000-07:00

Last week while I was in Jamaica, I received my official orders for the Army. Tomorrow night I will take my oath of office at which point I will officially be a 1st Lieutenant with the Army. I am officially over the initial excitement about being accepted and I am now beginning to really contemplate the reality of what the next year and a half holds for my family and I. However, I am looking forward to getting started. To all my fellow chaplains who are beginning this adventure with me, I am praying for you all and I am looking forward to June 3rd when we meet for the first time.

I received word this week that our local Tn. National Guard unit is being deployed in September. My brother in law is one of those soldiers, so we will likely find ourselves together in Iraq. Please remember he and his family as they deal with this sudden news. This will be his second trip to Iraq.

Jamaica 2007 Trip

2007-04-10T10:58:00.000-07:00

Jamaica is the home of Bob Marley, Regee music, and the Jamaica bob sled team. It is also the home of nearly two million incredible people I have grown to love so much. I have been traveling to Jamaica since Feb. 1995 and have served in the mountains above Lucea, in Frankfield, and in Kingston at Gardner's View Baptist Church and at Hanover Street Baptist Church. To all of you in Jamaica, I love you, and I thank you for many years of friendship and brotherhood.
Last week, I lead a team of mainly young people from First Redeemer Baptist Church in Alpharetta, Georgia. We had eleven young adults and five adults. The team had opportunities to speak in public schools, lead Vacation Bible Schools, teach guitar, drums, and keyboard, to give away water, and to play sports against Jamaicans who smoked us. To all of you form the team, you rock!!!!

Here are a few pictures from the trip -

To see more more picture, click here: Jamaica 2007 Pictures

A Look To The Future

2007-03-25T17:09:00.000-07:00

As my family and I look to the future, we are faced with many questions. One of those questions concerns the selling of our home. There are several factors we have been considering in making this decision. One of those possible factors we have examined carefully concerns the time line for possible deployment. One thing I do not want to do is move my family to Texas and then immediately leave them for a year or longer. Recently I was told that the likelihood of being deployed immediately after graduation from Chaplain school is extremely high. So, with that in mind we have decided to keep our home in Tennessee at least until after Chaplain school and probably for much longer. Please pray for my family as we look at the possibility of facing at least fifteen months separated. We are however excited about all that God is doing in our lives and we are overwhelmed by His goodness.

4th Infantry Division

2007-03-21T06:09:00.000-07:00

I was browsing the 4th ID chaplain's page last night and found this video made to honor its Purple Heart recipients. I Hope you enjoy it.

4th Infantry Division Video

Turkey Anyone?

2007-03-16T21:34:00.000-07:00

With all the anticipation of being all "I" can be in the Army hanging so heavy on my family, it is easy for us to miss out on some of the more important things in life. One of those more important events took place this week when my second son turned ten years old. While I have been dreaming about joining the Army, he has been dreaming about hunting wild animals! My family and I live on twenty wooded acres in beautiful East Tennessee. On our land, and in the many fields surrounding our home, can be found all sorts of wildlife including deer, turkey, bobcats, pheasants, and many other animals. Daniel for years has wanted me to teach him to hunt. The only problem is that while I am decent with a rifle, I have never taken the time to learn to hunt. So for his birthday, my wife bought him a beginners turkey hunting set including a mask, gloves, a decoy turkey, and a male and female turkey call. You would think we had given him a million dollars. He now spends at least an hour in the woods every day calling turkeys, and this morning one actually came out of the woods looking for him. There is no stopping him now. I suppose that when I return home from Florida, I will have to dress in my new ACU uniform and hit the woods with him and see if we can bag a turkey.

4th Infantry Division, Fires Brigade, 2-20th Field Artillery

2007-03-13T11:35:00.000-07:00

Here is the answer to a question that I and many others have been asking. What unit will I be attached to? After talking to the Deputy Instillation Chaplain at Ft. Hood today, I was told that I would be attached to the 4th Infantry Division, Fires Brigade, 2-20th Field Artillery. http://pao.hood.army.mil/4id/

Update from Florida

2007-03-13T04:06:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday

John Mark - 3

March 10th

Daniel -10

March 13th

Two more birthdays have come in my family. It is amazing to see how fast they grow up. I am so blessed. I am looking forward to returning home and being with my family once again. God has been so good to us as we follow after Him. Here are a few things that you can keep in prayer for us:

My father as he undergoes daily treatments for his cancer
My wife and children as they adjust to the many changes going on in our lives
Our church as they look for a new pastor to lead them
My physical condition as I train and prepare for the army (I will turn 39 this month)

Thanks to all of you who keep in touch. It means so much.

Proposed cutbacks for the Army

The Power Of Technology

2007-03-09T18:09:00.000-08:00

I am feeling a little home sick today after having been away from home for two weeks. As I began to dwell on the fact that come June, I will be away from my family for three months, and after Chaplain Basic Officer Leadership School, I will more than likely face at least a year away from those I love the most. But as I thought about that, I was reminded that Technology has so radically altered what it means to be separated. It wasn't too many years ago that to be separated meant to have almost no communication except by mail. But now, to be separated is really only a physical absence because the advent of the Internet and cell phones has made the globe a smaller place. Over the last two weeks, my wife and I have talked at least twice a day, and have shared pictures with each other from our days activity.

Here are five of my children in the van at the grocery store yesterday. The sixth child is taking the picture with the cell phone.

My wife sent me this picture this morning so that we could share breakfast together.

I guess it isn't so bad after all! But I sure can't wait to get back home and squeeze my babies again.

Destination: Ft. Hood Texas

2007-03-08T20:22:00.000-08:00

Ft. Hood Texas is the home of the Army's 4th Infantry Division, the 3rd Corps, and in six months, the home of the Olson family. I received a call today from a chaplain in Washington DC informing me that God had great plans for me in Texas.

I never would have guessed five years ago that at the age of 39, I would uproot my whole family and run off to a distant country (Texas) to begin an exciting new adventure in my life. But one desire I have is to be where God is; to join Him in what He is doing; to bring glory to Him through the very obedience of my life. God is so good!!!
So, here is my schedule for the next six months:

Now through March 24th - In Florida working with my father
March 24th - 28th - Dayton, Tn. with my family
March 29th - April 5th - Jamaica Mission Trip
April 6th - April 30th - Back in Dayton with my family
May 1st - 14 - Back to Florida to work with my father
May 14th - 17 - Dayton
May 18th - Ft. Jackson South Carolina to see JR (a young man from my church) graduate from boot camp
May 19th - June 2 - Vacation with my family
June 3rd - August - Ft Jackson for Chaplain Officer Basic Leadership Course (CHOBLC)
September - Report to Fort Hood Tx. for the beginning of my first tour

There it is. I hope you will join me in prayer as God prepares my family and I for all He has in store for us. Here is how you can pray:

First, pray for the soldiers I will be ministering two at Ft. Hood. Pray that even now God would begin to prepare the hearts of the soldiers there so that we might see a great three years of fruitful ministry.
Second, pray for those who will have command over me, that God will help me to minister to them as well and to find favor with them as not only a Battalion Chaplain but as a personal chaplain.
Third, pray for my wife and kids as they spend a lot of time separated from me over the next six months.
Finally, continue to pray for my father as he battles the cancer within his body. As a matter of praise, we have seen the largest tumor, the one in his left lung diminish by as much as 50 percent. Pray that God would give him grace as he faces some of the toughest days of his life.

I want to thank all of you for all the care and concern you have shown to my family in recent weeks. It has meant more than you will ever know.

Greetings from Florida

2007-03-02T07:34:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Joshua!!!!

Today is my son's fifth birthday and unfortunately I can't be there. For those of you who know Josh, he is a bundle of joy, excitement, energy, Inquisitiveness , and passion all wrapped up in one little body. I miss him today along with all the rest of the family.

Over the course of the month, my family will celebrate three other birthdays. John Mark will turn three on March 10th, Daniel will turn ten on March 13th, and My birthday in on the 23rd. We love March. It is one long party.

I arrived in Florida yesterday after two days in Jamaica and another in Atlanta with a friend who was my roommate during my freshman year of college. It has been good to see my parents and my grandmother. God has been good to all of them. As most of you know, I am here to assist my dad who is dealing with cancer. This picture of him was taken last night. I appreciate your prayers as God continues to work in his life. I would tell you some funny stories about him here but I know he will read this and then I will be in real trouble. As I sit here writing this, he is at the hospital receiving his fourth Chemo treatment. Earlier this morning he went for his radiation treatment which he receives five times a week. He is beginning to become discouraged become discouraged because of all the discomfort he is experiencing. Please pray that Jehovah Ralpha (God the healer) would fill him with grace and peace as he faces the greatest challenges of his life. God is so good.

Home From Jamaica

2007-02-27T19:16:00.000-08:00

I returned from Jamaica this afternoon after spending two days doing pre-trip planning for a mission trip I am leading March 29th through April 5th. It is always good to visit with Christian brothers and sisters in other places. I have been working with a church there called Gardner's View Baptist Church for about five years now and have been blessed as I have watched the church grow and flourish in its environment.

This year we are planning on visiting two orphanages and two schools to share the Gospel through testimony and song. We will also lead a couple of Back Yard Bible Clubs, and help out in a street crusade. It should be a wonderful trip and result in many changed lives including the lives of those who will be going on this trip.

One of the things we try to do is help provide items the church can use in its ministry. Maybe you could help in this area. They are especially in need of craft items that can be used for working with the children. Some ideas are as follows:

Pencils
Crayons
Markers
Yarns
Glue
Felt
Construction Paper
Small Pom Poms
Beads
Colored sand
Glitter
Etc.

We will be carrying these things to Jamaica in our suitcases so we will not incur any extra costs. If you can help with any of this, please let me know.

If you would like to see some of the pictures from our trip this week end, click on the link below.

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8CcNnLJwxcsWA

February 24, 2007

2007-02-24T19:28:00.000-08:00

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future - Jer 29:11-12

God is so good!! This is a phrase we are often quick to use, but the longer I walk with Him, the more I understand its meaning. God has been working so faithfully in my life and the lives of my family. Over the last month or so, we have struggled together, cried together, and laughed together, a lot.

As many of you know, our lives are in transition, which is an understatement. I recently resigned as pastor of New Life Church, the church my wife and I started over five years ago. I received final word from the Army yesterday that I am going to be accepted as a chaplain and I will report for duty on June 3rd at Fort Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina. Suddenly, life is in fast forward mode.

I am currently in Atlanta preparing to fly to Jamaica tomorrow morning in order to make preparations for a trip I am leading March 29th through April 5th. I will return on Tuesday to Atlanta and then travel to DeLand, Florida to spend about four weeks with my father who is struggling with cancer. On March 24th, I will return to Tennessee to celebrate New Life Church’s fifth anniversary before returning to Jamaica on the 29th.

Please keep in prayer my wife and children as I will be spending a lot of time away from them over the next six months. As you may already know, she is the greatest and most beautiful woman in the world, but this time of separation will be hard on her and the kids.

Thank you for your prayers also for my father. His name is Frank. His cancer is in his left lung, kidney, liver, prostate, and in his arm. He is starting his fourth week of Chemo and Radiation. Pray that he will be strengthened and encouraged throughout this process. His outlook is great as he trusts the Lord in life and in death. One real positive note is that he has been able to have a real ministry to other cancer patients he is meeting in doctors offices. Pray that he will be able to bring hope to many of these who don’t know Christ as Lord and Savior.

One last note and prayer request. Many of you know J.R. Wade that has lived with my family for the last year and a half. He became a Christian about two years ago and has blossomed in our church becoming the lead guitarist for our praise band. He decided to join the Army the other day as well and will be leaving on March 8th. Pray for his Christian witness in the midst of the storms he will face.

Pray also for our church as we face crucial days ahead as we search for a new pastor and new musicians who will help in the ministry. God is so Good, even when we can’t see around the corner to know what is next in this life.

Is God Sovereign?

2007-02-03T09:09:00.000-08:00

I have been preaching though the book of Acts at New Life Church where I currently pastor. As I have come into chapter 4, I have once again run face to face into the sovereignty of God. Basically, sovereignty is the belief that God is in control. Sovereignty is one of those theological ideas that each and every follower of Christ embraces academically, but sometimes struggles with when faced with practical opportunities to demonstrate their belief in it.

Peter and John in Acts chapter 4 are faced with a very real opportunity to demonstrate their faith in God’s sovereignty. They had just experienced God’s healing power as He worked through them to bring healing to a man who had been lame from birth. All the people were amazed at what had happened. Peter began to preach to the crowds about the power of the name of Christ and 5000 believed and were saved. But then, the religious leaders had Peter and John arrested and commanded them to never speak of the name of Christ again, or else.

What would you do? You and I will probably never be faced with a situation similar to this. But we do find ourselves faced with many opportunities to question God’s sovereignty. Is God really in control when hundreds of thousands die in a tsunami in the Indian Ocean? Is God really in control when thousands die in a hurricane or in a terrorist attack? Is God really in control when bad things strike even closer to home in the form of sickness, loss of job, death in the family, or when someone personally hurts you?

I recently found out that life was throwing some curve balls my way and I have had to really ask myself, “How much do I believe in God’s Sovereignty?” As I have prepared for my departure to serve as an Army Chaplain, I have begun to take steps to depart from the church I love so much. But I keep asking God who will take over. Do I really believe that this church belongs to Him? I was planning on leaving after Easter, but recently I found out that my father has cancer in his lungs, kidneys, liver, and his prostate. So now I will be leaving New Life Church after this Sunday to spend as much time with him as possible before I enter the Army in June.

I believe in the Sovereignty of God! But I am sure that I am about to discover what trust really means and what the sovereignty of God is really all about. Peter and John would suffer much in their lives as they followed hard after Christ. But notice how they responded when faced with adversity:

4:23-28 They recognized the Sovereignty of God in the face of Adversity
4:29 They prayed for Boldness in the face of Adversity
4:30 They prayed for God’s Power to be seen in the face of Adversity
4:31 They experienced the results of their faithfulness in the face of Adversity

As you face difficult times in your lives, find hope in the fact that God is in control. There is nothing that He is unaware of and that He cannot use for His glory and for your good.

Pastor Mark

Heading to the Army

2007-01-05T09:34:00.000-08:00

My name is Mark Olson and I am embarking on one of the greatest adventures of my life. At the age of 38, I have six children and a beautiful wife of fifteen years. In June of this year I will enter the U.S. Army to serve as a chaplain to our troops where ever they may be.

I currently serve as the pastor of New Life Community Baptist Church in Evensville Tn. My wife and I had the privilege of starting this church from scratch over five years ago. We have seen many great and wonderful days with this church and we will be saddened when the time comes to say our goodbyes to it.

So many people have asked "why?". Why leave the area we have called home for over twenty years, and why leave such a wonderful church, and I do mean wonderful, and why put my family through such a dramatic change as this? The only answer I can give is this, when God calls, I must answer. The questions that are being asked of me now were being asked of me six years ago when my wife and I struggled to see a new church start in Evensville. But because my wife and I stepped out of the safety of the boat then, we have experienced one of the greatest rides of our lives. I will never regret having made such a choice.

The future is exciting as we step out once again and follow the Lord. We know that the future will be extremely difficult for our family at times as we face long periods of separation, but where the Lord goes, so go we. My hope and dream is this, that in the years to come I will be "bringing soldiers to Jesus and bringing Jesus to the soldiers." I can think of no greater calling than this.

Please keep my family in prayer as we look forward to this new direction in our lives. If you are reading this it is because you either have a personal interest in my family, or you have a personal interest in chaplains or the chaplaincy. If you have any advice or comments, I would love to hear from you.

In the service of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Mark Olson