What One Dedicated Person Can Do

In the early hours of June 7, 1944, as American forces struggled to expand the Normandy beachhead, 600 lightly armed American paratroopers held the French city of Ste.-Mère-Eglise. On the morning after D-Day, they were isolated and only a few miles inland from the sea, as they braced for a German counter attack.

The Americans little realized that 6000 German soldiers armed with tanks and artillery were headed their way. A German breakthrough to the beaches seemed imminent, as the German high command sought to end the Allied invasion.

Lt. Waverly Wray was the 24 year-old Executive Officer in Company D. Known endearingly to some of his men as “The Deacon,” Lt. Wray never swore, nor practiced other vices. He regularly sent half of his pay back to help construct the new Baptist church building in his hometown of Batesville, Mississippi. Lt. Wray was also an avid woodsman and a crack shoot.

Just before sunrise, Lt. Wray could hear the sound of German vehicles and personnel. After reporting to his commanding officer of the impending attack, he was ordered to attack the German flank.

As his company of men prepared to join battle, Lt. Wray decided to reconnoiter forward into the unknown hedgerows before him. Using his hunting skills, Wray crawled and stalked through trees and fields toward the German position. Providence guided him to the field headquarters of German 1st Battalion. With his rifle ready, he burst through the bushes and demanded the surrender of the eight officers. A fire fight ensued, and although slightly wounded, Lt. Wray shot and killed all eight German officers including their two guards.

Then Lt. Wray, with the skill of a great outdoorsman, backtracked his way to the American lines. With the knowledge of German troop concentrations, he directed the attack. The reinforced German Regiment, now without their leaders, was thoroughly defeated. (Ambrose, Stephen. Citizen Soldiers. New York: Simon & Schuster. 1997. pp. 17-21)

That isolated American regiment, and possibly the whole D-Day mission was saved by the effort and determination of one dedicated soldier, who happened also to be a Christian.

D.L. Moody posed this idea a hundred years ago: “The world has yet to see what God can do with a man fully consecrated to him.” D.L. Moody finished his thought by saying, “By God’s help, I aim to be that man.” During the next 26 years of his life, D.L. Moody’s preaching shook two continents, and one million souls responded for salvation.

What could the Lord do through your dedicated life?

Celebrating 6 Years!

On May 17, 2011, Lilliana Joy Dennis was born into the family of President & Mrs. Russell Dennis, Jr. By medical averages, Trisomy 18 babies are not expected to be born, let alone live out their first week.

Six years ago, the attending physicians at Indiana’s premier Children’s Hospital gave up on a little 9 day old baby, and sent her home to die.

On May 17th that girl, Lilliana Joy Dennis, turned six years old. Daily prayers and aggressive health measures have seen this little girl survive open heart surgery and begin to thrive. We are so thankful for all the prayers of our college family and friends.

The theme of this year’s celebration was “Praise His Name.” Using that same title, a four minute video was released on her birthday. You can view that video at: You Tube

"Then Whose Shall Those Things Be…"

Walter Samaszko, Jr. lived in a nondescript three bedroom house, in a nondescript subdivision in Carson City, Nevada. This 69 year-old recluse seldom ventured outside. He lived modestly, and had a small bank account.

Then five years ago his heart gave out, and he died. Without friends, no one checked on him, and only after the neighbors complained of a bad smell, did the authorities force open his door that June day in 2012. Walter had been dead nearly a month.

When the cleanup crew arrived, they noticed boxes in the garage marked “books.” When they opened the boxes, they found gold coins. Officials were called in, and more gold was found in ammo boxes, stuffed in an old washer, and in a crawl space. There was so much gold, they hauled it away in wheelbarrow loads. Walter Samaszko hoarded gold, and no one had any idea.

Without a will, the gold went to the government which held two auctions in 2013. Local and national news covered the story of the auctions which netted over 6 million dollars. Much of the money went to pay taxes, but a distant cousin was located, and this substitute school teacher still received millions.

Walter Samazko died holding onto a fortune. The good he could have accomplished with these funds, and the investment he could have made for the future, were never realized.

Ending Notes

Dr. Russell Dennis, Sr. loved to write in his Bible the thoughts, sermon outlines, and sayings that stirred him to serve God.

Dr. Dennis’ wide margin, Cambridge Bible can be viewed in an enclosed display in the upstairs hallway of Heritage Baptist College, along with the wall display of the Prophecy Chart with which he used to teach. After Dad’s passing, I read through both of his preaching Bibles and transferred many of his notes into my Bible.

I shared in past June Updates a few of the many nuggets in my Dad’s Bible. Here are some gleanings from the book of Galatians:

The greatest knowledge is to know the Will of God, and the greatest accomplishment is to do the Will of God (1:12)
History shows that in Christianity: Compromise weakens and dilutes, while Persecution strengthens and purifies. (1:23)
This story is told when R.G. Lee visited Golgotha. The guide asked him “Have you been here before?” “Yes,” answered Dr. Lee, “Two thousand years ago.” (2:20)
Use the weapon the Devil doesn’t have – Prayer. (5:1)
Missions is Sowing to the Spirit. (6:8)
“A fair shew in the flesh” = Accreditation. (6:12)
Every Christian should start well…and finish well. (6:14)
What marks do I bear for Jesus? (6:17)