Chaplain Bio
Chaplain Tom Panariello is a Navy veteran and served as an Aviation Electrician with Antisubmarine Warfare Squadron VS-38. During multiple WESTPAC deployments on board the USS Constellation, CV-64, he served as a flight deck troubleshooter for his squadron.
Upon leaving the Navy, Tom spent 40 years in the technology industry holding both engineering and managerial positions. During those 40 years he has also served bi-vocationally in various ministry roles. He is a graduate of DeVry University and Global University, Berean School of the Bible. Prior to retiring, he most recently served as Assistant Pastor at River of Life Church, Doylestown, PA overseeing Pastoral Care.
Choosing the Correct Fuel Source
I can still remember the vivid smell of JP-5 permeating the flight deck of the USS Constellation - CV-64. As a troubleshooter for our squadron of S3-A Antisubmarine Warfare aircraft, I spent many hours on the flight deck among the various carrier aircraft contingent.
JP-5 (Jet Propellant-5) is a yellow colored, kerosene based military jet fuel specifically designed for aircraft carriers. It features a high flash point (over 140°F), reducing fire risks in enclosed spaces.
Choosing the correct fuel source is essential in optimizing peak performance and even more importantly, avoiding catastrophic results. Just as you wouldn’t put JP-5 in a gasoline engine you wouldn’t put diesel fuel in a gasoline engine but that has actually happened.
Back in July 2018, Virginia news sources reported that a delivery truck pumped the wrong fuel into underground tanks at several local gas stations. Many Virginia motorists who thought they had filled their tanks with regular gas got diesel fuel instead. Some cars sputtered down the highway and others seized up entirely.
From a spiritual sense, the “fuel” we fill our minds with is of the utmost importance. God told Joshua, a military commander who was on the brink of the largest military campaign at that time, what the right “fuel” source was -
“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” - Joshua 1:8
Reading, meditating and doing what the Bible says leads to the promise of success in this life. That doesn’t mean we won’t have problems. It means we’ll get direction and help when we need it. Committing to a daily reading of the Bible is a great way to start.
Why not start right now with the Gospel of John - in it you’ll find the fuel source with a promise for this life and the life to come - “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” - John 3:16
Please know, there is a Chaplain at DAV86 available to meet, talk or just grab a cup of coffee with.
Chaplain Tom Panariello