Chaplain's Corner
Chaplain Dr. James L. Brown III
August 2026
CLAIMING DOMINION, I AM CALM AND CONFIDENT.
I am a powerful spiritual being endowed with dominion, the authority to take command of my thoughts, words, and actions. Even as I work to change my circumstances, I remember I am not constrained by what is happening around me. Claiming dominion, I choose my response to all situations. I live with poise and confidence.
I claim dominion over my thoughts and feelings. When I recognize limiting thoughts, I train myself to affirm my spiritual power and freedom. Divine wisdom guides me. I feel the strength of the indwelling CHRIST presence moment by moment, thought by thought, as I use my dominion to establish a positive, fulfilling direction for my life.
So, I take time to examine my expectations. I ask myself whether I anticipate positive outcomes even when there are appearances to the contrary. I ponder whether I believe God is the one presence and one power no matter what.
This kind of spiritual housecleaning is necessary to ensure that doubt and fear don't creep into my expectations. I commit to holding a higher view for myself, the people in my life, and the world.
When I recognize and affirm the divinity of myself and all people, it feels natural to hold expectations of positivity and goodness.
Genesis 1:26
Then God said, "Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion."
July 2026
As I express my divinity, I am unbound.
The truth of my existence is spiritual. Although I am fully human with a body, mind, thoughts and feelings, I am also fully divine.
When I claim this truth, nothing or no body can take my freedom from me. Nothing can bind me to any thought of limitation.
I remember I am made in the image and likeness of God. My experience of life is what I choose to make it.
What joy, what freedom, what peace I have as a child of God!
Today I set an intention to know spiritual freedom through my awareness of oneness with all that is. As I rejoice in this feeling, I discover I can be in the world, but not of it.
I am always free to choose my response and no man can stop me.
The world's affairs are but a reminder to pray, affirming that Spirit is in and through all things.
Today I set my intention to live in the present moment, I begin with a few quiet moments of mediation, stilling and centering myself. If distracting thoughts pop up - conversations, day-to-day activities, or any anxiety or doubtful thoughts, I welcome them and recenter myself.
Now relaxed, I view my life through a lens of nurturing thoughts and ideas. I am gentle with myself and others. I release judgement and loving accept who I am.
I let go of both my past injustice experiences as well as thoughts of what the future holds. I leave my meditation relaxed, invigorated, and ready to begin my day, committed to an awareness of each moment and my place in it.
John 8:32; AND YOU WILL KNOW THE TRUTH, AND THE TRUTH WILL MAKE YOU FREE.
June 2026
CREEDS
We find our study of social development three human creeds:
First, might make right.
Second, knowledge is power
Third, goodness is greatness.
Humanity has outgrown its first creed, is distrusting the second, and is apprehending the third. Under the first, monarchy was the form of government. Under the second, aristocracy. Under the third, democracy will appear. Under the first, the warrior was king, under the second the philosopher. Under the third, the servant will be master. In the light of eternity past I read tht a man's greatness was measured by his ability to make the world serve him, but in the light of eternity to come a man's greatness will be measured by his ability to serve his fellowmen. Under the monarchy, there were slaves. Under the aristocracy, there were wage earners. Under the democracy all will be fellow-workers. You may call this a Utopian dream, but it is the logic of events. It is the program of the inevitable. It is the march of the centuries. CAESAR and Plato must pass on, and CHRIST will be supreme.
May 2026
Self-Care
We honor God when we take care of ourselves.
There are so many ways we can use life to honor God. We can serve, give generously of our time and treasure, and reach out in compassion to those who are hurting. In fact, sometimes we focus so intently on what we have to give and the ways we can serve that we don't make ourselves enough of a priority.
But all the ways we can care for ourselves, with rest and nutrition, quiet moments with family and friends, and fun doing our favorite things, are not only good for our physical and emotional health, they nurture our spiritual health too.
The more we care for ourselves, the more beautifully and completely we realize our divine nature and the more fully we can be the hands and heart of God in the world. Renewed and refreshed, we shine the light of God wherever we go.
The man who would lift others must be uplifted himself, and he who would command others must learn to obey. (Charles K. Ober).
You can only make others better by being good yourself. (Hugh R. Hawies).
Do you not know that you are GOD's temple and that GOD's Spirit dwells in you? (Corinthians 3:16)
April 2026
When I ask myself what I long to do and achieve, I think of what matters most to me and is closest to my heart. Tangible things may come to mind, but those are fleeting and temporary. As I focus more on my enduring desires, I imagine having family, friends, health, peace, and all I need to live comfortably, not extravagantly.
Discerning my deepest desires warms my heart and gives me a feeling of possibility and positive expectation. With faith and gratitude, I acknowledge God as the source of my desires for love, health, and peace.
I feel the presence of God within guiding me as I direct my indwelling spiritual gift of strength, zeal, and imagination as I work to bring my desires to life.
There can be no real and abiding happiness without sacrifice. Our greatest joy does not result from our efforts toward self-gratification, but from a loving and spontaneous service to others' lives. Joy comes not to him who seeks it for himself, but to him who seeks it for other people.
Psalm 119:174: I long for your salvation, o Lord, and your law is my delight.
March 2026
"FORGIVING"
Today I take the words of the Bible to heart and comment to forgiving, even if I have to do it again and again.
I understand it's natural to feel resentful when someone does or says something that hurts me. I don't judge myself for feeling hurt, but I also understand that remaining stuck in those feelings only compound them.
I choose forgiving again and again, for as long as it takes my heart to heal. I travel the path of love, focusing my thoughts on God.
GOD's love within me is the soothing balm that makes my commitment to forgiveness possible. My body, my thoughts, and my soul are nourished. Forgiveness brings peace and comfort to my heart.
"How often should I forgive? As many as seven times? JESUS said to him. " NOT seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times"
Matthew 18:21-22
February 2026
The words "I believe" contain tremendous power because they show me where I am placing my faith.
If I catch myself believing disempowering thoughts, I don't despair. I use the moment to recommit to my faith in God as the one presence and power that is all good all the time.
Believing in the goodness of God means I have faith in prosperity, not lack.
It means I have faith in health, not illness. Faith in God means I believe all things are possible.
Faith gives me strength and power to live life fully and to let nothing stop me.
Believing with all my heart, I affirm: THE BEST AND HIGHEST OUTCOME ARE UNFOLDING IN MY THOUGHTS, MY INTENTIONS, AND MY ACTIONS. I CAN DO ALL THAT IS MINE TO DO, AND I WILL.
JESUS SAID TO HIM, "IF YOU ARE ABLE! - ALL THINGS CAN BE DONE FOR THE ONE WHO BELIEVES."
MARK 9:23
January 2026
Our strength is our support
Whenever we feel overwhelmed by that which we are called to face, we remember that the strength of God within us equips us to overcome adversity and thrive.
Divine strength can manifest in many ways. It can be the mental acuity giving us fortitude to overcome difficulties with diligence, patience, and persistence. Strength can be the emotional stamina keeping us cool and clear during turbulent times, helping us relax, and trust there is always an answer, a way that benefits and blesses all.
Our physical strength helps us accomplish our daily work and errands with ease. When we face a challenge that calls for extra might or stamina, we respect our limits, but we give it our all.
No matter the challenge, God is our strength and support in all ways.
God, the Lord, is my strength. Habakkuk 3:19
"MAY ALL HAVE A BLESS AND A SAFE YEAR OF 2026"