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"When The Shadows Deepen"
(Part
2)
Note:
In the course
of preparing
yesterday's
message using
Psalm 23:4 as
our text a
testimony came
to mind that
we heard
nearly 30
years ago.
This message
will be a bit
longer than
most of our
messages but
we believe it
will bless
you. This man
really
experienced
the deep
shadows!
Message summary: As the Lord speaks in Isaiah 55:11 His Word does "not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it".
Listen
to our message
on your audio
player.
"Even
though I walk
through the
valley of the
shadow of
death, I will
fear no evil,
for You are
with me"
(Psalm 23:4).
The
Gideons are an
international
organization
of business
men devoted to
the
distribution
of the
Scriptures. I
have known
many Gideons
over the years
but today our
friend Galen
Martin, a
Lancaster
County farmer
and Gideon,
comes to mind.
We have heard many wonderful testimonies concerning the power of God's Word. But this one really stands out:
John
Parkinson
joined the
Marines right
out of high
school
following
World War 2
and was given
a small Gideon
New Testament
and Psalms
upon his
induction,
probably like
the one my
uncle
received.At the time Parkinson had no interest in spiritual things but still he still carried the little Testament in his pocket.
Upon the completion of his first term of service he returned to his farm in upstate New York. But he determined that there was nothing to keep him there so he re-enlisted. This time he was traveling through the Mediterranean when he met up with Charlie Kline again who was still witnessing for Christ, and still John was rejecting.
While they were at sea the Korean War broke out and his unit was deployed to Korea and became a part of the famed Inchon landing. They marched inland and just when it appeared the war was nearly over, the Chinese entered the war and John described the horrendous battles that followed in November 1950. It was known as "Hell Fire Valley".
One night he and Charlie were two of only 6 men left from the original 96 men in his unit and things looked utterly hopeless. Again Charlie witnessed to John but he again refused, angrily shoving Charlie away.
But
later that
same night in
desperation
John finally
cried out to
God. He pulled
out his Gideon
Testament and
"randomly"
turned to the
23rd Psalm
where he read
the phrase, "Yea
though I walk
through the
valley of the
shadow of
death, I will
fear no evil,
for Thou art
with me."
This was a
remarkable
"coincidence"
as he looked
upon the
valley filled
with death,
since he had
no Christian
training or
Bible
knowledge that
would prompt
him to turn to
that famous
passage of
comfort.John did make it out and immediately found a chaplain who led him to the Lord. He inquired about Charlie Kline, but several mentioned that they thought he was among the injured and removed on a stretcher. He was assumed dead. John returned to upstate New York and this time the farm looked pretty good! He married and began to farm.
Here's the rest of the story:
John joined the Gideons and began to share his testimony. In 1985 he was at a Gideon's Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. While being introduced a loud commotion in the back of the room got his attention. A man stood up and shouted "We finally got ya!" It was none other than Charlie Kline!
What an emotional reunion that was! Turns out Charlie had gotten separated from the rest of the unit that dark night in 1950 and lost his direction. He walked right into the Chinese camp and had to spend three nights in a culvert in sub-freezing temperatures to avoid detection. He eventually made it out, but of course he had no idea what happened to John, not until 35 years later, that is!
Indeed, the Lord tells us in Isaiah 55:11 "My Word will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."
Be encouraged today, Hebrews 3:13
Daily
prayer:
Father,
through the
prophet
Isaiah's
words, we are
reminded that
Your Word does
not return
empty but
accomplishes
that which You
desire. It is
a lamp unto
our feet and a
light for our
path. We're
grateful for
the guidance
we receive
daily through
faithfully
reading and
applying
Scripture to
our lives. As
we wrestle
daily against
principalities,
against
powers,
against the
rulers of the
darkness of
this world,
and against
spiritual
wickedness in
high places we
look to You as
our Captain
protecting us
and guiding us
here below as
You lead us
toward our
future eternal
fortress in
heaven. Keep
us faithful
till that
final
promotion. In
the name of
Jesus we pray.
Amen.
See Psalm
119:105, 2
Timothy
3:16,17
Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
"Word
of God
Speak"
Watch
on YouTube
MercyMe
This
inscription from
President
Franklin D.
Roosevelt is
on the first
page of the
Gideon New
Testament
distributed to
WW2
servicemen.
The White
House
Washington
January 25,
1941
To the Armed
Forces:
As
Commander-in-Chief
I take
pleasure in
commending the
reading of the
Bible to all
who serve in
the armed
forces of the
United States.
Throughout the
centuries men
of many faiths
and diverse
origins have
found in the
Sacred Book
words of
wisdom,
counsel and
inspiration.
It is a
fountain of
strength and
now, as
always, an aid
in attaining
the highest
aspirations of
the human
soul.
Very sincerely
yours,
Franklin D.
Roosevelt
As
our country
has drifted
farther and
farther away
from God, the
Gideons have
seen more and
more
restrictions
placed on
their
Scripture
distribution.
Although not
compulsory
there are
numerous
forces who
feel that even
making Bibles
available must
be prohibited.
Here's
John
Parkinson's
testimony on YouTube
(14 minutes)
He was still
living in
2011. He does
refer to
Charlie Kline
passing on. If
John is still
living he
would be
around 98
(born in
1928).
CHOSIN, a
Korean War
documentary
film by Brian
Iglesias
Video
This ends with
a short
message by
John
Parkinson. A
very moving
piece only
2:41 minutes
long.
Here's an article about him in the American Rifleman.
I am not sure how this will open but in 1951 he is on the cover of Newsweek playing a guitar.
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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version and a variety of other versions.
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