a little much

I was reading and found the following quote from Richard Wumbrand, founder of The Voice of the Martyrs. He was confined and tortured in a Romanian prison for 14 years – but lived to be 91!

Even though it would be the wrong reaction, I laughed out loud when I read this. I mean seriously, who says these things to little kids?? What a gangster.

What shall we do about these tortures? Will we be able to bear them? If I do not bear them I put in prison another fifty or sixty men whom I know, because that is what the Communists wish from me, to betray those around me. And here comes the great need for the role of preparation for suffering which must start now. It is too difficult to prepare yourself for it when the Communists have put you in prison.

I remember my last Confirmation class before I left Romania. I took a group of ten to fifteen boys and girls on a Sunday Morning, not to a church, but to the zoo. Before the cage of lions I told them, “Your forefathers in faith were thrown before such wild beasts for their faith. Know that you also will have to suffer. You would not be thrown before lions, but you wil have to do with men who would be much worse than lions. Decide here and now if you wish to pledge allegiance to Christ.” They had tears in their eyes when they said yes.

obligatory post

I’ve been in the Bay for about two weeks, house sitting and watching my grandma, but I’m headed back to LA tomorrow – for more house sitting, courtesy of Ms. Vickie Park. She is currently in North Korea, so do pray for her work and safety there!

For the past month I’ve been thinking through whether or not to join the military (Marines?). It’s been running through my mind enough to where I can’t send out job apps or do other work. Definitely need more discipline. I don’t think it’s come up just because I’ve been unemployed for months now – but being unemployed does open up a window to pursue some things that I otherwise couldn’t do. Is that the same thing?

I don’t know where God is leading, either. Of course, this is always for lack of my own effort. At the same time, I know that He has a way of taking our worst decisions and make something constructive out of them.

What are the red flags so far? I’ve talked with friends & family, and I don’t think I’d have anyone’s blessings. Everyone is telling me, why give up your 20′s (supposedly life’s prime), you know you could do better than this, right? Yes, I would be a slave to Uncle Sam for a long time, and yes, I’d be losing touch with most all friends. We’re all going our separate ways eventually, anyway.

There are times when I don’t feel I’m on the same wavelength as everyone else. I come back from the Texan oilfields, and everyone is doing the same routine: grind it out 9 to 6, hit up the bar or club on the weekends, chase the latest love interest(s), play the numbers, week after week. We all got dues to pay, sure. Does your work define you? I don’t think so. If it does, we’d all be in serious trouble! But having said that, I don’t know why I’m still drawn to the military.

I try to learn more about what kind of jacked up things are going on elsewhere in the world. Countries related to U.S. foreign interests are always on the news – Iran/Afghanistan/Mexico/Somalia – but sometimes I try to read beyond all that. It’s crazy. I hope I can do something to be part of the solution out there, and I hope that military service is a step towards that direction. But, I hope too that I’m not being naive, and ignorant of God’s character!