The Gauntlet

By Charlie Edwards

 

I recently took my fifteen-year old daughter to get her restricted driver's license. We arrived fifteen minutes before the official 7:30 opening time. My daughter, Becky assured me that arriving this early would guarantee our rapid completion of the task, since most people come later in the day. Unfortunately by the time we got there, a line approximately sixty feet long extended from the locked door into the parking lot. We decided to remain in the vehicle and wait for opening time. More people began to arrive, so we hastily got out of the car and took our place at the end of the line.

As we settled in to our position in the emergent line we were closely scrutinized by the other members of the lugubrious assembly. Having looked at all the strange faces and they at us, and none of us knew each other, we were accepted and became part of the general aggregation. The melancholy collection of souls consisted of a curious cross section of county residents. Included were blacks, Latinos, and whites, all ready and willing to run the gauntlet and jump through all the required bureaucratic hoops in order to secure the sovereign of all government documents, the driver’s license.

Becky had her package of information including birth certificate, social security card, at least two pieces of information showing that she resided in Tennessee, as well as the book she had been studying. She was nervous about the whole affair, and rightly so. This was her second effort to secure the much coveted learner’s permit. The previous attempt had been foiled by the lack of one of the required documents. “But this time,” she guaranteed me, “she was covered.” She had everything needed and had spent a good bit of time studying the driver’s license manual.

My method of preparation for such an occasion as this is to bring a book. I was just a few pages into a Carl Hiaasen novel and figured I would get through several chapters on this opportunistic occasion.

So there we were, Becky, with her bundle of documentation carried in sweaty and fidgety hands and me with my paperback. We stood in line between parked cars, breathed morning air tainted with cigarette smoke, and listened to the sounds of idle prattle from the surrounding throng. My head was buried in the novel as the line mysteriously crept forward in spite of the closed and locked doors ahead. Every few minutes we took a step forward, filling the gap left by the couple in front of us.

There was a loquacious man in line behind us discoursing on the weather, with an emphasis on the amount of precipitation we had recently received. He had a peculiar proclivity for leaning forward and allowing a sizable dollop of saliva (helped along with the earth's gravitational pull) to fall from his mouth. This curious procedure was repeated every few minutes during his conversation and progression through the line. I kept a watchful eye on the gentleman in my peripheral vision as the line slowly crept forward. This uncouth exhibition behind us continued and was punctuated with an audible “splat” on the pavement with each subsequent repetition. It occurred to me that I should perhaps inform my column colleague that not only was he depleting his body of much needed fluids (especially noteworthy in light of existing high temperatures and humidity), but fouling the sidewalk as well. In the end I decided it was best to ignore the inelegant display and simply try to appreciate Hiaasen’s humor.

Eventually we were rewarded for our sedulous efforts by gaining entrance into the building. A man counting out twenty people at a time finally allowed us into the building and out of the heat and humidity. We were promptly instructed to maintain our line and have our paperwork ready. A blast of fresh cool air greeted us! This was much more agreeable since we, as most fastidious nonsmokers, found the wafting nicotine smoke quite grievous, not to mention the heat and humidity.

Within five minutes we were speaking to one of the ladies behind the counter. My daughter had already filled out the form she had secured from one of her previous visits. But since then, the form had been updated with a newer edition. She was told that she would have to fill out a new one and submit it. It was also then that I learned that as her father, I too was required to fill out a form. We were given our respective paper work and instructed to complete them in the adjoining room.

I was required to have two forms of ID, which listed my current address. “Uh Oh,” I mused. My driver’s license and handgun permit (both legal Tennessee photo Ids) listed my former address. Though I had sent in change-of-address forms for both, the cards in my wallet did not reflect my current address. This was cause for no little consternation on my part. The last thing I wanted to be guilty of was bringing about yet another delay for my daughter’s most prized quest, her learner’s permit. I knew that once obtained, she would be on her cell phone with all her buddies, sharing the good news of her newfound privilege. I immediately thought of going back to retrieve the information sheet I had already turned in and changing the “current address” field to match my two address sources. Then I thought of the possible consequences of prevarication in such a bureaucratic environment. “No, I’ll just face the music with what I have with me,” I told myself. By now my daughter’s and my hands were both clammy with apprehension as we proceeded to the next waiting area.

This time we were allowed the spartan comfort of government seating while we each dealt with our individual trepidation. I tried to assure myself that I had indeed sent in my address changes. Why then had they not sent me updated cards for my billfold? And what about monetary fines and penalties for such criminal behavior? My daughter seemed to handle her concern with a little more aplomb than her dad. She continued stalwartly leafing through her driver’s handbook, cramming for the coming examination.

Finally, our alpha-numeric number was electronically displayed on the overhead board. A flashing arrow sign pointed us to the next checkpoint.

“Rebecca Edwards?” a rotund woman asked austerely. After a few words with my daughter the woman softened and turned out to be quite friendly and helpful. I took this as a welcome and auspicious sign of hope for our soon-to-be three hour investment. She requested and then carefully examined the contents of the document package and approved them. “So far, so good,” I ruminated.

“Dad, do you have your IDs?”

I smiled and blithely handed over my two forms of identification, hoping there wouldn’t be any questions about mismatched addresses. She duly noted them on her form, initialed it, and handed them back to me. I was off the hook! I breathed a sigh of relief and things were better already.

My daughter was handed her test papers and instructed to proceed to the ominous testing room. I was handed her information package and driver’s manual to hold while she took the test. Then I was instructed to return to my seat, which I did with alacrity.

A little while later I looked up to see my daughter’s smiling face standing in yet another line. This was the “I’m finished with my test” line. I joined her and we chatted nervously, both hoping she had aced the test.

In line ahead of us was a teenaged young lady looking on as her test was graded. My daughter watched in horror as the woman behind the counter brutally slashed through the hapless teenager’s answer sheet with giant red X’s.

“I’m sorry Hon, but you didn’t pass.”

We looked at each other, both entertaining the same excruciatingly painful idea of having to repeat this nightmare. The young lady ahead of us walked away defeated.

“NEXT!”

My daughter boldly stepped forward and surrendered her answer sheet. She observed with dread as the woman once again began ravenously attacking the incorrect answers with machine-like rapidity. But the ruthless excoriation was curtailed before it went too far.

“You passed,” the woman said with a wan smile. She checked off a few boxes on a form, initialed it, and handed it over to Becky. She was told to proceed to the photo area. We had successfully jumped through the main hoop, but still there were more to come.

We were not disappointed in finding a lack of patrons at our next checkpoint waiting line. However, there was no one behind the counter taking pictures. Finally the lady showed up and resumed her unremitting work load. Fortunately, we only waited a short time before two waiting room seats became available.

This was about the time things began to get out of hand. The man who was counting out twenty people at a time was nowhere to be seen. As a result, people began filing into the building like a relentless column of fire ants. They had been waiting outside in the humidity and heat for at least an hour and were anxious for the much improved environmental conditions inside. The line took on a life of its own and began to wind its serpentine collection of young and old license seekers around to the photo area. The seemingly endless influx of humanity ultimately began to impede the photo taking process. This did not sit at all well with the orderly and explosive photo lady. She was not pleased to see her turf being invaded by the objectionable intruders. In her raucous vocal manner she let them know unequivocally, they were going to have to leave. About that time the “twenty at a time guy” emerged from somewhere and began loudly protesting the unruly mob’s presence.

The assemblage, on the other hand, seemed immune to the ranting of the two county employees. Ensconced in their newfound and much improved surroundings, the individuals in the outside heat and humidity line made no effort in adhering to the strident commands. The shouting continued. The crowd stood its ground. Finally the gentleman began speaking to individuals at the end of the line and ordered them, point-blank to retreat out the door. One of the encroachers, an impertinent gentleman who sported a T-shirt that touted, “Every Woman’s Dream” unleashed his unsettling invective upon the ranting grouper while the others begrudgingly began their reluctant exodus out the door. A recalcitrant customer ambitiously claimed a position in line that was among the remaining twenty. However, the people in line around him had other ideas and made it blatantly clear he was not in their group of twenty. Within minutes the crowd dispersed, leaving the rest of us to ponder the brief skirmish.

Shortly thereafter, my daughter stood before the camera. Her photo was taken and afterwards she returned to her seat. In a few minutes, the machine spat out the restricted driver’s license, which was placed into the hand of one anxious and gleeful teenager. She smiled triumphantly as she examined her new-found prize.

I was happy too because it was time to leave. We made our way through the horde to the entrance. As we opened the front door to make good our escape, we looked into the expectant faces of the outsiders, who forlornly hoped we were there to bid them entrance. When they saw that we were merely exiting, they resumed their mournful vigil and enviously watched our departure.

We had completed the gauntlet successfully! My daughter had received her restricted driver’s license and the three-hour ordeal was history. She climbed behind the wheel of my pickup to drive us home while I considered how long it would be before I would have to return to the driver’s license center. “Perhaps by then we’ll be able to do it online,” I cheerfully envisioned.

Writer's Note: I wrote this almost 20 years ago and found it on my old laptop. Thought I'd share it. Thanks for reading. Hope you enjoyed a laugh or two.   CE

 

Is a Church Building the House of God?

 

How many church services have you been in where you were welcomed into the "House of God." How many prayers have you heard that went something like the following, "Thank you Lord for all these who have come to the House of God this morning..." Have you heard preachers invite you to come to the "Lord's House" when all along they meant come visit their church services? Most readers would admit to hearing this regularly. You hear this in all types of churches, including small country churches as well as large downtown "educated" churches.

Here is the question: Should the Christian refer to his church building as the House of God? In this paper we will examine the evidence and make a determination. The Bible says, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Therefore we will consider no other source for the final ruling on the question.

In the Old Testament the Tabernacle and the Temple were referred to as the House of the Lord, the Temple of the Lord, and the House of God. God's House represented His presence with the Twelve Tribes of Israel. The Tabernacle and later the Temple, were integral elements in God's plan for Israel. Numbers 2 details God's instructions for the Israelite's encampment during their wilderness wanderings. Numbers 3 offers further instructions for the camp layout of the Levites. The reader of Scripture will note that the centerpiece for Israel's camp was the Tabernacle, then the Levites, and then the twelve tribes. This illustrates the fact that Mosaic Law centered around the Tabernacle.

All five of the Levitical offerings were to be offered by the priest at the Tabernacle (Lev. 1-5). All seven of the Feasts of the Lord were centered around the Tabernacle or House of God. The heart of the Tabernacle was the Holy of Holies, where the Ark of the Covenant rested (Ex 36:23). Later when Solomon built the Temple of God and the Israelites were occupying their respective territories, they were to make the trip to Jerusalem three times per year to observe the Feasts of the Lord (Ex. 23:17).

I want to stress the importance of the reader understanding the fact that the Tabernacle and the Temple (the House of God) were for Old Testament Jews who observed Mosaic Law – and NOBODY else. The Jews were God's Peculiar Treasure and were unlike any other people.

When Christ came, He was rejected by the Jews and crucified in Jerusalem. Just before He gave up the Ghost, He uttered, "It is finished." When He said those words the Bible says in Mark 15:38, "And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom." The tearing of the veil represents the end of a period of time when a structure is the House of God. From that point on sinners, redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ would serve as the House of God. In Heb. 9 there are a couple passages that also emphasize this truth. Heb. 9:1 "Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary." Verse 1 associates the "first covenant" or Old Testament, with "ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary." That "worldly sanctuary" is of course the Tabernacle (vss. 2-7). Look at vs. 11: "by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;" In other words, when Christ gave up the Ghost on the cross, He became a better Priest by a greater more perfect Tabernacle. The veil of the Temple was rent from top to bottom at that point, indicating the end of the Jewish Temple and the Mosaic Covenant. For the time being, God was through with the Temple (physical building).

The “House of God” is no longer a physical building or structure. 

Here are several verses from Scripture, which clearly state exactly what the House of God is for this present age:

"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are." (1 Cor. 3:16-17).

1Cor. 6:19, "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?"

Heb. 3:6, "But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end."

1Pet. 4:17, "For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?"

1Cor. 3:16, "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?"

In John 2 Jesus Christ cleansed the Temple of the money-changers and the animal sales reps. "Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body." (Jn. 2:19-21). Over two thousand years have passed since this incident took place and people are still confused. People continue to make the mistake of thinking the Body of Christ is a building made with hands.

There is usually someone who quotes a certain passage from 1 Timothy, which supposedly "proves" a church building is the House of God. Let's take a look at it. "But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth" (1 Tim. 3:15). To use this verse to prove a "church" is a building is an example of circular reasoning. (Circular reasoning is providing evidence for the validity of an assertion, which assumes the validity of the assertion. Example: "Piracy is wrong because it's against the law, and it's against the law because it's wrong.") The passage sited above from 1 Timothy, in essence states, "the house of God is the church." At least when used for an argument that a church building is the house of God. So the one who uses the verse for that reason assumes that "house of God" and "church" are both buildings and ignores the verses quoted earlier in this paper.

Traditions of Men

In the church today there are many traditions that have been handed down from one generation to another. No one ever stops to analyze them, they are simply accepted as the Christian status quo. We are going to step on some toes now. Get ready. Here are some common things found in the church:

·         Sunday School.

·         Sunday night and Wednesday night church services.

·         Easter Sunrise service.

·         Gabriel is an Archangel.

·         Any Christmas service: morning, evening, or Christmas Eve.

·         A steeple on top of the church auditorium.

·         Attending church on Saturday instead of Sunday.

·         No musical instruments allowed in a church service.

·         Stained glass windows in church auditorium.

·         "God won't put on us anymore than we can handle."

·         The Rosary.

·         Static display of a cross inside or outside of a church auditorium.

·         Wearing a cross around the neck as jewelry.

·         Burning candles for the dead.

·         Altar inside a church building.

·         A sign on the outside of a church building door that states, “Ladies, dresses only please.”

There are plenty more, but we'll stop here. These are all quite common and can be found in churches all over this country. They all have two things in common. They have to do with "church" and they are all traditions of men. They are all unfounded in Scripture and as traditions of men go, they will have staunch defenders who will fight for their existence and continuance. However, you will not find support for their existence in the word of God. Because they have no foundation in Scripture does not necessarily mean they are evil. Most church buildings have electric lights, air-conditioning, padded seating, and indoor plumbing and we thank God for these blessings.

In Mark 7 a certain group of Pharisees and scribes approached Jesus Christ and asked why His disciples didn't observe a certain tradition. They said, "Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?" (Mk. 7:5). Christ's response would undoubtedly be considered rude and uncalled for in today's politically correct society. Notwithstanding, Christ's answer is recorded in the following verses: "He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition." (Mk. 7:6-9).

Christ recognized that there is nothing intrinsically wrong with washing your hands before you eat. That was not the basis for His aggressive rebuke. In addition to disrespecting their parents and robbing them under the guise of Mosaic Law, these men held the word of God in contempt. They actually elevated their tradition over Scripture. God is very zealous of His word. "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do." (Heb. 2:12-13).

It is not the purpose of this paper to condemn any church for having a steeple or stained-glass windows. We are pointing out how traditions of men represent a significant part of our modern Christian culture. Additionally, these ideas have been around long enough that some have unknowingly adopted them as being Scripture-based. It is common for people to use the word "church" for a building. For example: "Oh isn't that a pretty country church." Another example: "Turn left at the church and go two miles, then right at the light."

Conclusion

We have given the passages of Scripture proving the Body of Christ (the Church) is not made of concrete, steel, wood, and bricks. The verses sited showed that Christians (those who received Christ as Savior) make up the Body of Christ. We are the Temple of God as well as the House of God.

At the risk of being criticized for writing a paper which some might dismiss as nonessential, unimportant, argumentative, or inconsequential, our response to that is a matter of record: If it's in The Book, it's worth writing about. The final verse in the Gospel of John states, "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen." The subject we covered in this paper was included in the word of God and thus it is worthy of our study. One final verse: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" (1 Tim. 3:16).

 

Follow Christ or Salvation

 

(This paper is an excerpt from my book: "Thoughts and Intents of the Heart" available on Amazon) 

By 

Charlie Edwards, Th.D.

 

Paul wrote, "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables" (2 Tim. 4:3-4). Amos wrote: "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it" (Amos 8:11-12).

Paul knew that in the last days there would be a time when people departed from the words of scripture and gradually drifted farther and farther from the true word of God. Paul isn't referring to the people of the world, at all. Far from it. He wrote his epistles to the church and church leaders! The passage given from Amos, was written in approximately 787 BC. It is a general rule of thumb in scripture that man will naturally drift farther and farther from God. This is revealed over and over again in God's word. The Body of Christ is no different. The world's enticements lure the Born Again Christian just as the lost sinner. A regular daily diet of Bible reading will offset the world's enticements (2 Tim. 3:14-17).

I submit to you that even the Christian that reads his Bible through once per year is on a continual slide from the truth. How does this happen? How is it that Christians unknowingly distance themselves from the truth and turn to fables? Every year new Bible versions are published. What makes each new edition different from the one before is simple: The words have been changed. There is no standard in today's churches. When a pastor reads a passage from scripture in a typical congregation of, say 300 people, there may be a dozen different translations in the hands of the people. Each one is worded differently. This paper is not about Bible translations, but rather the end result of a multitude of translations, all differing one from another.

The scripture says, "The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever" (Psm.12:6-7). God said His words are pure. They have been tried and purified seven times. He said He would keep them and PRESERVE THEM from this generation forever. There is no need to change the words nor is there is any need for another new version of the Bible. God's words are interlinked together. When you change them you break the chain link and miss the truth. One passage interprets another by its words. Isaiah wrote, "Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken" (Isa. 28:9-13). Notice the repetition in the Isaiah passage. This indicates the need to go through it again, and again, and again in order to get the truth. It also indicates that the truths are scattered throughout the scripture and one passage unlocks another as long as you don't change the words.

The modern translations break all the links to truth. How? The words have been changed. Any word that is offensive to this world is immediately removed. This is main reason for the introductory passages given in this paper. This is the reason for Christians turning away from the truth and given to fables. This is why there is a famine in the world from hearing God's words. THEY'VE ALL BEEN CHANGED!

Now let's look at the purpose of this paper. Are you "Following Christ" or are you Saved? Satan never rests. He's always doing his job to fowl up Christians and cause them to wander away from the truth. Simon Peter wrote, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" (1 Pet. 5:8). I must admit that I had not heard the "message" of being a "Christ Follower" until a couple years ago. I guess it's the latest thing in Laodicean Christianity. How is this term used? During a sermon the speaker inquires, "Are you a Christ Follower?" Or, "If you'd like to Follow Christ, please meet with me after the service and I'll share some scripture." What could possibly be wrong with "Following Christ," you ask? Remember we spoke of "words?" Satan is subtle (Gen.3:1) Satan would rather you “follow Christ” than get saved.

Where does "Follow Christ" come from? It is found several times in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. It was a Jewish admonition by Christ as The Jewish Messiah. It was for Jews only. It had to do with John the Baptist’s Gospel of the Kingdom of God that was rejected by the Jews. It had to do with the New Covenant with the House of Israel (Jer. 31:31, Heb. 8:8, 13, 12:24) and NOT the Body of Christ. This New Covenant (Testament) was subsequently rejected by the Jews. It was also before the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ. In plainer words, the Christian’s sin debt had not yet been paid (Heb. 9:16).

In Mark 10 the rich young ruler came to Jesus Christ wanting eternal life (vs. 16). Jesus told him to keep the commandments. The man said he had kept all those since his youth and asked what lack I yet? Then Jesus said, “One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.” After the man walked away Jesus said, “How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!” Again, we see the “follow me” command had to do with the Kingdom Gospel of John the Baptist and NOT Paul’s Gospel of Grace.

The present day "Church" or the Body of Christ get its marching orders or doctrine from Paul's epistles and not the four gospels or The Acts of the Apostles. The Mystery of the Body of Christ was revealed to Paul (Eph. 3:3). The Body of Christ came about as result of Christ's death and resurrection. The "Follow Christ" message was to the Jews largely before Calvary. The exception is John 21 when Christ spoke with Simon Peter. At that point in time the Jews still had opportunity to receive a crucified and resurrected Messiah and the Kingdom of God. It was later rejected again in Acts 7 and 28. This was during the "Apostolic Age" when Christ's apostles (and seventy elders) still had power to do miracles. This period ended with the death of John.

What did Paul say about following Christ? He said, "Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another" (Rom. 14:19). Paul also said, "Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy" (Phil. 3:12). He said, "See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men" (1 Thes. 5:15). Paul also said, "Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us" (2 Thes. 3:9). But not one time did Paul ever said, "Follow Christ" to anyone.

What's wrong with following Christ? Why is it not the message for the lost person in this age? There has to be a point in time when a sinner realizes he is a sinner and on his way to hell. There has to be a change. Simply deciding to follow Christ doesn't necessitate any change. Paul said, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" (Rom. 3:23). "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Rom. 10:13). The message from the pulpit should be, "Are you saved?" Not, "Would you like to follow Christ?" Sometime during the last quarter of 1974 I came to that "point" where I realized I was on my way to hell. I dropped to my knees and begged God to save my retched soul. Thank God there was someone who witnessed to me and told me what the scripture says about salvation. Thankfully they didn’t tell me to follow Christ!

After a sinner gets right with God in salvation, then he is “in Christ.” The Bible says, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit,” (Rom. 8:1). “And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness,” (Rom. 8:10).” “So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another,” (Rom 12:5).  The Christian doesn’t have to follow Christ. Wherever the Christian goes, he is “in Christ.” Jesus Christ is present at all times for the Christian. Let me repeat: The message to the unsaved is salvation through faith in the blood of Jesus Christ and NOT "follow Christ."

Throughout scripture the Holy Spirit gives warnings like the verses at the beginning of this paper. These warnings are given against those who find themselves in the ministry and give the wrong message to the unsaved. We find the following passage in the book of Jude: "Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ" (Jude 3-4).

We are in the last days before the trumpet sounds. These are the days when certain Christian leaders want to get away from the old tried and true message of salvation by the shed blood of Jesus Christ and replace it with something new.

 

Opening Chapter of Caribbean Sentinel

a novel

By Charlie Edwards 

 

Chapter One 

March 1945, North Atlantic Ocean

 

By the forth hour of the watch, the binoculars felt like fifty pounds of iron. Seawater, propelled by twenty-five-knot winds, bit into the sailor’s youthful face. Even the steel bulwark of the conning tower offered little protection against the freezing wind when it came in from the aft as it was that day. His body was stiff with fatigue, and he craved a cigarette. The warm clothing beneath his leather suit was wet and cold.

Was it a spot on the lens or a gull? No. There it is again. “CONTACT!”

“Where?” the watch officer demanded as he turned and searched the aft skies.

“Astern, sir. Aircraft descending.”

It only took a second to confirm the inbound contact. “All hands below!” The lieutenant cupped his hands and shouted into the hatch as the men disappeared below. “ALAAAARM!”

The shout from above woke the control-room mate from his daydream with a jolt. He punched the red button on the bulkhead, activating an alarm bell heard throughout the boat. Every man on board dropped what he was doing and hurried to his assigned battle station.

“Both engines all ahead full, bow planes down thirty degrees,” the voice from below commanded. 

“FLOOD!” Again, the second watch officer shouted while he dogged the tower hatch closed.

A shower of icy seawater cascaded down the ladder, drenching the already soaked and shivering men one more time. Valves opened, and throughout the boat, seawater surged into the ballast tanks, causing the boat to submerge. The young officer followed his three lookouts down the ladder into the control room in a controlled crash on the deck plates. Finding the eyes of the commander, he offered one more warning. “Sunderland dead astern, sir!” 

“Right full rudder,” the commanding officer of U-1066, twenty-eight-year-old Kapitan-Lieutenant Horst Geier barked.

The ashen-faced helmsman and the bow plane operator stared blankly upward, awaiting the Skipper’s next command. Seconds later, the boat shuddered with four thunderous eruptions somewhere above and behind them.  

The aircraft were easier to elude than the corvettes and destroyers, which could remain on station for longer periods of time. With their depth charges and Asdic equipment, they destroyed hundreds of German U-boats. It took exactly fifteen seconds to submerge the boat after the alarm sounded. Just eight days previous, it had taken thirty-three seconds. Geier drilled the crew until they mastered the fifteen-second crash dive.

 “Come right zero six zero degrees. Make your depth one hundred meters. Both engines half ahead, bow planes amidships.” 

Captain Geier made an entry in his logbook while his executive officer repeated the orders to the men in the control room. The helmsman watched the numbers rotate beneath the heading index on the gyrocompass as the U-boat gradually turned to the desired direction. The chief petty officer cranked the valve wheels mounted on the bulkhead and watched the manometer and the bubble indicator in an effort to level the boat off at one hundred meters. Four more explosions rumbled in the distance, and the chief mopped his forehead with his sleeve. 

“Helmsman left to three zero zero. Chief, make your depth fifty meters.”

Each man acknowledged the order and repeated the routine in response to the commander. Once again, they avoided the Allied aircrew’s attempts to sink their vessel.

"Chief, when was your last trim adjustment?"

"Zero six hundred this morning Captain, per the six-hour trim schedule."

"I want to increase frequency to a four-hour schedule. The boat seemed a bit sluggish during the crash dive and we need to keep our trim precise."

"Aye Captain."

The crew had developed a reverential respect for their skipper. He had delivered them from countless critical situations when most thought they were finished. Geier had the uncanny ability to visualize the boat’s position relative to its pursuers, a skill uncommon for younger U-boat commanders.

The ravenous appetite of the Allied war machine in Europe demanded the United States send hundreds of cargo ships in convoy across the Atlantic. The job of the German U-boat flotilla was to put those supplies on the bottom of the ocean before they reached the troops.

When Allied losses became intolerable, hunter-killer groups formed for the express purpose of eliminating the sea of the merciless U-boats. They escorted the convoys and swept the waters with sonar and depth charges in search of their prey. When the underwater menace showed itself, the escorts attacked with relentless firepower and cunning. The hunter-killer groups were so successful that three out of every four German U-boat crewmembers never returned home after the war. 

  Long gone were the glory days of the so-called Wolf Packs in the Atlantic. Early in his career, Geier served as navigation officer then as executive officer. His commanding officers reported his exemplary performance to their superiors, and it was not long before he received his first command. His third patrol in U-1066, Geier decided he liked the improvements incorporated into the VII-C boat. It was one of the newer Type Forty-One models with increased depth capabilities.

Within fifteen minutes, the boat returned to its original course.

“Chief, bring the boat to snorkel depth and commence snorkel operation. Charge forward and aft storage cells,” the captain ordered.

“Aye, sir.”

“Damage reports, Exec?” 

“None reported thus far, sir,” said the executive officer.

With the exception of a few of the youngest crewmembers, who had barely begun to shave, most of the men had a good start on their beards after eight days at sea. The crew had also become used to the odors that were very much a part of life aboard the U-boat. 

The watch officer and his three charges made their way aft to the engine room. After hanging their soaked clothing and leathers to dry in the warm environment of the diesel room, they made their way forward to their respective quarters. They looked forward to dry clothing and a few moments’ repose before returning to watch duty.

  On most of the ninety-day patrols, there were always a few first-time crewmembers. Their youthful countenances reminded Geier of high-school boys. It was his habit to gather them together at some point early on and lecture them on the fundamentals of U-boat warfare. Although their training would come from their immediate officers and shipmates, he always took time to speak to them personally. Usually, the ritual took place in the forward torpedo room.

Of the fifty-man crew on his boat, it was the first patrol for four of the young sailors. Geier gathered them together and explained how the type VII-C U-boat was the most sea-worthy vessel in existence.

“If operated properly,” he explained, “this boat will enable us to sink enemy shipping and get us home safely. Its main strength as an effective weapon of war is stealth. Incumbent upon each of you is knowledge and skill at your particular job, regardless of its nature. Unquestioned obedience to orders from your commanding officers will ensure your safe homecoming.” He paced back and forth as he spoke while his new crewmembers relaxed on the bunks in the cramped compartment. He finished his speech, spent a moment or two with each of the four new crew members, and returned to the control room.

Geier had seen the transformation many times over the years. These boys would face utter terror and teeter on the edge of panic. They would endure the horror of combat in the claustrophobic confines and harsh living conditions of a U-boat. The young men that returned to port would no longer be the pink-cheeked, naïve boys they had once been. Their beards would hide pallid faces and dark, sunken eyes. Their countenances would change forever. Though unable to explain it, the U-boat commander understood it and accepted it. Upon return to port, these young men would be combat-hardened U-boat men.

Just forward of the control room and opposite the radio and sound compartments was the captain’s quarters. Offering a modicum of privacy on the cramped U-boat, the confined nook contained a small writing table, a few built-in cabinets, and a narrow berth. A green curtain separated his compartment from the rest of the boat, and most of the time, it remained open.

They sighted freighters on three different occasions thus far. Each time, the enemy discovered them before they were able to make an approach for a torpedo shot. Geier was responsible for the sinking of numerous cargo vessels. Because of the total freight tonnage sunk, he received the coveted Knight’s Cross upon the return from his first patrol as commander. The enemy, however, was making it increasingly difficult to continue the trend. 

Earlier in the day during breakfast in the officer’s mess, Geier read the radiogram noting three U-boats overdue. The commanders of these boats were all good friends of his. While it was true that sinking Allied freighters was his first priority as a U-boat commander, he had resolved not to place the lives of his crew in unnecessary danger. He read of the Japanese kamikaze pilots and listened to Hitler’s continuous harangue on the subject of “no retreat—fight to the death” but had been unable to embrace the concept with any degree of passion. He believed there were times when it was best to escape with the lives of his crew and return to fight again another day.

Every man aboard his boat, including himself, had family back home in the Fatherland. Many had wives who needed their men and children who needed their fathers. Unlike the leader of Germany, Geier clearly knew the difference between foolishness and valor. Yes, he would continue to sink enemy vessels, but he would also get his men safely home.

 

 

(This book is available on Amazon)

 

My Story of Jesus Christ's Saving Grace 

By 

Charlie Edwards

 

"Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed" (Luke 1:1-4).

This opening statement in Luke's gospel indicates his desire to tell what he knew to be true regarding the three and one-half-year ministry of Jesus Christ. We are also given Matthew's, Mark's, and John's perspective of our Savior's ministry in the New Testament. Most Christians have heard the personal testimony of others who have come to the point in life when they realize their desperate need for Jesus Christ and His saving grace. I'm going to borrow Luke's first four verses as a platform to tell my story. All Christians have a personal testimony of Jesus Christ that should be told. If you are saved, you have a story. This one is mine.

I grew up in Plant City, Florida. My parents had four boys. I was number two. My parents were part of the Greatest Generation. They both served in the military during World War 2. They both worked hard and provided a good home for their sons. They took us to the Episcopal Church, where my brothers and I served as acolytes. We lit the candles, poured the wine, carried the cross, and wore the vestments. That was all the "religion" I knew. I found it extremely boring and later on in high school I no longer had to attend church. I have memories of people approaching me back then and asking me about being "saved" and being "born again." I didn't want to talk to these people and made a habit of ignoring them if ever approached. I remember kids in grade school memorizing Bible verses and earning prizes for their ability to recite the verses. I never participated since I was an "Episcopalian."

At the time of this writing, I've been saved for about fifty years. During those years I have spent much time reading and studying the word of God. There are therefore, certain scripture truths that shape the basis of my testimony. Please allow me to explain. Many times in the Bible God went to great measures to obtain the attention of someone in order to illustrate or pass on a specific truth. Let's look at some of those examples.

In the book of Exodus, God sent Moses to the Israelites in Egypt. His job was to lead them out of Egypt and into the land God promised to Abraham and the Jewish people. Moses confronted the Lord with a very good question. Why should they believe me? I'm just a guy that claims to represent God. The Lord (Exodus 4) assured Moses that the Israelites would indeed believe him because God would perform some spectacular miracles before the Egyptians as well as the Israelites, which would ultimately result in the great exodus of the Jews from Egypt. Paul would later write in1Corinthians 1:22, "For the Jews require a sign…" Throughout the history of the Jewish People, God has shown them signs and miracles so they would believe.

 In Numbers 22-24 there was a prophet named Balaam. This particular prophet was interested more in making a profit of this gift rather than using it for the glory of God. In chapter 22 God told Balaam not to go with the messengers unless they came to him to call him (vs. 20). The men did not come, but he decided he would go to them against God's will (vs. 21). Balaam was ignoring God's words and directives. What follows is the miracle of the ass talking with Balaam. Then in order to get his attention, God allowed Balaam to see the Angel of the Lord holding a drawn sword (vs. 31). God used a miraculous event to get the prophet's attention.

In the book of Jonah, we find Jonah running from God's directive to go preach to the Ninevites (Jonah 1). In his disregard for the Lord's instruction, he boarded a boat and went in the opposite direction of Ninevah. In order to get Jonah's attention, the Lord caused Jonah to be swallowed by a whale (Mt. 12:40), spend three days in the whale's belly, then get vomited out on the coast of Ninevah (Jonah 2:10). If the Lord wants to, He will do whatever it takes to get a person's attention.

Saul of Tarsus hated Jesus Christ and Christians. His job was to round them up, torture, and kill them. The Lord tried to get Saul's attention, but was instead ignored. He watched Philip get stoned to death in Acts 7. Philip said, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge…" (Acts 7:60) and then died. Later in chapter nine God knocked Saul off his feet to the ground and blinded him to get his attention. "And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks," (Acts 9:3-5). The Lord finally got Saul's attention by confronting him with something supernatural that he didn't understand.

I've given these examples of how God gets the attention of people in order to open their eyes or heart, and pass on certain truths.

In October of 1971 Walt Disney World opened up in Central Florida. I went to work there in March of 72. One of the attractions I worked was called, "If You Had Wings." While working at "Wings" I met a young lady named Karen who also worked there. She always had a sweet and kind spirit about her. Never did I hear a negative word from her about anything or anyone. Since she wore a wedding ring I just assumed she was a happily married young lady. She just seemed to radiate some sort of well-being and serenity. She was always a ray of sunshine.

 One day I had lunch with Barbara (another girl that worked at Wings) and somehow Karen's name came up. Barb told me that Karen's husband was a United States Marine Corps pilot. She went on to say that he had recently been killed in a plane crash. I was stunned, completely taken aback. I simply could not believe what I had just heard. I thought she had to be talking about someone else. I said to Barb, "No, I'm talking about our coworker, Karen!" Barb assured me that it was indeed, Karen she was talking about. 

I was dumbfounded. I couldn't understand how the person I knew could carry all the brokenness and pain that would accompany the tragic loss of a spouse in the way that she did. I didn't get it. I couldn't put it all together. In my thinking, she should have been withdrawn, remorseful, melancholy, angry, and passive. But Karen was none of those. She was genuinely sweet, kind, caring, gentle, and at peace with the world. She had something supernatural that I didn't have. And I had no idea what it was. Later on I would learn that she was a Christian and it was Jesus Christ that dwelt in her heart.  Looking back, the Lord used this young lady to "knock me off my feet" just like He did with Saul of Tarsus. God used Karen to get my attention.

It wasn't long after this that I left Disney and went to work for General Telephone Company. I had finished tech school and went to work as an inside equipment tech in Lakeland, FL. There were two other techs that befriended me and began witnessing to me about Jesus Christ. But this time I didn't tell them to back off. I listened to what they had to say. They quoted scripture verses to me. They gave me the scriptures and told me how to be saved. I listened! They invited me to their church. They were relentless. God was working on me. 

One night in my apartment I dropped to my knees and prayed. I asked Jesus Christ to forgive me of my sins and save my wretched soul. Nothing happened (that I knew of). I didn't see any lights. I didn't hear any bells. I didn't hear any angelic choir. I didn't feel any tingling. Nothing!  I went to work the next day and didn't mention this to anybody. Two weeks went by. Then one night I was working with one of my two buddies in the downtown GTE building on the SATT and 102 Directory floor. It was break time. He asked me if it was okay if he read to me some of his New Testament. I said "Sure." He then read all twenty-one verses of Revelation 19. As he read those verses something supernatural took place within me. That's the only way I can explain it. The hair on the back of my neck was standing straight up. Goose pimples were all over my arms and neck. I had never before heard the words he read. It was as if the words kindled a fire in my soul. I didn't say anything to my friend, just kept it to myself.

Later that night we got off about midnight. I remember walking down Tennessee Avenue in downtown Lakeland, Florida to the parking lot by Lake Morton. The sky was crystal clear with a million stars in view. I was thrilling to the fact that God had just revealed Himself to me. What had happened to me two weeks earlier was real! He was real! He was now my Savior! He heard my pathetic plea for mercy and salvation! I was experiencing the reality of a new birth in Jesus Christ. My life drastically changed in subsequent weeks and months. I experienced joy unspeakable and happiness in Christ.

I showed up at my two friend's church the following Sunday. I walked down the aisle after the sermon and made a public profession of my faith in Jesus Christ. Later, I joined that church. The Lord truly works in mysterious ways. He used the quiet and unassuming testimony of a grieving young widow to get my attention, knock me off my feet to the ground, and realize my need for a supernatural God. Then He used two coworkers get the Gospel of Jesus Christ to me. Paul said, "And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God" (1 Cor. 2:3-5).

I know of another beautiful young lady that God is currently using as a powerhouse of His Grace. She was diagnosed with bone cancer recently. She went through the ravages of Chemo and then a long surgery to replace part of her pelvis. With all the procedures, ports, PT, Pain management, et al, she still radiates the love of Christ to others. Her husband and children are right there with her with their love and support. From her wheelchair she sings with our Praise and Worship Team on Sundays. Another powerful testimony of Jesus Christ's love and grace. I can't help but wonder how many people she has unknowingly reached for Jesus Christ since the beginning of her journey.

While we're busy living our lives through good times and bad, we never know the effect that we have on others around us. I've learned that God is always on the lookout for opportunities to use our pain, whether emotional or physical, to have a profound impact on another individual. Paul said, "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong" (2 Cor. 12:10). To God be the glory. James wrote, My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing (James 1:2-4).

If by chance there is someone reading this testimony that does not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ: You don't have to wait to be knocked down on your back like Saul. You simply need to understand a few basic truths:

·         Everyone is a sinner, Romans 3:23.

·         The penalty for sin is death and hell, Romans 6:23

·         Christ paid that debt on the cross, Ephesians 2:16, Philippians 2:8

·         Anyone that calls upon the Lord for salvation will not be turned down, Romans 10:13

·         Religion and "going to church" can't pay your sin debt. Jesus Christ is the only One who can save you, Acts 4:12.

          Therefore, since you are a sinner, you owe a sin debt. Jesus paid that debt. You must now accept Him as your Savior by faith. Simply pray and ask Him to save you right now.