Chaplain Jason

09/21/2026

09/21/2026

🇺🇸 250th Anniversary 🇺🇸

09/20/2026

SUNDAY CHAPLAIN’S CHAT
9/20/2026
“Trusting What We Don’t See”

2 Corinthians 5:7
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

This past week, we finished our boat/sonar training. It was extremely difficult to learn to reply on the sonar equipment to be your eyes under the water. Our instructor did a good job in sharing his knowledge, but ultimately it comes down to practicing to gain the experience needed to see without seeing. Once you learn how the equipment works and what to look for, it opens up an understanding beyond your actual vision.

Guess what!?! Trusting in God and walking by faith works in a similar way. Like learning the sonar equipment, we must learn to listen to how God speaks to our hearts. He guides us in our future endeavors, but He doesn’t reveal it to us all at once. Not because He can’t, but because if reveals it all to see, we won’t learn to trust Him. The Bible tells us to trust in Him with ALL heart, soul, and mind…not just our eyes! If we could see the entire big picture, then no faith would be involved, and the Bible says that we are saved by our faith!!

I know many of us are facing difficult times and decisions, but I’m praying that we will learn to walk with God, not by sight but by faith!! And may He continue to bless and protect us and our families!

Serving You For Him,
Chaplain Jason

09/19/2026

Especially remembering Adam and his family today….🫡

Adam and I were assistant wrestling coaches together back in 2001-02 at SCHS.

09/18/2026

🚒❤️ WHAT THEY DON’T SEE BEHIND THE SIRENS — THE LITTLE EYES WATCHING

One day, they won’t be little anymore.

They won’t run to the window every time they hear a fire truck.

They won’t ask, “Is Daddy at the firehouse today?”

They won’t climb into his lap the second he gets home or think his helmet is the coolest thing they’ve ever seen.

One day, they’ll understand a little more about where Dad was all those nights.

Why he missed some dinners.

Why Mom recorded the game from the bleachers.

Why Christmas occasionally happened on December 24th… or 26th. 😂

Why plans changed at the last minute.

And why every goodbye seemed to end with the same two words:

“Be safe.”

Right now, they just know Dad goes to the firehouse.

But while they’re watching him leave, they’re learning something bigger.

They’re watching someone show up for strangers on their worst days.

They’re learning what service looks like.

And while they’re watching Mom keep everything moving at home, they’re learning something from her too.

They’re learning teamwork doesn’t always mean being in the same place.

Sometimes it looks like one parent answering the call…

while the other holds down home.

And someday, when they’re grown, I hope they don’t remember fire life by everything we had to miss.

I hope they remember the pancakes after shift.

The station visits.

The fire trucks.

The hugs at the door.

Mom cheering extra loud.

Dad watching the videos later.

The holidays we celebrated differently.

And a childhood filled with people who loved them enough to keep showing up—even when showing up looked different.

Because maybe that’s what we’re really building behind the sirens.

Not a perfect childhood.

Not a perfect schedule.

A family.

And one day, these little eyes watching us will understand just how much love it took to make this crazy life work. ❤️🚒

To the fire families raising little ones in this life—you’re creating memories they’ll understand differently someday.

09/17/2026

09/17/2026

The Hickory Police Department (HPD) has launched a new transparency portal to provide the community with clearer insight into HPD’s use of Flock Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology. The portal offers real-time information on data retention, sharing settings, the number of queries conducted in the past 30 days, the total number of ALPR cameras in HPD’s network, the types of alerts officers receive, and policy summaries governing ALPR use.

This initiative reflects HPD’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and the responsible use of technology in support of public safety. By making this information easily accessible, HPD aims to enhance public understanding of how ALPR tools help protect the Hickory community.

The portal can be accessed at https://transparency.flocksafety.com/hickory-nc-pd, or by visiting the Hickory Police Department website at hickorync.gov/police