Have Faith November Issue
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A Time of Remembrance<br />
of these have been the subject of my<br />
writings in various publications, and<br />
I have to say that I am humbled every<br />
time. One especially comes to mind of<br />
a sailor who was involved in the Battle<br />
of River Plate at the start of the war.<br />
Despite the many years that had passed,<br />
the details of his experiences were<br />
firmly etched in his mind. Yet, this very<br />
sprightly 90 something, still managed to<br />
recall the fun stuff and all of the naughty<br />
exploits he got up to. I always try to push<br />
for these stories as it brings a smile while<br />
remembering adversity.<br />
Sacrifice has been necessary for the<br />
common good throughout the ages. But<br />
one stands in front of all the others. The<br />
ultimate sacrifice by our Lord, Jesus<br />
Christ. He went to his incredibly violent<br />
and painful death in order that we may<br />
all be saved from our own sins.<br />
I have read the life of Christ over and<br />
over again, and on many occasions he<br />
could have walked away from his fate.<br />
But he didn’t. His love for us was so<br />
strong that he gave all. Now Jesus was<br />
not a combatant in any sense of the word.<br />
Yet, I truly believe that every soldier<br />
who walks on to a battle field prays for<br />
his strength, his courage and his love in<br />
order to fight for what he or she believes<br />
is right and good.<br />
Every Remembrance Sunday two poems<br />
are read out at the services. Of course,<br />
the excerpt from ‘For The Fallen’ as at<br />
the start of this article and also: “When<br />
you go home, tell them of us and say ‘For<br />
you’re tomorrow, we gave our today’. “<br />
Both are very moving and are totally<br />
appropriate and justified. But I can’t help<br />
thinking what Jesus said to his disciples<br />
before he went to his death. “Greater<br />
love has no one than this, that he lay<br />
down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)<br />
In my opinion, this is the very essence<br />
of every serviceman. I personally<br />
keep this firmly in my thoughts<br />
every Remembrance day. In fact, it’s<br />
permanently in my thoughts to be<br />
honest. Such is the impact of that one<br />
verse. But then again. that’s just me.<br />
Lest we forget!<br />
t he lay down his life for his friends.<br />
John 15:13<br />
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