The Journey Continues: Continuing remembrances from five years of columns
My journey this week is a continuation of memories from writing this column for five years. Faithful readers, you know I have written many columns on veterans, especially on Memorial Day and Veterans Day. I am a Christian and a veteran — both are deeply woven into my journey. A soldier’s purpose is to protect life, not take life. I believe it is our privilege to remember the fallen and their families. “There blood may dry and fade, but it will always stain the hearts of loving families.” It has been my privilege to lead American soldiers in combat in The Republic of South Vietnam. In The New York Times, Thursday, April 14, I read remarks from veterans who served in Afghanistan over the past 20 years, and all these men shared both acceptance and regret over the Afghan withdrawal. Service to the nation has called for us to only place others above self. John 15:13 says: “Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” Veterans of all ages, you are invited to the “Veterans Patrol” meeting on April 26 at 7 p.m. at 325 W. McCarty Lane (First Baptist Church) where you will find “veterans standing together in faith to support each other for inner peace.” We share a camaraderie and fellowship. (see veteranspatrol.org)
Mixed among the columns over the last five years are practical checkups of Bible knowledge that have included quizzes, multiple choice tests and narrative exams. Honestly, I had to look up some of the answers myself as I wrote these. But my question is: “What do you believe is the greatest change mankind has ever faced in the history of humanity? The Answer: The process of changing from the law of the Old Testament, beginning with the Ten Commandments given to Moses, to the commandment given in the New Testament for love and grace supplied to us through the life and resurrection of Jesus Christ”… and what did they do to Him? ... Resisting change, they killed Jesus. Hebrew 13:8 states, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever” and He is change.
Our challenge is prayer and study of the Scriptures. Evangelist Erasmo Del Bosque, San Marcos, always shares in his sermons this advice: “When you pray, you talk to God; when you read the Bible, God talks to you.” The Bible is the story of human nature and of a loving God. Throughout the centuries, we’ve had the same journey to faith only on different paths The best advice given in Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths” is as true today as when written.
At Christmas every year, repeated word-for-word is a nativity play script about the birth of Jesus as recorded in Matthew and Luke. It is a reminder of why we celebrate the holiday. Every year, I also write about the Red Kettle Campaign of the American Salvation Army. In Hays county, locations in Kyle, Wimberley, Buda and San Marcos are attended by unpaid volunteers ringing the bell for donations which are then used for needs within our county throughout the year. This year, much of it was used during the bad weather to help house many who lost all power, heat, and water at home, and for those who are homeless. I recall this verse when I think of the staff who work at Salvation Army: “The King will reply, I tell you the truth, whatsoever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me,” Matthew 25:40
In conclusion, the coronavirus pandemic caused isolation, social distancing and a real appreciation of social contact. It made caring for each other in times of duress particularly challenging. I learned to use the Internet and telephone in place of face-to-face fellowship. Often, I repeated 1 Peter 5:7, “Cast all your anxiousness on Him because He cares for you.” As part of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit stood ready to comfort in times of trouble. Jesus told his followers, “I have told you these things so that in me you might have peace. In this world you will have trouble but take heart, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NIV). This is my life verse.
