Brave Hearts Under Red Skies

Last night I finished reading the book Brave Hearts Under Red Skies: Stories of Faith under Fire by USAF Colonel (retired) Jeffrey O'Leary.

The book is a compilation of anectodes from war - either Christians being miraculously preserved during battle, or God using the "no atheists in foxholes" syndrome to bring people to Himself, or ... - that sort of thing. It was inspirational, to say the least.

The next-to-last chapter talked about the U.S. war against Islamic terrorism. It had some stories about particular events where God preserved &/or taught certain Christians in this war. It also had some thoughts from Colonel O'Leary that impressed me mightily. I doubt that I can remember it exactly, so I will paraphrase: I have quit trying to make sense of it all...I just know that there is good and there is evil, and if we are to live then evil must be defeated. He is saying this in the context of fighting evil simply because it is the right thing to do, and specifically not because he feels the need for revenge. He speaks about the rightness of giving up personal anger.

The last chapter is about Colonel O'Leary's personal efforts to put that idea into practice - his missionary work in India. (http://www.missionofjoy.org)


The idea that the effort should be made in support of truth & goodness and in opposition to evil - instead of because I am angry at the bad guys who killed my countrymen and who want to kill me - resonates with me at a deep level. It sort-of reminds me of: "Love Jesus, Know Truth, Serve Others, Reach People." (http://www.ssbaptist.org)

Hmmm...