My Friends and fellow Fire Marshals,
    It is incumbent upon all of us to be all that God created us to be. You have chosen a magnificent occupation, hopefully with God's consent. Our job ultimately is to save lives and property. As you set out to do your daily task of "saving", please keep in mind that we are to distribute all of what we are called upon to do…fairly and without partiality. We see in many cases the worst of the worst and that is hard to handle at times and it is also difficult to treat all of those we respond to equally. It never seems to fail that just when we think we have seen that situation that cannot be surpassed as the "worst" call I have ever been on, then suddenly here we go to another that beats it and invariably it seems as if the poor are most often involved. At this point, it is so hard not to be judgmental and even harsh, wanting to ask them "Why did you let yourself get into this predicament?" The next thing you know you will be giving them less than your best while knowing that you had no problem giving the other citizens you ran to that day the very best you could muster. Why the difference?

    It is so simple to fall into this trap, so beware! As I read the scriptures, it is obvious that God has a special place in His heart for the poor among us. He warns us over and over not to treat them any differently than we treat the rich, famous and influential. As a matter of fact, God promises us that if we treat the poor among us with dignity, then He will reward us with "prosperity". Now here is the catch, we cannot treat them well just so we may inherit the blessings that God promised. We should treat them well because they, like us and everyone else, are God's children and made in His image. God said that He so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son! The word "world" means ALL of us. God does not descriminate! His loves not only passes all understanding, but it also passes all physical boundaries. Tall, short, heavy, thin, pretty or not…doesn't make a difference to our Heavenly Father. As a matter of fact, Jesus said that when we treat the lowly well (the least of these) then we have treated Him well. That is all the reason I need to do all I can to be tender and caring with each person God puts in my path.

    May each of you enjoy God's richest blessings as you spread goodness to your community.
In Christ,

God bless each of you,

Kurt Harris
Chaplin
TxIAAI