An Army story. Forced religion

[solo1]

The discussion about the Sabbath made me remember a true happening when I was in Korea.

Our medical platoon was stationed above the farm line and the 38th, the cease fire of July 27th was in effect so things were better.

We had movies occasionally and I managed, as the mail guy, to pick up the Movie "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes' for the troops.  It was a new movie , 1953, with Marilyn Monroe. Everyone was looking forward to it.

The 16mm projector was set up in the mess hall tent. and we had a FULL tent.  Did I mention that we had a brand new replacement guy that was determined to convert us to his religion. He just couldn't keep his mouth shut. He was calling us all sinners and we should repent.  Any way, as soon as Marilyn showed us why she was so popular in the movie. this dummy got up, obstructed the view, and told us we were worshiping 'graven images'    Needless to say, that didn't go over very well.

Although this guy was warned, he continued with his spiel.  After a few weeks, there were three guys who became his buddies (or at least he thought so).  They decided that they would show him a great time.  They persuaded our captain to write a trip ticket to Uijongbu, for purposes of a 'work detail'

Now Uijongbu was noted for a surplus of booze and 'women of the night'  These 'buddies' took this straight laced GI to Uijongbu. 

When he came back, he was changed. His 'missionary work' was forgotten, as was his self proclaimed morals. His new found vocabulary was no longer suitable and neither was his outlook in life. He was tested beyond his false faith.

A classic example of what not to do in the service. I've often wondered if he brought his new found life back home with him.

I have a profound belief. I will not attempt to force my Faith on anyone unless they ask. I also will not 'bad mouth' any other Faith or those who do not believe.

[Gavin_Sons]

Good story Wayne 
There are so many that claim to be so religious but when tested they fail miserably. This is why i can no longer be associated with an organized religion. Too many fake people that go and judge you.

[Jess from VA]

I suppose this guy's conversion to be an ordinary sinner was easier on him than the whipping that was otherwise inevitably coming his way.

[Serk]

Thanks for the story Wayne, love your history lessons.

I suppose this guy's conversion to be an ordinary sinner was easier on him than the whipping that was otherwise inevitably coming his way.

I was thinking the same thing, though that was the direction it was going, but I admit I like the method utilized far better.

[Robert]

Great story but I wonder how many testimonies we could hear just the opposite, my own included. I once was lost but now I'm found, was blind but now I see.

I personally am not blind to the things of the world, actually I was to well acquainted with them it was when I came to the end of myself and my ideas that  the Lord rescued me, maybe even from death.

 I was just talking to someone about that idea, that men without life experience go into something that they have no idea whats really in the world yet preach morals and laws and destroy lives in the processes. I really hate religion, it stopped me for so many years from knowing the truth.

I guess your story was exactly what is wrong with the churches today.

People who have managed to make it in life are the ones that are sanctimonious and don't want to yield, its the damaged vessels that know how bad things can get. They come out of fear and love of the Lord and are grateful to His provision, protection and planning. In that He has never failed me.

The word of God is a key not a sledge hammer.

Ok you like stories how about this,

I had gotten myself into a spot that was going to take some time to get out of. I was not able to do anything and had lost a house, 3 cars, wife, and become seemingly public enemy number one. This was going on for a while and my fiancee at the time was not my wife at that time who I was divorcing but is my wife now. So my fiance calls me and says where are we going to live?  I was not in a position to answer that with no money, no ability to make money, lost over a million dollars and going through a divorce from the other wife.

Well time was coming when I needed a place to stay. I thought to myself, how is this going to work and yet I really wasn't worried. I didn't understand why but just knew it was going to be ok. Well just when things seemed to be critical my fiancees dad said lets go house hunting. He was not really happy with me and didn't know me, but just out of thin air said that to his daughter.

Well they went out and started to look for houses after a couple of look sees they found 2. One was the one he liked and the other was the one she liked. So they made an offer on both and said what ever one comes through is the one that was it. Now she calls me and tells me all of this and I already knew it was the house that she liked that would be our house. Well sure enough the house that he liked went for over market and the house that she liked was the one we live in today. Her father came up with the down payment and I picked up the payments just as they started even though in her signing for the house I had no way to make a living at that point. When I asked her father why he did it he said the Lord said to do it.

It has taken time to straighten out the mess that was me and it was not because anything on my part except the will to spend time with the Lord and listen and follow that got me to the point I am today.

I have so many stories for myself and the people saved by the Lord through me and the miraculous stories that I am so grateful for my saved life and others that He allowed to be saved through me.

Everyday when I come into work and look at the gates in front of the property, I remember the man sitting in the tow truck crying. When I asked him why he remembers and is thankful for the day he was saved outside a garage in a car port. This man was a bouncer at a strip club and knew the owners really well. Today he is married has kids that are A students and he contributes it all to that day when God showed mercy and grace upon him.

[solo1]

I'm not sure if a blanket condemnation of the various religious 'churches' is fair.  I kinda try to base my observations on actions.  There are friends in my church that, to me, demonstrate what our Faith is all about. for example, we have a group that goes to Kenya every August to help spread the word by doing: building, doing electrical, digging wells, etc, and giving of their time and treasures to make things better(on their own dime) with no emphasis on 'commercials' if you know what I mean,.  I think that indeed, actions speak louder than words. I see members helping other members without proclaiming' look at me!!!"   However, I see some that seem to be all words and no action too.

Jes some thoughts.

I want to add one more thought.

 Martin Luther said that we are NOT saved by good works but that if we believe, good works will follow..  Here's the Catch...................It's up to us to figure out why people perform good works.  Is it good works that follows Faith or is it "Look at Me!"

I, for one, am reminded of a lady rider from Lansing, Mi. who donated a kidney.  To me, that's good works because of Faith.

Then I think of the politicians that approve spending money (ours)on a pet project and then saying "Look at me!"

[Robert]

I'm not sure if a blanket condemnation of the various religious 'churches' is fair.  I kinda try to base my observations on actions.  There are friends in my church that, to me, demonstrate what our Faith is all about. for example, we have a group that goes to Kenya every August to help spread the word by doing: building, doing electrical, digging wells, etc, and giving of their time and treasures to make things better(on their own dime) with no emphasis on 'commercials' if you know what I mean,.  I think that indeed, actions speak louder than words. I see members helping other members without proclaiming' look at me!!!"   However, I see some that seem to be all words and no action too.

Jes some thoughts.

I want to add one more thought.

 Martin Luther said that we are NOT saved by good works but that if we believe, good works will follow..  Here's the Catch...................It's up to us to figure out why people perform good works.  Is it good works that follows Faith or is it "Look at Me!"

I, for one, am reminded of a lady rider from Lansing, Mi. who donated a kidney.  To me, that's good works because of Faith.

Then I think of the politicians that approve spending money (ours)on a pet project and then saying "Look at me!"

 

[Robert]

Another story

My nephew was lost, young 20 had a horrible thing happen to him that left his life a void.

As kids do they were going down 95 not being bad just driving with his girlfriend and his best friend and her girlfriend, when a driver in a truck cut over clipping the suv and turning it over. As it rolled down 95 the girls were flung out of the vehicle and one was killed. This changed him and the guilt and shame that came upon him was killing him. It took a couple of years with therapy and help he managed to function enough to live a semi normal life.

One day though he had an appointment with the Lord.

He came to my place of business and he admitted he didn't want to come and was trying everything he knew to not be there. But the Lord kept him coming and when he arrived I knew it was not for the purpose he came. I had never spent much time with him in the past, I knew of him and we made small talk but really didn't know him.

As we were talking that day the Lord impressed upon me to start speaking to him and tell him the things God had for him and that life could be what he imagined from a boy. He gave his heart to the Lord that day got filled with the Holy Spirit and his life radically changed. In that meeting he said he always wanted to be a preacher and also be in the military. I thought ok we will see where this goes. once someone is saved its the Lord that directs them from there.

He had a job selling flooring and was going out with a girl but just couldn't gain any traction in life with the past hanging over him. Well from that day forward we prayed and he would talk to me about things that were going on in life and business and his heart. He knew the Lord was directing him and wanted to know the Lord more and more. He is a bright kid, devoted and goal oriented. As time went on for about 3 years we would talk a many times a week and he was gaining confidence and the Lord was teaching and revealing things to him and the change was like night and day.

The guilt and shame and weakness to move changed and he was able to make choices that were good and one day he says I am going to go to school at the Assemblies of God. I thought wow what a change and still didn't know were this would lead since he still had the wish for the military.

In school he learned the bible received his pastors ship and was a full accredited minister for the Assemblies of God. He met a girl and they were going to be married, he didnt have money for a wedding or dress and she entered a contest and won that was for a full wedding. I cant tell you how many other things happened that were a blessing like winning the contest for him but one day he comes to me and says I want to go into the military.
 
I was like really, I mean really and I tried to discourage him since I knew his calling and how God was using him but he went in the military as a Chaplin. To cut to the story short he is a Ranger and goes with his men in places the Rangers go

He sent me pics of the men kneeling down in prayer and presence of the Lord is touching each one. Its so moving to see a life changed like this. He now has 2 kids a lovely wife and is a chaplain in the military and God is with him. He has seen people healed, lives changed and people saved.

Sorry for the spelling or mistakes I dont have the time to fully lay out the story but just wanted to lay out another story for those who like them that show what the Lord has done.