I took a group of kids through the 'Shrine' today.
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No personal memories enshrined in there obviously, but much history. Sad. Poignant. Stark ugliness. But like the wall outside said, it isn't all about death and destruction. There's also courage. Determination. Devotion. The very same qualities God's people are going to need in bucketfuls very soon. Very few people nowadays have experienced war. Even fewer Christians are ready for war. Praise God we have a Commander Who has already won the battle. We need to learn to walk in that victory, trusting Him to accomplish in us His life, His walk, His righteousness. But hey, I digress.
That wasn't what I was going to say. As I was standing inside there looking at the pictures and videos, (real thing type videos) and listening to the commentary, I realized how much I hate war. It makes me angry looking at the evidence and damage of evil and the deliberate devilish distortion of God's image in man. The waste. The suffering.
I know some will point out that memorial days are for those who defended their country, sometimes at the cost of all, and acting out such heroism is not a waste. And I get that. But I still remember the songs of the late 60s and 70s during the Vietnam war.
Country Joe and the Fish... War, war, what is it good for? Absolutely nothing! And in the context of Vietnam, they were totally correct. There is an old adage,
all wars are bankers' wars. I think that's close, but a distraction from truth. I think all wars are religious wars. In amongst and at the back of every general, war room, arms manufacturer and politician is a bishop, a Cardinal, or a priest. And the ultimate enemy for these people is Jesus Christ Himself. And that's the waste I hate.