November 13

VETERAN’S DAY 11/11/11

As I was considering Veteran’s Day I felt this to be very appropriate.

The short list of candidates had been narrowed to one finalist. He was tall and handsome, articulate and experienced. His resume was impressive, his character flawless. Yet, with all that pedigree, the odds of his success were almost nil.

Nevertheless, on June 15, 1775, John Adams stood to his feet during the Second Continental Congress and nominated George Washington of Virginia to be Commander in Chief of the Continental Army.

In retrospect, hiring the forty-three year old former soldier and surveyor was the most important decision of the American Revolution.

Prior to Washington's acceptance speech, Congress gushed about the "large and high-spirited army" and how they would "provide any and all resources necessary." They intentionally misrepresented the facts for fear that Washington would be scared off by the impossibility of the task. 

Soon after his humble acceptance, where he declined their monthly salary of $500 in favor of expenses only, Washington discovered the ugly truth about the state of the union. The army's head-count was almost half of what he'd been promised. Furthermore, there wasn't enough food, supplies, pay, guns or ammunition to go around. And, to make matters worse, the enlistment period for most of the soldiers was about to expire.

General Washington's mammoth task was to, 1.) Motivate thousands of cold, unpaid, overworked, underfed, retiring veterans to re-enlist for more of the same; and, 2.) Defeat the well equipped, expertly trained war machine of Great Britain. That's all. 

To accomplish these goals, Washington committed himself to a four-point strategy:

1.) To surround himself with young, vibrant officers who could replicate his leadership on multiple battlefields.

2.) To demand military discipline. Most enlistees viewed military service as a secondary job and, as a result, were half-hearted about their responsibilities.

3.) To teach his troops about freedom. In every briefing he spoke of tyranny and liberty, and history in the making. He read and re-read the Declaration of Independence to them. Each day he reminded them that they were fighting to be free.

4.) To offer himself as an example. He would not ask others to sacrifice unless he was willing to do the same. Consequently, during one battle, four bullets ripped through his coat and his horse was shot out from under him. In others, he stayed on horseback for days at a time, riding from one flank to the next, encouraging the men.

In time, the American Revolution was won, a nation was founded, and a national hero was born.

Washington's leadership plan, whether he knew it or not, was biblically based. In fact it's the identical strategy that God has given to us as we lead His church:

1.) "Commit [your teaching] to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." (2Tim 2.2)

2.) "Be serious and watchful...and above all things have fervent love for one another." (1Peter 4.7-8)

3.) "Walk in a manner worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory." (1Thes 2.12)

4.) "Be an example to the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." (1Tim 4.12)

A General and a Pastor have very similar roles. Both are highly visible and yet can be very lonely. Both hear the applause of adoring troops and yet feel the pain of well-aimed bullets. Their leadership determines the destiny of lives. Generals change history. So do pastors--one life at a time.

BY RON WALTERS

Farewell to the Arkansas Travelers, Hubert & Lenore Sherrill

You will be missed!

 

ICONIC STEAM LOCOMOTIVE COMES THROUGH COOLIDGE

OLD NO. 844 OF THE UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD MADE A SHORT AND IMPRESSIVE VISIT TO COOLIDGE ON NOVEMBER 12 AT NOON.

Many from the park came to watch for the train.                        Here she comes!

This is what happens to pennies when run over by   If you missed the train, it will be back in
a freight train.                                                            Coolidge on November 15 from 11-12:30  
                                                                                  at the Central Avenue Crossing.

A VISIT WITH THE APACHE JUNCTION CHAPLAINS: 

KEITH AND SUSAN WHITE

A NICE MEAL AT THE VILLAGE INN                 A VISIT TO THEIR MOTOR HOME

A TIME OF PRAYER IN THE CHAPEL AT THE ROCK SHADOWS RV PARK, A 800 UNIT PARK IN APACHE JUCTION, WHERE KEITH AND SUSAN SERVE AS CRM CHAPLAINS.

To hear this week's message, click here.
Continue to pray for us as we seek to serve the Lord here in the desert.
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