Avalon Chronicles #187: "The ISMs: JUDAISM, Bolshevism, Communism, Nazism, Fascism and Terrorism" PART ONE

Reference: Clark, Allen B. Soldiers Blood and Bloodied Money Wars and the Ruling Elites. 2019. Amazon Books. (All written below is in chapter 14 of the book)

     The major difference as I see it, between Christianity and the following definition of Judaism in the Life Application Study Bible (KJV) is that Christians believe the Messiah Jesus came 2000 years ago and the Jews believe the Messiah has not yet appeared! When He does appear for them, it will be the second time for Christians, commencing the Millenial Kingdom. In the Bible referenced above Judaism is described:

     "Judaism is not about being second-rate or easy. Divinely designed, it was the best religion, expressing true worship and devotion to God. The commandments, the rituals, and the prophets described God's promises and revealed the way to forgiveness and salvation. Then Christ came, fulfilling the Law and the Prophets, conquering sin, and freely providing eternal life." (pg 2154)

     It is important to begin a study of Jews by beginning with the Judaism of Abraham. The foundation of the Judeo-Christian ethic is found in the Torah. (The Chumash Torah). Scherman: xxiv. 

     "In his most exalted state of mind, a person can realize that the true essence of all his earthly endeavors is his service of God, and that plows and fences can dull the spirituality and blind them to the purpose of his mission. For example, we are all too familiar with sad tales of idealists who long to improve the world-only to fall in love with power and forget why they sought it. Some people gain authority and use it to make the world better and and accumulate money that they contribute to important causes. Others become strong and rich only to swell their egos and gratify their desires. Or let us imagine that we could make a wish and improve people's lives. How would we do it? Some would give them homes and bulging bank accounts; others would give them knowledge and morality."

     Both Gentiles and Jews may be people of character, or people in pursuit of greed, avarice and materialism. Extensive references to Jews appear in many sections of my book because Jews are prevalent in many arenas of society. Although a minority in population worldwide, collectively they are possessed of incredible talent and success, especially in business and financial circles, The extensive articles and references to Jews throughout history, their exiles, the Holcaust, and the ill will directed towards them are explained in many ways, many of which are not always understandable. However, the more I studied these opinion pieces, I realized many opinions I read have been due to jealousy. 

Please feel free to make comments about this writing.

Avalon Chronicles #186: "A Time to Live and a Time to Die"

      Uppermost in my spirit and memory always remains the shadow of the Vietnam War, which changed the trajectory of my life. My own severe wounds caused significant bodily and emotional wounds, but I lived and healed from double leg amputations and severe PTSD only by the grace and mercy of God. However, 20 classmates of my West Point class of 1963, which had 504 graduates, returned in caskets. 

     Several days ago I rejoiced in hearing that both granddaughters of dear and long-term friends were safe at a Texas Kerr County summer camp. Then despair gripped me this morning! Tears fell onto my cheeks as Linda related the sadness of a family related to one of her closest friends. Her friend's sister-in-law was vacationing on the Guadelupe River with her husband, daughter, son-in-law and two granddaughters. The family was caught in the flooding. The sister-in-law has not been recovered. The son-in-law was recovered as well as the two sisters, who were recovered HOLDING EACH OTHER'S HANDS!

     Even with just my limited reading the past few days I have been struck with reports of the catastrophes worldwide: earthquakes in Japan, flooding in China, dust storms in Las Vegas, hurricane in South Carolina, widespread flooding from torrential downpours in the Texas Hill Country. Deaths and injuries abound. The world can be a very dangerous place. Casualties were reported in most of these situations. It was a time to live and a time to die. 

     As a Believer in the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior, because He died for me on the cross close to 2000 years ago, I do not fear physical death itself. I believe I will live in eternity as promised by the faith message I trust to be true. I believe in the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. When wounded in Vietnam at a Special Forces camp on June 17, 1967, I was spared death by the grace and mercy of God. It was my time still to live and not die. At age 25 my spiritual belief and commitment probably was insufficient to have gone to Heaven then. Through months of rehabilitation I suffered horrendous pain  alleviated by morphine shots. The years of emotional pain with pills alleviated some of the emotional wounds and discontent. However, only a walk of Christian faith brought me peace and contentment. If a reader of this writing does not know for sure whether upon death one is assured of Heaven as final residence, then a choice is necessary. Time to take inventory.

     Recruits in basic traing are awakened very loudly by their drill sergeants banging on various devices. The recruits are immediately awakened. Many in the world need to be awakened, not out of fear, but, out of the peace that comes with a solid and sincere recognition that a life with an all-loving God as life's leader (balanced with the recognition of His judgment) prepares us each day to live a life of joy and peace. We are then ready for what time brings us!

      

Avalon Chronicles #184: "Freedom is not Free nor Cheap nor Easy" Part Two

 Reference: Life Application Bible. NIV. Tyndale and Zondervan Publishers. 1973. 

A nation's virtue collectively is upheld by the virtue of its citizens. With the various and sundry sinful and evil conditions evident in our world today, much less in my beloved America, there seems to be no hope for us, calling forth our Lord pulling the plug and Jesus returning in final judgment as described in the Book of Revelation. I believe humanity, even if knowing of a God, who created all and watches over all, still lives in a climate where there is constant vice, which erases our peace and our individual freedom. But, there is hope to be cleansed and see a powerful life of prayers answered! See I John 3:22 "...and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him."

Abraham Lincoln wrote a very short sentence that relates to moral turpitude (baseness, vileness, depravity): "A rat gnaws alone and so does a moral weakness within us even though we know it is securely hidden."

On pg. 2125 of my Bible reference above in the Galatians 5 section there is an extraordinary listing of "specific actions and attitudes that are either right or wrong." For the wrong list the question is: "Are there a number of characteristics from the wrong column that are influencing you?" The wrong column will be covered in upcoming Part Three. 

Galations 5:19-21. "The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God." (Emphasis added). If you are not aware of the kingdom of God, it would be wise to do some study on this topic and soon for your own sake.

In conclusion, as, when and if we have any of the above attitudes and depravities, we must make a determined effort to change. That will not be easy, but, it will bring you God's freedom, a freedom unavailable, if one is consumed in Satan's world.  

Avalon Chronicles #185: "Freedom is not Free nor Easy nor Cheap" Part Three

 Reference: Life Application Bible. NIV. Tyndale and Zondervan Publishers. 1973.

pg. 2125 Galatians 5 Footnotes: "Our only way to freedom from our evil desires is through the empowering of the Holy Spirit....Those who ignore such sins or refuse to deal with them reveal that they have not received the gift of the Spirit that leads to a transformed life. One may pray and ask that the "Fruit of the Holy Spirit" be our guideline as we address the rats that gnaw away at us. 

The following listing  is an enumeration of vices with a scripture reference in the Bible applcable to that vice, weakness or negative character trait.

Sexual Immorality and Impurity (Galatians 5:19)       Lust (Colossians 3:5)

Hatred, Discord, Jealousy, Anger, Selfish Ambition, Dissension, Arrogance (Galatians 5:20)

Arrogance (2 Corinthians 12:20)       Envy, Drunkenness, Wild Living (Galatians 5:21)

Wild Living (Luke 15:13)      Idolatry (Ephesians 5:5)

Idolatry, Witchcraft (Galatians 5:20)        Cheating (I Corinthians 6:8)

Adultery, Homsexuality, Stealing, Greed  (I Corinthians 6:9, 10)       Greed (Ephesians 5:5)

Lying, Murder (Revelation 22: 12-16)

There is a code phrase to address these vices. It relates to TECAC.

A Thought enters one's mind. It triggers an Emotion that leads to a Choice of an Action.

But, how many look ahead to the CONSEQUENCES? That is where the temptaion ends up.

In future messages I will address another way to conquer our vices besides exercising free will.

Stay tuned!

Avalon Chronicles #183: "Freedom is not Free nor Easy nor Cheap" Part One

References: The Christian History of the American Revolution. Foundation For American Christian Education. 1976. San Francisco.

Life Application Study Bible. NIV. Tyndale and Zondervan Publishers. 1973.

This Friday July 4, 2025 in the United States of America constitutes the 250th Jul 4th since the first one on July 4, 1776 on which the Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia, PA. This was our declaration of freedom from Great Britain. It was obtained at a cost of spilt blood of American patriots on battlefields beginning with Lexington, MA in 1775 and ending at Yorktown, VA in 1781. "To 'consider' America's Christian history means to behold the Hand of God in all events leading to the Declaration of Independence...All these 'human events' required 'a peculiar people zealous of good works.'"(xxiii) (Titus 2:14; "...,who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.") (I Peter 2:9; "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God...") (I Peter 2:11; "Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.")

If you have unconfessed sin, you are not, "zealous of good works,...redeemed from all wickedness, ...purified, abstaining from sinful desires, which war against your soul."

We live in a very unique and special nation, whose freedom was waged in the fires of rebellion. Many of us personally do not have freedom and are in rebellion to the precepts of God. We do not realize we are in bondage to Satan. When we address and deal with our wayward behavior, we attain a freedom from the attacks of Satan. Freedom is free in God's world. However, I admit it is not easy to break away from the familiarity of sinful behavior and to be guided and controlled each day by the Holy Spirit. In Galatians 5:17 it is explained in footnotes "Paul describes two forces conflicting within us---the Holy Spirit and the sinful nature (our evil desires or inclinations that stem from our bodies.") See Part Two for the vices and attitudes that keep one in bondage. These are enumerations of the specific issues that are evil and go against the teachings of God. Release from them brings one personal freedom and the necessity not to be judged by a God, who is assuredly a God of love, but also one, who will not give us peace and love until we escape inappropriate behavior. 

Avalon Chronicles # 182: Binding Oneself to the Virtues of the Trinity?

 The following is a suggested exercise each day to call on the Trinity for assistance:

I bind myself to the character and attributes of God: Righteousness, Holiness, Integrity and Purity and to the Will, Purposes, Timing, Truth of God. This is a tall order, but required to be a Godly person!

I bind myself to the Mind of Christ: Wisdom, Insight, Discernment, Knowledge and Maturity. Practically speaking, when I have an issue, question, predicament, I bind myself to the Mind of Christ and ask that Christ's WIDKM above be imparted to me to resolve or understand my issue for guidance.

I bind myself to the control by the Holy Spirit, to reflect the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22) and to have imparted to me Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-control. These are the by-products of living for God). 

Notes for Life Application Study Bible NIV Tyndale House and Zondervan pg. 2125 Galatians

(To be Continued)

Avalon 181: My "Alive Day" June 17, 1967 at Dak To Special Forces Camp in Vietnam

 A North Vietnamese regular Army battalion had come across the border from their privileged sanctuary in supposedly neutral Cambodia in the week before June 17, 1967 and ambushed two Green Beret patrols, killing perhaps as many as six of our Special Forces soldiers. I had been at Dak To for almost four months attempting to recruit native Montagnards to go into the jungle areas to our west on spy missions. I was under cover with a false name and wore infantry brass instead of my Army Intelligence identification. My commanding officer in Saigon 280 miles to our south radioed me that he was evacuating me from the camp by air at 9:30AM on June 17 because of the heavy enemy presence in our area. At night every two hours an American Special Forces soldier had a two hour shift for alert in our inner perimeter. My turn came up that morning at 4AM. After my two hour shift I would have breakfast, pack my duffle bag and be on the airstrip to leave. 

Elements of the communist unit had moved quickly through the jungle to set up mortar and rocket positions on the high ground to the south of our camp. A heavy barrage began at 4:30. I began literally to grab men to man our own mortars to return fire and send up flares in the event the enemy also conducted a ground attack. I was on a radio conversation with the camp commander, who was in an underground bunker, when I was violently thrown down on my stomach. I felt no pain, but yelled out, "My legs, my legs, Oh God, I'm dead!" Green Beret combat medic SGT St. Lawrence got to me fast and, not having his medic kit, used his fingers to clamp down on my femoral arteries to stop my bleeding. I was taken on a litter downstairs to the bunker of Green Beret combat medic Jimmy Hill, where he began to work on stopping my bleeding. Jimmy told me later, "You were alert and oriented, however, you were in shock from massive blood loss. You kept telling me to help the others, even though you had traumatic injuries to both your legs. Your blood pressure was dropping, veins were collapsing, weak pulse. I started the IV,  injected you with morphine and loosely applied tourniquets in the event the bleeding might start again. At that time you told me your real name and asked me to contact your wife and parents, because you 'knew' you were going to die. I told you, 'not today...because (having just gotten in country) you are my first casualty to treat.'" He said, "There was a third One in the bunker with us."After a couple of hours our nine wounded and two Killed in Action were removed by Medevac choppers to Pleiku Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH).

My left leg was amputated below the knee and the right one, fractured in five places, was casted. I woke up Sunday night and the chaplain at my bedside said the hospital had run out of my A-neg blood and made a call to the airbase and Green Beret camp to call men in to donate a total of twenty five pints of blood. I returned to Brooke Army Hospital in San Antonio and my right leg was also amputated there. My wife Jackie had been notified by telegram that was delivered to her parent's door, where she was living, while I was in Vietnam. When she answered the door, the delivery man asked if there was someone else at home with her. She said, "Is he alive, is he alive?" He said, "Ma'am, I do not know." Her mother quickly came to the door and the family doctor came to give her a sedative. The telegram indicated I was "VSI." She called a contact at the Pentagon and asked what that meant. The man said, "It means Very Seriously Injured and he could die at any time." Not the best of news! Jackie pursued in her questioning, but, the man said he had to leave to go to lunch!

I did live by the grace of God! Fourteen weeks in a closed psychiatric ward, seven years of psychiatric treatment and anti-depressants and twenty surgeries later, I emerged in the mid-1970s relatively well-recovered. However, the mid-June period every year and especially every June 17 are very emotional. All of us wounded combatants remember our "Alive Day." This in 2025 is my 58th one. I have been blessed to live, father two daughters, and become remarried to Linda. My Army wife Jackie suffered immeasurably. Jackie and I are on very good terms and pray together for our two daughters and two grandchildren. In accordance with Psalm 27:13, "I have confidence still, having witnessed the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living," that my Lord has seen me through the ultimate trials and tribulations that a human may experience. I survived and live on three days before my 83rd birthday! I am not buried at Arlington National Cemetery.