Forthright Magazine http://www.forthright.net Straight to the Cross One site, many authors. The Fellowship Room is filled with interesting, sound, Biblical articles. http://fellowshiproom.org/ COLUMN: REALITY CHECK God and War by Stan Mitchell "The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord" (Proverbs 21:31, ESV). America is at war. When the media oohs and ahhs over the smart technology at our disposal, I think that I am much more in awe of the bravery of the men and women who are fighting. I am all at once, anxious, fascinated, and proud of the soldiers who are defending our freedom. But beyond the caliber of our forces, beyond the wizardry of the technology, is another factor that we dare not ignore. There is God. A lot is said these days about God's role in war. Is God is against all wars? Is he on our side in this war? Have we consulted him on the matter? I think it would be an excellent thing if we gave some thought as to the conditions under which God might fight for us. They might have less to do with military planning, and more with mighty praying, less with war readiness and more with national righteousness. We will be asking ourselves how we might help. Demonstrating against these brave young people would be distinctly demoralizing. Don't do that! I am all for displaying a flag, honking my horn to support the troops and sending gift packages. But I suggest we do something much more powerful than that. We can lower ourselves to our knees in humility. We can seek the guidance of the Most High Command. We can become a righteous nation, not so much in the conduct of national policy, but in the conduct of our personal lives. "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God" (Psalm 20:7). ---- Read this article online, write your reaction, and read others' comments as well. Click here: http://tinyurl.com/2dw8ha9 COLUMN: ENCOURAGING WORDS Already Decided by Paula Harrington I was blessed to talk to a good friend on the phone recently. A few months after her husband passed away, she had moved to TX to be close to her children. I asked how she liked her new place, friends, and church. Without missing a beat, she replied, "I had already decided before I ever left that I was going to like it and I do. And I want you to know that I didn't wait to get involved at church either. I just walked in the kitchen the first Sunday at a potluck and got busy." What a powerful sermon on attitude! The way we view our lives can either make us or break us. We can wallow in self-pity or make a positive impact in this crazy world. That sweet lady could have let her grief get the best of her. She could've balked about moving a thousand miles from the home she's always known, refusing to worship God and blamed him for the changes in her life. Instead, she embraced her circumstances and made the best of them. When she started attending a new congregation of the Lord's people, she didn't let the fact that she was new to their family keep her from being active. She dived in whole-heartedly and quickly became accustomed to a new routine. Like that sister in Christ, let us decide to follow Jesus regardless of difficult situations. Let us decide to be different from the world even when it feels like it's going to smother us. Let us decide to get involved in good works regardless of our busy schedules. By our actions and attitudes, let us decide to change the world and then let's do it. May we all accept our places in life and then with good decisions let us encourage others and glorify our Father. For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. Romans 14:18 (NASB) ---- Read this article online, write your reaction, and read others' comments as well. Click here: http://tinyurl.com/2f9gh4s You can help get the word out. Here's how: http://www.forthright.net/editorial/lend_a_hand.html