Post by John on Jan 11, 2014 8:27:32 GMT -5
PADRE CHARLES.
ON THE BATTLE LINE, IN THE THICK OF IT,
VICTORY OVER DEATH
A true incident that happened near the front line of a battle in New Guinea during World War Two in the Pacific where British Empire forces were fighting the ruthless Japanese.
Edward, generally called Ted, was kneeling beside Charles wondering how this wounded civilian man had been able to get so close to the fighting. Charles was an Army Chaplain otherwise known to the troops as Padre- Padre Charles.
How had he got into a forward combat position where he was shot down by the enemy.
Padre Charles was terribly wounded and from his collapsed state it was clear he did not have long to live.
The Army Surgical Team had given instructions “Give him as much blood as you can. He needs all the resuscitation we can give him before we dare try to operate”
The surgical team's skill had been witnessed many times already. Many young lives had been saved by their prompt action with operations, wound excisions, and amputations. All performed under limited and trying conditions The idea by then was to operate as close to the battle line as possible.
The sounds of conflict were close at hand, and the conditions in which they worked were appalling . Camouflaged under shattered jungle in the swamps.
They lived in shelters made of ground sheets and blankets with rain pouring down at one inch per hour. The tents that we did have were rightly reserved for the wounded.
Ted wondered “Did this Army Chaplain, have a living link with Christ?” This was the burning question in his mind. Some of these Chaplains were embarrassed when the personal name of Jesus was mentioned to them. The words of the old hymn came to mind “How sweet the Name of Jesus sounds in a believers ear.”
He would know by that. Yes that would be it. Ted would speak the Name of Jesus to him and observe his reaction.
Adjusting the blackout paper around the hurricane lantern, necessary because of night fighter-bomber attacks, and bending low over him, Ted asked “ Padre, is the name of Jesus precious to you” His response was overwhelming “O yes indeed it is . Is it precious to you? I was doing the Lord's work when they got me.” Ted wondered how that could have happened but next day he learned from a young soldier who came back from the front line to find out . He told how Padre Charles distressed by the dangers and difficulties in recovering the wounded and the bodies of dead comrades had insisted on going out with one of the patrols to help in this task. Enemy snipers waited for such patrols. As the patrol went out they came under heavy fire and they had to run for cover. Padre Charles though unarmed could not give up on his intention. He went on and sacrificed himself in the attempt. It is written of the Lord Jesus “ No one has greater love than this that he should lay down his life for his friends” [ John 15 verse 13].
“This is what the Lord Jesus had done for his own. Are you one of his own, dear reader,? Do you belong to Him?
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved through the power of his life!” [ Romans chapter 5 verses 6-10 ]
Padre Charles asked Ted his name and how long he had known the Lord as his Saviour. He then asked what the time was which seemed rather strange. Time never counted where they were. Day and night were the same. They often worked through the night. Ted told him it was 8pm.
A little after this some of the surgical team came over to check how he was. They shook their heads and said “he is not ready yet.” Ted asked them the time as Padre Charles had asked him. They too were surprised and said softly to Ted “ The patient is wandering in his mind you should know better” Ted lifted the leather flap on someones watch as they left . “Padre” he said when they were again alone “its 8.30pm” Padre Charles replied “ “Thank you Ted” and then explained “Before I left my home in South Australia I made an arrangement with my wife to meet her every night before God's Throne of Grace, together. Ted I want to keep that appointment”.
This deeply effected Ted and he knew immediately what he meant. Where ever he was he would pray at ten o'clock and his wife back home would do the same. In that way they both would be together before the throne of grace. This idea comes from Hebrews 4 verse 16 “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need”
It always seemed worse to Ted when his patients were married. He thought of her at home praying at 10 'clock. Not knowing that her husband was stricken in this way.
Charles craved for water. Ted poured it into hos mouth with instructions not to swallow kt but to return it to the bowl.
He obeyed and said “Ted would you let me feel your fingers on my forehead , cooling it with water” Ted knew that he wanted him to be close to him.
How wonderful are the links between Christians stimulated by the Holy Spirit and eternal in character. Padre Charles then asked Ted to pray for his wife and children. Tears fell from Ted's face as he asked the Lord on their behalf, for them all, in their approaching time of need.
Yes Ted was conscious of being heard remembering John's 1st letter chapter 5 verses 14 and 15 “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us--whatever we ask--we know that we have what we asked of him.”
A little after 9pm the surgical team returned and were trouble by the Padre's condition. He was a very bad risk. But they had hopes that he would improve with the last of the blood transfusion. They would then have to try and operate when they had finished a few others still on the waiting list. They withdrew at 9.20pm. Ted told the Padre the time. He said “Ted , I'm in great agony. Will you pray that I may go to sleep. I want to make it to 10'clock”
Sleep, Ted thought ,was almost impossible for him in his pain and with a 25 pounder battery blasting away close by. Ted prayed that he would sleep and make it to 10pm. To see him sleeping was like a miracle, and Ted thought it must now be close to ten.
The team returned and the pain woke up. They said that yes they had conferred and would just clean up the theatre and then proceed with the risky operation. Ted checked the time and then knelt down on the rough coconut logs wired together to stop them floating away I the mid, which formed the floor. And said “Padre it is 10 -'clock.” He was obviously relieved to hear that and asked Ted ,will you excuse me while I pay. He was quiet for some moments and them.
Ted could hear him praying but not what he was saying. Suddenly his voice strengthened and he spoke loudly. Ted said “Are you now speaking to me?” Padre then said “Ted will you repeat it with me”
Jesus, lover of my soul
Let me to Thy bosom fly
While the nearer waters roll
While the tempest still is high,
Hide me, O my Saviour,hide
Till the storm of life is past
Safe into the haven guide
Oh, receive my soul at last”
Ted's experience was that then in that awful place of darkness, suffering and death, there came heavenly light, Ted knew that the Lord was right there, that Heaven was not far away, that Jesus had come to take his loved one to be with himself .
As in the words of 2 Timothy 1 verse 10 “but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Saviour, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel”
The dying man began plucking at the blanket and Ted knew that he was going. Ted leapt up and ran to the theatre marquee. Quickly he was transferred to that brilliantly lit but sickeningly hot place.
Ted saw him clearly at last and his awful gaping wound but Pastor Charles was beyond his care now.
He was now indeed with Jesus the lover of his soul.
They all fell shocked. One young surgeon broke down sobbing. They were used to suffering and death in that awful place, but this was different. He was a non-combatant, a civilian, unarmed, and inoffensive. Evidently those who knew him, loved him.
In the Bible it clearly says of the Lord Jesus “He was led as a lamb to the slaughter “.
Read Isaiah chapter 53 for yourself. Here are 2 verses from it.
“But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all. “
Wont you see there that he did it for you?
Have you not the faith that it was for you?
Face death we all must!
You may live without Christ, but can you did without Him?
Of some it was written “ they are without Christ, having no hope and without God in the world.” That need not be true of you.
God “ who has not spared his own Son” wants YOU as well. He wants you to share the blessing and happiness that the death and rising victoriously over the power of death, of his Son has provided for those who trust him
Eternal life is now known to those on Earth who know they are saved and when we leave this Earth we enter into Eternity with Christ to be ever in his care.
The evidence for this is referred to in the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 2 and verses 26 – 41
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope,
because you will not abandon me to the grave,
nor will you let your Holy One see decay.
You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence.'
"Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, " `The Lord said to my Lord:
"Sit at my right hand
until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet."
"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."
When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"
Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call."
With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
“How sweet the Name of Jesus sounds in a believers ear;
It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, and drives away his fears,
It soothes her sorrows, heals her wounds, and drives away her fears”
May the precious name of Jesus so sound in YOUR ear today, dear friend,
Adapted from a booklet written by E L Crutcher distributed by 2 young men from Debden Mission in Saffron Walden Market Place on Monday January 6th 2014,
For further information visit www.lhpm.proboards.com
ON THE BATTLE LINE, IN THE THICK OF IT,
VICTORY OVER DEATH
A true incident that happened near the front line of a battle in New Guinea during World War Two in the Pacific where British Empire forces were fighting the ruthless Japanese.
Edward, generally called Ted, was kneeling beside Charles wondering how this wounded civilian man had been able to get so close to the fighting. Charles was an Army Chaplain otherwise known to the troops as Padre- Padre Charles.
How had he got into a forward combat position where he was shot down by the enemy.
Padre Charles was terribly wounded and from his collapsed state it was clear he did not have long to live.
The Army Surgical Team had given instructions “Give him as much blood as you can. He needs all the resuscitation we can give him before we dare try to operate”
The surgical team's skill had been witnessed many times already. Many young lives had been saved by their prompt action with operations, wound excisions, and amputations. All performed under limited and trying conditions The idea by then was to operate as close to the battle line as possible.
The sounds of conflict were close at hand, and the conditions in which they worked were appalling . Camouflaged under shattered jungle in the swamps.
They lived in shelters made of ground sheets and blankets with rain pouring down at one inch per hour. The tents that we did have were rightly reserved for the wounded.
Ted wondered “Did this Army Chaplain, have a living link with Christ?” This was the burning question in his mind. Some of these Chaplains were embarrassed when the personal name of Jesus was mentioned to them. The words of the old hymn came to mind “How sweet the Name of Jesus sounds in a believers ear.”
He would know by that. Yes that would be it. Ted would speak the Name of Jesus to him and observe his reaction.
Adjusting the blackout paper around the hurricane lantern, necessary because of night fighter-bomber attacks, and bending low over him, Ted asked “ Padre, is the name of Jesus precious to you” His response was overwhelming “O yes indeed it is . Is it precious to you? I was doing the Lord's work when they got me.” Ted wondered how that could have happened but next day he learned from a young soldier who came back from the front line to find out . He told how Padre Charles distressed by the dangers and difficulties in recovering the wounded and the bodies of dead comrades had insisted on going out with one of the patrols to help in this task. Enemy snipers waited for such patrols. As the patrol went out they came under heavy fire and they had to run for cover. Padre Charles though unarmed could not give up on his intention. He went on and sacrificed himself in the attempt. It is written of the Lord Jesus “ No one has greater love than this that he should lay down his life for his friends” [ John 15 verse 13].
“This is what the Lord Jesus had done for his own. Are you one of his own, dear reader,? Do you belong to Him?
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved through the power of his life!” [ Romans chapter 5 verses 6-10 ]
Padre Charles asked Ted his name and how long he had known the Lord as his Saviour. He then asked what the time was which seemed rather strange. Time never counted where they were. Day and night were the same. They often worked through the night. Ted told him it was 8pm.
A little after this some of the surgical team came over to check how he was. They shook their heads and said “he is not ready yet.” Ted asked them the time as Padre Charles had asked him. They too were surprised and said softly to Ted “ The patient is wandering in his mind you should know better” Ted lifted the leather flap on someones watch as they left . “Padre” he said when they were again alone “its 8.30pm” Padre Charles replied “ “Thank you Ted” and then explained “Before I left my home in South Australia I made an arrangement with my wife to meet her every night before God's Throne of Grace, together. Ted I want to keep that appointment”.
This deeply effected Ted and he knew immediately what he meant. Where ever he was he would pray at ten o'clock and his wife back home would do the same. In that way they both would be together before the throne of grace. This idea comes from Hebrews 4 verse 16 “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need”
It always seemed worse to Ted when his patients were married. He thought of her at home praying at 10 'clock. Not knowing that her husband was stricken in this way.
Charles craved for water. Ted poured it into hos mouth with instructions not to swallow kt but to return it to the bowl.
He obeyed and said “Ted would you let me feel your fingers on my forehead , cooling it with water” Ted knew that he wanted him to be close to him.
How wonderful are the links between Christians stimulated by the Holy Spirit and eternal in character. Padre Charles then asked Ted to pray for his wife and children. Tears fell from Ted's face as he asked the Lord on their behalf, for them all, in their approaching time of need.
Yes Ted was conscious of being heard remembering John's 1st letter chapter 5 verses 14 and 15 “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us--whatever we ask--we know that we have what we asked of him.”
A little after 9pm the surgical team returned and were trouble by the Padre's condition. He was a very bad risk. But they had hopes that he would improve with the last of the blood transfusion. They would then have to try and operate when they had finished a few others still on the waiting list. They withdrew at 9.20pm. Ted told the Padre the time. He said “Ted , I'm in great agony. Will you pray that I may go to sleep. I want to make it to 10'clock”
Sleep, Ted thought ,was almost impossible for him in his pain and with a 25 pounder battery blasting away close by. Ted prayed that he would sleep and make it to 10pm. To see him sleeping was like a miracle, and Ted thought it must now be close to ten.
The team returned and the pain woke up. They said that yes they had conferred and would just clean up the theatre and then proceed with the risky operation. Ted checked the time and then knelt down on the rough coconut logs wired together to stop them floating away I the mid, which formed the floor. And said “Padre it is 10 -'clock.” He was obviously relieved to hear that and asked Ted ,will you excuse me while I pay. He was quiet for some moments and them.
Ted could hear him praying but not what he was saying. Suddenly his voice strengthened and he spoke loudly. Ted said “Are you now speaking to me?” Padre then said “Ted will you repeat it with me”
Jesus, lover of my soul
Let me to Thy bosom fly
While the nearer waters roll
While the tempest still is high,
Hide me, O my Saviour,hide
Till the storm of life is past
Safe into the haven guide
Oh, receive my soul at last”
Ted's experience was that then in that awful place of darkness, suffering and death, there came heavenly light, Ted knew that the Lord was right there, that Heaven was not far away, that Jesus had come to take his loved one to be with himself .
As in the words of 2 Timothy 1 verse 10 “but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Saviour, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel”
The dying man began plucking at the blanket and Ted knew that he was going. Ted leapt up and ran to the theatre marquee. Quickly he was transferred to that brilliantly lit but sickeningly hot place.
Ted saw him clearly at last and his awful gaping wound but Pastor Charles was beyond his care now.
He was now indeed with Jesus the lover of his soul.
They all fell shocked. One young surgeon broke down sobbing. They were used to suffering and death in that awful place, but this was different. He was a non-combatant, a civilian, unarmed, and inoffensive. Evidently those who knew him, loved him.
In the Bible it clearly says of the Lord Jesus “He was led as a lamb to the slaughter “.
Read Isaiah chapter 53 for yourself. Here are 2 verses from it.
“But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all. “
Wont you see there that he did it for you?
Have you not the faith that it was for you?
Face death we all must!
You may live without Christ, but can you did without Him?
Of some it was written “ they are without Christ, having no hope and without God in the world.” That need not be true of you.
God “ who has not spared his own Son” wants YOU as well. He wants you to share the blessing and happiness that the death and rising victoriously over the power of death, of his Son has provided for those who trust him
Eternal life is now known to those on Earth who know they are saved and when we leave this Earth we enter into Eternity with Christ to be ever in his care.
The evidence for this is referred to in the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 2 and verses 26 – 41
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope,
because you will not abandon me to the grave,
nor will you let your Holy One see decay.
You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence.'
"Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, " `The Lord said to my Lord:
"Sit at my right hand
until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet."
"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."
When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"
Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call."
With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
“How sweet the Name of Jesus sounds in a believers ear;
It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, and drives away his fears,
It soothes her sorrows, heals her wounds, and drives away her fears”
May the precious name of Jesus so sound in YOUR ear today, dear friend,
Adapted from a booklet written by E L Crutcher distributed by 2 young men from Debden Mission in Saffron Walden Market Place on Monday January 6th 2014,
For further information visit www.lhpm.proboards.com