During the North African campaign of World War 2, some German troops became detached from their source of supplies in the desert. With their throats parched by the intense desert sun, they were overjoyed when they found a newly constructed British waterline. Shooting it full of holes, they fell on their stomachs and began gulping furiously.
But they realized something too late – the British had been testing the pipeline with salty seawater. Within 24 hours all of the Germans were dying of thirst. Recognizing the severity of their situation, they quickly surrendered.
How does God get us to quickly surrender? I believe sometimes he permits us to go too far, to get too much, and to experience deep failure. He permits this so we will turn to Him. Its a strategy that works well with hard heads like us.
Jesus taught a parable in which He said, “Go out…and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind” (Luke 14:21).
Tags: thirst, trials, trouble, World War II
Several years ago I went to the hospital to visit a World War II vet who had just had open-heart surgery and was very well medicated. When he saw me he said, “Preacher! Untie me.” They had his hands tied to the sides of the bed because he kept trying to pull his tubes out. He asked, “Why do they do this to me?” I replied, “Probably because you won’t be good.” He leaned back on his pillow and smiled. He knew exactly why they did that to him.
He wanted me to help him break out of there like it was a prison. Because I knew him and his often flashbacks to combat with Japanese soldiers, I just joked with him a bit, and he received it. This man knows I love and respect him, so was open to my words to him, even if they were not what he wanted to hear.
If we want to minister to the tough cases, we have to earn the right to speak into their lives. Then, when the right crisis moment comes, we’re both ready. My assignment for you this week is this: Find someone who is cold to the things of God, and begin to develop a relationship with him/her. Buy them a soda or coffee or candy bar. Give them a compliment (women appreciate compliments on how they look, men like compliments on what they do). Ask them about their hobbies or children. Don’t bring God in until they’re ready. Just earn respect by caring about them. God will do the rest in due time.
Tags: evangelism, World War II
The big news right now is whether or not to release the gruesome photograph of Osama Bin Laden with a bullet hole in his forehead. Many Americans seem to think it will make us feel better if we see him mutilated a little since his plan mutilated so many on 9-11, and there are radical Muslims who are saying Bin Laden is still hiding out there someplace and the US is lying. On the other hand, there are those who believe such a humiliating photo would incite retaliation from radical militants around the world, making us look even more like bullies, since Bin Laden was confirmed unarmed when he was killed.
This is an awesome opportunity for us Americans to reflect on our values. After World War 2, the US and our allies pumped millions of dollars into Germany and Japan to rebuild the infrastructure of those nations, until they both became major competitors in the world marketplace. That’s the way Americans do things. When we go to war, we destroy our enemy. When we make peace, we bless our enemy.
What do you think the US government should do with those photographs of Osama Bin Laden, and why?
Tags: enemy, World War II
During World War II when Europe was infected with antisemitism, an 11-year old boy named Heinz learned about planting “seeds of peace.” Confronted by Hitler’s thugs who roamed the streets looking for trouble, Heinz didn’t fight back or walk away. Instead, he witnessed firsthand how the tongue can create peace. Whenever a beating seemed inevitable, he used words to convince his enemy that fighting wasn’t necessary. Years later, after his family escaped to America, Heinz’s name became synonymous with peace negotiations. In fact, he won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1973! You know him better as former Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger. And even though he generally downplayed his earlier experiences, you have to wonder if his training started backs on the streets of Europe.
Perhaps God is preparing you today for what He wants to accomplish through you later. Hang in there; you can make it.
Tags: Kissinger, peace, World War II
The success of the Coca-Cola Corporation is due in large part to the vision of its leaders. Robert Woodruff, president of Coca-Cola from 1923 to 1955, boldly said during World War II: “We will see that every man in uniform gets a bottle of Coca-Cola for five cents wherever he is and whatever it costs.”
After World War II ended, he said that in his lifetime he wanted everyone in the world to have tasted Coca-Cola. Quite a vision!
When Jesus challenged his disciples to “Go into all the world and make disciples of all nations”, He was setting and grand goal for the church. How’re we doing?
Tags: coca-cola, goal, vision, World War II
My mother had a brother, Carl Cook, who was killed at Iwo Jima in 1945. I knew little about him or his war experiences except that Mom said he was shot by a sniper. So I set out to research his life and his wartime experiences with the goal in mind of writing a book of his experiences. In addition to purchasing several vintage books recounting the day by day description of his unit’s progress, I ordered his military records from NARA (National Archives and Records Administration).
Because the government is very picky about who it releases personal information to, I had to state that I was the next of kin and that my purpose was to write a family history. I sent in two requests on different application forms to different agencies to be sure my request got through. I received the copies of records I was hoping for, along with an awesome surprise: an original official military photograph of my uncle just before departure. No one in the family had ever seen it before. What a blessing from Uncle Sam.
A month later I received a letter from the government saying that they could not grant my request because I did not prove I was next of kin. Go figure! This is a great example of two standards: one agent was caring about the family and shared, the other agent was caring about the records only and withheld. This reminds me of the difference between law and grace. What do you care about most?
Tags: Caring, World War II
There once was a boss who wrote this memo to his personnel director: “Search the company for an alert, talented young man who can step into my shoes. When you find him – fire him!” That boss was insecure and jealous, and the potential for growth in his business was stunted because of it.
When Adolf Hitler was looking for a chauffeur he selected the shortest man he could find and kept him as his driver for the rest of his life. This man was so short that he needed special blocks under the driver’s seat just to see over the steering wheel. Hitler used other people to make himself look bigger than he really was. Have you ever done that?
Paul told us, “Take delight in honoring each other” (Romans 12:10 TLB). Whose life are you making a difference in today?
Tags: honor, World War II