Disclaimer: *These are all just my personal thoughts and opinions on the current goings on in the U.S. and the world*
Growing Concerns & Conspiracy Theorists
I truly believe we should give all of our concerns and troubles up to God. He is ultimately in control of all things. Always pray and ask Him for guidance, but I believe too many people interpret "He is in control of all things" the wrong way. People seem to use that as an excuse to not vote, stay in shape, live healthy lives, or prepare themselves and their families for potential crises and catastrophes.
David & Goliath
I think a good example of what I'm trying to convey is the story of David and Goliath. As a kid having that story taught to me or seeing it on shows/movies, David is portrayed as a small boy or small young man who was not prepared or capable of defeating a giant man like Goliath without God's help. I was taught that David (this small, weak shepherd boy) simply trusted God and God worked miracles through him, but that's not entirely accurate. 1 Samuel 16:18 describes David as "a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and the Lord is with him." later in Samuel David recounts that he slayed lions and bears that took lambs from his father's flock. "Used to keep his father's sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it" (1 Samuel 17:34&35)
I think it is safe to say that David was not a small boy who peacefully tended flocks. He was an armor bearer for the king. He was a man of war, a mighty man of valor, a man who had hunted and killed lions and bears to protect his father's flocks. God took a prepared man; a strong and courageous man and He used him, his courage, and his faith to do His will.
Controversial Take
We need to be prepared to protect our families, our people, and our flocks. We need to care about what is going on in the world around us and the people around us. We should be strong, courageous, and hypervigilant.
Bravery and peacefulness are alike in that there must be an obstacle overcome to achieve them. "Bravery is being scared to death but saddling up anyway" ~ John Wayne. Bravery isn't going into battle or jumping off a cliff because you enjoy it or get a thrill from it. On a similar train of thought, peacefulness is not choosing to avoid conflict because you are incapable or scared. You have to be capable of violence with the strength of character and will to choose to be peaceful in order to be a "Peaceful" person. If you are not capable of violence, you aren't peaceful. You are weak, incompetent, and incapable of defending your family.
1 Timothy 5:8 "But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."
Psalm 82:3-4 "Vindicate the weak and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and destitute. Rescue the weak and needy; Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked."
Getting Back in Shape
I've been slacking as I recently had shoulder surgery. Once I'm fully operational again, I plan to hit the gym and the range consistently to build and maintain the physical capabilities and skills I need to protect my family and loved ones. I will start a category in here sharing my journey, and I challenge you to follow along or share your own journey with us.
Growing Concern
My growing concern for my family's safety and my little girls' futures probably gets me labeled as a right-wing conspiracy theorist. I firmly believe none of us know what's really happening in Ukraine/Russia. I believe it has been a massive money laundering funnel that should be classified as one of the biggest cases of "Fraud, Waste, & Abuse" of taxpayer money in U.S. history (Which is saying something!).
This current conflict in and around Israel seems more serious than prior conflicts in my lifetime. To be fair, there was a large portion of my life that I did not pay much attention to politics or current events. I distinctly remember having an interview in my early 20s. The interviewer said something about politics, and I said "You know I don't really care. I don't pay attention or care about politics or political things." He said "I don't care which way you think or lean, but you shouldn't turn a blind eye to politics. It does affect you. There are things happening in the world that will directly affect you and your family. You should pay attention." I kind of chalked him up as just a crazy, conspiracy theorists, country boy.
Now... I am that crazy, conspiracy theorists, country boy. I am the one telling people to get out and vote. Pay attention to local, national, and world politics. It seems too many people don't know their history, and they don't pay attention.
Final Thoughts
Get yourselves into shape. Learn, practice, and hone the skills you might need to protect the people you love. Be capable of extreme violence but practice the emotional control and will power to choose peaceful resolution when it's an option.
Stay Vigilant!
Mitchell
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