Avalon Chronicles #72: "Desmond Doss-The Rest of the Story"
by Allen B. Clark allenbclark@aol.com
www.combatfaith.com www.combatfaith.blogspot.com
In the course of a conversation at a recent luncheon with some of my veteran friends, the discussion related to the movie Hacksaw Ridge, about which I have written a previous message. One of my friends in 2002 had been the deputy commander of Army troops on Okinawa and found out the island Marines were hosting Desmond Doss, the Medal of Honor Recipient and real live hero of the movie. Been quizzical about how that occurred since Doss was an Army veteran, he inquired and I guess it related to the inordinately efficient Marine public relations influence that they were selected to host Doss. Not withstanding that sponsorship, he became involved with the visit.
Public Broadcasting System was filming a documentary on the action of Doss wherein he received his Medal of Honor for his heroism at the battle in 1945. Doss, his company commander from the battle, and three company mates and their spouses were flown to Okinawa. PBS also found three Japanese veterans who lived on the island, amazingly enough one of whom had been in the same battle in which Desmond Doss moved across the body-strewn battlefield to treat the American wounded soldiers and get them over to a rope system to lower them down the cliff to medical care.
The Japanese soldier who had been in the battle, met Doss and said he knew who he was from the battle! The Japanese soldier said he was a sniper and had picked off and killed several American wounded and related he had had Doss in his sights THREE times to shoot him, but his rifle JAMMED each time!
Doss said very simply, "It was not my time." There was definitely a supernatural intervention by God on behalf of Doss, who continued tirelessly with what could be defined only as a supernaturally gifted physical and emotional strength to go after "One More" brother each time he returned to the battlefield on the ridge top.
If we truly believe the salvation message for eternity after bodily death that is offered by faith in Jesus, we must accept that, when it is our time, it is our time. I have faced a few perils on a battlefield and in medical issues, but believe I will live until I have served my mission on earth just as Doss lived with a much more important mission with his fellow combatants that night, My mission today, for which I constantly request the blessings of our Lord, is to have those "divine encounters" that place me in the paths of my younger veterans today so that I can be a "laborer of the harvest" for their soulful and spiritual healing just as Doss was put in the paths of his comrades for bodily healing.
Friday, November 18, 2016
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
Avalon Chronicles #71: 'Land of the Free Because of the Brave"
Avalon Chronicles #71: "Land of the Free Because of the Brave"
by Allen B. Clark allenbclark@aol.com
www.combatfaith.com www.combatfaith.blogspot.com
Quoted from Streams in the Desert October 25
"During the American Civil War, a certain man had a son who enlisted in the Union army. The father was a banker and although he gave his consent to his son, it seemed as if it would break his heart to let him go.
Once his son had left, he became deeply interested in the plight of soldiers, and whenever he saw one in uniform, his heart went out to him as he thought of his own dear boy. Often to the neglect of his business, he began spending his time and money to care for the soldiers who came home disabled. His friends pleaded with him not to neglect his business in this way, by spending so much time and energy on the soldiers. So he decided to give it all up, taking his friends' advice.
After he had made this decision, however, a young private in a faded, worn uniform stepped into his bank. It was easy to discern from the wounds on his face and hands that he had been in the army field hospital. The poor young man was fumbling in his pocket to find something, when the banker saw him. Perceiving his purpose for coming into the bank , he said to the soldier, 'My dear man, I cannot help you today. I am extremely busy. You will have to go to the army headquarters, where the officers will take care of you.'
The poor wounded soldier still stood there, not seeming to fully understand what was being said to him. He continued to fumble in his pockets and finally pulled out a scrap of dirty paper. He laid the filthy page before the banker, who read the following words written in pencil:
'Dear father,
This is one of my friends, who was wounded in the last battle and is coming to you directly from the hospital. Please receive him as you would me.
Charlie'
All the banker's previous resolve to focus solely on his business instead of soldiers quickly flew away. He took the young man to his own magnificent home and gave him Charlie's room and seat at the dinner table. He cared for him until the food, rest, and love had returned him to health, and then sent him back to his place of service to again risk his life for his country's flag."
We cannot all serve in the armed forces of our nation possibly on dangerous earthly battlefields, but, we all can arm ourselves for the spiritual battlefields of our lives by putting on the "Full Armor of God." Ephesians 6:17 (KJV).
After he had made this decision, however, a young private in a faded, worn uniform stepped into his bank. It was easy to discern from the wounds on his face and hands that he had been in the army field hospital. The poor young man was fumbling in his pocket to find something, when the banker saw him. Perceiving his purpose for coming into the bank , he said to the soldier, 'My dear man, I cannot help you today. I am extremely busy. You will have to go to the army headquarters, where the officers will take care of you.'
The poor wounded soldier still stood there, not seeming to fully understand what was being said to him. He continued to fumble in his pockets and finally pulled out a scrap of dirty paper. He laid the filthy page before the banker, who read the following words written in pencil:
'Dear father,
This is one of my friends, who was wounded in the last battle and is coming to you directly from the hospital. Please receive him as you would me.
Charlie'
All the banker's previous resolve to focus solely on his business instead of soldiers quickly flew away. He took the young man to his own magnificent home and gave him Charlie's room and seat at the dinner table. He cared for him until the food, rest, and love had returned him to health, and then sent him back to his place of service to again risk his life for his country's flag."
We cannot all serve in the armed forces of our nation possibly on dangerous earthly battlefields, but, we all can arm ourselves for the spiritual battlefields of our lives by putting on the "Full Armor of God." Ephesians 6:17 (KJV).
Sunday, November 6, 2016
Avalon Chronicles #70: "Fallen From Grace"
Avalon Chronicles #70: "Fallen From Grace"
by Allen B. Clark allenbclark@aol.com
www.combatfaith.com www.combatfaith.blogspot.com
"For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." I John 2:16 (KJV)
Linda and I are five episodes of ten through a new Netflix series, "The Crown," relating the stories of the United Kingdom's current royal family. Of course, there is related the abdication of Queen Elizabeth's uncle due to the desire to marry a twice-divorced American, the flirtations of Princess Margaret with married Group Captain Townsend, political machinations in the premiership of Winston Churchill, and tradeoffs at the highest levels of the British Empire. Presumably, ahead for our viewing "pleasure," are the shenanigans and falling from grace of Prince Charles, Prince Albert, Princess Anne, divorces, and the "mysterious" death of Diana. However, I am struck by the "dignity" of the life of future Queen Elizabeth II and her father, King George VI. One of the most poignant scenes is that of her father rehearsing with a young Elizabeth, prior to his own coronation, the sacred anointing with oil by the Archbishop of Canterbury by the application to the forehead, the heart, and the palm, (the soul, the spirit, and the body) with the sign of the cross. Episode five ends with the same ceremony for the new queen in Westminster Abbey. This all represents assuredly the merging of church and state in what was once the most powerful position in the world.
Our Declaration of Independence and Constitution make clear our own founding was based upon separation of church and state. Our nation originally was founded by "escapees" from the intolerance of the Church of England. These adherents of a sincere belief in our God ruling their lives came upon our shores for freedom from the monarchies and oppressions of Europe. Our colonists picked up pitchforks and muskets and succeeded in our Revolution with securing freedom from the ancestors of the royalty of "The Crown." Who cannot be reminded of the dignity of a George Washington, becoming our first president, a leader in a position, which arguably would eventually be considered the most powerful position in the world, the leader of our own American Empire?
On November 8, 2016 we again will pick from one of two candidates to become our president, the most powerful position in the world. Whereas our examples have been the dignity of a George Washington and a Queen Elizabeth II, we are confronted today in our election with claims, counterclaims and charges of "misogyny, liar, abuser, criminal, divorced, corrupt, treason, traitor, sexting, illegitimate son, lesbianism, 'orgy island,' temperamental, 'play for pay,' obstruction of justice, coarse language, illegal contributions." Have I missed anything? Ah, yes, add "murder, adultery, pedophilia, bribery, access peddling, a porn star, nude modeling!" It is sickening! How far have we "Fallen From Grace?" I am distinctly saddened and appalled at the depths to which the standards of our Lord, that He has laid out for us in no uncertain terms in the Holy Scriptures, have descended! Americans will wake up on November 9, 2016 and almost half will be devastated at the choice determined and a few more will be elated that their candidate won. However, our great America, the land of the free because of the brave will have lost and "Fallen From Grace."
What can we as individuals do? Where does this election put us? It puts us individually to aspire to seek the example of the words of John in Revelation 1:6 (KJV):
"And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever."
Admittedly this was written to describe what we are to be in eternity in the Kingdom of God, but I submit we can strive to reflect this in our lives today. The Abingdon Bible Commentary (Abingdon Press 1929) footnotes the passage thusly,"...Individually they are priests having access through His Blood into the Holy of Holies, offering living, reasonable, and spiritual sacrifices, making intercession for all men." The intercession must be extended by us to all in authority. They need it!
The footnote in (KJV) for Hebrews 13:15 indicates, "A sacrifice of praise today would include thanking Christ for His sacrifice on the cross and telling others about it."
As citizens of this great land, America, with our magnificent contributions to the world and with the majority of us striving mightily to live by standards in our faith and to reflect dignity, we must pick up where the political world has let us down. In the 1980s I attended a Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge dinner in Dallas, honoring a Highland Park school teacher. I recall only one thing she said, "If it is to be, it is up to me." We each have a responsibility to speak positive words and to be loyal to God. We can be part of a Second Revolution, a spiritual one. The question I ask myself is, "If not I, who? If not now, when?"
This is a worthy prayer: "In the Name of Jesus, I commit myself from this day forward to live by the Word of God, to live by my faith, and to live by the love of God." The country is pretty far gone, but we need not personally be so!!! We can, in military parlance, "Prep the landing zone," to be prepared for Christ's return.
by Allen B. Clark allenbclark@aol.com
www.combatfaith.com www.combatfaith.blogspot.com
"For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." I John 2:16 (KJV)
Linda and I are five episodes of ten through a new Netflix series, "The Crown," relating the stories of the United Kingdom's current royal family. Of course, there is related the abdication of Queen Elizabeth's uncle due to the desire to marry a twice-divorced American, the flirtations of Princess Margaret with married Group Captain Townsend, political machinations in the premiership of Winston Churchill, and tradeoffs at the highest levels of the British Empire. Presumably, ahead for our viewing "pleasure," are the shenanigans and falling from grace of Prince Charles, Prince Albert, Princess Anne, divorces, and the "mysterious" death of Diana. However, I am struck by the "dignity" of the life of future Queen Elizabeth II and her father, King George VI. One of the most poignant scenes is that of her father rehearsing with a young Elizabeth, prior to his own coronation, the sacred anointing with oil by the Archbishop of Canterbury by the application to the forehead, the heart, and the palm, (the soul, the spirit, and the body) with the sign of the cross. Episode five ends with the same ceremony for the new queen in Westminster Abbey. This all represents assuredly the merging of church and state in what was once the most powerful position in the world.
Our Declaration of Independence and Constitution make clear our own founding was based upon separation of church and state. Our nation originally was founded by "escapees" from the intolerance of the Church of England. These adherents of a sincere belief in our God ruling their lives came upon our shores for freedom from the monarchies and oppressions of Europe. Our colonists picked up pitchforks and muskets and succeeded in our Revolution with securing freedom from the ancestors of the royalty of "The Crown." Who cannot be reminded of the dignity of a George Washington, becoming our first president, a leader in a position, which arguably would eventually be considered the most powerful position in the world, the leader of our own American Empire?
On November 8, 2016 we again will pick from one of two candidates to become our president, the most powerful position in the world. Whereas our examples have been the dignity of a George Washington and a Queen Elizabeth II, we are confronted today in our election with claims, counterclaims and charges of "misogyny, liar, abuser, criminal, divorced, corrupt, treason, traitor, sexting, illegitimate son, lesbianism, 'orgy island,' temperamental, 'play for pay,' obstruction of justice, coarse language, illegal contributions." Have I missed anything? Ah, yes, add "murder, adultery, pedophilia, bribery, access peddling, a porn star, nude modeling!" It is sickening! How far have we "Fallen From Grace?" I am distinctly saddened and appalled at the depths to which the standards of our Lord, that He has laid out for us in no uncertain terms in the Holy Scriptures, have descended! Americans will wake up on November 9, 2016 and almost half will be devastated at the choice determined and a few more will be elated that their candidate won. However, our great America, the land of the free because of the brave will have lost and "Fallen From Grace."
What can we as individuals do? Where does this election put us? It puts us individually to aspire to seek the example of the words of John in Revelation 1:6 (KJV):
"And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever."
Admittedly this was written to describe what we are to be in eternity in the Kingdom of God, but I submit we can strive to reflect this in our lives today. The Abingdon Bible Commentary (Abingdon Press 1929) footnotes the passage thusly,"...Individually they are priests having access through His Blood into the Holy of Holies, offering living, reasonable, and spiritual sacrifices, making intercession for all men." The intercession must be extended by us to all in authority. They need it!
The footnote in (KJV) for Hebrews 13:15 indicates, "A sacrifice of praise today would include thanking Christ for His sacrifice on the cross and telling others about it."
As citizens of this great land, America, with our magnificent contributions to the world and with the majority of us striving mightily to live by standards in our faith and to reflect dignity, we must pick up where the political world has let us down. In the 1980s I attended a Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge dinner in Dallas, honoring a Highland Park school teacher. I recall only one thing she said, "If it is to be, it is up to me." We each have a responsibility to speak positive words and to be loyal to God. We can be part of a Second Revolution, a spiritual one. The question I ask myself is, "If not I, who? If not now, when?"
This is a worthy prayer: "In the Name of Jesus, I commit myself from this day forward to live by the Word of God, to live by my faith, and to live by the love of God." The country is pretty far gone, but we need not personally be so!!! We can, in military parlance, "Prep the landing zone," to be prepared for Christ's return.
Thursday, November 3, 2016
Avalon Chronicles #69: "One More"
Avalon Chronicles #69: "One More"
by Allen B. Clark allenbclark@aol.com
www.combatfaith.com www.combatfaith.blogspot.com
"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah 40:31 (KJV).
On Nov. 2, 2016 this verse was remembered by me when first quoted by then 2nd. Lt. Bob Dees (later a Major General U.S. Army) upon visiting around 1972-1973 a Bible study in Dallas, led by my classmate Andy Seidel and his wife Gail. Dees spoke about what sustained him spiritually in what may be considered the most physically challenging Army training, Ranger school. It had come to my mind again when there was a gathering of my veteran clan, comprising as it is written in I Chronicles 7:2 (KJV), "...they were valiant men of might in their generation;" Doug, John, Patrick, Don, Woody, Chuck, Hamp, Al, Curtis, Ira, Scott,Hank, Karl, Jess, Wade, Gene, John, Ben, Chris, Lewis, and Steven.
They and other veterans, their spouses, and VA personnel had gathered for a showing of a new movie about to be released Nov. 4, "Hacksaw Ridge," directed by Mel Gibson, who starred in other great movies such as "Braveheart" and "We Were Soldiers." The movie will not soon be forgotten by me. Desert Storm veteran Wade Myers (Ranger-qualified by the way), who organized the showing (with the assistance of Marine Gene Blanton and myself) had his adorable ten year old daughter Sophia lead us in the singing of our National Anthem. And, by the way, no one in the theatre "took a knee."
It was my privilege to introduce the film and these are the words I spoke, not yet even having seen it; "It is not entertaining. The takeaways are faith, courage, inspiration, cameraderie, devotion to duty, and sheer determination to serve the cause of freedom so children like Sophia all over the world can live in freedom. Bow your heads please as I offer a blessing for all those who have lived in and served this land of the free because of the brave." The movie about Medal of Honor Recipient Desmond Doss on Okinawa in 1945 encompassed all of the above attributes and much much more. The Purple Hearters, Combat Medics, and Navy Corpsmen were recognized.
I prayed, "Our Father in Heaven, we come before you in this assembly with gratitude for our great land, for gratitude as the Chronicles in our Bible relate about the valiant men of might in their generations, for our men and women present, who have sacrificed blood, sweat, and tears in faraway lands against enemies of justice and liberty. May our wounds of body, soul, and spirit be healed as we recognize the value of our endeavors. We pray this in the Name of Jesus the Christ. Amen."
The movie commenced with a scene of incredible violence and carnage on that Okinawa battlefield. Violence was all-pervasive throughout the film. Wade Myers, who had personally previously met and conversed with Mel Gibson, said Gibson explained the violence had to be extended to reflect indelibly on the viewers the miraculous nature of the courage exhibited by Doss as he moved through shelling and close by enemy soldiers to carry off the battlefield no less than seventy five wounded Americans. On lighter notes there is a warm romantic appeal in the courting and marriage before his departure of a local nurse.
In 1992 in Tennessee it had been my privilege to meet the "real-life" Desmond Doss at a national cemetery ceremony. How well I recollect the still slight and thin Doss, humble and unassuming. At the beginning of WWII Doss was living in Lynchburg, VA, a devout member of the Seventh Day Adventist denomination. He took literally the Commandment, "Thou shalt not kill" and thus joined the Army, undergirded with a strong conviction of personal faith in his Christian upbringing that he would not go into harms way armed with a rifle. Only a man of strong faith with the power of God within him could have withstood discrimination in the Army because he refused to carry a rifle, sticking to a belief to become a combat medic and "save" rather than "take" lives. He claimed Conscientious Objector status and off he went to the Pacific with the 77th Infantry Division. One must see the movie itself to grasp the extraordinary and perhaps even superhuman feats he accomplished as he evacuated wounded fellow comrade after fellow comrade. Each time he returned to the corpse-strewn battlefield, scarred by shelling, he repeated, "One More." He did not stop until all he found were evacuated.
It is not within the small range of my verbal ability to place in appropriate words the scope of what this film reflects in faith in God, conviction, redemption, forgiveness, and sheer physical courage. One must see the movie for oneself to grasp the message.
Doss' division was the "Statue of Liberty" Division. Mark Alexander of the "Patriot Post" reviewed the film and quoted President Ronald Reagan:
"In 1992, during one of Ronald Reagan's last public addresses, he offered these words about honoring our legacy of freedom: 'My fondest hope for each one of you is that you will love your country, not for her power or wealth, but for her selflessness and her idealism. May each of you have the heart to conceive, the understanding to direct, and the hand to execute works that will make the world a little better for your having been here. May all of you as Americans never forget your heroic origins, never fail to seek divine guidance, and never lose your natural, God-given optimism. And finally, my fellow Americans, may every dawn be a great new beginning for America and every evening bring us closer to that shining city upon a hill.'"
Our heroic origins have been kept alive and flourished again and again in our nation's history because of the valiant men and women who put their lives on the line to serve in the armed forces of the land of the free because of the brave, the United States of America. Desmond Doss represented the epitome of the attributes that have represented our great America.
My final observation for each of us is, will we individually be that "One More" that believes Jesus is truly the Son of God? Will we take to heart the responsibility to extend the Gospel message to reach that "One More" spiritually to live in Heaven just as Desmond Doss kept saving off the secular battlefield just "One More."
by Allen B. Clark allenbclark@aol.com
www.combatfaith.com www.combatfaith.blogspot.com
"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah 40:31 (KJV).
On Nov. 2, 2016 this verse was remembered by me when first quoted by then 2nd. Lt. Bob Dees (later a Major General U.S. Army) upon visiting around 1972-1973 a Bible study in Dallas, led by my classmate Andy Seidel and his wife Gail. Dees spoke about what sustained him spiritually in what may be considered the most physically challenging Army training, Ranger school. It had come to my mind again when there was a gathering of my veteran clan, comprising as it is written in I Chronicles 7:2 (KJV), "...they were valiant men of might in their generation;" Doug, John, Patrick, Don, Woody, Chuck, Hamp, Al, Curtis, Ira, Scott,Hank, Karl, Jess, Wade, Gene, John, Ben, Chris, Lewis, and Steven.
They and other veterans, their spouses, and VA personnel had gathered for a showing of a new movie about to be released Nov. 4, "Hacksaw Ridge," directed by Mel Gibson, who starred in other great movies such as "Braveheart" and "We Were Soldiers." The movie will not soon be forgotten by me. Desert Storm veteran Wade Myers (Ranger-qualified by the way), who organized the showing (with the assistance of Marine Gene Blanton and myself) had his adorable ten year old daughter Sophia lead us in the singing of our National Anthem. And, by the way, no one in the theatre "took a knee."
It was my privilege to introduce the film and these are the words I spoke, not yet even having seen it; "It is not entertaining. The takeaways are faith, courage, inspiration, cameraderie, devotion to duty, and sheer determination to serve the cause of freedom so children like Sophia all over the world can live in freedom. Bow your heads please as I offer a blessing for all those who have lived in and served this land of the free because of the brave." The movie about Medal of Honor Recipient Desmond Doss on Okinawa in 1945 encompassed all of the above attributes and much much more. The Purple Hearters, Combat Medics, and Navy Corpsmen were recognized.
I prayed, "Our Father in Heaven, we come before you in this assembly with gratitude for our great land, for gratitude as the Chronicles in our Bible relate about the valiant men of might in their generations, for our men and women present, who have sacrificed blood, sweat, and tears in faraway lands against enemies of justice and liberty. May our wounds of body, soul, and spirit be healed as we recognize the value of our endeavors. We pray this in the Name of Jesus the Christ. Amen."
The movie commenced with a scene of incredible violence and carnage on that Okinawa battlefield. Violence was all-pervasive throughout the film. Wade Myers, who had personally previously met and conversed with Mel Gibson, said Gibson explained the violence had to be extended to reflect indelibly on the viewers the miraculous nature of the courage exhibited by Doss as he moved through shelling and close by enemy soldiers to carry off the battlefield no less than seventy five wounded Americans. On lighter notes there is a warm romantic appeal in the courting and marriage before his departure of a local nurse.
In 1992 in Tennessee it had been my privilege to meet the "real-life" Desmond Doss at a national cemetery ceremony. How well I recollect the still slight and thin Doss, humble and unassuming. At the beginning of WWII Doss was living in Lynchburg, VA, a devout member of the Seventh Day Adventist denomination. He took literally the Commandment, "Thou shalt not kill" and thus joined the Army, undergirded with a strong conviction of personal faith in his Christian upbringing that he would not go into harms way armed with a rifle. Only a man of strong faith with the power of God within him could have withstood discrimination in the Army because he refused to carry a rifle, sticking to a belief to become a combat medic and "save" rather than "take" lives. He claimed Conscientious Objector status and off he went to the Pacific with the 77th Infantry Division. One must see the movie itself to grasp the extraordinary and perhaps even superhuman feats he accomplished as he evacuated wounded fellow comrade after fellow comrade. Each time he returned to the corpse-strewn battlefield, scarred by shelling, he repeated, "One More." He did not stop until all he found were evacuated.
It is not within the small range of my verbal ability to place in appropriate words the scope of what this film reflects in faith in God, conviction, redemption, forgiveness, and sheer physical courage. One must see the movie for oneself to grasp the message.
Doss' division was the "Statue of Liberty" Division. Mark Alexander of the "Patriot Post" reviewed the film and quoted President Ronald Reagan:
"In 1992, during one of Ronald Reagan's last public addresses, he offered these words about honoring our legacy of freedom: 'My fondest hope for each one of you is that you will love your country, not for her power or wealth, but for her selflessness and her idealism. May each of you have the heart to conceive, the understanding to direct, and the hand to execute works that will make the world a little better for your having been here. May all of you as Americans never forget your heroic origins, never fail to seek divine guidance, and never lose your natural, God-given optimism. And finally, my fellow Americans, may every dawn be a great new beginning for America and every evening bring us closer to that shining city upon a hill.'"
Our heroic origins have been kept alive and flourished again and again in our nation's history because of the valiant men and women who put their lives on the line to serve in the armed forces of the land of the free because of the brave, the United States of America. Desmond Doss represented the epitome of the attributes that have represented our great America.
My final observation for each of us is, will we individually be that "One More" that believes Jesus is truly the Son of God? Will we take to heart the responsibility to extend the Gospel message to reach that "One More" spiritually to live in Heaven just as Desmond Doss kept saving off the secular battlefield just "One More."
Sunday, October 23, 2016
Avalon Chronicles #68: "Red, White, and Blue Night"
Avalon Chronicles #68: "Red, White, and Blue Night"
by Allen B. Clark allenbclark@aol.com
www.combatfaith.com www.combatfaith.blogspot.com
For five straight years now Linda and I have been privileged to be attendees at what unarguably is the most patriotic event staged in America to celebrate our nation and its patriots who serve in the military. SkyBall is a fund-raiser for a multitude of most worthy veteran and military causes, the most notable being Snowball Express, which is an annual gathering of the children and their surviving parent of our Killed in Action in the warfare since Sep. 11, 2001 and the Gary Sinise Foundation, which provides homes for severely wounded veterans. There are many others. A major sponsor is American Airlines in whose monstrous hanger at DFW Airport the event is held annually. Last night 3000 attendees were welcomed, seated and served by 800 volunteers, mostly American Airlines employees.The sponsoring organization is the Fort Worth Airpower Foundation, consisting of an incredible group of patriotic and public-spirited citizens of that terrific city to the west of my own Dallas. The honored group of military at last night's extravaganza was our Special Operations Command. This comprises our Army Special Forces; Navy SEALS; Air Force Commandos; Marine Force Recon units; Army Rangers; and the 160th Aviation Brigade, the "Night Stalkers." There are others to include Delta Force, but readers get the picture! Jim Palmersheim, an American Airlines Captain, is the big sparkplug and organizer of the annual event.
Linda and I were able to meet and visit with some amazing people. We met and conversed with five Medal of Honor Recipients beginning with Navy SEAL Michael Thornton, who gifted us a copy of his newly-published book, By Honor Bound, the story of his and fellow SEAL Lt. Tom Norris' actions in Vietnam, which led to their receiving the Medal of Honor. Mike Thornton is one of the most inspiring speakers I have ever heard. We also visited with other MOH Recipients like Bruce Crandall, the valorous helicopter pilot featured in the movie, "We Were Soldiers;" Paul W. Bucha, West Point class of 1965; Roger (and Norma) Donlon, my long-time fellow Vietnam veteran, who received his MOH for actions in 1964 in the defense of Nam Dong, a Special Forces "A"camp; and Gary Littrell, who served four years as President of the Medal of Honor Society. We met the forty year long President of the Metro Washington USO, Elaine Rogers; Tig Teigen, one of the featured combatants of the fierce fighting after the Benghazi outpost attack; and Lt. Gen. John Mulholland, retiring soon from many decades of service to our nation. We were blessed to be at a table with three young Navy SEALs, one of whom is my dear friend, Ryan Parrott, who oversees a charity for burn victims, Sons of the Flag. Tim McGraw was the featured headliner entertainer and at lunch we just "happened" to cross paths with his two sisters, one of whom is Tracey Jewell, a Desert Storm Army veteran, who oversees McGraw's charity. Our dear friend, "Maggie" (and wife Carol) Megellas, ninety nine years young, was in attendance, just as lucid and alert as ever. He received a Distinguished Service Cross with the 82nd Airborne Division in Europe in WWII.
My dear wife Linda, capsulized what is always a special event for us, "The entire event was extraordinary! It represented all that is the best of America. We had breakfast with one of the Recipients. He is strong, stable, devout, an honest American hero. I could still be there listening and talking to him. He represented all that is good about this country and the kind of person who has made it great. The whole event was filled with good people. It was wonderful, just wonderful. We were able to see many people we knew and meet many more really sterling and outstanding people.This year's SkyBall was the best yet! I teared up during the program thinking how beautiful the true spirit of America is and that we are in danger of losing all of this, the land of the free because of the brave. My parents gave many of their young years during WWII (almost five years) to protect this land from the evil of their time. I was almost five years old before my father came home. They suffered much to give us what we have as many of their generation did."
My own personal comments are, "We are a proud and strong homeland because of the sacrifices of blood, sweat, and tears of so many of our patriots, who went to countries, whose language we did not speak, to bring them freedom and protect our own. The spiritual dimension of our great land has strengthened and sustained our history. May we never depart from the spiritual and traditional values which have been our foundation. If we do, we will go the way of every great empire in the world's history, to the ash heaps in the history books."
President Ronald Reagan once said, "Freedom is a fragile thing and is never more than one generation from extinction. It is not ours by inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation, for it comes only once to a people. Those who have known freedom and then lost it, have never known it again." Last night Linda and I were amongst those of true nobility, who have fought for those freedoms to be preserved.
by Allen B. Clark allenbclark@aol.com
www.combatfaith.com www.combatfaith.blogspot.com
For five straight years now Linda and I have been privileged to be attendees at what unarguably is the most patriotic event staged in America to celebrate our nation and its patriots who serve in the military. SkyBall is a fund-raiser for a multitude of most worthy veteran and military causes, the most notable being Snowball Express, which is an annual gathering of the children and their surviving parent of our Killed in Action in the warfare since Sep. 11, 2001 and the Gary Sinise Foundation, which provides homes for severely wounded veterans. There are many others. A major sponsor is American Airlines in whose monstrous hanger at DFW Airport the event is held annually. Last night 3000 attendees were welcomed, seated and served by 800 volunteers, mostly American Airlines employees.The sponsoring organization is the Fort Worth Airpower Foundation, consisting of an incredible group of patriotic and public-spirited citizens of that terrific city to the west of my own Dallas. The honored group of military at last night's extravaganza was our Special Operations Command. This comprises our Army Special Forces; Navy SEALS; Air Force Commandos; Marine Force Recon units; Army Rangers; and the 160th Aviation Brigade, the "Night Stalkers." There are others to include Delta Force, but readers get the picture! Jim Palmersheim, an American Airlines Captain, is the big sparkplug and organizer of the annual event.
Linda and I were able to meet and visit with some amazing people. We met and conversed with five Medal of Honor Recipients beginning with Navy SEAL Michael Thornton, who gifted us a copy of his newly-published book, By Honor Bound, the story of his and fellow SEAL Lt. Tom Norris' actions in Vietnam, which led to their receiving the Medal of Honor. Mike Thornton is one of the most inspiring speakers I have ever heard. We also visited with other MOH Recipients like Bruce Crandall, the valorous helicopter pilot featured in the movie, "We Were Soldiers;" Paul W. Bucha, West Point class of 1965; Roger (and Norma) Donlon, my long-time fellow Vietnam veteran, who received his MOH for actions in 1964 in the defense of Nam Dong, a Special Forces "A"camp; and Gary Littrell, who served four years as President of the Medal of Honor Society. We met the forty year long President of the Metro Washington USO, Elaine Rogers; Tig Teigen, one of the featured combatants of the fierce fighting after the Benghazi outpost attack; and Lt. Gen. John Mulholland, retiring soon from many decades of service to our nation. We were blessed to be at a table with three young Navy SEALs, one of whom is my dear friend, Ryan Parrott, who oversees a charity for burn victims, Sons of the Flag. Tim McGraw was the featured headliner entertainer and at lunch we just "happened" to cross paths with his two sisters, one of whom is Tracey Jewell, a Desert Storm Army veteran, who oversees McGraw's charity. Our dear friend, "Maggie" (and wife Carol) Megellas, ninety nine years young, was in attendance, just as lucid and alert as ever. He received a Distinguished Service Cross with the 82nd Airborne Division in Europe in WWII.
My dear wife Linda, capsulized what is always a special event for us, "The entire event was extraordinary! It represented all that is the best of America. We had breakfast with one of the Recipients. He is strong, stable, devout, an honest American hero. I could still be there listening and talking to him. He represented all that is good about this country and the kind of person who has made it great. The whole event was filled with good people. It was wonderful, just wonderful. We were able to see many people we knew and meet many more really sterling and outstanding people.This year's SkyBall was the best yet! I teared up during the program thinking how beautiful the true spirit of America is and that we are in danger of losing all of this, the land of the free because of the brave. My parents gave many of their young years during WWII (almost five years) to protect this land from the evil of their time. I was almost five years old before my father came home. They suffered much to give us what we have as many of their generation did."
My own personal comments are, "We are a proud and strong homeland because of the sacrifices of blood, sweat, and tears of so many of our patriots, who went to countries, whose language we did not speak, to bring them freedom and protect our own. The spiritual dimension of our great land has strengthened and sustained our history. May we never depart from the spiritual and traditional values which have been our foundation. If we do, we will go the way of every great empire in the world's history, to the ash heaps in the history books."
President Ronald Reagan once said, "Freedom is a fragile thing and is never more than one generation from extinction. It is not ours by inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation, for it comes only once to a people. Those who have known freedom and then lost it, have never known it again." Last night Linda and I were amongst those of true nobility, who have fought for those freedoms to be preserved.
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Avalon Chronicle #67: "Focus: Flowers or Weeds?"
Avalon Chronicles #67: "Focus: Flowers or Weeds?"
by Allen Clark allenbclark@aol.com
www.combatfaith.com www.combatfaith.blogspot.com
I do not have the original sources in many cases. They have been collected through the years.
Next to my bedside table I have a laminated card I read when I arise. The most important sentence on it is, "Do not give nourishment to the bad weeds this day!" Yesterday I thought about focusing on the flowers each day. The most beautiful flower in my life is my wife Linda. I asked her what flower she would choose to be, if she were to be one. Before she answered, "lily," I thought of the lily as being appropriate for her. She asked me how I knew that. I said, "I guess I just know you well." I asked her why she chose a lily? She said because it is graceful, simple, and beautiful. That describes my Linda!
I have other laminated cards in the books and daily meditations I read each day. I thought I would send to you randomly some of these that have been important enough to me through the years that I would have them laminated and recollect them each day.
"Before you arise from your bed in the morning, I have already arranged the events of your day."
Jeremiah 29:13: (KJV) "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the Lord:...""
"So determine in your heart today to be loyal toward God in every word you speak."
"Holy Spirit, use me to pray for someone today. I offer you my measure of faith."
"No prayer is ever lost, or any prayer breathed in vain.There is no such thing as prayer unanswered or unnoticed by God, and some things we see as refusals or denials are simply delays."
Horatio Bonar. Streams in the Desert Jul 10.
"The very instant you wholeheartedly turn away from every symptom of discouragement and lack of trust, the blessed Holy Spirit will reawaken your faith and breathe God's divine strength into your soul. Initially you may be unaware that this is happening, but as you determine to uncompromisingly shun every attack of even the tendency toward doubt and depression, you will quickly see the powers of darkness being turned away." Streams in the Desert. April 1.
Prov 15:1 (KJV) "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger."
Psalm 51:10 (KJV): "Create in me a clean heart, O Go; and renew a right spirit within me."
Romans 6:12 (NIV): Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires."
2 Corinthians 7:1 (KJV) "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."
Romans 13:14 (KJV) "But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof." Note: (LASB) Tyndale page 1987: "We also must not give our desires any opportunity to lead us into sin. Avoid those situations that open the door to gratifying sinful desires."
"This is the distinctive mark of the born-again child of God. He is no longer a slave of sin and Satan. He is a Son of God. As such, he possesses a new authority. He no longer succumbs to temptation or opposition. He meets and overcomes these things by virtue of the new life within him."
Derek Prince.
"In the Name of Jesus, I commit myself from this day forward to live by my faith, and to live by the love of God. Decide today to give the devil no place."
by Allen Clark allenbclark@aol.com
www.combatfaith.com www.combatfaith.blogspot.com
I do not have the original sources in many cases. They have been collected through the years.
Next to my bedside table I have a laminated card I read when I arise. The most important sentence on it is, "Do not give nourishment to the bad weeds this day!" Yesterday I thought about focusing on the flowers each day. The most beautiful flower in my life is my wife Linda. I asked her what flower she would choose to be, if she were to be one. Before she answered, "lily," I thought of the lily as being appropriate for her. She asked me how I knew that. I said, "I guess I just know you well." I asked her why she chose a lily? She said because it is graceful, simple, and beautiful. That describes my Linda!
I have other laminated cards in the books and daily meditations I read each day. I thought I would send to you randomly some of these that have been important enough to me through the years that I would have them laminated and recollect them each day.
"Before you arise from your bed in the morning, I have already arranged the events of your day."
Jeremiah 29:13: (KJV) "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the Lord:...""
"So determine in your heart today to be loyal toward God in every word you speak."
"Holy Spirit, use me to pray for someone today. I offer you my measure of faith."
"No prayer is ever lost, or any prayer breathed in vain.There is no such thing as prayer unanswered or unnoticed by God, and some things we see as refusals or denials are simply delays."
Horatio Bonar. Streams in the Desert Jul 10.
"The very instant you wholeheartedly turn away from every symptom of discouragement and lack of trust, the blessed Holy Spirit will reawaken your faith and breathe God's divine strength into your soul. Initially you may be unaware that this is happening, but as you determine to uncompromisingly shun every attack of even the tendency toward doubt and depression, you will quickly see the powers of darkness being turned away." Streams in the Desert. April 1.
Prov 15:1 (KJV) "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger."
Psalm 51:10 (KJV): "Create in me a clean heart, O Go; and renew a right spirit within me."
Romans 6:12 (NIV): Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires."
2 Corinthians 7:1 (KJV) "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."
Romans 13:14 (KJV) "But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof." Note: (LASB) Tyndale page 1987: "We also must not give our desires any opportunity to lead us into sin. Avoid those situations that open the door to gratifying sinful desires."
"This is the distinctive mark of the born-again child of God. He is no longer a slave of sin and Satan. He is a Son of God. As such, he possesses a new authority. He no longer succumbs to temptation or opposition. He meets and overcomes these things by virtue of the new life within him."
Derek Prince.
"In the Name of Jesus, I commit myself from this day forward to live by my faith, and to live by the love of God. Decide today to give the devil no place."
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
Avalon Chronicles #66: "Incarcerated"
Avalon Chronicles #66: "Incarcerated"
by Allen B. Clark allenbclark@aol.com
www.combatfaith.com www.combatfaith.blogspot.com
After parking, I deposited my wallet, cell phone, and pocket contents in the car storage space, keeping only my glasses and photo ID card. Luckily there was a space adjacent to my destination. Soon I was to receive a second blessing, minor, but, indeed special. As I opened my door to put on my artificial leg, the woman standing behind the adjacent auto was on her cell phone. She finished and said, "The parking fee is $5.00 and lasts until 4pm (it was 12:25). I only used 25 minutes, so take the ticket and you can save $5.00." I did so and by the time I grasped the situation in fairness to turn around and remit $5.00 to her, she had gone.
With a modest amount of trepidation, but no fear, haltingly, as always, I walked up fifteen steps and into Dallas' Lew Sterrett Justice Center to the office designated "Religious Activities," where a pleasant sheriff's deputy inquired about my pocket contents and being told I could walk without my cane, took the cane to leave it in his office. After pinning on my access badge and depositing my ID card, my escort took me through a maze of corridors and offices to our destination. On the way I related to him about having attended several years previously a gathering of combat veterans from four nations, where a Canadian said he had Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, but not from combat, but rather having been employed in a prison after his military service. My host said prison work is most harrowing and dangerous. He related that many of the regular prison inmates (we were in a county jail) were very mean-spirited and would just as soon stab a guard in the heart as anything, if given the opportunity.
The inmates to whom I was being led to talk to were in the county sheriff's jail in downtown Dallas. They were awaiting trial or sentencing. My audience was not in individual "barred" cells, but rather in a "pod," which was open in a large room and populated by about sixty inmates, who were grouped together and desirous of being instructed in anger management and parenting skills among other subjects. My escort entered the the big room to determine if I would address the guys in three smaller groups in a small outer room, where I awaited the decision by sitting on a desk or in the large room all at one time. The larger and entire group became my audience in the pod which was encircled on an upper tier with double stacked bunks, with an officer stationed at a desk behind me with all the men sitting at tables in a semi-circle around my raised space. The space was reached up a wheelchair ramp with metal railings. Beginning, I decided to brace myself while I stood leaning on the top railing bar. I gazed out at the mostly attentive men (a couple were still in their bunks), began, and one hour later looked up at the clock.
I do not recall all that I related, but without notes, I spoke of my time in Vietnam and the details of my wounding and rehabilitation, but, focused on the spiritual aspects of my salvation message and belief in Jesus the Christ and my maturation to the Lordship level of Christian faith. My remarks related to strategic spiritual warfare, that of God versus the devil in the heavens, and the tactical spiritual warfare we all encounter with individual demonic attacks. In no uncertain terms I spoke of Jesus' death on the cross and that significance for us, about confession of sins with its attendant forgiveness, and forgiveness of all others. I said I knew they desired physical freedom from incarceration, but, more importantly, they must seek spiritual freedom from the incarceration of their souls. I spoke about what I call my spiritual audit of writing down in column one on a sheet of paper all their unmet needs, unhealed hurts, and unresolved issues, then writing down in column two what it would take to resolve and address the three areas, then pray to God to answer through prayer the column two list.
I had prayed in agreement with Linda for an anointing by the Holy Spirit for what I would say and had requested classmates and friends to begin praying for me at 1pm that day. Several responded that they would do so or said they did. There was intermittent humor to elevate the spirits of the men residing in a very drab physical and emotional environment. Only a handful indicated they were veterans. When I asked if there were any amputees among them, one only said he lost a leg. I told him. "That's not good enough, you only lost one!" There was pretty good laughter with that one. At some time during the one hour while remaining standing, my escort handed me my cane, which he had called to be brought up from downstairs.
It ended with only a few questions, a prayer, and a STANDING OVATION, which sometimes I do not receive even in the "free" world. One fellow shouted out, "When are you coming back?" I said, I don't have anything else to say." He said, 'We have turnover." Another said, "Thank you for your service." Another said, "You look pretty good for 74." I responded, "I will tell my wife," and cutting up with the group, who all were under my age, flexed my muscle like the body-builders due at their events! Another right at a table at the front twice closed his fist and pumped his heart.
Upon my departure my escort said these men have really experienced life on the streets. I could only imagine. We went to the outreach program's director and my host reported, 'They had been very quiet." When I returned to my car, it felt great to be free and breathing fresh air and also to know after many decades of diligently seeking the truths taught by Jesus, that I had loosed the greater majority of the multitude of the issues that had incarcerated my soul and that also I am free!
by Allen B. Clark allenbclark@aol.com
www.combatfaith.com www.combatfaith.blogspot.com
After parking, I deposited my wallet, cell phone, and pocket contents in the car storage space, keeping only my glasses and photo ID card. Luckily there was a space adjacent to my destination. Soon I was to receive a second blessing, minor, but, indeed special. As I opened my door to put on my artificial leg, the woman standing behind the adjacent auto was on her cell phone. She finished and said, "The parking fee is $5.00 and lasts until 4pm (it was 12:25). I only used 25 minutes, so take the ticket and you can save $5.00." I did so and by the time I grasped the situation in fairness to turn around and remit $5.00 to her, she had gone.
With a modest amount of trepidation, but no fear, haltingly, as always, I walked up fifteen steps and into Dallas' Lew Sterrett Justice Center to the office designated "Religious Activities," where a pleasant sheriff's deputy inquired about my pocket contents and being told I could walk without my cane, took the cane to leave it in his office. After pinning on my access badge and depositing my ID card, my escort took me through a maze of corridors and offices to our destination. On the way I related to him about having attended several years previously a gathering of combat veterans from four nations, where a Canadian said he had Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, but not from combat, but rather having been employed in a prison after his military service. My host said prison work is most harrowing and dangerous. He related that many of the regular prison inmates (we were in a county jail) were very mean-spirited and would just as soon stab a guard in the heart as anything, if given the opportunity.
The inmates to whom I was being led to talk to were in the county sheriff's jail in downtown Dallas. They were awaiting trial or sentencing. My audience was not in individual "barred" cells, but rather in a "pod," which was open in a large room and populated by about sixty inmates, who were grouped together and desirous of being instructed in anger management and parenting skills among other subjects. My escort entered the the big room to determine if I would address the guys in three smaller groups in a small outer room, where I awaited the decision by sitting on a desk or in the large room all at one time. The larger and entire group became my audience in the pod which was encircled on an upper tier with double stacked bunks, with an officer stationed at a desk behind me with all the men sitting at tables in a semi-circle around my raised space. The space was reached up a wheelchair ramp with metal railings. Beginning, I decided to brace myself while I stood leaning on the top railing bar. I gazed out at the mostly attentive men (a couple were still in their bunks), began, and one hour later looked up at the clock.
I do not recall all that I related, but without notes, I spoke of my time in Vietnam and the details of my wounding and rehabilitation, but, focused on the spiritual aspects of my salvation message and belief in Jesus the Christ and my maturation to the Lordship level of Christian faith. My remarks related to strategic spiritual warfare, that of God versus the devil in the heavens, and the tactical spiritual warfare we all encounter with individual demonic attacks. In no uncertain terms I spoke of Jesus' death on the cross and that significance for us, about confession of sins with its attendant forgiveness, and forgiveness of all others. I said I knew they desired physical freedom from incarceration, but, more importantly, they must seek spiritual freedom from the incarceration of their souls. I spoke about what I call my spiritual audit of writing down in column one on a sheet of paper all their unmet needs, unhealed hurts, and unresolved issues, then writing down in column two what it would take to resolve and address the three areas, then pray to God to answer through prayer the column two list.
I had prayed in agreement with Linda for an anointing by the Holy Spirit for what I would say and had requested classmates and friends to begin praying for me at 1pm that day. Several responded that they would do so or said they did. There was intermittent humor to elevate the spirits of the men residing in a very drab physical and emotional environment. Only a handful indicated they were veterans. When I asked if there were any amputees among them, one only said he lost a leg. I told him. "That's not good enough, you only lost one!" There was pretty good laughter with that one. At some time during the one hour while remaining standing, my escort handed me my cane, which he had called to be brought up from downstairs.
It ended with only a few questions, a prayer, and a STANDING OVATION, which sometimes I do not receive even in the "free" world. One fellow shouted out, "When are you coming back?" I said, I don't have anything else to say." He said, 'We have turnover." Another said, "Thank you for your service." Another said, "You look pretty good for 74." I responded, "I will tell my wife," and cutting up with the group, who all were under my age, flexed my muscle like the body-builders due at their events! Another right at a table at the front twice closed his fist and pumped his heart.
Upon my departure my escort said these men have really experienced life on the streets. I could only imagine. We went to the outreach program's director and my host reported, 'They had been very quiet." When I returned to my car, it felt great to be free and breathing fresh air and also to know after many decades of diligently seeking the truths taught by Jesus, that I had loosed the greater majority of the multitude of the issues that had incarcerated my soul and that also I am free!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)