Avalon Chronicles #79: "Change, it is a-coming!"
by Allen B. Clark
allenbclark@aol.com
www.combatfaith.com
www.combatfaith.blogspot.com
Several decades ago Gregory Peck portrayed in the movie "MacArthur," General Douglas MacArthur, my childhood hero whom I personally have seen twice. There is a scene in which MacArthur and President Roosevelt in 1943 conferred about the war in the Pacific on a ship somewhere in the Pacific. MacArthur had not been back to the United States, since he had lived in the Philippines from 1935, where he was training their Army. In the course of the conversation the President said to MacArthur, "You ought to come back to the United States. Things are changing." We all recall certain lines or scenes from our favorite movies and this was one indelibly imprinted in my memory. MacArthur replied, "Mr. President, the things I believe in never change!"
In my 75th year I can attest to this belief. This past Saturday night Linda and I attended our alumni annual Founder's Day celebration of West Point, founded March 16, 1802. One of our annual traditions is to hear remarks from both the oldest and youngest graduates present. The contrast in their remarks ranging from 1956 to 2010 was striking. The oldest grad spoken in such a dignified and measured manner pointing out the changes at our Alma Mater, not necessarily decrying any of them, but nevertheless indicating the difficulty as one ages to accept certain "changes." Our eminent speaker spoke of our motto which binds old and new graduates together, "Duty, Honor, Country." That never changes. Many other cultural manifestations change constantly and I remember a pastor one time illustrate the changing mores of the society by way of a frame of behavior that keeps moving over and becoming larger in its negativity and lowering of standards of civility
In Matthew 24:35 (KJV) it is written, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." The words I have attempted mightily to incorporate in my soul and spirit and carry through in thoughts, words, and deeds have not changed. They are in no particular order: to have totally engrafted in me that God created all; that Jesus is He Who came to earth to die for my personal sins and to provide a way for me to achieve eternal life through faith in Him; to verbally articulate this belief appropriately; that the Holy Spirit was gifted to us to indwell us and move us to strength in faith which is followed by good works to serve others; for the Holy Spirit to live in me; to offer constant praise to God; not to accept our culture's non-Christian values; God's word is the power we need for our lives in obedience and changes for the good; I ask the Holy Spirit to change me where needed for adherence to the Gospel message; that I would confess as a sin any resentments held toward others and ask forgiveness.
We just returned from a twelve day trip to Israel and our personal tour guide, Shooki Makovky, gifted me a treasure at his home, where he had invited Linda and me to share Shabat Friday meal with his wife and three daughters. The gift was a copy of the The Stone Edition of the Chumash, the Torah with commentary. The significance of God's word is expressed in the introduction in an anecdote. There is on page xxv a story in a section titled "Indestructible Letters." "When the ancient Romans condemned the Mishnaic sage Rabbi Chanina ben Teradyon to death for the 'crime' of teaching the Torah, they wrapped him in a Torah scroll and set him aflame. As his agony reached its climax, his students asked him, 'Rabbi, what do you see?' He answered, 'The parchments are consumed, and the letters fly up [to heaven]'...The letters are eternal for they are the will of the eternal." So too are the words of our Lord in our Bible. They do not change.
I John 3:22 (KJV): " I know that my prayers are answered because I obey His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight."
Society, its standards, and Caesar's world may change. These words above I will not change!
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
Saturday, March 18, 2017
Avalon Chronicles #78: "To Bind'
Avalon Chronicles #78: "To Bind"
by Allen B. Clark
allenbclark@aol.com
www.combatfaith.com
www.combatfaith.blogspot.com
Source: American Dictionary of the English Language
Noah Webster 1828
BIND: "To bind the mind, close, make fast, to oblige by a promise, vow, stipulation, covenant, law, duty or any other moral tie, to constrain by a powerful influence or persuasion." The powerful influence behind the below prayer concept is the Holy Trinity.
Several years ago Linda heard a presentation by a minister by the name of Liberty Savard (http://www.libertysavard.com). I bought and read several of her books, Shattering Your Strongholds, Producing the Promise, and Breaking the Power. I studied all three and the below spiritual concept of "Binding" is derived from her teachings to which she must be given credit. The following is that to which I dedicate and strive mightily to "bind" myself .
I bind myself to the Character and Attributes of God: Righteousness, Holiness, Integrity, and Purity and to the Will, Purposes, Timing and Truth of God.
I bind myself to the Mind of Christ and ask Jesus to impart to me from the Mind of Christ Wisdom, Insight, Discernment, and Knowledge of all things.
I bind myself to Control by the Holy Spirit that I may reflect the Fruit of the Holy Spirit; Love, Joy, Peace, Long-suffering, Patience, Gentleness, Goodness, and Kindness. Amen.
by Allen B. Clark
allenbclark@aol.com
www.combatfaith.com
www.combatfaith.blogspot.com
Source: American Dictionary of the English Language
Noah Webster 1828
BIND: "To bind the mind, close, make fast, to oblige by a promise, vow, stipulation, covenant, law, duty or any other moral tie, to constrain by a powerful influence or persuasion." The powerful influence behind the below prayer concept is the Holy Trinity.
Several years ago Linda heard a presentation by a minister by the name of Liberty Savard (http://www.libertysavard.com). I bought and read several of her books, Shattering Your Strongholds, Producing the Promise, and Breaking the Power. I studied all three and the below spiritual concept of "Binding" is derived from her teachings to which she must be given credit. The following is that to which I dedicate and strive mightily to "bind" myself .
I bind myself to the Character and Attributes of God: Righteousness, Holiness, Integrity, and Purity and to the Will, Purposes, Timing and Truth of God.
I bind myself to the Mind of Christ and ask Jesus to impart to me from the Mind of Christ Wisdom, Insight, Discernment, and Knowledge of all things.
I bind myself to Control by the Holy Spirit that I may reflect the Fruit of the Holy Spirit; Love, Joy, Peace, Long-suffering, Patience, Gentleness, Goodness, and Kindness. Amen.
Wednesday, March 1, 2017
Avalon Chronicles #77: "The Last Wishes of Alexander the Great"
Avalon Chronicles #77: "The Last Wishes of Alexander the Great"
by Allen B. Clark
allenbclark@aol.com
www.combatfaith.com
www.combatfaith.blogspot.com
Linda and I recently returned from an amazing trip to Israel about which I intend to write in my next few Chronicles. While there I avidly read the Jerusalem Post and the Haaretz section of the New York Times. In the Jerusalem Post on Friday Feb. 10, 2017 page 19, I read a fascinating article by Greer Fay Cashman, wherein she quoted from a Rabbi Edward Belfer, his answer to the question of, 'What is the most precious thing that all of us own, sometimes complain about, often give to others with no possibility of getting back and seldom treasure enough?' His answer related to "The last wishes of Alexander the Great."
"On his death bed, Alexander summoned his generals and told them his last three wishes:
1. The best doctors should carry his coffin.
2. The wealth he accumulated (money, gold, precious stones) should be scattered along the procession to the cemetery.
3. His hands should hang loose outside the coffin for all to see.
One of his generals, surprised by these unusual requests, asked Alexander to explain. Alexander said;
1. I want the best doctors to carry my coffin to demonstrate that in the face of death, even the best doctors in the world have no power to heal.
2. I want the road to be covered with my treasure so everybody sees that material wealth acquired on earth, will stay on earth.
3. I want my hands to swing in the wind, so people understand that we come to this world empty-handed and leave empty-handed after the most precious treasure of all is exhausted and that is: TIME."
Cashman goes on to quote the Rabbi,
"We take to our grave no material wealth. TIME is our most precious treasure because it is LIMITED. We can produce wealth, but we cannot produce more time. When we give someone our time, we actually give a portion of our life that we can never take back.
"Our time is our life! The best present that you can give to your family and friends is your TIME. May God grant YOU plenty of TIME to share with all."
My own personal comments relates to the best use of our time is that we share with our spouse and children, giving them our precious time and attention.
Historical note on Alexander and Israel: There are several references to Alexander having completed a successful siege of Gaza and then approaching Jerusalem in 332 B.C. The historian Flavius Josephus wrote that the High Priest Jaddua, met Alexander outside Jerusalem and made an accomodation with him. Alexander's tutor Aristotle had convicted Alexander to favor the Jews. Alexander was very polite to the welcoming party and is said to have said about his respect accorded Jaddua, "I did not adore him, but that God who hath honored him with his high priesthood;..." When the scroll of Daniel's was brought to Alexander's attention indicating a king from Greece would defeat the Persians, Alexander accepted that he was that king and rendered great positive attention to the Jews from then on.
This account renders distinct authenticity to the credibility of the prophecy of Daniel.
by Allen B. Clark
allenbclark@aol.com
www.combatfaith.com
www.combatfaith.blogspot.com
Linda and I recently returned from an amazing trip to Israel about which I intend to write in my next few Chronicles. While there I avidly read the Jerusalem Post and the Haaretz section of the New York Times. In the Jerusalem Post on Friday Feb. 10, 2017 page 19, I read a fascinating article by Greer Fay Cashman, wherein she quoted from a Rabbi Edward Belfer, his answer to the question of, 'What is the most precious thing that all of us own, sometimes complain about, often give to others with no possibility of getting back and seldom treasure enough?' His answer related to "The last wishes of Alexander the Great."
"On his death bed, Alexander summoned his generals and told them his last three wishes:
1. The best doctors should carry his coffin.
2. The wealth he accumulated (money, gold, precious stones) should be scattered along the procession to the cemetery.
3. His hands should hang loose outside the coffin for all to see.
One of his generals, surprised by these unusual requests, asked Alexander to explain. Alexander said;
1. I want the best doctors to carry my coffin to demonstrate that in the face of death, even the best doctors in the world have no power to heal.
2. I want the road to be covered with my treasure so everybody sees that material wealth acquired on earth, will stay on earth.
3. I want my hands to swing in the wind, so people understand that we come to this world empty-handed and leave empty-handed after the most precious treasure of all is exhausted and that is: TIME."
Cashman goes on to quote the Rabbi,
"We take to our grave no material wealth. TIME is our most precious treasure because it is LIMITED. We can produce wealth, but we cannot produce more time. When we give someone our time, we actually give a portion of our life that we can never take back.
"Our time is our life! The best present that you can give to your family and friends is your TIME. May God grant YOU plenty of TIME to share with all."
My own personal comments relates to the best use of our time is that we share with our spouse and children, giving them our precious time and attention.
Historical note on Alexander and Israel: There are several references to Alexander having completed a successful siege of Gaza and then approaching Jerusalem in 332 B.C. The historian Flavius Josephus wrote that the High Priest Jaddua, met Alexander outside Jerusalem and made an accomodation with him. Alexander's tutor Aristotle had convicted Alexander to favor the Jews. Alexander was very polite to the welcoming party and is said to have said about his respect accorded Jaddua, "I did not adore him, but that God who hath honored him with his high priesthood;..." When the scroll of Daniel's was brought to Alexander's attention indicating a king from Greece would defeat the Persians, Alexander accepted that he was that king and rendered great positive attention to the Jews from then on.
This account renders distinct authenticity to the credibility of the prophecy of Daniel.
Saturday, February 4, 2017
Avalon Chronicles #76: "How Should We Now Pray?"
by Allen B. Clark
allenbclark@aol.com
www.combatfaith.com
www.combatfaith.blogspot.com
For several decades I have kept a little note book wherein I list my prayers by sections. The first section relates to my prayers in my relationship to the Holy Trinity. What follows are my "Top Ten."
1. To have totally engrafted in me the knowledge that God created ALL things.
2. That Jesus, the Son of God, is He, Who came to earth to die for my personal sins and to show me the way to eternal life through faith in Him, which must be verbally articulated without reservation. Upon this conviction I know I will live on in eternity after earthly death.
3. That the Holy Spirit was given to us all to indwell us and move us to strength in faith, which is to be followed by good works to be a servant of others.
4. Holy Spirit, live in Me.
5. Offer praises to God for His love, grace, blessings, provision, and mercy.
6. For me not to accept our culture's non-Christian values.
7. God's Word is the power I need in obedience for direction and changes in my life. Therefore, I must read and study my Bible, not just give it lip service.
8. I ask the Holy Spirit to change me by faithful adherence to Jesus' Gospel message.
9. That daily I would audit and confess my sins of thought, word, and deed (known and unknown) to include any resentments held toward others (which includes forgiveness), because according to 1 John 3:22, I know that my prayers are answered because I obey his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.
10. I give up constant recollection of past faults and I forgive myself for even my "stupids."
allenbclark@aol.com
www.combatfaith.com
www.combatfaith.blogspot.com
For several decades I have kept a little note book wherein I list my prayers by sections. The first section relates to my prayers in my relationship to the Holy Trinity. What follows are my "Top Ten."
1. To have totally engrafted in me the knowledge that God created ALL things.
2. That Jesus, the Son of God, is He, Who came to earth to die for my personal sins and to show me the way to eternal life through faith in Him, which must be verbally articulated without reservation. Upon this conviction I know I will live on in eternity after earthly death.
3. That the Holy Spirit was given to us all to indwell us and move us to strength in faith, which is to be followed by good works to be a servant of others.
4. Holy Spirit, live in Me.
5. Offer praises to God for His love, grace, blessings, provision, and mercy.
6. For me not to accept our culture's non-Christian values.
7. God's Word is the power I need in obedience for direction and changes in my life. Therefore, I must read and study my Bible, not just give it lip service.
8. I ask the Holy Spirit to change me by faithful adherence to Jesus' Gospel message.
9. That daily I would audit and confess my sins of thought, word, and deed (known and unknown) to include any resentments held toward others (which includes forgiveness), because according to 1 John 3:22, I know that my prayers are answered because I obey his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.
10. I give up constant recollection of past faults and I forgive myself for even my "stupids."
Thursday, January 19, 2017
Avalon Chronicles #75: "The Final Victory"
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.
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.
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.
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