Basic Training for the Fight of Your Life, The Final Stand

Robert Sr. Mayhew

Description

The purpose of the book is to revive the spirit of real Christianity in the United States, stand against our 'Adversary' and turn from our collective moral drift. Done as an analogy by telling my experiences in Basic Training in the Army and how those experiences relate to Christianity.

The book is divided into three parts. The first part is Individual Training skill sets. For example, my volunteering in the Army and the transition from civilian to soldier. Likewise the transition from not being a Christian to voluntarily wanting to be one and the transition that takes place. Another is my experience on a compass course where I started out doing well but got lost and finally found my way to the finish. I compare the compass to the Bible and relate it to life. Other examples as well.

The second part is Opposing Forces Training where I learned how the enemy operates and received training focused around defeating him. I apply that to learning the ways of Satan because just like a victorious army, you must know your spiritual enemy to be successful against him.

And the third and last phase is the reclamation which is brought about only by the application of the first two phases. That is reinforced by quotes from prominent people from the past.

Sujets

• Philosophie
• Philosophie politique
• Determinism
• Philosophy
• Philosophie et théologie
• Free Will

Informations

• Publié par: eBookIt.com
• Date de parution: 21 février 2013
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781456604097
• Langue: English

Extrait

BASIC TRAINING For the Fight of Your Life, THE FINAL STAND
 
 
 
by
Robert Mayhew
 


 
 
Copyright 1996, 2011 Robert Mayhew,
All rights reserved.
 
 
Published in eBook format by eBookIt.com
http://www.eBookIt.com
 
 
ISBN-13: 978-1-4566-0409-7
 
 
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.
 
 
"Scriptures from New Century Version, Copyright 1991 by Word Publishing, Dallas, Texas 70539. Used by Permission."
 
 


ORGANIZATION
This book is organized in the following way:
SECTION I : This section is geared toward emphasizing the Individual tasks of Christianity as is needed in our daily lives.
SECTION II : This section is oriented toward showing some of the tactics satan uses in his attempts to defeat us.
SECTION III : This section deals with the collective tasks in a team approach to not only defeat what satan throws against us but to be victorious over satan and live Godly lives.
 


THANKS!!!
 
First, I want to thank my family for their understanding during those many occasions which I disappeared for hours to think, write, type, and edit.
Secondly, I would like to thank my Mother and all others who diligently prayed for this project.
Most importantly however, for around twenty years, plus or minus, of working on this book, doors would open and doors would close. Again and again this cycle repeated. I thank Almighty God for giving me the hope that this book would someday be completed; the faith to know this would be completed; and the fortitude to get this book completed!
 


“If you can evaluate things as they really are
And not as people report them to be,
Then you are wise, and God is your teacher.”
 
(Unknown)
 
Section One
“Our fight is not against people on earth but against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world’s darkness; against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly world.”
 
 
Ephesians 6:12, (New Century Version)
 

CHAPTER ONE
UNCLE SAM WANTS ME
It was two-thirty in the dark Georgia morning when another set of glaring headlights woke me from my shallow sleep. I raised my throbbing head from the window of the bus and wiped the saliva off my chin. The driver of the old bus was slowing down and had the turn signal on, tick-tick, tick-tick, acting as though this was just one more in a series of routine stops. Oh, but routine it wasn't. Although I realized that somewhat, it wouldn't be until later, that I would really understand just how significant a stop this was going to be.
As the bus made its final turn off the highway onto the exit, with all the grace of a bulldozer, I knew deep in my young heart this would also be a turn in my life, a milestone the likes of which I hadn't known or experienced before. With a shadow of sadness I also realized it would be a point to which I could never again return.
It was then my adrenaline surged eyes opened wide and restlessly scanned for a clue or a sign which would finalize my destination. Suddenly, as though it leaped out of nowhere, that big, broad, well-lit sign shattered the darkness. My eyes beheld the bright lettering which read, "Fort Benning Georgia, Home of the United States Army Infantry. Follow Me." Just like an intruder in a cave sets a swarm of bats flurrying, that sign set off a butterfly stampede in my stomach. I just knew that this would be the most rigorous and unyielding test of spirit, mind, and body that this young man, fresh out of high school, had ever faced before. My steel was to be put to the test.
“Strange. Sounds like the first time I consciously made an effort to learn about God. That too was a significant milestone in my life. A significant experience which drew me from my pre-blissful state of ignorance. A point nevermore to be returned to. I didn’t know the path that my feet were set upon, all I knew was that I was compelled to follow it.”
I wondered what Fort Benning would have in store for me. Would I meet the fate of some who had gone before me? Would I not be able to measure up, to do what was expected of me? Would my steel be so impure and my heart so weak that I wouldn't be able to join the proud ranks of those soldiers who had passed before me? Would I be left behind by those who would follow after me? Would I fail? Could I be dealt this blow, only to return to my neighborhood and my father, a veteran of World War Two, with my head hung in shame and embarrassment? How could I face my future sons with this? Would I be totally outperformed by everyone? Would all the rearing I received, all the talks of right and wrong, of try your best and give it all you've got, would all that prove fruitless and fall by the wayside? Could it be that all my dreams born out of sincere love for my family and country would be laid at the feet of my newfound family in olive drab only to be mercilessly trod into the dirt?
“In that very same way I questioned my worth before God. But I soon remembered what was said, that there is no one that does what is right, not one. God makes people right with himself through their faith in Jesus. 1 And He Loves us all. It’s OK.”
Then I wondered, was that upbringing in love sufficient enough to sustain me, to feed and to fuel me to the completion of this test?
The floodgates of pessimism tore themselves wide open and those negative thoughts rushed through like a tidal wave. In my own mind I was defeated before defeat ever occurred. I was finished before I even started. I had always said, "If a door gets shut in your face, find another way in, but never shut opportunities door on yourself." Yet look what I was doing. I hadn't even allowed myself an honest attempt. How ridiculous! How downright silly, isn't it? Imagine anyone so blatantly cheating themselves out of an opportunity without even trying it first? How furious I get with others when they shut opportunities door on me. Surely, surely I wouldn't do that to myself, would I? But that is exactly what I was doing, with my overly self-critical fear-full thoughts.
Just as suddenly as that tidal wave of pessimism hit however, it was swept back by the light of excitement, optimism, and a boundless sense of patriotism. No, I didn't know what was in store for me and I didn't care. Whatever it was, let it come my way. It had its work cut out for it because I was determined once again there was to be no giving up without a fight.
“It’s written, we have freedom now, because Christ made us free. So stand strong. 2 ” He is our Author and Source of freedom. He is our security and strength. Everything else is merely incidental.”
It was then that a small strategically placed pothole in the road, about the size of a strip mine, shook the bus like a roller coaster which jolted the blue from my jeans and brought me back to the dark of night at Fort Benning.
Having gained control of my mental reins, after that runaway gallop of doubt, a scary and very sad thought occurred to me. What would it have been like if I were drafted into the Infantry against my will? I vividly recall that hot summer’s day in July when I voluntarily set out on the train for the Military Entrance Processing Station in Chicago.
“In a very similar manner I voluntarily became a Christian. I knew God loved all of us so much, he gave his only Son to die so that anyone who believes in him will live forever 3 and if we believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead we’ll be saved. 4 Jesus informed us that He is the way, and the truth, and the life and the only way to the Father is through Him. 5 ” He, He is the ONLY one I place my trust. Him and Him alone. I’m way good with that.”
Once at the Processing Station, the feeling of pride swelled within me. As I stood tall, my right hand held high, my lips repeated with heartfelt sincerity the oath by which I swore to defend the Constitution of these United States of America from enemies both foreign and domestic. Oh, what excitement! What pride! What honor! Now I was all ready for the challenges and responsibilities that this newfound freedom from the nest would bring. Or so I thought, at the time.
But what if I were TOLD to report to the processing station, involuntarily separated from my family, friends, and neighbors. I tried to imagine the helplessness, loneliness, confusion, fear. Then, the resentment, anger and hate. The frustration and aggravation some felt must have been almost, if not totally, devastating. I did know of people who, being drafted had to deal with exactly that.
“I know that feeling because I fought being drawn to God. I even resented God. But the prayers of the righteous yield much. 6 That I know because my family drafted me into Gods’ Army through their endless prayers. I was accepted into that Army because the Lord is compassionate and gracious. He won’t always be the accuser or nurse His anger. He hasn’t treated us as our sins deserve because as far as east is from west, He has put our sins away from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so does the Lord for everyone who fears Him. 7 ”
I know some guys who not only dealt with being drafted but went on further then even their own expectations. They made a career of the Army, electing to become professional soldiers and believe me, professional they were. Their integrity was unquestionable. Even the threat of death couldn't turn their eyes from their new love. And love it had to be. The Army, the military for that matter, as a career whether volunteer or draftee must be a love if someone is to be a good soldier. You have to love it because it's a way of life. It is a total commitment-twenty-five hours a day, eight days a week, fifty-three weeks a year. It is a high point in selflessness and servitude. It's sacrifice. It is truly