Monday, October 26, 2009

A Marksman and a Pigeon

World War I was known as the Great war, and the war to end all wars. This horrible conflict cost Billions of dollars and millions of lives. America was spared for over two years, but eventually was pulled into the awful conflict. Perhaps the most important battle that the United States was involved in was the Meuse-Argonne offensive. During this key battle God showed His hand of intervention in two different parts of the battle. The first was the amazing exploits of Sergeant Alvin York. He was a man who loved God and hated war. He found himself almost alone during the Argonne campaign and facing a machine gun nest. He was able to get into position to pick off many of the enemy, to the point that the Germans surrendered. When the Germans came out and gave themselves up,he realized that he had captured “a tolerable few” In reality he had killed twenty-five Germans, captured 132, and silenced thirty-five machine guns. When he was asked how he was able to accomplish such a feat, he replied , ”We know there were miracles, don’t we? Well this was one. It’s the only way I can figure it”
Another event in the same campaign was the rescue of the Lost Battalion. A group of several hundred American soldiers found themselves surrounded by the enemy. To make matters worse, the American who were in another area were shelling the area right where they were. They were being killed by the big guns of their own side. The only hope for the battalion was to send carrier pigeons to give their position to the other Americans to stop the friendly fire. As the Americans sent each pigeon into the air, the Germens simply shot each one down. Finally the lost battalion was down to its last pigeon. The pigeon named Cher Ami was sent into the air, and quickly shot down. However, she got back up and flew to the other American troops, and the battalion was saved. Cher Ami had one eye gone, her breastbone smashed, and one leg shot off, but God had allowed her to make it to her destination. The Bible says that God knows even when a sparrow falls to the ground. In this case, He reached down and picked up a pigeon. God saved hundred of men using one of our nations most unusual heroes. Many times we use the excuse “God could never use me, I just don’t have any ability. If God can use an uneducated marksman, and a pigeon, he can certainly use us.

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