Donkey talk?

Hi, My name is Merle , and I am the Three Rivers Council Chaplain. This is going to be the Chaplain's corner of the site, where I hope to share thoughts about Cadets and other things. The first thing you well might ask is, what is with calling this area Donkey talk? The title goes back to the story found in Numbers 22. The people of Israel are on their way to the promised land, and as they travel the size and power of their group causes fear to rise up in the countries they travel past. Balak, king of the country of Moab, tries to convince Balaam the prophet to come and curse the Israelites. Please go to Numbers 22 and read the story for yourself but here is where the title of my page comes from. During his travels, God puts an armed angel in the path to block Balaam's travel but only Balaam's donkey can see it. Three times the donkey takes steps to save Balaam's life but Balaam just thinks the donkey is being disobedient and beats it. The third time God opens the donkey's mouth so that the donkey can explain to Balaam what is going on.

There is a lot more to the story but this is what strikes me. This was a donkey, a simple animal, and yet God used him to speak God's message. I have sometimes been asked why I think I can serve as a chaplain? I am not a preacher, not a teacher, indeed I work in a factory - how could I possibly have anything worth listening to? But this story is why I dare serve. If God could use this simple donkey to speak His word, He can use me too. Indeed if I have anything worthwhile to say, it is only because God has decided to use me that what I say is worthwhile. So come with me on this journey as we move forward together to explore what God has to say to us as Cadets, counselors, parents, and anyone else who reads along. Let's see what wonders God has planned.

In Christ's service,

Merle