Nostalgia (part 4) - VJ Day Kiss - 70 years ago

Kissing the War Goodbye/Wikipedia.com

70 years ago ...

August 14, 1945 was the dawn, ending those dark days from 1939 - 1945 which were marked by a horrific world war.  World War II left no continent untouched and a devastating body count.  With causalities approaching 70 million, it may have been the worst war in recorded human history, such seen in this interactive video:  The Fallen of World War II on Vimeo

But as the Psalmist wrote:

"... weeping may endure for a night, 

but joy cometh in the morning."

Psalm 30:5 (KJV)

Finally the night of weeping ended and joy came with the unconditional surrender of Japan bringing with it a promise of peace.

This iconic kiss was a snapshot of that day - capturing the spirit of VJ Day - Victory over Japan.  And I wrote about it five years ago in this blog: A kiss immortalized in August 14, 1945

Since then, the identity of the nurse has been challenged. Some have come forward claiming to be the sailor and the nurse in the photo. Even science has weighed in: Solving The 'VJ Day Kiss' Photograph Mystery Using Astronomy And Science

Who were they really?

Perhaps it's best to let it be. It was what it was ... a magical moment ... the hand of fate.

(reference:  https://youtu.be/mPHRp0us9X4 )

And 70 years ago was a different time. During World War Two, America was united. We were bold and committed to what FDR said in his Pearl Harbor speech -

"No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion,
the American people in their righteous might
will win through to absolute victory. ...

With confidence in our armed forces,
with the unbounding determination of our people,
we will gain the inevitable triumph --
so help us God."
  from:  FDR: Pearl Harbor Address to the Nation

Yet, FDR would not live to see the end of the war, but died in office on April 12, 1945. [reference: FDR Dies]  

But he inspired us to never give up and overcome in the face of overwhelming odds, like he never gave up when faced with a crippling handicap, as dramatized in this scene:  The best part of the movie "Pearl Harbor"

And though I wasn't born yet, my parents had not met yet, it does make me feel nostalgic for a time when all Americans are united, again, and determined to fight for the right. And in the end experience ...

* The sweet kiss of victory! *

--------------------------------------
--------------------------------------

Previous posts in this series:

Nostalgia (part 1) - A Father's Thanksgiving Prayer  (2014)

Nostalgia (part 2) - Christmas Past in War and Peace (2014)

Nostalgia (part 3) - Something Old, Something New  (2014)

--------------------------------------
--------------------------------------

Photo from: Kissing the War Goodbye/Wikipedia.com

Biblia Files (part 3) - Gideon - weakness, warts and all

amazon/Gideon

My local women's Bible study just finished Gideon using the guide which is shown above. 
[for a promo: click here]

The series of lessons was written and taught via DVD by Priscilla Shirer - a graduate from Dallas Theological Seminary in Biblical studies.  But Priscilla describes herself as a wife and mom first though, in my opinion, she is a wonderful teacher.  She connects with students - whether in a classroom setting or on the other side of TV screen - and really knows her stuff.

Why Gideon?

This Old Testament story still is relevant in the 21st century.  Human nature - its weakness, warts and all - have not changed.  And today, so many of us may feel like Gideon - small, insignificant, weak - especially when oppressed by powerful foes.  But  God uses our weaknesses as the key to tap into His resources and give us His strength to open the door to victory.

For a taste of the series, check out the clip below:

Now for, a few ...

#LessonsFromGideon

Though the story takes up three chapters, Judges 6-8, there are riches to be mined here and timeless lessons to be learned.  In these few short chapters, patterns appear that repeat themselves throughout Scripture and history.

For example:

*  Gideon did well - at first - when he was aware of his weakness and totally depended on God, checking in frequently to do His will. Following God's instruction, Gideon with his band of 300 scored a great victory over the Midianites.

*  And in the New Testament, St. Paul received a word from the Lord concerning his "torn in the flesh" -

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

Great lesson.

But after great victories, Gideon became a victim of his own success.  Pride moved in.  And it was the undoing of his family as we see in Judges 8 and the decline of the nation after Gideon's passing in Judges 9.

And Moses gave warning that this would happen:

11 Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day.
12 Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down,
13 and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied,
14 then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

Deuteronomy 8 (NIV)

And the people did not heed the warning as this same theme repeats itself in the Old Testament.   After the judges, such as Gideon, came the kings - Saul, David, Solomon ...  Some did well until they forgot God.  And the same can be said for us  as well as our nation.

This series is a timeless lesson for all us Gideons - unsure of ourselves, aware of weaknesses, afraid of the powerful who seem to oppress us.  But as it says in that great chapter of Faith:

³² And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets,
³³ who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions,
³⁴ quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.

Hebrews 8 (NIV)

If you have a chance, please check out this study, as we continue our journey in the ...

Biblia Files.

-----------------
-----------------

Recent posts in this series:

Biblia Files (part 1) - Thru the Bible (2013)

Biblia Files (part 2) - What is the Bible Basically About? (2013)

-----------------
-----------------


Photo from: amazon/Gideon

Dr. Who and World War Two - VE Day is coming.

Sixty-five years ago, May 8, 1945 was VE Day - Victory in Europe. It marked the beginning of the end of World War Two.

For this milestone, I put together a tribute garnered from BBC's Dr. Who, the longest running Sci-Fi program in the world.

"The Doctor," a Time Lord, regularly regenerates into different incarnations as he travels through time and space, usually with a mortal female companion. His vehicle, the TARDIS, resembles an old fashioned British Police Box, which is bigger on the inside that the outside. Oh, the marvels of science fiction.

Two 2005 episodes, "The Empty Child" and its sequel "The Doctor Dances", are set in Great Britain during the onslaught of World War Two. The TARDIS lands the ninth Doctor, played by Christopher Eccleston, and his companion Rose Tyler from 21st century London, back in London of 1941 during the Blitz.

The Doctor and Rose encounter a young woman, Nancy, who recently lost a close member of her family. Scavenging for food during the air raids, while most Londoners are in their bomb shelters, Nancy cares for many children, left orphans by the war.

In this following scene from "The Empty Child," the Doctor commends Nancy for their tenacity, during a time which Sir Winston Churchill had described as "their finest hour."



In this following clip of the second part, "The Doctor Dances," Rose, who as a time traveller knows that VE Day is coming, offers Nancy encouragement.



In these episode clips, I saw a Christian allegory for our present times.

We feel the fury of the enemy dropping bombs of cruel hate all about to dishearten us, defeat us, demoralize us, and destroy everything that is good in this life. At times, there appears no deliverance or escape from the evil in this world and no end to the assaults of the enemy.

But we know Someone greater than a fictional Time Lord - the Lord of time and space, Creator of the universe. And He has already written the future:

Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,
Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
Isaiah 46:9,10 (King James Version)
He is engaged in this long war between good and evil in human history. And to encourage us, He tells us how it will all end - He wins!

He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.
And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
Isaiah 25:8, 9 (King James Version)
His VE Day - Victory over Everything - is coming when -

Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet.
Hebrews 2:8 (King James Version)
As we endure the Blitz of these present spiritual battles and tribulations in this world, may His finest hour be lived through us by the power of His Spirit.


photo from wikipedia: TARDIS