About photo above: After getting out of the Coast Guard, I desperately wanted a career and after months of searching, I read a devotional one night that said: we are to be "Vessels of Light for Christ" , the very next day I received a phone call from the Captain aboard the "Vessel of Light" the Lightship Chesapeake. He offered me a seamen's position on-board the vessel and I promply accepted. My personal ministry now uses this image, as it was how the Lord started a work within me many years ago...
I worked as a Marine Engineer in the world most of my adult life. I started off in the CG, than became an Army Reserve; Marine Machinery Technician. I was called to minister the Gospel, but I could not understand just how to move in doing that; without a formal education by a seminary.
After Operation Enduring Freedom, I moved into a leadership position within my local church. But GOD had another plan for me... On 2/6/2005, I died shortly in water survival training on my 20 years in the military, just 2 days after my ordination. I had Jesus pressing next to me, shoulder to shoulder., and could see him dimly. Later I became an accredited Chaplain, and enlisted SFC (CA), to the State Militia Chief of Chaplains, all after my medical retirement from the U.S. Army.
Since then, I have given up on following "systematic theologies" (church systems); and focus on following the Lord within me.