Life is about walking every day circumspectly. The most important thing in life is having purpose and meaning for living because eternity does matter. Values, eternal values, are what gives us a reason to live and transcends our ability to develop relationships and cherish the time with friends and family. In war, historians focus on the destruction, tactics, and the atrocities inflicted on mankind and its impact on humanity; however, there is also a spiritual dimension of war that alters military members and their families for generations. Jesus Christ came to heal the brokenhearted, and many unsung heroes throughout history have served in ways that have never been documented in our history books without ever receiving the Medal of Honor or the accolades of the combat troops. Those are people that serve in the medical or chaplaincy who are there in the midst of suffering, crisis intervention, and grief. Many of the wounded warriors' injuries focused on physical evidence, but it is the unseen mental and emotional scars that can be the most devastating. Chaplains and chaplain assistants work as a team to care for the wounded and injured, helping them to overcome the hurt and pain and encourage them to go deeper in their respective faith. Our nation's military need to be encouraged and given guidance on the value of spiritual resiliency and afforded the opportunities and rights of the First Amendment in the free exercise of religion. What do you say to a grieving spouse or parent over the loss of a sacred fallen military member? What words do you choose to comfort a young marine who just lost both of his legs in the hospital? People in need of crisis intervention require guidance and care and in some instances the right referral to address their issues. Empathic listening, equanimity, ministry of presence, stabilizing influence in the midst of the storm with a servant-hearted attitude and grace-oriented style is the formula for any successful ministry team. The most valuable asset in my experience is our faith and knowledge of God's word that is able to give hope and comfort to those in need. As a spiritual caregiver, we need the eternal assurance provided in the scriptures to bring light and life in the darkest circumstances. Questions like why did God allow this? Is there life after death? And Pontus Pilates's question to Jesus, "What is truth?" The brevity of life, life is precious, and understanding eternity defines existence. That is why eternity matters. National Veterans crisis line: 800 273-8255.

REVISED EDITION ABSTRACT (Special Features Listed Below): Considering the call to ministry can be a difficult process. When one senses a call to ministry outside the traditional church setting, such as the military Chaplaincy, there can be a greater deal of difficulty in discerning the call. The author writes from a Christian perspective and holds the premise that the vocation of military Chaplaincy is a high and honorable calling from God. This book examines the call to serve as a military Chaplain in the United States Armed Forces among a group of fifteen seminary students. The majority of the participants were students at Columbia International University. Several others attended Liberty University Baptist Theological Seminary. To assist these students in discerning a call to military Chaplaincy, a three-session small group workshop was developed and held during the semester. The goal of the students was to discern and demonstrate a clear call to military Chaplaincy as they participated in the workshop. The goal of the workshop facilitator, who also helps recruit military Chaplains, was to list and interpret the common factors and vocational motivations of the seminary students called to serve as military chaplains. This book also explores the call to military Chaplaincy as an act of ministry that involves an initial call from God, the confirmation of the Church, and the obedience of the person who says, "Here am I, send me" (Isaiah 6:8b). The author views Christian Chaplains in the military as an extension of Christ's ministry to all people and examines several Biblical texts that relate to the various aspects of the military chaplaincy and provide a Biblical basis for ministry. The outcomes of this research project will benefit military Chaplain recruiters, vocational counselors, denominational endorsers of military Chaplains, and any person who is considering the military Chaplaincy as a vocation. REVISED EDITION SPECIAL FEATURES: Over 55 new pages in a new appendix which includes over 300 unique Chaplaincy websites and resources in the following major functional areas of professional Chaplaincy: - Military Chaplaincy- Healthcare Chaplaincy- Correctional Chaplaincy- Corporate Chaplaincy- Public Safety Chaplaincy- Sports and Recreational Chaplaincy- Disaster Relief Chaplaincy- Educational Chaplaincy- Community Chaplaincy- Transportation, Travel, and Tourism Chaplaincy DETAILED CHAPLAINCY RESOURCE SECTION: The new appendix also includes dedicated sections that provide Chaplaincy websites and resources which address the following areas: - Clinical Pastoral Education Programs- Choosing a Degree Program in Chaplaincy- Sources of Information for Student Financial Aid- Faith Group & Denominational Ecclesiastical Endorsers for Chaplaincy- Continuing Education for Chaplains- Professional Development for Chaplains- North American Professional Chaplaincy, Counseling, Pastoral Care Organizations- International Chaplaincy, Counseling, and Pastoral Care Organizations- Chaplain Ministry with Military Personnel and War Veterans- Free Resources for Military Chaplains