This Soldier Did Lay Down His life for Someone Else

The Big Red One - First Infantry Division - a true account of WWII

During World War II there were many young soldiers. One of those soldiers was Frank Johnson. When the war ended Frank wrote a book called 'One More Hill'. One of the soldiers mention extensively in the book is my husband's uncle Tech/Sgt. Gerald Henderson. Gerald was killed D-day. My husband Jerry was born 2 days later and named after Gerald.

Frank's book was recently published again and is now available at http://firstdivisionmuseum.org/publications/ordering/default.aspx#one_more_hillt

This edition contains some maps and photos not in the older copy that I have.

Frank passed away this year, so we are minus on more soldier from WW2. 

Here is the article about Tech. Sgt Gerald Henderson - Lieutenant Johnsons good friend and my husbands uncle.

Gerald’s Story – A Tribute to Valor
This soldier really did lay down his life for his friends.
By Barbara Henderson

John 15:13

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

June 6, 1944... So long ago, on a beach so far from the heartland of America, the course of history was changed. The liberation of Europe began, and the life of T/Sgt. Gerald Henderson ended.
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This is the report of his death given when the Distinguished Service Cross was awarded/accepted by his family after the war ended.

“For extraordinary heroism against the enemy on June 6, 1944, in Normandy France, on D-day, Technical Sergeant Henderson, while exposed to intense enemy artillery, mortar, machine-gun, and small arms fire, heroically supervised the unloading of men and vehicles from his landing craft. Observing that a vehicle from an adjoining landing craft had stalled, he voluntarily drove a truck along the fire swept beech, plunged into the water, and fastened a cable to the vehicle. After towing it safely to shore, he personally carried two wounded occupants to safety and rendered first aid. He returned to the beach and amid bursting shells and devastating small arms fire, courageously continuing his rescue work. While carrying a wounded soldier across the beach to a position of safety a shell landed near this valiant soldier fatally wounding him. His heroic achievements in the initial landing resulted in the saving of many lives and much vital equipment. The self sacrificing devotion to duty, personal bravery and valorous leadership displayed by Technical Sergeant Henderson exemplified the highest tradition of the armed forces. (Auth GO 92, HQ, 21st US Army, 18th infantry, antitank company)”
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I wonder about the men he carried to the safety of the cliffs. I wonder if they knew Gerald in the first place or if they were just strangers in need of help. I wonder if they survived the war. Did they have children already who would have lost their father that day. Were they married? Did their mothers learn that their sons were saved, but Gerald's mother lost her son that day?

And mostly I wonder what these men did with the rest of their lives? Since Gerald's life was cut short so their lives could run a natural course, did they feel any obligation to live their lives in a way that would make Gerald think his sacrifice was worth it that day?

Today, other soldiers are fighting all over the globe. It isn't called a world war this time, but it surely appears to be one. And I know bravery and self sacrifice are not limited to any one generation. There are soldiers today who may wish things were different, but never the less, they will do their duty to the highest measure necessary.  I thank God for these brave soldiers and their sacrifices.

But bravery and self sacrifice are not limited to the battlefield. That is just the obvious place people look for such heroism. In truth, bravery worthy of the highest honor is present all around us, in all levels of society, economics, and cultural variances. The character that allows such bravery to defy extreme adversity is built daily in the lives of men and women and children who just get up and do what is required of them every day.

'One More Hill' is the very appropriate title of the book detailing Frank Johnson's days in the First Infantry Division, and the life of Gerald 'Pappy' Henderson. One more hill could be the theme for anyone facing difficult times and situations. They do their duty, get up, and climb one more hill.  They may be in the military, but they may be from many other professions and callings.  What they have in common is  sense of duty that pulls them forward under the most trying circumstances. 

Most days it isn't that hard. Some days it is very hard. And on that occasional day when doing one's duty seems impossible, the individual who has already set the habit of "just getting the job done" will just get the job done that day as well.

I have heard the question, "Have you thanked a vet today?" asked many times over the years. I suppose the question is supposed to make us think of the price paid for our freedom and the American way of life. Of course veterans deserve our thanks.  But how would you thank the veterans who did not return? A proper tribute is in the way each of us lives our lives. There are three things everyone who lives with the blessing of freedom should do.

First, remember that the freedom of a nation depends on the blessings of God, and the people God uses most often to secure and maintain our freedom are those serving in the military.

Second, only accept the boundaries in our lives that are imposed by God and national laws that do not contradict God's law. This means DO love God, keep the commandments, treat others the way you want to be treated, be moderate, and be modest. It also means DO NOT allow your self to be ruled by political correctness, social acceptability, or peer pressure. These things will only add unnecessary complications to your life and hinder you from doing whatever God actually has for you to do.

Third, lay down your life. Surrender to God. True surrender means agreeing to do what God asks of you before you actually know what it is. Then it means doing what you know to do every day. The husband and father who provides for his family often has to set aside many personal wants and ambitions to do what is best for his family. The mother who cares for her children 24 hours a day has to lay down things she wants to do in order to do what needs to be done. The child who obeys his or her parents will set aside their own desire in order to be obedient. Just do your duty - in full measure. What ever your race is for the day - just do it as well and cheerfully as possible.

In full surrender to God, and consistent completion of duty - you will come to realize that your fulfillment could not be greater, and your joy will only grow greater. You will be taking full advantage of the freedom provided by God, and all those He used to provide your freedom. You will effectively have "thanked a vet" by the way you live your life.

Gerald's Song
Our freedom was bought by soldiers of honor, who sleep in the valley of the shadow of death.
Now weeping endures for the night but God promised, joy comes in the morning with a trump and a shout.

I'll see you tomorrow when the trumpet shall sound, the death song from sorrow to victory resounds.
Grave clothes all changed for white robes and crowns, I'll see you and know you when the trumpet shall sound.

Your face in the picture, your laugh in my mind, all fade and grow dimmer one day at a time.
The words on the tombstone may weather away, but your name is on the Father's hand awaiting that day.

I'll see you tomorrow when the trumpet shall sound, the death song from sorrow to victory resounds. Grave clothes all changed for white robes and crowns, I'll see you and know you when the trumpet shall sound.
Our redemption was bought by God's son the Savior, crucified, buried, but rose up the third day.
Ascended to heaven to be with the Father, but coming back to receive us with a trump and a shout.

I'll see you tomorrow when the trumpet shall sound, the death song from sorrow to victory resounds.
Grave clothes all changed for white robes and crowns, I'll see you and know you when the trumpet shall sound.

I wrote these lyrics - but I need someone to write music to go with the lyrics.
Thanks,

Is Telling the Truth Important to You?

Compelled to Tell the Truth

Barbara Henderson

In today’s world the truth and nothing but the truth seems to be only important to those attempting to discredit, change, and ridicule the actual pure truth.  Everywhere, from the highest authority to the lowliest human being, the truth will always be ‘spun’ in a particular direction. It is adjusted in a way to make someone look better than they are and someone else look worse than they are.  It is frustrating to those who love the truth.  Ultimately, the truth makes life simpler for everyone. If the unvarnished truth is told in the first place there is no need to revise statements or even remember anything except the truth.  The truth is important to everyone, but it is especially important to Christians.  Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life.  No one gets to God the father except through Jesus Christ the Son.  We are compelled to speak this truth because:

1.  People are in danger of hell.  If they don’t hear the truth about the situation how will they come to understand their danger? How will they come to understand that they personally have a choice. The power to cast a soul into hell belongs to God Almighty alone.  God has given His authority to no earthly spokesperson, teaching, or so-called holy book.  Scripture is very clear on that matter.  The truth of the Bible is far more important than ‘getting along’ with those who either reject the Bible and its teachings, those who wish to blend the Bible teachings into other theologies, or those who have never heard the gospel preached or taught.  People are still in danger of hell. The most compassionate thing for those who know the truth is to tell the truth.

2.  Telling the truth reinforces the truth.  Those who know the truth need to hear it often.

3.  There is danger of error slipping in when Christians don’t know the truth.  The danger is always with us because Satan (or his followers) is always with us.

4.  The baton of faith must be passed on to the next generation.  It begins in the family, but it is not excluded to the family. 

5.  The truth compels Christians to speak.  The mouth of a true believer will ultimately not be silenced. 

6.  God requires us to speak the truth. Obedience demands that we speak up.

7.  The world is full of deceivers.  They speak lies boldly.  Sometimes they speak lies not only boldly, but also knowingly and willingly.  The balance to their lies is for Christians to tell  the truth. 

8. Unsound doctrine leads to unsound living.  When even small things that offend God are accepted as permissible in a church, then members of that church will incorporate those things into their personal lives.  When liberal lines are drawn between avoiding certain things of the world and accepting others, people will take it seriously and actually do what they want to believe is allowed.  I won’t get into immodest clothing, gutter language, or alcohol use, because I think these things stem at least in part from unsound doctrine.  Unsound doctrines being taught currently include errors in the Bible, accepting traditions of man above scripture, new ‘revelations’, and results prove success.  I especially hate the ‘results prove success’ error because it leads people to believe that if a church is growing that it is automatically doing the will of God and preaching the truth.  The social gospel currently being preached by so many churches sets transforming society above preaching the absolute truth of scripture.  I would ask these so-called preachers of the gospel to please admit they are not working for Jesus Christ and call themselves something else. Surely they could come up with some sort of noble sounding name, get tax exemptions, and openly adore their god of humanism without dragging Christianity through the sewer with them.  Of course they aren’t going to do that because they are undercover operatives for their father the devil. Their job is to make their false gospel appealing to whatever people are wanting.  For those who want earthly prosperity there is the prosperity gospel.  For those seeking a path to God that doesn’t involve the work of Christ at Calvary, there is the salvation by works gospel.  Entrance into heaven through rituals and traditions is offered in many varieties, so people wanting to get to heaven that way have lots of choices in the actual rituals or traditions from which to choose.

9.  Error builds on error.  It is sort of like fungus and mold growing on top of rotten vegetables.  It is not trivial when you are trying to find an edible potato, and there is no trivial error in doctrine. 

Charles Spurgeon said, ‘Discernment is being able to tell the difference in right and almost right.’ (paraphrased).    

10.  Christians should find themselves compelled to live the truth in addition to being compelled to tell the truth.  The honest truth can be spoken continually, but it will have little effect when the speaker is obviously not living according to what he/she is speaking.  I have seen some people who are able to speak the truth live utterly degenerate lives.  It is almost as though they believe they have the right to break a few rules because of their ‘service’ to the Lord.  They are reprehensible, and the damage they do is incalculable. It is blasphemy to claim to be a Christian and not act like a Christian!

The world in which we live is becoming more and more anti-Christian/anti-Christ.  I believe part of the nature of a practicing Christian is to want peace.  We want peace with those around us.  We want world peace.  Confrontation is hard, because confrontation is definitely not peaceful!  The Bible actually says, ‘Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.’ (Psalm 34:13)  Christians need to remember that this is speaking within the context of things allowed and dis-allowed in the instructions given to us in the Bible. 

Ezra 9:12 gives us definite instructions when it comes to actually joining with those who are not followers of God Almighty. It says, ‘Now therefore give not your daughters unto their sons, neither take their daughters unto your sons, nor seek their peace or their wealth for ever: that ye may be strong, and eat the good of the land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children for ever.’  The Bible could not be any clearer on this subject. Christians are not to join with the ungodly even though they live amongst them!

However, God understands that we live in the world and in places that are certainly not considered godly.  In Jeremiah 29:7 we are told, ‘And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the Lord for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.’

We are not to become part of the world.  We are not to join ourselves with the enemies of Christ in order to make peace or to do good or to make our own lives easier.  We are to seek the peace of the place where we live, because when there is peace in our land, we the people of the land are also at peace.  The best possible way to seek peace where we live is to pray that individuals including national leaders personally make peace with God Almighty.  We are also to speak out regarding Jesus Christ and the peace that passes understanding through Christ alone.  Obviously, those who reject Christ are not going to be peaceful with those who choose Him!  However, peace between Christians and non-Christians based on ‘mutual likes and things in common’ is not true peace.  It is a prelude to war.

Those who follow false religions are always someone other than meets the eye.  The leaders especially are going to talk one way and live another way.  You cannot trust them.  They do not love the truth.  They love their own way.  To these people you should speak the truth when the opportunity arises.  However, it is not your job to become associated with them in any way other than evangelism. Don’t hang around with them in the hope of converting them. Don’t listen to their counsel because they are not wise.  Don’t join with them in ‘worthy causes’.  In other words, we are not to attempt to find common ground with false teachers and religions; because there is no common ground.  Finding common ground with Christianity and false religions is an attempt to find commonalities between heaven and hell.  There are no commonalities.  It is also cowardly.  Fear of peer censure is not an excuse to go along with what God clearly states as wrong.  The desire to ‘get a job done’ or ‘make a difference’ on your own time table is not a valid reason to join forces with someone attempting to accomplish something that sounds like a good idea to you. 

Never forget the first book of Psalms.  The blessed man does not ‘walk in the counsel of the ungodly’ – he doesn’t even go near enough to them to pay attention to what they are saying.  If they are scorning God Almighty there is nothing worthwhile that they can say.  There is not ‘good in all religions’.  All people are not ‘going to the same place’. The blessed man ‘does not stand in the same place as sinners’ – he doesn’t stop to chat with them.  And the blessed man never sits down with the scornful.’  He never gets comfortable with the enemies of Christ!

Up to this point all of history from creation to this very hour and second could be called a ‘prelude to the final battle’.  We are not going to change the fact that Armageddon is coming, but when that mighty and horrible day of battle arrives, there will be specific individuals on God’s side who are there because specific Christians spoke honestly and freely when an opportunity to tell the truth arose. Every soul is important to God. Every Christian is important to God.  The actions of every individual believer matters to God and they matter to those they know, love, and even those they only know causally.  How we behave matters.  What we say matters.  We are compelled to tell the truth because the truth matters. 

Thank you for reading my article.

Barbara

What is Your Favorite Line in the Lord's Prayer?

What is Your Favorite Line in the Lord’s Prayer?

Barbara Henderson

I know some of you will immediately either have a favorite line, or you will want to tell me that it isn’t really the Lord’s prayer.  It is the ‘Disciples Prayer’, or the ‘Model Prayer’.  For the point of this article you can name the prayer whatever you feel is correct.  Regardless of what we call it, it is an incredibly important passage of scripture.  Matthew 6:9-13 gives us a wonderful marvelous example of how we are to pray.

.  : Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

(Don’t you sometimes wonder how God can say so much with such a small number of words?)

Whether you are reading these words or have them memorized, I am sure you know what a wonderful gift this example prayer is to all mankind.  Every phrase is precious and filled with comfort and hope.

It is marvelous that Christians can call Almighty God ‘Our Father’.  It is proper to hallow His name.

To pray ‘they kingdom come’ is exciting and peaceful at the same time. 

‘They will be done in earth as it is heaven’ reminds us that God knows what to do all the time.

‘Give us this day our daily bread’ is probably the line most fervently prayed most of the time. 

I love the ‘forgive us debts,’ but the part that says ‘as we forgive our debtors’ is harder to love. 

And then the last part, ‘lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,’ covers everything regarding safety, health, prosperity, and the welfare of our souls.

‘Thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory for ever.  Amen.’  This reminds us that God has the power, the authority, the resources, and everything else He needs to provide for us and keep us from falling.

So, what is your favorite part?  As it turns out ‘thy will be done’ is my favorite line.  I think people in general are somewhat afraid of this line because it seems to bring thoughts of suffering.  Christ prayed ‘not my will but thine’ before He went to the cross. And sometimes God’s will takes one of His children through some horrific suffering, pain, and sorrow.  On the other hand, God’s will often takes His children to wonderful blessings.

Jeremiah 29:11-13  says, ‘For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

12. Then shall ye call upon Me, and ye shall go and pray unto Me and I will hearken unto you.

13.  And ye shall seek Me and find Me when ye shall search for Me with all your heart.’

It is never God’s will that one of His children is hurt or suffers simply for the sake of hurting them or causing them to suffer.  There is always a purpose and a plan in what we are going through.  I will be the first to admit that in the midst of a trial I seldom see the purpose, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a purpose. 

God know how to give good gifts.  Luke 11:9-13 says,

‘9.  And I say unto you: ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

10.  For every one that asketh receiveth, and he that seeketh findeth, and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

11. “If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?

12.  Or if he shall ask for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?

 13. If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the holy Spirit to them that ask Him?”

2 Chronicles chapter 20 tells the story of a mighty army advancing against Jerusalem.  The king proclaimed a fast and begged God for help.  And he said, ‘neither know we what to do, but our eyes on upon thee.’

That seems to be the state in which many of us find ourselves on an almost constant basis.  Yes, we do know to live within the boundaries set by God, but we often don’t know exactly how to respond to particular situations.  We just don’t know what to do.  That is the time we look to God and say, ‘Thy will be done.’ 

Bless the Lord; He does know what to do all the time.  There are many things we don’t know how to do, but we trust others to know how to do them.  We don’t worry about it.  Most of the time we don’t even think about it.  Specialties include doctors, dentists, plumbers, electricians, mechanics, bakers, carpenters, pilots, programmers, and many other professions.  At some point we trust the professionals to do specific jobs for us and to keep things running smoothly in general.  These people know what to do.  They know how to get the job done.  We don’t have to give them instructions.  In fact, if we do attempt to give them instructions we usually just slow down progress.  We also trust people who may not be called a specific professional to get a job done.  These are just people who get things done.  You simply delegate authority and let them worry about the details. What a relief that can be!  How much more should we be willing to turn things over to God and let Him take care of the details?

When we pray ‘They will be done’ we are acknowledging that God actually knows what to do in all situations and in particular situations.  Finally – Someone knows what to do.

We are acknowledging that God knows how to give good gifts to His children.  That means to each of His precious children.  His will brings you to the best outcome with the least amount of stress possible.  Obviously this doesn’t prevent trouble. 

Job 14:1 “Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble.

Psalm 90:10 ‘The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off and we fly away.’

When we pray ‘Thy will be done’ we are taking the path of least resistance as we go through this life.  We are also taking the best path.  Our perfect world is not on this earth, so no matter what we pray perfection is not going to be the outcome.  However, there will be blessings and joy.  It makes very good sense to surrender our lives to God’s will.  He loves us, and He doesn’t make mistakes. 

Rejoice in the Lord – He makes no mistakes (Ron Hamilton)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iJLgasicRI

 God never moves without purpose or plan

 When trying His servant and molding a man.

 Give thanks to the LORD though your testing seems long;

 In darkness He giveth a song.

I could not see through the shadows ahead;

 So I looked at the cross of my Savior instead.

 I bowed to the will of the Master that day;

 Then peace came and tears fled away.

Now I can see testing comes from above;

 God strengthens His children and purges in love.

 My Father knows best, and I trust in His care;

 Through purging more fruit I will bear.

O Rejoice in the LORD

 He makes no mistake,

 He knoweth the end of each path that I take,

 For when I am tried

 And purified,

 I shall come forth as gold.

‘Soul Wars Trilogy’ books one and two are now available on Kindle.  I need six kind reviews.  Thank you.