Hip Pocket Chaplain

Building Confidence, One Step at a Time It’s easy to feel like you're not good enough, especially in college. Surrounded by so many talented and accomplished people, you might look at your own journey and think, "I'm not as competent as they are." But here's a secret: competence often starts with feeling competent. It’s not about being perfect from the start; it's about having the courage to try and the grace to grow.  The journey to becoming competent in anything—whether it's a new skill, a class, or a leadership role—is built on small, consistent steps. Don't let the pressure to be a pro paralyze you. Instead, focus on celebrating the little wins. Maybe you finally understood a difficult concept in class, or you made it through a tough conversation with a friend. These are all signs of growth. Take time to reflect and evaluate your progress. How far have you come since last semester? What have you learned from your mistakes? This kind of self-refl...

Life can feel like a constant grind sometimes, can't it? We're all balancing responsibilities—whether it's school, a job, family, or other commitments. It's easy to get overwhelmed and lose sight of why we're doing it all. We can get caught up in the stress of deadlines and the weight of expectations. But what if all that hard work isn't just about getting ahead or earning a paycheck? What if it's actually an act of worship? What is work? The Bible makes it clear that work is a core part of our identity, designed by God Himself. In Genesis, we see God working to create the world. Then, He gave humanity a purpose, a job to do, placing Adam "in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it" (Gn 2:15). God designed us to work, and this divine calling remained even after sin entered the world. One of the Ten Commandments even calls us to work: "You have six days each week for your ordinary work" (Ex 20:9). When did work become a part of our li...

Very Respectfully, Tim Salomon 520-505-1595

As we leave this place of farewell, may God, the source of all comfort and strength, be with you. May He hold you in the palm of His hand and guide you through the fog of grief. May you find peace in knowing that Commander Irving Clayton's duty is complete and his journey is home. ​We thank you, Lord, for the gift of his life, for the legacy he leaves behind in his family and in his service to our nation. We pray that his memory will not be a source of sorrow, but a testament to a life lived with honor and faithfulness. May the love he shared with you be a beacon of light, and the wisdom he imparted a guiding star. ​Go now, in peace, and find a renewed sense of purpose and courage in the days ahead. And may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you now and forevermore. Amen. Very Respectfully, Tim Salomon 520-505-1595

Heavenly Father, as we gather here to lay Irving Clayton to rest, our hearts are heavy with grief, yet anchored in hope. Your Word promises that you are close to the brokenhearted and save those who are crushed in spirit. So we ask for your comfort now, to rest upon Irving's family and loved ones, to mend their hearts and wipe away their tears. We thank you for the assurance we have in your Son, Jesus Christ. We cling to His words when He said, 'Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father's house has many rooms… I am going there to prepare a place for you.' We find great peace in knowing that Irving placed his faith and trust in Jesus, and that he is now in your presence, in the place you have prepared for him." ​ And for those of us who remain and mourn on this earth, may our hearts be encouraged by the promise that we, too, will one day go to the place God has prepared for us—a place where, 'He will wipe every tear f...