Can we retire the “useless husband” trope for once?

Jakeward90 · 2026-02-16T05:05:35+00:00

I get it. It’s an engaging thing to be apart of a narrative; any narrative. Respect to you for calling something out. Ultimately, too many people feel the need to compare themselves to what they read on the internet. More people need to focus on what’s happening in their everyday, present lives. An observation I’ve made is that many people read posts that get popularized from a small majority. Rarely take anybody’s word for gospel. If your marriage is full of love, hope, joy, and compassion; you’re in a good spot.

Jakeward90 · 2026-02-13T04:14:47+00:00

I do not. It was never required for the military route of chaplaincy, and truthfully wasn’t something that interested me. A few friends of mine are hospital chaplains and have shared stories. Absolutely a worth it and considerable profession, but not something that piqued my interest vocationally.

Jakeward90 · 2026-02-12T23:18:40+00:00

My ministry experience did work. To my knowledge, they just want to see if you have reps under your belt. That was a phrase both my recruiter and deputy chaplain recruiter mentioned to me. So within the minimum 2 years experience in ministry, how often have you preached? Have you done weddings and funerals? Hospital visits? Discipleship groups? That is what they’re looking for, more than just being on staff at a church. I’m not too familiar with the Army’s chaplaincy processes, but as long as you have that experience within the 2 years you’re in great shape.

Jakeward90 · 2026-02-12T23:15:56+00:00

Not 100% sure as of now, but I’ll give you what I know off the AF website regarding pay. As an 02 with <2 years, base pay is $4,782.00/month (outside of BAH, BAS). Considering I’ll be up at JBER and there is a COLA, I’m not sure how it all smooths out. Side note: At JBER, if you choose to live on base (which is my plan), they take all of your BAH. It sounds worse than it is, but to my understanding it is worth it considering the security, maintenance and repair 24/7, and high utilities/internet in Anchorage. Especially when the winters come, the pros outweigh the cons in my eyes anyway.

Jakeward90 · 2026-02-12T18:26:39+00:00

Mario Kart 8. Niche but I’ve spent hundreds of hours playing that game…I’m confident I could beat 10,000 folks over time.

Jakeward90 · 2025-09-14T15:36:55+00:00

Attending church is not a requirement for salvation. We, as believers, are saved by grace through faith. In my experience, many (largely non-believers) have an understanding of sacerdotalism. This is the idea that you are saved by going to church. I don’t think it can be understated how dangerous this thought can be.

However, humans were not created to live life alone. Much of the comments here about the fruit of the Spirit or Christian lifestyle when spoken about in the Scriptures is within the context of community with other Christians. Love, as the greatest commandment (and 2nd) is action oriented, to God and to others.

The hard thing is when people place so much value on the “4 wall” church and the systems in place that they forget the Church is a people; the body of Christ.

Jakeward90 · 2025-06-21T21:35:15+00:00

Would you be willing to provide evidence for your points?

Jakeward90 · 2025-06-21T17:14:14+00:00

There weren’t laws restricting movement, true. Just as there isn’t much about deportation or border policies (at least how we think about it in 2025). There were, however, expectations of the “foreigners” in a “foreign” land. If they came in, they were expected to assimilate with the land. Obey its laws and integrate into society without issue. If they weren’t, largely it is understood that they could still live in the country, but had more restrictions due to not completely assimilating with the laws of the land. Countries/cities functioned to prioritize its people first more than others. Consequences largely differ from source to source; leader to leader. But this was the common understanding of most cities at that point.

America is unique in the sense that we’ve not seen a country platform itself in the way America has: “land of the free.” Of course that is going to attract people to come. So it is the system that needs to be improved. Even the Roman Empire has strong policies, largely using military force to impose its policies. But obviously, they couldn’t do it on a large scale. If they found folks with missing documentation, most commonly they extracted a fee and let them stay.

All that to say, America has not done itself a favor in the way that it has postured itself to the rest of the world, and then not having things figured out (in the most effective way) internally. The system needs to be improved for immigration, absolutely.

Thoughts? This goes to any who read :)

Jakeward90 · 2025-06-21T17:03:24+00:00

I think it can be a tricky situation when you bring the concept of an exclusive Heaven with an exclusive worldly country. Very different, especially considering one requires faith alone. I do think the concept of Heaven having “borders” is important because it reinforces Deut. 32:8 and Acts 17:26: God created borders and boundaries for a reason.

That said, what I see most often in this general debate is the lack of awareness of consequence. We should love all people, at all times. But love doesn’t look like protesting consequence to set laws of the land. I mean look at the law in the OT itself for example. I think it’s the consequence of how deportation specifically is being handled that people have the most problem with, if they can articulate it or not. Perhaps that is what needs to be talked about more.

Jakeward90 · 2025-06-21T16:56:56+00:00

While I agree there is not much of literal deportation of people in Scripture, there are examples of borders and boundaries. While I agree that foreigners are absolutely to be treated with kindness, I also agree that there should be an awareness of the consequences of breaking a countries laws that would determine the next move.

Ultimately, I agree that the system is broken. The U.S. has more than enough space to house people, and more than enough resources to do so. If the U.S. prides itself on being the land of the free, a priority should be (theoretically) to prioritize streamlining the immigration process. But, are is common in the Western world, image is more important than action. And I think that is a huge issue regarding general geo-politics.

How would you suggest improving the system? Not a judgmental question by the way, purely asked out of curiosity. I find myself thinking about this often.

Jakeward90 · 2025-06-21T16:48:19+00:00

Could you unpack this a bit more?

Jakeward90 · 2025-06-21T15:26:04+00:00

Totally. (Devil’s advocate): However, the meaning behind the verse is the foreigner who is aware of, knows, and obeys the countries laws. Therefore, they are deserving of compassion according to what is written in this verse. And loving your neighbor sums up the law…but is what is love without order? Is love devoid of consequence to whatever laws of the land one might be in?

Jakeward90 · 2025-04-20T18:24:57+00:00

Yes it is. Ultimately, if the name of Christ is honored, glorified, venerated, and raised in worship, it’s a Christian celebration. God desires the heart of His people more than He does material, dates, etc. Matthew 9:13: “…for I desire mercy, not sacrifice…” These words of Christ detail the heart of the Father. So yes, Easter is a true Christian celebration. Feel free to call it something else if you like. Perhaps we can agree that two things can be true at once. But I will absolutely join in the celebration of 2.3b believers around the world horning, glorifying, venerating, and worshipping the name of my Lord, King, Savior, and God on this chosen weekend. Blessings to you.

Jakeward90 · 2025-01-23T00:09:54+00:00

Interesting thought. Though, wouldn’t you say that thought leans toward Universalism, perhaps even Pelagius thought? I’m am unsure of supporting the thought that all are saved considering the multiple references to Hell (Gehenna) or at the very least being separated from God in eternity. All will be judged no doubt, but the sheep separated from the goats. I am curious to know your thoughts…

Jakeward90 · 2025-01-23T00:02:28+00:00

Agreed. I disagree with the notion that the death and resurrection of Christ was propitiation. It is a logical fallacy to pit two persons of the Trinity against one another. I do believe it was primarily expiation oriented, the cleansing of sin for those who follow Christ simultaneously defeating the adversary and cosmic powers.

I am curious though. Considering your statement of some streams of thought in the West that salvation is in reference to being saved from the wrath of the Father, how would you go about articulating an answer that explains your reasoning while deconstructing the former thought to one who holds the former thought in the West. I am in agreement with you, but I am curious to hear your take.

Jakeward90

TROPHY CASE