Terrorism and the Christian Soldier

“As Christians we have a part to play in influencing issues like terrorism. And we must bring to the debate the biblical arguments for justice and righteousness, and the understanding of the reality of a fallen world…the bottom line is that the world is full of lonely, confused, and fearful people, and what we have to offer as Christians over and above everything else is hope. I think it was Thomas Merton who said that ‘the root of all war is fear.’ We have a Gospel message that should bring a sense of peace and love and joy, alongside a sense of justice and righteousness." – Major General Tim Cross, from “Searching for Answers: A Christian Soldier’s Response to The Global War on Terror”, published in the Armed Forces Christian Union (U.K.) magazine, Contact

World of Warfare

Stragegy Page will update you on the sad state of war around the world:
http://www.strategypage.com/qnd/wars/articles/20051231.aspx. As you read, pray!

Civil War?

U.S. media has begun calling the war in Iraq a civil war. There's lots of opinions on the subject...

A journalist says, "Yes, it is civil war": http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15937798/site/newsweek/

President Bush says, "No, it isn't."
http://www.forbes.com/technology/feeds/ap/2006/11/28/ap3207970.html

A Pill for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?

60 Minutes reports that an experimental study of propranolol is being held to see if it can help people with post-traumatic stress disorder. They report, " It turns out our memories are sort of like Jello – they take time to solidify in our brains. And while they're setting, it's possible to make them stronger or weaker. It all depends on the stress hormone adrenaline... that’s why we remember important and emotional events in our lives more than regular day-to-day experiences."

Here's the link to the article:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/11/22/60minutes/main2205629.shtml

Making Up Iraq News

Flopping Aces has confirmed that the mainstream media made up news about some soldier-caused Iraqi civilian deaths: http://www.floppingaces.net/ .

Thanks to http://www.daybydaycartoon.com/ for the lead.

Have a Blessed Thanksgiving!

A thankful heart
hath a continual feast.
~W.J. Cameron

November 23rd is Thanksgiving in the USA. Please pray for soldiers who are away from their families or in danger:

Lord, Your Word says that whoever goes to you for safety, whoever remains under the protection of the Almighty can say to you, “You are my defender and protector, you are my God; in you I trust.” May all our troops turn to you and find rest in the shadow of your wings. Keep them safe from all hidden dangers and all deadly diseases. Shield and shelter them with your wings, and let your faithful promises be their armor and protection. The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name.” May this be true of every man and woman in uniform! When they call on you, Father, answer them, be with them in trouble, rescue them and honor them. Satisfy them with a long life and give them your salvation. In Christ’s name, Amen.

Books to Note

Wings of the Morning: Flight and Faith in War and Peace details the experiences of Jon Harris, the first pilot of the Vietnam War to be shot down over North Vietnam. It's an anthology "...to entertain...to inform and to inspire the reader through its dramatic narratives, spiritual applications, and faith-enhancing conclusions." You can order the book through Xulon Press at 1-866-909-2665 or at http://www.xulonpress.com.

On the Frontline: A Personal Guidebook for the Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Challenges of Military Life by Tom Neven helps military personnel navigate the challenges of military life. It is available through http://www.waterbrookpress.com.

War Zone: Hope Beyond Carnage by LTC Calvin Brown helps military personnel understand God's amturing hand when "the harshness of the world deals faith a heavy blow." Available through http://www.CSNBooks.com.

Post-Traumatic Stress in Soldiers

www.iraqwarveterans.org lists these support groups for military personnel (not just Iraq vets) who are dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder:

Brothers Bound By Honor

IWVO - PTSD - Iraq

Living With PTSD

The Aftermath of War

VetGuide

Women of War Veterans Overcoming PTSD

Also, here is an article for churches workign with PTSD soldiers:
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2006/juneweb-only/126-53.0.html

Reporters and Soldiers in Iraq

Columbia Journalism Review has some interesting comments by journalists who interacted with U.S. soldiers in Iraq.

"I've been struck by how essentially humane a lot of the soldiers are, with a very strong sense of right and wrong, which I think comes with growing up in America. And how ill-equipped they were to apply that to a situation like Iraq..." writes one reporter.

It's worth clicking on the link to read the whole article: http://www.cjr.org/iraq/chapt4.htm.

Another CJR article on Iraq is at: http://www.cjr.org/iraq/index.html

Teaching Only Pacifism "Contradicts Scripture"

If the church teaches only pacifism, writes James Arlandson at the American Thinker, it is contradicting Scripture: "God ordains that the State—law enforcement and the military—may wield the sword. And individual Christians may gladly join these honorable institutions, thus becoming servants of God. But publicly and officially, they serve the State. Privately, they serve God."

Link: http://www.americanthinker.com/articles.php?article_id=6028

Ingenious? Kooky? You Decide...

Ukes for Troops supplies ukeleles for military troops: http://hometown.aol.com/acoyoli1/myhomepage/index.html

Rumsfeld Resigns

U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld will resign; President Bush is nominating former CIA-head Robert Gates to take his place. Link: http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/11/08/rumsfeld.ap/index.html .

Read why the Army Times felt Rumsfeld should go:
http://armytimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-2333360.php

While They're at War

New this month is the paperback edition of Kristin Henderson's WHILE THEY'RE AT WAR: The True Story of American Families on the Homefront (Mariner Books, $13.95).

The book portrays the difficulties of life at home when a spouse goes to war. The author will be speaking about the book in several locations around the country - her tour schedule is at : http://www.kristinhenderson.com.

2006's Best Military Invention

Time magazine reports, "The Battlefield Extraction-Assist Robot (BEAR), developed for military search-and-rescue missions, has hydraulic arms that can support injured soldiers weighing up to 400 lbs. (more than most troopers in full gear)..." For photo, check this link out: http://www.time.com/time/2006/techguide/bestinventions/inventions/military.html

When Leaders Fall

The U.S. evangelical population is staggering under the recent knowledge that a prominent evangelical leader had a sexual relationship with a gay man. Gordon MacDonald writes, "I’ve spent more than a little time trying to understand how and why some men/women in all kinds of leadership get themselves into trouble whether the issues be moral, financial, or the abuse of power and ego. I am no stranger to failure and public humiliation. From those terrible moments of twenty years ago in my own life I have come to believe that there is a deeper person in many of us who is not unlike an assassin.

This deeper person (like a contentious board member) can be the source of attitudes and behaviors we normally stand against in our conscious being. But it seeks to destroy us and masses energies that—unrestrained—tempt us to do the very things we “believe against.” If you have been burned as deeply as I (and my loved ones) have, you never live a day without remembering that there is something within that, left unguarded, will go on the rampage. Wallace Hamilton once wrote, “Within each of us there is a herd of wild horses all wanting to run loose.”

The full article is worth a read:
http://blog.christianitytoday.com/outofur/archives/2006/11/the_haggard_tru.html

AF Lawsuit Dismissed

"A federal judge yesterday threw out a lawsuit against the U.S. Air Force that contended evangelical Christian values were illegally pushed on Air Force Academy cadets," reports http://www.washtimes.com/national/20061027-112923-9536r.htm

Verse for Today:

"Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin,
you who are spiritual should restore him gently.
But watch yourself,
or you also may be tempted. ” (Galatians 6)

Hymn for Today:

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

Link: http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/m/y/myhopeis.htm

S. Korean Pastors Support U.S. Military

" A group of South Korean pastors made a pilgrimage to the Pentagon today to show their support for the U.S. military. More than 50 members of the Korean-American Protestant Pastors’ Association participated in morning seminars in the Memorial Chapel...". Read more at
http://www.smallgovtimes.com/story/06oct31.korean.paster.support/