Scared but Safe
Corporal Sisson sat in a U.S. Army truck, as it inched onto the pontoon bridge that crossed the Rhine River. The date was March 23, 1945, and Frank Sisson nervously retrieved a torn Bible page from his pocket. He had carried Psalm 91:9,10 throughout all the battles that he had fought while in General George Patton’s 3rd Army in Europe. Now they were entering Germany over a creaky pontoon bridge. He read the verses three times.
A moment later, the young soldier saw one of the new Nazi jet aircraft swoop out of the sky and head for them. Skimming just above the Rhine River, the black plane, “looked like a monster flying up from the deep.”
Frank Sisson jumped into the back of the truck, and stood behind the mounted .30-caliber machine gun. As he got the airplane into his sights, he could see that the craft was still flying directly towards them.
The gun jammed as Corporal Sisson went to pull on the cocking lever. “We are doomed,” he thought.
Then he realized that the German plane’s bullets were not hitting their truck or the bridge.
For a split second, the pilot and the soldier locked eyes. Each seemed to wonder why the other had not fired his weapon.
As the jet roared past, the gun freed up, but it was too late to effectively shoot.
“How was it that God made my weapon freeze,” Frank Sisson questioned?
“At that moment, I realized that if I had hit the German pilot, quite possibly he would have crashed into our convoy and maybe killed all of us.” Both were spared that day. (Sisson, Frank & Wise, Robert. I Marched with Patton. New York: Harper Collins. 2020 p. 113-115).
So in life, sometimes God watches over us in ways that can only amaze us.
His Humanity Saved the Country
Much honor is bestowed upon George Washington for his bravery & skill in battle during the Revolutionary War. All of his cunning and character, coupled with God’s protective hand, led to the eventual forming of the free republic called the United States.
But many do not realize how close that dream came to being destroyed.
In the Spring of 1783, the Treaty of Paris was yet to be signed, officially restoring peace to America and Great Britain. Although the fighting had basically ceased, both countries still maintained their armies in readiness.
North of New York City on the Hudson, George Washington had his camp at Newburgh.
During much of the war, and here more so at the end, the Congress had been negligent in providing pay and supplies for Washington’s soldiers.
By March, Washington’s officers had become very disgruntled, and a set of letters had circulated calling for the army to march on Congress, and by force threaten the states to supply the army’s due backpay.
A meeting was set for noon on March 15, 1783 to plan the officer’s next course of action. On that day, the building was filled with tension.
A few minutes after the start, General Washington arrived at the door, and asked to be given an opportunity to speak. The unexpected appearance of the commander in chief, at such a defining moment, had a startling effect. As Washington ascended the stage to the lectern, “every eye was fixed upon the illustrious man.”
The general began with an apology, and then using his best oratory skills, he tried to persuade his officers to do what was right, instead of what felt good at the moment. He pleaded with his commanders not to overturn the liberties of our country.
The speech was a magnificent rhetorical performance, but it was not enough. The officers remained sullen and unconvinced. Washington had never experienced such full displeasure in his men. He appeared not at the head of his troops, but now instead, as their opposition.
George Washington then chose to read one last letter from Joseph Jones, the delegate from Virginia who spoke for their cause in Congress. He began to read the letter, but it became obvious, that General Washington was struggling to see the handwriting.
“Gentleman,” Washington said, “you will permit me to put on my spectacles, for I have not only grown gray, but almost blind, in the service of my country.”
No one in the room had ever seen General Washington wearing glasses. This sign of human frailty overwhelmed the men, and brought them back to their leader and the cause that he had championed. (Philbrick, Nathaniel. In the Hurricane’s Eye. New York: Viking. 2018. p. 245-250).
Of all the sublime attributes of God, what often touches our emotions most is the humanity of Christ. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. I Corinthians 5:21 (cp. Philippians 2:7,8).
Dr. Harry Strachan to Speak at Banquet
Every year, one of the special events of Graduation Week is the Alumni/Graduation Banquet. Dr. Harry Strachan, of Ashland, OH is scheduled to speak at the Tuesday night, May 3rd event. Dr. Strachan pastors the thriving Calvary Baptist Church of Ashland, OH, where the Lord has blessed with many souls saved and a growing ministry. Dr. Harry Strachan will spiritually feed your heart and soul.
This year, we will host the Alumni/Graduation Banquet on the Hopewell Campus, and the food will be catered by Gray Brother’s Cafeteria.
Come and enjoy Dr. Strachan’s message, along with a night of good food, Christian music, and great fellowship. Please call Heritage Baptist College to make a reservation. (317) 738-3791 or (317) 246-8915.
Dr. Tom Wallace to Preach During Graduation Week
On May 3 - 5 we will hold the Graduation Week activities for Heritage Baptist College. A great line up of 12 preachers is planned, and one of the week’s highlights will be the combined meeting of local churches on Wednesday, May 4, 2022. Dr. Tom Wallace, author, evangelist, and Vice President of the Sword of the Lord will be speaking that night. We will have special singing, and numbers of churches will be in attendance.
Dr. Tom Wallace is a friend to Christians and his messages are relevant and helpful. This is our fifteenth year to host this combined service, and we look forward to a special evening filled with great enthusiasm, kindness, and Christian fellowship among the churches.