In Christ, "Taps" is not the Final Trumpet

Today a loving family, the Holy Christian Church, the United States Army, and a grateful nation laid Private First Class Rob Roy Certain to rest who passed away at the age of 83. I had the profound privilege of folding the American Flag for his funeral as part of the Military Funeral Honor Guard which Mr. Certain had purchased decades ago through blood and sweat during the Korean War. He was a combat veteran and, based on the medals displayed at his funeral, a three time Bronze Star recipient.

In my short Army career thus far, I have probably conducted 60-70 such funerals. While individual military honors funerals vary greatly on many peripheral matters, there are three things that are constant: The ceremonial folding of an American Flag, the presentation of that flag to a surviving loved one, and--before those things--there is the playing of a short horn piece known nearly to the whole nation as "Taps".

As with most military customs, it is not entirely clear how this piece came to be played at funerals though most apocryphal accounts place its use in funerals during Civil War at the latest. Regardless of it's origins, "Taps" is played at military funerals. This event with this song has been played thousands of times at actual funerals and has been immortalized in so many film recreations of the ceremony that the American psyche cannot help but equate "Taps" with "Death".

This connection between "Taps" and "Death" is so strong in the collective memory of American citizens, that the start of "Taps" is usually when the sobbing and wails of mourners greatly increase in volume and intensity. They have held their composure for the entire service in relative silence with little more than red eyes and a few silent tears... ...but, simply at the first few notes of this horn, the entire audience tends to break down. It is as though this music piece firmly declares to all who hear it "Yes, they really are dead." It is an iconic message that is almost universal in its impact across the nation. Next time you are at a military funeral, pay attention and you'll notice it, too.

But "Taps" is not just the "He's dead, Jim" funeral music as most civilians know it. Military personnel know all to well what its true meaning is because, when living on a military base, they hear it played late into the night... each and every night... like clockwork. Why? Because it is clockwork. In the days before the point where every soldier in camp had reliable watches, radios, alarm clocks, and email, a whole slew of bugle calls were created as part of the larger set of trumpeted commands to broadcast across the entire base what time it is, what is going on, where people should go, and what people should be doing. Where a runner could deliver a message to a few through great effort, a bugler could almost effortlessly deliver a message instantly to the ears of the whole camp. It is just part of a much greater tradition of sounding trumpets to signal messages to masses of people... dating all the way back to all ancient civilizations.

While civilians equate "Taps" with "Death", military personnel know that "Taps" actually means "Lights Out" or "Time to Sleep". That's when it's played and that's what it is for. It's time to sleep. On a military base, you hear taps play across the parade grounds and you know what time it is: It's time to hit the rack. It's that simple; almost mundane in its function. It's use at funerals is secondary to this original purpose and pours out of this utilitarian meaning. "Lights Out".

What a fantastic Christian metaphor! That is what death is for those who die in the faith: a time of sleep and waiting for a new dawn. A trooper in a camp here's "Taps" with relief knowing that the day's work is done and that a new day will break with the sounding of the opposite twin for "Taps". Where "Taps" signals the night, the call of sunrise is known as "Reveille" which is a French word that literally means "Wake Up".

The "Taps" at night is always answered by the new day's "Reveille". And for those who die in the faith of Jesus Christ, their peaceful slumber will be ended at the anouncement of a blessed new day. After the long night, there will be a sounding of a magnificent heavenly trumpet that will loudly declare to the entire world that the new dawn of the Second Coming of Christ is at hand!

"I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

"Death is swallowed up in victory."
"O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?"

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."
-1 Corinthians 15:50-58

So when you are at a military funeral for your Christian brother or sister, contemplate the true meaning of "Taps" and let the music remind you of what I have pointed out here... and the words of Christ:

"The child is not dead but asleep." [Mark 5:39]

For Many, the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will Last a Lifetime

"The soldier, above all other people, prays for peace, for he must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war." -Douglas MacArthur

As the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq begin to fade from public attention and discourse, I would like to remind my readers that there are many military veterans who will continue to "bear the deepest wounds and scars" of this most recent conflict... some for the rest of their lives. I see a growing temptation in the public mindset that is starting to forget and move on to other pressing issues, but we cannot leave our veterans behind as we push forward as a people and a nation. A mark of a true patriot is one who continues to care for the troops even when it is no longer fashionable and popular to do so.

In the past, I have had the honor and privilege to work with The Wounded Warrior Project which was founded by veterans to assist our own who now battle lingering injuries and disability. This non-profit and non-partisan organization seeks to assist and comfort our wounded veterans and their families and they do an excellent job by providing caregiver retreats, assistance programs, and public advocacy. I was lucky enough to be able to serve as an escort on a joint military/civilian initiative that assisted wounded combat veterans who were still in recovery in military hospitals. Through generous financial support and the charity of local businesses, we were able to provide these heroic men and women with a weekend vacation from the hospital environment so that they could enjoy free time filled with much deserved entertainment, food, public recognition, and relaxation.

...but the Wounded Warrior Project does so much more than this simple gesture of compassion and gratitude. I would encourage any of you who are interested in thanking these veterans by suggesting that you get involved with this worthy program. They can always use financial and material help in the form of donations and volunteers.

As a veteran of Iraq myself, I always hear how thankful and proud everyone is of our service. I respectfully invite everyone to put their money and time where their mouth is by contributing to this and/or other worthy charitable organizations. I have personally seen the good that this program does and so I am happy to vouch for it. I have also seen how underfunded they are and I know that they could certainly use your help. There are alot of scams out there, but these guys are a credible charity.

It is now time to serve and sacrifice for those who have so selflessly served and sacrificed for us. It is now time to begin to pay these individuals back for the immeasurable debt that we now owe them. It is very easy to neglect our neighbor when our own financial situation is difficult or uncertain, but we are called to love our neighbors as ourself. Here are some neighbors who could use your help.

Thanks.

My Unending Lament

Why won't Chaplains preach the Gospel and defend it from error?!? Who are you trying to please: God or men?!? Why must we languish in the legalistic captivity that is found in the theology of glory?!?




My joy is gone; grief is upon me;
my heart is sick within me.
Behold, the cry of the daughter of my people
from the length and breadth of the land:
"Is the LORD not in Zion?
Is her King not in her?"
"Why have they provoked me to anger with their carved images
and with their foreign idols?"
"The harvest is past, the summer is ended,
and we are not saved."
For the wound of the daughter of my people is my heart wounded;
I mourn, and dismay has taken hold on me.

Is there no balm in Gilead?
Is there no physician there?
Why then has the health of the daughter of my people
not been restored?

Oh that my head were waters,
and my eyes a fountain of tears,
that I might weep day and night
for the slain of the daughter of my people!
Oh that I had in the desert
a travelers’ lodging place,
that I might leave my people
and go away from them!
For they are all adulterers,
a company of treacherous men.
They bend their tongue like a bow;
falsehood and not truth has grown strong in the land;
for they proceed from evil to evil,
and they do not know me, declares the LORD.

Let everyone beware of his neighbor,
and put no trust in any brother,
for every brother is a deceiver,
and every neighbor goes about as a slanderer.
Everyone deceives his neighbor,
and no one speaks the truth;
they have taught their tongue to speak lies;
they weary themselves committing iniquity.
Heaping oppression upon oppression, and deceit upon deceit,
they refuse to know me, declares the LORD.

-Jeremiah 8:18-9:6

A Grisly Reminder

This week, I had an opportunity to talk to a Soldier who is a good friend of mine. In 2003, members from his unit volunteered to assist aide workers, Iraqi families, and the UN war crimes investigators as they dug up the mass graves left by the previous regime. The tortured and mutilated bodies of thousands of innocent men, women, and children had to be recovered in the months and years after the Iraq Invasion.

Many mass graves have been located all throughout Iraq. The al-Mahawil site, 50 miles south of Baghdad, held thousands of bodies. In fact, the al-Mahawil mass grave alone held more bodies in it than the total American death toll in Iraq from the start in 2003 to the present day.

Who did they find piled up in these pits? Women. Children under the age of 5. Athletes. Farmers. Shopkeepers. Businessmen. Politicians. Families.

Because of the graphic nature of this topic, I will not post any pictures of what they found. I leave it up to each American citizen to investigate it on their own. Here is a good place to start.

These Soldiers--my friends--still weep when they talk about their work at some of the grave sites. It has been nearly five years since these brothers and sisters were last there and it still shakes them to their very cores. My heart goes out to these selfless people who left a part of themselves at those sites. They volunteered to serve their country during war and, while they were there, they compassionately volunteered for the spiritually taxing mission of exhuming and investigating the tens of thousands of victims who did not live to see hope or justice.

The investigators are forever changed.

Pray for these men and women and for their families... and pray that there will always be men and women who are willing to do what is necessary to halt atrocities like this.

Cold is Relative

As Americans huddle in their heated buildings and complain about the cold snap that is gripping most of the country, let us not forget our Soldiers who are currently at work in the snow-covered mountains of Afghanistan. They make daily sacrifices for their beloved country so that we don't have to.







...like spending the Christmas holiday out on patrol where they are exposed to, not only the prospect of deadly enemy fire, but also the winter cold from the turret of a freezing armored vehicle instead of staying safe and warm back in the States watching college football.

Defending Peace and Justice

“I answer that, In order for a war to be just, three things are necessary. First, the authority of the sovereign by whose command the war is to be waged. For it is not the business of a private individual to declare war, because he can seek for redress of his rights from the tribunal of his superior. Moreover it is not the business of a private individual to summon together the people, which has to be done in wartime. And as the care of the common weal is committed to those who are in authority, it is their business to watch over the common weal of the city, kingdom or province subject to them. And just as it is lawful for them to have recourse to the sword in defending that common weal against internal disturbances, when they punish evil-doers, according to the words of the Apostle: 'He beareth not the sword in vain: for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil'; so too, it is their business to have recourse to the sword of war in defending the common weal against external enemies. Hence it is said to those who are in authority: 'Rescue the poor: and deliver the needy out of the hand of the sinner'; and for this reason Augustine says: 'The natural order conducive to peace among mortals demands that the power to declare and counsel war should be in the hands of those who hold the supreme authority.'"

"Secondly, a just cause is required, namely that those who are attacked, should be attacked because they deserve it on account of some fault. Wherefore Augustine says: 'A just war is wont to be described as one that avenges wrongs, when a nation or state has to be punished, for refusing to make amends for the wrongs inflicted by its subjects, or to restore what it has seized unjustly.'"

"Thirdly, it is necessary that the belligerents should have a rightful intention, so that they intend the advancement of good, or the avoidance of evil. Hence Augustine says: 'True religion looks upon as peaceful those wars that are waged not for motives of aggrandizement, or cruelty, but with the object of securing peace, of punishing evil-doers, and of uplifting the good.' For it may happen that the war is declared by the legitimate authority, and for a just cause, and yet be rendered unlawful through a wicked intention. Hence Augustine says: 'The passion for inflicting harm, the cruel thirst for vengeance, an unpacific and relentless spirit, the fever of revolt, the lust of power, and such like things, all these are rightly condemned in war.'"

-St. Thomas Aquinas, The Summa Theologica

Just wars are unfortunately necessary in this fallen world. Far too often, war is the only action that keeps justice and peace from being snuffed out by murderous tyrants. The number of lives saved by war is impossible to calculate. In case you forgot what today is:

December 7, 1941 - A date which will live in infamy

Almighty God, protect us from all evil; grant us peace and justice; protect those warriors who face the evil men who wish to slaughter and defile Your children; give them holy hearts filled with courage and discernment; empower them to defend the weak and the helpless. Lord, bring our hate-filled enemies to repentance so that we may all put down our arms and live in lasting peace. Amen.

How to Say Thank You

People often thank me for my military service. It is always nice to hear and I appreciate it. Here in Texas, this kind of thing happens all of the time. I almost never encounter people who are cynical or hateful while I am in uniform. As the situation in the Global War On Terrorism improves (just like I always said that it would), people who have been silent about their patriotism for the last couple years have started to thank me in public again. Just last month, I had a wonderful patriot offer to pick up the ticket for my wedding anniversary dinner. Yup, this part of the country makes a Soldier feel welcome.

As a matter of fact, I think that I can only recall one time that someone called me a murderer. He did not have the courage to say it to my face of course... he said it behind my back to my wife.

There are several different kinds of thank yous. They all come from different motives and perspectives. It doesn't take a genius to read between the lines regarding what the thank you really means. Once you've heard enough of them, you get really good at picking out differences. Obviously the one I appreciate the most is the one that comes from combat veterans. It is a great honor to have a hero tell you that you are doing a good job. I once had a WWII vet tell the Wounded Warriors that I was escorting that they were the real heroes. He said that the kamikazes in the Pacific were nothing compared to IEDs and child suicide bombers. This Iwo Jima vet told us that his courage looked pretty easy compared to what wars have become. He brought me to tears.

I also love to hear the thank you from members of military families or real patriots. You can tell by talking to these folk that they understand why my vocation is necessary. They may not have a full grip on what being a Soldier is like, but they know why they exist and what they are here to do. They understand that a Soldier's primary job is to efficiently kill the enemy and break his stuff; to cleanly end the fight for the sake of justice and peace. These people get it.

Then there are the thank yous that I could do without. First among these is the half-hearted guilt thank you. This happens when a real thank you is delivered and the person who is not really grateful does not want to be seen as unpatriotic. This is the guy in the grocery line who shakes your hand because he is not going to be the only one who didn't. This is the public official who supports the troops for the same reason that he has town hall meetings and goes to church: to get/stay elected.

Second is the very popular pity thank you. This happens when a person feels sorry for Soldiers and thinks that they are victims of the vast political machine that does not care about them. Frankly, this person insults my intelligence and ignores the fact that I volunteered. If all you have is pity for me, please just keep your thoughts to yourself. This person only sees me as little more than a pawn that is moved around the world to help rich people get what they want.

Third is the selfish thank you. This is the close cousin to the pity thank you and it comes from people who are just glad that you are going off to die instead of them. They say "thank you", but you hear "better you than me, bub." These guys are glad that you volunteered because that means that they probably won't be drafted anytime soon.

Finally, you have the fear thank you. This is the one that starts out feeling like a real thank you, but it reveals itself to be little more than worry about your personal safety. It usually comes out as, "You aren't going to have to go over there are you?" or "Gosh, I hope you aren't one of the ones getting deployed." These people mean well, but they don't understand the nature of a Soldier. It is my job to fight. It is my vocation to be ready to deploy into risky situations. If you are proud that I am a Soldier, please don't tell me that you hope that I will never do the work of a Soldier. We all want to avoid danger, but sometimes danger must be faced. If I am the man that this great country sends to go do that work, then so be it.

The best thank you is the one that takes sacrifice. Actions always speak louder than words. You can thank me if you want, but here is what I'd rather you do to show your gratitude:

1. Go visit a wounded Soldier and help their families visit them.
2. If you have a family member in the military, volunteer for the Family Readiness Group.
3. If you know someone who has just come back from combat, educate yourself about the symptoms of PTSD/MTBI and be ready to help us detect it.
4. Go find a family who has people who are deployed and help them with whatever they need.
5. Find the parents of a Soldier and congratulate them on a job well done. Give them the credit that they deserve.
6. Volunteer, donate, and become involved in the USO.
7. Get involved with the Wounded Warrior Project! These severally wounded veterans deserve your personal thanks alot more than I do.

In my book, until you have looked a severely wounded 18 year old kid in the face and told him (or her) "thank you" in person, you don't know the meaning of the words.

Sunt facta verbis difficiliora. It is one thing to say that you are a grateful patriot. Being a grateful patriot is another matter.

My Vocation, My Life, and My Death

My patriotism is an important part of who I am. It goes beyond my love for this country and my loyalty to her. I am her servant. I have surrendered my freedom so that others won't have to. I have signed over my life to keep her free and safe. I cannot always live the way others freely live. I cannot always speak my mind the way others freely speak their mind. I do not get to quit the way that others can freely quit. I cannot avoid mortal danger the way that others freely can. Even a casual glance through the Uniform Code of Military Justice proves that Soldiers must play by different rules as they live out their vocations. I may be a citizen, but I am no civilian.

It is one of my greatest burdens, but it remains my highest and deepest honor. Each time that I put on this dress uniform, I am made literally breathless by what a privilege it is to be able to wear it. The gold "U.S." on my lapel is more important to me than any other medal or award that I can wear. If necessary, I am prepared to die for this country. Her people and her principles are that important to me.

Recently, my unit's Executive Officer asked me how I felt about my promotion as he pinned my sergeant stripes on my chest. "It is an honor to serve, sir." I replied.

But let us keep things in the proper perspective. As much as I love this nation, I will never forget that she is not my god. I serve her, but I do not worship her. I submit to her will, but I do not bow before her. My obedience as a Soldier is to God through serving my country. My belief in the principles of just warfare are from God which are demonstrated by obeying Rules of Engagement and only lawful orders. To me, my obligation and membership in the most noble and honorable profession of arms may be lifelong, but it to will pass away. My vocation will be rendered obsolete on the Last Day. I can hardly wait until my work becomes eternally unnecessary.

God alone is my Eternal Master. I may be a fine Soldier, but I am a Christian first and last. Being a Christian is what makes me want to be a fine Soldier. Being a Christian is what gives me courage and a desire to serve my neighbor. It is my hope that this principle is demonstrated by how I live today and how I will die tomorrow. I will not permit there to be any confusion regarding Who it is that I serve. I will have nothing less than a Christian funeral. I have no need for military honors. I have been honored enough already.

There will be no eulogy because I have done nothing that was beyond my call of duty. No one will play taps because I am not retiring to sleep in my bunk. There will be no missing man role call because I am present and accounted for on the roster of the Church Triumphant. There will be no rifle and helmet displayed because I lived by the Cross of Christ and God's Holy Word.

Do not bury me in this dress uniform that is nothing more than my fancy work clothes; dress me in the clean, white robes of a baptized saint and put a crucifix around my neck. Do not thank my wife for my dedicated service; remind her that I have gone to live eternally in the presence of her Heavenly Father. Do not render salutes in memory of my feeble works; make the sign of the cross in memory of God's infinite grace.

Do not drape my casket with the flag that was a symbol of what I served; place the white funeral pall there as a symbol of my adoption into the Kingdom of Heaven. Do not recite the American Pledge; confess the Nicene Creed. Do not comfort people with empty sentiments; convict them with properly delivered Law and Gospel. Do not send me off to meet My God with the sounds of war: the discharge of arms, the drawing of swords, and the cadence of drums; bid me farewell with the peace that can only be delivered by the Te Deum, the Sanctus, and the Holy Benediction.

Never forget that there are no patriots among the dead. They have been released from duty and fulfilled their oaths.

Behind Every Elite Warrior…

…You Will Find a Creed That Defines and Drives Him.

The focus and security of a true warrior is not in his many deeds, but in the authority of his creed which motivates him to perform. A warrior and his creed are inseperable. One does not live without the other.

Do you not believe me? Take a look at these examples:

The Soldier has The Soldier's Creed
The Ranger has The Ranger Creed
The Army NCO has The NCO Creed
The Navy SEAL has The SEAL Creed
The Air Force Pararescueman has The Pararescue Creed
The Marine has the The Rifleman’s Creed

No one would ever deny that these great men have deeds. No one would ever say that a heroic Ranger values his creed at the expense of his deeds. They are one and the same. No one would ever say that these creeds do little more than obscure the rest of military doctrine for those who profess them. These creeds only serve to explain and enhance all military doctrine at once. These creeds are the very essence of military truth. A warrior is nothing without his creed. Ask a class of Basic graduates, "Who are you?" and they will shout as one, "I am an American Soldier! I am a warrior and a member of a team! I serve the people of the United States, and live the Army Values....."

When the situation becomes impossible, these heroes do not turn to their deeds for support. They recall the creed that has become a part of them. That creed pours out from their very soul. The solid truth of their creed drives them to perform legendary and unparalleled deeds at all times and under all conditions. When certain death and defeat approaches, warriors turn to their creeds.

The creed drives Rangers to risk everything to bring everyone home; even the dead. The creed drives Pararescuemen to insert themselves into hopeless situations to rescue their brothers. The creeds drive all warriors to uphold justice and truth in the face of moral adversity. Creeds drive warriors to do the right thing even when they are unsupervised. The creeds drive great men to lay down their lives, their futures, and their reputations without hesitation. In the face of torture, it is the POW Code of Conduct that strengthens the prisoner’s resolve and allows him to persevere.

The creed is the firm foundation and primary motivation. It is taught first, memorized quickly, shouted often, and quoted regularly. Everything taught after that is built on the creed.

Show me a warrior who values his creed and carries it as his most important possession and I will show you a warrior of unique quality and motivation. Show me the faith in his beloved creed and I will show you that his deeds spring forth from that creed. They are never separated. You never find one without the other.

As Christians we are soldiers who have creeds as well. They are the very essence of who we are as heirs of the Heavenly Kingdom. They do not obscure doctrine, but amplify it. In times of trouble, persecution, and heresy... Christians turn to their creeds.

Show me a Christian who values his creed and carries it as his most important possession and I will show you a Christian of unique quality and motivation. Show me the faith in his beloved creed and I will show you that his deeds spring forth from that creed. They are never separated. You never find one without the other.

Veterans Day

You have gone where others would not go. You have faced what others willed not to face. You have triumphed over what others could not triumph over. You have turned over your own freedom and life so that it may be presented as a gift to future generations. Savor the fruits of your labor and join with me as we remember the fidelity that is found in our service to the citizens of the United States of America. We are the honor guard of the Constitution and the heralds of the Declaration of Independence.

Today, your low estate is exalted far above that of kings and statesmen. Your detractors are silenced. Your supporters are driven to cheers of joy. Stand proud and take in the praise of a grateful nation; you who are guardians of freedom... you chivalrous patriots. The day is yours.

That is all.

Are You Still Taking Terrorism Seriously?

It seems like ages since we were first attacked. In fact, most of the people that I know rarely think about it as they go about their daily lives. This enemy has been plotting against us since before any of us were born and we seem to want to ignore the signs. We seem to think that if we will just go about our busy lives, all of the terror and death will not effect us. We hope that the threat isn't real or at least that it can be mitigated or delayed. Some of us put our trust in the fact that the threat is far off and try to deny the fact that we have agents hidden among us.

We are making fatal mistakes.

The earth stood still the day that he attempted to achieve total victory over us. That day, everything changed. Sometimes I wonder how different I would be if that horrible moment had never come. His plan preyed on our weakness: our arrogant sense of invulnerability. As everything came crashing down, we seemed to be able to recognize fear for the first time. Death had become very real and the threat of evil was realized. Amid the rubble, it seemed like hope was a difficult thing to grasp.

History did not end there. Our enemy would not savor his victory forever. In the heart of the middle east, good finally triumphed over evil. Someone volunteered to do all the fighting for us. And what a fight it was! The world still remembers the shock and awe; the righteous surge that was unleashed. Sure there was sacrifice, but what great victory can occur without blood?

Dismantled, demoralized, and defeated, our nemesis fled with his allies and hid to lick his wounds. He had not counted on that kind of response. Everyone knows that it is only a matter of time before the final victory is realized and he is brought to justice.

...but in the mean time, he is still out there. He remains on the loose; that foe that struck us so long ago, killed so many of us, and continues to fill our hearts with terror and dread. Wounded and essentially powerless, his network is still stronger than any of us and he will kill you if he gets half a chance. His agents and supporters move freely among us and sow the seeds of doubt. Doubt is his weapon now. The victory is certain and absolute, but the enemy wants us to question the victory. He wants us to abandon hope and lose faith. His organization may be doomed, but he is going to try to take some more people down with them. The axis of evil is still a threat and we are the ones who are securing our own doom. We will be the ones who snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. It is almost like we want to lose.

Do you still take his terror seriously? Do you realize what this lion is still capable of? Are you ready and equipped for his final, desperate onslaught? Mark my words: he will strike you and your family again before this is all over. We need to be alert, unified, and protected by a strong defense. Every day is threat level Red. Do not let your guard down for a single moment.

He's still out there. Get ready.

Ephesians 6:10-12
1 Peter 5:6-9

Mercy in a Combat Zone

Posting about the Armor of God reminded me of a story that was barely even noticed by the US public.

What does "love your enemies" and "turn the other cheek" look like? Unforgiving Christians could learn from Private First Class Tschiderer. Those of us who feel like our enemies have wronged us so badly that they do not deserve forgiveness or mercy should take notes from an American hero:

Baghdad, Iraq. June 2, 2005. While out on patrol Army PFC Stephen Tschiderer, a medic, was shot in the chest by an enemy sniper who was hiding in a van just 75 yards away. Despite the man's murderous intent, Tschiderer's body armor saved his life. Instead of killing him, the round knocked the Soldier to the ground as he stood outside of his vehicle. Injured, PFC Tschriderer jumped right back up and took cover.

Tschriderer and his buddies located the enemy position and returned fire. They pursued the wounded sniper through the streets of Baghdad. They followed the trail of blood to the place where the sniper had collapsed. With the sniper finally caught, it was PFC Tschiderer who handcuffed him. What did this Soldier, wounded and running on adrenaline, do next? Without hesitation, he treated the injuries of the man who had tried to take his life only minutes before.

"But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you." Luke 6:27-28

Christian, you are a GI: Godly Issue

Ahhh... Ephesians 6:10-18. I love the smell of an epistle in the morning!

For obvious reasons, this Soldier gets fired up about that passage. This kind of language is something that I can easily grasp. I feel sorry for you civilians who have not had the benefit of a real-life, vocational education on what St. Paul is talking about here. No doubt, you have sat through one of those deep analysis sessions of this passage where some history buff gives you more than you ever wanted to know about the specifications of Roman Legionnaire and Greek Hoplite equipment. As awesome as the "Gladiator" approach is, that explination often misses the point.

Mercifully, this post will spare you the item-by-item application of this passage in favor of the overall point. It is something that you should never overlook when the discussion gets down to ancient shoe design.

Every time I read the Armor of God passage, I hear the pleasant voice of my Drill Sergeant whispering in my ear, "YOU @#$% IDIOT! A SOLDIER IS ONLY AS EFFECTIVE AS THE EQUIPMENT THAT HE TAKES TO THE FIGHT!" I usually heard this when I forgot something or neglected an item that Uncle Sugar had given to me.

In the daily spiritual battle of this life, what equipment are you taking to the field? Do you find yourself in the thick of the fight without a weapon? If you did actually remember to bring it, are you relying on what was issued to you? Do you know how to use it? Do you fearlessly employ the armament at your disposal? If the enemy is constantly catching you unprepared or gunshy, now is time to, "DEVLOP SOME @#$% DISCIPLINE AND RECTIFY YOUR SORRY SITUATION!" hehe... memories.

Since the beginning of warfare, warriors have seen their equipment as nothing less than an extension of their own bodies. A Soldier without his equipment is not a Soldier at all. For example, the Word of God is the mightiest weapon against evil. It is a lifesaver that should be inseperably bound to you like a Legionnare and his sword; like a Soldier and his M16. Are you able to use it effectively in combat? When it all hits the fan, are you ready to defend yourself?

The time will come when your brothers and sisters in arms will be counting on you to step up. What then? The time will come very soon when you are faced with the opportunity to deliver the Word of God down range and it will save someone from certain and eternal death. Are you ready?

Almighty God is the greatest logistician and armorer that you can imagine. There is no finer equipment than the Armor of God. As a Christian, you have been issued Truth, Righteousness, Gospel Readiness, Faith, Salvation, and the Word of God. If a Soldier is only as good as his equipment, you are unmatched. Be prepared. Rely on your equipment. Maintain your readiness. Train with it daily. Do not step outside unarmed. Such a mistake will prove to be very unforgiving.

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17

It is time to "ruck-up" and charge into the fight.