|
| "Ain't Gonna Study War No More" |
|
| |
Biblically, I believe that war is a necessary part of living in this sinful world... (Ecc 3:8 ...there is a time for war...) Ecc. 9:18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good. ; fought because of threatening enemies . For "right to prevail", we must be willing and ready to fight.
It is interesting to note that we are never to go to war in the name of Jesus. "The Battle is the Lord's"! Peter tried to fight for Jesus but Jesus stopped him and repaired the ear of the soldier that Peter struck. While Jesus was taken to court and the cross, I am sure some wanted to fight for Him but He, Himself, never fought, drafted or called any to His side, Jesus answered Pilate in JN 18:36 , "My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence"
It seems, our country, will have to go to war for liberty and to stand against enemies. Our Revolutionary War, Civil War, WWI and WWII were given victory by God, God blessed those efforts and today we are defined by those Wars. We wouldn't be a country without the Revolutionary War, we wouldn't be called the United States without the Civil War, Continental Europe and other countries, would have become a German Empire without World War One and Two. Many men and women of our country have died honorably in these battles. Our relatives' sacrifice was for our liberty today.
I just saw the movie, "The Great Debaters" and I will use the next two Civil Rights quotes to help me in this question of war.
The first quote answers the question when to fight:
Samantha says, "Well, would you kindly tell me when that day is gonna come? Is it going to come tomorrow? Is it going to come next week? In a hundred years? Never? No, the time for justice, the time for freedom, and the time for equality is always, is always right now!"
and this second quote tells us how to solve an injustice or liberty problem:
James Farmer, Jr. goes on to assert an affirmative duty to oppose injustice “by violence or civil disobedience; you should pray that I choose the latter.”
Ps. 144:1 Blessed be the Lord, my strength, which teacheth my hand to war and my fingers to fight. We would like to outlaw war and we believe compromise can solve all conflict; but this verse, past history and future prophecy, tell us that we will literally and physically have to fight evil. Hitler did not go down without a war, we are still watching for "wars and rumors of war" and Armageddon is a war.
Yet, one day, God promises us that we "Ain't Gonna Study War No More". Isa. 2:4 He shall judge between the nations, And rebuke many people; They shall beat their swords into plowshares, And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, Neither shall they learn war anymore. Until then, we will have to fight.
All men know that in order to go to war we would have to sacrifice our young men and women, a costly sacrifice to any society. Our young people find it very difficult to fight for this country; because of: the cost of sacrifice, not trusting the motives of our govt., disillusionment in politics and economics, a weak sense of righteousness, a feeling that someone else should do it, the breakdown of family ties which gives the young a reason to sacrificially protect something precious like "Liberty". We understand these reasons and feelings but who will step forward when real evil threatens us again? I have read and enjoyed a few books on WWII and it took sacrifice, honor and determination from many people from many countries. Will our US young men offer to protect US? Can the US military men/women of today be used by God to bring justice and liberty?? Are they willing?
Our world allies count on us, to stand behind them and with them. The Koreans needed US to win the Korean War, because now, North Korea is ruled by the 2nd most notorious Dictator in the world, Kim Jong II., according to Parade Magazine: Kim Jong-il, North Korea. Age 63. In power since 1994.
While the outside world focuses on Kim Jong-il’s nuclear weapons program, domestically he runs the world’s most tightly controlled society. North Korea continues to rank last in the index of press freedom compiled by Reporters Without Borders, and for the 34th straight year it earned the worst possible score for human rights atrocities against his own people.
Kim runs the most isolated, repressive regime in the world, says Wallechinsky in (one of this years) Sunday's issues of PARADE. His citizens have no access to information other than government propaganda. His harsh system includes collective punishment (three generations of a family can be punished for one member's alleged crime); detainment of roughly 200,000 citizens in labor camps; and the capture, torture and jailing of those who try to flee to China. (next month, July 2008, there is a serious movie coming out about North Koreans fleeing to China, called the "Crossing")
Today, the Lord is calling young men and women to sacrificially serve him in missionary service, and to offer their lives for the protection and liberty, of and in, our country, which includes military service, among other things. The sheepfold is the world! We have got to teach our youth, that, today,there are more important things, than just a college education, and a good paying job. Jesus is coming soon! *In these times they need more than just money in the bank!*
How will our military know when to go to war, how to fight and when to stop without Christian involvement? Proverbs 24:6 For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.
Our Salvation Army heritage supported the fighting soldiers of WWI and II. Our Sal. Army soldiers served on the front lines and they found a way to bring joy in those ditches by making donuts. They earned the title, Donut Girls, those donuts gave us respect and acceptance back in the US. Free toiletries offered to the soldiers, is why we were appreciated after WWII. (it will keep us humble to know that donuts and soap brought us acceptance in the United States!)
Ken's uncle, Herbert " Buddy" Estes, died Nov. 11, 1942, when his WWII Naval Destroyer the USS Monssen, was blown up in the Battle of Guadalcanal, Our brave, 20 year old son, Kenny, now, serves on a Naval Destroyer, the USS LaBoon . I am a military kid, my dad served 18 years, my 3 brothers all joined, and my 3 sisters and Ken's 2 sisters married soldiers.. My 78 yr. old father has a Military Hall of Fame in his home with uniformed pictures of my brothers, Kenny and me. When I joined the Salvation Army, my Officer's picture, (in bonnet!), was also, proudly displayed. All this sure doesn't make me an expert but it gives me an opinion!
In Honor of Memorial Day, Major LeeAnn Nelson, TSA
|
|
| To add a comment to ""Ain't Gonna Study War No More"" |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| May 26, 2008 |
 |
|
|
My Dear Sister LeeAnn..I was tremendously and overwhelmingly blessed by this blog. I tell you everything that needed to be said was said. I honor you and your family who have served this great nation. Without the sacrifices of each of you, we truly wouldn't be here on MyChurch today. My special friend of 6 years just retired from the National Guard after serving faithfully for 30 years....He is a retired First Sargeant. I've sat and watched, as even today, he still deals with the pain, physically and mentally, that he has had to endure while in combat and out in the field. Yes, somebody had to pay the price, and my hats go off to all of you that did.
Peace & Blessings,
Margie |
|
|
| June 13, 2008 |
|
|
|
| I would like to put a link to this blog on the Lawton site. Would you please post to the site so that I can give you access. |
|
|
| June 16, 2008 |
|
|
|
| Thank you for your insight, and the reminder of God's perfect, flawless promises. |
|
|
| June 25, 2008 |
|
|
|
Thanks Colleen,
I am in the same boat, I have a child in the military and one in College, about to have 2 in college!
As a Christian, I want them each to be Christians and minister to others in whatever job they do... more than I want them to get a good job with a good paycheck. |
|
|
| June 27, 2008 |
|
|
|
| Hey Colleen, if you ever read this again...I changed my line "what good will it be to have money in the bank?" because I see your point. There is nothing wrong with having "money in the bank"...they will need that, but God has a purpose and He is calling our children to make His purposes and plans, their priority. |
|
|
Follow this blog
