First time I ever saw Guideposts magazine was in my dad’s chapel in occupied Japan.
He was an Army chaplain and was always looking out for inspirational material for our soldiers. I followed in the family footsteps and became an Army chaplain myself, just in time to be deployed to Vietnam. You can bet I made sure there was helpful, inspiring literature from Guideposts for my men.
My career ultimately took me to the Pentagon where I became Chief of Army Chaplains. Some years back I met Ruth Peale at a dinner. “What can Guideposts do for the military?” she asked me.
I didn’t hesitate. “The best thing you can do is to give all your stuff to chaplains for free. Whatever they want when they want it.”
It seemed a pretty bold request. After all, I had no idea how much it would cost to produce extra copies of the magazine, inspirational booklets, Daily Guideposts, and send them to our servicemen and women. But I knew from firsthand experience Guideposts publications spoke to our soldiers, no matter their background. Plus, I’d gone right to the top of the chain of command herself—Ruth Peale!
For over 50 years now Guideposts has been supplying chaplains throughout the service, in hospitals, on bases, in combat overseas, with the inspiration they need.
I won’t kid you. Guideposts is a not-for-profit. The only reason they’re able to supply the military with literature is through donations from generous readers like you.
So now that I’m retired from the Army, I’ve found that one organization I keep coming back to is Guideposts, helping with their outreach to the military.
For instance, I suggested they do a special version of Daily Guideposts with a camo cover, making it easier for soldiers to carry. It’s a way of keeping my hand in chaplaincy, and it’s a way that all of us can support our men and women in the service.
On May 24, 2012, Guideposts Outreach presents Military Day of Prayer, a day dedicated to praying for our country’s brave servicemen, women and their loved ones.
