AREYOUReadyforM-DAY? A Serviceman Asks a Vital Question
misled by others around you. The smaller percent of men in your bar racks will be the ones reared in “ pool rooms” so to speak. Actually, the larger percent will be those who were brought up in some kind of Christian surroundings. Perhaps they need a leader, and a witness—that is all. Can you stand up to it? Doing any sort of work for God in the service is one of the most diffi cult tasks you can ever undertake. The opposition is greater by far than almost any other situation in life. Obviously, Satan gives all-out atten tion to the demoralization of such easy prey. With no Christian fellow ship, far from Christian influence, the soldier faces many of the prob lems of a missionary in a strange land. He must learn to dig into God’s word DAILY—not just now and then. He must aid his chaplain in organ izing Christian effort in any form possible. He must be prepared in wardly for battle as well as outwardly. It is not hard to see the hand of Satan at work everywhere. The diffi culty in finding time or appreciation for your efforts are all the result of his opposition. You cannot stand alone; there is no neutral corner in which to hide. Returning to civilian life will be hard enough, without bringing back evil habits. Now is the time to prepare yourself and your attitude for your coming military life for as long as it may last. If you depend upon God, you will become “ strong in the Lord and in the power of his might” and a better Christian for having served your country and your God. TODAY I WALK IN STRENGTH Because I lingered for a time on bended knee Before the throne, at starting of the day, And listened to the gracious words of truth The precious Lord and Master had to say, I find the problems that confront me now Seem trivial — I see the way more clear, And through the weary routine, common-place, I sense His presence, strengthening and near. Why should I ever, then, unfortified, Go blindly, weakly, through a day alone, When strength and light and confidence are mine, If I but wait for Him each morning at the throne? —Kathryn Blackburn Peck T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
By M/Sgt. Ralph L. Johnson
I HAVE been in Southern Japan for over a year. When this “war” started, the boys and I on shift that morning heard the first reports from the CAA Operator at Kimpo describing the strafing by Yak 9’s. Some time later the operator reported American fighters overhead (protect ing the evacuation of Kimpo Air drome), dog fighting with enemy fighters. Then came the report that one enemy fighter had been shot down. The younger men in the con trol station listened breathlessly, just as the rest of us had listened at the start of the last war. To them this was new and exciting; to us they were memories of just a few years ago. In the next few days the infantry was flown out of here day and night, to halt the advance of the enemy. The 24th Division boys had been stationed just a few miles away and many of our men knew them well. When re ports came through, along with pho tographs of the many young Ameri can soldiers shot through the head in the gullies and roadsides of Korea, the reality of the terrific hatred exist ing toward all for which we stand was evident. The cold chill of reality in creased when the enemy continued to advance southward in spite of all our efforts. Boys became men overnight and actuality took the place of mere memories. The all-out effort of every man stemmed the ugly advance, and pushed the godless enemy back up the peninsula. With typical Satanic pol icy these numberless armies of Satan struck again, feeding human life into the muzzles of our own guns in an attempt to annihilate the troops of the freedom-loving peoples of the world. Perhaps never before in history has God been working more in the hearts of men who are called to arms against the godless than in these whose fath ers fought so valiantly to build our God-fearing nation. Because of our origin, we rightfully hold the title of “ Christian nation.” But it is up to each new generation of Americans to uphold the honor of such a heritage. We who are sent now to the four corners of the globe to fight for free- Page Eight
dom or to prepare for the fight must show evidence of our faith in God and what we fight for. You men who are soon to be called up to active service either for the first time or from your reserve units will be well trained for your job. You will be screened and interviewed and in most cases located in the job where you can serve best. But there is one side of your training that may be overlooked if you allow it. That same training that was sadly neglected by men and women in the last war.
When you leave your local com munity and report for duty, you leave behind all of the personal contacts that helped you fill your spare time back home. You no longer receive the friendly advice of parents and friends who were unselfishly interested in your future. More important than that, it will be your job and problem to find fuel to feed your relation to God. Perhaps never before in your life were you in a situation where it was necessary to “ seek out” your God. Chances are you will be billeted in a crowded barracks within a sea of- humanity on the loose—men far away from the ties of home. True, there will be military restrictions, but a 12-hour pass into the nearest town may mean the abandonment of all inhibitions and the severest test of Christian manhood. Will you follow the advice of newly-acquired friends or the words of Christ? Will you “ Search the scriptures” ? Will you learn to drink or will you learn to pray? Do not be
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