Avalon Chronicles #134: The End of the Dusty Trail!

      For the purposes of discussion let us assume our mortal lives are lived along a "trail." As a minimum the trail of our lives not only is "dusty," but, actually has side paths to explore to sidetrack us from our destination, holes, slopes and inclines, boulders, muddy areas, pools of deep water, rain, torrential downpours, snakes, tarantulas, bandits, dangerous wildlife and hopefully, a few covered rest places along the way. We keep wondering, when the dusty trail will end, so we may find a paved road and then perhaps we may even progress to where we encounter an interstate highway and it is a smooth ride to achieve the final destination of our travels, which is our afterlife. 

     The alternative to not ever coming upon the interstate to smooth our way and expedite our journey is also an option. It depends on our life's choices. For those that deny there is a God at all to those, who do not desire to be tied down to God's standards of behavior or just never get their act together, they can just keep on down that dusty trail. They probably never think about a way to avoid many of those conditions and situations in the beginning paragraph. But, there is a way! They may continue to experience the negatives of life because they received a poor financial upbringing, were wounded by sinful behavior of others, suffered Post Traumatic Stressors, were raised in unloving homes, were wounded emotionally, were let down by others, succumbed to the lures of greed, promiscuity, criminal or ethical failures, or were not fed spiritually in a worship environment. Those can all legitimately be reasons why some may never get off that lonely and tainted trail in life. 

     However, for all, the Creator of all, our Lord God Almighty, has established an alternative trail and path upon which to walk each day. It takes a commitment of a certain style of life, which may initially be challenging, but gets smoother each day. God created all of our home planet in seven days by the simple, but, powerful method of "speaking" all into existence, ending with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Their original fall from grace was due to disobedience and that is a key word, disobedience. The easy way in life is to be a "free spirit," not tied down to a faith walk, standards, integrity or belief in the Divinity of God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit. The advantages of grasping and appropriating the power of faith in that Trinity are overwhelmingly positive, situationally, emotionally and physically. Once that decision is made to follow a new path, the trail straightens out, the dampness of the dew smooths the ground and the diversions and obstacles of our trails followed, lead sooner to the interstate. 

     Those, who choose to keep on keeping on, may do so, but with a different end. It brings to mind the two Christians beside the road, who held up placards proclaiming, "The End is Near, Turn Around." One approaching traveler, mocked them by saying, "You Christians, leave me alone!" He raced on past them and as he approached the precipice and fell into the raging waters of the river below, still in his automobile, one Christian said to the other, I guess we should have had another sign that said, "Bridge Out!" 

     If the trail you are on is a "Dusty One," try another trail! You make like it. 

Avalon Chronicles #133: "I Believe in Angels"

DISCLAIMER: Not for youth to read. Graphic.

     The spring of 1966 at Fort Hood, where I was on duty as the junior aide-camp to the commanding general of the second armored division (MG John E. Kelly, West Point 1936), was a very complicated and emotionally-trying time for me as a young Army lieutenant and graduate of West Point class of 1963. My then wife Jackie devastated me by very strongly indicating she desired I resign from the Army. My first pathway perhaps to deflect this was to transfer from the Corps of Engineers to the less "dangerous" Army Intelligence and Security Agency. Even after accomplishing this, she desired me to resign. I accepted my fate to depart my beloved Army. BG Robert H. Safford desired I accompany him for a tour in Korea as his aide. I knew this course of action meant I could return from Korea in my fifth year of required service and avoid an assignment to the war zone of Vietnam. However, my sense of loyalty to my duty, family tradition and West Point's motto of  "Duty Honor Country," prompted me to choose the "Harder Right" rather than the "Easier Wrong." I volunteered for Vietnam without informing Jackie. August 1, 1966 found me departing Love Field Dallas headed for Saigon. My original assignment as an interrogator of Communist Prisoners of War soon changed to become a staff officer in the Fifth Special Forces Group, the Green Berets. 

     A staff officer I was not to be, as I was assigned to a clandestine intelligence collection unit eventually called Project Gamma with my Detachment B-57 responsible for covert intelligence collection operations in Cambodia. I adopted a fake name and identification as Captain Allen Copley, infantry officer. Fast forward to mid-June 1967, in my 11th month of a 12 month tour. I was at Dak To Green Beret camp in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. A regular army North Vietnamese Communist battalion had crossed the border from Cambodia into our area and ambushed two of our patrols a few miles away. My Saigon-based commanding officer radioed me that he would be flying up to Dak To on Saturday June 17, 1967 to evacuate me from the camp due to the impending attack by the Communists. He arrived at 9:30AM that day as scheduled, but, I had already been medevacked  to the Army hospital in Pleiku. At 4:30 AM I had been the American on a tour shift in the camp on my two hour alert duty, when an intense mortar barrage began.

     During my actions to have our own mortars return fire and locate the enemy on the hillside to the south of us (eventually resulting in my being honored with the receipt of a Silver Star for Gallantry in Action), one of those rounds hit me to my left rear thrusting me on the ground on my stomach. From here I relate what transpired from the report to me (elaborated upon by me) by Green Beret Combat Medic Jimmy Hill in 2004. "I was in the bunker when I heard someone yelling '...my legs...my legs.' I went up to respond from my underground bunker and, as I started up, a blast knocked me back and a piece of shrapnel lodged in my left shoulder. Soon, I started back up the steps and team member SGT Cramer and combat medic SSG Leslie St. Lawrence brought you into my bunker on a stretcher with you on your stomach. St. Lawrence got to you fast. Your left leg was blown off below the knee and your right leg was broken in five places. You were bleeding to death with both femoral arteries severed and many other wounds. St. Lawrence had no clamps/instruments of any kind with him. He used his fingers to clamp down on the bleeding and hung on that way for a fairly significant time, until help arrived. He did this with incoming mortar fire coming in on both of you. Les was wounded, but not seriously and did not have to be evacuated."

     Hill continues in the bunker. "You were alert and oriented, however you were in shock. You kept telling me to help the others outside even though you had traumatic injuries to both your legs. You were going into shock from massive blood loss. Your blood pressure was dropping; veins were collapsing; weak pulse....I started the plasma IV, injected you with morphine in both legs and loosely applied tourniquets in the event the bleeding might start again. At the time you told me your real name and asked me to contact your wife and parents because you "knew" you were going to die. I told you, 'Not today...because you are my first American patient.'" In later conversations with Jimmy, with whom I have remained in contact, I told him had I known I was his first American combat casualty, I would have asked for a second opinion! Jimmy later told me "There was someone else in the bunker that morning!!!!!" I have often reflected as to whether it was an angel?

    Sgt. Cramer, also wounded, came by my bed at the hospital and I will always remember his uplifting words, "Captain, what you did under attack, reflects on you as a Special Forces officer." I have never related this conversation publicly, but have kept it close to my heart.

     Bottom line, when wounded, I also yelled out "Oh, God, I'm dead." I do not remember any pain after the wounding, never, ever all the way up to when Jimmy shot me with morphine. Do I believe in God and angels? An angel had to have been right there through it all and in the bunker, but perhaps even my God was beside me. The odds do not explain my living except by Divine Intervention! I have gone on to live a rich and fulfilling life, always cognizant of that Day of Miracles on June 17, 1967, three days before my 25th birthday. Yes, I do believe in angels. I had one beside me that fateful morning!

Avalon Chronicles #132: Your Personality Tree

      In 1966-1967 I was a first lieutenant and junior aide to the Major General commanding the Second Armored Division at Fort Hood, Texas. My introduction to personalities was when the general described one of our brigade commanders as a "phlegmatic." For some reason that word stuck with me. At the time it did not make much sense to me. Webster's 1828 original dictionary describes a phlegmatic as "...not easily excited into action or passion; as a phlegmatic temper or temperament."

     Fast forward to 1986 and a book by Florence Littauer Your Personality Tree. She captivated me with that book and how she wrote about "Discovering the real you by uncovering the roots of your personality tree." The study of the four major personality traits undergoes an understanding of who I really am or what I have learned to be, sometimes to impress others. Littauer asks a key question; "Am I not clear as to what parts of my personality are genuine or what traits are responses to the adversities of life?" In my opinion the study and analysis of what are real or acquired traits of personalities (Sanguine, Choleric, Melancholy or Phlegmatic) will go a long distance to assist us in emotional balance, true happiness and satisfaction. It relates to personal interactions, life's pursuits for employment and direction and emotional balance. Sometimes we are a blend of more than one with one trait being predominant.

    Who you really are may go a long way to your pathway in life professionally and personally, but also to how God is able to utilize you in his world to serve his purposes, if you are willing. Littauer wrote (p. 19), "...God knows us and he wants us to understand ourselves-not to be worried, confused or depressed. He has made each one of us as a unique individual , and he uses our talents, personalities and gifts for his own good purpose." Recall how he used Joseph "...to save an entire nation and his own family." He used Esther "...to save the exiled Jewish race and her own family also." Stay tuned for future messages that relate to why the Jews had become exiled.

      Are we ready for a basic class on major personality traits so you can begin to see where you fit in? Here are Littauer's very simple and basic definitions. This is a starting point. "The Sanguine from the beginning wants to have FUN....The Choleric wants to have CONTROL....The Melancholy's desire is to have PERFECTION....The Phlegmatic's aim in life is to stay out of trouble and keep PEACE." Parts in a school play add additional insight into where different personalities might participate. Sanguines would want to be the star. Cholerics would want to direct. Melancholics would desire to work backstage. The Phlegmatics would not care whether there were a play or not!

     There are specific charts to explore your personality traits many of which relate to your DNA. Perhaps, if you desire to be different, you might ask the Holy Spirit to help you change and specifically assist you in countering the principalities that may control and influence you negatively now. See Avalon #s 130 and 131. Where would you be if you were cast in the Master Play of Life overseen by God?

  

Avalon Chronicles #131: Strongholds and Principalities

      "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Ephesians 6:12 KJV Life Application Study Bible). Footnote pg. 2079. "In the Christian life we battle against 'principalities and powers' (the powerful evil forces of fallen angels headed by Satan who is a vicious fighter, see 1 Peter 5:8)....the whole body needs to be armed...fight in the strength of the church, whose power comes from the Holy Spirit."

     In the previous message DNA was addressed. How we are composed in our personality and beliefs and actions can be positive or negative. Until we become informed about the great personal struggle within each of us, we do not have the spiritual weaponry to battle the forces of evil that beset and besiege us each day, especially in a world today that demonstrably is anti-Christianity. There are embedded in us "strongholds" that keep us from reflecting in our thoughts, words and actions a Christ-centered attitude of behavior and thought. My new favorite author Ella LeBain introduced me to another author, Art Mathias, author of Biblical Foundations of Freedom. He delineates seven of these "principalities" that take us over and are the antithesis of a pattern of thought and behavior that reflects Christ's love. 

Satan's Seven Principalities of Unloving Spirits:

         1. Accusing Spirits (judgmentalism, religious spirits, criticism, control, shame, blame, guilt, depression);

         2. Bitterness (resentment, unforgiveness, pride, anger, abuse, rage, murder, hate, greed, lies, denial, depression, trauma);

         3. Self-Bitterness (shame, guilt, self-hatred, self-sabotage, suicide, denial, depression);

         4. Rejection: (rejection of others, desiring rejection, victimization, rejection of God, betrayal);

         5, Jealousy/Envy (coveting, greed, rudeness, murder, ungratefulness, inability to respect other's gifts and talents, betrayal);

         6. Fear (anxiety, worry paranoia, intimidation, bullying, control, lies, anger, trauma);

         7. Occult (false beliefs, religious spirits, counterfeit spirits, lying spirits, witchcraft, black and white magic, curses, vows, false identities).

     These are all reflections of Satan's personality and they hold us back from the enriched life we can have with their direct opposite, which is Christ's personality, derived from the Holy Spirit as the guiding force in a well-balanced life, not tormented by the attacks of Satan. 

HOMEWORK: Meditate on each of the above, determine which are applicable to one's self. Ask if that is what we desire to uphold or reflect. If not, pray to God in the Name of Jesus by the Holy Spirit that we rebuke that stronghold and open ourselves to God's light and change to adhere to the teachings of Jesus.  

 

Avalon Chronicles #130: Change Your DNA

     How can one change their DNA? Aren't we born with a certain DNA? DNA is a key part of reproduction in which genetic heredity occurs through the passing down of DNA from parent or parents to offspring. Since the first of 2024 I have been consumed in reading an amazing book titled Who's Who in the Cosmic Zoo? A Spiritual Guide to ETS, Aliens, Gods & Angels by Ella LeBain, an author with an incredible comprehension and knowledge of many subjects, both secular and spiritual. I have communicated with her at her web site www.whoswhointhecosmiczoo.com and I have received permission to quote from her works, five volumes so far. 

     "It's not as important to understand our genetic roots as it is to accept the solution through Christ, who breaks the power of darkness over our DNA and has come to set the captives free." (LeBain). It is not known nor comprehended by many that according to the legal system established by God over our planet that Satan has authority over our world! (Witness Christ's 40 day challenge, when Satan tempted Him with power, if He surrendered to the the lures of Satan). Only through a belief in that truth are we able to break free, but, it is only through a belief in Christ that that can occur through accepting the Salvation message.

     Linda and I are simultaneously reading different LeBain books so we discuss her ideas each day. Linda believes Jesus changes our DNA, when He comes to dwell within us by way of the Holy Spirit, and awakens our own spirit from our deep slumber in our earthly jail cell, causing us to be "born again" by His Spirit indwelling us. He changes our heart, mind, attitude, emotions and thinking. He changes us so that we have a new personality and identity. He heals our broken hearts and sets us free! He removes the heart of stone and replaces it with a heart of flesh. (Ezekiel: 36:26-28).

     "We are all saved behind enemy lines. We are all bought with a price, which is the Divine Blood of Jesus Christ, that has the power to break down strongholds, dissolve curses, heal brokenness and transform lives. This the supernatural grace that is the foundation of faith in God." (LeBain). 

     It was my privilege in 1966-1967 to serve the cause of freedom as an Army officer in Vietnam, when I was assigned to the Fifth Special Forces Group. The motto of Special Forces is De Oppresso Liber, Freedom From Oppression. In the secular world we undertook our missions against an enemy as we must also in the spirit world against the enemy forces of evil.

     Stay tuned for a review of the "principalities" of Ephesians 6:12 and what they are and how we combat them through spiritual warfare.

Avalon Chronicles #129: Headline: Wise Men Visit Herod

      Herod's press secretary woke the king up and said there have arrived at the palace wise men, who have traveled from the East. They asked Herod, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him." (NKJV: Matthew 2:1-2). This got Herod's attention, because this was a direct threat to his sovereignty. Herod demanded of his staff, "Where is this birth to happen?" In the immortal words of Mark Twain, "I wonder who found that out?" The answer came back from what the prophet Micah had written seven hundred years previously that the birth was to have been in Bethlehem of Judea. 

     Herod sent the wise men to Bethlehem with instructions to report back to him so that, "...I may come and worship him also." The wise men went to Bethlehem, but proceeded home without a return visit to Herod. Herod realized that the birth of this young boy could prove a direct threat to his reign. It is written in Matthew 2:16, "Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he set forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under." An angel had appeared to Joseph to instruct him to take the child Jesus and escape to Egypt until Herod soon died thereafter. 

     Christendom celebrates the birth of Jesus on December 25th each year with great merriment and celebration. The tradition of sharing of gifts began with those to Jesus from the wise men. But, what is the larger picture here? Again, it was the move of Satan through his instrument Herod to kill Jesus, who would be the means through His earthly ministry to bring forth God's plan for humanity's redemption. Jesus' birth would be the final nail in the coffin to disrupt Satan's plan since the Fall in the Garden to stop God's goal to establish a way by which those, who choose to believe in the Coming of the Christ, would have the privilege of living eternally with God. 

WE CELEBRATE THE GREAT GIFT OF THE BIRTH OF THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD ON THIS DAY!

Avalon Chronicles #128: Instruments of God

      The book of Isaiah is a powerful book of the Bible. I am studying the Prophecy Study Bible General Editor Tim LaHaye. It is 59% prophecy in the King James Version. My study is highlighted by NIV Halley's Bible Handbook by Henry H. Halley. Isaiah was a prophet of the southern kingdom of Judah, when the northern kingdom of Israel had already been overcome by the Assyrian Empire, which in 734 B.C. took away the population. In 701 the "Assyrians were stopped before the walls of Jerusalem by an angel of God." In Isaiah chapter ten the headline is "Assyria the Instrument of God." The footnote to Isaiah 10:5 states "Isaiah declares that Assyria was a rod in the hand of God to discipline Israel, even though the prideful Assyrians did not intend to cooperate with God. The prophet's intention is to make it clear that Assyria will not conquer Israel by her own power, but by God's permission." 

     Isaiah's main place in prophecy was to carry forth "...a series of warnings aimed at Judah and Jerusalem (chaps 1-5)" which sound the alarm to the moral decay of the Jewish nation. Eventually Jerusalem is isolated by Assyria, which conquered all of Judah except for Jerusalem. Then Assyria is overcome by the Babylonian Empire, which takes the inhabitants of Jerusalem to Babylon and only a tenth will later return. The overriding message is that nations and empires stand and fall only by the allowance of God, almighty. God will always prevail. It is God's world. He created it. He set forth certain rules of behavior and demands obedience to his laws. The Old Testament establishes his standards for humanity.

     As a Believer in the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior I have studied the laws of God. I have attempted personally to adhere to them in my daily life. I have not been perfect nor can any of us, but we can never cease to attempt to live by God's standards. Unfortunately, I am very cognizant of the moral decay in my own native land much less throughout the world. The question on my mind is when, whether and how may the moral decay so prevalent in the United States bring God's judgment. Will there be a God's instrument to discipline us?