Live Free From The World

Live Free From The World…

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me…

As many of you know, I am constantly telling you to stay focused on Jesus and let the world go by. I also push 1 Corinthians 13 a lot because it is the love chapter of the Bible and, to me, one of the most important passages in the Bible, along with Psalm 23.

I often hear people ponder about what heaven must be like and complain about how hard life is here on Earth. So today, I am going to talk about my life a bit, tell you about Heaven here on Earth, and explain how these chapters help us, as Christians, to live our life as we are in Heaven.

A little over 50 years ago, September 9, 1971, on what turned out to be my last mission in Vietnam, my spotter and I rescued six American servicemen from a prison camp. Needless to say, the Vietnamese were not very happy with us, and they sent a troop looking for us. We radioed for a pickup at a designated site, but the North Vietnamese were waiting for us and shot down the Hueys, killing our rescue group and destroying our radio, so we had no other choice than to hike back. It was a five day trip back from North Vietnam to DaNang where our main camp was.

It was the end of the fifth day, and we were closing in on the camp from the backside. Me and one of the rescued ones were brushing the trail while the rest of the group went on ahead. As we approached the camp, the serviceman accidentally tripped on a wire to a Claymore mine, setting it off. I was caught with the outside edge of it.

It blew into the right side of my body, tearing my right arm almost out of its socket and ripping into the right side of my scull. I was the lucky one. My rescued serviceman was killed.

Needless to say, the explosion raised alarms in the camp, and several Marines appeared with rifles raised. They picked me up and packed me back to the camp where the medics attended to me. I had lost a lot of blood, and they worked hard to save me.

I am told they thought they lost the battle and I had passed. As they were zipping up the bag around me, my body shook, and I came back to life. As I recall, I was basking in light, full of peace, with no pain looking into the eyes of the most beautiful man I have ever seen, then as fast as that I was back in camp in agonizing pain. Did I die and come back? I can’t really say, but I do know I have never experienced peace like that ever since.

They transported me to the hospital ship Sanctuary, where I was further patched up and sent to Germany and eventually home. I had suffered multiple injuries to my right arm, shoulder, and chest plus 360 stitches in my head where the beebees from the mine penitrated my scull. I was told they removed over 200 beebees from my head and body. I was sent home a broken mess. I arrived stateside on Veterans Day, November 11th. Since then, I’ve had over 12 surgeries on my right shoulder and 4 on my head and neck all to get my right side to function somewhat normal.

God saved me for a purpose, and I think that purpose is to share His blessings and grace with all I cross paths with, which is what I strive to do on a daily basis.

I can truly say I have been blessed over my life and that God has kept me centered. I thank Him daily for all the wonderful people He puts in my path and promised Him to live my life to His glory.

This is an abbreviated version of my life. As I said, September 9th marked the 52nd anniversary of the mine incident. I feel old at times, but know I am not finished with what He sent me here to do.

Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come, T’was Grace, that brought me safe thus far, and Grace will bring me home.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

As I’ve said, this is one of my favorite chapters because when you dig into a bit, you see something most people overlook. So maybe we should take a real close look at the 1 Corinthians 13 verses through different eyes: God is patient, he is kind. He does not envy, He does not boast, He is not proud. He does not dishonor others, He is not self-seeking, He is not easily angered, He keeps no record of wrongs. God does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. He always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. God never fails.

This looking deeper into the Bible is true throughout because when we look at how it is written to guide our daily lives, we see a whole new reason behind it. The 23rd chapter of Psalm, another favorite of mine, is one of the most quoted in the bible. But, have you really looked closely at it to see how it fits our everyday life?

The Lord is my shepherd and makes sure I have everything I need. Without Him, I would be lost.
He gives me a green pasture for which to graze and sleep. He provides still water for me to drink. In case you didn’t know, lambs won’t drink from moving water. He restores my soul: He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. He provides guidance in all circumstances, if we ask. He offers me comfort and protection so that I have nothing to fear. He is always there to watch over me. He stands with me in the presence of my enemies. He covers me with His love and blessings and my cup overflows. Goodness and mercy follow me everywhere, and He has prepared a place for me in His house for me to live forever.

As Christians, we are to love all as we love ourselves so as we live our lives with love and have faith that the Lord is watching our every step, we the realize the joy of our Lord is our strength. Dwell in His holy presence, and center yourself in His will. His blessings will flow. Serve Him with a joyful heart and again; rejoice.

Many times, I am asked how I stay so positive when it seems like the world is crushing in on me. I have always responded that life is a choice, and I can choose to be negative or positive for all the challenges. I always choose the positive, knowing that He is right here beside me and knows what is waiting around the corner.

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

A life of love.. It is here, the very essence of life, where life itself takes on a whole new meaning. Harmony, love, trust, and faith in, with and around your fellow man step up and take a leading role in the meaning of everyday life. It takes a unique balance of all of these to maintain human relations in our complex world. The pressures put on us by our social peers, for lack of a better word, tend to drive us all in opposing directions from the center of life’s true meaning.

Eternal life does not begin with death; it begins with faith.

Let us live our lives full of love for all and share our blessing along the way. Then we will see that the world is not collapsing on us and the Lord is always at least one step ahead of us.

This is my life of peace and grace. Join me and learn how to live free of the world.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed