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| Your family in Fallujah...on patrol? |
We live in a world where men have chosen the easy way. But, those Men who think that life is simple and can coast through it are just fooling themselves. The proof of that last statement is validated by simply reading the newspaper or watching the latest network or local news report.
As a general rule, men are horrible examples. And it seems to me that men who should have the most responsibility to lead us, are the ones who tend to disappoint us the most. I wish I could say that it was only men from a certain line of work, like a politician, who blow it. But it's just not that way. There seems to be just as many "religious men" that fall with increasing regularity.
Has it always been that way? I guess you could make an argument for that. But, it seems that now more than ever, men are taking a backseat when it comes to living upright, clean, and moral lives. Is it really any wonder that we see the next generation tripping and stumbling like blind men without a lead? Examples of good lifestyles are few and far between, especially when it comes to men. Men, let me say this, "These things ought not be!" You see, we live in a war zone. Not a war zone of bullets and bombs, but a war zone that is after the lives of our own families.
I have been reading a book once again called Point Man by Steve Farrar. He was talking about welcoming us to a war zone. Let me read a little bit for you:
"On this particular day, you would give anything not to be here. For you are going out on patrol. You've been on patrol before, but today is different, and that's why there's a knot in your gut and and icy fear in your heart.
"Today is different because the patrol leader has appointed you to be 'point man' point. In essence, you're the leader. Everyone else will fall behind you. And as you move out to encounter the enemy, you realize that the survival of those seven men stepping cautiously behind you will depend upon just one thing: your ability to lead. Your judgment may determine whether they live or die. The responsibility hangs over your head like the suffocating humidity and anxiety in the air."Then it happened:
"You never saw it coming. The violent shock and utter surprise of gunfire momentarily paralyzes you, despite your 'instant reaction' training. Before you can respond, a bullet tears through your flesh and explodes the bone in your leg. 1000 thoughts instantly floods your mind: Am I going to die? Where are the shots coming from? Is there more than one? Will I lose my leg? Where's the patrol leader?
"One glance...tells you that the family of the patrol leader is now fatherless. You're trying to determine what to do next, just what is the situation? What are we up against?
"Two other men beside the patrol leader were hit. One is dead, the other bleeding profusely."
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| "Men ought to pray always..." |
Imagine now... you're leading your family. This time it's not your patrol behind you but "you see your wife and your children following behind. Your little girl is trying to choke back tears, and your boy is trying to act brave. Your wife is holding the baby and trying to keep him quiet. On this patrol, you don't want to engage the enemy, you want to avoid him." He continues:
"What would you be feeling under such conditions? The survival of each member of your family – and his survival as a whole – would completely depend upon your ability to lead through the maze of possible ambushes, unseen booby-traps, invisible snipers, and all the extraordinary hazards of combat."It might sound far-fetched, but the reality is that we are in a war. And it is a war that we must win for our wive's and children's sake. It is a battle and we seem to be outnumbered, but it can be won. You can win.
Men, will you choose to make a difference today?
In the battle with you,
Pastor Trey Rhodes
Don't miss Part 2 tomorrow for Battlefield Instructions
GO HERE FOR LATEST PODCAST ON THE RIGHTEOUS MAN AND THE LOVING WIFE
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