Chapter 2:

Major Benjamin Clarke sat in his office going over the newest report in from SG-3. He liked to keep up with the teams and what was going on off-world. It was a tough job being a chaplain for soldiers who visited other planets, dealt with aliens, and battled false gods as a day job. He had to admit that he'd been forced to confront some doubts and reexamine his faith when he took this job. In fact, it was a continuing struggle. He'd only been off-world twice to minister on the battlefield and once to the alpha site, and it never ceased to amaze him. However, he had ultimate faith that the God who created Earth also created the universe. Nowhere in the Bible did it say that Earth was the only planet with intelligent life and that humans were the only intelligent life forms. He firmly believed that Jesus died for all and that included the entire universe. /Hmmm...I wonder if a Goa'uld can get saved. Well, maybe a Tok'ra... I guess anything is possible./ He looked up from the report when he heard a knock at his door.

"Come in."

Sam entered the office.

"Colonel Carter, ma'am." He snapped off a sharp salute after he jumped to his feet.

"Major Clarke." She smiled and returned the salute. "At ease."

"Thank you, ma'am. It's nice to see you."

"Thank you, Major, you too. And please, call me Sam."

He smiled. "Alright then, please call me Ben. Have a seat. What can I do for you?" It was rare that anyone came to see him when there had been no recent tragedy, especially SG-1. Needless to say, he was curious as to why their new CO was there.

"Well, I heard a song on the radio this morning and it got me to thinking about religion and God. I don't know what song it was but it was about this person not being able to live a day of their life without Jesus."

Ben just nodded.

"Anyway, I don't really understand how people can base so much of their lives on something that no one can prove."

Ben smiled. /Ah, scientists. Always looking for proof./ "Well, it's faith that enables a person to believe, even though something can't be proven or seen. In the Bible, the book of Hebrews says that faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we don't see. It's kind of like your team. Your teammates have faith in you and they trust you with their lives. You, as the senior officer, know best and they recognize that. They may not know why you do things sometimes but they defer to your judgment because of your position and your past actions. They know that even though your decision may not reflect it directly at the time, you care about them and you would give your life for them if you had to. You follow?"

"Yeah." She looked at him strangely. /Weird. That's almost exactly what I heard this morning./

"God is kind of like our commanding officer. He gives us direction, but we follow it because we trust Him, not because we have to. He is the master of our lives. It sounds kind of stifling but it's really not. We believe that God is perfect. He knows all and He can do all, and He is good. For people who believe that, they put their ultimate trust in Him, knowing they have nothing to fear." He paused for a moment. "Do you have a Bible?"

"Yeah, it's an old family Bible. It's hard to read though. It's all thee's and thou's."

"Well, here. This is an NIV, uh, New International Version. It's a different translation. It should be easier to read."

"Thank you."

"Are you looking for a relationship with God?"

"I don't know. I'm looking for something, but I don't really believe in God. I haven't for a long time." Her thoughts flashed to her mother for a moment. "I've seen so many terrible things and I face so many false gods, I don't know if I can believe."

"You have the ability, Sam. Everyone does. You just have to find it."

Suddenly Sam's pager went off. It was Daniel.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I have to go."

"That's okay. Why don't you think about all of this and come talk to me in a couple days. Read that Bible...start with John...and if you feel comfortable you might even try praying. You don't have to say anything specific, there's no formula, just talk to God. Be real with Him. He loves you and He wants you to know Him."

"Thanks Ben. I'll try it."

"No problem, Sam. I'm really glad you came by."

"Are you busy Thursday?"

"Nope. Totally free."

"Well, unless something comes up, can I come by then?"

"I'd love to see you."

She stood to leave and he stood as well. He saluted her, she returned it and was out the door leaving Ben with his thoughts.

/Who'd have thought Lieutenant Colonel Samantha Carter would come searching for God/ 'You certainly are amazing, Lord. Give me wisdom to help her find You. Reveal Yourself to her.'