On the lake….And remembering 9/11
I went out on the lake yesterday. That was pretty fun! I’m really starting to get the hang of this wakeboarding thing. 
Slowly but surely. I think I’ve improved every time I’ve done it. It was a pleasant and relaxing evening. Thanks to my friend Jordan for taking us out. I am so very blessed to have good friends around here. 
Yesterday was five years since the attacks upon our country in New York. When I think about it, it makes me a little angry that we have enemies that would choose to fight a war by killing civilians! Their purpose was not to strategically cripple us, but to kill lots of people in a very public way and on a grand scale. I guess they had strategic targets also (Pentagon for example) but they were especially focused on the Trade Center. Such wickedness is to be resisted and defeated!
At the same time, God wants those enemies of ours to be redeemed, and to repent of their wickedness, and come to Christ for salvation. Let us remember that. Now, if those terrorists are coming at me and my family with intent to kill, I’m going to blow their heads away as a vicious protector of those I care about. But I will not do it with glee, but with a degree of sorrow that those men had to die without Christ. 
Perhaps you think this is wacko nuts. That’s ok. I’m not saying this to impress you, or make you agree, but simply expressing my perspective on fighting and killing sinners when necessary. Fellow patriots, let’s be Christ-like even as warriors and soldiers. (If there was a smiley called “Resolved”, I would put it up here.)
And a p.s., I haven’t forgotten my promises to talk about music. I just have been very busy. I will get to it at some point.
About The Author
Preacher Dad
Jarod has been a pastor, construction worker, restaurant manager, ministry administrator, children's story teller, author....in no particular order. At heart he is passionate about the Truth, and has been called to proclaim that Truth from an early age. He is committed to his wife and eight children, and seeks to have a lasting impact upon the future by discipling his family. He blogs at PreacherDad.com on parenting, preparing, and cultural impact.
Click
So sad too to think about the multiple teriorst attacks that happen around the world and even more so the multitudes of Christians that die for their faith, but the logic that they still need Jesus, is just as true.
happy wakeboarding
It makes me sad to think of not just civilian death, but military death as well. War doesn’t solve problems. It really doesn’t. If you and I have a disagreement and we have a hard time coming to a resolution, how much more will a fight help us come to a resolution? How much more will our personal armies (imagine this to be an ideal analogy wherein we both have personal armies) fighting amongst each other help us to come to a resolution?
of course, things are more complex when you’re dealing with irrational people…
What does the bible say about these things? I can think of a few examples, but nothing that would lead me to make an absolutist statement.
~LL
In Romans 13 we read some about the “higher powers”, government leaders, that God has ordained. It says that they do not bear the sword in vain. It also says that he (the ruler) is a minister of God to execute wrath, or punishment, upon those that do evil. This is a statement about the role of government. Now the context is clearly talking about internal evil. That is to say, evil being done within the borders of the country. But I think the application can also be made to those outside of the country. Does this mean it is our job to punish evil all over the world? Are we to go around as the USA and say “Hey, that’s evil, we’re going to punish you for it.” No, I don’t believe that is Biblical. However, God has ordained authority (including governemntal authority) for our protection. They are there to protect us from evil. (Sometimes government becomes the evil, but that is usually a judgement upon a nation.)
As to war, you are right in a certain context. If you and I had a disagreement or personal hate for each other, fighting about it would not really help us. A fight between us would not get down to the root issues and help us resolve our conflict. However, a personal conflict between two people (especially two Christians) is a very different thing than needing to go to war. War is sometimes necessary in order to protect and defend a people, and to defeat evil in the world. (At least on a surface, physical level.)
A better analogy to war would be if you were coming at my family with a machete, or an automatic rifle, with the intent to kill. You are therefore (in this analogy, brother) an evil man who is a very serious threat to my family. In that situation, a conflict between us would help to resolve the problem.
In fact, a conflict between us would be necessary, and to run from or resist that conflict would be wrong, and a rejection of my God given duty to protect my family. In that situation, a “war” between us would be the right thing to do. (If you didn’t back down in terror at my immense power and intimidation.) 
LOL!!
Couldn’t agree with you more!
Good analogy. Interesting comments and all.
-Laura