The Chaplain's Word Published Jan. 27, 2009 By Capt. Jay Osterhout 174th Fighter Wing Chaplain's Office Hancock Field ANGB, Syracuse, NY -- Greetings to all Air National Guard members and their families. The Chaplain's Office staff wishes each of you and your families a great New Year, and we hope that your recent holidays were great as well. It is my sincere hope and prayer for everyone that as we continue in the year of 2009, we will also receive the Lord's blessings and remember the source of all our prosperity in America with grateful hearts. The recent holidays should cause each of us to continue exercising "an attitude of gratitude" year round. I am certainly thankful for the recent Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays we spent with our family at the end of 2008, and am looking forward to continuing in the ministry and calling that I have been entrusted with throughout this new year. As the Lord continues to be faithful to us, I recall a Bible scripture about faith found in Hebrews 11:1-3 which reads, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible." While there are those who would tell us, "Seeing is believing," we are actually blessed when we believe by faith, even though we have not seen. While at this point, we might not see God, we can see His mighty hand at work as He carries out His perfect will, in His own time. Always remember that God is not only the creator and the sustainer of all things, but also source of all our blessings. We want to encourage our base personnel to attend the Chapel worship services on drill weekends for a half hour when it fits into their work and training schedules. In our visits around the base, we, the Chapel Staff, enjoy the conversations and ministry as we visit the various work areas. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the Chaplain's office, ext. 2642. Also, our Chapel Services schedule is on the OPS Board, listing times and locations for quick reference. We hope you can join us soon and stop in and introduce yourself if you have recently transferred. May God continue to bless and keep each one of you. In His Service, Ch. J. Osterhout