The Article Archives
Topic: Truth in Culture Weekly Commentaries
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Sending Our Children
August 17, 2009
S. Michael Craven
The day I have long dreaded has finally arrived. My oldest and only son, Tyler, left for the Marine Corps this morning. For the next thirteen weeks, he will be going through basic training (boot camp) in San Diego. We will not be able to communicate with or see him until his graduation in November and then only for a few days until he ships out again. This will be a challenge for his mother, two sisters, and me, as he has always been an enormous personality and presence in our home.
Of course, we always knew that our children would leave home and, frankly, it’s what they must do. However, I thought we would have a little more time—he would go to college; not quite as severe a break as the military, especially in time of war. In fact, last year he had opportunities and was planning to play baseball in college. This was—we thought—his immediate future. I would have four more years with my son, helping him navigate his college years, and watching him play baseball, which has always been an enormous source of joy to me.
I was surprised when Tyler came to me this past December with his plan. Especially after being offered a scholarship to play baseball at Ouachita Baptist University. He explained, “I love baseball; it’s a great game, but baseball will never make me a better man.” He said, “I’m not sure I’m ready for college; I don’t know if I’m ready to be a student and full-time athlete.” Well, my first thought was who are you and what have you done with my son? Don’t get me wrong. I love my son dearly and I am very proud of him but up to this point, this kind of insight had never been his strong suit. Tyler explained that he felt he needed more self-discipline and that he wanted to “serve something greater than himself.” He wanted to join the Marine Corps first and then go to college.
I thought about his reasoning and realized he was more right than wrong. In fact, I have met very few eighteen-year-old young men today who are emotionally and spiritually ready for college, much less adulthood. It doesn’t help that the university has become one of the most spiritually, morally, and philosophically toxic environments on earth! In the past decade or so, a new phenomenon has been sweeping the Western world, in which young men in particular are failing to mature. Adolescence often extends well into their twenties and, in some cases, their thirties. They remain boys in men’s bodies.
Last year Michael Kimmel, a sociologist at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, released the results of his groundbreaking study in a book entitled Guyland: The Perilous World Where Boys Become Men. Kimmel interviewed nearly 400 young men between 16 and 26 years of age, and over the course of 352 pages, he reveals a disturbing trend among the future of American manhood: Too many young men are stuck between adolescence and adulthood. They are simply failing to progress into responsible manhood.
Kimmel coined the term Guyland to describe “the world in which young men live.” Guyland, according to Kimmel “is both a stage of life, [an] … undefined time span between adolescence and adulthood that can often stretch for a decade or more, and a place … where guys gather to be guys with each other, unhassled by the demands of parents, girlfriends, jobs, kids, and the other nuisances of adult life. In this topsy-turvy, Peter-Pan mindset, young men shirk the responsibilities of adulthood and remain fixated on the trappings of boyhood…” (Kimmel, Guyland [New York, NY: Harper Row, 2008], 6).
Kimmel goes on, “In college, they party hard but are soft on studying. They slip through the academic cracks … getting by with little effort and less commitment. After graduation, they drift aimlessly from one dead-end job to another, spend more time online playing video games and gambling than they do on dates, ‘hook up’ occasionally with a ‘friend with benefits,’ go out with their buddies, drink too much, and save too little. After college, they perpetuate that experience and move home or live in group apartments in major cities, with several other guys from their dorm or fraternity…. They have grandiose visions for their futures and not a clue how to get from here to there.”
Both Britain and Australia are confronted with “Laddism”: Lads are simply Guys with British accents, consuming the same media, engaging in the same sorts of behaviors, and lubricating their activities with the same alcohol. In Italy, they’re called mammonis, or mama’s boys. In Italy “a whopping 82 percent of men aged 18–30 are still living at home with their parents” (Mark Penn, Microtrends, [New York, NY: Hachette Book Group, 2007], 324). So severe is the economic impact that the Italian government began offering incentives for these mama’s boys to move out and become productive! In France, they’re called “Tanguys” after the French film of the same title that depicts their lifestyle.
In other words, many young men throughout Western culture are not growing up; they’re not leaving the narcissism of childhood for the responsibilities (as well as opportunities) of manhood. They’re unproductive and short on ambition; they’re hedonistic, shallow, and vain, lacking any coherent sense of direction, purpose, or meaning. And this is not, according to Kimmel, the exception in America. He writes, “Guyland … has become a stage of life, a ‘demographic,’ that is now pretty much the norm.”
As Christians, we bear the responsibility to raise our children in the knowledge and admonition of the Lord, to put away childish things and assume their place in the world, seeking first the kingdom of God. This is the purpose to which we as parents should orient their lives! We should not send them to college simply because we don’t know what else to do with them after high school. Neither should we send them to college simply to get a good job so they can pursue their version of the American dream. And finally, we should not enable our children to drift aimlessly while they wallow in adolescent self-indulgence.
You may wonder if serving in the military serves the kingdom. Some may disagree but I think it does if you consider the concepts of enacting justice or liberating the oppressed. Every indication at this point is that my son will go to Afghanistan after training; if you know anything about the Taliban then you understand they are an exceedingly tyrannical and evil regime that has inflicted enormous pain and suffering upon the people of Afghanistan. Such suffering should grieve the Christian and seeking first the kingdom includes the bringing of relief whenever possible. If my son can be used by God to bring such needed relief—to “set at liberty those who are oppressed” as Jesus said—then I pray the Lord do so.
I will miss my beloved son more than anything on earth but I trust that the Lord will use this experience to prepare and equip him, to put away childish things and make him a better man, devout and courageous, one who will hold nothing back in his service to the King. I believe this: the need for such followers will only increase in the days ahead.
© 2009 by S. Michael Craven
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Responses
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Response from : Steven A. Knotts |
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August 17, 2009 8:19 AM
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Excellent article! Right on the mark.with the proliferation of "helicopter parenting" we have created a generation of "momma's boys" with, unfortunately, very few exceptions as the one described in the artcle.
Pastor Steven A. Knotts
http://www.basicessentials.org
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Response from : Dave Blackwell |
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August 17, 2009 8:21 AM
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The life in "guyland" has also had a debilitating effect on the church, where there are fewer men, and fewer younger mwn than ever before.
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Response from : Chip Burkitt |
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August 17, 2009 8:23 AM
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I have a son returning to Afghanistan this fall. Letting him go the first time was hard. Knowing what he faces this time makes it doubly hard. Lurking behind all the upbeat, positive possibilities are some possible outcomes that I don't want to think about. But I think about them anyway and continue to pray for his integrity and safety.
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Response from : Mark Hamilton |
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August 17, 2009 8:28 AM
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Michael,
My son-in-law is 25. Out of high school Anthony joined the Navy in Intelligence. My daughter was a high school friend. When they were 21 she and two friends visited him at the Pentagon (6 hours away) and two other h.s. friends in the area. When she returned she said,"Dad,I think Anthony and I are interested in ea. other." She was homeschooled, taught about courting and never had a boyfriend. They began courting from a distance. In May '07 she graduated from the local College where I teach philosophy, in June they married, and moved to San Diego. Three months later she was pregnant with my granddaughter born May '08. In May '09 his six years were up. He would have stayed in for a career, but the deployments were too much for a family. They are now back here in Ashland, Ohio (5 minutes from us), in our church, he has a full-time job working with his Navy clearance in a non-government job, and will be finishing school the next 2 years. While in the Navy he was able to gain 50 transferable credits for college. He is so much more mature than other 24-25 year olds. We are truly blessed and have seen the Providence of God at work. May God Bless your son. In a year or so encourage him to look at getting some college credits while in the Service.
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Response from : Julie Smith |
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August 17, 2009 8:30 AM
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Oh my goodness. Been there, done that. God will stretch you as you hear about your son being stretched with his boot camp experience. Our son entered in January, but Parris Island, got waylaid by 6 addtnl. weeks with pneumonia and recovery, and finally graduated in May. A proud and very moving moment for these parents. We knew he could do it. He believed it to be God's calling for him, and so we gave our blessing and continue to pray God's covering over him, and believe that God will use him in this calling.
You will go through a large range of emotions, so get prepared. Yes, even dads. Scripture speaks a number of times of the soldier, and it is amazing how much the training of the Marine is so like the training and discipline that God's Word speaks of.
The watchman in the tower.... always on the alert...never to slumber and let our guard down. These guys watch one another's back...and they are committed. Its' Do It or Die. It's not easy to see a son raised in a Christian home enter into this walk and feel what he must be experiencing and walking through... But God called them to it, and He will see them through it. HE wants His disciples in all walks of life, yes, even in the military...especially! God protect and grow your son and strengthen you as parents. You will be proud, I guarantee it. God bless.
http://www.faithgraceandjoy.blogspot.com
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Response from : Peggy Cairns |
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August 17, 2009 8:32 AM
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I will pray for Tyler. My son did ROTC in college, having signed on before Sept. 11. He served with the 82nd Airborne as an officer, and did 15 months in Afghanistan near Pakistan. So I know a bit of what you are feeling. I imagine you are also aware of the dangers of the influence of the military environment on your young man, which are as formidable as those of college. Many therein do not abstain from hard drinking, cursing, treating women with disrespect or acting irresponsibly. We can only hope Tyler can be a persevering light in the darkness, rather than letting it snuff him out. I will specifically pray he has a worthy superior officer who is, at the very least, strong ethically. My son, Peter, had prayed to find another Christian officer that he could work together with, for sustenance, but that prayer never got a "yes" answer.
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Response from : Dave Leeman |
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August 17, 2009 8:49 AM
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Good words Michael. We so identified with you yesterday, as about 5 years ago one of the hardest things I have ever done was drive our son to the Greyhound bus depot in Dallas to go to bootcamp. And we didn't even know he would have 2 tours of Iraq in this time. But God saw fit to keep him safe and he has a confidence, leadership, self-discipline and committment to Christ tht he never had formerly. Our prayers will continue with Tyler and your entire family. Dave
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Response from : Bob Soule |
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August 17, 2009 8:52 AM
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Mike & Family-
First, I know where your son is coming from. In 1975, I had come to the same cross roads. I had wasted a year in college and I knew I needed to do something to mature me for my chosen profession of law enforcement. I can tell you that my time at Parris Island was pure hell, but I would do it again.
It is a noble deed that Tyler has chosen to serve his country. He belongs to a special breed of men. He is a sheepdog. In Lt. Colonel Dave Grossman's book "On Killing;" he chonicles a great passage regarding the sheepdogs and it follows:
"Honor never grows old, and honor rejoices the heart of age. It does so because honor is, finally, about defending those noble and worthy things that deserve defending, even if it comes at a high cost. In our time, that may mean social disapproval, public scorn, hardship, persecution, or as always, even death itself. The question remains: What is worth defending? What is worth dying for? What is worth living for? - William J. Bennett - in a lecture to the United State s Naval Academy November 24, 1997
One Vietnam veteran, an old retired colonel, once said this to me: "Most of the people in our society are sheep. They are kind, gentle, productive creatures who can only hurt one another by accident." This is true. Remember, the murder rate is six per 100,000 per year, and the aggravated assault rate is four per 1,000 per year. What this means is that the vast majority of Americans are not inclined to hurt one another. Some estimates say that two million Americans are victims of violent crimes every year, a tragic, staggering number, perhaps an all-time record rate of violent crime. But there are almost 300 million Americans, which means that the odds of being a victim of violent crime is considerably less than one in a hundred on any given year. Furthermore, since many violent crimes are committed by repeat offenders, the actual number of violent citizens is considerably less than two million. Thus there is a paradox, and we must grasp both ends of the situation: We may well be in the most violent times in history, but violence is still remarkably rare. This is because most citizens are kind, decent people who are not capable of hurting each other, except by accident for under extreme provocation. They are sheep. I mean nothing negative by calling them sheep. To me, it is like the pretty, blue robin's egg. Inside it is soft and gooey but someday it will grow into something wonderful. But the egg cannot survive without its hard blue shell. Police officers, soldiers, and other warriors are like that shell, and someday the civilization they protect will grow into something wonderful. For now, though, they need warriors to protect them from the predators.
"Then there are the wolves," the old war veteran said, "and the wolves feed on the sheep without mercy." Do you believe there are wolves out there who will feed on the flock without mercy? You better believe it. There are evil men in this world and they are capable of evil deeds. The moment you forget that or pretend it is not so, you become a sheep. There is no safety in denial.
"Then there are sheepdogs," he went on, "and I'm a sheepdog. I live to protect the flock and confront the wolf."
If you have no capacity for violence then you are a healthy productive citizen, a sheep. If you have a capacity for violence and no empathy for your fellow citizens, then you have defined an aggressive sociopath, a wolf.
But what if you have a capacity for violence, and a deep love for your fellow citizens? What do you have then? A sheepdog, a warrior, someone who is walking the hero's path. Someone who can walk into the heart of darkness, into the universal human phobia, and walk out unscathed Let me expand on this old soldier's excellent model of the sheep, wolves, and sheepdogs. We know that the sheep live in denial that is what makes them sheep. They do not want to believe that there is evil in the world. They can accept the fact that fires can happen, which is why they want fire extinguishers, fire sprinklers, fire alarms and fire exits throughout their kids' schools. But many of them are outraged at the idea of putting an armed police officer in their kid's school. Our children are thousands of times more likely to be killed or seriously injured by school violence than fire, but the sheep's only response to the possibility of violence is denial. The idea of someone coming to kill or harm their child is just too hard, and so they chose the path of denial. The sheep generally do not like the sheepdog. He looks a lot like the wolf. He has fangs and the capacity for violence. The difference, though, is that the sheepdog must not, cannot and will not ever harm the sheep. Any sheep dog that intentionally harms the lowliest little lamb will be punished and removed. The world cannot work any other way, at least not in a representative democracy or a republic such as ours.
Still, the sheepdog disturbs the sheep. He is a constant reminder that there are wolves in the land. They would prefer that he didn't tell them where to go, or give them traffic tickets, or stand at the ready in our airports, in camouflage fatigues, holding an M-16. The sheep would much rather have the sheepdog cash in his fangs, spray paint himself white, and go, "Baa" until the wolf shows up. Then the entire flock tries desperately to hide behind one lonely sheepdog.
The students, the victims, at Columbine High School were big, tough high school students, and under ordinary circumstances they would not have had the time of day for a police officer. They were not bad kids; they just had nothing to say to a cop. When the school was under attack, however, and SWAT teams were clearing the rooms and hallways, the officers had to physically peel those clinging, sobbing kids off of them. This is how the little lambs feel about their sheepdog when the wolf is at the door.
Understand that there is nothing morally superior about being a sheepdog; it is just what you choose to be. Also understand that a sheepdog is a funny critter: He is always sniffing around out on the perimeter, checking the breeze, barking at things that go bump in the night, and yearning for a righteous battle. That is, the young sheepdogs yearn for a righteous battle. The old sheepdogs are a little older and wiser, but they move to the sound of the guns when needed, right along with the young ones.
Here is how the sheep and the sheepdog think differently. The sheep pretend the wolf will never come, but the sheepdog lives for that day. After the attacks on September 11, 2001, most of the sheep, that is, most citizens in America said, "Thank God I wasn't on one of those planes." The sheepdogs, the warriors, said, "Dear God, I wish I could have been on one of those planes. Maybe I could have made a difference." When you are truly transformed into a warrior and have truly invested yourself into warriorhood, you want to be there. You want to be able to make a difference. There is nothing morally superior about the sheepdog, the warrior, but he does have one real advantage. Only one. And that is that he is able to survive and thrive in an environment that destroys 98 percent of the population.
Some people may be destined to be sheep and others might be genetically primed to be wolves or sheepdogs. But I believe that most people can choose which one they want to be, and I'm proud to say that more and more Americans are choosing to become sheepdogs."
Robert Lewis, in his book "Raising a Modern Day Knight" provides a definition of what a Real Godly Man is:
A real man:
1. rejects passivity,
2. accepts responsibility
3. leads corageously
4. expects the greater reward!
God bless Tyler, you and your family!
From one sheepdog to another!
Semper Fi!
USMC 1975 - 1979
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Response from : John H. Armstrong |
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August 17, 2009 9:16 AM
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Since I know Tyler I can tell every reader of this article that he is the "real deal," a young man who is a real man. His choice was made with his eyes and heart wide open to do God's will. I can't think of an 18 year old man I respect anymore than your son. For that matter I can't think of a father and mother I respect more either. You are all in my prayers.
http://www.act3online.com
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Response from : Martin Van Dyk |
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August 17, 2009 9:21 AM
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Thank you for another clarifying commentary. The evolution of human revelation continues.
Please read "Blue Like Jazz" by Donald Miller. He writes with reflective honesty.
See http://books.google.com/books?id=wYqXT1N0DgAC&pg=PP3&lpg=PP3&dq=blue+like+jazz&source=bl&ots=wu8lBdn1-W&sig=d1NT7jAVqAhoepoK1D7xPZMPqAk&hl=en&ei=NWOJSsXvI4uCNM_B1M0E&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7#v=onepage&q=&f=false
I would be interested in your review of the book. Many thanks.
Martin
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Response from : kathy |
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August 17, 2009 9:41 AM
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You really hit the nail on the head! There's some comfort in knowing our kids are not necessarily the exception in today's world--or am I more uncomfortable? Patience, Lord, to know YOUR will for our kids!
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Response from : Bob Wininger |
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August 17, 2009 9:43 AM
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What is man hood? I think the young mem of today have very little role modles, we look at socity they mock everything that stands for something.
I collage the class and not educaton but indruction, where are we headed?
If we donot stand for something our childern are lost to find what ever they can in their own eyes and minds to stand for. In socity young men are thought to shun the older generation, and we have fallen in to that memtality.
We need to stand for rightness and pray for our children, pray for revival in the young.
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Response from : Melissa Cole |
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August 17, 2009 10:01 AM
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Dear Micheal, What a great expression of love for your son, as well as, your understanding that God calls our young men and women. My son also went into the Military after high school. He trained for almost a year in the Air Force Medical training, and this fall he is beginning college at the University of Oklahoma. Chris joined the Air National Guard his junior year of highschool, and served for 1 year before he graduated. I can honestly say it was a great experience for him. He left for basic training a boy and after all his training was complete, he came back 9 months later, a man. There are somethings in the military that aren't the greatest....but college would have exposed him to things he would not have been ready for. I'm always amazed when Christians don't support their kids decision to serve in the military. As believers, we trust God to move in our childrens hearts, and know that God will watch over them. Thank you for sharing your heart. It makes me proud to read your words! God bless you and your son. You will cry when you see him after boot camp,and be ready for him to drop 20 pounds...and have no hair. Be sure to tell his family and friends to write often, Chris told me the letters were what kept him going. Thanks again for your wonderful article, as always, you express yourself so well. Melissa Cole
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Response from : Marcella Snyder |
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August 17, 2009 10:26 AM
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I have gone through this very event. I resisted my son leaving for the Army. It was the hardest thing for me to see him go away. He spent time in Iraq and came home safe and sound. He is a Father, man and son that I am very proud of. God strengthen me so I could give him my blessing and let him go.
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Response from : Paul Carter |
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August 17, 2009 10:43 AM
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Michael, my son is in Pennsacola training to be a Navy Pilot. I am amazed at the caliber of men he serves with especially the number of Christians. Tell Tyler I am proud of him and "Semper Fi"!
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Response from : Walker Joyce |
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August 17, 2009 10:50 AM
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One of your best essays. May the Lord richly bless you and your courageous son. Somebody must make up for slackers like me! (In my case, it was Show Biz's siren song that diverted me.)
(Signed)A Guy Who Must Cop to Your GUYLAND description
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Response from : Bob McNally |
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August 17, 2009 11:08 AM
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Wow! As I'm reading this, I'm thinking back to the end of March when our 18 year old son left for basic training in the Air Force. I can relate to the feelings you have as you watch your son leave. Both my wife and I had mixed emotions when our son left.
But we both have marvelled how the Lord has used the Air Force to mold and shape our son into a responsible committed young man. He wants to serve not only God but his country as well. And like your son, ours may well end up in Afghanistan.
There were times when I become anxious for what could happen to our son. But then I turned it over to God knowing we serve a mightly and loving God. I am going to believe that in 6 years when our son's service is done, we'll all be praising God for the work He has done in his life and for keeping him safe.
On behalf of my family and I, please tell your son Thank You and God Bless!! We are proud of him for wanting to serve!
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Response from : Frank Baresel |
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August 17, 2009 12:04 PM
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Michael: Our prayers are with you and your family as Tyler navigates boot camp. My son went through USMC bootcamp at Parris Island two years ago--he wasn't ready for more school; he also felt as though he needed the discipline the Marines provide. He's come a long way, and we're proud of him. I made the following card for him to carry--laminated it so that he could keep it with him to remind him of God's provision and of those who love him. Perhaps it will be of use for you:
SIDE ONE:
Father in Heaven,
You are great and awesome, mighty in power, quick to save, faithful, merciful, and full of grace. Grant your strength to Garrett, your servant, today. Fill him with wisdom, courage, and skill, so that he can do what is required of him today with integrity and honor. Strengthen him for today’s tasks; protect him and all who rely on him. Be glorified in his life and work today. In Christ’s Name, Amen.
SIDE TWO:
Praise be to the LORD my Rock,
Who trains my hands for war,
My fingers for battle.
He is my loving God and my fortress,
My stronghold and my deliverer,
My shield in whom I take refuge,
Who subdues peoples under me.
Blessed are the people
Whose God is the LORD. (Ps 144:1-2, 15)
Blessings on you and Tyler.
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Response from : Brian |
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August 17, 2009 1:53 PM
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You can still communicate with your son while he's in boot camp. He can write and recieve letters all he wants and he can call home on Sunday's if he so desires. Make it fun, send him letters with perfume on them or red lipstick. Then his DI's will make him work for his mail...
Tell your son Thank You for me and Semper fi,
Brian
Once a Marine, Always a Marine.
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Response from : margie |
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August 17, 2009 2:16 PM
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Thank you Michael, for saying what needed to be said!!!
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Response from : Kellie Johnson |
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August 17, 2009 4:45 PM
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Thank you for your recent article about your son's decision to join the Marine Corps instead of going to college. My son is 16 now and has been talking about joining the military for the past two years. While the "popular" thing to do seems to be going away to college after high school, I have seen a lot of what you talked about in your article in college students I've known. They are away from home just enough to feel "grown up" but they know their parents are just a short drive away. As much as I don't want my son leaving out in a couple of years, only to be placed far, far away from us, I do know that the benefits, not only for his maturity, but also living a life of service to his country, far outweigh the college "experience" he'll be missing. He is looking forward to pursuing higher education while at the same time, serving his country and for that, I couldn't be prouder.
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Response from : Lee Durst |
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August 17, 2009 8:35 PM
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Excellent article and keen analysis of todays children (both male and female) Todays children have been raised without material wants, and lacking spiritual guidance in the home. Parental duties are many, full time and shared by both father and mother.
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Response from : laura |
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August 18, 2009 12:57 AM
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God's kingdom is not of this world. Seeking first His kingdom isn't in reference to the body (John 6:27). Please join me in praying that your son brings spiritual light to those Middle Easterners in darkness.
LP
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Response from : chi chi |
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August 18, 2009 10:08 AM
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I COME FROM A COUNTRY WHERE NOT MANY PEOPLE THINK ABOUT SERVING THE COUNTRY. HOWEVER, AS I WATCH MY 20 YR OLD SON MATURE INTO MANHOOD, I CANNOT BUT BE IMPRESSED WITH YOUR ARTICLE.
THIS ARTICLE HAS GIVEN ME DEFINITE PRAYER POINTS FOR MY SON AND OTHERS LIKE HIM. WE DO NEED MEN WHO ARE NOT BOYS.
GOD BE WITH YOUR SON AS HE SERVES.
MANY THANKS
Chinedum
http://na
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Response from : Steve Clay |
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August 18, 2009 10:40 AM
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I am right there with you, brother Mike. With a son in the military, far from home for months on end, and another at college, I have both perspectives and appreciate the commitments of both sons. Bottom line is "doing all things for the glory of God." In the process of them becoming men, let's always be careful that our prayers are that they will become men of God through the process of whatever He choices to make that happen. Blessings my friend! Steve Clay
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Response from : kelly O'Neal |
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August 18, 2009 2:15 PM
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I will keep you, Tyler and your whole family in my prayers. God bless the hard work you are doing at home and for the kingdom.
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Response from : Valerie Ross |
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August 18, 2009 2:36 PM
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I agree with this disturbing trend. The increase in tattoos, as a show of bravery or throwing their bodies into certain painful situations shows a lack of what true manhood looks like. Where are the role models? Jackass? Sports? American Idol? What about Christians? Jesus was a real MAN who walked in love and spoke in truth. Where are those men?
http://voss
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Response from : Tim Wiley |
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August 18, 2009 4:38 PM
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I have been in the Marine Corps for almost four years and have always had that question of whether I was serving the Kingdom or if it was a sin to serve in the military. My wife and I just had that conversation recently and had looked to the Bible for answers. We read in the book of Judges various occasions where God delivers Isreals enemies into their hands. We believe that if you are fighting for the right reasons and under God then you are covered by the blood of Jesus the Christ.
In the military it is hard to stay on the right path and I can admit that I didn't for the longest time. Now that I have a closer relationship with God He talks to me and keeps pointing me in the right direction. He shows me things like this e-mail I got from Chistianity.com. He told me to read this specific articale and reply to it which is something that I normally would not do.
I believe that you are right that God does have a big plan for your son. I will keep him and every other young man in our situation in my prayers. Thank you for writing this articale. It helped me confirm that where I'm at in my life in alright in God's eyes.
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Response from : Sharon Claytor |
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August 19, 2009 11:52 AM
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Thank you! You have identified and articulated beautifully what we see daily...in our homes and communities and churches. As a former military officer, I often respond to what I see with "Every male should spend at least to years in military service." While that may not be the answer...I wonder what the answer is, as the Church in America panders to the inhabitants of Guyland through endless programs which seem to be keeping Neverland AKA Guyland all the more attractive... Thanks for your faithfulness to Kingdom work!
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Response from : |
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August 19, 2009 12:22 PM
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thank you for this message. it's biblical and an encouragement to us.
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Response from : Linda Herick |
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August 19, 2009 12:31 PM
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Thank you for writing your article regarding your son's departure for the military, our oldest grandson left Monday (8/17)for bootcamp to become a Navy Seal. We all have had mixed emotions regarding his decision. We are proud of him for making that decision especially during a time of unrest and war. Our family will also miss that bright spot in our lives, and pray that he returns safely home.
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Response from : Anthony Tobias |
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August 21, 2009 11:38 AM
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I think this is a wonderful article. I have the same feelings when I graduated college. I wanted to serve my country from the age of 14 (I am now 24). I served 6 years in the Navy and thought it help me to be a better man and grow out of my childish ways. The military is hard for a christian to survive. You have to fight tooth and nail stay away from what others see as (normal). I did a lot of things by myself. Mr Craven what I suggest to you is write your son often and keep him in your prays always. He will need both. God speed to your son and all the best!
Anthony Tobias, USN Vet.
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Response from : Joyce Luster |
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August 27, 2009 8:19 PM
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God bless you and your son. My prayers are with you.
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Response from : Lari Palmer |
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September 14, 2009 12:15 PM
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Wow Great words! - My son is 18 and interested in going into the Coast Guard - But procrastinating..... and getting into trouble - It's all about the fun with him - I do see him falling into this pattern - Military or college I pray the Lords will be done in his life!
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