Warren Spahn died this week at the age of 82. My earliest memories growing up in North Carolina seem to be about WW2 and baseball. Like many places in America, we had baseball teams everywhere, and all boys had our heroes who had made it to the "Big Leagues". We loved and admired our heroes of baseball because many of them left a career they loved and went off to defend our nation against the evil schemes of Germany or Japan. Spahn won more games than any other left-handed pitcher.
During World War Two, Spahn left his baseball career to help his country. He served in the U.S. Army at the Battle of the Bulge, and also at a bridge in Remagen, Germany where many in his company died. Spahn received a battlefield commission and a Bronze Star and Purple Heart, because of his bravery in action. He never complained that he lost anything from his time in the service. He told people that he felt like he was a better pitcher at age 25 than he was at age 22.
Thank God for our wonderful country that produces such young people who are not only willing, but even eager to give of themselves at a time of national and world crisis. As we think about what will grace our table for celebrating Thanksgiving Day, let us pause and think about those sons and daughters, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, our dear neighbors and relatives, who have volunteered to make the ultimate sacrifice so that we can enjoy this incredible freedom to take it easy, or to pursue our dreams through study and hard work, or to give ourselves in service to others.
The shocking news about those of our fellow citizens who are dying almost daily in the war against international terrorists no longer make the front pages of the news. These injuries from battle, and deaths on foreign soil should wake us up to the fact that we have many people serving our country with honor and distinction. Even while we sleep, they are putting their lives on the line for you and me. "Oh beautiful for heroes proved, In liberating strife, Who more than self their country loved, And mercy more than life! America! America! May God thy gold refine, Till all success be nobleness, And every gain divine." (Katherine Lee Bates)
All news about killing is sad and very repugnant. We are reminded of our own sinful and disobedient nature. We are reminded that there are evil tyrants living in every generation who will use killing of their own citizens as a means of power and control. Fear is a great motivator, and the use of the Machiavellian model is well known in world power. But, we must remember that we are all God' creatures, and all humans are subjects of One who is best defined as Love. God repeatedly insists through the Holy Word that we must love our neighbors as ourselves. This is found in the Old Testament and the New Testament. It is the will of God our creator.
Sadly, there are times when the good people of the world must stand up and use force against the cunning plans of evil dictators. We are now living in such a period of the history of the world where some misguided people have become filled with hatred toward Christians and Jews and everything that has been built up by Western Civilization. This group of people has plans to utterly destroy everything we stand for and to turn our wealth over to their own purposes. We must stand together as God fearing people, or die from their atrocities.
One of the greatest weapons we have in this current war is the weapon of the spoken and written word. We need more young people who are willing to forego lucrative careers in law, medicine, business, or athletics, and give a few good years in dedicated preparation for service in our diplomatic corps, and as world missionaries. There is a crying need now for people with language skills and sound faith to enter the mission field to teach people about God's love in sending His son as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. We need bright and well trained Diplomats who will help people in developing nations see the many benefits of a nation founded upon God's divine principles. "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD".
I truly do not want to sound cynical or ungrateful, but it seems to me that we are not hearing much about our highly paid millionaire athletes giving up their cushy careers so they can go off and defend our freedoms. It is time that we begin to speak up once again, in our churches and schools and every public assembly, for the good deeds that are being done by people in our society who are excelling in the way they live a life of love for our country. Teach our young people by our own sacrifices we are making for our country and world!
If you have never accepted the amazing salvation that is offered to you by the gift of God's love, then why not make that choice today. Receive Jesus Christ as your Savior by confessing that faith, repenting of your sins, and obeying the commandments of our Lord Jesus Christ. You are invited to attend the services of the Church of Christ which meets at the corner of 3rd and E Streets. Please write to me with any questions or comments at P.O. Box 186, Cedar Key, FL 32625 or dgbinkley@aol.com. Or you may also request to receive the daily WORD OF THE DAY by e-mail. Check out our web site at www.cedarkeychurchofchrist.com. | 