Spiritual Lessons We Learn from Great Military Battles of History

Combat Fatigue – When the Fight becomes Overwhelming

2011-02-27T15:47:00.002-05:00

“So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up” (Galatians 6:9, The Message)

Combat stress reaction (CSR), in the past commonly known as shell shock or combat fatigue, is a military term used to categorize a range of behaviors resulting from the stress of battle which decrease the combatant's fighting efficiency. The most common symptoms are fatigue, slower reaction times, indecision, disconnection from one's surroundings, and inability to prioritize. CSR is usually short term, but repeated exposure to the stresses of combat can cause Post Traumatic stress Disorder, or PTSD for short. PTSD can bring on the following long term symptoms:

*Repeated "reliving" of the event, which disturbs day-to-day activity
*Flashback episodes, where the event seems to be happening again and again
*Recurrent distressing memories of the event
*Repeated dreams of the event
*Physical reactions to situations that remind you of the traumatic event
*Feelings of detachment
*Inability to remember important aspects of the trauma
*Lack of interest in normal activities
*Less expression of moods
*Staying away from places, people, or objects that remind you of the event
*Sense of having no future

In years past this fatigue was called “cowardice” or “being yellow”, but thankfully medical experts have convinced most this is real and caused by no fault of the person. This is a physical and psychological issue that can be treated.

In the constant battle against evil, the Christian can become fatigued. Constantly attempting to do good in a corrupt society, following the rules while everyone around you cheats or trying to live righteously in unrighteous surroundings can wear us out, both mentally and physically. Add to this the “friendly fire” we suffer at the hands of our churches and ministry organizations, and we can become fatigued quickly.

Many times Jesus had to withdraw from the crowds to pray. We have always assumed this was to hear from God. We tie it to our “getting away to fast & pray” for power or a special need. Have we ever considered Jesus withdrew himself to heal from fatigue? Could the constant daily grind of needy people around him coupled with the hostile actions from the religious leaders have been overwhelming? Could Jesus have needed down time, just to heal and de-stress? Please read the following account in Luke 5:1-16 and see if this could be so. Notice how it emphasizes the press of the crowds, the troubled disciples and the needy.

In 1 Kings 19, we see the great prophet Elijah at the place of fatigue. The mighty one who stood down 450 false prophets on Mt Carmel was now on the run and tired. It says in verse 3-4, “Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day's journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. "I have had enough, LORD," he said.”

This is a classic example of one who could not take any more. Elijah suffered from combat fatigue. No one could question Elijah’s courage or boldness, but years of being one of a few who would stand against evil became too much. He needed “down time” to heal. God gave him a place where he could rest, eat and heal.

Today’s soldiers are experiencing stress like no other. It used to be that with the draft, men only had to do one combat tour. After that they were done. They could volunteer for more, but you did your year and came home, or at least off the battle lines. In the all volunteer army, soldiers are deployed for a year, brought home for 12-15 months and deployed again. Some have served four or five combat deployments. The cumulative effects of this stress will not be known until later, but this wear and tear on the human soul cannot be good.

Likewise, the wear and tear on the soul of the believer who never heals from their combat fatigue is cumulative also.

Remember the symptoms:
*Feelings of detachment (“I don’t belong”, “nobody cares about me”)
*Inability to remember important aspects of the trauma
*Lack of interest in normal activities (“preparing for a church meeting is difficult)
*Less expression of moods (expressionless, no longer share with the body)
*Staying away from places, people, or objects that remind you of the event
*Sense of having no future (see the ministry you are involved in as a failure or not succeeding)

Those of us who have been out on this battlefield many years tend to think we are invincible and made of indestructible material. We push and push, we follow our master’s orders, and we engage the enemy over and over and we try to do good, but we never have time to heal. Our ‘down time’ is filled with friendly fire, the problems and difficulties of family and friends.

We must not grow weary while doing good. If you must, get off the battle lines. The war will not be lost because you aren’t there. Others will stand in the gap for you. If Jesus and Elijah needed to heal, who are you and I?

Jeff Henning
February 2011

Memorial Day Essay

2010-05-28T11:10:00.004-04:00

Many people see Memorial Day as just another holiday, a day where they don’t have to go to work. They think of trips to the beach or firing up the grill. If you ask many, they would tell you it is the beginning of summer vacation season.

Memorial Day is a day we pause as a country and people to pay homage to the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country. It should be a somber occasion, one where we honor the many Americans who died in countless places around the world performing the duty their country called them to.

Starting with the patriots fighting for liberation from Britain to our modern day soldiers fighting terrorists, the end result of war is death for many. The battlefield is a hostile place where young men and women venture because of a sense of duty and honor. On the battlefield they can count on each other during and after the fight. You see soldiers all come home, the living and the dead. As Col. Hal Moore told his troops before going to Vietnam (and to the battle of Ia Drang Valley chronicled in “We Were Soldiers Once ….And Young”) “I can't promise you that I will bring you all home alive. But this I swear, before you and before Almighty God, that when we go into battle, I will be the first to set foot on the field, and I will be the last to step off, and I will leave no one behind. Dead or alive, we will all come home together. So help me, God.”

When you see the dead come home in flag draped coffins, what you might miss is the care and honor the color guard extols as they lift each coffin off the transport. It is the same honor presidents who have died are afforded. The military family understands each person who was killed in combat was a hero, and their coming home is as important as the ones who lived.

So when you are at the beach enjoying the sand and waves, remember those who never made it off beaches with names like “Omaha” and “Saipan”. When you are flying to your vacation destination, remember those who never made it to their destinations, places like “Guadalcanal”, “Ploesti”, “Hanoi” and “Bagdad”. When you are hiking up the mountains, remember those who never made if off mountains with names like “Hamburger Hill”, “Little Round Top” and “Iwo Jima”. And when you go sailing, please pause and remember those who never made it back to shore, those who sailed on ships with names like “Hunley”, “Yorktown” and “Hornet”. And when you drive to your vacation destination, remember those who never reach their destinations in Afghanastan or Iraq.

Yes, by all means enjoy your day off. Have a good time but please remember the reason we call it Memorial Day. Those names carved into the Vietnam Wall may not mean anything to you or I, but each one was a son or daughter, a father or mother. Each one died defending a way of life we take for granted. Freedom isn’t truly free. Even with the Christian faith, someone had to die to make us free. His name was Jesus and he spoke the following words “greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends”

When you look at the tombstones or names on a memorial, remember those were your friends. They willingly died so we could have the rights and privileges we enjoy today as Americans. Honor them as such.

Jeffrey Henning
Veteran - US Army

Do You Know Your MOS?

2010-04-23T14:52:00.003-04:00

The acronym ‘MOS’ stands for Military Occupational Specialty. This is the advanced training a soldier, sailor, marine or airman (known today jointly as “warfighters”) receives after basic training. This is specialized training for the job they will be performing in their respective units. No warfighter is specialized in every task needed. For instance, I was a 68G30, which was an Aircraft Structural Repairer. The ‘30’ designation meant I could provide technical instruction and supervisory oversight to other 68Gs. This was my primary task, even as I constantly trained on the things all warfighters do, i.e. weapon qualifications, drills and refresher training. Others specialize in engine repair, hydraulics or avionics. Together we formed an aviation maintenance unit.

All warfighters know how to fire an M-4 rifle, and many know how to fire an M-249 SAW, but to be a sniper requires advanced training. The military can deploy whatever specialty that is needed for the task.

In Romans 12:4-8, Paul wrote about the specialized ‘MOS’ of the body of Christ. He wrote:

4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

He also wrote in 1 Corinthians 12:

4There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.
7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.11All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.
12The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
14Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 16And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 17If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
21The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" 22On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
27Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. 29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.

As you can see, God believes in specialization also. He distributes the gifts and talents to us as he (God) sees fit. These gifts are our ‘MOS’, and we should become proficient in them. They are the advanced training we need to perform our task in the service to the body.

I have always questioned how effective someone is who claims to have all the gifts (or how honest!). Nobody can do many things as well as a single thing. The military knows this. This is why someone with an MOS in truck repair is able to fight if need be, but will never be as adept at it as one who’s MOS in Infantry.

In the same way, if my ‘MOS’ is hospitality, why can’t I be content with that? Why must I want the gifts Paul said were “presentable”, or out front and visible if that isn’t my spiritual MOS?

Part of the problem with a church (not a building but a group of people) is they all want to replicate the same few gifts but leave the other ones needed alone. A group of 30 believers assemble together and 15 have the gift of teaching, preaching or prophesy and the other 15 feel as they have no gift. Where is hospitality? Where is the gift of giving? How about administration? Encouragement? Serving?

One of the biggest failings in the church is our lack of knowing what God has called and trained us to do. Less than 1 in 10 Christians I know can tell me their spiritual gift and or calling. How can we do the master’s work if we don’t know our job?

What is your MOS? If you don’t know, why don’t you know?

Jeffrey Henning
April 2010

The Battle of the Alamo - March 6

2010-02-19T11:55:00.004-05:00

The Battle of the Alamo (February 23 – March 6, 1836) was a pivotal point in the Texas Revolution. Following a 13-day siege, Mexican troops under the president of Mexico General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna launched an assault on the Alamo Mission in San Antonio de Béxar (modern-day San Antonio, Texas). All but two of the 186 Texan defenders were killed. Santa Anna's perceived cruelty during the battle inspired many Texans—both Texas settlers and adventurers from the United States—to join the Texan Army. Buoyed by a desire for revenge, the Texans defeated the Mexican Army at the Battle of San Jacinto, on April 21, 1836, ending the revolution.

What spiritual lessons can we learn from The Alamo?

1) A few standing alone can change the world – 186 Texans against 4,000 Mexican soldiers seemed like it would be a blip in history. The fight should have been over in hours, not weeks. No one should have ever heard of the Alamo, but the longer the Alamo’s defenders held out, the more courage they would inspire in others. The cry “Remember the Alamo” would be the cry of soldiers later that year at the Battle of San Jacinto as they routed Santa Ana in 18 minutes.

People watch Christians to see whether we stand for our beliefs or back down. The majority can be wrong, and it is easy to not rock the boat and surrender quietly and peacefully. John the Baptist was willing to stand alone against King Herod because his principals would not allow him to ignore the sin before him. Had Paul not appealed to Caesar, he might have been spared prison and ultimate martyrdom, but his courage drove him to stand alone against Rome.

As Christians, we must stand for our principals and biblical values regardless of the size of the force against us. The bolder our stand, the greater influence we have on others to stand as well.

2) Have the courage of our convictions – When the Alamo defenders were confronted with the dire and untenable position they were in, they were given a chance to leave. History recounts that all but one man chose to stay and fight. Colonel Travis penned these immortal words in a letter to the people of Texas: “I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country. VICTORY OR DEATH.” They would fight to the death rather than surrender. To surrender would be an admission of their lack of convictions. Their courage has long outlived their culture. There was honor in dying for principal and beliefs.

As Christians, we are sometimes places in positions where we must face our enemy with death in the balance. The early church martyrs, the Reformers, nameless missionaries and church planters through history all willingly gave their lives for their master. “Deny Christ or die” were their choices, and like the men of the Alamo, they stood unflinchingly and died like warriors. Conviction is of no value if we do not have courage to back it up.

3) We are all together this fight – History has counted the famous men who fought at the Alamo that day. Davey Crockett, William Travis and Jim Bowie are names that everyone knows, but there other men who fought there. These men came from the north, the south, east & west. There were men from Germany, Scotland, Ireland, Mexico and freed former slaves. All these men gave the ultimate sacrifice and stood with each other. These men may have had individual prejudices, but in the fight they counted each other and depended on each other other as brothers and fellow warriors.

As Christians, we are part of a universal body. Our brothers and sisters are from every tribe, every nation, of every color and tongue. We are family, and we are in this battle together. Paul wrote “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it. If one part is honored, every part shares in its joy. You are the body of Christ. Each one of you is a part of it.” 1 Corinthians 12:26-27

The Butter Bar

2010-02-05T14:38:00.003-05:00

In the Army, a slang term used for a 2nd Lieutenant is “butter bar”. This refers to the insignia of a gold bar shaped like a stick of butter.

The term generally is used in a condescending or patronizing manner towards a boot lieutenant that thinks he knows everything, yet couldn't lead the way out of his own home with a map and flashlight.

After completing OCS (Officer Candidate School), a large number of newly minted butter bars tend to think that they are General Patton reincarnated and have the belief that after months of schooling they know much more than 30 year combat hardened NCOs.

Some have been so stupid as to actually stop a Sergeant Major (the highest NCO rank in the Army) and demand a salute. Several pounds of flesh and ego are stripped before the Lt. knows what is happening and before you know it he's standing locked at point of attention.

After several years of seasoning, and realizing that head knowledge doesn't make them a great leader, the butter bar becomes a 1st. Lt. and usually has a clue by then.

During basic, one of the first things I was taught by my Drill Instructors was if I was to stay alive during a battle, I MUST listen to my NCOs (non commissioned officers). The second was that most ‘butter bars’ would get you killed if you followed them.

The Army, like most branches of the military, has an official chain of leadership, and an ‘unofficial’ one. The official chain has the platoon sergeants and first sergeant (known as “Top”) answering to the platoon leader, i.e. the butter bar. In the unofficial one, the butter bar will always consult their NCOs and will treat Top as a superior.

This is because wise leadership places a premium on experience and ‘on the job’ learning as opposed to text book knowledge. When facing an enemy, soldiers need to follow someone who has actually faced the enemy in combat, one who knows their tactics and tenacity. The butter bar has learned tactics in a classroom, but in the heat of battle with men dying around them, they may lose their cool.

In Acts 15, we see that Paul didn’t want to take John Mark with him on his missionary trip:

37Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 38but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. 39They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, 40but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Why did Mark desert Paul and Barnabas the first time? The bible doesn’t say. Maybe Mark was like many young, inexperienced people……full of zeal but short on practical experience. Maybe when the battle got hot, he became overwhelmed and ran. Like the butter bar, his experience level couldn’t cash the check his bravado wrote.

In today’s church, there is a movement toward youth. Worship, leadership, small groups and methods of evangelism all seem to be youth driven. In many fellowships, the older warriors are shoved to the side as irrelevant. The classic example that comes to mind was the scene in the movie 'Heartbreak Ridge' where “Gunny” (played by Clint Eastwood) stands before his new CO, a former supply officer, who tells him “This is a new man’s Marine Corp, relics like you are obsolete”. Gunny was a 40 year combat vet of WW2, Korea and Vietnam as well as a Medal of Honor winner and he was being told he wasn’t needed by a ‘superior’ who never faced a single bullet.

Spiritual ‘Butter Bars’ bring in the methods they learned in Bible College and seminars, and easily discount the proven methods the warriors of the past successfully used. The question isn’t using new methods …… warfare tactics constantly change. It is about the dismissal of past methods used by warriors who wear the decorations of valor on their hearts. Rather than partner with these ‘vets’, spiritual butter bars use authority to push them out of the way.

Remember this statement at the beginning of this article …… “After several years of seasoning, and realizing that head knowledge doesn't make them a great leader, the butter bar becomes a 1st. Lt. and usually has a clue by then.” John Mark grew up and became a warrior himself. Paul later wrote about the one he rejected to go into battle with him “Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is a great help to me in ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:11) This was penned some years after Mark deserted Paul. Mark, it seems, was no longer a young ‘butter bar’, but now a seasoned warrior.

The bible warns of having zeal without knowledge. It also tells us that elders are placed in the body for stability, guidance and wisdom. Youth’s energy and elder’s unflinching courage and guidance, a biblical recipe for success.

Butter bars ……… they have promise, if they respect those warriors who serve under and with them.

Jeff Henning
Feb 5, 2010

U.S. Military Disaster Relief in Haiti

2010-01-18T11:45:00.002-05:00

As the world learns the toll of the January 12th earthquake in Haiti, the U.S. military is once again leading the American response to a devastating natural disaster. By the 13th, U.S. Air Force special operations personnel had secured the airport at Port-au-Prince, and about 5,000 soldiers and Marines from the 82nd Airborne Division and 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit are on their way to Haiti to assist the UN force there in providing security and support for relief efforts.

At sea, the aircraft carrier Carl Vinson and the Bataan amphibious group have arrived, loaded with helicopters to assist the relief effort. Coast Guard cutters and aircraft are already on the scene. Air Force airlifters have brought in personnel and supplies to the island. U.S. Army and Navy helicopters are flying relief drops and critical injury extractions.

Military involvement in disaster relief is nothing new. U.S. Southern Command alone has been involved in 14 disaster relief missions since 2005. More prominent were the post-tsunami relief effort in 2004-05 and earthquake recovery efforts in Pakistan in 2005.

Over the last decade or so, disaster relief has become a core — if rarely acknowledged — mission of the U.S. military. Debates over the future of the military size and funding have concentrated on what sort of enemy the United States might fight in the future. While important, this debate obscures an equally critical role the military plays as the provider of global disaster relief.

For massive disasters like the Haiti earthquake or the tsunami, the U.S. military is the only entity that can organize the necessary air- and sea-lift to get to disaster stricken areas with sufficient relief aid in a quick enough time period. There are no substitutes for the Navy’s aircraft carriers, and the Air Force’s airlift fleet outstrips what’s available for contract.

As you can see, the U.S. military is always; underline that word ‘always’; there when disaster strikes, anywhere in the world. They have the best and fastest supply chain, the largest supply of equipment, and they can put “boots on the ground” within 24 hours anywhere in the world. They also have the doctors, engineers, search and rescue teams, nurses, mechanics, police and support personnel already on payroll and ready to go at a moments notice.

So the next you might be tempted to complain about the size of the defense budget, don’t just think about war. Please think where the people in Haiti would be if they only had civilian relief organizations aiding them. The U.S. military IS the largest relief organization in the world, and I for one am proud of them!

Jeff Henning
Jan 18, 2010

Boot Camp

2010-01-12T07:27:00.003-05:00

"Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus." - 2 Tim 2:3 (NIV)

When I joined the US Army in 1976, my first stop after being sworn in was Ft Jackson, South Carolina. This was one of the Army's Basic Training facilities. Every soldier goes through eight weeks of basic training. This was the 'basic' training that a civilian needs to begin the transition to a soldier.

The primary function of basic (or boot camp) is to break down the civilian's individualistic will and teach then to function on a team as one and to obey orders without question. The tactics used are sleep deprivation, verbal (and in my day physical) abuse and endless repetitive training. By the end of the cycle (8 weeks), we were no longer civilians, but soldiers. We knew the language and the protocols of military life and could recite the Code of Conduct, article by article. We could field strip an M-16 or M-60 blindfolded and could be in formation with full field gear within 7 minutes of being harassed out of bed. We could march 20 miles with an 80lb pack on our back, we could function on little sleep, and we could think and act as one. After eight weeks, I was in the best physical shape of my life.

Paul equated the life of a soldier with the life of a Christian. A Christian needed to have the civilian individualism taken out by disciplined training and the 'team first' concept installed in it's place. He wrote "No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs" to mean that way of life had to cease. Being a soldier was a serious, full time job.

Have you ever wondered why vets have a special bond regardless of when they served? Have you wondered why men would sacrifice their lives for the good of the mission or for their fellow soldiers? How part of their honor code is "never surrender" and "never leave a fallen comrade in the field"? It is because a special lifetime bond is formed serving together. It is a bond the soldier knows and the civilian will never understand. A trust in the man next to you, one you can depend your life on. It is hard to find that close a bond in blood family or marriage. It is a bond of loyalty drilled into the soldier since boot camp. Team first, mission first, fight and die for each other as one.

About the Church, and Christian in particular, Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 12:26 "If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it." This implies shared sacrifice, shared suffering, shared duty and shared reward. This is what we learned in boot camp, and what we should learn as new Christians. Jesus understood this concept. He said in John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends".

Our problem is we bring our civilian mindset into the church. "my needs", "my desires" and "my glory" is what matters. Shared suffering isn't tolerated. The mission is clouded by special interest; Everyone wants to give orders, but no one wants to carry them out.

What did the Army teach me? The same thing the bible did, that I must die to self ..... self will and self ambition. I must place myself at the disposal of the team (my brothers and sisters in Christ) and the mission (proclaim the kingdom message), and be willing to give up my life to do so. The team can depend on me and I can depend on them.

I will never forget my Drill Sargent's words at the end of our eight week training. We had in the beginning hated his guts, but now we respected him. He told us it was his job to get us ready for war, to give us the best chance of survival. This is why he was hard on us. My Drill Instructor (DI) was a Vietnam vet, so he understood. He didn't ask any more of us than was asked of him. This was the one thing that turned my attitude toward my DI from hate to respect. When he woke us at 4 am, he would have had to be up at 3 am to do so. When we ran ten miles, he ran it too. He did this every eight weeks with new recruits. It was discipleship by shared experiences. Paul only asked of us what Jesus asked, that we are to endure together. They never asked us to do what they wouldn't...."endure hardness with us......".

As Christians, we too should prepare the new converts for the reality of spiritual warfare. We should give them every chance to survive. Paul understood this. He, like my DI was a war vet. He bore the marks of conflict against evil. He knew the cost of success. He knew that untrained, or under-trained Christians would fail on that battlefield. He knew that unless they were disciplined they would be overcome. He knew the new Christian had to be able to handle the word. It needed to be so much a part of them that they could quote it in prison or under duress. Paul knew the Christians needed the full armor of God and training so they could deploy them blindfolded.

Boot camp was tough, rugged and unrelenting, but it put in me the sense of honor, duty and courage. Christians, have you been to boot camp since you were sworn in to the Army of the Lord? Do you think you can take it?

Jeff Henning
Jan 12, 2010

Battle of Rorke's Drift – January 22nd, 1879

2010-01-07T12:21:00.002-05:00

The Battle of Rorke's Drift was a battle in the Anglo (British)-Zulu War in South Africa. The defense of the mission station of Rorke's Drift immediately followed the British Army's defeat at the Battle of Isandlwana earlier that morning on 22 January 1879, and continued to the following day, 23 January. One hundred and thirty-nine British soldiers, led by Lts John Chard and Gonville Bromhead successfully defended their garrison against an intense assault by four to five thousand Zulu warriors. The overwhelming Zulu attack on Rorke's Drift came very close to defeating the tiny British garrison, and the British success is held as one of history's finest defenses. Eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded to the defenders (the most ever in one battle in the history of the British empire).

What spiritual lessons can we learn from Rorke's Drift?

1) One battle isn't always enough – The Zulu had just finished wiping out the 1200 man British 24th Foot regiment at Isandlwana. When 5,000 Zulu came up on the mission station at Rorke's Drift manned by only 139 soldiers, it must have seemed like a cake walk. Just as the 24th Foot underestimated the Zulu at Isandlwana, the Zulu underestimated the British at Rorke's Drift.

As Christians, we must never assume our battles are finished after one victory. Life is a series of ups and downs, successes and failures, but ultimately, victory. “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved” (Matt 24:13)

2) Let the weak say 'I am strong"! – The hospital at the western end of the fortifications became the focus of fighting. Set on fire and stormed by the Zulus, it became untenable. As many men were extracted as possible, the remaining patients perishing in the flames. Privates John Williams, Henry Hook, William Jones, Frederick Hitch and Corporal William Allen all received the Victoria Cross (British equivelant of the medal of honor) for their defense of the hospital building. These accounted for five of the total of eleven VCs awarded during the entire battle. Fighting with bayonets once their ammunition was expended, they contested every room with the attacking warriors.

As Christians, we tend to look on those who are weak or have disabilities in a lesser light. We equate physical strength with wholeness and power. Those we consider weak, people like David or Gideon, can be used by God in a mighty way.

“ But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.” (I Cor. 1:27)

3) Be prepared to multi-task – Lt John Chard was an officer in the Royal Engineers. His job was overseeing construction of roads, bridges and camps. As senior officer, his tactical decisions, as well as his coolness under fire instilled a fighting spirit in his men and helped save the day.

As Christians, we want to specialize. We will be quick to say "God didn't call me to do that" when asked about things like evangelism, missions or teaching. We are warrior soldiers for Christ first, and we may have to fill any and all positions God needs us to fill. What we consider "not our calling" might very well become our defining moment.

Have You Earned Your CIB?

2010-01-01T13:00:00.001-05:00

“Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.” Galatians 6:17

In the US Army, the Combat Infantry Badge (CIB) is one of the highest awards a soldier can get. It is awarded to soldiers who have been under fire in actual combat situations. Though there are higher decorations given for individual valor, the CIB on a uniform tells everyone that the wearer is a warrior, one who has faced the enemy and persevered.

In ancient times, warriors took great pride in their battle scars. The old healed wounds told the younger warriors that they were battle tested, that at the time of testing they stood firm.

The Apostle Paul alludes to this in the scripture in Galatians. Paul was a warrior for Christ. He proudly showed everyone his scars, the ones he received from the beatings and floggings because of his faith. This was Paul's 'CIB'. These were marks every Christian could see and therefore know Paul was a warrior, not a wimp. Listen to what Paul boasted in:

“Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.”
2 Corinthians 6:4 -11

This warrior mindset was part of ancient Israel and the early church. Whether by crucifixion, or in the arena at the hand of wild beasts, the martyrs were warriors who's blood was their 'CIB'. Hear what the bible says about them:

“Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated-- the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. These were all commended for their faith..”
Hebrews 11:36b - 39a

In the middle ages, men like Wycliffe, Tyndale, Luther, Calvin and many other nameless reformers stood up to the enemy and earned their 'CIB'. Some by imprisonment, others tortured and put to death. They stood up to the enemy and “loved not their lives unto death”.

Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 2:3-4: “Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs--he wants to please his commanding officer.”

What Paul was telling them, and is telling us now is to be warriors, to live out the kingdom life as a soldier who is duty bound.

The US Army came out with “The Warrior Ethos”, a creed all soldiers live by. I have modified it below to reflect what I believe to be the “Christian Warrior Ethos”

I am an follower of Jesus.
I am a Christian and a member of a family. I serve God and live Kingdom values.
I will always place the mission first.
I will never accept defeat.
I will never quit.
I will never leave a fallen comrade.
I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills. I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself.
I am an expert and I am a professional.
I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the faith in close spiritual warfare.
I am a guardian of grace and the Kingdom way of life.
I am a follower of Jesus.

In speaking with a brother, he shared with me that he wanted to see Christians with the battle scars of warfare. These tested believers have engaged the Devil and demons and wrestled with their flesh and came out scarred, but still standing. These Christians can mentor the younger ones. These are the warriors that the Church can look up to as examples. These are those that can be depended on when the going gets tough.

Today, there are too many of us who are unblemished and pristine. We do not have our 'CIB', for we have never been in combat with evil. Some of us have quit the fight, running back to the world and leaving our fellow soldiers to face the enemy. Some have avoided the conflict, leaving the fighting to others. Today, God wants warriors, both men and women, to lock-and-load and engage the enemy of our souls. Whether winning souls in the streets, casting out evil spirits from the possessed, debating the skeptic in open debate or preaching an unpopular truth, the scars we gain from these engagements are a testimony to the church that “we are soldiers, in the army of the Lord”. Please read the words of the hymn “Onward Christian Soldiers”

1. Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
with the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
forward into battle see his banners go!
Refrain:
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
with the cross of Jesus going on before.

2. At the sign of triumph Satan's host doth flee;
on then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!
Hell's foundations quiver at the shout of praise;
brothers, lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.

3. Like a mighty army moves the church of God;
brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod.
We are not divided, all one body we,
one in hope and doctrine, one in charity.

4. Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane,
but the church of Jesus constant will remain.
Gates of hell can never against that church prevail;
we have Christ's own promise, and that cannot fail.

5. Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng,
blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.
Glory, laud, and honor unto Christ the King,
this through countless ages men and angels sing.

As this hymn conveys, God desires warriors to engage the forces of darkness. Our scars are not a sign of weakness, but of courage.

Have you earned your CIB?

Jeff Henning
Jan 1, 2010

The 1914 Christmas Truce

2009-12-21T10:31:00.006-05:00

The "Christmas truce" is a term used to describe several brief unofficial cessations of hostilities that occurred on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day between German and British or French troops in World War I, particularly between British and German troops stationed along the Western Front during Christmas 1914.

The truce began on Christmas Eve, 24 December 1914, when German troops began decorating the area around their trenches for Christmas. They began by placing candles on trees, and then continued the celebration by singing Christmas carols, most notably Stille Nacht (Silent Night). The British troops in the trenches across from them responded by singing English carols.

The two sides continued by shouting Christmas greetings to each other. Soon thereafter, there were calls for visits across the "No Man's Land" where small gifts were exchanged — whisky, jam, cigars, chocolate, and the like. The soldiers exchanged gifts, sometimes addresses, and drank together. The artillery in the region fell silent that night. The truce also allowed a breathing spell where recently-fallen soldiers could be brought back behind their lines by burial parties. Proper burials took place as soldiers from both sides mourned the dead together and paid their respects.

The truce spread to other areas of the lines, and there are many stories of football matches between the opposing forces. In many sectors, the truce lasted through Christmas night, but in some areas, it continued until New Year's Day.

What spiritual lessons can we learn from this truce?

1) We are humans first
Before we are enemies on a battlefield, we are first humans created in God’s image. German, British or French, all the soldiers were sons of mothers, most came from a Christian heritage and Christmas was special to them. This was the spark that God could use to bring this miracle truce.

As people (and as Christians specifically), we tend to ‘demonize’ those not like us by calling them “heathen” or “infidel” or “sinner’, but all humans were created in God’s image and are loved by God. If we keep the human equation, we can better ‘love our enemy’ as Jesus taught.

2) There is not much difference in us.
Each had a different language, but many of the same Christmas customs. Enemies across the lines, but they all spoke of faith in Christmas (and by extension faith in the newborn Christ)

As Christians, we allow slight differences in custom and theology cause us to break fellowship. If bitter enemies could break bread having only Christmas in common, how about we believers who only differ on version of the bible, methods of baptism or Eschatology?

3) There is truly a Christmas Spirit

Christmas is a special time of the year. Giving, sharing, caroling, a spirit of peace as well as good will is in the Earth. It seems that all churches are busy, songs of faith are everywhere.

I often wonder if we are so caught up in condemning the materialism and greed of the secular side of Christmas that we lose sight of a mysterious truth, which is the spirit of Christmas is in the world in December. Peace, good will to mankind is what the Angels spoke, and to a degree this is what we see. Charity abounds at this time of the year, giving, well wishing and stories of Christ abound. The concern for the homeless and needy is increased. People seem to get along better at Christmas time. Strangers share food and fellowship.

As Christians, we must be the ones who define the spirit of Christmas. We must promote peace on earth and good will to man. If combatants can do it, why not us?

Read more about the truce at the site below.
http://www.historicaleye.com/xmastruce.html

Battle for Madrid – November 7th, 1936

2009-12-02T19:43:00.009-05:00

The Spanish Civil War began with a failed coup d'etat against the Popular Front government of the Spanish Republic by right wing Spanish Army officers led by Francisco Franco on 18 July 1936.

The Battle for Madrid was a three year siege of the Spanish capital Madrid, during the Spanish Civil War of 1936-1939. Madrid was held by various forces loyal to the Second Spanish Republic and was besieged by Spanish Nationalist and allied troops under Francisco Franco. The Battle of Madrid in November 1936 was the most concentrated fighting in the city, when the Nationalists made their most determined attempt to take Madrid. The city, besieged from October 1936, eventually fell to the Nationalists on 28 March 1939.

What spiritual lessons can we learn from The Battle for Madrid?

1) Civil wars are the worst kind of wars – The Spanish Civil War pitted family against family and neighbor against neighbor. These wars inspire extreme passions. Many were killed for political or religious views. At least 50,000 people were executed during the war and the outbreak of the war provided an excuse for settling accounts and resolving longstanding feuds. In these paseos ("strolls"), as the executions were called, the victims were taken from their refuges or jails to be shot outside of town. The corpses were abandoned or interred in graves dug by the victims themselves. Local police just noted the appearance of the corpses.

Jesus said a "house divided against itself cannot stand" (Mark 3:25). The NLT puts it like this "Similarly, a family splintered by feuding will fall apart".
We must remember that our enemy is the devil, not each other. We must remember that the person(s) we are spewing our anger out on are the same ones we chose and promised to ‘love, honor till death due us part”.

2) Domestic Conflicts become the playground for outside Influences – When the war broke out, Adolph Hitler of Germany was building a war machine. He needed a place to test his bombers and Panzer tanks out. He knew to support the winner would grant him an ally and base of operation in his plan for world conquest. The Condor Legion was a volunteer German air force that became the test bed for the Luftwaffe that would rein havoc on Europe three years later. Stuka dive bombers, Heinkel 111 long range bombers, Panzer tanks and over 600 combat troops aided Franco and the Nationalists. The Republicans were aided by volunteers and equiptment from Russia, Britian, France and some from the US. The Spanish cause was lost in a global precursor to WW2.

As Christians, we need to do everything in our power to keep external influences out of our conflicts. The bible tells us to "not let the sun go down on our wrath". We must deal internally with our problems, for our "allies" have their own agenda when they claim to want to help us. Their so called help might really be their will and desire, not what is in your best interest.

John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry - October 16

2009-10-07T20:40:00.002-04:00

On October 16th 1859, abolitionist John Brown and a hand picked group seized the US Arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia. Brown came with a trained, small group of men for military action. His group included 16 white men, 3 free blacks, 1 freed slave, and 1 fugitive slave. Northern abolitionist groups sent 198 breech loading .52 caliber Sharps carbines obtained from Charles Blair, in preparation for the raid. Brown's plan was to capture the rifles at the arsenal and then arm an army of freed slaves so they could wage war on the slaveholders of Virginia. After four days, a detachment of Marines led by Col. Robert E Lee stormed the arsenal. Those who were not killed were captured and hanged, including Brown; for treason.

What spiritual lessons can we learn from Brown’s defeat at Harpers Ferry?

1) The end doesn't justify the means – The abolitionist movement was for the most part led by Christian pacifists. They used peaceful means to oppose slavery. Brown was a violent insurrectionist that had already made his mark in the Pottawatomie Massacre that occurred in 1856 at Pottawatomie Creek in Franklin County, Kansas. John Brown and a band of abolitionist settlers killed five pro-slavery settlers. He saw no conflict in using violence to support a peaceful movement.

As Christians, we have a tendency to put our morals away and to use less that honorable methods to accomplish what we consider a good cause. The zealots of Jesus day up to the abortion clinic bombers of today testify to this. How we conduct ourselves is much more important than the end result. Do not align yourselves with any cause that uses methods that are contrary to your faith, even if they are seeking the same goals as you are.

2) Standing up for the weak and persecuted of society should be our mission – Slavery was an evil that was tolerated by “good Christians” in the south for 170 years. It was winked at by politicians and clergy alike because it was convenient and profitable. The British dealt with the issue of freeing slaves peacefully, led by abolitionists in Parliament. The Americans, on the other hand were willing to go to war to keep slaves. John Brown was willing to wage a lone war against what he considered an evil, dehumanizing enterprise. That Christians could not see the evil that Brown could speaks of how we can justify anything by using a Bible.

3) What we fail to deal with today will become our bondage of tomorrow – John Brown's raid was two years before Confederate forces fired on Fort Sumter to start the Civil War. The bloodiest war ever fought was the result of this country failing to deal with the issue of blacks becomming citizens with rights and not property when the Constitution was drawn up. The Founding Fathers failed to address it, and all the succeeding Presidents and Congress failed to address, so a war that killed 25% of the male population finally had to settle it. Why did it have to come to that?

As Christians, we ignore the “little foxes” that infect our souls thinking they will go away. Later, those same problems become a bondage that can destroy us. “A little leaven leavens the whole loaf”. Deal with the little sins while they are still little.

Lessons from the Battle of Chu Lai – August 17

2009-08-22T20:05:00.003-04:00

Battle of Chu Lai (also called the Operation Starlite) was the first major battle of the Vietnam War in which the US forces alone engaged the Viet Cong. It was also the first time since the Korean War that a regiment-sized Americans force engaged an enemy in combat.

Fighting began on August 17, 1965 and lasted for seven days. Combined elements of the 3rd Marine Division surprised, engaged and defeated the 1st Viet Cong Regiment, which had massed to attack and try to overrun the US Marine base at Chu Lai.

When the battle was over, there were 688 enemy dead. The Marines themselves suffered 46 deaths and 204 wounded.

Three Medals of Honor were awarded to Marines for outstanding acts of courage and sacrifice during Operation Starlite.

What spiritual lessons can we learn from this engagement?

1) Sometimes you have to go it alone
When the Marines planned and executed the operation, they didn’t inform the South Vietnamese leadership of the troop movements. The US military leaders felt they needed to execute this alone. Not enough time or trust to coordinate a joint operation.

As Christians, there are times when we have to make spiritual stands alone. Others may mean well, but God has given us the plan and He expects us to execute it. Others may actually hinder while meaning to help.

2) To be successful in battle, all available assets must be deployed.
Marines were deployed both by sea (landing craft) and by air (helicopter insertion). They also had Naval, ground artillery and air support to pound VC positions.

As Christians, we often fail to use all available weapons God has given us to engage the enemy of our soul. We may pray, but we won’t engage in spiritual warfare. We may quote pieces of scripture, but we don’t understand the power in the name of Jesus. We should use everything Jesus paid for when our soul is on the line.

3) A true brother in arms will never leave wounded comrades in the field unprotected.
Lance Cpl J. C. Paul, an automatic rifleman, was left to protect several wounded who were lying in the open. Paul had been wounded earlier that day and placed on a medevac chopper. Before the chopper took off, he decided that he wasn't wounded badly enough to leave the fight and rejoined his comrades. Paul came under attack while defending the wounded. A large number of VC tried to pick them off. The young lance corporal was hit once, then again with small-arms fire. He refused to leave his post and the wounded Marines under his care. By the time help came, he had been wounded again, this time mortally. He was carried to a medevac chopper, but Paul died on the way. J. C. Paul later was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

Jesus said that there was no greater love than laying down one’s life for a friend. Soldiers have willingly sacrificed their lives for both the mission and their fellow soldiers. As Christians, we should be willing to lay down our agenda, our wants and needs for the greater Kingdom agenda and our lives for our brothers and sisters. The warrior’s motto is to never leave a fallen comrade in the field. This should be ours also.

4) After a battle, we must take inventory of what works and what needs to change.
The battle was fought in humid 112 degree-plus heat. Heat stroke caused many causalities during the battle. The military leadership learned that soldiers needed more water. The Marines also found that the bulky M-14 rifle, while an excellent weapon was too long, heavy and the wood stock was prone to warping in the jungle heat and humidity. They soon adopted the M-16, a shorter, and much lighter rifle with a plastic stock.

As Christians, we need to assess our strengths and weaknesses after a spiritual battle. Why can we resist in some areas but be so weak in others that we almost lose the battle? What worked and what didn’t? We need to adjust before the next conflict.

The Conscientious Objector- PFC Desmond T. Doss

2009-07-30T16:53:00.003-04:00

A conscientious objector is an individual who, on religious, moral or ethical grounds, refuses to participate as a combatant in war. Many serve in non combat roles such as a medic. They are often call “cowards” or “un American” by their detractors.

Desmond T. Doss was such a man. Very patriotic, Desmond joined the Army during WW2. A Christian who believed that killing under any circumstances violated God’s laws, Desmond refused to carry a weapon in training or combat, finally earning him the status of conscientious objector as well as the ridicule of his fellow soldiers. PFC Doss became a medic and was attached to the 77th Infantry Division.

During the battle of Okinawa, Desmond’s unit, 1st Battalion, attempted to assault what was known as “the escarpment”, a steep cliff with entrenched Japanese on the summit. The troops had to use man-made ladders to scale the rocks, only to be driven off the summit by intense enemy fire. Between 50 and 100 dead and wounded were left on the plateau. PFC Doss scaled the face of the cliff, and rigged up a litter to let the wounded down. As an unarmed medic, his only protection was his faith in God and he continued in prayer all while he treated the wounded and lowered them down the escarpment. The whole time PFC Doss was exposed to enemy fire with bullets whizzing by constantly. Doss worked alone until all the wounded were evacuated. PFC Doss is credited with saving between 50 and 100 wounded comrades and was awarded the Medal of Honor. The citation reads as follows:

Citation:
He (Doss) was a company aid man when the 1st Battalion assaulted a jagged escarpment 400 feet (120 m) high. As our troops gained the summit, a heavy concentration of artillery, mortar and machine gun fire crashed into them, inflicting approximately 75 casualties and driving the others back. Pfc. Doss refused to seek cover and remained in the fire-swept area with the many stricken, carrying them 1 by 1 to the edge of the escarpment and there lowering them on a rope-supported litter down the face of a cliff to friendly hands. On May 2, he exposed himself to heavy rifle and mortar fire in rescuing a wounded man 200 yards (180 m) forward of the lines on the same escarpment; and 2 days later he treated 4 men who had been cut down while assaulting a strongly defended cave, advancing through a shower of grenades to within 8 yards (7.3 m) of enemy forces in a cave's mouth, where he dressed his comrades' wounds before making 4 separate trips under fire to evacuate them to safety. On May 5, he unhesitatingly braved enemy shelling and small arms fire to assist an artillery officer. He applied bandages, moved his patient to a spot that offered protection from small arms fire and, while artillery and mortar shells fell close by, painstakingly administered plasma. Later that day, when an American was severely wounded by fire from a cave, Pfc. Doss crawled to him where he had fallen 25 feet (7.6 m) from the enemy position, rendered aid, and carried him 100 yards (91 m) to safety while continually exposed to enemy fire. On May 21, in a night attack on high ground near Shuri, he remained in exposed territory while the rest of his company took cover, fearlessly risking the chance that he would be mistaken for an infiltrating Japanese and giving aid to the injured until he was himself seriously wounded in the legs by the explosion of a grenade. Rather than call another aid man from cover, he cared for his own injuries and waited 5 hours before litter bearers reached him and started carrying him to cover. The trio was caught in an enemy tank attack and Pfc. Doss, seeing a more critically wounded man nearby, crawled off the litter; and directed the bearers to give their first attention to the other man. Awaiting the litter bearers' return, he was again struck, by a sniper bullet while being carried off the field by a comrade, this time suffering a compound fracture of 1 arm. With magnificent fortitude he bound a rifle stock to his shattered arm as a splint and then crawled 300 yards (270 m) over rough terrain to the aid station. Through his outstanding bravery and unflinching determination in the face of desperately dangerous conditions Pfc. Doss saved the lives of many soldiers. His name became a symbol throughout the 77th Infantry Division for outstanding gallantry far above and beyond the call of duty.

What spiritual lessons can we learn from the story of PFC Desmond Doss?

1) A true warrior’s weapons are their faith and convictions
PFC Doss had a conviction based on his beliefs. He had the faith to live it out under the most distressful circumstances. His convictions and faith were more important than his own life. Doss was a slight man in stature, but a giant in faith and courage. He put the wounded in his care above his own life and safety.

As Christians, tend to posses convictions and a faith that vacillates with shifting situations. We must be willing to trust God’s word even to the point of death. Our morals and beliefs should be unshakable no matter what comes our way.

2) The best witness is living out your convictions in the battle
PFC Doss never tried to push his convictions on anyone. He didn’t argue with those accusing him of being a coward. He won over his unit and commanders by demonstrating his integrity and devotion to his unit. He spoke softly but exhibited a huge faith.

As Christians, it is easy to talk ‘faith and power’ until the firefight begins. It is in this battle we are tested. We should walk humbly allowing our good works to do the speaking for us.
“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (Matt 5:16)

The Warrior's Ethos

2009-07-23T16:56:00.008-04:00

This is the "Soldier's Creed"

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.
I will always place the mission first.
I will never accept defeat.
I will never quit.
I will never leave a fallen comrade.
I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills. I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself.
I am an expert and I am a professional.
I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the United States of America in close combat.
I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life.
I am an American Soldier.

This is a good creed to live our Christian faith by. This should be our version. Changes are in bold type

I am an follower of Jesus.
I am a Christian and a member of a family. I serve God and live Kingdom values.
I will always place the mission first.
I will never accept defeat.
I will never quit.
I will never leave a fallen comrade.
I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills. I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself.
I am an expert and I am a professional.
I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the faith in close spiritual warfare.
I am a guardian of grace and the Kingdom way of life.
I am a follower of Jesus.

Lessons from The Pusan Defense– July 28

2009-07-13T17:16:00.002-04:00

On June 25, 1950, North Korea came across the 38th Parallel, which divides North and South Korea and in doing so launched an invasion of South Korea. US troops arrived from Japan on July 2, but they were poorly trained and equipped. Only about 10% were WW2 vets with any combat experience. These troops of the 24th division were pushed down the peninsula in successive defeats until NKPA (North Korean People’s Army) troops had moved deep into South Korea.

Three US divisions (the 24th, 25th and the 1st Cav) as well as five ROK (Republic of Korea) divisions formed a “last stand” rectangular perimeter around Pusan (which was the only deepwater port in Korea) and on July 28th, General Johnnie Walker issued his famous “Stand or Die” order. He wrote:

“We are fighting a battle against time. There will be no more retreating, withdrawal or readjustment of the lines or any other term you choose. There is no line behind us to which we can retreat.…There will be no Dunkirk [referencing the sea withdrawal of the British during WW2], there will be no Bataan [referencing the surrender and subsequent torture of the American troops]. A retreat to Pusan would be one of the greatest butcheries in history. We must fight until the end.…We will fight as a team. If some of us must die, we will die fighting together.…I want everybody to understand we are going to hold this line. We are going to win.”

The defense of this position lasted from August 1 to the middle of September. The NKPA forces kept up a relentless attack with ten divisions, but the NATO lines held and by mid September General MacArthur landed troops at Inchon (above the NKPA forces) and pushed south toward the defensive position. It is here US and ROK troops broke out and went on the offensive. NATO troops eventually pushed the NKPA forces out of South Korea all the way to the China border.

What spiritual lessons can we learn from this engagement?

1) There is strength in numbers – US forces themselves most likely could not have held the lines alone. These troops were not combat experienced. The ROK forces were fierce fighters who would stand with their American allies to the death, never flinching. As Christians, we cannot or should not bear our burdens alone. There is strength in bearing each other’s burdens.
“A threefold cord is not easily broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12)

2) You never know when God may call on you to do exploits- The men at Pusan were hurried to Korea from Japan, where they were conducting the rather quiet job of occupying a defeated country post WW2. They had no idea in a month they would be fighting for their lives. As Christians, we never know when we will be called on to “stand in the gap”. We might live a quiet, obscure life and then suddenly thrust into a spiritual “fight or die” event like Gideon was (see Judges Chpt 6). We need to always be ready to answer that call.

3) We lead by serving – The NATO lines were stretched thin at many points. Each division had 25 to 30 miles of line to defend. General Walker flew in a recon plane from position to position personally overseeing the defenses and encouraging the troops. He was inside the perimeter and his order to stand or die included himself. As Christian leaders, we often find it easy to lead by asking others to do what we do not want to do. A good leader serves those he (or she) leads by serving out front, by protecting the flock, by encouraging the fearful and timid and by showing the flock they are in the battle with them.

4) A defensive position is temporary – Eventually the NATO troops broke out and engaged the enemy in a counter attack. As Christians, we cannot sit in a defensive position in life taking wave after wave of attacks from the devil. We must attack him back with the offensive weapons God has given us. Passive faith will eventually be overrun.
“Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”. (Ephesians 6:17)

Lessons from the Braddock's Defeat- July 9

2009-07-08T12:29:00.003-04:00

On July 9th 1755, British General Edward Braddock led a column of British regular troops and militia from the American colonies totaling 1300 men on an expedition to capture French held Fort Duquesne (Located where Pittsburgh now is) during the beginning of the French and Indian war.

Soon Braddock’s main column came under fire from French and Indian forces totaling 300 hiding in the woods. Braddock’s men were marching in a column on a narrow road and the officers found it difficult to form the men in firing lines due to the withering fire coming out of the woods. When the column’s advance troops fell back into the main column, confusion ensued. Officers tried to reform the units into regular lines on the narrow road only to make for easy targets. French and Indian forces continued to attack the British flanks until Gen. Braddock was shot off his horse (and later died). The subornate officers failed to give clear command and the resistance weakened. Virginia militia Colonel George Washington, then only 23 years old and an aide to Gen. Braddock formed a read guard with the colonial militia that allowed the British to withdraw from the field.

The British suffered 456 killed and 422 wounded, while French and Indian causalities were 23 killed and 16 wounded.

What spiritual lessons can we learn from Braddock’s defeat?

1) Victory is not assured until the end – Braddock was ten miles from Fort Duquesne when the battle began. Most historians agree that the French would have had to surrender the post if the British arrived there. Paul compared the Christian journey as a marathon, and only finishing the race matters. “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved” (Matt 24:13)

2) Changing situations require changing tactics – The British were used to massing men and fighting in the open fields of Europe. North America presented dense forests and the French learned to fight “Indian style”, i.e. fighting from the woods using the element of surprise. It has been written Braddock’s dying words were “We shall better know how to deal with them another time”. As Christians, we find comfort in “tried and true” methods, but we must be open and adapt to the changing landscape we encounter. Paul wrote “To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some” (I Cor. 9:22)

3) It is easy to lose your way in the heat of battle – When the chaos of battle started, men broke ranks and started to collide with each other. Junior officers failed to instill calm in their panicking men so they could follow instruction. As Christians, we tend to panic and try to reason things out when we are under duress. We must learn to pause and listen to the Holy Spirit for direction. We must remain calm on the battlefields of life.

4) Today’s defeat can be a stepping-stone to tomorrow’s victories – Many famous men were part of Braddock’s beaten column. George Washington was deemed not worthy of a commission in the regular British army, so he accepted a commission in the Virginia militia. A year earlier, he had surrendered Fort Necessity to the French. Though not in the official chain of command, he took charge once Braddock was killed and his actions kept the column from complete annihilation. The frontiersman Daniel Boone (who became a folk hero) and Revolutionary war hero Daniel Morgan were also attached to the column. As Christians, we tend to take setbacks hard. We want to quit trying anymore and our gifts and talents lie dormant. We must learn the lessons from our failures and setbacks so they become reference points for future victories over the forces that battle our souls.

Lessons from San Juan Hill– July 1

2009-07-01T18:05:00.013-04:00

The Spanish American war was fought against Spain in the spring and summer of 1898. The war ended with Spain's surrender and their ceding rights to Puerto Rico, Guam, the Philippians and Cuba.

On July 1, 1898, United States forces attacked Spanish held fortifications on Kettle and San Juan Hills in Cuba. This action was a precursor to attacking the capital city of Santiago.

900 Spanish and Cuban soldiers defended Kettle and San Juan Hills. Nearly 8,000 US soldiers, comprising both of regular Army and volunteers, assaulted the hills. Teddy Roosevelt’s “Rough Riders” along with Buffalo soldiers of the 9th and 10th Cavalry attacked Kettle Hill while General Jacob Kent’s 1st Corp, which including the 24th and 25th infantry divisions (black units) attacked San Juan Hill.

Both positions were taken, but at a heavy price. US units suffered three times as many causalities as the Spanish. Teddy Roosevelt became a household name and the Spanish surrendered after later attacks on Santiago and Manila.

What spiritual lessons can we learn from this engagement?

1) The Last shall be first– Blacks have served in the military since the Revolution, but usually in segregated units. What was then known as “colored units” were commanded by white officers. The record of these units were excellent, but the military as a whole marginalized these troops as unreliable or untested. San Juan and Kettle Hills placed the black troops on center stage for the world to see. They fought along side of white units and more than held their own. They came out of this war with a sparkling reputation as both loyal and reliable soldiers. Roosevelt wrote later how well the black troops performed in combat. As Christians, we allow prejudice to influence our opinions of people. We tend to size up people by their skin color, pedigree or education. David was the last one anyone would have chosen to fight the giant Goliath, but God chose him. “Man looks on the outer appearance, but God sees the heart”

2) United we stand, divided we fall – Roosevelt wrote that his volunteers, the black troops and white troops fought as a single unit, intermingled and with single purpose. Each supported the other, and the objective was more important than unit pride or prejudice. Christians sometimes do not stand with other Christians because of denominational bias or doctrinal differences. We are fighting the forces of evil, and we need to be united in that cause. We are Christians first, then our individual brands second.

3) Don’t be quick to rush into a situation – Roosevelt had a press team with him to publish his exploits to the world. He was brash, eager and not trained militarily. He wanted to be the first up the hill so he led a early assault. After securing Kettle Hill, he wanted in on the action on San Juan Hill so he mounted yet another charge. US causalities were three times as many as the Spanish due in part to these hasty frontal assaults. As Christians, we should take the time to pray before we rush into hasty decisions. Wisdom is thinking and praying before acting.

Happy Birthday America - July 4

2009-06-30T07:45:00.011-04:00

As America celebrates another birthday, many ask the questions “where is America at” and “what shape is she in?”

America is like she always has been, a democracy held in tension by the various streams of opinion and thought. Every generation laments her failings, but we need to also celebrate her strength, vitality and perseverance.

While America is not a Christian nation in the sense of a theocracy, we are a nation where Christianity, faith and open worship flourish. Our disagreements aren’t behind closed doors, but out in the public arena. We don’t convert by the sword, but by persuasion of ideas in an open dialogue. America doesn’t have ‘prostylizing laws’ that prohibit this free expression that most other “religious” countries have on their books.

In the political arena, our views are polarized, but our heated debates are public, open to the voice of the people and subject to our free and open voting. We peacefully transfer power every four years, have never had a coup or an overthrow of the government, and only once did we try to split, and the results were so bloody and horrific that hopefully it will never be tried again.

America is a nation that is a personification of her people. We play hard, finish our fights, carry our burdens with grace, give of our resources and ourselves sacrificially, are a people of faith and are always willing to stand up for the weak and the persecuted of the world as well as stand up against those who persecute. We have many disagreements, but the processes are in place to resolve them peacefully. Our young men and women serve in the military, the Peace Corp and as medical volunteers here and abroad, always counting the cost and accepting the responsibility that goes with the freedom America offers. From the Colonists at Lexington and Concord, the volunteers under General Jackson at New Orleans, the 20th Maine holding Little Round Top at Gettysburg, the Buffalo soldiers charging side by side with Colonel Roosevelt’s Rough Riders up Kettle Hill in Cuba, the D-Day landing, the Marines fighting at the Chosin Reservoir in Korea, the 101st Airborne defending Hamburger Hill in Vietnam, The civil rights marchers standing up for their Constitutional rights on the Edmund Pettis Bridge, the 3rd Infantry division liberating Iraq, or our Special Forces in Afghanistan … Americans have always answered the call when her country needed them.

So this July 4th, while you watch fireworks or cook out, remember the words written by Lee Greenwood in his song “God Bless the USA”

“If tomorrow all the things were gone I'd worked for all my life,
And I had to start again with just my children and my wife,
I'd thank my lucky stars to be living here today,
'Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can't take that away.

I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free,
And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me,
And I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today,
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God Bless the U.S.A.”

Happy Birthday, America……..and many more!

Jeff Henning

Lessons from Little Round Top – July 2

2009-06-25T10:52:00.002-04:00

As July began in 1863, two great armies, the Federal Army of the Potomac and the Confederate Army of Virginia met in a three-day pitched battle at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Day one gave General Lee the upper hand; day two centered on the pivotal skirmishes for the high ground on Cemetery Ridge. Part of that clash was the holding of Little Round Top by the 20th Maine Infantry. Had this left flank of the Union lines failed, Confederate forces could have driven Federal troops off the ridge, and commanded the elevated area during Pickett’s charge the following day. The troops of the 20th Maine were ordered to hold the hill at any cost.

The 15th Alabama Infantry commanded by Colonel William Oates made repeated charges up Little Round Top only to be repulsed by the 20th Maine, commanded by Colonel Joshua Chamberlain. Noting their depleted ranks, and the fact they were completely out of ammunition, Chamberlain ordered a last ditch bayonet charge down the hill into Oates troops. The Rebel soldiers panicked and were overtaken by the charging Federal troops. The left flank and the Federal lines in cemetery Ridge held, providing a platform for flanking fire the next day during Pickett’s charge.

What spiritual lessons can we learn from this engagement?

1) Never cede the high ground – On a battlefield, the high ground is a most precious piece of land. It commands a view of the field, and serves as a platform for supporting fire. As Christians, we must never cede the high ground of our morals and character. We too must defend them “to the death”. As we learned in the story of Samson, once we are brought down to the level of our enemies, we can be bound and afflicted.

2) Sometimes, the margin between victory and defeat is one more try – The Alabama troops had tried and been repulsed on every charge, but unbeknownst to them, each attack weakened the Federal lines. The Rebel troops might have taken the hill on that last charge, but panic set in when the Federal troops came after them. As Christians, we sometimes seek answers to prayer or deliverance, only to be rebuffed time and again. It is amazing how many times we stop seeking God only to find out that victory would have come with the next push.
“And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you” Luke 11:9 AMP

3) Why sit we here until we die? – Colonel Joshua Chamberlain knew his position was dire. Out of ammunition and facing a Rebel charge that would have overtaken his position, he could have fixed bayonet and waited for the inevitable. He chose to be proactive and launch his own charge. The four leprous men in 2 Kings 7 saw their options as sitting where they were starving to death or getting up, taking possession of their fate, and advancing toward the enemy. One made the statement “why sit here until we die?”. They, like the 20th Maine were proactive and that turned their positions from dire to victorious. As Christians, we sometimes sit passively by and accept the circumstances life brings. We let depression paralyze us. We must get up, advance against all odds and bring victory in our lives.

Lessons from The Little Big Horn - June 25

2009-06-23T16:48:00.010-04:00

June 25th marks the 133rd anniversary of the battle at the Little Big Horn River, known as “Custer’s Last Stand”. On that hot Montana day in June 1876, six hundred plus men from the 7th US Calvary engaged a combined native force of around two thousand Lakota and Cheyenne at the Little Big Horn River.

Lt. Col. Custer divided up his command into three units of around 220 each. They attacked the native village from three sides and were immediately repulsed. The two units under the command of Captain Benteen and Major Reno fought back across the river and took up defensive positions, where they remained for the rest of the battle. The command under Custer formed a dismounted skirmish line at the location known today as “last stand hill” and his command was wiped out to the man. Reno and Benteen held out until reinforcements arrived from Gen. Terry’s column. In total, the 7th suffered 52% causalities and a humiliating defeat that shocked the nation..

What spiritual lessons can we learn from this engagement?

1) Pride comes before a fall – Custer should have seen the size of the force he was engaging and waited for Terry’s column to arrive, but he wanted the glory that day. People were pushing his name as a presidential candidate and fame from this battle would bring popularity. Custer’s ego overrode his military training. We as Christians can be so caught up with wanting to “do great things for God” that we move ahead before God wants us to. We want to ‘cast out devils’ before we have conquered our own flesh. We want a church of 5,000 before we can handle issues in one of 50. The road to success is paved with humility. The road to ruin is paved in pride and self-importance.

2) Never underestimate your enemy – Custer thought the natives would be no match for his unit, both in tactics and tenacity. He soon found out they fought with purpose and strategy. Custer divided his troops, the Lakota and Cheyenne untied together. We as Christians should never glibly assume the devil is some pushover that we should ignore or overlook. Satan has power, the power to possess souls and deceive all but the most committed. We should respect both the tactics and tenacity of Satan and his demons while uniting with the Holy Spirit to overcome them.

3) You reap what you sow – A little known fact about Custer and the 7th was the Battle at Washita River in November 1868. Charging the sleeping camp at dawn to the tune of Garry Owen, Custer led a frontal attack on a village filled with mostly old men, women and children and when the carnage was over, the village was burned to the ground and many were killed. The lack of causalities to the troopers has led many historians to call this a massacre, not a battle. The fact that women and children were killed enraged the natives, who would remember “Yellow hair” and the 7th at the Big Horn. We as Christians are told “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18). Our lack of compassion towards others can be returned towards us negatively down the line. Living at peace means treating others as we would want to be treated. Sow kindness --- reap kindness. Sow anger and rage --- reap the same.