Here's an article from Breaking Christian News. I hope it touches someone like it did me.
In Christ Alone - a Soldier's Thoughts for Memorial Day
EMICMG / Aimee Herd reporting (May 29, 2006)
"I can tell you that I feel more secure in claiming the promise: 'No power of hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from his hand, till he returns or calls me home' - than I do with that rifle and pistol."
EDITOR'S NOTE: The ministry of "Worship Together" has produced a beautiful e-card, with music, especially for Memorial Day, from a letter written by a soldier who was deployed to Iraq, in March of 2003. U.S. Army Major A. Cooper shares some very poignant thoughts about the inspiration and strength he has drawn from the words of the modern hymn, "In Christ Alone." We have included a few excerpts, from his letter, in the article below. To view the musical e-card, with the lyrics to the song, click on the link at the bottom. May this encourage our troops currently deployed, as well as those who have fought in previous battles, for the freedom we enjoy today. - Aimee Herd, BCN.
"I wanted to share a song that has been a real inspiration to me. It is a new hymn written, I believe, a year or two ago but it has the feel of the traditional hymns. I have listened to it almost every night and even tend to sing/reflect on its words on my trips across town between the Palace and Baghdad International Airport. It has been an inspiration to me because each of its verses reminds me of fundamental principles."(Photo: U.S. Army)
"The first verse claims who Christ is to me, a cornerstone. He is the reason for my hope, my peace and in whom I receive the comfort to continue on even during the separation from my wife, my kids and my home."
"We are losing soldiers here everyday to people that we are trying to help. [Verse two of the song] helps me to have compassion on the Iraqi people. To know that Christ purposefully gave his life for us helps me to understand that he knows that soldiers are dying and that he is in control."
"No matter how many times I hear the second part of [verse 3], I get chills up my spine. The picture of Christ standing in victory, the image of sin's grip being broken, and the promise that I am His, and knowing that He in fact is mine, brings Him incredibly close to me."
"[Verse 4 is what] I am singing as I drive down the highway with my M-16 pointed out the window and my 9MM pistol tucked in my flak jacket pocket. I can tell you that I feel more secure in claiming the promise: 'No power of hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from his hand, till he returns or calls me home' - than I do with that rifle and pistol."
http://ecards.emicmg.com/soldierStory/relaunch.html#
In Christ Alone - a Soldier's Thoughts for Memorial Day
EMICMG / Aimee Herd reporting (May 29, 2006)
"I can tell you that I feel more secure in claiming the promise: 'No power of hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from his hand, till he returns or calls me home' - than I do with that rifle and pistol."
EDITOR'S NOTE: The ministry of "Worship Together" has produced a beautiful e-card, with music, especially for Memorial Day, from a letter written by a soldier who was deployed to Iraq, in March of 2003. U.S. Army Major A. Cooper shares some very poignant thoughts about the inspiration and strength he has drawn from the words of the modern hymn, "In Christ Alone." We have included a few excerpts, from his letter, in the article below. To view the musical e-card, with the lyrics to the song, click on the link at the bottom. May this encourage our troops currently deployed, as well as those who have fought in previous battles, for the freedom we enjoy today. - Aimee Herd, BCN.
"I wanted to share a song that has been a real inspiration to me. It is a new hymn written, I believe, a year or two ago but it has the feel of the traditional hymns. I have listened to it almost every night and even tend to sing/reflect on its words on my trips across town between the Palace and Baghdad International Airport. It has been an inspiration to me because each of its verses reminds me of fundamental principles."(Photo: U.S. Army)
"The first verse claims who Christ is to me, a cornerstone. He is the reason for my hope, my peace and in whom I receive the comfort to continue on even during the separation from my wife, my kids and my home."
"We are losing soldiers here everyday to people that we are trying to help. [Verse two of the song] helps me to have compassion on the Iraqi people. To know that Christ purposefully gave his life for us helps me to understand that he knows that soldiers are dying and that he is in control."
"No matter how many times I hear the second part of [verse 3], I get chills up my spine. The picture of Christ standing in victory, the image of sin's grip being broken, and the promise that I am His, and knowing that He in fact is mine, brings Him incredibly close to me."
"[Verse 4 is what] I am singing as I drive down the highway with my M-16 pointed out the window and my 9MM pistol tucked in my flak jacket pocket. I can tell you that I feel more secure in claiming the promise: 'No power of hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from his hand, till he returns or calls me home' - than I do with that rifle and pistol."
http://ecards.emicmg.com/soldierStory/relaunch.html#
