Rick Trice: Blog (Let's Talk!)

CHAPLAIN’S CONFESSION
By Rick Trice
 “We must try to become mature and start thinking about more than just the basic things we were taught about Christ.  We shouldn’t need to keep talking about why we ought to turn from deeds that bring death and why we ought to have faith in God…Let’s grow up, if God is willing!” Hebrews 6:1,3 (CEV)
 In my daily job in the world, I am often required to correct and discipline others whom I supervise.  The Bible is clear on it’s instructions to such overseers, to treat those people with respect, but to speak the truth in love; sometimes easier said than done.  An attentive supervisor will give attainable goals, matched to the person’s skills, then step back and give them room to perform, occasionally offering constructive feedback and guidance. A receptive employee will recognize both their strengths and weaknesses, and use those strengths to improve the weaknesses.  But if you [...]

CHAPLAIN’S CONFESSIONS By Rick Trice
 I am sitting in the San Antonio airport, waiting for our flight to Dallas.  Linda and I have enjoyed a relaxing few days exploring the Riverwalk, The Alamo, and other bits of history, as well as enjoying a few great places to eat.  But as I sit waiting for our boarding call, I look around and notice the majority of folks are not engaged in conversations, but rather with their computers (like me), or iPhones, or texting, totally absorbed in their electronic “socializing.”   I am also reminded of how, more than once, we noticed most of the folks we “people-watched “ this week were shuffling along, not smiling, and often downright frowning.  Now, granted, San Antonio in late June can be quite hot, if not sweltering.   Some of these people were surly waiters or young families, shepherding a herd of cranky, over stimulated children (one more reason Linda and I are enjoying more and [...]

CHAPLAIN’S CONFESSIONS (reprinted from newsletter of Sangre de Cristo Riders chapter of CMA
Our daughter was recently awarded her Master’s Degree in business.  To help celebrate this, she and her husband asked Linda and I to go to Las Vegas for a weekend.  Now, we have been to Vegas a couple times before, and always enjoy the amazing lights, the fantastic architecture, the great food, and a show or two.  But each time I am also just as  amazed at the heights (or is it depths) that people will go to in chasing the ultimate “high.”  Literally rubbing elbows with all representatives of humanity, walking up and down the Strip, you see people not only with grins on their faces but a certain desperation in their eyes; people hoping to get lucky at the casino, or “lucky in love,” just allowing all their inhibitions to dissolve.  I’m struck by how hard they push themselves to “have a good time.”  Even on the [...]

CHAPLAIN’S CONFESSIONS – 3-23-10 (reprinted from April-2010 newsletter of Sangre de Cristo Riders Chapter of CMA.)
Recently, a large corporation hired several cannibals to increase their diversity.
"You are all part of our team now," said the Human Resources rep during the welcoming briefing. "You get all the usual benefits and you can go to the cafeteria for something to eat, but please don't eat any employees."  The cannibals promised they would not.
Four weeks later their boss remarked, "You're all working very hard and I'm satisfied with your work. We have noticed a marked increase in the whole company's performance. However, one of our secretaries has disappeared. Do any of you know what happened to her?"  The cannibals all shook their heads, "No."
After the boss had left, the leader of the cannibals said to the others, "Which one of you idiots ate the secretary?" A hand rose hesitantly. "You fool!" the leader continued. "For four weeks we've been eating managers [...]

(Note:  I am currently the "Chaplain" for our local chapter of the Christian Motorcyclists Association.  One of my "duties" is to write a column for our monthly newsletter, and I thought you might like to see these here...enjoy!)
 
Chaplain’s Confessions - March, 2010
By Rick Trice 
 
Greetings to you, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit! 
 
I recently acquired a “Kindle,” one of those new fangled electronic books, with which you can download the latest newspapers, magazines, or even best selling novels, almost instantaneously and carry up to 1500 books / reading material around in a little flat box roughly the size and shape of an average paperback.
 
 Of course, I “justified” the purchase by immediately downloading a couple translations of the Bible, plus a few devotionals and commentaries (after all, I am a “pastor,” and “chaplain,” right?  It’s a ministry [...]