Band of Brothers: The Breaking Point with Paul McDonald and Britt Mooney
Coming up on the Men at the Movies podcast, we reach the Breaking Point in our Band of Brothers series. How do we handle the breaking points in our lives? Buck was taken out because he couldn’t handle his friends get wounded.. Lt Dike checked out, ran from the battle, and didn’t invest in the moments he was needed. 1SG Lipton, like a true shepherd, was present with the men in the foxhole, carefree with his heart as he cared for the hearts of his men. Join us as we discover God’s truth in this story.
Quotes
“Every man suffered. Men unfit by shrapnel and bullets were nevertheless casualties.”
We are in an age where the enemy is throwing everything he has against us.
The attacks that we face are all attacks against our hearts and union with God.
Men will show up injured if they have a purpose.
Everyone was wounded, but they didn’t use it as an excuse to quit.
Why am I getting mad at you because you’re under attack?
We take the wounds we see others take because we care about them.
Themes
How do we handle it when the big stuff happens?
Buck Compton: couldn’t handle when his friends were wounded. Trauma is cumulative and he is unable to fight any longer. He suffers because his friends suffered until he can’t take it any more.
Lt Dike: Clueless, checked out, only cares about himself. Unavailable for his men in their time of need. Doesn’t invest in the moments. Runs away from the battle and the chaos. He’s a hired hand.
Sgt Lipton: checking on people in their foxholes. Runs toward the battle. He’s a shepherd.
We live in the spiritual equivalent of the Battle of the Bulge.
We are in the middle of a war
Wounds are inflicted with intentionality and purpose.
The intention of the wounds we take are intended to disrupt our union with God.
How do we shepherd like Lipton?
Helping Shifty with his foxhole (reinforce protection against the world)
Reports the death of Hoobler (took responsibility, even when it’s not my job)
Protects the integrity of the leader (turn an opportunity to complain into an opportunity to uplift)
Reinforce the foxhole (deepen our connection with God—soul care, study, intimacy, Kingdom work)
Lipton runs to the battle (engage with the mess)
Lipton talks to Buck (others sees him as leader)
Gives Malarkey the luger (has to know people)
Check in on people (know their needs)
Talks to Winters (a voice for others)
Runs as bait for the sniper (willing to sacrifice for others)
Resources
“Here’s my concern: that you care for God’s flock with all the diligence of a shepherd. Not because you have to, but because you want to please God. Not calculating what you can get out of it, but acting spontaneously. Not bossily telling others what to do, but tenderly showing them the way. When God, who is the best shepherd of all, comes out in the open with his rule, he’ll see that you’ve done it right and commend you lavishly…So be content with who you are, and don’t put on airs. God’s strong hand is on you; he’ll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you.” 1 Peter 5:1-7 (MSG)
“The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is his name.” - Exodus 15: 3 (NIV)
“The attack feels personal because it is.” - Allen Arnold
“The most important quality that good leaders need to develop is humility. Humility has nothing to do with weakness. When we humble ourselves, we operate from a position of strength. We know that we’re loved by God and that he calls us to love others.We also know that other people are loved by God and are therefore objects of our concern. When we become leaders, then, it is simply to lead people to God and to share his love with them.
Humble people are confident people, for they know that God is the Rock under their feet. Humble people are knowledgeable people, for they know that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Humble people are strong people for they do all things through Christ who strengthens them. Humble people are leaders. But it’s the way they lead that distinguishes them. Instead of leading like a hard-driving cowboy prodding cattle, they lead like a gentle shepherd tending his sheep.” - “How Humble People Lead” from The Message Devotional Bible, 1 Peter 5: 1-7
Questions
How have you been wounded in your life?
How have you responded to the wounds—like Buck, Dike, or Lipton?
When has trauma and wounds taken you out of your mission and purpose?
When have you been a hired hand, not getting involved or invested in the people around you?
When have you shepherded the people entrusted to your care?
What does it mean to be a shepherd?
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Edited and mixed by Grayson Foster
Logo and episode templates by Ian Johnston
Audio quotes performed by Britt Mooney, Paul McDonald, and Tim Willard, taken from Epic (written by John Eldredge) and Song of Albion (written by Stephen Lawhead).
Southerly Change performed by Zane Dickinson, used under license from Shutterstock.
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