by Allen B. Clark
allenbclark@aol.com
www.combatfaith.com
www.combatfaith.blogspot.com
Last night my dream related to a football game at the end of the third quarter in which my team (be it Army or whatever) was winning by a wide margin, but, abnormally, the teams were in the locker room before coming out for the final quarter. There was a long break. I thought perhaps the losing team might just not come out to finish the game since they were so far behind. Then the contest began anew. Upon my awakening I pondered over the significance, if any, of the dream. The vision of its meaning was twofold, one strategic, and secondly, tactical, in keeping with my military background.
Strategically, it relates to the the message of Jesus, which He brought in to the world to unshackle humanity from the chains of human history for the years to come. Linda and I have been viewing a movie series titled Empires such as Roman, Grecian, Egyptian, Hebraic, Medici of Florence, and the Protestant Reformation under Martin Luther. We have been educated and informed relative to the downtrodden masses in history, the serfs, slaves, and the lower classes, dominated secularly by the rich and elites in constant warfare. It relates in the spiritual realm to the exploited and tyrannized individuals overcome and obsessed by the demonic world of Satan, the protagonist of our Lord. The fourth and final quarter will see the opposing team, led by the devil, back on the field in their effort, loyal forever to their evil game plan. The fourth quarter may be the final opportunity for Christianity with its precepts of love, caring, hope, and unmerited favor for all, to blossom forth and make a final effort (which will ultimately be totally successful) to vanquish the opponent's evil and to prosper the souls of mankind with a new dimension of strength of the spirit, which pours over to a strengthening of the soul (our mind, emotions, and will) just as do iron rods embedded in concrete strengthen the substance.
In tactical terms in my seventy fifth year I look at the dream personally as relating to my responsibility and privilege in my twilight years (my fourth quarter) to continue my personal efforts to finish strong in the most important endeavor of my life, which is to extend whatever wisdom, insight, and discernment, with which I have been imbued, to others boldly, but, not bombastically, so they may be introduced at the end game of life, when the scoreboard flashes "Victory," that we have held on to our lead with our victory reflected in the exultation of the joy and expectation of our eternity in Heaven, our final residence.
Thursday, January 19, 2017
Friday, December 30, 2016
Avalon Chronicles #74: "Reflection, Renewal., and Resolutions in the New Year"
Avalon Chronicles #74: "Reflection, Renewal, and Resolutions in the New Year"
by Allen B. Clark
www.combatfaith.com
www.combatfaith.blogspot.com
References:
http://www.combatfaith.com/Battleplantext, Faith to Faith. KCP Publications. 1992.
It was several years ago that I placed on my lay ministry web site (above) what for me was a summarized view of my faith walk and its practical application derived as a sum total of decades of prayer, study, and reading of dozens of books.
On the occasion of the eve of a New Year it is an appropriate time to Reflect, Renew, and Resolve.
In Reflection, allow me to give thought to what we know to be our tripartite self: Body, soul, and spirit. Our soul consists of our mind, emotions, and will and suffers torments due to outside influences from others, personal situations, or worldly conditions. However, there is a significant amount of torments of the soul over which we have complete personal control. Allow me to render proper credit to the now-deceased Nancy Missler and her teachings for the following concept. A major secret to success in reducing the torments of the soul is T.E.C.A.C.. She taught that, if one controls the mind through our Thoughts, then the Emotions can be restrained so that one may exert the will to make wise Choices of Actions to provide Consequences that in more cases than not will be positive rather than negative and provide us peace and tranquility.
This is not easily-accomplished. However, through the personal discipline of constant spiritual Renewal, we are reminded that blessings from our Lord emanate primarily due to living a pure and clean life. This state is achieved by true repentance and confession of sins and forgiveness of all others plus ourselves, which lays the foundation for constant spiritual renewal.
In the upcoming New Year the following are worthy spiritual Resolutions:
1. "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." Psalms 51:10 (KJV)
2. "A soft answer turneth away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger." Proverbs 15:1 (KJV)
3. "Holy Spirit, use me to pray for someone today." (Faith April 5)
4. "So determine in your heart today to be loyal to God in every word you speak." (Faith April 4)
5. "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." (Faith March 8)
REMEMBER: "Sin Shatters the Strength of the Spirit"
by Allen B. Clark
www.combatfaith.com
www.combatfaith.blogspot.com
References:
http://www.combatfaith.com/Battleplantext, Faith to Faith. KCP Publications. 1992.
It was several years ago that I placed on my lay ministry web site (above) what for me was a summarized view of my faith walk and its practical application derived as a sum total of decades of prayer, study, and reading of dozens of books.
On the occasion of the eve of a New Year it is an appropriate time to Reflect, Renew, and Resolve.
In Reflection, allow me to give thought to what we know to be our tripartite self: Body, soul, and spirit. Our soul consists of our mind, emotions, and will and suffers torments due to outside influences from others, personal situations, or worldly conditions. However, there is a significant amount of torments of the soul over which we have complete personal control. Allow me to render proper credit to the now-deceased Nancy Missler and her teachings for the following concept. A major secret to success in reducing the torments of the soul is T.E.C.A.C.. She taught that, if one controls the mind through our Thoughts, then the Emotions can be restrained so that one may exert the will to make wise Choices of Actions to provide Consequences that in more cases than not will be positive rather than negative and provide us peace and tranquility.
This is not easily-accomplished. However, through the personal discipline of constant spiritual Renewal, we are reminded that blessings from our Lord emanate primarily due to living a pure and clean life. This state is achieved by true repentance and confession of sins and forgiveness of all others plus ourselves, which lays the foundation for constant spiritual renewal.
In the upcoming New Year the following are worthy spiritual Resolutions:
1. "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." Psalms 51:10 (KJV)
2. "A soft answer turneth away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger." Proverbs 15:1 (KJV)
3. "Holy Spirit, use me to pray for someone today." (Faith April 5)
4. "So determine in your heart today to be loyal to God in every word you speak." (Faith April 4)
5. "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." (Faith March 8)
REMEMBER: "Sin Shatters the Strength of the Spirit"
Sunday, December 18, 2016
Avalon Chronicles #73: "Battlefields: Then and Now"
Avalon Chronicles #73: "Battlefields: Then and Now"
by Allen B. Clark allenbclark@aol.com
www.combatfaith.com www.combatfaith.blogspot.com
Resource: Archaeological Study Bible NIV Zondervan 1984
Iraq: Ur, Nuzi, and Nineveh
Ur: Then. There is disagreement among scholars as to the exact location of "Ur of the Chaldeans," Some theorize that Abraham traveled to Canaan from a location in the north of Mesopotamia. It appears that this location is more geographically feasible for Abraham's trek. However, another very interesting Ur is in the southeastern part of Iraq. It is an ancient Sumerian temple site, possibly 4000 years old. It is 200 miles south of Baghdad. The founder of the Third Dynasty of Ur, Ur-Nammu, built the Great Ziggurat of Ur in approximately 2100-2000 BC. This Ur became the capitol of Mesopotamia. The remains were first discovered in 1850. In the 1960s and 1970s the Ziggurat began to be reconstructed by the Iraqi Department of Antiquities.
Ur: Now. These two photos were taken and forwarded to me by an Army chaplain during his service in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The ancient southern city of Ur is within what was during our war in Iraq the security perimeter of the U.S. Army installation named Camp Adder. It was Tallil Air Base used by our forces until 2011. Originally it was an Iraqi Air Base built by Yugoslavians before 1985. In the military actions the structure was hit by small arms fire and there were explosions in the vicinity. There was much controversy after the First Gulf War that a nearby ammunition bunker site at An Nasiriyah released chemical agents from demolitions accomplished by our forces on the site.
by Allen B. Clark allenbclark@aol.com
www.combatfaith.com www.combatfaith.blogspot.com
Resource: Archaeological Study Bible NIV Zondervan 1984
Iraq: Ur, Nuzi, and Nineveh
Ur: Then. There is disagreement among scholars as to the exact location of "Ur of the Chaldeans," Some theorize that Abraham traveled to Canaan from a location in the north of Mesopotamia. It appears that this location is more geographically feasible for Abraham's trek. However, another very interesting Ur is in the southeastern part of Iraq. It is an ancient Sumerian temple site, possibly 4000 years old. It is 200 miles south of Baghdad. The founder of the Third Dynasty of Ur, Ur-Nammu, built the Great Ziggurat of Ur in approximately 2100-2000 BC. This Ur became the capitol of Mesopotamia. The remains were first discovered in 1850. In the 1960s and 1970s the Ziggurat began to be reconstructed by the Iraqi Department of Antiquities.
Ur: Now. These two photos were taken and forwarded to me by an Army chaplain during his service in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The ancient southern city of Ur is within what was during our war in Iraq the security perimeter of the U.S. Army installation named Camp Adder. It was Tallil Air Base used by our forces until 2011. Originally it was an Iraqi Air Base built by Yugoslavians before 1985. In the military actions the structure was hit by small arms fire and there were explosions in the vicinity. There was much controversy after the First Gulf War that a nearby ammunition bunker site at An Nasiriyah released chemical agents from demolitions accomplished by our forces on the site.
The Great Ziggurat of Ur was visible from the entire American military base complex.
Nuzi: Then: Extensive archaeological digs (of the ancient city of Nuzi) in an area southwest of modern day Kirkuk, Iraq have uncovered many tablets which indicate cultural customs and laws that render credence to the Genesis accounts of the patriarchal period.
Now. Nuzi today is in the Kurd country of Iraq, in the northern part of Iraq. The Iraqi Kurds are in an oil-rich area of Iraq and according to a senior Army officer, who went to their areas during the war, basically operate as an area autonomous from the central Iraqi government. Their military forces are called the Peshmerga. There are millions of Kurds residing in Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Turkey, where their political presence is reflected in a military organization that carries out terrorist attacks against the Turkish government. Southwest of Kirkuk is Tikrit, where on Dec. 13, 2003 Iraqi president Saddam Hussein was pulled out of an underground hole and eventually executed.
Nineveh: Then: Nineveh in Northern Iraq was a major city in ancient times possibly founded as early as 6000 BC. There are numerous historical references to Nineveh throughout history much less as related to the story of Jonah and the whale. There is some speculation that the Hanging Gardens of Babylon were in Nineveh.
Now: Nineveh was located literally across the Tigris River from Mosul, Iraq which was overtaken by ISIS forces in 2014. Iraqi forces are in the midst since October 2016 of retaking the city. A personal report came to my attention and parts of it are related herein. "Now on the campaign against ISIS, the Iraqi Army has a foothold in Eastern and Southeastern Mosul, a city of over one million that stretches from the plains of Nineveh to the east across the Tigris River. The Iraqi Army is pushing ISIS back block by block in bloody street battles using tanks, armored cars, Humvees, and coalition air support. But the Iraqi Army's main weapon are brave men who risk their lives daily to fight for the liberation of Mosul and take care of each other and the population....During ISIS attacks Iraqi soldiers shielded the civilians and exposed themselves to direct fire as they attempted to stop the ISIS attack....The Iraqi soldiers have done a courageous job of holding back ISIS (which launches its attacks from a network of tunnels, rat holes, suicide vehicles and IED's). Thousands of years after ancient Nineveh was the scene of ferocious fighting by empire after empire, it has not stopped. There is still fighting going on.
PRESUMABLY AS PROPHESIED IN THE BIBLE THERE WILL CONTINUE TO BE CONFLICT WITH DEATHS AND SUFFERING FOR MANKIND UNTIL JESUS' SECOND COMING. ONLY THE DEAD HAVE KNOWN THE END OF WAR.
Afghanistan: Our other war zone where Americans were sacrificed was Afghanistan, which was not conquered by the British in the nineteenth century, nor the Soviets in the twentieth century and is still a battle zone albeit with less American military presence. In a conversation once with an Army Special Forces warrior, who had served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, he related to me some compelling comments about the contrasts he observed between the two countries. In Iraq a much more educated population has allegiance to a central government, whereas in Afghanistan a much less educated population has allegiance toward tribal units. Several years ago there was a published report that Afghanistan sits upon significant mineral riches. It is rich to an extent that the Chinese have begun exerting influence to extract these deposits. I had a conversation with a military veteran of Afghanistan who indicated he had had a personal conversation with a tribal chief who revealed he had "sold" the mineral rights in his tribal area to a Chinese entity. As a "visceral" Vietnam veteran I maintain that, if the Chinese are going to enrich themselves on the spoils in Afghanistan upon our final departure, then it is a travesty of justice. It is assured that their rules of engagement in combatting the Taliban will be substantially less strict than ours have been while we have made our sacrifices in bringing freedom to the Afghans.
Friday, November 18, 2016
Avalon Chronicles #72: "Desmond Doss-The Rest of the Story"
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.
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.
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."
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