Avalon Chronicles #213: "Will You Be Going to Heaven?"

 One of my dearest friends is a successful businessman, but, is dedicated to evangelism. He fulfills his personal mission of introducing individuals to eternity. 

I am grateful he has developed and committed to writing his approach to individuals in literal street evangelism, visiting apartment buildings and setting up a booth at State Fairs. This is his approach.

If you were to die today-or anytime in the next 50 years-and you find yourself standing before God, and He asks you, "Why should I receive you into Heaven?"-what would you say?

God says there is only one way to get to Heaven. It happens to be very easy, but if we don't know what it is, how can we do it? Here are 4 simple verses that show us what the one way is:

                    "For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard." (Romans 3:23)

We all break the 10 commandments, go against our conscience, and fail to do good when we know we should. God is loving and merciful, but he is also a righteous judge. 

                     "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23)

In Heaven, the streets will be made of gold. There will be no more sorrow, pain, or death. We will have new bodies like angels. It will be only good with nothing bad. And it is a gift!

                     "But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners." (Romans 5:8)

That is amazing1 We have so much to be thankful for! God loves us and redeems us! Now, when aomeone offers us a gift, we simply have to be willing to receive it! There is a way to express our willingness to receive God's free gift of eternal life in Heaven:

                      "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved." (Romans 10:9-10)

Do you believe that? Do you believe that Jesus Christ died for you and for all people? Are you willing to receive eternal life?

Pray: Dear God, thank you for sending Jesus to die on the cross for my sins. I believe in you Jesus as my Savior and Lord. Thank you for the free gift of eternal life in Heaven. Amen."

SOMETHING FOR OURSELVES AND FOR SHARING WITH OTHERS!

MAY GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU AND MAY HIS FACE SHINE UPON YOU!

MAY THE DESIRES OF YOUR HEART BE FULFILLED!

Avalon Chronicles #212: Spiritual Preparation for America's Freedom in 1776-Part One

                                       The Great Awakenings of America in the 1700s.

     In scrolling through Amazon Prime movies recently an incredible movie popped up. Fandango Overview described it: "A GREAT AWAKENING tells the true story of an unlikely friendship between the Reverend George Whitefield and Benjamin Franklin that resulted in one of the most defining moments in American history. With the colonies on the brink of collapse, the Reverend George Whitefield ignited the first Great Awakening, uniting an entire generation with his thundering and faithful sermons and proclamations of history. In a miraculous turn of events, one of Whitefield's closest friends and greatest promoters becomes none other than Benjamin Franklin. With the nation's freedom hanging in the balance, the founders discover true liberty cannot only be written into law-it must be awakened in the hearts of the people." The film was released April 3, 2026. Viewing of the movie reawakened my immense interest in this evangelist George Whitefield, born on 1714 in Gloucester, England. My wife and I went to this town and visited Whitefield's childhood home, Bell's Inn. The church where he preached the first time is just down the street. He was at Oxford with John and Charles Wesley. 

     Actually, my initial interest in Whitefield was derived in a morning walk in 2010 at Exeter, NH at my 50th reunion of class of 1960 at the Phillips Exeter Academy. On that walk  I noted a simple monument that marked the spot where Whitefield preached on Saturday September 29, 1770. It was his last sermon! The monument has inscribed "George Whitefield Here preached His Last Sermon Sept 29, 1770." On that day he was passing through Exeter on his way to Newburyport, MA to preach the next morning. Details are at website:

 (https://www.cocdiscipleship.org/middle-ages/facing-death-george-whitefield-preached-one-last-time."

"As he passed through Exeter, a large crowd assembled, pleading with him to give them a sermon. Whitefield had led revival in their town some years earlier." He had climbed up on a make-shift spot and preached for two hours. Then rode on to Newburyport, where he died that night. 

Source: Forgotten Founding Father The Heroic Legacy of George Whitefield by Stephen Mansfield. Highland Books Cumberland House Nashville, TN 2001.

Mansfield wrote of Whitefield beginning page 213 in the chapter titled JESUS, "The wealth and the worldliness, the disinterest and the pride, gnarled his inner being....but his one true love was always the person of Jesus. The risen Christ was the fixed star of his life's voyage, the sole object of his affections. It was Jesus for whom he lived, Jesus whom he sought to please,..."

(19) "Through him, nations were transformed, revolutions were refashioned and millions of lives were reclaimed for a higher call..."

In an American Minute with Bill Federer, "He spread the Great Awakening Revival, which helped unite the colonies prior to the Revolutionary War."

Mansfield (255): George Washington said: "Upon his lips the Gospel appears even to the coarsest of men as sweet and as true as, in fact, it is." ..Mansfield; "Whitefield was the most beloved man in the colonies." ...(256) "So now the forerunner of the revival that made them become one became the forerunner of the war that set them free."

Mansfield: "It is why they pledged to God their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. It is also why George Whitefield must be remembered as a founding father of the American cause."

As we approach July 4, 2026 and the 250th anniversary of our Declaration of Independence, we will hear quotes from many of our patriots, but in my opinion the sermons of George Whitefield laid the foundation for our freedom firmly set by a belief of the eternal verities of Jesus the Christ!

  

Avalon Chronicles #211: The Barbary Pirates, The Treaty of Tripoli and the War on America by the Islamists

 References: The Founders Bible The Origin of the Dream of Freedom. Signature Historian David Barton.

Shiloh Road Publishers. 2013.

                     (By way of a personal conversation with David Barton on 11 May 2026 I am authorized to quote from his writings on this subject in pages 19-26 of his Founders Bible). This incredible Bible is worth obtaining by everyone, who is interested in Bible study and the history of the evolution of freedom in America.

The American Story a Book Series by David and Tim Barton

Both available at wallbuilders.com    (Also a searchable link to Islam is available).

DISCLAIMER: "Islamism is not a form of the Muslim faith or an expression of Muslim piety; it is, rather a political ideology that strives to derive legitimacy from Islam...Islamism is anti-Semitic...anti-Israeli, and it is also anti-American....Islamism is therefore not about the Islamic faith. Rather, it is a dystopian ideology that distorts religion and reality...Islamists distort their very own religious texts...Consider the various annotations of the Muslim sacred book, the Koran. I came across an English-language Koran printed in Saudi Arabia, the main purveyor of Islamist texts worldwide.In its man-made annotations, this Koran preached violence and hatred towards Jews, Christians, the West...The future of many countries in the world, and the future of the West, will be determined by this battle between Muslims and Islamists. Islamists want to convert Muslims to their hateful ideology. God knows the world needs more Muslims and fewer Islamists." July 8, 2016. Soner Cagaptay is a senior fellow and director of the Turkish Research Program at the Washington Institute. 

    In the interest of the Biblical origins of the Muslim faith as a religion and the Islamist threats to the Western World, it is helpful in the New American Standard Bible to study Genesis 17:12. Abraham fathered the child of Sarah's maidservant Hagar, Ishmael. It is written "He will be a wild donkey of a man, His hand will be against everyone, And everyone's hand will be against him;" You THINK that DNA has carried through all these centuries to the current world of Islamists and their warrior/terrorists?

     As soon as my Founders Bible was received, I delved into this valuable resource and discovered the history of the Barbary Pirates. One of the funniest lines ever spoken by Johnny Carson in his late night show was, "I did not know that!" As I delved into a study of the article. I was enlightened on every page beginning to recognize that the September 11, 2001 attacks on our homeland were perpetrated by descendants of Biblical Ishmael. These descendants first raised their ugly heads after our American Revolution and became America's first war in the 1780s. "Five different Islamic nations (Tunis, Morocco, Algiers, Tripoli , and Turkey) began making indiscriminate, ferocious attacks against the property and interests of what they claimed were Christian nations (America, England, France, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, etc.). The pirates operated primarily in the Mediterranean Sea, but those along the Moroccan Atlantic coast and western parts of the of the Mediterranean coast also sent ships up along the European Atlantic coast, reaching the British Isles, Norway and even Iceland."(19).

     "They captured Christian nation ships wherever they found them, seized their cargo as loot, and killed or enslaved their seaman....It is estimated that from the sixteenth to the nineteenth century , pirates captured one million Europeans as slaves....The payment of blackmail, disguised as presents or ransoms, did not always secure safety with these faithless barbarians. (20). (Author's note;) Makes me wonder about the monies transferred by President Barack Hussein Obama to Iran during his administration. What would be the nature of these monies? Blackmail or ransom? In 1784 the first American ship was seized by Moroccan pirates. This same year, "Congress authorized American diplomats John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson to negotiate with the Muslim terrorists." (20). America was spending one-sixth of our annual budget in payment to these criminals. 

     President George Washington was disgusted with this annual extortion drain on the budet of this new nation and he lamented, "Would to Heaven we had a navy able to reform these enemies to mankind-or crush them into nonexistence." (22). Nonexistence? Sound familiar in the spring of 2026, when there is a threat of Iran proceeding on to their goal of nuclear weapon development, which has been deemed as an "existential threat to the free world." You think that history has a way of repeating itself? 

     A very significant fact became evident from the mission of the three American negotiators. If individuals pay attention to this, it will add greatly to our understanding of modern day Islamists, who still adhere to what our negotiators were told by the ambassador in Tripoli in 1784 as to the motivation behind  the unprovoked attacks against Americans. The following is critical to understand what we were and are up against from "these wild men." SURPRISE SURPRISE SURPRISE! From another popular show "Gomer Pyle."

     That it was founded on the laws of their Prophet [Mohammed}---that it was written in their Koran that all nations who should not have acknowledged their authority were sinners; that it was their right and duty to make war upon them wherever they could be found and to make slaves of all they could take as prisoners; and that every Musselman [Muslim] who should be slain in battle was sure to go to Paradise. (20).

     I rest my case! The modern day Islamists are reading the same Koran. President George Washington moved forward to have our own Navy. We did initiate a Navy and unleashed our Marines on the Barbary Pirates (1801-1805). Now we sing in the Marine Hymn "To the shores of Tripoli.     

     

Avalon Chronicles #210 "Put on the Full Armor of God"

This is an amplified version of my own rendition of "Putting on the Full Armor of God."

Most days of each week I recall and speak the following by memory. I give thanks to Liberty Savard many years ago for assisting me in an elaborated version from Ephesians 6:10-18.

"The helmet of salvation. The breastplate of righteousness. The belt of truth.

I shod my feet in preparation to proclaim the Gospel of Peace. I hold up the shield of faith to ward off the fiery attacks of the evil one. I take up the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew in me a right spirit. I will make not provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts therof. I will bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

I praise you Lord for your grace, mercy and love. I know that my prayers are answered, because I obey your commandments and do the things that are pleasing in your sight. But, I say to you that for every idle word one may speak, you shall give account of it in the Day of Judgment. 

I confess my thoughts, words and deeds, repent in the Name of Jesus and ask for forgiveness. I know that you are faithful and just to forgive me my sins. I know that, if I do not forgive others, that I will not be forgiven.

I bind myself to the Character and Attributes of God: Righteousness, Holiness, Integrity and Purity and to the will, purposes, timing and truth of God.

I bind myself to the Mind of Christ and have imparted to me His wisdom, insight, discernment, knowledge and maturity.

I bind myself to the control by the Holy Spirit and reflect the fruit of the Holy Spirit love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, kindness, faithfulness and self-control. I add graciousness!

Vaya Con Dios

www.combatfaith.blogspot.com

 

Avalon Chronicles #209: "Heaven or Hell: Your Choice. Which Will it Be?"

 Reference: Heaven by Randy Alcorn. Nonfiction imprint of Tyndale House Publisher, Carol Stream, Illinois. Copyright 2004, New International Version. 535 pages.

"But Jesus made it clear that most people are not going to Heaven: 'Small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life and only a few find it.'...We shouldn't just cross our fingers and hope that our names are written in the Book of Life (Revelation 21:27)." (23). "Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve (Joshua 24:15)." (24). What?  Not going to Heaven? Is that not a wakeup call to all of us not believing in a supreme God, Who sent His Son to earth to die on the cross at Calvary 2000 years ago, so that, if we believe that actually happened, proclaim it verbally and follow it in our lives, we have a chance to go to Heaven. But there is a catch! See my blog #206 to learn about confession of sins. 

"Hell will be inhabited by people who haven't received God's gift of redemption in Christ (Revelation 20:12-15). After Christ returns there will be a resurrection of believers for eternal life in Heaven and a resurrection of unbelievers for eternal existence in Hell (John 5:28-29). The unsaved-everyone whose name is not written in the Lamb's Book of Life---will be judged by God according to the works they have done, which have been recorded in Heaven's books (Revelation 20:12-15). Because those works include sin, people on their own, without Christ, cannot enter the presence of a holy and just God and will be consigned to a place of everlasting destruction (Matthew 13; 40-42). Christ will say to those who are not covered by his blood, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels' (Matthew 5:41)." (24). There will be many fellow prisoners down there, all with singed eye brows, red hair and a perpetual sunburn!

"Hell will be a place of utter misery (Matthew 13:42; 13:50; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30; Luke 13;28). It will be a place of conscious punishment for sins, with no hope of relief. This is why Dante, in the Inferno, envisioned this chiseled above Hell's gate: 'Abandon every hope, you who enter.'" (24).

Pay attention, all, who ignore the above. You cannot put God over on side of your desk and go out into the Satan-controlled world and assume God will understand, when we sin and do not confess, repent and ask forgiveness. The secular world has many fleshly pleasures, but it is all fleeting. As the Scouts proclaim 'Be prepared." 

Avalon Chronicles #208: Alfie

      Alfie, a 1966 movie starring Michael Caine depicts his character as a self-centered person with a life focused on his own enjoyment, until events force him to question his uncaring behavior, his loneliness and his priorities. At the end of the film, reflecting on his life, how he lacks peace of mind and finally asking the question, "What's it all about?" Sound like anyone you know? 

Composers: Music: Burt Bachrach      Lyrics: Hal David 

               What's it all about Alfie? Is it just for the moment we live? 

               What's it all about when you sort it out, Alfie?

                Are we meant to take more than we give or are we meant to be kind?

                And if, only fools are kind, Alfie, then I guess it is wise to be cruel 

                And if, life belongs only to the strong, Alfie

                What will you lend on an old golden rule.

                 As sure as I believe there's a heaven above

                 Alfie, I know there's something much more, 

                 Something even non-believers can believe in.

                 And I believe in love, Alfie. 

                  Without true love we just exist, Alfie,

                   Until you find the love that you missed 

                   You're nothing Alfie. 

                    When you walk, let your heart lead the way

                     And you'll find love any day, Alfie, Alfie. 

        

                       

Avalon Chronicles # 207: The Woman at the Well

 In our Holy Bible there is related an unforgettable story of an unnamed figure, who encountered Jesus at Jacob's Well in Sychar, Samaria.

My dear wife introduced the message below by stating: "After studying and reflecting on the scriptures of the story of the Samaritan woman that Jesus met at the well (John 4:1-42), I imagined how she might have told her story in the latter days of her life, relating her story in first person singular, recollecting what 'Might have been in her own words.'"

Reflections:

And even now after all these years, I still recall there was such a peace in His presence. When He spoke, my heart felt a strange warmth.

 There was love, understanding and acceptance. All the things which I had been so hungry for, had been striving for and just couldn't seem to find. 

And then there was joy, for no reason, just a deep feeling of well-being. I felt so clean, knowing that no matter what had happened yesterday, all my yesterdays were over and that all was well today and would be well for all my tomorrows.

He seemed to be saying that there was nothing that could not be forgiven, forgotten and erased. That it was possible to turn away from all my failures, to be set free to turn away and to go and sin no more.

          In the light of His glorious presence, all the shadows just seemed to fall behind me.

Avalon Chronicles #206: Prayer of Freedom: Spiritual Exercise for Confession, Repentance and Forgiveness

 A few weeks ago Linda and I watched a youtube program with an interview by Beatty Carmichael, a layman, who has written a book that describes a methodology for healing that he has experienced and has been 90% effective, after he explained it to people and they prayed through the methodology he describes. The book is The Prayer of Freedom.

Linda and I have appropriated its spiritual process to our own lives. I have been in discomfort due to arthritis in both shoulders requiring two sets of injections in my back under the shoulder blades. I have also been impacted in my right hand. I have needed Linda's assistance to help put on my shirt or a jacket. The right shoulder and hand are totally better! The left shoulder still hurts modestly. I am much better!

At 83 I have read hundreds, if not thousands of books and articles on healing, listened to countless sermons, and viewed many Youtube videos. I share with you my overview after all this "learning." This is my story and I am "stickin" with it. 

BIG PICTURE: Lucifer led a revolt in Heaven due to jealousy about Jesus being God's Son, eventually to be released on earth to heal the ills of humanity. Lucifer became the modern day Satan, who revolted with one third of the angels who accompanied him. They began to be Satan's warrior spirits/demonic powers to work over us mere humans, when we err from operating in the manner of living in the image of God in our lives, (ie living without sinning in thought, word and deed).  

Our Lord established a unique spiritual legal system that would be an applicable system of law for humans. One escapes spiritual jail, if we adhere to the following: "You know that your prayers are answered, if you obey His Commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight." About forty years ago I was at a summer conference and latched onto this scripture with alarm. I knew the Ten Commandments were fairly clear, but immediately I was alarmed by the part about "pleasing in His sight." This requirement demands constant reflection and self-discipline.

I have worked through this, identified and acknowledged my sins of thought, word and deed, and asked forgiveness and repented in the Name of Jesus. If we sin, and do not ask forgiveness in the Name of Jesus and repent, we become subject to disciplining by God, not punishment. Satan becomes the executioner of the discipline and guess who has us on the platform with the guillotine ready to drop? Satan's demonic spirits become the disciplinarians and have authority to work us over with the torments of illness, enotional trauma, addictions and all the evil and painful physical and emotional ailments we suffer.

But, if we pause, reflect on our lives, recall our sins (perhaps ask God to help us with memories of those we had hoped were way in the past), we can one by one confess them, repent and ask forgiveness in the Name of Jesus. When we accomplish that exercise, the demonic spirits must, DUE TO THE SPIRITUAL LAWS SET UP, leave. This then rolls over to the spiritual warfare technique of deliverance for us to order the spirits by name to leave. If you banish them from their assignment to harm and influence you, I believe they may hover around, ready to jump back in. Therefore stay repented! Habitual sin may shut off the pathway to forgiveness. The author of my source book indicated we also may be able to address sins of our family members, but I have no experience with this suggestion. TAKE ACTION, THE CHOICE IS YOURS, TRY IT AND YOU MAY ACHIEVE FREEDOM FROM THE TORMENTS!

Avalon Chronicles #205: Yes, There are Free Lunches

      At age 83, many of my Vietnam War friends have gone on to their eternal assignment. There are still a number that are healthy enough to wake up and get up to join me for a breakfast/lunch. My last two lunches with  Vietnam veterans have included terrific sharing of war and spiritual stories. I have taken to wearing my Purple Heart cap which has "Combat Wounded" emblazoned also.

      At a recent lunch a fellow Army Vietnam veteran joined me. We had a wonderful time of conversation together and when I arose to depart, I noticed a lady seated alone right behind me. I have had printed a tract denoting my Vietnam War wounding and spiritual healing story and I handed it to her. She glanced at it and indicated she was a Navy veteran, who had served in the fleet on a ship. My friend had come beside me by this time. We introduced ourselves as Vietnam veterans. In continued conversation I asked, if she had any prayer needs that my friend and I could pray for her. She indicated she did and mentioned a medical issue. My friend and I both placed a hand on her shoulders and prayed for her healing in the Name of Jesus. We were oblivious to its being a public location. At our age and background, we were not intimidated by the public location for our prayer. My friend went on before me to exit. I took the lunch payment ticket up to the cashier. The Navy veteran came up right beside and asked for the ticket. I indicated it was for two breakfasts. She said it mattered not. She paid the ticket! The younger Navy veteran treated two "old soldiers" to our breakfast! 

     Same restaurant several days later. This time with a Marine aviator Vietnam veteran, who wore his Marine cap. Again tremendous time together. In the course of our time together I noticed another veteran enter with a younger woman. He wore his veteran cap also. I mentioned him to my friend. During our time together the other veteran came over to our table to introduce himself. He was with his granddaughter and indicated he had served post-Vietnam as a Navy submariner. I related my favorite submarine story to him. When I was an employee at the Dallas Veterans Affairs Medical Center I organized veteran history programs. One of the most fascinating stories from a WWII submariner was, when they were surfaced in the Pacific and were attacked by a Japanese fighter plane. The U.S. crew returned fire on the enemy plane and it crashed into the sea with one of the three crew members dying. The other two were brought aboard the submarine on its way to Hawaii, where the two prisoners were to be taken as POWs. One of the Japanese felt it his continued duty to become very belligerent. He was. One of the senior Navy crew members, whose duty was to be responsible for the torpedo tubes, decided to try a special approach to tone down the prisoner. He shoved the Japanese aviator into an empty torpedo tube, locked it shut and began banging on it. Apparently this accomplished its purpose. For the rest of the journey to Hawaii the Japanese aviator was very cowed and submissive, realizing he could possibly be shot out of the tube. The threat worked! Our modern day Navy submariner chatted a modest additional time and went back to join his granddaughter. My Marine friend and I finished our meal and I offered to pay the ticket. He went out ahead of me and I started toward the cashier. She said our bill had been paid! Obviously this also younger Navy veteran had to have been our benefactor! I will never know the names of our benefactors, but I will always remember their generosity. Go Navy!

Full video of the WWII Submariners is at www.youtube.com/combatfaith   Playlists.

"Veteran Stories From the Vault #3 WWII Submarines"

Avalon Chronicles #204: West Point Cadet Nick Rowe Changed My Trajectory of Life-1959

 James N. Rowe Class of 1960 at West Point

Assigned in Vietnam to a Special Forces  "A-team." Captured by Viet Cong October 29, 1963.

Escaped from enemy captvity Dec. 31, 1968 and rescued in Vietnam's U Minh Forest. 

Can't make these connections up! In August 1959 I was a plebe (freshman at West Point) in what was called "Beast Barracks." By a unique set of circumstances I had been appointed to West Point after only eleven grades (ie: a high school dropout). I had just turned 17 and was the youngest member of the class of 1963. My Army officer father was recently stationed in Hawaii. I decided after six weeks that I would prefer to resign from West Point and return to Hawaii, finish high school and learn to surf! I informed my squad leader that I desired to resign. I was ordered to report to my New Cadet Company Commander James "Nick" Rowe class of 1960. As soon as I entered Rowe's room, he said, "I knew you were appointed to West Point. I read the article in my hometown newspaper, the McAllen, Texas Monitor. My mother sent the article." CONNECTION: I had also been born in McAllen and my mother was a casual acquaintance of Nick's mother! Nick asked me to reconsider resigning as the rigors of Beast Barracks would be over in two weeks. He said the regular academic year, beginning in two weeks would be colorful due to football games. Someone at this place, disciplined and harsh as it had been for a 17 year old, connected and knew me! He was the only one of then 2400 cadets. His pep talk worked! I remained at the Academy. I was assigned to Company M-1, the company in which he was the company commander, but, I was not aware of any special privileges, except he probably assigned me roommates like John Dunn, Dick Walsh and George DeGraff, all of whom were much more mature than I, all having prior college.

Nick graduated in 1960 and became Ranger and Special Forces-qualified. He was captured by the enemy Viet Cong on Oct. 29, 1963. He suffered the very harsh conditions of being a Prisoner of War and being confined for most of his five year captivity in a 3 by 4 by 6 feet bamboo cage. Details of his captivity are detailed in his 1971 book Five Years to Freedom. It took an incredible amount of resilience, strength and faith to survive.

Fast forward to New Years Eve Dec. 31, 1968. American forces began helicopter operations in the area of his captivity. There was pandemonium with the Viet Cong. Nick became separated with only one guard. Nick "disposed" of the guard and an American helicopter flew over him ready to take him out as an enemy, but, the door gunner yelled at the last minute to the pilot, "He is an American!" Nick's captivity was over! After 62 months.

 

It was my great honor and privilege later to enjoy several occasions to connect with Nick. I arranged for him to speak at the West Point Society of North Texas. One of our grads invited his parents to attend and they traveled from McAllen for his story to be told first hand. Texas Governor John Connally recruited him in 1974 to be a candidate for State Comptroller. During his campaign I introduced him at a function in Dallas. I spent a memorable evening with him, when he and his then spouse Jane joined me for the evening afterwards. He was defeated in that election. Nick had been befriended by Robin Moore, author of his book The Green Berets, later the name of a movie, whose star was John Wayne. 

Nick continued his service in the Army Reserves and was recalled to acive duty to design and build a course based upon his experience as a POW. The course bcame the (SERE) Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape course. Fast forward to April 21, 1989, when he was in the Philippines, providing counter insurgency training to their Armed Forces. On that day he was being driven to work in an armored vehicle, when two communists assassinated him! 

His funeral was at Arlington National Cemetery in May 1989 after a Memorial service at Fort Myer Chapel. I had just arived in Washington pending my confirmation at the Department of Veterans Affairs as Asst. Secy Veterans Affairs. One of the most unique experiences of my life occurred that day. I used my wheelchair for the short trek to the burial site, just to left of the Amphitheatre through an open gate. However, on the return from the cemetery that gate was closed and I found myself facing a low stone wall. General Richard Stilwell, who had been Commandant of Cadets, when I was a cadet, took immediate charge and directed several young men to grab my chair and hoist me to the other side of the brick wall!

My connection with his widow Susan continued in later years. I invited her to a Veterans Day program at the Amphitheatre and her two young sons, Alex and Brian joined her. Upon her introduction she received an overwhelming welcome. Afterwards the speaker for the program Dick Cheney, Secretary of Defense, accompanied her and her sons to Nick's grave site. In a later year, when I worked in Durham, NC, I accompanied Susan as my guest to a West Point Founders Day at Fort Bragg. During our time together she indicated Ross Perot's foundation funded the college education of her two sons.

Years later I visited and spoke at the high school in McAllen named after Nick. Just recently I sent a copy of the 1960 class yearbook to the school.

ONE LAST CONNECTION to this great hero, who changed the trajectory of my life in 1959. My cousin Patsy attended Nick's high school, was a classmate and upon his departure by bus from McAllen in summer of 1956, when his Beast Barracks was to begin, she and another classmate saw him off on his bus, when he left for West Point. I complete this story by ending on the note that Nick taught my cousin Patsy to dance! As they say in politics, "You cannot make this up!"

In POW camp in 1964 he wrote this;

"So look at times to come,

Despair is not for us,

We have a world and much more to see, 

While this remains behind."

Nick became a devout and committed Christian!

It is with great pleasure and pride as I document my connections with James "Nick" Rowe, an incredible patriot of service to our nation as an officer in the United States Army.  

Avalon Chronicles #203: WWII Vision From God Gave Soldier Hope

Elizabeth, friend at my church, is the source of the following special story, derived from a conversation her sister, Deborah, had in the late 1980s, with their father, Robert, WWII veteran (born in 1925). 

April 11, 2022: How God Gave My Father Hope for the Future   

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

In the conversation her father said to his daughter, "Did I ever tell you how I knew I was supposed to marry your mother?" Her father began, "There was a war going on. I was young, but, I wanted to serve, so I lied about my age to be able to join the Army. I was only 17 and ended up as a foot soldier somewhere in Europe, about 800 miles behind Patton. We'd march all day and camp at night-day after day. Everyone took turns standing guard. That's when I learned how to sleep standing up and also how to shoot from the hip. (It isn't just an expression, it's a strategy). I got pretty good at both."

"War is horrible. I saw countless atrocities that people did to people. It literally made me sick." Half crying and half angry, he said, "I was so angry with God I could have spit. Fed up, I started yelling at God, telling him just what I thought of him and this war. Amid my shouting something strange and unexpected happened. I saw, as if right in front of me, a portrait of myself with a woman and four children. Somehow, I knew she was my wife and these were our children, our family. I stopped yelling and felt a strange measure of peace, but, the rage was tempered. The war continued, the atrocities got worse and I promptly forgot about the vision. After my enlistment was up, I returned to the states and started college at Bucknell University. It was during my senior year in 1948, that things got interesting."

"In the previous two school years, Fr. Deppon, the chaplain at Bucknell, had been telling me there was a woman I needed to meet. I really wasn't interested in dating, so, I kept avoiding the subject. Since it was my senior year and Fr. Deppon was never going to give it a rest, I finally agreed to meet this woman he'd been telling me about. As she approached, I saw her face and SHE WAS THE WOMAN FROM THE PORTRAIT! The memory of that dark, cold, raining night, and the family portrait I'd forgotten about, came vividly flooding back. I was overwhelmed and tried hard to hold myself together."

Fr. Deppone; "Bob, meet Alice. Alice meet Bob."

Daughter Debbie: "Oh, my word, Daddy! What did you say to her?"

Daddy: "I could barely speak and I honestly don't remember much of the conversation. All I know is that I liked her and, well, you see where we ended up," he said with a twinkle in his eye. 

Debbie: "Did you tell her about the portrait?'

Daddy: Laughing hard, he said, "Are you kidding? That would have been something. Hi, Alice. You don't know me, but, I know I'm supposed to marry you and we're going to have 4 children together. Haha! No! I didn't have the courage to tell her until after the twins were born. (one being Elizabeth, my friend from church). I imagine that might have ended things before we had a chance to get started. No I kept it to myself until the portrait was complete."

Debbie: "Wow. That's amazing, Daddy."

Daddy: "Well it gets better. You know now that there are four of you kids, but, after you were born, the doctor told us not to risk having any more children. Your blood type is RH positive and youir mother's is RH negative, so you were basically poisoning each other for nine months. It wasn't until years later that the doctors figured out how to treat that, but, at the time, it was dangerous for both you and your mother and any fetus she might carry."

Daddy, continuing, "But, the fact remained that the portrait had four children, not two, and your mother and I had set our hearts on having four children, not two. You know how much she hated being an only child...We agreed to trust God and try for baby number three. As you know, she conceived! Your mother wondered early on whether she might be having twins. Each time she went to the docter she'd tell him that there seemed to be many more than four appendages jabbing her from within. She said it was like she was carrying an octopus. But, the doctor insisted it was only one, because he could never find a second heartbeat."

"The birth day (October 16, 1959) finally arrived. Off to the hospital we went. I got the happy news your mother had delivered a healthy baby boy. Then, five minutes later, after quite a flurry of activity, a second announcement: a healthy baby girl! (My church friend, Elizabeth). To the doctor's surprise your mother was right. I immediatley left the hospital to buy a dryer, knowing that we'd never survive without one, given the number of diapers we were going to have to wash going into the winter months."

"That is when your mother and I knew our family was complete. I knew God had given me a picture of hope that cold, dark rainy night somewhere in the back woods of Europe. And in his mercy, he did it by giving us our third and fourth babies in one pregnancy, saving your mother from future health risks."

Daddy: "And that, Debbie, is how God gave me a hope and a future in the middle of a war."

Allen Clark: "If, after reading this commentary, you do not believe there is a God, read it again!!! What gifts may be awaiting you?"

VAYA CON DIOS! GO WITH GOD!

Avalon Chronicles #202: The Man on the Mountain

 Guest Author: Linda Clark

Quite a number of years ago, I was driving my mother to check on some timber land that she had inherited from her family. It was in a very remote northwest Arkansas area, that backs up to the Quachita National Forest, stretching from Arkansas into Oklahoma. It was customary, when I visited her from Texas, that I would drive her to the property to ensure its condition and to determine, if its trees were ready for harvest. Arkansas pine had long been valued by builders, as the trees grow very straight and tall, making them good for framing. 

My mother had prepared a lunch for us and it was our plan to picnic at a modest park across the highway from her land. The park provided a beautiful view of the valley below. We were satisfied that all was in order on her land so we drove the short distance to the dirt road that we knew led up to the park. Driving in, I sensed movement and rustling in the brush along the road, but, thought nothing of it, knowing that there were highway crews, who sometimes visited the park. Also, I was aware that the woods were full of animals. I carried my shotgun in the trunk and in those years was a fairly good shot, so I was confident that would be sufficient protection, if needed. 

As we approached, where we intended to enjoy our lunch, a man on horseback appeared from the side of the hill, that provided the beautiful view of the valley we had hoped to enjoy. He was a handsome man, whose age I guessed to be in his mid-thrties. He was wearing a hat with a brim, very well-groomed and wearing very nice clothing. The best way I can describe him is the way I thought of him to myself, "He looked like a Ralph Lauren ad in a magazine." His horse was beautiful and very well cared-for as well. Mother and I sat stunned in the car as the odds of seeing someone like him in the "wilds of Arkansas" are close to a million to one! He smiled in a very agreeable manner as he guided his horse to the car, where my mother and I sat totally stunned! I said hello and asked him from where he had come. He gave a very lame explanation that he had come from the Washington, DC area. I recall thinking to myself, "there is no way." He was very clean-shaven and had no bed roll or anything to suggest this could be true. We exchanged a few pleasantries, which I cannot even recall, but, my memory is he spoke with a European accent. I asked him what was his destination and he responded, "Washington State." This encounter seened so irregular that I looked at my mother and said, "We should leave." She silently nodded in agreement. We bid him goodbye and slowly and carefully departed the park. As we drove away, he and his horse crossed the ditch leading to the highway, as we waved goodbye. I silently drove away with neither my mother nor I saying a word on the drive home.

A number of years passed and it became time to move my mother to Texas as her years and subsequent decline required more care. It was my custom to visit her often at the assisted living residence, where she resided. One afternoon as were on the facility patio, visiting on rocking chairs, I began to recognize her memory was fading. I recalled the man on the beautiful horse, approaching us on the mountain that day and I asked her, if she remembered him well and she said, "Yes, he did not look like any of us." Neither she nor I said anything else about the encounter that we had shared those many years ago. I have always wondered, if we both had the same thoughts about the potential threat we may have faced that day from the sounds we heard in the brush. I have maintained all these many years since, that perhaps he was as an angel dispatched by God to watch over us with the horseman's presence to protect us from some harm. It has remained most unusual and unexpected. I remain convinced there is no other explanation!

Avalon Chronicles #201: Our God is Still in the Healing Business for His People

 Reference: Doing the Supernatural Works of Jesus by Everett Cox. Available on Amazon.

     Several of my recent Avalon Chronicles reference this valuable book. Here is a personal report of a supernatural healing. It would have been difficult for me to believe in God's healing by my own asking, if I had not personally witnessed it. In early 2024 my wife was knocked down in a restaurant, suffering a three hour surgery and four breaks in her femur. She has become mobile again, but with a limp as her injured leg shortened about a quarter inch or so. We have coffee together every morning and a couple of weeks ago I felt so sad she was limping as she walked toward the kitchen. 

     I had read Everett's book the first time in 2014 and had just reread it again. Believe me, if you read this book and apply its spiritual principles, you will never be the same again! Let me tell you upfront it will require a commitment of self-revelation about spiritual matters. Chapter 11 is on Physical Healing. That same afternoon I asked Linda to sit with me for me to pray for her healing. She consented and the key element in the healing process is to recollect everyone about whom one has harbored unforgiveness or bitterness or resentment through life. She had gotten so accustomed to harboring ill-feeling about a hurt from as far back as her childhood from a person that even now is already deceased. She forgave her. That becomes unsettling to recollect all one's past hurts. It becomes brutal emotionally, but critical to the process. But, the exercise brings results. After she had spent one hour recollecting her past hurts, recalling all the past harmful memories and my listing them, she forgave all and we prayed for her healing and lengthening her leg. Forgiving does not require a liking of the individuals. 

     She got up and walked away without limping!!!!!! We had to witness it to believe it. This was not a spiritual game with God. It was serious and Jesus healed her. She hurt her right hand a year ago, when she overworked it. We prayed last night and the hand was healed and by this morning!  

     When we accept membership in the family of God and proclaim our belief that God's Son died on that cross at Calvary two thousand years for the redemption of us and our sins, we join the membership that far surpasses all the groups to which we pay annual dues. God desires we benefit from Jesus' passion. Here Linda and I are in our early '80s, we have attended church for decades, we have heard hundreds of sermons, read dozens of  "religious" books, but never have we been at the spiritual level we now are after reading and absorbing and applying Everett's book. Our faith matured us and we applied Jesus' teachings.

     We will never be the same again1 Praise God, our Father in Heaven, who sent His son to live amongst us for 33 years, died on the cross and was resurrected. When Jesus returned to Heaven, he left the Holy Spirit to continue to minister to us. 

Avalon Chronicles #200: It is Time to Say Goodbye for Avalon Chronicles!

      The traffic to my message site has hit some phenomenal numbers this year after being published since 2011. I  have derived a high degree of pleasure the last few months of 2025 with the traffic visiting my site from all over the world. I began fifteen years ago at age 68 to write about my life experiences: trips, military, my alma mater West Point, my beloved country America, thoughts on faith and my belief in the Trinity of God the Father, his Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. If you are reading this final message and are in the statistics through the years to have visited my site, I am grateful.

     The bottom line of all my messages and my desire for you is that you pray the following prayer I found on the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association site;

        I pray for all to receive Jesus as personal Savior and Lord: I have.

Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and I ask you for Your forgiveness. I believe that You are the Son of God and that you died on the cross for my sins and rose again. I choose to turn from my sins and give my life to You. Please come into my heart, be my Lord and Savior, and fill me with your Holy Spirit. Thank you for your grace and for this new life.

     I have often questioned myself as to whether, in Vietnam in 1967, I would have gone to live eternally with my Lord and Savior. I was saved bodily and miraculously in my Vietnam War that day to return home, be married to two special women, father two fantastic daughters, with two special grandchildren. I have lived with both my legs amputated below my knees. I know today after 83 years of living and breathing that eternal life in Heaven is my gift from God with no hesitation nor lack of conviction. If you have never prayed this prayer, I pray you will.

      SEE YOU IN HEAVEN?

                                                                    FINIS!

Avalon Chronicles #199: Spiritual Healing-Part Five (The Occult)

Reference: Cox, Everett. Doing the Supernatural Works of Jesus. Xulon Elite. 2010. Amazon.

     The immediately prior messages have referenced multitudes of issues that can cause us to allow or be invaded by ungodly soul ties that work us over spiritually until dealt with spiritually. Everett Cox's book delineates, defines and addresses this negative spiritual world in one volume that pulls it all together to identify and address through prayer, issues impacting each of us in the spirit world. 

     On page 35 the book has a section titled:

 "MORE DOORS HAVE BEEN OPENED THROUGH THE OCCULT"

     I cannot do justice in discussion of this arena that is so important without quoting from my source book. "Most demons that torment Christians come through doors that they or their ancestors opened....As discussed before, one of these doors is any involvement with witchcraft through ouija boards, having your palm read, going to a fortune teller, horoscopes, tarot cards, palm readers...the list goes on and on....Any time we seek information from the satanic world or covet objects that represent the dark side, legal rights can be given for demons to enter our soul or physical body....These types of things are "...an abomination unto the Lord." (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). (35)

    Take Heed and Pay Attention Please: The well-being of your children is at stake! "Children are tormented by demons that came through these doors that were opened to the enemy: Pokemon, dream catchers, unicorns, posters on their walls of satanic rock groups and their music, 'Dungeons and Dragons.'"(35) Cox writes that children have been tormented "with fear and other torments, including infirmities. When the objects were taken out of the house, they stayed free." 

     I could go on and on to relate to you readers numerous more messages I read and was informed related in my source book, but I ask you, if you desire, please buy the book and continue your learning. I close with references to physical healing. I believe in healing because I have prayed and received answers to my prayers. "If there is a spirit that is causing an illness or sickness, it may very well be there because it has a right to be there. Any evil spirit, including spirits of infirmity, can use the same doors, previously discussed to oppress your life." (63) Major blocks to physical healing relate to unforgiveness or bitterness. Also specified are feelings of abandonment, rejection, anger or hurt that have not been thought through. Technique: "Say the name of the person you are forgiving and declare that you forgive them for the specific offense....Stress and anxiety may be a root cause of your sickness....Spirits of stress and anxiety may need to be renounced and cast out before healing can be received." The technique specifically to forgive others or heal an infirmity  is "...speak in Jesus' Name ...command, in Jesus' Name, that (name infirmity) is to be gone and healing  is to occur." In reality it may not occur so be sure all the door openers previously discussed are shut down. The previous messages #195 through this one #199 are probably the most important to protect oneself spiritually and physically. May they prove worthy of your attention.

I have a family heritage from Asturias, Spain and was fairly proficient in Spanish many decades ago.

I close with 'Vaya Con Dios."  GO WITH GOD.

 

 

Avalon Chronicles #198: Spiritual Healing -Part Four Door Openers (Cont)

Reference: Cox, Everett. Doing the Supernatural Works of Jesus. Xulon Elite. 2010. Available Amazon.

     Doors that Evil Spirits Often Use

Hypnosis: When we subnit to hypnosis, we yield our mind to someone else. The hypnotist may have some evil spirits attached to them.

Idolatry: Something or someone may have preeminence in one's life other than Jesus. "(Matthew 6:33) tells us we are to, 'seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things will be added unto you.'"(31). To the exclusion of our Lord, certain areas of our lives may become predominant: "self, sports, hobbies, our work, money, people, sex, drugs, alcohol, food, collections, problems, sickness, etc." Some may worship these to the exclusion of Jesus. The major loss may be our spouse and family. Participation in secret societies may be idolatry. (Exodus 20:3) is very clear, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." 

Rebellion and Disobedience Toward God-Not Keeping God's Commandments: This is considered sin and must be repented. A brand new spiritual truth becomes evident herein and this relates to our being susceptible to issues/sins of our past family generations, ie:..."disease, poverty, early death, destruction, trauma, sorrow and tragedy on our lives." Now readers may say what is this all about? Recall Biblically, sins and situations may be carried on for several generations. However we may break those sins and conditions by praying to break the past spiritual sins and conditions. "I suggest that you speak to your specific ptoblem, declaring that it is under the curse of the law, but that you have been redeemed by Jesus at the Cross. Therefore you are healed."(32).

Ungodly Inheritance: "Exodus 20:5 tells us that the iniquity (sin) of the fathers as far as four generations back can be held against us. It is likely that this four generation curse would apply to most of us because we have parents and grandparents who have sinned. Involvement with murders, suicides and/or abortions by us or our forefathers would certainly fit here. Sins caused by taking certain oaths, speaking and accepting ungodly dedications, or allowing certain secret society curses to be spoken over us results in generational demonic activity as well." (32). Thankfully we can repent of all those sins, known and unknown. We can call on our Lord for forgiveness for ourselves and our forefathers. "(Nehemiah 9:2) And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers." (33). This was a big surprise to me. And somewhat shocking to be affected by my family indiscretions. I can assure you what Everett Cox writes emanates from intense study of the scriptures and his experience in his ministry sessions.

Curses by the Tongue: This door opener perhaps is the one manifested most often. Others may cast aspersions or negative words against us and they take hold without our knowledge or even recognition, but, if you are reading this message, you now know! Be aware when we speak negatively of others that comment remains in the air and can take hold on that person. We can pray that spirits attached to words spoken to us about us or those we send into the atmosphere can be rendered null and void. This is by breaking the spiritual power through prayer. When this happens, Cox reports that the evil spirits are called out and his subjects literally cough them out. 

Ungodly Soul Ties: This section was a major surprise for me. "Soul ties form in our hearts by associating with someone, by bonding, following them, by accepting their influence....Ungodly soul ties take form from such activities as addictions, drug addiction , alcohol, gambling, stealing or cult activity."(34). Making someone an idol becomes an ungodly soul tie. Sexual abuse, as unfair as it is, creates a negative soul tie. "Sexual activity outside marriage will set up ungodly soul ties."(34). 

Avalon Chronicles #197: Spiritual Healing-Part Three Door Openers (Cont)

 Reference: Cox, Everett. Doing the Supernatural Works of Jesus. 2010. Available on Amazon.

     A critical element of this teaching related to understanding why evil spirits can torment Christians is contained in Chapter 4. In #196 we discussed the need to close off all the doors, that, when opened, authorize demonic spirits to invade and work us over. As a reminder we discussed the need to be "born again," to confess all sins and to harbor no bitterness nor unforgiveness throughout our lives.

     Continuing along, there are other doors that must be closed or never to be opened for an invasion by the evil spirits. 

     A long life may be ensured when children honor their parents, even though we may believe they do not deserve our honoring them. God's Word: "Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth." (Ephesians 6:1-3)

     Works of the Flesh: Not surprisingly this is a major door opener. What follows is from (NIV) Galatians 5:19-21. These sins must be recognized, admitted and repented of to be able to close off their impact from evil spirits. "The acts of the sinful nature (works of the flesh) are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissentions (divisions), 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." These hit home for so very many, perhaps most prevalent and evident. 

     Pride: As we examine ourselves and recognize that non-humility and pridefulness are present, we must repent and ask forgiveness. "Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil." (I Timothy 3:6)

     Witchcraft: "Any involvement with withcraft will open a door to demonic oppression. Messing with a ouija board, tarot cards, going to a fortune teller, having your palm read, reading horoscopes, astrology, etc....Anything that gives importance to any form of withcraft is a potential open door to demonic oppression. This gives demons 'rights' to torment others in the household and cause weird things to happen in the house."(30). See Deuteronomy 18: 10-12. 

      Drugs, Alcohol and Other Addictions: "The enemy will use addictions as an open door to give evil spirits permission to harass."(31) These addictions can be so debilitating and harmful to one's health. Addictions put self before God. This is an area that proper choices and self-control are most needed. 

       Traumas of the Past: Most harbor some emotional wounds of our past. "There are wounds from bad relationships, rejection (perceived or real), abandonment, physical, verbal, psychological or sexual abuse, severe frightening experiences, experiences with miscarriages, abortions, or having bad childhood memories...these traumas need inner healing."(31). "...He hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted...to set at liberty them that are bruised..." (Luke 4:18) As a soldier severely wounded in Vietnam I endured suffering emotionally from my past traumas, as do many in the military, who were in warzones and came under fire or bombardments. At no time in years of secular counseling was I introduced to the aspect of a need for Jesus to help heal me from my wartime experiences. The world just talks to you and refills your prescription.    

      

     

Avalon Chronicles #196: Spiritual Healing Part Two "Open Doors"

 Reference: Cox, Everett. Doing the Supernatural Works of Jesus. Xulon Elite. 2010. Available on Amazon.

 Wimber, John. Power Evangelism. Minneapolis, MN: Chosen Books, 1986, 2009. 

     If you do not believe that Satan exists, then the devil has succeeded in keeping you uninformed! Ever since he took one third of the angels with him in his rebellion from Heaven, there has been an ongoing conflict on Mother Earth with all its inhabitants. But, the most important belief for our lives is that God DOES exist. Jesus died on the Cross so that by believing in Him we could live with God in eternity with our sins forgiven. "The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work" (I John 3:8). John Wimber in Power Evangelism wrote "Satan's captivity of men and women has many facets, but denying them final salvation is his primary goal. However, there are other types of dominion: bondage to sin, physical and emotional problems, social disruption and demonic affliction." (41). Cox's book focuses on demonic affliction.

     In the previous message, spirits were discussed. A major factor to grasp as Christians is that demonic spirits are allowed to invade us because we allow "open doors." "An open door is a "root" or "legal right" that the spirit has to harass, torment or oppress an individual. We must deal with these before engaging evil spirits to cast them out" (19). Get ready: "I have seen unforgiveness as a major door" (19). Take heed now that a major open door to allow tormenting is our refusal to forgive others.  "How do we come under the influence of demons? The common entry: Christians open doors if we do not obey the word of God." (25). Believe it or not to your peril not to understand that, "We can also be affected by doors opened by our ancestors; their sins and iniquities." (25). Demons can bother us in the flesh and our soul.

     We can be "born again Christians," but can be tormented in body and in soul (mind, emotions and will). Remember we are powerless to this enemy unless we truly are "born again." This is how that occurs.

     Romans 10:9-11 tells us: 'That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto reighteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation..."(27).  Alright, we got that down, but then what about our sins? That is where it is challenging. 1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us of all unrighteousness." That is the beginning "door" that must be closed. Start with confessing sins, repenting and asking in the Name of Jesus for forgiveness. The most prevalent next is unforgiveness. This is the hardest. We cannot harbor unforgiveness or resentment against anyone.  Also, forgive oneself and God. 'Spirits of sickness, weakness, or infirmity use the unforgiveness door as a primary entry door in most cases." (28). 

    My wife Linda had experienced a sore left leg for years. In her mid-40s she had attended a really wonderful Bible Study at a private home. At the end she sat on a sofa and the leader asked another attendee  to come over to meet Linda to pray for healing of her leg. The other attendee did not introduce herself, but simply said to Linda, "I sense unforgiveness with you." Linda said she knew immediately and exactly to what that referred in her past history and chose to forgive the person. Linda says the leg healed immediately! The woman did not even have to pray over Linda! Linda definitely believes in the connection between illness and unforgiveness!!!! 

     I was severely wounded in 1967 in a mortar attack in a Special Forces camp in Vietnam. I had a challenge for several years and had the audacity for blaming God for allowing me to be wounded so severely that I lost both legs. Eventually, I realized I had chosen to go to war as a proud West Point graduate so, when I came to grips with reality therapy, I only had myself to blame. 

    Stay tuned for what comes next: Opening doors.

Avalon Chronicles # 195: Spiritual Healing-Part One

Resource: Doing the Supernatural Works of Jesus. Everett Cox. 2010. Available on Amazon or at Deliverance Ministry directly. www.delmin.org.

     The author of this book is a personal friend of mine. He has been a guest in my home twice. Former naval officer and pilot. He is now 91 and as sharp as if he were 71. His Deliverance Ministry is based in Edmund, OK (Oklahoma City area). The ministry is www.delmin.org. Take my word for it, the book and the website are power-packed with information. "There are many Christians who have certain problem areas in their lives. They have never received their victory in areas that torment them, including fear, anger or rage, chronic depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, perversions, wounds of the past, and many physical infirmities." (13). I can assure your obtaining this book, studying it and applying the areas in which you need emotional or physical healing will be like taking a post-graduate course in healing of your body, soul and spirit. 

     A reader will encounter, for many, a first time introduction to faith concepts that are beyond one's current dimension or level of spiritual maturity. Have an open mind and decide I do need a makeover and give this ministry a try. Cox has been at this for several decades. I believe a good place to begin exploring the healing process is to open the website www.delmin.org. Go to Ministry Tools on top bar. There is a lengthy list of topics. Go to "Problem List" and check off your issues that are your challenges. His ministry is a starting place to begin to heal and finally to cease letting the dark side of our lives dictate our spiritual state. A major cause of our spiritual, emotional and physical challenges becomes related to evil spirits. If that is too far out for you, then stop reading this message now. If you are ready to become more spiritually and physically whole, then keep reading. Cox writes, "Nor did I hear about His commands for believers to do the same works Jesus did; i.e. set the captives free, commanding evil spirits to leave an individual's soul (mind, will or emotions) or physical body. (Mark 16:17)"

     For most of our issues and problems the real root is a spirit; i.e. an anger problem is related to a spirit of anger. You will be introduced to the "open doors" concept, wherein your actions (obviously and typically sinful or wrong) and attitudes, which are not Godly, have set you up for our "enemy" to have the "legal right" for a representative of Satan's legions to take over and begin the torment, harassment and oppression of us. It is critical at this point to emphasize that we all reflect back on Sunday School class number one. Eve was deceived by the serpent to grab fruit off the wrong tree. Blame Adam and Eve for this disobedience that gave Satan his foothold on earth and over all of us. He is the God of earth and his army consists of the angels who rebelled and left Heaven in the great schism. These spirits became the demonic spirits, who work us over. In this book we will learn to shut the "open doors" so that these evil spirits lose their rights to attack us. Our God is in charge of the spirit world and is all-powerful. God has allowed Satan to work his evil until the end of time, before which the evil sides of our lives are allowed to prevail, rather than God in our lives and then God says, "Check Mate."

Avalon Chronicles #194: Begin Your Day With a Morning Resolve

     

                                                         A Morning Resolve

                                      I will try this day to live a simple, sincere and 

                                      serene life, repelling promptly every thought of

                                      discontent, anxiety, discouragement, impurity,

                                        and self-seeking; cultivating cheerfulness,

                                    magnanimity, charity and the habit of holy silence;

                                               exercisng economy in expenditure,

                                     generosity in giving, carefulness in conversation, 

                                          diligence in appointed service, fidelity to

                                          every trust and a childlike faith in God.

                                        In particular I will try to be faithful in those 

                                      habits of prayer, work, study, physical exercise, 

                                                eating and sleep which I believe the 

                                               Holy Spirit has shown me to be right.

                                          And as I cannot in my own strength do this, 

                                           nor even with a hope of success attempt it,

                                               I look to thee, O Lord God my Father,

                                                       in Jesus Christ my Savior

                                                and ask for the gift of the Holy Spirit.

                                                                          Amen

                                       Anonymous