[…]ranks. To students of military history, the weapon most closely associated with the Marine Corps is the kabar. “Kabar”is the familiar name of a knife which accompanied Marines around the globe during the Second World War. Its muscular build and vicious blade elicit images of fierce hand-to-hand combat. My father served nearly three decades in the Marine Corps, enlisting in 1946 at the age of seventeen. He stood in awe of the veterans he met who were well acquainted with the kabar. In time he possessed his own, and it accompanied him to subsequent wars. Since his retirement, he gave […]
[…]their victims. Recall Goliath, or Hitler, or Saddam, or the devil himself. The Christian warrior is the “man of the in-between.” With mind and heart committed to righteous principle, he offers himself to shield others. The image is thoroughly biblical. When the Philistines occupied the south ridge of the Valley of Elah, and the Israeli army the opposite ridge, each day the giant of Gath descended to the valley floor between and taunted the champion of Israel. Saul, head and shoulders above his people, had no heart for the in-between. But Jesse’s kid did. To David, it was a straightforward […]
[…]training battalion-the kind with 500 to 600 privates getting their first high-and-tight haircuts, and their introduction to the Army, sixty drill sergeants to give them that introduction, and a handful of officers and NCOs to support them. When I introduced myself to the drill sergeants, I included with my hobbies, family, and interests the fact that I am a Christian. I said I wanted them to know what shapes my values and behavior. I told them that, although I prayed that each of them would be a Christian because I believed that would be the best thing for them, that […]
[…]rank, but to serve your nation and lead and serve your soldiers. Knowing that we are called to this by our Lord frees us from the unreachable drive for personal success, to follow instead the call and example of our Lord’s in true service. “Jesus is Lord” will be a source of great strength and guidance in combat. Knowing that Jesus is Lord in your life will give you confidence to handle the weight of combat command and the courage to face death. This does not mean that you may not be killed. Jesus was Lord as much in my […]
